The Female Musketeer

Chapter 31 | La Tentative Meurtrière

When I awoke, I was laying curled up on my side on a mattress. I felt better but I could still feel the pile that wanted to escape my throat. I try to push it back but it starts coming up quicker. Aramis, who I didn't notice was sitting beside the bed, holds out a bucket for me.

I wipe my mouth and fall back onto the bed, my body like an anchor.

Aramis yells to the through the open door.

"She's awake!" He sounds a mix of relief and disbelief.

"What happened?"

"Shhh, just rest for a minute. The doctor will be back soon. He'll explain everything."

"If that your way of telling me, you don't know."

"Possibly."

My laugh turns into me puking again.

Athos and Porthos appear in the doorway, followed by a man I've never seen. Porthos introduces the doctor as a Dr Allard. He checks my eyes and throat before listening to my heart.

"I'd say you're a very lucky young Woman, Miss La Vielle." Dr Allard says to me.

"Never felt luckier." I jest. "Do you know what caused all of this?"

"I believe I do, but can I ask you one question?"

"Of course."

"Did you eat or drink anything an hour or so prior to the match?"

I nod "We had some breakfast at the Garrison and then drinks before it began."

"I have reason to believe you were poisoned. Whoever tried to do the deed, didn't put a strong enough dosage. Fate smiles on you in that way. You've purged most of it out of your system by way of mouth, but It take awhile for the symptoms to wear off."

He leaves me something to settle my stomach later and then leaves.

"It has to have been the drinks." Porthos insists.

I agree "that's the mostly likely case. Aramis stole some of my eggs and he's his usual self."

"Dashing? Charming? Both?" Aramis motions to himself.

"Annoying." Athos corrects.

"Do you know who would want to hurt you, Daria?" Porthos asks.

"No, but —" I stop myself. My conversation yesterday, with Pierre flashes into my mind.

"But what?" Aramis presses.

I shut my mouth, but the need to vomit arises again. Athos gives a look to his two friends and they take their leave, giving me well wishes before they go.

Athos closes the door and takes the seat Aramis previously held.

"What's going on with you?"

I stay quiet. Unsure how to answer.

"Daria, you're a Musketeer now. All for one, one for all. We are a team built on the very foundation of trust itself. What aren't you telling me?"

He was right, I knew he was. So I told him. I trusted Athos, but I was more concerned what he'd think about me when all was said. I'd like to avoid being dismissed from my new position on account of a case of delusional paranoia.

But as this just listened and nod his head, taking everything in stride. He always thinks so carefully, so tactfully.

When I finished, his jaw looked tight.

"So you think because a man, whom you've only met once before, told you the Cardinal may or may not have killed his brother, that he may have also been the one who ordered your death?"

I knew how odd it sounded, but I led my life on instinct.

"I know how mad I sound, trust me. I also know that prior to yesterday's match, i wasn't trying to be killed!" My voice rises a bit louder than my sore throat can handle.

He helped me sit up and put the glass to my lips. Holding the back of my head up with his other hand.

"Relax, I don't think you're any more mad than the rest of us. I just ask that you think more clearly. Conspiracies and Allegations aren't proof, especially against one of the most powerful men in France and a close friend of the Kings."

"I don't know if he's truely responsible, but he's the only name that comes to mind."

"Pierre is an honorable man as far as I've seen. He's close with the Royal Family but since Richelieu has taken over as Cardinal, the King won't hear a word of sense."

"How would I prove anything?"

"Follow the trail."

"What trial?"

He leans forward.

"Everything you do leaves a trail. Select individuals may be able to suppress or limit their tracks but most get sloppy and leave something behind."

"Sounds like we have quite the investigation ahead of us." Says "us" sounded strange. I was apart of a team now, I was a Musketeer. Well not offically, I had to be down in to complete the deal but the title was earned.

"No. I will look into it."

"What? What happened to were a team, and all that trust built talk?"

"It all still stands but you need to recover and if someone is after you, you should be keeping your distance from them. Not chasing after them."

The logic was sounds but it didn't settle well in my chest.

"So I'm supposed to sit on my hands and hope you beat him to the punch?"

"Yes. That's exactly what you'll do. You're a new recruit, you still have to train like the rest of them. Just keep your head down and do your duties, I'll make some inquires."

Keep my head down?

I bite my lip, keeping my thoughts on his answer to myself.

He looks me over, and sighs.

"I am glad you're alright. We all are. The King even sends his regards and well wishes."

I lay back into bed.

Athos stays with me for awhile, I soon find myself heavy lidded and once again consumed with sleep.