After one such quandary, another swiftly took its place. All of Paris, nay all of France, was whipped into a ravenous frenzy against the Spanish, all owing to one peasant girl who claimed to have been given visions from God. She championed the defeat of Spain and the deposing of King Philip, rallying the commonfolk to her cause and they flocked to her in the hundreds, even the thousands. In Paris, violent protests and mobs were commonplace, and several attacks upon Spanish dwellers had been made no matter their rank or station.
It upset the queen to no end, but as yet, no one was willing to bend. This peasant girl, Emilie of Duras, wished an audience from the king. As of yet, King Louis had refused, and thus we were all at an impossible impasse. I knew that Treville had taken my brother and the others to see the camp and try to gain an audience with this Emilie of Duras, according to my sources, namely Jacques the stableboy, they had set off at first light and all being well, would return soon. Anne was desperate, having now received news of another Spanish lynching in the streets.
She paced across her chambers, gripping her side and attempting to think, biting down upon her lips whilst Constance and I attended to her. Despite the friction in our relationship, I could not stand to see her in such a state. "Your majesty," I dared to speak and immediately she turned to me, waiting for me to continue. "Remember that you have capable persons at your disposal to act upon your behalf. Do not be afraid to use them." Reminding her that we were not only there for decoration, Anne breathed softly.
"Yes, you are right…Madeleine," speaking my name with the intent to command, I dutifully stepped forwards. "I wish you to await Treville's return and bring word immediately of what was discussed with this…dangerous girl. I give you leave to act as you see fit, I know you will do what is best." Curtseying, I promised that I would do so, becoming her representative when she herself was limited. I was her eyes, ears and her hands. As the queen's woman, it was my duty to further her interests and ensure her safety. If any of those wild commoners managed to enter the palace and sought to harm Anne…I could not bear the thought. If there was something I could do to end this madness, then it was for the sake of Anne's safety I must do so. I went directly to the barracks and was pleased to learn that Treville had already returned. I was directed to the dining hall, where the men were being fed and watered after their long day.
Entering quietly, I closed the door behind me as I immediately heard Treville's voice filter through the ambient murmurs of the other musketeers. "The mob are rampaging through Paris murdering anyone with a Spanish name. It's chaos." Calling it chaos was a kindness. A cruelty was more accurate. I had heard the whispers of how some of those Spaniards had ended their lives, and it was enough to plague me with nightmares.
"Why don't we just arrest her?" Porthos suggested as I quietly stepped into view, glancing about each familiar face and frame as Treville explained that it was not so easy as simply arresting the girl.
"This Emilie has thousands of supporters, you've seen them. If they march for the border Spain would have a legitimate pretext for war." It was then Treville sighted me. "Madeleine," his face slackened with softness as I stepped forwards, readily revealing myself now that I had been acknowledged as I had not wanted to interrupt their discussion.
"Forgive me, but the queen is anxious. She has sent me to uncover what happened with this girl. Is it true? They say she is Joan of Arc reborn, that she is the mouthpiece of God and speaks his will." Looking at them all, I saw their troubled and clouded expressions. It did not bode well.
"She's sick," Porthos informed me bluntly as he stretched out his hand to tug me towards him, effortlessly reaching up to ruffle my hair. "She's touched in the head."
"She fainted while we were speaking to her," d'Artagnan further recounted, drawing my gaze towards him as I flicked Porthos absently over the head, focusing upon d'Artagnan so that I heard every word. "Apparently, she's been having fits since she was a child."
"Some people call that the sacred affliction, perhaps she's genuinely blessed." As the most pious of all the men present, it did not surprise me that Aramis was willing to remain open minded pertaining to the circumstances of this rabblerousing girl. "With faith, anything is possible." Rising to join them at the table, Aramis waved his Bible in front of us as he sat. "You should all try reading the Bible once in a while. Notwithstanding our dear Madeleine, of course." He added quickly to remove me from his half jesting yet still slightly scathing remark against the others for their lack of godly devotion.
"Anything may be possible with faith, but human trickery might achieve just as much," I reasoned gently as I remained standing at the corner of the table between Porthos and d'Artagnan, who had poured a drink for me and offered it. I accepted it with a quick smile of thanks. "It takes very little to rouse the blood of the masses. Give them a common cause, and they will topple empires."
