Here's the next chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Dogtanian. Not at all!
Now, let's resume our story!
Gavin and Dogtania Meet The Royals
The next day…
"Man, that ointment really is magical," Gavin said as he and Dogtania walked along the road, his hood on his head. "My wounds already healed with not a sign it was even there!"
"Mhm! I told you it was!" Dogtania replied with a nod.
"I wonder if your mom would ever be willing to share the recipe with us?" he said, causing her to shrug.
"Probably," Dogtania replied, before they reached the gates of the Muskehound Headquarters and gained confused looks on their faces.
Standing on either side of the steps to the main building were Muskehounds who were standing at attention, their snouts pointed up in the air.
"What in the world is going on?" Gavin said with confusion as they walked inside and went around the large fountain, before Dogtania walked over to a nearby Muskehound.
"Why is everyone standing at attention and looking so serious?" She asked the Muskehound.
"Shhh! We are having a formal reception for two very important people!" The Muskehound said quietly to her.
"Oh," Gavin and Dogtania replied with wide eyes.
"Then I guess we'd better get in line like everyone else," Dogtania said, with Gavin nodding before they did just that, standing at the ends of the lines.
Then, Athos walked down the stairs. "Listen Muskehounds! You must show our guests the respect they deserve!" She continued as she walked down the lines. "You! Fix that flap. It's undone! Be at attention with your stomachs in and chests out! With eyes to the front, and your head held high as if you swallowed a stick!"
"Say Aramis, don't you think she's putting it on a bit thick?" Porthas asked Aramis as they stood on the steps.
"You know Athos, she loves to put on a show!" Aramis replied with her hands held up a little.
Upon hearing Athos say these things, Gavin and Dogtania did their best to adjust their posture, which soon caught Athos' attention.
"What?! Dogtania, Gavin, you've come?!" She said to them as she walked over to them, her hands on her hips. "And just what do you think you are doing?"
"We're waiting like all the others to greet two people of great importance!" The two replied quickly as they looked straight ahead, feeling quite nervous.
"No you're not!"
"Huh?" The two said with confusion and shock, before they were then grabbed by the back of their shirts and cloak and lifted into the air by her, which caused Gavin's hood to fall down. "Woah!"
Athos then turned around and showed them to the others. "These two are who we've been waiting for!" She said, making Gavin and Dogtania's eyes widen with surprise. "Muskehounds! These are our heroes!"
"What?"
"Huh?"
"That little lady and her weird friend are the special people we've been waiting for?!"
Then, with a smile and chuckle, Athos put Dogtania on her shoulder and set Gavin on the ground before her, before she started to move forward, prompting Gavin to move forward as well. "Come on Muskehounds! Show our friends how we welcome our heroes!"
The muskehounds continued to stare at them with confusion, before Porthas spoke. "My friends! Athos is not exaggerating! Young Dogtania and Gavin helped us to defeat Cardinal Richelieu's guards," She stated as she pointed at them.
At that, the crowd smiled. "Three cheers for Dogtania and Gavin!"
"Hip hip!"
"Hooray!"
As the crowd cheered, some of the Muskehounds tossed their hats into the air, while Gavin and Dogtania stared with surprise. Then, the Muskehounds started to clap, and they smiled.
"Thank you thank you thank you, my friends!" Dogtania said with a large smile, while Gavin waved back and said a simple "Thank you." "Dogtania and Gavin of Bern, at your service!"
They continued to thank them as they walked up the stairs, with Athos keeping a firm grip on Dogtania so she wouldn't fall off her shoulders and onto the steps.
Then, once they'd gone inside, they went up to see Captain Treville.
"Well done! You gave those guards a lesson all right!" Treville said to Gavin, Dogtania, and the Three Muskehounds as they stood in his chamber, their hats and cloak off. "I would have given anything to see Widimer's face." He then chuckled.
"Pardon me, Monsieur Treville, but does this mean that me and Gavin are a member of the Muskehounds now?" Dogtania asked him with a hopeful look, while Gavin looked at him with a curious one.
"I'm sorry, my dear, but that's impossible!" Treville replied, surprising Dogtania and confusing Gavin.
"How come?" Dogtania and Gavin asked him. "You just said we did well," Dogtania continued. "Tell us why?!"
"The Royal Muskehounds have certain regulations, and I must follow them," Treville explained.
"You mean rules? Well, what are they?" Dogtania asked him.
"In three years' time, you will be able to join the Muskehounds as an official member," Treville said.
"Oh, that's such a long time," Dogtania said.
"Not really Dogtania," Gavin replied as he looked at her. "Remember how long we fought with wooden swords before your father let us fight with real ones? We had them for over 10 years! Three years is a breeze compared to that."
"I guess," Dogtania said, still sounding a bit sad. "We'll be ready then, Monsieur Treville." She then turned to leave, but paused when he continued to speak.
"However, if you two behave yourselves and work hard, I might be able to arrange your appointment much sooner!" Treville said, making her gasp.
"Really?!" She said, before she jumped for joy and started running around him happily. "Thank you Monsieur Treville, thank you! You've made me so very happy!"
"She makes me feel like I'm Mother Goose," Treville muttered as he looked up at the ceiling for a couple seconds.
"Dogtania! Stop running around Monsieur Treville!" Gavin gently but firmly stated to her, causing her to stop running. "I'm sorry, Monsieur Treville," he continued, bowing to the man as he did so. "Sometimes, when Dogtania gets excited, she does things without thinking."
At that, Dogtania started to frown, before she paused and sighed, knowing he was right. "Sorry, Monsieur Treville," She said to the man as she bowed to him.
"Oh, it's quite alright," Treville said, before he looked at the two of them. "Dogtania, Gavin, I have a special reward for the two of you."
