Athos had reached his first destination. He hated what Grimaud instructed him to do but he had to. Sylvie and Aramis were at his mercy. His wife, the woman he loved more than anything and one of his best, oldest friends were in danger. He had to do this. For both of them. He felt so awfully guilty about leaving Aramis, the First Minister of France, of all people, in the hands of who he could consider to be his number one enemy right now. But realistically, what choice did he have? If Aramis hadn't volunteered, then Porthos or d'Artagnan would be in his position and Athos would be feeling exactly the same as he was now. He hated bringing his friends into this in the first place but like he had said to them back at the Garrison, it had to be played by the book. His wife's life and that of his son were in danger.

He wondered how Porthos and D'Artagnan were faring with thier men. He supposed Porthos would be constantly talking and trying to annoy his guards as much as possible. Talking about anything but what lay ahead of him. And no doubt d'Artagnan would be travelling in shame. Feeling bad for Aramis and Sylvie and guilty he didn't volunteer quickly enough. But he knew his protege. He knew that d'Artagnan would use any means necessary to ensure the safe return of his friends. He would persevere out of self sacrifice. Even if that meant killing no doubt innocent men in cold blood.

The first man Athos had been told to dispatch was a moneylender by the name of Bertrand Clairmont. Clairmont. When Athos read the name he was reminded of a cadet of the same name from three years ago who died when Lucien Grimaud blew up the Garrison. A young lad. He had shown a lot of promise. And then his life had ended much too prematurely because he was fighting for what he believed was right. For that, Athos was eternally grateful.

That had been a dreadful time. But he had killed Lucien soon after. That was his recompense. Now, he was paying for it. And he wasn't the only one.

"Oi," said one of the guards shoving Athos roughly. They'd stopped five minutes ago and as he looked around, he saw he was the only one of the trio to not have dismounted. He was too caught up in his thoughts. The Musketeer turned round.

"What?"

"Get down." Athos slid off his horse's back. "By the book. When we give you this weapon, you will kill Clairmont and then hand it back to us. You don't, you will watch your friend die. Then your wife. Then you. Got it?"

"Yes." The man sullenly handed Athos his gun and one of them accompanied him inside. The other stood guard outside, keeping lookout for any suspicious people coming past the house.

The man who was to die was sitting behind his desk, shuffling through some papers. He recognised Athos as soon as he saw him. Athos stood there gaping. He had the same look as his son. Smoke, gunfire, bombs, death, Lucien Grimaud the mirage. He snapped out of the past and back to the present.

"You! I could kill you right now," Clairmont said angrily.

"I know you're related to him. You're his father, aren't you," he sighed. The man huffed and glared at the ex Musketeer.

"Yes, and he was killed on your watch. You were his Captain. You left him to die."

"I know. I'm sorry. We fought hard to save his life. So hard. But unfortunately not everyone can be saved," Athos replied sadly. Clairmont approached Athos angrily. He'd come here to do a job. Lives were on the line. He reacted on instinct. He fired.

And it was over.

Athos stood back, gasping quickly. He just murdered an innocent man. God, he was going against everything he lived for, fought for. And not just to kill an innocent man, but a grieving father too? It was incomprehensible.

Then his state of shock was interrupted as he was tugged out of the room.

"Move it Musketeer! We can't be seen here." They made it outside. One of the men stretched an arm out. "Weapons. Now." Athos handed them back his gun. They shoved him. The three of them speedily mounted thier horses and left the scene of devastation behind them.

They rode on for a few miles, until they reached an inn. They got rooms. Athos was deposited into one. They tied his wrists with rope. He looked at them.

"Really?" He asked.

"Simply precautions," the guard replied.

"Oh come on. Where do you think I'm going to go? You have my best friend and my wife hostage. Do you really think I'd risk thier lives?" They ignored his question completely.

"We'll bring you some dinner up. We leave for your second task tomorrow. It's four or five days' ride away." Athos gulped. He didn't realise they would be so far away. Aramis and Sylvie would be under Grimaud's wrath for longer than he thought. He had to get back to them as quickly as possible. Aramis had already been beaten up pretty badly once by Lucien's brother. Athos dreaded to think what was happening to him now. The door was shut over. Athos lay back, trying to sleep.

Meanwhile, D'Artagnan was facing another night under his guards watch at an inn also. He still had another two days' ride to the place where his first victim was to fall. He had been more closely watched than the other two. It was common knowledge and he was sure that Lucien would have told Georges, that the Gascon was prone to easily becoming reckless and unpredictable. He had always been tied and always had a guard with him, even when he slept. Every single second, the Captain wanted to burst and go at them. But he knew what these men were capable of. He had seen the state Grimaud had put Aramis in back at the house and was certain Georges' henchmen were just as lethal. They would have learned the tricks from thier leader.

"Trust Lucien to have a brother that was exactly like him," D'Artagnan thought angrily and bitterly. "It never ends, does it?" D'Artagnan sighed. He sank onto the bed and lowered his head.

How had he got himself in this predicament? Merely days ago, he was happy, he had Constance and his new band of cadet recruits. He thought all the danger with the Inseparables was over when they parted ways, when Lucien Grimaud died. He wanted danger and excitement, he always had, but not to the extent where his loved ones died and he lived. It was happening again. He would do whatever he could to keep Aramis and Sylvie alive. Whatever it took.