The search of the house proved fruitless. Aramis had managed to check the room with the weapons and plans but found nothing that pointed towards the identity of the paymaster. With a sigh, Aramis had returned to his room with the knowledge that he would have to remain in the 'employ' of the gang for a while longer. He would have to get closer to Madame Dupre and he would have watch out for Carlos.

The following morning Aramis slipped out of the house. He knew they were expecting him to leave to return to the garrison so was not surprised his exit did not cause a stir. The young boy that worked as their servant was asleep under a table in the hallway. He opened a sleepy eye as Aramis walked past. Aramis vowed to see that the boy would not be persecuted along with the rest of the gang. He was an innocent caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. The lad had probably only tried to pick Carlos' pockets because he was desperate.

Aramis took a few deep breaths as he walked towards the garrison. The house had felt oppressive and claustrophobic. He suspected the feelings were only due to the wall of lies he was having to maintain. Despite trying to stick to the truth as much as possible the person he was pretending to be was not him. He would not behave as he had been doing over the last couple of weeks. He would not have been insolent or obstinate towards his Captain. The respect he had for Treville ran deep. They may have disagreed on things on occasion but there was nothing wrong with that.

He spotted Barbotin and Pierre walking towards him, no doubt off to start an early patrol somewhere. The two Musketeers were men Aramis considered friends. But not for the last couple of weeks. For the last couple of weeks, they had started to shun him. It had been particularly difficult to see Barbotin, another field medic, being the one that any injured men went to rather than him. He looked away as the pair drew closer. He knew they had seen him.

He jerked to the side as Pierre knocked into him. Aramis turned toward the younger Musketeer, but he did not look back. The move had been very deliberate, and Aramis knew he deserved the treatment. The facade he had built up was convincing. He supposed it was a good thing that it was working. But that did not make it pleasant. The mission as a whole was one, he would be pleased to see the back of.

The usual morning activity filled the garrison yard. Men were milling around, checking their equipment, chatting to brother soldiers they might not have seen for a few days. The cadets were fetching and carrying weapons and helping the stable boys ready a few horses. Aramis slipped into the yard and skulked at the back waiting for muster to start. He watched Porthos looking around. His friend paused when he saw him. Aramis could tell Porthos had to stop himself from smiling and walking across to him. The mission was not only difficult for Aramis. He knew both Porthos and Athos were having to continue the lie when they were amongst the other Musketeers.

Treville called the men to order as he walked down the stairs. He looked around, taking in each man. Aramis could see him mentally taking note of anyone who was missing. He paused for a few moments when his gaze reached Aramis. He scowled and raised an eyebrow. A couple of the men in front of Aramis turned to look at him. Aramis knew the bruises on his face could clearly be seen. He had reported to work unfit for full duty. A dressing down would be no more than he would expect.

Treville sighed and shook his head. Aramis shrugged; he could not show any guilt about his appearance. He had to maintain the pretence of the insolent, disillusioned soldier. The men that had turned to look at him tutted and shook their heads in disgust at the once-loyal Musketeer's behaviour. Aramis disliked the treatment, even if it meant that his carefully constructed lie was being believed.

The Captain gave out the duties for the day, carefully leaving Aramis until last.

'As you are unfit for work at the Palace, Aramis,' he said, not hiding his disappointment, 'you can take the patrol along the river. I doubt anyone will see you there.'

Aramis huffed and looked away.

'I'd like to see you in my office,' continued Treville. 'Or we could have a discussion here, during muster.'

A couple of the cadets gasped. For Treville to publicly belittle one of his longest-serving men they knew Aramis was in trouble.

'Dismissed,' said Treville before walking towards the mess.

Aramis knew the move was deliberate. The Captain needed to distract the men so that Athos and Porthos could slip into his office unobserved. Aramis made a point of taking his time to walk towards the Captain's office. He climbed the stairs slowly. He knew he was being watched. He hated the feeling that he was the centre of attention for all the wrong reasons, even though it was what they wanted. Aramis wondered how many layers of lies he would end up under before the mission was complete.

'You alright?' asked Porthos as he stepped into the office with Athos close behind.

Aramis looked at him for a few seconds and shook his head.

'It's not quite going to plan,' he sighed.

'I mean are you alright. You don't exactly have the look of a healthy man.'

'Sorry,' replied Aramis. 'The man that picked me up - Carlos - he's taken a bit of a disliking to me.'

'A bit!'

Treville was standing behind them. He looked annoyed as he closed the door and stepped forward. He looked at Aramis with a critical eye.

'Really, it's just bruises,' reiterated Aramis.

Despite the sceptical looks from his friends and his Captain, they let the matter drop.

Aramis was allowed to relate what had happened the previous night. He did not miss out any details. He even outlined how he thought it likely he would have to spend time with Madame Dupre.

