Updated: Tuesday 10th/10/2023
Chapter 11: Why Is That Familiar?
The Six Shadow runners slip back into Court in the early hours of the morning. After leading the Red Guards on a merry chase around Paris. They had to admit they had enjoyed that. Red Guards weren't very bright on principle. Musketeers were much better!
"I'm going to Flea's and hope Charles will be there. I think the rest of you should get some rest", Chelsea orders them.
"Fine idea. As we need to get some sleep to stay on top of all this", Louis yawns.
"Messing with the Red Guards sometimes can tire you out", Lucas adds with his own yawn.
"Lucky you can sleep. I still have to report to Charles AND change and get to the morgue all within a couple of hours. I have to actually look like I'm not a Court person. Do you know how difficult that is going to be?" Chelsea complains.
"Better you then us", Isabella replies with Juliette agreeing.
Chelsea rolls her eyes, "Charles is going to owe me one"
She disappears into the streets of Court where people were beginning to wake up and get out on the streets to do what they do during the day.
Chelsea soon gets to Flea's door and nods to the guards guarding the doors. Both she recognised as Shadow Runners.
"Fun night Chels?"
"I wouldn't go in there…"
"Shut up. Before I make you look like how I'm feeling", Chelsea grumbles barging in.
She regrated not listening to the Guards. As Charles was currently in the middle of changing.
"Damn it Charles! I don't need to see my Brothers body like that!"
"Well didn't the Guards tell you?" D'Artagnan asks her quickly dressing.
Chelsea decides not to admit to her mistake.
"I have just come back from visiting your Brothers", Chelsea reports.
"I was expecting you back hours ago", D'Artagnan comments.
He had been worried about his friends as they shouldn't have been gone that long.
Chelsea snorts, "Red Guards"
D'Artagnan sighs at that, "What did they do?"
"Besides us leading them around in circles and tricking them again?" Chelsea asks him.
D'Artagnan smirks at that, "Yes besides that"
"They turned up near Athos's place where we found your Brothers. We got the signal to vacant. Luckily, we had just finished filling each other in when the signal came through", Chelsea replies, "Then we had a merry little chase around Paris to make sure the Red Guards got their daily exercise"
D'Artagnan HAD to snicker at that. He was sure the Red Guards loved that.
"So, what do my Brothers have to say?"
"Besides that fact the wine is not going to change Athos mind about what he is going to do to you when he sees you?" she asks him smirking wickedly.
D'Artagnan winces at that. Well, he HAD to try.
"Yes, besides from my Brothers threatening my human rights", D'Artagnan replies.
"They have found a few things. The elderly couple work and own an Inn. One of the waitresses reported some suspicious people. They play cards there every once in a while. But they go around a few of the other places around there. She only could get a read on one of the faces. He had burns", Chelsea reports.
D'Artagnan frowns, "What is it with these murders with burn scars. That is pretty specific"
"I know", Chelsea agrees, "Also there was a note left with the bodies of the victims"
"Am I going to like this?"
"Not at all", Chelsea replies promptly and hands him the note.
He takes it and reads:
'Shadow of Miracles the Falcon is waiting for you. Falcon knows, Falcon remembers, he is rising and all you love will perish in fire, blood and the screams of those that are close to you'.
"That is NOT going to happen. I will shut this down before it comes to that", D'Artagnan growls angrily at the threat to his friends and family.
"We knew you would say that"
D'Artagnan looks at the note and the handwriting something was…familiar about it.
"Is it just me or does this handwriting look familiar to you?" D'Artagnan asks his friend.
Chelsea frowns, "I thought that too. But can't think of where I have seen it before"
"Same. I am going to have to think on this", D'Artagnan replies, "Are Athos and the others expecting it back?"
"I don't think they expected anything less", Chelsea replies.
"Good. Are you meeting up with Aramis for a visit to the morgue?" D'Artagnan asks her.
"Yes", she growls, "And ANY word on the outfit I am forced into heads WILL roll!"
He rolls his eyes, "My lips are sealed"
"Good. Now I have to get ready thanks to you"
"Oh Chels…"
"Yes?" Chelsea asks looking at him annoyed.
"I am sending Marcus with you"
"I hate you"
(Line Break)
Aramis leans casually on a wall not far from the wall. His hat shielding his sensitive eyes from the sun. It was too early for this.
