The day began just as any other before it. I woke at first light, before even the rooster could crow. I washed my face, hands and feet with yesterday's water, cleansed my mouth with herbs and vinegar, then set about preparing a small breakfast for my brother to awaken to. It was simple living, nothing compared to how we used to exist, but it was all we could afford. Even eggs were a luxury, these days. I made no complaint of it, for I had long since grown accustomed to our new lifestyle, and it was by no means as meagre as others must appease themselves with.
I ate little for I had not the appetite that morning, instead dressing myself to leave our small home which rested atop another dwelling, and walked briskly to where my first job awaited me. This was perhaps my preferred chore, as I was always treated kindly at the barracks. As a maid for the King's Musketeers, I was a well known face amongst the soldiers, and they had always been good to me. Especially the captain, Captain Treville, who had somewhat taken me under his wing ever since my brother and I first appeared to him. I had been but a girl then, barely entering into the bloom of youth.
He had given us both work, and my brother Athos had done well for himself within the ranks of soldiers, and I had taken up whatever chore or trade I could in order to make myself useful. I cleaned their rooms and washed their beddings, mended their clothes and cared for their weapons. I cooked them their meals cared for the yard, the barracks and even of late, Treville had allowed me to begin caring for his papers and office. It had been an honour to be asked, and I had dutifully kept the books in order on his behalf when duty demanded his time be spent elsewhere.
It was always best when I began to hear the clanging of metal in the yard, the earliest risers setting themselves to their drills and practices even before breakfast. Once my brother would have been the earliest of them all, but time had tempered his enthusiasm, and old hurts had mellowed his resistance to drink. He would not awaken for some time, and his head would suffer for all that he consumed last night. Most of his coin went towards quenching his thirst these days. I wish it did not. We could not afford such excessiveness, but Athos would not listen to me. Mostly, because he was too drunk to understand me whenever I attempted to tell him so.
All the same, Treville would never see us homeless, and I had other work besides which added coin to my pockets. Injuries were commonplace in this line of work, thus over the years I had become something of an apothecarist, able to treat injuries and ailments from gashes to fevers. With such knowledge, those who could not afford a doctor would often come to people such as I for treatments, and I had built a reputation as a capable healer. If only I could heal the sickness in my brother's heart, then he would not drown his sorrows near enough every night. A sharp clang cut through my distracted thoughts.
Snapping my head up from where I carried the basket of linens to be washed, I immediately noticed the gush of red from a man's hand, sword clattering to the ground disharmoniously as the soldier swore colourfully. Setting the basket down, I instinctively rushed to their side as the opponent attempted to help. "Madeleine! Madeleine, thank God, it was unintentional I swear, I did not mean…"
"Do not panic, Philippe. Bastien, let me see," soothing them as best I could, I seized hold of Bastien's hand to ascertain the extent of the damage. Thankfully, it was not serious. "Ah, it is a shame…I shall have to cut off the entire hand. There is no coming back from this." A timid and rather terrified sound gurgled from Bastien's throat, staring at me with horrified eyes at my serious expression. Then I smiled. For a moment Bastien continued to stare, but gradually the sense of my teasing began to dawn upon him and he released his breath in a nervous chuckle.
"You worried me for a moment, Madeleine. It is unkind to threaten to take a soldier's hand. How else would I be able to fight with a sword with no hand?"
"Indeed, it would be a difficult thing. You would have to learn your skills all over again with the hand which remained to you," chuckling to myself for my own amusement, I had Bastien sit down so that I could pull back his sleeve and properly assess the cut. It was clean and not deep, but it appeared that there was bruising and swelling on two of his fingers. Philippe had already rushed to fetch me my satchel, promptly returning so that I could clean and dress the injury and apply a soothing salve to the bruising. The fingers did not appear broken, but I would only be able to tell properly once the swelling had lessened. "There, you are good as new."
"Thank you, Madeleine. What would we do without you?" Both smiled and gave polite bows as they went on their way, already laughing as Bastien displayed his newly acquired injury proudly, announcing that soon he would have a new scar to show the ladies. I shook my head. Men. So predictable. Quietly I put my things away once again, preparing myself to return to my menial tasks. Linens and sewing, cooking and sweeping. It was all I amounted to these days. All the same, as I had turned around to put my satchel away, I happened to look up towards Treville's office and found him standing upon his balcony.
