Evening My Lovelies
Couple of apologies to make tonight... First off sorry about not updating last night, I completely intended to but then I found a new Hunger Games fic to read which kinda took over my night I was so hooked. Kept saying "one more chapter then I'll do writing" ... Well, one chapter soon turned into about 60 and next thing I know the fic was over and it was gone 3 am! :D Secondly sorry that tonight's chapter is a bit o a short, fillerish one.
Notes On Reviews:
Issai: Thanks for the review - When isn't our pup in trouble (at least when I'm around lol :D) I'm going to have you wait a little bit longer to find out what I've planned for our Gascon and who our author is but providing I can write both scenes like I'm currently planning out in my head it'll be worth it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Damn why didn't I think of that! That would have been brilliant! I'm kinda kicking myself now, I'm definitely jotting that idea down for use later on, either in this story or another one :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - Haha sounds about right. Don't worry our boys aren't going to let anything get in the way of getting to the bottom of things. Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - You'll be finding why he's saying only one can be saved very soon (probably the next update) I'm really hoping you enjoy what I have planned :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
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Chapter Sixteen: Enough Waiting
The atmosphere around the garrison had been tense in the days that had followed the departure of four of their own. Logically the musketeers who remained knew it would take several days before any word would reach them of their brothers-in-arms missions, but when it came to worrying about their comrades, logic had no part to pay.
As the hours and days began to pass the collective worry only grew amongst the regiment and more than one musketeer had found himself on the receiving end of Treville's wrath after requesting permission to go out after their friends.
It hadn't helped matters to learn that red guards had been sent after the inseparables, although tempers had calmed when Treville revealed he had not left their lieutenant and his brothers without musketeer aid, however, the lack of word from them was equally, if not more, worrying and it was becoming increasingly obvious that Treville's patience with the matter was quickly becoming thin.
That was why it escaped no musketeer's notice when a messenger arrived at the garrison. The men watched with bated breath as the man approached Treville, passing over a small note before leaving with a simple nod. Almost as one the men slowly began moving forward unconsciously as their Captain took in the contents of the note, his expression darkening with every line he read.
"Captain?" inquired one of the men, almost flinching back mere moments later from the heat of Treville's glare as the entire courtyard watched the Captain's hands tighten into fists, crumpling the letter in his grasp as they did.
"Etienne, with me," barked Treville as he began to stomp up to his office, said musketeer hurrying after him with a wary expression on his face. Treville paused just before the door, turning back to his men he added, "Get your things! I want every man ready to leave in ten minutes!"
Unwilling to risk increasing his Captain's anger Etienne waited silently in Treville's office while the man took several deep breaths to calm his anger before reaching out to give the musketeer the note in his hand.
For a moment Etienne had feared he would see the now all too familiar scrawl of their mysterious writer, so he was both pleasantly surprised and relieved when instead the sight that greeted him was the familiar handwriting of his friend Henri.
It took a moment for the musketeer to decipher the code used in the note but once he had, he understood Treville's anger as he felt his own beginning to mirror it.
"How do you want to play this?" he asked, handing the note back to Treville, who wasted no time in throwing it into the fire, both men watching silently as it quickly turned to ash.
"I will not leave my men to their fates," growled Treville before he forced himself to take another few deep breaths. "I am loathed to split up but we have the numbers and if Henri's explanation is accurate then it is likely that both groups are about to see trouble so we don't have time to waste."
Etienne nodded, having expected this response. "I take it you wish for me to lead one of the groups we're to split into?"
Treville nodded, with so many of his men out of the garrison Etienne was the highest-ranking member remaining outside of himself. "Henri seems convinced the trouble is heading for Blaise's group so I will take a slightly larger contingent of men and head there while you take the rest of the men to meet up with Issac and the others."
For the next few minutes the two men discussion who was travelling with who and what route they would take before Treville dismissed the man to begin his own preparations for the journey. However Etienne didn't leave right away, the musketeer pausing with a hand on the door handle before turning back to the Captain, his voice quiet and low when he spoke.
"And Henri's other thoughts?"
Treville hesitated for a moment to carefully choose his words before quietly admitting, "Nothing I haven't been considering myself lately… Keep your eyes open and watch your back."