Evening My Lovelies
Hmmm I'm not too sure on this. I had this whole dramatic scene planned in my head but I'm not too sure how well it translated, though it might come all together with the second part of it tomorrow.
On a crazy note... Have you notice how close this story is to reaching 600 reviews! I only need like 16 more or something! *Squeals like the fangirl I am* Can't believe it! :D
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - I'm quite glad no one really wants Louis or Treville to die as that would be harder to work into the story... I like your idea a lot though I just couldn't see Porthos, or the others, letting him enter the burning palace so I've given him something else to do instead. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Bombadilo Baby: Thanks for the review - Haha I know, I'm too mean to our boys :D Glad you're enjoying it all so far. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - Yeah our boys are racing to the rescue. Glad you liked how I decided to deal with Claude, I was a bit worried it wouldnt be enough for everyone. Claude's quite an idiot who lets his mouth run away with him. Treville's not having much luck of late. Enjoy the new chapter! x
fariedragon: Thanks for the review - I'm glad you think so. I have a solid idea as to where I want the story to go and the main points that need to happen to get the story there but most of what happens in between those points is made up on the day as I write it (is it bad to admit that) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Glad you liked it. Louis wont be dying ... Richelieu though... there's a possibility for him. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Teddy2104: Thanks for the review - Hmmm I'm getting the sense you want the Cardinal to die lol :D We'll be finding out what's going on today so worry not. Seems like a knife-throwing competition was good for our boys as it means they were out and able to learn about attack so they could go to help... Though I will admit the image of it is quite amusing :D Claude might return again if people want anything more permanent to happen to him. Enjoy the new chapter! x
pain in the mikta: Thanks for the review - Worry not no one wants to kill 'da man' so he'll be fine... eventually :D I feel like I could legitimately kill Richelieu as, like you said, he does die in the series, but I'm having fun including him (though he probably comes across ooc) Claude's probably going to show up again so our boys can get a chance to dish out a more... permanent punishment to him. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - I though Treville was quite awesome in that chapter so I'm glad you liked him too :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I hadn't actually planned to kill any main characters off until just before I published yesterdays chapter when my evil mind came out to play... Still not sure if any of them will actually die. Ortiz has survived much longer then I had originally planned but he'll be getting his comeuppance very soon :) bwhaha would love to have them all race there only to find that the chef had just burnt the dinner or something lol :D I'm hating computer trouble but *knocks on wood* it seems to be working okay at the moment so hopefully it'll all be sorted now. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Guest: Thanks for the review - Richelieu may meet his end but you'll have to wait till tomorrow to find out. Aramis probably wont be getting whumpage in this part but there's still a bit a chance it could happen in the future. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Hope you weren't waiting long :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Ruth (Guest): Thanks for the review - Welcome back my friend :) I can't resist me some snuggly musky moments, it's just too cute 3 I'm glad they've all cleared the air as well, it hurt to write them at odds with each other. I've loved Treville these last few chapters, he's been such a badass! With D'Artagnan, Treville's kinda been like the bad parent while Athos and the rest of the muskys are the good parents lol. Hmm thats a point they dont know their punishment yet :D Claude'll probably try something else to get back at our boys (he's not a very smart musketeer)... Theres hope for the other two, however I cant see the rest of the regiment being open to trusting them any time soon. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Treville speech was something I LOVED writing so I'm really happy with how well its gone down. For all our boy's strengths they are powerless when the puppy-dog eyes come out lol... Though our pup might regret doing so when he learns what's gone on while he's been resting. Claude's pretty stupid for a musketeer and will probably try something else to get back at our boys. Glad you're ready :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Burning Palace I
EARLIER
"Ah Captain, how nice of you to join us," Louis grinned using his hand to beckon the two musketeers into the room.
"Now that everyone's here let's get started," Richelieu stated, looking extremely put out that he had to be there.
"That's not a wise decision," Athos stated as he shot down the Cardinal's idea several hours into their brainstorming session.
"It sends a message musketeer," sneered Richelieu, "It will also act as a deterrent to those thinking about helping Ortiz."
"Easy Cardinal," drawled Louis, looking rather bored as he sat slouched in his chair. "Let's hear the musketeer's reasoning."
When all eyes turned to Athos the musketeer sat straighter in his chair, "forcefully checking every single building isn't going to draw the Spaniard out, if anything it's going to push him further underground."
"How so?" Louis asked, leaning forward in his chair as he eyed the musketeer with curiosity.
Athos resisted the urge to sigh, wondering just how he had been the only one to realize what he had. "Doing so you'll spread panic among the people who are only just beginning to recover from Ortiz's break out. Besides we don't have the man power to check them all at once and the Cardinal's method isn't exactly stealthy, there's no way of guaranteeing that Ortiz wont learn of the search from whatever agents he has left in the city. You also run the risk of pushing more people to his cause if they feel angered enough by the invasive search."
