LAST TIME! D'Artagnan was caught breaking into Claude Dubois' rooms; as Porthos and Aramis thwart Claude's attempt to silence D'Artagnan forever, a Red Guard is killed by Aramis...

D'Artagnan's hearing for his breaking and entering occurred a week later. As he was caught red-handed in Claude's dwelling, a trial wasn't going to occur- now it just came down to a sentencing, but at the hearing that established his punishment, he would get an opportunity to speak.

Present were the local magistrate, D'Artagnan and the three Inseparables, Treville, and Claude Dubois.

The magistrate, Martin LeBlanc, said "Charles D'Artagnan, you have been found guilty of illegal trespassing into the dwelling of Claude Dubois. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I am guilty," was all that D'Artagnan offered.

While Porthos and Aramis knew that was the truthful response, they wondered if that was the wisest one. Would the truth without any context prove damnable to the boy?

"And would you like to illuminate us as to why you did it?" the Magistrate asked.

Here it comes, Claude thought, holding his breath.

As D'Artagnan knew that he still had no hard evidence against Claude, he simply replied, "I would rather not say."

Magistrate LeBlanc sighed and said, "Well, based on the testimony of your Captain on your behalf, and the fact that you are a recently appointed Musketeer, I am not inclined to be the one to end a new Musketeer's honeymoon so quickly, so you will be let go with a warning this time. Please, I do not expect any further occurrences of this nature."

Claude was taken aback at the outcome; however he was hesitant to pursue the issue in such a public setting, lest D'Artagnan begin to discuss the details behind his suspicions. So he let it drop.

D'Artagnan was free.


As it turned out, exonerating Aramis was easier than expected; perhaps because of Cardinal Richelieu's demise, and the leadership for the Red Guard uncertain at best, the King was all too eager to take the word of two of Captain Treville's most respected men when they claimed that the Red Guard that Aramis killed was about to shoot D'Artagnan. Aramis was free, thanks to the King.

The motivation for the Red Guard's attempt on D'Artagnan's life was left to be mused upon another day, and even Rochefort, still keenly trying to get into the King's good graces, decided not to challenge the King's decision. He was sharp enough to know when to pick his own battles.

Athos departed the proceedings with his friend Claude; whether or not to provide support or condolences on how things went or to deliberately avoid confronting D'Artagnan, or both, it was unclear.

D'Artagnan appeared a little relieved, possibly from both being free, as well as not needing to avoid Athos' death glare for a change.

"Your saving my life almost means that you are forgiven for the ridiculous errands that you have been sending me on, Aramis," D'Artagnan cheerily said.

"Well, as I admit to be quaking in my boots worrying about your retribution, may I say I am relieved," Aramis replied.

"I said 'almost', Aramis," D'Artagnan said.

"Oh, yeah," Porthos said. "Speakin' of that. Aramis said he was curious on how Monsieur Pierre's syphilis is faring. Can you swing by his shop and provide an update for us?"

"Certainly, after a swift kick in the groin," D'Artagnan said.

"Well, I heard that typically exacerbates the condition, but if you insist…" Aramis said.

"I meant you!" D'Artagnan yelled.

No kidding, Aramis thought. Porthos and him swapped smiles. It was so easy to wind this one up.

D'Artagnan walked ahead of them in a huff.


Jules Daunton eyed his daughter Rebecca with careful trepidation as they arrived in Paris. Ever since her rape, busy places with more people than Bayonne had made her a bit skittish, and Paris certainly fit the bill as far as population was concerned.

But she was pushing through, determined as ever. Jules was equally terrified for her, and proud of her, for her resilience through all of this.

As her father tended to dote on her more than ever, Rebecca noticed his concern and said, "Father, please relax; after all, I have you here by my side. Plus, this D'Artagnan I have been communicating with, seemed extremely supportive in his missive. Truly, I have all of the support that any woman would need."

The letter that D'Artagnan had sent Rebecca had piqued her interest enough to convince her father to accompany her to Paris, to see, and possibly confront, her attacker.

Upon their arrival at the Garrison found Rebecca and her father inquiring on Charles D'Artagnan's whereabouts.

As it was, D'Artagnan was sparring with another Musketeer, as both Porthos and Aramis were out of town on the King's business, and Athos was still making himself scarce when it came to D'Artagnan.

Once the two were sent D'Artagnan's way after a prompt from another Musketeer, Rebecca introduced herself.

"Charles D'Artagnan, I am Rebecca Daunton. This is my father, Jules."

D'Artagnan's two brown eyes opened with wonder.

"Mademoiselle," was all D'Artagnan could think to utter.

"I am here because as inconclusive as your last letter was with respect to Yves Vincent, still it kept the door open as to the possibility that he- he was the one who-"

"I- I understand," D'Artagnan jumped in.

"We are attempting to see if there might be a safe way in which Rebecca can- witness this person somehow, to either eliminate him from our suspicion, or…I hope you might be able to help us out with accomplishing that?" Jules asked.

Acknowledging that Claude and D'Artagnan have not exactly been traveling in the same circles, how to actually get this to occur was making D'Artagnan hesitate in offering up the scenario where this can be made to happen.

Athos began approaching.

Oh no- how to explain-

Athos asked D'Artagnan: "D'Artagnan. Are you going to introduce me to your friends?"

D'Artagnan's anger grew. Not two civil words towards me for days- now you are looking for an introduction?

D'Artagnan addressed Rebecca and Jules.

"Would you excuse me for a moment?"

Barely waiting for an acknowledgement from the two, D'Artagnan grabbed Athos by the shoulder and dragged him out of hearing range.

Finally D'Artagnan said, "Rebecca Daunton is here with her father Jules. She was the rape victim from Bayonne I made mention of. She is here to see if Claude is her attacker and if so, she will accuse him and seek justice."

D'Artagnan, now hot, was more than eager to throw the worst scenario outcome in his mentor's face.

Before Athos could respond, D'Artagnan continued, almost taunting the older man: "Jules is seeking my aid in allowing Rebecca an opportunity to view Claude, to see if he was the man who raped her years ago. Will you help?"

D'Artagnan's voice was full of unbridled rage- he spat the question to Athos, invading his personal space, daring him to deny the request. He glared at Athos, furious.

Athos, startled at his protégé's depth of feeling, collected himself enough to shoot back, "So you now have the audacity to seek my aid in tainting my friend's-"

D'Artagnan pointed back to Rebecca: "She was raped by someone and is showing the courage to face her attacker. While it may or may not be Claude, how dare you do anything but help her? Your indignation about the assault on Claude's character interests me not at all. Not when compared to what she- what was done to her-" D'Artagnan settled a bit, trying to catch his breath.

After a long spell, Athos replied, "I do not intend to set my friend up in a covert plot behind his back." As Athos saw D'Artagnan's back go up, he added: "However, we are planning on meeting at the Wren tonight at 7PM; if we were to be spotted upon entering the tavern, no one would be denied seeing us doing so."

So that was it. While Athos would not take an active part in deceiving his friend, he would not stand in the way of Rebecca's opportunity to rule his friend out as having any part of his protégé's nonsensical flight of fancy.