This is a shorter chapter than the last couple and will most likely be the last chapter before Christmas. I'll be honest that I struggled with this chapter a bit as it does rather just lay the scene and get everyone in the right place.
Still love to hear your thoughts. I don't think I've left it on too much of a cliffhanger. Enjoy. :)
Chapter Thirty-Five
Rochefort raced to his office after asking permission to leave the King. Athos knows! The musketeers know! Renard must have told them of his involvement but the musketeers couldn't prove it. Should they capture the Duke and the Duke spilled along with Aramis that would surely be enough for the King!
Rochefort forced himself to calm down. Renard was dead and it appeared that Aramis must have suffered greatly at the hands of Renard if he wasn't well enough to meet the King in person.
Firstly, he needed to warn the Duke and hope the pompous git made a run for it. Secondly, he would deal with Aramis who had none of his friends to protect him now that the King had ordered them to arrest the Duke. If he was in a bad way anyway it would be unlikely that anyone would find it strange if he died. Doctor Lemay was a problem he could fix as well.
Rochefort quickly scrawled a letter to the Duke but made sure he didn't use his own seal or sign his name. He called for one of his own men and thrust the letter into his hands.
'Take this to the Duke of Épernon. Do not speak to anybody else or tell them what you are doing,' Rochefort instructed harshly. 'If somebody asks I did not give you this letter and do not wear your uniform. Is that clear?'
'Yes, sir,' the soldier left and Rochefort once again tried to breathe deeply to calm himself.
Aramis could wait for now. The others would be gone at first light and hopefully he would have his chance to sort this mess out before it came back to bite him. What would his beloved Anne think if she knew the truth?
'I could stay and say I went with you,' Porthos looked pleadingly at the others as he sat by Aramis' side as dawn started to break.
'And if the King were to find out you defied him?' Athos said sternly although compassion was clear in his eyes.
'He's not well,' Porthos sighed as he looked at Aramis whose fever had risen during the night.
'I'm afraid I cannot say when or if he will recover,' Dr. Lemay said sadly.
'He will,' Porthos snapped and Lemay knew better than to argue and gave the larger man a sympathetic look.
'Porthos we have to go,' D'Artagnan said with his voice breaking a little as he looked at their stricken friend.
'This isn't fair,' Porthos growled as he stood. 'And I can't beat the hell out of the Duke either!'
'Afraid not,' Tréville said with his own sigh of resignation.
The door of the infirmary opened and Constance rushed in and headed straight for the sleeping Aramis.
'How is he?' her voice was racked with concern.
'His fever's gotten worse,' Lemay sighed as Constance pressed a hand to Aramis' forehead and then quickly removed her cloak.
'Constance...we have to go,' Athos sighed looking rather more emotional than Constance had seen him.
'Don't worry,' she said with empathy. 'I'll look after him.'
'Thanks,' D'Artagnan enveloped her in hug which she returned and then once they'd broken apart she pulled a rather surprised Athos into her arms.
'Thank you, Constance,' he said as she let go.
She hugged Tréville who hugged back before she stood before Porthos who was looking painstakingly at his stricken brother. She touched his chest to get his attention.
'I'll look after him, I promise,' she said before she hugged him tightly feeling his breath hitch at the comfort as he hugged back.
'I just don't wanna leave him,' Porthos had tears in his eyes as he looked at Aramis.
'Has anyone...asked my opinion?' came a stammered question from the bed as Aramis blinked wearily.
'You were asleep and therefore unavailable for consultation,' Athos stated in his best no-nonsense voice.
'Excuses,' Aramis huffed quietly. 'Go and arrest the Duke. I'll be here when you get back.' Aramis hoped the last part was true as he knew he was a dire condition and so did everyone else.
'You better be,' Porthos managed a small smile but it never reached his eyes. One by one they gave Aramis' hand a gentle squeeze before they left the infirmary, all looking back one last time before they walked through the door.
