Chapter Six

D'Artagnan had visited Athos early and helped him to walk to the table in the garrison yard. The swordsman knew he probably should not have been out of bed yet but wanted to be out of the infirmary, even if it was only for a short time. Treville or Barbotin would notice he was up sooner or later and order him back to bed.

'How long do you think Treville will leave them there?' asked d'Artagnan.

'At the moment their part of the plan still seems to be working, even if it has taken a slightly different path to the original,' replied Athos indicating his shoulder.

'I don't like this waiting for something to happen.'

'None of do, but sometimes we just have to be patient.'

D'Artagnan was silent for a few minutes, Athos was surprised when he suddenly leapt up and rushed across the yard towards the gate. He looked in the direction the Musketeer was running and saw the object of his attention. Porthos had just rounded the corner looking somewhat dishevelled.

Athos rose and made his way across to the two. Porthos looked very tired and was holding one arm to his chest protectively, Athos could see dried blood on his hand.

'We have to get Aramis out of there,' the exhausted Musketeer said, 'they were going to kill me, now I'm not there I don't want to think about what they're doing to him.'

'Was your cover blown?' asked Athos as d'Artagnan began to guide Porthos towards the infirmary.

Porthos looked at him for a few moments, 'I don't know, probably not…'

'Then why would they hurt him, surely they still need a marksman?'

They were in the infirmary, d'Artagnan had pushed Porthos down onto a bed and had forced him to reveal his injuries. A cut along his forearm, and cuts and grazes around his wrists.

'How did this happen?' asked d'Artagnan.

'They chained me up in the cellar. I climbed out of the window, I must have cut my arm then…they got to Aramis before he could get out…he told me to go.'

Athos took a seat next to Porthos' bed, he leaned forward and squeezed the obviously worried man's shoulder, 'he's resourceful…and they still need him.'

'I hope so,' replied Porthos.

Something occurred to Athos, 'did you walk all the way back here?'

'Yes, I had to keep to the back streets, I had to be careful in case one of them followed me…I don't know if any of them did…I hope not.'

Athos exchanged a worried glance with them both, 'if you were seen coming in here, Aramis will be in danger.'

Porthos looked down, 'I'm sorry, I didn't think…I…'

'It's too late now, you're exhausted, you're not thinking straight,' said d'Artagnan trying to placate Porthos.

Athos leaned back in his chair, 'I think we should take the gang. With the information you can give us, we must have enough to arrest them for plotting to kill the King…I know it is not as good as catching them red handed but it is getting too dangerous to leave it now. Even if Aramis were not in danger there is a good chance they may go to ground since he helped you to escape.'

MMMM

After he had been grabbed by Page and Leon he had found himself dragged roughly back up to the room he had previously locked the gang in. He noted the door was now splintered, the trapped men must have forced it from the inside.

He was thrown to the ground, before he could scramble back up Daviau had pushed him back down, keeping his booted foot firmly on Aramis' back.

'Your services are still required.'

Aramis watched as a chair was placed by him, he was hauled up and forced into it. Daviau stood in front of him, a gun in his hand.

'If I didn't need your skills I would cheerfully kill you…'

'If you are going to kill me, why should I help you assassinate the King?' Aramis had to at least try to remain in character.

'Because if you do not help me I will kill your man.'

Had they caught Porthos? He could not help reacting to the threat.

'Where is he?'

'Back in the cellar.'

'Prove it.'

'No.'

Aramis knew there was a good chance Daviau was lying. But could he take that chance? He would have to assume that Porthos had been recaptured. He would play along for now.

'Watch him,' said Daviau to Page and Phillipe, 'if he moves one of you go down to the cellar and shoot the other one in the leg.'

Aramis was sure Page smirked. They had to be lying. Porthos must have got away.

MMMM

The hours had passed slowly. Page and Phillipe had watched him closely. They were relieved by Daviau and Leon after a few hours. Aramis had remained where he had been put, sat in the chair trying to stare his captors down. He still did not fully believe they had recaptured Porthos, but there was enough of a doubt in his mind to prevent him trying anything risky. He doubted he would be able to repeat his previous escape attempt.

