The Others
By: MusketeerAdventure
Summary: d'Artagnan embarks on a journey without his brothers. What adventure awaits him?
Chapter 2
The next day was a whirlwind for d'Artagnan. He spent much time with his fellow comrades planning out the route to Reims, gathering materials, and seeing to the needs of their mounts.
Looking at their map, and calculating distances, they concluded that the journey to Reims would take at least two days. They were to escort the Comte', and then leave him at his family estate. The Captain allowed one day of recovering, and then they were to make their way back to Paris. Barring bad weather, or unforeseen events, they determined a weeks' time for the assignment. There had been no word of bandit activity in the area; but they were to keep their eyes and ears open. The Captain looked over their agenda for the trip and seemed satisfied. His approval was given and the three felt confident the mission would be successful.
d'Artagnan also spent as much time as he could warrant with the inseparables, squeezing in as much information as they could share in a short span of time. He noticed that Adrienne and Cypriene did the same.
Every lesson learned even up to the last minute could be the one piece of advice that could make a difference.
d'Artagnan was determined to have this assignment be a successful one. He wanted to come home and bask in the pride of his brothers for a job well done. He wanted to be able to tell his own story of heroism. He was eager to show them how much he had grown, from the raw farm boy, to a seasoned Musketeer. Maybe he could be that someone, who stood next to them as an equal force - the fourth Musketeer.
The inseparables were glad to impart advice.
In hand to hand combat, Porthos stressed that anything goes in close quarter fighting. "Don't think the other man honorable just because you are. Do not be above biting, pulling hair, and gouging eyes to come out the man on top and alive." He insisted to d'Artagnan that leverage was the key to any fight. "Your feet, your legs, and your back give you power. No matter how small or slight the man, if you have leverage you can move mountains." He winked at d'Artagnan, and then lifted him into the air and over his head to prove his point.
d'Artagnan pretended offence, and yelled to be put down. Once on his feet he looked to Porthos, "I thank you for the advice, and will follow it."
During his practice at shooting, Aramis gave him some final pointers on firing a musket. Standing over d'Artagnan as he held his weapon, pointing toward the target some distance away, he instructed, as he had on many occasions, "Engage your weapon, take aim down your line of sight, hold steady, breathe and fire."
He then discharged his weapon, and excitedly exclaimed, "Bulls eye!" as the bullet hit the middle of the target. Aramis clapped him on the back proudly.
"Remember, patience is the hallmark of a good shot. Faster, is not always better or accurate. But this is true in all things. Patience is indeed a virtue, one which every man here wishes to achieve. "
And as they walked side by side during a quiet moment, he also gave this parting advice, "Take good stock of your fellow Musketeers. Pray daily that the Lord will look after them and give you the good sense to act accordingly. Pray each day that you stay alert on even the most tedious of days. Tedious days can lure you into believing all is well. All is never well in the life of a soldier. Something always lurks around the corner. Stay vigilant d'Artagnan."
Aramis then reached to muss his hair, which he half-heartedly protested to, loud enough for all to hear and then remarked, "Your advice is good advice, Aramis. I will follow it. Thank you."
In the late afternoon, d'Artagnan found himself in the yard sparring with Athos. It took all the skill he could muster to keep up with the man, and prevent him from getting a hit. As always, Athos appeared cool and non-pulsed. But if he looked close, he could see a little sweat on his forehead. As for himself, he was drenched. He had asked to spar, not to be worn down. However, he understood Athos' motives - to try and prepare him for what might happen, for what could happen.
In between separations and the clanking of their weapons, Athos spoke to him of swordsmanship. "Remember, in battle, to let your instincts take over, not your fear, not your anger."
As they circled one another he imparted, "You are trained well. There will be no time for analyzing."
Moving toward him, Athos lunged and hit d'Artagnan across his shoulders, "You will have time to only think in that moment."
They separated again, "Where is my opening? What is his weakness?" He tripped d'Artagnan and backed away. "Where can I take the advantage?"
He held his hand out for d'Artagnan, which he grabbed hold of and was lifted to his feet. "When will be the day that I best you?" he asked, swiping the dirt from his pants.
Athos only smiled at him, knowing that the day he would best him was sooner than d'Artagnan knew.
