Evening (or considering its 4am here, very early morning) My Lovelies!
Sorry this is up a little later than usual. I had it finished and ready to go at the usual time, only to then hate it when I gave it a read through and considering I already posted a chapter I wasn't happy with yesterday and as its my weekend now so I don't have work I decided to stay up later and completely rewrite it. Now we have something I like a hell of a lot more :D
Notes On Reviews:
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha I know but in Blaise's defense he left before all that happened so he doesn't know, though our boys will be learning about it today. Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Yeah I suppose :) I feel like I should feel mean for letting him get all hopeful considering the condition D'Art's in... then I remember all the evil things I've done to our boys this story and think that, that really isn't what I should be feeling mean about lol... Hunky guys in kilts sounds like fun ;) Have fun! Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Yes our boys (+Alain) will be home safely soon where they can focus on resting and recovering... Yeah D'Art might not be overly safe, we'll have to wait and see how evil I decide to be :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you liked the nightmare, they're one of my favourite things to write! D'Art's guilt wont be leaving him anytime soon but our boys will work on it. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Yes I'm glad you liked the angst we have more coming in the coming chapters :D Lots of angsty, fluffy goodness :D I'm excited! To be honest I think Treville was surprised he didn't see him sooner lol. I know! Not having Athos and Porthos by D'Art's side when he soo hurt just seems wrong. They'll be back with our pup tomorrow which I'm very much looking forward to writing. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Avioooor: Thanks for the review - They'll be heading back today but wont actually reach it properly until tomorrow. I know! I just love D'Art and Athos's relationship so writing their moments is a whole lot of fun. We'll be seeing that for definite tomorrow :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - I'm like 99.9% sure I'm not going to kill Alain off so don't worry he'll reach the garrison okay :) He and D'Art wont be meeting for a little while but I'm very excited to write that reunion. I have some scenes in mind for the pair of them I can't wait to write :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - That they will :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - They weren't going to be happy regardless of whether he had been harmed, the threat alone was enough to anger them. I'm glad they're back together as well now, I've missed having Athos and Porthos by D'Art's side while he's hurt so I'm really looking forward to that happening now. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Fifty-Two: Returning Home
Henri cursed under his breath when he found the vantage point the shooter had used to attack his brothers and friends. The rooftop would have given the man an unobstructed view of the courtyard making it the perfect spot to rein terror down on the unsuspecting men below. He also deduced, by the amount of rifles left discarded on the ground, that there had only been one shooter, though what angered him most was the very clear evidence that someone in the regiment must have set them up as only a musketeer could bee seen walking through the garrison with so many weapons and not be questioned or stopped.
"Well this day just gets better and better," grumbled the musketeer as he stood up, his eyes scanning for any sign of their mystery shooter. They had been fairly quick in shutting the gates and before then the courtyard had been a rush of activity so he very much doubted the shooter could have escaped without anyone seeing anything. Unless whoever betrayed us stuck around to watch the damaged he helped cause, mused the musketeer internally, grimacing at the thought that they might have a traitor in their midst right now, right when the regiment was at its most vulnerable.
"It was very stupid of you to come up here alone musketeer," mocked a voice and Henri froze as he felt the all too familiar tip of a blade pressing against the middle of his back.
Henri's hand immediately went to his sword, though he did not unsheathe it as his mystery attacker added a little more pressure to the blade that was pressed against his back. "I would do that if I were you musketeer."
Ignoring the warning Henri's hand tightened around his still sheathed weapon. "No," he growled spinning sharply on his heels as he turned to face his attacker, ignoring the sting of pain on his back as he moved, without wasting a second he unsheathed his blade and used it to knock his opponent's one away from him. "It was very stupid of you to think we would let an attack on our home and people go unanswered."
Henri watched as an almost feral-like grin spread across his opponent's face as the pair quickly settled into battle ready stances.
For several minutes the rooftop was filled with nothing but the sound of clashing blades and Henri was beginning to worry one of his brothers would hear the noise and come to investigate. While he normally wouldn't be opposed to back up he could tell his opponent was not only skilled but wouldn't think twice at using whoever appeared as leverage if it gave him the upper hand.
Growling as he barely dodged another blow Henri quickly brought his sword up to block the man's next attack, following it quickly with a sharp punch to the man's gut, causing him to stumble back as he gasped for breath.
Not one to waste an opportunity Henri continued his offensive, sending swing after swing of his blade at the man, unknowingly causing him to take continual steps backwards as his own blade parried the blows despite his trouble breathing.
Unfortunately for Henri, his opponent was never one to fight fair, especially when it became apparent he was going to lose. With his feral-like grin still on his face he raised his sword arm to block Henri's next attack, only to follow it up by dropping to the ground and plunging a dagger he swiftly pulled from his belt, right into the musketeer's foot, causing the man to scream in pain as he stumbled backwards, his earlier advantage slipping away as he struggled against the pain.
