"Aramis?" Felice squeaked.
"Ohh," Aramis blinked, trying to shake off the throbbing in his head. "That was...abrupt." He puffed.
"Ohh, Aramis…" Relief swelled over Felice like jelly, and her knees suddenly bent out under her. Aramis held her arms and brought her back upright.
"Easy, love." He said quietly. "I'm here."
"Ohh, Aramis! I'm so sorry!" Felice stammered. "I-I didn't know it was y-you. Oh, forgive me! I thought you were Rochefort."
"Well…" Aramis winced, clearing his throat. "That explains a lot." He rubbed his head.
"Please forgive me! I'm so sorry!" Felice cried.
Aramis smiled crookedly. "It's alright, dear." He said softly.
"Is it bad?" Felice reached her hand out up towards his head, but he gently pushed it away.
"Please, I'd rather you didn't." He said. His vision was clearing and he quickly looked her over. "Are you alright? Has he hurt you?" He asked urgently.
"N-no." Felice shook her head quickly, not making eye contact. She'd momentarily forgotten about the blood trickling down her neck.
Aramis gazed at her keenly, frowning hard. He took in her pale face and the small cut along her throat. What in G-'s name has he done to her?! Aramis fumed silently. "What happened?! Tell me!" He glowered, touching the cut with the tips of his gloved fingers.
"It was-"
"I'm getting you out of here!" Aramis barked. Felice stared up at him, wide-eyed. She'd never seen him so angry. It was unsettling. Aramis noticed how she froze, looking petrified and tried to soften his approach. "I'm not cross with you, love. Only the b- who did this to you."
"How...how did you find me?" Felice asked, placing her hand over her throat.
"Your escape rope." Aramis smiled fondly. "Was most handy in assisting me up to your rescu-"
"Well! I must say, lass, you certainly picked out a most dreary place in which to have your beauty sleep!" Porthos boomed, poking his head inside, admiring the lavish furnishings. "While we've been busting our backs looking for you!"
"Porthos?" She breathed, still shocked.
"None other." Porthos shrugged.
"Shh! Keep it down." Aramis told Porthos, partly from the dull ache in his head which his friend's boisterous voice wasn't helping improve in the least. "She's been hurt! Let's get her out of there."
"Right, oh." Porthos nodded.
"H-how did you know where I was?" Felice asked again.
"We haven't much time." Aramis urged them, taking her hand. "We must go."
"N-no. Where is D'Artagnan?"
"Oh, I imagine at the moment, he is pretty well occupied." Porthos said wryly.
"Come, dear, let's go! Now!" Aramis urged her forward.
"Wait!" Felice told them. "Wait." She turned and opened the adjoining door to the wardrobe. "Come on. Hurry! It's okay. Come on!" She whispered to someone. Kitty snuck out of her secret chamber with wide, frightened eyes. "We're getting out of here!" Felice promised, holding the younger girl's trembling hands.
"Uh, uh, uh. And who is this?" Porthos asked curiously. "Now you're stealing and claiming the duke's own prize maids for yourself? That's bold, even for you, lass." He chuckled.
"Not now, Porthos. She's coming with me!" Felice told him sternly.
"Let's go!" Aramis gently pushed Felice and Kitty ahead first. Surprisingly, they saw a floor beneath the window and a pair of strong arms clasped Kitty around the waist and helped her down, then also assisted Felice. When she set her feet on solid ground, she looked up to see Athos holding her, looking concerned.
"Athos! Am I ever glad to see you!" Felice exclaimed.
"The feeling is mutual, lass. Are you alright?" Athos asked.
"Yes. Now that I'm with you. Come, Kitty. Follow me!" She grabbed Kitty's hand and searched for a place to hide. "Wait just a moment! What is this...thing?"
"Afraid we must borrow the pretty duke's airship." Porthos announced as he and Aramis joined them on board. "Pity we were unable to ask his permission before we got it up and running."
"Do you even know how to fly this contraption?!" Felice gasped.
"Wi, lass. Nothing to it! We're old hands at these sorts of predicaments, aren't we, Aramis?" Porthos boasted with his arm around Aramis's shoulder.
"Right." Aramis said quickly.
"I'll take your word for it." Felice gulped doubtfully. Fools! What do they think they're doing?
"Take shelter, lass!" Athos warned.