Thanks for all your love guys! My mother is back home in the apartment and getting stronger every day.
Chapter 14
Treville ran his hand across his face, cracking his neck slightly. It had been a long night, waiting for some of his men to return after a mission they had completely failed. Well, the letters had arrived to where they were going, but not without trouble. Such as riding through a stream, a horse spooking and the musketeer dismounting to guide is horse through the water. That would've been great, had he not carried the important letters in his boots, the fragile parchment taking to the water and by the time they arrived, it had been dried up to an unreadable mess.
Every single man carrying the fleur-de-lis on their shoulder was an expert fighter, experienced soldiers with loyalty and honour. That just didn't mean that all of them were bright of mind. Some were, apparently, more stupid than a sack of rice.
Treville took a breath and tried to shake the disappointment off as he walked into the infirmary to meet up wit Athos, prepared to tell him that he still had no word from La Fére but 'no news is good news.' He knew Athos would reply '… or they are dead' as the pessimist he always was. Treville was still going through his arguments as he walked around the curtain to where Athos should be – only to find it completely empty. He was not there anymore. Looking around, Treville spotted the physician, Jean, and promptly walked up to him and grabbed his arm.
"Where is Athos?"
"In his bed, sir."
Treville sighed. He was surrounded by fools.
"If he were in his bed, do you believe I would be asking you of his whereabouts?"
Jean looked at him confused, before walking past Treville, over to Athos' empty bed.
"Well that is strange."
Treville pressed back the urge to punch him. Instead he looked around, spotting an open window by the side of Athos' bed, and looking out he could clearly see footprints in the mud outside. Treville cursed under his breath whilst reminding himself to chose his words more carefully in the future while barking orders.
Treville walked out, leaving Jean clueless inside, hurrying to the stable. As soon as he stepped inside, he caught eye of Jacques, and rushed over to him.
"Where is Athos?"
"He rode away this morning." The young lad immediately spluttered out. He'd been preparing for this meeting ever since Athos left.
"Why didn't you stop him?"
The eyes of the teenager went wide and Treville put his hands up. Now he was being a fool. "I apologize. Please prepare my horse, along with the horses belonging to Pierre, Victor, Mathieu and Robert, and have them ready by midday."
"May I ask where you are heading to, sir?"
"We are going to bring my top men home."
Jacques nodded. He knew which men Treville was talking about, and he liked the four of them. They were always kind to him, even though his was just the stable boy. They never yelled at him and would often help him when he was in rushed situations.
"The horses will be ready sir."
Treville gave the boy a nod before he went out of the stables. He needed to inform the King that he was leaving, and most of all he needed to tell the men that were coming with him that they needed to get ready. He wanted to go to La Fére to make sure his men were alive and somewhat well, and help out to put an end to all that was happening, once and for all.
Treville loved all his men, and he would give the boots off his feet at any time for anyone within the regiment. He would ride day and night to save them in time of need and he would beg to the King on his knees if necessary. But Athos, and his three madmen, had a special place within him and he would not be content with staying in Paris when he knew they needed help. And even though he hadn't heard a word from them yet, this had certainly taken too long. They had apparently had a run in with more trouble than they had originally thought, and he wanted them back. If he so had to carry all four of them.
Running his hands across his face again, he walked out into the garrison to start collecting his men. This day had already been a long one, and he hadn't even had breakfast yet.
Athos walked outside, needing some air and some time alone to clear his head. His brothers would understand, and they didn't try to stop him as he got up from his chair and walked out.
He moved over to the massive rose bushes by the side of the house, he sat down on the bench amongst them. They were not in bloom, their roots covered by snow and the leaves fallen for this year. All that was left were the long stems with their sharp thorns. They left a rather haunting impression, which Athos couldn't help but to feel that it was rather suiting.
Footsteps were heard, snow crunching under the soles of someone's feet. Athos knew who were coming after just a few steps - none of his brothers walked that carefully and gracefully.
"Nounou."
"Ollie."
Athos could not help but to smile fondly at the nickname she would use. When he was little he thought it to be ridiculous and embarrassing, nothing suitable of a Comte. But now he didn't care. It still was so far away from the image of toughness he kept up, but she was allowed to call him whatever she wanted. She was the only person he had completely confined in all through his life, and she knew him better than he knew himself. Now she came up next to him, and sat down close to his side. She had, a beautiful, dark blue coat on, with a light grey cape, complete with a wide collar pulled up to keep the cold away.
She sat down next to him and took his hand in hers, squeezing gently. He squeezed back.
"So, what do you think of them?" Athos asked, his eyes darting to the side where the door leading inside was located.
"I'm so pleased that you have found brothers and who love you like they do. They are amazing men, and I am glad that you are in safe hands with them. I can see they bring out the best in you."
"I do feel lucky."
Simone was quiet for a heartbeat before asking the one question no one else dared.
"So what frightens you?"
