(Takes place in the latter part of season two.)
It took the four Musketeers- Athos, Aramis, Porthos, and D'Artagnan- about a week to reach Normandie, now settled down at the harbor at Barfleur.
The ruckus that had brought them there was occurring in the Baie de Seine, the start of the sea known as La Manche (more commonly known as the English Channel to the British).
"I don' mean ta keep harpin' on it, but how can we be the best opposition against a bunch 'a pirates?" Porthos asked anyone who would listen.
"As I have stated more than once, Collaart's antics have risen to the point where the Palace can no longer ignore them. The King is tired of hearing of the former Admiral's continuous success in the attack on our fishermen. It's becoming an embarrassment, and I would tend to agree."
Flemish Admiral Jacob Collaart had gone from a decorated military man, to become one of Europe's most feared pirates. In recent months, him and his men, aboard their ship the Revenge, have had unparalleled success in attacking French herring fishermen, stealing and selling the catch, and taking the French sailors hostage. The neighboring villages, all too eager to reunite with their husbands and sons, have more than once now paid the ransom, especially in light of the menacing demeanor of the men involved.
"Is this more about your fear of water, Porthos?" asked an amused Aramis.
"I don' have a fear 'a water- it has ta do with havin' a fear a' drownin'", he clarified.
"Oh. I see. Drowning in what? Dirt?"
"WATER!" Porthos angrily growled back.
"Water, oh yes that makes sense then," Aramis smirked.
D'Artagnan snorted.
"Smart-ass," Porthos muttered.
Porthos' fears were somewhat ameliorated by the fact that Captain Treville did not send them off willy-nilly without some preparation. Musketeers had been dispatched prior to their own departure, on the news that some of pirate Collaart's crew, numbering fifteen in all, had taken a 'shore leave' of sorts, and reports of their whereabouts in the close-by town of Fecamp led Treville to send seven Musketeers, who successfully captured seven of the men, while two had been killed in self-defense while trying to escape. The remaining five were returned to Paris. Collaart, however, was not among those that were captured or killed.
So Porthos liked the odds at least; four of them against eight of them. Many would still believe them to be outnumbered, especially in light of the fact that Jacob Collaart was amongst the remaining crew. Rumors of his leadership, as well as his ruthlessness, were not the be taken lightly.
But Porthos knew that he and his friends had faced worse odds, and had lived (and triumphed) to tell the tale, usually over drinks at the Wren, where battle details were never, ever exaggerated, despite Aramis', D'Artagnan's, and Athos' claims to the contrary. For basking in the glory of a well-told tale was one of Porthos' favorite things.
As they had now arrived in the harbor town of Barfleur, where the Revenge was docked, Athos felt it was time to revisit the plan of action.
"Collaart will be looking to replace the men he lost. All we need to do initially is introduce ourselves as candidates, in order to get an invitation onboard. We either engage them then and there, or, if the occasion isn't optimal for an attack, excuse ourselves and regroup."
"And by excusing ourselves, you mean…" D'Artagnan asked.
"I mean we say were in, but now just need to collect some belongings and return. That excuse may need to be amended depending on the situation."
The Musketeers had all left their uniforms back in Paris, in order to reinforce the subterfuge that they were mere commoners amenable- eager, even- to join the ranks of Collaart's men. However they were indeed armed with both their swords and muskets as well, so as to make it clear they had the hardware necessary to attack.
Gaining access to the ship was important, as Collaart and his men, while on land, had reportedly used gunpowder and destroyed the homes of the most vocal in resistance against his men. The Musketeers not only needed to stop this crew's acts of terror, but also either obtain, or destroy their weapons.
D'Artagnan asked, "And by 'engage them', you mean attack them? With what? They're extremely unlikely to allow us on board with the swords and muskets we bought."
Athos smiled, secretly impressed by how D'Artagnan was visualizing what was to come, and thinking tactically about the encounter ahead of them.
"That will be another point to act on as the time comes. The plan is to boast of our battle expertise, such as expert swordsmanship, and offer a demonstration on board. It's almost a certainty that they will endeavor to only take on men who can handle themselves in a fight. Depending on how much their guard is up, we improvise from there."
"Boasting about our expert swordsmanship," D'Artagnan repeated. "That must mean that you all wish for me to take the lead on that, then."
All three Musketeers smiled. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Athos replied. "And, of course, the success in this mission depends upon your ability to follow orders, D'Artagnan. So what are the odds of that occurring?"
"I follow orders!" shouted a very offended young Gascon.
"The thief on Rue Marsalle," Porthos said.
"The damsel in distress at Chateau de Foix," Aramis added.
"Biting the recruit during training, after repeated reminders of the 'no biting during training' rule," Athos said.
"I- sometimes follow orders," D'Artagnan said, in a noticeably lower voice.
'WAIT! What are the odds? I see a bet brewin'," Porthos laughed.
Their shared mirth was ended by the sight of the ship that had to be the Revenge at port in the harbor.
"Here we go," Aramis said.