In Emilie Athos was charged with watching her through her withdrawal because he had some experience. That made me wonder what he had experienced so I decided to incorporate my thoughts into this story.
The next chapter will be delayed because I am travelling for most of next week but I will get it done as soon as I can.
To Kill a Musketeer
Chapter Six
It was almost daylight before Aramis was able to relax. D'Artagnan had woken briefly, stoically trying to deny the pain Aramis knew he was feeling. After drinking some water the young man fell into a restless doze. Athos had roused from his state of unconsciousness shortly before the stitching was finished. Those last few minutes had been unpleasant for both of them. Athos lay now with his arm in a sling and pain etched into his features.
For the first time Aramis gave thought to their attackers. While he'd stitched Porthos had searched the bodies and then removed them from the camp. They would be left for the carrion. Neither of them had the energy nor inclination to bury them.
"Did you find anything?" Aramis asked. He yawned as exhaustion tugged at his senses. Despite the chill of the early morning he felt a little warm. He unbuttoned his coat to allow the breeze to cool his skin.
"Only this." Porthos held out a crumpled and bloodstained piece of paper.
Aramis smoothed it out and read the content. "It is written in Spanish. Orders to attack and despatch a reconnaissance force of Musketeers."
"Why bother? We were no threat to them."
"It appears someone didn't want us reporting back to the King. If we don't return he will believe the false rumours of an invasion."
"Someone wants war." Porthos sat down beside Aramis, giving a tired grunt. None of them had slept more than a couple of hours and the adrenalin surge caused by the battle had long since subsided. "We're at least fifty miles inside French territory."
"It was a brazen attack." Aramis moved slightly so that their shoulders were touching. After the strain of tending to their brothers he needed the comfort of human contact.
"D'you think Rochefort had anythin' to do with it?"
"I don't see how. He hates the Spanish for what they did to him while he was imprisoned." He closed his eyes briefly, listening to the lark welcoming the dawn. "I suppose if he pushed France into war he can strengthen his position. Louis is indecisive and will turn to Rochefort for guidance."
"I wish Treville had accepted the place on the King's council."
"He's no politician. I've never known a more straight forward man. He says what he thinks and be damned if he'll offer flattery." Aramis turned his head sharply when he heard d'Artagnan whimper in his sleep.
"Only Rochefort, the King and the Captain knew where we were headed," Porthos said grimly.
"It is a puzzle my friend, but we have a more immediate problem. Neither Athos nor d'Artagnan are fit to travel very far or fast but I fear for them if we don't find help soon. The closest village is a day's hard ride away. In their condition it will take closer to two."
"What do you suggest?"
"It would go easier for them if we had something for the pain. If you ride ahead and secure supplies I can travel more slowly with them."
Porthos shook his head. "I'm not leaving you to look after them alone. What if there are more Spanish out there?"
"That seems unlikely. Porthos, even with the two of us we would be hard-pressed to fight off another attack."
"Aramis is right," Athos said, joining their conversation for the first time. "D'Artagnan needs relief from the pain of his injury."
"As do you," Aramis pointed out.
"Bring me wine. That's all I need," Athos said. "It is as effective as any tincture of opium."
"Don't be stubborn," Porthos responded angrily. "You need pain medication as much as he does."
"There's no point in arguing. My mind is made up." Athos gasped when he moved his arm slightly. Sweat rolled down his forehead as he fought against the pain. "Ride ahead. We will be fine."
"This is another of your bad ideas," Porthos grumbled.
"Please, Porthos. We will be alright," Aramis said. "They are not fit to travel today. Maybe by tomorrow we will be able to start our journey."
"What guarantee do I have that this village will have what we need?"
"None, but we have to try. If there is no laudanum bring back as much strong alcohol as you can carry."
"Are you alright?" Porthos asked, looking at him with piercing intensity. "You look pale."
"I am well. It is only tiredness."
"Alright, I'll go but I will be back tomorrow."
Once Porthos left Aramis walked over to d'Artagnan who looked at him through half-lidded bloodshot eyes. "How do you feel?" he asked.
"I will manage." D'Artagnan gripped Aramis' sleeve. "Why won't Athos take anything for the pain?"
"You heard that? I'm sorry, d'Artagnan. That is not my story to tell." He helped d'Artagnan to sit up so that he could check the bandage. Only a small amount of blood had stained the white cloth and he let out a relieved sigh. The effort of supporting the young man though pulled at his own wound which he'd put out of his mind in his concern for his friends.
"There's blood on your sleeve," d'Artagnan said once he had caught his breath.
"It's nothing."
"You're injured."
"A shallow cut. Nothing more," he lied. He resolved to tend to his own wound once his friends were settled. It would help no-one if he succumbed to an infection caused by neglect. "Are you alright?"
"Yes. How's Athos?"
"It is a severe injury but he is coping better than expected."
He left d'Artagnan's side to check on Athos whose clenched jaw showed how hard he was working to suppress the sound of his pain. "You will not fight me on this," Aramis said sternly. "When Porthos returns you will take the medicine he brings." He rested his hand on Athos' uninjured shoulder. "Trust me. I won't allow it to get as bad as last time."
"You know I can't risk it."
"Without it you won't make it back to Paris. The wound is bad. It isn't going to heal quickly."
"I will be fine, Aramis."
"You need the care of a proper physician. It will take weeks for us to get home. Without rest and care you both might be left with permanent symptoms."
"I know," Athos conceded. "I have been thinking. We could head for Bordeaux and take ship to Le Havre. That will shorten the journey."
Aramis nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, you're right. We can find you both proper medical care and send a message to Treville. I would hate to find we have gone to war because of a delay in letting the King know that there has been no invasion." He shivered, the cold chills running the length of his body. "The fire is dying. I will fetch some wood. Rest while you can. Tomorrow will be hard."
Tbc