Updated: Thursday 28th/09/2023
Chapter 7: Late Night Meetings
They had stayed standing for a while trying to think of who exactly could be behind this. But nobody they had run across seemed to fit doing all this. Who would spend all the time AND effort setting up D'Artagnan?
"Why would someone want to impersonate D'Artagnan?" Porthos asks what they all were thinking.
"It is not like it was Athos here", Aramis jokes trying to lighten the mood.
Athos just glares at Aramis, "I could say the same for the two of you"
"Maybe we should have a talk with people at 'The Wren' as we know D'Artagnan had visited it near a couple of the times when people were attacked", Porthos suggests.
"Sounds good to me", Athos replies.
"You just want the wine so you can forget for 5 minutes about how much danger D'Artagnan could be in with someone going at these lengths to set him up", Aramis retorts.
"And what if I am?" Athos asks as they walk.
"Athos, D'Artagnan needs us and we can't do that if you are drunk or have a bad hangover", Aramis scolds him.
Athos sighs, "I just need to forget for 5 minutes Aramis. Is that so much to ask?"
"Yes!" both men exclaim.
"Well, he does have a point we could have a break it is not like a clue will drop in our lap in an hour it takes for Aramis to pay for our meals and drinks like he owes us", Porthos tells them.
Aramis just rolls his eyes at that.
They didn't know it but Porthos had basically called it. Two people were weaving their way towards them.
"At 12'oclock", Athos murmurs noticing the duo first.
Who he could see were casually walking towards them. Too casually and too just with a too much focus. Even though he could see their behaviour fooling others. But he and his Brothers were Musketeers and they weren't the best for nothing.
"And 6'oclock", Aramis murmurs having spotted their tail, "This can't be good"
"Athos?" Porthos murmurs looking for instruction as they seemed to be herded away from the crowd.
"Be cautious. They haven't attacked us yet. They want something", Athos tells them quietly, "Let them herd us. We can take them on if we have too. As it doesn't look like their armed"
"But it still could be a trap", Aramis murmurs.
Porthos casually looks at the two in front of them. He tries not to frown. These two seemed to look familiar. And the way they were dressed seem to be in a style similar to Flea. And the woman kind of reminded him of Flea now that he thought about it.
They were being backed to a shady corner. The Trio casually put their hands on their weapons. As they prepared for anything.
Porthos suddenly has an idea about where these people were from. Not exactly who they were but these young women and men had obviously came from…
"Athos, Aramis they are from the Court of Miracles!" Porthos tells them in hush urgent tones.
Athos and Aramis raise an eyebrow at that.
Why would people from the Court of Miracles be so far from it AND coming after them.
"How do you know?" Athos murmurs.
"Trust me", Porthos tells him, "Just let them back us up. I believe they are here to see me"
After all who else would they be here for?
As soon as they were in the shadows the quartet come closer and this rag tail bunch DID look like they came from the Court. But they did still seem to have a style that didn't stick out too much.
"Who are you?" Porthos asks them.
"Porthos du Vallon?" one of the women asks him ignoring the question about names.
"Yes", Porthos replies firmly.
"When did you arrive at the Court?" a man asks him.
Porthos was confused but he answers anyway, "When I was 10 and stayed until Captain Treville of the Musketeers gave me a chance"
"And who were your closets friends when you were there?" another woman asks.
"Flea and…Charon", Porthos replies, "But Charon was never happy with that life"
"Oh, we know that", the woman agrees.
The other man looks at Athos and Aramis.
"You must be Comte Oliver Athos de la Fere", he nods at Athos direction bowing his head and turns to Aramis, "And Aramis, a medic and a man of great faith. We commend you Monsieur Aramis for what you have been through just a little over 5 years ago and still manage to keep your faith. You have our condolences. Truly"
They were surprised the man knew their titles. Athos eyes them suspiciously. How could they know? Aramis eyes also turn dangerous. He knew exactly what they were talking about.
"How do you know that?" Athos hisses going to draw his sword.
They hold their hands out showing they meant no harm.
"We mean you Inseparables no harm", the woman tells them.
"But then how do you know that stuff about us?" Aramis asks eyeing them.
