Richelieu's Revenge
Chapter Nine
"They're where?" Treville asked with deceptive quietness.
Henri swallowed nervously. "The Chatelet."
"What are the charges?"
"The messenger didn't say."
"Find Athos. Quickly!"
He sat, drumming his fingers on the desk, and waited impatiently. When the knock came on the door he called out permission to enter. Athos wore an expression of mild curiosity, but not guilt. Whatever had happened he clearly had no knowledge of it.
"You wanted to see me, Captain?"
"Aramis and d'Artagnan have been arrested."
The look of concerned surprise was genuine. "When?"
"This morning apparently."
"Why?"
"I don't know for certain, but I can guess. The damned fools." He stood up and reached for his sword belt. "You're coming with me. Let's hope we can sort this out."
The ride to the Chatelet through the morning crowds took a long time. When they arrived Treville demanded to see the warden. The scruffy and odorous guard looked at him insolently.
"Warden's out."
"When will he be back?"
A shrug of the shoulders. "He didn't say."
"Then you can let me in to see two of your prisoners."
"Can't do that." The guard scratched at a flea bite on his arm. "Only the warden can authorize visitors."
"I am Captain Treville of the King's Musketeers and I demand to see my men."
"You can demand all you like. You ain't coming in."
Athos reached into his purse and withdrew two coins. He held them out. "I'm sure you can make an exception. No one need ever find out and you would be doing us a big favour."
The guard looked at the money and licked his lips. A grubby hand shot out and grabbed the coins. "Ten minutes."
"Thank you. Can you show us where they're being held?" Athos asked.
"This way."
They were booed and jeered by the occupants of the cells they passed. Finally the guard came to a halt before a stout wooden door.
"I'm going to have to lock you in with them," he said. He selected a key from the large bunch and slid it into the lock. When the door opened a foul smell emanated from the small room. Clearly the straw on the floor hadn't been changed for some considerable time.
Treville walked in first and there was a rustling noise. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light he saw two figures rising slowly to their feet. Athos entered behind him and the door slammed shut.
"Are you injured?" Treville asked.
"Some cuts and bruises," Aramis replied. "Nothing serious."
"And the charges against you?"
There was a fraught silence. Aramis bent his head, unable to sustain eye contact. "Dueling."
"What happened?" Athos asked.
"The Cardinal set a trap for us and we walked right into it," d'Artagnan said bitterly.
"I warned you."
"I know." Aramis glanced up briefly at his commanding officer before returning to his intent scrutiny of the floor.
"Start from the beginning," Treville ordered.
Aramis took a deep breath. "I was challenged by Perod, one of the men who attacked Porthos."
"Why?" Athos asked.
"I punched him after he taunted us about Porthos."
"You could have declined to fight," Treville said. "You must have had some inkling that you were being set up."
Aramis shuffled his feet in the dirty straw.
"You knew and chose to accept the challenge anyway," Athos accused. "Knowing the danger, how could you involve d'Artagnan?"
"No one forced me to go along," d'Artagnan said, in quick defence of his friend. "If it had been you, would you have let him go alone?"
"No," Athos conceded.
"What happened next?" Treville asked.
"We were to meet at dawn. When d'Artagnan and I got there we were ambushed by the Red Guard. There were too many of them to fight off."
"So the duel did not go ahead?" Treville asked.
"No."
"That helps. If you had fought and killed him I doubt if I could save you. The law is very strict, as you know." For a moment his anger shone through his hard-won composure.
"Was Perod arrested too?" Athos asked.
"I don't think so but things were pretty chaotic."
"What happens now?" d'Artagnan asked apprehensively.
"I petition the King for your release. You can be sure the Cardinal will oppose me. It's been less than three weeks since the problem with Athos. The King might not be receptive." Treville's anger broke through. "You do realise you have put the fate of the regiment in jeopardy?"
"I'm sorry, Captain."
"You should be."
The door was unlocked and the guard beckoned to Treville and Athos. "Time to go."
Seeing how miserable Aramis and d'Artagnan looked, Treville moderated his tone. "I will do all I can."
Athos clasped hands with Aramis and then d'Artagnan. "I will see you soon brothers."
They left the cell and walked quickly back to their horses.
"How do you think the King will react?" Athos asked.
"I don't know, but you should prepare yourself for the worst."
TMTMTM
"I'm not inclined to grant your petition, Treville. Your men know the penalty for dueling."
"No duel actually took place, Your Majesty."
"That was only because my men were proactive and arrested the trouble makers before they could fight," Richelieu said, with undisguised satisfaction.
"One of your men was involved as well," Treville said. "Was he arrested?"
"He was the injured party."
"He's the one who challenged Aramis to a duel."
"Oh, do stop squabbling. You're giving me a headache."
"The fact that the Red Guard was waiting for them just goes to show that this was a set up," Treville said. "The Cardinal's man was one of those who attacked Porthos last week. There was clearly bad blood between the regiments as a result and it was easy to bait Aramis into agreeing to fight. This whole thing was engineered so that my men would be arrested."
The King turned to the Cardinal. "Is this true, Cardinal?"
"I can't answer for Treville's farfetched conspiracy theories, Sire. There was an incident involving Porthos but it was a mere tavern brawl."
"Porthos was stabbed," Treville said angrily. "He was set upon by three Red Guard and was lucky to escape with his life."
The Queen, who until that time had been sitting listening quietly laid a hand on the King's arm. "It sounds as if Aramis had provocation, Sire. He and d'Artagnan are loyal soldiers. Surely you don't want to be deprived of their service?"
"You are too kind hearted, my dear. The Musketeers broke the law and the penalty is very clear."
"Technically no law was broken. The duel did not take place," Treville said unwisely.
The King's eyes narrowed. "Semantics, Treville. The intent was there."
"It occurs to me to wonder how the Red Guard knew about the arrangements," Treville persisted.
"Perod told his Captain. He was ashamed of his part and wished to make amends," Richelieu said smugly.
"Very convenient."
"You're not helping your cause, Treville," the King said.
"The penalty for dueling is death," Richelieu said. "Their guilt is clear. They should be taken out and shot."
"Now, now, Cardinal, let's not be quite so hasty," the King said. "Things are not as clear cut as you seem to think." He turned to Treville. "I am very angry with you. This is the second time you have had to plead for your men. Perhaps I need a new Captain who can keep his men in line."
Treville bowed. "That is Your Majesty's prerogative."
"Yes, it is. I must give this more thought. Return tomorrow and I will deliver my ruling."
Treville backed out of the royal presence, hoping that he had done enough to convince the King to pardon Aramis and d'Artagnan. If not, this would be their last night on earth.
Tbc