"You seriously found a girl in a mirror?" Corinne asked as she walked down the road with Liana and Alexa.
"Mm-hm." Liana nodded "She'd basically been trapped by an Evil Muse names Lydia. So we decided to help her."
Corinne smiled slightly. She wasn't exactly sure whether this story was true or not, but it was amusing "So... what happened?"
"Well, we left." Alexa said "Walked forever. Met a set of twins..." Liana and Alexa both giggled slightly "Walked some more, ran from a flying serpent... long story short, we defeated Lydia in the end."
Liana laughed at the memory "I still remember when Ian and Jeremy rode up beside us. Talk about relief!"
Alexa nodded in agreement "You know, they never did answer the question as to where they came from." she looked up the road aways "Oh! There's the village!"
"Sorry we had to walk." Liana added "But we don't own any horses."
"It's okay." Corinne quickly waved her off "I'm used to walking."
Alexa looked down at Corinne's boots "You have an interesting outfit."
"Ye-ah." Corinne glanced down at her mid-calf length musketeer dress "My friends and I picked up pretty fast that in our line of work, ankle length dresses could be a disaster." she blew a strand of hair from her face "Thankfully, we figured that out before there was a chance for a disaster."
"What do you do?" Alexa asked "Surely it can't be too dangerous."
Corinne burst out laughing "You have no idea."
Liana and Alexa looked at each other and shrugged. They would have asked some more questions, but they had reached the village and people were already starting to come to buy their flowers. Especially since theirs' were the only ones that had diamonds in the middle.
"I'll catch up with you later." Corinne whispered "I'm going to see if I can find a map." she sighed as she walked away "A world map."
"Where on earth is she?" Viveca mumbled.
Louis leaning back in his throne and groaned "Why am I being so overly protected?"
The three female musketeers, along with Treville and one other was standing guard around Louis in the throne room. Fifteen musketeers stood outside the room, and several more were standing at all points inside and outside the castle.
"Hello." Renee growled "Corinne has been missing for two weeks! That means something major is up."
Louis shook his head "Are you sure she didn't just run home to see if her mother was okay?"
"That was the first place we looked." Viveca answered "And it's not like Corinne to disappear for a large amount of time without letting someone know."
"Or breaking free and getting back." Aramina added "Whoever kidnapped her must either be really good or really strong."
Treville looked back at the King "I believe the girls are right. We all know Corinne. Plus, she isn't anywhere in France, Russia, Italy, or any of the other surrounding kingdoms. They've all been searched thoroughly."
Louis nodded slowly. The absolute truth was... he was worried. Really worried. It wasn't that Corinne hadn't gotten into tough situations before, because she had. It was just that no one could seem to find her... and she couldn't seem to get back. He could tell by the way the three girls kept glancing at each other, they were worried. Probably more than he was.
Either she was really well hidden, or she wasn't there to be found.
Corinne walked around the small town. There were a few people here and there but not many. The town proved to be way smaller than Paris., for which Corinne was quite grateful.
She asked around as to where she could find a world map, and finally came across a man who had some.
"Do you have a world map?" Corinne asked.
"I do." The man answered "But it'll cost you."
Corinne sighed. She didn't have any money "Could I just look at it, then give it back?"
"Nope." the man crossed his arms "It costs to look."
She groaned as the frustration began to build up "Look. I need to know how far away from home I am. And I need to see that map!"
"Sorry, girl." The man snapped "But it costs money!"
Corinne's hand was messing with the handle of her sword, but she kept herself from pulling it out.
"How about a flower in exchange for the map?"
Corinne spun around to see Liana standing behind her, a yellow rose in her hand.
The man frowned "I don't take exchanges."
Liana smiled slightly, then tipped the rose down so that the diamond inside was facing the man "No? Okay." she turned to Corinne "Let's go."
Corinne nodded and followed.
"Wait!" The man called "It's a deal!"
Liana turned around and handed him the rose, then took the map "Thank you."
"That was brilliant." Corinne smiled as they walked away.
Liana shrugged "I would have just paid for it, but we need the coins more than we need the diamonds." she smiled "The diamonds are free to us so..."
"Where's Alexa?"
"Ordering lunch." Liana chuckled "And seeing some old friends."
Corinne nodded "Can I take a guess?"
