Evening My Lovelies
A thousand apologies for no chapter yesterday, I hit a really bad spot of writers block and ended up only writing like 300 words (that I was somewhat happy with) in the space of a couple of hours.
Things seem to be better today and I was able to get this written, hopefully it'll make up for keeping you all waiting.
Notes On Reviews:
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Definitely can't resist a bit more angst and anguish :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I know! I can't believe we're at over 70 chapters now either! 70+ chapters, 200k+ words, 50k+ views & 800+ reviews! I'm loving this soo much! Haha I couldn't resist the cliffy :) and would it make you feel better if I promised not to kill Corbett? Enjoy the new chapter! x
Guest: Thanks for the review - Oh yes there's D'Art whump coming our way :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Deana: Thanks for the review - Gotta keep you all on your toes somehow :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha yeah the whole safety in numbers thing doesn't apply when muskys get involved... especially if any of our foursome is part of that group :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Mwhaha Gotta love a review that starts with a capitalized no with god knows how many o's on the end of it :D I can guarantee that Athos is going to be extremely pissed... I can't guarantee D'Art wont get tortured too badly :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Ebm36: Thanks for the review - Wow I'm really happy you're enjoying the story so much :D your kind words totally made my day :D ... I hadn't considered loading them to Archive of our own... Hmmm I'll definitely look into it though I'd probably wait until I had the finished story to begin uploading it to another site as otherwise I'm pretty confident I'd forget to upload consistently lol. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Oh with what I'm thinking of D'Art (and the others) have some whumpage coming their way :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - Constance will come into play in tomorrows chapter, Aramis wont be charging out quite yet for reasons you'll find out today. Marcel's also showing up again tomorrow which should be fun *smirks evilly* Enjoy the new chapter! x
sweettweeet: Thanks for the review - Wow :D The fact that someone reads my stories is great for me so I'm always ecstatic when someone says they re-read them too so thank you for that :D I'm with you on the living for D'Art whump :D There's plenty of that on the way in the next few chapters so stay tuned! Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Constance is going to come into play tomorrow which our lovely pup will not appreciate nor take too kindly to. Athos definitely enjoys having them around more then he'll ever admit to lol Treville's gonna be pissed they got caught unawares. Porthos and D'Art have a vague excuse of being worried about seeing Corbett unconscious though so that might help their case a bit. Our other inseparables are going to be down right furious. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Yep :D bad stuff's about to go down :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the reviews - (chapter69) It broke my heart to write it too :( but writing Athos made up for it some. Unfortunately for Marcel he's not a smart man so he's choosing the foolhardy decision to go after our boys. (Chapter 70) Couldn't resist including a bit of puppy-dog eyes, especially as the muskys aren't as immune to them yet, makes them even more effective :) I LOVE your ideas for Marcel's fate! Way much better then what I was debating doing! Now I just have to decide which one I like more :D Thanks soooo much for the suggestions. Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Haha yeah that's true poor Corbett's not used to it. I might go slightly easier on him as he's not really crucial to Marcel's plan but he is going to get hurt a bit :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I know! I never intended for the story to be this long but I'm loving it so I don't care :D I feel the puppy dog eyes would be more potent as they haven't had as long to get used to them just yet :D I just couldn't see there being a evil guy on the loose and D'Art not wanting to warn Constance. Oh Athos definitely likes it more than he admits lol. I've missed having our boys in the clutches of a baddie too so I'm really excited for the next few chapters, my evil mind is practically purring at all the possibilities :D As for whether Marcel's alone.. You'll find out tomorrow when he comes back properly :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading. Love you all, you're awesome!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Seventy-One: Worry
Treville was concerned, Porthos's group should have returned to the garrison by now, it now being several hours since they departed. The Captain wanted nothing more then to send some more men out into the city searching for them but with his current numbers what they were, it simply wasn't a viable option.
"They're fine Captain," reassured Moreau as he changed the bandages on Henri's arm. The musketeer had developed a serious infection from being clawed by a bear and the doctor was loathed to leave his side for very long. In fact he only left when he needed to check on Jacques.
