Chapter 1

Thanks for reading this story. This is a sequel to "My life with the Musketeers"

New Story, read, enjoy and review.

The swords clashed. The sounds echoing in the yard of the garrison. The cadets were making progress but they needed more training.

"Watch your feet, Brujon." The female musketeers instructed the young cadet. "Deauville, your defenses are weak. They need to be stronger; it could make the difference between surviving or dying." The two cadets nodded at her instructions. "One more time."

The sparring resumed as Emmanuelle was watching them. Five years have passed since her friends left to fight the war. Years within which Paris has grown harder and dirtier. A new player has entered the game. A new player named Phillippe Achille, Marquis de Feron. The King's half-brother and new Captain of the Red Guards. Speaking of which, they had grown stronger since the Musketeers left for war. They were terrorizing and bullying the people of Paris. The Musketeers that were left behind, were less in numbers and overtime, they too have been called to war. Leaving only the Cadets. Things had definitely changed for the worse.

Emmanuelle, also changed. Hardened by the life in Paris, she was constantly fighting the Red Guards and Marquis de Feron's efforts to abuse the people. People that were starved and afraid of the authorities. They didn't even trust the Musketeers anymore. Adding to this, The Minster Tréville entrusted her with missions of importace. Missions that required her to leave Paris for several days at a time. Leaving Constance D'Artagnan on her own.

"Emma!" A young boy called rushing to her, holding a sealed letter in his hands.

"Thank you, Petit Lord." She smiled down at the boy.

Charles has grown over the years. Now, twelve years old, he moved in the garrison three years ago. He wanted to live with Emma. But more importantly, he wanted to become a Musketeer. Emmanuelle did not refuse him his request to live at the garrison but being too young to be a cadet, she refused him his desire to enroll. Of course, sometimes she would teach him a few things such as shooting or how to properly swordfight. Mostly, Charles was helping Constance and her, to keep the garrison standing. By doing several chores. Mucking out the stables, tending the horses, helping the cadets sharpening their swords, etc.

Emmanuelle opened the sealed letter. She recognized the fine letters. She let out a deep breath. "Fetch my horse, Lordling." She ordered to Charles. "Brujon, Deauville, that's enough for today. We'll do this again later." She climbed the stairs to the Captain's office where Constance was managing the finances of the garrison.

"What is it?" Constance asked Emmanuelle as soon as the latter stepped in the office.

"I'm expected at the Palace." She answered putting her black doublet over her corset and purple shirt. "Minister Tréville wants to see me."

"Another mission?" Constance asked as Emmanuelle was now slipping her leather pad over her right shoulder.

"The message does not say." She answered taking her cloak and hat. "Although I wouldn't surprised if it was." And grabbed her gloves. "Petit Lord is in the yard with the Cadets, make sure he's doing his chores."

"He's already done most of his chores. I allowed him a few hours of rest." Constance smiled at Emmanuelle. "You should not keep the Minister waiting."

Emmanuelle nodded and left.

Her musketeers' uniform was brand new. Her purple shirt was darker than before, almost blue. Over her purple shirt, she wore a dark corset and a dark skirt with intricate purple patterns, drawn on it. The skirt was open in the front. You wouldn't know unless she climbed on a horse. It was designed this way, to make it easier for her to ride or fight. Underneath the skirt she wore dark pair trousers and mid-calf boots. Her hat, too, was brand new. Unlike the old one, the feathers were now black and brown. Even the cloak went under drastic change. Where it used to be blue, it was now light brown and made of leather. As for her doublet it was long sleeved and it reached her thighs.

She climbed down her horse and made her way to Tréville's office. The office once belonged to the Cardinal Richelieu and Count Rochefort. Both shown themselves to be dangerous foes to the crown. Rochefort more than Richelieu, almost succeeding in what Richelieu failed to do. Discrediting and disbanding the Musketeers. He failed of course but war was declared and the Musketeers were all gone. However, Tréville was a friend of the Musketeers and disliked Feron and the Red Guards as much as she did. Before being First Minister, Tréville was the former Captain of the Musketeers. She knew it would be the last person to try and disband the Musketeers. If anything, he would protect them.

