Chapter Nine

Athos watched Porthos who had his back to the room. The Musketeer had been staring out of the window for some time. He appeared lost in thought. Athos was not surprised. His friend had been through a lot. Despite it being Athos that had been abducted and used as the bait, it was Porthos who suffered the most mental anguish.

They were all receiving help in the infirmary. Athos only had a hazy memory of the journey back to the garrison. The other Musketeers moved quickly to get the four of them away from the Court and any further attacks by the slighted men of the army. Asim's ill-fated, final attempt to seek revenge had, Athos hoped, put an end to the whole affair. He knew that they would have to be careful for some time, perhaps forever, but at that moment, they were all safe. Even if they were all injured.

He was lying on his side, unable to put pressure on his back for any length of time. The slash across his shoulders was going to be uncomfortable as it healed. That pain was dulled by the assortment of other bruises and cuts he had picked up during his misadventure.

Aramis passed out briefly as Barbotin stitched the nasty wound to his forearm, but he was now sitting up in bed, allowing the garrison's other medic to wrap bandages around his head and arm. Aramis was more focused than he had been, but he still looked pale. Considering Aramis had been beaten only the day before, Athos was unsure which of them had come off worse.

Poor d'Artagnan, who was not badly injured, was still going to be confined to the infirmary for a couple of days. The grazes and cuts to his face, caused by the explosion he set off, meant d'Artagnan had a bandage wrapped over his eyes, leaving him temporarily blind. Whilst he understood the need to be left incapacitated, he had complained bitterly. Athos was not looking forward to the next couple of days if d'Artagnan was going to continue to moan.

Barbotin helped Aramis to drink a pain-killing draught before straightening up. He looked at each of them with a critical eye and nodded to himself.

'I'll leave you to rest,' he said. 'I've asked Serge to sort out stew for you all. One of the lads will bring it over in a couple of hours. Try to eat, all of you.'

D'Artagnan smiled and shook his head, 'you sound just like him,' he nodded in the vague direction of Aramis' bed.

Aramis managed a pained smile, 'I taught him well,' he said.

Barbotin made a small bow to his mentor, and retreated from the room, leaving the four of them alone.

Porthos continued to stare out of the window. His shoulders tense. Athos glanced at Aramis who was watching his friend. Aramis still looked guilty as well.

'What do I need to say to you both for you to accept that none of this was either of your faults?' asked Athos.

D'Artagnan spoke before either Porthos, or Aramis could respond.

'They know it's not their fault,' he said, looking towards Athos, but slightly to his left. 'They spent most of yesterday trying to take the blame from each other. Almost came to blows at one point.'

Aramis nodded. Porthos did not move. Athos got the impression Aramis was at the point of accepting that he was not at fault. But Porthos was still struggling.

'I loved her once,' said Porthos, his voice flat. 'I respected Asim. He was still a junior member of the army when I left. But I knew he'd become a leader. I misread them. I can accept that what happened wasn't my fault. But I can't forgive myself for being so naive that I was taken in by her.'

Athos was struck by Porthos' words. He knew what it was to be taken in by a woman. When Porthos finally turned and looked at him, Athos hoped he conveyed to his friend that he knew how he felt. He was sure he saw a small nod of acknowledgement from Porthos.

'People who live like that,' began Aramis. 'The way you used to. They have to think about themselves. Perhaps you are unique?'

Porthos chuckled wryly, 'perhaps I am. Or, perhaps I've changed since leaving there, and I'm just not like that anymore.'

'We trust you implicitly,' said d'Artagnan. 'I can't remember the number of times I've trusted you with my life.'

Porthos nodded, before verbalising his answer for the temporarily blind Musketeer, 'thank you.'

'How long do you think it will take them to get back to normal?' asked d'Artagnan.

Porthos shrugged, 'if you are wondering how long we have before they might come after us again. I don't know.'

'We will just continue as we have been,' said Aramis. 'We can't do any more than that. I think you have to accept that you can't go back there now.'

Athos could see the conflict and regret on Porthos' face. Despite saying he did not feel to blame, it was obvious he would continue to be affected by what had happened. Porthos had effectively been betrayed by a former lover, and the people he had grown up with.

'Maybe I should have just let him kill you,' mused Aramis with a smirk.

Porthos smiled back, 'and how many times have I watched your back since then?'

Athos said, 'we cannot change what has happened. And sometimes those events will be essential to the outcome of others.'

The four lapsed into silence. D'Artagnan reached up to his blindfold.

'No.'

'Leave it alone.'

'You have to let it heal.'

D'Artagnan let his hand drop into his lap and looked blindly at the three of them.

'I'm not going to help any of you escape again.'

Porthos pulled up a chair, and sat by d'Artagnan, he glanced across to Athos, and Aramis. He grinned.

'This is my penance,' he said. 'I'm officially on d'Artagnan watch.'

Athos chuckled, 'good luck with that. I suspect it will be a difficult mission.'

D'Artagnan huffed in annoyance.

'I suppose this is going to be like our mutual animosity with the Red Guard,' mused Aramis, who was looking into the distance. 'We're always wary of them. I don't think that's ever going to change.'

Athos nodded his agreement, the two garrisons held an uneasy peace, but the slightest provocation between them often led to skirmishes.

'Then, it is nothing we cannot handle,' concluded Athos.

He looked across to his friends, pleased to see each of them nod their agreement.

The End.

Authors note: Thanks for the comments and kudos/favourites.

I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing.

I have an idea for a follow-up. It is still coming together in my head.