Authors Note: This is my first fanfiction so constructive criticism is appreciated. I will warn you now that I'm not very good when it comes to updating on a regular schedule but I will try my best for at least 1 chapter every 2 weeks

Disclamer: I do not own any of the characters that you recognize.

Prologue

Porthos was pacing, which Athos knew was never a good sign. The two of them had been out in the court yard for most of the morning waiting for Aramis to return from his mission to Spain. It was now almost midday and Porthos had grown impatient and had started his march well over than an hour ago. Athos couldn't help but grin at the anxious man as he poured himself another drink.

"You know that wearing a hole in the ground isn't going to get him here any faster."

Athos teased his short tempered friend. Porthos glared back at him, narrowing his eyes at the relaxed state. Athos was sitting facing the courtyard, his legs stretched out in front of him as his elbows and back rested on the table behind him. His right hand holding a freshly poured cup of whatever alcohol Serge put out that day.
Porthos never broke his dedicated pacing as he replied.

"HOW are you so relaxed? He's been gone over two months and he was due back yesterday. If he doesn't turn up soon you won't be able to stop me going after him."
At that moment D'Artagnan rode into the garrison with an excited expression which quickly turned into one of concern as the younger man noticed the continued absence of their missing fourth.

"Hasn't shown up yet then?" D'Artagnan stated with a slight sigh.

As much as he tried he couldn't quite hide the concern in his voice as he jumped down from his horse and handed the reigns off to the stable boy. He walked over, sat down opposite Athos, grabbed some of the bread sitting on the table that Porthos clearly hadn't touched, and glanced up at his pacing friend. Staring at him for a moment, then glancing at Porthos' feet he grinned as he took a bite from the hardening crust.

"You realize that you're beginning to dig a hole in the ground right?"

Athos couldn't contain a snorted laugh as he was taking a sip from his cup and chocked on the contents. Porthos simply ignored the both of them and continued walking. "Really though, if you're trying to make a good impression you should try a woman with your words, not on the ground with your uncoordinated feet." When he continued getting no response D'Artagnan turned to Athos who had just recovered a normal breathing pattern, "How long has he been doing that?"

Athos thought for a moment and glanced at the sun.

"Going on almost two hours I'd say." There was a brief pause in conversation as the two seated men just stared, watching the other as he tried to contain his impatience and growing concern. Trying to keep their own thoughts from grown to grim.

'At least he's worried' D'Artagnan thought to himself. 'Not that he's never been worried about their absent friend, but ever since their return from the front, and Aramis's rejoining of the Musketeers, things haven't been the way they should. They were tense around one another and none of them knew how to fix it. But after Aramis was assigned this solo mission in Spain for intelligence gathering, everyone of them had been overwhelmed with the feeling of dread. What if this was it, what if something horrible had happened, what if Aramis never returned from Spain and the three of them had to learn, once again, how to live life without the spark that is Aramis. D'Artagnan shuddered at the horrid thought. We were just getting used to having him back in our lives, PLEASE don't take him away from us again.'

"So," D'Artagnan broke himself off from dark thoughts, "when do we leave Captain?"
Athos turned to look at him and Porthos paused mid step to glance over, also wanting to know the answer. Athos opened his mouth to reply, but the sound of thundering hooves on cobblestone streets cut him off, his emotionless face, slightly giving away a grin.
"As you can see gentlemen", Athos stated calmly as D'Artagnan ran to Porthos who had turned towards the garrison's gated entrance, "there is nothing…."

Athos stopped short as his face fell. A riderless fully saddled horse entered at high speed, wild and out of control. Porthos moved faster than the Captain had thought possible, grabbing the reigns of the frightened animal trying to calm him. Athos and D'Artagnan were close behind the larger man in the race to find out what was going on. "This is Aramis's horse…right?" Athos nodded at the younger man

"Then where is he? Where is Aramis?" Panic was evident in D'Artagnan's voice but the panic was nothing compared to the look in Porthos' eyes. He was frozen, his eyes fixed on something Athos couldn't see. Moving to the side of the exhausted and overtaxed beast, Athos discovered what had given Porthos such an unpleasant stillness. A long streak of tacky crimson was drenching the saddle and ran all the way to the rear of the horse. Shaking himself out of his petrified state, Porthos started rummaging through the saddle bags looking for any clue as to what could have happened. He found an unsealed missive from the King, assumedly the order for the mission, and a torn and bloody document from the Governor of Lille addressed to King Louis and his court."We need to get this to Treville." Porthos stated having read the only visible words. He handed it off to Athos who grew even more grim.

A traitor has been discovered in the court. He has turned spy for the Spanish and forsaken all ties to … country. The King… adviser and … He has betr….… his King… as well… must be … and quietly bef… Lives are lost to this…

Your loyal servant,
Renauld Gov. of Lille

Parts of the letter were missing and the other parts were stained in blood but this news must get to Treville. Athos didn't know who the traitor was, but he had every intention of finding out. All they needed was the one thing they had been missing for over two months. "Saddle your horses gentlemen, we leave within the hour."

Thanks very much for reading this far. I hope that you enjoyed my first chapter. Much more to come so hold on tight.