Insurgency
Chapter Eight
"They are heading for the town. Seven men," Sebastien reported.
Athos nodded, his face an expressionless mask. His thoughts, however, were troubled. The change of plans was a clear indication that Aramis had been discovered and, almost certainly, tortured for information about his movements. "You know what to do," he said.
When he rejoined Porthos and d'Artagnan both looked at him expectantly.
"The town."
"That doesn't mean Aramis is dead," Porthos said.
"No, but he is certainly a prisoner and in no position to help us."
"We'll have to find Marquez on our own," d'Artagnan said.
"It will be harder."
"How many men will we be facing," d'Artagnan asked.
"Seven rode out. We know there were twelve, with two of them injured and in the infirmary. That leaves Marquez and two others."
"One on each gate?"
"That seems likely, Porthos."
"We're evenly matched then."
"Except that we don't know where he is and we can't afford to let him escape."
"Maybe one of the monks will help," d'Artagnan suggested.
"They should all be abed." Athos ran a hand through his hair while he thought through their options. "Our first priority is to take out the guards."
"Let's go then," Porthos said eagerly.
They made their way silently to the gate and Porthos took up position to the side out of sight of the guard. Once he was ready Athos picked up a stick and snapped it. In the stillness of the night the sound travelled a long way and clearly reached the ears of the Spaniard. He emerged cautiously, sword and pistol in hand. As soon as he was clear of the gate Porthos pounced. He knocked the pistol out of the soldier's hand and spun him around. A powerful blow to the face knocked the man senseless.
"Tie him up," Athos ordered as he and d'Artagnan emerged from the shelter of the trees.
"That was easy." Porthos grinned at him.
"Don't expect the rest to be that simple."
They entered the passageway, swords and pistols at the ready. Soon they came upon storerooms which they quickly checked as they passed. When they reached a flight of stair Athos held up a hand to halt their progress.
"Porthos, you take the courtyard and front gate. D'Artagnan, come with me."
They ascended to the ground level and entered the cloister. With a brief salute, Porthos left them.
"Where do we start?" d'Artagnan asked.
"Good question. The guest quarters are usually furthest from the chapel but there must be dozens of rooms here for us to search."
"Then we should get started."
They chose a hallway running westward from the chapel. The first room they encountered was the refectory which was deserted at that hour of the night. A couple of empty rooms followed. The next turned out to be a dormitory and d'Artagnan closed the door silently so as not to waken any of the monks. The last thing they needed was a mass panic which could only alert the Colonel to their presence.
When they found the Abbot's study Athos put a hand on d'Artagnan's arm to stop him. There was a door in the far wall that would lead to the Abbot's living quarters.
"We could spend hours looking," Athos whispered. "We need help."
They crept through the study and Athos reached for the door handle. It creaked when he turned it and, when he pushed the door open, he found a man kneeling at a prie-dieu. The Abbot looked around, startled.
"Who are you? What do you want?"
"There is no need to be alarmed, Father. We are King's Musketeers," Athos said.
Father Guillaume rose to his feet. "How did you get in here?"
"A good friend showed us the way."
"Brother Rene? You are his friends?"
It was strange to hear Aramis called by his given name. Athos nodded. "Where is he?"
"He is locked in one of the cells. I'm afraid Colonel Marquez discovered his nocturnal activities."
"Is he alright?" d'Artagnan asked.
Father Guillaume looked away. "He was tortured for information."
"Can you take us to him?" Athos asked.
"Of course." His expression turned grim. "You know the Spanish soldiers will be returning soon?"
Athos smiled without any humour. "No they won't. My men will see to that."
"Then you are most welcome to any help I can give." He led them back to the hallway and along to a flight of stairs leading to the upper storey of the building. "He is in the second room on the left. The door is locked." He held out a bunch of keys, indicating the right one. "This will get you inside."
"You had the key and you just left him there?" d'Artagnan said, outraged.
"You have to understand something, young man. Colonel Marquez killed one of the Brothers to force Rene to talk. He would not hesitate to kill again if we freed Rene from his prison."
"We are sorry to hear that, Father. Come, d'Artagnan. We will return once we have checked on Aramis and then you can tell us where to find the Colonel."
They ran up the stairs and found the room. It looked to be an unused monk's cell although without light they couldn't see anything through the grille set in the door. The lock was stiff, taking much of Athos' strength to turn the key. When he opened the door he heard rustling and a brief groan.
"Aramis?" He entered warily before waiting for his eyes to adjust to the darkness.
"A…Athos?"
"I'm here, my friend, as is d'Artagnan." He dropped to his knees before the huddled body of his brother and reached out.
Aramis flinched. "Don't touch me," he whispered.
"We need light, d'Artagnan," Athos said, suddenly afraid of what he would see.
He heard d'Artagnan leave but the young man wasn't gone for long. He returned holding a long candle, the light dancing around him. It gave Athos his first good look at Aramis and he bit back a curse. Aramis' face was swollen and bruised. He was shirtless and shivering. He caught a glimpse of the abraded skin on his friend's back and felt briefly nauseous. "Your back?"
"I was flogged," Aramis said, his voice oddly disconnected.
"How bad?"
"It is painful but Brother Jerome tended to it soon after it happened so I am hopeful of avoiding infection. Help me to stand."
Athos extended his hand and Aramis grasped it. He gave a shocked gasp as the movement jarred his wounds. Athos steadied him until he could stand unaided, aware of d'Artagnan hovering close by protectively.
"Give me a pistol," Aramis said.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." There was a determined set to Aramis' jaw and a smoldering anger in his eyes. "Marquez must be made to pay for what he's done."
"We need him alive," Athos warned.
"He killed a young novice in cold blood. He doesn't deserve to live."
"He slaughtered a troop of Musketeers on the border. Believe me, I want to see him dead as much as you do," Athos said. "But his capture could bring this war to an end and that's more important than revenge."
Aramis looked unconvinced but inclined his head to show that he understood the order.
"It's good to see you, Aramis." D'Artagnan came forward to take his hand. "We were worried."
"I knew you'd find me." He looked around. "Where's Porthos?"
"Taking care of the front gate."
"If we're all quite ready," Athos said with a quirk of his eyebrow indicating that it was time for them to move.
"The Colonel has taken over the guest quarters." Aramis moved towards the door stiffly and without his normal exuberance.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?"
"I won't let you down, Athos."
"I know. Alright, gentlemen, let's go."
Tbc