Evening My Lovelies

Oh, this chapter :D I just LOVE how this one turned out and seriously can't wait to see what you all think of it :D

Notes On Reviews:

pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - Maybe :) you'll have to read to find out. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - No worries, just glad to see a review from you whenever you have the time :) I will be checking back with Aramis fairly soon but not in this chapter so we'll have to wait on that front. Enjoy the new chapter! x

beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - They're definitely getting closer I can promise that :) They're definitely going out of their minds a bit with worry. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Oh I love those ideas! We'll have to wait and see but I could definitely see the whole breaking the rib thing :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

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Chapter Twenty-One: Buried III

Too easy, that was the one thought that was going round and round in Porthos's head as he helped Athos to clear off the dirt so they could open the box that, hopefully, contained their little brother. Had it been just their mysterious author who was involved then the larger man would have allowed his hope to grow but Rochefort was another matter. The man was vengeful that was not in question but the man was also incredibly smart, he would have wanted to cause as much pain and agony to them as possible and while it did feel almost impossible to breathe with how panicked he was part of his mind was screaming at him that this couldn't be the man's end game.

The only way to break them would be for them to be too late, to be unable to save their youngest's life… This realization nearly caused the larger musketeer's heart to stop as horror filled him, his eyes immediately jumping to his brother, who was pulling up the wooden lid they had just unearthed.

Knowing better than to try and talk to his brother when the man's entire focus was on saving their youngest Porthos decided to trust his instincts and launched himself at the man, sending the pair careering to the ground, his larger frame protecting the stunned swordsman from the debris now flying around them from the explosion that occurred the moment Athos lifted the lid of the box when Porthos crashed into him.

For a moment neither man could hear anything but the pounding in their own ears as adrenaline raced through their veins but before long they came back to themselves, a whole new wave of panic filling them as they scrambled to the now burning box, horror and pain racking their bodies as neither could believe the sight in front of them.

Elsewhere in the church, safe in their observation room Rochefort all but cackled with delight as the noise from the explosion reached their ears and his eyes noticed the flames burning brightly in the distance.

"W-What have… you… done?" breathed Glenn, unable to see what was going on from his position in the room, though he had an idea from the noise that woke him from his injury-driven sleep.

The former musketeer was struggling to stay awake, his whole body felt cold and it hurt to do anything, even breath and the trembling of his limbs told him that he had very little time left, he needed medical help soon or his friends would only find a body if they were even granted that peace.

That being said the man cared little of his own fate. He had served in the musketeer regiment for many years and as such had survived through many situations in which he was sure he shouldn't have and as such was of the belief that he was on borrowed time as it was. He absolutely hated the idea of his death causing his dearest friends pain along with the knowledge that it would only serve to further their enemies agenda.

"Oh," commented Rochefort as the man turned in his chair to face the dying man, a look of mock surprise on his face that was nearly overwhelmed by the amusement in his eyes. "You're not dead yet?"

Narrowing his eyes at the man's words Glenn mustered what pitiful amount of strength he had left to push himself up into a more seated position, doing all he could to hide just how much it hurt to do so before turning back to the former red guard, speaking with more confidence and strength then he honestly felt.

"Neither is the kid."

Amusement glinted in the red guard's eyes as he narrowed his own at the dying man. "What makes you think that?"

Adopting a look of, what he hoped was, nonchalance Glenn weakly shrugged. "You want to hurt them… Why hurt them once when you can do it more than that."

The amusement in Rochefort's eyes brightened as he chuckled darkly at the man's words, neither confirming nor denying them as he turned back to the window.

Staring at the flames Athos felt his heart breaking as he had, once again, failed to protect his little brother. He could hear Porthos calling him, could feel his trembling hands on him as his brother tried to access him for injuries, likely in an attempt to distract himself from the failure and the fire that was consuming their littlest brother.

Athos ignored it all though, paying attention to nothing at all as he simply stared at the flames, his mind conjuring up images of his brother's last moments, taunting him with thoughts of how the boy must have been waiting on them to rescue him only to be burned alive when they opened the box. Tears flooded down the swordsman's cheeks which he paid no attention to as he tried not to feel guilty about wishing the boy had run out of air before they opened the box if only to not have the feel the pain of the flames on his skin when they triggered Rochefort's trap.

Rochefort! The lieutenant's mind growled as his focus immediately turned to revenge. Channelling all the pain and guilt he was slowly being crushed under he slowly made his way to his feet, ignoring Porthos's call of his name as his eyes darkened in rage before he stormed out of the graveyard, one single thought ringing out in his mind as his hand tightly gripped the pommel of his blade.

Torn between following his brother or staying put with his youngest Porthos hesitated, glancing back down into the box where the flames were now beginning to die down, only for a glint of something to catch his eyes.

Ignoring his concern for Athos's state of mind the larger man gritted his teeth and reached into the box, quietly crying out in pain as the remnants of the flames licked against his skin.

When he opened his burned hand to see what had caught his attention he felt his heart skip a beat as he stared down at the unfamiliar signet ring all but glowing in his hand.