M. von Strom - The Cardinal's Red Lily

But it was the dark rosewood desk that dominated the study. The furnishings had changed over the years, but the desk remained and seemed to have taken on parts of its owner's personality. It was impossible to imagine how many documents had been lying on it that had determined the fate of a state, a continent, ah! the whole world. The desk was treated with respect, even when the cardinal was not present.

The cough finally died down and d'Artagnan raised his eyes to His Eminence. Richelieu had taken a seat in his armchair and although he still looked pale and exhausted, he sat upright and measured him with an agile mind. Rochefort remained by the cardinal's side, who now imperiously commanded d'Artagnan to approach. ʹUsually you would not think of the lieutenant of the musketeers as a restrained man,ʹ Richelieu commented hoarsely, but with sharp sarcasm. ʹStop guarding the door!ʹ

Abruptly d'Artagnan disengaged from his post and stepped in front of the desk, a no less biting answer on the tip of his tongue. He swallowed it down and replied instead, ʹI am in a position where restraint suits me, Monseigneur. I have finally learned that lesson.ʹ

ʹHave you? Your black eye tells a different story. Not to mention Rochefort's account of it.ʹ

ʹYes, not to mention it,ʹ d'Artagnan said with a sinister glance at Rochefort. Then he turned back to the cardinal and looked past Richelieu's left earlobe, at the golden letters of a codex. ʹRochefort mentioned an offer, called it a business. You want my blade for the red guard.ʹ

Richelieu smiled thinly. ʹFamous gascon openness, almost impudence. Good. It was to be feared you would have indeed come to your senses.ʹ

New anger was seething in d'Artagnan, but he controlled himself. He could not let this chance slip away by his own hothead. Even if, apparently, he had only been summoned to be humiliated instead of getting to talk business with the cardinal, d'Artagnan said, ʹIt is always wise to listen.ʹ

ʹWell then, an open word.ʹ The cardinal gave a sign to Rochefort, who now took over and proved that yesterday he had by no means shown his cards completely. ʹYou have just met the Duc de la Nièvre and his entourage.ʹ

When d'Artagnan reacted to this with nothing but a blank face, Rochefort added, ʹThe husband of a niece of Cardinal Richelieu.ʹ

Hardly wiser than before, d'Artagnan frowned. A nephew by marriage who, for some reason, could afford not to kowtow to the prime minister. Probably la Nièvre himself was influential and powerful enough to do so, albeit on a different level than royal court politics. Family affairs, family quarrels. What was that to d'Artagnan? ʹHe is causing trouble?ʹ

ʹHis daughter is the trouble maker,ʹ Rochefort noted succinctly. ʹOdette de la Nièvre. She has disappeared. Having previously fled an arranged marriage into the Palais Cardinal under the protection of her great-uncle Richelieu.ʹ

D'Artagnan felt a slight touch of headache. Apparently the nephew had fallen out with his uncle and was pursuing a marriage policy against Richelieu through his own daughter. ʹMonseigneur did not agree to this proposed marriage either, so he granted protection?ʹ

ʹAstutely detected.ʹ

ʹGet to the point!ʹ

Rochefort waited for the cardinal to give his approval, then finally declared, ʹYou shall find us the mademoiselle again.ʹ

ʹ...in the red guard.ʹ For a moment the musketeers' lieutenant saw the image of a girl dressed as a soldier. Before he could decide whether to find such a masquerade either ridiculous or brave, Rochefort again disturbed his thoughts. ʹThe mademoiselle has a mind of her own and no longer wanted to be a guest here. She was not abducted, we already know that much. No, she voluntarily went into hiding somewhere in Paris to escape all influence - both from her father and the cardinal. We suspect she was receiving help from the palace when she disappeared.ʹ

ʹI see.ʹ D'Artagnan could no longer refrain from a mocking smile. ʹThe master spy cannot find the spy among his own ranks.ʹ

The cardinal remained silent and Rochefort ignored the last remark. ʹThis is where you come in. His Eminence's guard is always present in the palace. The best excuse for you to be here and ask around.ʹ

It was a convincing argument, but d'Artagnan still doubted the plan. ʹWill it be sufficient to find the mademoiselle's friends? I would like to keep my stay in the guard and in the Palais Cardinal as short as possible.ʹ

ʹIt will take as long as it takes.ʹ At last Richelieu spoke again, and despite his frail health, he did not lack authority. ʹYour reward will not be small.ʹ

ʹThe musketeers?ʹ

ʹYes.ʹ

ʹMe as their new captain-lieutenant?ʹ

ʹPossibly.ʹ

ʹMercy for Tréville?ʹ

ʹA good word with His Majesty.ʹ

D'Artagnan remained thoughtfully silent. The offer was good, very good indeed. It was more than he could have hoped for. Rochefort had not promised the moon in this respect. Finding a rebellious young woman again did not seem to be too difficult of a task. There must have had been a catch somewhere. One that he could not see at all.

The lieutenant's period of reflection seemed to have elapsed, as the prime minister was now calling for a decision. ʹWell?ʹ

ʹYes.ʹ D'Artagnan bowed his head resigned to fate and wondered for a moment that it had not been cut off right away. When he lifted his gaze again, his head still sat on his neck intactly, yet there was little benevolence in Richelieu's next words. ʹYou are hereby called up in my guard. You will assume the rank of common soldier.ʹ

ʹWhat...?ʹ Before d'Artagnan could fully comprehend this shocking opening, the prime minister continued harshly, ʹYou are demoted until I decide that you have proven your worth. No more pub brawls. You will learn discipline!ʹ

Rochefort suddenly found himself next to his friend and put a reassuring hand on his arm before d'Artagnan would have risked his head after all. ʹStart at the bottom and you will have more room for manoeuvre in your investigations than as an officer. Do you understand?ʹ

The question was asked so urgently that the degraded lieutenant slowly nodded without thinking. The cardinal had once given him the officer's licence, the cardinal had taken it away from him again. He listend to Richelieu's ʹReport to your superior officer for duty tomorrow morningʹ, as if frozen.

ʹYes, sir.ʹ D'Artagnan forgot the salute when he abruptly turned on his heel and marched out of the study without looking back.

Rochefort had to admit that d'Artagnan had surprised him. The Gascon had not only chosen the sensible way and agreed to the trade; no, not a single unseemly curse had passed his lips! Even Richelieu seemed to be surprised the outcome when he now turned to his stable master. ʹDeliver the papers to him belated!ʹ

Rochefort bowed and took the conscription order for d'Artagnan. As quickly as the former musketeer had stormed off after this conversation, he had left out the official part with sign and seal altogether. This gave Rochefort the opportunity to discuss some more details with the newest guardsman in private. ʹI shall give him a few hours to calm down.ʹ

ʹInform Captain Luchaire.ʹ The cardinal leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. He did not allow himself any more rest then that. ʹOnly what is absolutely necessary. He is a good administrator and a brilliant strategist, but he does not need to know everything.ʹ

ʹUnderstood.ʹ Rochefort kept a furtive doubt about this instruction to himself. D'Artagnan was on his own in his investigation - and about to take his new place in the guard. ʹIs there a deadline for finding Mademoiselle de la Nièvre?ʹ

ʹHer father is aware of the situation.ʹ