Through Darker Days
Chapter Thirteen
Now that the euphoria of his rescue had worn off Aramis could feel the result of every blow that had connected with his face. His nose was sore and he was sure he would soon have two spectacular black eyes. His jaw felt swollen and he couldn't lick his lips without wincing. With aching around his cheek bones and a raging headache he was thoroughly miserable. As the ride progressed Athos began to lean back more heavily so Aramis pushed his own discomfort aside to support his ailing friend.
After what felt like an interminable journey they finally arrived back at the garrison. Aramis was relieved to see that it was intact with the two guards waving them through. He sat for a moment before wearily dismounting. While d'Artagnan went to speak to Treville he helped Athos to the ground. He found himself taking most of his brother's weight as Athos stumbled along with his head down.
He quickly settled Athos back into bed in the infirmary and went to mix a pain draught. When he held out the cup and Athos finally looked up an immediate look of shock appeared on the older man's face.
"You're hurt."
Aramis shrugged. "Nothing I can't handle. Lacroix thought you had given us information and wanted to find out how much I knew."
"I should have noticed."
"You were barely conscious. Besides, there is nothing you could have done."
"If I'd just been able to remember what I overheard you would never have been in that position."
"That wasn't your fault. The concussion was severe. It is fortunate that you lost nothing more than a few memories." He moved the cup closer to Athos who took it almost too willingly.
"Rest now, my friend. You over-exerted yourself tonight. Remind me to tell you how foolish you were once you feel better."
The mild admonition brought a tired smile to Athos' face. He was clearly struggling to keep his eyes open and Aramis wasn't surprised when he quickly fell asleep. Once he was sure Athos was comatose he mixed another pain draught, screwing up his face at the taste of the bitter herbs. The fact that he had taken that step was testament to how unwell he was feeling. Not that he would ever admit it.
He was looking longingly at the bed next to Athos when Treville arrived. The Captain looked harassed as well he might in light of the news delivered by d'Artagnan.
"What happened to your face?" Treville asked.
"Lacroix had some questions that I refused to answer."
"What exactly did he say about the attacks on the garrison?"
"Only that we would be too distracted to help disperse the protest at the palace."
"I can't see it being an all-out attack. Shopkeepers wouldn't stand a chance against trained soldiers. That means it's most likely explosives. I've sent word to Rochefort and started a search of the garrison. The guard at the gate has been doubled and there will be a regular perimeter search." Treville looked at him searchingly. "You look awful. Get some sleep and we'll talk more in the morning."
That was one order Aramis was only too happy to obey. Despite all his aches and pains he quickly drifted off to sleep.
TMTMTM
When Athos woke up daylight was streaming into the room. He was sore and tired and made no effort to get out of bed. He did, however, look around for Aramis but there was no sign of their resident medic. Hunger would eventually have driven him from his bed had Porthos not arrived carrying plates of bread and cheese.
"It's about time you woke up," Porthos said cheerfully. "It's almost noon."
Athos hid his surprise. "Have you seen Aramis?"
"Not since last night. Why? Is somethin' wrong?"
"You do realize that he was injured? Lacroix used his face for a punching bag."
Porthos frowned. "I didn't notice. The light in the warehouse wasn't very good and I was occupied with the prisoners." His voice was full of remorse. "How bad?"
"Worse than he will admit." Athos, with considerable help from Porthos, sat up and took one of the plates. "Did Lacroix say anything else on the way to the Chatelet?"
"Just spouted a whole lot of treason. Well, he's safely locked away now and can't do any more harm."
"I wish we knew the identity of the other conspirators. I have a vague recollection of hearing someone mention Sunday, but it could be my imagination." He screwed up his face in frustration. Despite Aramis' assurances he still felt as if he was letting his comrades down by his inability to remember.
"Today's Saturday." Porthos pulled over a chair and sat down. "Treville has men searching every inch of the garrison and no-one's gettin' past the guard detail."
"If his co-conspirators learn he has been arrested they might change their plans. We can't get too complacent."
They had finished eating by the time Aramis joined them. His face was a mass of bruises and the skin around his eyes had blackened.
"Why didn't you say somethin'?" Porthos said.
"I had other concerns."
"You put my welfare ahead of your own," Athos said accusingly.
"Your need was greater than mine. Now, tell me how you feel today."
"Would it do me any good to tell you I feel better than yesterday?"
"None whatsoever."
"Then I will tell you the truth. My headache has lessened and I no longer feel sick. My arm and ribs ache but I do not believe I have done any further damage to them."
Aramis accepted his word with a nod. "I am relieved to hear it."
"And, how are you?" Athos asked.
"About as well as I look."
"You're a damned fool," Porthos said with a hint of exasperation in his voice.
"So I have been told on many occasions." Aramis sat down with a heavy sigh. "I spoke to Treville just now. The garrison has been searched from top to bottom and nothing untoward has been found."
"That's good. Doesn't mean we're in the clear though," Porthos said.
"No, it doesn't. We must remain on our guard." Athos slumped back against his pillows and spent the rest of the afternoon fruitlessly trying to chase down his missing memories.
TMTMTM
Aramis was woken from sleep by a loud explosion. After curtly telling Athos to remain in bed he ran into the yard where the rest of the men were assembling. Porthos and d'Artagnan pushed through the crowd to his side. They all looked to where a plume of black smoke was rising in the air.
"It looks like it was two or three streets away," Aramis said. They sky was lightening in the east but everything to the north was obscured by the smoke.