MMMM

Treville listened carefully. He was pleased that Aramis had infiltrated the gang with relative ease. But it was a blow that they did not want Aramis around. If he could not mix with the gang for any length of time, he would struggle to get any information making the infiltration pointless. The only saving grace was the state that Aramis was in. The marks and bruises on Aramis' face meant he could not work closely with the Royal family. And with his recent lack of conscientiousness, he could abandon his post and spend some time with the gang. A move that would not be out of place.

Aramis was a bit dejected that the mission was not going to plan but agreed to the changes they made. When he had related the interest Dupre was taking in him Treville detected disgust in his Musketeer. Aramis was a lover of women, but he was not a lover of ruthless, evil people, even when they were attractive women. Treville did not like the idea of Aramis having to sleep with the woman to get information or to remain in her favour.

'Take advantage of the next few days,' said Treville. 'Leave your post. Learn what you can.'

'Carlos will watch me, I'm sure,' said Aramis, 'but I've been asked to train a couple of their younger members. I'll try to get something out of them.'

'If they know anything', interjected Athos.

Aramis shrugged, 'I know. It's a long shot but they might.'

'We still have the option of stripping you of your commission,' said Porthos. 'You would have no reason to leave them then.'

'I'd rather not do that yet,' said Aramis. 'I think I'm more use to them as a soldier at the moment. But I think we will need to play that out at some point.'

Treville nodded grimly, 'that, Aramis, will not be something I will enjoy doing, even if it will only be for show.'

He watched Aramis consider all that they had discussed.

'I think,' he said. 'Now that I've talked it through, it is not as bad as it could have been. I'm in their circle. It's a start.'

Treville nodded his agreement.

'I'd best get to my post,' Aramis said with a smile, 'so I can abandon it.'

He said his goodbyes, received a slap on the back from Porthos and walked to the door.

He paused and looked back with a slight grin.

'Door slammed or left open with stomped retreat?' he asked.

Treville smiled, 'leave it open. I'll make some suitably annoyed comments as you go.'

Aramis returned the smile. He paused for a few seconds, taking a couple of slow breaths as he got himself back into character.

Treville was always impressed with Aramis' acting. The Musketeer could turn on the layers of lies with ease. He only hoped there were no lasting effects for Aramis.

He rose from the desk and followed Aramis who was storming off.

'You're lucky I haven't put you on stable duty,' he shouted.

Aramis kept walking, glaring at anyone who looked his way. He left the yard without stopping.

Treville turned back. He looked at Athos and Porthos.

'Not the best start,' remarked Athos.

'I agree,' said Treville. 'We will have to work with what we have.'

MMMM

A few days later Porthos watched Aramis walk along the perimeter wall of the Palace gardens. Treville had finally allowed the Musketeer back on duty at the Palace as the bruises on his face faded. They met regularly in Treville's office, but there was little Aramis was able to update them on. Despite attempts to get information from the gang none of the lesser members was well informed. Porthos thought back to Aramis describing spending time honing the shooting skills of a couple of the younger members. He had spoken to them and tried to entice details of their paymaster from them. But the young men did not know who was paying the gang. As far as they were concerned Madame Dupre and Carlos were in charge. They were the ones that the gang answered to. Carlos had a couple of men who were in his favour and watched the rest of the gang, but otherwise only the two at the top were likely to have any real information. And Aramis was sure he would not get anything from them.

As Aramis neared the spot Porthos was standing in he acknowledged him with a nod. Porthos stepped further back, well off the path. He knew they would not be seen together. Aramis glanced around when he was sure no one could see him he slipped out of sight.

'Has something happened?' asked Aramis with urgency.

Porthos shook his head, 'I just wanted to see how you were.'

Aramis looked confused, 'you know how I am. We spoke yesterday-'

'No, we didn't. Updates and planning in Treville's office isn't finding out how you are.'

'I'm fine,' said Aramis with a shrug of his shoulders.

'Alright,' said Porthos, 'I just wanted to give you a chance to break character for a few minutes.'

Aramis looked at him for a few seconds before sighing and looking at the ground.

'I'll admit it's intense. There are so many layers. I've got to deceive so many people... most of whom I wish I didn't have to.'

Porthos nodded, he had heard the remarks the rest of the garrison were making towards Aramis. Both he and Athos were being forced to go along with the dislike of their friend. But at the same time, they were having to watch that none of the angered Musketeers decided to make that dislike physical. They had seen a couple of the men shoulder barge Aramis who had sworn at them in return, but not retaliated otherwise.

'What about with the gang?' asked Porthos. 'They been violent towards you again?'

Aramis paused before he responded. Porthos shook his head.

'Don't lie to me,' he said, 'you don't need to add another layer to it. You don't need to deceive me.'

'I think,' said Aramis with honesty, 'that if I wasn't... favoured, shall we say, by Dupre, I would be having a much worse time. Although if Carlos was not in love with her it might not have bothered him so much.'