A natural smile rose to my face, a warmth of recognition and content appeasing my unsatisfied mind. Captain Treville smiled back. He had a comely face, one that felt to me like that of a father or beloved uncle. He had always treated me as such, I liked to consider myself his favourite worker, even amongst all of his men. Ever since I had arrived he had ensured that I was well looked after, even occasionally gifting me with a treat or gift from his travels for missions. I always liked it best when he was here. The barracks always felt empty whenever he was absent, no matter how many musketeers were in attendance.
Dropping a small curtsey, Treville replied by donning his cap and bowing in reply before I rushed back to reclaim my chores. Although boring and time consuming, I could not leave a task undone and not finished to the best of my ability. In any case, I had to finish on time otherwise I would be late to my next duty. As well as working at the barracks, I was also a tavern girl at one of the local establishments most popular with the musketeers. It was safest to work there compared to anywhere else, for I knew most of the patrons and they knew me. It was the only way I could persuade my brother to allow me to keep the job. After all, we were in dire need of the wage, and often extra coins would find their way into my pockets from the patrons overly giddy from drink.
I worked hard. My hands were rough and calloused from these years of labour, just as my brother's was from the use of his sword. In truth, part of me was grateful for the work, because it kept me busy. If I was busy, then I could not wallow. Even several years after the tragedy which had destroyed my brother and our family, the pain of that past still ached today. No. Work was welcome, although sometimes I missed the privileges of my old life. A life where I had no callouses. Where my skin was smooth and unblemished, where the most work I had was to finish embroidery patterns on linens and silk.
At times when work was hard, or the weather bitterly cold and I could no longer feel my fingers or toes…in those moments I missed my old life, and resented my brother for bringing us here. He had left our estate to escape his grief, and I had gone with him to ensure that he did not succumb to it. Thereafter, I stayed simply because I did not want him to be alone, and neither did I. We were all that remained of our family, until Athos found new brothers of his own. By extension, they also became mine. It was easier to bear after Aramis and Porthos became a fixture in our lives. I no longer had to constantly fret over my brother's safety, and I was not so lonely anymore.
All the same, this also meant that I now had two others to fret over whenever a mission was called, or I heard of fighting in the streets. Those impetuous, quick tempered boys were so often duelling with the Cardinal's Red Guards that it was practically a daily ritual. I had treated more than my fair share of their scrapes, cuts and bruises. Once or twice, the injury had been more serious, and I had unleashed my displeasure upon the three of them. It never made any difference. To them, I was merely the younger sister berating them for their behaviour without having any genuine impact upon their actions. Sometimes, being the only woman of sense was such a burden.
Several hours later, most of my work was finished. It was late afternoon, my brother should have roused himself by now from his drunken stupor. There was a slight chill to the air, promising a frosty night. We had not kindling for a fire…I must procure something before nightfall so that at the very least I did not freeze my toes off whilst I slept. As I was dwelling upon such idle thoughts, a slight shiver trickled down my back, a secondary sense awakening which had been keenly developed over several years.
As expected, not only my brother Athos, but Aramis and Porthos had arrived. My heart fluttered as it always did whenever Aramis was in view. A warmth gathered in my cheeks in I felt my stomach clench in the most sickening way. For a brief moment I was in a feverish daze, but then I forcibly roused myself to my senses, assisted by Porthos and his booming voice as he waded through the crowds of the busy street, catching me just before entering the barracks. "Madeleine! My favourite face in all the world," he blustered loudly as he strode forwards, beaming widely as he reached out to heavily ruffle my hair. "How are you today, darlin'?" Before I could even answer, his weighty arm found itself draped across my shoulders to pull me in close, crushing the air from my lungs in doing so. "I just fought against a sword with a fork, and I would have won too. What say you to that?" Sending him a sidelong look, I delicately removed his arm from my shoulders.
"That I am astonished that you even know how to use a fork, Porthos." A bark of laughter escaped Aramis and even my usually dour faced brother managed a smirk at my blunt repartee. As they came to a halt before me, I looked to them each in turn. "What quarrel have you made with the Red Guards now?" Still beaming, Porthos had the nerve to look shocked.
"How did you know it was with a Red Guard I quarrelled?"
"Because I know you too well," it was the truth. If it were not ruffians, brawlers or pickpockets, the musketeers always found reason to brawl with the Red Guards of the Cardinal. They were like oil and water. "I hope you did not cause trouble," I paused, "or kill anyone."