"Go ahead."
"Ian and Jeremy? Twin musicians?"
"You've got it." Liana laughed "They used to be musicians for an Inn that was actually quite a distance from here. But, they moved closer."
"So..." Corinne glanced around, then turned to the other blond mischievously "Which one do you like?"
Liana stopped so fast, it was almost like she had hit a stone wall "I... they're just a couple of boys. Crazy boys at that." she started walking again "We're just friends."
"Mm-hm." Corinne laughed to herself "That's why you're blushing." then she ran to keep up with Liana.
When they reached the Inn, they walked in together. It took only a split second to spot the boys in question.
A set of identical twins were standing on the stage playing their guitars. They were both tall with brown hair and brown eyes. One wore a greenish vest with a yellow shirt while the other wore a brown vest with a white shirt. Even Corinne had to admit, they were really cute. She also couldn't help but notice that the one in the white shirt's eyes lit up when he spotted Liana.
As soon as the boys finished the song they were on, they declared they were taking a small break.
"Hello girls." Ian smiled.
"Hi Ian." Alexa returned his smile completely "Hello Jeremy."
"Okay." Corinne thought "Ian's the one that Alexa likes. That means Liana must like Jeremy."
"How are you, Liana?" Jeremy asked.
"I'm just fine Jeremy." Liana answered.
Corinne smiled "Yep."
"What brings you two to town?" Jeremy asked.
"Flowers." Liana answered "And to get a map for our new friend, Corinne."
The twins looked over at Corinne, seeming to notice her for the first time "Whoa!" they both exclaimed.
"Liana!" Jeremy gasped "You didn't tell me you had a twin!"
"If I had known, I would have saved my charm." Ian added with a wink.
Alexa grabbed her basket from the floor and hit the back of his head.
"I was kidding! I was kidding!" Ian cried.
Corinne laughed "Keep your charm, Ian. I don't need it."
"Well, what do you know." Jeremy said "She can already keep us apart."
Ian rolled his eyes "What did you need a map for?"
"I have to figure out where I am in relation to Paris." Corinne answered.
"Ah! I know Paris well!" Ian sat down and leaned the chair back on two legs. He stared at the ceiling for a long moment, then brought the chair back down on all fours with a clatter "Actually, I've never heard of it."
"That's what I was afraid of." Corinne sighed.
The Inn keeper brought out three plates and sat them in front of the girls "Here you are ladies."
"Thank you." the three girls echoed.
Corinne's plate was cleared quickly. When she looked up she saw the other four staring at her she froze.
"Were you hungry?" Ian asked.
Corinne laughed "Sorry. I'm used to eating on the run." she paused for a second "Actually... I was really hungry. Wonder when I ate last." she looked down at the map that was sitting in her lap "I'd better wait to open it till we get back to the cottage." she thought "Just in case I have a heart attack."
"Need help with your gardens tomorrow?" Jeremy asked.
Liana shrugged "You're always welcome to help." she sat down her fork then reached down and picked up her basket "We need to head home before it gets dark."
"We'll see you tomorrow girls." Ian waved.
The three girls walked out of the Inn and started back down the road.
"They're nice." Corinne commented "Are they as mischievous as they look?"
"More." Liana and Alexa answered in unison.
"Is there any guys back home?" Alexa asked.
"Hundreds." Corinne answered "They're everywhere."
Alexa rolled her eyes "You know what I mean! Any that you have a personal interest in?"
Corinne's mind flashed to Louis, but she quickly dismissed the thought "Nope."
Liana glanced at her, but didn't make a comment. The rest of the walk back to the cottage was just random this and that and singing.
Corinne liked listening to them sing together. It sounded really good. And it also made her think of Renee.
"Corinne. Do you sing?" Liana asked a few moments later.
"No." Corinne answered "Renee and Aramina sing. I listen."
"Okay." Alexa nodded "But can you sing?"
"Everyone can sing." Corinne said, looking straight down the road.
Liana rolled her eyes and smiled "Can you carry a tune in a bucket or no?"
Corinne shrugged "Don't really know. I tried to avoid any music of any kind while I was around my friends... which was twenty-four-seven. Because if you get Aramina going, you'll never get her to stop. Trust me!" she laughed "And it's really hard to be incognito on missions when someone is constantly humming."
