Chap.11 friends

D'Artagnan Sr. awoke to the sound of a horse racing down the path. He grabbed his sword to defend himself if it was someone who intended to harm him.

Then he yelled "Who goes there?" The man on the horse yelled back "I did not expect to see you until midday!"

Then the man on the horse and took the weary animal to the stream. The horse had been pushed to its limits. The weary horse gratefully gulped the refreshing water.

He man then approached the tired D'Artagnan. He looked at his friend and spoke "I got the message to go to the garrison."

D'Artagnan looked back and nodded thinking the others had filled him in with the situation. Then he realized he must have slept longer than he had intended to.

"Thank you for waking me dear friend!"

Porthos Put his arm around D'Artagnan and said "Of Course! I have some pastries and fruit that Celestiel packed for me. Will you join me for a bite?"

D'Artagnan smiled at his friend and said "I would never refuse an offer as good as that." With that they devoured the food.

They sat there with their minds wandering as they allowed Porthos' horse a rest before they continued their journey.

As the got up to leave they looked upon the sky. The coming sun had turned it to the colors of the autumn leaves. They left not knowing what they were searching for was in the opposite direction then they were headed.

In the musketeer garrison

Three young musketeers sat at the table looking at each other their thoughts on the on the woman that they all cared for. They knew that help was on the way to search for her.

Then suddenly Ramon started to let out a thunderous laugh the other two looked at him in shock.

Jacques (Siroc) finally spoke, "Have you gone totally made our friend is missing and you start laughing.

Ramon looked at his friends with tears in his eyes from the laughter. "I was just thinking about all the trouble we cause. Me with the Enchantress, you with the notebook, and D'Artagnan with all the women. Duval even had trouble because of the Chameleon. All she went through to help us even if it caused us to rescue her or let her dress in someone's room."

D'Artagnan turned bright red "I didn't think you knew about that"

The other two just laughed at their friend. Then Ramon looked D'Artagnan right in the eye and said "I do want to be invited to your wedding."

D'Artagnan laughed and said "I wouldn't have it any other way. I just have to convince her to be my wife."

Ramon and Jacques (Siroc) started to laugh at their friend. Jacques (Siroc) spoke up "I could make some more love potion."

D'Artagnan got a funny look on his face and said "Noooo The last time did not work out so well."

The other two exchanged glances and Ramon said "I thought you were not going to use it."

D'Artagnan looked down guilty and said "I had to know if there was a chance any chance with her. I never did anything to her my heart is hers if she so wishes it".

His friends understood what he had meant by his words. They would find her.

A love such as theirs was a treasure few had ever been able to receive. She was a gift sent to teach them what love was truly about. All her pain and sorrow and she still had compassion and concern for others.

In the Inn in LeHavre

A young woman had just woke up. Her raven hair stuck to her tear stained face. She got up and walked over to her bag and took out a clean bandage. She carefully undressed and washed her wound then she placed some ointment on her still tender wound. She was glad she remembered to pack them before she left. There would be too many questions if she would have asked the innkeeper.

They might have insisted on her seeing a doctor. She could not take that chance she knew she had to go some where that she would not get that many questions there was only one place she could think of. No one would think of looking for her there and everyone would be safe. She would ask Curtis if he would help her get passage there.

She had finished dressing and looked at her reflection. She had tied her corset a little tight but it was necessary to keep the bandages in place. Then she tied up her raven locks and placed the blond wig upon her head.

She was going to go to the chapel she was hoping to leave quietly so not to wake anyone.

As soon as she opened her door a young man rose from the chair he was sitting.

He looked at the graceful beauty and gave her a smirk as he spoke "So were you trying to sneak out on us."

She turned bright red and spoke in a quiet voice "I was just going to go to the chapel. I did not want to wake anyone."

Curtis looked at her and gave a roaring laugh. "You don't have to worry about waking us up. I am not going to let you go anywhere without breakfast."

She started to protest but he took her hand and gently guided her to the table and pulled out her chair for her to set. The table was filled with pastries and fruit. Then Curtis walked up to her carrying a cup of coffee and sat it in front of her. She gratefully accepted it she picked up the cup and inhaled the scent of the delectable beverage as she took the first couple of sips.

Then Curtis gave her a serious look and said "I will walk you to the chapel and I will pick you up for lunch. You have to eat I know you want to pray but you also need your strength"

She was about to argue but knew he would not budge on the subject so she reluctantly agreed. She quickly finished her breakfast and they were soon on their way to the chapel.

The priest saw them coming and quickly opened the door. "Mademoiselle it is nice to see you again."

She blushed and then spoke in a quiet voice "I have come to pray again for the same reasons as before and for guideness."

The priest looked upon the young woman and understood her without any further explanations.

Curtis then spoke "I will be back to get you for lunch."

The young woman was all ready kneeling at this point deep in prayer. The priest nodded to the young man as if to say he would keep an eye on her.

With that Curtis left to return to his duties at the inn.

As soon as he arrived at the inn his father looked up from the table he was sitting and said "you are up early."

Curtis just shrugged his shoulders and said "I took her to the chapel again"

His father shook his head and said. "That poor woman! Did you find out anything about her?"

Curtis looked at his father and said. "She is trying to protect some people. She thinks if they know where she is they will be in danger. This morning she said she is praying for guideness. I told her I would be back to get her for lunch."

His father looked at him and said. "Why don't you take her to the cove for a picnic maybe she will talk to you more?"

Curtis was surprised by his father's suggestion. But he knew his father was quite perceptive about people. And he thought that she needed help so Curtis figured he would help her.

Then Curtis thought about all the responsibilities he had at the inn. His father seemed to have read his mind.

His father gave him a grin and said "I know you have work to do here but she needs our help. And the work will still be there tomorrow."

Just then Celestiel walked in the room and looked at her husband. "I knew there was a reason I fell in love with you. You have such a big heart!"

Curtis gave a big sigh and said "I should get some work done before it is time to get her." And he quickly left the room.