Evening My Lovelies
Sorry, this is late, I wish I could say it was because of writer's block or something but I've just gotten even lazier than usual while not being at work lol :D
Notes On Reviews:
beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - We'll soon find out :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yeah :D I was so happy to finally deal with Corneau and letting Issac do it was just the icing on the cake :D Treville's might be pissed with how Issac handled everything but he's still going to do whatever he can to keep Issac's name out of his report to the King. Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysAramisRios: Thanks for the review - Treville is getting a momentary respite today but he'll have to deal with Issac's actions in the next chapter. Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex: Thanks for the review - Treville is going to do everything in his power to protect Issac. He might not like how the man handled things but he does understand why he did what he did. Yeah, poor Favier's going to be dealing with a fair amount of stress, worry and guilt for a while now :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Seventy-Five: Home Sweet Home
The garrison was a more than welcome sight to the tired, stressed musketeers and more than one man let out sighs of relief as they trudged their way through its gates. They weren't given long to bask in the relief of being home however as both Treville and Gaspard were quick to begin issuing orders regarding their injured and their prisoners.
The prisoners weren't given much of a respite as Treville fully intended to bring them all to the King as soon as he received word from the King that he was granted an audience, the Captain having instructed Henri to ride ahead and make the request the moment the familiar silhouette of Paris appeared on the horizon. It was now just a case of waiting for him to return and given how frustrated the King had been regarding the author situation before he had left Treville was fairly confident that the young monarch would see them before the end of the day so he simply instructed the prisoners to be placed in the shade and given some meagre helpings of water and food.
The injured on the other hand were transported out of their respective wagons with the utmost care and attention, Gerald, having exited the infirmary at the sound of the groups return, quickly began directing the men on where to take them, his brows furrowing in concern with every man brought through his infirmary doors.
"What are we dealing with?" asked Gerald as soon as a tired Gaspard and Tristan appeared before him, the two men looking more than ready to work despite their obvious exhaustion.
Tristan made quick work of filling his second mentor in on the injuries of the men as they entered the infirmary. "Fredrick and Glenn are doing surprisingly well considering the severity of their wounds," he continued as the trio watched the other musketeers finish situating the injured in their respective rooms. "They started showing signs of infection at one point but both responded well to the supplies the Captain brought."
Gaspard nodded in agreement, the pride he felt for their protege's work was clear in his eyes even as his expression turned grim mere moments later. "It's Etienne and D'Artagnan that has us worried," he sighed as he nodded towards the room they had just seen the inseparables enter, none of the trio willing to let anyone else carrying their youngest.
"Etienne's wound became infected and is proving to be quite stubborn to our attempts to combat it and D'Artagnan…"
The mention of the garrison's youngest brought forth looks of concern on the faces of all three men as despite their attempts and efforts the boy's already weakened body continued to be ravaged by the poison given to him by Corneau and they had already seen signs of the heightened sensitivity they had warned the elder inseparables about and the boy's condition was only getting worse.
"With luck being inside and no longer on the road will help speed up his recovery," offered Gerald with a sympathetic smile which was greatly appreciated by the other two men, even if they doubted the hope the man was trying to inspire.
The trio waited only a few more minutes to ensure everyone was settled before beginning their assessments of their patients.
Inside D'Artagnan's room, the inseparable trio was eventually broken out from their vigil over their youngest's bedside when Treville appeared at the door, a sombre look on his face as he quietly explained that they were all needed at the palace as the King had agreed to see them that day.
"Surely he doesn't need all of us?" protested Porthos as his hands instinctively tightened the grip they held on the unconscious Gascon's bed frame. "You can't ask us to leave him, alone Captain!"
Treville's expression hardened, "I can and I am," he stated firmly, the expression on his face silently daring the trio to try and disobey him. "You all saw and experienced different things during your time at the church and the King has demanded a first-hand account of everything that happened so, yes, your presence is required."
"I can sit with him," offered a voice from behind Treville, effectively silencing the protest Athos had been about to make as all their attention quickly turned to the newest arrival, their eyes widening in surprise at just who was now standing before them.
"Corbett!" exclaimed Aramis, the joy he felt seeing the man after hearing how his group had been ambushed on their return to the garrison was palpable and he couldn't stop the grin from forming on his face.
"I've been alternating between Alain and Blaise," explained the clearly tired musketeer casually, though he did spare a moment to send Aramis a mirroring smile, more than a little happy to see his friend recovered from the shell he had become following his almost execution. "They've both kicked me out," he added with a small smirk and a shrug, "But I'd rather not be too far from them any time soon so I can sit with the kid until you return." As a glimmer of mischief entered his eyes he added, "Just don't tell them I didn't actually leave the infirmary like they all but ordered me to."
While grateful for the man's offer it was abundantly clear that none of the inseparables wanted to leave their youngest's side but after another scathing look from their Captain they reluctantly did so, each man praying the King wouldn't keep them from the Gascon for too long.