At the end of his speech there was silence in the small room and Treville couldn't hide the look of pride that had settled on his face.
"An excellent observation musketeer," exclaimed King Louis, clapping his hands as he spoke. "I can see why the Captain places such faith in you abilities."
"Indeed," sneered Richelieu as he scratched out that idea from their proposed list. "As Treville has such faith in you, perhaps you would actually like to suggest an idea rather than simply shooting down all the ones suggested."
It took everything in Athos to not smirk at the Cardinal. The man had tormented the regiment and he and his brothers' in particular so it gave the musketeer no small amount of pleasure to irritate the man so.
"Inspired idea Cardinal," nodded Louis before turning his gaze back to the musketeer, "You spent time with him, you must know more about him than us to create an effective plan."
Athos blinked owlishly at the Kings words, the way he spoke he made it sound like he and Ortiz were friends and that he had been staying with him or something.
"My knowledge of him is limited more to his torture preferences I'm afraid Your Majesty." Athos answered diplomatically, doing his best not to glare at the smug look Cardinal Richelieu was sending his way. "Though," he began, not missing the irate look settling on the Cardinal's face. "I very much doubt Ortiz will keep us in the dark about his end plan for very much longer."
"What makes you say that Athos?" Treville asked curiously as all eyes once again returned to the musketeer.
"Whilst he has patience, one would have to, to orchestrate this whole thing, he gets more erratic when that patience reaches the end. I saw it with how his persona changed the longer D'Artagnan refused to give him the information he was after."
"And you think he's reaching the end of his patience now?"
Athos nodded, "We've killed or captured most of his influential followers, leaving him without much in the way of protection. We've shown we wont bow to his whims, it's only a matter of time until he decides to confront us directly or at least put his end plan into action."
Treville and Louis nodded, Athos's words making sense to them whilst Richelieu just continued scowling at the man.
The Cardinal opened his mouth to retort when a slow applause drew the room's occupants' attention.
"Bravo musketeer," grinned Ortiz as he lounged against the doorframe, the bodies of the two guards visible from behind the man. "Good to know you picked up something during your stay at my humble abode."
"You!" snarled the swordsman as he marched across to the Spaniard, drawing his sword as he moved.
"Ah ah ah," smirked the Spaniard, pulling out a bomb from his inside jacket pocket.
At the sight of the explosive Athos was forced to stop, noticing Treville moving to stand protectively in front of both the Cardinal and the King out of the corner of his eye.
Swinging his blade Athos glared at the smirking Spaniard. "Didn't peg you for a suicidal man Ortiz," snarled the musketeer, deciding to risk another step forward only to be forced to freeze when Ortiz grabbed one of the candles off of the side.
"What are you doing musketeer?" hissed Louis, panic clear in his eyes as he clutched desperately onto the back of Treville's shirt. "Don't antagonize him!"
At his words Ortiz turned his attention over to the quaking King. "Such a disgrace really," he mused, moving closer to the terrified young royal only to be followed by Athos. "I wouldn't even be surprised if your subjects actually thank me for killing you… After all what good is a weak King like you? It's just pathetic really."
"How dare you!" spluttered Louis, the slur against his name giving him a brief moment of courage before the man pulled his blade on him causing him to shrink back against Treville's back, the musketeer Captain having raised his own blade to block any potential attack from the man.
"So what's the plan here?" Athos growled, needing to get the attention away from the King and Treville. "You just blow yourself up and take us along with you?"
"Oh no Athos," grinned the Spaniard, "This," he said gesturing to the bomb, "is to ensure you come with me."
"Me?" asked the swordsman, his eyebrows shooting up to his hairline in surprise.
"Of course you could decline and I'll detonate it here, the blast will probably be enough to trigger the others I have stashed in the palace so it's completely your decision."
"Athos!" Treville cried when he saw his lieutenant begrudgingly gesture to the door and begin to follow the crazed Spaniard. His lieutenant paid him no mind though and within moments both had disappeared into the corridor.
"Are you well Your Majesty?" Richelieu asked quickly as he turned to the terrified royal.
"Well!?" exclaimed the King, "There's a madman in my palace which he has apparently rigged to blow up! Tell me, Richelieu, just how am I supposed to be well after that."
"We need to move," Treville stated, putting an end to the brewing argument between the two. "Athos wont be able to keep him distracted for long so let's go."
"So, why me?" Athos asked after following the man for a few minutes, his anger at the man growing with every dead or dying guard and servant they passed.
