"Why didn't you tell me where you hid the letter, Porthos?" D'Artagnan asked in a whisper. "Does the captain not trust me?" he paused for a moment. "Do you not trust me?"
"Aw, it's not 'at we didn't trust you." Porthos closed his eyes with dread; he knew d'Artagnan would keep prodding until he got the answers he was looking for. "The cap'n had a feelin' 'bout this mission— said it was gut instinct—but he just wanted to protect you. I wanted to protect you too."
"I didn't need to be protected Porthos!" D'Artagnan snapped. "What I needed then, and what I need now, is to be trusted. Why can't you understand that?"
"And why can't you understand why we di'n tell you?" Porthos snapped back. "It's easier to say 'I don't know' and mean it than it is to lie. For you, there was no burden of having to hide the truth."
Both Musketeers sat quietly, lost in their own thoughts, fidgeting uncomfortably at the silence between them.
"Were you ever tempted to just tell them where the letter was?" D'Artagnan asked finally, his tone softened. The Gascon looked intently at the man sitting next to him; he noticed the anguish that flashed through his dark eyes and across his face at the memories.
"Did you think—even for a second—of telling them where the letter was hidden so they would stop hurting you?" D'Artagnan pressed on through the silence.
Porthos looked down at his hands, twisting the blanket absently between his fingers, as he remained quiet.
"Maybe you and the captain were right about not trusting me. . ."
"It had nothin' to do with trust, dammit!" Porthos growled. "Why can' you see 'at?"
"What was it then, Porthos?" D'Artagnan asked incredulously, his temper rising. "I don't understand; if it wasn't because you didn't trust me, then what exactly was it?"
"You asked if I thought of tellin' 'em where the letter was? Yes, I did think about it," Porthos admitted softly. "I thought about it every time 'at whip came crackin' down on me. I thought none of it was worth the pain. I thought I could end the sufferin' if I just told 'em where the letter was; but what would I think of myself as a Musketeer if I broke?"
Porthos paused then took a shuddering breath as d'Artagnan waited for his friend to continue. "I wondered what you would think of me if I broke; especially when you were sufferin' so much pain right along wit' me. I wondered what Athos and Aramis would think of me and if I'd ever be able to face them again," he paused a moment. "But when I thought of how disappointed the cap'n would be in me—that I let 'im down…" Porthos' voice cracked as tears filled his eyes. "I couldn't let the cap'n down; he trusted me."
"Aw, Porthos, I'm sorry." D'Artagnan wiped tears from his own eyes. "I shouldn't have pressed it."
"No, 'at's alright." Porthos wiped his eyes dry with the heel of his hands. "It's good to get this off our chests and then… dammit… we jus' gotta let it go. I've never felt so much hate for someone in all my life," his jaw clenched tightly.
"I wanted to die," d'Artagnan blurted, barely above a whisper. "I didn't care anymore; I just wanted it to be over. When I was tied to that rack and they were pulling me apart, I wanted them to kill me quickly and get it over with…" his voice trailed as fresh tears welled in his eyes.
"Don't, d'Artagnan… don't go there," Porthos interjected. "We left 'at place and their dead bodies behind us; let's leave it all behind us."
"But. . ."
"We both wanted to die, d'Artagnan, but we didn't. We survived!" Porthos' eyes lit up for the first time since they began their conversation. "We made it without tellin' those buggers a damn thing—be proud of 'at. Be proud that we lived and be proud that you and I stayed strong. We survived… and they got what they deserved."
The Morning of Cardinal-Infante's Arrival:
"Steward Fontaine, I do not want the arrival of the Cardinal-Infante to be announced," Duke Gaston ordered. "I want Ferdinand brought into the château as quietly as possible; we do not want to arouse any undue suspicion from certain guests, especially the Captain of the Musketeers."
"I will bring the Cardinal-Infante to your study as soon as he arrives, without fanfare, Your Grace." Steward Fontaine bowed as he shut the study's double doors, retreating to the courtyard to quietly await the arrival of the carriage.
