Evening My Lovelies

Apologies for no update last night, I didn't want to break my own schedule so early into the story but my internet went down last night so I couldn't get this up. Hopefully, the tease of drama I'm giving you all today will make up for it :D

On a side note, I have a question for you all... The red guards Louis has sent after our boys... Do we want them to be our stereotypical bad guys or do we think some of the red guards can actually be decent people? I have two different scenarios in mind for when they arrive, one for each (good or bad) but can't decide which I want to use, let me know if you have a preference :D

Notes On Reviews:

Issai: Thanks for the review - It definitely does not bode well :D We will figure out who he is eventually though I promise :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - Nothing can keep Athos down for long, he's okay :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Jmp (Guest): Thanks for the review - I know :D I'm so mean :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Hmm I like the way you think... We'll be learning what Treville did in either the next chapter or the one after that so I won't keep you waiting too long. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - We'll be learning what Treville planned fairly soon so just hang on a bit longer for that. Unfortunately for all our boys I'm feeling particularly evil with this story :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Five: Fighting Back

It took several minutes for Athos to calm down enough to think logically again and to realize that, in his anger, he had left his brothers and while they were more than capable of defending themselves and Aramis, recent events had left the swordsman more than a little paranoid and protective over the men he cherished as family.

Cursing himself under his breath the musketeer then began to head back to Aramis's room, his mind now buzzing with thoughts and ideas as the last of his anger began to fade and logic took its place.

"Athos!" exclaimed D'Artagnan, the younger man being the first to notice his mentor entering the room, his voice attracting the attention of the room's other occupants who immediately turned to face the swordsman.

Seeing the all too familiar letter in Porthos's hands Athos knew he didn't need to explain his departure, choosing instead to lock the door behind him so they would not be interrupted before moving to address his brothers.

"He's mocking us."

"It's like he wants us to stay," agreed Porthos, understanding his brother's thought process as the author of the letter would have known there was no way they were going to leave Aramis alone after such an obvious threat had been made.

"Which is why you can't," stated Aramis, the man's firm voice drawing the other musketeer's attention, although the medic continued before any could protest. "None of this man's letters have led to anything good. I might not be at my best but I'll be damned if I let you all join me in a sickbed, or worse because you stayed around."

The three other inseparables merely stared, slightly wide-eyed at the marksman before Porthos spoke, the larger musketeer's attention turning to Athos.

"What's the plan?"

Alain and Blaise had been prepared for an ambush, ever since they heard the approaching hoof-beats they knew it would only be a matter of time before their pursuers acted. What they weren't prepared for was to be cut off from the front, their horses rearing in response to the sudden appearance of two riders, their face's covered and their hands on weapons.

Blaise's eyes narrowed, he severely doubted they had managed to ride ahead of them whilst following them without either Alain or himself noticing, which unfortunately left the ominous realization that someone must have known their route.

The musketeers next surprise came when, instead of engaging them in some form of taunting conversation as usually happened in these sorts of situations, one of the riders merely raised his arm and fired the pistol in his hand, the force of the sudden gunshot knocking Blaise right off his horse, though Alain had barely any time to react to this before the rest of the duo's men appeared from the trees.

Aramis was sulking, that was the only word that appropriately described how the injured musketeer was reacting to the fact that all three of his brothers were ignoring his protests as they discussed a plan on how to handle the situation.

"Would you leave if you were in our situation 'Mis?" huffed Porthos, the larger man beginning to get annoyed with his brother's attitude. When Aramis's expression turned slightly sheepish Porthos nodded, "That's what I thought."

"We don't go anywhere alone," stated Athos, reiterating the first rule they had put in place as he stared at the quartet's youngest member, something that made the Gascon bristle in indignation.

"What are you looking at me for?"

Unable to help himself Porthos chuckled, reaching over to lightly push his youngest brother's shoulder. "He means you have a habit of finding trouble."

Now it was Athos's turn to chuckle as he listened to the Gascon's protests as he tried to get away from his brother's teasing. The swordsman allowed himself that one moment of levity before rising from his seat, gesturing for the younger man to follow him.

"We need to secure lodgings, Brother Liam has been kind in opening the church's doors to Aramis but we cannot simply assume they have the means to host us as well. I would rather we handled this back in Paris but I won't risk an ambush on the open road so we'll be here until they make their move."

Elsewhere the sounds of battle echoed through the forest as Issac and Faiver fought valiantly against their ambushers, although they were outnumbered three-to-one, something their attackers made full use of.

"ISSAC! DOWN!"

The musketeer barely had a heartbeat to react, instinctively dropping to the ground at his brother's cry, the tree behind him exploding, showering him with splinters of bark as a bullet hit right where his head had previously been.

Not having any time to count his blessings for his brother's sharp eyes the musketeer was forced to move as one of his attackers moved too close for comfort, barely scrambling in his feet in time to avoid the man's attack.

Favier wasn't fairing much better, usually, if they encountered ambushes out on the road the men were barely trained, at least in comparison to the skill of their musketeer opponents but that wasn't the case this time as each of their attackers had a decent amount of skill and training, along with experience in fighting alongside their companions, all which made the fight even harder.

Before he knew it he was careening to the ground, the air knocked from his lungs and the panicked scream of his name from his brother's lips being the last thing he heard before the gleam of a blade appeared just above his prone form.