I ducked an oncoming hit and leapt over a flying kick. Twisting around, catching one fist flying towards me, I swung my leg out and knocked one of my opponents over.

Usually, I wasn't allowed to train with the other recruits because of how much damage I could cause since I really didn't pull my punches, but today, I got roped into it by none other than Athos, the very person who told me not to.

I had started out with 7 people against me because Aramis had bragged about how good I was, and those 7 people had laughed in my face and said I was nothing more than a boy parading around as a man, and that I shouldn't even be trying out for a Musketeer's life, so I should just go back to my mother's bakery.

Athos had gotten a hard look in his eye and told me to go ahead. Or, rather, he nodded his head at me and just basically turned me loose.

I wasn't that prideful, but I did love a good fight.

I now only had 4 more left that were actually in a good enough condition to still fight me and have a bit of hope to win.

I had a few bruises, but I pressed all the pain to the back of my mind and gave my opponents a feral grin. I was known as the Horseman of Death in England. Just because my reputation wasn't that well known in France didn't mean anything.

I flipped the one I had ahold of onto his face, then cracked his shoulder backwards, dislocating it in a manner that was easy to pop back in, then punched the person who had been hiding behind him in the face. That person fell backwards with a broken nose and was now out.

I popped the person's shoulder back in, then used the wall behind me to front flip over the heads of the remaining two people.

Once behind them, I did a drop kick and both of them smacked into each other, knocking them both out of the 'game'.

I stood up and brushed the dirt off of my leather jacket and stepped back.

I gave my downed opponents a bow and said, "Thanks for the fun, I've been edging for a bit of it for at least a week. Also, just for future reference in your insults, my mother and father are both dead. I am alone. So, improve your insults, and don't ever insinuate my mother was a lowly baker's wife. She cooked most of the food, even if the cooks were happy to. And she was the best cook I've ever known."

Then I turned on my heel and stalked away as Athos lectured the other recruits, "We always support each other. We are a team, and as such, we cannot force our teammates down. You cannot hope to make Musketeers without that support, both for you, and for your team."

I sat down next to Porthos and he gave me a proud grin, "You're good against people yer own size." He rumbled with humor in his voice.

I smirked at him, "Still can't beat you though."

He laughed and clapped my shoulder, "Yer gettin there, kit. Yer gettin there."

"Athos!" A call came from above us, and we looked up to see Treville gazing down at all of us. "Get your four idiots and get up here." He commanded, then turned and vanished into his office.

Athos stopped his reprimanding and gazed at the four of us, who were all sitting like perfect angels, and sighed. "What did you four do now?" He asked in exasperation.

I leapt to my feet, already walking to the stairs, saying, "I didn't do anything. That I know of anyway." With my hands up in surrender.

Athos just scoffed and followed me up, leaving the other three to scramble after us. "Surprisingly, I'm not worried about you."

"My money's on Aramis." I commented.

"Mine too." He replied.

M

I stared at Treville incredulously, "You want me to do what now?"

Treville sighed, leaning against his desk. I could see his lion staring at me, surprisingly, it seemed as though he was exasperated with me. My own creation turning against me.

"I'm not exactly thrilled with the idea either. However, it may be the only way for you to get into the Masquerade, and you would be the perfect bait." He said.

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms, trying to ignore Aramis and D'artagnan chuckling in the corner, "So your brilliant plan is to have me dress up as a proper Lady and go to this masquerade ball that the King is throwing, and gain as much attention as I possible can to draw the murderer to me?"

Athos made a noise of agreement and added, "It is dangerous."

Treville glared at Aramis and D'artagnan, and they straightened and tried to wipe the smirks off their faces.

Then he sighed and scrubbed a hand across his face, "Rogue cannot be a part of the inside guard because she's still a recruit, and, since she is the only one of us here that knows how to parade around in a dress, and can pull it off convincingly, she is the only option. She can defend herself well, so she would be fine."

I sighed, looking down. "Fine." Silence met my declaration. "I understand your reasoning, and will do as you ask. My sister sent me a dress a week ago that would be perfect for this Masquerade ball, and I think that I can find what else I need quickly. When is the Masquerade? And what will be my identity for the duration?"

Treville seemed relieved, though he didn't show it. "The Countess Angel, of Wales is who you shall be. I've started some rumors already about you that will reach the King and Queen's ears soon enough, especially with all the gossip filtering around the palace already. The ball is tomorrow night. Now that you've agreed, there is only one more thing we need to settle."

He gazed at all of the men in the room, "You shall need an escort, and someone to dance with when the ball begins."

Athos, who had looked extremely unhappy with all of this, stepped forward. "I have extensive knowledge of Masquerades, as a Comte I was taught how to dance at a young age."

Treville nodded, "Very well. Should the King ask where you are, though doubtful, I shall tell him that the Countess needed an escort, as hers fell ill on the journey, and I sent you to fill the role."

Athos nodded and exchanged a glance with me. I was grateful for him at that time, because now I wouldn't be alone in a room full of noblemen and women.

My mother was a proper Lady, and though I grew up more a boy than a girl, she insisted I know everything a Lady should know as well. So I knew how to dance, how to charm, how to act, and how to play the role perfectly.

I just hated how I was going to have to dress now…

Corsets, skirts, and jewelry, here I come.

Joy.