Through Darker Days
Chapter Twelve
They left the warehouse feeling defeated. Athos had only taken two steps when Porthos grabbed his arm and yanked him backwards. He hissed through his teeth as white spots danced in front of his eyes and there was a sudden sharp pain in his ribs and head.
"Keep quiet," Porthos whispered.
They were cloaked in darkness but with a good view of the activity on the quayside. Athos leaned against the wall and waited for his vision to stabilize. "What's the matter?" he asked, keeping his voice low.
"See that man?" Porthos pointed to a large man who was carrying a crate towards a barge moored at the pier. "He was with Lacroix."
Athos looked at him with renewed interest and a memory stirred in the back of his mind. "I've seen him before. I think he might have been one of the men who attacked me."
"Where did he come from?" d'Artagnan asked.
"I don't know but we can assume he'll go back there." Porthos flexed his fingers before making a fist. "I'm sure we can get him to tell us where Lacroix and Aramis are."
"For now we watch him," Athos cautioned. "It's still perfectly possible that Lacroix is holding Aramis near here. It would make sense if he hopes to escape by boat."
They watched as the man handed the crate to someone in the barge before turning round and walking towards a warehouse about two hundred yards from where they were hiding.
"D'Artagnan, give me your pauldron," Athos instructed. "Lacroix and his men have never seen you so you have the most freedom of movement. Get close to that warehouse and see if there is any sign of Aramis."
D'Artagnan unbuckled his pauldron and handed it to Athos. He waited until the man had entered the building before stepping out onto the quayside. He walked openly towards his destination, disappearing around the corner. Clouds had rolled in, covering the moon, and a slight drizzle started to fall. As the water wormed its way down the back of Athos' neck he reflected that he could rarely remember a time when he had felt so miserable. He started to sag, overwhelmed by the weight of his injuries. An arm encircled his waist, offering much needed support.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you," Porthos said, contrition infusing his tone.
"I'm fine. You did the right thing. If he had seen us we would have lost the element of surprise."
"You're a long way from bein' fine. You sure you don't want to sit this one out?"
Stubbornly Athos pulled away. "I'm not going to let our brother stay in the hands of that bastard."
"Alright. There's no need to get tetchy."
"I'm not. It's just that I know what Lacroix is capable of. His men almost killed me and I'm sure he would have no conscience about disposing of Aramis."
"We won't give him the chance." Porthos peered out of their hiding place. "D'Artagnan's comin' back."
When the younger man rejoined them he was wearing a grin. "I saw Aramis. He's alive although they've got him tied up and blindfolded. There's a well-dressed man who I'm guessing is Lacroix and three others including the one Porthos identified."
"Four of them'll be no problem," Porthos said with an evil smile.
"How many entrances are there?" Athos asked.
"Two. There's the door at the front and larger double doors at the side."
"Very well. D'Artagnan, you go in the front. Porthos and I will go round the side. Wait for my signal."
They cautiously made their way towards the warehouse. If they were seen now it would be disastrous. Fortune was smiling on them, however, and they managed to get to their appointed places without incident. Porthos tried the door and found it to be locked but the wood surrounding it was warped and old so he indicated that breaking it down wouldn't be a problem. Athos drew his sword and prepared to give the signal to attack.
TMTMTM
Aramis was very uncomfortable. His backside was going numb from sitting on the hard floor. His wrists were sore thanks to his fruitless efforts to free himself and he was cold. They must have stripped his doublet from him while he was unconscious because the water that had been hurled at him had soaked into his shirt, sticking it to his skin. The blindfold was disorienting him, no doubt that being Lacroix's intention. He shivered, wondering when, or if, his friends would find him. If Lacroix succeeded in getting him onto the barge he knew his life was over. He wondered in a detached academic way what method would be used to kill him. He prayed that it would be a bullet or a blade, not the terrifying prospect of drowning.
