Evening My Lovelies
Chapter Twenty Whoop Whoop!
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - Sorry to keep you waiting :) Hehe I know, it's gonna be good :D We're going to have to wait until tomorrow to see what's happening to our favourite medic and Gascon unfortunately. Hopefully this will tide you over in the mean time. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I haven't decided if Marcel is completely on their side yet... he may be plotting something we'll have to wait and see how devious and evil my mind decides to be. Treville's going to go into full papa bear mode on our medic. All I can say is Aramis is in quite bad shape and his refusal to rest is only making it worse :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Haha very true :) We might see the cardinal return, I quite enjoyed writing his little bit, plus with what I have planned he could easily return and be his annoyingly manipulative self :) Hehe It's a compliment in mine too :D I havent quite decided how pyscho and evil I'm going to be but based on my previous stories I think it's safe to say something's going to go wrong. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - I would say ask your questions but they'd probably be ones I can't answer being the evil writer I am. I doubt this chapter will answer any but tomorrow's probably will... hopefully. Enjoy the new chapter! x
romirola: Thanks for the review - Thanks I'm glad you're enjoying it :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Hmmm knowing me ... probably not :D Treville definitely won that round of BS'ing. We might get to see them go at it again in a later chapter. With what I have planned Richelieu could easily make another appearance. I know I know I'm an evil evil writer :(... *smirks* and I'm doing it again today (kinda) Mwhahahaha. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Zoe (Guest): Thanks for the review - Treville aint standing for any of Richelieu's crap lol :) Considering what Porthos is doing today its probably a good thing he had both arms usable. Treville's going to going into full papa bear mode to get through to our lovely medic ... but will he succeed? ... You'll have to wait and find out. Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the review - I read this on the train home from work and I'm pretty sure I got at least one weird look for grinning at my phone when I read that opening line XD I can't help where I leave things. The evil mind takes over and I can't stop it so I almost feel I should apologize for today's chapter as well. I havent fully decided if Marcel's help is genuine or not yet. We'll have to see what the evil mind says when I start work on the next couple of chapters. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - Louis's not the smartest tool in the shed so he's not overly difficult to convince, though I suppose with the cardinal there it became harder. Definitely do not envy the task now at Treville's feet, we'll be seeing how he gets on tomorrow. Hopefully Marcel will become less confusing in later chapters. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Guest: Thanks for the review - You can try I wont break! lol :D I haven't decided if Marcel is completely genuine in his attempts to help yet, it depends on how evil my mind wants to be when I start work on later chapters. We'll be seeing how Treville gets on with Aramis tomorrow, should be good :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Richelieu's too self-centered to have any idea what honor and brotherhood actually look like. He'll probably be coming back in a later chapter leading to another Richelieu/Treville verbal spar which should be fun :) I think you're right to be cautious over Marcel, though more because I havent decided how evil i'm going to be than because of his character lol but you're right our boys (and lass) dont have much of a choice. Treville might have to knock out our medic if he can't get through to him, especially when he see's his condition *smirks* I'm quite looking forward to writing their confrontation tomorrow, should be good. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Twenty: The Long Way Home III
"You okay?" Athos asked weakly as he noted the unease on Porthos's face. Though none of them were actually all right, each of them injured in some way or another, Porthos's unease had become more prominent since a possible way out was given to them.
"…Yeah."
Athos wanted to sigh at the dismissal in Porthos's voice but knew that after their bit of a blow up earlier it would not do well to rile the man up like that again. Having said that he knew he needed to know what was troubling his brother, well apart from their current situation.
"Talk to me Porthos," he said softly, his words a request not a demand and Porthos looked very much like he wanted to shuffle uncomfortably but was unable to do so as he was currently holding up most of Athos's weight.
"Just wishing I had a weapon," shrugged Porthos, biting back a wince as it aggravated the dull ache in his recently reset shoulder. "Keep getting the feeling somethin's about to go horribly wrong."
