Chapter 9 Twins and Old Friends.
Back at Vaux, the new king was playing his role correctly, following his morning ritual, exactly as he had watched his brother do it the previous day.
Wearing one of the suits that Eramis had secretly constructed from the sample cloth from Mr Perseran's mansion.
Philip watched everyone enter his royal chamber.
He shivered at the sight of his mother.
Thinking about how she had sacrificed him for the good of the kingdom, and how much that must have pained her, filled his heart with sorrow.
He promised himself he would try to love her and would not punish her.
She spoke to him as if he were the king.
Clearly, no one could see that he was not Louie.
I heard a rumor that Mr. Fouquet was on your bad side, his mother said.
Is it true?
He was accused of theft, Philip said, but he is a man of honor.
Fortunately, I learned that the claim was false before I took any action.
His mother seemed a little confused by this, but she didn't challenge his decision.
As the morning went on with the discussions of politics and plans, everyone family officers, assistants recognized Philip as the king.
He had the right manners, voice, and habits.
But he was growing impatient to see Eramis, and Fouquet's absence worried him.
Hours passed and then, during a conversation with his mother and Mr D'Artagnan, Philip heard a commotion outside.
That's Mr. Fouquet's voice, d'Artagnan said.
Erebus can't be far off then, Philip added with relief.
But then he saw something that he had never expected to see so closely.
King Louis stood at the door, staring furiously at Philip from across the room.
Behind Louis, Fouquet appeared.
The queen was holding Philip's hand.
When she saw Louis, she wailed as if seeing a ghost and dropped her son's hand.
Everyone in the room looked from one brother to the other.
There were several moments of stunned silence.
Each of the brothers stood with fists clenched, trembling in fury.
They sized each other up as enemies, and each seemed ready to pounce on the other.
On top of their astounding physical resemblance, they were wearing the exact same suit.
Louis had not expected an obstacle like this, so he thought he would be recognized the instant he entered the room.
He had never known of Philip's existence.
As the king, he could not endure the thought of anyone being his equal.
He was terrified at the sight of his twin brother.
Fouquet was amazed.
He realized Eremus had been correct about his twin's perfect resemblance.
He had been convinced that Eremus was either lying or that the false king was not Louis' equal.
Fouquet felt like a fool.
Each brother had a right to the throne, and he should have stayed away from meddling in the politics of the highest order.
This situation was beyond him.
D'Artagnan stood with his back to the wall and stared at the scene before him.
He knew in his heart that Aramis was somehow responsible for this, and he feared for his friend's life.
Suddenly, Louis rushed to the window and pulled the curtain back, filling the room with sunlight.
Mother, don't you recognize your own son? he cried.
Then Philip said calmly, Mother, don't you recognize your own son?
Louis ran to D'Artagnan and said, Musketeer, help me.
Look at our faces and see who is paler.
He has spent years in prison away from the sun.
See how white his skin is compared with mine.
Look.
D'Artagnan seemed to wake up from his daze and began to think logically.
He's right, D'Artagnan thought.
That one does have the sickly complexion of a man who's been in jail for too long.
Martignon shook his head and placed his hand on Philip's shoulder.
Sir, you are under arrest, he said.
Philip couldn't move.
He stared at his brother.
In his eyes, he blamed Louis for all his past misery and all his future punishment.
Louis understood everything he saw in his brother's gaze, and he could not say anything in return.
Instead, he led the rest of the family out of the room.
Before his mother left, Philip said to her I would have cursed my mother for having made me so unhappy, but having met you for even a short time, I can't do it.
D'Artagnan shivered when he heard Philip's noble words.
Then Philip asked about Eramis.
So long as I am alive and free, no one will harm him, Fouquet said.
Philip turned to him.
You're Mr. Fouquet.
I'm glad to finally meet you.
Fouquet bowed, and the three men continued into the courtyard.
Once there, Colbert called D'Artagnan and gave him a letter.
The musketeer read it, then crumbled it furiously.
What is it?
Philip asked.
It's an order from the king, said D'Artagnan.
Fouquet recovered the document and unfolded it.
After he read it he showed it to Philip, who read Mr d'Autrignon is to bring the prisoner to the island prison of Saint-Marguerite.
There he is to cover the prisoner's face with an iron mask, which is never to be removed.
I understand, Philip said.
I'm ready.
Aramis was right, Fouquet whispered to d'Autrignon.
This one is just as noble and kingly as the other.
He did deserve to be king.
Even more than his brother, D'Artagnan agreed.
Many miles away, Aramis and Porthos were taking advantage of the head start Fouquet had given them and were speeding across the countryside.
Porthos still believed the king was going to make him duke, and Aramis could not bear to tell his friend he had gotten them both in deep trouble and that they were running for their lives.
On their way to Belle Isle, they passed through a part of the country that Eramis recognized as Athos's home.
Eramis dearly wished to see their old friend from the musketeer days and his time of trouble.
As he and Porthos rode toward Athos's mansion, Porthos said, I understand.
What do you understand, my friend?
Eramis said.
The king is sending us to work with Athos on a secret project, Porthos said.
All we need is d'Artagnan and we'll be as strong a force as we were in the past.
Go ahead and keep guessing, Eramis said.
Athos and his son Raoul, had been staying in this part of the country ever since Raoul's love affair with Miss Valliere had ended.
They were discussing how Raoul could get over his sadness, which was their usual topic of discussion over dinner, when Eramis and Porthos knocked on the front door.
Raoul let out a joyful cry when he saw the two men and gave Porthos a hug.
Eramis and Athos embraced like old friends.
My friend, we won't be staying long, Eramis said.
Long enough to tell you of my good luck, though, Porto said.
The king is going to make me a duke as a reward for a secret mission Eramis and I carried out last night.
He added.
While Portos and Raul laughed, Athos noticed that Eramis remained gloomy.
Eramis took Athos by the arm and asked the others to give them a moment of privacy.
My dear Athos, he said when they were alone, I'm grief-stricken.
I plotted against the king.
The conspiracy failed and they're probably hunting for me now.
The worst of it is that I involved dear Porthos in my plot.
He committed himself to helping me without knowing any details.
You know how loyal he is, and now he is doomed as I am.
My God, Arthos said as he glanced at Porthos, who smiled at them from across the room.
You are one of my dearest friends, and I want you to understand why I did this, Eramis continued.
And he told Arthos the entire story.
By the end of it, even Arthos was pale and nervous.
It was a grand idea, Arthos said, but it was also a grand mistake.
It's a crime, my friend.
Success was so certain, Aramis said, but you misunderstood the character of Mr. Fouquet.
He is an honest and honorable man, even if it means his own downfall, Athos said.
And I am a fool for having such bad judgment, Eramis said.
Now I am escaping with poor Pothos.
The king will never believe he was innocent.
He will pay for my mistake, and I don't want that to happen.
We're heading to Belle Isle.
Phuket's men can hold off many of the king's soldiers from there.
After that, a boat will take us out to sea, perhaps to England or Spain.
I know many people in each country who could help us.
Once there, I'll find a way to make up with King Louis and get Portos back into his good graces.
You have gained a lot of power since we last spoke, Otto said, smiling.
Can you ever forgive me for what I've done?
I know you wanted to defend the weak, unfairly treated brother, Otto said.
I might have done the same thing.
I'll give you and Portos my best horses to ride to Belle Isle.
Athos bowed and shook Eramis's hand.
Then he walked to Portos and hugged him.
I was born lucky, wasn't I?
A joyful Portos murmured.
