Chapter III

Invigorated by last night's events, Aramis felt like a new man. It was the first time he had slept so well in many months. The locket resting on his chest was the first thing on his mind when he woke up. The sun was already shining brightly, lighting his small room at the Musketeers Garrison. The prospect of getting up, seeing his friends, even going to the Palace and witnessing the Queen from afar were not so dreaded any more. He thought it was about time his life settled down a little.

He quickly washed his face, changed his shirt and donned his uniform. There was activity in the courtyard. He could hear sword-fighting noises, as well as horses in the stables. He was back in his much-loved reality.

The kitchen was mostly empty when he entered to find some breakfast. He was famished; he had not eaten anything since they had left the countryside the day before. He found some bread and cheese, sat down on one the long benches, his hat next to his plate and this was where his three friends discovered him later.

"There he is! You were missed last night. What happened to you?" d'Artagnan asked, sitting casually on the table, his feet on the bench.

"You are the one to talk. This one abandoned us after not even a bottle of wine. He was otherwise engaged."

"What can I say? You were in no measure to compete with Constance's arguments!"

"Where did you go anyway?" Porthos asked.

"I came straight back here after the Palace. I was too tired, if you must know." Athos raised an eyebrow. He did not believe what Aramis was saying. The latter stared intensely, trying in vain to convey some emotion or explanation. Athos eventually turned his head. They would have to talk later so Aramis could explain the new developments.

Porhtos howlered at his friend's excuse, clapping his back. It seemed that yesterday's altercation was either forgiven or forgotten.

"Now I recognise you, Aramis. Lately, I was worrying that you had fallen in love with one of your women. What a bore that would be. No more night out, no more cheap entertainment. I'm relieved!" The three Musketeers shared a laugh, Athos barely acknowledging the joke.

"I feel much better today, I must say. I must have been feeling ill to be so execrable. Everything should be back the way it is supposed to be, though. I apologise for the way I treated you last night."

"Forget it. I am glad you've come to your senses, that is all. Will you be seeing her again then, your mysterious woman, or what?"

"Who knows? She goes easy on the eye." Aramis shrugged. Now that the Queen was going to make it official for him to be near the nursery, did he want to continue seeing Marguerite? After all, they were going to run into each other while she'd be watching the Dauphin and he'd be keeping watch. The idea of sleeping with her again was not so appealing but it was not torture either. Yes, he would probably keep seeing her in that way.

"Well, while you make up your mind, who is in favour of some sword practice to wake us up?" As the latest addition to the Garrison, d'Artagnan was always looking forward to show his ability, especially by competing against his friends. Porthos stole some food from Aramis's plate and followed their younger friend outside.

"I saw the Queen last night," Aramis muttered to Athos now that they were by themselves in the common room. He could see his friend's eyes judging from behind the brim of his hat. Athos did not say anything, waiting for the rest of the story. "We managed to talk, only the two of us. She does not mind me seeing the child, if you must know. She even decided to..."

"Athos, Aramis! In my office this instant!" Captain Tréville cut off Aramis, then left the room as soon as he had arrived. "Find Porthos and d'Artagnan."

"We will continue this later, "Athos decided, judging the expression on Aramis's face. What could have happened last night to so radically change the Musketeer? He could not deny it was indeed a relief to see the improvement in his mood.

A few minutes later, the four Musketeers were standing in line in front of their Captain's desk. It looked like they were going to be sent on another mission. No rest for the soldiers of the King.

"I need two of you to ride to Orléans. My sister and her husband live in the city. Last month, I received a letter asking if my nephew Christophe could come learn some life lessons in my care. From what I understood, this one is quite a rascal so whoever decide to retrieve him will have to be careful. I suppose he is not thrilled to have to spend time with the Musketeers. Despite what people may think when looking at some of our members, we respect a strict discipline. It can only be beneficial for the boy. He will celebrate his sixteenth birthday in June."

"I will go," Aramis proposed. He had to redeem himself in the eyes of his superior.

"I'll come with you," Porthos decided.

"Good, it is settled then. Athos, d'Artagnan, you may go. This is a map of the quickest road to reach their house. My brother-in-law possesses a mansion in the outskirts of the city. You leave today so you should be back by the end of the week."