"Not this time, love. Not this time." At this moment, my brother moved closer to me. I could still smell the stale scent of alcohol on him, not quite washed away from the night before, but his eyes were significantly brighter and lucid compared to how they had looked before. They were gentle, casting themselves over me as they always did to see if I was in good health and spirits, before then gently lifting my basket of wares collected from the market for the barracks.
"Here, allow me." It was a simple request, but spoken and executed in such a way that did not allow for refusal. My brother was good to me like that. He never left me to carry my own things if he could help it. Even when I worked around the yard, if he saw me carrying something heavier than a broom, he would try to take it himself. Within a heartbeat my basket was settled in his grasp and his free hand went to my back to guide me forwards, protected by his side with Aramis and Porthos joining us.
"A fair morning to you, sweet Madeleine," doffing his hat with an elegant bow, Aramis's devilish smile strained the strings of my heart. I quickly looked away and set my jaw into a rigid lock to avoid smiling and giggling like a silly maid.
"Good morn, Aramis," a scent caught the air, faint and floral, drifting from Aramis as he straightened and returned his hat to rest atop the dark curls of his hair. A woman's perfume. "How is Adele?" I worked hard to keep the bitterness from my voice. Aramis's eyes brightened with mirth as he chuckled, thanking me for enquiring and assuring me that she was in excellent health and spirits. I did not wish to dwell upon the implications of his meaning. He must have spent the night with her.
"Of all the women in France, you had to go for the one you should stay far away from," Porthos admonished as we returned to the barracks, passing under the stone archway to where other soldiers were hard at work with their drills.
"Why not Adele?"
"Oh, I don't know, let's think," answering Aramis's rather blind question, Porthos did not hide the heavy disapproval from his tone. "Because she's the mistress of the most powerful man in France?" But this was not enough of a reason to dissuade Aramis, the amorous romantic, from pursuing a woman who had caught his attention. It was something that I had always found irksome concerning Aramis. His ability to love practically any woman, but his unquenching need to seek a challenge to woo and court them. Even when they should be unattainable.
"Gentlemen, I love her."
"You love her? Or you love stealing what belongs to the Cardinal?" At least my brother was not so easily fooled. We came to the table where my brother set down my basket, the three beginning to settle themselves when the captain called from overhead.
"You three!" The sharp bark turned all our attention upwards, where the captain leaned over his balcony to look at my brother and his closest companions with a stern, unwavering look. "My office. Now." Unable to help myself, I sighed.
"You three never stay out of trouble for long, do you?" Giving them my best withering glare, Aramis merely smiled cheerily.
"He looks happy." Turning with a bounce in his step, Aramis swooped forwards and pecked my cheek with a kiss before I could shield myself from him. Instantly my face rushed with heat, turning a striking shade of red from the roots of my hair all the way down to my neck. I froze in place, stiff like a statue as Aramis breezed past with a blithe farewell. I did not move even when my brother squeezed my arm, following Aramis up the stairs. Porthos chuckled knowingly, earning a rather severe glower from myself as he ruffled my hair teasingly.
I hated that I could not hide my own emotions. At times such as this, I wished I could be as stoic and impassive as my brother. I would rather that than face this humiliating revelation of my girlish fancies. I was certain that Aramis could not be unaware of my reaction towards him, which only made the entire experience woefully worse. I pressed the back of my hand to my cheek, feeling it burn against the cooler skin, but it served to draw away a little of the warmth. Flustered, I fanned my face for a few moments before grasping the handles of my basket to rather mercilessly tear it away from the table.
So humiliating. The sooner I could be done with my work, the sooner I could escape from their sight. Unfortunately, their business with the captain did not last long, and they returned before I had even finished putting away the supplies. Again I sensed their approach, but before I could turn around, Porthos clamped his hands down upon my shoulders which caused me to jump with fright, releasing an unattractively high screech as I twisted away and fought him off. The brute dared to laugh. "That was ungentlemanly!" Seething and once again blushing deep crimson, I swatted at Porthos once more for good measure with my cloth, hoping to sting him with a well placed flick.
"Enough, we have no time for games." Catching my cloth before I could launch it once more at Porthos, Athos turned my focus upon him. "We are leaving Paris on the captain's orders. Be careful whilst we are gone, Madeleine. I should return tomorrow, all being well." Something in my brother's tone caught my notice, the heavy look in his gaze suggesting that there was something amiss.
