Just a few more chapters!

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It was the light shining in from the open window that startled Athos awake. He was still seated in the chair by the fire, the empty bottle of wine lying next to him on the table. He had not intended to fall asleep. He must have drifted off while waiting for Aramis.

Athos looked at Aramis' still made bed, a sense of panic beginning to grow in his chest. "Wake up," he said, throwing Porthos his doublet.

"We need to go. Now." He commanded.

"Wha?" asked Porthos groggily. "What time's it?"

"Morning. Aramis is missing. He did not return last night," stated Athos as he pulled on his boots.

Porthos bolted upright. "What d'ya mean?" he shouted, jamming his feet into his boots and struggling with the sleeves of his doublet. "Where is he?"

"I'm not sure," said Athos grimly. "He didn't return from the church last evening. Let us hope he simply fell asleep mid-prayer, but I feel something much fouler at work here."

Porthos growled and nodded as the two men burst from the room, Porthos tucking Aramis' pistols into his weapons' belt.

It wasn't difficult to find the church at the edge of the village. The doddering old priest was unhelpful; having retired early the night before he had no recollection of a man fitting Aramis' description entering the property. The duo's stress level heightened significantly when Porthos found Aramis' hat discarded in some shrubbery. The feeling doubled when Athos found blood as he shuffled some loose gravel near the stairs.

Without a word, the men leapt to their horses and headed toward the General's manor. As they approached the manor, the missing soldiers guarding the entrance were immediately obvious. They approached the door cautiously and were met by a flushed and terrified looking Annabella running for the door.

"Athos! Porthos!" she panted. "Where is Aramis?!" her eyes were wide and wild. In her hand she clenched a piece of parchment.

"We don't know. He was taken last night leaving the church and did not return to our room at the inn."

Annabella blanched dramatically. "Sit down," instructed Porthos as he helped her to a seat on the steps. "What's going on?" he said urgently, "Where are the soldiers?"

"I don't know," she wept running a hand through her hair. "After you left, I remained in my rooms for the remainder of the day. Father roused the household in the early morning demanding that his ship be prepared. He gave his men instructions that he would be heading out on the evening tide and then disappeared. I don't know what's going on!" she sobbed, trembling violently.

Porthos pulled her to him and stroked her dark hair as she sobbed into his chest.

"Where is his ship docked?" asked Athos.

"Just below at the pier," she replied shakily.

"Ok," responded Athos, tersely, but gently. "Where is Rene?"

"I made him hide," she choked. "He's hidden in the armoire in Aramis' old room. I told him to not come out for anyone unless it was me, one of you or Aramis."

"Good," said Athos. "He will be safe there." Annabella swallowed thickly, green eyes fighting for control of her tears. She pushed herself away from Porthos. "Athos," she said. "I found this." She handed the lieutenant the wrinkled parchment she had fisted in her hand.

"It's the message you delivered from the King. The King has decided to retire my father. He is taking his command from him. I think that's why he's leaving. He's panicking. I think he may have done something to Aramis because of this," she said desperately.

Athos finished scanning the letter and passed it to Porthos. "I fear you might be right," he replied. "For a man as proud as your father, his command means everything to him. And to have Aramis be the one delivering this information…"

"He's likely blaming Aramis for the King's decision," finished Porthos. "Right," he said. "We only have a few hours before the tide sets out. There's time yet."

Athos nodded. "Annabella, can you think of a place where your father may have taken Aramis?"

Annabella thought carefully. "Father would not have taken him from the premises…he would have wanted utter control over the situation. He commands his men, but he doesn't trust them…not with something personal like this. He doesn't trust anyone. Aramis is his weakness, and father is never weak, especially in front of his men, so I doubt that means there will be many guards. The men are all preparing the ship," she said, thinking hard, working her way through her Father's strategy.

"Charles!" she said suddenly. "Charles will be with him. I think I know where they may have taken him," she said and she leapt to her feet, running back into the house, the two musketeers at her heels.

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