Chapter 8
“Well, well, well,� Rene said, “we have another prize to add to our collection.� He laughed as Paul brought Henry to his knees and pushed him closer to the wall.
Right next to his father in law.
“Monsieur le Baron? How did you..�
�Silence!� Rene commanded. “I will allow you two to talk, but not at this moment.� He looked at the both of them and then up at Rodmilla. “We do not need the Baron de Ghent any longer, milady,� he said, “we have enough to bargain with.� He gestured toward Henry and Auguste de Barbarac.
“What are you saying Rene?� she asked, “that we let him go?�
“In a way,� Rene said, looking over at the Baron. “Tell me, Monsieur le Baron, do you know who this woman is?�
The man looked up at Rene a little confused. “I do not know to whom you are referring,� he answered. “I am not this man of whom you speak. My name is Jacques, Jacques du Pres. I am no Baron. You have made a mistake. Please, I demand to be released.�
“You,� Rene laughed, “do not demand anything. I make those decisions, not you.�
He looked back at Rodmilla. “Is this him?�
“I can’t tell, Rene, I will need you to bring him closer to me.�
Rene looked at her and smiled slightly. He walked closer.
“Stand up,� he ordered.
“I need help, monsieur, I have been sitting here for a while now.�
Rene frowned. “Alright then, I’ll help you up.�
He grabbed the man at the nape of the neck and pulled him up as if he were a young cat being picked up by his mother.
“Monsieur, please,� Henry blurted out, forgetting for a moment where he was.
Rene only gave him a passing glance. “I’ll deal with you later,� he said angrily. Then he turned toward the “Baron.� Rene grabbed him and pulled him over to Rodmilla.
“Well?� he asked, practically sticking Jean’s face into hers, “answer me man.�
“I repeat, monsieur, I do not know this woman, I have never seen her before in my life.�
Rene looked at the man a moment longer before turning his gaze on Rodmilla. “Did he have any distinguishing marks?
“Yes, as a matter of fact he did and do not find that on him. No, I am sorry, Rene, Jean de Ghent must truly be dead, but this man has an amazing likeness to him.�
“Well then, he is of little use to us. However, Jacques, that’s what you said your name was right? Well, du Pres, we cannot just let you out of here. I mean, you have seen everything and know too much as well. We will not kill you. You will be blindfolded and let outside. By the time you make it to the castle, if you do, we will be gone from here and when and if the Guardsmen ever do show up, they will never find us.�
Rene gave a last look at du Pres face and turned to face Paul. “Blindfold him and let him out. Tie it tight and turn him around several times so he loses his way.� Then he smiled. “Bind his hands behind his back as well just in case.�
Chapter 9
“Well now, here we are,� Albert said, “you may remove the blindfolds.�
Gustave and Francois did as they were told.
“And why is that, monsieur?� Francois asked, taking his blindfold off. He looked at his surroundings and noticed that they were deep in the woods.
Albert giggled and held up the knife. “I have to kill one of you and I need one to witness the act. The question is,� he said, looking at the both of them, “which one should I kill first?�
He looked at Gustave and smiled. “I think it will be you, little boy. You don’t look as if you’d put up much of a struggle.� He raised the knife up and would have brought it down if it had not been stopped.
“But I will make a struggle, Albert,� Francois said. He called out to Gustave. “You know what to do.�
“What are you talking ab….� Albert was suddenly cut off as Francois put his knee into Albert’s groin. At the same time, a lightning fast Gustave punched him in the stomach and grabbed the knife that Albert had dropped.
“Come on, let’s move quickly,� Francois said, as he watched Albert writhing on the ground. “We have to get back to the castle.�
“And you will,� a voice called, “as we were sent to find you. Jump on,� Captain Laurent said. Francois got on with Laurent while Gustave jumped onto Marc le Fleur’s horse.
An unconscious Albert was picked up and draped on the back of one extra horse. Ropes were tied around his hands and feet.
“How many people are being held and where?�
“Henry is at the artist’s studio,� Gustave said, “along with Auguste de Barbarac and the Baron de Ghent.�
“We should be there quite soon,� Laurent said, “we have enough manpower to…�
“Help,� they heard a cry in the middle of the woods, “help me please.�
They discovered the Baron Jean de Ghent in the woods, the blindfold off, his ropes untied. A Guardsman on a horse accompanied him.
“Well, de Ghent, did you get a good look?�
de Ghent smiled. “I certainly did, Captain, and your plan was an excellent one. Thank you for disguising this pesky mole of mine.� He pointed to the side of his face.
“You can thank Gustave for that,� Laurent said, motioning to him, “he is a wonderful painter.� Gustave smiled.
“It was easy, Captain, the mole was small enough, it was not difficult to hide.�
“Well,� Edmond said, coming out to meet them. “The King will be happy to see all of you. Come, come quickly.