Evening My Lovlies
Phew! This chapter almost didn't get written it was giving me such trouble, but I got there in the end :D
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - Pretty much :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thank for the review - You're right to panic :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Anne's lovely, though part of me thinks she did it more for Aramis than anything else :) Guilty Corbett's surprisingly fun to write but I have a plan for him in the next chapter or two. We will be getting into your idea in a few chapters time, we've got something to handle first though I'm really looking forward to writing the idea you sent :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - We'll be seeing a bit more about D'Art's arm today but the main bit regarding it will be coming in a chapter or two's time. Enjoy the new chapter! x
GoGirl212: Thanks for the review - Haha very true, I let you all feel safe, our boys are on the mend then before you know it things are going down hill again :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Haha I like the comparison :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yeah Louis a bit of a jerk but at least we have the loveliness that is Anne :) Doctor Pascal definitely needs the help as we have about 7 injured men. Well we've got a bit more drama coming our way before we really get into things regarding D'Art's hand but hopefully what I have planned with tide you over until we get there... though we do have a bit of emotional D'Art whump coming tomorrows chapter. Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Well she either loves her musketeers or one musketeer in particular *wink wink* :D Corbett will probably blame himself until Issac wakes up and he and Favier can tag team the matter. Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Help was definitely needed for the infirmary. Favier and Issac will definitely recover better now they're together. We're getting a bit of an update on D'Art's arm today but the main bit regarding it wont happen for a chapter or two's time. Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Well that's one idea I suppose. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm really glad you liked Favier :D I really enjoyed writing him, especially him dealing with guilty Corbett. Queenie's supplies will definitely come in handy... especially given how this chapter ends :D mwhahaha. We'll be learning a bit about D'Art's arm today but we wont be seeing how he's handling it for a few chapters as we've got a bit more drama to happen first. Enjoy the new chapter! x
KarenF (Guest): Thanks for the review - Don't worry there will only ever be one group of inseparables. The others can try but they'd never quite reach the same level. We definitely have a lot hurt-comfort moments coming our pups way. Glad you're liking it. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Sixty-Five: Trouble Brewing
D'Artagnan stared down at his hand, his body trembling as he tried not to cry, remembering the awful news he had just been given.
"So, what does that mean?"
"It means you may never regain full mobility and use of your arm," explained Doctor Reynard softly, his sympathy-filled eyes never leaving the Gascon's pain-filled orbs.
D'Artagnan's good hand clenched into a fist as the boy continued to process what he had missed since leaving them to do their own work. "…I… I wont use it again?" he asked quiet, immediately putting an end to the silence that had been working between them ever since Reynard first explained what was going on to the younger man.
Sighing the doctor tried to wok out the best way to explain things to he man assigned to. "You will most likely retain some mobility," he said softly, noticing that D'Artagnan's eyes seemed to be locked on his arm, though they did shoot up to lock onto him at that and he hated that he had to be the one who crushed the hope he could see in the man's eyes.
"While what mobility you will retain will allow you to live a fairly normal life it will not be enough for you to use a sword again. I am sorry D'Artagnan but if mine and Doctor Pascal's observations tell us anything it's that your days as a musketeer are over."
D'Artagnan had returned to his room not long after hearing that and had been silently lost in thought ever since.
Porthos watched worriedly as his brother struggled to control his emotions. He hated that no one was telling him anything and with Athos and Aramis still asleep, he had no one to theorize with.
"D'Artagnan," called a soft voice pulling both the Gascon and the larger musketeer from their thoughts as both turned towards the source of the sound to find a worried Reynard approaching D'Artagnan's bed.
"You need to sleep," instructed the doctor, "You wont heal if you don't allow your body the time it needs to rest."
Porthos waited for D'Artagnan to protest but to his surprise the Gascon complied with a small nod before settling down and closing his eyes… his breathing evening out only moments later as sleep claimed his exhausted body.
"Don't let him shut you out musketeer," muttered Reynard quietly as he moved to leave, his eyes locking on to Porthos's own. "He'll need you now more than ever, don't let him shut you out."
Having a sinking feeling he knew what this was about the larger musketeer nodded sharply before moving to sit by the Gascon's bed, oblivious to the softly smile now gracing Reynard's lips as the doctor left them to their rest.
Antoine grimaced as he worked at his restraints. He had overheard one of his guards earlier speaking of how the King wanted to have his trial as soon as D'Artagnan and the others were strong enough to stand witness to it.
He had no idea what condition his nephew was in but he knew he wasn't going sit around doing nothing until his trial came. Antoine was not stupid, he knew that if his crimes were brought to trial that he would not survive, especially if D'Artagnan was there to speak up against him.
What he wasn't sure of however was if his daughter, his Corinne, would follow in her cousin's footsteps and speak out against him. Her testimony would be beyond damning to him and after how explosive their last meeting was he wasn't sure what her mindset was.
Thinking of his daughter had his heart clenching. He had never regretted his actions more than when Corinne had confronted him about his part in the destruction of Lupiac. To see the anger, hurt and disappointment in her eyes hurt more than he had ever expected.
His heart clenched again as his thoughts drifted to what would happen to Corinne when he was dead. The only comfort he had was that D'Artagnan would protect her to his last breath but he couldn't help but worry about how the musketeers would treat her when the truth of his crimes came to light.
