Our Brother!
The storm clouds gathered overhead, thunder rumbled in the distance the first spots of rain started to fall. It had been a hot and sticky day in Paris.
People started to scatter from the streets for shelter into their own homes. The sky had darkened making the daylight seem like twilight.
The candles flickered in the window wax dripping down the sticks.
The womans steady hand lighted other candles as the chamber grew darker, she brought up the taper to her mouth and blew out the small flame disguarding the taper onto the table. Sitting down at the other side of the table Milady de Winter looked across at the man opposite her, a faint smile appeared.
" Make sure you do not fail in this quest, I want him out of my life for good this time". she said with hatred in her voice.
Rochfort toyed with his wine goblet before placing it down and refilling both goblets, a smirk developed onto his lips, the lightning outside cracked another thunderclap.
" I want nothing else but to see a Kings Musketeer die, especially Athos, he is a thorn in my side and I also want rid" seethed Rochfort almost spitting out the words with hate. " Once we rid them of him, the rest will be easy bait".
Milady smiled across at him as she sipped from the goblet.
" How do you intend to kill him, she asked placing down the wine.
Rochfort stood and looked out of the window as the rain outside poured and danced onto the ground. Lightning flashed again as he turned to look at her.
" I will think of some way," he replied sitting back down at the table.
Milady sat back in her chair and felt for the choker around her neck, she had loved this man once until he had tried to hang her. Athos had always blamed her for the death of his brother Thomas, he didn't believe her when she told him that it was him who attacked her.
" Well make sure you do not fail," she said " He is not stupid.
Rochfort sniggered " Have faith in me Milady, when I set out to achieve something I do not fail"
Chapter 2
The storm had subsided making the ground steam slightly with the summer heat.
The four Musketeers had dismounted their steeds and handed the reins over to the stable boys, the horses snorted after their journey as they drank from the trough.
Porthos threw his large arms around the shoulders of Athos and Aramis, a grin on his face. d Artagnan walked ahead.
" Who agrees my friends? that we all deserve a well earned tankard of ale"
Aramis smiled " I must admit I am thirsty with this heat" he relied tossing his hat ito the air and catching it onto his head. Porthos laughed loud, making the others chuckle.
"Is it the Wren then" asked d'Artagnan turning and walking backwards. "Athos?
Athos nodded his head, " Yes of course I will catch you up my friends, I need to speak with Traville"
Aramis patted Athos on his back and grinned, " We will be waiting in the Wren" he said.
Athos nodded and carried on up the steps towards his Captains office.
The Wren was bustling with all walks of life, laughter and chatter filled the air as the three musketeers entered.
Porthos scanned the room, " Ah I've found us a table" he smiled weaving between other filled tables of people and pulling out one of the chairs to sit in. d'Artagnan and Aramis followed the big man and followed suit.
The serving girl was collecting tankards and eyed the three men, " What can I get you gentlemen?" she asked smiling.
Aramis gave one of his flirting smiles back, "Three tankards of your finest ale please Clara" he replied
Clara nodded and walked off.
" Do you ever give up with the flirting" asked Porthos glancing a wink at d'Artagnan. Aramis grinned at each of his brothers, " Must be my charm" he said " plus my handsome face" Porthos rolled his eyes and gave out one of his loud laughs. " You really are the limit my friend".
d'Aartagnan smiled at his brothers. " I am so grateful I met you my friends, you all cheer my day no end" he said. Aramis patted the young mans shoulders. Clara returned carrying a tray holding three pewter tankards of ale, she placed each one one the table in front of each man. They looked up in unison and smiled. Aramis beamed, " thanking you Clara. he said.
Porthos held up the tankard at arms length a huge grin on his face " Ahhh just what I need after a heated day" he drank from the tankard and let out a sigh, " beautiful " he huffed. Aramis and d'Artagnan followed suit, each nodding with approval at Porthos's words.
At that moment Athos appeared at the table, he had caught the eyes of Clara and jestered to her for another round of ale, the girl nodded in his direction. Aramis patted him on the shoulder as he sat, " Everything in order with Traville my friend" he asked turning his head. Athos nodded as Clara arrived with another tray of ale, " Yes, but he is not amused with the amount of paperwork he has to get through" the other three men smiled. Athos looked at Clara, " Thank you" he said. Athos drank some ale back, " I needed that" he uttered placing down the tankard. They all laughed glancing at Porthos.
" I spoke the same words my friend, nothing like a good ale after a heated day" Athos nodded in agreement.
Chapter3 -
Rochfort rode his horse through the forest, strips of sunrays danced through the trees as he cantered. He brought the stallion to a halt and dismounted. Rochfort scanned the forest, he took out a water skin from his saddle bag and drank. Paris was in the middle of a hot spell of weather and he felt sticky and hot. He pored some water over his head and put the water skin back into the saddle bag. Rochfort looked up as he heard the hooves of a horse getting louder, he pulled his musket from his belt and waited. Recognising the man he put the musket back onto his belt.
The other man dismounted and nodded to Rochfort.
" I hope you made certain you were not followed" asked Rochfort.
" You forget Monsieur, I am a Musketeer I am trained in such matters"
Rochfort eyed him as he took the purse from his own pocket and held it in the palm of his hand. The musketeer held out his hand to take the purse, Rochfort grabbed it back with force.
" Ahh my friend, I need the deed completed before you receive payment" he hissed through gritted teeth.
The man looked at him and grinned.
" You know you can trust me Rochfort, I've always wanted to get even with one of them four" he said.
Rochfort showed a slight grin. " You know what will happen if you get caught dont you" he asked.
The musketeer looked up into the trees and siged.
" I never wanted to be a Musketeer, I was forced into this by my father, I hate them as you do, I never get any chance to go on a mission, Athos never summons me. The four of them think they are above the law, I am going to make sure I teach him a lesson"
Rochfort looked at the musketeer , he could see the hate in his eyes.
" Good, I hope you are right Pierr" he sniggered." How prey do intend to kill him".
Pierr glanced up into the tree's a smirk froming on his lips, "You forget dear man I know my way around the garrison, I know every musketeers rooms, I am the perfect candidate for such a task".
Rochforte watched him as he mounted his horse, Pierr tipped his hat, " I will be in touch" he turned his horse and rode off through the tree's.
