December Desolation Chapter 34

The sun began to slowly creep across the sky, hues of red and gold shining like a wildfire that blazed furiously over the horizon. Dark clouds lingered on the periphery, ominously threatening a downpour of epic proportions that promised to saturate your clothes and pool unpleasantly in your collar. All of this meteorological activity was lost on Aramis, given the fact that he was currently splayed in a rather undignified manner in the cellar of a dreadfully draughty house, the darkness was suffocating, the lack of windows making it difficult to see your hand in front of your face.

A thin, reedy strip of light filtered through the cracks in the doorframe, flickering in and out of existence like a candle in a breeze. Aramis couldn't quite place how long he had been in the cellar, it was rather difficult to track the passage of time even for him when he couldn't see outside. At best guess around five hours had passed since those heathens had ceased their violent ministrations, bound him tightly to the back of a horse once again and thrown him down a flight of stairs once they arrived, leaving him to wallow in a rather damp, mouldy smelling puddle on the floor and locking him in with a parting jibe and the information that they were waiting for someone.

By this point he was thoroughly fed up, distantly in the back of his mind he recognised that the ones they were waiting for were probably his brothers, but his mind was too fuzzy to grasp such details. The only thought on his mind was that he wished they would just hurry up and arrive, was it too much to ask for them to get their skates on, as a soldier punctuality was essential and he dearly wished others would live by that creed also. It would make life a great deal easier.

"How much further Athos?" Porthos grumbled, shifting irritably in his saddle, more from impatience than discomfort although a steady ache had begun to throb and make itself known in the small of his back.

"About three lieu give or take" was his measured response, left hand flicking out towards the horizon "that way. You should catch a glimpse of the… house soon."

Sure enough, not even five minutes later and an imposing mansion was rising up from beyond the tree line, towering above their heads and bearing down upon them, with windows which resembled eyes almost seeming to peer out at them and observe their approach.

D'artagnan shivered, an eerie chill travelling down his spine alongside cooling sweat "Is it just me or is that house watching us?" he nervously tucked a lock of hair behind his ear to disguise his shaking hand.

"Don't be ridiculous D'artagnan" was Porthos' response with a slight scoff, although he was noticeably a shade paler than normal. "A house cannot be watching anything"

All three men jumped and ducked as a bullet went singing past their heads, their horses rearing up and whinnying in fright, hooves windmilling frantically through the air.

"Houses may not be able to, but the people within are perfectly capable" came the familiar roar from Athos as they reigned in their horses and cantered furiously towards the tree line, hoping that even its sparse shelter would provide them some cover from enemy fire. "Quickly, out of the line of fire!"

Luckily they all made it safely beyond the boundary of the house and into a little copse of trees that hid them entirely from the windows. The men inside would have to invest in x-ray goggles in order to pin point their exact location and Athos knew of no other than Aramis who would be capable of making that shot. Moments later his theory was proven as bark splintered some ten metres off to their left, some poor tree bearing the brunt of a bullet meant for them.

"So what's the plan then?" their youngest companion piped up excitedly, "how can we get to the house if they're going to shoot at us?"

"That Gabriel, is a very good question" Athos murmured, brow furrowed in thought as intelligent blue eyes scanned the surroundings in search of a way across. There was a large, manicured stretch of grass between them and the house, maybe fifty foot in total and entirely without topiary bushes or handily placed shrub mazes to hide behind. He cursed vehemently, unable to see any way for all three men to make it across the stretch without being picked off one by one, the only option was to create a diversion and slip undetected in the back door. He could not however in good conscience allow any of his brothers to come to harm given this was a mission to save a life, not forfeit one.

"There's only one way Ath" a warm hand descended on his shoulder as Porthos scanned the environment alongside his brother, Athos sighed in accordance and turned to the rest of the men.

"Right, I will fire at this ground floor window here" Athos pointed to the nearest window "you will then also fire in the same direction whilst I attempt to sprint to the door. Once all enemies have been dispatched, you can then enter. Is it understood?"

"Understood and discounted!" D'artagnan cried in outrage. "That's a suicide mission, you can't do that!"

"We don't have any better options" Athos barked, swiping a hand through the air in frustration, "I do not like it anymore than you do but Aramis is in there and it is my fault."

"Sir" Gabriel piped up, "there is one other option, I used to deliver messages here from time to time. I can knock on the front door and distract them while you sneak in the back."

The men stared slightly open mouthed at the young boy, for that was actually the best idea that could possibly have come out of the situation.

"Well that sounds perfect."

Athos, Porthos and D'artagnan crouched uncomfortably in the undergrowth, peering around the trunk of a tree to watch the small boy approach the front door. Now Athos was thanking providence for their meeting and subsequent decision to bring the child along with them. Muscles coiled tightly, trembling ever so slightly with adrenaline and anticipation, ready to explode into action as soon as the great oak front door swung open.

A/N: The action is beginning guys! Stay tuned for a really dramatic chapter next time, thank you all for your reviews they are much appreciated. :D