Evening My Lovelies
First off I'm really sorry there was no chapter yesterday! I was feeling really crappy at work and then by the time I got home I decided to sleep for a bit so I could write later on and then next thing I know it was like half 1! Sorry! x
I'm not completely sold on this chapter either which sucks as I wanted a kick ass chapter to make up for leaving you all hanging but writers block hit me again and made this chapter such a struggle.
But on a good point we're at over 15k views!
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - Hmmm I'm not sure about an amazing acting performance but we'll get to see if he gets to go today. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha yeah I agree, Treville's ready to never hear Savoy again. We get to see if he gets to go today as well as what evil things my mind created for our other boys. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - I can't resist my cliffys lol :) I've got something planned for Viv later on which should be interesting to write when we get there so stay tuned for that :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - *bandages head, tsk's at damaged wall and gives new chapter* :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the review - I'm glad you thought so :) I can't resist my cliffies :D Viv's got a role to play in some upcoming serious whumpage so stay tuned for that, should be coming in a couple of chapters time. Enjoy the new chapter! x
MoonligtTaylor (Guest): Thanks for the review - I do like making you all panic :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - D'Art'll be back tomorrow I've realized he's been just snoozing all this away. Haha You know me too well, yes this isnt going to end well for Aramis. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - You'll find out who attacked today worry not. Yeah Marsac didnt really have his priorities right if he taught her how to shoot but not how to build a fire and survive in the wild... stupid Marsac. Trouble is definitely brewing :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - I was tempted to have the musketeer's bathe and completely forget they were in the presence of a woman and just start stripping down but decided that, despite how amusing that conversation might have ended up being, they needed a brotherly moment so would be better to get rid of her for a bit. Aramis wont be happy about leaving D'Art but he's desperate to make amends to his brothers by helping to save them so he's determined to ride. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I do like to be mean :) Aramis made me think of a puppy at that bit but he's determined to go so we'll have to see if Treville and the good doc let him. Well some rest is better than none at all ... or at least that's how my evil mind justifies all the drama/whumpage. Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Glad it wasnt confusing and worry not we're clearing that bit up straight away :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Twenty-Four: Ambush
Years as a soldier had heightened Athos's reflexes, something that came in handy when he had to make his way back from a night of heavy drink or fight whilst sick or injured, much like right now.
Waking up to Porthos's almost silent warning Athos barely had a minute to force open his eyes and take in what was being said to him when he noticed an odd gleam in the distance.
"PORTHOS!" screamed Vivienne but Athos was ever so slightly faster and despite knowing he would be little more than a liability in a fight he used what remained of his strength to knock Porthos off balance and onto the ground, hissing in pain as the bullet grazed his arm and imbedded itself into the tree at exactly where Porthos's heart would have been had he not moved.
"Viv!" bellowed Porthos as he sent his now heavily breathing friend a grateful look. "Watch him!" ordered the musketeer when a pale and panicking Vivienne turned at the shout of her name.
Once Vivienne had began to scramble back to stand protectively in front of Athos, Porthos launched himself, with remarkable speed given his own injuries, at the nearest attackers.
Catching the first man off guard Porthos was able to use the momentum of his leap to drive his blade deep into the man's chest.
Staggering back up onto his feet Porthos glared menacingly at the remaining men, blood dripping off of his blade. "Which one of you just tried to kill my friend?"
His words seemed to spur the men out of their frozen states as within moments the area was filled with the sounds of battle.
"Porthos!" thundered Athos, all traces of exhaustion gone as he kept his attention on the fight.
Instantly knowing exactly what was being asked of him Porthos lifted his leg and launched a powerful kick to his opponent's stomach, succeeding in both knocking the air from his lungs and making him stagger backwards. Porthos followed up on this by skirting around him to grab the now abandoned blade of the man he killed when the attack started.
"Heads up!" yelled Porthos as he spun on his heels and threw the blade in Athos's direction before completing the spin to return to his fight with the now recovered man.
"Vivienne," said Athos, his voice eerily calm as he gripped the blade in his good hand. Waiting until the woman gave some sign of having heard him he continued, "Help me up."
This made Vivienne falter from where she was trying to take out the few men hiding in the bushes, she was a complete novice when it came to actual fighting and was alternating between wanting to panic and wanting to run but she focused on the desire to live. Running would only give their attackers an easy target and giving into her panic only helped their enemies.
"You sure that's wise?" she asked looking over her shoulder as she worked as quickly as she could to reload her pistol, she was quickly running out of ammunition and it was only adding to her growing fear.
"I can't fight from down here," explained Athos gruffly as he attempted to get up on his own.
Understanding and worry instantly flooded Vivienne's eyes but before she could protest a yelp of pain caught both of their attentions, watching with widening eyes they saw one of their ambushers sneak up on a preoccupied Porthos and drive his blade into the musketeer's skin, the musketeer only getting away with his life thanks to a dodge he was attempting on the opponent in front of him.
"Help. Me. Up" growled Athos as he once again tried to get to his feet. This time however Vivienne needed no further convincing as she moved to the man's side.
Despite barely standing Athos entered the fray as best he was able, eternally grateful that their attackers lacked both numbers and skill. Clearly the men had not anticipated such resistance on their part, something Athos planned to make full use of.
"How many shots do you have left?" he asked quietly, parrying a blow from one of their last attackers, quickly following up with one of his own as he made a mental note to thank Treville for insisting he learnt how to use his sword with both hands.
"…One," Vivienne admitted just as quietly as she used the butt of the pistol to knock out the man Athos had been dueling with.
Nodding appreciatively at the woman Athos flung his arm around her shoulder; "Save it, we may need it later. The fight's almost over just help me get to Porthos."
