Greetings, all. Thank you for reading and reviewing the last chapter.
So will the brothers risk moving Athos?
CHAPTER 44
I
"Yes, it is possible that Athos could die on the journey," Aramis said softly. "It is also possible that he could still die when we reach Paris, but it is probable that he would die if we remain here."
Porthos opened his mouth to object but Aramis continued.
"He has a better chance if we get him back to the garrison and a physician can be summoned. I have done all I can, Porthos. I may have more understanding than the lay brothers, but I lack the knowledge for his current condition and nothing you say can change that. It is a relief that he is unconscious for at least he is in no pain; if he were, I would not know what to give him."
"You have things with you," Porthos insisted.
"Some limited supplies, yes, but when I do not know how much of anything he has already had and in what strength, I dare not give him anything more even if he were awake. The longer the time that passes, the certainty grows that whatever it is will have worked its way through his system. It may already have done so or he has totally ejected it, but I have no way of knowing that and, I confess, it frightens me."
"'E's a fighter," Porthos went on.
Aramis managed a little smile. "Yes, he is, and in my head, I am telling myself that fact all the time, but he is also exceedingly weak and dehydrated from loss of blood and body fluids. This fever rages on and, whilst he is unconscious, we have no way of getting water into him to help him fight it."
"So what's your plan?"
"d'Artagnan will leave with the list at daybreak and we will follow at full light. We'll wrap Athos in blankets. I'll sit with him in the cart and you drive it. We can take our time and stop whenever we have need. We'll have to replenish water supplies as regularly as possible to ensure that it is cold. The fever could even break whilst we are on the move. Whatever happens, we should be able to reach Paris by nightfall."
Porthos grew thoughtful. "Can we not cool 'im in a stream? Bring down the fever that way?"
Aramis shook his head. "I would not dare take the risk. The shock of water that is too cold could be too much for his heart. Something else I am not sure about," he added when Porthos looked defeated.
Within the hour, Porthos woke d'Artagnan who, after washing his face and breaking his fast with the bread and cheese Theodore provided, saddled his horse and prepared to depart.
The other two Musketeers briefly left Athos' side to say farewell to their young friend.
Aramis stroked the horse's neck absent-mindedly as he gazed up at d'Artagnan. "We have no reason to suspect further danger but be aware that Athos' attackers might be out there somewhere. We do not know whether they were pursuing him for the information he had, if they were opportunist thieves, or if any of them actually survived their encounter with Athos, but you must look after yourself. It is imperative that Tréville gets that list of names."
"I'll be careful," the Gascon agreed. "I will see you at the garrison before this day is out," and he glanced worriedly at the door to the infirmary. "All three of you."
Aramis nodded and stepped back as Porthos slapped the horse's flank, motivating it to move. They watched as d'Artagnan walked the animal out through the gateway spurred it into a gallop and was gone.
"Now we will have some food and make ready the patient for our own journey," Aramis said solemnly.
II
The ride was uneventful and, by pushing his horse hard, d'Artagnan made good time, entering the garrison's yard shortly after noon. His speed surprised him a little until he recalled that they had stopped many times along the way the before to ask after riders answering Athos' description and that the weather had deteriorated. Now the sky was cloudless and the day not too hot so that the following cart should not have conditions that were too onerous.
"Captain!" he called out before he had even dismounted.
Tréville was on the balcony watching the sparring practice in the yard below him. He was taking advantage of the warm fresh air, having been at the palace all morning with the King and the Cardinal, going over revised plans for the Versailles trip.
He looked towards the archway, as if searching for the other Inseparables, the disappointment evident when he realised that they were not there. It gave D'Artagnan time to race up the stairs and stand beside him.
"Where are the others? Why do you ride alone? What news" Tréville demanded, striding back into his office with the young man in his wake
"They sent me ahead. We found Athos last night and he had a list of noble's names." He paused to pull the paper out of a pocket and handed it over. As Tréville unfolded it and read what was written there, he listened as d'Artagnan continued his account. "They are following with a cart and will be here by nightfall, all being well."
Tréville frowned and interrupted. "A cart? Athos is hurt?"
D'Artagnan nodded and summarised what had happened after he, Porthos and Aramis left the garrison, how they had located their missing brother and the state in which they had found him. His voice caught as he stressed the seriousness of Athos' condition. "They need you to summon a physician for their return," he concluded.
Tréville slumped down into his chair, numb with the realisation that what he had feared all along had come to pass.
"He will receive the best possible care," he declared gruffly. "Do we know anything of his attackers? Or anything more regarding this list? He has made additional marks by names, but I do not understand their significance."
"No to both," the younger man answered. "He has not regained consciousness whilst we have been with him. The list was hidden in his saddle and, given the inclusion of titles with names, we presumed this was the list he had compiled. That being the case, Aramis insisted that I bring it to you as quickly as possible.
Tréville nodded and stood. "You must eat and rest a little after that ride. I am going to the palace to see Richelieu immediately with this information and will alert the physician before coming back. I shall be here for when the others return, and we will be ready."
He led the way to the door and then paused to look directly at the Gascon. "Thank you, d'Artagnan. You have done well. I appreciate that it cannot have been easy leaving the others, but it was the right thing to do. Athos has risked much to get this information for us."