Updated: Monday 25th/9/2023

Chapter 5: Inseparables Wrath

Three Days Later…

The Inseparables were just about home much to their relief. They had missed their Brother and it felt weird that he hadn't been apart of this mission. It just didn't feel right.

"I can't wait to we are home", Porthos sighs.

"My bed has my name written all over it", Aramis says with a sigh.

"And a bottle of wine for Athos will be waiting", Porthos says grinning at their Leader, "And waiting for him will be whatever mischief D'Artagnan has gotten himself into to clean up"

Athos raises an eyebrow at that, "Who says it is just me who has to clean this up?"

"We voted. It was unanimous", Aramis replies grinning cheekily.

Athos rolls his eyes, "If that boy has gotten into in trouble, I'll…", he leaves it hanging.

"Kill him?" Aramis offers helpfully.

"Strangle him?" Porthos offers just as helpful.

"Make him be our slave for a while?" Aramis offers again.

"Or just spar until he drops?" Porthos adds.

Athos lips twitch at their suggestions.

"I believe a combination of those things will be in store for him", Athos replies drily, "And I have no doubt they will be needed"

Aramis and Porthos chuckle.

"Shall we make a bet of it?" Aramis asks them, "The loser has to buy dinner AND drinks"

"Deal", they say.

"I bet he has gotten himself in some type of trouble", Athos says to them.

"Me too!" Porthos adds.

"I'll have a little faith in D'Artagnan and say he has behaved and will be waiting for us when we ride in", Aramis replies.

"I hope you have money for that dinner. As I am not only going to have one serving", Porthos tells him.

"And I am not going to have just one bottle of wine", Athos adds.

"We'll see gentlemen!"

(Line Break)

It had been three days since news of D'Artagnan's escape had been told to the Musketeers from Treville and said they had to be out searching for him as a 'dangerous' criminal that was due to hang. But Treville knew none of his men were taking this seriously. As none of them believed D'Artagnan was responsible for the murders.

Treville just decided to turn a blind eye on what his Musketeers were doing. Lying saying to the King and Cardinal that they had his men's complete cooperation. He knew the Cardinal wasn't fooled. But he had no proof that he and his Musketeers knew where D'Artagnan was or helped him escape.

Actually, Treville only had a hunch where the Lad had disappeared off too. And nobody would have a hope in locating him there. Giving that he was the only one that knew D'Artagnan's past he knew the Lad would be safe where he was and might even come up with some clues as to who was setting him up. As who would want to set D'Artagnan up. It wasn't like he had enemies like his Brothers.

So, what was going on?

Suddenly he heard a ruckus outside.

He goes to investigate and Sebastian was already at his door out of breath.
"There back. The Inseparables are back!" he says breathlessly.

Treville looks out over the balcony and sure enough they were there and looking for someone. He didn't even need to guess who they were looking for. And Treville noticed his Musketeers were quickly leaving the immediate vicinity. Not wanting to be anywhere near the three when they learn the news. As the explosion wasn't going to be pretty.

"Brave bunch all you are", Treville mutters sarcastically and rhetorically.

"Yes. And proud of it", Sebastian replies deadpanned, "Good luck surviving that Sir. I am going to leave now before you see them"

He scurries off leaving Treville alone to deal with this mess.

Treville sighs and leans over the balcony.

"Athos! Porthos! Aramis! My office now!" Treville calls down to them.

By this time the whole yard was deserted.

The Three share a look and Treville could see they had guessed what he why he was asking for them as they looked resigned. Treville knew they would realise it was about D'Artagnan but they would never guess this.

"I am going to kill him", Athos mutters as they make their way up the stairs.

"Now Athos lets hear the Lad out before you plan murder", Aramis replies trying to calm their Leader and Brother.

"How does it feel to owe us a meal and drinks Aramis?" Porthos asks with a grin.

"Nothing has been confirmed yet", he retorts.

"Did you notice how everyone fled the yard at our arrival? The stable hand even looked terrified at us! Like we might bite him!" Porthos asks them.

"I know. I don't like it", Athos replies.

They enter Treville's office and D'Artagnan wasn't there like they expected. Maybe he was in the infirmary?

"Shut the door", Treville orders them and starts pulling out his brandy, "Drinks anyone?" he asks them.

They eye him suspiciously. It must be bad for Treville to offer them drinks of his special brandy.

"How bad?" Athos asks wearily.

