Evening My Lovelies

Apologies for the lack of update last night. There's some drama going on in my personal life right now that led to me really not being in the best headspace to write yesterday. On the plus side, the extra day has allowed me to get some devilish things down tonight so hopefully, that'll make up for the short delay.

Notes On Reviews:

beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - They're still going, though I can't say things are getting any better for them :) We'll be checking in with them briefly tonight. Aramis still isn't in the best place mentally but he's terrified of his brothers going through what he did, or worse, hence the attempt to get them to leave. He's not really thinking about anyone else right now. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Jmp (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha loved the review, not going to be getting any better tonight I'm afraid :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha yeah I liked that mental image too, Porthos just knows the man's being stupid so isn't even going to pay it attention. Things are, unfortunately, not going well for any of our boys right now :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - I haven't decided if anyone's actually going to die yet but god is it tempting :D I do love those four OC's though so maybe if I do end up killing anyone it'll be Henri or Corbett later on, who knows... we'll just have to wait and see what my evil side has planned :D Hmmm I'll admit I do quite like the idea that one of the red guards would be good and actually do the job he was ordered whilst the others would be their usual red guard selves. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - I do quite like that idea, it could lead to some drama occurring between the red guards themselves which could be quite interesting to write... Ooh all the ideas for scenes are now swirling around in my brain :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex: Thanks for the review - Oh don't worry you'll get to worry about them too, later on,:D Treville's plan will become clear very soon, promise :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Six: Fighting Back II

To the inseparables surprise Liam had been more than willing to host the remaining members of the quartet with minimal questions, though Athos felt it only fair to warn the man about the danger potentially coming their way and the harm he could potentially be putting not only himself but the church in by allowing them to stay.

"We do not turn away those in need," reassured the Brother before moving to lead them to some rooms they could occupy during their stay. "I only ask you to keep it away from the village as much as it is possible for you to do so."

"That may be hard to do but we have no desire to see innocents hurt any more than you Brother," agreed the swordsman as he tried to push down the mixed feelings he had regarding their situation, knowing that he was likely being influenced by paranoia and worry over Aramis and the danger that could be heading their way.

"Is there a way to send word to our garrison?" asked D'Artagnan, surprising his brother and Liam. Athos, who quickly cottoned onto what his protege was thinking nodded quickly before turning back to the Brother.

"If Treville could be notified he would send resources and reinforcements, thus further minimizing the threat to everyone involved."

Liam thought over the request for a moment before nodding once. "We have a rookery and a few birds, they're old but well trained, bring me your letter and I'll ensure it is sent at once."

With that the Brother left the inseparables to their planning, Porthos had remained beside Aramis and was guarding both him and Tristan while D'Artagnan and Athos, now focused on familiarizing themselves with their temporary home, knowing it would do them well to learn the place's weakness to better plan how they could potentially be attacked.

Elsewhere Favier barely had a moment to react to the gleam of a blade before it suddenly vanished, the wielder letting out a grunt of pain as he was tackled to the ground by an extremely furious Issac who wasted no time in driving his own blade through the man's neck once he was sure there was no chance of accidentally hitting his brother.

With one foe down the musketeer then quickly moved to Favier's side, standing menacingly in front of him as he stared their attackers down, shifting his stance only when he felt his brother rise from the ground behind him.

Both musketeers were more than a little battered and weary but neither was about to give in as they readied themselves for whatever the men in front of them did next, although no amount of preparation could have readied the men for what actually happened next.

It didn't take too long for the two musketeers to return to their brothers' sides, the church they were staying at not being as big as many they were used to in the city. Once greeting their friend's had been done Athos moved to start writing a letter to Treville, doing what he could to hide his message in code should the message be intercepted before it could reach the Captain.

D'Artagnan, on the other hand, began quickly filling both Aramis and Porthos in on the situation in the church, describing as best he could entrances, exits and potential vulnerabilities, along with anything else of interest they had noted on their investigation.

Several minutes later, after finishing his letter and double-checking it to ensure it was safely encoded Athos broke up the causal conversation, calling for the Gascon who quickly moved to his side, none of the men willing to let any of their brothers to come to harm by letting them go anywhere alone.

"We will be back after delivering this to Liam to send off. With luck, the Captain can have men on the road by the end of tomorrow."

Both Aramis and Porthos nodded in acceptance, though it was the larger of the pair that spoke up next. "Tristan suggested getting some poultices and draughts made up, just in case so we'll be handling that while you're gone."

Unable to help himself despite the situation Athos felt his lips twitch upwards into a teasing smile. "Are you sure that's wise?"

The pout that immediately formed on Porthos's face made all of the men, Aramis included burst out laughing, Athos and D'Artagnan grins growing at the sound of their brother's laughter, something that had become all but non-existent since being injured.

"Don't worry," chuckled Aramis as he elbowed his brother's side, his injuries protested the movement but he found himself caring little as he embraced the rare good mood he found himself in. "I'll supervise him."

"Now I'm even more worried," chortled D'Artagnan, unable to help himself, snorting with laughter at the affronted look his brother sent him.

"Get going," shooed Porthos, a mock glare on his face as he waved the two men away, his lips twitching with his own amusement as he watched his brothers leave the room.

Alain could do nothing but scream his brother's name in alarm and panic as Blaise was knocked off of his horse by the force of the blast, the now injured and winded man quickly having to force his battered body to roll out of the way as his horse reared in alarm at the sudden departure of its rider.

Unfortunately, neither musketeer was given much time to recover or react as within moments battle erupted in the forest.

Knowing his brother was vulnerable Alain was quick to nudge his horse forward a few steps to create a barrier between his brother and the largest group of their attackers. The younger man's eyes narrowed as anger and determination warred for dominance within them. Not missing a beat the musketeer threw a dagger from his belt at the nearest man, the blade lodging deep in the man's throat, his other hand was moving to pull the pistol from his belt when he noted his brother stumbling to his feet. The musketeer was bleeding quite heavily if the amount of blood now staining his shirt was any indication and had clearly not recovered from the force of the fall as he was wheezing quite badly, though it did little to deter the man from lending aid to his baby brother as he pulled his own pistol, leaning heavily on Alain's horse for balance before firing at the nearest attacker.

"Ah Sirs Athos and D'Artagnan," greeted Liam as the doors to his office opened to reveal the two musketeers. Spotting the piece of parchment in the hand of the former he gestured to the man next to him. "This is Brother Audric, he's in charge of the rookery and will ensure your letter gets handled with all urgency."

Nodding in greeting Athos stretched out his arm to hand over the letter, "You have my thanks Monsieur."

Smiling at the man Audric shook his head, "It is no trouble musketeer, I'll see to it that it's handled," and with that he left the room, leaving the musketeers to converse with the Brother for several more minutes before they too left, intent on returning to their brother's sides.

None saw the smirk that tugged at Audric's lips as he casually dropped the letter into one of the burning torches as he made his way down the corridor.