Sometimes Salvation is Found in Agony

Chapter Nineteen

When the musketeers and Claudette finally arrived in Marseille four nights later, they cautiously walked through the streets in search of a stable for their horses, as well as lodgings where they'll be able to remain safe for as long as they'll need to remain there to find and rescue Aramis, as well as to finish their mission, no matter what needs to be done. As they did so, many onlookers suspiciously stared at the newcomers as they walked past. It was obvious to King Louis' soldiers that the people around here weren't very trusting.

"Once we get ourselves settled in, I believe it'd be best to spread out to the numbers of taverns throughout the city," Athos said softly so that only his comrades and the young woman with them would be able to hear.

"That isn't necessary," Claudette responded quickly. "There is only one tavern my friends visit. They probably won't be there, but I know someone that will be, who can probably tell me where to find them and your friend. Do you trust me enough now to let me go in alone, or are you going to risk his life? If you follow me inside and start to ask questions, they'll know that you're musketeers and someone will go to my friends to tell them they have one of you with them."

Porthos shook his head as he scoffed, "Look, I know that you claim to be telling us the truth about everything and you seem sincere, but we've trusted someone like you before and she betrayed us. She turned out to be something more. How do we know that you won't do the same the second you get the chance?"

Claudette glared at him as she answered, "For as long as I've known Renee, she has always wanted more than what she's ever had and I knew she would stop at nothing to have it all. Despite her delusions of grandeur, I cared for her, but I also worried for her, worried about her. I am not Renee. You four are helping me to find out the truth about who really killed my family. I won't betray you."

"I may regret it, but I believe her," d'Artagnan replied.

"Don't worry Porthos," Athos continued as he pointed to a stable in the distance, then began to walk toward it, as did the others. "If she does betray us, we will take her down with the rest of them."

D'Artagnan looked over at their leader as he responded skeptically, "Just as we brought down, Renee?"

Claudette asked in frustration, "So, does this mean I'm going in on my own?"

"Yes, but it doesn't mean we will not be prepared to convene should we deem it necessary to do so," Athos answered smugly. "We've been soldiers for a long time. We take our duties quite seriously, especially when it comes to protecting one of our own."

Once they put up their horses and finished settling into private quarters above the tavern which Claudette had spoken off, the young woman walked out and headed downstairs in search of Marque, her lover, and any more of those she had thought were her friends. The musketeers remained on their guard as they began their wait.

"Where are they hiding out, Antony?" Claudette asked the owner of the tavern wearily after looking amongst the crowd and not seeing any of those she was searching for. "I've been travelling for days. I'm tired and not in the mood for any of your lies tonight."

The man looked at her suspiciously as he replied, "It's good to see you're alive. Marque was worried that may not be. He should have known better. And where are Renee and the others?"

Claudette responded, "I don't recall you being a part of our fight, which means I don't have to answer to you. Where are they?"

"They are hiding out in Reynard's hovel, where they've gathered almost everything they need to head into Paris and finish what you and Renee obviously couldn't do," Antony answered coldly. "They've even found some disgraced and angry, former musketeer to do the deed for them."

"A musketeer?" she asked in confusion. "A musketeer is going to kill Cardinal Richelieu?"

The man smiled as he replied, "He volunteered. He claimed to really hate the Cardinal for ruining his life. I find it hard to believe that a musketeer would betray his King, but I guess your revolution will find out in the morning whether he's a killer or not."

Claudette responded, "This is crazy. Valentin and Marque would never just let someone new suddenly join them out of the blue. What do you mean they'll find out if he's a killer or not? What is he going to do?"

"He's going to kill Anjou for them," he answered smugly. "Or they're going to kill him, if he fails."

"Thanks for the help," the young woman replied as she picked up a flask on the table in front of her, took a sip, then stood up and started to walk away. "I think your ale is getting worse, Antony. I suggest you focus more on making it right and less on sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong."

After she left the tavern, she walked back up the stairwell leading up to the musketeers' new quarters and when she stepped inside the room again, Porthos impatiently asked, "Well, what did you find out?"

Claudette looked at them as she responded, "Your friend is a fool and he's going to get himself killed."

"What do you mean?" d'Artagnan asked worryingly. "Do you know where Aramis is?"

"I know where he is, but you won't be able to do anything to help him out tonight," she answered. "I know where they all are and he's all right for now, at least I think so, but tomorrow, he's about to go up against an old enemy of Valentin's, our leader, to try to kill him as a way of proving himself worthy of becoming the assassin who will kill the Cardinal. Your friend volunteered."

Porthos just shook his head in frustration and worry, while Athos spoke up saying calmly, "He's only trying to do what he couldn't finish before Renee turned on him."

Claudette stared at the musketeers' leader as she asked, "Would Aramis really kill a man to get himself inside our circle? He's the one of you four that strikes me as a killer the least."

"As you should," d'Artagnan replied sadly. "Who is this, Anjou? Why does your leader want to see him dead?"

Because he is Richelieu's strongest supporters and one of the most difficult men to get to," she said angrily. "He is the only real law enforcement here in Marseille, despite there being real soldiers that fight to keep order like you musketeers. He has a strong protection force on his side. Anjou had a lot of innocent people killed, including Valentin's little brother when he spoke out against this killer in trying to rally the people against him. Anjou is also a cousin of the Cardinal. He has money, power, and influence over the right people. He will be impossible for Aramis to take down alone."

Athos looked between his companions, who only smiled at him in return, knowing exactly what their leader was thinking, then he stated, "Aramis isn't alone. We're going to help him."