Going Back

Chapter 1

It had been years since he'd been back, and then all of a sudden, Athos found himself for the third time in too short of a span of time riding through the village of Pinon. Some of the villagers still bowed to him, which caused the back of his neck to burn with irritation. He rolled his shoulders, hoping to force some relief into those muscles. It was the strain of duty that wore so heavily on him still, despite having relinquished his title and land to the people of the town.

His brothers rode with him. He knew they would follow him to the ends of the earth if he'd ask them. Something burned in his chest at the thought, but unlike the painful irritation caused by the eyes of the people – his people – the fire burning in his breast was one of comfort. It was the knowledge of the love he carried for the men at his side and the love that they, miraculously, held for him.

As though reading his thoughts, Aramis pulled his mare forward so he was riding alongside Athos. The men stared straight ahead, but Aramis dropped his head slightly as though attempting to shield his words with the brim of his hat.

"Did you want to return to the house before we check in at the inn?" he asked quietly.

Athos glanced at the marksman and raised an eyebrow. How was it that this man could read his thoughts before he'd even registered them? Though very different men, many long years of living, fighting, laughing and bleeding together had fused Porthos, Athos and Aramis together as though they were almost one being. With the addition of D'Artagnan, it was as if the four pieces were finally whole. In battle they could move as one, knowing instinctively where the others might be. When one was injured, they all felt the pain, so perhaps Athos shouldn't have been surprised that Aramis was attuned to his consternation. Aramis bore a heart so large and caring that it practically surrounded him like an aura. How many times had his dark, emotion-filled eyes been able to coax a confession out of Athos, showing far more compassion and understanding than any priest ever could.

"We are with you for whatever you need," Aramis said, still not making eye contact, knowing how Athos would react if he felt that this was coddling. The corner of the swordsman's mouth quirked in a half smile.

"Thank you, brother," he said. "I think it best if we head to the inn first and allow the horses to rest. It's been a long day, and I'm sure I'll need a drink before I bring myself back there…or several."

Aramis gave a small laugh. "Very well," he said, "Then consider the first round on me," he said with a grin.

They rode on through the village and stopped at the large inn at the centre of town. The innkeeper smiled warmly at the musketeers as he led them to a room with four beds. He was surprised to see them in Pinon again so soon.

"We're here on official business," Athos said. "Have you heard news about the attacks on the road north of here?"

The innkeeper shook his head, his eyes growing wide. "No, nothing. As you know, we don't get many travellers through here, but one would think that if word has reached Paris, it would have reached here first," he said confusedly.

Athos sighed. "Regardless, Pinon and the area around it have come to the attention of the King. He has concerns about the security on his roads."

"Apparently, a number of the nobility's coaches have been attacked lately," said Porthos. "You sure you ain't heard anything?"

"I swear monsieur, if there has been anything like that transpiring, we know nothing about it," said the innkeeper fervently.

"And you can vouch for all the villagers?" D'Artagnan asked, eyebrow raised.

The innkeeper bit his lip and shook his head. "No," he said. "I cannot swear that the entire town could be innocent, but I have no knowledge that will allow me to lay an accusation against anyone."

Athos nodded. "We would appreciate it if you kept this information to yourself as we conduct our investigation. It's likely that we will need to speak to some individuals within the community and would like to do so without raising suspicions."

"If you can think of anyone who may be of interest to us…" Aramis said with a small smile.

"I'll find you," said the innkeeper, returning Aramis' smile, despite the stress that was now written across his face, as he backed out of the room.

D'Artagnan closed the door and turned to the others. "Do you think he knows anything?" he asked earnestly.

Aramis frowned. "I think he was genuinely shocked to see us and hear of the news."

"Or was it he's afraid because we're investigatin'?" Porthos asked.

Aramis shook his head. "I can't imagine the man being involved. He is the mayor after all…though that doesn't mean he's not protecting someone," Aramis allowed. "Didn't he have a daughter? Quite pretty if I remember correctly."

"You would remember a pretty woman," Porthos said with a grin at his brother who gave a roguish wink back.

"Athos?" D'Artagnan asked.

Athos had been silent as his brothers discussed the innkeeper. "In this instance, rare though it is, my inclination is to agree with Aramis," he said to which Porthos grinned and Aramis' eyes flashed as his face took on the expression of mock affront, his hand placed over his heart. Athos' lip quirked at the expected dramatics. "I can't imagine him being involved, though the fact that he had no notion of these events is concerning. Pinon is small, but if these attacks have been occurring repeatedly on the roads nearby, it's strange that no one sought assistance from the village."

Porthos glanced out the window. Evening had fallen and a loud grumble from his stomach indicated that the dinner-hour was approaching. "Well, we won't see nothing if we head out now. I say we head downstairs and assess the locals at the inn."

"And the dinner fare, I'm assuming," said Aramis with a grin.

A grumble from D'Artagnan' s stomach indicated that he agreed with Porthos' assessment.

"Agreed," said Athos. "I believe you offered to get the first round," he said to Aramis.

"Judas!" said Aramis. "Very well, mes amis, the first round is mine," he said as he opened the door and led the way back downstairs to the inn's main room.

oOo