While they sat drinking water to cool off, he practiced with Athos the art of reading people. He always enjoyed this and thought it great fun. Today, however, Athos spoke to him in a serious tone. "Read people quickly without their knowledge. Discern their intent either for goodwill or for bad."
As they watched others pass by he added, "Look to the eyes, the twitch of a lip, the tell in a movement that gives away an anxiety. See through bravado, and watch for the shaking of a leg, the tap of the fingers, and a tick of some sort. If you find the tick, it is usually a precursor to the truth of the moment. This skill has gotten me out of many a predicament."
d'Artagnan had not heard such a speech from Athos. This was a rare moment indeed. "Thank you Athos. I will remember what you tell me here, and use it in good stead."
Later that night, after a quiet meal together, the three Musketeers stood and watched as d'Artagnan, Adrienne, and Cypriene packed what they would need for their journey.
They all nodded with approval as these youthful three gathered their belongings and put them away. Porthos added, "Take with you what you need, and also what you think you might need."
d'Artagnan reached for his cloak, thought about it, and then placed his old battered hat in his saddle bag. He never wore a hat, but maybe he might need it.
Aramis, then interposed, "Also, take something you probably won't need. You never know, that just might be the thing that matters most."
d'Artagnan thought of his favorite book, given to him by his father. He would remember to take this with him. He really didn't need to take a book. There would probably be no time to read, but maybe, it would be that thing that matters most.
Athos handed him a compass, and they left to give the three young men time to finish their packing.
d'Artagnan stared down at the compass in his hand, and squeezed it tight. Athos had never given him something tangible before. He had always given his time, his expertise, and his help, but never a gift. He would cherish it always. Perhaps this compass would be the one thing to help lead him back home.
That night, after all had been finalized, d'Artagnan slept little. His mind was whirling with the last minute advice he had been given, with the plans for their journey, and with the obstacles they might encounter along the way. He held his compass tightly, and willed himself to sleep.
It would not do to be tired in the morning.
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The next morning, Adrienne, Cypriene and d'Artagnan met in the yard to sit and breakfast. Serge understanding the importance of the day, served something light, having seen their nerves show through their greeting. They were thankful to see just porridge and water.
Adrienne then said to his companions, "I think it is good that we are nervous. Captain Treville, always says that being nervous before an assignment keeps you grounded. This will help us." d'Artagnan and Cypriene, take deep breaths, laugh a little, and nod their agreement.
Their porridge is then finished in no time.
The Three Musketeers then enter the yard and walk toward their table. Porthos claps d'Artagnan on the back and nods to the others, "Are you lads ready?" They all nod and fight their emotions of excitement and apprehension.
"It's as if flies have taken up residence in my stomach", says Cypriene.
"Aye, that's a good thing. If you weren't nervous, I'd think something was wrong with you yeah?"
Adrienne stands, and looks to the others, "Let's go and get our horses, and be ready for when the time comes to depart." Cypriene, and d'Artagnan follow his lead, and they go to the stables to ready their mounts.
Soon after, a stylish carriage arrives within the gates of the garrison, and finally it is the moment when Adrienne, Cypriene, and d'Artagnan are to begin their journey. There before them sits the driver at his seat, and the Comte' at rest inside along with his man.
Things begin to move very fast. Before they know what is happening, Treville is standing before them with final instructions to follow their plan laid out; to get the Comte' to his destination safely and above all to return home, together, in one piece.
"Yes sir", they nod solemnly in unison.
Once mounted, and taking his position to the right of the carriage, d'Artagnan dared to look back. His brothers' stand watching him, Porthos with his arms crossed; Aramis with his hat in his hands, and Athos with a curious look on his face. He is glad they are here to see him off.
"Safe journey, d'Artagnan!" shouts Porthos.
"We will see you in a week's time!" cries Aramis waving his hat goodbye.
Athos stands quietly, and gives a single wave, with a hint of a smile, which d'Artagnan takes as his way of providing reassurances.
"All will be well brothers." d'Artagnan calls back and grins wide as he nudges his horse forward and away from the garrison.
Upon hearing d'Artagnan's departing cry, Adrienne looks back to see his own Lieutenant watching his departure. The man nods his head in approval; Adrienne nods back, and then turns to begin his journey.
Cypriene never looked back, his eyes are trained straight ahead, and he is ready to embrace the day.
TBC
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