When Aramis had gone, Athos felt Philippe relax just a little. He looked earnestly at the boy and shook his head.
"I swear to you Philippe, I knew nothing of this. I would never have brought him up here if I'd…It's alright, I promise I won't let anyone harm you."
"I still have nightmares about him," Philippe half sobbed.
Athos found himself moved to pity. He leaned over and began to stroke the boys' hair.
"If it's any consolation, Philippe, I know that he means you no harm now. He was the one who gathered the four of us together with the intention of freeing you."
"Four?" he asked. "But you said there were three of you."
Philippe looked troubled. The thought that Athos may have lied weighed heavily. The musketeer sighed, his exhaustion even more apparent.
"Once, long ago," he began, "Everyone knew of us. The most famed of the Kings Musketeers we were; Aramis, Porthos and I."
He paused and smiled sadly.
"We all hated D'Artagnan when we first met him because he was a really cocky kid. He had no respect for us and the old ways."
"D'Artagnan? What, Captain D'Artagnan?"
"So you've heard of him?"
Philippe's sad eyes were wide.
"Heard of him? Of course…and you. I never made the connection before, but you're Athos, Comte de la Fere, aren't you?"
Athos nodded.
"Perronette, she was my nurse, she told me stories about your adventures."
Athos shrugged.
"All exaggerated, I'm sure," he replied modestly.
"I wanted to be a musketeer like you when I grew up," Philippe replied with a smile. Suddenly he became more serious.
"So D'Artagnan refused to help to free me? I don't understand."
"No, neither did I. Perhaps it was because we had a falling out recently."
"What about?" Philippe asked.
Athos grimaced. He could not bring himself to explain that to the boy. It was still far too painful. Philippe noticed his struggle.
"I'm sorry," he began, fumbling for an apology. "I should not have pried."
"No, it's alright," Athos replied. "I'm just not comfortable with talking about…"
'Raoul, My son.'
He could not say it. He fought the tears away.
"You're upset!" Philippe said, looking worried. "Is it my fault?"
Athos shook his head and bit his lip.
"No, it's not your fault Philippe. I'm alright."
The youth was far from convinced but Athos's expression, but he did not have the confidence to press him further.
"Athos?" he asked.
"Yes Philippe?"
"I…Will you tell Aramis to come back up?"
Athos looked surprised.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
Philippe nodded.
"I want to know the truth. I have to know."
He looked earnestly at the musketeer, his sad eyes full of questions. Athos nodded.
"Alright," he said. "Let me go and call him."