Our Brother: Chapter Six
Treville dismounted his horse handing the riens over to the stable boy with a nod. He glanced across at a group of recuits sparring as he walked across the yard towards his office. Orders being yelled out by the seniors on sword movements and tactics. Porthos and d'Artagnan where sat in their usual place at the table, they both glanced up as Treville approached.
" Captain" acknowledged Porthos as they both stood up.
Treville stopped just before the steps up to his office. He gestured his head upward, " Come, I have news from the Palace", he said. Both musketeers exchanged glances and followed their Captain up the steps.
Treville entered his office, he turned towards his two men.
"Should I summon Aramis Captain" asked d'Artagnan.
Treville nodded, " As long as he feels he can leave Athos whilst we talk".he replied.
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Aramis entered the office followed by d'Artagnan, they both pulled up chairs and sat opposite Treville. Treville glanced up at his men. " How is Athos" he asked
Aramis pushed his hand through his hair and nodded " He is asleep at present Captain, but he is doing fine, having eaten a meal". Treville smiled "Good, good". The Captain leaned forward against the desk, " The King has had Rocheforte arrested and locked up" he said. The three musketeers glanced at each other in awe.
" So he has seen sense at last then" growled Porthos with a grin. " What will happen now?" asked d'Artagnan.
Treville stood and picked up a bottle of wine with four goblets, " Well Rocheforte will stand trial at the Palace," he answered placing down the wine and pouring it out into the four goblets. " Did he confess to involvment in all this" asked Aramis taking his wine from Treville.
Treville took a swig of wine and placed it back down on the table in front of him. " Lets just say he tried to lie his way out of it". Porthos laughed, " This day gets better by the minute, I just knew he was involved in this, he hates our regiment always has done". he said patting Aramis on the back. The other three men laughed with him.
"As for Milady de Winter" said Treville, " she has just vanished, God only knows where she has gone".
" Well I hope she has gone for good" seethed Aramis, " she's nothing but trouble every time she appears, she makes Athos life a misery, he certainly does not need her around".
Porthos and d'Artagnan nodded in agreement with their brother. " You know what she's like though" said d'Artagnan, "She seems to emerge when she wants something in return."
" I think we should let Athos know she was involved when he is well enough though Captain" said Aramis. " We dont want to deceive him, because if he ever found out we knew I dont think he would be very happy".
Treville nodded " Yes your right Aramis, we will wait until he is recovered".he answered.
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Two weeks later...
Athos sat at their usual table in the courtyard, it was another cloudless warm day. He leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes against the heat of the sun. Faint laughter could be heard as the men in the background sparred with one another, steel hitting steel and shouts of encouagment from what he could make out of Porthos and d'Artagnan. He could feel himself drifting off into slumber as the warm sun shone down, his mind thinking back to that night and how his brothers had cared for him never leaving his side, he loved them all dearly even though he thought that he didn't really deserve it, but they where forever telling him they also loved him, and he deserved everything they did for him. Yes thought Athos, I truly love my brothers.
That moment he could feel his shoulder being shook gently, Athos opened his eyes as he came out of his reverie. He looked up to see Aramis smiling down at him," Come mon ami have some water, you must be thirsty in this heat". Athos nodded as Aramis passed him the water skin, " You where falling into sleep then my friend, the sun will burn your face harshly". Athos replaced his hat and took another swig from the skin. "It is certainly hot today" said Athos. " I feel like a cold ale". Aramis glanced at his friend and smiled, " Maybe later, thats if you are a good boy and don't drink into oblvion". Athos grinned, " You fuss too much my friend. I've told you I feel fine, just a bit sore thats all". Aramis swigged some water and replaced the top, he patted Athos on the arm." I know you are my friend and we want you to stay that way".
A loud laugh echoed around the courtyard as Porthos and d'Artagnan approached the table. Both seating themselves down around the table, " Athos, how are you" asked d'Artagnan wiping sweat from his brow and swigging back some water. Porthos gently slapped him on the back with a smile," Good to see you out on this beautiful day my friend" he said.
Athos showed a rare smile to his brothers, " I am fine, and enjoying as you put it Porthos this beautiful day we have.
"Our brother here feels like a cold ale" grinned Aramis " What do you both think, will he be good and drink at a sensible pace or should he abstain from it".
Athos looked at his friends as though they where deciding his future for him. Porthos let out a loud laugh, " I agree with Athos, a cold ale does sound good". Athos was smiling as he eyed his friend, " but like you say Aramis will he be sensible as he drinks". Athos smile waned, as he looked to d'Artagnan, " I think he deserves a drink my friends" Athos sighed aloud and glanced at d'Artagnan.
" But I to think he has to be very careful as to how much he drinks". Athos put his head down on the table and leaned on his folded arms. " Oh no come on my friends, I need a drink". he groaned into shirt sleeves.
The other three men watched him trying to control their laughter. Athos slowly raised his head and pulled one of his faces as he looked at them. The self control left them as they all fell about laughing aloud at their brother. Athos smirked as he put his head back against the wall, this time he placed his hat on his face and gave out a groan, " Some friends you three are, begrudging a man a cold ale in this heat". Athos smiled to himself underneath his hat. Aramis patted his shoulder as he laughed.
"There's plenty of nice cold water mon ami" he said.
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Two days later...
Pierr Gasson Trail: Comt De Rochforte Trial:
Pierr was brought before King Lous Of France, there was no hesitation as he was charged with treason and sentenced to death for attempted murder of a Kings Musketeer.
Rocheforte was the next one up, he to was charged with conspiracy in the aiding to attempt to kill a Kings Musketeer, and was sentenced to life in the Bastille.
Aramis and Porthos attended the trial along with Treville, when the sentances where read out each exchanged a smirk of satisfaction.
Pierr was taken away by two red guard and dragged passed the three men. He caught the eye of Aramis as he was manhandled and threw him an evil glare. Aramis glared back into his eyes, noddded with a satisfied smile and turned away.
"The bastard got what was coming to him" said Porthos nudging into Aramis with a grin. Aramis smiled at his friend, "Yes not before time".
"Come gentlemen we deserve a well earned drink" said Treville patting Porthos on the back.
" I will not argue with that Captain" replied Porthos.
That moment the King walked over to the three men,
" Ahh Treville, there you are" he said. The three men bowed in unison. " Your majesty" answered Treville.
The King waved his courtiers away as he walked with Treville followed by Aramis and Porthos.
"Well what do you think of the charges," asked Louis.
" I am most pleased your majesty, as are my men".
Louis nodded and grinned, "Yes as am I, the execution will take place tomorrow at noon, you may want to attend Treville". Treville exchanged glances with Aramis and Porthos. " Ah most certainly your majesty, I wouldnt miss it for the world".
Aramis and Porthos looked at each other with a grin, " I wouldn't miss it for anything" murmered Porthos under his breath.
TBC
