Evening My Lovelies.

I'm quite a fan of this chapter so I'm really hoping you all like what happens within it. We're getting close to being back with our pup, only 2 more chapters to go!

I'm currently working on a later chapter and god good is it being annoying! I know exactly what I want to happen in it but it doesn't seem to want to transfer from my mind to the page... its very frustrating :( Probably doesn't help that the chapter I'm working on is turning out completely different to what I had originally planned as I had an evil epiphany :D We have a little while until we get to that point though so hopefully I'll be passed this annoying block by that point.

Notes On Reviews:

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Oh things are REALLY bad for our pup and have gotten worse since I've had the dark/evil epiphany mentioned above :D I'm glad you're enjoying the banter, its something I really enjoy writing but also worry about. I seem to be doing good with keeping everyone in character when it comes to banter so that's a good thing :D As for Quentin and his boys? You'll have to read and find out :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Not that they know it yet but yes :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - :( that's not good, is your head feeling a bit better now? I'm grateful for any reviews I get so the fact you reviewed when not feeling well made me smile so thank you for that. They'll be finding the pup soon I promise. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - When Porthos and Aramis get to bantering it certainly is a lot of fun :D I'm sooo glad you're excited to see the return of Issac . Him and Favier will be disappearing for a bit after this chapter but they'll be back before too long I promise. I'm Soooo happy you like my stories so much, really makes all the work worth it when I get comments like that so thank you! Enjoy the new chapter! x

GoGirl212: Thanks for the review - Don't worry we'll get to chapter 9 before you know it... plus there should be enough between now and then to keep you satisfied until we reach it :D Issac and Favier will be disappearing for a bit after today but I wanted the boys to have more easy to reach back up available so they'll be back before too long. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Glad you're liking the banter even with the lack of D'Art (not that he's in any condition to banter at present *cackles evilly*) Hopefully what's happening in the next couple of chapters will be enough to tide you over until our Gascon returns to the story. I'm going to neither confirm nor deny whether Issac and Favier's mission is related, you'll have to wait and find out :) (oh I'm feeling mean today) Enjoy the new chapter! x

IsubiCraven: Thanks for the review - I'm glad you're enjoying it so far :D Hopefully I can keep it up so you'll continue to enjoy it just as much. Issac and Favier will help with D'Art but they wont be the ones finding him first. Enjoy the new chapter! x

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Oh the story's definitely going to get complicated very soon :D haha I'm all for you ending reviews with a line from a song :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Issac and Favier have definitely seen better days but they'll be okay for now. They're going to be disappearing from the story for a little bit after tonights chapter, though they will be back before too long :) D'Art should get some sort of award for how much trouble he gets himself into :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Unfortunately for our boy he's managed to get himself into more trouble then even he's currently aware of... though it's hardly his fault. You'll have to wait and see if Issac and Favier's mission is related. I don't want to spoil anything by confirming either way. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I couldn't resist the stable boys getting all excited over musketeers :D Poor Athos has D'Art on the brain so nearly everything is reminding him of him at the moment. I'm glad you're happy to see Issac and Favier as they'll be our boy's back up later on. As for Quentin... you'll have to wait and see if the matters are linked, though I will say that Antoine is important, especially to Issac and Favier. Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Seven: The Dark Truth Behind Darker Rumors

Thankfully for the men the rain had stopped come the following morning and they were able to continue on their journey.

Both Issac and Favier had picked up on the tense atmosphere surrounding the three senior inseparables and had taken to swapping ridiculous stories with the three of them in hopes of lightening their moods and allowing them a brief respite from their worries.

"I kid you not," smirked Favier, his smirk only growing as both Aramis and Porthos exploded with laughter as the man's description of a mission they had gone where Issac had somehow ended up in women's clothing and having to fight off the attentions of a very persistent, very drunk merchant.

"I'm sure you made a stunning woman my friend," sniggered Aramis as he tried to reign in his amusement, though it became increasingly difficult to do when he saw the embarrassed blush on the other musketeer's face.

"Real beauty this one," smirked Favier as he slung his arm over his brother's shoulders, laughing as it was shrugged off with a glare.

Unwilling to let the two men beat them Porthos smirked, "We ever tell you of the time we convinced Constance to pretend to be a prostitute?"

Both Issac and Favier's eyes widened almost comically as they took in what he was saying.

"You got Madame Bonacieux to pretend to be a prostitute?" exclaimed Issac

"We're talking about the same woman right?" asked Favier with wide, amusement-filled eyes, "Fiery red-head, likes to slap Aramis?"