When the carriage arrived Steward Fontaine discreetly escorted the Cardinal-Infante to Duke Gaston's study then shut the door, leaving them to their private conversation.
~§~
"Your Grace, let us dispense with the pleasantries and get right down to business, shall we?" The Cardinal-Infante walked to the desk and pulled out a map from his satchel. "Mademoiselle de Hautefort showed me the letter from my sister." Ferdinand tossed the letter onto Gaston's desk. "I believe I have the perfect location to get our troops into France without notice."
"I'm listening," replied the duke.
"I have support from the Duke of Savoy and the Duke of Lorraine to move our troops into France where Louis will never expect—right through the Valtellina Pass." Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand watched the duke then grinned at his surprise at the suggested location.
"Are you sure using the pass is the wisest route?" Duke Gaston inquired as he studied the map closely. "What of the Treaty of Monçon?"
"The Treaty of Monçon is exactly the reason why we have support from the Duke of Savoy, in particular, due to the insulting injury it caused him," Ferdinand countered. "If you move troops from Spain through the Pyrenees passes on the southern border of France, I guarantee the king's army will be ready to stop your army before you reach Paris."
"I understand the king may expect Spanish troops to move through Col de Portet d'Aspet before moving north to Toulouse." The duke shook his head, wary of the obvious locale. "What if we move further east and go over El Pas de la Casa at Andorra?" Duke Gaston studied the map and tapped his finger on the point further east but still in southern France. "It is certainly closer than going through Italy, my friend."
"No, Your Grace, that location would still be too obvious," Ferdinand shook his head. "Any strategic pass in the Pyrenees is being watched by scouts who can easily get word to the king about approaching troops. The pass through the Italian Alps is not expected to be used for strategic movement of Spanish troops; therefore it is not being closely monitored."
"The point you make for using the Alps route is quite valid, Cardinal, but what of the extra time it will add to the mission? The Valtelline pass is over three hundred leagues to Paris!" Duke Gaston exclaimed as he studied the map, now frowning deeply.
"It will indeed add more time, perhaps a week or more, depending on the speed at which we move the troops, Your Grace. However, it is an inconvenience we can manage in favor of success to the mission," the Cardinal-Infante explained, unfaltering. "I have seven thousand troops—guaranteed—from Ambassador Mirabel, ready to move as soon as we send word for them to proceed."
"Seven thousand troops," Duke Gaston repeated with mild surprise. "Will this be enough, Cardinal? If I know my brother, we had better be prepared for heavy resistance from the king's army."
"The key to this mission, Your Grace, is catching the king's army off-guard rather than the number of our invading troops," Ferdinand argued. "If we catch the Royal Army unprepared for battle, our troops—despite being smaller in number—will successfully seize Paris; then you, Your Grace, may proceed on with your plan to capture and depose King Louis from the throne of France."
"There are too many variables which can destroy our plan, Cardinal, but I see no better alternative. If this plan proves successful, I will take my place on the throne with Anne as my Queen," Gaston nodded his head decisively. "Together, we will rule France as an empire that can neither be stopped nor conquered; I will do for France what my brother lacks the courage in contemplating himself."
"I would indeed like to see my sister happy," Ferdinand sighed. "She deserves to be treated better than she has as the wife of Louis. I would expect better for Anne as Queen of France but, according to her letters, she is quite miserable with depression and loneliness."
"Yes, she has conveyed the same sentiment to me through our occasional correspondence," Gaston replied. "Fortunately, my mother is starting to see the logic in our plan and may form, at least, a temporary alliance with Anne to carry out our mission."
"My sister has expressed deep concern regarding your mother taking sides with the king on most occasions, as Anne and Marie have an infamously poor and distrustful relationship. Are you sure that your mother can be trusted?" Ferdinand inquired with a growing sense of disquiet.
"I believe so, yes," answered Duke Gaston.
