As I've said in the summary I've changed this back down to T. Hope you enjoy the second chapter. :)

Chapter 2

The silence around them spoke volumes to Athos. He looked to D'Artagnan who was still with the cart and soothing the horses while quietly unhitching them. Porthos was with Dubois and the Comte's other men while Aramis was leaning over Herbert to check him for wounds from the fall.

In the nearby trees stood Renard. He could now clearly see the whole party before him as he had waited for the right time to strike over the past few days. The ten men that accompanied him were ready strike at his command.

The musketeers were the problem as the other men were clearly terrified and would pose little threat, save for a lucky shot in their panic. Renard didn't like spilling blood when it was unnecessary but the musketeers may overpower them if they didn't strike accurately and would certainly defend their own if they realised his plan. He could see the musketeer who had taken his future away from him and his anger rose causing him to grimace. That musketeer must be taken alive for he and his master had big plans for him.

He gathered the men quietly around him. 'You know the plan,' he whispered. 'That musketeer must be taken alive. Kill the others but leave the Comte's men if you can. They're not involved in this.' Renard's men took their positions and waited for his signal.

The musketeers were now slowly moving towards Aramis and Herbert, watching carefully for any sign of movement in the trees. The young man's blonde hair was covered with dust and they could see a small pool of blood beneath his head. Aramis had let the others assess the situation while he saw to Herbert.

'He's had a nasty bang to the head which will no doubt result in concussion,' he announced quietly. 'He has also broken two ribs and bruised all the rest. I won't be able to tell if the bruising has extended to his lungs until he wakes.' He turned to the others and in silent communication deduced that they did not know if they were still in danger or if any threat had passed. Aramis himself looked to the trees and listened for any noise.

'No birds. Nothing.'

'No….that's what troubles me,' Athos replied. 'Dubois, lead your men and the horses slowly away from here.' Dubois turned to leave when D'Artagnan quietly cleared his throat. The other three musketeers turned to him immediately and watched as he flicked his eyes to the trees left of the road. That's where the ambush was going to come from, he'd seen the light catch a blade in the trees.

BANG. A shot missed Porthos' head by mere inches as the musketeers took note of the men charging at them.

'Dubois. Get out of here,' shouted Athos as the men came running from the trees towards the musketeers. Only the musketeers. Aramis was the quickest to shoot and as accurate as ever, killed two men instantly with the two pistols that he carried. Athos shot another dead soon after while the bandits fired simultaneously hitting none of their intended targets.

D'Artagnan missed his shot as the horses that he had unhitched from the cart panicked and knocked him to the ground. The same horses also knocked over Porthos whose pistol fell from his reach. He had no time to retrieve it as the first bandit was on him in a flash.

It was now seven against four and the musketeers fancied their chances. Porthos parried an attack from the bandit he fought before using his left hand to punch him squarely in the jaw. The man stumbled and fell but Porthos could not deliver the final blow as another man attacked from behind him. Porthos had heard his footsteps just in time and manged to turn away from the attacker but felt the blade catch his left arm.

Athos and D'Artagnan also fought two men each. Athos with his skill quickly dispatched one man by stabbing him the stomach. The man fell and writhed on the ground before falling still as a pool of blood appeared beneath him. The other man had proved more of a challenge as he had clearly been well instructed in sword-play. Athos knew he wouldn't be easy to beat and tried to take the initiative but found himself reacting to his opponent's movements. He hated it when he wasn't in control. Soon though Athos found he had the upper hand and was biding his time to strike.

D'Artagnan was having trouble with his two opponents, mainly because his left knee had been jarred when he fell because of the panicked horses. The immobility was greatly hampering him but he spotted a movement from one of the men that he could use to his advantage. The man often left his stance open just before he attacked. Taking advantage of this D'Artagnan moved swiftly and dispatched his opponent. Now for the other one. D'Artagnan could tell the man was more of a soldier than a bandit as his moves were precise and calculated. Having faced Athos often, D'Artagnan knew how to break down the fight and take the initiative. His knee was also starting to hurt less which helped greatly with his movement. He parried the strong blow from his opponent and looked him straight in the eyes.

Aramis battled one opponent but was trying not to hurt Herbert, who hadn't moved since the fall, and dancing around the young boy was proving problematic. Still Aramis moved quickly and elegantly until he had his opponent tripping over his own feet. Aramis took advantage of the man's stumble and ran him through without a second thought.

Aramis heard Porthos yell as his left arm was cut and turned to see his friend fall to his knees. Aramis reacted out instinct and drew his dagger throwing into the back of the man who had wounded Porthos. The man screamed and fell to the floor as Aramis hit his mark. Porthos dived for the pistol he had dropped earlier and aimed at the man now recovering from his earlier punch. Porthos found his target and the man fell limply to the floor. A loud whistle was heard and Athos' and D'Artagnan's remaining opponents pushed away from their fights and fled into the trees without a backward glance.

Renard watched in a mixture of horror and shock as the musketeers dispatched his men quickly and ruthlessly. His men were trained soldiers but the musketeers were something else. The rumours were indeed true that the King's Musketeers were the best soldiers in France and Renard would have to forgo his quarry this day. He whistled to signal his remaining two men to retreat. His master would not be happy about his failure and he grimaced at the thought.

The three men quickly negotiated the trees to their waiting mounts and rode away as fast as they could.

With all the fighting going on, nobody had noticed Dubois and the rest of the Comte's men mount their horses and ride ahead. Dubois stopped his men just after they had passed the tree line and finally managed to get a good look at all four of them. They were all exhausted and fear was etched on each of their faces and some were visibly shaking. Only four of them as they had to leave Herbert behind. Dubois felt his stomach twist with guilt at leaving the young man, no he was really only a boy, behind. He could see the men looking towards him for leadership and knew that he had to be strong now.

'Herbert will be ok,' he reassured them. 'The musketeers won't allow any harm to come to him from the fight.'

Dubois was startled as the cart horses appeared behind them and quickly dismounted to catch them. He was worried about the musketeers but he knew they could not go back yet. 'Let's ride on. Monsieur Athos said the best place to be is further away from these trees,' he announced calmly. Well at least he hoped he had sounded calm.

Dubois secured the reigns from one cart horse to his saddle and the other to Bouchard's saddle. Together the men rode for a few more minutes before finally stopping to wait for the musketeers.

A/N: This was my first try at a fight scene. Any tips to make it better would be welcome. :)