Chapter 3. Her Teacher
If there was one thing Louis hated more than anything else in the world, it that wretched, loathsome, pathetic excuse for a human being Count Philippe. His cousin.
Cousin. He spat the word. To think he was related to that vile creature. Louis shuddered. His hidden-blade belt mechanism hadn't worked. Poison hadn't worked. Dropping the chandelier hadn't worked! Philippe was craftier that Louis had anticipated. He both admired his skill and despised it. But Louis was even craftier. He had nearly ten years to perfect his technique. Philippe would pay for his misdeeds. And he knew exactly what to do next.
While the chandelier had failed him, Louis discovered something far more useful than a suspended death-trap. He had never really paid much attention to the palace staff, Madame de Bossé hired and fired so often he found it difficult to keep track of them, but from the moment the blonde maid arrived she intrigued him. She displayed intelligence. She showed ferocity. Despite her technique being quite sloppy, she knew her way with a blade.
He was going to teach her. Under him, she would become an excellent swordsman- even better than the musketeers; although, those fools were no better than she at the present moment. He grinned as the plan unfolded itself in his mind. No one would expect it. This started now.
Louis moved through the passageways swift and silent as an apparition. He chuckled to himself. How fitting they called him a phantom! He crossed under the garden and up the staircase to the staff quarters. Come to me, he beckoned and on his flute, he played a haunting melody.
The red-haired maid never failed. Her light heart and mind so easily deceived. She stood in front of the mirror waiting. Louis clicked the mechanism open and the mirror slid aside. She stepped into the corridor.
"You called, master?"
"Yes, my dear." He cooed. "Tell me, what is the name of your fellow worker, the blonde one?"
"Corinne D'Artagnan, from Gascony."
D'Artagnan. He knew that name. A fine musketeer the man had been. That explained her skills.
"I wish to speak with her. Bring her to me. Tonight."
"Yes, master."
"Good. I will expect you within the hour. Now return to your quarters."
She moved back into the room and Louis once more crept through the darkness.
...
"Corinne."
The blonde groaned.
"Corinne."
She covered her face with a pillow.
"Corinne."
Her eyes flew open and she glared at her friend. "What on earth could you possibly want at this hour, Aramina?"
"Come with me." Mechanically, she rose from the bed.
"Excuse me?"
"Come with me." She lit a candle.
"Aramina, what are you talking about? Come where?"
She stood in front of the mirror. "Come with me."
"Aramina, this isn't fu-" The words died on her lips as the mirror moved to one side and Aramina stepped inside.
"Come with me."
Shaking, Corinne rose from her bed and followed. The mirror closed behind them.
"A secret passageway!" She gasped. "But where does it lead? Where are we going?"
"My master wishes to see you."
"I don't understand. Where are you taking me?"
Aramina simply kept walking. Corinne shivered, but went along. She didn't know how long they had been walking when Aramina finally stopped. A dissonant, eerie tune tickled her eardrums. Aramina looked quite pleased.
"I have brought her, master."
A man's voice rang out from the shadows. "Well done, my dear. You may return now. I will call for you when I am finished."
The red-head curtsied and disappeared into the passageways.
"Who are you?" Corinne demanded. "What have you done to Aramina?"
"Your friend is fine," the voice assured, soft as velvet. "Now, think fast!"
A sword sailed in Corinne's direction. The moment she caught it, a figure dressed in black leapt into the dim candlelight.
"En gardè, my dear!" He cried and lunged at her, blade in hand.
She parried his attack, followed with a swift riposte. He darted out from her reach and passed his sabre with her own. He's good, she thought, but I'm better. They danced back and forth. Patinado. Reprise. Mandritti. She couldn't remember the names anymore. Their blades caught in a bind and for a moment they stood inches apart, gazing as intently at one another as lovers. His lips twisted into a smile and he thrust her to the ground, effectively knocking the sword from her hand. The tip of his sabre hovered over the base of her throat.
"Your skill is impressive," he said, "but your technique is sloppy. Although, that shouldn't surprise me, you're from the country. No doubt you were trained in a barn."
Corinne opened her mouth to speak, but continued.
"You have courage though, I'll give you that. And half Treville's musketeers couldn't pull off what you just did. It's settled then. I will train you if you wish."
"You, what?"
He pulled her to her feet. "I will not repeat myself. If you wish to be a musketeer, I will provide you with the necessary skills."
"I hardly know you."
"That would resolve itself quickly, I'd imagine."
Corinne swallowed hard. "Will I become like Aramina?"
"Oh no. Your will is much too strong."
She shuddered.
His voice softened. "I will not hurt you if that is what you are afraid of. Don't you wish to become a better swordsman?"
She nodded. "And what is it you want from me in return?"
"I will teach you under one condition. You must pledge your absolute loyalty to me. You must carry out my orders without question or the slightest hesitation. You will drop everything and come if I call. Do we have a deal, Corinne D'Artagnan?"
"How do you know my full name?"
"It's like your friend said, I have eyes everywhere." She had not noticed the mask covering the right side of his face until that moment. Her heart felt as though it would leap from her chest. Still, this man and his offer intrigued her. She could almost imagine the look on Treville's face when she bested all of his musketeers.
"I accept."
"Excellent." He clapped his hands together. "We begin tomorrow night. Aramina will show you the way out."
"Will she remember any of this?" Corinne asked.
"No. To her, this is all a dream."
"All right." Corinne said wondering what she had just gotten herself into.
...
This is one of my favorite chapters so far and I'm super excited to post it. See you all next Friday!