The chow hall was filled with hungry Musketeers yet there was a noticeable one missing. Captain Tréville made a mental note to check on his lieutenant later, after the morning muster. However, the captain soon became distracted by duties requiring immediate attention and his concern for Athos was momentarily forgotten.
It was later when the captain passed through the courtyard and by the empty table favored by his best Musketeers that he remembered he hadn't seen Athos all morning. In addition, his concern for the missing set of men, sent on a very dangerous and covert mission, grew with each passing hour.
Tréville turned on his heel then headed in the direction of Athos' room. He knocked lightly on the door but heard no movement or call to enter from within. The captain opened the door to find the room empty and clean with the bed neatly made. The captain stopped in his tracks when he noticed the Musketeer's sword was missing, as were his other weapons; also missing were his doublet, hat, and weapons belt.
"Athos, what have you done?" Captain Tréville voiced aloud to the empty room. "Don't tell me you went after your missing brothers alone and in your condition," he frowned. "Well, I better tell the search party to add Athos to the list of missing Musketeers. Dammit, Aramis, I could really use your help right now." Tréville shook his head as he left Athos' room, shutting the door behind him.
Aramis and Athos rode without incident for a few hours before the medic began to visibly wane by swaying in the saddle, barely able to keep his seat.
Athos blew out a breath of relief as he saw the city of Orléans just ahead. "We will stop in Orléans so a physician can have a look at you and so you can get something to eat," the lieutenant informed the marksman as he watched him with worry etched on his face.
"I'm fine." Aramis objected, straightening in his saddle at the suggestion. "We need to get to Blois; we don't have time for a picnic." The words came out harsher than he meant, but the pain was almost unbearable and it was making him sullen and cranky. "Besides, haven't you been riding since Paris? When was the last time you had anything to eat?"
Athos took a deep breath, ready to protest the protest when his breath hitched suddenly in his chest. The Musketeer leaned over in his saddle and coughed so hard he couldn't breathe. He pounded his fist on his knee in aggravation as he tried to catch his breath, but the hacking coughs continued to steal his breath away.
Aramis rode next to Athos then reached over to pound him on the back. "Breathe, Athos," he soothed.
"Look at me, Athos," the medic ordered. "You need to breathe with me, just like we did before." Aramis assisted Athos, coaching him by exhaling slow breaths through his mouth, followed by inhaling shallow breaths through his nose. "That's it, keep breathing with me."
With Aramis' help, Athos was able to control his breathing and stop coughing; however, the ordeal left him weak and lethargic. "Where do you want us to go?" Aramis asked as they were about to enter the city.
"I don't know. . ." Athos responded sluggishly. Since his coughing fit, Athos' focus wavered with lack of purpose and direction.
"Cécile lives very close by." Aramis made the decision for Athos. "She will know a good physician or, at the very least, she is an excellent nurse and can help get us fixed up for the rest of our journey to Blois."
Athos didn't speak but merely nodded his agreement, worrying the medic. Aramis temporarily forgot his own afflictions as his focus now squared on his sick friend; he watched as droplets of sweat ran down the lieutenant's flushed face.
The Musketeers arrived at Cécile's house and before they could even dismount the nurse came rushing out, having seen Aramis through her window.
"Aramis, what are you doing here?" The nurse gasped in horror when the medic turned toward her and she saw his bruised and bleeding face. "Mother Mary, what happened to you?" Cécile also noticed the flushed and sweaty face of Athos, realizing instantly that he traveled here far too soon after his recovery from catarrh.
"Both of you gentlemen are in no condition to be riding anywhere," Cécile scolded.
"I know that, but it is irrelevant at the moment, Cécile," Aramis countered. "Do you know a physician who can help us?"
"Actually, I know a physician who would normally help but he is quite busy with a docking accident that happened this morning," Cécile shook her head.
"Damn," Aramis cursed under his breath.
"Oh, your friends, Doctors Berteau and Molyneux, will be arriving in town tomorrow from Chamarande for a clinic inspection," Cécile added. "But that doesn't help you boys right now, does it?" her voice lowered with disappointment.
"No, it doesn't, Mademoiselle," Athos replied, swaying in the saddle.
"I have plenty of supplies inside," the nurse suggested. "Why don't you let me take a look at you; I'll see if I can patch both of you boys up."
Athos slid from his horse to the aid of Aramis, who found it nearly impossible to dismount his horse on his own—unless he fell off.
Cécile ran over to help Athos as he gently pulled the medic from his horse. Aramis let out a cry as pain shot through his ribs, making his breath catch. Excruciating pain coursed through his chest from his ribs and bruised muscles, causing the medic to give in to the blessed darkness.
Athos caught the falling Aramis in his arms and carried him into the house, following behind Cécile's lead. "Lay him here on the bed," she instructed.
