True Courage

adapted and by Isagrecia

Chapter 1: The Journey

It was dusk when a lone figure of a writer and a horse started to come into view of a city. Anyone who was out and about would have obviously suspected that the mysterious rider was a young boy for he was dressed in a suit, had a hat on his head, and his cloak was of the regular black cloak in the fashion of men. This young boy also had a somewhat stiff and arrogant manner to him that made him appear slightly cocky. Most young women would certainly agree that he was fine good looking young man. Unfortunately for them there was just one inconvenience, this wasn't actually a young man, it was actually a young woman by the name of Annette Lefevre, to be exact.

As she and her horse started to enter the city it became abundantly clear why she had decided to dress like a boy in the first place! The atmosphere of the place was not a good one indeed, but that was to be expected, for after all this was the Court of Miracles, one of the various slums of the great city of Paris.

Now the most reasonable thing to ask is what was this young cross-dressing woman doing in such a place? Well its all very simple, to enter Paris in a discreet manner it was necessary to enter the Court of Miracles for it was the place where thieves, thugs, and cut throats roamed freely and no one asked questions. In this shady area, everything the night touched had an aura of mystery. Now why was Annette going to Paris?

That was simple she was going to enter the most elite of the King's forces: The Musketeers. It was a dangerous idea indeed because if she was caught, she could be thrown into prison for dressing like a man and could be accused of being a spy. But what was she supposed to do with her being born a woman in an unfair society? "But," she thought, "I can prove my self, show my skill, and demonstrate that I am completely trustworthy. After all I am greatly skilled with a rapier." Now don't think that Annette was being arrogant, for she was truly greatly skilled with the rapier, for she, the youngest in a family full of sons, easily defeated her three older brothers. Her father, Maurice who was a former musketeer himself, told her she was one of the most gifted swords-person he has ever met and that it was a shame that she was born a woman because she would never be able to live to her full potential and join the elite musketeers.

That was before her family decided to marry her off to a local, wealthy landowner, Jacques Olivier,who was almost twice her age. This decision did not sit well with such a fiery Gascon girl like Annette, so she decided to do what anyone would do in her situation, she ran away. Her childhood friend and most trusted companion Claude Bellamy had helped her get away from her family. He gave her some clothes, his most steadfast horse, Alexandre, a purse of gold, and the advice to "live as freely as possible and to chase her dreams. With a hug they had parted and they both wished each other the best of luck.

Sometime after first arriving at the Court of Miracles, she finally saw the exit of the infamous district. "Good," Annette thought, "now I can get away from this ghastly place." Just as she was about to cross to a more respectable side of Paris, suddenly a ugly, big thug stepped into the picture. " Where do you think your going?" he asked creepily. "What does it matter to you where I am going, since your clearly here to rob me," answered Annette in the deepest tone she could muster.

"Ay, aren't you the clever boy? Well just be glad that I'm feeling a bit generous and let you leave with your life. Just give me your fine horse and your money," said the thug.

Annette thought a second and decided to answer back, "Let me think. No!" "Well then prepare to die boy!" the thug said, when suddenly someone threw a chamber pot and its contents on the thug. Quickly Annette took the opportunity and rode away, while her would be assailant laid on the street, unconscious.

"That was close," Annette sighed, "Alexandre, I think the best thing we can do is to find musketeer headquarters and ask if we can join and spend the night there. Fortunately for us, I've been to Paris before and know exactly where to go. Just follow my every lead alright?" Alexandre stared at his rider, then appeared to have absorbed the information, neighed and nodded in agreement."

Meanwhile in Musketeer Headquarters ….

"So then I, the brave Porthos, took them on and with a single punch knocked them all unconscious. What do you fellows think about that?" he asked arrogantly. " Frankly Porthos, you expect us to believe that?" Aramis asked calmly and directly, "We have fought side by side for years and never have I seen you take out people like you just described."

Athos, meanwhile, was staring out the window deep in thought it had been a year after the whole "Buckingham's Airship in Notre Dame Adventure." Since then the Musketeers had been reinstated and now their most youngest

member the young Gascon, D'Artagnan, was now an official musketeer. He had proven himself to be one of their most courageous and talented members who has risen through the ranks. But even with all of this Athos could feel something coming, something that was keeping him on edge.

"Hello everyone, I'm back," called D'Artagnan, " What's everyone up to?" "Oh, the usual Porthos making up a story about his so-called "heroics", you haven't missed a thing." Aramis stated. " They are true and you know it if my name is Isaac Porthos!" D'Artagnan couldn't help but smirk even though Aramis and Porthos argue constantly, you could tell that deep down they loved each other like brothers. "Enough about us, how was your walk through the gardens with Constance?" Aramis inquired. At this D'Artagnan turned a little pink. "It was great, we walked through the gardens and we even walked through a little of Paris," D'Artagnan said while smiling. "That's good. How is your close personal friend the King?" Athos asked. "I really don't consider him my close personal friend, but he is alright he and the Queen are getting closer each day." D'Artagnan answered him honestly. "Well, lad, he obviously considers you a personal friend if he asks you advice," Aramis told him. After a bit of a brief silence, D'Artagnan suddenly turned to Athos and asked, "What about you Athos?" "I'm fine but I get the feeling that somethings coming, something really shifty." All of a sudden the door slammed open to reveal another musketeer named Chevalier, "Excuse me Sirs, but there is a boy who wants to join the musketeers. Shall I bring him in?" " How old is he," Aramis asked. "Well," Chevalier answered him, "he doesn't look old enough to shave, Sir." The four musketeer friends looked at each other and nodded. "Bring him in," D'Artagnan said. The other musketeer nodded. Even though D'Artagnan was younger than Chevalier, his rank was higher than his.

Chevalier returned just as swiftly as he left and in tow brought a boy of about eighteen, with brown eyes and brown hair. The boy was clearly from a noble family because of how he was dressed and how well fed he looked. "What's your name, boy," Porthos asked. " Antoine Blanc," Annette answered. "Why would someone who is obviously a nobleman want to join want to join our motley crew," Athos inquired. "While it is true that I am a nobleman, that's all in the past. The only things to remind me of my former stature in society are the clothes on my back and my horse," Antoine answered eloquently. "What happened that you are now no longer a nobleman?" Aramis asked. " My father lost all of our estate in a game of cards, so as you can see I need the work."

"You do realize your skill is going to be tested, right," D'Artagnan said as he raised an eyebrow at the elegant young man. "I understand what is required of me," Antoine stated.

"Who wants to test him?" Porthos said while looking around.

"I will," D'Artagnan said cockily, " I could use a good duel."

"Alright, I accept your challenge. Might I inquire your name," Antoine said. "D'Artagnan."