No Mercy Chapter Twenty Five:
A sudden silence fell on the entire situation as Treville, Athos and Porthos glared in horror at the gaping hole were the ice had given way under the weight of Aramis and Rochefort. Then the reality sank in and the men screamed out for their friend and comrade.
The water was still agitated were the men had gone under.
"NO! NO! NO! NO!" roared Athos as he began to remove his cloak and boots.
Porthos was roaring his name as he scrambled down the bank. "ARAMIS! ARAMIS!"
"Don't you dare go on that ice Porthos." yelled Treville. "I am not losing another musketeer."
Porthos glared at his captain."We are not going to lose Aramis...we can't..do you hear me...we can't lose him...we can't...not Aramis." The big man sunk to the ground in despair and roared across the frozen abyss.
"THIS IS YOUR FAULT ROCHEFORT...YOU BASTARD!...I HOPE YOU HAVE DROWNED! AND ROT I HELL!
Treville squeezed the mans shoulder and turned as Athos trudged past him.
"Athos...tell me you are not going in there." growled Treville as he grabbed the swordmans arm.
Athos pulled free..."He is my brother!...I cannot just let him drown!
Porthos was watching as Athos approached the rivers edge, what could he do to help, he knew they had rope with them...they always carried it with them.
"Athos...I will fetch some rope, we may need it." he growled.
Athos glanced at the big man and nodded as he rushed onto the ice. He could feel the coldness biting at his feet but he didn't care he had to find Aramis.
"Bring a torch Porthos! added the swordsman as he went.
Treville watched in horror as his lieutenant jumped into the pool of broken ice.
Athos gasped as the freezing chill took his breath away. He took another deep breath and was now submerged, he scanned the depths...it was dark...show yourself moon...please come out...I need light...I need light...
...where are you Aramis...where are you...please God...let me find him...please...so cold...Aramis...please brother...please. Come on God...he is always praying to you...let me find him alive...
Athos surfaced, his teeth chattering as he took another deep breath and disappeared beneath the ice, he could feel his own body beginning to weaken with the cold. No I can do this...I am relying on you God...I do not pray...but I am praying now.
Treville couldn't believe what he was watching...maybe I will rouse and it will be a bloody nightmare. Please God let my boys survive this horror.
That second Porthos returned with rope and a lighted torch.
"Anything? he asked glancing at his captain.
Treville slowly shook his head. "Nothing yet Athos came up for more air and went down again."
Porthos walked to the edge and held the torch over the water as far as he could.
"Come on! Come on! please let them live God." he mumered under his breath.
xx
Athos could see the light above. Then he seen the blue cloak as it fanned out in the water like a that of a peacocks tail...Aramis...its Aramis. The markmans arms were outstretched...he was motionless. His boots and weapons had weighed him down, the cloak hadn't helped either.
The swordsman swam as fast as he could towards his friend. Athos grabbed him and began to surface towards the light. Where was the hole...dear God where...is it...it is all ice...there I see it.
Athos surfaced and gasped for air as he held on to Aramis.
Treville rushed to the rivers edge. "He has him Porthos...Athos has him."
Porthos had joined him and was thowing the rope across to his friend. He could see Athos was struggling against the frozen water. He had to do something. The big man glanced up at one of the trees, he pulled with all his might at the largest bough and broke it from its limb. It cracked and spilt as the big man tugged and dragged with all his might.
Both him and Treville flung it towards Athos. The swordsman grabbed hold of the bough, he was breathing hard as he clung to it and held Aramis lifeless body. Athos struggled to hold his brother, his own strength was beginning to wane. He puffed and panted as Treville and Porthos hauled them both across the ice.
Athos was breathing hard now as he clung to the branches of the bough, they were nearly at the bank .Come on we are nearly there Aramis...nearly there brother." he murmered into the marksmans ear.
Treville and Porthos grabbed Aramis and lay him on the bank. Porthos grabbed Athos and patted him on the back.
Porthos and Treville removed their cloaks and placed them over Aramis. The marksmans lips had turned blue making Treville's stomach churn with dread.
"He 'aint breathin'...Athos...he 'aint breathin'...come on Mis." he growled rubbing the mans legs and arms.
