Ooops, Treville is really not very popular right now!

Thank you for reading and commenting.

CHAPTER 55

Whatever reaction Tréville expected to meet when he delivered the news to the three, it was not what he got. He had prepared himself for outright refusal, remonstrance, definite insubordination, pleading and even bargaining, but there was nothing apart from a deep sigh from Aramis as he stood, feet apart and the greater weight on his right leg, hands on hips and head bowed. Porthos emitted an animalistic growl and fixed his Captain with an uncomfortable, unwavering glare. D'Artagnan, clearly horrified and out of his depth, looked from one to the other of them as if for guidance.

They had listened in silence as Tréville outlined where they were going, what they were expected to do and why, and concluded just as Richelieu had done with him, by reminding them that they were the only ones privy to the same information known by the King, the Cardinal and him.

Aramis pursed his lips, nodded, turned on his heels and walked out before being dismissed, all without making eye contact with Tréville. The only indication that he was not as calm as he appeared was when he opened the door with such force that he threw it back on its hinges with a crash and left without a backward or apologetic glance to the officer.

Porthos raised his hand to point at Tréville, changed his mind, opened his mouth to speak and changed his mind again. He shook his head at the Captain in an expression of utter disgust and disbelief and followed his friend from the room.

Only d'Artagnan remained and Tréville could see his inner struggle. Should he voice his opposition and risk losing all chance of gaining his commission or should he stand with his brothers in their unspoken concerns over Athos? The Captain was intrigued as to what d'Artagnan would choose to do but was unsurprised when the Gascon shifted uneasily from one foot to the other.

"Sorry …" he muttered. "I …I'd better," and he gestured limply in the direction of the open door.

Tréville decided to help him. "Dismissed!"

D'Artagnan did not need telling twice and hurried out after the others.

The Captain exhaled loudly and ran a hand through his thinning hair as he evaluated what had just happened and speculated on whether he could have done anything differently. No matter how he looked at it, there was nothing else he could have done or said.

He gave them half an hour and headed down into the yard, knowing exactly where he would find them.

The infirmary was silent, the air filled with tension. No doubt they had been discussing this latest development. Porthos was in his usual seat, d'Artagnan perched with one hip on a nearby table and Aramis was pacing. Athos was asleep, his breathing soft and even, his features relaxed but still very pale.

The three turned their heads to look at him as he closed the door behind him. It gave Tréville the moment he needed to take a deep breath for he had seen their grim expressions. He was probably the last person they wanted there at that point, but he moved across the room towards them.

"Have you told him?" he asked quietly, not wishing to disturb the patient.

Aramis threw up his hands in frustration. "No, we don't appear to have had the chance," and he angrily moved to bar Tréville's way, standing so close as to be intimidating. It took all of the Captain's willpower not to take a step back to re-establish a distance between them.

"It seems your little chat earlier succeeded in exhausting him," Aramis hissed, fighting to keep his voice low. "I came back shortly after you left to find him already asleep. He hasn't woken since so no water, no food and no relieving himself for hours," and he ticked off the list on his fingertips.

"We've seen sight nor sound of the physician all day," he continued bitterly, "but then I hear the King has a cold and his needs, naturally, take precedence." There was no attempt to hide his sarcasm. "Now you expect us to leave Athos alone. Who is going to attend him? I can't trust the physician to make an appearance, and don't say you'll do it because you can't. You're wanted at the palace every day now and the closer you get to the royal party's departure for Versailles, the more you'll have to do."

"He will not be left alone, I promise you. There will be someone with him every hour of the day and night." Tréville was already running through a list of possibilities in his head even as he spoke. Serge and Claude featured highly and there were others who could be prevailed upon to help.

"That's not the point," Aramis went on. "It won't be the same!" He stopped abruptly and dropped onto the end of the nearest cot, the fight leaving him in an instant to be replaced by a burgeoning helplessness.

"I understand." Tréville softened his voice. He knew that his order would not sit very well with any of them; he was not happy with it himself. "He has a long way to go yet but he is recovering; you have seen him through the worst and it is unlikely now that he will have a relapse."

"You don't know that for certain," Aramis objected.

"No, I don't but if it did happen, it could just as easily be with you here," the Captain argued. "I repeat – I am sorry that I have had to issue this order and if there were any other way, I would send someone else, but you three are the best men to meet and brief the commanders of the reinforcements."

There was a long pause and then Porthos spoke.

"We're not really angry with you." He shrugged. "Well, we are but we're guessin' this wasn't down to you an' that it was the Cardinal behind this. 'E just won't leave us alone, will 'e?

"What's wrong?" The voice from the bed was husky with sleep.

Aramis was immediately at Athos side, reaching for a cup of water as he did so. "I'm sorry if we woke you," and he raised Athos' head to help him take a few sips.

"What's going on?" Athos tried again when he indicated that he had had enough.

The Inseparables exchanged worried glances before Aramis broke the news.

"We have to leave you and go in advance to somewhere near Versailles," and he reluctantly explained their new orders.