Evening My Lovelies
Hmm, not sure what I think of this chapter. I wrote it while battling a killer headache so apologies if it's a bit pants :)
Notes On Reviews:
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I like that even while things are still a bit tense between them given their previous argument they are still so in sync with each other when it matters :) I'm going to make you wait a little bit before seeing Antoine's next move, after all going after Treville will take a bit more planning than grabbing Porthos or Aramis. Enjoy the new chapter! x
enjoyedit: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked it, Antoine believes it for now so we'll see how it goes :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Deana: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm really glad you liked it :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - Haha yeah seems like I surprised everyone with that :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Jmp (Guest): Thanks for the review - Respite they sorely need so fingers crossed I decide to be nice and let them have it lol :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Coffeecup35: Thanks for the review - Our boys are pro like that :D Both know their argument needs to be pushed to the side right now and neither wants to see the other hurt so that helps matters. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm really happy I managed to surprise you with that :D Hmm, I agree with you on the whole honour front, that would definitely play a part in Aramis not wanting to mention a dead musky's name. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - Antoine will be off plotting for a little bit but we'll see what he's up to fairly soon, only a short wait, promise! Enjoy the new chapter! x
beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - Oh well now I'm tempted to have that happen lol :D Antoine does believe it right now and after today's chapter Treville will be a bit more on guard so that will help. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Felicity531: Thanks for the review - Treville will have help if/when Antoine decides to make his move though we've got a short wait before that happens. Targeting Treville will require a bit more planning on Antoine's part than capturing Porthos/Aramis. Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - You're welcome, still can't believe you did it, just thinking of how far you cycled has my legs aching lol :D *hugs, pats head and gives basket of muffins* Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Twenty-One: Brief Respite
"Why are you stopping?" panted D'Artagnan as he and Evan approached the palace. The pair had abandoned the roofs several minutes earlier, knowing it would only serve to raise the alarm if they jumped down near to the palace gates. The journey had taken a lot out of the Gascon freshly healed leg and as such he was struggling to keep the wince from his voice as the limb throbbed with pain.
Evan shook his head, "They're not going to let me in, even with you. I'll wait here."
This didn't sit right with D'Artagnan, the young musketeer not pleased with having to leave his friend alone, even though he knew logically that he would be okay and that whoever was targeting them was only after musketeers and so would have no interest in his young friend. Still, it didn't stop him from ordering the teen to leave if he saw anything suspicious, not wanting to be the reason another friend was in trouble.
Smiling at his friend's over-protectiveness Evan made the promise before pushing the musketeer towards the palace gates, making a big show of settling himself on a nearby wall when D'Artagnan turned to look back, making his friend chuckle at the action.
"Thought all you musketeers went back to your garrison earlier," queried one of the gate guards, his frame tensing as he took in the harried and exhausted form of the musketeer standing before him.
"Is the Captain still here?" asked D'Artagnan, ignoring the man's own query as he focused on his mission. He knew his appearance was likely to garner some suspicion but he hoped his presence had been seen enough around the palace grounds to confirm in the guard's minds that he was a musketeer and thus had a proper reason for being there. "I need to speak to him."
"He's in with His Majesty," stated the second guard coldly as he observed the boy. "You can wait for him here."
Shaking his head D'Artagnan took a step forward, "It's an emergency," he stressed, focusing his attention on the guard who looked more willing to let him in. "Two lives are at stake and my Captain needs to know!"
The two guards shared a look before the first stepped to the side, gesturing for the musketeer to follow him.
"Your Captain and the King have been in locked into a discussion for hours now. I can't promise you can see him but I'll have someone take you there."
Once the two musketeers were sure their captor had truly left they put a stop to their fake argument, the tension in the room instantly vanishing as they shared a look that was both equal parts worry and relief.
"H-How bad?" asked Porthos quietly, horror filling his voice as his gaze dropped to his brother's burned hand. The knowledge that he had, essentially slept through his brother being tortured did not sit well with him in the slightest, especially as it was his fault his brother was even there to be tortured in the first place.
Aramis let out a groan as he tried to move his hand, the medic refusing to even look at the burned limb. "I-I'll live," he offered shakily, though he knew his words were not the response his brother had been hoping for but he also knew better than to lie to the man in a situation such as this.
"...'Mis"
Letting out a sigh Aramis tried to shift into a more comfortable position, only to groan in pain once more as the movement caused pain to shoot up his arm. "We need to get out of here," he stated weakly, his vision blurring as dark spots appeared in the corners.
Porthos nodded, his eyes dropping to his leg, an idea forming in his mind before he raised his head to weakly smile at his brother. "Get some sleep 'Mis, you need it."
No sooner had the gentle order left his lips Porthos could see his brother's eyes close as exhaustion and pain finally overtook him.
He ended up watching his brother for a few minutes, reassuring himself that the man was only sleeping before he set about bracing himself to put the first steps of his own plan in motion. Gritting his teeth in anticipation of the coming pain he allowed himself one final glance at his sleeping brother, a determination to never allow the man to suffer at Antoine's hands burning fiercely as he began his plan.
"CAPTAIN!" exclaimed D'Artagnan in mild panic once he was allowed entrance to the room Treville and the King had been holed up in, only remembering about the King's presence a moment later as he scrambled to bow and greet the monarch.
"D'Artagnan?" blinked Treville, worry filling him as he saw the obvious panic in the younger man's eyes. Without saying anything the Captain strode over to his soldier before passing over a canteen of water, ordering the younger man to drink with nothing more than a look, relaxing only as he watched D'Artagnan take several large drags of the cool liquid.
"Apologies Your Majesty," stated Treville with a slight bow as he sent up a silent prayer that the King would let him handle whatever had sent D'Artagnan all but barrelling into the room without a lot of endless questions.
Thankfully it seemed like even the King had picked up on the seriousness of the situation as he rose from his chair. "I presume this is to do with why some of your men were absent this afternoon?" When both D'Artagnan and Treville nodded Louis continued. "As it is a musketeer problem I'm sure I can trust you to handle this Treville," stated the King almost dismissively as he moved towards the door, pausing only to remind the Captain that his presence was required at the palace the following morning before he left the room.
Once the door was firmly shut Treville turned his complete attention to the exhausted Gascon. "Tell me everything."