"This just seems too familiar," Porthos mumbled as they followed the trail of footprints in the forest. "We can't lose him, not for as long as..." Porthos wondered and Aramis knew what he was thinking.
Athos. This is how they had tried looking for the swordsman last time when they had caught a trail with it only ending in failure, every time. Each trail ended with disappointment followed by anger in not being able to get to their brother in need.
"We know he's at the old mill, we'll get to him," Aramis said, yet Porthos seemed weary.
"What if they're already gone," Porthos said, looking down at the footprints they were following.
"Stop. We'll find him," Aramis said, flashing a smile at his brother but knew it did no good at reassuring him.
"Yeah," Porthos mumbled.
They had found D'artagnan's horse back up the path tied to a tree, tying their own up before continuing on foot. Porthos looked up, suddenly freezing and lifting up a hand.
Aramis stopped, following his gaze and saw the old mill, surrounded by trees and deadly silence.
They moved to crouch near the closest tree, eyes fixed on the old mill for any signs of movement.
"Tomás," Porthos said, pointing to the body laying lifeless on the ground.
"At least we know D'artagnan survived the fight," Aramis said.
That's when they heard it, the cry of pain echoing through the trees. They both winced the second they realised who had cried.
"D'artagnan," Porthos whispered, glancing at Aramis. They both saw determination within the other's eyes before they set out towards the mill.
They crouched by the window, Aramis glancing in to see D'artagnan on the ground, curled up on himself and hands tied behind his back. He saw the slow rising and falling of his brother's chest and sighed in relief.
"He's alive," Aramis whispered and saw Porthos briefly close his eyes.
Porthos then glanced in, eyes going straight towards the blonde breaded man. His hand balled up into fists as he tried to restrain his anger.
"We need a plan of attack," Aramis said. Porthos kept watching to see the blonde man withdraw his sword and press it against D'artagnan neck.
"Attack," he simply said before making his way towards the door to the mill. Aramis sighed before following, knowing it was the only way.
"D'artagnan! Move!" Aramis' voice suddenly shouted from the door and D'artagnan followed the order; rolling out the way of Nicolas' sword swinging close to his head.
D'artagnan felt a wave of relief wash over him as Aramis quickly cut down one of the enemies coming for D'artagnan by throwing his dagger. He then withdrew his pistol and fired at the second opponents chest, hitting its mark perfectly.
Porthos fired and hit one of the men in the shoulder, taking him out of the fight. Both musketeers then withdrew their swords for the fight.
D'artagnan shifted, trying to grab his knife from his boot while having his hands tied. He managed to grab it and began cutting at the rope.
He quickly turned just as one of Tomás' men lunged for him. He quickly pulled this hands free from the now loose rope and managed to slam the knife into the man's shoulder, pulling it out before slicing the man's throat who then ungracefully landed on top of D'artagnan.
Aramis quickly ran over to his fallen comrade, skidding down to his knees next to him. He pushed the man off of D'artagnan before looking down at his brother.
"D'artagnan?" Aramis asked. He cupped D'artagnan's cheek and tilted the man's face towards him.
"I-I'm alive," D'artagnan mumbled, blinking his eyes open to look up at Aramis' concerned expression.
"Behind you," Porthos shouted as he ran forward and cut down another of Tomás' men with ease.
Aramis turned and had just enough time to stand before one of the enemies tackled him to the ground. He winced in pain from his still healing shoulder wound but kept up a strong front, swallowing down the pain.
The man landed a punch in Aramis' face, causing him to sip blood.
Porthos growled in frustration as he tried his hardest to get to Aramis yet he was currently pinned down by the remaining three men.
D'artagnan rolled onto his front and reached for Aramis' abandoned sword, digging it into the ground to help him stand up. He then swung and hit the man currently beating Aramis up on the back. The man cried out in pain and Aramis took his chance.
Landing a punch against his attacker's jaw, Aramis then pushed the man off him to the side and clambered on top of him. He then slammed the man's head against the ground, knocking him unconscious.
D'artagnan slumped, waving Aramis' concern off and pointing to Porthos who had his back pinned up against the mill wall. Aramis grabbed his sword from D'artagnan and went running over. He dove into the fight for only a second later for D'artagnan to shout.
"Stop! Aramis, Porthos... Stop," his voice cracked slightly and the two musketeers stopped mid fight, their attackers doing also.
The turned to see Nicolás stood behind D'artagnan, holding the gascon close to protect himself while he pressed a knife against D'artagnan's neck.
D'artagnan was struggling to stand up, Aramis could see him weakening slightly but swallowed down his concern.
The last three attackers surrounded Aramis and Porthos, swords drawn and pointed at their necks. The man Porthos had shot in the shoulder had also pulled himself up to stand, aiming a pistol at Porthos' chest with shaking hands.
Porthos glanced at Aramis, the two silently having a conversation with each other.
Got any ideas?
A few, but they might get us killed.
Great.
Sorry for the delay with this chapter, hope you enjoyed it and that it was worth the wait. Thank you for the follows, favourites and reviews :)