Evening My Lovelies
Sorry about last night everyone! I'm not sure why but my internet was dead all of last night so I couldn't get online to publish anything, thankfully it's back working today so I can give you all a chapter :D
Notes On Reviews:
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - I've missed the angst-o-meter, we haven't gotten it out in a while, hope it's not too dusty lol :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Oh Antoine was just out for blood in general, as long as Treville died he didn't/doesn't care who gets hurt. I'm glad you mentioned the season three episode as I did get a bit of inspiration from it so I'm kinda happy you could see a bit of a similarity, though hopefully not enough to be straight up copying. We'll be seeing Treville again today, hopefully, it won't disappoint, I think he's going to be more concerned about the people than the damage right now though. Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - I don't think Athos is even feeling them right now, his entire focus is on his brothers and friends. Treville's reaction is a bit more muted than I had originally planned but I think it hasn't quite sunk in for him yet when we see him in tonight's chapter. Enjoy the new chapter! x
beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - Haha, yeah I have no plans to kill our pup but I make no promises about seriously hurting :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Oh please, like you'd miss ranting about this strange obsession you've developed lol :D *pats head & gives muffin* Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Pretty sure Athos's hating taking on the supervisor/leadership role while D'Art's in danger but he knows it needs to be done. Thankfully Treville will be returning today so he can take a step back from doing so. Know the intensity has probably dipped a bit tonight but worry not, it'll be coming back :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex: Thanks for the review - Mess is probably a bit of an understatement but yeah it's not in a good way :) Thankfully most of the men were out searching for our missing musky's so musketeer deaths/injuries will be a minimum. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Return Of A Captain
Treville was leading the group that had accompanied the King on his early morning hunt as they re-entered the city, something he was rather grateful for as it allowed him the opportunity to roll his eyes at the enthusiastic monarch as he retold the story of how his excellent hunting skills had allowed him to catch the deer now being carried on the back of one of the horses.
Normally Treville would grin and bare the King's child-like enthusiasm but worry was niggling at his gut, refusing to allow him to relax, much like it had been doing all morning. He had tried to push it aside, reasoning that it was just his concern for his missing men or some lingering guilt for the hurt and anger he had seen in D'Artagnan's eyes when he had ordered him to remain behind but there was part of him that just wasn't convinced that was the case.
Unfortunately, that part of him was proven right in the absolute worst way when not far past the city gates a member of the city guard all but charged into them as he approached on horseback.
"Captain Treville!" he exclaimed, not even bothering to hide his relief at finding the man before he could get further into the city and learn the news himself. "Sir you must come with me at once."
"Nonsense," dismissed the King rudely, having taken offence to the lack of appropriate recognition the man had granted him. "Treville is to accompany me back to the palace."
Feeling something akin to a toy two children were fighting over Treville was about to agree to Louis's request, knowing that he would have to do so, when he caught the look on the guard's face, sending the bad feeling that had been brewing in his gut all morning to a whole new level.
"What has happened?" demanded the Captain, doing what he could to remain calm as his mind swiftly went through all the terrible scenarios that could have occurred to have caused such an expression on the man's face. "Have Aramis and Porthos been located?"
Shaking his head the guard straightened as he looked the musketeer Captain straight in the eye, knowing what he was about to say would not be taken well. "The garrison has been attacked -" Now it was Treville's turn to sit up straighter as he opened his mouth to demand further information, only to be interrupted when the guard continued, having anticipated what the man was about to ask of him. "Some hours ago a series of explosions were set off at the garrison."
Treville felt his blood turn to ice in his veins as he tried desperately to process what was being said to him, the guard was talking about the damage done but all he could think about was the men potentially inside. "How many dead?" he asked his voice grave, neither man noticing how the King and the rest of his entourage had gone silent as they listened to the pair speak.
When the guard's expression turned as grave as his voice had been moments earlier Treville knew the news was bad.
"How many?" he asked again, a fiery anger brewing up inside him as he waited for the number, wanting to know just how many deaths he had to avenge.
"Three when I left to find you, sir," answered the guard sombrely, "Though they were still pulling people out then, and to be honest Captain… Some of the men they have pulled out I don't think will make it through the night."
Treville felt his breath catch in his throat as he tried to think of something, anything to say. Fortunately, though he didn't have to as just as he opened his mouth the King interrupted, his voice firmer and more serious than he had heard in a while.
"Go," ordered the King as he looked at the Captain, who was staring at him with thinly veiled surprise, "Tend to your men Treville, although I expect a full report once the culprit is identified."
Unable to even say a word of thanks to the monarch, who would have been well within his rights to have forbidden him from going, Treville wasted no time in urging his horse into a run, the city guard following behind mere moments later.
"ATHOS!" bellowed Treville once he and his companion were close enough to the destroyed garrison to spot the clearly exhausted swordsman amongst the crowd of people. The man was practically covered head-to-toe in soot and ash and looked ready to drop at any moment but Treville knew he wouldn't, the man was stubborn and if there was even one more person in the shell of what had once been their home then Athos was not going to stop until they were found.
Athos looked up at the call of his name, a glimmer of relief filling him as he saw his Captain approaching along with the city guardsman he had instructed to find him earlier, not wanting the man to learn about the attack from people on the street.
"Captain," he breathed, letting a small amount of his true exhaustion show as he waited for the man to dismount, wasting no time once he had to explain the situation. "The men are continuing to search for survivors. There are a couple of people confirmed to have been in the garrison when the explosions occurred that have yet to be found. The flames have been brought under control so it is safer to search now, although the lingering smoke and heat are making it difficult. I… I had to pull men from the search for Porthos and Aramis but…"
Raising a hand to silence his lieutenant Treville nodded, "They were needed more here, I'm sure Porthos and Aramis will understand, hopefully, we can have the search restarted once the last of our people are found. Who exactly are we still missing?"
"That we know for certain were in there? Henri and… and D'Artagnan."
Understanding filled Treville eyes at Athos's words, realizing now just why Athos was pushing himself so hard in the search when he could have just as easily assigned the supervision of it to someone else for a while as he took a break. Before he could press the swordsman for more details on what had happened and the situation a faint, but distinctively familiar voice spoke up.
"D'Artagnan was in there?"