"You mean like a medal?" Dogtania asked him.
"What is it?" Gavin asked the man while thinking, 'I highly doubt it's a medal.'
"A visit to the Royal Gardens at the Palace," Treville replied, which made Athos, Porthas, and Aramis gasp in surprise.
"Hmm, that's it?" Dogtania said with some disappointment. "That's our reward?"
"Sounds fun," Gavin said, feeling a bit excited to see the Royal Gardens and the Palace.
"Dogtania, you don't understand. Only the most important people in all of France are allowed to set foot in those gardens!" Athos explained.
"Well, how about that?" Dogtania said with surprise.
"Leave her be Athos," Treville replied. "She doesn't appreciate it now, but someday she will. Are you three ladies going to come?"
"Yes! With pleasure sir!" Athos, Aramis, and Porthas replied together, excited looks on their faces.
At that, Treville nodded, before he walked out of the room. "Bye for now!" All three said to Gavin and Dogtania with a smile and wave, before they turned and followed Treville out.
"Say, if we go to the Palace, you might see Juliette!" Dogtania said with realization.
"Right, we might," Gavin replied with a nod. "It'd be nice to see her at work."
"Indeed," Dogtania said, before she put her hat back on. "Come on! Let's go!" Gavin then nodded at that, before the two ran out of the room after the others.
A couple hours later…
When they went to the courtyard at the appropriate time, they saw that Athos, Porthas, and Aramis were getting on their horses, while Monsieur Treville was getting in a red wheeled, blue open coach that had red cushions inside it. Two other horses stood to the side.
"Come on you two! We're about to leave!" Athos said excitedly as she pointed at the two horses. "You can borrow those two for now."
"Alright," The two said, before they hurried over to the horses and got on them. Fortunately, the horses they had been lent to ride were quite gentle and didn't spook easily, so they had no difficulty in getting on them.
Once they were all ready to go, they set off to the palace.
Because the Musketeers were the protector of the King and Queen, their headquarters were not far from the Royal Palace, also known as the Louvre Palace. So within a few minutes, they were approaching the gates of the most beautiful residence Dogtania and Gavin had ever seen!
It consisted of a massive, sprawling set of multi-story buildings that were built of light-yellow stone bricks, set in a "U" shape, and had deep blue slanted roofs at the top of them. Multiple large beds of colorful flowers dotted the sprawling grounds, while a tall metal fence surrounded a good portion of it, with a stone wall surrounding another portion of it and the nearby river protecting it on the right side.
The gates themselves were currently open and had a very ornate gold frame.
As they approached the gates, one of the Royal Guards spoke upon seeing Treville. "Good afternoon, Captain!" he said to him, causing them to stop.
"How's your new assignment working out?" Treville asked the man, who put a hand to his chest in gratitude.
"Very well sir!" He replied with a smile.
"Being Keeper of the Watch is a large responsibility, but I knew I could count on you to fulfill my expectations," Treville said to him with a smile.
"Sir!" The guard replied, feeling quite touched.
"By the way, I want you to meet some people," Treville said, before he gestured to Dogtania and Gavin. "You already know your mates, but this is Dogtania and Gavin of Bern, future Muskehounds!"
"It is nice to meet you," The guard said to them while thinking 'Gavin looks extremely odd! I wonder what he is?'
And with that, Treville, Gavin, Dogtania, and the Three Muskehounds went inside.
Soon, they were walking through the gardens, being led by a guard.
"What a place!" Dogtania said as she looked around with amazement, with Gavin doing the same thing.
'So many beautiful roses!' Gavin thought as he stared at the pink roses nearby.
"Perhaps now you understand," Athos said to Dogtania as they paused in place and looked at each other. "To be invited here is quite an honor."
"And only His Majesty's Royal Muskehounds are permitted to guard the Palace," Porthas added.
"Mon dieu! Does that mean that I or Gavin might serve here one day?" Dogtania asked with surprise.
"Have you changed your mind Dogtania?" Aramis asked her with a smirk. "Only this morning you thought a walk in the gardens would bore you to death!"
At that, the Three Muskehounds chuckled, while Dogtania rolled her eyes. "Funny," She said as she walked away, with Gavin following her, his hood still on his head.
Soon, Dogtania and Gavin reached the Palace, and started to walk inside it, cleaning off their shoes before they went inside.
"Um, Dogtania, are you sure we should be doing this?" he asked her as they walked, looking at the polished floor and beautiful walls and ceiling nervously. "Shouldn't we stay in the gardens?"
"Oh come on, Gavin," Dogtania said to him as she looked at him, her voice echoing in the hallway a bit. "Are you saying you don't want to see what the Palace looks like inside?" She asked him.
"Well, no," He replied. "It's just that-"
"Then don't worry about it," Dogtania said to him as she started walking again. "If someone asks what we're doing here, I'll just say we got lost."
At that, Gavin sighed. "Alright," he said. "If you say so." 'I know we shouldn't be in here, but I need to make sure she doesn't do something stupid or get into trouble,' He thought to himself, knowing how Dogtania was.
As they walked, in another part of the Palace, Monsieur Treville walked towards a male servant. "Welcome, Monsieur Treville," The male servant said to him. "I regret that the king will be a few moments late for your appointment. He has granted an audience to Cardinal Richelieu."
"What's he doing here?" Treville asked him.
"He didn't say," The servant replied with a shrug. "It was an unexpected visit, and he went directly to His Majesty," he continued as he gestured to a door up ahead. "He knows I arrange the king's schedule, yet he never said a word to me."
"Hmmm," Treville hummed as he looked up the stairs to the door the servant was gesturing to. Said door was large, shaped like an arch, and composed of two wooden doors. A gold crown sat above the very top of the doorway, and the Roman Numerals XIII were engraved in gold above the doors in the arch.