"And I'm NOT Comte de La Fere!" Athos hisses angrily.
"Who told you about Savoy?" Aramis hisses just as angrily.
They smirk.
"Just like he said you would react", the woman chuckles.
"He also would like to send his apologies for divulging your secrets. But he needed you to trust us and for us to you", the man says with a bow of his head, "I am Eric and my friends Chelsea, Seraphine and Stephen", he points at each one.
It was obvious Chelsea was the outspoken one of the group.
"He also said you can kill him later for divulging those details", Chelsea tells them cheerfully.
"Don't worry these facts won't go farther then a group of friends dedicated and loyal to him", Eric assures them.
"Who is he? And your from the Court, aren't you?" Porthos asks.
"Well done Porthos for recognising kindred spirits", Seraphine says to him.
"But you have still missed one", Chelsea smirks.
"Chels stop mucking around. We haven't got time for that", Stephen warns her, "We NEED to get back"
"Who. Is. He?" Athos hisses out.
"Our best friend Charles…"
"Charles who?"
They smirk at them.
"Oh, you're going to love this", Chelsea says smirking wickedly.
"Who?" they growl losing their patience.
"Charles D'Artagnan", Eric says emphasising the last name.
The three freeze.
"What?!" the hiss loudly.
"Shh you don't want everyone to hear do you?" Seraphine snaps at them looking around.
"What is HE doing in the Court?" Athos hisses angrily, "Is he crazy?!"
"That is debatable", Stephen mumbles.
"Ha! He owes me 5 coins!" Chelsea snickers.
"No, he doesn't he actually predicted this", Seraphine retorts.
"Regular Mother-Hens, he called them", Chelsea snickers.
"I can see that now. I wounder if they would actually lock him in his room", Seraphine teases.
Eric and Stephen roll their eyes.
"Ignore them. They are trying to get him back for what he pulled on us", Eric tells them, "After all they don't think a punch to the shoulder/or slap to the head was enough pay back for what he pulled on us. When he returned three nights ago"
What has D'Artagnan gotten himself involved with now? What exactly did D'Artagnan pull on these people enough for him to get slapped and punched in the shoulder?
"They just want to embarrass and get him in trouble. So please ignore our friends", Stephen says with a sigh.
"Why is HE in the Court?" Porthos asks them trying to turn their attention back to the previous conversation.
"That is a VERY long story that he is going to happily explain next time he sees you", Chelsea tells them.
They could tell by her empathising 'happily' that D'Artagnan wasn't looking forward to it at all and the Trio agreed it wasn't going to be pretty that conversation and D'Artagnan had a right to not looking forward to it.
"If you don't kill him that is", Seraphine replies innocently.
"I AM thinking about it", Athos mutters.
Eric sighs and pulls something out of his pocket that was wrapped in a piece of cloth.
"Charles has a message for you three. He can't leave there at this point in time without bringing hell upon us all. So, he is going to send his friends as messengers to you", Eric explains to him.
They raise their eyebrows at that.
"Charles has a lot of friends where he is. It is whoever is available at the time or are in his vicinity when he is are going to be the ones to give you messengers and they will be parting with a message for you and for them to recognise each of you. Given by Charles. But hopefully there will be at least one familiar face in each messenger group", Stephen tells them.
"What do you have there?" Aramis asks curiously trying not to think why their Brother would be in the Court of Miracles and had a lot of friends.
"First Musketeers the murders your working on here aren't the only ones that are taking place in Paris", Chelsea tells them finally looking serious.
"Where else?" Athos asks them.
Porthos eyes widen. The only way nobody would know about any other murders would be…
"The Court?" Porthos hisses outraged.
Athos and Aramis's eyes widen at that.
"Got it in one Porthos. Queen Flea and Charles's friends filled him in on the situation when he arrived late three night ago. AFTER there were a few punches and smacks were done with because of a few things from a couple of years ago. That HE is going to tell you about. Anyway, Charles believes they are connected. So, while you investigating out here. Charles and the rest of us will do the Court", Seraphine explains to him.
"Charles found this when investigating one of the crime scenes and he has been making enquires like we have and has come up with a name that seems to fit with this medallion", Eric tells them opening the cloth.