"You don't know that," grumbled Treville, his worried eyes lingering on the infirmary door as if he could summon them through shear force of will alone.
"They probably just got delayed looking for the guard Captain," offered Moreau, his eyes focused on his patient while his voice was soft and kind. "The poor man's been forced to have his guards running double patrols since the King left with most of this regiment. I wouldn't put it passed him to take one of those patrols himself if it meant his men could rest a bit. They probably were forced to wait for him to return before they could talk to him. They'll turn up Treville now stop your fretting."
Treville scowled lightly at being treated like a child but he couldn't deny that the physician's words were soothing and helped to take the edge off of his near frantic worrying.
Once he had calmed down enough Treville's gaze turned away from the infirmary door and to the door that led to another small patient room. Once Aramis had calmed down after his last outburst Treville had opted to move the medic, along with Athos, into the room, allowing the grieving man a semblance of privacy whilst still keeping him close enough should Marcel decide to act upon them.
The room had been fairly quiet for the most part, save for the occasional sob from Aramis or comforting word from Athos and Treville found his worry growing as he realized he would soon have to tell them their friends and brothers were missing should the men not return soon.
He was just about to debate how much longer he should leave it before informing them when a commotion from outside caught his attention.
Quickly sheathing the blade he had been attempting to sharpen Treville rushed to the door, having recognized one of the faint voices he had just heard earlier.
"About time you lot returned," barked Treville; slightly enjoying the look of surprise on his men's faces as the noted his presence.
"We could say the same for you as well Captain," grinned one of the men as he dismounted his horse and moved to shake Treville's hand. "You had us worried sir, I trust everyone made it back in one piece?"
Treville smiled, grateful for the concern of his soldier, "It's good to see you too Beaumont and we're all alive, that's about as much reassurance as I can give." He added, his smile turning grim.
Beaumont frowned, no doubt seconds away from asking for clarification when he noticed the way his Captain's hand moved, seemingly unconsciously, to the wound that laid hidden under his clothing.
"You're hurt?" Beaumont asked; worry filling his eyes as he observed his Captain. They were all aware that reinforcements and a physician had been sent for at one point but names of the injured where never given.
"It's been tended too," reassured Treville and he was about to add more when a voice he had been dreading entered the garrison.
"Captain Treville!" snapped King Louis, his frustration clear in his voice.
"Your Majesty," stammered Treville, honestly surprised the young monarch would have stopped off at the garrison before returning to the palace, when his regiment returned Treville had simply assumed that they had accompanied the King before returning.
"Where have you been?"
"Your Majesty," remarked Treville with an air of casualness he didn't know he currently possessed, "I trust you had a successful hunt?"
"Save it Captain," snapped Louis as he glared down at the musketeer Captain. "You can tell me your excuses back at the palace."
"But Your Majesty I –"
Louis spun on his heels, his anger at the Captain practically rolling off of him in waves as he, interrupted him. "I wasn't asking Treville, now come on."
"Sir!" called Reynard, unknowingly interrupting the tense exchange between the Captain and the monarch.
Grateful for both the interruption and for news Treville wasted no time in summoning the now hesitant musketeer over.
"Reynard?"
"The men are just finishing the sweep, no sign of him I'm afraid."
Treville sighed resignedly before a determined look settled on his face. "Sweep again. It's possible he switched hiding places if he heard the search going on, we have the man power to sweep multiple rooms at once now so get that done and set up watch rotations. I don't want anyone entering who is not known or trusted by someone in the garrison."
Reynard nodded about to begin sorting out just that when Treville growled under his breath and pulled him off to one side, ignoring the huff of annoyance from King Louis.
"Sir?" Reynard asked, surprised at the Captain's actions in front of the King but Treville merely waved him off.
"Porthos's group hasn't returned yet," whispered Treville not missing the worried look now on Reynard's face. "Give them one more hour before sending men out to retrace their steps."
"I'll split the men to check out the different possible routes they could have taken."
Treville nodded before his whole expression turned deadly serious. "Both Aramis and Athos were resting last time I checked, neither man is to be disturbed and no one breathes a word of this to either of them until I say so is that clear?"
