The trip from Marseilles to Florence is one of about three hundred miles and takes the characters through the Principalities of Savoy, Milan, and Genoa. When entering each city-state there is a wait, while the party's papers are thoroughly checked by local officials. It will normally take six days to get to Florence, but Gerard's diplomatic skills spped things up a bit and they make it in 5.
When they arrive in Florence, they have no trouble finding the red-tiled villa of Count Del Ferro. When they present themselves at his door, they are shown in by a French speaking servant who seems to have expected them. He leads them to an inner courtyard with a fountain, where the Count is sitting on a comfortable couch.
He invites the characters to join him for wine. When given the coin, he calls several servants to bring in the items for the Archduke, adding 'you realize, these objects have not been taken legally, and any mention of my name in this business would be embarrassing...'
The items include: a marble bust of some mythical character (by Michelangelo, but our heroes are art-illiterates and have no clue), a group of historic documents from old Florence, three small portraits by an unknown artist, and an untitled scrolled document.
When they leave, they hide the items in the carriage.
The Journey back to the French border is quicker than the journey from Marseilles to Florence, only about three days long. However, danger seems to await at every step.
Upon leaving Florence, they notice that their carriage is closely tailed by a large, gilded carriage driven by a six horse team. As they cross into Milan, this carriage pulls close to them and they observe that there are several well-armed men inside. One, apparently an Italian gentleman of high rank, leans out and requests a conference with the party.
The conference takes place the Archduke's carriage. The man introduces himself as Nicolo Brandi, ambassador from Savoy to Florence, He offers the party 1000 L for the scrolled document. The heroes,not wanting to risk the Archduke's wrath, decline...
Refused, he draws his pistol (a double-barrelled, finely-made wheellock duelling pistol) and threatens to call his guards. Pendu starts the coach, while Gerard shoots one of the Ambassador's horses, causing chaos among the diplomat's bodyguards.
Inside the coach, Jean and Henr are quickly able to overpower the ambassador. A few miles down the road, they stop and unceremoniously leave the poor man in the middle of the dusty road, after having releaved him of his funds.
The journey goes without trouble until the party comes to inspection on the border of Savoy and France. The inspection point is a small village on a hill, with a medium sized tower overlooking the border. Behind the tower, hidden from the party view, a carriage filled with 6 soldiers is hidden, and 6 light cavalrymen, armed with sabres and flintlock carbines.
These are Savoyan soldiers waiting to attack the party before they reach France. The inspection officials attempt to stall the group, but the heroes realize something is amiss and notice one of the border guards signal someone up on the hill. As the party urges Pendu on to leave immediately, the carriage and horsemen bear down on them, from behind. A shootout follows during which the group is able to dispatch or wound the six horsemen. The troop in the coach realize they are no match for these veterans and decide to break off.
At this stage, they decide to have a good look at the scrolled document. It is found to be another manuscript by Da Vinci . The inside is planned as a great interlocking series of watch-gears, each representing a small piece of information. The outside bears turning numeral gears and a vast array of buttons and levers.
At Nice, they receive a messenger on the day of their arrival from the City Mayor, requesting their audience. They are shown to the mayorie (town hall) and into a large, finely decorated drawing room. Their audience turns out to be with Monsieur Le Colonel St. Giron, the regimental commander of the Royal Dragoons. He offers each member of the party 150 L and a Captaincy in the Dragoons for the document. Refused, St. Giron comments that the party's return to Paris may be very perilous indeed...
The carriage ride back will take four days. On the first day, the party is travelling along through the open countryside, quite near the ruins of an old chateau, a little bit north of Grenoble. They notice behind them a large cloud of dust, rapidly approaching. A look reveala that they are pursued by twelve mounted men (light dragoons of the Royal Dragoons regiment). They have just enough time to get within the old chateau for defence before the horsemen are close upon them.
They hide themselves among the ruined walls, sending Roger up into the crumbling tower with their muskets. From there he shoots at their pursuers, fooling them into thinking they are all holed up in the tower. Once the Dragoons make their way into the castle, the group jumps them. A short but bloody fight ensues, resulting in a few of the surviving Dragoons to call it a day and make their retreat.
After the incident with the dragoons, alI goes well with the journey, and the road is clear to return to the Archduke's estate and receive rewards. The Archduke receives the party politely, as before, with a manner as if nothing has happened since the last interview. He requests the Da Vinci document, and after it is given to him, he will look it over intently for a few moments and then, ever so casually, throw it into a roaring fireplace and say 'it is an idea whose time has not come... '
As a reward to the heroes, he offers each money, position, or a favour. Jean chooses a position and is told that they all can be expected to be awarded full rank of Musketeer. Jean however, will be immediately promoted to Corporal. The others choose a favour. De Mainz hints that he may be able to assist Henri with his search for the elusive Abbe, and indictates to Gerard that he should remain in Paris for a while, as he wants to introduce him to a few people...
Returning to the garrison, they are debriefed by de Treville, who seems to be in very good spirits hearing that all went well. On his desk are three blue tabards with white crosses and Fleur-de-Lis. He smiles... "Welcome to the King's Musketeers, gentlemen!"
TO BE CONTINUED
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