D'Artagnan couldn't believe what he had just seen. Aramis and Milady? He knew Aramis must have had nearly every woman in Paris by now but surely not her! What was wrong with him? In spite of his growing distaste of the man, he started worrying. He had gotten over Aramis's childish flight from their argument and even the fact Aramis had taken it as far as leaving the musketeers, he was willing to accept. But kissing with Milady in plain sight went a bit too far, even if Aramis realy was going out of his mind.
He reached the garisson with a uneasy feeling in his stomach. would they believe him? treville would not be happy with him stalling his task but this was an emergency. For all what was happening, Aramis had been his friend and Athos and Porthos still were. To them it still mattered what was going on with Aramis.
Even if Milady was right and Aramis had let her escape.
"D'Artagnan."
Treville called out to him from the door of his office. "What are you doing here?"
"I need to speak to you . To you, Athos and Porthos."
"Come up here."
D'Artagnan did as he was asked. Treville ordered a young musketeer to get Athos and Porthos. Not much later the man returned, accompanied by another musketeer. "I'm sorry, Sir. Mr Athos and Mr Porthos are not longer here."
"What?" Treville stood up from his chair. "What do you mean they are not longer here?"
The other man answered: "They left this morning."
"To do what? A little morning stroll?" Treville knocked his hand on the table. "What's in the air here these days? First Aramis and now this."
"If I may, Sir." the man who had last spoken said: "I believe it has something to do whith Mr Aramis."
"I hope not." D'Artagnan said.
Treville and the two musketeers looked at him.
"I discovered Aramis might be up to no good."
"That's what you wanted to tell me, I suppose?" Treville asked harsly.
"It is, Sir. I cannot be sure about the source but I trust my own ears and eyes enough to dare say it is true. I don't see Porthos and less Athos into the picture."
"To the point, boy." Treville said impatiently. It was clear he too was upset about Aramis's actions.
"I caught Aramis and Milady in a compromising position just now. I heard enough of the conversation before they noticed my presence to understand Aramis might have helped her."
"What?!"
"He wouldn't."
"Good Heavens..."
Treville motioned for them all to be silent. "Maybe that's why Porthos and Athos are after him."
"Or they are all in to it, together." D'Artagnan growled.
"D'Artagnan." Treville said sternly, "There is no way to suspect anyone of such treachery. Not Athos and Porthos. Besides, I doubt Milady would be in for such a cooperation."
"Nobody expected ever such a thing from Aramis either."
Treville couldn't deny that. He sighed. D'Artagnan waited untill he would take a decision. The other two musketeers understoon their presence wasn't longer needed. They greeted Treville and D'Artagnan and left.
After the door closed Treville said: "Listen D'Artagnan. Do you have the slightest idea Milady is somehow involved into the case?"
D'Artagnan wondered about this for a moment. Then another thought struck him. "Why did Aramis meddle into it at all? He has no right nor authority anymore."
Treville shook his head. "That's probably the reason he let Milady go. It doesn't explain however why he went after her in the first place however and what she wants from him. And you didn't answer my question."
D'Artagnan put his hands is his side. "I don't know, Captain. I am lost." He turned to the window and casted his glance to the ground. The very idea of Aramis turning to the bad site hurt him. More than he could handle right now."
Treville felt bad for the boy. He might be a full musketeer now, he still was so young in comparison with the inseparabels who had taken him in. He couldn't believe himself that one of them, or even all three of them, had turn their backs.
"Keep an eye on the case, D'Artagnan. You can stay here for now but I have the urgent feeling Aramis and Milady are somehow involved into it. Maybe she even set up the whole thing you saw just to bring Aramis in discredit with us."
"He didn't a thing to resist her kissing him!" D'Artagnan all but cried out.
"You can say as much."
D'Artagnan and Treville turned around in shock. Milady smiled at the shocked faces of both men with a devilish smile.
"What? Are you not happy to see me? Or you were expecting some one else?"
D'Artagnan glared at her. "What do you want?"
"How did you get in here?"
Milady smiled again a devilish smile. "I came to warn you. You want to speak to Aramis. Safe yourself the difficulty I can imagine it must be painful. To lose such a valuable musketeer, Captain Treville."
"Aramis will come back." Treville retorted.
"Believe it if that makes you feel better. But trust me, if you still dare, Aramis isn't coming back. He is mine now. And soon Athos and Porthos will rejoin him. Don't miss the great moment, Captain. You will feel the strenght of your best musketeers; very soon. A good day to you."
Milady turned around and staretd walking away. D'Artagnan grasped her arm however. She looked at him with quiet disapproval clear in her eyes.
"You stay away from my friends, you understand?"
"I don't come even near them, Mr D'Artagnan. They come to me. I can't help I'm irresistable for your kind. Gentlemen." She bowed her head and walked out of the office.
(to be continued)