"I'll go get the medical bag and towels," she said as she turned to grab a bucket. "If you wouldn't mind drawing some water, we can get started tending his wounds."
Once all the necessary supplies had been gathered, Athos and Cécile traded worried glances before beginning their ministrations on Aramis.
First they removed the medic's weapons belt, followed by his sash and doublet, and then his shirt. Both caregivers could not hold back the gasps of shock at seeing Aramis' bloodied and bruised torso; appalled at the damage, they shook their heads in dismay.
Aramis' entire right side was covered in blood—obviously injured the worst—so the nurse began her examination there. "Looks like a musket ball passed through his side," she determined. "See, it entered from the back," she pointed, "and here is the exit wound just under his rib, based on the ragged nature of the skin."
Athos helped her position Aramis on his side to examine the entry wound on his back. "We'll have to clean this wound out and make sure no debris from his shirt entered with the ball; I have a poultice we can put on it before wrapping the wound with bandages."
Athos nodded as he turned away, covering his mouth as he coughed again. He took in a few shallow breaths then cleared his throat before turning back to Aramis and the nurse.
Gently rolling Aramis back over, the nurse examined his ribs by carefully feeling for broken bones. "I think we have a broken rib, and possibly another cracked one. . . no, two cracked ribs."
"Is that a boot print?" Athos asked as he pointed to a large bruise forming over the cracked ribs; the mark certainly matched the shape of man's boot, as though the imprint had made its mark in mud.
"Dammit to. . ." Athos growled. He was soon interrupted as an onslaught of uncontrollable coughing began, doubling the Musketeer over at the waist. The grueling coughing fit left him wheezing with his face turning a deep shade of red.
"Athos, you should really be under a physician's care." Cécile shook her head, her eyes full of concern. "Does Doctor Molyneux know that you took this ride here today?"
Athos shook his head, still too breathless and wheezy to speak.
"I didn't think so," Cécile deadpanned. "I know the doctor would never agree to you traveling anywhere in this condition. Where were you and Aramis going anyway, if it's alright for me to ask?"
Athos cleared his throat and took a breath through his nose, letting the air out slowly through his mouth; he repeated the exercise, before answering the nurse. "Porthos and d'Artagnan are missing; we both feel that something bad has happened to them and we mean to find them."
"Oh God," Cécile gasped. "Aramis had a nightmare about Porthos and d'Artagnan, which is why he left early." The nurse groaned with dread, "he said something about a firing squad!"
"We don't know anything yet, just what he saw in his dream and my feeling that something was wrong." Athos scrubbed a hand over his face. "We have got to get going; time is a luxury we cannot afford to waste."
"Athos, I understand the dire situation you boys are in. I understand the urgency you feel in finding your brothers," Cecile paused, "but he's in no condition to go anywhere, let alone fight anyone. . . if it comes to that."
"Then I will set out on my own immediately." Athos turned to retrieve his hat; the lieutenant stopped mid-stride when Aramis awakened, grunting at hearing Athos' declaration to leave.
"You are not going anywhere; not without me, anyway," Aramis countered. "Especially with that cough of yours," he motioned his chin toward Athos' chest.
Athos opened his mouth to protest but once again was cut off with a fit of coughing.
"Aramis, you have a broken rib and possibly two cracked ribs. You also have this gunshot wound," the nurse paused, "and all these bruises." Cécile shook her head as she glanced over the many bruises covering his skin.
"Just fix me up the best you can so we can go." Aramis closed his eyes. "And if you have something to give Athos to help with his cough, that would be even better."
"I don't like this—not one bit—I'll have you know!" Cécile scolded as she began washing the blood from Aramis' side.
The medic lay with his eyes closed quietly, as though sleeping, except for an occasional wince or gasp hissing through his teeth while being tended. "Sorry," the nurse whispered an apology each time she caused pain.
"Athos, hand me that bottle there," Cécile motioned to a large bottle of liquid. The nurse poured the liquid over the cleaned gunshot wound in the front and, with Athos' help in turning the patient, also on his back. She soaked a cloth with the liquid and proceeded to wash over the many bruises scattered across his torso and face.
"What is that?" Athos asked, pointing to the bottle.
"This is witch hazel," she answered. "It works wonders as an astringent and an anti-inflammatory agent; meaning, it will kill bacteria in the wound and help reduce swelling and bruising."
Athos sipped slowly on hot chamomile tea as the nurse continued her ministrations on Aramis, talking nonstop as she worked.
"I will also put a poultice of marshmallow root and juniper leaves on this gunshot wound," she informed as she applied the poultice. "The root pulls away toxins from the wound and the leaves will help keep it to heal faster."
"There, I think that should do it," the nurse said. Cécile smiled, satisfied that the medic's wounds were now cleaned, treated and his ribs tightly bandaged. She then proceeded to instruct Athos to the particulars of the medicines and supplies she would be sending with them on their trip.