Blushing slightly at the proud look the musketeer sent her way she nodded and the pair made their way slowly over to where Porthos was dealing with the last two enemies.
"Bout time," huffed Porthos as he noticed Athos and Vivienne join the fray, whilst he was not pleased that his severely injured friend had thrown himself into a battle he was immensely grateful for the man's support. The wound he had sustained to his arm was bleeding heavily and to his growing worry he was beginning to lose feeling in it. His only consolation was that it wasn't his main hand, meaning he could continue fighting without much interference.
Athos said nothing in response, keeping his focus on the duel he was fighting while relying on Vivienne to follow his movements and move when he did. While Vivienne really tried she wasn't as in tune with the musketeer as Porthos was and as such the pair tripped up several times, each sending a sharp shockwave of pain through the musketeer as his broken bones jarred angrily.
Their latest trip however ended up working to their advantage as it sent Athos tumbling directly at his opponent and with his weight pinning the man to the ground Athos was able to get in a couple of good punches in until Vivienne screamed and jammed the blade into the man's chest once she noticed the musketeer's energy beginning to fail and the man getting in several good hits of his own.
"My thanks," breathed Athos heavily as he watched the young woman stumble backwards, her legs giving out after a few steps.
"Any idea who these guys are?" Porthos asked as he joined Athos several moments later, having ended his guy mere seconds before Vivienne's attack.
With his eyes still glued on the now trembling Vivienne, Athos shook his head.
Seeing this Porthos helped his friend over to the young woman, "you doin' all right there Viv?" asked Porthos lightly as he placed a gentle hand on the woman's shoulder.
"I… I k-killed… I didn't even…"
"Breathe," ordered Athos, interrupting the beginnings of a panic attack that was threatening to overpower the woman.
"You can't order her around after she saved your life 'Thos," teased Porthos as he grinned brightly at Vivienne, "It's poor form after all."
Athos shrugged nonchalantly, despite the small upward quirk of his lips, "I had it covered."
"Course ya did," nodded Porthos while he sent Vivienne a conspiratory wink making her giggle quietly.
"That one's still alive," pointed out Athos as he brought them back to the situation at hand.
"Are we questioning or getting the hell out of here?" Porthos asked as he eyed his still bleeding wound worriedly.
"I'll interrogate, Vivienne can bandage that and we'll look at it properly next time we stop." Knowing better than to argue when the swordsman spoke in that tone both Vivienne and Porthos moved to follow his orders.
"How's he doing?" Treville asked quietly as he slipped into the infirmary and was now standing beside Moreau, both men watching Aramis attempt to eat breakfast.
"He says he's fine," stated Moreau, his narrowed eyes never leaving Aramis's form.
"And in your opinion?"
"You want to know if he's able to ride?"
"I have two missing men, at least one of them quite possibly severely injured as well as a kidnapped civilian and those two are the only ones who know where they're being held so yes I need to know if he can ride."
The bite in Treville's words had Moreau flinching slightly; the doctor had been so consumed with his current patients that he had forgotten about the serious trouble the others could be in.
"Captain!" exclaimed Aramis with poorly veiled enthusiasm. "Are we leaving?"
Torn between wanting to laugh at the man's eagerness and scold him for moving about so much when he was still healing Treville eventually steeled his expression and turned back to the doctor.
"That depends if Moreau clears you."
"But I'm doing better!"
"Aramis," glared Treville not liking the tone the musketeer was taking.
"Rest does appear to have done the man a world of good," admitted Moreau quietly, instantly gaining the attention of both men.
"Good enough to handle the ride?" Treville asked sternly.
Moreau considered it for several agonizing minutes. "I have a feeling he will break out and follow you if I say no but my answer will depend on how much of that plate he can both eat and keep down."
Aramis scowled slightly at the answer but dutifully returned to his breakfast plate, already feeling the nausea settling in but stubbornly refusing to acknowledge it.
"And D'Artagnan?" Treville enquired, pretending not to notice the small flinch on Aramis's part when he mentioned the Gascon's name.
Moreau's frown worried both men. "No worse but no better either. He gave me a bit of a scare during the night when his temperature seemed to spike further but as I said it's not gotten worse and seems to have had no lasting affects. He hasn't woken since you were talking to him before but he's been showing signs so I would imagine he'd probably wake some time this afternoon, though given his fever I can't guarantee how lucid he'll be.
"He's too stubborn to let a fever beat him," stated Aramis though his voice was quiet as if he had been speaking to himself rather than them.
"True enough," smiled Treville, before sighing as he noticed Aramis near empty plate. "I'll see to your horse. If you haven't thrown all that up by the time I return then you can come."
Once Treville was out of the room Moreau was by Aramis's side instantly, taking the plate from the man's shaking hands and replacing it with a small goblet of medicine-laced water. "You're just as stubborn as your friend monsieur," he remarked seriously.
"Yet you're helping me."
Moreau sighed, "I meant what I said, I have no doubt you'll only follow them so why not have you where they can keep an eye on you."
Aramis nodded, feeling slightly better as the medicine took effect. "Regardless, I thank you."
"Just don't come back worse than you already are," huffed Moreau as he moved to D'Artagnan's bedside.
"Keep an eye on him will you?"
Scoffing Moreau sent Aramis a look that said that it should have been obvious and before the musketeer could respond Treville returned, nodding approvingly at the lack of any signs of vomit.
"He kept it down," announced Moreau without looking up from his inspection of D'Artagnan. "He's all yours."
Nodding Treville turned to Aramis who was already out of bed and currently attaching his weapons to his belt. "Come on then."