The Key to Salvation

Chapter Nineteen

Aramis waited in the ante room protectively surrounded by his three brothers. When the door opened he gave each a warm smile before walking resolutely into the court. The look of shock on the Baron's face was the only sweet spot in what was certain to be an unrelentingly difficult day. He looked around the room. Because this was the trial of a nobleman the King has elected to preside over the proceedings. He sat in a heavily padded chair on a dais with a glass of wine and bowl of grapes on a small table to his right. Everyone else stood. Courtiers lined the walls; peacocks in blues and greens and every other conceivable hue. This was a novelty for them, something to brighten up their mundane lives.

He nodded to Treville who had been joined by Porthos and d'Artagnan. Athos, who was to give evidence, was not permitted to be in the court room. Rochefort had been appointed as the prosecutor, something that worried Aramis. The Captain of the Red Guard made no secret of his disdain for the Musketeer regiment and would happily exploit every opportunity to make mischief. A chaplain approached carrying a jewelled leather bound Bible. Aramis placed his right hand flat on its surface.

"The Baron Neuville has been charged with abducting and selling a French citizen to the Spanish. He has denied these charges." Rochefort turned to Aramis. "Do you swear to tell the truth of this matter?"

"I do."

"Tell the King why you visited the village of Provins."

Aramis cleared his throat and laced his fingers together behind his back to stop his hands shaking. He could imagine what impression he was making with his healing cuts and bruises and the fact that his uniform still hung loosely on his body. To be the centre of attention at such a time was unnerving. "I went to speak to a former servant of the Queen. I believed he had knowledge about the theft of the Queen's necklace."

"A crime for which you were tried and convicted." Rochefort was clearly savouring the moment.

Aramis' jaw tightened. "And pardoned."

Rochefort acknowledged that with a slight nod. "Go on."

"I was apprehended by the Baron's men and taken to his chateau."

"They used force?"

"I was rendered unconscious."

"He was arrested for causing a disturbance and subdued when he refused to come quietly. He was brought before me for judgement as is my right," the Baron said heatedly. "You can't deny that on my own land I am the law."

"You will have your chance to speak," Rochefort said with a sneer. He waved a hand towards Aramis to indicate he should continue.

"I was locked in a cellar. At some time later I was taken to the Baron."

"Did he explain why you had been treated in this manner?"

Aramis hesitated and glanced quickly at his friends for support. The strain he felt was clear on their faces also.

"He was angry that I had been released from prison. He admitted he had been the one to frame me for the theft."

"Did he say why?" Rochefort, who was clearly privy to the truth, asked in honeyed tones.

Aramis raised his eyes to meet Rochefort's gaze. The man was enjoying himself far too much. "He said I had been intimate with his wife."

A wave of sound came from the watching masses. He could hear some of the less than subtle comments and felt heat rise in his cheeks. It wasn't only his reputation that was being damaged. Louisa, too, was being defamed by shallow men and women who were listening to the evidence. He looked at Porthos, concerned about his friend's temper. The large man had his hands balled into fists and was only being restrained by Treville's hand on his arm. Despite that, the Captain looked murderous in his own right.

"A common soldier sleeping with a daughter of the nobility?" Rochefort said with apparent distaste. "Shocking."

Treville stepped forward angrily. "Aramis is not the one on trial here."

"Calm yourself, Treville." The King took a sip of his wine and lounged back in his chair. "We will hear the evidence and render a fair and impartial judgement."

"Tell them the rest," the Baron growled menacingly. The two Red Guard behind him moved fractionally closer, ready to intervene if necessary.

Aramis could feel his shoulders slumping and made an effort to straighten up. "He said I had made her pregnant."

"Do you deny the accusation?" Rochefort was watching him like a predator.

"No." It came out as a strangled whisper. Aramis could feel sweat forming on his forehead. The strain of his testimony and standing for so long with his injuries and general debility was proving to be challenging. He felt the warm air pressing in on him uncomfortably.

"Speak louder," Rochefort ordered.

There was a long pause while he struggled to find his composure. "No, I do not deny the accusation."

"You have a child?"

Aramis glared at the man who was deliberately tormenting him. "She died."

"A tragedy I'm sure. Or, maybe it was a relief."

Aramis looked at him in appalled silence.

Treville again intervened. "Your Majesty, we are moving away from the point of the trial."

"Yes. Yes. Rochefort hurry things along. My time is valuable."

Rochefort turned and bowed to the King before returning his attention to Aramis. "What happened next?"

"His men beat me and locked me up again. The next day I was drugged, taken to Le Havre and sold to a Spanish sea captain."

"For what purpose?"

"Initially as a galley slave then he found out I had been a Musketeer. I was to be taken to Spain and handed over to their spymaster." Aramis' gaze hardened. "I believe you experienced his 'hospitality'". He was rewarded with a look of anguish although it was quickly hidden. Rochefort knew very well what fate had awaited him in Madrid.

"But you were more fortunate than I. Your colleagues staged a rescue."

"Yes."

"You would believe the word of a disgraced soldier over mine?" the Baron shouted.

"Silence," the King ordered. "As you can see Aramis again wears the uniform of a Musketeer. He is an honorable man who has been ill-used."

The Baron subsided, a trace of fear creeping onto his face for the first time.

Tbc