The Female Musketeer

Chapter 53 | L'offre

The stench of rot crept its way into my nose. The male prisoners circled me, assessing me.

I just stared blankley ahead. They knew who I was. Who I "killed". Athos has put many of them in Prison himself. They didn't fear me, more so they weren't interested enough to attempt much. Not all however, stayed away.

One prisoner and his buddies tried to corner me. He got close enough to grip my arm tightly, but I quickly remove his hand and pin him to the wall. I drove my knee it's his manhood. He cursed at me through gritted teeth. I raise an eyebrow at him and he backs away, not wanting to risk another hit.

The days were chilled, but the nights were colder. 5 days had passed, and I hadn't heard a thing from the outside world. My anxiety grew, as the days went on. Was I wrong? Had I actually killed Athos. The thought was to unbearable to even entertain.

On my 6th night, I felt much weaker. My fingers were numb with cold and my food was a scrap of bread and an unnamed and distgusting brown stew. Or atleast that's what I assumed it to be. I curled up on the floor of my cell, willing away the frosted air. Suddenly the room brightens. The door of my cell unlocks.

"Leave us." I hear him say to the guards. He shuts the door behind him.

I lift my head and narrow my eyes.

"Richelieu."

The pompous man, smiles down at me. The torch he holds, cast a villainous glow across his face.

"Oh how the mighty have fallen. How are you enjoying your stay?"

I turn my head from him.

He continues.

"I heard of your event in the Market. A messy deed, killing a friend."

"I wasn't given much of a choice."

"I beg to differ."

"Did you come here to keep me company, if so, I happily decline."

"No. Frankly I would have preferred never to step foot in this cesspit."

"Yet here you are." I turn back to face him. Meeting his eye, unwaivered.

"So hostile. I suppose it's only natural for someone now friendless and outcasted."

My eyes fall.

"I can release you."

"You want to sit and pray away my sins."

"Not from your guilt, but from this cell."

"And why would you do that?" I raise an eyebrow up at him.

"Because we can help each other."

"No."

"No?"

"Is there an encho in here? That's what I said. I'm not Milady or Anne or whatever that woman wants to call herself tommorow. I refuse to work for a man like you."

"So what? You want to die undignified and hated under the executioners axe?"

I stay silent one more. Letting the silence stew.

"Fine. Stay here. Rot, repent or whatever you please."

He begins to open the door.

"Wait!" I shout.

He stops.

I grit my teeth.

"I'll do it."

"Good choice."

He shouts for a guard, who comes in and removes my restraints from my wrists and ankles. I stand and rub the raw skin that rubbed against the coarse metal.

Me motions for me to follow. We are escorted to a coach.

While we ride, he goes over the condition of the arrangement.

"For this to work, you must essentially disappear. Much like our mutual friend, it's important that no one sees you. No visiting your brother. No trying to visit that lady's maid or her little father, and of course, you must stay away from those pesky musketeers. How you do it is no concern of mine, but if you are discovered, I will not help you. If at any point you try to cross or disobey me, I will glady reinstate your death penalty. Are we clear?"

I nod. I peer out the window, watching the building fly by as we pass through the dark city streets.

"Good."

The coach stops on some random street.

"What are we doing here?"

"We, are doing nothing as of right now. You, are getting out."

He hands me a small coin purse.

"Where am I supposed to go?"

"Once again, that is none of my concern. You will be payed more after you complete tasks I need done. I am not a charity. Now get out."

I set my jaw and get out.

I watch as the coach rides off. When it's long gone, I smile.

I may be freezing my ass off, but I had to admit. I had my doubts. It truly worked, a win after so many current losses, brighten my spirits. I wonder into an alley and find some shelter. I knew I had to try and get atleast s little bit of sleep. I had a big day tommorow, being a spy would be no already simple feat. A double spy however? Even harder. I had to hope it would be worth it. I had to believe that we were one step closer to taking down the Cardinal. Even if I had to go down with him, I'd do it happily. No matter my current situation, or what the Cardinal believes...

I was still a Musketeer through in through.