Читать книгу Alias Aramis - Greg Pius - Страница 6

The lucky escape from the pursuing Cardinal guards made the four friends heady with the danger of the chase. They began riding recklessly on roads and paths not safe at the best of seasons. Each friend tried to outdo the other with some feat of extreme horsemanship. D'Artagnan was to blame for starting the rot when he galloped ahead of his friends then turned in his saddle. Pretending to fight the Cardinal's henchmen whilst facing backwards he allowed his horse to find its own way. Just in time he spun back to face forward then ducked under a low branch.

Laughter tore out of the mouths of his friends, more at the closeness of the branch than the antics displayed. Aramis shouted to him ,

"The root rarely moves far from the branch, D'Artagnan. You almost joined it on the ground. I would pay much to see you so unseated."

Laughing at his own stupidity, D'Artagnan replied,

"HA! No chance of that Aramis. What you older men fail to realize is that quick reflexes are only given to the young."

This stirred Aramis to attempt his own act of folly. So he spurred his horse straight at D'Artagnan's mount. Pulling up just one meter from a collision, Aramis now had the last laugh. Seeing the large horse race towards it D'Artagnan's mount had shied badly. It took all of its rider's skill to bring it back under control.

Aramis now taunted his friend saying,

"You were saying something about reflexes being the sole province of the young....but my reflexes seem better than yours."

Athos tried to restore some decorum into their actions by saying,

"Gentlemen, if we injure our mounts this early into our trip how do we get back to Paris?"

This seemed to work on the two friends who already had had their fun but it passed straight over the head of Porthos. Forgetting about his great weight, Porthos tried to get his horse up to a gallop to do his own bit of showing off to his friends. But all he succeeded in doing was cause his horse to throw a shoe. Being so far from any blacksmith's forge this piece of bad luck could have place all of them in great peril.

Realizing too late at the sagacity of the warning from Athos, he tried vainly to rescue the situation. Porthos said,

"You three keep going. I will take my servant's horse as I lead my horse to the nearest big town. They are looking for eight riders not one lonely rider. When my horse's shoe is replaced, I will join up with you at Nevers."

At once seeing the sense in this course of action, Aramis said,

"Well said Porthos. Any one of us could have had their horse lose a shoe. We will wait for you on the banks of the Loire river just outside of Nevers."

As they rode off, D'Artagnan approached Athos with concerns for his big friend's safety. In reply Athos said,

"I pity any guard who comes across Porthos in that mood. I have seen him like that before when he beat a group of armed pirates single handed. When you hear Porthos start talking sense you know his temper at boiling point."

As they rode through the Ile-de-France region. Arriving at Nevers, they snuck into town under the cover of darkness. Finding a tavern in the less reputable section of town, the three friends settled down to wait for Porthos.

After three days they got very edgy. It should not have taken Porthos that long to find a blacksmith forge then catch up. Something was wrong. They had a conference where it was decided that Athos would back track to find their friend. D'Artagnan and Aramis would push on to meet the deadline in Milan.

The Lady de Winter sent a message to the nearest local garrison commander. In the Cardinal's name, she requested twelve cavalry soldiers and one officer to meet her at a certain hotel on her route. These arrived at first light the next morning. They had their breakfast then prepared their mounts for a long ride. The lady they waited for took her time with her toilette. Well aware that even those she chased had to eat and sleep, the Lady de Winter was not too worried about lost time.

She briefed the First Lieutenant in charge of the dangers ahead by saying,

"Do not underestimate these criminals. Two of them are so good with their swords they may be the best in the entire kingdom. Take no chances but remember the Cardinal wants them taken alive."

Used to taking orders without question, the First Lieutenant merely nodded then left the tavern.

On the bank of the Loire river four riders searched for a safe crossing. Having to avoid all the well patrolled crossing these four riders grew increasingly frustrated. Just as they were about to give up they saw a farmer lead his horse to the river. He did not stop but rode the horse out into the stream. The current carried him downstream but landing him on the other side of the river. Astounded by what they had seen, they stopped the next farmer on a horse.

Aramis asked the local farmer,

"How can we cross this river without paying the toll. There is money for you to show us the way."

Seeing the gold coins in the outstretched hand of Aramis the farmer replied,

"Just follow my lead your worthiness. None of us hereabouts pay that fat Duke his toll. But beware, the river can have its moods. If you see me turn back you must do the same."

Agreeing to anything that would get them across the river, Aramis signaled his compatriots to follow close behind.

The crossing was a close run thing with the river current strong enough to push horse and rider with ease. Mid stream the farmer looked like he was about to turn back when the current shifted back. Sure enough the five riders and their horses were dumped on to a small bank on the other side of the river.

After rewarding the farmer, the four riders rode off into the near woods. Aramis and D'Artagnan estimated that they had only lost half a day but were still keen to claw this back by hard riding.

The First Lieutenant led his troop of soldiers into Nevers. Intimidated by the armed troop, the mayor told them of the inn where four riders had stayed the night. Going to this inn the First Lieutenant had his men surround it just in case the four criminals had not made their escape.

Entering the inn he called for the owner. A big boned red faced man walked right up to him then said,

"I own this inn. There is no room for soldiers here we have only quality guests."

Bristling at this veiled insult, the young officer lost his temper. He said in a loud voice

"In this rate infested place I would not even stay for the best wine in the kingdom. Your own mayor told me that you had four out-of-towners here last night. They are criminals wanted by the crown. Where are they?"

Sensing trouble, but not ready to help any solider of the hated Duke, the innkeeper prevaricated. He said,

"I did not have four strangers here last night. So there."

Furious at being spoken to in this insolent manner, the young solider placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. He said in a menacing tone,

"No point in denying it. Your mayor was quiet certain of his facts. No hand over the criminals or I will arrest you for treason."

Still not intimidated by this obviously inexperienced officer, the innkeeper said,

"That mayor is an idiot. His wife is playing around under his very nose. Facts from him are like eggs from roosters. I did not have four gentlemen here last night I had three gentlemen and their servants. Of course the servants slept in my barn."

Still furious the Lieutenant said,

"Don't play word games, just hand over the criminals."

But the innkeeper shook his head before saying,

"Can't hand over anyone if they are not here. They rode off early this morning."

Almost yelling the officer said,

"WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SO BEFORE WASTING MY TIME. WHICH WAY DID THEY GO?"

Shrugging his shoulders, the innkeeper merely replied,

"By the south road."

Racing out to the courtyard he called out to his troop,

"They escaped by the south road. All riders follow me."

With that he jumped onto his horse and road down a wide road.

Looking after him with contempt the innkeeper said to himself

"That's the wrong south road you military scum."

Laughing he returned to his customers.