Evening My Lovelies

Oooh so so very close to 100 reviews... Think I can get 8 reviews from you guys today? :D

Notes On Reviews:

Tidia: Thanks for the review - Things wont be running completely smooth but plans are now in motion. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - She wont be coming out of the ordeal unscathed I can promise that much, I'm hoping I've kept her in character (more so in chapter12) I figured that she would still be terrified despite having her badass moments as she's not exactly used to being kidnapped and stuff. I get what you mean, there was so much they could have done with her character, especially in season 3 where she had a leadership role so it was a bit of a shame they didn't do anything with it, we could have had some great D'Art/Constance angst. Enjoy the new chapter! x

FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Hmm I wonder what sound effect I'll get after the end of todays chapter XD Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - It's not much but D'Art didn't really have a whole lot of time to plan something. I've got a bit of drama coming Constance's way in the coming chapters :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Avioooor: Thanks for the review - Louis? Acting like a King or (at the very least) a decent human being? don't make me laugh lol :D We've got a little bit before Louis finds out what's going on but he will find out eventually and he wont be happy. Haha yeah I can just picture it now, I'm thinking Porthos might scold Athos for that... or maybe yell at him, depending on how bad I want to let the wound get :D Bwhaha sorry but you'll have to settle for daily updates, though I would love to see your reaction if I updates multiple time one day lol :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Constance will get a bit of a fight moment in a coming chapter but the dagger's quite small so not the best weapon, but hey our girl's been trained by a musketeer, she's not giving up without a fight. Yay I'm glad you liked he speech, that was a favourite of mine that chapter :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Rochey's motivations and thoughts etc will be explain more in a later chapter, I've been generous and given him a chapter all to himself so he can indulge his evilness :D Escape definitely isn't going smoothly but then it's me so what do you expect lol :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - D'Art might be spiraling a bit mentally but he's doing all he can to focus on getting his love and his brother out alive. Hmm interesting thoughts but you'll have to wait until chapter 12 to find out who they've been sent to. Poor Porthos is not having a good time and unfortunately its only going to get worse :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

musketeersaddict: Thanks for the review - Aww thank you I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far, hopefully you'll continue to enjoy it as it progresses :D Treville's been a bit interesting for me to write in this story because I can see a large part of him wanting to just straight away believe his men about D'Art and show open support for him but then there's another part of him, like a devil on his shoulder, reminding him of the men he also never thought would betray both him and the regiment who then ended up doing just that during the who Moreau ordeal in this story's prequel so that's affecting his judgement some. Don't worry though, he'll end up supporting our pup :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Ten: Plans In Motion II

Despite her nerves Constance knew she couldn't hesitate, Porthos had likely given up his life, or at least his health, to ensure she could be free and D'Artagnan was sacrificing his honor, something he deeply prided himself for, to keep her safe. Instead of giving into her fear she decided to channel her fear into determination, waiting until she was sure the coast was clear before moving, gripping the dagger tightly in her had as she headed towards what she could only assume was the way out.

"Where do you think you're going musketeer," sneered a familiar voice, causing Porthos to stop in his labored steps. Turning around the larger musketeer couldn't stop the glare that settled on his face.

"Rochefort."

"You're making it quite difficult to keep my word to your little pet you know," remarked the former minister, clearly unbothered by that fact, as he drummed his fingers on the pommel of his blade.

"Why are you doing this Rochefort?" demanded Porthos, his confusion over the man's actions finally coming to a head, making him unable to remain silent about it any longer. "None of this is going to clear your name with the King, even if you kill us you'll still be a wanted man, the King will still be after your head."

Rochefort sneered at this, giving the musketeer a smug feeling of satisfaction, but before he could say anything else a sharp pain erupted at the back of his head before everything went dark.

"The girl?" asked Rochefort as he stared down at the now unconscious man at his feet.

Phillip shrugged, "Gone. It seems the farm brat was able to sneak in a weapon despite your search of him."

"Find her," ordered Rochefort, "I'll begin preparations to move to our next location but that could be for naught if she reaches Paris before we're ready."

Nodding Phillip rushed off to do as ordered, having recognized the tone of Rochefort's voice as one that could earn him several new scars if he wasn't careful.

"Stupid move musketeer," murmured Rochefort as he knelt down by Porthos's head, "She was safer with you here, now she's a liability."

D'Artagnan sighed as he directed his horse down the road, his mind was whirling as he desperately tried to figure out how to get out of what he had agreed on without endangering his friends any more than he already had by giving them the dagger. He detested what Rochefort had commanded him to do, even more so as it was Rochefort who ordered it but he was severely lacking in ideas, besides something drastic that would likely get him killed, that would allow him to get out of this.

He had just mentally scrapped another idea when the sound of someone cursing caught his attention. Not wanting to walk into a trap but also not one to walk away from someone in trouble the young musketeer approached the noise cautiously, a hand resting on his sword, ready to pull the blade at a moment's notice if there was trouble ahead.

Instead of trouble the Gascon found an older gentleman struggling to get his wagon out of the ditch one of the wheels had gotten stuck in.

Seeing the man was alone D'Artagnan decided to trust his instincts that were telling him there was no danger here as he dismounted his horse. The older man looked up at his approach, a wary look on his face that turned into gratefulness as he realized the younger man had stopped to help him out.

"My thanks boy," smiled the gentleman once the wagon was safely out of the ditch, "I would have hated to leave my belongings to walk back to the village to find help, plus the delay that would have caused to my journey to Paris."

D'Artagnan's ears perked up at the mention of his home, an idea rapidly settling in his mind as he listened to the man speak.

"I don't have much but surely there must be something I can do to thank you for stopping to help an old man like me out."

"Actually," started D'Artagnan, having quickly made the decision to trust the man before him. "Would I be able to trouble you to deliver a letter to someone in the city for me when you arrive?"

The older man blinked, surprised that instead of coin or material goods he was simply being asked to deliver a letter. Not seeing the harm in such a act he nodded with a smile, moving to check over his horse and supplies while D'Artagnan quickly scribbled down a short note before sealing it and passing it over to the gentleman with directions of who to give it to once he reached the city.

The two men shared a quick goodbye before they both went their separate ways, the older man completely ignorant of the unease that settled in D'Artagnan's gut as he watched the man ride away with his note. It wasn't that he didn't trust him but it was more that he was trusting the message would be received as he was hoping it would.

With a sigh D'Artagnan realized he had been watching the now empty road for several minutes, shaking himself from his stupor the Gascon turned his focus to the task at hand, remounting his horse and continuing down the road.

Knowing time was not on her side Constance decided to sacrifice stealth for speed, choosing to rush through the woods as she prayed she was following D'Artagnan's directions properly. The scared part of her wanted to rush back to Paris, the safety she found inside the city's walls was calling to her but the logical part of her pushed that fear back, remembering what Porthos had said about it not being safe to travel back to Paris right now.

A curse slipped from the young woman's lips as she tripped over a tree root, the fall causing small cuts to her hands and knee's making her grimace in pain that was quickly replaced by sheer terror as she heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching.