Chapter 11

Aramis pulled himself to a stop and watched Laury climb the massive oak like a cat with extra sharp claws. The young man was short, but limber and quick. He positioned himself between two large branches high within the limbs and looked through the spyglass toward the window into the library. Aramis felt his hands shake, his lungs burn and tighten, as though his chest was suddenly too small for his ribcage. The musket looked different, leaning against the tree. Despite the familiarity of it, the smooth barrel, the stock discolored from years of use, and even the trigger that had been tarnished by the oils on his hands. He suddenly questioned if he had the strength to do what needed to be done.

Aramis closed his eyes, braced his hand against the tree, and breathed. This was his family, and the thought of losing a brother hit him between the eyes and through the heart. He suddenly felt guilty for leaving over a year ago… when he abandoned his family for a life as a monk. It wasn't the same, but still, he had left them. The loss, though brief, was just as painful for a short time. Aramis looked up, appreciated the breeze that brushed his face and caused his hair to move across his scalp. He had never considered himself a brave man. Bold yes, but not brave.

The clouds shifted and rolled like slow waves across the sky. White tuffs morphed into variations of gray, and nearly black clouds followed in the distance. Spring was trying to arrive, but winter's bitter chill remained as it fought to keep hold.

"Lieutenant Aramis," Laury called from above.

Aramis looked and then turned in the direction that the young man pointed. All five of General Raboin's captains and Porthos rode toward them. The horses slowed to gentle trots, then slowed to a stop, and lowered their heads as their reins were loosened.

Porthos dismounted, handed his reins to Comtois, and then walked toward Aramis. "Raboin 'as asked to see us."

Aramis frowned and shook his head. "Is that wise?" He looked at Porthos and the others. "For all of you to go… it could be a trap?"

"I assume he has seen our regiments positionin' themselves for attack. We're meetin' 'im at the bridge —"

"He'll be out in the open?" Aramis glanced at his musket and felt a renewed vigor.

Porthos nodded. "It'd be an almost impossible shot, Aramis," he said and took a deep breath.

"I'll make it," Aramis said, and grabbed his weapon. "I'd rather shoot him."

Porthos looked at the men behind him, glanced at Laury, who kept watch on the chateau, and then gripped Aramis' shoulder. "If worse comes to worst."

Aramis swallowed, felt time stand still, and concentrated on the chill of the bitter wind against his skin. He gripped the stock of his musket, felt the smooth wood, and then gently cradled it within the embrace of his arm. He wanted to say he could do it, he could pull the trigger to save a brother, but at the moment… as time stood still, and the sun fought to slip past the clouds, he wasn't sure he could. "I want to focus on Raboin… I can't think about Athos — not now — not yet."

Porthos nodded again. He gripped the hilt of his sword, tightened his fist around the leather, and said, "It was Billy."

"Billy?" Aramis suddenly looked Porthos in the eyes. "Why?"

Porthos twisted his lips and shrugged. He repeated what Billy had told him, and then let Aramis know the boy's punishment would be decided after. When he could approach him without anger, frustration, or disappointment. When he could look at the situation with a clear head and not make a snap decision based on the boy's ignorance.

"He'll never be a Musketeer — not after this," Porthos said.

"Anyone else might have put him before the firing squad — regardless of his age," Aramis said. "He compromised his captain, his regiment, and his brothers." He looked toward the ground and ran his fingers through his hair. "He may have cost Athos his life."

"Go," Porthos said. "We'll deal with this later. Get up high, an' as soon as 'e's in range."

Aramis pursed his lips, gripped his weapon, and then watched Porthos mount. "Be careful. There is no harm in running if you see it's a trap."