Evening My Lovelies
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you're liking it. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - We'll be finding out who got the dagger thrown at them later on in today's chapter. Haha I'm loving including so many cliffhangers, though I'm wondering how many I can have before I really annoy you all :D As for Henri we'll be checking in on him today as well. Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Yep we've got Treville saving Porthos, Henri saving Athos and Remy/D'Art saving Aramis :) We've got the Quentin vs Remy thing happening tomorrow so we've got that to look forward to. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - We'll be checking in on Henri right away so don't worry I wont be keeping you waiting too long. I originally wasn't going to have them together, I was going to have D'Artagnan saving Athos but then I figured it would do D'Art more good to actually save Aramis but I needed Remy there as well hence why they're together. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Fleuramis: Thanks for the review - Don't worry about reviewing I'm just happy to hear you're enjoying the story :D All of our boys will be needing some TLC by the time I'm done with them :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Haha I know it was a stupid question to ask but figured the responses would be amusing lol :) Hate-o-meter might be going again today although we'll definitely be needing it tomorrow :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
GoGirl212: Thanks for the review - Hmm well he's been in Marshall's clutches a little while so being out of his mind might not be too far wrong... You're very right to be worried about our boy :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - D'Art was originally going to be the one to save Athos but I figured it would be best for him to be with Aramis, can help fix their relationship. We'll be checking in with Athos and Henri right away so I won't be keeping you in suspense for too long. Hahah XD No, I figured I already knew your answer to the question lol XD Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - We'll be finding out who got the dagger thrown at them today as well as checking on Athos and Henri. Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - We'll be seeing a bit into Remy's head with regards to Aramis 'll be checking on our other boys today, including who got the dagger thrown at them and how Henri's doing. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Athos will be okay but he's pretty beaten up at the moment, we'll be seeing more of his injuries in the following chapters. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - Athos desperately needs some care, he's pretty beaten up at the moment. Favier's been with Marshall for a while so yeah he's pretty broken. Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Well I couldn't save one but not the others... well I could I suppose... Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Ah well I can't kill Aramis :) Glad you liked seeing the multiple rescues. But of course there will be comfort moments following the upcoming whump :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Ask and ye shall receive :D We've got some D'Art whump coming our way in the next chapter or so :D Poor Aramis is in quite a bit of pain at the moment but then all our guys are really and it's only going to get worse (for our pup anyways) before it gets better. Glad you liked the exchange, we've got a brief bit of banter today I hope you like. Bwhaha Team D'Arty I love it :D Lots of protective moments coming up in the next few chapters. Athos is in pretty bad shape but Henri's got him :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always many thanks and much love for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Fifty-Three: Rescue II
Athos breathed a sigh of relief as he watched Henri react immediately to his warning shout, throwing himself off of the guard just in time to miss being stabbed with the dagger the man had been struggling to remove from his belt.
The injured swordsman watched as Henri struggled with the guard for a few moments before gaining the upper hand, stealing the blade and using it to slash the man's throat.
Unfortunately for Athos, the relief he felt knowing that not only was Henri okay but that the guard was dead faded instantly when he watched the musketeer try to stand, only to stumble a few steps before collapsing to one knee with a shout of pain.
"Henri!" he cried, all exhaustion forgotten as he called to his friend, hating that the man got hurt trying to save him.
"…m'good Athos," grunted the musketeer as he struggled to his feet, grimacing as he pressed his hand to his side, only to feel it damp with blood. "'parently didn't dodge quite fast enough. I'm good for now, I'll wrap it when we're out of here."
Athos's worry didn't dissipate but he nodded, knowing Henri was almost as stubborn as he and D'Artagnan were so fighting with him would not get him anyway and only serve to worsen the man's condition.
"Porthos? Aramis?"
Henri nodded, hissing under his breath as he bent down to unlock the chains restraining Athos with the keys he had found on the guard.
"Hardly came alone Athos," smirked the man, though it was weak and strained. "The others split up to find them while Alain got Issac out."