"I will send you boys with a bag filled with medicine for Aramis and for your friends, if needed," she paused. "I will also include bandages and extra poultice for Aramis' gunshot wound."
Athos nodded quietly as he coughed a few times; he took another sip of tea to coat his throat, clearing it impatiently. "Thank you," he rasped.
"I'll also include some more chamomile and licorice for your cough."
Aramis huffed in amusement and shook his head at the stubbornness of his friend.
"Thank you, Cécile, for all that you have done for us." Athos smiled as he kissed her hand softly.
"You are welcome. Of course, it was my pleasure." Cécile kissed his cheek. "Please look after Aramis for me," she whispered in his ear.
"You know I will, Cécile," Athos replied with a smile, still holding the nurse's hand.
"Yes, I do know actually," she smiled back. "Promise me that you will take care of yourself too; it is quite possible that bronchitis is developing in your lungs, which is why your cough is worsening. If you don't take proper care of that cough, it could lead to pneumonia."
"Alright," Athos nodded. "I promise," he answered unconvincingly.
"Yeah, and I promise to make sure that he keeps his promise to take care of that cough," Aramis added with a wry smile.
Athos shook his head, letting that last comment go, as he helped Aramis stand to his feet. The medic swayed, but the lieutenant was a steady support until the dizziness passed and he could stand on his own without help.
Athos went outside to secure the bag of medicine on his saddle while Aramis and Cécile talked privately inside.
"Thank you for taking care of us." Aramis kissed Cécile's lips gently. "Try not to worry about me," he whispered between kisses. "I'm fine now, thanks to you."
"How can I not worry when you are riding off into a possible fight for your missing brothers in your condition?"
"I promise to take it easy and to not exert myself more than necessary," he smiled as he kissed her forehead softly. "I promise to return to you—safe and sound—you'll see."
"You better stay safe, Aramis," the nurse cupped his cheek. "I expect you to keep your promise and return to me."
Aramis and Cécile kissed again, finally parting as he turned to leave. The nurse followed behind him, her eyes welling up with tears as she watched him slowly mount his horse. He stifled a groan at the throbbing pain in his ribs; though he tried to keep his face neutral, he was fooling no one.
The marksman took one last look behind him then waved as he turned his horse to follow Athos on the road west to Blois. He silently promised himself that he would do everything humanly possible to find his missing brothers, leaving no stone unturned and no building unchecked. No matter how long it took, they would not stop searching.
As if reading his friend's mind, Athos nodded in agreement. "We will cover every inch of ground, if necessary, in our search for Porthos and d'Artagnan; we will not rest until we've found them."
Athos choked back the cough he felt rising in his chest; he breathed slowly through his nose to calm his aching lungs. Despite the discomfort in his chest and the possibility of his illness worsening, Athos vowed to help his friends; even at the cost of his own health—his own life—if necessary.
Porthos and d'Artagnan were out there somewhere nearby and Athos somehow knew this deep down inside. The Musketeer also knew they were in danger, quite possibly fighting for their lives; there was no time to waste if they were to be found alive.
Athos kicked his horse to go faster—determined to find his friends in time—and praying they weren't already too late.
I promise that I will search for you, my brothers. I will do everything in my power to find you and bring you home safe. No matter what it costs me. I promise, I will find you.
A/N:
** Special Note **
I put Cécile's explanation of the witch hazel into the dialogue more for you, the reader, to learn the benefits of the herb Cécile was using without interrupting the story. They may not have used the terms "astringent" or "anti-inflammatory" in the 17th century, but we know what these medical terms mean, and it makes for easier understanding of the story to insert the modern terms.
Herbs used for healing in the story:
Marshmallow Root: marshmallow root is great for drawing out toxins and other bacteria found in wounds when used as a poultice. It shortens healing time by drawing out impurities.
Chamomile: chamomile is one of the most ancient medicinal herbs known to mankind. The herb has relaxing properties, as well as healing properties; and in some studies, it has proved to work better than corticosteroids. Chamomile tea bags can be used directly on wounds, covered with bandages, to help your wound heal faster. The tea is great for helping to rid a stubborn cough.
Witch Hazel: witch hazel is a wonderful astringent with anti-inflammatory properties that soothe and heal open wounds. WH can be applied directly to cuts and bruises to reduce swelling and speed recovery time. It can also help control bleeding.
Juniper leaves/berries: juniper is very useful in the treatment of inflamed joints and wounds. The berries are very rich in vitamins B and C, which helps speed recovery time. Juniper also contains anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties, which is great for skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
Licorice: Licorice root has been used for centuries to soothe and relieve coughing and various other ailments affecting the respiratory and digestive tracts. The sweet herb makes an excellent tea that relieves tickling and itching in the throat and upper chest that is often the trigger for coughing