"Not good enough," Ferdinand shook his head doggedly. "I think it would be best if Madame de Medici is kept unaware of our planned mission."
"I agree," Gaston nodded. "The fewer people who know about this plan the better. You mentioned that we have the support of the Dukes of Savoy and Lorraine? Are there any others that I do not know about?"
"Well, you will always have the support of the Duke of Buckingham, of course," the Cardinal-Infante chuckled. "Or rather, should I say that my sister would have the undying support of the Duke of Buckingham."
"Yes, Anne most certainly would have his support," Gaston huffed with an air of disgust. "A temporary alliance with England might prove strategically advantageous for overthrowing the King of France." Gaston rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "However, I do not wish to have his intentions toward Anne to be the leverage which he would hold over my head as a bribe."
"Whatever the Duke of Buckingham's intentions, all matters—even affairs of the heart—can be resolved once you have taken control of the throne."
"Yes, well… I would prefer to use an alliance with England as a last resort." Duke Gaston waved his hand, dismissing the suggestion. "Who else might I depend upon?"
"Oh, yes, I almost forgot," Ferdinand snapped his fingers. "The governor of Languedoc, Duke Henri de Montmorency, has offered his own troops and money in your support. As you are well aware, the Duke de Montmorency has quite an exemplary military record; he defeated our army at Piedmont, and he defeated the Duke of Soubise during the occupations of the islands Ré and Oléron."
"Duke de Montmorency has pledged his troops?" Duke Gaston replied with amazement, his jaw agape. "That is fantastic news, Cardinal." The duke turned back to the map with renewed vigor. "If Henri will move his troops north, as we move west from Valtelline, perhaps we can rendezvous in Bourges where we will combine our troops and march on to Paris."
"That is quite brilliant, Your Grace," Ferdinand complimented. "I will speak with Duke Henri on my return to Spain and will inform you of the details through correspondence. Speaking of correspondence, how reliable is Anne's correspondence route and her carriers between the two of you?"
"The queen and I met on an occasion when I was in Paris during which she informed me of her secret correspondence route; she has also revealed to me the names of her couriers as Pierre La Porte, Madame de Chevreuse—although she was removed—and hence replaced by Mademoiselle Marie de Hautefort."
"What of my sister's correspondence route?" Ferdinand asked. "Is it anonymous and safe from spies who would report suspicious activity to the king?"
"The queen informed me that she uses a secret box at her favorite convent, Val de Grâce, where she has quite an elaborate system transmitting letters; these letters are coded for correspondence to a number of recipients such as myself, the Duke of Buckingham, and you, of course."
"This secret box at Val de Grâce has not been discovered?" Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand asked with hesitation.
"No, at least, up to this point in time, it has not," Duke Gaston replied. "I pray that it remains that way."
"As do I, Your Grace," Ferdinand stated with concern. "I will write a letter informing Anne of our discussion here today; the queen should be made aware of the progress, as well as the details, of our plan and how it will be carried forth. I would prefer her approval before we begin such a mission."
"Agreed," Gaston replied. "If you would ask the queen, has she heard anything from her informants regarding suspicions the king has of me? If there is any inkling of suspicion from my brother, it will foil our plans—no matter how solidly prepared."
"I will indeed, Your Grace," Ferdinand stood and bowed. "I will write the letter and then be on my way. It is too dangerous to stay here under the same roof with the Captain of the King's Musketeers and his men."
"The Captain and his Musketeers do not know of your presence here, Cardinal, nor of the reason for your visit; I would prefer, however, to err on the side of caution as the Musketeers are very loyal to King Louis."
"May I use your writing desk, Your Grace?"
"Yes, by all means," answered Duke Gaston.
Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand transcribed a letter to his sister, Queen Anne, outlining the plans of the invasion with the intent to overthrow Louis as King of France; he secured it with wax then stamped it sealed with the mark of his ring.