It was a silver medallion. With a falcon flying on it.
Athos takes the piece from Eric.
"Expensive. A Falcon and the name D'A…"
"Charles", Stephen hisses looking around.
"Charles came up with name the Falcon?" Athos asks.
"Yes, and that name seems to be coming up a lot around the Court. It is a name people are starting to fear", Eric tells them, "And Charles was lucky to get the information he did. And VERY lucky to find that medallion. As Porthos knows it should have been stolen or taken by now. But it was still there. The murder was over a week ago"
Athos, Porthos and Aramis frown. Something wasn't right.
"Any ideas where we would find this 'Falcon'?" Aramis asks looking at the medallion.
"Not at this time", Seraphine replies.
"And no clue as his real identity?" Porthos asks.
"No", Eric replies, "It has Charles stumped too"
"We need to speak with him", Athos tells them firmly.
They shake their heads.
"Damn he was right they would try", Chelsea grumbles.
Athos sighs it seems D'Artagnan has been telling stories.
"We need to see he is alright with our own eyes", Athos tells them, "Please we have to know he is ok", Athos couldn't believe he was actually pleading with someone.
"He had a concussion when we left him a week ago. We don't know anything else about his condition since then. I need to know he is well", Aramis pleads.
Porthos doesn't say nothing. He knew these four wouldn't budge. If D'Artagnan told them to make sure they didn't go to the Court of Miracles there would be no use trying.
Their eyes soften at them. They felt bad for them. But it was too dangerous for them and him if they walked into the Court. None of them would be able to protect them. Well maybe D'Artagnan could but only if he stepped out of the shadows and into the light.
"I can tell you his condition", Seraphine tells him, "If that helps you to worry less"
"It might", Aramis allows.
"He came three nights ago. Scared the Queen half to death. He was injured…", Seraphine starts.
"Injured!" they hiss quietly.
They sigh.
"It seems the Red Guard wanted their fun", Eric tells them quietly.
"I am going to find out who they are and kill them", Porthos growls.
"Well Charles already gave the one that gave him a concussion payback", Stephen shrugs casually.
"Another?" Aramis hisses, "He already had one!"
"Don't worry Flea made him rest the last three days before she would let him out. He couldn't escape since two of his friends were with him at any one time", Eric chuckles.
"And he wasn't happy with that", Chelsea chuckles.
"Normally he would be talking his way out of this. He has those damn puppy eyes and has a silvertongue that would have the most dangerous men and women doing anything they want to please him", Eric adds.
Athos, Porthos and Aramis had to agree there. They had seen those damn puppy eyes and his tongue in action. Together they were just about unstoppable. But they weren't going to break this time when they had him in their grasp again. They WOULD make sure he couldn't get into trouble!
"Anyway, he also had several cuts and bruises. No broken ribs or cracks but there was slight bruising", Seraphine tells them, "He also had to have a few stitches on his head wound"
Aramis growls at someone else taking care of HIS Little Brother.
"He needed stitches! He was bleeding!" Aramis hisses angrily.
"Don't worry Flea did the stitches and there wasn't much blood", Seraphine tells him.
"I can still worry because…"
"It wasn't you", Stephen states softly.
Aramis nods.
"Charles is VERY lucky to have brothers like you", Eric tells them, "Might get a little hairy when you meet the rest of us. Some of Charles's older friends have adopted him as their Little Brother. So, there might be a competition here"
Chelsea snickers, "We are already having bets on it among us"
The Three Inseparables try to ignore the pain in knowing their Little Brother had other people that he called brother.
"We NEED to see him", Athos tells them firmly.
The quartet really felt bad for them.
"You can't", Seraphine tells them gently, "If you do you could lead people to him"
"Not that even leading them to his door would do any good", Chelsea chuckles.
"Why?" Porthos asks curiously.
"Charles won't be found if he doesn't want to be found. Nobody has ever found him before he wishes it. Even you Porthos I doubt could find him", Eric tells them honestly.
"Just how long has he known the Court?" Porthos asks carefully.
They just smile at them.
"THAT is a lovely question you can ask Charles next time you see him", Chelsea says cheerfully.