Out of instinct the medic's hand came up to lightly rub his frequently abused cheek, his lips curving into a grin as he nodded, "the very same."

"Now this we've got to hear," demanded Favier as each man gave the larger musketeer, who was now sporting quite a smug grin, his complete attention.

While Porthos spun the tale Aramis urged his horse forward so he was riding next to Athos, the medic's eyes filling with worry as he noted the expression on his beloved brother's face.

"Athos?" he called softly, ensuring his voice could only be heard by the two of them.

When Athos failed to respond Aramis placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, startling the swordsman out of his thoughts. "Talk to me Athos," pleaded the medic quietly. "Don't shut us out brother."

For a few moments Aramis thought his pleas would continue to go unanswered until he heard a soft voice reply to him.

"What if we are too late Aramis?" Athos asked quietly, almost silently voicing the fear that had been dwelling on his mind since he learned of D'Artagnan's disappearance.

"We wont be," replied the medic, his voice sure and firm as he tightened his grip on Athos's shoulder. "We trained D'Artagnan ourselves, plus he knew Treville would send people out after him if he failed to return. All we have to do is to have faith in the training we have given him and his own strength of will to hold out until we arrive and can help."

Athos mulled over the words for a few minutes but either they, or the tone Aramis said them in, seemed to have done the job as the sharpshooter felt his brother's body relax ever so slightly under his grip.

"ATHOS!" called Favier, as he and Issac sent apologetic looks towards the three men. "This is where we have to leave you my friend."

Athos nodded and turned to properly face the two men. "Our thanks for the assistance this far."

Both musketeers looked displeased, clearly unhappy they couldn't do more to aid the search.

"Look," sighed Issac after sharing a silent conversation with Favier. "Quentin's not making any real effort to hide, you need back up? You come find us, we will not abandon you."

Smiling genuinely in thanks Athos shook both men's hands before the two departed to continue on their own mission.

"How much longer until we reach the whelp's village?" asked Porthos as the trio settled down at an inn for the night.

They had successfully made it to the Gascony border, albeit slightly later then they had planned thanks to the road conditions due to the recent rainfall. The group had wanted to continue but was unwilling to risk the damaged roads in poor light.

"Day and a half, maybe two with the roads the way they are," informed Aramis as he eased himself into the chair, grateful, despite the situation, to be off of his horse and to give his sore muscles a much-needed break.

"We'll leave at first light," stated Athos as he flagged down a barmaid for some wine. "We need to make up as much time as we can. I don't like how much this rain has delayed us."

"You and me both," grumbled Porthos in agreement, just thinking of the fact that, had the rain not delayed them, they could have returned from their previous mission before the lockdown was even in place and could have ridden out much sooner.

"Did you hear?" said a voice a few tables away, somehow catching the attention of the medic, who was always an eager ear for gossip.

"I know," muttered another voice, the disbelief and slight fear and sadness in his voice causing Aramis to sit up straighter in his seat, a movement that was not missed by his brothers who watched the man inquisitively, but were stopped from questioning when the sharpshooter raised his hand absently to silence them.

"The whole village I heard," continued the second voice, unknowingly causing his eavesdropping audience to tense at his words.

No longer bothered about propriety, Aramis turned in his chair to observe the two men at the table, a sickening feeling settling in his gut as he watched and listened to them.

The first man shook his head, "Philippe said some escaped, not many but the village itself…"

Without another word Aramis rose from his seat and moved to the men's tables, ensuring his pauldron was clear for them to see as he approached.

"Excuse me gentlemen," nodded the medic, relaxing slightly when the men greeted him warmly, if with a bit of confusion as to his presence. "I couldn't help but overhear what you were discussing and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind elaborating for me."

When the two men, who now looked a little nervous to be talking about it, eventually nodded Aramis slid into the spare chair at their table, completely aware of his brother's watchful gaze on his back despite his focus on the story being told to him.

"Rumor is," stated the first man as he leaned in close to the musketeer, "bandits attacked a village not too far from here."

"Burned it to the ground and slaughtered everyone," added the second man, mimicking his companion's actions by leaning forward and lowering his voice.

"Well everyone except for a handful apparently," retorted the first, glaring lightly at the second man for forgetting that even though he had only just said it.

Before Aramis could question the story the second man snorted, "In an attack like that? There's no way anyone survived, even if everyone fought back – farmers with ploughs and pitchforks are no match for heavily armed bandits."

"Do you know the name of the village that was attacked at all?" asked Aramis quietly, sickening dread filling him as he waited for the answer.

The first man raised an eyebrow, "Why's a musketeer want to know? Usually your lot doesn't come this far from Paris. Were you sent to investigate it or something?"