"So how do we determine which is the truth?" D'Artagnan questioned as I took a sip of the wine, letting the taste roll over my tongue before swallowing it to quench my thirst. "Is she a true prophet, or a pretender?" Having listened to us all, Treville turned with a decisive attitude.
"Alright, Aramis, as you're the expert on God you can deal with her." Aramis started in protest, but Treville continued regardless. "Go to the camp tonight. Gain her trust, find out what her weaknesses are."
"I didn't become a Musketeer to destroy an honest woman's reputation." Whatever reservations Aramis possessed, they were silenced when Treville asked him if he would rather witness the slaughter of thousands of innocents as they marched upon Spain. Aramis made no further protest.
"What does the King say about all this? Will he meet her?" To answer my brother, I noticed Treville wince minutely, before simply stating that the king was busy with affairs of state. I took a drink from my cup to hide my snort. Affairs of state? Affairs of the bedchamber, more like. For several weeks now, King Louis had been utterly enraptured by the beguiling seductions of Milady de Winter. She was safely established at court as his new mistress, and oh how she revelled in her new lofty station. Our paths sometimes crossed, and she smirked with a gloating superiority knowing that I could not touch her.
Athos had persuaded me to keep my silence about her for now since we had no evidence other than our word that Milady was a criminal. Were we to attempt to declare her crimes, the king would only silence us. After all, he had pardoned her transgressions. All of them. She was untouchable, and it burned me to no end with a constant rage knowing the murderer of my dear brother Thomas still walked free. One day I would catch her, and then there would be no escape. Death would be her only outlet. For now, I put aside all thoughts of Milady. I had other matters to prioritise. "I shall go with you, Aramis." I decided for myself, and waited until the immediate protests and entreaties from the men to quieten. I eyed them severely. "You will need someone to watch your back, and another musketeer would only draw suspicion. Bring a woman, and you might more effortlessly gain entry to the girl, Emilie."
"It is too dangerous," Aramis tried to tell me, but I only chuckled.
"More dangerous than assassins or slavers?" To this, I could not argue.
"There is no need for you to put yourself at risk, Madeleine," my brother began to say, so I looked to him calmly as I noted how he had clenched a fist upon the table, a sign that he was anxious. "We will deal with this."
"The queen desires the matter to be resolved as swiftly as possible, and I am her agent. It is my duty as much as yours to try and settle this wild prophetess before any lasting damage is made." Having made up my mind, there was nothing any of them could have said that would have prevailed upon me to change it. "I am going with you Aramis, or I shall go alone. The choice is yours." He groaned softly.
"I do not much like either of those choices,"
"Come now, surely by now you know that I will not be a hindrance to you," I teased, placing a hand upon my hip as I arched an eyebrow towards them. "I flatter myself that my skills are just as fine as your own, with pistol or blade."
"We know, darlin', it's just…" growling under his breath, Porthos looked desperately to the others to help him, but I think they were now beginning to understand that theirs was a losing battle. "We'll worry for you, that's all."
"And I appreciate the sentiment, but you need not. I do not think this Emilie is a malicious girl, merely misguided. I do not think she will hurt us." It was a poor comfort to those who cared, but it was all I could offer them at present. As always, my brother stood against the plan until the very last, rather keeping me safe and protected instead of facing dangers in a hostile environment. Such was the nature of elder brothers wanting to protect their younger sisters. I loved him for it, but eventually Athos would have to come to terms with the fact that I was no longer a child and I was more than capable of caring for myself.
With a fond smile to them, I excused myself to return to the palace and report to the queen. "I shall go with you," rising to his feet, I looked at Aramis warily, wondering what he might be up to and having a strong suspicion what it could be. "I too have business at the palace, I shall escort you. We must also make our plans if we are to proceed together."
"Very well," stepping aside, I waited for Aramis to join me whereby he offered me his arm so that I might place my hand into the crook of his elbow. "I shall see you all before we depart." They acknowledged this quietly, looking still rather perturbed, but I did not linger to console them any further. I left with Aramis and for a while, simply enjoyed walking with him as my escort through the streets of Paris, allowing ourselves to take the longer route so that we might extend our time. "You are going to see the child, are you not?"
