I'm sorry for the delay and for the fact that this is a short and not very good chapter. I spilled liquid on my laptop last week and completely destroyed the motherboard. It resulted in having to buy a new one which isn't something I wanted to do. Then I hit a bout of writer's block which I am trying to work through.

Through Darker Days

Chapter Five

When Porthos walked into the infirmary the next morning he found both Athos and Aramis fast asleep. Reasoning that neither had likely had an easy night he left as silently as he had arrived. D'Artagnan was waiting for him in the mess hall, a plate of bread, cheese and cold ham sitting in front of him.

"They're sleepin'"

"I know I checked on my way here." D'Artagnan poured ale into a cup and pushed it towards Porthos. "Did you find anything out last night?"

"Roland turned up just like the innkeeper said. Looked like he had an injury to his arm. I'd guess that Athos didn't go down easily."

"I wouldn't expect him to. Even drunk he's a force to be reckoned with." There was pride in d'Artagnan's voice.

Porthos nodded his agreement and helped himself to some breakfast. "He met up with someone."

"Who?"

"I don't have a name but I know where he lives. Avenue des Ternes."

D'Artagnan raised an eyebrow. "That's unexpected. There're some nice houses there."

"He was well dressed too. Reckon he's a merchant, probably a successful one."

"This doesn't make any sense. Why would a merchant want Athos dead?"

"Maybe we should ask him."

"Don't be too hasty, Porthos. There could be a larger conspiracy at play here."

"No harm in makin' enquiries. Subtly of course."

D'Artagnan grinned. They both knew that Porthos didn't really know the meaning of subtlety. His preference was to charge at a problem head on and beat it into submission. "Maybe you should leave that to me."

Porthos acknowledged the suggestion with good grace. "It's the third house down on the right as you head towards Notre Dame. Try not to get into any trouble."

"I can look after myself."

"Yeah. That's what Athos thought too and look at him now."

They ate in silence for a while, acknowledging the greetings of their fellow Musketeers as the garrison woke into life again. Finally d'Artagnan pushed his plate away and sat back.

"Aramis is worried about Athos. I can see it on his face."

"Head injuries are dangerous but Athos seems to be doin' well."

"But the gaps in his memory…"

"There's no sense worryin' about them. He'll either remember or he won't but he seemed lucid enough when he was talkin' to Lemay."

"Yes, you're right. We should check on him before I go and we'd better inform the Captain of what you found out."

"Right." Porthos drained his cup and stood up. "Let's go and see if he's still bein' compliant. Want a wager that he's tryin' to get out of bed?"

"I have more sense than to wager with you. Besides, I know Athos, and nothing will keep him down."

TMTMTM

"What exactly do you think you're doing?"

Athos stopped trying to manoeuver his legs over the side of the bed and looked a little sheepishly at their resident medic. "I was tired of lying down."

"You have a broken arm, cracked ribs and a concussion. Why on earth would you think it was a good idea to get out of bed?" Aramis gently pushed against his shoulder, forcing him back onto the mattress. "Do you need something for the pain?"

"It's manageable."

"Somehow I doubt that." Aramis sat on the edge of the bed he'd been sleeping in. It had been a difficult night with Athos becoming more fractious each time he was woken up. Fortunately, he had been lucid each time so the chances of complications were slim. Except, of course, for the gaps in Athos' memory. "Have you remembered anything about the attack?"

"Nothing except for an uncomfortable feeling that there is something I need to remember."

"Maybe Porthos will have some news for us. It seems likely you overheard something that was supposed to stay secret."

"It's frustrating." Athos sat up again, his left arm held protectively around his ribs. "I should be out there asking questions."

"You should be lying down and getting some rest. You were badly hurt and those aren't injuries which are going to heal overnight."

The door opened and d'Artagnan and Porthos walked into the room.

"I'm surprised you're still in bed," d'Artagnan said. "Maybe I should have taken Porthos' wager after all."

"What wager?" Athos asked.

"That you'd be out of bed already."

"Don't think he didn't try," Aramis said.

Porthos grinned. "You're too predictable."

"Never mind that. What did you find out?" Athos leaned back against the wall, lines of pain creasing his forehead.

Aramis tutted and went to mix a pain draught. "Was it a fruitful evening?"

"Yeah. Roland met with a man who was too well-dressed for his surroundings. I followed him to a house on the Avenue des Ternes."

"A man with money then," Athos said thoughtfully. "I wonder what he and Roland were talking about?"

"I wasn't close enough to overhear them. Didn't want to make them suspicious."

"Once we've updated the Captain I'm going to see what I can find out about our mysterious stranger," d'Artagnan said.

"I don't like the thought of you going alone." Athos grimaced as Aramis handed him a cup. "I don't suppose you could mix it with wine?"

"Wine would be very bad for your health right now. Drink it."

When Athos complied without further complaint Aramis knew that the pain must be bad. He'd suffered all those injuries at one time or another in his career but to have all of them together must be close to unbearable.

"It's daylight. The streets will be full of people," d'Artagnan said, hoping to assuage his mentor's worry.

"I should go with you."

Aramis looked at his friend in amazement. "You can barely stand and what happens if someone from the other night recognises you? They will know you are making enquiries about what happened. If anything you would be a liability."

"I don't like the idea of staying here while d'Artagnan walks into potential danger."

"I will be fine. All you need to do is concentrate on getting better."

Athos' eyes began to close and he yawned widely. Now that the pain had lessened his body was insisting upon him resting. He looked almost accusingly at Aramis, as if it were his friend's fault that his body was betraying him. He slid awkwardly down to the mattress before making one last effort. "You come and see me the minute you get back," he said to d'Artagnan.

"You have my word."

"Go and tell Treville what's going on," Aramis said. "I will stay with Athos."

"Shall we bring you breakfast?" d'Artagnan asked.

"Yes, thank you. And, see if Serge can make some broth for Athos. He hasn't eaten anything since he first woke up and I doubt his stomach could handle anything more substantial."

After Porthos and d'Artagnan had left he sat down wearily and pushed a hand through his disordered hair. He gazed at his sleeping friend and shook his head. "What secrets did you overhear I wonder? They must have been important. No-one attacks a Musketeer without serious provocation. I wish you could remember for I fear that the security of the realm might be at stake."

Tbc