Evening My Lovelies
So sorry for no update yesterday! My crappy feeling from before seemed to return with a vengeance and left me in absolutely no mood (or condition) to write. I'm feeling loads better today though (thank god!) so here's an update for you.
Holy crap over 900 reviews! and we're almost at 60k views as well!
Have I mentioned lately how much I love you guys? Well I do! You guys are the best!
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - Our boys are definitely running on fumes, I'm thinking there may be a passing out from exhaustion moment happening once they're sure the missing men are fine. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Keesha: Thanks for the review - I do so love me a cliffhanger :) There's kinda one today as well, though it's not as dramatic as mine usually are. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Hehe I know! I seriously can't believe how well (or long) this story is doing :D When I started this I was aiming for like 30-40 chapters and wanted over 100 reviews... Look at it now! we're on chapter 77 and into the 900's review-wise! I am a very happy author right now lol :D You'll have to wait till tomorrow to see what Marcel really has planned I'm afraid, today's kinda a bit fillerish (sorry) Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the review - Haha Same :D Angry Athos = Scary Athos. Glad you like the Corbett angst, there'll be a bit more of that to come in later chapters... Yeah hugging D'Art right now is probably not a good idea, he's pretty hurt (and covered in blood) maybe when he's on the mend a little. Marcel's got a teeny tiny part of humanity left within him, glad you liked seeing it. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - They're not going to go in completely unprepared as they're aware its probably a trap...As for D'Art, I'm having a bit of fun keeping what's happen to him from you all so I'm afraid you'll have to wait until they're rescued to find out :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - *waits for fit to end, pats head and gives cookie* Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Porthos will be having words with our pup about his actions but yeah he and Corbett definitely wont completely relax until he wakes up and is okay. Oooh I really like your idea for Marcel but unfortunately I already have something planned for him in terms of his death... I've tried to kinda bring your idea in slightly today, not completely what you had in mind but hopefully it still works. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Hmmm they might get a little banged up but I promise our boys wont be suffering and life threatening wounds during the rescue. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Eleanor (Guest): Thanks for the review - Wow I'm really happy you think so, thank you so much :D Hmmm I like the idea of including the horses in the rescue, we'll be seeing them in the next chapter I think, just need to refine the idea I have for them :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Oh your review just made my day XD Was just what I needed to read when I was feeling so crappy. And your right :) I am going to keep you anxiously waiting to find out what I've done to him (I'm having a lot of fun with this :D ) You'll be finding out in the next couple of chapters and I'm really hoping what I have planned is worth both the wait and the damage to your poor nails :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - Hmm it's not so much a death wish of Corbett's part more like his brain thinks he should be the one to take the damage as he's the musketeer and D'Art's a young civilian... or something like that, it makes sense in my head but I dont think that explanation really explains it well (sorry) Oh yeah Marcel's definitely going to pay for what he's done. Can't say your not right to worry but I will promise no life threatening injuries will be sustained during the rescue. Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Glad you're liking the dynamic :) Usually its Porthos/Aramis and Athos/D'Art so I'm having a fair bit of fun with Athos/Aramis :D D'Art's in quite a bad way and is in desperate need of Aramis's skills but unfortunately he'll have to wait a little bit longer to get them. Marcel definitely has a plan, which you'll see tomorrow, should be a good read if I can get the idea in my head to work properly when I try to write it. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Thanks for the well wishes, I'm feeling completely better now but I'm slightly worried about tomorrow seeing as how I went from crappy to fine to really crappy and now back to fine ... Hopefully whatever's wrong with me ends now and it doesnt get worse tomorrow *fingers crossed* Out of curiosity... when you say you started that fic, do you mean you're writing it or reading it? Purely because I've read one like that and was just curious if its the same one you're reading. Marcel's pretty much gone off the deep end but I really wanted there to be a tiny little smidge of humanity left in him. I very much doubt it's going to get him to act much on it but it was still nice to see. Haha Yeah D'Art definitely has one of those. Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - I want to say don't worry as they're not going in alone... but I know what I'm like, all I can is promise not to hurt them too badly I'm afraid :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - :O Virtual wine! why didn't I think of that lol :D Thanks for the congrats and don't worry, D'Art's in a seriously bad way but I wont kill him :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - D'Art's in a bad way and could really do with Aramis's skills but he'll have to wait until the medic can get to him which should be in the next couple of chapters, I wont leave him waiting too long :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Hmm who knows maybe he did :) ... now I have the image of D'Art picking the lock while Porthos leans over him instructing him stuck in my head. Part of me feels like Athos never intended to give Porthos the practice like that but that Porthos just kept breaking into his apartments and eventually Athos just gave up trying to stop him lol. Ragey Porthos is fun to write, we get a brief bit of him today as well. Things are definitely going to end poorly for Marcel when the musketeers finally get there. Marcel has a tiny shred of humanity in him which kinda come out a bit today but ultimately (like you said) it wont stop him from doing whatever he thinks will get him his revenge. Glad you liked the bit of Corbett's guilt, it's going to appear again in a later chapter (I have a cute conversation planned :) )Athos is definitely pretty pissed right now :D I know! seriously can't believe how well this story is doing. I feel kinda tempted to try and keep this story going until I reach the 1000 mark... The I realized earlier that with what I have planned it's entirely possible we could reach it without me having to try and extend the story a couple of chapters :D I think I would serious dance all through my flat if it reached 1000 XD Enjoy the new chapter! x
*Wipes forehead* Phew that was a lot of reviews :D (not that I'm complaining!)
