Evening My Lovelies
OMG Chapter 50! Can't believe we're this far in and I still have a decent amount of stuff that needs to happen :D
Also this is now my 2nd most reviewed story! Love you all for this!
Oh and big shout out to Katie (guest) for the idea she sent me. I had something else planned originally but her idea was sooooo much better! Its going to be spread over a couple of chapters so stay tuned for the rest of it :D
Notes On Reviews:
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I'm doing a bit better inspiration-wise today which is good :) I'm thinking D'Artagnan may have employed the dreaded puppy-dog eyes to get Treville to cave lol. I know! I wish I could have Remy join as he would do well there but there's no way D'Artagnan, or anyone else when they learned his past, would be willing to work with him. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Deana: Thanks for the review - Unfortunately we're not getting to the fight until tomorrow but it should be good (hopefully) Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad it wasn't as bad as I thought. Definitely got angst and whumpage coming... better buckle up :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you liked it. I think I get worried about a chapter when I get writers block. I LOVE your idea as to who the opponent should be. I had originally planned something similar but with someone else as the opponent but your idea is SOOO much better. Thanks for sending it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Haha King of reckless! What a great name for D'Art. We'll be getting to fight tomorrow, we've got the lead up to it tonight. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - I can't wait for D'Art's rescue plan to come into play but we've got a chapter or two before that happens. Hopefully that will help rid him of some of his near crippling self-doubt. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - Quentin's bitter about losing to our lovely swordsman and he's quite vindictive, hence him targeting Athos. We're definitely getting Aramis whump and Porthos angst tomorrow, though we get a teensy bit of angst tonight. I'm not entirely sure of Remy's fate yet we'll have to wait and see. :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
pheonixriv: Thanks for the review - Yeah but I so enjoy being mean :) Gotta love Remy :D You'll have to wait until tomorrow to see how Aramis handles his fight. Oh yeah we'll definitely be seeing papa treville at some point :D I don't know whether to be jealous you're someone lovely and warm or really happy you still read this while away on holiday. Hope you're having a great time! Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Our medic's not looking forward to the fight thats for sure, especially with how injured he is. Don't worry about Remy, his intentions are honorable (this time at least) Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Hmmm an interesting idea but no he wont be fighting Athos. I'm really glad you like Remy, he's fast becoming a favourite of mine and I love your chatter, your reviews never fail to make me smile so thanks for that :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - I was tempted to have it just be Remy and D'Art but our pup, despite being determined, isn't really in any condition to be off on a rescue mission without any backup. I'm definitely excited to get to that bit and yeah, providing I can write it right you'll be needing the tissues. I like your idea as to how our boys find out about the improvement... Thanks for that. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I seriously can't believe we're 50 chapters in! that means we've had almost 2 months of daily updates! I'm glad the reviews are showing again as well, always worry when they go that I'll miss responding to someone who's taken the time to write me a review. D'Art definitely needs this and although I can't promise he will walk away unscathed I will promise that doing this rescue will really help him and his brothers get back to what they were before this whole thing began. I couldn't resist a bit of Aramis banter so I'm glad you enjoyed reading it, we've got a little bit more today before things become serious again. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Fifty: The Lead Up
Athos had been silently assessing the situation when he heard it. He wasn't sure what was going on but the sound of multiple footsteps coming from the floor above him gave him a small, brief moment of hope, though he soon found himself grateful he didn't let that hope show as he spotted a knowing yet smug grin on his guard's face.
"Care to share?" he asked, doing all he could to make it seem like he honestly wasn't interested when he could feel his curiosity bubbling away below the surface.
"Nothing that concern's you musketeer," sneered the guard, his anger at how the man had nearly overpowered him winning over the orders to keep silent.
"Really?" mused Athos, mentally shaking his head at how easily it was to rile the man up. "Because it sounds like there's an event of some sort going on and as you've taken both men and my brothers hostage… well you can see where I'm going with this."
