Evening My Lovelies

Argh, I had such trouble writing this chapter and I'm still not overly happy with the ending but I've given up with it now so hopefully, it's decent enough for you lovely lot :)

Notes On Reviews:

Issai: Thanks for the reviews - (Chapter50) Haha I know :) I didn't really think they were in any shape to have an enemy like bandits approach them but that doesn't mean I can't whump them in other ways :D (Chapter51) I'm glad you liked it, I adored writing it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

beeblegirl: Thanks for the reviews - (Chapter50) Well they're not in the right shape to have a bandit attack so I HAD to whump them another way :D (Chapter51) Oh I know, I'm kinda toying with him actually fainting or one of his brothers (or Tristan) forcing him to sleep ... Kinda like the idea of Tristan actually drugging him like he threatened to do right back at the beginning of the story :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the reviews - (Chapter50) I know! Mwhahaha! As for how the rain's affected the lovely pup's condition, we'll have to wait and see but I won't keep you waiting too long, promise :) (Chapter51) Athos's definitely breathed a sigh of relief hearing D'Art say his name. I absolutely adored writing all the fluff so I'm seriously happy it was so well received from everyone :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex: Thanks for the review - I did debate having Athos drift off just as D'Art woke up to be evil and keep the pair "apart" for a bit longer but I couldn't resist the fluff of having them both awake at the same time for the first time in a while :D We'll be seeing a lot more snuggling so settle in for that :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Fifty-Two: Search Party

Knowing that Athos's group would have been forced to seek shelter from the sudden storm given they were transporting at least one injured member with Aramis in their company, both Issac and Henri decided to take the somewhat risky decision to not find shelter for themselves and instead focus on doing whatever they could to catch up to their missing brothers.

The plan was hampered significantly by the rain and the effect it had on the ground as not only was their vision greatly limited by the sudden onslaught from the storm but the once hard ground had quickly become sodden, making traversing it a real challenge for both rider and horse as the pair were forced to limit their speed to a walk.

These issues didn't deter the two focused men however and despite the chill slowly beginning to settle into their bones they continued onwards without complaint, silence settling comfortably between them until Henri spotted a flicker of light in the distance.

As they approached what they quickly realized was a village Henri slowly became aware of just how pitiful both he and his companion must have looked to those glancing at them from the safety of their homes but he paid it little mind as he carefully directed his horse to the largest building in the village, hoping it was some form of tavern where they might be able to speak to someone given the storm had forced everyone into their homes.

"You must have a death wish riding out in that storm Monsieur," commented the owner of the tavern as he eyed the two cloaked strangers who entered his tavern. The building itself was largely empty save for himself and a few of the village's more determined drinkers who had braved the storm, so the arrival of the two men now standing dripping in his doorway more than caught his attention.

"More of an important mission than a death wish," acknowledged Issac thankfully, hanging up his sodden cloak before smiling gratefully at the owner as he quickly moved to place a couple of chairs in front of the roaring fire.

Issac knew that both he and Henri intended to stop only long enough to get any information they could before continuing their search but the warmth of the fire was too enticing to resist so, after making a mental promise to only take a short break, he and Henri settled themselves in front of the warm flames.

"It wouldn't have anything to do with those fancy pauldron's on your shoulders would it?" asked the owner cautiously as he brought over a pair of tankards, handing them to the drenched pair as he eyed the musketeer symbol on the leather covering their shoulders. "We don't want any trouble."

Softening his features Issac shook his head, "Nor do we Monsieur," he stated gently, not wanting to offend the person who could potentially give them the information they were looking for. "I am Issac, this is my companion Henri," he said gesturing to the musketeer by his side who had taken to watching the conversation, along with the rest of the tavern, in silence. "We are looking for other members of our regiment we believe might have passed through this way…"

Henri spoke up then, beginning to describe those in Athos's party only to be cut off by the owner.

"I know who you mean," he answered with some semblance of caution in his voice, though it was significantly less than before. "They aren't here though, left a couple of days ago."

A mixture of relief and disappointment flooded the two musketeers systems as they learned they had, yet again missed their comrades.

"Do you know which way they went?" asked Issac hopefully, internally praying they hadn't managed to get far before being forced to seek shelter and that they would be able to catch up if they rode out after them again soon.

The tavern owner, who had identified himself as Jean nodded once. "There's a village couple of days ride away, they were heading there in hopes they'd have more supplies."

Henri's ears perked up at this, "Supplies?"

Once again Jean nodded, only this time he had a grim look on his face. "Had a few injured men with them, couple looked really bad and there was a young one who was really sick," he explained as gently as he could having recognized the look on the pair's faces. "We don't have a lot of medicinal herbs here but we offered what we could, the grumpy one even gave me this to cover their stay and supplies," he added, pulling an all too familiar chain out of his pocket to show the two men, who instantly understood just how dire the situation for Athos's party must have been for the swordsman to willingly part with the jewellery now hanging before them.

After getting what information they could from Jean the pair stayed long enough to change into dry clothes, both immensely grateful that the rain appeared to be stopping, before leaving once more, determination and hope renewed as they pushed their horses as hard as they safely could given the swamp-like quality the ground had taken on following the downpour.

Silence quickly fell over them once more as they both focused on the ride ahead of them whilst they tried to process what they had learned from Jean about the condition of the men travelling with Athos.

The pair remained solely focused on the path in front of them for almost another day, stopping only when it was too dark and they were too tired to physically go any further and even then they were back on the road as soon as it was light enough to do so, hope bubbling up inside both men sometime later that day when they spotted what appeared to be a small barn in the distance.