Through Darker Days
Chapter Eight
They found Athos less than half a mile from the garrison. He was leaning heavily against a wall, his face pale and his body shaking like an aspen in a high wind. D'Artagnan reached him first, putting an arm around his waist to support his weight. Passers-by looked at them curiously although none ventured to offer an opinion. Aramis wasn't so reticent.
"Why would you do that?" he asked, his voice raised. "I said you could get out of bed today, not go traipsing around Paris."
Athos ducked his head but not before Aramis saw him wincing. He stood breathing heavily and staring at their recalcitrant brother. He knew his anger stemmed from fear for Athos' safety and an almost overwhelming guilt. He had known his friend was a flight risk yet he'd allowed himself to fall asleep. He didn't think he could have lived with himself if anything bad had happened as a result. Now that they had found him safe he could feel his pent-up emotions draining away.
"I'm sorry," Athos mumbled, his face hidden by his hair. "I only wanted to help."
"I know." Aramis' tone softened as he beheld Athos' abject misery. "You can help best by getting well."
"I need to remember." When Athos raised his head, there was a challenging fire in his eyes. "Can you take me to where I was attacked?"
Aramis' refusal was over-ridden by Porthos.
"It's only a few streets away from here. He's got this far. Where's the harm?"
"Porthos is right." D'Artagnan tightened his grip on Athos. "And, it might help him."
Faced with such staunch opposition Aramis gave way. "Very well." He unslung the water flask he was carrying and held it out to Athos. "Drink this. It's medication for the pain."
Athos hesitated before reaching for the flask and removing the stopper. He took a sip, grimacing at the bitter taste. Then, with a resigned sigh, he drained the liquid.
Their progress was slow as Athos could do little more than shuffle along. Aramis followed Porthos and d'Artagnan's lead until they arrived in a refuse strewn alleyway. Athos pulled away from d'Artagnan and took a couple of unsteady steps. He looked around, slowly turning on the spot. Then, he bent forward with a hand flying to his head. Porthos steadied him until he was able to straighten up again, his face betraying the pain he was in.
"There were two men," he said haltingly. "I didn't get a good look at their faces. Two more blocked my escape. They must have followed me from the tavern." His lips twisted with frustration. "I still don't recall what happened before that or very much about the fight." He flexed his right hand. "One of them hit my arm with a club. The pain was…extreme."
"That's enough," Aramis said. "We need to get you back to the garrison to rest."
"The tavern?"
"No, Athos. You might not recognise them but they will certainly recognise you."
It was a mark of Athos' frailty that he didn't argue and that he let Porthos shoulder most of his weight on the walk home. Once they reached the yard Athos baulked at the idea of returning to the infirmary so they sat him on a bench in the sunshine. He had regained some of his colour and no longer looked to be on the verge of passing out.
While d'Artagnan went to fetch them some breakfast the other two settled beside Athos.
"I went to the tavern again last night," Porthos said. "Saw that Lacroix character. He met with five others this time. Three of them were well-dressed like him. The other two looked like hired muscle. He had a map of some kind and kept pointin' to places. I wasn't close enough to see where they were."
"We need to get someone close to him," d'Artagnan said, placing a tray down on the table. He handed out bowls of porridge.
"He doesn't look like the trustin' kind."
"Maybe not, but Constance said he is looked upon as a leader. It wouldn't seem strange for another merchant to seek him out for advice." Aramis turned the idea over in his head. "This all seems to stem from the King's edict against trade with Spain. Many merchants will be affected and all will be looking for ways to mitigate their losses. If I can persuade him of my fanaticism, he might let down his guard."
"You?" Athos asked.
"I'm the obvious choice. D'Artagnan is too young and Porthos doesn't look like a shop owner. No offence my friend, but no-one could mistake you for anything other than a soldier."
"I don't like the idea of you approaching Lacroix directly," Athos said. "If he were to find out you are a Musketeer your life would be in grave danger."
"We have to follow every avenue. Whatever he is plotting could affect the crown. Besides we are sworn to uphold the law whatever the personal risk."
"What about his fiancée?" d'Artagnan asked.
"There is still merit in you making her acquaintance. Find out everything you can about Lacroix. Even the smallest piece of information might help us." Aramis stood up. "I will inform Treville. He will need to keep us off guard rotation for a couple of days.
TMTMTM
Nathalie Aubert lived in one of the better parts of town with her parents. D'Artagnan loitered around a corner keeping an eye on the house. After spending a boring few hours he was rewarded when the young woman left the house just after noon. She was once again accompanied by her servant. He followed at a discreet distance as they visited several shops. Both women were laden with parcels by the time they turned towards home.
D'Artagnan cut through a couple of alleyways, returning to the main street ahead of his quarry. He walked quickly towards them, veering to his right as he passed so that he jostled Nathalie, causing her to drop what she was carrying.
"My apologies, Mademoiselle," d'Artagnan bent down to retrieve the packages. "I hope you are not hurt."
"You should watch where you are walking, Monsieur," Nathalie said crossly.
"You are quite right." D'Artagnan straightened up, the parcels held tightly to his chest. "Although my clumsiness has at least given me the opportunity to look on your beauty."
A faint blush appeared on Nathalie's cheeks. "You are very forward, Sir."
"Then I must apologise again if my words have upset you." He turned the full force of his smile on her and was rewarded with a softening of her expression.
"I suppose no harm has been done," she murmured.
"Will you allow me to walk you home? Someone as lovely as you shouldn't be burdened with carrying heavy packages." In truth there was very little weight but it was a perfect excuse to walk with her.
"You flatter me, Monsieur…?"
"D'Artagnan. May I enquire as to your name?"
"Nathalie Aubert."
"Ah, I recognise the name. You are betrothed to Yves Lacroix, the silk merchant."
"You are acquainted with my fiancé?"
"Alas, only by reputation. I am apprenticed to a master sword maker, Monsieur Joubaird. You might have heard of him."
"I'm afraid not."
Given that d'Artagnan had made the name up that wasn't a surprise. "He is a great admirer of your fiancé. He said Monsieur Lacroix was very forceful when they had their audience with the King about the trade embargo with Spain."
"Yves can be very passionate about causes close to his heart."
"My master says that something should be done to persuade the King to change his mind."
Nathalie gave a little shrug. "I am little interested in politics." She began to walk again with her servant trailing behind her.
"But surely the loss of your fiancé's business is of concern to you." D'Artagnan shortened his stride to keep pace with her.
"He has assured me that he is taking steps to protect his trade." Nathalie stopped and turned to him. "I thank you for your help but we can manage from here." She held out her hands and waited for him to surrender the packages to her.
"It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mademoiselle Aubert." He bowed to her and stood watching as she crossed the street. He hadn't learnt very much but at least he now had confirmation that Lacroix wasn't the type of man to sit back and let his business be ruined.
Tbc