"They've come to watch your brother Aramis fight for his life," stated a cold and calculating force that had the musketeer shifting slightly so he had a better angle to glare fiery daggers at the man.
"What have you done to him!" snarled Athos as he scrambled to his feet, ignore the pain in his knee as he forced himself to stand and face his captor head on.
Quentin grinned, "Me? Nothing… My acquaintance Marshall on the other hand…"
Athos froze, Marshall was very bad news, it had taken them weeks to even find the man before and almost double that to earn enough of the man's trust to be invited to one of his main events. Himself, Aramis and Porthos had been instrumental in the regiment shutting down Marshall's operation but it was Aramis who had scarred the man, clearly earning himself the man's attention this time around.
"Aramis will never do what you want him to," growled the swordsman, his whole body shaking with rage at the knowledge that at least one of his brother's were in the hands of a psychopath like Marshall.
Quentin smirked, "That's why we have a little thing called leverage."
"And when he's done what you want, you going to kill me?" asked Athos, assuming that the reason Quentin was there was to rub it in his face that he was the man's leverage against his brother.
"No… Well yes technically but your not the leverage."
Athos frowned at that, a sinking feeling of dread settling within his gut.
"That esteemed role belongs to your large, loudmouthed friend."
Athos saw red at that and launched himself at the scarred bandit. "Don't you touch him!"
Before he could even reach the man Athos was stopped by a strong punch to the stomach that knocked the wind out of him and had him cursing the fact he had forgotten all about the guard.
"Show our friend here what happens to people who try that," stated Quentin coldly as he began to leave the room, "Just leave him alive."
A still gasping Athos watched through narrowed eyes as Quentin left the room, stopping only when his view was obstructed by a very pleased looking guard who wasted no time in following his boss's orders.
Biting back a particularly offensive insult a bruised and bloodied man stumbled down the corridor as he was pushed from behind by one of his guards. He felt rage and disgust hit him hard as he allowed the returning sense of hopelessness to wave over him. He hated that he had to follow their orders, do what they wanted him to do, when they wanted him to do it… like he was a pet or something, but considering it was that obedience that helped ensure the survival of the person he was being taken to see and for them he would do just about anything.
"You fight in ten minutes," stated the guard as he forced the stumbling man forward. "You have five." He said, opening the door and waved him inside.
Not wanting to waste a single second the man used what little strength and energy he had left to race to his friend's side, anger filling him when he noticed a new wound on the man.
"This wasn't our deal!" snapped the man as he turned back to the bored looking guard. "I did what they wanted, they were to leave him alone!"
"You finished the fight too soon," answered Marshall as he approached the doorway, watching the two captives with a sadistic smirk on his lips. "How am I supposed to make money when you finish the fight before they've really had the chance to bet on its outcome."
"You told me to fight and I did, not my fault you pit me against someone with no training," sassed the man, his eyes never leaving his unconscious friend's form as he prayed his outburst wouldn't cause him friend anymore pain, though he refused to say anything to Marshall, only letting out a small sigh of relief when the man left.
Knowing the guard wouldn't bother him until his time was up the man eased himself onto the floor next to the rickety bed his friend was lying on, worry and anger filling him when noticed the man was still sleeping in the same blood soaked sheets he had been the last time he had been allowed to visit.
"I'm gonna get you out of this," he promised, his voice little more than a whisper as his bruised hand lightly moved the unconscious man's hair out of his face while his other shakily took his hand.
"I don't think I'm getting out of here," he admitted quietly, a wave of pain rolling through him as he finally admitted the truth he had been considering for the last day or so out loud.
When he had first been forced to fight Marshall had allowed a physician to tend to his wounds after each fight, wanting to keep his current money making in top condition, but eventually he decided it would apparently be more fun to see just how long he could keep going and so had begun to deny him medical treatment.
