'What was that?' asked Aramis.

Porthos slowly shook his head. He took a couple of steps forward, closer to the creaking wall. He reached out and pressed his hand to the wood. He could feel the wood vibrate, as though it were shivering. Some inner sense made him take a cautious step back.

'Whatever it is,' he said, 'it don't sound good.'

'There can't be anything out there,' said d'Artagnan who was trying to peer out of the window into the inky blackness of the night.

Another ominous creak made Porthos take another step back.

'We can't go back out there,' said Aramis.

Athos was staring into the distance.

'There's a river,' he said. 'Not far from here. If we had not been enjoying the delights of that storm I was going to suggest we camp next to it. I believe it is known to break its banks on occasion.'

Porthos nodded and looked back at the wall as it creaked again, 'we need to get to higher ground.'

'Where?' asked Aramis. 'We can't go back out there, we'd all die of exposure.'

Porthos looked up at the roof of the cottage. An area had been created for storage above them, a platform stretched out a few feet from the sloping roof of the cottage supported on the sturdy roof beams. The platform would be a little out of reach but between them, they could help each other up. When Porthos looked back at Aramis his friend had gone quite pale. The prospect of clambering into the roof of the cottage whilst injured was daunting.

'We need to move now,' said d'Artagnan, from the window. 'I think we are already in the river.'

Porthos looked down and realised the floor of the cottage was wet, the river water was seeping through the wood. He reached forward again and pushed at the wall in front of him, the planks seemed solid. He crouched down and did the same with the lower planks, he could feel them give as he pushed at them. Despite being a well-built structure the wooden walls would rot eventually, making them weak.

'D'Artagnan's right,' said Porthos. 'I'm sorry, Aramis but you're going to have to get up there.'

Athos was already struggling to his feet, he swayed dangerously, stumbling to the wall for support.

D'Artagnan moved to stand under the platform, looking at it critically, 'will we all fit?'

'Doubt it,' said Porthos, 'but one of us can sit on the beam there. I'll boost you up, then you can help pull these two up.'

Porthos grinned at his injured friends. Athos nodded his agreement with the plan, Aramis looked decidedly nauseous as he stared at the far wall and watched the seeping water get closer.

Bracing himself against the wall by the fire, Porthos cupped his hands for d'Artagnan. The soldier stepped up using the wall for support before grabbing the beam that led from the platform to the wall. Porthos pushed him up a little further before d'Artagnan hauled himself up. D'Artagnan shuffled onto the platform and out of sight.

'There are a couple of blankets up here, nothing else. Two of us will fit easily, the other two will have to sit on the edge and the beam, but it's doable.'

'Easy for you to say,' said Aramis.

Athos was slowly walking around the room collecting his discarded clothes; he handed them to Porthos, who threw them up to d'Artagnan who grabbed them and tucked them away on the platform. There was no time for Athos to redress.

'Aramis first,' said d'Artagnan, 'Athos, you may have to help steady him.'

Aramis sighed and nodded, 'this is the last time I'm saving you,' he said as Athos held out his hand to help him.

Porthos steadied his friend as he winced due to the pain getting to his feet had caused. Athos looked apologetic despite the injury not being his fault. Between them, they helped Aramis to a point under the platform edge. D'Artagnan was leaning down, reaching out with both hands. Porthos braced himself against the wall again. With Athos steadying him, Aramis stepped into Porthos' cupped hands and reached up, unable to suppress a cry of pain as he took weight on his injured leg. Despite the discomfort, Aramis reached out to d'Artagnan, who grabbed him firmly around the wrists. Porthos kept hold of his friend's feet, helping to support him from below as d'Artagnan unceremoniously pulled Aramis onto the platform.

'Aramis?'

D'Artagnan sounded concerned. Porthos glanced at Athos who also looked worried. D'Artagnan disappeared for a few moments as the sound of shuffling could be heard above them.

'He's passed out,' said d'Artagnan as he appeared again. 'I've managed to push him to the back. Don't think he'll be out for long.'

Porthos wandered back to the wall, listening to the water churning outside.

'Haste is our only plan, I think,' remarked Athos from behind him.

Porthos nodded; he walked back, realising he was walking through water, splashing it up his boots as he went. Athos was already in place waiting for him. Porthos wasted no time in helping Athos up. The sudden upward movement did not help Athos.

'Athos, further to your left,' said d'Artagnan when he realised Athos was in danger of passing out before he'd even made it to the ledge.

Porthos could not risk moving or he would unbalance his friend further. D'Artagnan managed to grasp Athos and pull him upwards. Porthos helped as much as he could.

As Athos finished his ungainly clamber, the creaking sound was replaced by the sound of splintering wood. Porthos whirled around in time to see the lowest two planks of wood break apart. Water rushed in; the ankle-deep water was soon shin-deep.

'Porthos,' called d'Artagnan, over the sound of the water.

Porthos stepped forward; he looked up, making eye contact with d'Artagnan who was leaning as far over the edge of the platform as he could. Athos was pinning d'Artagnan back by leaning heavily across his legs and grasping the belt on his breeches.

Knowing he would only have one shot at getting up to the platform, Porthos jumped.

To be continued…

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