The weather was atrocious. Rain lashed down on the four of them. The wind caused their horses to be unsettled, making the journey even harder. The fading light only added to the misery all of them felt.

'We'll have to stop,' said Porthos, shouting to stop the wind whipping away his words. 'No idea where though.'

D'Artagnan wiped his hand across his face, pushing his hair out of the way. He squinted into the distance, but could only make out trees and rocks. A crack of lightning and a loud rumble of thunder at the same moment proved too much for the horses. D'Artagnan had his work cut out staying on his horse's back as the frightened beast reared up, whinnying in alarm.

'Athos!' shouted Aramis.

D'Artagnan looked across fleetingly as he continued to calm his horse. Athos had been unlucky. He had been thrown from the back of his horse, landing on the stone road. He was not moving. Aramis was trying to calm his horse enough to dismount whilst Porthos, who had control of his mount was reaching across for the reins of Athos' horse before he trotted off to become lost in the darkness.

As his horse stilled, d'Artagnan was able to slip out of the saddle. Porthos, who grabbed Athos' horse, indicated he would look after d'Artagnan's. Grateful, d'Artagnan rushed across to Athos, crashing to his knees and reaching out a tentative hand. He eased Athos onto his back, but his friend did not stir. Aramis joined him, making a more confident examination.

'Porthos' scouting ahead,' said Aramis. 'We need to find some shelter.'

As he spoke he pulled Athos' doublet open and slipped his hand inside, against Athos' chest. He paused for several seconds, d'Artagnan could not help fearing the worst.

'He's alive.'

D'Artagnan sighed with relief as Aramis searched their friend for any other injuries. Aramis pulled off his gloves and ran his hands around Athos' head, neck and shoulders.

'Bump on the back of the head,' he said.

Another crack of thunder caused the now tethered horses to rear up again. Athos' horse, which was still agitated from the first bolt of lightning, reared up again before tugging frantically at the reins which Porthos had wrapped around the low branch of a nearby tree. The panic spread to the other two horses who both started pulling and tugging.

The watching men could do nothing as the branch broke, freeing the three horses. The horses turned away from the tree, straight towards the three Musketeers.

D'Artagnan was pushed hard, falling away from the centre of the road. He landed on his side facing away from his friends. He managed to push himself over in time to see all three horses charging off up the road, back the way they had come.

He looked back to Athos and Aramis realising what his friend had done. Aramis had pushed him out of the way of the scared animals, before throwing himself over Athos who could do nothing to protect himself. As d'Artagnan scrambled to his feet Aramis was pushing himself up. D'Artagnan did not miss the wince of pain from Aramis.

'Where?' he asked as he reached Aramis and Athos.

Aramis clearly saw no point in denying he was injured, he leaned to the side slightly revealing a rip in his breeches. A nasty bruise and cut marked his left thigh.

'Could have been worse,' said Aramis.

'Not much,' retorted d'Artagnan. 'Are you even going to be able to walk?'

Aramis shrugged, 'not going to have much choice without the horses.'

Another rumble of thunder drowned out the sound of the wind in the trees for several seconds.

'There's a cottage,' said Porthos from behind them. 'Where are the horses?'

D'Artagnan twisted around to find Porthos a couple of yards away.

'They got loose,' said Aramis, 'nearly trampled us.'

'They did trample you,' said d'Artagnan.

Porthos leaned forward to look at Aramis' injury, he pulled a sympathetic face.

'Mine's gone as well. When I dismounted there was another crack of thunder. He bolted and pulled the reins out of my hands.'

'Let's hope they all end up together and not too far away,' said d'Artagnan. 'I don't want to walk home.'

'How far is this cottage?' asked Aramis.

Porthos pointed back the way he had come and slightly to the right. D'Artagnan could not see anything, but he was not surprised. The driving rain was making visibility low. Everything was shadows and indeterminable shapes.

'We'll carry him,' said Porthos. 'I'll come back to help you.'

D'Artagnan knew Aramis would do his best to walk to the cottage but he would not get very far due to the injury to his leg.