"Because I want to see what you'll choose." Shrugged Ortiz, nonchalantly stepping over another dead servant.
When Athos refused to respond Ortiz spun on his heels so he was facing the musketeer.
"You can follow me, probably catch me and get the revenge I can see burning bright in those eyes of yours."
"Sounds appealing," snarled Athos
"I imagine it does," nodded Ortiz, a smirk forming once again on his face. "Or, you could go back and save the lives of your Captain and King."
Before Athos could say anything Ortiz lit the fuse of the bomb, chucking it down the corridor they had just walked before sprinting off in the opposite direction.
Athos watched in horror as the explosive got closer to the room he had last seen his Captain but before he could make any sort of move the bomb exploded, the blast sending the musketeer flying into an ornate cabinet.
He had no idea how long he had been unconscious for but at the thick smoke filling the room when he awoke Athos knew he had to move quickly, despite the near crippling pain in his side.
It took the musketeer a few moments to gather himself and make his decision as to who he would follow. Sending the hallway that led to Treville a worried glance the musketeer turned and scrambled down the way Ortiz had gone, praying the blast had done the Spaniard some damage.
PRESENT TIME
Aramis and Porthos both felt their breath leave them as they saw the devastation that was the royal palace.
After the watchman had informed them of the smoke he had spotted, the pair had gathered as many musketeers as they could before rushing out to investigate, none of them even bothering to waste time saddling their mounts, each of them fearing what had become of their Captain and Lieutenant.
Now they were there they could see the smoke billowing out of several rooms as well as shattered windows.
"Leroy! Galen!" bellowed Aramis, the men moving to his side within an instant. "Grab anyone else with medic training then help me with the injured coming out, we don't have supplies but we can do what we can to save those who survived the blast."
The two musketeers nodded and Leroy moved to collect a few other musketeers while Galen helped the sharpshooter off of his horse and over to where the crying people were evacuating the palace, many bloody and all covered in ash and debris.
"All right, the rest of you listen up!" bellowed Porthos, moving his horse to stand in front of the remaining men. "Our priority is to get as many survivors as we can out of there. We know for a fact that the King, Cardinal, Captain as well as Athos were in there during the explosion so we don't rest until we've confirmed the status of all four of them is that understood."
Roars of agreement accompanied his words as each of the men prepared to enter the palace.
"No one goes off alone, stay in pairs at the very least and lets get to work!"
It was a blurry of movement for those men who remained to treat the injured and Aramis's worry only increased with every person who was brought out that wasn't his brother or Captain.
Thankfully many of the men who had entered the palace also brought out things to be used as supplies, such as sheets and blankets. This meant that Aramis's group was able to better treat the many injured staff members that were dragged out.
"ARAMIS!" cried a voice, pulling the medic's focus away from were he was bandaging up a young kitchen maid's arm. The medic felt his heart stop as Etienne dragged over a bleeding and unconscious Treville.
"The others?" Aramis asked as he made quick work of stripping the Captain of his shirt so he could inspect the wounds he had sustained.
"Cardinal and the King were with him, they're bringing them out now."
Aramis's head shot up, "No Athos?" his heart sinking as Etienne shook his head.
"How are they… the Cardinal and the King?"
"I found Treville on top of the King so he protected him from the worst of the blast but he was unconscious when I got there. I would have brought him out but the Captain seemed to be in the worst state… I didn't really get much of a look at the Cardinal though."
Aramis nodded, his full focus now returning to his patient. Various bits of debris and glass had embedded themselves in Treville's back and it was going to take ages to get them all out and cleaned. The blast had also ripped out the Captain's stitches so now his gunshot wound was open, filthy and bleeding… again.
"You better listen to me next time I tell you you're not ready for duty," Aramis whispered, his face low and near the Captain's ear so others couldn't hear what was said. In all honesty he doubted the Captain himself could hear him in his state but he still needed to say it.
"Aramis his head's bleeding," Etienne noted, gently tilting the Captain's head so the medic could get a clearer look.
"Great," huffed the medic as he glared at the injuries that marred his friend's skin.
While Etienne and Aramis worked on Treville both the Cardinal and the King had been brought out. Upon noticing the royal was unconscious several medics abandoned their less critical cases to tend to him.
Fortunately Etienne had been correct in his assumption in that Treville had shielded the young King from the worst of the blast and so apart from a few minor cuts and a fairly nasty looking gash on his head, the man was generally okay.
Cardinal Richelieu however had no such shield and had been impaled by a fairly long splinter of wood. The man was still alive, if barely and the medics wasted no time in moving him over to a wagon before racing off to the nearest place that had a physician.
"Come on Athos," whispered Aramis as he looked up from his spot by Treville's side to stare at the burning palace. "Where are you."