As always many thanks and much love for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading. Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Seventy-Seven: Preparations
Treville looked up from his work at the sound of footsteps approaching, instinctively recognizing the dark look of absolute anger in the eyes of his men the Captain instantly put down what he was working on and walked to meet them half way.
"What did you find?" he asked, eyeing each of the men in turn as he anxiously waited for answers.
"Where are they?" Athos demanded, ignoring the Captain's question in favor of his own. Normally he wouldn't even dream of being as disrespectful as he had been the last few encounters but he was having a hard time restraining himself from lashing out again with every worrying bit of information they found about their missing brothers.
In his mind he knew the Captain had only been doing his duty when he kept the information from them, had he been in Treville's position he wasn't sure he wouldn't have done exactly the same thing and that was part of the musketeer's anger. His head was conflicting violently with his heart, which was raging at finding out his brothers were in trouble hours later. He hated that he had been unable to do anything to protect and find them before they suffered as the delivery this morning alluded to.
Athos fought back a sigh as he realized he had been reacting the exact way he had warned D'Artagnan about… Head over heart. That was the one lesson he and his brothers had been tirelessly drilling into the young Gascon's mind since day one and he had gone and completely ignored it.
"We caught up with the delivery boy from this morning," explained Treville as he lightly glared at the swordsman. He wasn't used to the complete lack of respect from his lieutenant but understood with just one glance at the tortured look the man was desperately trying to hide that this entire situation was greatly affecting him and he found himself willing to overlook the attitude, for now at the very least.
It also helped Athos's case that Treville was battling with his own guilt over not informing them of the men's missing status sooner. He knew he had done the right thing; neither of them was in any shape to be running around the city in search of them. That was clear right now, Athos was barely standing, leaning heavily on Aramis who was just as exhausted and pained. If he had to guess Treville would say that it was only fear for their brothers and a determinedness to see the ones responsible for their pain to pay that was keeping them going. But knowing he had done the right thing did little for the guilt in his stomach that only grew with every glare or pained look from his men and he could only pray that the men were not as seriously injured, as he feared.
"And?" snapped Aramis, exhaustion clear in his voice as he subtly tried to help Athos stand straighter.
"He told us where he picked up the package from," with a dark look Treville added, "He even described the men who hired him… one of them matched Marcel's description to the letter."
Both Aramis and Athos practically growled at this information, both ready to go charging head first into wherever their friends' were being held.
"Well?" snarled Athos, "Where is it? We need to go."
"No."
This time Athos did growl and it took both Alain's and Blaise's hands on his arms to prevent him from lashing out again.
"What?" roared Athos, his eyes glaring daggers at the unimpressed looking Captain.
"Calm Athos," sighed Treville, his hand unconsciously coming up to rub the darkening bruise on his face from this morning's punch. "I didn't summon you here to leave you behind. We just can't leave yet."
Aramis's eye's narrowed, though he did notice that Athos seemed to calm slightly at their Captain's promise. "What do you mean?"
"I sent Reynard, Issac and a couple of others on a recon mission," explained Treville, "Getting this information feels too easy and I will not risk any more lives by having us charging into a trap. Remy, the delivery boy said Marcel had two accomplices but I want too know if that number's true."
Athos grudgingly nodded, accepting the logic behind Treville's words. "How long?"
Treville smiled faintly, pleased to see that Athos's anger had calmed slightly, or at the very least was no longer completely aimed at him. "I instructed them to do a quick recon. I may not want us walking into a trap but I'm not going to leave our men in Marcel's clutches any longer then I have to. They should be back within the hour."
"But!" exclaimed Aramis, not liking the fact they were going to be made to wait another hour before they could do anything.
"It gives you time Aramis," stated Athos quietly, a resigned tone in his voice that the medic didn't like.
"Time?" Aramis asked, tilting his head to one side in confusion.
"They're going to be hurt," explained Athos, his voice thick and quiet. "We should stock up while we can."
Treville nodded, "Beaumont has taken a couple of the men back to the garrison to pick up a wagon and some basic supplies but if there's anything you specifically think you'll need take the time to stock up on it now."
"…There is an apothecary near here," mused Aramis, looking like the last thing he wanted to be doing right now was shopping but knowing it needed to be done.
"Here," said Treville, passing over a large bag of coins, "Get whatever you need. Take Alain and Blaise with you, Athos can stay here and discuss strategy with me."
Aramis looked worriedly at his brother, not entirely comfortable being away from the security his brother provided, though he nodded weakly and began to leave when Athos nodded reassuringly at him.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," stated the medic as he finished the goblet of water he had been drinking, "Don't even think of leaving without me!"