But then again D'Artagnan's freedom and life was under threat and that did take priority. They must prove their Little Brothers innocence soon or they might all be forced to take drastic measures. To assure his safety. As they didn't know how on earth, he was safe in the Court of Miracles but they had been assured many times that he was.
But how?
"Hello Aramis", a becoming familiar voice says.
He looks up to see Chelsea all dressed up and she had a man on her arm.
"Don't you look…"
"If you know what is good for you, you wouldn't finish that sentence", Chelsea threatens.
The man chuckles at her, "Don't mind her. She is in a foul mood. It ended just three hours ago when she walked in on Charles naked after she ignored the Guards trying to warn her"
Aramis laughs at that. He didn't know to feel bad for his brother or not. But looking at Chelsea now his brother would be a lucky man if he got together with Chelsea and Chelsea would be a lucky woman.
"I believe you should like that he is quite the catch", Aramis laughs, "You'll make a cute couple"
"Not a snowballs chance in hell", Chelsea snarls, "And you try going the day and night without sleep. And having to make the Red Guards chase you for the rest of the night because they couldn't find out where we actually came from", Chelsea snaps.
"So, it was Red Guards coming to Athos apartment?" Aramis asks her.
"Yes", Chelsea replies shortly.
"And we love running circles around those lazy sods. It is probably the only exercise they get", the man chuckles.
Aramis chuckles, "I can agree there"
"I am Marcus by the way. Charles's Big Brother", Marcus says introducing himself and holding out his hand.
Aramis grabs it, "Aramis. But I know you already know that", as they try and squeeze each other's hands till they broke.
"Ok boys that's enough", Chelsea scolds them, "Have your egos stroked or dual each other later for having the rights to be Charles, Big Brothers, when I'm not around to put up with it. We have a job to do"
They look sheepish at that at being caught doing that.
"Can you handle a morgue?" Aramis asks her as they start to walk.
"Trust me I have smelt worse", Chelsea replies, "Just so we have things straight. I am your Sister Aramis and Marcus is my…husband", she says with a grimace, "And the body we are here to identify is my supposed brother"
Aramis tries not to snicker at that. He could see Marcus liking the idea of being married to Chelsea and Chelsea trying to deny her feelings for him. He wondered if D'Artagnan knew and that was why he sent them here together.
'Very sneaky Little Brother. The Master has taught you well', Aramis thinks stroking his own ego.
They walk into the morgue and Chelsea plays the part of the distressed sister well. Aramis had to give her credit for her performance.
Aramis managed to get alone with the body after asking about the cause of death and so on and he had to admire his Brothers shooting skills. Aramis HAD to praise himself for that. No way D'Artagnan would have gotten that shot without his training.
This shot had been taken on the fly and it was close to the heart. A kill shot that was going to kill the victim in minutes. Just giving D'Artagnan time to get a few questions out of him.
He noted the burns on the side of his body. And a tattoo on his shoulder and sees the Falcon and flames.
'Someone has a thing about fire and Falcons', Aramis thinks, 'And the person who did this liked to mark his 'minions''.
"Can I see the elderly couple from last night?" Aramis asks the man.
"I don't think…"
Aramis hands him a few coins.
"Just for several minutes", Aramis tells him.
"I just have to be somewhere. Everything is over there", the man says leaving.
Aramis goes over to the bodies of the elderly couple.
"Are those the couple?" Chelsea asks him.
"Yes. It seems our murders did a number on them", Aramis replies.
He looks at the bullet, "This is a high-quality round. I believe we may be able to get something from this"
Chelsea and Marcus look at the bodies and realise they recognised the couple.
"We know them", Marcus states.
"How?" Aramis asks urgently.
"They have been known to help Miracles", Chelsea replies.
"That is going to be an interesting bit of information I can give to the others", Aramis states.
Then the two notice the mark.
"What is that?" Marcus asks.
"The mark that was punched into his skin. I was hoping it would come more prominent", Aramis replies.
Chelsea frowns, "Something is familiar about that isn't it, Marcus?"
Marcus frowns and nods, "But I can't really make it out"
"I believe it is from a ring or something that was on the killer's hand", Aramis informs them.
"First that letters handwriting and now that mark", Chelsea grumbles.
"What about the letter?" Aramis asks them.