He heard a sharp whistle from outside and his head shot up. Seconds later there was the sound of splintering wood and a gunshot. There was the clanging of blades and then he felt the rope around his ankles parting. Before he could process that development a hand wrapped itself in his hair and his head was wrenched backwards. The touch of a blade at this throat froze him in place.
"Musketeers," Lacroix shouted. "Drop your weapons or he dies."
"Don't listen to him," Aramis said. His words were cut off by the knife digging deeper into his skin.
"Surrender, Monsieur, and we won't have to kill you." Athos sounded tired and breathless but still spoke with authority.
"I'm leaving and you won't interfere."
The blade was momentarily withdrawn and Aramis felt it slipping between his hands to sever the rope holding him prisoner. His arms, numb and unresponsive, fell to his sides. A hand on his arm encouraged him to stand and then held him in place while the knife returned to his throat. "Kill him," he rasped.
"Shut up."
He recognised Porthos' voice which was filled with frustrated anger. A tug on his arm almost unbalanced him and he felt the blade nick his skin. Lacroix began to back away, pulling him along. Feeling was starting to return to his arms.
"We can't let you leave," Athos said. "Put down the knife and come quietly."
"Your weapons," Lacroix snarled, still moving slowly backwards.
There was the sound of steel hitting the ground. Aramis cursed his lack of vision. He didn't know how many men were there in addition to Lacroix or where exactly everyone was standing. Well, he would have to trust his brothers to deal with the others. He reached up, grabbed the arm that was around his neck, lowered his right hip, kicked back and spun Lacroix off-balance. He ripped off the blindfold, blinking rapidly to clear his vision. Lacroix had stumbled away from him but was still armed with a long bladed knife. He could hear the sounds of fighting although he couldn't afford to take his eyes off his opponent. Lacroix lunged towards him and he threw himself to the side.
"Aramis. Catch."
He reached out and caught the main gauche that Porthos had thrown to him. Now that he was armed he smiled at Lacroix and beckoned him forwards. His opponent warily circled him before attacking. Aramis knew that he held the upper hand. He trained every day with his weapons whereas Lacroix was a merchant who probably hadn't fought in years. He slashed through Lacroix's doublet and across his arm before disengaging.
"Need a hand?" Porthos asked from behind him.
A quick glance showed two men lying on the ground and another standing at the point of d'Artagnan's sword. Athos, white faced and shaking was leaning against a stack of crates. It was only a driving need to get to his injured brother's side that made Aramis accept Porthos' offer. The large man stalked forward and drew his pistol.
"Drop it," he instructed.
With a twisted snarl Lacroix threw the knife to the ground.
"Athos!" Aramis strode quickly across the room, stopping in front of his friend. "Why are you here? You should be in bed." He laid his palm on Athos' forehead, finding the skin to be clammy and ice cold. "Sit down." He helped Athos to slide down to the ground. "You haven't done any further harm to your ribs? Do you realise how badly you could have been hurt? What on earth possessed you to think you were well enough to fight?"
"Peace, Aramis. I have sustained no further wounds and a few minutes' rest will alleviate the pain of my injuries."
Aramis had to be content with that assurance and there was nothing he could do to improve matters. He turned and sat next to his friend, watching as Porthos and d'Artagnan tied their prisoners. Lacroix glowered at him as he was pushed into a corner and shoved to the ground.
"I know what they are planning," Aramis said. "There are to be attacks on the garrisons of the Musketeers and Red Guards. Then protests at the Palace while we are too occupied to interfere. We have to get word to Treville and Rochefort."
"When?" d'Artagnan asked.
"I don't know. It could be any time. We have to get back."
"I'll take the prisoners to the Chatelet," Porthos offered. "You get Athos back to the garrison."
It took the joint efforts of Aramis and d'Artagnan to get Athos to his feet. It was even harder getting him back on his horse. Aramis mounted behind him and put his arms loosely round his waist to steady him. With as much speed as they could manage they headed back to the garrison to face an unknown threat
Tbc