"And if it is not?" He refrained from answering. Instead, Athos took my face in his hands, effortlessly framing my features and placed a tender kiss upon my brow. Looking at one another, it was clear to distinguish that we were blood kin. My features were so similar to those of my brother's. He was a handsome man, by all accounts, with striking eyes and strong features. Unfortunately, those features did not translate well upon a woman. I suffered the masculine looks of my father, God rest his soul. What gentle appearance I could have once claimed was now harshened by grief, misery and hard work.
I had always noted how similar in appearance I was to my brother, and always resented it. My eyes were as equally bright, but perhaps a little too large for my small face, lipless mouth and upturned nose. Whenever I caught sight of my reflection, under the dishevelled tresses of my unkempt hair, I always bore the look of surprise with these wide eyes. I had long since given up any hope of growing into a delicate beauty. My bloom of youth had withered before it had ever been given the chance to blossom.
Sighing softly, I put aside my morose thoughts and promised Athos that I would be careful. Porthos clapped me heavily on the back, not restricting his own strength which meant I jolted forwards and felt the imprint of his hand upon my back linger even after he had left. Most likely it would bruise. Aramis was far gentler, removing his hat to bow over my hand, kissing it charmingly. Of course I averted my gaze to keep myself from appearing too flattered, holding my breath so that I might better control my voice. "If you must go then go, all of you, but take care. I shall not forgive you if you allow yourselves to come to harm." I knew better than to ask where they were going or what they were doing. I had long since learned it was better not to know at all.
Instead I saw them off after quickly gathering some rations for them to take on their journey, bread, cheese and some preserved meat, as well as a few apples. I handed one bundle to each of them, watching as they mounted their horses. Athos went last, reining his mount in so that he could linger longest. "Remember what I said. Be careful on your own, do not stay out after dark. You should return directly home today."
"I will be careful, brother." Making no promise to do anything of the sort, I smiled to him. "Pick a flower for me, if you find any." At this he smiled. It was a ritual between us that had been ongoing since his very first mission away. Each time my brother returned, he would bring me a flower. Whether it was picked from a meadow, a garden, or bought with coin, he would always return with a flower in hand. The flower meant nothing, in truth. What mattered to me was that, holding that stem, was the only family I had left in the entire world. I would love even the thorniest of roses were it held in Athos's hand. "Be safe. Godspeed."
"I will return soon," then with a sharp tap to his horse's flanks, the beast leaped forwards to race after the others, eager to not be left behind. I just about managed to jump out of its way before my brother was gone from sight, leaving me behind in the busy courtyard. For a few moments, I watched the empty archway where my brother had ridden through and attempted to unknot the sensation in my chest. Now I would wait. God be good, my brother and the others would return come tomorrow with their mission a success, and that would be the end of it. Despite not knowing their purpose, it was always better to think on these things in the simplest of terms.
"He'll be alright," I was not surprised when Captain Treville came to join me, his hand brushing against my arm gently in greeting. "Those three are some of my best."
"Best in blade and pistol, perhaps, but as reckless and foolhardy as an entire regiment unto themselves." This made Treville laugh, and the dry witticism helped to alleviate my worries.
"That may be, but they always pull through. Do not fret, Madeleine. Their task is a simple one, and should not lead to any danger." Soothing my concerns with his warm voice, I felt his hand come to the small of my back. "Come, you should stay here tonight. I would feel better knowing you were safe under this roof rather than out there alone."
"Thank you, captain. I shall do so." Grateful that the captain always cared for my safety, I allowed myself to smile up at him. Unable to help myself, I attempted to conjure an image of my own father's face. It should have been simple. Mine and my brother's features were a striking resemblance to our father, however, after all these years since my father's passing, it seemed as if the life of his image had drained away from my mind. Now, all I could hold as the face of a father was Treville's. He had been good to me, and continued to keep my safety and wellbeing in mind. I was blessed to have such caring gentlemen around me, and was further relieved to not have to return to an empty home.
It was many hours before I could take rest, working the evening away at the local tavern for more wages, but eventually I was able to lay my head down upon one of the clean beds which I had washed and changed that very morning. Clean linen was always a welcome luxury. It was laughable really, how the simplest things I had taken for granted in the past were now a thing of decadence. I was too tired and aching to stay awake worrying for my brother. Treville had given his word that their mission was not an acutely dangerous one, so I did not bother to fret overly for their sakes. The long hours of the day drained at the last vestibules of my energy, until it seemed only an instant later I was opening my eyes to a cold, pale morning light.
Once again, the day began.