Chapter 18

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I spent my morning in town while the Musketeers and D'Artagnan went to retrieve Martin Labarge. I was enjoying myself, eating an apple and wearing my hat and its purple feather. My trousers, the man's shirt that were a light purple and my leather black jerkin. I bumped into a beautiful lady on my way to the garrison. She dropped her handkerchief. I bent down to pick it up and gave it back to her. She was really beautiful; she had deep blue eyes and beautiful blonde hair. She had a really beautiful gown on her; the dress was an indication that she is really wealthy. A noble woman, she must have been in her fifties. She looked at me as if she knew me.

"Madame, your handkerchief." I handed her the piece of cloth. I didn't notice it before but it was embroidered.

"Thank you, Mademoiselle." She replied. I nodded to her and turned around to resume my walk to the garrison. "You have such beautiful eyes my dear." She called after me.

"I thank you for the compliment, madame." I thanked her facing her. "But not as much as yours." I could see tears in her eyes. "Is there something wrong? Do you need help?"

"No, just an emotional old woman. Don't you worry my child." She replied softly. "Your eyes remind me of my daughter, that's all." She explained bringing her handkerchief to her eyes. "She left this world a few years ago."

"I'm sorry to hear this, madame." I understood her pain. The more I talked to her the more I couldn't help but feel sympathy for her. "I myself lost people who I held close to my heart, my parents."

"I'm sorry for your loss." She said. "I should leave you, now. Have a beautiful day my dear." She turned and walked away.

"Wait, are you sure that everything is alright?" I questioned worried about her well being. She didn't look well. "I could walk you back to your house, perhaps."

"No, my carriage is just over there, waiting for me. I'll be alright." She smiled and then left.

I walked back at the garrison still thinking about this woman. I should have walked with her to her carriage. Her eyes reminded me of someone as much mine reminded her of her daughter. I arrived at the garrison with a frown on my face and joined the musketeers at our usual table.

"Well, gentlemen." I heard Aramis said. He put down a glass of wine in front of me. "And mademoiselle. May the best man amongst us win." He said.

"Those of us who're allowed to compete." D'Artagnan grumbled playing with his dagger.

"Alright, can someone tell me what are you talking about?" I asked confused and feeling left out of the conversation.

"The King organised a competition between the Musketeers and the Red Guards." Aramis informed me.

"D'Artagnan, you are a musketeer in all but name. All you lack is the King's commission." Athos assured him.

"Go to Treville. Ask him." Aramis suggested to D'Aratgnan.

"There is just the thorny issue of the entry fee." Porthos frowned.

"How much?" I asked

"Thirty livres." Porthos answered.

"That's a lot, indeed." I winced downing my drink. "Anyone got it?" They all shook their heads no.

"My pockets are empty and the cupboard is bare." Aramis informing us of his financial situation.

"Yeah, I just pawned my cupboard." Porthos added and I snorted almost chocking on my wine.

"Porthos, my friend." Aramis started with a little smirk. "I think it's time for us to go fishing…for a patroness."

"Needs must." And they chugged their glass. D'Artagnan was still pouting in the stairs.

"Now, Emma, tell us what's troubling you?" Aramis asked.

"Nothing." I answered too fast. "What makes you say that?"

"The frown on your face" Athos replied. "And this is your third glass of wine."

"Really?" I exclaimed. I didn't know that. "It's nothing really. Nothing important. I just met a woman." They all stared at me confused. Even D'Artagnan stopped playing with his knife. "No, I didn't mean it this way. She was upset, I think."

"What do you mean?" Porthos asked.

"She looked at me and said that my eyes reminded her of her daughter and she almost cried." I explained. "And I have to admit that her eyes reminded me of someone too."

"Do you know who?" Athos questioned.

"No, it might just be my imagination." I dismissed the feeling and putting an end to the conversation. "Where are you going to find that patroness?" Aramis just smirked at me.

Aramis and Porthos left to find their patroness and D'Artagnan went to see the Captain. Athos left to find his 30 livres. And I was left with my thoughts. I've decided to forget about this woman for now. In case you're wondering I won't participate to the competition. First because I'm a woman, and you've never seen a musketeer woman and second, I have no ambition at becoming one. I'm better off as a simple and honest woman who is helping the musketeers. I was still there when I saw D'Artagnan storming out of the Captain's office. He seemed completely crushed, broken. He let himself slip down the wall at the entrance of the garrison. When I asked him what was the matter he answered that Labarge had destroyed his farm when the latter was in Gascony. D'Artagnan had lost everything. Later that day, I was watching Athos and D'Artagnan sparred together. Athos was provoking D'Artagnan in order to teach him to not let himself be controlled by his emotions. He didn't work. There is something you must know about man from Gascony, they can be pretty hot-headed. As soon as Athos told him that Labarge was in la Bastille, D'Artagnan completely lost his temper and lost his fight against Athos. He then stormed out of the garrison. The Captain saw the entire exchange and ordered us to keep an eye on him. The night has feel and D'Artagnan was nowhere to be seen. Athos went to search for him and he asked me to not worry about it. He would take matter in his hand.

"Every taunt is an attempt to distract you," Athos explained to D'Artagnan during their sparring session. "to discover your vulnerabilities and exploit them." I was standing with the Captain. He was having a drink and I was eating an apple while observing both the sparring session between Porthos and Aramis and the one between Athos and D'Artagnan. "Last night, you let your hatred of Labarge overcome your judgment."

"A stupid idea, may I add." I chimed in. D'Artagnan briefly glared at me. I smirked at him and wink.

"Your trip to the Bastille was a childish mistake." Athos continued not at all bothered by my little intervention. "I thought you had brains, but clearly not." D'Artagnan walked around to take position again.

"I know what you're doing." He said.

"That kind of stupidity is exactly why you're not ready to be a musketeer." Athos replied provoking him a bit more.

"You don't mean that?" D'Artagnan threatened him with his sword. D'Artagnan attacked his legs.

"Of course not, but unfortunately…" Athos' sword was now on D'Artagnan's neck. "you're now dead." D'Artagnan left after this and I followed him.

I followed and he was walking in town and trying to calm down.

"D'Artagnan wait!" I called for him. He stopped. "Are you alright?"

"No, I'm not." He answered angrily. "Labarge destroyed my father's farm and he's in the Bastille." He vented.

"Are you angry at Labarge or me?" I joked to ease the tension.

"Sorry, Nellie." He smiled a bit calmer. He raised his eyebrows. "What? No, 'don't call me' Or 'D'Artagnan' with a stern voice?"

"No, today I'll let you call me Nellie as much as you want." I replied. "Now, tell me I've you found the thirty livres, yet?"

"No. And I don't know where to find them." He informed me.

"Do you want me to steal them for you?" I joked taking his arm and walking with him.

"Why, that's so nice of you but there's no need for that." D'Artagnan laughed.