Remy was nervous. He wasn't entirely sure where they were going, or why, but Aramis had fussed over him for ages, making sure his face was clean and his hair was reasonably neat, Athos had double checked to make sure he was presentable, and Porthos had tied one of his bandanas around Remy's neck. His heart plummeted as they arrived at the palace and dismounted. This was not where he wanted to be returning to right now. Athos gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, recognising the trepidation on his face.
"You'll be fine. Just stay close, follow my lead, and be polite."
Remy nodded and took a deep, calming breath. He stuck close to Athos as the Musketeers strode confidently through the palace grounds.
This time, Remy had a chance to actually notice the grounds properly. If the Red Guards courtyard had looked good, the palace grounds were in a whole different league. There were sweeping lawns, neatly trimmed hedges, well kept flowerbeds, small groves of fruit trees, and numerous fountains and statues. They rounded a corner and started up a sloping path, towards a large marquee. The King was sat in the middle of the marquee, with the Queen beside him, surrounded by people dressed in colourful silks and brocades, watching a small group of musicians play. All the men seemed to be wearing fancy hats and wigs, and most of the women were waving fans, although more as a fashion statement than out of any real need to keep cool. The Musketeers stopped on a small gravelled area to one side. Captain Treville nodded to them, and crossed over to talk to the King.
"So, Treville, is that the boy I heard about from the Duke?"
"It is, Sire."
The King regarded Remy curiously. "He looks very young."
"He's thirteen, Sire."
"A mere child. Yet brave. I wish to meet him."
The King rose and crossed over to the group of Musketeers, who all bowed their heads respectfully in greeting. Remy copied them as best he could, although trying to keep one eye on Athos, one on the Captain, and one on the King, was proving to be a little tricky.
"So, I'm told you displayed great bravery and not a little skill, and at some significant cost to yourself." The Kings eyes fell to the neat repair in Remy's jacket, and Remy squirmed self consciously, unsure how to react.
Athos came to his rescue. "Remy acquitted himself well, Sire, for one so inexperienced."
"Hmm. And you've been training him? In swordplay?"
"Yes, Sire, we have."
"Then you must have taught him well. I would expect nothing less from my Musketeers." The King smiled somewhat smugly. The Cardinal rolled his eyes. "Still, if you are going to train him to fight like a Musketeer, he should at least have a leather jerkin. And a proper sword as well. A Musketeers Apprentice should look the part. Cardinal, make sure Captain Treville is supplied with the requisite funds."
Treville smiled. "Thank you, Sire."
"Musketeers Apprentice?" spluttered the Cardinal. "Sire, I must protest. There is no such thing."
"There is now, Cardinal. I have spoken. Make it happen. It will not be said that I do not reward bravery, or train my men correctly."
The Musketeers bowed once more as the King turned to return to his retinue, with the Cardinal at his heels, still protesting. The King cast a sideways glance over at his guests in the marquee, before lowering his voice so that only the Cardinal could hear him clearly. "You were the one who told me, we must keep the Duke's favor. The Duke was impressed by the boy's bravery, and I would not have word get back to him that we failed to reward that bravery sufficiently. Besides, if he hadn't acted as he did, the Duke might not have signed those papers as you wanted. Make it happen."
The Cardinal grumbled. "Yes, Sire."
The Musketeers turned to walk away, with Remy still sticking very close to Athos. When they were out of sight, they paused and looked at each other, each of the Musketeers with a broad grin, and Remy with a dazed expression.
Remy scratched his head. "What just happened?"
Athos laughed, as all three men linked arms in a circle around Remy. "We just got an apprentice. Welcome to the Musketeers, Remy."