'Will I see them again?' Aramis asked Lemay who stood by his bed once the others had left.
'I honestly don't know,' the doctor replied with sincerity and Constance had to pull herself together at hearing this prognosis. 'Constance,' Lemay called to her and jolted her out of her thoughts. 'I've left some pain draughts and try to keep him as cool as possible and get him to drink some broth if you can,' he said quietly.
'He's in a bad way, isn't he?' she asked looking solemn.
'Only time will tell,' Lemay said looking despondent. 'If he gets worse send a message to me straight away.'
'I will,' Constance steeled herself as they moved towards Aramis.
'I have to go now, Aramis,' Lemay told the marksman. 'Madame Bonacieux will stay with you but I will be back to check on you later.' Aramis gave a short nod as Lemay took his leave.
'Constance,' Aramis called quietly as she moved to sit in the chair that had been Porthos' site for his vigil. 'Thank you.'
'Her Majesty sent me before I could even ask,' Constance smiled and took his hand and tried not to look disgusted at the state of his fingernails. 'Rest Aramis. You will win this battle.'
'If you say so,' he muttered before he shut his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Out in the garrison courtyard the musketeers were ready to set off and arrest the Duke of Épernon. Twenty men would be travelling with the cadets and the newest recruits remaining at the garrison. Unfortunately, many of the more experienced musketeers were already out on missions so Tréville had decided to use as many as he could without endangering Paris and the King. He was also determined that the Duke would be caught and punished to bring closure and justice to Aramis. Hopefully the Duke would also confirm Rochefort's role and they would be rid of that weasel for good.
'Porthos,' he called making the big man look up. 'You have to focus. There is no point in you getting hurt as well.' Porthos nodded but was still very subdued.
'We should get there before nightfall,' Athos said calmly. 'I think the cover of darkness will be our best ally as long as he hasn't been tipped off.' Tréville saw him glance towards the infirmary but he knew Athos could keep his head even if Porthos was struggling.
'I doubt he will come willingly,' D'Artagnan pitched in.
'Let's hope not,' a wry smile had appeared on Athos' face which Tréville questioned with a raised eyebrow. 'I only want to punch him,' Athos said before moving away and mounting his horse. 'I'll only punch him once.'
Tréville knew that his greatest problem may be controlling the three Inseparables from taking their revenge for their brother. In fact there was a part of him that would gladly smash in the Duke's face and get much satisfaction from it but he knew he had to steady himself and set the right example.
Soon the musketeers were ready and the convoy left the garrison and headed towards Épernon as the sun started to rise in the sky.
Rochefort knew the musketeers had left and could only hope that once Duke got his message the man would flee accordingly. Aramis was now his target and without the protection of his brothers Aramis was vulnerable.
'Doctor Lemay,' Rochefort called as the doctor did his rounds checking on the Dauphin as he often did. Thankfully the boy was well after his previous illness but it settled everyone to have the doctor check him over very so often.
'Yes,' Lemay turned to see Rochefort approach.
'There has been an outbreak of sickness that has involved Lady Francesca and other nobles here at court.' Rochefort knew this as he had added a mixture known to cause sickness into the afternoon soup. He needed to keep Lemay occupied. 'It would be best if you could deal with it.'
'Of course,' Lemay huffed but Rochefort saw his unease.
'What's wrong?' Rochefort questioned. 'Are there more important patients that the King's nobles?'
'I need to return to the musketeer Aramis,' Lemay said fidgeting and feeling uncomfortable.
'How is he?' Rochefort asked as politely as possible.
'Not well,' Lemay informed him. Rochefort had to do his best to conceal his smile.
'Surely there is another doctor that can treat the musketeer?' Rochefort said with a little heat. 'His Majesty's nobles are far more important than one soldier.'
Though he wasn't a violent man Lemay wanted to punch Rochefort right then. 'I shall send Dr. Jardin to Aramis,' he agreed.
