Twenty Years After · Chapter
The Road to Picardy explained
Athos and Aramis leave Paris, which is in chaos from famine and factional strife, to search for d'Artagnan and Porthos.
What happens
Athos and Aramis leave Paris, which is in chaos from famine and factional strife, to search for d'Artagnan and Porthos. They follow a trail of clues left by their friends—carved messages on a table, a drawing on a wall, a barricading stone, a broken rapier blade, and a scratched name on a pewter plate—that leads them from Montreuil to Abbeville, Péronne, Compiègne, Louvres, and finally to Rueil, where they believe their friends are held. Despite the danger, they resolve to continue, with Athos considering a direct appeal to the queen.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Athos and Aramis risk great danger to search for d'Artagnan and Porthos, driven by honor, friendship, and gratitude.
Revolution and Rebellion
The chapter depicts Paris in the grip of the Fronde, with popular tumults, pillaging, and factional conflict.
Poverty and Suffering
Paris is described as abandoned to extreme want, bordering on famine, while the court at Saint Germain lives cheerfully.
Characters to notice
- Athos
Leads the search for d'Artagnan and Porthos, interpreting clues and proposing to speak directly to the queen.
- Aramis
Accompanies Athos, offering cautious advice and suggesting they avoid direct confrontation with Mazarin.
- D'Artagnan
The subject of the search; leaves a trail of messages indicating he and Porthos were pursued and arrested.
- Porthos
The subject of the search; his giant strength is inferred from the barricading stone.
- Grimaud
Assists Athos and Aramis in turning over the stone to reveal a message.
- Blaisois
Assists Athos and Aramis in turning over the stone to reveal a message.
- Mazarin
Implied as the authority who may have ordered the arrest of d'Artagnan and Porthos; his house was pillaged by Beaufort.
- Beaufort
Mentioned as having pillaged Mazarin's house to give the populace something to gnaw at.
Key passages
“On leaving Paris, Athos and Aramis well knew that they would be encountering great danger; but we know that for men like these there could be no question of danger.”
Athos and Aramis were fully aware of the peril they faced upon leaving Paris, but such men did not hesitate in the face of danger.
Highlights the courage and resolve of the two musketeers.
“Had I been as great a friend of Jonah as I am of d'Artagnan I should have followed him even into the inside of the whale itself; and you would have done the same, Aramis.”
If I were as loyal to Jonah as I am to d'Artagnan, I would follow him into the belly of a whale, and you would do the same, Aramis.
Athos expresses his unwavering loyalty to d'Artagnan, using a biblical analogy.
“It is to throw ourselves into the wolf's jaws.”
Going to Rueil is like walking into the lion's den.
Aramis warns that proceeding to Rueil is extremely dangerous.