"Have Mademoiselle de Hautefort disguise herself as a servant girl when she carries and delivers this letter to Anne in Paris." Ferdinand handed the letter to Duke Gaston. "Now I must be on my way if I am going to stop by and visit with the Duke de Montmorency. Godspeed, Your Grace," the Cardinal-Infante bowed. "May God grant us strength and success."
"Godspeed, Cardinal," Gaston replied with a resolute nod. "Best of luck to all of us."
Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand raised the hood of his cloak before the door of the study was opened. Steward Fontaine met him at the door to stealthily guide the disguised guest out of the château to the courtyard to where his carriage waited.
Captain Tréville looked out the window across the courtyard; he smiled as he watched a flock of birds land on the stone ground. He sighed, taking a deep breath as he glanced back at Aramis, finally sleeping soundly against his mound of pillows. The steam tent covered Athos, but he could hear the soft snores of his lieutenant emanating from underneath; he smiled, knowing the swordsman was getting the uninterrupted sleep he so desperately needed.
He looked out the window once again then watched with interest as Steward Fontaine escorted a guest to an awaiting carriage. A sudden swirling gust of wind tore at the mystery guest's cloak and blew the hood, concealing his identity, from his head. . . for just a moment. The guest frantically tugged the hood back up to cover his head, protecting it tightly against the wind; but the strong gust had already worked against him. The mystery guest's identity was revealed to the man watching in the upstairs window.
Captain Tréville gasped with surprise as he recognized the cloaked guest as the queen's brother, Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand. He quickly moved away from the window to conceal himself as the unintentional witness to a stunning revelation; he stayed out of view until he heard the clomping of hooves as the carriage departed.
The captain scrubbed a hand over his face as he realized his earlier suspicions that the Duke of Orléans was somehow involved in a questionable secret with the lay-cardinal from Spain. Why all of this secrecy and what it could possibly mean?
Captain Tréville couldn't speculate as to the purpose of the secrecy, but he knew he must return to Paris at once to warn King Louis of the clandestine assembly at Château de Blois. With no time to waste, he determined that he must leave immediately.
A/N:
Valtelline, in Northern Italy, was vitally important to the communications between the Spanish and Austrian branches of the House of Habsburg. There was constant conflict over the territory, Catholic vs Protestant, which Spain soon took advantage of by gaining control over the pass. Realizing the danger, the Duke of Savoy and France formed an alliance to capture this strategic position in signing the Treaty of Paris (1623); but with the rise of Cardinal Richelieu, French policy changed. The Treaty of Monçon was signed in 1626 giving the Protestants rule over the commune of Valtelline, while giving the Catholics control over the valley—leaving the mountain passes up for grabs. Needless to say, the treaty was widely perceived with indignation by France's former allies like the Dutch, England, Venice, Savoy, and the Protestants. (Notice I mentioned FORMER allies!)
The allies felt they had been tricked into thinking France was helping them, but with France under Richelieu, they found that France was only interested in itself. Furthermore, the allies were angry that they were not included in the negotiations. The Duke of Savoy was insulted due to his not gaining anything with the treaty.
Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand was the youngest son of Philip III and Margaret of Austria, and younger brother to Queen Anne. His father wished that Ferdinand have an ecclesiastical career so he was elevated to the Primacy of Spain in 1619, becoming Archbishop of Toledo and soon afterwards he was made Cardinal. The title Cardinal-Infante was a combination of his "job" as Cardinal and his duty as a royal Prince of Spain. Ferdinand was never actually ordained a priest, which is not unusual for royalty and members of the aristocracy, but he still received clerical benefices carrying huge incomes along with them.
Note:
Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand's role in this is completely FICTIONAL! Queen Anne did indeed write him, usually weekly, and did encourage him to use his military leadership & command but he was actually involved against the Dutch and the Swedes (Queen Anne's actual words were included in chapter 17). I just thought it would be fun to include the Queen's brother and have him along for the ride. All the rest of the events and people will be explained as the chapters progress. (Note that actual timeline and events have been changed and/or combined, with a KEY player missing, due to TV show having killed off Cardinal Richelieu too early)