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Musketeer's destiny

1 - The Savoy's plot

The fall sun was shining in the sky, and a fresh wind swept the court of Captain de Treville’s residence. A small group of musketeers gossiped, leaning against the walls of the stable, and sometimes, a burst of laughter pierced the mild air. The conversation was happy and light, like it should be for young people who know how to appreciate each moment of life. D'Artagnan took time to take care of his faithful Rossinante, Athos was wittingly competing with Porthos who chuckled as to muffle his laughs, finally Aramis, was enjoying listening to them, while contemplating dreamily the clouds that the wind drove one after others. This instant of calmness was suddenly interrupt by an imperative call from the Captain de Treville.
"Athos! Porthos! Aramis! D'Artagnan! The King requires our presence in the Louvre in the shortest delays, we have to leave now."
"Very well, we’ll be following you." answered Athos with a calm tone, whereas his companions raised their eyebrows, surprised.
"It is strange, murmured Aramis, things are calm nowadays."
"Just our luck if bad news come and spoil our vacation." sighed D'Artagnan who waited to spend some time with Constance, well we will see.

At the palace of Louvre, the group was introduced not in the throne room but in the office of the King, which was in fact a really bad sign, His Majesty had to have some serious news to reveal to them. Louis XIII entered by a side-door, the five men greeted respectfully the sovereign who invited them to sit down. He quickly came right into the subject:
"We received word that the Italians are gathering their troops close to the border of France, next to the duchy of Savoy."
The musketeers look each others, astonished…. Italy was never a country openly hostile towards France. But the King continued:
"The Council thinks that there could be there an attempt of invasion of this duchy, as for the political interest that it can represent: you all know that my second sister was married to the Duke of Savoy… In the current state of things, their older son is the only direct heir of Throne of France…"

There was an eerie silence in the room as each one was meditating upon these words… Queen Anne had not yet given an heir to the Kingdom; Prince Philippe and their second brother had no children, as for the King’s other two sisters, respectively Queens of Spain and England, they gave up their rights to the throne of France as when they were crowned into their new country. Only the Duchess of Savoy had two sons. If Italy succeeded to annex the Savoy, they would obtain a solid option to sit down their own lineage on the throne of France, by marrying one of the daughters of King of Italy to the older son of the Duke of Savoy…
"I understand Your Majesty; what are you expecting from us?" answered the Captain de Treville.
"I wish for you, Captain, to stay in Paris to gather our troops: some of them already received orders to go to Savoy, but the most important numbers need to be gather so we can put our forces at that place. Make sure nevertheless not to weaken our positions on the English and Spanish front, there’s no need that they threatened us too. Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan, I request that you to go to Savoy, to help with the arrival of the troops… Athos, being the eldest, you have full authority to organise the resistance, in company of the commandants of the garrisons. At the same time, see if it is possible to find a pacific way to solve this situation, I want to avoid a war if possible.

The four companions stood up together:
"Yes, Your Majesty. "
Then they saluted and left the sovereign. Back at the company, the four musketeers began to take care their horses and to prepare their stuff for this long trip. D'Artagnan sulked, angry that he had been denied the few days he hoped to spend with Constance. But his three friends reassured him, it was only precautions from His Majesty, the situation would become less tense - no one dared to believe that Italy could be reckless enough to attack the kingdom of France - and they would be very soon back in Paris!

  1 - The Savoy's plot
2 - Let's go to the duchy
3 - A diverted way
4 - Armed ambush
5 - Unexpected discovery
6 - To each its secrets
7 - Negociations for Savoy
8 - Failure
9 - Ready to fight!
10 - Ingratitude
11 - A strange answer
12 - Resistance
13 - Pride and weakness
14 - Confession
15 - Abandonment
16 - Advancement of the troops
17 - Chamouny's battle
18 - Back to Paris
19 - Jussac's judgement
20 - The forbidden couple