Evening Dearies
I'm glad you all seemed to like the slightly mad/crazed Lucian - well not liked he did hurt our D'Art but you know what i mean :) I had intended for him to be menacing and serious but somehow came out crazed but hey it was fun to write :).
I was also having a bit of a meh day at work today but then I got a bunch of really nice reviews from you all and it completely made my day so THANK YOU :D
Notes On Reviews:
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Dont worry they will get their revenge on Lucian and I think yes you can take it as Lucian sexually abused D'Artagnan, I'm not too sure how I want our boys to find out, should it be from D'Art, Treville or Lucian himself? what do you think?
Tidia: Thanks for the review - He wont survive till the end of the story i'll tell you that much, though when or how he'll meet his end i havent decided yet, i'm toying with several ideas.
rycbarm123: Thanks for the review - It'll be a little while before he'll get what's coming to him but yes it will be satisfying i promise :D
Issai: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked the fight, I have several plans for Lucian, contemplating having him getting access to some sort of weapon but not sure how i want it to come about yet. Safe to say he'll get what's coming to him.
SindarDragonRider: Thanks for the review - I'm so happy you're enjoying the story and like my writing style, In terms with whether or not Treville actually threw up, considering what he learnt i think he did actually do it and I dont know how long the musketeers will be able to comply with Treville's order
Katx (Guest): Thanks for the review - Glad you're liking it. I'm trying to keep the chapters in the high 1000's but some will be shorter than others.
ZoeBreaky: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked Lucian, he was fun but creepy to write so i'm glad he came across that way :) This whole situation is not going to be easy on D'Artagnan thats for sure :)
Lots of love to followers/favouriters/reviewers you all make my day :D
Enjoy
xxx
Chapter Ten: Assessing the Damage
Although Athos was recognized as the leader of the 'inseparables' he had no issues in relinquishing control over to one of his brothers if the situation called for it. As such as soon as he heard the panic in Aramis's voice for their youngest's condition he and Porthos were quick to follow the medic's orders and wasted no time in gathering the now feather light musketeer into Porthos's muscular arms, then with Aramis covering the front and Athos bringing up the rear they headed for the exit.
As they were exiting the building Athos spared a quick thought of their Captain, hoping the man had not killed Lucian as he and his brothers were eager to get their own revenge on the man that had caused their brother to be in such a despicable condition. They had run into one of the other groups of musketeer's on their way out and Athos had quickly given them a message to let Treville know that they had left the building before brushing off the man's queries about D'Artagnan's condition and leaving to head to what had been their safe house for the past week but what was little more than an abandoned farmhouse.
Once they were safely back at the farmhouse Porthos rushed D'Artagnan into the room that Aramis insisted on preparing for him before they left for their rescue. The young Gascon's condition had deteriorated further during the journey and the three musketeers' were extremely fearful about his ability to survive such damage.
"Right" Aramis commanded as he slipped back into his strict medic mode, Athos and Porthos straightened up in response, awaiting orders from their experienced brother. "We need to get this fever down so I need water as cold as you can get it, as well as some hot water to help clean his wounds. We need to clear out these infections if he's going to stand a chance at surviving this."
"I'm on it" Porthos called as he exited the room to gather the water.
"What do you need me to do?" Athos asked as he forced himself to remain positive about their brother's chances. If anyone could survive such injuries it would be their stubborn Gascon.
"He needs something the proper length to splint those legs and then the bones need checking that they didn't shift during the journey"
Nodding, Athos left to find something long and sturdy enough to be used as a splint.
Alone with D'Artagnan, Aramis sent up a pleading prayer that God did not take his young brother away from him, and with an order to fight whispered in the boy's ear Aramis began his work.
There was little to do without the ability to clean his wounds so Aramis settled for making poultices and pain relieving drafts while he waited, he had no doubt their Gascon would be defiant about taking them but he refused to have the boy in pain longer than necessary.
"Waters 'ere 'Mis" Porthos called as he brought in two buckets of water, one cold and one steaming.
"Good" Aramis nodded, relieved that he could start work on the boy, "Lets use the hot water to clean him up a bit"
Starting on the boys back as it had the most signs of infection Aramis and Porthos worked to clean off all the dried blood and pus, slowly turning the water a light brownish colour.
Once it was clear however they were finally able to see the extent of the damage done.
"When I get my hands on Lucian" Athos growled as he entered the room with some long smooth branches to be used as splints for D'Artagnan's legs.
As Aramis had noted earlier some form of boiling liquid had been poured over the boy's shoulders, leaving an array of blisters – some of which were infected, in its wake. Gathering up a clean cloth and a needle Aramis focused on draining the infected blisters, trying his best to ignore the pained whimpers that his actions caused.
Once they were cleared and covered in a poultice to help clear the infection the musketeers made quick work of bandaging them before setting their sights on the rest of their brothers back.
Their work was interrupted by the return of Treville and the other musketeers. Their appearance startled the men so much they all reached for their weapons, moving protectively in front of their youngest. Only to relax when they saw their Captain.
