Evening My Lovelies
Sorry this is a little late... no real excuse for it besides the fact I found a new fic to read the other day and its taking over my life its too addictive!
On a happier note... Over 700 reviews! *happy dance*
Oh and a question for you (though I think I know the answer) Is anyone opposed to more D'Art whump?
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - Glad you're excited though you might hate me again at the end of tonight. Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - We definitely need the hate-o-meter out :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Haha we'll be seeing what happens straight away, don't worry I wont keep you waiting. As always, Loving the name :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yes! I'm sooo sooo SOOO happy you're loving this :D We'll be seeing what Favier does straight away. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Ebm36: Thanks for the review - I both know and love it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Mwhaha Feel quite evil for getting you :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Ah well all that matters is that you got it :D I'm expecting quite an emotional moment between Favier and Aramis in a later chapter, should be good :) I haven't planned on killing Favier but who knows what will happen with my evil mind in play. The rescue is starting today, our poor guys are in need of it that's for sure. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Don't worry too much about Porthos and Athos, rescue's coming for them too. As for Aramis... his rescue is going to be a bit more drawn out but it'll be happening too. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - YES! Glad you loved it :D We'll be seeing a bit more of D'Art today and I have to say I love his entrance :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - Gotta love a review that starts with "Oh God" :D Treville's a smart man, he's putting it together, though admittedly he's now distracted by finding his men. We've got a bit more of the fight today. We'll be seeing who's coming to Porthos later on in this chapter. Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - But he doesn't know that :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Don't worry the rescue is on its way. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I know! I serious can't believe its doing as well as it is. I doubt this will reach the same amount as my last one before this finishes but I am excited to see how high this story can go. Glad you're liking how we keep flickering between our different boys as I'm really enjoying writing it that way :) Favier and Aramis (providing I dont kill Fav off) will be having an emotional chapter later on. Thank you so much for the lovely compliment your reviews totally make my day :D We'll be seeing who's coming Porthos today and don't worry Issac will be okay... after a while. Glad you liked the end. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Fifty-Two: Rescue I
Aramis froze, watching wide-eyed as Favier launched a blow he knew would do some serious damage, the whole act playing in slow motion for the waiting medic. Knowing he had mere moments to evade the marksman prepared himself for the pain that was about to happen before sharply rolling to one side, successfully evading the attack but the movement was not without its consequences and the musketeer didn't have it in him to contain or muffle the scream of agonizing pain that tore its way through his throat as he felt several, if not all, of his stitches rip from his skin.
"Oh so close," mused an amused voice full of mock sadness that had Aramis glaring.
"Go to hell Marshall!" spat Aramis, his voice full of such hate and venom it made Favier look at the man in shock, not used to such a tone from the kindhearted man.
"You first musketeer," sneered Marshall before turning his attention back to Favier, "Well? What are you waiting for? Get to it!"
Flinching slightly Favier only hesitated a moment before resuming the fight, his eyes constantly dipping to the bandage covering his friend's chest and the ever growing red staining it.
"We don't have to do this Favier," pleaded Aramis, his breath coming in short gasps as he tried both to defend himself and endure the pain his body was in without passing out. "He wont be able to touch Issac if we work together!" he added, his voice a whisper so only its intended recipient could hear.
"He already has," sighed Favier as he threw another punch at the man. "The bastard's been torturing Is since we got here. The only way he stops is if I fight and win so I'm sorry Aramis but I can't let him hurt Is anymore."
Aramis shock over the description of Issac stunned the man just enough so he failed to defend against a punch in time and was subsequently sent to the ground, a groan leaving him as another wave of pain rolled through his body.
"Let's make this a bit more entertaining, shall we?" smirked Marshall from the stands. He waited until he had the complete attention of everyone in the room, including the two fighters, one of whom was still on the ground, before he pulled a single dagger from his belt and threw it into the ring.
"Whoever survives gets to save their brother from further pain… now what will you do?"
Porthos froze as the sound of a door unlocking echoed around his cell, despite the gut feeling he had that whoever was on the other side of the door was a friend, he couldn't stop himself from forcing his body into a defensive position, ready for whatever might happen.
"C-Captain!?" he blinked, instantly relaxing when a tense looking Treville strode into his cell, the man's eyes flickering with amusement and relief when he noticed who's cell he had found.
"The guards mentioned a prisoner making quite the ruckus, I figured it'd be you," he teased before moving to the larger man's side.
"Damn is it good to see you Captain," sighed Porthos, his exhaustion and pain shining through as he let himself sink to the floor once again.
"Likewise," nodded the Captain as he let his worried gaze rove over the musketeer's body, looking for any signs of serious injuries like he had seen on Issac.
Porthos noticed him looking and couldn't help the small smile that grew at his Captain's not so subtle care. "Got my head pretty bad and pretty sure my hands won't be comfortably holding a sword for a few days but otherwise I'm good… It's 'Mis we need to worry about, bastard's making him fight."
Treville nodded, obvious relief in his eyes as he visually confirmed Porthos's words. "I know, one of the others will get him, let's get you out of here."
Porthos was going to protest, to demand to find Aramis before they left but then he saw the look on his Captain's face and knew that such a protest would not end well for him.
"How'd you find us anyway?" he asked instead, curiosity filling his expression as he watched Treville deal with the shackles restraining him.
"Several patrons witnessed Athos's capture and we knew you both were with him but as for finding this place… We have Aramis's friend Remy to thank for that. I caught him sneaking out of the infirmary with D'Artagnan, he filled us in on what was going on and agreed to lead us here."
Porthos blinked; surprised by both Remy's actions and the fact that D'Artagnan had agreed to work with him. Unfortunately the next words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.