"Charles said the writing is familiar but he couldn't place it at the moment and neither could I", Chelsea replies, "And this is familiar to me too. But not noticeable enough to be able to truly identify it"
"I saw the letter briefly and I admit it is familiar to me too. But I don't believe I have seen it in the last few years", Marcus replies.
Aramis didn't know what to make of this. If both Chelsea, Marcus AND D'Artagnan knew that writing from somewhere then the people involved in this must know that ALL of them.
He puts back on his hat, "We're leaving"
They casually make their way out and a couple of streets over before Aramis talks.
"If you, Marcus and Charles know that handwriting from somewhere and maybe the mark. Would the others in your group be familiar with it?" Aramis asks them lowly.
Marcus hums, "It IS possible. I will bring it up with Charles on our return. We might gather the old crew and see if anyone recognise it. Maybe we'll get lucky"
"I'll look into this bullet and maybe Athos and Porthos have had luck with that medallion and the plan for tonight", Aramis replies.
"Be careful", Chelsea says to him, "And tell the others that same. Charles wouldn't forgive himself if something happened to any of you if the person with a vendetta hurts you…Charles would NEVER forgive himself"
"I know how he is. Tell him if anything happens that it is under NO circumstances his fault we get hurt!" Aramis tells them.
They snort.
"Trying to tell my Little Brother is like that is like waiting for snow in summer. Impossible", Marcus replies.
Aramis sighs, "I know what you mean", he looks at them, "Just how many more of you are we going to meet?"
They smirk playfully.
"What is the fun in telling you that?" Chelsea teases.
"Good luck with everything tonight", Marcus says with a secretive smirk.
"What is that look for?" Aramis asks eyes narrowing.
"Nothing", both of them say.
"Now I am going. I want to get out of these clothes and go to bed", Chelsea tells him.
Before Aramis could say anything, Chelsea takes Marcus's hand and they disappear into the busy streets.
Aramis shakes his head in exasperation.
"Brother where do you find these people?"
(Line Break)
Treville tries not to say something he shouldn't. As the Cardinal was badmouthing D'Artagnan's good name and the King was looking inclined to believe the Cardinal.
"Sire I can assure you D'Artagnan is one of the best. He has the potential to be one of the greatest Musketeers. Even supressing Athos. He would NEVER have done this", Treville says to the King, "He has even saved you life a few times. Does this sound like a man who did these horrific murders?"
"Even a good man can break under so much pressure Sire", the Cardinal tells the King.
"Dear I agree with Captain Treville. We have been protected and saved by Musketeer D'Artagnan. Shouldn't he be given the right to be able to build a defence against this?" Queen Anne pleads with her husband, "Even given the chance to provide witnesses to where he was during these crimes. Even lasts nights"
"The fact is he escaped so we have no way to prove that he wasn't there. There are witnesses to seeing him Sire", Cardinal tells him.
"They are shady at best my King!" Treville retorts, "They are from a distance AND in the dark!"
King Louis looked between his two trusted men. He had a difficult decision to make.
"Captain Treville, do you know where your man is?" the King asks him.
"No Sire I do not", Treville replies truthfully, with was corrected he asked not to be told if anyone knew where D'Artagnan was.
"Are we really going to believe Sire, the Musketeers are not harbouring the fugitive in their Garrison?" the Cardinal asks.
"We are not my King. The Cardinal has no right to question my regiments honour! We are men of the law!" Treville retorts.
"But is possible. Afterall, you vouchered for the fugitive to become a Musketeer and look how that turned out!" Cardinal replies.
"I still stand by my actions and words. D'Artagnan could be the greatest Musketeer of us all in a few years training under Athos and Myself", Treville replies.
"Captain you are ordered to allow the Red Guards to search your Garrison. And after that we will discuss again the situation", the King orders, "You are NOT to interfere with this search or it will show your guilt and the guilt of your men. Control your men Captain or you might find yourself stood down", he says dismissing them.
Treville wasn't happy about this at all.
"I will have my Red Guards at your Garrison promptly Treville. They will be sure not to take up too much of your time. Oh and make sure ALL your Musketeers are in the Garrison", the Cardinal tells him smugly.
Treville knew his Garrison were in for a rough afternoon…
(Line Break)
A man spoke to one of his contacts from the palace and he didn't like what was going to happen at his second home. Then he had an evil idea. It might give some entertainment to many.
"Looks like I have another job for my Shadow Runners and scouts"
~~Author's Note: What Do You Think? Please Review:)!~~