A/N:
I am not a religious person, dear readers, but I know that this Easter week-end is significant to many.
No doubt in the time between Christmas and Easter, we have all felt disquiet, helplessness and sometimes, downright fear.
As inhabitants of this complicated world, we have faced global crises before. In that, we are together and we share our fate with every living thing on earth. As humans though, we have one unique trait, despite what happens to us: the ability to look forward. In that, we endure.
There is something to be said though, for taking one day at a time. The last few months have been a time for reflection and this week-end, however you celebrate it, if indeed you do, is also such a time.
Compassion has been much in evidence around the world as humankind re-sets, and we realise we cannot control everything. We are not all-powerful. Perhaps we have no right to be.
When we emerge, we can do some things differently. We will have learned.
As a species, we will continue to look forward, sharing now a commonality we could never have envisaged a few short months ago. Whether you celebrate Easter or not, therefore, continue to look forward, and please, in the meantime, dear humans, be safe.
And now, a little light relief ...
oOo
97. ONE-UPMANSHIP
All of Them:
There is one man who has the power to control The Inseparables.
One man who needs few words to do it, because he is tasked with the responsibility to ensure they can do their duty and protect the King.
"What's keeping 'im," Porthos muttered, as he watched Aramis folding up the sheets from the four beds they had been confined to for the last four days.
"He is a busy man" Athos replied, as he sat quietly at the table.
"You don't have to do that," he added, directing his words to Aramis, bent on his task.
Aramis looked up and smiled;
"I know, " he said.
Athos shrugged and crossed his feet at his ankles, before beginning to softly drum his fingers on the table.
"We're fit enough for duty though," Porthos persisted, looking expectantly at his three friends. "Aren't we?"
"Hopefully," Aramis muttered.
After a few moments, Porthos sighed, heavily.
"Think he's doin' it on purpose?"
"Doing what?" Aramis replied, laying the sheets on the cupboard top for the laundresses to take later.
"Keepin' us waitin'" Porthos grunted.
"I think we probably tried his patience," d'Artagnan offered, pulling on his boots.
They all hummed in agreement with that observation. They were, none of them, good patients.
"He should be used to it by now," Athos replied, tersely, before closing his eyes.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside and, out of habit, they all lined up dutifully in the middle of the room.
The door opened and the man in question entered.
Doctor Lemay quietly surveyed his patients.
oOo
Silently assessing them, his face gave nothing away. He was not an expressive man.
Before the man could speak, however, more footsteps sounded in the corridor outside and Treville appeared behind him.
"Gentleman, you are fit for duty," he said, gruffly, stepping around the doctor.
"On the proviso ..." Lemay interrupted, looking at the Captain, who was now positively glowering at him.
Treville had raised an eyebrow and was squinting at him, defying him to continue. There had obviously been a conversation outside the Infirmary, which appeared to be unresolved.
The good doctor, although a quiet man, had another powerful man on his side. One more ally than Treville - Hippocrates himself. He said as much, as he pressed on, and laboured his point;
"On the proviso ..."
Behind them, the four friends began to fidget. Three of them, at least. The fourth, as was his way, wore his usual mask of indifference.
"Who do you think is in charge?" Porthos whispered, stepping back so that he couldn't be overheard by the two men, now at loggerheads across the room.
"That rather depends," Athos said, in a rather bored voice. Turning with a quiet sigh, he strolled to the table, where he picked up a bottle of wine, shook it, and, satisfied, began to pour four measures into the waiting cups.
"On what?" d'Artagnan asked, snagging a piece of cheese and nibbling on it.
"On who forms the best argument," Athos replied, raising his cup to his lips. "And the good doctor has the King behind him."
It was true. He was The King's Physician.
"But," Athos added, passing a cup to Porthos, "So has the Captain."
True, also. He was The Captain of the King's Musketeers.
"Oh yeah," Porthos said, only vaguely interested now that it was up for debate; just wanting to get out now.
"No contest then," he added, biting into a hunk of bread. "It's down to the Hippo character."
Athos cast him a rare look, that had both d'Artagnan and Aramis smiling.
Aramis was fascinated, wondering who held more sway, the King, Hippocrates, or Treville.
"It's not just the sickness," Lemay was saying, firmly. "Their injuries need to be factored in."
To be fair, he was holding his own, his voice not rising at all. Hippocrates was much in evidence, it seemed.
They turned their attention to their Captain, awaiting his response.
Treville's voice suddenly broke through as he showed, no, led the doctor to the door.
"I am four men down," he almost yelled. "Factor that!"
"Or there is that," Porthos shrugged, as Treville deposited the doctor outside and slammed the door.
"A little ungrateful," Aramis murmured.
At his words, Treville turned and walked slowly toward Aramis, who felt the best option he had was to stare past him at the wall behind.
"You were saying?" the Captain said, his nose inches from Aramis's.
"I was saying, I'm grateful that we are all fit for duty, Captain."
Treville's steely gaze slid across to Porthos.
"All fine and fit, Cap," Porthos responded quickly, making a mental note to ask Athos about Hippo later.
"d'Artagnan?" Treville said, stepping closer to their youngest.
d'Artagnan withered a little under his commanding officer's glare and dropped his cheese on the table, before swiping his hands together, self consciously.
"Never better, Captain," he said, raising his chin to give himself some semblance of dignity.
"And, Athos," Treville growled, moving past d'Artagnan to glare at his second in command. "Is it your intention to vacate the premises any time soon?"
Athos finished his wine, and placed the cup carefully on the table.
"I thought you would never ask, Sir," he said, picking up his hat and placing it carefully on his head, before adjusting the brim. With a slight bow to his Captain, his eyes roamed over his comrades, before he strode past them all toward the door.
Taking their cues, the three soldiers quickly followed their leader.
Treville watched them retreat, before a smile broke across his face.
"Still got it," he said to himself, before strolling smugly after them.
oOo
Thanks for reading!