Porthos huffed, 'in love with her?'

'Yes,' replied Aramis, 'but it is very unrequited. She's shallow. She has no interest in a man with scars like his.'

'Guess she wouldn't be interested in me then?'

Aramis chuckled and shook his head.

Porthos was pleased to see a bit of the real Aramis for a few seconds. The moment was short-lived, the weight of the mission soon descended on his friend again.

'She'll want me to sleep with her.'

Aramis looked skywards for a few seconds and sighed.

'And soon, I think. She's not hiding the fact. She flaunts her attraction to me in front of Carlos and his cronies.'

Porthos chose not to respond. He did not think Aramis was looking for a conversation about what he may or may not have to do with the woman in charge of the gang.

'I have to get them some of the most recent-'

Porthos pulled a folded leather wallet from his doublet.

'Plans of the Palace with the static guard positions marked on them,' he said. 'And there is a bonus plan of the grounds with the guard positions on them.'

Aramis was lost for words for a few seconds.

'They're the real deal. Treville took them this morning. It won't look odd him taking something like this, he helped to draw them up after all.'

Aramis took the wallet and tucked it into his doublet.

'I'd best do a bit of skulking around the King's secretaries office anyway, in case whoever the elusive paymaster is, is watching me. But at least now I won't have to actually go and steal them.'

'That's what Treville thought. We don't want the King alerted to anything that's going on. Not that the Captain thought you would get caught taking the plans, but this saves any explanations to the King in case you were.'

'Hopefully, this will keep them happy for a few days,' mused Aramis.

'What?' asked Porthos. 'That's what they want you to do, isn't it? Get the plans and details of the King's movements.'

Aramis nodded, 'yes, but I think they want more. Although I don't know what yet.'

Porthos could tell his friend was worried about what the gang would want him to do for them next. He was having to put himself into awkward situations and for little reward. They were no closer to finding out who the paymaster was.

'Perhaps we should start thinking about another way to find out who is behind their plan,' said Porthos. 'Perhaps this ain't working.'

Aramis frowned, 'it would be a shame after all the work we've put in-'

'All the work you've put in,' corrected Porthos. 'All we've done is watch you become an outcast in the garrison.'

'But I know that really you're still on my side,' said Aramis with a genuine smile.

Porthos slapped him on the shoulder, 'well you'd best get back to being an insolent soldier then,' he said.

Aramis nodded, he paused for a moment before walking back to the path he was supposed to be patrolling. Porthos watched him go, wishing there was something he could do to help his friend on the mission, but knowing there was not.

MMMM

Aramis watched Carlos sneering. The right-hand man looked annoyed. He had been expecting Aramis to fail. He had expected or wanted, Aramis to get caught stealing the plans.

Despite being the man who recruited him, Carlos was not happy. He was not happy because Madame Dupre was pleased with Aramis' work. When they had settled at the large table to discuss the plans Carlos had moved towards the closest chair to Dupre, but she had indicated to Aramis to take the coveted seat.

Aramis did not want to annoy Carlos any further. Particularly when he heard the update from Dupre after she had met with the paymaster.

'He wants things to move quicker. We have to make our move soon.'

Carlos shook his head, 'we're not ready. Even if we consider the boys expendable, they would not last long enough to prove the Palace security is in need of improvement.'

Aramis forced himself not to react to Carlos indicating the younger gang members were little more than cannon fodder. He also had to remind himself he could not defend the Palace security; he was supposed to be on the side of the gang.

'We are going to change our plan a little,' announced Madame Dupre. 'We are still going to assault the palace, but not until we have recruited a few more men. He has suggested that we focus our attack initially. A short sharp shock for the Palace and the King. We will show him what can happen despite his Musketeers and Guardsmen. We will show that they cannot stop a stealth attack.'

It annoyed Aramis that Dupre never said the paymaster's name. He wanted her to let it slip out. It was all he needed to end the mission. Once they knew who the paymaster was, they could switch their investigation to him.

Aramis' thoughts were interrupted by Madame Dupre's next words.

'He has suggested we kidnap a noble.'

Even Carlos reacted with shock.

'To what end? We'll probably kill a few when we attack... if we're ever ready for that.'

'He says, and I reluctantly agree, that we are not using our Palace resource very well. My Musketeer is not being as useful as he could be.'

Carlos smirked and looked at Aramis.

'I've done everything you've asked of me', said Aramis defensively.

'You ain't really done any more than a lowly footman could have done.'

Madame Dupre sighed.

'He has already proved his worth around here. The boys shooting is greatly improved.'

'Hardly a great impact,' countered Carlos.

Aramis knew the scarred man wanted to score points over him.

Madam Dupre glared at Carlos; Aramis wanted her to berate her right-hand man. But she was wiser than that. She did not want to belittle her second-in-command in front of others.

'Our employer wants a noble kidnapped and has suggested Aramis be the one to take the noble.'

MMMM