"Minister." Emmanuelle greeted as she was let in his office. "You said it was urgent."

"Emma. As you know our common friend was on a mission for the Crown." Minister Tréville started.

"In Bordeaux, I know. What about it?" Emma frowned as Tréville gave her a letter written by the hand of Lady Catherine

"Madame Catherine was supposed to receive words but none came." Tréville continued. "In fact, she fears that the Countess may have been discovered."

"That may be." Emma agreed. "This could be dangerous for France."

"Precisely." Tréville nodded. "This is why I'm giving you a leave of absence. I know that the Baroness De Sauvignon is organizing a service for the anniversary of your parents' passing." Tréville continued.

"Thanks for the cover up story." Emmanuelle mumbled.

Minister Tréville stepped closer to her. "While you are there, you will find out what happened to her and uncover whatever information she has gathered." Tréville instructed her. "You have a month. After this, you must return to Paris. With or without that information. Understood?"

"Understood." She nodded tightly. "It says here that she was supposed to come back from Valences Was that the location of her mission? I mean there is no strategic point there, whether for France or Spain"

"No, Valences was a quick stop." The Minister answered. "I have sent her in the Duchy of Savoy." Tréville answered briefly. "I want you to bring her back, Emma."

"I will." Emmanuelle nodded and left his office.

She had questions but knew that the Minister was not one to share sensible information. He must have his reasons to not reveal to her why his spy was in Savoy.

Catherine De Sauvignon, Emmanuelle's maternal grandmother, had taken part in the war efforts in many ways. First, by offering shelter to the refugees of War and they were many to stop at Bordeaux before rejoining Paris. Then, by relaying vital information to Tréville on the Spanish troops movements thus helping France to better organize its own army.

When the war started, Emmanuelle had quickly shown concern for her Grandmother's safety. Bordeaux is quite close to the Spanish borders but Minister Tréville was quick in establishing a naval fleet under the charge of Archbishop of Bordeaux, Henri D'Escoubleau de Sourdis. The Baronness of Bordeaux had established a solid relationship with the commander. And in regards of her new function in the war efforts, he needed her as much as she needed him. They were helping each other. Of course, Lady Catherine was one of many that were helping the crown. By relaying vital information, uncovering the fleet positions, any weaknesses behind the enemy lies. Missions that had been assigned to Emmanuelle, herself.

It was a long week journey to Bordeaux. As Emmanuelle rode through town, she was sad to realize that there were as much as refugees as there were in Paris. She just hoped that they weren't as mistreated as they were in Paris. The people in town, knew her and slightly bowed their heads as she rode passed them. They knew that she was a musketeer but also the granddaughter of their protector.

"Mademoiselle Emma!" She heard someone call her.

"Planchet." She greeted the young man. "Did Madame Catherine send you?"

"Yes, Mademoiselle." Planchet nodded quickly. "She was expecting you. Do you wish to rest before going to the mansion?"

"I have missed her. All I wish is to see her." Emmanuelle smiled at Planchet.

"Emma, my love." Catherine embraced her tightly.

"Catherine, it's always a pleasure to see you." Emmanuelle said.

"Let's go to my office." Catherine suggested. "Planchet, bring us some tea."

"Yes, Madame."

Emmanuelle took off her gloves as she followed Catherine to her office. "When did you last have news of her?"

"The last I heard of her she was in Valences. She was letting me know that she was coming to visit me." Catherine explained as she closed the door behind her. "She had lived here. It wouldn't be unusual for her to visit me."

"Nothing suspicious for an outsider looking in." Emmanuelle commented. "There was nothing of importance in the letter?"

"You know how she works." Catherine said. "This woman was born for this."

"I had to ask." Emmanuelle apologized.

