Chap. 3
10 years later
Duval is constantly reminded of the pain of his leg. He laid awake thinking of that day ten years ago.
He had arrived at the house but as soon as he arrived he saw the men they were wearing masks. The men were burning down the Leponte estate.
His anger erupted as he rushed to try to put out the flames of the building. While the flames of his temper raged on. He kept thinking of the family that was murdered.
He made a promise to himself to find young Jacques and keep him safe from harm. He was in the home trying desperately to save what ever he could.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw the glint of a sword. Quickly he drew his sword and begins to duel this masked man. The flames began to engulf the house suddenly a ceiling beam crashed to the floor. It had landed right on the leg of the young Lieutenant pinning him to the floor.
The masked man he was dueling ran to escape to the now raging flames. If it hadn't been for one of his closest friends Jasper who pulled him to safety would not be here right now.
He got up out of his bed and washed his sweaty worried face. He thought about Alicia. She would never have a husband who could never give her everything she deserved. Her words still haunted him. "But I love you why can't you understand that!" tears streaming down her cheeks.
He now walked with a cane. The pain only reminded him of his duty for the girl and Jacques Leponte.
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a small knock at the door. Duval answered in his gruff voice. "What?"
The Young private on the other side of the door answered quickly. "Captain you wanted me to let you know when we got any information about Monsieur Jasper."
The Captain suddenly pulled the door with great urgency. He looked at the young private with a frustrated glare "Well what is it private"
The cadet timidly answered. "He is being held in the tunnels connected to the castle"
"Do you know if he has been harmed" said the gruff man. The private looked down at the ground "I am not sure sir."
The Captain just looked at the private and yelled "dismissed!"
The private ran to get out of the fury that stood before him.
Duval closed his door and locked it. He limped to his desk. He knew what he had to do. He picked up his quill and dipped it in the ink. He rubbed his forehead. "Please be safe my friend."
He knew of two men who would be able to pull off a mission this risky. He soon finished his letter and sealed it.
He limped out of his room and stood there watching the newest recruits. One of them stuck out in particular. He was much taller than the others he had jet black hair and dark skin.
This boy looked to serious for someone his age. From what the queen had told him this boy's father had disowned him after he saved a French Duchess from a group of bandits.
The boy's father did not like the French and said he should have let them have her. The boy told his father that no woman should be treated like that. His father kicked him out and told him never to come back.
The Duchess brought him to Paris and told the Queen the boy's story. The Queen after much debate asked the boy if he would join the musketeers. He agreed he thought at least I will home a warm place to sleep.
Duval thought this boy was too young to join but did not argue with the Queen. The boy had skills with a sword he had seen in few others at that age. The boy never causes any trouble and always ate by himself.
Duval walked up to the young boy and said "I have an errand for you to run Ramón."
The boy looked at the Captain with a puzzled expression upon his young face. "Si sir!" those are the only words the young man says to anyone since he arrived.
Duval gave the boy the letter and the address of where it was to be delivered. He knew that if anyone could get the letter to it was this boy he didn't know why but he seemed to trust this boy more than most.
Duval then dismissed the young cadet and went to his office to work on the pile of paper work the other cadets caused.
The young cadet hurried out of the garrison. It was such a wonderful day he decided he would make poetry. He never told anyone of his desire to be a poet. He knew that others would think it was too much of a fanciful hobby for a man. He figured his thoughts were the one thing he had and did not belong to anyone else.
He finally came to the address and walked in the large hotel. He approached the desk and asked where room 5 was.
The innkeeper glared at the young cadet with absolute hate in his eyes. "I would not let a Spaniard sleep at the steps of my hotel let alone tell them where a room of one of my French guests is at."
Just then two men walked up behind the young boy. One of the men spoke "I think you owe this young man an apology he is a musketeer and should be treated with respect we musketeers stick together."
The innkeeper turned pure white. "Not you two!"
The young boy then spoke again "I didn't mean any trouble Captain Duval wanted me to give this to the gentlemen in room 5."
The two men looked at each other. The first one spoke again "Athos I think that is the first time I have ever been called a gentlemen from a cadet."
"Yes I have to agree with you Armis" agreed his friend.
Ramon turned around and looked at the two men standing behind him and handed them the letter Duval placed in his care.
He gave a low bow and left as quietly as he entered. Armis looked at Athos. "They don't make cadets like they used to."
Athos put his arm around his friend. "They don't make a lot of things like they used to!"
They both laughed at the site of the innkeeper. His color was beginning to return to his face and was muttering to himself "last time those two were here had to replace furniture and paintings."
He just kept muttering as he was walking away they thought they heard him say something about banning swords in the hotel. The words of the disgruntled inn keeper only made them laugh harder.
They finally remembered the letter and decided to go in their room and read it. Once they entered the room they broke the seal that Duval had placed on the letter. The letter state that Jasper was being held captive and asked if they would rescue him.