"As always, you see right through me, dear Madeleine." Swatting at him, I clicked my tongue disapprovingly. "You know that I cannot help myself."
"Yes, but in doing so you are using Margeurite for your ploy. Eventually, she will expect more from you than secret trysts. What will you do then?"
"I intend to let her down gently. I know what I am doing, so do not fret yourself."
"It is precisely for this reason I am concerned. You do not seem to recognise the folly of your own actions and the hurt you will bring to others because of them." Clamping my mouth shut, I allowed my emotions to simmer before placating them, not allowing them to boil over. I released them with a long exhale. "You are not sensible when it comes to the child, Aramis."
"Perhaps, but what else can I do? This is the only way, my sweet." This endearment was new, and it caught me off guard for a moment, enough so that I had to look away to hide the fact that I had smiled because of it, but Aramis was quick to notice. "Ah! I see that smile, do not think you can hide it from me, dear Madeleine."
"You are incorrigible," knowing that this was a battle of my own that I had no hope in winning, I tightened my grip upon Aramis for a moment. "If you follow me directly, then perhaps you might be able to see him for a while as I report to the queen. We may use the pretext of our mission to explain your presence."
"You are an angel sent from heaven, my sweet." Blushing from his compliments, I smacked at his arm but did not disagree. We walked together in pleasant quiet, speaking occasionally of the mission and what we must do and preparing for what may yet come, but otherwise, I cherished the simple joy of taking a walk with a dear friend. Upon returning to the queen's quarters, I allowed Aramis to join me so that he could take the opportunity to see little Louis whilst I whispered to the queen, explaining what had transpired and my intentions to go to the camp myself to speak to this Emilie girl.
She readily agreed, granting her permission to go and wishing me godspeed with her blessing. I spent some time carefully preparing. Dispelling of all my finery, I even removed my wren broach and pendent, for they were too clearly of expensive origin and would readily give my position away. I felt bare without them, stroking at my neck which felt oddly exposed now that I had grown so accustomed to the pendent bearing the musketeer crest, and the wren broach which always reminded me of Ninon.
At the very least, dressing in my old clothes was a familiar comfort, their worn and faded patterns clearly stating use, and were patched over several times to hide the rips and tears when I had not the coin to replace them entirely. I knew it had been a good idea to keep my old things, even if they were a little tight fitted on me now. They suited my purpose, and I had let them out a little, even loosening the corset so that I could breathe, twist and turn more effortlessly. To ease the exposed sensation around my throat, I donned a simple cross pendant. It was not the same as my pendent, but it was better than leaving the area completely bare.
Then it was a matter of selecting the correct weapons. I could not take a sword or my bow into the camp, for that would imply the intent for violence. It was a shame to leave such dependable weapons behind, but I knew I had to be discreet. The stiletto knife would serve well enough, hidden in the lining of my skirts to remain concealed. Doubtless there would be other weapons at the camp, I could readily claim something else if the need arose, but the knife was better than walking into the lion's den empty handed.
Time was wearing on, and I wondered if Aramis was yet ready to leave. No doubt he had already met with Marguerite to continue his charade, so I decided to allow him a little more time. The last thing I wished was to walk in upon them mid-tryst. I had done so once before already, and the memory still burned the back of my eyes. I waited for as long as I could manage before seeking him out. Thankfully, this visit was a swift one, and I elected not to consider what he had done in so short a space a time.
I was ready to leave, and when Aramis looked upon me an expression of nostalgia and tenderness arose. "You look much as I remember you before you came to the palace," he noted as he brushed at my cloak, arranging it to sit neatly upon my shoulders and secure the ties with a practiced slipknot. "This is our sweet Madeleine at her finest, in my opinion. No decorations or adornments necessary other than her lovely self."
"Perhaps you should save such flattery for Emilie. I suspect we shall need your charm if we are to be accepted into their fold," giving him a stern but amused look, I gestured for him to follow. We would have to leave immediately to arrive just after nightfall, but I took comfort in the fact that this time, I was not undertaking a mission alone. With someone I trusted beside me, I was neither anxious nor afraid. Merely ready.