AN: Hey, well things have clamed down some. Sorry it took so long, here is chapter 4 thanks to my wonderful beta Raven. I plan to update once every week or two weeks, depending, now that school has started back. Remember to leave me lots of feedback. Meg
Rapiers clashed and the sound of steel hitting steel echoed loudly throughout the compound. Musketeers could be seen paired off and engrossed in practice all around the crowded courtyard.
Off to one side, Jacques and D'Artagnan were just concluding a rather heated dual,. "I win again, D'Artagnan." Jacques stated proudly, earning a frown from her partner.
"Only because you cheated, again," D'Artagnan countered.
"Cheated? I do not cheat."
"What do you call it then? You…" He paused and looked around making sure everyone was busy. "Batted your eyelashes and made me lose my concentration and then the way you bit your lip when you were considering your next lunge, well… it would drive any man to distraction." He finished in a near whisper, standing too close to her.
"I did not; I would not sink to feminine tricks. I can win on my own," Jacqueline hissed at him, her face flushed and ready for another round to prove it. Someone's throat cleared and caused them to turn and see their Captain, staring at them with a frown on his face.
"I need you two in my office now," Duval turned and headed inside, without waiting for an answer.
Duval leaned on his cane and sternly eyed his four best Musketeers.
"The King's Coronation is only four months away. This would be the ideal opportunity for an attack; we must ensure that does not happen. We must remain alert, vigilant, and cautious of everyone."
He let those words sink in a minute and waited for their nods of understanding.
"I expect you four to keep an eye on things, and to report anything the least bit suspicious. Anything," He eyed them all individually, driving the message home.
"Now, for your assignments, Leponte and Ramon are on Palace duty first. Check in, patrol the palace and follow the King."
Ramon and Jacques exited the room. Duval now faced a frowning D'Artagnan and slightly concerned Siroc.
"You two, patrol the city and borders. Pay attention for suspicious people entering or leaving." He then sat down and shuffled papers, as the two exited the room. "God keep our King safe." He muttered and crossed himself.
Jacqueline and Ramon entered the palace and followed a servant to the main audience chamber. Louis was sitting, acting as if he was listening to Mazarin.
"Your majesty, this is absurd. My guards are quite capable of protecting you." Louis gave him a rather bored look and sighed loudly, not bothering to dignify him with a direct response. Leponte stepped forward, his posture indicating to the King that he was offended by Mazarin's indirect insult.
"We are here as assigned, to carry out our sworn duty and to protect you at all cost your majesty." Leponte to his credit, Louis noted, did not look at Mazarin during his speech.
"Very good, but I am assigning Captain Devonshire of my guards as well." Louis gave Mazarin a pointed look. "We are assured of our protection under the care of my musketeers and your guard." Turning his attention back to his musketeers, Louis suggested, "Perhaps you would care for some refreshments, while we wait for Captain Devonshire to arrive?" Ramon's face brightened at the mere mention of food, but Leponte coughed slightly clearing his throat.
"If it pleases your majesty, we would like to make a quick sweep around the palace first." Louis waved his hand toward them. "It does please us, take a quick look." With that, they were dismissed and the musicians were instructed to play as trays of food were brought in.
Jacqueline rounded a corner and wondered if she would ever learn the palace layout. It was huge compared to the small farm she had grown up on. Ramon's soft footsteps were directly behind her. He had been unusually silent since the meeting with Louis and she had been left to her own musings. They had circled the morning room making a thorough search for anything unusual, when Ramon finally broke the silence.
"You and D'Artagnan seem to be getting along, no?" Ramon inquired directing her attention to him. She choose her words carefully, not wishing to confide too much from that day in the woods or the arrangement they had made.
"Everything is back to normal, I am winning, and he continues to accuse me of cheating." Ramon's raised eyebrows told her that he was not satisfied with her bland comment.
"Normal? Even I am not that blind, mi amiga. "You did not like the dress he bought for you or the afternoon away from the garrison?" She glared at him, causing him to raise his hands in self-defense. "If you do not wish to say, I will not force you." He did not push further and became quiet before he entered the next room and they were assaulted with giggles. They found themselves in the presence of her majesty, the Queen, who looked sharply at both of them and then turned to reprimand her ladies-in-waiting.
"Your majesty, we are conducting an inspection for your safety and that of the King." Ramon spoke smoothly as he bowed, causing another fit of stifled giggles from the maids. The Queen frowned at her ladies again, turned toward them, and in her regal, arrogant way, eyed them all before curtly nodding, dismissing them from her presence. This inspection was more hurried, as they knew the Queen wanted them out of her hair quickly. They reentered the hall, when a voice sounded behind them.
"Ah, here you are."
"Devonshire, mi amigo, como es usted?" Ramon asked, patting him on the back. Edward ignored the question and Jacqueline noted the dark circles under his eyes.
"Jacques, Ramon, shall we?" He gestured down the hall toward the main audience chamber. Soft music could be heard and a muted conversation between Mazarin and Louis, though it was obvious Mazarin was trying to get Louis to do something and Louis was not happy about it. Jacqueline was about to respond, when she saw a shadow pass by on the other side of the wall. Quickly she pulled out her rapier, causing Edward and Ramon to look over at her.
"Intruder!" She shouted and began to race after the shadow. A second later, she yelled back. "Guard the King!" Ramon needed no further encouragement, as he raced in the opposite direction toward the audience chamber. Jacqueline felt Edward catch up to her quickly, and the two screeched to a halt at the end of hall, it was a dead end.
"Hurry! There may be a passage way," Edward said and they felt around the walls but found nothing. They turned as an ear-splitting scream pierced the air…