Now that Henri was significantly weaker on one side his opponent began focusing his attacks there, knowing that it would force the man to put increasing amount of pressure on his bleeding foot, increasing the pain to near unbearable levels.
"You won't win musketeer," snarled the man, a smirk tugging at his lips as he watched the man grimace in pain. One more powerful blow caused the musketeer's leg to buckle under the pain, sending him to the ground. Advancing on the musketeer with a predatory stance the man lifted his blade, intending to finish off the musketeer before making his escape.
What he hadn't counted on however was that falling to the ground had forced Henri to take note of just how close to the edge the pair of them actually was. Grimacing at the thought of using such an underhanded move but knowing he had no choice if he wanted to survive, Henri waited until the last possible moment before quickly pulling both of his knees to his chest and kicking out with as much strength as he could muster, the force sending his opponent tumbling off of the roof and onto the ground below with a sickening crack.
As Athos and the rest of the regiment entered the city gates none of them could hold in their sighs of relief.
The journey from Moreau's estate had been a long one, the group originally torn between travelling slowly so as to not cause their injures, though mainly Alain, any further pain and travelling as fast as they could to ensure their injured got aid as soon as possible. After one particularly nasty pothole however the group settled on slow, an unnecessary guilt filling each of them when a still unconscious Alain screamed in absolute agony as the wagon he was in jolted because of it.
"'Thos," said Porthos quietly, not really wanting his conversation with his brother to be overheard. He waited until he noticed Athos tilt his head in his direction before continuing. "Do you think he still thinks we're dead?"
The pain in his brother's voice hit Athos like a hammer and he was quick to place a reassuring hand on the man's shoulders, "Aramis is with him, I'm sure our brother set him straight on that matter almost immediately."
Chuckling Porthos nodded, feeling himself relax now Athos had confirmed what he had been thinking but hesitant to believe. Not that he didn't think Aramis would correct their brother but that D'Artagnan would be in the right state of mind to believe him. He could only hope that on this occasion Aramis's stubbornness outweighed D'Artagnan's.
"CAPTAIN!" called one of the men, causing all the conversations to halt as he pointed to the approaching rider. Memories of the attack at Moreau's had the musketeers automatically going on the defensive, relaxing only when the figure became clear, though several tensed again when they saw the condition of the man.
"Henri?" called Treville as he took in the bruised and battered form of the man in front of him. He looked like he had been in one hell of a fight and had taken some serious injuries if the thick padding and wrapping around one of his feet was anything to go by. "What the hell happened to you?"
"I'm glad I caught you," nodded Henri tiredly as he offered the men a weak smile. "Aramis had me ride out as he didn't want you riding in unprepared but I was worried I might have missed you for a while there."
Both Athos and Porthos tensed at the mention of the brother, silently urging their horses forward so they stood next to Treville.
"Unprepared for what?" asked Athos, unease and worry filling him as his mind began conjuring all sorts of scenarios.
"Henri what has happened?" demanded Treville when the man took a moment before answering.
"We were attacked."
That one sentence had the whole group falling silent as they stared at their friend, each musketeer willing his words to be false even though they knew Henri would never lie to them about something like this.
"Explain," demanded Treville, his face as hard as stone.
"Someone betrayed us," explained Henri, his anger at the traitor's actions clear in his voice. "He help that criminal we had locked up, Fabien, escape and help set him up with pretty much the entire armory's worth of rifles. When the escape was brought to Aramis's attention he had us out searching but that just put us right in the line of fire," Henri shivered as he remembered the chaos that had occurred only hours ago.
"Aramis?" asked Porthos, his question coming out with a pleading undertone as he practically begged the man not to tell him he had just lost his best friend.
"Mathéo took a bad hit that prevented him from moving… Aramis stepped in front of what would have been a fatal hit. He's okay though, it hit his shoulder and Gerald confirms he's not in danger, just in pain."
Both Athos and Porthos practically sagged in relief at that piece of news but Treville had picked up on the odd look on the musketeer's face and the underlying tone to his voice.
"How many?" he asked, his tone grave and instantly silencing the whispers that had started following Henri's explanation.
With a long sigh Henri stated the names of the three men they had lost to Fabien's attack.
"I'm going to kill him," snarled Porthos, his hand tightening its grip on his horse's reins.
Unable to help himself Henri smirked, "I might have beaten you to that, Gerald wasn't sure when I left."
With a raised eyebrow Athos asked, "What did you do?"
"Kicked him off of a roof," shrugged the musketeer innocently, smirking when Porthos chuckled darkly at the man's fate.
"We need to return to the garrison now," stated Treville, his eyes hardening with anger as he reflected on what he learned, only snapping out of it when he noticed the indecision on Henri's face.
"Henri?"
With another sigh the musketeer turned to the two inseparables, "There's something you should know," he stated gently, still unsure if he should tell them but unwilling to let them find out the hard way when they returned. "It's about D'Artagnan."