"He is not back in the infirmary, is he?" Aramis asks, "The whole reason we left him here was because he had a concussion!"
"What trouble has our Pup found himself in now?" Porthos asks him.

"Take the drink", he insists to them.

"Not until you tell us why we would need a drink", Athos says to him.

Treville sighs so much for getting them to take the drinks in order to try and keep them calm.

"About a week ago not long after you left. Red Guards came to the Garrison…"

"What could they possibly come here for?" Aramis asks him.
"They came with an arrest warrant for D'Artagnan", Treville tells them waiting for the explosion.

'O...', Treville thinks.

"WHAT?! WHAT THE HELL FOR!?" the three roar in outrage.

And there you go. He really didn't get to one.

Athos reached out quickly and took the glass and throw the shot back and swallowed it in one go. Treville wordless tops it up.

"Murder of over a dozen people including two Red Guards", Treville tells them.

"WHAT?!"

"He would never!"

"Absolutely absurd!"

"Who is the idiot who believes D'Artagnan did that?"

Athos wordless takes the second shot of brandy and slams the glass down. Seeing Treville filling it up for the third time didn't fill them with any confidence.

"Please tell me this has been resolved now", Aramis begs.

"And that he is not in the Chatelet anymore", Porthos adds.

"No, he isn't in the Chatelet anymore...", Treville replies stalling.

"But…?" Athos prompts.

"The judge didn't believe D'Artagnan's defence or my testimony. Three Days ago, he was sentenced to death…", Treville says, but doesn't get to finish.
"WHAT?!"

Treville was positive that the whole Garrison heard that one. And probably ALL of Paris.

Athos takes the third shot.

"I believe you should keep those coming", Athos says wearily.

"Already was going to", Treville tells him refilling Athos's glass.

So that again didn't fill them with much confidence.

"HOW THE HELL COULD A JUDGE BELIEVE THAT!?" Porthos roars.

"Please tell me he hasn't been hung yet!" Aramis begs.

"Apparently a couple of people saw him. But their details are sketchy at best. But the judge was swayed by the Red Guards", Treville tells them.

The Three growl at that.

"Next time I see them…", Porthos mutters angrily.

"Has he been hung?" Athos asks Aramis's question again quietly with deep seeded fear.

He couldn't and wouldn't fail another Brother.

"No. His execution was for lack of a better word put on hold", Treville replies.

"Why on hold? Not that we are not gratefully about that", Aramis asks hurriedly.

"D'Artagnan seems to have escaped the Chatelet. Three days ago,", Treville informs them.

They gap at him. Nobody has escaped the Chatelet. Well nearly everyone as D'Artagnan did before with Vadim. Who did all the work.

"He is giving me grey hairs", Athos states, "Can we send him back to Gascony?" he asks wearily and hopefully.

"Come on it wouldn't be any fun without the whelp", Porthos replies.
"I would keep my sanity"

Athos takes the fourth shot. And again, Treville refills it. None of them were going to comment or think on that now.

"Nobody escapes", Porthos states.

"Except of D'Artagnan before", Aramis replies.

"But Vadim did all the work there!" Porthos retorts.

"True"

"Has he been seen?" Athos asks Treville quietly.

"No. He has vanished off of everyone's radar", Treville replies truthfully, "Both the Red Guards and our Musketeers are searching all over Paris for him. With no success"

The Three share a look. Knowing their Brothers-in-Arms would be trying very hard to find him. Note the sarcasm.

"But I believe if you can clear his name he would surely come out of hiding. As there wouldn't be a price on his head", Treville replies casually.

Athos eyes him and he could tell Treville was holding something back.

"Where did these murders take place?" Athos asks him.

"I have a list drawn up for you. The ones D'Artagnan is charged with are circled and the others that he is accused of but not charged with are not", Treville tells them handing them a list, "There have been a string in murders and it doesn't look like there is any connection yet"

Athos snatches the list and looks it over before handing it to Porthos and Aramis to look at.

"I say we don't let him leave our sights when we find him", Porthos states helpfully, "And maybe we should invest in a leash as well?"
"How about we tire him to his bed to keep him out of trouble?" Aramis asks helpfully.

"I am going to kill him", Athos growls reaching out and just grabbing Treville's bottle of brandy to have, he was going to need ALL of it, "He is going to be in so much trouble when we catch up to him!"

"Why don't you plan murder outside my office?"

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