Daviau looked around as Janvier entered the room, looking flushed, he had clearly been rushing.

'Did you see where Porthos went?'

'Yes, I followed him all night…'

Aramis was out of the chair and had taken a couple of steps before Daviau turned to him and aimed his gun, arresting the marksman's attack.

'Sit down.'

Aramis reluctantly did so.

'I followed him to the Musketeer garrison. He was met by the Musketeer he,' Janvier pointed at Aramis, 'was supposed to have killed.'

Daviau glared at Aramis, 'Janvier followed your man, and now we know that you're a Musketeer. This was your attempt to stop me assassinating the King?'

Aramis said nothing, he knew there would be no point denying it. Daviau would not believe him anyway. He was relieved that Porthos had made it back to the garrison and he now knew that Athos was up and about.

Daviau looked around to Leon saying, 'go and wake the others…Page may still have a bone to pick with our sharpshooter after he attacked him yesterday.'

Leon smirked and walked from the room. Aramis realised Daviau was not just going to kill him, Daviau was going to make him suffer. He had nothing to lose from trying to get away from the gang, he just had to pick his moment.

Leon returned with Page and Phillipe a few minutes later. Page walked through the door with purpose, he glanced across at Daviau who nodded his ascent. Aramis rose from the chair, he was not going to simply allow Page to assault him. The enraged gang member advanced quickly and drew back his arm to punch Aramis. Aramis blocked the punch easily, by knocking Page's arm aside, before bringing his own clenched fist forward and smashing the man across the cheek. As Page staggered back a couple of steps Aramis followed him and punched him again in the stomach causing him to double over. Quickly grabbing his shoulders Aramis brought his knee up into the man's chest before pushing him over to the ground.

Panting, Aramis turned towards Daviau who had stood watching the rather one-sided fight.

'A trained soldier against an untrained poor man? Hardly a fair fight,' he said as he nodded to Leon and Phillipe who now advanced towards Aramis from different sides.

Taking on two men at once would be difficult, thought Aramis as he tried to move away from the men without leaving himself trapped in a corner. Leon made a lunge for him, Aramis quickly stepped away. Phillipe took advantage and managed to grab Aramis' arm. Aramis pulled Phillipe forwards tripping him up as the man was forced to take a step. As Aramis was about to kick the fallen man in the side Leon grabbed him from behind, both arms around him pinning his arms to his side.

Aramis pushed them both backwards crashing Leon into the wall knocking the air out of the gang member. A quick step forward and another forceful push backwards left Leon stunned, he loosened his grip on Aramis who was able to shrug himself free.

Phillipe was back on his feet, before Aramis had a chance to react he had punched the marksman hard across the face. Aramis took a couple of steps back, fatigue from the fight beginning to get the better of him. He managed to block a second punch but could not stop the knee that followed hitting him in the stomach. He stumbled back another couple of steps and found himself with his back to the corner of the room with nowhere to go.

Page and Leon were both back on their feet and had joined Phillipe. The three men moved towards Aramis who knew he did not stand a chance against the three of them.

Leon made the first move, Aramis pushed his attempted punch away and bodily threw the man back a few steps. Page and Phillipe pressed forward and used Aramis distraction to grab him and push him to the floor. They did not give him a chance to stand as both men began kicking him about his body. All Aramis could do was try to fend them off, any attacks he could make stopped by another kick.

MMMM

D'Artagnan led the group of Musketeers up to the house, their group split with several circling to enter from the rear of the building. He dismounted and walked purposefully to the door, it was unlocked, he pushed his way in with the other Musketeers following. They had their orders; arrest the gang and convey them to the Chatelet.

As they entered the dim hallway the noises of a fight could be heard to their left. With guns drawn the men advanced. D'Artagnan reached the doorway first, he looked in, quickly taking in the scene. Two men were stood closer to the door, with their backs to him. One was holding a gun at his side.

Three other men were attacking a fourth, in the corner. D'Artagnan knew it was Aramis who was being assaulted. He calmly walked up to the man with the gun. He pressed his own weapon against the man's neck.

