Chapter 21

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The assassins won't give us peace for too long. I was carrying a basket of the wine bottles we used against them. I brought some of them to Athos. I was still mad that he thought suddenly that I became a damsel in distress. He wasn't the only one, they all did they were just better than Athos at hiding it. I know I'm a woman but I can take care of myself. I've done so since the death of my parents, and even before. I don't need anyone to keep me safe. I just put the bottle next to him without uttering a word. I could feel his eyes on me. I could even imagine the look of annoyance on his face. I finished my task and prepared to leave. Athos stopped my escape by grabbing my arm.

"Emma, forgive me but I didn't mean to offend you." Athos apologised.

"But you did." I replied looking him in the eye. "In fact you are not the only one to blame. The four of you are to blame for treating me differently." I said. "But it's neither the time nor the place to discuss about this matter." I ripped my arm from his grip and went to the cellar. Maybe it's unjustified but I'm still the same Emma, nothing changed and they have to understand that.

I met Sister Helene on the way. We smiled at each other and walked together. When we arrived downstairs, we put the basket down and took more bottles to put in the basket. Men clamped their hands on our mouths from behind. I stomped the foot of my assailant and elbowed him in his stomach but a pistol was pointed at my head before I could even think of calling for help. There is only one question I wanted an answer for, how did they get inside? They asked us where the musketeers were. Neither Sister Helene nor I answered to their questions. There were three of them. Two were holding me and Sister Helene and the one who acted like the leader was asking us the questions. The leader held a knife to Sister Helene's throat. "Isabelle" we heard someone called. They clamped their hands to our mouths. The leader went to the entrance of the cellar; I exchanged a quick glance with Sister Helene. I stomped the foot of my assailant one more time and hit his chin with the back of my head. I unsheathed my dagger and stabbed him with it. Sister Helene called for Aramis and the leader shot her. Aramis arrived behind him and as the man turned to shot him, Aramis fired his pistol. I was kneeling next to Isabelle. Aramis ran to us and took her in his arms. Sister Helene or Isabelle as Aramis called her, died in his arms. They seemed to be close to each other. Athos followed by the Queen and the nuns entered the cellar. I got up and confirmed to Athos that there were only the three of them. I then saw the entrance they used to get in. We blocked it and the nuns went to prepare Isabelle's funeral and Athos checked if I was alright. Once he knew I was safe and sound, he went with the nuns to check any other possible entries the assassins could use.

Night fell upon us and the assassins were building some device for them to reach us. They were really determined. I went to find Athos. Maybe it was time to discuss about this matter after all.

"Athos." I called quietly once I found him in the chapel. He was sitting with his head hung low. I feared that he was sleeping but he wasn't.

"Emma." He said. I have to admit that I liked the way he said my name.

"May I?" I asked permission to sit next to him. He moved over giving me room to sit. "How long before they stop all of this?" I questioned referring to the assassins.

"No idea." Athos replied. The silence lasted for a few seconds.

"I'm still the same Emma. You do realise that, don't you?" I questioned breaking the silence.

"I know."

"So, why are you treating me differently?" I asked in a whisper.

"We are treating you all the same. You are acting differently." Athos replied.

"No, I'm not." I frowned.

"Since you learned that the Baroness is your grandmother, you are not yourself." Athos started. "You withdraw yourself from our company. You don't smile as you did before and don't banter with D'Artagnan as you used to. What's really troubling you, Emma?" I looked at him bewildered. When I looked back, it's true. I isolated myself, didn't utter a word to them unless they spoke directly at me. That's why he didn't want me to fight because I wasn't being myself. He was keeping me safe.

"I don't want to be a Baroness." I said softly. Athos turned and looked me in the eyes. "I don't want to betray the memory of my parents by allowing her to be a part of my life."

"She's leaving you time to think. So, take all the time you need." Athos replied. "And before making your decision; promise you will at least try." I nodded.

"Promise. You are really a good friend." I leaned in and kissed his cheek. I lingered for a few seconds, maybe longer than I should. I pulled away slowly. We stared at each other some more. My eyes drifted to his lips. Mine were suddenly dry. I cleared my throat and got up to leave. "I should probably go to bed." I said and Athos followed my movement.

"Yes, you should rest." He rested his hand on my cheek and I leaned into his touch.

"You too." He kissed my forehead and I left him in the chapel.

I wanted to kiss him. His lips in that moment were so inviting. I don't know what came over me. Do I feel something more than friendship? Towards Athos? Maybe. He looks handsome and secretive but he trusted me enough to share his darkest secret with me. But that means nothing if he feels nothing for me. It means nothing if I don't know what I really feel for the musketeer.