Athos blinked, "Issac?"
Henri grimaced and this time not from the pain in his side. "Bastards tortured him," he growled, "Alain's under orders not to wait for us and to rush back to Paris with him, Captain put the doc on standby before we left and asked Alain to send back up just to be safe."
"Finally," cheered Henri as he unlocked the last restraint keeping Athos in place. He allowed the man a moment for his body to adjust to having unrestricted blood flow to his limbs again before he helped the man to his feet, both of them groaning in pain as they moved.
"Let's get out of here."
D'Artagnan knew the timing might not have been the best but he just couldn't contain the smirk that engulfed his face as he watched Favier use all of his remaining energy to throw the dagger right at a shocked Marshall, hitting the man in the thigh and digging in deep. The only thing that made the man's scream of pain unsatisfying to listen to was hearing a whimper of pain from Favier as the man collapsed to the ground.
"Favier!" exclaimed D'Artagnan and Aramis as one, though the Gascon paid his brother little attention, knowing that, despite how much he might hate it, the medic was safe with Remy. Instead he focused his attention on his friend, ignoring how his own body screamed in pain as he knelt down by the man's side.
"…He's safe?" whispered Favier, his voice breaking as he fought against the hope that was trying to grow within him. "…You… You weren't lying?"
D'Artagnan's heart clenched and he felt tears prickling at the edges of his eyes. "No lies," he promised, staring the man right in the eyes so he could see the truth to his words. "He's hurt real bad but Alain's watching over him and is getting him to Paris as we speak," he explained, reiterating his words from mere minutes earlier hoping they would sink in. Only this time he had to speak louder as all of Marshall's 'patrons' were now rushing about trying to escape before the musketeers came for them, meaning the area was filled with near overwhelming noise.
"…m'tired D'Art," mumbled Favier, no longer caring as tears continued to stream down his cheeks.
D'Artagnan on the other hand panicked and looked desperately to Aramis, who was being helped over by Remy.
"That's because you look like crap my friend," teased Aramis weakly as he knelt next to D'Artagnan to examine their friend. His head shooting up in pleased surprise when he felt D'Artagnan's hand take his for a moment to offer a reassuring squeeze.
Looking into his little brother's eyes for a moment all Aramis could see was worry for him and it warmed his heart how much the boy cared. He had no idea what part of the Gascon thought getting out of bed and racing around as part of a rescue mission in his condition was a good idea but it was strangely comforting to have him there, even more so to see the boy actually looking at him again, even if it was in worry.
"YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THAT!" shouted a voice making all four men jump, having been lost in their own moment and as they turned to the source of the voice that had just enough time to register what was happening before Remy cried out in pain, clutching his cheek as blood dripped down his chin, the blade Marshall had angrily thrown at them clattering on the ground just behind them.
Being the only one even remotely uninjured between them Remy took a step forward. He liked Aramis; the man had made him think about things he hadn't ever had the chance to consider. Quentin had always watched over him when they were growing up, protected him after their father died when Remy was a baby. When Quentin grew colder and more determined with his criminal activities Remy had tried to convince himself that everything was fine but that failed when Quentin had started including him in missions as well.
Barely in his teens at that stage the younger Remy had been both scared and horrified to see not only what his brother had been doing but also how he handled someone who disagreed or crossed him. After seeing the ice cold look in his brother's eyes Remy knew that their shared blood would not save him from Quentin's wrath should he ever choose a different path than the one his brother was carving for him and nor would it save him if he ever decided to go against him.
It had been hard but he had accepted it as his life and had grown quite skilled at convincing people and himself that that life was what he had wanted but when they started dealing in human trafficking the mask he wore became much harder to maintain.
He hated what they had been doing and it was only out of loyalty to his brother that he did not say anything against it, but then they had attack Lupiac and subsequently captured two of the musketeers he was currently guarding.
