Evening My Lovelies
I'm SOOO sorry there was no chapter yesterday. I have no excuse... I've been a bad updater this week SORRY!
Got the perfect opportunity coming up to kill of a character... Do you want this to happen? If so which character? Got the choice of the following:
- King Louis
- Cardinal Richelieu
- Captain Treville
Personally I'm kinda tempted by the Cardinal, mainly coz he's a jerk, but up to you all... Plus don't have to kill any of them if you'd like them to survive... Just let me know :D
Notes On Reviews:
pain in the mikta: Thanks for the review - I am tempted to have him transfer... that's if I don't find a way to kill him first... I do have a plan which could lead to his death if you all want him to die. I'm thinking you all might be left a bit underwhelmed for what happens to Claude in this chapter (getting a bit worried about it now) but I figured that, considering they didn't do anything physically to D'Artagnan that the punishment would have to be less severe... Though there's plenty of opportunities for him to get a more severe punishment :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Deana: Thanks for the review - I just can't get enough of our snuggly boys :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Bombadilo Baby: Thanks for the review - Oooh we've got some drama coming our way now :D Glad you're loving the boys... They're just been too cute recently ^.^ Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I think my comps in dire need of a good clear out and virus/malware scan etc... probably why it's causing me trouble *scowls at computer screen* I was SOOOO tempted to have Athos kill him but it wouldnt have ended well for him if he had so we had to have our broody-musky show some restraint. Can't resist writing snugglefests, they're too cute ^.^ Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - :D I'm soo glad you liked it :D Things are going to get slightly less cute and more dramatic now but we'll still have our brotherly moments :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - D'Artagnan's gonna get some time to rest... though I can't promise it'll be peaceful *evil smirk* As for Claude... I'm now questioning what I've done but there's some more opportunities for things to happen to him. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Glad your enjoying it... If you like Athos (particularly whumpage, you'll enjoy the next few chapters i have planned) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Teddy2104: Thanks for the review - Gotta love the snuggles XD Things wouldnt have ended well for Athos if he had killed Claude, though the opportunity for it to happen is coming up quite soon so it could still happen if you want it to :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - To be honest Louis forgotten all about it, for now. Though can't promise that'll be the case when he next sees them. We'll get to see Ortiz's next more tomorrow... I have quite the epic chapter planned so theres a lot of pressure on me to get it right :) Claude doesnt really seem to be thinking about his commission but we'll see how he handles everything after today. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I couldn't resist the brotherly moment so I'm really happy you liked it, Athos is still planning his revenge on Aramis for his comment so if you have anything you'd like to see him to just let me know :) Hahaha I think there needed to be some finger snaps going along with the "oh no he didnt" :D I'm a bit concerned now with what I've written for Claude but hopefully it makes sense as to why I did what I did... Plus there are some more opportunities coming up for him to get even more severe (and permanent punishment) I can't get enough of the cutesy moments between them all lately, though they're probably going to decrease slightly as we've got some drama coming our way now. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Fifty-Six: Dealing with the 'incident'
The following morning saw Athos watching over his still sleeping brothers. He had been greatly amused to find the trio in an even tighter embrace then they had been when they retired for the night.
He had also been incredibly relieved when he realized that morning had come and none of them had been woken by one of D'Artagnan's nightmares. It was a small thing and he knew from his experience with dealing with Aramis and the after effects of Savoy that one nightmare-free night did not mean that the rest would be as peaceful, but at this point he would take what he could get.
Athos was disrupted from his musings by a knock at the door, sending his brothers' a look to ensure the loud knock hadn't woken them, a ghost of a smile appeared when he realized all it had done was make Porthos tighten his hold on the young Gascon's waist and had Aramis nestling his head further into the crook of D'Artagnan's neck, he moved to open the door.
"Etienne," nodded the swordsman, keeping his voice quiet for the men resting inside.
"Captain wants everyone at morning muster." Etienne stated, a small smile of his own appearing when he caught a glimpse of the sleeping arrangements going on behind Athos.
"Everyone?" Athos asked, his brows furrowing in confusion as to why the Captain would ask for both Aramis and D'Artagnan who were still dealing with quite limiting wounds to attend.
Etienne nodded, "Said something about needing to address what happened yesterday?" he explained, though it came out as more of a question given that the musketeer had been in the infirmary talking to Thierry at the time.
