They walked calmly towards a pub to forget the problems of the day.


They suddenly stopped after noticing a great amount of people in an alley. One of the members of the group, taking advantage of his size and strenght, opened a way to discover the cause.


When he reached the center he was stunned. He delayed a few seconds in react and call the rest of the group. After dispersing the people they targeted in their objective... A musketeer had been attacked and was apparently dead.


- Who is him Athos?.- asked one of them while taking out a religion book.


The alluded one moved the body and uncovered the face that was hidden by the cloak.


All of them, astonished, kept silence for a long time.


-... Larthis...-


Athos took her hat and placed it securely before admiting anyone else getting near. The giant aproached and raised the body.


- Athos, Aramis... I swear that the guards will pay for this...- Aramis placed two fingers on her neck. A shadow of relief crossed his face.


- Easy Porthos... he is still alive...-


They decided not to waste any more time. They took Larthis with someone who could save her life.


Athos remained in the alley, kneeled at the place where the musketeer had lain. He extended his hand and barely touched a small pool of blood. Fury invaded him, and he whispered at the same time he discharged a punch at the ground.


- They will pay... damn it!... I should have gone with you... Larthis...- covered his eyes with a hand. She didn't knew that he had discovered her secret a long time ago and kept silence... He knew that it was an unequal fight at every moment...


- Shouldn't have left her alone...-


He tried to calm and hurried to reach his companions and try to mantain safe her secret.


***


Two days passed. The king had been informed of the attack and raised the punishment from the musketeers. Larthis was alive and recovering at a room at the headquarters. She was healing quickly, but couldn't communicate with her hands.


She had several injuries, being most important her two arms broken and a leg serioulsy wounded. Her weakness was due to blood lost she had almost to be attended like a child.


D'Artagnan was still trying to learn the hand language of Larthis, spending with her the most time possible. This situation helped Treville to avoid setting guards.


The guards of the Cardinal had to be very careful to avoid the anger of the musketeers. The gascon couldn't understand why such reaction among his friends... how could one single person could be the source of so many reactions.


- D'Artagnan, it's your turn to rest. I cover you.-


The young man turned and smiled to the musketter standing at the door.


- I'm not tired Athos. I can't still learn this lenguage and...-


A whistling that sounded like a bird song interrupted him. The gascon turned again, astonished.


- You still have to learn a lot about Larthis' language boy, no wonder why is our sentinel at campaign.-


D'Artagnan retired, defeated. Athos closed the door and sat beside Larthis.


- So he has improved. We hope that you can recover on time to see his trials.-


She whistled again. The musketeer nodded slightly.


- Yes, he's working hard...- he continued thinking for a while.- How long are you going to stay like this Larthis?.-


She answered again... Athos raised and went to the door.


- I'll get something to eat. You must be hungry.- He heard the affirmative whistling before going out of the room.


After closing the door his mood changed. The happiness that he was acting vanished and sadness appeared.


-  How long are you going to stay like this Larthis?.- he kept silence while walking near other musketeers, and continued asking to the air.- How long will you hide?... How long will you stay in secret?.-


He stopped in front of the door again. He put his thoughts aside and focused on her health. Only she could uncover her secret in front of everyone and until then... he should keep silence.