Evening My Lovelies
We've reached over 10k views on this story :D I'm absolutely loving how well this story is doing so far and am hoping you'll all continue to support it and stick with me for the rest of it :D
We're back with our boys Porthos and Athos today though we do get to see a bit of Aramis and D'Art as well.
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - Yeah our Aramis is stretching himself quite thin with everything he's trying to do, though with D'Art out of commission like he is he feels its his job so he'll push on regardless. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - It was a surprise for Aramis that's for sure. I wasn't originally going to have Remy be this sort of nice guy and I still haven't quite decided if he is actually genuine or just messing about but I kinda like it, it means I can write banter moments between the two to make up for the lacking banter with him and Porthos being separated lol. We'll be seeing what Quentin wants with a musketeer very soon and hopefully it'll be worth this whole suspension. As for whether the rat was D'Art's uncle? you'll be finding that out very soon too :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
IsubiCraven: Thanks for the review - Oooh but now you've got me all curious and wanting to know what it is! Glad you're enjoying the story so far. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I quite like Remy too, I wasn't expecting to. I only gave him a name so I could stop referring to him as "the bandit" but then he started bantering with Aramis and he's growing on me. I haven't decided if he's going to be a good guy genuinely or not but I could see Aramis letting him live for helping him out like he has... We'll see. Supplies for our boys are running low but they might be alright as our boys are riding to the rescue. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - I'm really enjoying writing all the Aramis/D'Art moments so I'm really glad you're enjoying reading them. Part of Aramis does realize that but it's being silenced by the part that's too busy worrying over D'Art to think logically. Remy's become quite interesting I'll admit. He was only really given a name so I could stop referring to him as "the bandit" but he's beginning to grow on me. We'll be learning who the mystery man is very soon. Aramis is going to have to come clean to D'Art very soon and yeah Porthos and Athos have the medic's other supplies. Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Wordys good :) We'll be finding out who the man is very soon so I wont keep you in suspense for too long. Yeah this whole ordeal is definitely going to change D'Art, he's going to have quite the recovery, both physically and mentally but he'll have his brothers, they'll help. Thinking Aramis might also have some nightmares after all this ... Oooh now thats given me a devilish idea! :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked the banter. I wasn't planning the banter, it sort of just happened but I'm sooo glad it did as I LOVE it :D Aramis is developing a list and it's growing... We have Quentin, Remy (though he may get moved down considering he's kinda being nice/helpful to him), our mystery man and a new person I'll be mentioning in a few chapters time :D Quentin's definitely a piece of work and we'll be seeing more of his evil thinking/ways in coming chapters. Enjoy the new chapters! x
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Don't get too comfortable with Remy being a good guy, I havent decided how helpful or true his intentions truly are. Oh Athos is out for blood right now, as is Porthos. I'd pity any bandits they sent out after them with the current mindset our boys are in. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Protective Aramis is so cute and such fun to write I'm really happy you're enjoying reading it. Unfortunately he's not going to be able to keep everything hidden from our pup for much longer and D'Art's not going to be happy when he finds out. The person who seemed familiar is the man they brought into camp not Quentin, sorry if that confused you... Though we'll be finding out who he is very soon. I'm absolutely loving D'Arty and am trying to figure out a situation where I can bring it into the actual story... I'm thinking maybe Aramis can get really really drunk... he seems like the sort of person that might call him D'Arty lol XD Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Aramis not taking care of himself is going to come back to bite him quite soon. Remy's been surprisingly helpful but I'm not sure how genuine that help actually is... we'll see. D'Art will beginning to improve soon I promise! Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - That it is ;D We've got a fair amount of stuff happening today, plus some really evil moments coming up in later chapters that I've just thought of adding :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I'm a bit surprised with Remy. Originally I just gave him a name so I could stop referring to him as "the bandit" but then my muse decided to have him banter with Aramis and he's started to grow on me. I'm not entirely sure if he's genuine in his desire to help or if he's just doing it for amusement. In my mind he's genuinely curious by the relationship between Aramis and D'Art and how protective Aramis is over him so he wants to help so he can see more of it. Plus he find's Aramis amusing so is happy to help out for that simple fact but as to whether he'll help when things go south is currently undecided... though I could see Aramis being merciful to him for the help he's given so he might not die. Puppy D'Art is too damn adorable to write, the mental picture I get when writing a scene is distracting when puppy D'Art's involved :D We're getting another cute moment between him and Aramis today so you have that to look forward to. As for our rat, we'll be learning for definite who he is very soon so stay tuned for that. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - You have excellent timing my friend as I had just started to write my review responses when yours came through :D D'Artagnan definitely needs Aramis and the medic refusing to take proper care of himself is not helping matters but unfortunately our medic is too busy worrying over D'Art to really see that. Remy's interesting, I'm quite intrigued by how I can develop his character :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Seventeen: Moving Out
"We should be coming with you!" exclaimed Corinne as she tried valiantly to remove a bag of supplies from the senior musketeer's grip. "He's my blood! If my father is truly gone then he's all I have. I need to find him!"
