Updated: Monday 4/09/2023
Chapter 3: The Wolf
D'Artagnan packed supplies into his saddlebags on Buttercup. His horse that had been around him for long enough not to be scared of his wolf and would follow his orders if he told her. He also soon after having her found out she could find him wherever he was. That could be useful for this.
He had medical supplies, blankets, clothes and food. HE wouldn't be having the food more then likely as they would need it more then he, he believed. If he got hungry, he would hunt for food. He could go for days without food because of what he was. And he could eat any type of food raw. So, it would be best to leave the proper food for his Brothers. WHEN he found them. Not if.
He added three pistols to his saddle and another to the belt he wore. His sword in its sheath and he had his daggers and knives too. Some were also tucked into his saddle.
He knew he was dangerous enough not to use them. But they could come in handy. And if he didn't have his weapons and someone saw he was a Musketeer then it would look suspicious.
"Good girl", D'Artagnan murmurs to Buttercup.
She nuzzles his neck.
"Ready to help me find my Brothers?" D'Artagnan asks her.
She nods.
D'Artagnan knew she could understand him and he hoped he could use this bond with Buttercup to help him.
He leaped into his saddle. All his instincts were telling him to go wolf this whole rescue mission. But his human side and sensible side told him he needed to keep up appearances and he needed Buttercup to carry the supplies.
"Let's go", he says to her and spurs her out of the stables at a gallop.
All the Musketeers eyes widen as D'Artagnan gallops out of the Garrison and they knew that the young Gascon was going to find his Brothers and was upset.
But why was he going on his own?
Surely, he couldn't handle this on his own!
Surely the Captain wouldn't allow that!
Surely their Captain knew that many of them would volunteered to go with the Gascon if asked!
But many look up and see Treville on the balcony looking grave. It was obvious he had been watching to see D'Artagnan leave and made no move to stop him and didn't even look surprised that D'Artagnan left on his own.
What did Treville know that they didn't?
(Line Break)
D'Artagnan leaves Paris at a gallop. He was going to have to stay on horseback till he got to the point where his Brothers were supposing ambushed. It annoyed him he was going on Buttercup as she was slowly then his wolf form at full speed. But he needed her close by for when the time came when he had his Brothers.
He would transform at the ambush sight if he smelled their scent. It would be better that way anyway. As when a werewolf transforms, they stay like that till the next Moon sets. So, if you transformed during the day, he would be forced to stay in that form till dawn the next day. And he couldn't do that right now.
And he risked exposure if he transforms now.
But his wolf wanted out.
As he made his way alone the road his fingers twitched as they wanted to transform. He has to grit his teeth to pull the change back.
"Not yet. Not yet", he mutters.
He had to switch Buttercup's speed so he didn't make her suffer. But she seemed to know the urgency of his situation and didn't put up a fight at their speed.
D'Artagnan didn't like it but he would have to stop and let Buttercup rest for the night. He had travelled a good distance in just a few hours. But he still had 2 days of travel to he got to the supposed ambush sight.
He sniffed the air and found a safe place to bunker down for the night.
"Easy girl. We are going to rest now", D'Artagnan murmurs softly to his horse.
Setting up camp was easy and as night feel he felt the wolf within wanting to break out and scout the area under the hours tonight's moon was out.
Another thing about werewolves was that they could go a long time without sleep. But many choice to keep to a human schedule.
His body trembles and D'Artagnan knew he couldn't put off the change. He needed to let his wolf out if he didn't then things out get ugly at the wrong time.
"Buttercup. Stay here girl", D'Artagnan says to his grazing horse.
Her ears flicker showing she heard him.
D'Artagnan got up and moved back from his camp. He craned his neck and looked at the moon.
"Time to run. Time to hunt. Time to change!" D'Artagnan growls as his eyes changed to have flecks of amber in them.
As his body convulses as he lets his control drop. He felt the familiar sensation of his bones twisting and turning. He felt his fingers turn into long claws and his toes turn into claws. His teeth sharpen and his canines come out.
He exploded forward and was on all four growling. He was larger then a normal wolf. His coat silver with black and white flecks. His canines were also longer then a normal wolf and his claws sharper as well.
His eyes were the only human part of him that stayed the same. Except for the flecks of amber in them. The amber would take over the whole of his eyes if he was angry enough or was in a fight.
He throws back his head and howls at the moon.
Time to run…
(Line Break)
Away from where the wolf was hunting were three men in various degrees of health. They had been attacked half way to their drop of point. They had set up camp and had been ambushed by to many for them to deal with. Lucky, they had hidden the package before the ambush just in case.
But these people wanted that package. Whatever was in it must have been more important than they realised.
One of them was coming back to consciousness groaning as he felt the pain in his head. He tried to move his hands but found them bound tightly behind his back.
He opens his eyes and sees in a barn of some sort. He was tired to a post he felt. He licked his dry lips and looked for his Brothers. Seeing Athos and Porthos tired up across from him made him feel relief that they were alive.
He could see the blood coming from Athos's leg and head and the blood dripping down Porthos head and shoulder.
Aramis grunts as he tries to wiggle out of his binds but found that he couldn't at this time. It was better to try and rouse his Brothers.
"Athos…Porthos", Aramis hisses at them, "Come on wake up"
He talks to them for several minutes before they started to wake.
Porthos was the first to be roused. He opened his eyes and looked around confused.
"'Mis?" he rasps.
"I'm here my friend", Aramis assures him.
"Athos?" Porthos asks.
"Still out of it", Aramis replies, "Where are you hurt? Besides your shoulder and head?"
"Me fine 'Mis", he says, "And it is not like you can do anything about it at the moment"
"You're certainly not fine! Tell me!" Aramis orders.
"Ribs", Porthos says wincing.
Before Aramis could say anything, else Athos was heard groaning.
"Athos open your eyes my friend", Aramis orders, "You can do it"
"What happened?" Athos rasps as his dazed eyes look at Aramis.
Aramis knew but that Athos definably had a concussion.
"We were attacked. We are currently tired up Gods knows where", Aramis replies.
"The Package?" Athos whispers.
"Safe I believe or we wouldn't be alive", Aramis replies.
"Porthos?" Athos asks.
"I'm here", Porthos replies looking at their Leader.
"Has anyone been here yet?" Athos asks wincing.
"Not yet", Aramis replies, "Where are you hurt? And don't try to lie to me!"
"Leg and head. My ribs are sore but I don't think they are broken", Athos replies softly closing his eyes trying to combat the nausea.
"Good thing D'Artagnan wasn't with us", Porthos says trying to distract Athos.
Athos snorts and then winces, "Small mercies. But he can always find trouble. I believe when we get back, he'll be in some sort of trouble"
They had to let out small chuckles at that.
"Hopefully he doesn't do anything stupid", Aramis says.
"Like come after us himself?" Porthos asks trying to joke.
"Don't say that! Surely, he is not that stupid", Athos groans trying not to think about what their Youngest would be doing right now.
Suddenly they were interrupted by the door opening and they knew that they were about to find out who these people were and they knew if these people didn't get answers, they were going to make things unpleasant for them to say the least.
They hoped they could hold out till help came along.
And privately they were going to think about their Little Brother being safe at home and away from the danger. They were going to think about getting out of here and back to him.
They had no clue that the so called 'Little Brother' was currently coming to their aid…
Alone…
~*~Author's Note: What Do You Think? Please Review:)!~*~