Etienne's confusion only grew when a dark look passed over Athos's face. "We'll be there," growled the swordsman, dismissing the musketeer before moving to wake up his brothers.
Standing by his brothers' bedside Athos was incredibly tempted to use the pitcher of water in the room to wake up Aramis, deeming it suitable revenge for his pillow comment. He quickly dismissed the idea when he realized it would most likely cause the medic to flail and that could then cause injuries to either Porthos or D'Artagnan. Grumbling at the missed opportunity he woke his brothers' up the more conventional way.
"So why do we have to be here?" Aramis grumbled tiredly as the quartet began to make their way over to the courtyard where morning muster would take place.
"Apparently the Captain wants to address the incident that happened yesterday as well as the comments that led up to it." Athos explained, looking completely unbothered by what was going on.
"Wait," Porthos said, his pause causing the rest of the quartet to stop. "What happened yesterday?"
At his words concerned looks morphed on both Aramis's and D'Artagnan's faces, though the medic had a vague idea what might have happened.
"Claude," Athos began, not missing the slight flinch from D'Artagnan at the musketeer's name, which only made him hate the man more. "Began saying some very discourteous things after you left."
"And the Captain found out?" Porthos asked, now understanding why they had all been summoned.
"He was informed," nodded Athos, deciding that he wouldn't elaborate on what had been said, mainly as he didn't think he could stomach saying the words out loud.
"Not forgetting you put your sword to his throat, right Athos?" grinned Farrin as he made his was over to the quartet, "I've been waiting for someone to do that to that jerk for years." Placing a hand on the swordsman shoulder, ignoring the raised eyebrow he leaned in, "That my friend, was the possibly the best thing I have ever seen."
"You did what!" yelled Aramis, lifting one of his hands off of his crutch so he could smack his friend in the chest."
To his credit Athos looked completely guiltless and nonchalant as he stared down the medic, this went on until Treville appeared at his usual spot, the balcony outside his office.
"It has come to my attention that there have been some very unsavory and downright offensive things said about one of our own during the last couple of months." Treville began, his voice cold and hard as he stared down at the mass of musketeers.
"We are supposed to be an elite unit of soldiers and that means we have to live up to certain ideals. The main one of which is our united brotherhood. I will absolutely not have bullying happening in my regiment, especially when caused by petty jealously and ignorant beliefs."
As they listened to their Captain's words many of the musketeers who hadn't been present for the incident the day before felt their anger grow. Like Treville had said, they were a unit that meant they worked as one. To have one of their own tormented by another was a disgrace to the code they lived by.
"In the heat of battle or in the midst of a mission," Treville continued, relief filling him at he look of shock on most of the men's faces, he didn't know how he would have handled the situation if more of the regiment had been in on it. "You can only rely on the your brothers around you. You start isolating yourself by petty bullying and the only one you're hurting is yourself. I know many of you strive to uphold and honor the code we all pledged to live by, but to ensure that we remain honorable men this matter had to be brought to your attention."
Slowly descending the stairs so he was now standing level with his men he hardened his glare further and called out, "Claude… Tobias… and Rousseau. Step forward please."
The wording made it sound like it was a request but the fierce look in the Captain's eyes were clearly daring the men to even think about not coming forward. After a few tense moments, during which silence had descended upon the courtyard, the three men made their way to the front.
"Bullying is an act best left to children on a playground and I will not have children in my regiment." Growled Treville as he stalked his way towards them.
"The brat's practically a child and you're more than happy to have him serve," spat Claude viciously, his anger at the situation making him blind to the fact he had just basically called himself a child.
At Claude's words it all clicked in the minds of the other musketeers and many turned to stare at the Gascon, who at this point was forcing his face to remain unaffected by their stares as he stood next to his brothers, who had tightened their circle around him at Claude's words.
Treville sighed; it had not been his intention to bring D'Artagnan's name into matters. Athos had already explained how insecure the boy was feeling of late, especially with the pitying looks he was getting from the other men. Now that his name had been brought up though, Treville had no intention of letting it go unanswered.
"D'Artagnan is no child Claude," glared the musketeer Captain, "and it would do you well to remember that. He is a trained, tried and tested musketeer and has the right to be treated as such." As he said this he eyed the rest of his men, silently reminding them of the fact as well. He knew the looks they had given the boy were not filled with any negative meaning but they made the boy uncomfortable nevertheless.