Inside, Cardinal Richelieu was speaking with the king. "It would be improper not to punish the Muskehounds, your Majesty," He said to the man.
King Louis XIII was a somewhat thin King Charles Spaniel with golden yellow fur on his head, long floppy ears that reached down to his shoulders, a white patch of fur on his short muzzle, a black nose, and a black mustache and goatee. He was wearing a pale blue long-sleeve shirt that had puffy shoulders, white cuffs that revealed the red long sleeve underneath it, a large white ruffle collar, dark blue baggy shorts with light blue ruffs at the edges, light blue hose, and light blue shoes with gold buckles.
"But they are the most loyal subjects I have, Richelieu," Louis replied in his young, slightly whiny voice. "During the reign of my father, King Henry, he never doubted that. Nor do I now!"
"I understand," Richelieu replied. "You think Monsieur Treville is more loyal than I am."
"But I only meant that, Eminence,-"
"Is it loyalty when the Muskehounds disregard the law and their duty, for they have sworn to protect you! And where will they be when you need them?" Richelieu asked him, interrupting him. "Dueling in the streets of Paris! Like common criminals, and attacking my guards!"
"You condemn us unjustly Cardinal!" Treville said as he stepped into the room, catching their attention.
"Ah, Monsieur Treville, I was just having a word with the good Cardinal," King Louis said to him as he approached.
"To enter without knocking is extremely disrespectful," Richelieu said with narrowed eyes. "You dare to interrupt?"
"My apologies, your Majesty," Treville said to the king. "I suppose you weren't able to hear my knocking because of the Cardinal's persuasive tone of voice," He continued as he bowed to him. "I couldn't help but hear the Muskehounds being discussed, so I thought it was wise to join you," He said as he turned to Richelieu.
"Right captain!" Louis XIII replied. "And His Eminence here agrees, I'm sure."
"Of course, your Majesty," Richelieu said as he stared at Treville.
"I've been told that your men were dueling and then fought with the guards who caught them," Louis said to Treville.
"The truth is, Your Majesty, that the guards disrupted a fencing being given by my men to a lad and lady who want to join the corps of Muskehounds," Treville replied.
"What?! That is not true!" Richelieu said as he pointed at Treville.
"Be careful, monsieur!" Treville said to him with a stern look.
"Then why did they attack my guards?"
"My men did not attack! They were defending themselves!"
"Then how is it that some of my guards have been wounded?!"
"Well, it was not my intention to bore His Majesty with these trivial matters, but now I see that I must," Treville replied, before he turned to the king. "Recently, Your Majesty, the Muskehounds have been the target of continuous provocation by the Cardinal's guards, and we can find no reasonable explanation for it!"
"A completely unwarranted accusation!" Richelieu replied firmly as he glared at Treville, with him glaring back.
"You know that everything I've said is true!"
"Stop!" Louis said as he grabbed his ears. He hated to see these two argue with each other, as they got quite loud while doing so.
"Hmm, now then, where to go next?" Dogtania said as she and Gavin reached a split in the hallway and looked down each one.
"I don't know," He replied with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Hmmm, let's split up. That way we'll cover more ground," She said, before she ran off down one hallway.
"Dogtania! Wait!" Gavin said as he reached an arm out to her, before sighing as she rounded a corner and went out of sight. "Oh boy," He continued with a shake of his head, before he started to head down the other hallway. 'I really hope she doesn't get into trouble,' He thought as he walked down the hallway, before he noticed an open door nearby. "Huh, I wonder what's in here?" He muttered as he walked over to the doorway and looked inside it.
He found himself looking at a somewhat large room that had a couple beautiful chandeliers hanging from the red ceiling. The walls were also painted a bright red, with yellow fleur-de-lis scattered on them. Six large windows with red curtain sat in one wall, while a couple paintings hung on the walls. A large red sofa sat next to a round wooden table that had gold leaf on its legs and edges in swirling patterns, while a couple expensive chairs with comfy cushions sat nearby. And sitting in front of a large black wooden bench that had a large fluffy red cushion on it was a piano.
"A piano!" he said softly as he stared at the instrument. 'I haven't seen one of these in my entire life in France,' He thought to himself as he stared at it. 'Not surprising though, it's probably just been invented, and thus, only available to the high nobility.'
The piano was shaped like a Grand Piano but was much boxier than curved. It was painted red in color, with the natural keys colored black and the accidental keys colored white, and it was already set up for someone to play it, the cover being off the keys and the lid being propped up.
As he stared at it, an idea popped up in his head. 'You know, I'd like to play a song on it,' He thought to himself, before he shook his head. 'No! I can't do that! It's not mine!' He continued as he stared at the piano. 'But then again, I probably won't get another chance.'
After staring at it for a couple more minutes, he sighed. 'Alright, I'll play one song and then leave before anyone knows I played on it,' He thought as he hurried inside and closed the door, leaving it cracked so that he could leave quickly, before he walked over to the piano bench and carefully sat down on it.
'Alright, now what should I play?' He thought as he took off his gloves, as they were too big for the keys, and set them to the side. 'Something simple, and not too loud,' He continued, before his eyes widened as he remembered a song he had played a few times back in his old life. 'Hey, that could work,' He thought, before he reached out and put his hands in position.
Then, he started to play the song, humming along as he did so and thinking of Dogtania. (Look up Rousseau's cover on YouTube of All of Me. It's quite good.)
'What would I do with out your smart mouth? Drawin' me in and you kickin' me out,' Gavin sang in his head as he played the piano, being gently with it, as he didn't want to damage the strings. 'You've got my head spinnin', no kiddin. I can't pin you down. What's going' on in that beautiful mind? I'm on your magical mystery ride. And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me. But I'll be alright. My head's under water, but I'm breathing fine. You're crazy and I'm out of my mind.' He then opened his mouth and started to softly sing out loud, having already gotten so into the song that he'd forgotten that he was trying to be stealthy.