If anyone else had asked that question he said would just shoot back that he wasn't frightened, but he knew that would be useless with his Nounou. She could read him like an open book.
"Everything is finally going well. Everything with Anne came out into the open, my brothers are still with me after it all, and I finally feel, for the first time since everything happened, that I'm getting somewhere with my life - that I'm actually rather pleased with it all. And... I haven't felt joy like I do with my brothers since I married Anne... And that worries me, it worries me that it will all be taken from my hands once again. I don't think I could get through another heartbreak. I don't think I can lose another loved one."
Simone nodded. She knew he was talking about Anne, not Thomas, when he spoke of heartbreak.
"Olivier. Your friends are some of the strongest men I have met in my life. They are soldiers, and ready to fight to protect each other as well as you. They serve, protect and hold up their duties. Unfortunately it is your duty to protect the realm, and follow orders all the way through, and injuries occur within the regiment. But that is a part of life. Death will come to us all, hopefully not for a very long time still, but it will, because we all must go."
In the last hour of the night, when the candle is gasping for air, Death will awaken, and ask for what you want. He'll be waiting in the darkness as it gathers throughout your house, he'll free you from all shadows, and he will blow out all your lights. Because life is only a loan, and you are a candle. Wherever it came from, it has been lit, just for you. Hold it as long as you can, life is about daring, and only a sparkle that burned, was still a light for me.*
"But even if the unthinkable happens, Olivier, I need you to go on. I need you to keep fighting. Because you still have more brothers, and I'm always here for you, and you have people around you who loves you. Please do not be frightened to turn to someone for help and support, and be there for your other brothers. Were one of you to go, all three left standing would need the full support of each other. So take it, as well as give it, to them. They deserve it. As do you."
Athos nodded, Simone's words calming him as they always had the effect to do. She knew what to say to him to make him relax, ease his worry, calm his fragile nerves, suppress his anxiety and pull it back down below the surface.
"Now let's get back inside, it's cold out! We have a speech to plan!"
Simone got to her feet, and Athos followed suite. He took hold of her hand, and twirled her around to wrap his arms around her, embracing her into a warm hug.
"Thank you Nounou, for always being my voice of reason."
"Thank you Olivier, for always finding the will to live."
"For you, I will fight for my life for all times to come."
"And I will always patch you up and hear your pleas."
If Athos had doubts, he didn't show it. Simone had spread the word that he wanted everyone's attention, and as he climbed up on top of a crate at the market's square, every person living in the grounds of La Fére were standing before him with big eyes. One hundred, twenty-four men, women and children stood cramped in the market place, wondering why their Comte, who had never required their presence before, wanted of them now.
Athos looked around, his heart beating fast and hard in his chest, but his exterior not showing any of it. Looking over his shoulder, he could see his three brothers – Aramis supported by Porthos – standing next to Simone, being his moral as well as mental support. Just knowing they were standing there made his voice steadier.
"I want to thank all of you for taking the time out of your lives to listen to me, especially given the short notice you got. I know not all of you will want to listen to me, but my plea is not for my own good, it is for yours. Isaac is here. You all know of his presence. He is here because he believes himself to be the rightful heir of La Fére."
"Thomas should've been the rightful heir!" Someone in the massive crowd shouted, several voices immediately joining in. Athos played the cards they dealt, keeping his expression neutral.
"I agree. He would have cherished the title, and held it well. But he never did get the chance. It is my strong belief that if our parents had lived through the attack most of you so vividly remember, he would've at least have had the chance. Isaac took that away from him. And then Anne crushed all hope."
Athos took a quick moment to inhale.
"And Isaac is now working alongside her. She is here, in La Fére, helping him. And we need to stop them. I had her sentenced to death, and she deceived her way out of it, beyond my knowledge. She needs to be stopped. And for this I need your help. My men-" He paused to swing his arm in the direction of his comrades. "-are injured, and so am I. I have sent runners to gather information, and it appears that Isaac and Anne have close to 150 men following them. What you have seen in the raids has been a handful of their strength. When they all attack – and they will attack – it will be brutal, it will be violent and most of all it will be utterly merciless. The raid fifteen years ago will appear to be a ballroom dance in comparison. I will have no choice but to surrender the title, or pay with my life. If I were to pass, La Fére will belong to the Crown, and I will have no more say about your taxes."
Whispers shot through the crowd like wildfire, and Athos had to supress the smile twitching the corners of his lips. He knew he had hit a sour spot, because a lot of people had never paid their taxes, and he had never asked for it.
"I will not ask you to fight for my life. I will not ask you to fight for my comrades, nor will I ask you to fight for Thomas. What I want is for us all to unite in the one thing holding us together – and I will ask you to fight for La Fére. I am asking you to fight for your wives, your children, your homes and most of all your honour. We need to show Isaac that we will not let him bring us to our knees, that we can stand strong, united, and send him on his way. He did not protect La Fére when we needed him the most – and I do not intend to let him steal it from our hands now! So I don't care if you do not follow me – as long as you fight against Isaac."