Planchet knocked and walked in with a silver plate on which there was two cups and a teapot. "Thank you, Planchet. I don't want us to be disturbed." Catherine asked him. He only bowed and walked out of the room. "All I know is that she informed me of her arrival to be on the fifth of this month."

"That was exactly two weeks ago." Emmanuelle frowned at Catherine. "How did you have wind of her disappearance so soon?"

"Her maid." The Baroness answered. "A young girl named Kitty. She was the one that was delivering the letters to me." Catherine had walked up to the door and opened it. "Planchet, bring her."

A few seconds later, a young woman with fair skin and dark hair walked in. She was what many would call plain. There was nothing special about her, she seemed timid and quiet. Qualities for which her mistress may have hired her.

"I'm Emmanuelle of the King's musketeers. I'm here to look for your mistress." Emmanuelle greeted, pulling out a chair and sat her down. "I know you delivered the letter to Lady Catherine here. Could you tell me what was your mistress's instructions? Precisely." She handed the girl a cup of tea.

"Tell her what you told me, girl. She can be trusted." Catherine encouraged her. "Don't be frightened."

She looked at Emmanuelle, clutching the cup in her hands. As if the warmth would give her strength. "We were travelling back from Savoy and we stopped in Valences, two days later. To rest." She started looking Emmanuelle in the eyes. "I was ordered to go on ahead of her. My duty as her servant was to give words of her arrival to the Baroness. After delivering the letter, I was to wait for her in the village."

"What happened?" Emmanuelle asked her.

Kitty looked down at her hands. "I was supposed to leave the morning after our arrivals in Valences." She explained. "But she made me leave sooner. She urged me to go on that night."

"Do you know why?" Emmanuelle asked.

"She did not say it but she appeared agitated. Afraid even."

"Something has frightened her?" Emmanuelle asked surprised. Kitty nodded.

"I was surprised as you are when I heard it." Catherine continued. "It takes a great deal for her to be frightened."

"Did you notice anything? Anything at all?" Emmanuelle asked Kitty. The young maid just shook her head. Emmanuelle nodded before looking up at Planchet. "Planchet." She said and Planchet nodded at her and led Kitty back outside of the office. After he put the teacup back on the tray.

Emmanuelle sat down, replacing Kitty in the chair. "What do you think?" Catherine asked her.

"How long have you known the girl?" Emmanuelle asked instead.

"Well, until she came here to deliver this message, I didn't know she existed." Catherine answered. "Do you think she might be lying?"

"I don't know." Emmanuelle shook her head. "Everything is possible." She exhaled. "I will go to Valences."

"Today?"

"Tomorrow." Emmanuelle stood up. "Kitty is coming with me. And if you can spare Planchet, I'm going to need someone I can trust."

"Of course." Catherine nodded. "Just tell me what you need and I'll see to it."

Kitty had lead them to the inn in which she last saw her mistress. They seemed barely disturbed by the newcomers. Travelers mainly were occupying the seats. The musketeer could tell from the cloaks they were wearing. The numerous coaches that were waiting outsides and the stables full of horses. It seemed that she had entered neutral ground, she could clearly tell that some of them were Spaniards They were less in numbers that her compatriots They didn't look frightened, actually no one seemed to pay attention to them.

Of course, there was nothing there. No one had seen anything, no one remembered her mistress. Emmanuelle didn't believe it for one second. That's why Planchet came in later, he was just another traveler. No ties with Emmanuelle or Kitty who just asked questions about a missing woman. In fact, Emmanuelle was mainly suspecting the Spaniards. The spy was on her way back to Paris after her mission for the court. Maybe, she was noticed and they tried to stop her before they could report to Paris. But knowing the woman, it was highly unlikely. Moreover, none of them were wearing soldiers' attire which could be explained by them not wanting to be noticed. Or maybe it was actually French soldiers that stopped her. That was a lot of maybes. However, Planchet was not to ask questions about their spy. His mission was simple. All he had to do was to drink with the locals. Not the travelers, the locals. If there was something out of the usual, they would be the ones to notice.

