Evening My Lovelies

Notes On Reviews:

beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - Oh I am SO looking forward to the traitor's reveal and Athos (and possibly the others) getting his(their) hands on him :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I feel like the sight of Athos, not by D'Art's side got both of their spidey-sense's tingling lol :D No Treville/Marin convo today but it will be in the next one. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysAramisRios: Thanks for the review - I think the news they were betrayed by one of their own has each of their minds going to a dark place, they're going to be out for blood, that's for sure :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the reviews - (Chapter59) Ooooh I love your thoughts on the man's motivations, it's definitely given me something to think about motive-wise so thanks for that :D (Chapter60) We won't be seeing the chat between the Captain and Marin tonight but I'm planning for it to be in the next chapter so I won't keep everyone guessing much longer on that front. As for your question regarding Treville's reports... I see him as being the kind of person who would write detailed reports (even if the King likely would only skim read them at best lol) So I figure there's a fair amount of information in Treville's doc's. Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

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xxx

Chapter Sixty-One: To Catch A Rat I

"We've been betrayed." Those three simple words and their implications hit the two inseparables so hard they didn't notice D'Artagnan had once again fallen asleep shortly after Athos's return.

As Athos had expected it was Aramis who reacted the most visibly to the news, the marksman's skin paling as his breathing began coming in shorter, quicker bursts as his mind battled with the horrific memories of what he had endured given the new knowledge that someone he knew had likely orchestrated it.

Knowing he had to get the medic under control if they were going to have any hope of keeping their betrayer from becoming alerted to their suspicions Athos was quick to twist his injured hand, which was still in Aramis's grasp, so he could instead grab the marksman's hand, squeezing it tightly in order to pull the musketeer's attention away from his memories and back to the present.

"Aramis," he called quietly, his voice firm and grounding as he, once again, tightly squeezed the marksman's hand, smiling faintly when he saw Aramis blink owlishly at him a few moments later as the man's breathing began to return to normal.

"Who?" growled Porthos, who while this had been going on had instinctively moved closer to both D'Artagnan and Aramis whilst maintaining his hold on the former.

Athos was immensely glad that it was very common for Aramis to be the one to treat their injuries and that despite how well-liked they genuinely were among the regiment the four of them often kept to themselves as it meant that the sight of the four of them huddled together whilst Aramis tended to his injured hand would draw little to no attention from the rest of the regiment, meaning as long as they kept their reactions contained and their voices low they would speak about nearly anything without being eavesdropped on.

It was because of this Athos felt confident enough in their situation too, almost silently, explain what he knew and the conclusions he and Treville had come up with, although he was still careful to avoid saying anything too damming just in case someone was listening in.

His pride in how his brothers remained composed during his explanation was off the charts and it was the only emotion he allowed even a glimmer of to show on his face. He knew for both of them, like himself, that even the idea of one of their own betraying them was something truly reprehensible and mind-boggling but they kept any of this from showing on their faces… The only sign of the seriousness of their conversation coming from the tenseness in their frames.

It didn't take long to explain who he and Treville felt were above suspicion, though the swordsman could see it didn't sit right with either of his brothers to suspect any in their regiment of having any relation to the pain their mysterious author had caused even if there was no other logical explanation.

"What do we do?" asked Porthos, barely keeping the anger he felt from showing in his voice. He had been part of the regiment for years and had served with, broke bread with and bled with and for each and every one of its members and while he might not be as close to some as he was with others, the idea one of them was responsible, at least in some way, for his best friend and brother being tortured and almost killed sicken him right to his core. He was almost hoping he could catch the traitor before anyone else, just so he could ensure they felt a fraction of the pain they had allowed to happen to those he cared about before the Captain and King got their hands on him.

"We keep our eyes open," stated Athos emotionlessly, though there was a glimmer of sympathy in his eyes speaking to his understanding of Porthos's silent thoughts. "He might have sent letters to the garrison but he's refrained from acting there so the Captain and I reasoned he'll likely try something before we reach the city. Treville is going to inform the others we trust and while we must act like we do not know anything we'll be watching everyone… Anyone goes off alone or acts the least bit suspicious must be reported immediately." Looking directly at Porthos he added, "Don't go after them alone. We don't know if he's working alone or if there is more than one and I'm not willing to have them cause any more pain to my brothers."

There was a few moments of silence before Aramis spoke up, his voice was somewhat shaky as he was still working to banish the memories and thoughts from his mind, although it appeared fear had been replaced, at least partially, by anger at present.

"Who are we reporting to, the Captain or you?" he asked, knowing it wasn't uncommon for Treville to hand over complete control of a situation to Athos given he was the second in command, however, the question had never garnered the dark, predatory look now gracing his brother's face.

"Either," acknowledged Athos, his smirk seemingly growing as he added, "Although the Captain has stated that so long as whoever is involved is brought to him alive and breathing he cares not for whatever condition they arrive to him in."