'Tell them to stop,' he said firmly.

The other Musketeers had fanned out across the room, weapons drawn. The three men who were attacking Aramis stopped and turned, clearly shocked to see the room suddenly full of soldiers. D'Artagnan indicated for them to move away from his friend. D'Artagnan was relieved to see Aramis managed to push himself up to lean against the wall panting, he nodded a thank you as he did so before closing his eyes and leaning his head back, trying to catch his breath.

The Musketeers restrained each of the gang members. D'Artagnan crossed to Aramis and knelt beside him reaching out and clutching at his shoulder, he was unsure if the marksman was still conscious. At the touch Aramis opened his eyes and focused on the young musketeer.

'You OK?'

Aramis nodded.

'Is that all of them?'

'Yes,' replied Aramis, 'how are Athos and Porthos?'

'Porthos wanted to come back with me, but he was barely able to keep himself awake so Treville ordered him to stay put and Athos is weak but on the mend.'

'Good,' said Aramis, 'I'd very much like to stop being a mercenary and go back to being a Musketeer now.'

D'Artagnan smiled, 'I think that can be arranged.'

They looked around as Victor was brought into the room, he looked scared. D'Artagnan rose and walked across to him smiling.

'Thank you, Victor, your help was invaluable,' D'Artagnan paused he glanced across at Daviau who was about to be led away, 'did you get paid?'

'No monsieur.'

D'Artagnan crossed the room to Daviau and relieved him of his coin purse. Daviau struggled but the two Musketeers holding him pushed him out of the room with a chuckle. The rest of the gang were hauled away after him.

Placing the money bag in Victor's hands d'Artagnan said, 'take this for your troubles, with our compliments.'

Victor looked surprised and shocked, 'thank you sirs,' he said with a nod to both d'Artagnan and Aramis who had managed to get to his feet.

'You are welcome Victor,' said Aramis.

Victor left the room weighing up the contents of the bag as he went. D'Artagnan turned back to Aramis.

'Will you be alright to ride?'

'Yes, I am bruised, not broken,' assured Aramis with a smile.

MMMM

Athos sat on the edge of his bed watching as d'Artagnan and Porthos tended to Aramis' injuries. He had hated having to watch d'Artagnan and the other Musketeers leave the garrison earlier. He and Porthos had waited impatiently not knowing if Aramis had been hurt or killed by Daviau and his gang.

When the Musketeers had returned with the pale marksman riding behind d'Artagnan he had not been able to hide his relief. Porthos got to his friend first, helping him off the horse and steadying the injured man when he swayed as he reached the ground.

It had not taken long for Aramis and d'Artagnan to fill them in on what had happened after Porthos had escaped. Aramis had spent the entire time looking at Athos' shoulder, he was still guiltily glancing across now.

'Aramis, I am fine. Your shot was good.'

'I told you he was OK,' said d'Artagnan as he handed the marksman a clean shirt.

'I know, I wanted to just graze your shoulder. But I didn't think that would be enough…I'm sorry.'

'What for? Daviau would probably 'ave had him killed anyway, and someone else would have made sure 'e was dead.'

Athos smiled as Porthos spoke, the big musketeer was helping Aramis pull his shirt on, the marksman struggling as his assortment of injuries slowed him down.

'And if you had not shot me, Porthos would have been in more danger…it was unfortunate that Daviau had another man observing…the plan may well have worked.'

'We did get the gang and foil their assassination attempt,' pointed out d'Artagnan as he took a seat beside Athos on the bed.

Aramis acquiesced with a nod. Athos knew the marksman would come to terms with what he had done in time. Assaulting one of their own, even as part of a plan, was not something any of them enjoyed doing.

'Now,' said Athos, shooing d'Artagnan off his bed as he swung his legs back up and lay down, 'I am still recovering, and would like to rest. Now that we are all reunited I can finally get some sleep.'

The others took their cue and filed out of the room, Athos watched them go. The plan had been a good one, but events had conspired against them. Perhaps next time they would have better luck.

The End.

Authors note: Thanks for all the reviews. I hope you enjoyed it.