Cardinal Richelieu stood looking at the monastery in the distance with his arms crossed over his chest and the tail of his cloak draped over his right arm. He was a patient man. He knew and understood the complexities of battle. There was smoke filtering skyward from several chimneys. Several men walking along the parapet watching, waiting, and anticipating the moves of the men in the fields beyond the monastery walls.
"There's a back entrance," Treville said as he stepped beside Richelieu. "Porthos, d'Artagnan and a few others can sneak into the back at nightfall. Brother Noah believes the queen and Athos may be held in the northern wing. If they're fortunate, they'll come across them and get the queen to safety."
Richelieu huffed and then stroked his chin. "Given the king's fragile state of mind…" he paused and took a deep breath before glancing toward Treville and then the monastery, "any news of her demise may further affect his condition."
"We must act quickly. Any delay may force a siege that we simply do not have time for and with the cover of night upon us," Treville said, "we might get in and out before anyone will know."
Richelieu cocked an eyebrow skeptically and looked at Treville, who stood beside him and looked at the monastery with the eyes of a soldier and a man who knew and understood the risks involved. "Your optimism impresses me, Treville." He shifted his stance and watched the inhabitants of the stone abbey light the night fires along the parapet. "Gather your men. It's been over three days and given the queen's condition…" he paused and took a deep breath, "we don't have time to wait."
Treville nodded and walked with determined strides toward Porthos and d'Artagnan.
Richelieu released the cloak and allowed it to fall behind him. The heavy fabrics slapped the backs of his calves and he shifted the edge over his shoulders to keep the chill at bay. Several of his red guards lit small fires to warm their hands as the night hour brought with it a desperate chill. The horses behind them snorted, shook their heads causing bits to jingle, and several stomped their feet. The animals reflected the anxiety that Richelieu was feeling: uncertainty of the queen's condition, fear for the king, and the reactions from heads of state, Spain, and the empire should a civil war erupt across France.
D'Artagnan led several horses from the lines behind the encampment. Porthos, with his shoulders back, asked questions, listened and watched as Brother Noah continued to explain using hand gestures and a stick to write on the ground as he told them the location of the back entrance. Treville, sitting on his haunches, pointed, directed, and reiterated the plans for his men to follow.
No matter the differences between the cardinal and the captain, their desire to stand beside their king and protect him was equal in determination. How they did so, and the manners in which they performed their duties, differed greatly. Richelieu could not deny Captain Treville his diligence when the moments of uncertainty were placed before them. While the cardinal thought about the eventual outcomes, the results of the actions, and the consequences, Treville thought about the moment, his men, and what needed to be done to execute their common goal. Richelieu wiped his mouth with his fingers. It was in moments like these that they worked best together, when egos were set aside for the common good.
Porthos, d'Artagnan, and three other musketeers mounted their horses and immediately rode away. They would continue south until they came across a back road that would lead them down a narrow path to the back of the monastery. Treville stood, watched them until they disappeared into the distance and then turned back toward Richelieu, who had remained standing while watching the night fires burn on the monastery's parapet.
"We need a messenger," Richelieu said. "I think it's time we negotiate."
Treville nodded and then said, "One of my men is ready. It won't take Porthos and the others long to get into position." He turned and motioned toward a group of red guards. "Build additional fires —"
"You'll give away our position," Richelieu said.
"They know we're here," Treville replied. "The goal is to make them believe we have more men than we do." He turned and walked toward the horses. "Prepare your message, Cardinal. We have but little time."