She got an emergency call. She galloped at full speed towards the musketeers headquarters and asked herself at the same time the reason for that call. Almost a year ago she passed her trials and everything worked alright. The last task was difficult, but she did what she must, put her best effort and won.


When arriving at the headquarters, silence filled the place completely. No one known appeared to be there, so she dismounted and entered. Athos was waiting anxiously at Treville's office.


- Larthis, I'm glad that you could come so quickly.- even if the words were of a greeting tune, his face was tense. The eyes of the young one were enough to carry a doubt.


- Everyone else is with Treville. The King has called us.-


Before Athos could notice, Larthis ran back to her horse and mounted. Fortunately, the musketeer had his horse near too and reached her in a short time.


When they arrived at the palace, they found Porthos walking restlessly with a preocupied face. Larthis touched his shoulder, and Athos made an agreement sign.


- Let's go... everyone else is inside.-


They quickly traveled through several corridors until they reached a huge double door. The musketeers took off their hats, Larthis followed their example, and placed behind her.


She, a little confused, remembered the call and opened the door.


- Walk towards Treville, Larthis. We will follow you.-


Larthis nodded. Aramis walked aside of Porthos, and the small group walked ahead. After a brief moment, she saw him standing aside of the king. She stopped and kneeled,as the law indicated, while her mind whirled in confusion.


Everything was too strange... if it was an emergency call, why was everyone in silence? Why Treville wasn't arguing with the monarch or the musketeers?... Why Athos, Porthos and Aramis were behind her?... Were they forming some kind of escort?... and if it was like that... what for?... for?...


A shiver ran down her spine. She lifted her face towards Treville, who understood the surprise in her eyes, and smiled. The girl lowered her head again. A whirlwind ran inside her, confusing so many emotions, that could not decide which face first.


The honor escort raised and stepped aside, beginning the ceremony. Treville stepped foward and the king stood up. The musketeers unsheated their swords and saluted.


- Aspirant Larthis.- the girl managed at last to control her emotions, the king was speaking.- you have acomplished the selection trials and your work in your training and misions has been outstanding. The musketeers are proud to let you join their ranks.-


Treville talked next.


- Larthis... do you swear to protect the King and France, even at the cost of your own life?-


"I swear it"


- Larthis.- the king spoke again.- surrender your sword.-


She took out both swords and gave them to the monarch. He looked a little disconcerted, but took them and placed both swords at her shoulders.


Larthis, seized by the emotion, couldn't hear the king's words, nor notice when her three companions put her dresscoat. When she listened the order to stand up, saw Athos giving her swords back and then turned completely to watch the musketeers... and realized that was one of them.


After that, she could only remember confusion... She exited the palace to receive the congratulations of all her new companions. Between all that confusion an image took form in her mind, making her forget everything else. With that light in her mind, she mounted her horse and galloped away, being followed far behind by Athos, who was the only one with his horse near.


**************************

After a long ride and several hours later he could find Larthis' horse tied to a tree. He dismounted and tied his own horse to that tree, and began searching for Larthis.


After a while he reached a clearing where he found Larthis kneeling at a pile of rocks, aparently praying. When he aproached, he could read a wooden sign that was at the middle of the rocks.


"To Yves:

You were a man of honor whose life was cut out by the unjustice of a village.

Your example and memory will live forever."


Athos got nearer and saw a second wooden sign.


"I have acomplished your mision. Brother, rest in peace.

Larthis"


Moved by this words, Athos put his hand on the shoulder of the young one. She raised her sight and walked to the forest.


- Which was his mision?.-


Larthis stopped and answered with sadness marked in her face.


"To become a musketeer and serve the King."


Athos, with many questions arising in his mind, tried to talk with her.


- And if that was his mision... which one is yours?.-


Larthis thought a brief moment before walking again.


"At the beginning, it was to become a trustful person in France. Now also, is to become a musketeer."


Athos could only recognize the sincerity of this words, that were more marked by the loneliness in her eyes.


- Was he truly a great man?.-


"Never existed a juster man... I follow his example in every moment."


The musketeer percieved the depression threatening over Larthis, and only could ask one more thing before mounting and returning to the headquarters.


- When did it happen?.-


" Two days before I arrived with all of you.."


Athos saw the last words in hands of Larthis, and both rode in silence.


"... a year ago."