Athos eyed his friend, knowing that while his explanation was a plausible one it wasn't what was truly bothering the larger man. However Athos also knew his brother could be extremely private when he wanted to be and whilst the man usually had no trouble or qualms opening up to one of them, or even D'Artagnan depending on the subject matter, he would be a lot more reserved in front of a stranger like Vivienne so he decided to humor his friend and play along, though his eyes held a determination to get the true answer out of the man later on.
"Maybe we should find the kitchens then," teased Athos, his words coming in pants as he struggled against the pain. "Get you a couple of spoons, maybe even a fork just in case."
As he hoped his teasing managed to get a snort of laughter from his friend and Athos could see the tenseness of his frame soften ever so slightly. It wasn't much but he would take it for now.
"Doesn't look like Marcel's coming back so let's check out this door."
"…Unlocked," mused Porthos as he noticed the door was open just ever so slightly.
"That a good thing or bad?" asked Vivienne hesitantly, fear winning over exhaustion for the woman as her eyes began to scan their surroundings as if expecting a group of armed guards to jump out at them at any moment… which considering where they were wouldn't be a completely unjustified concern.
"Let's see. Everyone stay on guard."
Despite the three of them all walking next to the other as they were carrying Athos, Porthos angled them so it would be him who entered the room first. To his surprise and relief he found the room empty and quickly urged the others into it before someone spotted them in the hallway.
The room appeared to be some kind of old storeroom. There were boxes full of what appeared to be clothing of some kind against one wall and an array of other items cluttering up the space.
Much to Porthos's relief there was also an old armchair in the corner of the room. The chair had definitely seen better days aesthetically but looked sturdy enough so without another word he directed them over to it, gently helping his barely conscious friend into, despite the swordsman's protests.
"What now?" Vivienne asked tiredly
Porthos rolled out his shoulders, both feeling the ache of injury and soreness of carrying Athos for as long as he had. Looking around the room Porthos tried to come up with a plan. It wasn't often he was put in position of leadership. The larger man was more than content to follow providing it was a person worth following and whilst he had been in charge of many missions it never helped ease his nervousness at the prospect of leading, especially now that two important lives depended on him.
Part of him wanted to ask Athos for his opinion but one glance at his friend pushed all thoughts of that from his mind. The swordsman was beyond pale, the pain lines and gleam of sweat coating his face telling the story of the amount of pain he was in.
The fact that Athos was no longer trying or was now unable to hide his pain was worrying enough to Porthos. The man was stubborn, especially when it came to dealing with pain. While, unlike D'Artagnan, he would not hide the severity of his injuries he would hide the effect those injuries were having on him so it was a concern that he was not trying to do so now.
Porthos couldn't in good conscious add the pressures of leadership to his friend's shoulders when he was in his current state; instead he turned back to Vivienne.
"We look around. If Marcel is helping us then there must be something here and even if he's not there's probably some stuff in here we can use to help with our escape." He explained, his eyes locking onto an open box that had some kind of fabric hanging out of it. If nothing else they could at least use the fabric as bandages. With this idea in mind Porthos began looking around for something to use as a splint. He did not have Aramis's training but the medic had forced him to learn how to set a bone and splint it properly so he could at least do that for his friend.
It took the larger musketeer longer than he would ever admit to tear up some of the fabric to use for bandages, his injuries limiting his strength. Once he had the strips though he worked to break up one of the wooden boxes as quietly as he could, knowing that Athos's ankle would need some serious splinting before they could push on further.
While he worked Vivienne disappeared around the corner of a packed shelf with several items of clothing. She had no idea how quick they were going to have to force themselves to move once they got outside so when she had spotted a pair of breeches and a long tunic top that looked about her size she had grabbed them and disappeared without a second thought.
With his supplies in hand Porthos began to make his way back over to Athos's side, mentally replaying the lesson Aramis had given him on setting bones whilst also trying not to grimace at the thought of his missing friend.