"Your presence will only complicate matters and waste time we do not have the luxury of spending," replied Athos stoically as he retained grip on the bag, moving to attach it to the saddle of Aramis's mare. "You and Maria m-"
"Need to be with you!" pleaded the younger women, tears of frustration and worry building in her eyes.
Athos let out a sigh and simply continued preparing their horses for the long travel, ignoring, for the most part, the desperate pleading of the younger woman as he worked.
"ENOUGH!" he roared several minutes later, startling both Corinne and Maria who had just returned at that moment from collecting water with Porthos.
While Corinne was stunned into silence Athos let his anger and worry dictate his words as he focused on not punching something like he desperately wanted to.
"The two of you will be nothing more than a liability. Porthos and myself need to ride hard and without stopping if we're to reach the camp before they move on again and we can't do that if some part of us is worried about you keeping up." At this Corinne's mouth opened ready to retort but Athos cut her off before she could even start. "There is no way these bandits took D'Artagnan without some kind of fight from Aramis, meaning they are both injured now and our complete focus needs to be on getting them out and safe. NOT watching you! Both of you could and would be used as leverage over D'Artagnan, which in turn would give whoever's taken him leverage over us and that is something I cannot, and will not allow. We're already going there knowing we're likely going to be outnumbered, do not ask me to lower our chances of success by bringing you with us. Now get on the horse!"
By the end of his rant Porthos was staring sadly at the women, silently agreeing with every valid point his brother was making while the tears Corinne had fought so hard to keep from falling were now streaming down her face.
Maria was the surprise as she simply finished what she had been doing before pulling the younger woman into her arms and pulling her over to the horse.
"Where to monsieur?" she asked Athos quietly, worry clear in her voice as she spoke. "Neither of us are familiar with the safest ways to Paris, nor our we willing to go that far away from Charles. He may be your brother monsieur's but Corinne is his blood and I practically raised that boy."
"There's a village," spoke Porthos, his eyes glowing with pride at the elder woman's words. "It was the last one we passed before reaching Lupiac, about four hours or so hard ride."
Maria nodded, "Yes I know it. We will find lodgings at the inn there. Please come find us as soon as you have news."
Letting out another sigh, this one of relief Athos nodded and handed over a small pouch of coins. "If you can, send word to Captain Treville in Paris. The sooner he knows of this the better chance we have."
Gripping the pouch tightly in her hand Maria nodded sharply before mounting the horse. "You have my word monsieur… Good luck."
"So," mused Porthos a few minutes later once they were sure the two women were well on their way. Despite the casual tone to his voice Athos could see the tenseness of his brother's shoulders. "Plan?"
Their chat with the captured bandit had been successful as they had been able to get the man to tell them the location of the camp where they were likely holding their missing brothers… Only for the man to then add that there was every chance the camp would be moving on soon now that they had what they had come for, namely D'Artagnan.
This meant they had very little time to plan out a strategy and were largely relying on their ability to adapt to new situations as they arrived. It also meant they had to leave as soon as possible, hence their rushed send off of their female companions.
Unfortunately it was after the bandit had made the location admission that sense seemed to return to his head as he realized what he had give up and to whom. He seemed to instantly know what would happen to him if, by some miracle, he found his way back to camp. Deciding to choose his own fate rather than the elaborate and painfully drawn out end his boss would insist on him he had begged the musketeer's to kill him, promising he had told them everything and thus had no other use.
When the two men refused, not ones to kill an unarmed and restrained man, despite how much they desperately wanted to, the bandit panicked and launched himself at the nearest man, in this case Porthos, in the desperate hope that he could either get a hand on a weapon and end it himself or could force the musketeer's hand to do it for him.
As it happened the latter turned out to be true as the bandit was killed during a struggle for Porthos's dagger, leaving the musketeer to guiltily worry he had killed their only lead to their two missing brothers.
"Let's just get to the camp first," stated Athos as he and Porthos mounted their own horses. "If we can get them out stealthily that would be the preferred option. We can hunt down the men responsible later if we must be we can not bring back the dead, nor rescue if we too are in chains."
Porthos nodded, saying nothing as he and his brother urged their horses onwards, both praying equally hard that they weren't too late.
Aramis awoke to the sound of metal clanging and orders being hollered. Cursing himself for having fallen asleep, despite the fact he estimated he had only napped for a couple of hours, the medic forced his aching body to sit up, his eyes immediately seeking his brother.
