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Disclaimer: All hail Dumas and his descendants.
PAX young blades and the Disney version of 3 musketeers gave inspiration to this tale. There is no money in it for me, just enjoyment
– Something I hope to share

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-(Chapter VIII Return and Repose)-

"It was nice have met you Siroc sir." Kate curtseyed. Any you, Dart…you ought to write more often. Do take care of Papa now." She saluted the dark cavalier smartly and smiled, no word need be said between them. Cavalier's friendship with K'lyn was as old as his contention with her father. If not for Chosen's "interfering" Emris might have abandoned his unintended child when he fled the citadel. But, when it came to caring for Kate Chosen could not stand by and let Emris be 'Remiss.'

Emris she hugged expressively. "Don't worry about us papa…we'll get along fine while you're away."

"Keep him of sight." He cautioned quietly. "And do try to stay out of trouble." If the need arose the brothers of the Societatis Iesu would do all in their power protect Philippe. But barring anything extreme Kate would likely have a better chance of soothing the still skittish prince-ling.

"Of course papa, always." She smiled sweetly…his heart melted. It was difficult to deny anything to those green bright eyes. He kissed the top of her head and prepared to ride out.

"Are you sure you are well enough for the journey Aramis?" Chosen asked concerned when he noticed the other man wince as he mounted.

"'m fine" the would-be-priest snorted gruffly, too proud admit otherwise and wear his arm in a sling lashed to his side. Though his shoulder ached from being jostled…Chosen's politeness irked him more. Could it be that he'd grown to enjoy the mild hostility they'd shared for so many years?" -Puzzling

As promised, Cavaliers stallion, Charger, was the most magnificent creature the cadets had ever seen. When his rider introduced D'Artagnan and Siroc, the great beast lifted one gleaming hoof and bowed majestically. "He is not tame," The dark cavalier cautioned. "Treat him with respect if you wish to keep skin intact."

"I imagine the same can be said about you Cyclops." Emris said… Guiltily he hoped the, somewhat unkind, nickname would put he and the dark cavalier back on the same footing again.

But Chosen only said "Perhaps," with a slight smile and mounted.

o---------o

The journey was made largely in companionable silence. On the route out Siroc had been full of his thoughts now though It seemed odd not to have Ramón's idle talk to while away the miles. D'Artagnan seemed to feel the loss as well and tried to start up conversation a few times to no great success.

As far as Siroc was concerned watching Cavalier ride was an experience in itself. He used no bit and guided the powerful creature using only his knees. Charger's sinuous movements were not those of the parade ground … He was a force of nature; alert, inquisitive…a fury only one of Chosen's incontrovertible skill could mount without serious threat to life and limb.

Yet Siroc suspected that at his riders gentle urging that wild spirit would come, race, jump, fight, pull or carry with never a pause or complaint. If Chosen bid him the great beast would even consent even to bear small children with tenderness and ease.

Though he wouldn't want to think about what would happen to those same mischievous hands… should they attempt to braid flowers into flowing mane or tail. Civil certainly wasn't tame.

o------------o

Hours later Chosen left them, "This is my place." he nodded toward a two-story home with a broad porch situated between the outskirts of Berry and the great woods. If there was any doubt…there was a large paddock beside the house with five…slightly rougher versions of Charger grazing and frolicking about in the clover.

Siroc marked the place in his mind as the others said their 'goodbyes' to the dark man then they continued onward past the vineyards and into Berry proper.

Athos greeted them and fell to teasing Emris like the brother he was. "You missed another Q." He scolded playfully.

"Thank you for sending the leftovers… Kate enjoyed them immensely."

"Only Kate? Have you lost your taste old man?"

"Are you so senile need I remind you I am 1 year and 6 months younger than you?"

The two grand musketeers were joined by a third… at a glance Siroc guessed this jovial giant must be none other than the Infatigable Captain Porthos. He embraced the would-be-priest furiously causing the other to yelp in pain.

"Have you gotten yourself shot again?" Paul frowned.

"Yes – shoulder…careful." Emris gasped through grit teeth.

