VI

Captain Athos,

Since you have neither returned your pauldron as the current Captain of the Musketeers has requested, nor resigned your commission, you are hereby recalled to active duty. Report to the garrison no later than the 30th of this month.

By Order of the First Minister of France

Signed, stamped and sealed this 14th day of October in the year of our Lord 1637

Aramis d'Armitiz

First Minister of France

Aramis grinned as he appended his flourishing, barely legible signature to the beribboned document then set it aside, taking up a new piece of parchment upon which to continue his literary efforts.

He had not had much practice this last eight months, dashing off those little illustrated notes and poems he had used to be so good at composing. He was a confirmed, committed monogamist these days, with no desire to pursue any of the flirtatious women who made sure they crossed his path on a daily basis. He knew his consort was highly amused by the demurely downcast eyes not-so-covertly following his every move as he curried, castigated and chivvied in order to accomplish his goals as First Minister.

Many things had unexpectedly fallen into place in his life since God had released him from his vow of chastity and he'd taken up with the Musketeers again. Not the least of which had been Athos' prediction that if he gave himself the opportunity, he might work his way to a balanced relationship with his son. Louis might never know him as biological father, but he was filling the role in every other way that counted. His pride these days, wore itself on his sleeve in a manner entirely different from the youthful, cocky arrogance he'd worn like a second skin in his early days as a Musketeer.

There was a deep well of contentment running like a swift river in his soul, one that enhanced his perceptions as a healer beyond measure. He was the equal of his mother in this role, now, though he allowed it free rein only among his closest friends; France's First Minister could not afford whispers of witchery.

Aramis allowed himself a long, lingering look in the direction of the disheveled dishabille of his consort, sprawled with abandon upon the counterpane.

She must have felt his gaze for a languid hand lifted to touch her fingertips to lips that pursed to blow kisses his direction, though those blue Spanish eyes remained closed.

A candle guttered and went out with the gust of the minister's contented sigh. He relit it with another and slanted his parchment to resume writing.

Ha! Had you going did I not? It is only what you deserve, writing solely to d'Artagnan and making the rest of us feel as though we reek of eau du rotten fish. But then, d'Artagnan was always your favorite ... ahhhh, yes ... if I were standing next to you right now you'd be boxing my ear, despite the fact - by your good graces and astonishingly brilliant remarks - I outrank you. I suppose it behooves me to share the fact that both Porthos and I were glad d'Artagnan came along to be the kind of friend to you that Porthos and I were to one another.

Alas, no boxing, as I understand you are in Pinon and I am ... well let's just say I'm comfortably ensconced in present quarters.

The palace, I've found, is a rabbit warren of a place, with secret entrances and exits in nearly every room. You have only to touch the right bit of paneling to disappear. I inherited the maid assigned to Tréville; she grew up here and knows every inch of this salt box, including the vast network of tunnels we were reconnoitering while chasing Vadim. She's been showing me around as time permits. Which is to say, she has made it very convenient for me to move around unseen and unheard by the public.

d'Artagnan told you the Musketeers are being housed in the public rooms on the ground floor of the Louvre? The accommodations are by no means as palatial as those above stairs, but they are adequate for our men. d'Artagnan informs me he has discovered that living at the Louvre has turned out to be an incentive rather than a drawback for recruiting purposes. There is a currency of sorts in being able to brag that one is quartered in the palace where the queen lays her head upon her pillow at night.

I will miss them when they return to the garrison, which I know d'Artagnan and Constance are anxious to do. With the current arrangement, we are able to dine together most evenings, so I can keep track of the progress of the reconstruction as well as the various and sundry lines of investigation d'Artagnan is carrying on.

Which reminds me, your first wagonloads of supplies reached us just today. The queen expressly wished me to tell you how grateful she is for your continued support of the garrison, even from a distance. d'Artagnan remained behind this evening, with a host of new recruits, in order to guard the shipment, else it will be gone by morning. While we managed to save Paris from Grimuad and Feron's machinations, they left a legacy of embittered, angry men who will stoop to anything petty or vile. Ferreting them out of their hidey holes has become a full time job, leaving little time for restoration work. d'Artagnan is frustrated in the extreme.

So about Pinon, I'm thrilled you've settled there, even if only for the short term. In all seriousness, Athos, it would be extremely helpful if you were to take up the title of Comte de la Fère again. The regent could name you to the idiotic council of advisers the king put in place and perhaps together we might corral their ridiculous lordships and accomplish something other than bickering over the color of uniforms and who should be allowed to wear them. Tréville, God rest his soul, must have been tearing his hair out. I have snatched myself nearly bald already and I have only been in the job these eight months.

I know you told Porthos you have no intention of reassuming control of your estate, but I implore you to at least give some consideration to resuming the birthright of your name. If not for the sake of your country, at least for the sake of my soon-to-be-bald head. Please? I am not above begging. And enlisting your wife in my cause if necessary, as she's the sensible one in the family. I swear I will not require you to become embroiled in court life, you would have the freedom to come and go as you desire.

The queen is well aware of the infamous pair behind the plot to discredit Sylvie, who were hand in glove with Marcheaux. She is anxious to makes amends for the damage done to Sylvie and her reputation. I know you have no love for politics, but Sylvie, with the queen's patronage, has the potential to be the next great political hostess, she's more than capable. The two of you could leave a lasting legacy by setting your oars to steer the political leanings of the next generation.

You have both the linguistic and diplomatic skills to forge this path, but I am not asking you to make this sacrifice now. I am merely planting seeds I intend to water regularly in hope that they will someday produce fruit so you will think the idea your own and act accordingly. Though you do owe me a rather large favor for acquiring a church annulment of your first marriage. I quake in my boots every time I pass your former wife in the hallways. I do not know if anyone has told you, but the queen has continued to make use of her special talents.

If I have made you laugh, all the better. You do not laugh often enough, your lordship, though I hope that is changing.

I am enclosing a small gift for your progeny. It is a royal hand-me-down from the king, who disdains baby toys these days and is bestowing them among his servants with a true noblesse oblige. The rattle, the queen says, was a gift from her Spanish brother and is over a hundred years old. Elodie and Porthos have been patronized as well, with a blanket His Royal Highness has taken in dislike for its pink hues. It was a gift from the king of Siam. Today Louis informed his mother he will henceforth wear only blue, he is no longer fond of gold or brown or even purple. Blue is the color du jour. I am fortunate that blue is the sigil of the First Minster, I remain in his majesty's favor.

It is tradition in my family that the tribe gathers to celebrate whenever there is a new soul to enlarge the circle. I know that would put a strain on your current accommodations, but we will erect tents if necessary. Our tribe is increasing and we intend to be there with you to celebrate. You have told Sylvie we all expect to be named as guardians to the babe, as well as honorary aunts and uncles, haven't you? It would be wise to share this news with her before the christening ceremony so she does not object or roll her eyes when we rise as one to assume the role of godparents.

You are the first among us to take on this new paternal role, I am looking forward to seeing you in it. I expect you will excel as you have done in everything else you have undertaken.

Until we meet again,

Your friend (and superior officer)

Aramis

Finishing with another flourishing signature, the First Minister snuffed the remaining lit candles in the candelabra, rose and went to the window to draw the drapes, then made his way soft-footed through the moonlight to re-warm the cooled sheets.

TBC