Savoy Desolation.

Chapter Nine.

The sky was blue, not a cloud in sight. It was a very warm day. Horses grazed in the far meadow, butterflies fluttered above the many flowers.

Aramis was sat leaning up against a large oak, Isabelle's head rested in his lap as she lay on the grass. His hand stroking her long tresses.

"I want it to stay like this forever Réne, please say it will." she said softly looking up into his handsome features.

Aramis smiled down into her beautiful face.

"There is no reason as to why it may not mon amour." he replied.

Isabelle raised her head and looked into his eyes, Aramis kissed her lips softly...

...Isabelle...where did you go...mon cher...Isabelle. Why is is so dark all of the time...my head is heavy and painful, I feel dizzy, can't move. No...no...no...blood in the snow...the men are dying. Arms hurt...being pulled..upward...back so sore...

Jorge and Theo stood on the wooden beam of the hay loft as they hauled the wounded musketeer up on the winch.

The snow is getting thicker, screaming, yelling, blood everywhere, why is Marsac fleeing, Marsac...Isabelle...so sorry...dizzy...hurts so bad.

Jorge reached across the abyss from the hay loft and grabbed Aramis by the hair and swung him towards him.

"It's nearly your time to die musketeer, you are going to pay for your crimes." he scowled into his ear.

Jorge shook him making Aramis gasp in pain. "Are you heeding my words musketeer? are you?

Aramis tried to speak but his throat was too dry, he forced out his words.

So thirsty...

"ANSWER ME YOU COWARD! yelled Jorge.

"I...he...heed...your...wor...words" croaked the musketeer.

Jorge and Theo exchanged a scowl before their cackle reverberated around the barn.

Theo stood and walked across the beam to join Jorge .

"You see musketeer, we have lighted a candle right underneath your restaining ropes, once it burns through the hemp you will fall straight down into the viper pit, the poor things are so agitated, I believe you will die a slow death, my advice to you, is try not to struggle too much, it may break the hemp more rapidly."

The two men cackled once again.

Aramis was too weak to even comprehend what the two men were actually saying. His body was too racked in agonising pain.

I will die soon, where has Isabelle fled to, I do believe I can see Adele, no that cannot be...she is dead...go away Marsac...my fault...my fault.

Jorge suddenly let go of Aramis body allowing him to swing, still shackled to the thick hemp. The restraints dug into his wrists as he swung making the wounded man whimper, the pull on his arms effecting the slashes on his back as the welts stretched his skin.

The men clambered down the wooden steps from the hay loft and joined Pierre and Lance on ground level.

The two men had opened more wine and were sat watching as the candle burned the hemp slowly.

Jorge and Theo held a bottle each and swigged the wine, spilling it down their shirts.

"Let us make ourselves comfortable gentlemen...we have a death to observe." scowled Jorge.

"Once he is in the pit it will be over in ten minutes, the venom from these beauties is fatal." commented Lance as he glanced up at the hanging musketeer.

"Ten miunutes...is that all...never mind...I can live with that." laughed Jorge.

"He's half dead now, if you ask me." growled Theo.

"Come now man...do not mar the moment...we want to see him suffer." grinned Pierre.

The men roared laughing aloud.

That instant a shot rang out hitting Lance clean in the chest, the man was thrown backwards with the force of the shot.

The other three men moved to grab their pistols that lay strewn on the makeshift table.

Another shot caught Pierre in the shoulder as he stretched to reach his weapon. The man yelped out clamping his hand over the wound as Tréville emerged through the open doors and kicked him to the floor.

"MUSKETEERS! yelled Jorge who had managed to grab his pistol and had thrown himself to the ground. The pistols and wine lay strewn on the ground.

Porthos had moved rapidly to the table kicking it over, a loud growl emitted from the big musketeer. d'Artganan had grabbed pierre and shackled him to a beam.

Jorge fired his pistol just missing d'Artagnan, as Porthos roared a warning yell to the Gascon.

Athos felt his stomach churn, his blood ran cold as he glanced up noticing Aramis hanging from the winch by his wrists.

Porthos had followed the swordmans glare. "ARAMIS! he yelled. "JEEEZZUZZ!

That same moment Theo unsheathed his sword and came at the swordsman. He towered over the musketeer making him look like a small boy. Athos unsheathed his own rapier as he repelled in defence.

Theo was smiling as metal hit metal, his face seething with rage revealing his large yellow teeth, he spat out to the ground. Athos parried the move instantly as he lunged towards the mans chest. Athos thrust again, this time practically catching the huge beast of a man in the stomach. Theo swiped his sword again, but the musketeer was too fast for him as he lunged at him.

d'Artagnan had caught up with Jorge, he knew in his own mind they needed him alive, so he could himself suffer the execution he would definitely endure. Jorge flung his spent pistol to the ground and unsheathed his sword. He flew at the Gascon, both men pirouetting around eah other before d'Artganan lunged at him. The young man got the better of him before knocking him to the ground rendering him unconscious and tethering his hands behind his back.

Amid all the chaos and melee Athos hadn't failed to notice the burning candle that was burning down underneath the restraints that held Aramis. He had to get to him now went through the swordmans head as he thrust again at Theo.

"GET TO ARAMIS! yelled the swordsman as he continued his defence with the huge man. "BEFORE HE FALLS! THE ROPE IS BURNING!

Tréville began to make his way up the wooden loft rungs.

Theo suddenly knocked Athos to the ground just missing the edge of the pit edge, the swordsman grappled for his weapon as the huge man came at him with his sword. The man was grinning as he held up the sword and thrust it down towards Athos chest, that instant the man paused in his stride like a statue as Porthos threw his dagger towards the mans back. Theo let out a scream as he threw his head back in agony before falling into the viper pit, taking the net cover with him. Athos rolled out of harms way and was pulled to his feet by Porthos.