"Yeah!" Porthos roared, never one to supress his feelings, feeling empowered and ready to fight by the sound of his leader's words. Athos turned to him for a second, before turning back to the crowd as they joined in on Porthos' battle cry.
The sound of a hundred men, women and children cheering at the same time was a sound Athos had not expected to ever hear of his townsmen, and it gave him the sensation that all of them actually had a chance of coming out of this whole mess alive. That maybe there would be a fight where they would not suffer tremendous losses.
Little did he know...
Athos heard the sounds of hooves first. Senses tingling, due to someone approaching. Placing the cards back to the table where he sat playing with Porthos and d'Artagnan – Aramis was sleeping on the couch – he got to his feet and walked over to the window. Looking out, he saw five rider approach in the distance, and he couldn't help but to sigh.
"Trouble?" Porthos asked, already reaching for his sword.
"Perhaps, but it's friendly trouble."
Porthos and d'Artagnan shot him a questioning look before Porthos got up and followed Athos as the leader walked towards the front doors, heaving them up. At the sight of who was riding up to them, Porthos suddenly understood what Athos meant. The five riders made it all the way to the doors, slowing to a halt, remaining quiet until Athos spoke.
"Good evening Captain."
Treville just raised an eyebrow at Athos as he opened the massive doors for them. Porthos showed up behind him, pushing past Athos.
"Lemme take y'horse Captian."
Treville just shook his head with fondness as he dismounted, giving the reins to Porthos, the other four Musketeers following him to the stables with their own horses.
Athos backed up, with his head bent down low as he let Treville inside the manor.
"Well this place is grand, I'll say." Treville said impressed as he looked around before walking up closely to Athos, standing close enough to feel each other's breaths on their faces. "I bet it has plenty of windows one can climb through."
"It does." Athos said, feeling his cheeks turn red, but as he carefully glanced up to meet Treville's eyes, they were soft and full of devotion.
"I assume the door would've been an easier option?"
"Certainly sir, but I promised not to walk out through the door, and I always keep a word of promise."
Treville smiled, shaking his head as he placed a hand on Athos' shoulder, before looking up with seriousness splattered across his face.
"Tell me what's going on."
It took Athos a couple of minutes, but he when he finished explaining the story, Treville was rubbing his face with his still glove-covered hands.
"The big battle will be tomorrow morning. Aramis is wounded, caused by a sword to his shoulder, but I believe he will be all right on the rooftops with a musket. D'Artagnan had his fair share of hurt as well so he will join Aramis. Porthos and myself will be on the frontline."
"So will I then. And I will send Pierre and Victor back to bring the rest of the regiment here. Let us put a stop to this Isaac."
Athos bowed his head slightly in appreciation. "I also have most of the townsmen behind me. We will not outnumber them but we will definitely put up a fight."
"Tonight we rest."
"Yes."
The pair walked inside the massive living room where the fire was cracking, and Aramis and d'Artagnan both had claimed a couch each. Treville's first impression was that they both looked worn to the bone. Tired, eyes glazed with pain, cuddled up underneath blankets. As Treville entered, both men motioned to stand, but Treville quickly pushed them both back down into the couches with nothing more than a stare. Treville walked up to Aramis first, worry shown in his eyes. Aramis met his glare and tried to comb it over.
"It… it will heal."
"Schiavona?" Treville asked. Rapiers usually didn't leave cuts too deep.
"Yes. And a giant of a man."
"I am glad you are alive."
"If Athos had not returned to us when he did, I wouldn't be."
Treville smiled, knowing his inseparables knew Athos had snuck out, and immediately defended their leader. Treville gave a nod in understanding before turning to d'Artagnan.
"I'm alright sir. Worst part passed I believe. Still a bit sore around the edges after practicing summersaults with Buttercup."
"Don't forget about dislocating your shoulder whilst kidnapped." Aramis – not so helpfully – added.
"And gettin kicked in t'back, leavin' one of the worst bruisin' I've ever seen." Porthos grinned as he walked inside with the other four men, their eyes ogling around at the impressive house.
Both Treville and Athos looked equally worried, but d'Artagnan's glare had them both smiling. They knew how much trouble the lad could get into, and still, he always seemed to be coming out on top.
And they certainly needed all hands on deck tomorrow. They all knew it would be bloodshed none of them were ever to forget.
In the last hour of the night, when the candle is gasping for air, Death will awaken, and ask for what you want. He'll be waiting in the darkness as it gathers throughout your house, he'll free you from all shadows, and he will blow out all your lights. Because life is only a loan, and you are a candle. Wherever it came from, it has been lit, just for you. Hold it as long as you can, life is about daring, and only a sparkle that burned, was still a light for me.
- Roughly translated from a song called "In the last hour of the night" (I nattens sista timma) by Nordman.