A month later, she gathered the courage, and her wits, to confront Athos. She had no real plan, other than to force him to fight her. If she died, so be it. If he died, then her brother was avenged.

'I have business with Athos' Isabelle said in her deepest voice to the garrison guards. They allowed her to pass, dressed as she was in tight men's trousers, a loose fitting cotton shirt and leather jacket. Her hair was braided and tucked beneath her hat. Her father's sword hung from her hip, a dagger tucked in her belt, pistol to her left.

'Athos!' she called, pretending to look for him, though she could see him at a table, playing cards with Porthos- he was still alive!- and a tanned young man she didn't recognise. 'I have some business to settle with you' he turned his gaze upon her, those piercing eyes, and he stood.

'What business might that be?' he asked, walking towards her, hand moving to his sword as hers did.

'I have come to settle a debt' she drew her sword and stared him down, removing her shabby and patched hat. Her braided hair swung free down her back. 'You killed my brother'

'I knew you would come someday Isabelle' he shook his head, removing his hand from his sword 'I will not fight a woman. Much less you'

'You cannot deny my right to avenge my brother!' she shouted, stepping quickly before him, the point of the sword beneath his chin. 'Draw your sword and duel me'

Slowly, he removed his weapon from its sheath, and raised it to hers 'Do not make me do this Isabelle'

Porthos stared at the girl her knew from long ago, challenging the best swordsman in the regiment to a duel. It was unwise to say the least, but he could see that Athos still did not want to fight. No one would want to duel with a woman, least of all Athos.

'You let him die Athos, you as good as killed him. You took Rene from me. The grief sent my father mad. Do not mock my pain' she spat at him, glancing at the audience they had gained, men wary and unsure if they should intervene.

'Athos did not kill your brother. I did' the voice behind her sent her blood cold, ice gripped her heart. Sword still firmly beneath Athos' chin, she drew her pistol and turns sideways to face the man who had spoken. He stared down the barrel of her gun without flinching. 'Hello Isabelle'

Speechless, she stared at him. Aged, but very clearly, her brother. Her heart clenched. Seven long years seeking bitter revenge, and he wasn't dead. So very, very alive. She lowered her sword, swung and pushed the point firmly against Rene's chest.

'You're alive?'

'I am' he nodded

'Why?' anger rose in her tone, her skin felt hot and cold at the same time. In her anger, she could kill him. How could he have done this to her?

'I was targeted, after the massacre of Savoy. Hunted, followed. They wanted me dead. Faking my death was the most painless solution to solve the problem.' His voice contained barely a tinge of regret 'Lower your sword Isabelle, do not be ridiculous'

'Painless?' she echoed, tucking her pistol away. With strength that surprised even her, she slapped him, sending him reeling backward.
'You swine' she spat, poking his chest with the sword 'you coward. The news of your death sent my father mad with grief. He died less than 2 months later. You left me alone, abandoned, not even 16! Do you know how hard I had to fight for our families lands? Do you know what your loss did to me? 7 years I have trained, dueled, shot, to avenge your death. This is fathers sword. He pleaded on his death bed that I take it to be buried with you. So that some part of him may be with you in death' she was shouting now, unable to contain her rage.
'Take it, you dog. You swine' she dropped the sword, the steel ringing as it clashed against the cobblestone. Another slap, to the other side of his face. A trickle of blood stemmed from his nose. 'I'm going home'

She pushed him out of the way, her strength increased with her rage and stormed through the courtyard, unhindered by the crowd of men. She turned as she reached the gate. 'Forgive me Athos, for cursing your name for so many years. I see the truth now. I am sorry' before any tears could escape her, she turned and ran.
She pushed her way through the crowds to her lodgings, slamming her door and barring it, in case anyone had managed to follow. She stumbled to her knees, unable to stem the anguished sobs wracking her body. She struggled to pull the clothes off, feeling sullied by the events of the day. Her tears streaked down, dampening the bandages she used to bind her breasts. Slowly she unwound them, her chest heaving for air as she fought to stifle to sobs. Her beloved brother had faked his own death. He had lied to her.

Athos pressed his ear against the door, listening to her attempts to contain her emotion. She was failing miserably. She eventually must have buried her face in her mattress because the sound decreased considerably, though he stood guard outside her door until he heard the sounds of her packing.

Aramis was too ashamed to follow his sister. He retreated to his room, holding tightly to the sword his sister had flung at his feet. He prayed for forgiveness, wiping blood from his nose with the back of his hand. It's not like he had forgotten her. How could he forget his only sister? He had prayed for her every night, thought of her every day. It had been necessary, he repeated to himself, for the deception. He had needed to die and was reborn Aramis. Rene was no longer. His empty grave was even in the field of slain musketeers, his name etched upon the stone.

In the early morning, Isabelle organised a carriage to take her home, her luggage loaded, she bid farewell to her landlord, apologizing for the sudden departure. She could see Athos standing his distance, watching her carefully. Wisely he did not intervene.

When she turned her back to Paris, and the carriage left the city behind, she did not look back. The knowledge her brother was alive had both quelled the flame of revenge and broken her. She would not fight for him again. Time to start her life for herself.

So, what did you think? love to hear your thoughts/opinions/criticism!

much love, thanks for reading- Aj