"'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginnin'
Even when I lose, I'm winnin'
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh-oh
How many times do I have to tell you?
Even when you're crying, you're beautiful too
The world is beating you down, I'm around
Through every mood
You're my downfall, you're my muse
My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues
I can't stop singing, it's ringing
In my head for you
My head's under water, but I'm breathin' fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginnin'
Even when I lose, I'm winnin'
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh-oh
Give me all of you, oh
Cards on the table, we're both showing hearts
Risking it all, though it's hard
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginnin'
Even when I lose, I'm winnin'
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you
I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh-oh."
Once he had finished singing and playing the piano, he sighed and smiled. "Ah, such a good song," he continued as he turned to grab his gloves.
"That was wonderful."
'Shhhhhiiiiiiiitttt!' Gavin thought as he froze in place upon hearing the elegant and kind female voice. 'I got caught!' He then slowly turned his head around to see who was in the room, and his eyes widened with shock, while his face grew very pale and his heart started to race. 'Fuuuuuck!'
There, sitting on the sofa, was a beautiful female Spitz who had slipped in while he had been playing and singing. She had thick golden fur that covered her entire body, what was visible at least, with lighter fur on her muzzle and the insides of her short pointy ears. Her eyes were a brilliant blue color, like sapphires, and her chest was quite large. Her body was quite curvy, and she appeared to be right around her early 20s and around 5 foot 5 inches tall if she was standing. She was wearing a dark red dress that had white trim going around her waist and down the sides of the skirt, with a dark blue skirt visible in the "V" shaped cut in the front of the red skirt. The white collar of her dress was quite ruffled as well, and she had a few jeweled rings on her fingers, as well as a pair of beautiful black high-heels on her feet.
'It's Queen Anne!' He thought with fright and awe. 'I am so dead!'
Queen Anne, the wife of King Louis XIII, then smiled, which made her look even prettier. "Don't be afraid," She said to him. "You're not in trouble."
At that, he let out a sigh of relief. 'Oh thank Kami!' He thought to himself as his heart started to slow down a bit.
"Now please, remove your hood," She asked him politely. "I'd like to see the face of the man who played and sang such a beautiful song."
At that, he gulped, before he slowly nodded as he stood up and turned the rest of his body towards her. "As you wish, Your Majesty, although I must warn you, I am not the best thing to look at, I am told," He continued as he gently grabbed his hood, and, with a deep breath, lowered it, revealing his face.
When his face was revealed, the Queen's eyes widened a bit with surprise. 'Oh my!' She thought to herself. 'How peculiar!' "Tell me, what is your name monsieur?" She asked him.
"My name, Your Highness, is Gavin Woodring," he replied as he bowed to her.
'Gavin Woodring?!' She thought with surprise. 'This is who Juliette has been telling me about?!' "Well, it is a pleasure to meet you, Monsieur Gavin," She said as she stood up. "Tell me, how did you learn to play the piano?"
"I took what I knew about playing the clavichord and applied it to this instrument," he replied as he straightened himself. 'No way am I telling her that I've played it before!' he thought to himself. 'That'd make her ask more questions, and I'm not ready to tell anyone about my past life. I don't have proof of it!'
"Well, you did a very good job," Queen Anne said with a smile. "I've never heard it played like that before. Tell me, what song were you playing and singing?"
"Your Highness, the song is called 'All of Me,' and it is about loving someone regardless of their flaws," he answered her. "I heard it from a traveling bard some time ago and have practice it ever since on the one clavichord the village had." 'That's not completely a lie,' He thought to himself. 'I did practice a lot of songs on the one clavichord, and it was one of them.'
"I see," Queen Anne replied with intrigue. "Do you know any other songs?"
"I do, Your Highness," he answered her.
"Could you play me another one?"
At that, Gavin's eyes widened with surprise. "I would love to, Your Highness," he replied. "But I must be going, if it's alright with you. I need to find my fellow Muskehound-in-training Dogtania and return to my friends in the gardens."
"Ah, yes, that is fine," She said with a smile. "You may go."
"Thank you, Your Highness," he replied as he put his hood up, put on his gloves, and turned to leave. "Hopefully someday, I can come back and play you some more songs," he continued as he left the room.
"Indeed," She said as she heard his footsteps go down the hallway, before she smiled as she left the room and headed down the opposite way. 'He had such a beautiful voice,' She thought as she walked down the hallway, smiling as she went. 'I cannot wait to hear him sing again.'
"Now listen," King Louis said to Treville and Richelieu as they glared at each other, both having clenched fists. "I know your intentions are good, and that the welfare of your Kingdom comes first for both of you. Therefore, as I am called 'The Just King,' I won't punish anyone!"
At that Richelieu and Treville lowered their hands and stopped glaring. "You needn't look so smug Treville," Richelieu said to the man.
"Again, I see why they call you the 'Just King,'" Treville replied with a bow to Louis XIII.
"Thank you Treville. I'm glad you feel that way," King Louis XIII said with a smile, before he turned to the Cardinal. "And your opinion Cardinal Richelieu?"
"Your Majesty…is Justice personified," Richelieu replied with a bow.
"Thank you," Louis XIII said with a smile. "I'm glad we have come to an agreement. You've restored my peace of mind," He continued as he walked back to his throne and sat down.
'His "Justice" is weakness, and his "peace of mind" is the paralysis of fear!' Richelieu thought as he stared at the king before he looked at Treville. 'Treville thinks he has won, but I'm not finished yet!'
