The Duke of Buckingham escapes Cardinal Richelieu

1. St Cecilia’s 2014 the 5th
musketeer tale from Bayko Baron

2. • St Cecilia’s Sisters of the Sacred Sibilance, just
outside Paris, the perfect retirement home for any
sisters, spinsters, dowagers and mistresses the
aristocracy no longer need around

3. • Across the road the Auberge Galliard fulfils the convent’s
duty of hospitality to travellers

4. • Downstairs they offer good rustic food and wine while upstairs the ladies of
negotiable affection offer a less spiritual comfort than the sisters across the
road.

5. • Out front D’Artagnan, his lady Constance Bonacieux, and his fellow
musketeers, Bathos and Pathos, have come to escort their comrade Chanel
who is visiting the Convent for some ‘religious instruction’ from the Prioress.

6. • Chanel meanwhile (Aramis got rebranded) slips quietly down the side wall to his
rendezvous – the soul of discretion

7. • Which is more than can be said for the loud and over confident Englishman
who shortly arrives asking for the convent’s side-gate.

8. • The inn returns to its ordinary bustle

9. • Next comes an unmarked coach from which a masked lady enters
the convent – but Constance, the royal dressmaker, recognises the
walk – It is her mistress, Queen Anne herself

10. • Once more the ordinary folk get back to their own business

11. • Next comes a black coach – but everyone knows who this is, it is Cardinal Richelieu,
jilted suitor of the Queen, now trying yet again to catch her with her lover Buckingham

12. • The Cardinal hurries inside with his men

13. • Buckingham’s horse is discovered and a
guard put on the side-gate

14. • The musketeers cannot let either their Queen or comrade be caught by
the Cardinal – Bathos fires a warning shot that draws several of the
Cardinal’s Guards – our heroes move to keep them engaged

15. • Warned just in time Buckingham grabs his hat
and pantaloons and runs for it

16. • While for the musketeers it’s business as usual

17. Meanwhile Buckingham runs in circles looking for
escape

18. At last he spots Chanel who, warned by the Prioress of the
Queen’s predicament, has come to save the day

19. • Buckingham is hurried through the Prioress’ private gate and
promptly steals the waiting horse, while Chanel deals with the
pursuit – the Prioress goes in search of the Queen and her clothes –
though not necessarily in that order.

20. • Seeing Buckingham gallop away the musketeers run for their own
horses while Constance blocks the pursuit

21. • Thwarted yet again Richelieu is forced to
listen politely to the orphan’s choir

22. • While Chanel has a long walk home
muttering about English horse-thieves

23. • But what of the Queen? Well, one sister looks much like
another and the Cardinal dare not unfrock them all