'Well, that solves that problem,' Rochefort just about held back his smile as Lemay walked away.
Lemay quickly sent a message to Dr. Jardin telling him of Aramis' condition and his prescriptions. He also sent a note to Constance explaining why he wouldn't be coming back. He hoped she would forgive him as would the musketeers when they returned.
Rochefort was unaware of Constance's presence with Aramis but knew that with Lemay out of the way he could visit the stricken marksman himself. This time there would be no mistakes.
Rochefort's messenger appeared in Épernon an hour or so after midday. The Duke had been bored as Renard had made it clear not to visit the shack and he'd had no reports of the other musketeers still roaming his lands. He mused that they must have given up their search without finding their friend, for how could they have found Aramis?
The messenger handed over the note.
The Musketeers are coming.
Get out now.
That was all it said.
'Who is this from?' the Duke asked the messenger.
'The Comte de Rochefort,' the man answered. 'Forgive me but I must leave.'
'Yes. Yes,' the Duke waved him away. Why should he run? The musketeers had no proof of anything. All he had to do was deny every accusation. The foolish King would believe a noble and if he was caught Rochefort would go down with him. If it was just the three musketeers then he could dispose of them easily, like he had Aramis.
'You,' he pointed to one of his servants. 'Round up as many of my men in the area as you can.' The man bowed and left. The Duke didn't believe that Louis would send the regiment of musketeers, maybe a few more than just the other three friends of Aramis but no more than that. However, the Duke already knew how good these soldiers were and he didn't want to take any chances. Taking down Aramis' friends would be as satisfying as taking down the man himself. He twirled the golden crucifix that he had taken from Aramis in his fingers. He was rather looking forward to it.
Constance kept her vigil at Aramis' side as she kept cooling him and when he woke she made sure he drank some water and he even managed a few mouthfuls of broth. His temperature was rising though and she was becoming rather worried. When she received Doctor Lemay's note informing her that he had been requested to treat the sick nobles by Rochefort she had nearly thrown the bowl of water she was using to cool Aramis against the wall in anger.
There was knock at the infirmary door and Constance went to open it. In front of her was a rather portly man who looked to be well into his fifties.
'Pardon, Madame,' he said removing his hat. 'I'm looking for a sick musketeer.'
'His name is Aramis,' she said calmly as she opened the door so he could walk in.
Doctor Jardin moved towards Aramis frowning slightly. 'Doctor Lemay said he was fighting an infection?' he looked to Constance who nodded. Dr. Jardin took a few minutes to examine Aramis, though he never lifted the musketeer's shirt, before stepping back.
'His fever is high and if he is to recover it will need to come down,' he said eyeing the bowl of water.
'I've been cooling his brow but I'm not sure whether it is working,' Constance admitted.
'He needs to be thoroughly cooled,' Jardin said eyeing Constance. 'He needs his limbs and torso to be swabbed as that will help bring his whole body temperature down. Here,' he beckoned her over to Aramis who still appeared to be asleep. 'Feel,' she touched his arm and felt the heat radiating off.
'Oh my, Doctor Lemay checked him earlier this morning and never mentioned this,' she said looking fearful.
'It has probably developed in the last few hours,' he said kindly. 'Are you related to him?'
Constance froze for a moment as she realised that the treatment Aramis needed was far more invasive than just cooling his brow. She would have to cool his chest and arms and legs and if she wasn't a relative that would be seen as too invasive and rather improper.
'Yes,' she lied more confidently that she thought she was able. 'I'm his sister.'
Dr. Jardin didn't question her although he appeared to be slightly sceptical. 'Normally, in these circumstances I would ask the patient's permission for you to continue treating him so-,'
'She has it,' came the mumbled agreement from the bed as Aramis struggled to open his eyes.
'Do you know what needs to be done?' Dr. Jardin asked Aramis kindly.