"Corbett," called Favier softly, the musketeer watching worriedly as his friend struggled to stay awake as he sat by Issac's bed.
"Corbett," he called again, smiling sadly as Corbett finally realized he was being called and had turned towards him.
"You should go and get some rest."
Corbett shook his head, not wanting to leave either man's side until Issac woke up.
"Corbett," sighed Favier, "Issac's not gonna wake up for a while and frankly its unnerving trying to sleep with you watching us like a hawk. Neither of us want you to make yourself sick worrying over us but that's exactly what you're doing, so go home, eat something, get some rest and come back in a few hours."
Corbett looked ready to protest when a voice from the door caught his attention.
"He's right you know," said Treville as he entered the small infirmary room. "You're not doing either of them any good by making yourself sick. Don't make me have to order you to leave and rest."
With a frustrated sigh Corbett nodded weakly, standing shakily he sent one last look to both his injured friends before stumbling tiredly out of the room, not noticing the concerned gaze of his friend and Captain following him out of the room.
"He's blaming himself," said Favier sadly, "Its worse than Alain said and nothing I'm saying is getting through to him."
Smiling sadly at the injured man Treville moved to sit in between the two beds, anger filling his eyes briefly as he took in the amount of bandages covering Issac's unconscious form.
"He'll get it when Issac wakes up and the two of you tell him together. In the meantime I'll do my best to ensure he rests and eats, I think that's all we can do for now."
Favier sighed, hopelessness filling him as he thought back to the guilt-filled look in his friend's eyes.
It was late in the evening when Antoine finally felt his restraints fall away from his wrists, a smug smile curling his lips as he stood, his eyes locking onto the door as he worked out the best way to implement the next part of his escape plan.
"Apologies my lady," said Corbett, an embarrassed flush tinting his cheeks as he crouched down to help Corinne stand back up again after the two had collided, neither of them paying attention to where they were going, too lost in their own thoughts.
"It's fine monsieur," smiled Corinne as she straightened her dress, a concerned look settling on her face as she took in the pale and exhausted looking man before her. "Are you okay?"
Corbett blinked, not realizing he looked bad enough that even complete strangers could tell. Forcing a smile on his lips he nodded, "Just tired my lady, it has been a long day."
Corinne didn't look completely convinced but, much to Corbett's relief, she didn't pursue the matter further.
"Then I should let get back to wherever you were going sir, my apologies for keeping you from your rest."
A more genuine smile tugged at his lips at he clear concern for his wellbeing. "It is no trouble my lady. Might I ask where it is you are going, the garrison might be safe but I would sleep better knowing I hadn't left you to wander about in the dark."
A small yet bright smile lit up Corinne's face as she explained she was heading back to the room she was sharing with Maria. She had tried to protest against the musketeer walking her back to her rooms, especially after realizing how tired the man actually was, but Corbett refused to listen and accompanied her back to the room, smiling and nodding in greeting to Maria who opened the door to greet them.
"I will leave you to it them mademoiselle, have a good night."
"My thanks musketeer," smiled Corinne, leaning up onto her tiptoes to press a light kiss to the man's cheek, making his earlier blush return much to her amusement. "Pleasant dreams monsieur."
Antoine watched from the shadows for the musketeer to leave. He had done well so far as no one had noticed that the guard once in charge of watching his cell was now unarmed and unconscious in the very cell he had been guarding.
Deeming the coast was clear he moved to the door that separated him from his daughter and began knocking on it quietly but relentlessly.
"Yes?" said Corinne as she opened the door, her eyes going wide as her father clamped a hand over her mouth and pushed her back into the room, locking the door behind him as he moved.
"W-What are you doing here?" hissed Corinne as she shook herself free of his grip, her eyes nervously flickering to Maria who had jumped to her feet when Antoine entered the room. She had seen what her father had done to the people of their home with little or no remorse and she was desperate it didn't happen to Maria, the only mother figure she had ever known.
"You need to pack a bag," instructed Antoine, the gleam of his stolen dagger stilling Maria from moving to the young woman she considered a granddaughter. "Now Corinne."
"No," growled Corinne as she glared defiantly at her father despite the slight tremor of fear she couldn't control as he glared back at her with surprising intensity.
"Do as you're told girl. These people are going to have me killed and I will not leave you in their 'care', now get your things together so we can leave."
Seeing the fear grow in the younger woman's eyes Maria knew she had to speak up. "She's not going anywhere with you, you monster!" she spat, forcing herself in between Antoine and Corinne.
"I do not want to hurt you Maria," said Antoine with only the barest control over his emotions. "You helped raise my girl and I will always be grateful for that –"
"So grateful you let Mathis be cut down without a second thought!" hissed the woman as she slapped him as hard as she could, tears blurring her vision slightly as she worked to blink them away.
"I did what I needed to do, now," he growled, lifting the hand holding the dagger. "Step aside and let me leave with my daughter."
"She's safe here and I will ensure she's safe when we move on but if you think I'm just going to let you take her you have another thing coming," spat Maria as she took a step forward. "I will die before I let you have her."
Antoine was silent for a moment before a dark look settled in his eyes. "So be it," he hissed, thrusting his dagger forward as screams filled the air.