"I am relieved that you are both satisfied, gentlemen," Louis XIII said as he looked at them.
"Your Majesty," Richelieu began, catching his attention. "With your permission, I have a proposition to put to you."
"Hmmm?"
"Hmmm," Treville hummed as he stared at Richelieu with a frown.
"I'm listening, Richelieu," Louis replied. "What do you have in mind?"
"With all due respect, Your Majesty, I have never understood why only the Muskehounds are allowed to guard the Royal Palace," Richelieu continued. "In my opinion, it should be my men who protect the King and Queen."
At that, Treville growled a bit and frowned some more.
"Mmmm," Louis XIII hummed in thought, before he opened his eyes. "Yes, that might be a possibility."
"Thank you," Richelieu said with a smile.
'The Palace would become a Royal Prison! I must put a stop to this!' Treville thought before he spoke. "Your Majesty, the Royal Muskehounds have never failed to prove their faith, worth, and loyalty!" He said. "To do such a thing would be to humiliate an institution that has served France valiantly!"
"I take it then, that you believe your law-breaking swordsmen to be ideal Palace guards?"
"Watch your tongue Cardinal! How dare you call us law-breakers?!" Treville snapped at Richelieu as he turned to him.
"Your Majesty, ever since you made dueling unlawful, I have forbidden my guards to unsheathe their swords without just cause," Richelieu said to the King. "And to wound an opponent, only in self-defense, for you have shown us the wisdom of restraint."
"Mhm," The king said with a nod and smile.
"The Muskehound's disregard for your wishes proves that they don't deserve to guard the Palace, Your Majesty," Richelieu said as he clasped his hands in front of him, while Treville growled with anger.
"Your Majesty," Treville began as he pulled out his sword and held it high. "I propose an armed confrontation between His guardsmen and the Muskehounds to see who is better-fit to protect you."
At that, King Louis XIII put a finger to his chin in thought. "Well," he began, before he let out a yawn. "I'll think about it."
"Once again, Your Majesty, Monsieur Treville has shown his only solution to a problem is violence," Richelieu said as he gestured to the man. "I propose the contrary. If the Muskehounds can get through one whole day without any sort of incident, if none of them draw their swords for 24 hours, their status at the Palace will remain as it is," Richelieu continued. "But if they cannot stop fighting for even one day, they should leave the Palace, don't you agree? Mmmm?"
At that, Treville frowned even more before he grabbed his blade with his other hand. "Alright, I accept what you propose!" he growled back.
"Then why is your sword still out, Monsieur Treville?" Richelieu asked him with a slight chuckle, while Treville growled even more before he forcefully put away his sword.
A few minutes later…
"Okay, where are they?" Gavin said as he walked out into the Gardens a few minutes later, having had no success of finding Dogtania. "There they are!" he continued as he spotted them getting on their horses, chuckling as Dogtania hopped up on the one she was borrowing.
"Hey Dogtania," Gavin said as he walked over to the horse he was borrowing and got on it. "How was your little exploration?"
"Oh, quite good!" Dogtania replied. "I found Juliette in the hallway and talked with her a bit. She's happy that we're both now Muskehounds-in-training!"
"Good," he said with a smile as Monsieur Treville got in his carriage, a rolled-up piece of paper in his hand. 'I'm glad she didn't get into any trouble,' He thought to himself.
"How was your exploration?" She asked him.
"Oh, um, it was good," he replied, deciding to not mention that he'd been playing on a Palace instrument and been caught red-handed by the Queen. "Not too eventful. I saw a lot of pretty paintings." 'And a pretty lady,' He thought to himself, his cheeks heating up a bit, which no one saw thankfully due to his hood.
As they rode back to the Muskehound Headquarters, Treville growled with frustration and anger as he clenched his hand around the paper. He was not happy that he'd been forced to agree to what Richelieu had suggested.
"Widimer, I leave this matter to you," Cardinal Richelieu said in his chamber.
"So, as I understand it, they cannot draw their swords, even if we provoke them?" Widimer asked as he stood before the Cardinal.
"That is correct. If a single Muskehound fails in this, we will have one the game," Richelieu said before he started to laugh evilly.
At that, Widimer grinned. "They don't have a chance!" he replied, before he too started to laugh. "Eahahahahahahaha!"
Fifteen minutes later, all the Muskehounds were gathered in front of the steps of the Muskehound Headquarters, with Treville standing before them holding the paper in his hands.
"I want all of you to pay close attention to what I am going to read," Treville said to them as he held open the paper. "'No one of the Muskehounds is permitted to draw his sword within the next 24 hours by order of King Louis.'"
"Mmm, how boring, such a long time," Dogtania said as she yawned, before she was elbowed by Aramis and Gavin. "Hey!"
"You must keep them sheathed no matter what!" Treville said to all the Muskehounds and those in training. "Even if you are provoked."
Then, Dogtania spotted something familiar, and started calling out "Sandy! Sandy!" prompting Gavin and Aramis to shush her. "It's Sandy!" She continued before she ran off.
'Huh, so Sandy's back,' Gavin thought as he looked to where she was running and spotted the horse briefly. 'I wonder how?' He then turned his attention back to Treville as he continued.
"Under no circumstances are you to draw your swords, Muskehounds!" he said to them. "For if you do, we will no longer protect the Royal Palace! Richelieu's guards will!"
At that, everyone gasped, before they started to murmur and protest.
"I know, Muskehounds, I know," Treville said with a frown. "It is a difficult position. But I had no choice but to accept the Cardinal's proposal." He then sighed. "You are now dismissed men but be careful. I am sure Richelieu's men will do their best to provoke you."
"Yes sir!" Everyone said, before they all started to move out, resuming their normal activities.
"Well then, I better find Dogtania," Gavin said as he walked off, heading down the street.