'Needs to cool chest and limbs,' he said quietly. 'She can. She's my sister. I trust her.'
'As long as you're ok with that,' Dr. Jardin patted Aramis shoulder and the marksman winced.
'Sorry,' the doctor mumbled and helped Aramis drink a pain draught and some water. 'I'm sure your sister will take good care of you,' he said as he collected his things. He suddenly remembered something and scribbled his address on a piece of paper.
'Send for me if you need me and I'll return this evening,' he said to Constance as walked out of the door. Once he was gone Constance turned back to Aramis who was looking at her with his eyes half shut.
'You ok...to do...this?' he asked and she smiled warmly in response.
She lifted the blanket that was covering him and had to stop her laughter as she saw the shirt and braies he was wearing were far too big for him.
'Porthos',' he mumbled and she chastised herself for letting her amusement show. She gently rolled up the too big braies until they were half-way up his thighs. She noticed the bandages there and didn't say anything.
'Aramis,' she called quietly and he opened his eyes after a few moments. 'I need to get your shirt off,' he nodded slightly and she rolled his shirt up his torso she couldn't help but look shocked. The cuts that adorned his chest were numerous and she had never seen anything like it. The top half of his chest was wrapped in bandages and she could see spots of blood. She carefully manoeuvred his arms out of the sleeves and finally lifted his head to remove the garment completely.
'There, that's better,' she said as Aramis managed a smile.
'Is that...what you say...to D'Artagnan...when you're un...dressing him?' he smirked slightly as she saw the mischief in his eyes that she was used to and hadn't seen since she arrived. She was actually very glad to see it.
She pouted and placed her hands on her hips in very annoyed manner but she couldn't hide her amusement. 'That is no question to ask a lady,' she said looking at him as he smiled slightly.
'My...apologies,' he huffed quietly although he didn't look sorry at all.
'Sleep Aramis,' she said brushing his cheek gently.
'Too hot,' he closed his eyes and winced slightly.
'I'll cool you down,' she said as she moved towards the door and asked the nearest cadet to fetch her more water and clean cloths. He didn't look happy at being told what to do by a woman but Constance used her best glare and he ran away to comply.
Soon she had what she needed as she methodically started to wipe Aramis' torso and limbs while he slept. She wasn't sure how well it was cooling him but she knew she was glad it gave her something to do other than worry.
The musketeers arrived in Épernon as the sun was starting to set. They had found a copse of trees to hide their horses as they looked towards the stately home. Athos was peering through the spyglass and it was clear that he didn't like what he saw.
'There are double the guards to last time,' he said as he handed the spyglass to Tréville.
'Dammit,' Tréville muttered. 'He's been tipped off.'
'Only Rochefort could have done that,' D'Artagnan stated angrily.
'D'you think the Duke's still in there?' Porthos said in low and dangerous growl.
'With the men guarding I would say so,' Tréville looked back to his men.
'If he's been tipped off, why wouldn't he leave?' D'Artagnan asked looking confused.
'Maybe he thinks he can defeat the regiment?' Porthos sounded sceptical.
'Or maybe he thinks it is just us three or us and a few more musketeers,' Athos looked at his brothers. 'He knows we will not stop looking for Aramis without a fight and we can assume that he doesn't know we rescued Aramis. Remember that I told him I could ask for a more extensive search but let's be honest the King isn't going to send the regiment to look for one man.'
'You think maybe a miscommunication?' Tréville asked.
'It makes sense,' Athos shrugged. 'Rochefort couldn't put anything incriminating in a letter just in case it was intercepted, so maybe it has been slightly misinterpreted.'
'We wait till dark and then we strike,' Tréville moved back into the cover of the trees.
'Yes, Captain,' he heard from the trio of men behind him. He only wished it had been a quartet of voices.
A/N: I'm not sure when the next update will be but I'm also sure you will have more important things to do than read my story. So Merry Christmas to everyone who's been reading and has stuck with this story so far. :)