Suspicious Minds
Chapter Six
D'Artagnan arrived at the Luxembourg Gardens just as the sky began to lighten. There was still a chill in the air and the grass was damp with early morning dew. He slowed his horse to a sedate walk, in no hurry to arrive at his destination. Even though duels were forbidden there were always some hot-headed young men willing to answer perceived insults with sword or pistol. A sparsely wooded area shading a broad path had become the preferred location for such endeavours. He saw that Etienne was already there, waiting with a sly look on his face.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" d'Artagnan asked as he dismounted.
Etienne smiled and drew his sword. "First blood?" he said.
That was a relief. D'Artagnan had spent much of the night worrying about this being a fight to the death. He wasn't concerned about losing but there were other dangers. The most prominent in his mind was the loss of Athos' friendship although his commission and even his life and liberty could be forfeit.
He nodded to show his agreement and took his position. Before he could make his first move he heard the sound of horses pounding towards them. He looked round in a panic. If the Red Guard had found them they would be hauled off the jail to await the King's judgement and that would be disastrous.
The horses and riders approaching at speed were as familiar to him as his own reflection. He glanced back at Etienne who now looked smug. "What have you done?" he asked.
Athos pulled to a halt and dismounted, advancing furiously on his protégé. "What were you thinking?" he demanded.
There was no answer that would satisfy the older man so he ignored the question. "How did you know we were here?"
"Etienne left a message at the garrison. What on earth possessed you to challenge him to a duel?"
As the trap closed around him, d'Artagnan had to admire Etienne's cunning. No-one now would believe his denial. He had been cast in the role of aggressor and would just have to deal with it.
"Are you so jealous of him that you have to kill him?" Athos continued, his face a mask of fury.
"The fight was to be to first blood," d'Artagnan said flatly.
"Is that supposed to make this better?"
Aramis moved forward hurriedly to get in between the two men. "Let him speak, Athos. At least do him the courtesy of listening to what he has to say."
"Why bother?" D'Artagnan sheathed his sword. "I have been judged and condemned. Nothing I say will make any difference." He turned to Etienne and gave a mocking bow before retrieving his horse and riding away.
Aramis took one look at the smirk on Etienne's face and lost his temper. "Why are you so quick to denounce d'Artagnan? What has he done to deserve your distrust?"
Athos stood his ground showing no sign of remorse. "He swore to me that he would try harder to get along with Etienne then, behind my back, he challenges him to a duel. He knows the penalty for duelling."
"Is that what bothers you? That he didn't tell you of his plan?" Aramis asked angrily.
"There have been enough liars in my life. I don't need another."
"D'Artagnan's one of the most honest men I know," Porthos said, his temper rising to match Aramis'.
"So I believed. It appears I was wrong."
"He's young," Etienne said. "I'm sure he will mature in time."
"No-one asked for your opinion," Porthos growled warningly.
"That's enough!" Athos glared at all three men quite impartially. "We are needed back at the garrison. Treville will not be understanding if we miss morning muster."
"So, that's it?" Aramis asked. "You're just going to act as if nothing has happened?"
"What would you have me do?"
"Talk to d'Artagnan."
"I tried that and it did no good. I will listen if he chooses to apologise but I will not seek him out." He turned away towards his horse.
"He's your friend…your brother," Aramis persisted.
Athos shook his head. "Not anymore."
TMTMTM
"Athos. My office," Treville called the minute they rode through the archway.
Athos left his horse in the care of the stable boy and mounted the stairs, fully aware of the disappointed stares coming from Porthos and Aramis. Although he didn't show it, he was torn up inside by d'Artagnan's betrayal. He had opened his heart to the young man in a way that was contrary to his nature and he felt like it had been ripped out of his chest. When had he become such a bad judge of character?
He entered Treville's office to find the Captain behind his desk sealing a letter. "Yes, Sir?"
"This letter is to be delivered to the Chateau at Fontainebleau. The King plans to spend a week there, hunting. These are the security arrangements for his visit. Take d'Artagnan with you."
"I would prefer to take Etienne. You have put his training in my hands so the more time he can spend with me, the better."
"Very well. I leave it to you. Just make sure this gets to its destination." He held out the letter.
"Will the Queen be accompanying his Majesty?" Athos took the parchment and slid it inside his doublet.
"No, she remains in Paris, as does the Cardinal."
Athos made a mental note to ensure that Aramis was part of the group assigned to protect the King. It would put some much needed distance between him and the Queen. "We will be back by nightfall."
"No, I want you to stay there and oversee the arrangements. The King and his retinue will arrive tomorrow afternoon."
"As you wish. Might I suggest that Aramis and Porthos form part of the guard?"
"Not d'Artagnan?" Treville looked at him quizzically.
"His behaviour has been erratic of late. I believe he would benefit from some time alone."
"I will give that due consideration." Treville turned his attention to the mound of paperwork on his desk, effectively ending the conversation.
Athos left to seek Etienne, relieved that he wouldn't have to endure his friends silent…or in Aramis' case not so silent…censure. He caught a glimpse of d'Artagnan standing at the far end of the yard. The young man met his gaze with a challenging stare before turning and walking away.
TMTMTM
D'Artagnan joined Aramis and Porthos for the evening meal. It was easy for them to see that he was still upset about the events of the morning, although he kept his head down and said little.
"Are you alright?" Aramis asked when the silence began to grate on his nerves.
"I wasn't the one to issue the challenge," d'Artagnan said in a low voice.
"What?"
D'Artagnan raised his head, hurt shining in his eyes. "Etienne challenged me."
"Why didn't you tell Athos that?" Porthos asked.
D'Artagnan gave a short, bitter, laugh. "Do you really think he would have believed me?"
"Why would Etienne lie?"
"Isn't that obvious, Porthos? He wants to separate us from Athos and what better way to drive a wedge between us than to have Athos disown d'Artagnan." Aramis ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "This has all been a ploy, but why?"
"Maybe it has something to do with his visit to the Palace the other night," d'Artagnan suggested.
"What visit?" Porthos asked, confused by the turn the conversation had taken.
"A secret nocturnal visit," Aramis said. "I saw him and he wasn't happy about that."
"Maybe 'e's just jealous. Athos said they were like brothers growing up."
"I believe there is more going on than that," Aramis said. "D'Artagnan, you aren't scheduled to accompany the King to Fontainebleau but I believe it is important that we all go. We need to lance this poison that Etienne is spreading before it can do permanent harm. Speak to Treville. I do not believe he will refuse a direct request. We must intervene before we lose Athos for ever."
Tbc