The Key to Salvation

Chapter Sixteen

"The King has sent for the Baron Neuville. He will be arrested as soon as he arrives in Paris." Treville studied the faces of the men standing in front of him. D'Artagnan and Porthos looked happy at the news. Athos was as hard to read as ever and Aramis just looked dejected. "You understand that you will have to testify at his trial?"

Aramis looked at the ground. Beneath the bruises that marred his face his skin was pale. "Yes."

"He will tell the Court about your affair with his wife and the birth of the child. Are you prepared for that?"

"How can he be prepared?" Porthos asked aggressively. "Hasn't he been through enough?"

"If we want to see justice done Aramis has to face this," Athos said.

Treville continued to watch his most troublesome charge. Aramis was swaying slightly on his feet and he saw Athos move closer ready to intervene if necessary. "It will be an ordeal but at the end of it the Baron will be convicted of treason."

"I never wanted revenge," Aramis said in a low voice. "He had every right to blame me for the loss of his wife."

"He compromised the safety of the King and Queen by allowing you to fall into the hands of the Spanish. He deserves to be punished," Treville said.

"Not with his life."

"Aramis, he was responsible for the loss of ten months of your life. If we hadn't tracked you down you'd be in the hands of the Spanish spymaster being tortured for information." Athos looked beseechingly at his friend. "Surely you're not considering refusing to give evidence?"

Aramis looked up and met Treville's steady gaze. "I will do my duty," he said dully.

"I would expect nothing less." The Captain held out a roll of parchment. "The King accepted Lemaire's confession. This, if you want it, is the return of your commission."

Aramis shook his head. "I am not fit to be a Musketeer. After all, everything that happened is my fault. I have already made my decision. Once the trial is over I leave for the monastery at Douai where I will take my vows."

"You can't mean that?" d'Artagnan asked. "The King is offering you the chance to rejoin the regiment. How can you refuse?"

A sad smile graced Aramis' face. "How can I accept when I know I am not worthy?"

"We don't have to give the King your decision today. Take a few days to think it over." Treville put the parchment in a drawer in his desk. "I will keep this safe for you." He waved towards the door. "Dismissed. You three are back on duty tomorrow but today I suggest you all get some rest."

They filed out of the Captain's office and walked down the stairs to the yard. Aramis immediately sat down, looking exhausted by the brief time he had spent on his feet. D'Artagnan in contrast was bouncing with energy.

"Want to spar?" he asked Athos.

"Why not. We have been rather neglecting your education these last few days." Athos stepped out into the yard and drew his sword. "Let's see how much you remember of your last lesson."

As Aramis watched the beautiful and familiar dance he began to long for the joy of handling a sword. He swallowed hard and looked at Porthos who had taken a seat beside him. "D'Artagnan has the makings of becoming a master. I didn't realise how much he had improved while I was away."

"He's the only one who can keep up with Athos. He still has a tendency to let his heart rule his head but he's a formidable opponent now."

"Aramis," Athos called. "Come, save me from the enthusiasm of the young."

"I don't think…"

"Here," Porthos drew his sword and presented it to Aramis. "Some gentle exercise won't do you any harm."

Aramis hesitated before nodding and gripping the hilt. It felt natural to be holding a sword even after so long. He stood up and walked over to Athos. "Be gentle, my friend. My skills are not what they once were."

They saluted each other and dropped into a fighting stance. Aramis could feel his arm trembling with weakness and gritted his teeth. He made the first move and their swords touched. Immediately he stepped back and studied his opponent. He knew all of Athos' moves, which didn't mean he had any advantage. To counter them would take a strength and speed he knew he didn't possess.

"This is a bad idea," he said.

Athos attacked and he was forced to lift the blade to defend himself. He was driven backwards, his meagre strength fading quickly but something in him would not admit defeat. They traded blows and he could feel that Athos was going easy on him. Filled with annoyance he intensified his attack and was rewarded with a surprised look. All too soon, though, it was over. Athos disarmed him with ease and he stood breathing heavily, looking at the sword lying in the dust.

Porthos came over and slung an arm around his shoulder. "Didn't that feel good?"

"It was humiliating."

"Nah. Everyone loses to Athos."

Athos picked up the sword and handed it back to Porthos. "Your body still remembers the moves. Once you are stronger you will soon regain your expertise."

"To what end?" Aramis asked. "A monk has no need of a sword."

"Don't be so quick to reject the King's offer. We have time before the Baron's trial. Train with us. See what it feels like to wield a sword and fire a pistol. You need the exercise so why not work on skills you already possess?"

Athos' entreaty moved him more than he was willing to admit. "I will do as you ask. However, don't mistake that for any doubt about my decision." He leaned into Porthos' support. "I think I have exerted myself enough for one morning. Forgive me if I go and rest. I will join you for the noon meal." He pulled away from his friend and headed for the stairs.

Athos ran a hand over his face. "I'd say that was a victory."

"You really believe it will make him change his mind?" d'Artagnan asked.

"He is a born soldier. If we can just get him to remember what it was like I believe we have a chance."

"The trial will be hard on him," Porthos said.

"Yes. That is a concern. It will stir up all the bad memories again and could undo everything we achieve here."

"Then we will just have to be extra supportive. Maybe once he faces it all he'll see that hiding in a monastery isn't the answer."

"I don't think he sees it as hiding, d'Artagnan." Athos poured a cup of water. "He believes that he has to do penance for his affair with the Baroness. He thinks that he owes it to his dead child."

"He'll be miserable," Porthos said.

"Yes, he will. He has always believed in a benevolent God who forgives transgressions. We need to encourage him to accept forgiveness without sacrificing the rest of his life."

"At least we've got time. It will take a few days for the Baron to arrive in Paris and then there's likely to be a delay before the trial. He'll get stronger and become more immersed in the life of the garrison."

Athos nodded at his protégé. "That is my hope. We need to keep him busy. We will find a way to make him change his mind. Any other outcome is unthinkable."

"Are we bein' fair to him?" Porthos asked hesitantly.

"You think we should let him go?"

"No. Maybe. I don't know. He seems dead set on it."

"He is weak and hurting emotionally. Secluding himself will do him no good. It will just give him time to brood on the loss of everything he held dear."

"He's always found comfort in the church." Porthos looked angry with himself that he was even suggesting this.

"And, he still can. He balanced his faith with his duties as a Musketeer for many years. He can do so again. Aramis is a social animal. The secluded life of a monk is not for him." Athos spoke decisively even though Porthos' words had sowed a seed of doubt in his mind. Did they have the right to sway Aramis from his chosen path?

Tbc