Chapter 11 An Unusual Reunion At the far end of the pier at Belle Isle, which was being lashed by the furious evening tide.
Eramis and Porthos were having a long and animated conversation.
Let's sit here on the rocks, Porthos said.
Sit and explain this to me so I can understand it.
Explain to me what we are doing here.
Porthos, Eramis said awkwardly.
I know that a false king wanted to dethrone the real one, Porto said, and I know that we are on a mission.
What I don't understand is why no one has come with supplies or more soldiers or instructions for us.
All we've done is wait, and you won't tell me.
Eramis stood and Porthos grabbed his arm.
"'I'll tell you what I think,' Porthos said.
"'I imagine something bad has happened back in Paris.'
"'Porthos, what is that?'
Eramis interrupted, pointing to a black dot on the water.
"'Two boats.
No, five.'
"'I see seven,' Porthos said.
"'No, an entire fleet.
They're sending us reinforcements.'
Instead of answering, Eramus buried his head in his hands.
Then he cried, "'Portos, sound the alarm.
Have the cannons loaded and ready.'
Porthos studied his friend as if to convince himself that Eramis hadn't lost his mind.
"'Allow me to try to understand, Eramis.
That fleet over there, it's from the king, isn't it?'
"'There are two kings of France, Porthos.
One who likes us and one who doesn't.'
"'Which one do you think owns this fleet?'
Eramis asked.
Porthos seemed crushed by the question, but he also seemed to have a better idea of the danger he now faced'.
I've got strange things to tell you, Aramis said.
I've lied to you, old friend.
You lied?
Porthos asked.
After a few moments, he added, was it for my own good?
I thought so, Porthos.
I sincerely thought so, Aramis said.
I was helping the man who wanted to dethrone King Louie.
We were helping the man who isn't the king, and now we are in a great deal of trouble.
I see, Portos said thoughtfully, and the promise that I would become a duke.
It was made by the man who isn't king, Aramis said.
Please forgive me, Portos.
My crime was my ambition.
Now that's a word I have always liked, Portos said.
I can't possibly blame you for that.
I have spent much of my life trying to gain more wealth and fame.
After they had prepared the fortress for a battle, they heard the guards calling for them.
A small boat was arriving from the fleet.
When Eremus and Portos got to the pier, D'Artagnan called out, "'Tell your soldiers to back off so we can talk alone,' he said.
'But if the king has sent D'Artagnan after us, why don't we simply tell him that it has all been a mistake and ask him to help us'?
Portos whispered to Eremus.
Sadly, our friend probably has orders that would force us to fight him, Aramis said.
Fight D'Artagnan, Porto said.
It would never happen, never.
D'Artagnan landed and the three men went to find a quiet place to talk.
Once they were alone, they hugged one another.
Well.
We are certainly in a bad spot now, aren't we?
D'Artagnan said.
This island has been surrounded by the fleet, and they believe you two are rebels.
The king wants you, and he is going to have you.
And it's over, Aramis murmured.
Not if we come up with a plan, D'Artagnan said.
I already have the beginnings of one.
If I can keep this from becoming a battle and get you safely aboard my ship, I might be able to smuggle you away.
You are always the best at finding ways to get us out of danger, Aramis said.
After tenderly hugging his two old friends once more, D'Artagnan left the island and returned to the fleet.
When he stepped back onto his ship, he called for all the officers to gather.
Gentlemen, I've just taken a boat to study the fortress at Belle Isle, D'Artagnan said.
It will be very difficult for us to take this place by force and arrest everyone.
The soldiers here serve Mr. Fouquet.
They don't know that he's been arrested, and they would not believe us if we told them, for they are fiercely loyal to him.
Therefore, I want to invite the two senior officers from the island to come on board so we can discuss a surrender with them.
The officers looked at one another, and most seemed to agree on this plan.
But then one of them produced a sealed letter and handed it to D'Artagnan.
Mr D'Artagnan will not have meetings with anyone from Belle Isle.
The senior officers on the island are to be arrested and chained in the ship's hold, far away from Mr D'Artagnan.
King Louis XIV.
