Treville looked up from his desk when the door opened. The flame in the lantern to his right fluttered and smoke filtered upward from the glass chimney. He had been staring at the same page for the past hour, unsure of what to write and how to request additional supplies for families in need near the eastern borders. Supplying them with goods would reduce the necessities needed by the king's military in order to keep up their strength in the months to come. He rubbed his brow and then looked at Athos as he stepped into the room. His cloak tied in the traditional fashion around his chest and draped over his left shoulder. His pauldron was polished, as were his boots, and he held his hat in his right hat. He looked and walked like the captain of the king's finest regiment.

Treville quirked a smile and pushed the paper away as he leaned back in his chair. The sun was out and cast a heavy light through the windows of his office. Dust particles danced and shifted with the slight breeze caused by the movement in the room.

"You look ready to go before the king," Treville said. "Should I be worried?"

Athos shook his head and paused at the desk. "Do you have some time to spare?"

Treville rubbed his head with spread fingers and took a long, deep breath, and then exhaled slowly. "Can I ask why?"

"Porthos is getting married."

Treville squinted his eyes and looked more closely at Athos. "He's what?"

Athos smiled, shrugged, and rolled the rim of his hat through the curve of his right hand. "He loves her —"

"Alice, isn't it?" Treville said. "The one who walked away a couple of years ago — the widow?"

Athos nodded. "She has had a change of mind — though not a change of heart — I doubt she ever stopped caring for him."

Treville exhaled again through puffed cheeks and slowly nodded. He had time, he would make it for Porthos. "This is not the best time to get married — you'll all be departing in the days to come —"

"He knows that, as does she," Athos said. "He loves her, Treville, and it is better they marry now than regret waiting."

Treville looked at Athos. "He'll be distracted."

"He'll be distracted anyway and whether or not they marry now or a year from now," Athos gently slapped his hat against his thigh, "his mind will be on her. But you know that."

Treville nodded, all of the men would be thinking about their families: wives, daughters, lovers, and fathers and brothers. They were never appreciated while close by, but once they were gone or far away the longing for family got stronger not weaker. "When? When should I ready myself."

Athos raised his right eyebrow. "Now."

Treville huffed, and then slowly stood. He adjusted his blouse, and walked to the coatrack where his doublet hung. In a swift motion he slipped his arms through the sleeves and then reached for the heavy medallion. "More warning would have been appreciated." He slipped his weapons belt around his waist and secured the buckles. Even in haste his attire was complementary to the man and his position.

Athos chuckled and walked beside him as they left the office. "I just learned yesterday, sir. I came as soon as I could."

"Normally," Treville said as he nodded to a palace guard as they walked along the hall to the exit, "I would expect something like this from d'Artagnan… Porthos is usually more —"

"Calculated?"

Treville chuckled as he looked side-eyed at Athos. "Yes, amongst other things." He took a deep breath of fresh air as they left the palace.

There was a long pause as they mounted their horses and departed. Fall was quickly approaching and with it cooler air during the day and chilly nights. Shawls and cloaks were slowly being pulled from the backs of armoires and hutches. Days would get shorter, nights would get darker, and clouds would once again hinder the sight of the sun as gray weather returned. Even the animals were preparing as winter coats were slowly coming in.

"Have you told them yet?" Treville asked and slowed his mount to a walk.

"Tomorrow," Athos said. "Aramis knows and has agreed to stay silent. Although I have heard grumblings amongst the men regarding who they anticipate serving under. Raboin has been mentioned several times."

Treville shifted forward in his seat and grasped the pommel of his saddle. "They're hungry for information, Athos. The men will always make assumptions — and — if I remember correctly, you and the others were just as quick to judge."

Athos nodded and looked to where Kelpie had raised his head and perked his ears forward. Two children ran from the porch of their home and chased two loose chickens that had escaped the hutch. Feathers floated to the ground and squawking echoed.

"If I remember correctly, Minister Treville," Athos said as he pulled his horse to a stop before the church, "you were just as tight lipped as Richelieu for a time."

Treville dismounted. "Agreed — but I had a handful of Musketeers who were extraordinarily good at discovering secrets." He clapped Athos on the shoulder with a chuckle and followed him inside.