He had been shocked at how protective the elder one had been towards the younger, seriously injured one, even going as far as to get seriously injured himself to protect him. It had reminded him of when he had been very young, before Quentin had changed and he would protect him from the bullies in their village.
The more time he spent around the musketeers the more he became interested and enthralled by their notion of brotherhood, something he hadn't experience in years and even then, never to the extent the two men showed towards each other… He very much doubted that even at their closest that Quentin would have begged his enemies to save his little brother, yet that was what both men had done during their capture.
He knew D'Artagnan would never forgive him for what happened to his village and Remy's involvement in it but the bandit had found the kid's stubbornness and determination endearing and the friendship he felt towards Aramis had him longing for more from his life and had him doing something he never would have considered doing before meeting them.
"Back away boy!" snarled Marshall through gritted teeth as he loaded his pistol. "My agenda is with the musketeer's, not a partner's brother."
When Remy refused to move Marshall shrugged, raising the now loaded and primed pistol. "Very well."
"WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON!" roared a voice that made Aramis, D'Artagnan and Remy violently flinch.
"Come on Athos," grunted Henri as he and Athos made their way towards the rendezvous point Treville had decided on earlier that day. During the last stretch of their journey Athos's energy had begun to seriously drain and Henri had a large suspicion that it was only the swordsman almost legendary determination and stubbornness that was preventing the man from completely passing out.
To make matters worse Henri also had a suspicion that his wound was worse than he had originally thought as his vision kept blurring and he could feel the uncomfortable feeling on blood drying on his leg every time he took a step.
"We're almost there and I can't carry you so if you pass out I'll have to drag your sorry mug and you know how much grief that'll get me from Aramis so just stick with me a little longer."
Although he received no verbal response he did feel the grip around his hand tightening so he took that as a confirmation that his request had been heard.
It took a few more minutes before they reached the secluded spot Treville had stated was their rendezvous point and Henri had never been happier to see his Captain then at that moment.
Both Porthos and Treville, upon seeing their injured brothers ran to the men's aid. Porthos with a fresh bandage around his hands and head immediately took Athos from Henri's weakening hold, sending the man a grateful look before pulling his brother off to one side to inspect his injuries. Meanwhile Treville threw one of Henri's arms over his shoulder and helped him over to where Porthos had been sitting previously, wasting no time in ridding the man of his shirt to inspect the damage.
"This'll need stitches," stated Treville with barely veiled anger in his voice as he took in the large gash that ran from the front of Henri's hip to the back; it was deep and bleeding heavily.
"Figured," grunted the musketeer as Treville set to work cleaning the wound so it could be stitched. "Other guy ended up worse and that blade would've killed me if it weren't for Athos."
"You got any other wounds I need to know about?" asked Treville; though his focus remained on the wound he was now stitching.
Henri shook his head before realizing the Captain wouldn't be able to see it given his focus was on his wound. "Nah, bruised my knuckles a bit but otherwise I'm good… Athos though… bastard did a number on him."
Treville paused, allowing himself a moment to feel anger at how his men had been treated before launching himself back into his stitch work.
"I said… What's going on here?" snarled the voice again as its owner stalked towards the group, his eyes flickering up to the stands to glare at Marshall before flickering back to the group to glare daggers at Remy and the musketeers.
"He's siding with them," snapped Marshall as his hand clutched his bleeding leg, the other keeping his pistol locked on the group.
"Nonsense," huffed the man as he turned to the group. "Remy, come here."
Both Aramis and D'Artagnan watched the exchange with bated breath, wondering if this was the time Remy would betray them and go back to the man he had been working with before.
"No." stated the bandit firmly as he held his head up high and glared at his brother. "This is wrong, I wont let you hurt them!"
"Oh he wont," sneered Marshall, once again capturing the group's attention as he moved his pistol. "I will."
The group had barely any time to think let alone react before the sound of a gunshot filled the air. Followed quickly by the cries of pain from it's victim and shouts of concern and panic by those around him.