He was fairly sure there wasn't much of his skin that wasn't covered in a bruise or a cut and he was almost certain at least one of those cuts were infected given the fever he knew he had and that his vision frequently blurred or had him seeing double. He wasn't an idiot, he had spent enough time around medics to know those symptoms weren't good and with no recuse on the horizon he knew he needed to come to terms with his impending death… All he could between now and then was to keep his friend alive and safe by winning fights and winning the way Marshal wanted him to… If he did that then they left his friend alone… If he didn't… well the blood stained sheets and makeshift bandages covering most of his best friend's skin told of exactly what happened when he wasn't obedient.
He was disgusted with himself for what he was doing but if it kept the one person he cared about most in the world safe then he would willingly do it a hundred times.
"Times up, let's go."
Porthos was stalking the confines of his cell when he heard the muffled sound of a voice he had been aching to hear.
"- I'm just saying, no need to get so grouchy about it."
The larger musketeer smirked, knowing that despite having heard only part of the conversation that his brother had been antagonizing whoever was with him.
The smirk turned into a grin when the door opened and Aramis walked in, though it faded slightly as the second man mentioned something about only having a few minutes.
"And I thought Quentin was the cruel one," remarked Aramis with no small amount of sarcasm as he made a dramatic act of rubbing the arm that had been pushed by the guard.
"Antagonizing the help 'Mis?" teased Porthos, a relieved smile curling his lips as he realized his brother looked no worse for wear than he would have expected given how much he had drunk the night before.
"Well he makes it so easy," smirked the marksman before pulling his friend into a tight embrace, the strength behind it making Porthos worried, though he allowed his brother to take the comfort he was clearly seeking before speaking up.
"'Mis, what's going on? Why are you here?"
With a sigh the medic stepped back and allowed his strong, confident mask fall as he was alone with his brother and Porthos protective instincts rose to the surface when he saw the fear in his brother's eyes.
"Talk to me 'Mis."
"…Marshall," said Aramis, that one word explaining everything.
"Well…" breathed Porthos, his eyes going wide at the information. "…Shit."
"Eloquent as always mon ami," snorted Aramis though the worry in his voice was clear to here.
"Why's he letting you visit me? Can't imagine he's feeling charitable, especially not to us."
Aramis opened his mouth, intending to explain the whole situation to his brother when a dark and painful thought hit him – If he died today then Porthos would know he died trying to protect him and the guilt would eat his brother alive.
The thought of his brother suffering was almost worse than the hangover pain still wracking his body and so he quickly scrambled for another explanation for what was going on.
"He's making me fight," explained Aramis, smiling fondly when Porthos growled angrily at the thought of him fighting in his condition. "Apparently he grants his fighters last requests, so I decided to see your ugly mug."
Anger and worry warred for dominance in Porthos eyes as he scanned his brother's form, instantly noting the blood on the bandage. "'Mis you're in no condition to be fighting anything right now."
The medic shrugged, though he allowed Porthos to see a brief flicker of pain in his eyes, betraying how much his wound was hurting him. "Haven't got much of a choice mon ami… Don't worry, I'll be fine."
"God you sound like the kid," huffed the larger man, though the fond smile on his lips spoke against his portrayed irritation.
Aramis was just about to say something in response, doing his best to ignore the pang of hurt the mention of D'Artagnan gave him, when the door to the cell opened again.
"Time to go," ordered the guard, the pistol pointing at them daring either man to try anything.
"Wish me luck," sighed Aramis, his confident bravado back as he exited the room.
Arriving at the makeshift arena Aramis was not surprised to see a crowd of people gathered, all disturbingly eager to see what was to be a fight to the death.
"Fists only and the fight continues until one of you is dead," explained the guard while Marshall played to the crowd.
"And now… Our Champion."
Aramis had been zoning out as Marshall spoke but the mention of his opponent caught his attention… and his eyes went wide with shock as his breath caught in his throat when he saw not only who it was but what condition they were in.
Apparently his opponent was in a similar state of shock, though he seemed to snap out of it first, tears filling his eyes as he spoke, seemingly unaware he was doing so.
"…A-A-Aramis?"