I know it's been like three years since I stated this story. But life got in the way of my writing time. This chapter hasn't been beta, and I'm writing and loading this all from my phone, so there might been some mistakes.( I spelled the name Niklas this way because I knew someone who parents were Spanish who spell it the same way) Anyway I hope you enjoy
Chapter Two: Evening in Paris
The Last Stand Tavern - Paris
The musketeers arrived in the tavern later that evening tried and hungry. "Are you sure its safe to eat here?" Asked d'Artagnan again, the death of Henri Polnareff obviously was playing on his mind.
"Relax" said Porthos, sitting down and taking off his hat "We been eatting here for years"
"Bet that's what Henri said too" said d'Artagnan under his breath.
Aramis shook his head hearing d'Artagnan's comment "If it makes you feel any better, Henri didn't eat here. He mostly eat in an different tavern. Now stop worrying and eat something you're still too skinny"
"D'Artagnan is right be on guard" said Athos coming to the table with some mend. Stopping d'Artagana coming up with an insult for Aramis "Henri death was no accident"
"You two are too serious for your own good" said Aramis pointing to Athos and d'Artagnan. One of the barmaids brought over four blows of stew. Aramis took an big spoonful without a second though " Look, I'm fine... Now enjoy your evening"
They eat their stew (d'Artagnan eat his very carefully) Porthos and Aramis started to play an games cards. Athos wasn't sure why any of them still played cards with Porthos anymore. Athos look over to d'Artagnan who was deep in though. The younger man was absent-mindedly rubbing the scars on his wrists that still stood out against his tan skin. D'Artagnan never spoke about the events that caused the scars nor did he or Aramis and Porthos ask him too. But the bad memories still plague d'Artagnan mind time and time again. Athos himself was shrugging keeping Treville serect from d'Artagnan. He knew what it like to think all your family was dead.
"Hey!" Come Porthos voice snapping Athos out of his thoughts "Hey stop daydreaming, we're heading back to the Garrison, we're got an early start in the morning"
The four musketeers got up and made their way to the Garrison, more musketeers than normal had decided to eat their dinner at the garrison that evening. "You're brave eatting out" comment Niklas an musketeer a little bit older than Porthos. Niklas said something in Gason and d'Artagnan try hard to keep an straight face before replying in Gascon.
Aramis rolling his eyes and carried on walking. "I swear they do it to wind us up"
"You're the one who say Gason wasn't a real language" grinned Porthos wounding what d'Artagana and Niklas were saying.
The Cardinal's Prison
The Cardinal walked briskly into the prison to the cell that held Francis d'Artagnan. d'Artagnan wasn't an common name and the Cardinal wasn't going to yet an opportunity to pass him by. He open the door and stepped inside. "Francis d'Artagana" said the Cardinal
"Most people just call me Frank" said Francis "And you have no right to arrest me, Monsieur"
"Maybe not, but I still did" Said the Cardinal in a low voice. "Tell me what is your business in Paris?"
Francis didn't look like he wanted to answer, but he did anyway "I'm delivering an letter to my cousin"
"A letter from England?"
"From an France man" corrected Francis at once. "It was his last dying wish I delivered this letter. His soul wouldn't rest untill I do"
The Cardinal paused for an moment. "Your cousins, by any change he go by the name Charles d'Artagana?" Francis looked up at the name, the cardinal took that as an yes "I know were you can find him, and I will tell you, if you do an little job for me"
"What if I refuse?" Asked Francis
"Then you will die in this cell, it's up to you" said the Cardinal. He had the power do what he said, and he could tell Francis wasn't simple minded, he had enough brain to work it out.
Francis run his hand though his hair "What do you want me to do?" Asked Francis
"Nothing much, just delivery your letter, and I will come an find you when the time is right" said the Cardinal
Francis frowned "I do not plan to stay in Paris. I must return to my home as soon as I can. I've been away from my wife too long already"
"It's only a little job I want you to do" said the Cardinal "And if you fail to do it, I will have you killed"
Francis started the Cardinal in the eyes for an moment "Fine, I do whatever you want, now were can I find my cousin?"