Both musketeers exchanged horrified glances as the reality of what was in the pit hit them.

The snakes hissed and wriggled as the man shrieked for mercy, his body arching upward and convulsed as they bit the man several times. His features becoming swollen and grotesque.

Tréville was practically at the top of the hay loft, followed by d'Artagnan.

The musketeer captain had noticed the burning hemp as he moved along the balustrade, he crouched down and rapidly extinguished the flame with his gloved hands.

d'Artagnan stared in horror as he noticed what state his brother was in, he glanced at Tréville who was also taking in the cruel scene.

"Dear God! what have they done to him? gasped Tréville as he felt for a pulse in the mans neck.

"He is just about alive" he yelled down to the two waiting musketeers.

d'Artagnan had tears in his eyes, he swallowed hard to abate them.

"I cannot believe what I see captain...its barbaric." he murmered. "Who doth this to a man?

"Believe me lad, I can think of a few." murmered Tréville.

"We're going to need a cart, he is in no fit state to ride. "continued the older man "He is far too weak."

"There was a farmhouse across the meadow, I'll go and see if I can find anything." interjected the Gascon.

Tréville nodded unable to take his eyes off Aramis wounds.

Porthos and Athos stayed on ground level as Tréville released the winch and began to slowly lower Aramis' weakened body to the ground.

The winch rasped and grated as it descended downwards.

Athos and Porthos slowly took a hold of Aramis as he reached the ground, Porthos cutting the hemp and unshakling the chains.

Athos removed the blindfold and winced and hissed when he seen his brothers swollen eyes.

"Aramis...can you hear me my friend." murmered the swordsman into his ear. "Aramis!

Both musketeers unable to hide their emotion as they gasped with sheer despair at what they seen before them.

"He's been flogged...damn it he's been flogged." shrieked Porthos noticing his friends back. "I'll kill the bastards for this."

"He has broken ribs." commented Athos as he felt his brothers torso tenderly.

Porthos eyed the swordsman. 'ow do yer know?

"Something Aramis himself taught me, it would seem his tuition was useful."

Tréville had climbed down the steps and joined his men.

d'Artagnan has gone to see if he can find a cart." me muttered as he eyed his wounded musketeer.

Athos had fetched a blanket from his saddlebag and wrapped it around his brothers trembling shoulders.

Aramis head lolled forward to his chest as his friends held him.

Athos felt nauseous as he lifted Aramis head up, he could feel his eyes stinging, he swallowed hard.

"Aramis! can you hear me mon ami?

Porthos jaw twitched with anger as he took in the sight of his injured brother.

He turned to Tréville and Athos.

"Barbaric evil bastards." he growled.

"We need to get some water into him." commented Athos as he unscrewed the skin.

The swordsman nipped open his friends mouth and slowly dripped the water into his throat.

"I'll fetch the medical kit." said Tréville standing and walking from the barn.

"I cannot believe this...his whole body is black and blue." growled Porthos.

"We need to warm him up aswell...he's bloody freezin'

"Is...abelle!...Is...ab...elle." came a slight croaking voice from the wounded man.

Athos and Porthos shot a glance at one another.

"Aramis my friend...it is Athos...Porthos is here...we all are."

"Go...away...Marsac...go away." mumbled the marksman. "Hu...rts bad...thirsty...

Athos picked up the waterskin and held it to his brothers lips. "Come now drink my friend...drink."

Aramis tried his best to drink, even though his lips were split and congealed in blood. His body trembled.

Athos felt his brothers forehead and shot a glance toTréville and Porthos. "No fever at the moment, we need to get him somewhere warm."

"I do believe we can." came d'Artagnan's voice as he returned through the door...

The men glanced towards the Gascon.

...the farmhouse is abandoned, no sign of life...its as if everyone has fled."

"Very well we take him there." commented Tréville. "We will light a fire and tend to his wounds."

"Did you find a cart? asked Porthos glancing up at d'Artagnan.

The Gascon nodded. "Yes there was one next to the house, looks like it needs some work but I do believe we can do it."

Pierre looked up from were he was tethered, he glared at the musketeers as they fussed around Aramis. He began to laugh making the men turn and glance in his direction.

"You all treat a coward as though he is a fucking hero...what is it with you musketeers...are you all completely dence?

Porthos had stood, his teeth clenched in anger as he walked towards the man, his fists clenching with rage as he neared the man.

Pierre glared at him, his face scowling, as he held his wounded shoulder, blood seeped through his fingers.

"PORTHOS! yelled Tréville knowing what the big man was capable of.

"He is a hero...it is you who is the coward not him...you evil piece of scum." growled the big man.

The big musketeer suddenly brought up his fist into the mans jaw knocking him out instantly.

Porthos returned to the others, he glanced at Tréville, his features set to battle mode. "It needed doin'

Tréville remained silent. He himself wanted to do the same thing, they all did. He knew it would be a matter of time, but now all the attention was on tending to their friend and comrade in arms. One of his best soilders had been wounded in the most heinous of ways. Tréville knew in his own mind that if you hurt one, you hurt them all, and nothing or no one would stand in their way.

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To be continued...

Hello Guys,

Hope you are all well.

Thank you for the awesome reviews, love them all.

Still not back on Facebook yet, maybe the following week.

I cannot believe it is nearly Christmas, time flies so quickly. I had better get a shift on with the shopping.

Anyway will update ASAP! at least the boys have found poor Aramis. But what will the coming days bring?

Until next time, take care.

Pippa xxxx

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