Evening My Lovelies

I quite like how this chapter ended up turning out... though it's definitely a good thing I decided to give it a quick read through before uploading it as I ended up referring to Treville as buttered instead of battered at one point lol :D

Those of you may be worrying about our boys... don't worry we'll be back with them in the next chapter, just didn't want to leave the Treville situation where we did.

Notes On Reviews:

pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - Oh yeah Rochey would definitely enjoy torturing Treville, though I suppose I'll just have to make sure Treville gets a chance to pay him back for doing so at some point :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Hmmm, maybe, maybe not we'll have to wait and see on that front. Oh don't worry about that, I'll make sure Treville gets some revenge on Rochey in a later chapter :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Jmp (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha I thought it might surprise some people. We'll be checking back in with our musky's in the next chapter so I'll try to include a bit on D'Art there as well :D Really glad you're enjoying the story so far :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Hmm I haven't firmly decided whether he knows quite how far Rochey has taken his orders yet, I'm waiting for when Treville gets released/rescued then I see where inspiration on that front takes me. Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reading/reviewing

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Thirty-Five: Visitor

"Captain!" exclaimed a voice that, despite the alarm underlining it, caused the battered musketeer Captain to relax fractionally before his now sluggish mind caught up to just who was now rushing to crouch in front of him.

"That slimy rat will pay for this," growled the voice as tender, yet somewhat hesitant hands began to ghost over Treville's form as the voice's owner took in the man's many wounds.

"W-What are you doing here?" demanded Treville weakly as he tried to look imposing, though he doubted it was all that effective given his current condition. "Corbett… You had your orders."

Reacting to the rough sound of his Captain's voice, and a desire to avoid what he was sure to come, Corbett, in lieu of answering right away, reached for his canteen, lifting it to his Captain's lips, worry clear as day in his eyes as he watched the man take several large drags of the cool liquid, his eyes shining with gratitude.

"Corbett," Treville tried again, his voice firmer now his achingly dry throat had been sated. "Your orders were -"

"Overruled by His Majesty," interrupted Corbett with a grim look before he remembered just where they were and how he had left the cell door open upon seeing Treville's terrible condition.

Treville felt fear flood his veins at Corbett's words, not for himself, he had long resigned himself for whatever fate awaited him for his decisions but for his men who he would give anything, even his life, to protect.

"Why?" he demanded, his restraints rattling as he twisted his body slightly to follow Corbett who had moved to, quietly close the cell door, not wanting to bring any attention to their presence, knowing it would only end badly for the both of them if he was discovered here.

"Officially, guard duty for Her Majesty and the other ladies of court… Garden party."

Treville frowned, having no recollection of such an event scheduled, but given how the musketeer regiment was slowly being pushed out of palace matters he supposed it was possible but it still struck him as odd.

"Unofficially?" he asked, having spotted the frustrated look in his soldier's eyes, already knowing he wasn't going to like what the man was about to say.

"He's testing to see who is still in Paris," answered Corbett grimly, confirming Treville's earlier thoughts that he wasn't going to like what was going on. "Rochefort has a copy of our numbers, he's already questioned several of the men as to why we are two men short.

Once more Treville felt like ice was flooding through his veins, "What did you tell him?"

To his surprise, this question actually brought a smirk, albeit a small one, to Corbett's face. "That they had both caught the sickness that's going around." Treville grimaced at this, remembering the growing number of cases being brought to his attention of the violent but thankfully short-lived illness plaguing the city.

Seeing his Captain's grimace Corbett felt his smirk grow, "Several of the men decided to join in the explanation, describing, in detail, the symptoms Blaise and Alain were suffering from… Last I saw Rochefort was looking somewhat green himself before he left to speak with the King."

Unable to help himself Treville let out a small chuckle at the mental picture, groaning slightly as the action made several of his wounds flare up, causing Corbett to frown at him.

"How could the King allow this?" he demanded quietly, anger at his Captain's condition practically oozing from his body. "You're his friend!"

Treville wanted to defend Louis, the loyalty he felt for the crown almost pushing him to despite the bitterness he could feel welling up inside him at the pain he had suffered on the King's orders. Part of him desperately hoped that Louis hadn't intended Rochefort to interpret his words as he had but even he could admit it wasn't hard to jump to the conclusion Rochefort had as he was sure he would have taken it the same way had the roles been reversed.

Instead of focusing on the growing bitterness inside of him, Treville instead decided to focus on the situation in front of him, the pain in his body once more making itself known as his sluggish mind tried to work out how long Corbett had been in his cell with him for.

"You need to leave."

"You can't ask me to leave you here Captain," protested Corbett, even though he knew what the answer would be, "You can't."

Shaking his head Treville felt himself smiling faintly at the protective tone he could hear in his soldier's voice. "I can and I am. Rochefort will be back soon and he can't find you here. Your absence has possibly already been noticed so you will need an excuse at the ready."

Despite his frustration at having to leave Treville behind Corbett couldn't help the faint smirk tugging at his lips as he pulled a small, ornate fan from his jacket. "How do you think I knew where to find you? Her Majesty asked me to get this for her…"

Treville blinked in surprise before a fond, thankful look settled on his face, recognizing the fan as one the Queen had been carrying around a lot lately, meaning it likely wasn't in her rooms and instead that she had given it to his musketeer before telling him to find him, giving the man a valid excuse to be absent for some time, given that her rooms were on the opposite side of the palace.

"Stay strong Captain," ordered Corbett quietly as he stood with a conflict expression on his face and a slight pleading tone to his voice. "We will get you out of here."