Evening My Lovelies

This chapter didn't turn out how I had initially planned but I still kinda like it, hopefully, you all do too :D

Notes On Reviews:

Issai: Thanks for the review - I felt bad about Issac but figured his anger would be warranted, given his sister was murdered by our mysterious author (or at least those who work for him). Being away from the garrison/city is going to be good for Aramis, whether or not he heals enough in time to be of any help to our boys if/when an attack happens remains to be seen :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Jmp (Guest): Thanks for the review - Glad to hear you're enjoying it so far :) We'll be checking in, briefly, with our boys today. Enjoy the new chapter! x

beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - I know! Poor Treville... unfortunately I don't think this chapter's going to do much to help with that ever-growing weight on his shoulders :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Treville has quite the task/ordeal ahead of him, the stress I'm going to be putting him through :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - Oooh :D Is it bad I'm glad I've got you worried about what I've got planned :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Three: Riding Out

Standing by the garrison gates Treville fought to contain the growing sense of dread he was feeling as he watched several small groups of his men ride out.

He himself had wanted to ride out after Athos and the rest of the inseparables, having reasoned that they, due to the previous incident, were likely to be the author's next target. However much to his great annoyance and anger the King, having somehow learned about his plan, ordered him to remain in Paris, stating instead that he would send several members of the guard out in Treville's place and that he needed the Captain to remain in the city to begin creating a plan to handle their mysterious writer so they were ready to react, no matter what move he made next.

This meant Treville could do nothing for his men but ensure they left his watch with plenty of supplies and weapons, he had no intentions of letting any of his men end up like Aramis had if he could help it.

Issac and Favier were the first to leave, having been given the okay to following Henri. The serious expressions on their faces as they mounted up, pausing only to have a few last words with Treville before riding out, did little to ease the growing tension in the garrison.

Alain and Blaise were the next pair to ride out, their task being to find and ride with Corbett, though both musketeers kicked up a fuss about not being able to ride after the inseparables, both men being fairly close with the quartet.

Understanding their frustration Treville fought not to reprimand them for their attitude, though he did remind them of the King's order, something that worked to quell any further protests and the men prepared their things before following their friend's trail.

Only when the two parties had left did Treville head to the palace to meet the party the King had set up to ride after the inseparables but seeing who it was, did little to assuage his sense of dread…

Elsewhere the inseparables had arrived in the small village where their brother would be spending the rest of his recovery and even on the small journey it had taken them to get there the inseparables could see the small, but noticeable improvement to their brother's mental state, reassuring them that getting him out and away from the city and garrison where he nearly died was exactly what the injured man needed to truly heal.

"Do you like it Aramis?" asked D'Artagnan innocently as the quartet made their way through the streets towards the small church in the middle of the village.

Tired from both his injuries and the journey Aramis did little more than hum in agreement, but the small, true smile on the marksman's lips was enough to comfort the Gascon that his brother would be okay.

"I give it a week before you're trying to shoot those birds," commented Porthos in jest as he nodded towards the sound of sea birds they could hear given the village's proximity to the coast.

Unable to help himself when he heard Aramis's huff of disbelief Athos shook his head, "It didn't take that long with the incident with the Queen," he reminded them with a small teasing smile that had Porthos and D'Artagnan bursting out in laughter as they remembered their friend's annoyance with the birds some months ago when they were tasked with guarding the Queen.

"It is good to know our guests can laugh," commented a voice, pulling the men's attention away from teasing their brother and towards the speaker, the men tensing before realising the speaker wore the garbs of a church brother.

"My apologies for startling you," spoke the man with an apologetic smile after noticing the musketeers tense at the initial sound of his voice. "I am Liam, your Captain mentioned me I am sure."

Athos was the first to recognize the name as Treville's contact in the village and the one who had offered up his church as a home for Aramis's recovery. This one act earned the man Athos's respect and he dismounted his horse to shake the Brother's hand.

"He has indeed," stated the swordsman as he released the man's hand. "You have our gratitude for opening up your home to our brother while he recovers."

"Our doors are always open to those who need it," dismissed the Brother with a warm smile. "Treville and his regiment have been good to us when we needed it, we will honour that by being good to his when they need it." This earned the musketeers curiosity, though the Brother didn't elaborate as he began to turn, "Follow me, I'll show you to the stables and then we can get you settled in. I'm sure your friend will appreciate sleeping in a bed after several days in that wagon."

"Your Majesty you cannot be serious about this!" exclaimed Treville as he fought not to glare at the three men standing to the side of the room. "You cannot send them!"

"I can do whatever I like Captain Treville," reminded the King with a glare of his own, "I am your King after all."

Realizing his anger would not aid him here the musketeer Captain fought to push it down, his eyes drifting briefly to the Queen who sat beside her husband. Normally he would pray on her help in such a situation but he could tell, by the displeased expression on her face that she didn't even try to hide that she had tried, and failed, to persuade her husband away from his current line of thinking.

"It's guard duty coupled with a message delivery Treville," commented one of the men with no small amount of distaste in his voice, though he seemed to be trying to stay polite. "My men and I are more than capable of doing that."

"See!" grinned Louis as he nodded once at the man who had spoken before turning back to Treville. "Your regiment cannot be manned by so few. If I allow you to ride out with the men you initially planned, what happens if our author decides to strike while you're away? … No this is better, I know you've had your share of differences in the past Treville but this is happening."

Treville gritted his teeth, recognizing a losing battle when he saw one, he could only pray they would not come to regret this as he glared hard at the red guard insignia on their uniforms.