Being forced to return to the cave they had woken in without their young gascon was not something any of the men liked, but the rapidly diminishing light forced the men to return empty handed.
The fact that they had found the lake they knew D'Artangan would have gone to for water and found evidence of him there by ways of the two other water skins on the ground, both filled, had only caused their worry and concern for their young friend to grow to new sky-high levels.
So being forced to retreat back to the cave with no other information had led the men to set up a fire and cook dinner in a tense silence.
It was Porthos however who broke the silence between them once they were in the middle of eating "How long till the captain comes lookin' for us?" at the slightly confused looks that he was given at the question he continued "we were already a day late, what with that bridge being damaged cos of the rain, plus this. We're now at least two days passed what the captain gave us for this mission, and while I'll be glad for the assistance in looking for D'Art I really don't wanna be the one to explain that we managed to lose the pup so soon after he became a musketeer."
The last part was clear intended to try and remove some of the almost suffocating tension in the room and Porthos was secretly pleased when both of his brothers relaxed and smiled slightly both at his attempt at levity and the reminder that they would undoubtedly soon have back up in their search, and possible rescue attempt.
"With our habit of finding trouble I would imagine the captain will probably set off in the morning, however he is still a day and a half's hard ride away at least" Athos replied glad to have something to distract him from the rather morbid and disturbing thoughts of what could be happening to their brother that were plaguing his mind.
"You almost make it sound like we go looking for trouble Mon Ami its more that trouble finds us" Aramis replied, however a slightly mocking eyebrow raise from Athos had him rethinking his statement. "Okay its MOSTLY trouble finding us" he amended with a cheeky conspiratory wink to Porthos who replied with a mischievous grin.
Shaking his head at his brother's antics Athos focused once again at the situation at hand "We resume the search at first light. Two hour watches in the meantime, we don't know if there are any more of the bandits from yesterday lurking about or if the people who took D'Artangan are sill about so stay on guard. I'll take first watch so you two get some sleep."
Aramis and Porthos grew more serious as Athos spoke and nodded once he finished before moving to lie down and sleep. "Wake me in two hours" Aramis spoke before he covered himself with one of the three remaining blankets.
Athos nodded, even though Aramis couldn't see him and turned to the entrance of the cave. Where are you D'Artangan? We will find you just stay alive until we do.