Evening My Lovelies

Well... This chapter took a turn I definitely hadn't planned when I started writing today but I have to say, the evil part of me is enjoying it very much :) Can't wait to see what you all think :D

Notes On Reviews:

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha I think I can make that happen, though we've not got any D'Art tonight... soon though I promise :) Hehe I loved writing Etienne's bit it that chapter so I'm very happy you liked it :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - True... though it is kinda tempting to let them escape and plot revenge :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Treville means business :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - Oooh cool I'll check them out at some point, haven't been on AO3 in ages. Well, we'll be seeing what they decide to do today so you won't be curious for long. Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Forty-Two: The Choice I

Resignation and determination filled the two red guards as they shared a look, both silently communicating the same thought - If they surrendered they would definitely die and it was extremely likely that it would be a painful death, the King having hardened his approach to traitors after being betrayed by Rochefort. Neither man found the idea of placing their lives, and deaths, in his hands to be an appealing option.

Resistance, however unlikely to succeed, at least gave them the chance to keep their lives. They would have to leave Rochefort, though that didn't bother them as much as it might have done when the threat to their lives was imagined. Neither man allowed themselves to believe they stood a chance against the surprising amount of musketeers surrounding them but they figured all they had to do was escape, they had both seen the fear and worry in Treville's eyes when they spoke of D'Artagnan, the Captain was almost predictably loyal to his men, he would choose to check on them over following a pair of red guards.

"Well?" pressed Treville, the man's form tensing slightly in preparation as he noticed the look that crossed the faces of the two men. "What will it be?"

With one final look passing between the red guards, the sharp nod that they gave was all the warning the musketeers had before the pair charged with their weapons drawn.

Unlike the musketeer regiment whose bonds of brotherhood and loyalty were more than well known amongst the common people most of those in the red guards were only loyal to each other when it suited them so it wasn't much of a surprise when the two men moved in different directions when they began their attack, each hoping the other would garner the majority of the musketeers' attention.

The musketeers, however, were well versed with the attitudes of the red guards and had never truly expected the men to surrender, although they had hoped they might, none of the men actually enjoyed having to take a life, even one that belonged to their enemies.

It was because of this familiarity with the rival regiment that the musketeers were as quick to react as they were when the red guards made their move. Treville, unwilling to risk either man getting to Rochefort, refused to move from his place by the wagon, the Captain wanting nothing more than to see the former minister to hang for the pain he had caused those in his charge. His entire frame was tense as his hands tightened their holds on his own weapons, though he very much doubted he would need to use them as his men channelled their anger over their comrades' fates to fighting the fleeing traitors.

Despite wanting nothing more than to jump into the fray alongside their brothers both Issac and Favier continued to hang back, more for Favier's sake than anything else. The man was still dealing with several cracked ribs and getting involved in the brawl which was now taking place would likely end up with him worsening those injuries, something Issac wasn't willing to risk, not when they had so many of their brothers with them who could take care of their current problem.

Instead, the pair continued to watch the fights, watching the red guards almost impressively attempt to escape their brothers, the pair ready to act at a moment's notices should either manage to slip through.

Marcus let out a hiss of pain as he felt the tip of the blade cut across his cheek, he hadn't quite managed to dodge out of the way of that swing, not when it was followed, almost instantaneously by another from a different foe. If he was being honest with himself he was surprised he had managed to get as far as he had considering he was fighting, at least, five-to-one. Part of him wanted to take it as a sign of his own skill and he had at the beginning, smirking and growing with confidence with every blow or swing he managed to dodge but then he had seen it… The amusement and smug looks glimmering in his opponents' eyes, the sight of which made his blood boil. They were mocking him… Toying with him! They were even allowing themselves to take small wounds to bolster his confidence and hope that he might be able to escape.

It was the one who Treville had called Etienne who led the charge on this, the man not bothering to hide the smugness from his face as he parried blow after blow from the ever angering red guard.

"You'll have to do better than that red guard," mocked Etienne as he blocked yet another attack from the slowly tiring Marcus, the musketeer took great pride in the furious expression that crossed the man's face but took, even more, when the man, too frustrated with his taunts, missed blocking another attack from one of the other musketeers, causing him to cry out in pain as the man plunged his blade deep into the red guard's leg, the pain sent Marcus to his knees and caused him to accidentally drop his sword.

Seeing this Etienne was quick to place his foot firmly on the blade, stopping Marcus from retrieving it while his other musketeers halted their attacks on the man after noticing he was unarmed, none wanting to kill an unarmed man even if it was a red guard.

"This is your last chance red guard," stated Etienne firmly as he pressed the tip of his blade against Marcus's throat, ignoring the feeling the fear and pain in the man's eyes ignited within him. "Surrender."

The pain in his leg was intense, so much so that Marcus barely had the ability to focus on anything else but the smugness in the musketeer's voice cut through the pain and it bolstered the rage building inside of him. He could tell, simply by the amount of blood already coating both his leg and the ground that the wound would likely be fatal and he was strangely at peace with that, better to die like this than after whatever tortures the King would force on him.

However that didn't mean he was going to go down easy, he had his pride after all… it was the one thing he refused to let the musketeers take from him and so, after glaring once more at the musketeer's smug grin he let his head sink down into his chest, portraying the picture-perfect image of a defeated man.

"Wise choice," acknowledge Etienne as he used his foot to kick the man's blade further away before stepping closer to the injured man, missing the slight upturn of the man's lips as he approached.

Marcus bided his time waited until the musketeer was directly in front of him and had reached down to pull him to his feet. He may be about to die but he wasn't going to go alone.

Once he was halfway to his feet, his head level with Etienne's chest he attacked, plunging the dagger he had managed to grab without the musketeers noticing deep into Etienne's chest, laughing maniacally at the musketeer's expression and cry of pain before one of the other men around him swiftly cut off his head in a rage, the last thing he heard being the alarmed cry of the musketeer's name.