Despite their worrying situation Aramis could not help the smile that tugged at his lips as he watched his youngest brother. Sometime during his nap the pair of them had gravitated towards each other and now the younger man was, despite the pain it was likely causing him, curled tightly against the medic's side, the boy's less injured hand lightly gripping his shirt while Aramis's own arms had somehow wrapped themselves around the younger man protectively while they had slept.
The smile faded pretty quickly however when he took note of the alarming heat coming from D'Artagnan's skin. The Gascon's fever was showing no signs of breaking and if anything seemed to be getting worse, which was the very last thing the boy's weak body needed.
Aramis also noted the faint dry tear tracks on his brother's cheeks and he felt his heart clench in regret and guilt that his brother had been crying in his sleep and he had simply slept on, completely unaware of his baby brother's suffering.
With a gentle touch Aramis edged himself out of D'Artagnan's hold, smiling fondly when the boy let out a small whine of protest as his warmth left.
Aramis was just about to inspect his supplies to see what he had left when the pounding sound of approaching footsteps had his aching body moving on instinct to cover the unconscious body of his brother.
"Good you're up," smirked the bandit Aramis had come to know as Remy. The marksman wasn't entirely sure as to what to make of the man, on the one hand he was cold and ruthless as he carried out his boss's orders and then on the other he was giving him supplies to tend to D'Artagnan and even tearing up his own cloak to bandage his bleeding shoulder.
"Do I get to know what's going on or are you just here to annoy me," sassed Aramis, the pain in his shoulder throbbing at an intensity that had his words coming out sharper than they probably should have been given who he was speaking to.
Luckily it seemed that Remy was unbothered and in fact a little amused by the medic snark as he simply smirked larger before nodding to D'Artagnan, not missing the way Aramis's frame tensed as he did so. "You have ten minutes to get him ready for travel, the camp's getting ready to move out."
Aramis's heart stopped at this piece of information, both because D'Artagnan was in no condition to be moved but also because it made his brother's rescue job that much harder.
"What?" exclaimed the medic, ideas whirling around his head as he tried to think of a way out of this or to, at the very least, leave some sign for his brothers. "Why? Where?"
Despite the urgency surrounding them it seemed that Remy had once again found Aramis's reactions amusing and thus had decided to actually answer.
"To the main compound," explained Remy as he eyed the musketeers with a small amount of concern. He would be lying if he said he regretted starting this acquaintance of sorts with the older musketeer. He was completely fascinated by the protective nature the man expressed towards the injured younger one. In his world it was kill or be killed, there was no time or chance to form any sort of trusting relationship with the people he worked with, definitely not to the point where he would take a blade to the back for them. So to see the musketeers embodying that sort of relationship intrigued him, he found the man's sass and bravado extremely amusing and his stubbornness was interesting to watch.
When he saw Aramis's face scrunch up in confusion he chuckled. "We don't camp out all the time. We'll be heading back and all the buyers will meet us there to pick up their purchases." Another chuckle escaped him at the anger and disgust that flashed across the musketeer's face before his attention was pulled by the younger one's whimper of pain.
"Eight minutes musketeer," he stated with a grin before returning to his job.
Thinking quickly Aramis dug through his bag, searching for anything remotely suitable for the task he had in mind, inwardly cheering when he found what he was looking for.
With a quick glace over his shoulder to make sure his next actions would go unnoticed the medic got to work, a small yet triumphant smirk playing at his lips when he was done.
"Five minutes musketeer!" called Remy over the noise of the camp. The bandit was ordering the rest of the men about, instructing them what cages needed to be moved where and yelling threats at the scared protesting villagers in said cages.
Panicking Aramis glanced down at his brother, the boy's pale completion worrying him greatly as he worked to ensure his brother's wounds wouldn't open during the journey they were about to be forced on.
Once that was done the medic had just enough time to pour some water laced with a pain draught down the unconscious boy's throat in a desperate attempt to ease the immense pain he knew his brother was in, knowing the pain was about to get so much worse.
"Time to go musketeer."
"We're close," mused Athos quietly as he and Porthos slowed their exhausted horses to a walk, their eyes and ears straining to pick up any signs of their missing brothers.
"You hear that," muttered Porthos just as quietly, his eyes narrowing as he spoke.
"Silence…"
Porthos nodded, a grim look settling on his face. "Exactly."
With a growing sense of dread settling between the pair both men dismounted, choosing to continue the remaining distance on foot, just in case their suspicions were false.
As they approached the clearing their hearts sunk as they saw clear evidence of there having been a large camp in the area not too long ago, despite it being practically deserted now… Well deserted apart from two cloaked figures hunched over near the middle of the camp.
Striding into the camp Athos silently unsheathed his blade, Porthos doing the same as he followed behind, both blades pointed at the two figures.
"Identify yourselves!"