Athos knelt at his brothers lifeless body. "Turn him on his side...I have seen him do this when one of the cadets fell in the Seine a couple of years ago...quickly...turn him."
Porthos turned his friend as Athos slapped his him between the shoulder blades. "Come on Aramis...come on...don't do this to us...come on mon ami...breath...breath."
Aramis didn't move. Athos felt for a pulse in his neck. He couldn't feel anything. He continued to massage his brothers back with his clenched fist...the tears had began to spill from his eyes as he watched the lifeless body.
Porthos began to sob openly as he rubbed his brothers hands and chest. "We can't lose you brother...we can't lose you...please God...please."
Treville felt his own eyes stinging with emotion. Dear God...Aramis...Dear God! breath son.
Athos glanced at Treville and Porthos, tears were streaming down the swordsmans face. Then he suddenly remembered something Doctor Lemay had shown Aramis just six months ago when a small child had fell head first in a bath of water.
Treville and Porthos suddenly lifted thier sombre faces and watched as Athos turned the marksman on his back. He put his own lips to his brothers and blew in some air. He looked at Aramis' face and repeated a second time. The swordmans hand trembled with unease as he tried with all his might to save his brother.
Treville and Porthos exchanged glances of bewilderment as they watched the swordsman perform something they had never witnessed before.
Aramis didn't stir he lay motionless on the ground. His soaking we hair sticking to his lifeless face.
Athos glanced at the others and then tried once more blowing into his mouth.
He sat back on his ankles and stared at his brothers pale and motionless features. He felt the tears as they started to stream down his face, the lump in his throat felt like he was about to choke as he started to sob out loud. Athos stroked back the wet hair from the marksmans face as he wept. I am so sorry brother...I am so sorry...I asked God for his help...maybe he did not heed.
He felt the large arms of Porthos embrace him and weep with him. The big man was stroking his wet hair as he sobbed openly.
"You did what you could brother...you did what you could...he knows that." sobbed the big musketeer into Athos' ear.
"It wasn't enough...I failed...I failed him...my God Por..thos...why him...I hope Rochefort rots in HELL!"
Treville sat on the bank and pulled up his knees, he leaned his head on his hands. His shoulder's shook as he let the grief take hold. They had lost Aramis...one of his elite foursome.
The three men sat drained on the bank. The freezing chill didn't seem to bother them, they were that overcome with grief and despair. The whole situation had fell into a silence. Even the night criters had stopped calling as if they all knew something of great sorrow had occured.
Suddenly the loudest gasp and choke erupted from Aramis as he heaved and wheezed for breath." Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough" he rasped.
The three men looked up instantly and exchanged quickened glances as they suddenly realised Aramis was still alive.
They were by his side in seconds. "ARAMIS! ARAMIS!" shieked Athos with sheer delight. The swordsman turned him on his side as he vomited up river water and gasped out loud. He coughed and coughed as Athos slapped him on the back.
"That's right my friend get it all up." he coaxed. "Get it up brother."
Porthos grabbed him and started to massage his friends arms and legs to get the blood circulating as a large grin began developing on his face.
Treville was wiping his eyes as he wrapped his musketeer with cloak. He felt several emotions run through his body. The biggest was relief at seeing Aramis cough up his guts.
Aramis was breathing and gasping as his brothers sat him up. His eyes slowly looked at each man in turn. A vacant look on his face, he was shivering uncontrollably.
"Ro..ch..forte...where..is Roch...for..t.? he whimpered.
"Do not fret about him mon ami...he is dead...we need to get you warmed up right away." insisted Porthos.
Porthos is right Aramis...we need to get you back in the barn and get some broth down you." added Treville.
"Come...we will help you...do you think you can stand mon ami? asked Athos.
Aramis was still shivering as he nodded slowly. "I ...think...so."
Both Porthos and Athos locked eyes for seconds and smiled. This time it was tears of joy that ran down their faces.
They both held onto their brother tightly as not to let him fall as they made their way back to the barn.
xxxxx
Treville rushed into the barn. "d'Artagnan...get some broth heated quickly."
The Gascon looked confused as he glared at his captain. "What...why whats happened." he asked as he added more wood to the fire and filled the pot with broth.