"How is he?" Treville asked, directing his question to Athos as Aramis had returned to tending to the lad.
"Bad" Athos admitted, his voice shaking slightly, "Really bad… Aramis isn't sure if he's going to …" unable to finish his sentence Athos forced himself to remain composed as he turned back to Treville, "what of Lucian"
Ignoring his lieutenant's obvious topic change the Captain smirked evilly "Under constant guard awaiting punishment for his crimes upon D'Artagnan and the others… Though at the moment he's unconscious and will be nursing quite the headache when he wakes up"
"I want to see him," Athos said coldly as he went to stand up, only to be pushed down by Treville's strong grip on his shoulder.
"Not now" Treville ordered, his expression softening slightly as he continued, "Your place is here for now. When the boy's out of the woods I'll consider it… Call if you need anything Aramis, I have men already warming up some more water they'll bring it in when it's ready." Smiling sadly at the grunt he received in response the Captain left them to their work.
So focused on their work the three musketeers once again didn't notice the presence of another of their own until the man placed another bucket of steaming water by Aramis's side, quietly asking if they needed anything else and leaving with the bucket of cold, discoloured water.
A couple of hours passed before Aramis deemed he had done all he could for the boy's back; blisters had been cleared and cleaned, cuts had been drained, cleaned and then stitched and a strong poultice had been smothered over the worst of his bruises. At his word the men gently turned him back onto his front, careful to place him on the padding they had created to cradle his wounds before they could finish and bandage him.
Whilst Athos worked on checking the bones in D'Artagnan's legs and re-splinting them, Porthos focused on clearing the grim, pus and blood from the whelp's torso.
"We need to try and rouse him soon" Aramis informed as he worked on cleaning and stitching the gash on the back of D'Artagnan's head, "A wound like this is guaranteed to give him a hell of a concussion, he can't be left to sleep for too long"
They then debated for several moments as to how long they should let him sleep for before they tried to wake him; Athos was all for waking him up now, whilst Porthos wanted to wait till they had finished tending to his wounds. Aramis, who had the deciding vote, agreed with Porthos – as much as he wanted to see his brother awake now, it would cause the boy less pain if they waited till after they finished checking him over before waking him up.
Unfortunately the decision was made for them as D'Artagnan began to toss and turn, clearly trapped in the throws of a nightmare.
"D'Art" Aramis called softly as he gently tapped the side of the boy's face that wasn't black and blue.
D'Artagnan's response was simply to whimper painfully as the nightmare continued to torment him and the pain of his injuries continued to radiate throughout his body.
Athos's heart clenched at the sound of his protégé's pain and his mind drifted back to a couple of day's previously when he had heard the boy scream out in pain whilst they were scouting. It was no small feat on his brother's part to stop him going and tearing the man causing his brother's pain apart. Unfortunately their reasoning could not remove the guilt festering within him.
He had been the one to decide they wouldn't follow their Gascon out of the tavern. It was his decision to stay the night at the farm in Gascony. It was his to wait for Treville – leaving his brother in Lucian's clutches for almost a whole week whilst they did nothing.
Athos felt the bile rise in his throat. He had done this; his actions had left his beloved younger brother at the hands of a psychopath. The boy could die from his wounds and then Athos would never recover – he would have no right to, it would seem he was destined to be the reason his younger brothers died.
Another pained whimper from his protégé brought him back from his regret filled thoughts and he quickly moved from the boy's legs to be beside his face.
"Come on D'Artagnan, you're safe now but you have to wake up" he commanded gently, copying the tapping motion Aramis had tried earlier.
"…A…Thos" D'Artagnan whimpered quietly, his eyes still stubbornly closed.
"I'm here D'Artagnan, come on open your eyes"
Silence reigned for several moments as they watched D'Artagnan's struggle to return to full consciousness. Several tears escaped from the young boy, which Aramis was quick to wipe away, realizing how much the boy hated to appear weak in front of them.
"…A…Thos" he repeated weakly as he opened his eyes slightly, though considering they were glazed over because of the pain and the fever he had yet to break, they strongly doubted he was completely aware of what was going on.
Running a hand through D'Artagnan's hair gently Athos continued to whisper soothing words to the boy who looked so terrified and in so much pain that the usually stoic musketeer was fighting back tears.
"…h'u'ts…'Thos" he whined painfully, subconsciously leaning into his mentor's soothing touch
Those two quiet words broke Athos's walls and tears began to flow from his eyes, looking imploringly to Aramis he found that the medic and Porthos were both crying for their brother as well.
"Here D'Art" Aramis soothed, trying to hide the hurt on his face when D'Artagnan flinched from his touch, "this will help with the pain"
"nnnnooooo" D'Artagnan slurred as he tried to move away from Aramis and his tonic, tears were flowing freely down the boy's face now "…no…m're d'ugs…pl'se" he begged as he continued his fruitless struggle to move closer to the protection his beloved mentor provided and away from the voice trying to force more drugs on him.