"You need better playmates my friend…next time come with me and I'll show you how its done. Jack, Roberts and I draw straws to decide which ship gets the pirate flag … brigadier hat or merchant plunder. I got the nicest hat this time. Next we find some pleasant little bay to play chase and broadside one another with bags of laundry… I suppose the powder burns on the clothes are pretty bad and you can't really get out the smell but it makes the cannons good and shiny.

Someone gets boarded and the other crew tries to repel boarders with practice blades and slingshot grapes…I stung Jack's smith boy Will, dead on the neck … looks just like a love-bite. He'll have a devil of a time explaining to the missus." The large man grinned like a lunatic. "Then when its over we break open the wine casks and dig in to the vittles… amiable as you please."

"Oy there, Dart!" the captain lunged suddenly and grabbed the legend's son in the crook of one meaty arm and ruffled his hair unmercifully."

"Uncle Paulie! I'm too big for that." The legend's son squealed and tried to squirm away.

"Don't look very big from where I'm standing." The giant pirate laughed.

Siroc raised an eyebrow…he could see where this was going and was not in a hurry to be introduced into this 'family reunion'…He took the opportunity to quietly slip off and find Ramón.

o------------o

The Spanish poet was not difficult to find …One need only listen for the lilt of poetry in the air. A small host lounged in the shade of a huge tree beside the shimmering waters of the bay. Young men and women both had gathered around to hear…and recite well wrought words.

Ramón had finished his latest rhapsody and another took his place. The youth carried himself like a soldier bred…but there was a timid-ness that exemplified the fact that this was clearly a venue where his authoritarian training did not apply. Siroc approached quietly and sat on the grass behind the crowd so as not to spook the youth.

"I I I only just learned to read… but I think I memorize well enough…this may do." He smiled shyly and toyed with the rust colored edge that bordered his berry blue tunic. He closed his eyes and began…

"Where war and wrack and wonder, by shifts have sojourned there.

And bliss by turns with plunder in that lands lot had to share.

As it fashioned featly in tale of derring-do, and liked in measures mete by letters tried and true.

Happiest of mortal kind, Our Count noblest famed of will: you would now go far to find So hearty a host on the hill."

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"That all I remember." He admitted quietly.

The assembly clapped cheerfully and one of several other militaristic youths grinned widely. "Good on ya, Ax…make us Rust look right fine!"

Ramón cheered. "Maravilloso, Very well done."

The 'warrior bard' Ax only blushed and sat down again

Ramón caught sight of Siroc finally "Ahh you are returned to us at last…" he smiled. "I do hope you didn't mind my staying behind to pursue my own adventures for a time?"

"Of course not …though you were missed I see you have been busy." The inventor smiled.

"Friend Siroc… let me introduce you to the newly formed Poetic and Balladeer Society of Berry.

"Well met all." Siroc smiled and moved to sit closer to Ramon. The Spaniard turned his attention once more to the group … "Who would like to go next?" he asked.

"I've got one" a stunning blond smiled.

"Athos' daughter" the Spaniard whispered to Siroc and nodded approvingly.

By way of preface she said "Its called Dove of Morning by Emris de Ruse for his lady Shelly"

"When first ray of morning light,

Ignites the flame and banishes night

Upon sorrel hill 'neath laded vine,

With thee alone I respite find.

Dove of morning; climb the heights.

Embrace unfettered freedom's flight.

Thy song doth bloom, gentle soul's delight

My dreams they pale within thy sight

Can I touch you, make you mine?

Oh please my dove I beg a sign."

As she finished the last her gaze was definitely focused on one individual in particular.

Grim. The silent boy beamed. As if there was any doubt when she had finished the youth hooked his thumbs together and made a sign of wings across his chest and bowed to the maiden. Sign asked for…sign given.

The sparkle in Ramón's eyes was eloquent …
"Young love is Soooo beautiful."

In that pleasant company… Siroc wiled away the afternoon in ease. His Spanish friend learned long ago not to expect him to participle so Siroc need only to sit and enjoy the pleasant breeze. This was all well and good as his mind was fully occupied with what was to happen this evening. Truth to tell, he was more than a little anxious to see how (and if) the matter would resolve itself.

As dusk fell, and the town watch changed, some young people drifted away and others came…(D'Artagnan included) bringing with them picnic stuffs to share with all assembled.

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