A week passed before four riders passed our house in Louches. While 3 of them were riding on gray horses, the 4th was on a black stallion and looked much more sinister than the others. I had just put down my basket with the goods when I saw the four approaching and waved happily.

"You must be the friends of Athos," I said.

"Yes, exactly and you, my beautiful lady, helped our friend a lot.", Said a man with black hair, who then introduced himself as Aramis.

I blushed slightly from the compliment.

"Come in and have a drink," I offered.

"Unfortunately that is not possible, we are in a hurry. Athos only insisted on bringing your horse back," explained the strongest of the 4, who was called Porthos.

"Do you have a horse? If I remember correctly, yours was shot in the forest," I said, turning to Athos, who hadn't said a word yet. He hadn't even greeted me.

"He'll get one in the next town, as long as he rides with me," said the youngest of the 4, D'Artangan.

"Do as you think," I said.

In the meantime Athos had got off the black stallion and sat behind D'Artangan. It was clear to see that he didn't like that, but Athos wanted to get away from here as soon as possible after everything that had happened.

Aramis raised his hat to say goodbye, the other 3 followed suit and then they rode on at a gallop towards Paris.

I stood there as ordered and not picked up, Raoul's reins in hand.

In this Moment, Father came home from work.

"Well? Did the rider bring the horse back?" He asked.

"Yes. But something was different about him. Something must have happened. I'm just wondering what," I said, and began to worry. I was a little surprised, I had only seen Athos once and still I was worried. What was the reason for that?

"Jeanne ... I know you well enough. I know you want to go after them."

"What? No ... I ..."

"Now saddle up and follow them. But don't forget that.", Said father and handed me the crossbow, "and that, then I don't have to worry."

Father handed me his sword, which he had kept from his training with the musketeers. The shaft was decorated with the blue French lily.

I thanked my father and climbed on Raoul. I gave him the reins and galloped after the 4 riders.

Shortly after dark I had crossed the forest and was riding through Saint-Hilaire-Cottes when I saw 4 horses standing side by side in front of a tavern. I was sure that these were the horses of the 4 riders. I tied Raoul next to them and went into the tavern. D'Artangan, Aramis and Porthos were sitting at a table, I did not see Athos, the tavern was quite full. I stepped over to them and smiled.

Aramis looked at me startled and Porthos said: "She followed us."

"What are you doing here?" Asked D'Artangan.

"You were rushed away so quickly, I would have liked to know more about what urgent matters you had to do in Calais. Athos said: "It was about a compote against the king."

"You know, my father lived in the palace for a few years too. He was a count and closest confidante of the king until he was murdered. ", I said when I sat down with them. Then I saw Athos out of the corner of my eye, who was sitting two tables away and was obviously getting drunk.

"Then why do you live now in an old wooden hut on the edge of the forest?" Asked Porthos.

"Because the title was stripped from us. Shortly after Richelieu became minister, he let his influence play against the Queen Mother. I don't even know if it's true, but my father is said to have spoken out against Richelieu. He then lost the title and we were thrown out of the palace as if we were beggars, "I said.

"But that's not a nice story either," said Aramis.

"Also, why?" I asked.

Then the three told me that they had picked up the ex-wife of Athos in Calais. She should bring a document to England that an alliance between the cardinal and the Duke of Buckingham should seal. This woman had committed, and was convicted of, a number of murders. The black lily on her shoulder had proven it. But she had been able to hide the brand for a long time, until one day she fell from her horse. When Athos realized who he had married, he handed her over to the executioner and believed her dead for years. Athos then renounced his titles, for he had also been a count, and set out for Paris to start a new life to start.

I looked over at Athos, deeply concerned. Suddenly he opened his glass loudly on the table and then said bitterly: "Who allowed you to tell my story to everybody ?!"

I ducked my head, fearing that a fight would break out at any moment. Instead, Athos slumped in his seat and snored. He had fallen asleep, which was probably attributable to excessive alcohol consumption.