"We nearly lost Aramis...he nearly drowned." replied Treville as he held the door open for the three musketeers.
d'Artagnan's eyes widened with wonderment as he watched as a soaking wet Aramis was helped into the barn with Athos and Porthos on either side of him.
Both men started to strip the wet cloths from their brother as he stood like a weakened kitten leaning against Porthos.
Athos had taken one of his spare shirts from his saddle bag as Porthos dried the marksman with a sheet. He had stepped out of his sodden boots and Treville had emptied the water from them outside the door. Aramis was still shivering as Athos dressed his brother in the shirt and wrapped a cloak around him tightly.
"Dear God...how did that happen? asked the Gascon as he stirred the broth.
"When we get him warmed up...I will tell you the story." said Treville as he helped Aramis into the bed roll.
"I take it Rochefort actually got away again then." commented Surel who had been watching the spectical.
Porthos glared at him. "The bastard is dead...he drowned...so shut your mouth."
Surel smirked. "Good I'm glad...best news I've heard...since this fiasco started if you ask me."
"Nobody is asking you." growled Athos giving the man one of his stares.
Aramis was eating the broth slowly. The others were watching him.
"How you feeling mon ami? asked Athos.
The marksman coughed before answering. He looked up at his brothers. "Warmer...but...cold if you know what...I mean."
Athos felt his brothers brow. He felt hot. "Tell me what to give you mon ami...we do not want you developing a fever."
"I think you yourself should get...out of those wet clothes Athos." croaked the marksman.
Athos grinned. "Im fine do not fret... I will take care of you first."
Aramis signalled that he had eaten ample broth. d'Artagnan took the bowl from him.
"I have some lungwort in my medical bag...you need to use the pestle to grind it to... fine powder...then mix it with a little water." he answered with a cough and splutter.
Porthos had fetched the medical bag and handed it to Athos. The swordsman opened it and pulled a confused face.
Aramis noticed his friends facial expression and forced a smile. The ones with the purple petals. he croaked.
Athos nodded his understanding and stood. " I will return in haste, once I have grinded them down my friend."
Porthos patted the swordsmans shoulder and chuckled. He glanced back at Aramis who had laid his head back. "He's right 'thos...you should get out of those wet things."
Athos nodded. "Soon as I have mixed this...I will."
Porthos smiled and went back to Aramis side.
"You should get some rest my friend, after you take this herb of yours...get some sleep."
Aramis smiled at his friend and murmered quietly. "Looking at Athos...he was the one who got me out?
Porthos nodded with a smile. "If he hadn't done what he did...you would not be here now mon ami...he saved your life."
Aramis eyes filled with tears as he heeded Porthos' words.
Treville sat drinking some hot tea that d'Artagnan had made. He glanced over at the lone prisoner.
"You must know how he escaped Surel...and do not even try and lie to me."
Surel lifted his head and stared at the musketeer captain. He glanced at Porthos who was squirming at him.
"He found a large needle when we were at the Stag Tavern...he concealed it up his sleeve. He said he would make his move when he was ready. I didn't believe him...I thought he was bluffing."
"Rochefort does not bluff when it comes to escaping from somewhere...he is known for it...he used you man...and you believed everything he said." interjected Treville.
d'Artagnan stirred as he looked at him. "You could have informed one of us...maybe the king would have granted you clemency."
Surel shook his head. "The king will never do that...I have betrayed his red guard...I am finished."
"You should have thought about that before Rochefort got his claws into your naivety. Sneered Treville drinking back the last drop of tea.
Surel said nothing he lay back on the floor pulling his blanket over himself. His mind wandered as he tried to sleep.
Well well Rochefort is no more...he has finally gone to hell. And I am going to hang because of him.
To be continued...
Awwwww thank you so much for the reviews guys!
I was so pleased when reading them, you are all so kind. My face lights up when I see them in my inbox.
I really hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I can guarantee more epic saga's in the coming chapters.
Thank you
Pippa xxx
INFORMATION:
I am not a medic. So writing this drowning scene was all research. In the 17th Century some doctors already knew about blowing into the mouth.
One doctor actually used bellows to pump air into the throat. So they were not a primitive as we think.