Thanks again Celticgal!
To all who reviewed here's a big thank you! We're nearing the end...I hope you'll all stick with me as I write my next story! Hope you enjoy!
Treville leaned against the railing to the walkway outside his office, watching his men in the courtyard below. The Musketeers wandered around the area, waiting for breakfast and the daily announcements, roll call and duty roster. Only what they didn't know is that today was going to be different.
Treville leaned harder into the beam, breathing deeply. Having a traitor in his midst, and not knowing who it was...it was incredibly draining. He was watching his men in a way that before two months ago, he wouldn't have even considered. No one would have thought that their brother would give them up, would try and hurt them. It wasn't conceivable. Yet here he is, preparing to clear one of his men's names and accuse another. God help him.
He leaned back some when he saw his four best walk out of D'artagnan's room, not wanting to seem conspicuous. He wanted to see everyone else's reactions, hoping he'd get a clue about who was the mole.
The four made their way down the stairs to the courtyard, Athos and the others forming a protective perimeter around the youngest. Porthos had an arm wrapped around the Gascon's shoulders, keeping him pulled close to his side. Aramis was not far off D'artagnan's other side keeping a wary eye on his fellow Musketeers. Athos was leading the group, his expression almost daring someone to make a move.
All the other Musketeers watched them raptly. A few looked disgruntled but for the most part everything was fine. Alarick stood off to the side with his friends, glares on all their faces aimed at D'artagnan.
Treville wanted to go down there and demand an answer from the man about why he would go and shoot D'artagnan. Sure, everyone thought he was a traitor, but that didn't mean go and hunt him down. There had to be another way for him to deal with his betrayal.
The four settled at their usual table, ignoring the others. Well, all but D'artagnan. Treville could tell when his gaze would stray fearfully to the men around them and then the others would bring his attention back to them, only for it to move again. D'artagnan held his body stiffly, more stiffly than it should be considering he'd had a bullet put into him and was still healing. Treville pushed himself away from the rail, having seen enough.
It was time to end this.
D'artagnan watched out of the corner of his eye as Alarick and his friends, the same ones with him when he'd shot the young man, sat at a table diagonally across from them. He kept catching their hateful leers sent his direction, wincing every time. He tried to not pay attention to them...but he couldn't. He just kept watching them.
Porthos, who'd settled beside the young man at the table, grabbed D'artagnan's shoulder, bringing his attention back to the front. The Gascon shook his head before facing Athos and Aramis.
"You shouldn't pay attention to them, lad. They know you're afraid of them and will use that against you. You're not alone little brother, we'll take care of you." Porthos wrapped an arm around him again, pulling him close to his side. Aramis and Athos nodded in agreement. No way would anyone touch him and get away with it. Athos leaned forward against the table towards D'artagnan.
"Like Porthos said, they won't touch you. But you need to relax, otherwise you'll never get through the day. You can't stay as tense as you are."
D'artagnan pulled in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He knew they were right. He just couldn't make himself relax any. Not with everyone in the garrison boring holes into his back with their eyes. How was he supposed to function like this? D'artagnan didn't notice when his breathing became shallower.
Aramis cursed, stepping around the table to kneel at the Gascon's feet. He knew that everyone was watching them but he didn't care. Let them think what they want, he was going to comfort his friend.
"D'artagnan, I need you to breathe. Deep breaths. You need to calm down. Copy me. In, out, in, out. That's it."
D'artagnan took a breath copying Aramis. He didn't know what happened. It was the same as the other day. He shouldn't be panicking, not in front of all these people. Now what would they think about him?
Aramis sighed in relief as D'artagnan started breathing correctly again. He knew this was scary to the young man, it would be to anyone in their right mind. But they needed him to stay with them. After this was over he could panic, cry, scream, throw a fit, whatever made him feel better.
D'artagnan looked up into Aramis' face, his eyes telling him thank you. Aramis just nodded back, gave him a slight smile and returned to his seat.
Athos came back bearing a tray of food, no one having realized he'd left. None of them felt like eating, but they were going to need the fuel to get through the day. He set the respective plates in front of each of them before sitting, and digging into his food. At his movements, the other did also.
After everyone had finished, and the dishes taken back to the kitchen, Treville stepped in front of everyone, demanding their attention. All eyes turned to him. He took a breath before starting his daily call outs. When he'd finished with that, before anyone could move to leave, he called out.
"Hold on a minute. There's more that needs to be said." All attention returned to him, though now it was curious. What was going on?
"Recently, it was discovered that we had a mole. Most of you would say that it's been dealt with and are wondering why I'm bringing this up, and you're especially wondering why D'artagnan's back...That's because it was all a lie."
A murmur rose from the crowd as everyone wondered what was going on. Treville raised a hand for silence.
"I know, I'm the one who said he was the traitor and why would I lie. But it was all a scam. D'artagnan was accused of being the spy to draw the real one out, so he would make himself noticed. But it seems that everyone took to him being called that very seriously and there was an attempt on his life." Treville settled his gaze on Alarick but didn't say anything. That was to be dealt with on another day.
"From this day forward D'artagnan is to be treated with the respect he deserves. The mole is still out there men, and he needs to be stopped. He's still feeding information to the Red Guard and our enemies. If you know anything, step forward." Silence settled on everyone, partially in shock and partially in anger. They didn't know what to think.
No, no, no...This can't be happening. Everyone was supposed to blame the Gascon. I was supposed to get away with it. This shouldn't be happening!
A man in the back of the group shook with anger. His plan was falling apart. Plan b wasn't going to work now...everyone knew the truth. What was he going to do?Run? Everyone would know he was the traitor then. But he couldn't stay here any longer, not without risking getting caught. There was one way though...
The man made his way forward towards the center of the crowd. No one payed attention when his arm snaked out and wrapped around D'artagnan's neck. He pulled back causing D'artagnan to gasp and put his musket to the Gascon's head. When everyone turned to face him he shouted.
"Nobody move or he dies!"
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