Between them, d'Artagnan and Porthos lifted Athos. They tried to be gentle but the weather was conspiring to make the rescue difficult.

D'Artagnan was aware of Aramis struggling to his feet and limping after them. He wondered how far his friend would get.

Porthos directed them along the road a little way before guiding them to the right along a track. The track was not maintained and was overgrown. Several times he almost stumbled and twice had to pull his arm from encroaching brambles.

'There,' said Porthos, 'it's been abandoned for a while. Two rooms. It's dry inside though.'

The small building looked structurally sound. It was shabby from lack of upkeep. A shutter was missing from one of the windows and creeping plants had been allowed to grow up the outside walls unchecked. They paused at the doorway. Porthos pushed the heavy door open revealing the room beyond.

Between them, they manipulated Athos inside. D'Artagnan spotted a bed against one wall. He was about to change direction towards it but Porthos had other ideas.

'We'll need the wood for a fire,' he said. 'Not going to find anything dry out there.'

D'Artagnan understood. A tatty rug lay in front of the hearth that dominated the central wall. They eased Athos to the floor.

'Get him stripped off and get a fire going,' said Porthos. 'I'll get Aramis.'

D'Artagnan nodded. As Porthos retreated from the small room d'Artagnan pulled his gloves off before shedding his soaked doublet. He kicked the bed, finding it quite rickety. He pulled at the rough sacking mattress, he managed to slice a few strips with his main gauche. Crouching by the hearth using the flinty rocks lying next to it he managed to create a spark. It took him a few goes but he lit the kindling, letting the flame take hold for a few moments before returning to the bed and giving it a hefty kick. He released as he pulled the bed apart that he was shaking. He glanced at Athos who was not showing signs of coming around, but he was shivering.

The need to warm up was paramount. Both Porthos and Aramis would be cold as well.

'What happened?'

D'Artagnan sighed with relief. The previously still Athos was awake.

'Your horse threw you. You were unconscious.'

Athos pushed himself up to sit, but wavered, reaching up to rub the back of his head.

'I may need one of Aramis' potions.'

D'Artagnan shook his head, 'the horses all bolted. We can only hope they have not gone far.'

Athos looked around.

'Porthos' gone to help Aramis. When the horses were frightened they ran straight at us. Aramis pushed me out of the way but got kicked protecting you.'

'Not our finest hour,' said Athos as he tried to unbuckle his weapons belt.

'You're cold, let me do it,' said d'Artagnan.

Athos reluctantly acquiesced, allowing d'Artagnan to work the belt free before undoing his doublet. With help, Athos was able to slip his arms from the damp jacket. D'Artagnan hung it near the fire, next to his own.

Athos managed to move closer to the hearth. He picked up one of the splintered pieces of wood and placed it on the fire before holding his hands out, feeling the warmth.

The door shuddered slightly as Porthos pushed it open. D'Artagnan was quick to help him and Aramis through before closing it firmly after them.

'You're awake,' said Aramis.

'I am,' replied Athos, 'although I am not sure I want to be. Without one of your painkilling draughts, I feel I would be better off unconscious.'

Aramis laughed, 'you're not the only one.'

Porthos helped Aramis to hobble closer to the fire and eased him to the floor.

'Any sign of the horses?' asked d'Artagnan.

Porthos shook his head, 'no. I'll scout about in the morning provided the weather has improved.'

Athos was looking pensively at the fire as he placed another piece of wood into the flames.

'How's your head?' asked Aramis.

'I'll live,' he said. 'But only thanks to the three of you.'

Aramis smiled, 'don't mention it.'

'You're welcome,' said Porthos.

'You'd have done the same for us,' pointed out d'Artagnan.

Athos nodded his thanks, 'at least you have found us somewhere to see out the bad weather,' he remarked.

D'Artagnan could not agree more until an ominous creak had all four of them looking at the wall.

'What was that?' asked Aramis.

To be continued…

Whumpee(s): Athos and Aramis. Featuring: Porthos and d'Artagnan.