"D'Artagnan has served with honor since even before gaining his commission. He has put his life on the line for the mission and his brothers, the fact he almost bleed out in Athos's arms after jumping in front of a blade should be more than enough evidence of that. He has earned his right to be here through blood, sweat and hard work which is more than I can say for the likes of you and your companions who brought their way in with daddy's money."
Claude looked absolutely stunned at Treville's words though before he could respond to the growing anger within him Treville silenced him with a glare.
"Whilst I would like nothing more than to rid the regiment of the three of you for your words I am unfortunately unable to-"
"Captain!" roared the three senior inseparables, each of them outraged that the three men, Claude most importantly, would be allowed to keep their commissions.
Silencing the outrage with a raise of his hands Treville turned his glare back on the now smug men before him, "To strip you off your commissions because of words said is something I am unable to do… However," now it was his turn to look smug as Claude and his friends shifted uncomfortably, "I can however suspend all three of you without pay and forbid you to set foot in the garrison for the duration of the suspension."
"H-How long sir?" asked Rousseau meekly while glaring daggers at Claude for dragging him into this mess.
"For yourself and Tobias," Treville explained, "As you seemed to be more like sheep following Claude's lead. You two are suspended for a month and a half whilst you Claude," he growled, turning his head to face the glaring musketeer, "You are suspended for three and I am not above extending it should any other information regarding your treatment of your brothers come out during that time. Be warned, the three of you. This is your one and only warning, should anything like this happen again and I will not waste a second in stripping all three of you of your commissions and I will ensure that it is done publicly. Now, you have thirty minutes to gather your things before I want the three of you out of my garrison. The rest of you can return to your duties!" he declared, dismissing the assembled group of men.
"Athos!" he called a moment later, upon gaining the swordsman's attention he added, "My office."
Athos nodded, quickly turning back to his brothers to bid them goodbye before following the Captain to his office.
"Sir?" he asked, a concerned look on his face as he saw how uncomfortable Treville seemed to be.
"You've been cleared for duty I take it?" asked the Captain, waving away the swordsman's concern while downing the pain draught the physician had left for him earlier.
"Aramis says the burns and my latest stabbing need another week before I'm back to full duty but I have his assurances that I'm ready for light duty," explained Athos, sounding annoyed that he wasn't up for full duty yet.
Treville smirked at Athos's annoyance, knowing full well how much the man hated being confined and restricted.
"I'm going to need you with me at the palace for the next few days."
"May I ask why?"
"Our plans to capture Ortiz have significantly lowered the amount of followers the Spaniard has access to. The Cardinal and I agree that now is our best chance to capture him and your knowledge of the man could come in useful to our planning." Treville explained, slowly sinking into his chair with a small hiss of pain.
"My knowledge of him is limited to his torture methods. I do not see how that would be of any assistance to you." Athos stated, looking slightly confused as to why he was being asked to assist.
Treville smirked, "I know you well enough to know that you were analyzing the man from the second you heard of him. No doubt you've picked up on things, which others, like D'Artagnan, might have missed. You're also the only one out of the four of you I trust to keep his head during the planning process; Aramis and Porthos would be too focused on what they want to happen to the man once we have him in custody and I'd rather keep D'Artagnan as far away from anything Ortiz related for as long as I can."
Athos nodded, seeing the reasoning behind Treville's words. "When do we leave?"
A few hours after Treville and Athos had left to head to the palace, Aramis and Porthos were sitting at their usual table in the courtyard waiting for their brother to return.
They had tried to stay with D'Artagnan, who had been forced to return to bed by the very irate physician who was not pleased he had run off in his condition, but the boy had all but begged them to leave once they started having a knife throwing competition in his room.
The young man had been determined not to have the physician yelling at him for them destroying the room so had asked them to go out and do something, anything that wasn't putting him at risk of another rant.
There had been lots of protests from the two senior inseparable members but eventually the young Gascon's puppy-dog eyes had won out and they left him to his rest, opting instead to watch the training going on in the courtyard whilst they waited for Athos's return.
That had been the plan at least, until the musketeer on one of the watchtowers reported seeing thick smoke rising from the direction of the palace…