Chapter Eight
The clash of swords behind them made both Musketeers turn. D'Artagnan was always amused that he could sleep through sparring sessions if he had worked the night before. The clash of swords in the garrison was rarely a sign of trouble. But here, in a crowded marketplace, it was never good.
It was also a worry that the sword fight was happening where he had last spotted Athos and Aramis. As they pushed past the people who had filled the street d'Artagnan caught a glimpse of Aramis, who had lost his hat swinging his sword towards a young man who looked more suited to brawling than swordsmanship. The man parried Aramis' sword strike and managed to step up to the marksman before pushing him back a few paces with force. But Aramis was not so easily defeated and stepped back into the fight immediately. What was causing Aramis a problem was the second man who was getting back to his feet and appeared to be advancing on Athos.
Athos was sat on the ground, his knees pulled up and one hand in front of himself. He was shying away from the attacker who had a knife in his hand. Athos looked scared and Aramis was trying to put himself between the second attacker and Athos but was struggling to do so due to the brutal attack from the bigger man.
Porthos charged ahead and wrapped his arms around the slight man with the knife who yelped in shock, dropping his weapon as he did so. The man was dragged away by Porthos who paid no attention to the man's struggles.
D'Artagnan drew his sword and put himself in front of Athos who had lowered his defensive hand and was watching the proceedings with wide eyes.
Now that he did not have to defend Athos, Aramis could go on the offensive without distraction. The big man was disarmed in seconds and had a couple of well-placed sword inflicted wounds to his arm and side. The injuries would not prove fatal but would leave the man in pain for a few days.
The man glared at Aramis, who glared back, before raising his sword again and taking a small step forward. The man thought better of continuing the fight. He spat in their direction before turning on his heels and disappearing into the crowd of watching people, pushing his way past them as he did so. The crowd seemed disappointed that the fight was over. They began to move away. D'Artagnan was pleased he did not like being the centre of attention when one of them could have been injured.
Porthos reappeared having dealt with the other man, he crouched down by Athos who appeared to be shaking slightly. After a moment of encouragement, Athos allowed himself to be pulled up to stand.
'I'm sorry, I left you alone,' said Aramis as he slid his sword back in his belt. 'I got distracted, are you alright?'
D'Artagnan was a little surprised at Athos' reaction, although obviously still worked up by the recent event he spoke clearly in reply.
'You have nothing to apologise for, Aramis,' he said. 'I wandered off, I should have stayed closer...are you alright?'
'Of course, he's alright,' said Porthos clapping the marksman on the shoulder.
Aramis nodded his agreement.
'I was scared of them. I didn't know what they wanted, and when he pulled out the knife…'
D'Artagnan watched as Athos shuddered. It was such a disconcerting thing to see his usually confident friend reduced to a timid, scared man.
'I think,' continued Athos, 'I would like, some basic knowledge of how to defend myself. This is a dangerous place, and you three may not always be around to protect me.'
It was an unpleasant thought, but Athos was correct, if his memory did not come back soon there would come a time when they could not watch him constantly.
'I don't think we are at that point yet, my friend,' said Aramis with a smile, 'but perhaps d'Artagnan will teach you some of the basics.'
D'Artagnan nodded his ascent, it would be a strange thing to do, but he would not shy away from the challenge.
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Treville, who had spent a few minutes talking to Athos and trying not to react to how different the man was, indicated for Aramis to walk with him. He wanted to talk out of earshot of his injured Musketeer. He knew that Athos understood what had happened to him but Treville wanted Aramis to be completely candid with him. Treville also suspected he may have to say things that might upset Athos.
'He hasn't recognised anything? You were out there for a few hours and nothing?' asked Treville, he already knew the answer but did not want to believe it.
The men had returned to the garrison a little earlier, Athos had looked pale and his clothing was dirty. After a brief update of the incident in the market, Treville had asked generally how the day had gone otherwise.
Aramis stopped walking by his horse which was being brushed by one of the stable boys. He held out his hand and offered the beast half a carrot he had stolen from the mess a few minutes earlier. As the horse chomped on the carrot Aramis stroked her muzzle.
'There was not even a flicker of recognition. The poor man got a bit worked up when d'Artagnan took him up to his rooms. I'm not sure if we are putting too much pressure on him to remember,' Aramis paused glancing back to his brothers who were sat at the table.
Treville knew the men were surreptitiously watching them. They knew the conversation was about Athos.
'What about the other suggestions Lemay had to help him remember?'
Aramis shook his head, 'it's only been a couple of days I'd like to keep trying to jog his memory gently before we try anything else.'
Treville nodded, he agreed that more drastic measures were not necessary yet if they were even an option anyway. He did not want to lose his lieutenant, but at that moment Treville was starting to wonder if they would get him back.
'He wants to learn to defend himself. He has no idea how to handle a sword. He's asked if d'Artagnan could teach him.'
Treville said, 'if anyone can remind him how to fight with a sword it would be d'Artagnan.'
'It may be the approach he needs, he is first and foremost a soldier. Perhaps getting him back into a routine would help him. We would start with the basics,' Aramis paused with a sad smile, 'which I think is all he would be able to manage, if today was anything to go by.'
'Not your fault, Aramis. I know you are all looking out for him, but things happen.'
Aramis nodded turning back towards his brothers who had given up any pretence of doing other things and were just looking over at them both now.
'Start teaching him tomorrow. You can take him off somewhere private, he probably won't want an audience. Just remember that although he looks like Athos, he really isn't at the moment.'
'Yes, Captain,' replied Aramis with a nod.