Porthos grabbed the map and left the room to go prepare their horses for the journey. Aramis went to gather some food for the road. Not even an hour after their assignment had been given they were on their way.

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The weather was mild and they managed to make quick haste on the road. Porthos launched the conversation on his feats from last night, from winning a card game to gaining the favours of the young inn-keeper. Being the only one there with him, Aramis had to listen, something which he had stopped doing these past months. His thoughts used to be solely focused on the Palace, on the baby and on the Queen. He realized he had missed the harmless banter of his friend. His child was still on his mind, but with things being now somehow settled with the Queen, he did not feel so guilty not worrying about the Dauphin all the time. So when Porthos eventually quieted, he ended up telling him a couple of things about Marguerite.

Later that night, Aramis was lying on the bed in the small room they had rented at an inn on the road down south. The owner was quite proud to be hosting two of the King's Musketeer under his roof. He had provided his best wine (which tasted funny) and they had feasted until their stomachs hurt.

Porthos had gone to the stables to make sure their horses were fed and given enough hay. Alone in the room, Aramis was in the best spirits to pray. Holding the Queen's crucifix to his lips, he gave thanks to God for last night, for his conversation with her Majesty, for the time spent with his son. He asked God to protect them both and to make sure that the baby stayed in good health. He could not finish his prayer without asking God's forgiveness for the way he was treating Marguerite, and also for the way he had betrayed his King. This last part was always there whenever he turned to God. He knew his past actions were leading him straight to Hell, but it may help to show some shame. After all, he had failed in his duties to the King of France. His shame was so low compared to his feelings of joy and pride that it was almost shameful itself.

Aramis signed himself, kissed the crucifix and after listening intently for Porthos's footsteps, he decided it was safe to look at the locket. Even when it was closed, the piece of jewellery was gorgeous; it was intended for the Queen after all. The oval was pure gold, and three topazes were encrusted on each side: blue was the colour of the King. Inside, the miniature was so well executed that for a second, Aramis thought he was really gazing at his child. Baby Louis was going to change and grow up so fast that it was important to remember how he looked like when he was tiny and had not a care in the world. The Musketeer closed his eyes, wondering if he would be tall like he was, and if he would have a natural ability for swording. He hoped so.

"Don't tell me someone else gave you another necklace!" Porthos exclaimed. Aramis was startled and he sat up straight on the bed, putting the locket back under the protection of his shirt. "These women give them to you as if they were leashes to keep you under their orders. I can understand it coming from the Queen, we must be loyal to her after all. But from a servant? If I did not know you better, I'd say you are getting dangerously close to matrimony."

"Do not fret about this, my friend. The day I give up my freedom is still not in the near future. I like our way of life too much." He chastised himself for not paying enough attention to his surroundings. Athos would most certainly have given him a lecture on caution if he had been present.

Aramis blew out the candle on the bedside table, said good night and turned around to face the wall. His fingers were playing with the locket and the chain when he finally went to sleep.

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The next morning, fresh and rested, the two riders continued their journey. There was a little wind and the clouds in the sky did not augur of a dry day. They could simply hope they would reach Orléans before the rain started. Captain Tréville's sister seemed to be well-known in the city. Porthos had to stop to ask further directions to some merchant in the street and from what he gathered, the only shadow on the family's reputation was their youngest son who always managed to get himself in the worst possible situations.

"If he does not want to come with us, I suggest we tie him up on a horse and gag him. It will spare us much trouble." Unable to decide if it was a joke or if he was serious, Aramis nodded his assent. Porthos was capable of doing such a thing, he had done so in the past.

The mansion was surrounded by the green and luxuriant forest. The scenery seemed to be a hunting paradise and as they came closer, the two friends realized how imposing the house was.

"I wonder what he does for a living. The Captain did not say anything about it. I doubt he is in the military or his son would behave better than he does."

Suddenly a gunshot broke the quiet atmosphere. The horses, used to the noise, did not move.

"It came from the house."

"Trouble already?"

"You may have been wrong about the military."

"There's only one way to find out."

Pushing their horses to a gallop, Porthos and Aramis headed straight ahead.