Aramis shook his head, "Unfortunately this is the first we had heard of trouble in the area. We are riding to help out a friend who lives in one of the neighboring villages."

The men's faces instantly filled with sympathy as they realized why the musketeer had come asking for information.

"I'm sorry," said the second man, "None of the people we've heard speaking about it have mentioned the village's name."

Aramis swallowed the lump in his throat, reminding himself, as he stood, that the lack of a name didn't mean it was D'Artagnan's village, but all he could think as he returned to his brothers was how firmly the men had believed the death of the village's occupants.

"…'Mis?" asked Porthos worriedly as he and Athos watched their brother return.

"Not here," said Aramis as he shook his head, turning on his heel to head towards their room for the night, not checking that his brothers were following, simply knowing they were.

When they were alone in the room Aramis filled them in on what he had learned during his conversation, instantly noting that both of his brother's minds had gone to the same place as his.

"There's no way to be certain of course," said Aramis softly as he sat on the floor fiddling with the buckle on his boots. "Not until we reach the village itself."

Athos nodded, forcing himself to push down the growing fear and dread building in his stomach. "Get some sleep, we ride hard at first light."

None of the men were able to sleep much that night, nor the nights that followed. The fear that the rumor had not only been true but had involved D'Artagnan's village was too much for them to ignore.

They had come to a silent agreement to avoid stopping in any of the villages they passed through on their way to Lupiac, not wanting to hear more about the massacre.

Unfortunately for the musketeers, the chances that the Lupiac had been the village mentioned in the rumor increased with every intact village they passed through, something that did little to help the growing tension surrounding the men.

During the first part of their ride they had tried to keep their spirits up, hope burning strong as they rode as fast as their horses could carry them and as hard as the damaged roads would allow. After passing through several small hamlets that appeared untouched by any form of violence that hope began to dim and the easy banter between them had turned forced and sparse until it eventually stopped all together, each man lost in his thoughts, their eyes firmly locked on the horizon as they rode on.

"No…" breathed the three men as one, their eyes widening in horror as they spoke for the first time that day.

"D'ARTAGNAN!" roared Athos as he spurred his horse on, not even waiting for his brothers as he rushed into the destroyed village. The need to confirm his youngest brother was alive consuming all thoughts.

Mere moments later saw Aramis and Porthos joining the search, their voices full of pain and disgust as they took in the scene in front of them.

The rumor had not been wrong but nothing they had learned had prepared them for what they were seeing.

Almost all of the homes were nothing more than burnt out shells, the smell of burnt wood and flesh still heavy in the air as bodies lined the ground… not as many as they had been expecting, which gave them hope, but enough to ignite the anger in their hearts.

"Fan out," ordered Athos, his words sharp and his eyes full of pain he was barely managing to push down. "There may yet be survivors, we owe D'Artagnan to help his people as much as we can."

The mention of their missing brother's name was enough to spur the men into pushing aside their near crippling grief and concern as they began sorting through the wreckage for any survivors.

"This aint no villager," mused Porthos with barely veiled disgust, prodding the deceased man with the toe of his boot as he took in the finer clothing and weaponry he was sporting.

"They fought back," breathed Aramis and he came to his brother's side, observing the man on the ground, hoping for some way to identify him so they could get justice for the people he and his friends had attacked.

"Or the whelp did," muttered Porthos as he pulled a familiar blade from the dead man's back, holding it out for Aramis and Athos, who had wandered over, to see.

"So he was here for this," sighed Athos, the small hope he had held in his heart that maybe for some reason his brother hadn't been present for the destruction on his home vanishing the second his eyes settled on the blade.

"That doesn't explain where he is now though," said Aramis, frustration leaking into his voice as he pushed himself back up so he was no longer crouched. "D'Artagnan's involvement could explain why there aren't as many dead villagers as you'd expect in an attack like this… but I very much doubt he could hold off a force like the one that attacked here for very long, especially on his own."

The group fell silent once more as they tried to piece together what had happened and where their young brother was.

"The forest," stated Porthos after a few minutes of silence, instantly gaining his brother's attention, though his was focused entirely on the forest not too far from the village. "His home's on fire and men are attacking, the whelp would be trying to get as many as he could to safety."

Aramis straightened, a sliver of hope once again entering his eyes. "D'Artagnan did mention once how he spent a great deal of his childhood exploring the forest by his home…"

Porthos nodded, "Meaning the whelp knows how to navigate through them and the places to hide."

"Do one final sweep for survivors," ordered Athos as he glared hard at the dead man by their feet, "then we'll move to the forest."