Thank you everyone for you thoughtful and kind remarks. I do enjoy reading them and it does, I admit reluctantly, help keep these fingers moving and my thoughts thinking of new ideas. This, in part, is because of all of you who still love this show!

On with the episode!

The rains had stopped, but the lasting effects continued. The lower levels of Paris were flooding, not because of the Seine River, but due to the poorly managed waterways that had washed away the banks. Flooding would continue until the water from the higher elevations settled, and the sun burned away the moisture. Buildings would suffer, wood would rot and mildew, the roads would wash out and holes would develop as the heat of the summer months exposed the full extent of the damage. Businesses would need to be rebuilt, homes and barns would need repair. Only those with enough fortitude would survive. The others would simply change their lives to accommodate the changes forced upon them. For some, that would include a change of scenery.

Athos pulled Kelpie to a stop and looked at the devastation as water continued to rush over the road and into the homes and taverns of those who lived near the lower-lying quarters of the city. The poor attempts at halting the rush had failed and men and women worked to carry their children, and what few goods they could salvage out of harm's reach. Horses, mules, and donkeys were hitched to wagons and goods were shoved into the backs. Children cried, panicked mothers and fathers did their best to protect their families. Business owners worked feverishly to save their goods: fabrics, weapons, hats and clothing, saddles and tack, and barrels of wine and ale.

The only saving grace was the warm weather as those wading through the water became drenched.

Athos adjusted his seat and tightened his grip on the reins and then looked toward Aramis. "Our priority is to get the people to safety — take your company and have the people take refuge in the churches at higher elevations and escort families inside — women, children, and the old — anyone able bodied needs to assist as long as there are those without shelter. Check the buildings for anyone trapped or unable to escape, and put a guard on watch outside the buildings that look like they might succumb to the force of the river as the waters continue to rise."

Aramis nodded and said, "There are several churches flooding," he winced, "the records?" He pulled his horse's reins as the animals shifted uncomfortably when a dog started barking from within the confines of a home.

"People first, Aramis, when they are safe, then we do what we can to save the rest —"

"We can use some help here!" An older man yelled from across the road as he loaded a barrel of wine into his cart. Wet, gray hair spiked upward and he had tied his heavy beard into a knot below his chin to keep it from catching on his goods as he moved them. "Our livelihoods are at stake — you're the Musketeers — are you here to help or to watch us suffer?" He placed his hand on his lower back and grumbled again as he turned and walked back toward his tavern.

"Could we offer to store it at the garrison?" Aramis said, and then motioned with his hand for several musketeers to accompany him. He quirked a subtle, teasing grin toward Athos, who rolled his eyes. Aramis shrugged in disappointment and urged his mount forward. Commissioned and noncommissioned, followed Aramis on horseback as he rode down the center of the road. Several dismounted, helped mothers and children onto their horses, and then continued to help those that needed it by loading family, pets, food and bedding into wagons.

Buckets, plant debris, and garbage floated with the water, and damned against the sides of buildings, porches, steps, and hitching lines as water sought the lowest elevations.

Athos turned as Porthos, Levi, and Marc rode up behind him. Athos grabbed the cantle of his saddle and tilted his chin toward Marc. "Gather a handful of men and get to the barns. Make sure the grains and foods are not being destroyed. If we need to move them, find someplace high and put men on guard until it's safe — we don't need a food shortage on top of this."

Marc nodded and rode his mount to the back of the regiment and ordered his men to follow.

"Levi," Athos said, "Ride toward Orise and find d'Artagnan — have him and most of his men return to Paris. A few may remain to escort the locals to safety — but we need to reinforce the banks."

Porthos cleared his throat, pulled his horse next to Athos, looked at him and said, "Already done. I sent Remi as soon as the floodin' started."

Athos curled his lips into a half smile and nodded. "The king is not in a position at the moment to anger his subjects — not with the Prince of Orange arriving in a few days and the threat of war at our heels." Athos took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "I need you and your men to check the estates that may or have already flooded, take men familiar with the peculiarity of nobility."

Porthos nodded, adjusted his seat, and then leaned forward and rested the heels of his palms on the pommel of his saddle. "What about the Bastille?"

"The Red Guards are managing it — if, and when — Captain Oriol decides he needs assistance… we'll step forward, but until then, we manage the people."

Porthos nodded, nudged his horse's sides, and hastened to find and collect his men.

"I need help, Monsieur," a man yelled from the front door of his tavern. "I have ale and wine. I need help to move it to safety." His britches were wet to his thighs and water rushed inside the door and down the steps. He raised his arms with a shrug. "Well?"

"Is there anyone else in there with you?" Athos asked, pulling on Kelpie's reins as the big horse moved to follow Porthos and those that accompanied him.

The short man, with spiked gray hair and blue eyes, shook his head. "Just me — but this is all I have."

"You have your life," Athos replied. "The wine and ale are in barrels, are they not?"

"They are —"

"Then leave." Athos motioned toward a young recruit and pointed toward the tavern. "Get Monsieur —"

"I'm not leaving without my belongings, Musketeer. This is all I have — I will not lose it to looters and thieves."

Athos waved his hand toward the tavern and looked at several recruits. "Anyone refusing to leave — arrest them. We have people to save."

"Yes, Captain," two recruits said in unison and sloshed through the water toward the tavern owner, who slapped his hand against the frame of his door and huffed.

Athos looked at the tavern owner. "The wine and ale will keep, Monsieur."

"I'll remember you!" The owner said and pointed his finger at him. "Musketeer or not, lad, I'll remember you as the one who destroyed my business."

"Be grateful you have a life to live and will be able to restart your business, Monsieur. We could very well be pulling your body from the Seine should the waters continued to rise." Athos clenched his jaw, rolled his eyes, and watched several more women and children be guided to safety. Despite the sun's appearance, clouds moved swiftly in the sky, and a slight breeze caused the curtains in open windows to flutter and the branches of trees to sway. He took a deep breath and continued to monitor the scene before him.