Sometimes Salvation is Found in Agony

Chapter Seven

As the night wore on, the three musketeers keeping watch on the small hovel decided that it would be better for them to separate into shifts, as they knew that their mission was going to be long and trying. So, Athos kept first watch, while d'Artagnan went off to try to get some sleep, though he ended up running into Constance on her way home from speaking with the Queen at the palace, and Porthos left to go to get a few drinks at his preferred tavern, to help calm his nerves.

When morning came, Porthos came back to where Athos remained, in an alleyway across from the building, hidden behind a wall of sticks and logs meant to be used for firewood, then he spoke up asking, "So, has there been any movement from inside at all?"

Athos continued staring at the hovel as he responded sternly, "A little, but only from the two brutes who were with the woman stepped outside for some air. I don't like not knowing what is happening inside."

"I'm with you," Porthos agreed. "It was hard to tell in the dark, but Aramis did not appear well. What do you suppose happened inside that tavern?"

"A fighting match is what happened," d'Artagnan suddenly answered as he appeared and walked into the alley to stand with his friends.

Athos looked at him in confusion as he asked, "And how did you come by this information? As I recall, we were all waiting outside the tavern, together."

The young Gascon shrugged and replied, "I saw Constance last night after I left here. She had met up with Queen Anne and I ran into her on her way back home. The Queen has grown worried for Aramis as well and wished for someone to inform her on his wellbeing."

"We should have been the ones to speak with her about Aramis," Porthos responded. "Although I am not really sure what to say. This is a very delicate matter."

"What did Constance tell you about what happened inside the tavern last night?" the leader spoke again impatiently.

D'Artagnan quickly answered, "Right. Apparently, this tavern is known to have a fighting ring where people cheer and bet on whichever opponent they choose, until one loses and money exchanges hands. It happens almost nightly. That place is the worst of the worst. I am surprised neither of us have heard of this going on until now."

Porthos asked, "And how does Madam Bonacieux know of this?"

"To be honest, I'm not really sure, though I know she knows pretty much all there is to know about what goes on in Paris," d'Artagnan replied. "It's possible Monsieur Bonacieux may have been there once before, though I don't have the courage to ask her if this is so."

"So, Aramis was forced into a fighting match," Athos continued as he turned back to look toward the hovel. "It would explain why we saw a few people being carried out over the shoulders of whom I suspect was hired muscle for the owner of the tavern. They were either unconscious, or dead. Someone was brought out moments before Aramis was carried out between those other men. He was probably who Aramis fought against, and who lost."

Porthos nodded as he responded in frustration, "Aramis may have won, but he got himself beaten pretty badly too."

D'Artagnan looked between his two friends as he asked, "Do you really believe that Aramis was forced into fighting in the match, or is it possible that he chose to fight, purposely?"

"No way!" Porthos answered firmly. "Aramis may be acting reckless, but he would never willingly chose to fight in something like this unless he was provoked."

"Or asked to in order to prove himself when trying to infiltrate those plotting to kill the Cardinal," Aramis spoke up as he too joined his friends after leaving their possible assassins. "I appreciate you coming to my defense, Porthos. Thank you."

D'Artagnan tried to apologize saying, "I didn't mean…"

Aramis raised his hand as he interrupted, "There is no need to apologize, my friend. I know that you are all worried, but I assure you, I am fine."

"You don't look fine," Athos replied curtly as he began to look over their friend's injuries, upon seeing his split lip, the ugly bruise formed across his left cheek and the bruises and cuts covering his knuckles, then looked at his bandaged chest. "In fact, you look terrible."

"I didn't have a choice, Athos," Aramis responded sincerely. "I walked inside, hoping to gather information that may lead us to someone involved in this plot. However, a woman approached me as two men were trying to get me to fight in the match going on in the back of the tavern. She stated she was looking for someone like me to help her and her friends in some kind of job, but then insisted that I prove that I have what it takes to get dirty. I didn't give in until she said that their plan had something to do with bringing down a tyrant. I had to fight, so that I could learn more."

Athos continued as he asked, "And did you; learn more, I mean?"

Aramis shook his head as he answered, "Unfortunately, I spent the better part of the night unconscious as the woman and her friends tended to my wounds. When I awoke, she was gone, though her friends said she would be back later this afternoon. I told them that I had to pick up a few supplies from my quarters if I were to join them for whatever they have planned. Surprisingly, they let me go and don't seem suspicious of me any longer."

"And the man you fought?" d'Artagnan asked.

"Dead," their friend replied as he began to favor his left shoulder, as they could tell Aramis was once again in pain. "He left me no choice. He pulled out a dagger and was going to kill me, so I turned it on him instead."

Porthos reached out and pulled Aramis' shirt down far enough to get a closer look at his shoulder as Athos had, and seeing bleed seeping through the fresh bandage, he spoke again angrily saying, "It should have been me fighting in there, not you. If you keep getting into fights, your shoulder may never heal properly, Aramis. You can barely lift your arm."

Half jokingly, Aramis responded, "I'm stronger than I look. I really do appreciate your concern for me, but I promise you, I can do this."

"We believe you," Athos answered. "But just the same, we will be with you every step of the way and if you run into trouble again, we will fight with you."

"And you will wear this again," Porthos replied sternly as he pulled out the Queen's cross Aramis had given to him for safe keeping. "She gave this to you to wear in hope that it would keep you safe."

Aramis tried to object as he responded, "I can't..."

Porthos continued, "You may fear wearing it, but if anything can help you… We certainly would feel much better with you out there, facing unknown danger with a little luck."

"It doesn't work if I am unworthy of its possession," Aramis answered sadly, more to himself than to his brothers, though they heard him quite clearly.

"You may not believe in yourself any longer, Aramis, but we do and we always will," Athos replied softly as their friend finally took Anne's gift in his hands and kept his eyes downward, avoiding their gazes. "Do not give up."

Aramis closed his fist with the cross inside, then simply walked off, away from his companions. It saddened them to see him so dejected, but they knew there was nothing more they could say or do for him, except continue to be there for him when he needed them to be. If he was ever going to come out of the agony and hate he was holding within himself, it was going to have to be on his own terms.

The musketeers realized that in the end, Aramis would either somehow find a way to renew his faith in himself, or he was going to give up all together, which would result in his death. It is easy to hear the words they spoke to him, but to believe them took a whole other kind of strength they feared Aramis no longer possessed.