They exchanged glances and quickly got their swords and jackets. They knew how much this meant to Duval. With out another word they left the hotel and were on their way. They rode until they got to a group of trees. They decided hide there until dusk.
"Wake me up once it gets dark" Athos muttered as he kicked Armis's boot.
As soon as dusk started to fall Armis found a long stick and started poking it at Athos. Athos woke up and stated "what's the big idea?"
Armis just shrugged. "Last time I woke you up and we were outside you gave me a black eye."
Athos looked away guilty. "How many times do I have to say I am sorry?"
Armis just chuckled. "We should get ready."
The moment the stars started to glisten within the sky, they entered the caves. The guards were unable to defend themselves.
They soon entered a room that contained a table with pieces of leather attached to it and metal cuffs attached to the leather. The cuffs had a strange locking device on them. Neither of the men had ever seen a device like this before.
On the table was Jasper strapped to the table his face covered in blood and it looked like he had several bruises but he was awake. The two men stood there trying to figure out how to open the locking device.
In stumbled a young blond boy his arms full of parchments he was ordered to bring them in this room.
The boy's eyes grew wide at the site of these men. He wondered if they could help him get freedom from the life he was forced to live and the lives he was forced to take away. He did not remember his life before his master only since.
The frail young man finally spoke "I will help you if you help me get freedom."
The men quickly agreed and the boy walked over to the device and pushed a couple metal switches that clicked as it unlocked.
Athos looked at the boy with confusion apparent upon his face. "How did you know how to open it?"
The boy reluctantly looked up at the two men and stated in a calm voice. "I made it now Please keep your promise you gave."
Armis now spoke "Of course but please tell us your name first young man."
The boy confused at this but answered "My name is Siroc I am only a slave." He closed his eyes and waited for his freedom.
Armis spoke again "Are you coming Siroc?"
The boy opened his eyes and looked at them. He did not understand what they meant by their kind words. He then blurted out "My Master say's my only freedom is death."
Armis looked at the young boy with kindness in his eyes. "We know of a better freedom!" And With that they were off to the musketeer garrison.
Armis looked at Athos with a grin on his face "Duval is going to hurt us."
Athos replied to his friend "Not if he can make more of those and pointed to all the strange devices around them in the room." Armis nodding in agreement at his friend's observation.
Around 6 pm earlier that evening on the Roget farm
Little Gerard was running crying for her mother. "She bested me again mama."
Jacqueline was running trying to comfort her brother. Their duels always ended this way.
The moment they ran in the door they heard the name Jacques Leponte. Jacqueline Had heard that name before.
"Who is he mama?"
Her mother explained he was a child that has been missing for a long time Gerard's eyes got big. Jacqueline got a puzzled look upon her young face. "What happened to him?'
Her father and mother exchanged a look. "That is not is not a matter for children."
Jacqueline looked her papa right in the eyes. Her big green eyes made him melt and she knew that. When she really wanted to know something she went to him. He gave her a look of determination knowing what she wanted him to say. "No, my gift!"
Then without warning he picked her up and started tickling her until she forgot what her question was. Then he stopped and looked at his little girl. "Why can't you let your brother win sometimes?"
She let out a little giggle and wiggled out of his arms. "Oh papa I will always best Gerard!"
Her brother sniffed at her angrily "No you won't!"
Their father looked at the two of them "I think it's time to wash for supper."
Jacqueline looked at her father with her eyes shining. "Papa will you tell us a story tonight about the musketeers and the brave D'Artagnan."
He looked at her with a smile in his eyes. "Yes my gift, now go wash up for supper."
Her mother looked at her father and sighed "I wish she would act more other little girls picking flowers instead of dueling with her brother."
Her husband looked at her with a mischievous grin. "Like you were Marie?"
She looked back at her husband and laughed "I was not that difficult!"
He shook his head. "Your parents couldn't keep you in dresses. You would always steal your brothers' clothes and duel every man within sight."
Marie blushed in embarrassment "I guess you are right".
He wrapped his arms lovingly around his wife and said "I would not want you any other way".
She kissed her husband as she heard their children running to the table for supper.
That very evening around 6 pm as well
Porthos and D'Artagnan Jr. were riding down a dirt path around some farms.
D'Artagnan Jr. was rubbing his seat complaining. About riding this path instead of the road most people take.
Just at that moment he stopped and stared at one of the farms he saw girl that seemed to float as she tried to comfort her little brother. He was crying for his mother because his sister had bested him
He watched her raven curls as they glistened in the sun. He sat there afraid to move that she might be a dream.
Porthos watched this young man set motionless until the two children ran into the house. D'Artagnan Jr. looked up at the older man and asked if that is how all great beauties look.
The older man looked at the boy and laughed. "Athos, Armis, and I will have to have a long talk about women with you when we get to the Inn. Let's go it's almost supper time and we still need to check in the Inn."
So they hurried their horses along the well wore path.