Porthos had been beginning to doze when the sound of the door unlocking caught his attention. Turning to his friends he was relieved to see that Corbett was still awake, the man's breathing was sounding harsher than before but the musketeer remained conscious and lucid so Porthos was willing to take what he could get.
His worry grew again however when he noticed that D'Artagnan remained unconscious on the ground. The Gascon had been unconscious for some time now and not even the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest could assuage Porthos's growing fear over the boy's safety and health.
He had little time to ponder this however as the door to their dingy cell opened and one of the men from earlier entered, a sickening sneer on his face as he took in the injured men in front of him.
"What do you want!?" snapped Porthos, a small part of his mind was telling him that speaking rudely to the man probably wasn't the best idea right now but he found himself unable and unwilling to listen to it as he remembered all the pain the man in front of him, and his companion, had caused him and his friends.
"He dead?" enquired the man as he kicked D'Artagnan's ankle, watching the boy with great interest for any reaction.
"Leave him alone!" roared Porthos as he pulled at his restraints in an effort to get the man away from his young friend.
"Didn't know the musketeer's were so protective of their pets," remarked the man with a sneer as he briefly turned away from the unconscious boy to address the two musketeers, though he failed to notice that one of the chained musketeer's attention wasn't on him but rather on something else.
"He's not a pet!" growled Porthos, glaring daggers at the man who seemed to be more amused than intimidated by his reaction.
The man simply shrugged at Porthos's words before turning his attention back to D'Artagnan, kicking him once again, only with more strength this time, drawing a small groan of pain from the unconscious boy.
Porthos may have hated the man for doing so but he couldn't deny the relief that flooded through him at the small sound his friend made. That one sound confirmed that he was still alive and that Porthos was not just imagining the rise and fall of his chest.
"He's quite a rude one," remarked the man as he kicked D'Artagnan again, again using more force than before, pulling another groan of pain from the boy who instinctively tried to curl up in as small a ball as possible to protect himself, all the while ignoring Porthos and Corbett's protests. "Has a good scream though," added the man with a sickening grin, a dark look entering his eyes as he pulled a small blade from his jacket, the sight of it instantly freezing the musketeers in place. "Wanna hear?"
"What's going on here!?" snapped Marcel as he stormed into the room instantly silencing the protests that were about to come from their captive's lips, his eyes instantly narrowing at the sight of the blade in his associate's hand.
"Having a little fun with the rude little runt," shrugged the man as he moved the blade closer to D'Artagnan's bloodied skin, ignoring the cries of protest from the two men.
"ENOUGH!" bellowed Marcel as he pulled the man's arm back.
"Oh?" mused the man as he turned to his employer with a raised eyebrow, "I thought you wanted them to pay… to hurt? What better way then presenting the Captain with the body of a boy he failed to save?"
Marcel paused at this and Porthos felt his heart stop as they waited for Marcel's reaction.
"No," stated Marcel a few moments later, not missing the sighs of relief from the two musketeers. "Their pain has a purpose. Their blood has a purpose… Their death," he said staring expressionlessly at the unconscious Gascon as he spoke, "Their death serves no purpose… yet."
The man looked angry at being denied a chance to kill the Gascon but seemed to quickly remember that Marcel was his employer and was in fact paying him to do as he was told and follow orders, as such he settled for a huff and a shrug before storming out of the room.
Marcel himself stayed where he was for a few moments, simply staring at D'Artagnan before turning to the door and leaving without a word.
As soon as he heard the door lock Porthos let out a large sigh of relief, letting his arms sag to the ground, wincing slightly at the sight of his own bloodied wrists, the skin having been shredded in his attempts to get free of his restraints.
"Do that again," whispered Corbett, his voice full of something that sounded like hope.
Porthos turned to the musketeer, a look of pure confusion on his face at the bizarre request.
"Trust me," coughed Corbett with a small wince of pain, "do it again."
Still utterly confused Porthos did as was asked and raised his aching arms to the position they had been in before Marcel had left before beginning to lowering them like he had done mere moments ago.
"There!" exclaimed Corbett with wide eyes, effectively stopping Porthos's actions as the musketeer twisted painfully to see what had caught his friend's attention.
His own eyes went wide as he locked on to what Corbett had seen, the part of his restraints that were connected to the wall were beginning to come free.
"Guess all that fighting was good for something," teased Corbett lightly as he tried to shift closer to get a better look before being forced to give up when the pain became too much.
"Just need to get the rest of it free now," huffed Porthos, internally wincing at how painful this task was actually going to be.
Aramis returned to the group just over forty minutes later, both Alain and Blaise's arms were full of supplies, both men having refused to let the injured medic carry anything whilst also internally complaining about just how much the man had thought to buy.
When he returned he was pleased to see that Reynard and his group had returned and looked to be finishing filling the Captain and Athos in on what they learned.
"Get those loaded up on the wagon," ordered Treville as he clamped a hand on Reynard's shoulder in passing. "The scout confirmed the numbers we already knew, we'll fill you in on the rest of the plan on the way but lets get going. We're getting our men back, today."