Treville walked part way up the stairs and yelled for their attention. "This could be a diversion but we can't afford to let a fire rage unchecked or every building in the area will be destroyed. I want every man on the scene and lending aid except for two guards who are to remain at the gates."
The Musketeers, including Porthos and d'Artagnan, immediately began to stream out of the garrison. Aramis frowned when he saw Athos making his slow way from the infirmary but was saved from having to express his displeasure by the intervention of Treville.
"Athos, you and Aramis are to remain here. Neither of you is fit for this and I'd feel more at ease knowing you're here in case anything happens." He held up a hand. "Don't bother arguing with me. That's an order. I'm going to the palace to speak to the King. He needs to give some concessions or we will be faced with an uprising."
Treville left quickly and the two men returned to the infirmary. Minutes later there was a second explosion. Aramis leapt to his feet.
"The rescuers could have been caught in that blast. I'm going to check." He was barely suppressing his fear for his brothers. "Stay here."
"I'm coming with you," Athos said stubbornly.
"You'll only slow me down. Please, Athos, do as I say."
Athos nodded curtly but still reached over and grabbed his sword.
The garrison was eerily quiet when Aramis went outside. He was only two steps away from the infirmary door when he saw movement in the archway leading to the street. He flattened himself against the wall and watched as six men walked into the yard. With a sinking feeling in his stomach he noticed that two were carrying powder kegs. Moving quickly and silently he returned to the infirmary.
"We have unwanted guests. They have gunpowder with them."
A faint smile appeared on Athos' face. "Then we will just have to deal with them, won't we?" He handed over his two pistols to Aramis who hooked them onto his belt. His weapons were already primed and he took one in each hand. They heard footsteps and voices and Aramis aimed the pistols at the door. The voices began to fade. Aramis eased the door open and peered outside. It appeared the group had divided in two as there were only three men climbing the stairs towards Treville's office. Aramis fired twice before having to retreat as the third man turned and returned fire. He ducked back inside.
"Take cover."
A volley of shots smashed the windows, scattering glass over them.
Aramis turned to his friend. "Ready? We have four men yet to deal with." He discarded his spent pistols and drew his sword. "Now!" He wrenched the door open and snatched one of Athos' pistols from his belt. He stepped outside, fired, and the number of their attackers was reduced to three.
Shielding Athos with his body he engaged two of the ruffians, leaving one for Athos to deal with. One of the men was no challenge and Aramis quickly disarmed him, laying him low with a thrust to the right shoulder. His second opponent, however, had some skill with a sword. Aramis was aware of the sound of steel hitting steel behind him but couldn't spare any attention to see how Athos was faring. He took a step to the side, trying to get inside his opponent's guard but had to disengage and step back. However, he noticed that the man was looking decidedly nervous and realised that the powder was no-where in sight. He attacked with renewed vigor, driving the man back towards the armory. There were no more sounds behind him and, as he hadn't taken a sword thrust to the back, he assumed that Athos had prevailed. His opponent began to retreat quickly and then suddenly turned and ran for the archway.
The implication was clear. "The powder," he shouted.
"The armory is the logical place," Athos said, sounding badly out of breath.
Aramis flung his sword to the ground and ran towards the armory. As he entered the room he thought he saw a flare of light over by the back corner. He skidded around the racks, knocked pikes to the ground and nearly became entangled in some sword belts. When he could see clearly ahead of him he found two fuses running quickly towards the powder kegs which had been stacked on top of the garrison's powder. He threw himself forward and pulled out the fuses, swinging round to keep the smoldering fuses from sparking the gunpowder.
He walked back out into the yard, his arms and legs shaking as he contemplated how close they had come to disaster. He found Athos standing guard over the lone injured attacker. Remembering the two guards who had been at the entrance he went to check on them, finding with relief that they had just been knocked unconscious.
"Are you alright?" he asked Athos once he had dragged the two men inside and deposited them on beds in the infirmary.
"Yes. Go."
Aramis didn't need any further encouragement. He found the Musketeers fighting two separate fires and ascertained that no-one had been hurt in the second explosion. He caught a glimpse of Porthos and d'Artagnan, their hands and faces blackened as they threw buckets of water over the smoldering building. With a thankful and heartfelt prayer, he returned to the garrison to let Athos know that their brothers were well.
TMTMTM
It was evening before the Musketeers returned to the garrison, followed soon after by Treville. The Captain listened quietly to Aramis' report.
"You both did well. The Red Guard garrison didn't fare so well." He put two bottles of wine on the table. "Porthos. Find us some cups." He waited until they all had a cup of wine before continuing. "A mob did descend on the palace which gave the King quite a fright. Rochefort urged him to fight but it was clearly useless so he revoked his edict banning trade with Spain. Rochefort refused to be the one to placate them so the King dispatched me. Fortunately, without Lacroix to lead them, I was able to talk them down. They left peacefully enough eventually."
"Sounds like you should have taken that post in the King's cabinet after all. You have all the makings of a good politician." Aramis saluted the Captain with his wine.
"It's far too late for that. Now, I must write up my report."
After Treville had gone the four friends sat in companionable silence until Aramis raised his cup.
"To brotherhood," he said. "And, a little less excitement at least until Athos has time to heal."
"Where's your sense of adventure?" d'Artagnan asked. "We'd get bored."
"True enough," Athos said. "Then Porthos and Aramis would get into mischief and we'd all find ourselves mucking out the stables for a month."
"Why do we always have to suffer for their misdeeds?" d'Artagnan said.
"It's what brothers do," Aramis responded with a sly grin. He took a drink and looked around the table. They were all together, even if two of them were a little battered, and that was all that mattered.
The End