After a few minutes, he rounded the corner, only to be run into by Dogtania.
"Oof! Dogtania, there you are!" He said to her.
"Hey Gavin! Sorry for running off like that, but I saw Sandy!" She replied as she started to run past him, prompting him to run alongside her.
"I know, I saw," He said to her. "Why's he here?"
"Well, the stableman was given Sandy as payment since the inn in Meune closed down due to very poor business," Dogtania said. "She remembered how sad I was when I had to leave him, so she walked him all the way here to give him back to me."
"Seriously?" He asked her, prompting her to nod. "Well that is very kind of her to do."
"Yeah, and now I need to borrow some money to pay her," Dogtania replied before she gained a confused look upon seeing that the gates of the Muskehound Headquarters were closed and locked, with no one in sight. "Everybody's gone! Who am I going to borrow the money from?!" She continued, before she turned to the guard. "Did you see where Athos went?" She asked the guard.
"I believe she, Aramis, and Porthas went that way," The guard replied as he pointed in a direction.
"Thank you!" She said, before she started to run in that direction, prompting Gavin to run after her.
Meanwhile…
In another part of the city, a Muskehound was walking towards a small bridge, but stopped when he saw that several of the Cardinal's guards were standing in the way.
"What do you want?" The Muskehound asked them. "Let me pass!"
"Did you hear that my friends?" One of the guards replied with a smirk. "So, you want to walk on, is that it Muskehound?" He then grinned. "You'll have to crawl on your knees!"
The Muskehound frowned at this, and moved forward, only to be blocked by the guards as they bunched up on one side. He then tried to go on the other side, but they blocked him there too.
"What's the matter? Didn't you hear him?" Another guard said as he pointed at the ground. "Down on your knees and crawl through my legs!"
The Muskehound growled at this and tried to walk past them again.
"You weren't listening!" The guard continued before he tripped the Muskehound, making him fall on his chest.
"Oh look! He slipped! How awful!" Another guard said as he picked up the Muskehound by the throat. "Take that!" he continued as he punched the Muskehound in the face and let go of his collar, pushing him against the wall of the bridge and land there.
The Muskehound shook his head and growled, before he leaped forward to throw a punch, only to be kicked back and thrown against the bridge wall again.
"All these Muskehounds are cowards!" One guard said with a grin.
At that, The Muskehound growled with anger, and he reached for his sword hilt.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" The guard replied. "Afraid to unsheathe your sword, coward?"
The Muskehound continued to growl, doing his best to not pull out the sword, and continued to growl for several more tense seconds, before he let go and put his hand on the ground. "Pardon me, it was my fault," He replied as he looked down.
"You've been a very bad boy!" One guard said to him.
"You must be punished!" Another said before he slapped the Muskehound hard across the face several times. "Here, let me help you up!" He continued as he grabbed him and picked him up by the collar, before pushing him back down against the wall roughly.
The guards then started to laugh with evil grins on their faces as they looked at the Muskehound. "Look at that!" One said as he laughed, while over on the far side of the bridge behind the guards, Widimer laughed.
The Muskehound then growled again with anger as he reached for his sword and started to pull on it.
"Oh yeah! Let's see you do it pal!" The guards said, before they started to mock him.
Just as the blade started to slide out of the sheathe, the guards stopped when they noticed that Athos, Aramis, and Porthas had arrived, firm looks on their faces.
"What?!" One guard said with rage. "Blasted! He almost had his sword out!"
"You, Muskehound, go on now, we'll settle this," Porthas said to the Muskehound.
"Thank you madame!" The Muskehound replied gratefully as he slid the rest of his blade back and grabbed his hat. "Good luck!" He continued as he walked past them, holding his arm, which was a bit bruised.
"Well now, you're just spoiling for a fight!" One guard said as he grabbed his sword hilt, while two others pulled out long thick logs.
"No, you're quite mistaken," Porthas replied with a shake of her head, before she bowed towards them a bit. "We humbly apologize."
"Oh yeah?" One guard with a log said. "Come over here fatso!"
"Huh? Am I who-?" Athos said with confusion and surprise, having never been called that before in a while.
"Of course I mean you fatso!" The guard replied as he pointed at her, making her growl with anger. "Down on your knees."
"Do as he says, Athos," Porthas said quickly, causing Athos to grown and growl as she started to do so.
"Like a giant worm crawling underneath me!" The guard said with a grin.
Then, Gavin and Dogtania arrived, with Dogtania panting a bit.
"Huh? What the-?!" Dogtania said, with Gavin sighing. "Athos, what are you doing?" She asked her, while Gavin sighed and mentally face-palmed.
'Dammit! I forgot to tell her about the proposition Treville accepted!' he thought to himself.
"Just stay out of this Dogtania," Athos replied.
"But, could you lend me some money?" She asked her.
"Alright, but you'll have to wait," Athos replied as she kneeled before the man, her face against the ground.
"But I need it now!" Dogtania said, before her arm was grabbed by a guard. "Get down there, you!"
"But who are you to give me orders?!" Dogtania replied, while Gavin breathed in and out deeply several times ot remain calm.
"Do as he says!" Aramis and Porthas shouted at her, before another guard pulled out a dagger and pointed it at them.
"You girls keep your mouths shut!" The guard said to them, while another guard grabbed Gavin's arm dn pulled him down to his knees.
"Now get down there!" The guard said to Dogtania, who shook her head.
"I won't be humiliated!" Dogtania replied.
"Dogtania, I won't lend you one frank if you don't do what he says!" Athos said to her, causing her to huff with a frown.
"Alright, you win after all!" Dogtania said before she growled and started to crawl through the man's legs. Once she reached the other side, she stood up. "There, does that make you happy? Hey!" She shouted as she was grabbed and put back with the others, while Gavin's head was forced down towards one of the guard's boots. It looked absolutely nasty!
