Evening My Lovelies

Writer's block has been a pain with this chapter! I knew what I wanted to have happen but just couldn't write it!

Notes On Reviews:

Issai: Thanks for the review - We'll be seeing what the smoke was about today. Everyone is currently still hanging on, we'll see how long the mercy lasts :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Aramis is definitely struggling to keep the hope alive while worrying in "secret" Athos is struggling but Porthos and the others are watching out for him where they can. Enjoy the new chapter! x

beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - We'll be seeing what the smoke's about today. Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex: Thanks for the review - Yeah everyone's currently hanging on... Not sure if that'll last should my evil side come out but we'll see :) Porthos is watching out for our lovely Athos, feel a little bad for the man, to be honest, he's got to be strong for all his brothers right now. As for the smoke, we'll be seeing what it's about tonight. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysAramisRios: Thanks for the review - Yeah things are pretty intense for everyone right now and today's chapter isn't going to help with that much :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Forty-Eight: Blaze

Treville had no idea how long he and his men were rooted to the spot staring at the smoke in disbelief but he knew they had to move, even if his body refused to cooperate as, like his men, the sight of the smoke had caused a surge of fear and panic to flood his system as his mind immediately went to the men he had sent to the church for safety and recuperation.

"I've failed them," his mind whispered as he continued to stare helplessly at the smog.

"Captain," breathed Issac a mixture of horror, fear, concern and worry practically dripping from his voice as he whispered that one single word, his eyes, like the rest of his companions, remained locked to the horizon.

Whether the musketeer was even awake he had spoken was debatable but it served to pull Treville from his darkening thoughts and spur him into action. After taking a quick steadying breath the musketeer Captain urged his horse forward a few steps so he could turn the beast and face his men, all emotion vanishing from his face in that one short turn and an expressionless mask settled over his face.

"Do not jump to conclusions," he ordered, his voice loud and firm as he looked directly at his men, doing all he could to keep his own fears and worries from showing, knowing his men needed him to be a strong leader now, especially if there was to be any hope for reuniting with his missing men.

"A musketeer is nothing if not resourceful, Athos's group more than most," he continued, his voice growing more passionate as he watched his words resonate with his men. "Aramis alone survived the Savoy massacre. Porthos survived almost being sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit. D'Artagnan survived a bombing before he was even a musketeer and Athos… Well, what hasn't he survived."

To Treville's delight, the men let out a light chuckle at this, a great amount of their fear slowly fading from their faces.

"Musketeers make a habit of doing the impossible, surviving situations lesser men would succumb to. I refuse to take a red guard's word as to their physical condition just like I refuse to believe our brothers would do anything but survive this situation. Do not give in to fear, to do so would be to doubt their ability to survive, to give up on them and that's not what we musketeers do."

Silence followed Treville's speech, the Captain taking the moment to suck in a much-needed breath as he watched the effect his words had on his men, a proud smile tugging at his lips when he saw the fiery determination win over the fear in their eyes. Nodding once in silent agreement he allowed his smile to remain as he turned his horse back around before beginning to lead his men towards the smoke, all the while praying he hadn't spoken false.

Unfortunately, when they arrived at the village which housed the church their brethren were supposed to be recovering at a little over an hour later they found their worst fears come to life as they watched the villagers frantically work to try and put out the inferno which had engulfed the church.

The sight of his worst fear come to life had Treville frozen on the spot. He could vaguely hear his men murmuring among themselves in disbelief at the sight in front of them but he was too distracted to pay them much attention as he continued to stare helplessly at the flames.

"Hey!" snapped one of the villagers, the bite of his words garnering the attention of the entire party. "Don't just sit there!" he bellowed as he passed a bucket of water to the person in front of him without looking as he continued to glare at the musketeers in front of him.

The men who had previously been staring mournfully at the church jumped at the order, glancing over to Treville who nodded at them quickly before he too dismounted and joined the exhausted villagers' efforts.

"When did it start," panted Treville sometime later, he, like all assembled were drenched in soot and sweat. They had begun to get control of the fire but the flames still continued to burn.

"Few hours before you showed up," panted a nearby villager, who actually turned out to be the one who had snapped at them when they arrived. "Thought we had it under control for a while but it must have reached the cellar because it suddenly exploded and the flames were worse than before."

Treville felt his stomach sink as he took in the explanation and braced himself for what he had to ask. "Any survivors?"

For a moment the man was silent, as is trying to work out how to approach the answer tactfully, sensing the importance of the men's visit to the village but eventually he did respond. "None that I've seen." When the man saw the last flicker of hope leave Treville's eyes he felt obligated to speak once more. "I have a farm right on the outskirts of the village though so some might have made it out before I arrived, you'd be better asking some of the others once the fire's out."

Nodding Treville remained silent as he struggled not to grasp onto the tiny bit of hope the villager had offered him, not wanting to have it crushed should his worst fears come true once more. Instead, he turned his focus back to the fire fighting efforts.