Le trahison du mousquetaire – Chapter 01.
(The betrayal of the musketeers)
It all started on a bright day in France. Spring arrived into the country, bringing back all the magic that winter had taken away. Fields bloomed with many wild flowers and the air was filled with bird song. On the road a small wagon jolted with two passengers on the driver's seat.
"Look! Over there!" a young female cat pointed, curiosity shined in her eyes.
"I see it, my love." smiled the male rabbit next to her "Finally we have arrived in Paris." In the distance, there was a huge city separated by a long, serpentine river. Paris, the city where all dreams come true.
"It's so beautiful." cooed the woman at which her husband chuckled.
"Believe me, Ortensia, we will have a good life from now on." he stated "I'll join the musketeers and we won't have to be poor anymore."
"I know you can do it, Oswald." Ortensia smooched his cheek before coughing badly.
"My love, has your sickness become worse?" Oswald looked at her with concern. The female held her hands over her chest as she tried to regain her normal breathing.
"I'm fine… just… so excited… I've never been in Paris before…" her cheeks were flushed as she spoke. Oswald reached behind and wrapped a blanket around his beloved one.
"It's better if you take a rest. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the view of our new home later." he said gently and kissed the cat. She slowly nodded and crawled into the wagon to sleep. Oswald looked after her, his expression sad, then sighed "Please just hold on a bit longer, my love…" he whispered "I'll be a musketeer and I will immediately call the best doctor for you. You will be healthy once more, Ortensia."
Meanwhile, on the other side of Paris, loud footsteps clattered on the plain marble floor. Two figures rushed through the bright corridors, heading to the throne room.
"Oh crap! I'm in late!" groaned a young mouse as he tried to put on his shirt and uniform quickly, almost loosing his old, weather-worn hat. "I directly asked you to wake me up, Pluto!" next to him the yellow dog barked back, "What? It's not my fault! I just… couldn't sleep, that's all." Pluto huffed and rolled his eyes a little. They turned a corner and almost bumped into two other musketeers.
"Hullo, Mickey, good to see ya!" a tall, lanky dog with a buck toothed grin greeted his small companion.
"Did you over sleep again?" the white duck next to the dog chuckled.
"D-don't be silly, Donald." Mickey stuttered, trying to regain his composure.
"Oh, then perhaps he was dreaming about the princess again." The dog said. Judging by Mickey's reaction, he was right. The young mouse had turned a rosy shade of scarlet from the tip of his tail to the tops of his ears.
"B-but Goofy!" stammered the mouse, however, he was unable to finish his statement as the two large oak doors next to the trio suddenly opened to reveal a pert, young female white duck.
"You're here? Great, then come in." Daisy said, pushing the door further open. The three musketeers and co. entered into the huge throne room and bowed deeply on the red carpet leading up to the royal seat.
"Please, my loyal friends, you don't have to bow." The sweet and tender voice that spoke caused Mickey to blush even deeper. He glanced up and his eyes met with the most beautiful brown irises in the world. For a second he forgot how to breath, but then he got a little nudge in the side from Donald. He couldn't help it, but whenever Mickey saw his beloved princess… he was on the cloud nine… it was apparently the same with the young Princess Minnie; she shyly faced away and tried to hide the blush on her cheeks with her palm. To break the awkward silence Daisy cleared her throat.
"Ahem, Princess… the musketeers must be curious as to why you called them." the hand maiden whispered aloud. Minnie blinked, like someone who had just now awakened from a pleasant dream.
"Oh yes… i-indeed. Sorry Daisy." she put on her normal, royal expression and began to speak once more. "My dear musketeers, it may have come to your attention about the rumors spreading through out all of France. Indeed our kingdom is in peace at the moment, but we don't have enough soldiers to protect our beloved country if something terrible were to happen. That's why I sent out a recruiting call to the musketeers' Headquarters."
"That's great news, Your Majesty…" Mickey sighed with a silly smile glued to his face once more. Growing frustrated, Donald used his elbow again, causing the male mouse to become flustered, "B-but why you need us?"
"Your work will be special, Captain Mickey. I want you three to find the recruits and test them. Sift out the talented ones who have pure hearts like you, my friends. I'd like to avoid any kind of betrayal like the former musketeer captain, Pete. And you, my dear guards, have the right eyes to see who is worthy to wear the uniform of a musketeer and who is not."
"Your wish is our command, Princess…" Mickey, Goofy, Donald and Pluto all knelt down.
"I count on you, my dear guards." Princess Minnie nodded her head with a smile. After they left the room, Mickey nearly collapsed.
"Ah, I never grow accustomed to her beauty…" sighed the mouse, his feet becoming limp. Rolling their eyes, his companions wrapped his arms around their shoulders.
"Gawrsh Mickey, we might have to change your name to Romeo." Goofy chuckled.
"Come on, we have duty to do." chuckled Donald, and with Goofy by his side carried away the love struck mouse to meet the new recruits back in the musketeers' Headquarter.
End of Chapter 01.