Confusion flickered across the musketeer's face but he schooled it quickly. "Crystal sir… But, don't they deserve to know?"
Treville sighed, sending a glance towards the infirmary. "They would both rush out without a second thought and neither is in any condition to be doing that… So, until we have more confirmed news, they know nothing."
Reynard nodded, "Understood."
"TREVILLE!" barked Louis, beyond irritated at the Captain's dismissal of him.
"Not a word," whispered Treville before turning back to Louis, reluctantly following the furious King out of the garrison.
"So…" mused Beaumont, "Sounds like we missed a lot, feel like filling us in before setting us to work?"
Porthos woke to the earsplitting sounds of a door being slammed shut and a voice yelling out after whoever had left. With a quiet groan the larger musketeer pushed himself up into a sitting position before his hands came to cradle his aching head while he desperately tried to work out what was going on.
"Porthos!" exclaimed a voice, the obvious relief in it warming the musketeer's heart even as he was internally plotting the voice's murder for the pain the volume of his voice created in his aching head.
"…W'at?" slurred Porthos, feeling slightly better once the pain faded to a manageable level and he was only seeing one of everything.
"Porthos!" called the voice again, this time urgency not relief radiated from it.
Snapping awake fully at the at the emotion in the voice Porthos blinked somewhat groggily at it's owner.
"…Corbett?"
"Thank God," sighed the musketeer, practically sagging in the chains that Porthos noticed matched his own. There was a trail of dried blood down the musketeer's face though even that didn't completely hide the growing bruise underneath.
"Corbett what's –"
Completely ignoring the larger man's question Corbett interrupted, "How's D'Artagnan? I can't see him from here?"
Porthos felt his blood turn to ice at the mention of his young friend, how could I forget about him! He internally berated himself as he pushed past the aching pain in his head to turn and look on the opposite side of him.
There, lying on the ground next to him was the unconscious form of D'Artagnan. At first Porthos felt relief at seeing the rise and fall of the boy's chest but then he noticed the blood from his head wound and his earlier panic returned with a vengeance.
"Whelp!" he called, ignoring the pain in his body as he shuffled as close to the boy as he could get in a desperate attempt to reach him. He knew from Aramis's many attempts to teach them all some medical skills that a head wound as bad as D'Artagnan's appeared to be could very easily and quickly turn fatal, they needed to wake him up, even for a moment, they needed him awake.
"How is he?" questioned Corbett, stretching out his own chains as much as he could to try and see, hating how helpless his was in his current position.
"Head's bleeding bad," explained Porthos, not bothering to even attempt to hide the worry in his voice for his unmoving friend. "Need to wake him up but I can't reach!"
"Your leg's aren't chained," offered Corbett helpfully, "It's not the gentlest of approaches but if it wakes him up… Do you think you could kick him?"
Porthos thought about it for a minute, hating the idea but seeing no other choice, before quickly, or as quickly as he could move given his current pain levels, moving into a position that would let him kick out towards the boy.
It took several attempts and Porthos was sure he had given his friend a bruise on his ankle but eventually they were rewarded by a small groan and the fluttering open of eyelids from their Gascon friend.
"Hey whelp," whispered Porthos soothingly, doing his best to keep his voice quiet so as to not irritate the boy's, no doubt painful, head further.
"…H'rts," whimpered D'Artagnan, quickly curling into himself as much as his still healing ribs allowed.
"You need to stay awake okay D'Art?" Porthos asked, trying hard to keep the worry out of his voice.
"…T'red" mumbled the boy, though he did try to keep his eyes open.
"I know whelp," said Porthos softly, feeling the pain of his own head injury calling him back to sleep as he spoke. "Just for a few minutes though, then you can sleep for a bit, do you think you could do that?"
It took a few moments but eventually D'Artagnan attempted to nod, only to let out another whimper of pain as the action sent stabbing pain through his head.
While Porthos was trying to comfort and soothe D'Artagnan, Corbett had taken to listening out for anyone approaching and his eyes widened with panic as he heard the faint sound of approaching footsteps.