Next morning, Athos came downstairs to find no one. He wandered outside and stopped still.
Aramis was giving Celeste a hand into the carriage and jumped in behind her.
Athos ran up. "Where are you going!"
Celeste dimpled a smile at him. "Paris!"
Aramis looked at him. "There is still much to do. We'll be back soon. Be ready."
Porthos was in there as well.
"But Aramis!" cried Athos. "Phillippe can learn in time, but…"
"He can learn to be Phillippe in time. But first he must learn to be Louis and for that he has two more days," said Aramis.
"What you're asking is impossible!"
"I offer you the perfect revolution," said Aramis, exasperated. "A revolution without bloodshed, without any loss of life, even without treason, for he too is the son of the King."
"But…" began Athos.
"You said you'd do anything, Athos, anything to replace this King," said Aramis. "So do it!" He shouted at the driver.
Athos, wide-eyed and alone, watched the carriage roll away. He turned back to the house and saw Phillippe looking out the window, without the mask.
It was night when they reached Paris. Aramis's carriage rattled to a halt. He threw open the doors and bounded out. He lifted Celeste out and looked at Porthos. "Coming?"
"What use am I?"
"We're going someplace dangerous."
"Why didn't you say so?" Porthos stepped out behind him.
"Stay close," said Aramis softly to Celeste and kept a hold on her hand.
They went through the murky darkness of Paris's backstreets.
"It is good to be out on a mission again…we are out on a mission, aren't we?" asked Porthos.
Aramis grunted.
"You're right. Tell Porthos nothing. He needs to know nothing, for he is useless."
Celeste giggled quietly.
Just then a sinister form stepped from the shadows and blocked their way. The form was holding a knife. Another form with a sword rose from a doorway beside them.
Aramis pushed Celeste behind him.
"Your money or life!" snapped the robber.
Aramis had a bored look on his face and Celeste's eyes where brimming with laughter.
Porthos stood there, blinking in surprise.
Then a thrid robber stepped up behind them and cocked a pistol. "Make it quick, old man!"