'Isabelle!' Rene called from the bank of the river 'Isabelle, it's time to come ashore now' he held his hand above his eyes, shielding them from the harsh noon sun. He watched his little sister swim easily through the swiftly moving water, making her way towards the safety of the shoreline.
'Rene, you're home early!' she called as she reached the shallows. She was naked, and she covered herself with her hands as she rose from the water, quickly gathering her towel from the sandy edge. She wrapped it around herself and hurried up the embankment, excitedly throwing her arms around her brother, the first time she had seen him in 6 months. 'It is so good to see you. I've missed you so'
'You may wish to make yourself decent' he whispered, pulling away slightly, and meeting her eyes 'I have friends with me'
'Why didn't you say so earlier!' she gasped, gripping her towel closer to herself. 'How improper'
'I have a friend I'd like you to meet' his grin was almost devilish, as he turned around to stand guard. She slipped behind a tree and hurridly dressed. She finished tying her emerald green dress's corset as Rene waved for his friends to approach.
'My darling sister Isabelle, may I introduce you to Athos and Porthos' he said with pride. Isabelle curtsied as the young men bowed. At 15, she was expected to find a husband, or be found a husband, very soon. Rene was obviously trying to help her avoid the sickening older men her father was trying to betroth her to.
'Madmoiselle' Athos smiled, the crinkles around his eyes even in his youth drew her gaze to the deep brown depths.
'Your brother has told us so much about you. He hardly speaks of anything else' Porthos said, with a nudge to Rene. 'I won't deny his claims of your beauty'
'Rene!' she admonished, sounding scandalized 'You are to be training to defend our king, not find me a husband!'
'Would you prefer fathers choices?' he shrugged
'I would rather fight alongside the musketeers than take a husband of fathers choice' she reached out and ran her fingers of the finely tooled leather guard on his shoulder, before throwing herself into his arms again 'Oh Brother, I'm so pleased to see you again'