Liana and Alexa looked at each other, then back over at Corinne.
"Missions?" Alexa asked slowly "What do you and your friends do?"
"We're musketeers." Corinne answered. When she saw the totally blank expression on their faces, she continued "Musketeers are those who protect the king and the kingdom. They're like soldiers, just better."
"Oh." Liana nodded slowly "And you're a musketeer?"
"Mm-hm." Corinne smiled "My best friends and I are the first and only female musketeers."
"So... Do you carry a weapon?" Alexa asked a bit nervously.
Corinne nodded "Never part with it... unless of course someone takes it."
"Do you have it now?"
"Yep. Apparently they didn't know where I hide it."
Liana cocked her head "Hide... what?"
Corinne pulled out her sword "This."
"Whoa!" Liana and Alexa jumped back.
The musketeer simply laughed and returned the sword to her skirt "Pretty cool, right?"
"Kind of creepy." Alexa answered "But yeah."
Two hours later, they reached the cottage. Corinne spread the map out on the small table.
"This is where we are." Liana said, pointing out the location.
"Thank you." Corinne placed her finger on the spot, then began to pan out around it. Her smile slowly faded as she looked further and further away from their previous spot.
Then, about about two feet on the map later, she finally found France.
Corinne almost choked when she saw the distance "This is not good." she calculated the distance in her head and the amount of time it would take to travel it "It would have taken about two weeks to get here." she mused out loud "Providing they had a means of steady transportation. If I'm walking... it'll take over a month to get back!" she slammed her fist down on the table so hard, it made Liana and Alexa jump "It can't wait that long." she bit her lip as she stared at the map "That's over a thousand miles."
"Are you really thinking about walking that?" Alexa asked.
"I have to." Corinne answered "I don't have a horse and I have to get back! There's no telling what danger Louis' in!"
"Who's Louis?" Liana asked.
"He's the king and..."
"You're on first name basis with him?" Alexa asked incredulously.
"That's another story." Corinne looked down at the map "I have to go."
"Alone?" Liana asked slowly "What if whoever brought you here goes after you. No one would ever find you!"
"I hate traveling alone." Corinne admitted "But I don't have a choice this time."
Liana slowly looked over at Alexa.
Alexa glanced over at her "N-o. Liana! Remember what happened last time we left home to save the world?"
"We succeeded!" Liana answered "I know it's not the world this time. But it's-"
"My world." Corinne finished "My family and friends. My life." she shook her head "It's dangerous. Really dangerous. I can't ask you to come."
Liana saw the uncertainty on Alexa's face, and the slight longing for a friend on Corinne's. She could also tell that Corinne was really good at hiding her thoughts.
"I'll go." Liana finally said "Alexa, you can stay here and make sure nothing happens to the garden."
"I can't let you go alone!" Alexa gasped.
"I won't be alone." Liana smiled "And neither will Corinne. We'll go together, then I'll be right back."
Corinne stepped forward "I can't let you go, Liana. It's too dangerous. And too far."
Liana turned to face the other blond "That's why you can't go alone."
Alexa looked back and forth between the two, then shook her head "Be careful."
"We will." Liana quickly hugged her friend "And I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"I can't believe you came with me." Corinne said as she and Liana walked down the road "You don't even know me."
"I know." Liana smiled "But, I can tell you're desperate. And who wants to travel over a thousand miles alone?"
Corinne chuckled slightly "Who wants to travel over a thousand miles on foot?"
"Too true." Liana agreed "At least today is pretty. It's a good start to-"
"Sh." Corinne suddenly said, holding out her hand.
Liana immediately obeyed.
Corinne suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her into some bushes and indicated for her to be quiet.
"We searched back in the woods where the big bump was." One man said "But she wasn't there."
"We found you in a ditch in the woods." Liana mouthed.
Corinne's eyebrows lowered and she carefully peered out through the foliage.
"We have to find her, Drake." A seven foot guy that Corinne recognized immediately said "Or the king will not be happy."
"I know, Heinrich." Drake growled "That's why we're looking!" Drake was about three inches taller than Heinrich "That girl is probably on her way back to Paris. So if we stay on the path, we'll either catch up with her, or she'll run into us."
"Then what do we do?" Heinrich asked.
"We do what the king said." Drake answered "We kill her."