Evening My Lovelies
This writer's block is really starting to do my head in. It's made worse by the fact that I know what I want to write, I just can't seem to actually write it :(
Notes On Reviews:
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - And I'm loving that it is :D Mwhahaha! Enjoy the new chapter! x
Jmp (Guest): Thanks for the review - Playing catch up can be fun sometimes as you get to binge read :D You'll have to wait a bit longer to see what part Enzo is playing in all this. Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Bwhaha he does that is true XD Enjoy the new chapter! x
Bubzchoc (Guest): Thanks for the review - Glad you like it :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Oh I'm loving how confused I'm making everyone with this story lol :D Everything will become clear soon, promise :) and the musky's know D'Art didn't betray them, but that doesn't stop random civilians from gossiping. Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Bout time I got a muffin lol :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - What can I say, Evan's growing on me, had to have him return :) No D'Art tonight either I'm afraid but we will be back with him soon, promise! Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex: Thanks for the review - Unfortunately our boys aren't going to be making things easy for poor Gaspard as they're too stubborn to do what they're told most of the time. Enzo's part will be revealed soon so you'll just have to wait and see if you're right :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - Maybe, maybe not, all we know so far is he intercepted the letter that was meant for Flea shortly before Aramis was taken. You'll have to wait and see what his full role was/is. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
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xxx
Chapter Thirty-Seven: A New Lead
"You're sure?" asked Athos, for the first time since all this began feeling hope building up in his chest as he looked at the teen boy standing in front of him.
As it turned out Evan was quite knowledgeable about those in the Court and had been able to give the musketeer a decent amount of information on both Antoine and Enzo, including the location of a house the former had pretty much commandeered after it was abandoned a year ago.
Evan nodded, "I've seen him go into it a few times."
"Could you take me to it?"
At this Evan looked slightly nervous, sending off warning bells in Athos's mind but before he could question the matter further the teen had cleared his expression, nodding in response to the musketeer's question.
Deciding that finding D'Artagnan took priority over questioning the boy's reaction Athos chose not to pursue his curiosity any further. "Wait here," he instructed firmly before returning to his Captain and Porthos, both of whom were watching him approach with anticipation.
"Athos?" spoke Treville, feeling a flicker of hope ignite inside of himself as he noted the gleam in his lieutenant's eyes. "You have news?"
Athos nodded, making both musketeers straighten as they gave the man their complete and full attention. "A possible location on where Antoine may be keeping D'Artagnan."
"What are we waiting for then?" stated Porthos with more energy than he actually felt as he tried to stand, only for his knees to buckle part way through causing him to collapse into Gaspard's arms, the physician having expected the fall and moved to intercept before the man could harm himself further.
"You're staying here Porthos," instructed Treville, his voice firm even though he knew the man would attempt to protest.
"Captain!" exclaimed Porthos as he fumbled in his attempts to brush Gaspard's hands away from him so he could try to stand once more, only the physician was stubborn and not about to let the man do something that would endanger his health further given his current state.
"Let me go!" hissed the larger musketeer as he glared at the physician, who ignore the anger being sent his way as he forced the man back onto the bed.
"Porthos you can't even stand on your own," stated Treville bluntly, knowing he had to be firm if he was to stop the man from pushing his already spent body further past its limits.
"Captain!"
"ENOUGH Porthos!" snapped Treville, the volume and tone of his voice succeeding in not only silencing Porthos's protest but also gaining the attention of most of the rest of the room, who were doing their best to appear as though they weren't listening in as they watched the exchange happening before them. "This is not up for discussion Porthos," he stated, his voice cold and hard. "In your condition, you would not only slow those going down but you also put them all at risk should confrontation occur and I can't have that, especially not after today."
Porthos fell silent at the pain he could hear in his Captain's words, the truth in them hitting him hard as he looked down in shame, having lost himself in the desire to see D'Artagnan safe so much so that he hadn't thought about the risk he himself posed to his brothers and friends if he went.
Turning away from Porthos, Treville looked at Athos, the swordsman looking very much like it was taking a conscious effort not to simply dash off and follow the new lead.
"It'll take me a few minutes to gather up some men to go with you," stated the Captain before he nodded to the musketeer's hands, the limbs having sustained a fair amount of damage during the swordsman's attempts at evacuating the burning garrison. "Get Gaspard to wrap those while I get some men together."
While it was clear Athos wanted nothing more than to leave that second he could see the logic in the Captain's words and so followed the order without protest, kneeling on the ground so the physician could see to his hands. They needed more treatment than he was giving but Gaspard knew time was of the essence and so rushed to do what he could to ensure the musketeer could wield his sword with minimal discomfort should he find himself in a position where he needed to use it.
It was just over ten minutes later that the small party consisting of Athos, Blaise and Alain left the makeshift infirmary that was housing most of the rest of their regiment and headed out into the Parisian streets, following Evan who seemed to pick up on the tension in the air as he remained silent.
"You were nervous when I asked you to lead us," spoke Athos some time later as the group continued to navigate their way through the streets of Paris, each somewhat grateful that the garrison attack had prompted many people to return to the safety of their homes, meaning the streets were significantly less busy, thus making them quicker to traverse.
This was the first word spoken since the group had set out so it threw the teen slightly before he realised that it was him being addressed and he turned his head to look at the musketeer.
"Why?" asked Athos, needing to know if the boy was nervous because he was leading them into a trap or because he knew more than he was letting on. He did not want to believe it was the former, not with how much his baby brother clearly cared for the boy but he couldn't risk not knowing so had to ask.
"Antoine," spoke Evan, his earlier nervousness returning as he answered the question. "He's become angrier since Charon died… He caught me near the house once a few months ago… I was curious about it, he's really picky about who he lets in there, but he saw me and lost it. I was in bed for a week after the beating he gave me," Evan shuddered at the memory, "Think he would have killed me if it wasn't for Enzo showing up."
"Enzo was there?" asked Blaise curiously, both he and Alain having been given the barest information on the two men before leaving to accompany Athos.
Evan nodded, rubbing his arms as he tried to push away the memory of his attack. "They've been friends for a while," explained the teen, "Enzo tries to keep Antoine's anger under control, though that doesn't always work."
"I'll say," mumbled Athos as his mind returned to the image of Aramis's burned arm, clearly this Enzo hadn't been able to curb his friend's anger during that assault.
"We're nearly there," stated Evan, pulling the swordsman from his thoughts as he pointed down the street, "It's just round that corner."