All thoughts of his friends flew from Porthos's mind however when he finally noticed the heavy discoloration around Athos's wrists and ankles. Barely biting back the growl that was threatening to burst its way free the musketeer had to take a moment to calm his rage at the deep blue, almost pitch black, bruises that marred his friend's skin. One of Athos's wrists was also causing some concern and Porthos vowed to check it one the ankle was dealt with.
"You know 'Mis is going to insist on making that balm for you when we get back?" teased Porthos, forcing lightness into his tone as he approached the barely conscious swordsman.
Athos grimaced, whilst Aramis's remedies helped and extremely useful, the 'bruise balm' as they had taken to calling it was particularly repugnant in smell.
Chuckling at the swordsman's facial expression Porthos set down his supplies, Athos's face instantly becoming expressionless as he noted what was in front of him.
"I need to do this 'Thos," implored Porthos softly; ensuring his voice was low enough that Vivienne wouldn't hear it. Athos had enough trouble showing any signs of weakness in front of them let alone a complete stranger.
"You could lose the whole foot if I don't," he added when Athos didn't reply.
"I know," nodded Athos after a few tense moments of silence. The musketeer's voice was full of emotion though Porthos knew better than to comment on it.
"I'll be as quick as I can," soothed Porthos before handing the man one of the pieces of the broken box which were not needed to be used in the splints so the swordsman had something to bite down on.
After giving his brother a few moments to prepare himself Porthos set to work inspecting the ankle, barely holding back the urge to flinch when Athos's muffled screams reached his ears.
With as much gentleness as he could allow Porthos began the anguish-inducing task of forcing the broken pieces of Athos's bone, which had shattered, back into place before setting and securing a splint.
The job wasn't perfect but it would hold and for now that was as good as they could hope for. Looking back at his friend's face he saw that Athos had passed out from the pain but was already beginning to wake.
"Porthos!"
The call of his name from Vivienne was enough to distract the musketeer from his waking friend, besides he knew the man well enough to know he would appreciate a few moments to collect himself.
"I think Marcel is trying to help us," remarked Vivienne with a growing amount of hope entering her voice.
Porthos made his way to her side, wisely not commenting on her change of attire. As soon as he stood by her side he could tell why she had made the comment she had. There, by a concealed yet unlocked door laid three small satchels, a pistol and a basic but sharp blade.
Unwilling to completely trust the man who had apparently just turned on his own comrade Porthos bade Vivienne to return to Athos's side whilst he checked out the bags and the door.
"Well?" huffed Athos, sweat dripping off of his face as he breathed through the pain in his body.
"Water skin and some travel rations," informed Porthos as he handed Vivienne a bag whilst pulling his own and Athos's over his shoulder, completely ignoring the look his action earned him from his brother.
"What about the door?" Vivienne asked, her body tense with anticipation.
Porthos smirked, "Leads outside."
At this news Vivienne cheered, a beaming grin hitting her face whilst Athos seemed to sag into the chair in relief.
"I still don't trust this though," mused Porthos as they began to get ready to set off. Turning to Vivienne he asked, "Can you shoot? With us helping him walk 'Thos can't hold a weapon and I can't hold both."
"I can do it," grumbled the swordsman though at this point the musketeer was seriously considering his ability to remain conscious until they got somewhere safe.
Porthos snorted, "nice try 'Thos," his grin turning into a frown as he once again stared at the damage done to his friend, "'Side's the fact you're exhausted, that wrist aint in perfect condition don't even try to deny it. Can't be as bad as your leg so I'm willing to leave it 'till we're safe but you aint getting a weapon."
Smiling softly at the brotherly bickering going on between the two men Vivienne nodded. "Mar… My brother wanted me to be able to defend myself so he taught me…. I haven't done it since before he went off to Savoy but I know how to."
Nodding sharply Porthos handed the pistol to the woman, "Good enough for me, lets go."