Corrine, Vivica, Aramina, and Rene walked back to thier apartment, in far lesser spirits than
they had the last time that they had left the castle. Their landlady, Madame Sonjuer did not ask
them why they were covered in and smelled like garbage. Their faced told her that they had a rough
day. None of the girls spoke until they were all back in their room.
"This is the worst day of my life," said Aramina, who was usually so optimistic and cheerful,"No one
beleives us, we've lost our jobs-"
"And we smell like garbage," moaned Vivica, spraying herself with her super-strong perfume.
"So much for being Musketeers," sighed Rene, putting down her violin, she didn't feel like playing at
the moment.
"What are we going to do?" asked Aramina, despairlingly
"We're all going to go back to our homes, and forget all of this." said Vivica
"No, we can't give up now," Corrine said", there's still a plot against the prince."
"Yes", said Rene,"and Treville and the Musketeers will handle it."
"But it's what we've been training for, why can't we protect the prince?"
"Because,"Rene pointed out,"they'll throw us in the dungeon for ever if we do."
"We're to only ones that know about the plot."
"Everyone thinks we're wrong."
"But we know we're right."Corrine said firmly
"Maybe Corrine is right,"Aramina said excitedly."It would be dramatic, returning from exile to save the
day!"
"Who knows the castle better than we do? We've cleaned every inch of the place." Corrine encouraged
"The guard will be at the door waiting for us,"said Rene, ever practicle.
"So", said Vivica, getting as excited as Aramina,"We'll need costumes so we won't be recognized!" She
picked up a mask by her manequin, holding it up to her face.
"Of course!", exclamed Corrine," It's a masquerade ball, no one will recoginze us wearing these." She
addressed Vivica. "We'll need four costumes."
"Me wi", Vivica, the fact that she was speaking French giving away her eagerness."They'll be the most
beautiful gowns at the ball."
"They must be functional." Rene put in quickly
"But of course!" said Vivica, her head swimming with possibilities.
"We'll need new weapons,"said Corrine already planning their escapade,"Ones that blend in with our
costumes, Rene, think you can handle that?"
"On it." Rene confirmed
"Everybody does know how to dance right?"Aramina asked, after all they were going to a ball. Corrine
looked embarassed."I'll teach you! Oh, I've always wanted to go to a royal ball, and save the prince.
"Are we in?" asked Corrine putting her hand forward.
"In."
"In."
"In."
Each girl placed her hand within their circle. "All for one, and one for all!" they commited, speaking
simultaneously.
Then it was each girl to her own. They had twenty-four hours for Vivica to make four specialized ball
gowns. Rene to come up with each of their unique weapons and a way to hide them. And for Aramina to
teach Corrine at least the basics of ballroom dancing.
They worked straight for a few hours, before they realized that if they wanted to protect the prince
the next evening, they had better get some sleep. Exhausted they slept, then they awoke and worked the
day through. Rene and Vivica reffering to each other every once in a while on different points about
their costumes. Vivica amazingly took all of their measurements so well that there was no need for a
second fitting, they fit perfectly. They looked perfect too, Vivica made each dress different and in
each girl's best color. Green for Aramina, Blue for Rene, Purple for Vivica, and Pink for Corrine, who
usually wore red, but Vivica insisted that for this occasion pink would be better.
They finished early, even, each girl then set herself to practicing with her own weapons. And just like
when the practiced with Madame Helen, they each went through their basic sword exercises.
At a quarter to six everything was ready. "It's time." said Corrine. Again they placed thier hands atop
each other's."All for one!" the chorused, Miete, Corrine's cat lept in and added her paw in. "And one
for all!"
Four stately ladies made their way to the stables, under the explanation that Corrine just wanted to see
her horse before they went to the ball. As soon as the stable hand was gone they proceeded to the
trapdoor behind the stables, and entered the secret passages that, as far as they knew, were non-existant
to everyone except themselves and their teacher Madame Helen.
"Thank goodness Madame doesn't know about these passageways, or she'd make us clean them too." joked
Corrine, pulling a torch from a bracket on the wall.
"I just pity the poor souls that she's found to replace us,"said Rene
They walked until they reached the exit closest to the ballroom. "Ready?" asked Corrine.
"Ready." they all replied, lowering their masks.
'Here we go' thought Corrine.
The girls stepped into the palace hallway, and rounded the corner to see Misuer Treville standing not
twenty feet away.