In the morning, I tied my hair in bun; some strand was falling out of it. I was hoping to find Athos and to have a talk with him. The nuns were all awake and in the chapel praying. Athos wasn't there. So I stood at one of the lookouts. After a few minutes, Athos appeared at my side. I wanted to talk, really, but the words died in my throat. Adding to this there was a scowl on his face. He took his telescope and looked outside. I wondered what happened. Aramis arrived buttoning his shirt.

"I still can't see what they're building." Athos started turning to face Aramis. "They could be tunnelling."

"About what you saw…" Aramis said and I frowned.

"I didn't see anything, because I've been here all morning, so I couldn't possibly have seen a thing, you understand?" Athos replied immediately.

"Do I want to know what you're talking about?" I questioned confused by their conversation. Aramis took the telescope from Athos and looked outside.

"These walls are too thick. The garrison will be here by then." Aramis said testing the walls.

"I cannot believe you slept with the Queen!" Athos hissed at Aramis.

"What?" I shrieked.

"I thought you didn't see anything." Aramis rubbed the back of his head.

"They'll hang you." Athos told him. "And then they'll hang me for letting it happen."

"And me for only hearing about it." I hissed. "You could have warned me Athos." I backhanded him on his shoulder.

"More chance we'll be killed here and take it with us to the grave." Aramis said casually.

"That's a comfort." Athos said leaning on the wall with his arms crossed.

"We don't have the same definition of the word comfort." I scowled at them.

"So you're good?" Aramis asked.

"Yeah." Athos sighed and I grumble some inaudible words. Words that are not made for innocent ears or eyes.

"I should get back." He walked off.

"Shout if you need me." Athos called after him.

"Why would I need you?" Aramis questioned over his shoulder. Athos shook his head. I let out a deep breath.

The mother superior stepped into the room and asked if she could do anything to help. Athos asked her if she could load a pistol. So she loaded a pistol right before our eyes. That will help us a lot. I went to the window to see what the assassins were up to. Athos arrived behind me. I saw that the assassins were running to the convent with torches. I gave Athos the telescope and told him what I saw. They were tunnelling. What are Porthos and D'Artagnan doing? The mother superior led us to the store room into the cellar. This way we could defend and protect the Queen better. We descended the stairs. The assassins were already in. Athos turned in a corner and shot the men that were making their way in. He ordered to Aramis and me to take the Queen to safety. As Athos was shooting, Aramis and I took the Queen and the old woman that was accompanying us and we made them go to the other side of the room. Athos gave us the pistols to be loaded, and clashed his swords with our enemies. Aramis settled a shooting point. We took cover behind it. The nun and the Queen were loading. Aramis and I were ready to shoot. Athos joined us. A pistol was handed to him and he took position. Several came in and we fired at them several times. It was a never ending shooting contest. Until we ran out of ammunition.

"How many shots do we have left?" Aramis asked. Athos showed us two bullets. "There's at least four of them still out there."

"If we're lucky." I chimed in. I was between Athos and Aramis. I made sure that my head was under the top of our barricade. Athos handed me one of the bullets that I handed to Aramis. I crawled to the other side next to Aramis. The assassins threw something on the ground.

"Did I mention this has to count?" Athos smirked.

"Thanks for the reminder." Aramis replied. We heard shuffling and Aramis fired his pistol.

"Did you get him?" Athos asked Aramis.

"Athos, please." The latter scoffed.

"Our last shot." Athos said looking at his pistol.

"If I ever complain about an assignment not being exciting enough…" Aramis started.

"I'll punch you so hard, you'll beg me to kick you." Athos added.

"I'll give him a hand." I chided patting him on his shoulder.

"I was going to say, 'remind me of this moment,' but that works too." Aramis replied.

Shots rang through the room but it wasn't Athos. It was Porthos and D'Artagnan who came to our rescue, probably accompanied with the rest of the garrison. We got out of our hiding. Athos followed the last of the assassins and Aramis and I made sure that there were no more of them coming before letting the Queen out. The Captain appeared calling for us. I was beyond relieved to see them. "Finally" I cried. After making sure that everyone was alright, he asked where Athos was. We heard someone shooting. Fear washed over me and I ran to find Athos. I saw him standing with his pistol in his hand and I saw the assassins on the ground. I ran to him and hugged him tight, happy to see that he was still alive. Athos returned the embrace. I pulled away when I heard the other arriving behind me. The Captain, D'Artagnan and Porthos told us about the Count Mellendorf who had hired them to kill the Queen. He did this so his daughter could marry the King. The nun joined us and told us that Gallagher is giving his money to repair the church. We went outside to find the money in his saddlebag. The money was in a wood box with the money there was a little purple flower; forget-me-not.

"Aramis is right; this isn't the work of Mellendorf." Athos said. "It's something much bigger. That flower is the signature of a woman who works for the Cardinal."