Chapter 2

Captain Treville looked at King Louis while the porter poured wine into goblets. The windows were open, and a subtle breeze caused the long drapes to gently sway against each side of the frames. It was a momentary relief as the heat and extensive dry season continued to torment. Sweat was a constant accessory on foreheads, and blouses were soaked beneath heavy doublets and cloaks. Even Rochefort looked uncomfortable while standing to the king's right and sipping from a glass of wine.

"Your Majesty, sending your best musketeers on a mission like this is," Treville said and then paused as he contemplated his next words, "beneath their skill and given the influx of guests at the palace, having them at your side is essential. Perhaps, Sire, the retrieval of such goods can be accomplished by a few of the Red Guards?"

"The Red Guards," Rochefort said with a hint of annoyance, "are currently undergoing leadership changes and will need to remain under my supervision until I feel they are fit to be in service to his majesty." He cleared his throat and gently twisted the cup in his hand. "They may have been superior under the tutelage of the recently departed Cardinal Richelieu, but in the time since his illness and subsequent death," he glanced at King Louis, who stood strong and listened, "they are in need of some training. Sending them on a mission such as this is premature. After all," Rochefort raised his eyebrows and looked at Treville, "your musketeers are supposed to be excellent retrievers… One might assume that jewels and lace for the queen might be much less complicated than…" he shrugged, "retrieving a man." He raised his eyebrows and then took another sip of wine.

"I agree with Rochefort, Treville," King Louis said before Treville could say anything more. "The items I have requested are very important… The necklace was designed by me and it was supposed to be a gift to my queen on the birth of our first son." He exhaled slowly. "As you know, the time in which it took for this to happen…" he shifted his feet and cleared his throat, "took longer than expected. I would hate for the jewels to fall into the wrong hands. Monsieur Isnard Ramus was Paris' finest jeweler and at the time I had requested the necklace, he assured me it would be completed and ready upon the birth of my son.

"When I sent word to him a few weeks ago, I learned he has moved to Autun to…" Louis waved his hand flippantly, "take in the mountain air. Given the distance, I believe the musketeers are the best choice for this particular mission." Louis glanced confidently at Rochefort. "With you by my side, any threats against me will be managed accordingly."

Rochefort quirked a subtle smile and bowed.

Captain Treville rolled his eyes and pursed his lips. "I must insist, Your Majesty, that if my best soldiers are to be away on this mission, then I suggest we limit the number of guests for the next few weeks — at least until they return and can sufficiently support you."

"What do you suggest, Rochefort?" Louis said and waved his hand in front of his face when a bug threatened to land.

"Captain Treville is correct, Sire," Rochefort said and then cleared his throat. "I will need to see to my duties as their captain and will not be available at all times. And while Captain Treville also has obligations to his men — you of course always take priority — but… it would be best to limit those who have access to you, at least until the red guards are ready to perform at their best."

King Louis frowned and then looked out the window. "We need rain," he said casually. "It's been much too hot of late, and I find myself growing tired in the afternoons." He walked to the window and looked at his gardens and watched his gardeners trim the hedges and water the roses. "Richelieu once said, Not the least of the qualities that go into the making of a great ruler is the ability of letting others serve him." He grew quiet for a long moment. With his hands at his sides, the glow of the sun across his face, he turned toward Treville. "I offered you such a position… you denied me."

Treville tightened his jaw and diverted his gaze.

"I know you serve me still, Treville, but I'd be remiss to ignore such a slight." Louis swallowed, turned suddenly, and then clasped his hands behind his back. "When I present my son and my queen…" he looked at both Treville and Rochefort, "the world will know that my son will one day rule France, and his mother will look as ravishing as the day I married her. I expect," Louis focused on Treville, "the musketeers to return to Paris with the lace and the necklace." He walked toward the doors and paused when the guards opened them. He glanced over his shoulder and said, "Don't disappoint me again, Treville." He left the room, followed by several palace guards, and walked toward his quarters.

"Gold lace and sapphires," Rochefort said and looked at Treville. "And just how will you manage your men?"

"My men are my business, Rochefort."

"And the king is mine," Rochefort countered. "The event is a month away, and it will take days for the seamstress to finish the queen's dress." He walked in stride with Treville toward the doors.

Treville nodded. "My men will retrieve the goods in plenty of time," he said gruffly.

"I meant no offense, Captain," Rochefort said. "The king has not been himself of late — the birth of his son, the death of Richelieu, and of course your denial of a position on his council — a prominent position I might add — has him rather pensive regarding any changes or deviations of his normal schedule."

"He said he has been growing tired in the afternoon?" Treville stopped walking and looked at Rochefort, who paused. Under prior circumstances, Treville would know the reasons for the king's discomfort, but since their brief interaction when he declined the role as Minister of War, Louis had grown distant and found himself relying on Rochefort. Treville rubbed his neck and cursed his decision, but looked at the man before him, who contemplated the question.

They stood in the hallway. The light of the sun cascaded across the floor and onto the walls. Vases filled with flowers stood atop tall pedestals to the right, and the arched windows along the left ran the length of the hall.

"Grief," Rochefort said. He raised his eyebrows and shrugged. "Richelieu played an important part of our king's life… his death has caused him to become sorrowful, particularly as matters of state weigh on his shoulders."

Treville nodded, took a deep breath, and rubbed his jaw. "I'll send my men on this mission. If they split up, it should shorten the time they're away — perhaps a speedy return will change the king's current state of mind."

Rochefort nodded and continued to walk with Treville toward the exit. "A royal reception will pull him from his melancholy," he said and paused suddenly when one of the red guards stepped into his line of sight. "Until later, Treville."

Treville nodded, glanced at Rochefort, who spoke quietly with his guardsman and then quietly left the palace.