"You know he's one of Quentin's men right? One of the ones responsible for what happened to the pup's village?"
Treville nodded, surprising the larger musketeer further. "He never introduced himself as such but given how uncomfortable D'Artagnan is around him it made it pretty obvious. D'Artagnan's friendly with everyone so I knew something serious was going on when I saw how he acted"
Porthos flinched at the not so subtle reminder of how off the boy had been acting around both him and his brothers lately. It was clear Treville knew something was up and if the knowing look in his eyes was anything to go by, he knew exactly what that something was.
Treville sighed, continuing his explanation before Porthos could lose himself in his thoughts. "Frankly he could be worse than Athos's wife and I would still accept his help. A musketeer does not leave their own to suffer."
Porthos grinned, accepting the Captain's help to stand, "All for one."
"You can't be serious!" exclaimed Aramis as both he and Favier stared at the blade on the ground in front of them. Whilst the medic was sure he wouldn't use it on the other man he couldn't be sure that Favier wouldn't try to use it on him. The sharpshooter had no idea how long the musketeer had been in Marshall's clutches, nor what the man had experienced during that time but whatever the answer was it had made the man unpredictable and that worried Aramis more than anything.
"Of course I am, this is a fight to the death after all," smirked Marshall, his smirk growing as he heard the swell of voices behind him all increasing their bets on the various musketeers.
While this exchange was going down Aramis failed to notice Favier moving towards the blade before it was too late.
"FAVIER!" exclaimed Aramis, his heart beating rapidly in his chest as he watched the musketeer inspect the blade with mild curiosity as he approached him. "Don't do this!"
Favier adjusted his grip on the dagger, thoughts and options swirling around rapidly in his head as he tried to decide what to do. Before he could do anything however something hit him hard on the back of his head and sent him stumbling a few feet away from Aramis, who was now watching the direction the throw had come from with wide, disbelieving eyes.
"It can't…" breathed the musketeer as silence fell over the arena, all eyes on the new arrival.
"Touch him again and musketeer or no I WILL end you," snarled a voice so cold it sent shivers down nearly everyone's spine.
Aramis however was unaffected, too busy watching the younger man limp towards him with his blade drawn and pointed at Favier, his eyes dark with fury.
"Remy," snarled the man, nodding over his shoulder to the medic whilst his focus remained on the stunned musketeer in front of him.
"Don't worry about the princess mate, I got 'im," replied the bandit as he moved to the marksman's side, cursing under his breath as he saw the damage done to one of the only friends he had.
With Aramis now covered by Remy, D'Artagnan focused his attention solely on Favier. It had come as a bit of a shock to see the man about to kill his brother but after finding Issac he could imagine how this had all happened. He hoped he could talk the broken man in front of him down because despite the confidence and self-assuredness he was portraying D'Artagnan knew he wouldn't be able to stand much longer as his legs were already beginning to tremble and he knew he would be little help in a proper fight given how strange and awkward it felt to be holding his sword in his non-dominant hand.
"For two musketeers I'll let your friend see a physician Favier!" called a voice and immediately D'Artagnan's expression softened towards the man in front of him, even when he saw him considering it.
"He's okay," whispered D'Artagnan, not wanting anyone else to hear. A sympathetic look filled his eyes at the look of disbelief and hope in Favier's previously dull eyes. "Treville had Alain get him out, they're on their way back to the garrison and Doctor Pascal as we speak."
Tears flooded out of Favier's eyes and just when D'Artagnan was sure the man was going to collapse out of exhaustion or relief the Gascon was surprised by a surge of anger that filled his comrades expression and he could only watch as the musketeer tightened his grip on the blade before using all of his remaining strength to throw the blade.
"I can do this all day musketeer," smirked the guard as he launched another punch at Athos's chest, his smirk growing when he felt the bone give way under his fist and when he heard the accompanying grunt of pain from the beaten musketeer.
"Touch him again and it'll be the last thing you ever do," threatened a voice that had Athos's swollen and bloodied face morphing into its own smirk.
"How did you get in here?" snarled the guard as he took a few steps back from the musketeer, drawing his sword from its sheathe as he moved.
"Not really important right now," hissed the man as he moved to stand protectively in front of Athos with his blade drawn, and despite the seriousness of the situation he found he just couldn't help himself.
"You look like shit Athos," smirked the man; his smirk growing at the look the guard was sending him for his off-handed comment.
"Nice to see you too Henri," replied Athos, his words slurring slightly as he fought against the injury-induced pain his body was in.
Henri's eyes darkened in anger at the sound of Athos's voice. "You alright staying there until I'm done with this piece of trash?" he asked, his voice cold and unyielding as he stared down the guard.
Athos's smirk grew, knowing just how much of an impressive fighter the other musketeer was, "I aint going anywhere."
Without waiting for anything else Henri launched himself at the guard, surprising him from the get-go and because of that he was able to dig his blade deep into the man's shoulder, making him cry out in pain.
Unfortunately for the musketeer the guard recovered quicker than he had expected and a sharp kick to his ankle had the man dropping to one knee, his hands barely able to cover his face in time to block against the blow launched at his face.
With a growl of annoyance Henri threw his entire weight forward, sending both men to the ground with Henri landing on top. Fortunately this move had knocked the air out of the guards lungs so gave the musketeer the perfect opportunity to start relentlessly beating any area of his body that he could reach.
Athos watched on impressed as Henri fought but after a few minutes he could feel his energy fading as pain gradually began to overwhelm him. Shaking his head to rid himself from tiredness he felt his eyes go wide as they returned to the fight.
"HENRI!"