King Louis paced across the floor of the windowless room, which was drearily decorated with lanterns and candles that flickered off the dark haunted walls. Large bookshelves lined the far wall, leather-bound journals that the king had grown fond of throughout the course of his years. A fire blazed in the stone and mortar fireplace. Flames danced, sparked, and wood splintered and snapped. The dark painting of a wild pig hung above the mantle. Its gold frame contradicted its depth of shadows that hid the creature in the cluster of trees and bushes near a pond that reflected the light of the moon. Sparsely decorated, the room was not intended for guests or entertainment, but as a safe harbor should the palace come under threat. With a few chairs, a table for six, and a credenza, the room had been designed for protection and functionality.
"How many explosions?" Cardinal Richelieu asked. He stood near the table with the right side of his cloak draped over his arm, and he gently stroked at his goatee. Despite his racing heart and racing mind, he looked the part of the First Minister: calm, collected, and prepared.
"Three at last count," Treville said, and clenched his fingers around the hilt of his sword to curtail his nervous energy. "Casualties are unknown —"
"Who would have done such a thing?" King Louis said. "In my city!" He threw his hands up and then quickly placed them on his hips, forcing the flanks of his doublet to curve outward. "Whoever it was, I want them found. I want them brought before me for judgment and I want them punished." Dark curls hung over his shoulders, and the darks shades of his doublet blended into the walls. "An example must be made."
Richelieu cocked an eyebrow and looked at Treville. "Do you have any idea of who might have plotted this treaso —"
All three men stopped when another explosion echoed. The walls shook, the lantern and drinking glasses rattled, and the flames of the fire flickered before resuming a constant flame. Suddenly, the doors opened, and Athos stepped inside. He bowed, and then the doors were quickly pulled closed behind him. Despite the chill of the air, sweat beaded his brow, and he worked to control his breathing.
"We have yet to determine who may have perpetrated the crime —" Treville said. He looked at Athos, who nodded a quick acknowledgment that he had information, but kept quiet. "But I might ask the same from you?" He raised his eyebrows as he looked at Richelieu. "Given your reputation amongst the nobility and now the peasants, it's not a question of who, but when."
The cardinal rolled his eyes and exhaled slowly. "We're on the brink of war, Captain. Now is not the time to tolerate sullenness from peasants or nobility —"
"In the meantime, my city is being blown to pieces!" King Louis shouted and walked toward the fireplace. "My queen and I should depart — we should leave Paris immediately — and I want whoever is behind this captured and brought before me. I will not be made a mockery in my city!"
"Sire," Richelieu said and walked toward him. "Without an intimation of who the perpetrators might be, risking a journey now would not be advisable."
"I'm not looking for advice, Cardinal," Louis snapped as he turned. "I will not become a prisoner in my own home!"
"If I may, Your Majesty," Athos said. "The Cardinal is correct. The Wren was hit — several Musketeers and Red Guards were injured during in the initial explosions — we have yet to determine how many guards are available to accompany you on this journey and search for the assailants —"
"Do not assume, Musketeer Athos, that your assessment is of my concern. Your duty is to your king and your king desires to depart Paris." Louis narrowed his eyes as he looked at Athos and then the others.
"How many?" Richelieu asked. He took a deep breath and pursed his lips.
"Unknown at this time, but Aramis and several others are sorting the wounded from the dead, and we have yet to know how many more explosions are set to be ignited — if any."
"Why are you standing here? Find them!" Louis turned toward the mantle and looked at the fire. He waved his hand in annoyance.
Richelieu frowned with a nod and looked toward the king's back. Louis raised his hand to stop anyone from speaking.
"How long before they strike the palace? How long before my queen and unborn child are injured… or worse, because I refused to leave — I will not die trapped in a room surrounded with fools!" He quickly turned on his heels to face them. "I am the king." His face was red and despite his anger, fear reached his eyes.
"Your Majesty," Treville said, and stepped toward him. He glanced at Richelieu and then looked at the king. "Allow us more time to evaluate the situation. Right now you and the queen are safe — if we try to move you to a new location without knowing who is behind the attacks or if more are planned, and possibly ignited, we could —"
"Find out who is behind this! I will not be held prisoner in my palace, Treville," Louis hissed. "How many times must I make the request?" He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Find them, find out what they want, and I want them all punished. In the meantime… make plans for our departure. We're traveling to the Chateau de Fontainebleau — it's a three-day ride. I will not be persuaded otherwise." He took a deep breath and looked toward the others and waved his hand in dismissal. "Leave me — I need time to think."
Richelieu, Treville, and Athos bowed and then left the room. They paused in the hall. Richelieu, with his arms crossed, looked at Athos. "What do you know?"
Athos cleared his throat and said, "This is about taxes —"
"Peasants?" Richelieu said flatly. He pursed his lips and flared his nostrils. "You expect me to believe that peasants organized a coordinated attack like this?" He raised his eyebrows. "They're nothing but uneducated fools… they're nothing more than mules. I don't believe —"
"Peasants are more than just laborers and the impoverished," Athos objected. "Many are former soldiers who could easily organize an attack like this. Men who have nothing left to lose, Cardinal —"
Richelieu waved his hand in dismissal. "Yes, I'm familiar with the saying."
"You may believe them to be less than human, Cardinal," Treville said, "but if they are indeed behind this, we may be looking at a very long rebellion if peasants are indeed leading this charge." He turned toward Athos. "Search the tunnels. I want a list of casualties — musketeers, red guards, and Parisians — damages, and specific locations where the explosions occurred. Organize a band and have them search the tunnels and notify us immediately if anything is discovered."
Athos nodded, bowed toward the cardinal, and then quickly departed.
"I expect you to share this information when it becomes available?" Richelieu said, watching Athos' departure and then slowly turned toward Treville.
Treville nodded and said, "Perhaps for a brief while, we can put our differences aside and work together. If the king is going to insist on traveling…"
"We need to coordinate our efforts," Richelieu said and stroked his chin. "Perhaps an alternative route to the chateau?"
"Perhaps… Or," Treville said, "that is just what these assailants are hoping for."
Richelieu sighed and closed his eyes. "Either way, we must plan accordingly."