Suspicious Minds
Chapter Two
"We grew up more like brothers than cousins," Etienne said, suppressing a grimace at the sour quality of the wine. He couldn't understand what attracted Athos to a peasant's tavern when he had grown up with refined tastes. "My mother died when I was born and my father had little use for me so I spent most of my summers in Pinon with Athos and Thomas."
"You must have been surprised when you heard that Athos had renounced his title," d'Artagnan said.
"Yes, I will confess that I was. We lost touch after that and I didn't know he'd become a Musketeer until he walked into Captain Treville's office."
Athos stood up to go to the bar. "Don't give away too many secrets while I'm gone," he said.
"What was he like?" Aramis asked. "Before his marriage."
"He took his responsibilities very seriously. But for all that he knew how to enjoy himself." Etienne's eyes tracked Athos' progress through the crowd. "He didn't drink to excess then."
"Ordering the execution of one's wife changes your perspective of the world," d'Artagnan said with an edge to his voice.
"I suppose it does." Etienne refused to rise to the bait. "He was devastated when she killed Thomas."
"You knew her?" Porthos asked.
"We never met. He was destined to wed another, then he met Anne and everything changed. They were married for less than a year before Thomas died. After that he left Pinon, abandoning his responsibilities." This was another facet of Athos' life that he couldn't fathom. They had both been raised to understand their place and the established order. A noble didn't turn his back on his birthright.
"He had good reason." There was a challenge in d'Artagnan's eyes.
Etienne smiled easily. "I'm sure that's how he saw it. It isn't my place to judge his decisions."
"Well, have you all satisfied your curiosity?" Athos asked, placing two bottles of wine on the table.
"As if we would pry into your personal life," Aramis said.
"You and Porthos gossip like a pair of fishwives," Athos said placidly.
"I'm offended," Aramis said but his grin belied his words.
"What brings you to the Musketeers?" d'Artagnan asked.
"My father died almost a year ago. As I've told you, he had beggared the estate, leaving little for my brother and his family. I considered going into the church but I have no vocation and frankly find the whole idea tedious." He realized he had made a mistake when he saw Aramis narrow his eyes. His gaze fell on the jewelled crucifix worn by the Musketeer. "I mean no offence," he said hurriedly. "I only mean that it wasn't for me."
"Few people have a true calling," Aramis said, his tone deceptively mild.
Etienne cleared his throat. "I travelled for a while before realising that my only true talent lies in the sword."
"He is an accomplished swordsman," Athos said. "We had the same weapons master and were evenly matched."
"Then you must be talented indeed," Aramis said. "For Athos is the finest swordsman in the regiment."
"I don't pretend to have the same level of skill. My cousin is only being kind."
"Perhaps you could give us a demonstration tomorrow," d'Artagnan said.
"Gladly." He was curious to hear the tension in the young man's voice. There was something going on here that wasn't yet apparent.
"How are your shooting skills?" Aramis asked.
"I am a fair shot with a pistol. Sadly I have never had occasion to use a musket."
"Aramis is our best marksman," Porthos said proudly. "He can teach you."
"I'm sure I have much to learn." He wondered at his cousin's disparate group of friends. Aramis was pleasant but with a wandering eye for the women if his flirting with the tavern wenches was anything to go by. Porthos looked more like a wrestler than a soldier and he'd never encountered anyone with dark skin before who wasn't a servant. As for d'Artagnan…what was a callow youth doing in the company of a man who had been born into the nobility? More surprising still was the fact that Athos had introduced them as his brothers. He would have to tread carefully if he was to become accepted by the three of them.
"I think I will bid you gentlemen goodnight," he said. "I had a long journey today and I want to be rested for my first day on duty."
"Morning muster is at nine," Athos said. "Meet us for breakfast before that. Treville will have given me the orders for the day."
Etienne settled his hat on his head and pulled on his gloves. "Until tomorrow." With a slight bow he turned and left the tavern.
"You've never spoken about him," Aramis said.
"The subject never came up." Athos poured another glass of wine. "We haven't seen each other for more than five years."
"Will he make a good Musketeer?" d'Artagnan asked.
"We will find out soon enough. He certainly has the skills. Whether he has the temperament remains to be seen."
TMTMTM
When d'Artagnan arrived in the yard the next morning the only person waiting was Etienne. He plastered a welcoming smile on his face and went to join him. "Good morning."
"Good morning, d'Artagnan."
He sat on the bench and helped himself to a portion of bread and cold meats. "I trust you slept well."
"The bed isn't quite what I'm used to."
"The life of a soldier is hard. There are few comforts."
"So I've noticed." Etienne smiled wryly. "I don't suppose it was as difficult for you to adapt. Athos tells me you are a farmer."
D'Artagnan felt a surge of anger. "My family owned a farm." He touched his pauldron. "I am a Musketeer."
"Of course. Forgive me. I didn't mean to sound disparaging. You must be very talented to have gained your commission at such a young age."
"I was fortunate with my teachers."
"So I see."
Athos strolled into the yard much to d'Artagnan's relief. He had spent a large part of the night examining his conscience and had resolved to try harder to get along with their newest recruit if only for Athos' sake. However, there was something about Etienne that grated on his nerves.
"We have duty at the palace," Athos said, sitting and pouring a cup of ale. As usual he appeared unaffected by the quantity of cheap wine he had imbibed the night before. "Aramis and Porthos will accompany us. D'Artagnan, you are to stay here. Captain Treville has a package to be delivered later today."
"So I'm to be an errand boy?" d'Artagnan asked, more sharply than he intended.
Athos looked at him quizzically. "There is a problem with that?"
"No, of course not." The unfairness of it stung. Why was he the one to be excluded?
"I'm glad to hear it."
D'Artagnan listened half-heartedly as Athos told Etienne what to expect, his thoughts dark and brooding. His mood didn't improve when, after the muster, his three friends rode out of the garrison without him.
TMTMTM
The Musketeers stood to the side of the room, alert and watchful, while the King heard petitions from various landowners and nobles. Etienne stood stiffly to attention beside Athos, taking everything in. He was particularly dazzled by the Queen who was sitting beside her husband, listening patiently as the petitioners droned on and on. He noticed that he wasn't the only Musketeer whose gaze was drawn to her. Aramis might be trying to hide it but his eyes kept returning to her face.
The Cardinal, sitting on the other side of the King, also seemed to have noticed and he was looking thoughtful. The Queen now close to term, was radiant and easily drew the attention of everyone in the room but there was something wistful about Aramis' expression. He saw Athos lean forward slightly, catch Aramis' gaze, and shake his head minutely. After that Aramis was very careful to look everywhere except at the Queen.
When it was over they were released from duty, walking at a leisurely pace back to the horses.
"How did the whelp take to bein' left behind today?" Porthos asked.
"He wasn't happy."
"You need to be careful with him, Athos. He idolises you, although heaven knows why," Aramis said.
Athos looked discomfited. "He needs to learn to stand on his own feet. We won't always be there for him."
"We work as a team," Porthos said. "Seems unnatural for him not to be 'ere."
"Etienne is our priority now. Treville gave very specific orders."
"D'Artagnan is still learning his trade. We can't abandon him."
"I don't intend to abandon him, Aramis, but you and Porthos will have to take on more of the burden of training him."
"It isn't a burden," Aramis said softly, something dangerous in his tone.
"I didn't mean it like that," Athos said, sounding frustrated. "The Captain ordered me to train Etienne and show him how to be a good Musketeer and that's what I'm going to do. D'Artagnan will understand."
Tbc