Chapter 2

Athos trudged along the dusty road. The villagers noticed a dishevelled figure emerging on the horizon. Most assumed it was a beggar and decided to carry on with their work. Athos wondered closer to the village centre, then collapsed. Cathos hopped off Athos's head just before the impact. Athos groaned. He no longer had the energy to lift his head so he was content to breath in the road dust. The villagers mumbled among themselves, then one of shouted, ' That's not a vagrant! That's our Lord!' The young woman rushed to Athos's side. With a great effort, she managed to drag him to the tavern. A small crowd gathered within. 'What happened my Lord? Were you attacked on the road? Who was it? Why do you smell so awful?' they bombarded him with annoying questions.

'Enough!' an elder woman, named Antoinette, yelled. The crowd cleared a small path to let her pass to the table where Athos sat, 'Can't you see this man is grieving?' she scolded the people and promptly sat across from Athos. She grab his hands and kindly looked into his eyes and asked 'Are you hungry, my Lord? When did you eat Last? Would you like something to eat?'

'W.. wa… wa… wine,' Athos eventually blurted out.

'Very good, my Lord. We will get you wine and perhaps some chicken soup. BARMAN! BRING WINE!'

The barman obliged. His poodle, named Rollo, barked with all the excitement. Moments later, a goblet of wine appeared in front of Athos. He blinked at it before picking it up. Rollo became fixated on the hole in the corner of the front door. Something was trying to come through it. Rollo contemplated going over to sniff , but decided to stay by the bar. A black creature began to manifest itself in the hole. Eventually a cat head appeared. It is Cathos. He struggled to squeeze through, but he was determined. About 30 seconds later, he succeeded, but left a substantial amount of black fur on the wooden door. The bald patch now covered the lowered half of his back and part of his tail. He shuck off some loose hair and regained composure. Rollo barked. Cathos glared at him. Rollo saw pure evil in the cat's eyes and decided not to pursue. The barman commended Rollo for not trying to eat the cat.

Cathos strutted over to Athos and perched on his head. This confused the people who were still gathered round, but explained why Athos smelt like cat pee. Antoinette stared at the cat. Athos's chicken soup arrived. He put the spoon in it, but did not eat. Cathos jumped down onto the table. Some cat hairs fell into the soup. He looked up a Athos. Athos put his hand on the spoon, about to pick up some soup, when Cathos left paw appeared demanding Athos drop the spoon. Athos was too weak to argue with the cat and left the soup to him. Cathos gleamed smugly. Antoinette was not impressed. 'My Lord, why don't we get you cleaned up first, then perhaps we can eat and drink later,' she said as she stretched out her hands to comfort Athos once more. Simultaneously, she knocked over the wine goblet, giving Cathos an unexpected wine bath. Cathos jumped in panic, whacked himself off the low tavern ceiling, before making a quick exit through the hole in the door in fear and embarrassment. The tavern folk laughed. Antoinette took Athos to the back room to clean up. Cathos waited outside the tavern, still covered in wine and shame. He hated it. Wine smelled weird. His fur was sticky. Then he pondered. That woman… was it an accident? Did she do it on purpose?

(Rochefort's manor)

'All of you get out immediately!' Cardinal Richelieu shouted at the servants and guards. They scurried out without hesitation.

'Cardinal! To What do I owe the pleasure of your presence today?' Rochefort asked with a smiled.

'DON'T SMILE AT ME, YOU IDIOT!'

'Some wine, Cardinal?'

'What? No. This isn't a visit of old friend or pals having a casual chat. I just…' Richelieu paced around the room. He took a deep breath, messaged his temples, and lowered his voice, 'I can't believe, that despite my best efforts, you still manage to find new ways of upsetting my plans!'

'What plans?' Rochefort was genuinely confused.

'LOOK… look. I… I don't have time for your stupidity today. I'll cut to the chase. Do you or do you not have ambitions to be at my side in the palace someday? Hmm?' he was now right in front of Rochefort, glaring at him.

'Well, yes, Cardinal, I … I do… why are you staring at me like that. It is bit unnerving…'

'Good. Good.'

'So, Em?'

'SO WHY DO YOU GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO SCREW THAT UP!' Richelieu yelled.

'What? How have I done that?' Rochefort stepped back a bit from Richelieu's face.

'OOOOHH. HA! DON'T. Don't play dumb with me, my dear Comte. This is your last chance.'

'Cardinal…I have absolutely no idea what you are yelling about.'

'HA,' Richelieu sighed,' Marie. Did you think I wouldn't find out?'

'What is wrong with being in love?'

'With a Spaniard? Did you not think that through? Are you the world's biggest idiot, or,or, no, even better. In fact part of me desperately hopes this is right, you are a Spanish spy, no?'

'Cardinal! I resent those remarks! Marie and I are in love. Neither of us are spies! Dear God!'

'For your sake, I hope that is true. But let me tell you this. As long as that creature remains by your side, God forbid you marry her, you will never be allowed in the palace, let alone the palace grounds. Get rid of her, or get content with this country life,' Richelieu walked towards the exit.

'I am sorry! But, but I will never give her up!' Rochefort cried.

'It is I who am sorry,' Richelieu paused, half out the door, ' It was I who backed the wrong horse.' The great door slammed shut, leaving Rochefort in silence.