Evening My Lovelies
Sorry about yesterday, writer's block has hit me hard this chapter. It was a right pain to write but I quite like how it turned out so that's something I suppose :D
Notes On Reviews:
lizard1969: Thanks for the review - Aramis is in definite need of that cuddle right now but I don't know if he would accept it. We'll be seeing their reactions to the news (kind of) tonight, hopefully, they make sense. Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - I'm really enjoying writing the whole D'Art situation at the moment but you'll have to wait to see how that develops and no D'Art tonight. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Bubzchoc (Guest): Thanks for the review - Glad you liked it :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Oh Aramis is just crammed full of guilt right now :) It's very pleasing to the evil side of me lol. I'm really hoping that it's not a disappointment when the person is revealed. I am enjoying the mystery so hopefully I don't mess it up and haven't made a mistake in keeping their identity secret for so long. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Deana: Thanks for the review - Ask and ye shall receive :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - Things aren't looking too good for Henri but I don't know if I have it in me to kill of one of the named oc's that have been around for so many stories now so he might be okay, we'll see :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Haha that would be interesting but no. I'm not close enough to Betty's to hear that lol. He's still alive isn't he! that constitutes alright in my book at this point in the story lol. Haven't decided his fate yet so we'll have to wait and see on that. *gives muffin* Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Yep that was pretty much me :) It was very annoying, was about to call the police when it finally stopped for good which was a relief :) I'm glad you're not opposed to me milking the mystery as I'm really enjoying it at the moment, hopefully I don't mess it up when it comes time to reveal their identity. Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex: Thanks for the review - Henri's fate isn't set in stone just yet. Not sure if I have it in me to kill off an oc who's been in so many stories but who knows, maybe my evil side will win out :D Porthos has no intention of letting Aramis take all the blame/guilt, even though our lovely medic will certainly try to. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Thirty-Six: Answers
"Captain I swear…" started Aramis once he and Porthos had finished explaining the situation as they knew it. Both men were clearly blaming themselves but Treville had little time to reassure them given both their conditions and the state of his regiment.
"Sir I must insist they rest," interrupted Gaspard, his voice brokering no argument as he handed the barely conscious marksman a small goblet of water, merely raising an eyebrow at the man when he hesitated in drinking it.
"You need it Aramis," instructed the physician as he nodded towards the goblet still remaining undrunk in Aramis's uninjured hand.
"I've slept enough," protested the medic, but it was weak as he felt his own body betray him, exhaustion flooding his veins. "I need to help… Antoine could have D'Artagnan and it's all my fault… I need to help."
"You were passed out, not resting," countered Gaspard, a faint tug of a smirk on his lips as he noted how the musketeer appeared fighting a pout at his words. "You, more than anyone, know that wouldn't include your body getting the rest it desperately needs to heal. There's a pain draught in there which should make it easier for you to rest. Don't fight me on this Aramis, you need to rest."
Seeing that his brother was indeed about to attempt to protest the order Athos knelt down in front of him and helped raise the goblet to his lips, ignoring the glare being sent his way from said brother as he did so. "Drink," he ordered softly, his voice firm despite the pleading and worry Aramis could see in his brother's eyes and with a grumble the marksman downed the goblet, the draught having a faster impact due to the musketeer's weakened state and as such he was asleep within minutes.
"Captain," spoke Porthos, his own exhaustion evident in his voice as he, despite Gaspard's vocal protests, attempted to stand. "Aramis… He… We…"
"I understand Porthos," interrupted the Captain as he raised a hand to stop the man from speaking once more, a smirk tugging at his lips as Athos instinctively joined Gaspard in forcing the barely standing musketeer back onto the makeshift bed so the physician could examine him.
"We never thought…"
"It was a smart plan," nodded Athos reassuringly as he watched Gaspard begin to remove the bandages from his brother, anger flashing through the swordsman's expression as the wounds were revealed. Porthos looked up at his brother at his words, though not in surprise, he had worked with the man long enough to know he would have caught on nearly immediately to what the plan had been once they began to explain, however that didn't mean he wasn't curious as to what his opinion on the matter would be.
Seeing that his comment had also garnered him a look from Gaspard, who was doing his best to not appear to be eavesdropping despite his obvious curiosity, Athos continued. "Treville would be the hardest target to reach out of all of our regiment as he is rarely out of the vicinity of at least a few armed men, either other musketeers or palace guards. The fact he has close ties to the King should have caused this Antoine to pause." Frowning the swordsman added, "How long was it after you gave him Treville name that the garrison was attacked?"
Mirroring his brother's frown Porthos shrugged, wincing slightly as the action aggravated his injured shoulder, something Gaspard didn't miss if the physician tsking at him was any indication.
"Not as long as we expected," admitted the injured musketeer before he turned to look at his Captain, "I swear we thought we had time to figure out a way to get a message to you.
"ATHOS!" called a voice, interrupting the man before he could continue to apologize further.
"Issac?" queried Athos as he took a step closer to the soot-covered musketeer. His eyebrows rising in question as he saw who was standing next to the musketeer. "Evan?"
"Flea sent me," stated the teen before Issac could explain his reasoning for being there.
"Flea?" questioned Porthos, the musketeer straightening at the mention of the woman, his eyes scanning the area as if expecting her to appear.
Ignoring his brother's questioning gaze, Athos turned his complete attention to the young, nervous-looking teen standing before him. "Did she find something?" he asked, his voice low as he gestured for the boy to follow him, the pair walking a few feet away so as to not be overheard. Athos had every intention of filling his brothers in on any new developments that he learned but he could tell how nervous the boy was being surrounded by so many armed men with tensions running high, the swordsman grimaced as he realized his own attack on the boy during their meeting in the Court likely hadn't helped matters.
Evan nodded, straightening his posture as he remembered why he was there. He was not deaf to the whispers circulating through the city… The garrison's attack was no secret but rumours were already beginning to spread as to how one of the regiment, known to be in the garrison at the time of the attack, was now missing. Opinions were split on whether he was missing because he was taken or because he was in on the attack and had escaped before the explosion occurred but that mattered little to the teen, especially not when the identity of the missing man became known to him.
D'Artagnan's name was never included in the whispers and rumours but Evan knew it was him, with three of the four famous inseparables huddled around each other with worried expressions on their bruised or soot-stained faces it did not take a genius to put two and two together. The Gascon was a friend and Evan was determined to do all he could to help.
"It took some doing, many of our people were hesitant to talk after the news of the garrison attack spread but she's managed to get an identity on the man who likely intercepted the letter who wrote for her."
Athos nodded, "Antoine?"
Evan blinked, surprise and confusion flashing across his face as he slowly shook his head. "Antoine? No… No his name is Enzo," Athos looked ready to say something else when the teen continued, realization gleaming in his eyes. "Enzo and Antoine are friends though… Maybe, maybe they're working together?"
This last piece of information had Athos's eyes flashing as he took a step closer to the teen. "Tell me everything you know about the two of them."