"So tell me why we are here again?" d'artagnan asked. To him, it seemed that riding through the forests just outside paris was a waste of time when he could be training to be a real musketeer. He had to admit he and his new horse Zad could use some time to bond. Like D'artagon was initially he was a young boy full of potential but needed the right guidecene.
"It's all part of your training boy- it is tradition for the primary mentor or mentors of musketeer cadets that they spend a week in the woods with his apprentice." Aramis replied from behind whist perched upon his magnificent mare Belle.
"So we are doing this for my training" d'artagon asked
"And also tradition" Aramis added
"Honner" Athos offered
"Duty" porthos cut in. Which led the musketeers to pause and look at porthos.
"Ok maybe it was more for fun than anything" Porthos admitted. Or maybe it was to get out of treville's hair before he could think of a punishment for their latest antics back in Paris Athos secretly thought to himself.
They found a spot to camp. A truly idyllic spot by a stream with plenty of trees for shade and they had seen plenty of wildlife on their way here. The spot they had was in about the middle of the forest and they were close to the de la fere estate. It wasn't long until Porthos got bored and took to what he called impromptu training.
"That's not fair! You're taller than me!" d'artagnan complained after a cheeky move to a rather painful area of the male anatomy.
" there's no fair fight with bandits wlep!" Porthos returned
D'artagon still looked annoyed but Aramis ever the 'romantic hero type' drew their attention to something else.
" they say that there is a fountain of youth around here and there is an old story of a knight who saved his lady by giving her drinking water from this very stream." Aramis told them
"Fountain of youth!" Athos snorted "of all the stupid-"
"No its true!" D'artagon yelped " my parents told me that story too!"
Porthos offered no further commentary other than a shrug.
"Can't slice up their imagination 'thos" porthos conceded
"Were you never told stories as a child athos? Surely you must have heard at least one." Aramis had asked with d'artagon enthusiastic nodding.
As usual there was no answer, but the look in his eyes told them everything they needed to know.
" I am going to get more firewood." Athos muttered as he got up to walk away. They all knew there was no need for more fire wood but they knew what he was trying to do - get away from his demons and do it alone. Aramis went to follow him, apparently to help him with carrying the wood and apparently going to get some dinner.
That left Porthos and D'artagon to the fire and a somewhat confused D'artagon. He knew that Athos demmons loved to torture him in his weakest and most vulnerable moments- he had seen that for himself at athos manor, which also happened to be his family home. He didn't realize it at the time but throughout the time he had been training as athos apprentice, he realised how much like brothers they had become. Athos wasn't as physical in affection as porthos or as verbal as Aramis, he had his own way of affection whether it be a stern talking to or a loving yet also distant pat on the shoulder or letting him prove himself by letting him try and fail and then try again and succeed. He always wondered what happened to make athos the way he was. Why did he shut himself out? Why is he so moody? Did he have any friends growing up? Little did he know that all the questions he had were going to soon be answered.
Aramis and athos were not far from the camp and they were collecting firewood and game for their lunch. Aramis had just caught some lovely plump rabbits for their food and was picking up some of the herbs in a nearly bush. Athos was busy filling the water skins and brooding.
They were on their way back at the camp when Porthos and D'artagon heard a sound. A very loud tig snap noise. the group knew they were going to be in for a fight when after the snap they heard a sword leave its sheath. Out of no where 6 bandits attacked the musketeers.
"Not robbers again" aramis complained as he pulled out his sword. The foursome took care of 5 of the 6 leaving the leader to athos who was nearing the river. With swift strikes Athos attacked having to go on the defensive as his opponent pushed him closer and closer to the river's edge. The man was about the size of Porthos but it was clear that he was a good swordsman. Without wording the edge of the river crumbled beneath him as he pushed his opponent back to the land.
"ATHOS!" someone yelled and a sword came flying toward his opponent's chest. The opponent was killed on impact thanks to the close range knife throw but the weight of the man pushed athos into the river. And the current stole him.