December Desolation Chapter 32

Athos, Porthos and D'artagnan sat clustered around the fire they had hastily built, murmuring in quiet whispers about the newest addition to their travelling party. Athos had already imparted his suspicions as to the identity of their impromptu visitor to his brothers, and conducted a thorough perusal of the boys', for that was what he really was still just a child's, belongings.

They had felt it would be a little heartless to tie the boy up with ropes, and so Porthos had settled for a single coil of rope secured around his ankle and the base of a tree. It would be enough to slow him down so that one of them could prevent his escape in time.

A thin and ratty blanket, one of D'artagnan's old ones that was really only good for wrapping belongings in, had been draped over his still form to keep the worst of the chill off. Athos was slightly concerned, his knowledge of medicine was elementary at best and he had no way of knowing if the boy was in any danger from his injuries, superficial though they may be, and if Aramis were here he would be checking him over multiple times.

He felt a pang of pain in his heart as he contemplated his missing brother, their missing piece and he quickly averted his gaze, eyes landing on the small form of Gabriel. Hope reignited in his heart, that boy could lead them to Aramis and that was all that mattered at this point.

He tuned back into his brother's conversation to hear them discussing the finer points of cheating at cards, and pushed himself to his feet in frustration. Porthos and D'artagnan watched warily as their leader paced furiously around the fire, wincing periodically at the thunderous expression on his face, and practically able to feel the sarcastic comments that would be hitting them in the face later.

A low groan drifted to them across the fire and D'artagnan scooped a sleeping Gabriel into his arms, spinning to place his own body between the child and their captive.
The man slowly seemed to regain his senses, holding his head as he blinked his eyes open blearily,

"Oh" he exhaled shakily, "I had hoped that was all a dream".

Pushing himself into a sitting position he gazed warily at the three men armed to the teeth that were standing imposingly before him, arms crossed and expressions hostile "If you're going to kill me, I would have thought you would have done so already."

Athos scoffed angrily "Why would we kill you when you have the answers that we seek?"

"What answers? Oh you mean about the one named Aramis" the man concluded with a sad smile "I may be loyal to the Lord Albert but it does not extend to barbaric atrocities such as those"

Porthos seized the man by the collar and lifted him, choking and gasping out of the mud until his toes barely grazed the floor, he thrust his face into the other mans and growled threateningly. "What atrocities? Wha' have they done to Aramis!"

"I think it best I do not answer that question, for your peace of mind and my own continued survival. The most I can do is lead you to their destination and hope you find your friend there, I am a man of honour who will not condone their actions and I hope you will believe that I had no hand in this."

"That's a little difficult considering you associate yourself with Albert, I am familiar with his methods"

"I am aware of that, Master Olivier, you were a regular visitor with your father in years past and my father spoke highly of you, on more than one occasion I was the grateful recipient of your kindness." His speech was easier as he was returned to firm ground, Porthos releasing him to return to the useless but cathartic action of clenching his fists and jaw so tightly a muscle jumped.

Athos levelled a considering gaze at the young man before him, some twenty years his junior much the same as D'artagnan, recognition at last sparking in his eyes. In the corners of his memory, shadowy images began to form, dark swirls solidifying into the forms of the insufferable Albert and his equally insufferable father in the marble entrance hall of his manor.

The conversation that day had been particularly mind numbing, enough so that his brain saw fit to just gloss over the details and replace it with a mildly aggravating buzzing sound. His younger self was swaying rhythmically on his feet, anything to occupy his mind, although he was earning some murderous glares from the side of his father's eyes. It did little to stop him however as he had long since become immune to his father's disproval.

Instead he decided that he would take his leave of this madness and began to wander through the corridors of the hulking manor, it was just as he began to consider retracing his steps and returning to his father before he decided a whipping would be in order, when raised voices filtered towards him through the shrubbery.

"YOU STUPID BOY!" a large man whose face was an alarming shade of puce, was towering in all his jowly glory above a small boy who could have been no more than six years of age, who was cowering with his fingers clutched around a rather dusty horse's bridle.

"HIS LORDSHIP HAS IMPORTANT VISITORS AND YOU ARE RISKING HIS REPUTATION WITH YOUR PURE IDIOCY, LOOK AT THIS!" he flung a hand towards the ruined riding gear "YOU HAVE DESTROYED COMTE DE LA FERE'S PROPERTY AND YOU WILL PAY FOR IT"

As his voice began to crack from all the yelling he gestured impatiently to his groundsman and was presented with an item the young Olivier was all too familiar with, a crude home-made whip.

By this point agonised, terrified sobs were echoing across the courtyard, the young boy too rattled to move and Olivier had an image of himself, kneeling frozen on the cold stone of the cellar, too exhausted to vocalise the tears running down his cheeks and the sobs shaking his body, blood running in rivulets down his back from the crevices left by the whip.

"I don't believe that is necessary" he stepped forward into view, boots clicking in the shocked silence, despite the turmoil of emotions plaguing his brain, Olivier remained calm and unruffled on the surface.

"Master La Fere" the man stammered, sweat beading on his forehead "this boy has damaged your property and I will carry out the punishment immediately"

"And I said no" he reaffirmed, "those are my belongings, he is merely a child and I require no satisfaction for the damage. Now leave!"

At his roar they all scarpered, leaving the courtyard deserted but for Olivier and the young boy who was sniffling quietly on the floor.

"It's alright" Olivier murmured, awkwardly kneeling on one knee and resting a hand on narrow shoulders "I will not allow him to hurt you"

The boy met his eyes with red rimmed eyes of his own, lip trembling and breath hitching "thank you Monsieur, thank you".

"I would not wish the pain of that on anyone, tell me your name and I will ensure your master treats you kindly"

"I am Luc, Monsieur. I owe you a great debt for your kindness."

"I am Athos and you owe me nothing, now run along and have some fun before that ugly man returns"

"I will sir, thank you sir" he gushed and bolted away down the expansive gardens.

Athos smiled to himself in accomplishment, he had achieved a noble action and he felt that this would set out the course of the rest of his life, helping others and upholding the law.

"Luc?" Athos asked in disbelief, a slight smile twitching at the corners of his lips, "is that really you? I am surprised you remember that day, you were very young"

"I could never forget" the young man replied simply.

"Sorry to interrupt" Porthos snarled "but neither of us have any idea what is going on and Aramis is still missing!"

"I met this young man many years ago now and without a doubt he can be trusted."

"Well that's wonderful isn't it" the sarcasm was clear to hear in Porthos' voice but the others understood and refrained from holding it against him. "Can we get back to finding our missing brother now?"

"Athos" the young man spoke up "we must return to where it all began, you know where I mean"

Athos paled dramatically and swayed slightly where he stood, a worried D'artagnan rushing to support him.

"I do" was his hoarse whisper.

A/N: Hope you enjoy this most recent chapter, finally we are moving towards the final showdown! Thanks for sticking with me and I'll have the next chapter up as soon as I can :D