That was only going to be one of over a hundred questions and threats they would be asking and giving the Lad.
"He wants us to tell you that he knows you all will prove his innocence. He has a lot of faith in you", Stephen tells them.
They internally wince at that. How could D'Artagnan STILL have faith in them?
"How did Charles know we were back if he is there and hasn't left?" Athos asks them his eyes narrowing again.
The four shrug.
"He has his ways. We try and ask but he never gives us a straight answer. Trust me it drives us AND Flea nuts when he does it!" Chelsea tells them.
"How is he handling this?" Aramis asks worriedly.
"Worried about why someone would murder inside the Court AND outside. He is worried about you three too", Eric tells them, "But he is going to follow the lead inside of Court and he expects you to follow those outside. Then he expects us to run between you and him"
"This is going to get VERY complicated", Athos tells them, "Why can't Porthos sneak in? As he is one of you! More so then Charles at any rate"
The quartet choke on that statement. And share a look saying 'we are not even going to go there with how long Charles has been there at Court. We can let Charles sweat through that one!'
"As we said it would be no good. Charles won't show himself unless he wants too", Eric reminds them, "Especially if someone just suddenly appears. And he wouldn't dare approach you if any of you go into Court. He doesn't want to put your lives at risk"
"We are going to have a VERY long conversation about putting people at risk", Athos grumbles.
"So, your NOT going to let him out of his room when he resurfaces and start Mother-Henning him?" Chelsea asks with a wicked smile.
"Did he say that?" Aramis asks looking amused for the first time.
"Yes", they say.
"Tell him at least he knows what to expect", Athos tells them with a glint in his eyes.
Aramis and Porthos share a glint too.
"And it can get worse if he gets into any more trouble", Aramis adds with a glint looking at his nails casually.
"I believe I suggested a leash", Porthos adds casually with his own glint.
The quartet snicker. Oh, they were going to love telling him this!
"Oh, we'll be sure to tell him!" Chelsea says gleefully.
"I actually think we are going to get along", Aramis says to her.
"Charles should fear this!" Porthos says gleefully.
"Oh, I have no doubt he will", Athos replies deadpanned.
"This is going to send him insane", Seraphine chuckles.
"He is sending ME insane", Athos retorts, "And can you please kindly tell him if he wants to continue his life in good health or have any freedom ever again, he has stop pulling these stunts!"
They could tell that 'kindly' wasn't the word Athos wanted to use right now.
"We will", Eric asks assures them smirking.
"Oh, and something else two", Aramis says sharing a look with Athos and Porthos.
Before he leans over and whispers in Chelsea's ear something. Chelsea had to do her VERY best not to burst into pearls of evil laughter.
"I'll see that it is done. You have my word", she promises grinning evilly.
"We better get going. We have been here too long", Stephen tells them bringing an end to the banter.
"Someone could be getting suspicious", Seraphine agrees looking around wearily.
"Be careful and take care of yourselves and him", Porthos tells them.
"We will", they vow.
"And tell him, again if he pulls any stunts, any at all, I WILL come into Court, find him, and I WILL find him and make sure he knows just how I feel about it!" Athos growls his eyes flashing.
"Oh, it will be our pleasure", Chelsea purrs before they back away.
"Be careful yourselves Musketeers. Nobody wants to report to Charles you being hurt in the pursuit of his innocence and trust me he somehow is able to find out everything given time. Be safe", Eric whispers as they disappear into the shadows.
They look at each other.
"Well, that was an enlightening conversation", Aramis drawls out.
Athos snorts, "I can think of a few others words for it. But right now, I NEED a drink!"
"What did you actually whisper to Chelsea?" Porthos asks Aramis.
Aramis had a glint in his eyes and amused look on his face.
"Just to give our Little Brother a nice gift when she sees him next. I believe she said something about what our Brothers friends did when he appeared at the Court. I just asked if she could possibly do us a favour and add our greetings of displeasure to him the same way they did", Aramis says with a shrug.
Athos's lips twitch at that and Porthos snickers.
"Oh I wouldn't want to be him!"
~~Author's Note: What Do You Think? Please Review:)!~~
