Authors note: Thanks for the reviews and follows.
Chapter Five
It was clear the Cardinal had been involved. Treville could sense the man's sly handiwork. The oily man of God had influence in most places. And the Chatelet was one of them.
Bardet had been a guest of the dank, dark and inhospitable place since his arrest. Although he was supposed to be being treated well, it was clear from his current demeanour that he was being treated as any of the other inmates. He was barely being treated to anything. Ignored and left in his cell the man had all but withered away in the few days he had been there.
But the stay had been fruitful, he wanted to give his captors more information, information that he had withheld when he had been questioned by Athos.
Treville knew the Cardinal had 'helped' the frightened young man towards his confession, he did not appear to have been physically harmed but he was ready to talk none the less. The Cardinal had a long reach. He would not get his own hands dirty. He had people to do that for him.
Bardet had been very keen to tell Treville the location of the zealot's retreat. He had never been there himself but he knew that it was only a couple of miles from a small town a few days ride from Paris.
Treville was annoyed that the man had not given this information earlier. The four Red Guard would not have been sent out on what was most likely a one-way trip and Athos and d'Artagnan would not be following, on what could also be a very dangerous journey.
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They were forced to keep their wits about them, where the Red Guard had been easy to follow the zealots were much more aware of their surroundings. The pair could not follow too closely, but equally could not hang back too far for fear of losing their quarry.
What went in their favour was the number of horses the four zealots were dealing with. Their own and those of the four Red Guard made a fair amount of noise. Athos and d'Artagnan did not have to worry about their own mounts drawing attention. What they had to do was keep out of sight. With so many horses being led, it was also fairly easy to track the group.
The first night they saw the zealots stop to make camp from far enough away that they were easily able to settle themselves to a hurried meal and then a second wakeful night taking it in turns to act as look out.
The zealots broke camp early. Athos had to wake d'Artagnan and be sure they were ready to move as quickly as possible.
The group made their way towards a village, Athos and d'Artagnan skirted round it, watchful and alert. When the zealots reappeared a couple of hours later they were a much smaller party, having divested themselves of the excess of equine followers. The beasts had probably earned them a fair amount of money in the village.
Athos and d'Artagnan knew it would now be harder to track the zealots. They had their work cut out for them.
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'I am fine now. I'm sleeping properly. I want to do this. I need to do this.'
'I know, but I'm not keen to let you.'
'Don't you trust me?'
'Not really.'
Aramis looked shocked at Treville's reply. The captain sighed and regarded Aramis. The man did look better, his complexion was no longer ashen, his features no longer drawn with fatigue. He was standing at attention with his usual grace and poise.
When Treville had told him about Bardet's confession Aramis had all but demanded to set out for the village. Treville had taken the man by the arm and led him to his office so that he could talk to him privately. He did not want the other members of the garrison to hear him berate one of their best comrades.
'Aramis,' he said firmly, 'I do trust you, in most things, but you were dishonest with us about your state of health. I know I am partly to blame, I should have given you a few days before putting you back to duty. But you should have spoken to me. I would not have judged you.'
He paused as Aramis shifted slightly, obviously embarrassed.
'Sometimes men are traumatised physically and sometimes it is a mental trauma. It affects people differently. What you and Porthos went through was not pleasant. You have nothing to feel ashamed about…'
Aramis had dipped his head and was looking at the floor. Treville thought for a moment then he made up his mind.
'Porthos will be declared fit in a few days' time, I am sure of it…' he glared at Aramis who was about to interrupt, 'in the meantime you can go. But. You will only observe. You will take lodgings in the village, you will watch and you will wait. You will not, under any circumstance try to engage with these people.'
Aramis had regained his ability to stand at attention, every bit the musketeer.
'If you disobey these orders I will have your commission.'
Treville was not sure if he meant it, but it was enough of a threat to Aramis that the man paled a little.
'I will do as you ask.'
'I expect nothing less. Porthos will join you there as soon as he can. With luck Athos and d'Artagnan will find their way to your location as well, if they are not already there.'
Treville waved him away, he paused at the door and turned back, he was about to speak when Treville said, 'just be careful.'
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Porthos stood in the stables. He seemed to spend most of his time seeing his friends off on dangerous errands. First Athos and d'Artagnan on what had turned out to be a pointless task to follow a fake relic. And now Aramis. Off to spy on the zealots.
He was not entirely happy about the situation. He had said as much to Treville, but Treville had assured him the Aramis would be fine. That he had been told in no uncertain terms that he was only to observe. Porthos doubted Aramis would be capable of that.
'I'll be along as soon as I can. Lemay is going to see me the day after tomorrow, if he clears me for duty I will be on my way within the hour.'
'Only if you are cleared for duty. I don't want you straining that arm. The break may have been a simple one, but it is still a break.'
'I will look after my arm, if you look after yourself,' replied Porthos as he watched Aramis mount up. He was holding the horse's reins, not really wishing to let go. Aramis leaned over and squeezed his shoulder.
'I will be fine. I will not get into any trouble.'
Porthos released the reins and reached up to put his hand over Aramis' for a second before stepping back from his friend to allow him to leave.
As Aramis trotted out of the garrison Porthos shook his head. He was worried his friend was still hiding something. It was true, the man was clearly better than he had been but there was still something haunting his eyes. Porthos wanted to follow straight away. He already knew that even if he was not cleared for duty in two days' time he would be on his way to join the marksman regardless.
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It was becoming a thankless task. Both of them were near exhaustion, but there was no let up. This should have been a job for more men, but more men would have been more likely to draw attention from their targets.
More than once d'Artagnan had found himself asleep in the saddle. Athos had even had to stop him falling from the saddle at one point. The few hours' sleep they were getting each day was not enough.
They had hardly spoken to each other for the last couple of days. A routine had formed where minimal verbal communication was required.
D'Artagnan hoped they would reach their destination soon. He also hoped they would be able sleep for a few hours, preferably in a bed, before they sought to confront the zealots.
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The sun was shining. The road was empty. He pushed the horse into a brief gallop. Just for a couple of minutes. It felt glorious. He felt free. For the first time in what felt like weeks he was away from everything.
Porthos was wrong, there was no need to worry about him. Aramis had noticed the look in eyes when he had been saying goodbye.
He could not remember the last time he had suffered from flashes of their incarceration. He was sure he was not dreaming about it any longer, at least they were not waking him up now. He had stopped using the sleeping drug, he did not need it any longer.
And now, Treville had let him leave, alone, to pursue a lead that might bring this sorry affair to a close. One thing he was determined to do, was heed Treville's warning. He would do as he had been told. He would only observe. When the four of them were reunited they could tackle the zealots together.
There was nothing wrong with him any longer. He was sure of it.
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