Treville watched his marksman walk back to the group. Aramis related what had been said causing Athos to smile and nod his thanks. Treville nodded back before walking away. He wondered what the future would hold for Athos if his memory did not return. Would he stay with them? What would he do? If he did no longer have the skills of a soldier he would be of no real use to Treville. Treville hated to think of Athos as a commodity, but the man would need to earn his keep. Treville tried to dismiss the thought of the injured man not recovering, of course Athos would get his memory back.
But what if he did not?
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The tavern was busy, no more than usual but Athos had been a little hesitant when they walked in. He had asked to visit one of his usual taverns for their evening meal. Porthos was again impressed with Athos attitude and attempts to aid his own recovery. After the earlier altercation, after Athos had calmed down he had apologised again for not being able to do anything. He had obviously felt guilty for leaving himself open to attack. Aramis had pointed out that the men who picked on him had probably done so before and would do so again. He had just been unlucky. Athos had still looked guilty, saying he could have been the cause of Aramis coming to harm. Porthos had again pointed out that they were trained soldiers and unlikely to be beaten by two impoverished thieves, although even the best of them could be taken by surprise.
Athos had been a little placated after they had all reassured him. When he had offered to buy them dinner as a thank you for their continued kindness to him Porthos had laughed out loud and pointed out that Athos was frequently the one to pay for their meals anyway. The remark had caused Athos to laugh in return. Which Porthos still found odd.
They found themselves a table away from the main throng of patrons. A couple of people had greeted Athos, which had confused the man, but he had managed to remain civil. The acquaintances had wandered off, perhaps thinking that Athos was in no mood to talk to them, as was often the case.
'Should we tell people what has happened to me?' asked Athos quietly when they had sat down.
Porthos watched d'Artagnan and Aramis who had wandered over to the bar to buy wine and order food.
'I don't think we should...not because it's anythin' to be ashamed of, just that it leaves you vulnerable.'
Athos looked confused.
'We're the King's Musketeers, some people don't take kindly to us...and over the years you've picked up a few enemies who would probably like to take advantage of your current state.'
Athos now looked worried, he glanced around as if the enemies that Porthos had mentioned might be nearby.
'Perhaps we shouldn't tell anyone then,' Athos concluded.
Porthos chuckled, 'for the best, I would say.'
Aramis sat in the chair opposite Porthos, pulling his gloves off and tucking them into his belt.
'It's meat pie today. No idea what the meat is,' he said.
'Doesn't really matter, it rarely tastes of anything by the time we get it anyway,' remarked Porthos.
Athos said, 'why do you eat here then?'
Porthos and Aramis looked at each other for a few seconds.
'I'm not actually sure,' said Porthos, 'we just always have.'
D'Artagnan returned with wine and cups for them each.
As he poured the wine he said, 'Jean was asking after you, he's the tavern keeper, I told him that you were a little under the weather and not up to talking to him.'
Athos smiled, 'thank you,' he said.
The sat in silence for a few seconds, Athos continued to look around the room, taking in the hubbub of activity. Porthos tried to look at the tavern from a stranger's eyes. The room they were in was dimly lit, with several tables scattered around. A large fire dominated one wall with the main door in the opposite wall. The customers ranged from a handful of soldiers, other than themselves, to a group of market traders who were animatedly discussing something a few tables away. A couple of street women were plying their trade to some young men, Porthos could tell the deal was nearly done and the women would lead the younger men away. The tavern keeper had just thumped a rowdy man who had become a bit too friendly with a serving girl. The man looked quite put out and squared up to the tavern keeper who was backed up almost immediately by a couple of the market traders. The man said something, probably derogatory before turning and walking out of the tavern. Jean slapped the market traders on their backs in thanks and indicated for the serving girl to refill their wine jug.
'I've not really asked about myself,' said Athos after a while, 'I think you need to give me an idea of what I'm like.'
Porthos looked at Aramis and d'Artagnan in turn.
'I know that must be a difficult question for you to answer, but it might help me...if I ask questions perhaps you could just answer them?'
'That might be the best way,' said Porthos.
Athos nodded before asking, 'do I have any family?'
'Your parents are both dead,' said Porthos before hesitating.
'There's something about my family you don't want to tell me isn't there? Am I married? Is there a woman somewhere who might be worrying about me?'
Porthos sighed, he knew this would be a difficult conversation for them to have. But Athos was right, it might help him. Nothing else had worked so far.
D'Artagnan took up the information giving, 'you were married, but she…' he paused.
'Did she die?'
'Not quite,' said d'Artagnan slowly.
Athos now looked very confused. Porthos realised they would have to tell him everything they knew. It took them a while, but the hesitant conversation gradually revealed to Athos his history. They explained everything they could, there were gaps because Athos had not told them everything. When d'Artagnan related how Milady had returned and tried to use him for her gain Athos had looked stunned. But when they told him that the woman was at the Palace and the King's current mistress Athos had become quite pale, a shocked look on his face.
'Sorry,' said Porthos, 'we weren't sure how you'd take that.'
'I can only imagine she must have had a profound effect on me. Does she know what's happened to me?' he paused, 'actually I don't think she should, she sounds like she falls into the category of enemy.'
'She doesn't know, and we will keep it that way,' said d'Artagnan.
They had eaten their meal and continued to tell Athos about himself, at least what they knew of him. It struck Porthos that there was quite a lot they did not know about each other's pasts and now it was causing them an issue. Although still nothing had sparked recognition in their friend.
Porthos hoped that the sword fighting lesson he would receive the next day might provide the spark.
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