"Not quite!" The guard said as he pushed her onto her front. "Lick my boots!" he and the other guard said to her and Gavin.
"What?!" Dogtania and Gavin said, with him shaking his head.
"Giddy-up! Giddy-up horsey!" Another guard said as he sat on Athos' back and rode her like a horse, much to her discomfort.
The guard sticking their knife out at Porthas and Aramis grinned lecherously at them as he stepped forward, while they stepped back.
"Hey! What's the matter with you? Why aren't you fighting back?!" Dogtania said to the others, before the guard in front of her and Gavin put their boots on their faces.
"Lick my boots you bitch!" The guard said to Dogtania, while the guard in front of Gavin grinned at him.
As soon as Gavin heard that, he shouted, "That's it!" and leaped up at the guard, while Dogtania bit him on the leg, making him cry out with pain. Gavin tackled the man to the ground and threw several punches at his face and chest, before he grabbed the fallen log and swung it at the guard who was riding on Athos' back.
"Oh no! Dogtania and Gavin!" Aramis and Porthas shouted with alarm.
"You crossed the line calling her that!" Gavin shouted as he hit the guard on the shoulder and pushed him off Athos. "You NEVER call her or any other lady that! Ever!"
"Sorry!" Dogtania said as she ran over and kicked one guy in the nuts, making him crumple on the ground he held his tender bits. "I've had enough of these guys!" She continued as she jumped off the bridge wall and knocked another guard over.
"So have I!" Gavin said as he tackled the guard with the drawn dagger, smacking him in the arms and punching him in the face once.
Then, there was gunshot, catching their attention.
"Magnificently done!" Widimer said as he held a fired pistol in the air. "I shall report this immediately to His Eminence!"
At that, Dogtania frowned, before she grabbed another log, which made Aramis and Porthas gasp.
"No, Dogtania, don't!" The two shouted as they went to grab her by the leg as she leaped at him.
"Report this Widimer!" She shouted at the man as she held the log high over her head.
"Hmm?" Widimer said with confusion as he looked back at them.
"Don't you want to be a Palace Guard?!" Aramis said to her, making her eyes widen and her face to become confused.
"Whaaaat?" Dogtania said as she swung the log down hard on Widimer's head, right as Aramis and Porthas managed to grab her. The three of them then fell down on the ground, while Widimer fell backwards, the hit having severely discombobulated him.
"Oh boy," Porthas said with a worried look on her face.
'Oh boy indeed,' Gavin thought as he dropped the log form his hands as he stood up. 'Oh, I really hope we're not punished too badly for this. I'm sure Monsieur Treville will understand!'
A half hour later…
'Fuck!' Gavin thought as he and Dogtania stood next to Treville in the throne room at the Palace, staring up at King Louis XIII, with him still having his hood on and Dogtania having taken off her hat and rubbing her head. 'Oh, this is gonna be bad!'
"Even though they are cadets, they are still Muskehounds, Treville," King Louis XIII said to him, prompting him to nod.
"Yes, You Majesty, that cannot be denied," Treville replied.
"And they were quarreling with Cardinal Richelieu's guards in the street, were they not?" Louis asked him.
"Only after extreme provocation, Your Majesty," Treville said with a bow.
"Extreme indeed," Gavin muttered to himself quietly. 'They called her that word!'
"Hold up your head, Dogtania, and look me in the eye," Louis said to Dogtania, who had bowed along with Treville and Gavin. Dogtania did so and looked him in the eye while sweating nervously.
"What's this?! You are a small lady!" Louis said, before he started to laugh, confusing everyone. "So this is her!"
"Your Majesty, I fail to see the humor," Cardinal Richelieu replied. "For this young lady and her companion are the cause of all the incidents with my guards!"
"Oh? Is that her companion with her?" Louis asked as he stopped laughing and looked at the cloaked figure. "Would you kindly take off your cloak sir? I'd like to see your face."
"As you wish, Your Majesty," Gavin replied as he straightened up and reached for his hood. "I must tell you though, that I have been told my face is quite unpleasant to look at." He then pulled his hood off, exposing his face.
As soon as Cardinal Richelieu saw the creature, he gained a disgusted look on his face. 'So, this is the creature Richelieu was telling me about? It's even more hideous than he said it was!' Cardinal Richelieu thought to himself.
"Oh my! You are quite unusual," Louis XIII said as he stared at Gavin, his eyes wide with surprise and interest. "Tell me, where do you come from?"
"I am from the village of Bern in Gascony, the same one Dogtania comes from, Your Majesty," Gavin replied.
"Hmmm," Louis XIII said as he stared at Gavin's eyes, before he started to chuckle again, confusing everyone again. "So these two are the ones who beat the strongest of your guardsmen?" He asked Cardinal Richelieu, who sighed and nodded.
"Yes, and they should be punished," He replied.
"Then so should your guards, your Eminence," Gavin replied, catching everyone's attention. "From what I recall, the deal was that if any incident between the Muskehounds and your guards occurred within 24 hours there would be punishment?"
"That is correct," Louis XIII stated with a nod as he stopped chuckling.
"Well, didn't it say specifically that the incidents had to involve swords, Your Majesty?" Gavin asked him.
"I believe that is correct," Louis XIII replied.
"Well, Your Majesty, Dogtania and I did not use our swords," he said firmly. "We used our fists and the logs his Eminence's guards brought with them. We did not touch a sword during the incident."
"Oh? Is that true, Dogtania?" Louis XIII asked her.
"Y-Yes, Your Majesty, it is true," Dogtania replied with a nod.
"Well then, in that case," Louis XII began, while Cardinal Richelieu's eyes widened with realization. "They do not-"
"Your Majesty!" Cardinal Richelieu interrupted. "They still attacked my guards. They deserve some sort of punishment!"
Louis XIII looked at him, and sighed, before he nodded. "Well, I suppose a good beating will do. A hundred strokes perhaps," he said to them, before he imitated beating someone on the rear.
"Ehh! Beat us!" Dogtania shouted with wide eyes, with Gavin also having wide eyes.
"Yes, 100 strokes, as punishment," Louis said firmly. "Take care of it, Treville."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Treville replied with a bow, before he turned to them.
"Let's get it over with," Dogtania said with resignation, while Gavin nodded. The three then left the room.
"Your Majesty, my guards are waiting at the gates to-"
"That won't be necessary," Louis replied. "No, the Muskehounds will remain here."
"What?! But our agreement, Your Majesty, was that-that-"
"My protection can't be entrusted to a group of bumblers that are beaten by a young lady and her quite odd-looking companion," Louis replied as he stood up and pointed at him. "Understand I'd replace a few if I were you." He then started to walk off. "And punish them as well for provoking the incident. One hundred strokes for each man involved."
"But Your Majesty-"
"The matter is over," Louis said as he looked out a nearby window, his arms behind his back. "The Just King has spoken!"
"But-! Oh," Cardinal Richelieu looked away and growled with anger. 'Oh, how dare this be!' He thought to himself. 'And how dare that creature try to make a fool of myself!' he continued with narrowed eyes. 'No one should ever dare to make a fool of me!'
A few minutes later…
"Ow! Ouch! Ooooooh! Oooooh! Stop!" Dogtanian cried in a nearby room as she was swatted on the rear by Treville, who had set her belly down on the chair, while Gavin stood nearby, wincing with each firm swat.
"Sorry, but it's a Royal Command," Treville replied as he raised his hand up for another strike.
"Monsieur Treville!" Louis XIII said as he entered the room and shut the door behind him, catching his and Gavin's attention.
"Leave them be, for any lady or lad that serves their King like they did deserve a Royal Pardon," He continued as he walked over to them.
"Huh?" Treville, Gavin, and Dogtania said, before she sat up and rubbed her sore rear.
"Thank you," Dogtania and Gavin replied with grateful looks, before the king held out two large bags.
"These Francs are for you," Louis XIII said as he held the bags towards them, which they then took.
"Wow!" Dogtania said with awe as she and Gavin looked at the bags, before she reached in and pulled out one coin.
"Not just one coin, my dear. They all belong to you," Louis said to her and Gavin with a smile.
"Well thank you, Your Majesty," Gavin said with a bow to him, his hood still off his head. "That is very generous of you."
"Yes, thank you!" Dogtania added as she bowed to him as well, her hat in front of her chest.
"You are welcome you two!" Louis XIII replied with a smile, before he yawned. "Monsieur Treville, the three of you may now leave."
"Yes, your Majesty," Treville replied with a bow, before he, Gavin, and Dogtania headed towards the door.
"One more thing!" Louis said to them. "Monsieur Gavin, please keep your hood off when on the grounds. It makes you look much less suspicious."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Gavin replied with a nod.
"Good, that is all," Louis said, prompting them to bow again, before they left.
After several seconds had passed, Louis smiled, and left the room through another door, many thoughts running through his head.
That night…
"There she is!" Dogtania said as she pointed at the familiar lady bear, who was sitting on the ground next to Sandy, right next to a tall house.
"Hey Sandy!" Gavin called out to the horse, who turned to them and neighed happily. "Hello madame."
"Hello monsieur," The lady bear replied as she stood up and curtsied. "It is good to see you again."
"It is good to see you as well, madame," Gavin said to her. "I am sorry you lost your job."
"Thank you for your kind words, monsieur," The bear replied.
"Thank you for waiting for me!" Dogtania said to her, catching her attention. "I got something for you." She then pulled out the bag of Francs and gave it to her, much to Gavin's surprise. "Here, this is yours."
"Oh, thank you madame!" The bear lady replied with a grateful look on her face as she looked at the bag of coins. "Thank you so very much!"
"And in exchange for this, how about I give you a job?" Dogtania continued, much to Gavin and the bear lady's surprise.
"What do you mean?" The bear lady asked her with confusion, with Gavin also giving Dogtania a confused look. "Serving you, madame?"
"Mhm! I know Gavin and I don't have a great deal to offer, but soon we'll be Muskehounds!" She replied with a grin.
"Hmmm, well, I'm out of work, and you two do seem to be nice people," The bear lady said to herself quietly. 'Not to mention, Monsieur Gavin is rather cute.' She then nodded. "I accept!"
"Thank you! Thank you! You won't regret it!" Dogtania replied with a large happy grin on her face. "And what's your name?"
"Planchette, madame," The bear lady replied.
"I am Dogtania of Bern, and this is Gavin of Bern," Dogtania said as she introduced themselves once more.
"It is nice to meet you Planchette," Gavin said to her with a smile, before he yawned. "Now then, let us return to the house to sleep for the night. I'm sure we can find Sandy a nice stable to stay at on the way back."
At that, Sandy neighed happily, before he grabbed Dogtania by the collar and pulled her close to him, making her chuckle.
"All right Sandy, all right," She said to the horse before she got on, while Planchette took the reins and started to lead Sandy down the street, with Gavin leading Planchette.
Things were looking up for Dogtania and Gavin, moreso than ever before.
Well, this was an interesting chapter!
Can't wait to write more!
"All of Me" is owned by John Legend, not me.
Remember, I am altering history for this story. Pianos were invented in early 1625, not after it.
The next chapter will be an original chapter, not one based off an episode.
This is PuzzleMaster1998 here, signing off!