It was well into the night, when Planchet came to her. She had taken a room for the night. A room that she shared with Kitty. The young maid was resting for now. The musketeer didn't trust her still. Something wasn't right in Kitty's story. She just couldn't tell what. When Planchet knocked at her door, she was sitting facing the only entrance of the room. Her sword was resting by her chair and her pistol was on her lap. The four discreet knocks caused Kitty to sit up in the bed. Emmanuelle put her index to her lips, signaling the girl to remain quiet. She walked to the door. Her pistol ready. She peeked through the door when she saw it was Planchet, she let him in.

"So?" She asked as she closed the door behind her. Kitty left the bed while Planchet sat on the edge of it.

"The people aren't too happy about the travelers passing through their town." Planchet explained, slightly drunk. "Especially the Spaniards."

"Anything that might interest us?" Emmanuelle asked.

"I'm not sure, Mademoiselle." Planchet frowned, Kitty handed him a glass of water. "Thank you. The men I talked with mentioned that most travelers were only staying for the night. Enough time to rest before going back on the road." Planchet drank his water. "But a few remains."

"Who are they?"

"Spaniards soldiers" Planchet answered. "They weren't here tonight. In fact, they do not come to the inn. If only to buy wine."

"How long have they been in town?"

"A little more than a month." Planchet informed her. "Their leader, a certain Captain Montoya, has arrived almost three weeks ago. From Savoy."

"Captain Montoya?" Emmanuelle glanced at Kitty who suddenly blanched at the name. "You know him, don't you?"

She nodded tears gathering in her eyes. "He was my master in Savoy." Kitty's voice was trembling.

"Your master? I thought you were the Countess' maidservant?" Emmanuelle asked the scared girl.

"I entered her service in Savoy." She started to explain. "Captain Montoya was meeting with the Duke. It was a desperate attempt to get the Duke to sign a treaty with Spain. In exchange, they were promised to regain Pinerolo. But the Duke refused. Swearing once again his fealty to the Crown of France."

"This is all interesting but that doesn't tell me why you left his service and entered the Countess'." Emmanuelle stared at her.

"And how you possibly know all of this?" Planchet questioned in his turn.

"The Captain never considered me a threat. I was nothing." Kitty said. "I am nothing. Merely just a toy." Emmanuelle was surprised at her tone. She could the hatred behind her words. "Some weak creature that he tortured just because." It was as if Emmanuelle was seeing her for the first time. She wasn't as timid as she shown herself to be in Bordeaux. She seemed enraged, angry, scared but ready to fight. "The Countess found me. She saw what he did to me after the Duke refused to sign the treaty." Kitty paused. "You don't have to trust me but Miss Hay has saved my life. I will do what I can to return the favor."

"Alright." Emmanuelle nodded. "Montoya is most likely the one who is holding her captive. And no matter what you say or don't say, he's getting back at her for taking you away." She turned to Planchet. "Some one in this town will be bound to talk in exchange of a good pay. Find where Montoya and his soldiers are staying. We'll go from there." Planchet nodded and took the purse she was handing him. "You don't have to tell me what Montoya has done to you. But it must have been terrible for the Countess to step in." The Musketeer turned away from the girl. "Can you use pistols or a sword?" She asked the girl.

"A little." Kitty answered timidly.

"That'll do. We're gonna need all the help we can get." She was expecting for the girl to protest, to show herself frightful but it wasn't the case. Kitty showed herself to be fierce; determined as she nodded yes to the Musketeer.

Emmanuelle knew Kitty's mistress or rather savior to be the selfish kind at times. For her to get involved and ignore everything she established herself to be, the girl must have been treated cruelly by this Montoya. Some men can be cruel when given the means. The Musketeer had seen it over the years, good men had often showed themselves to be cruel and brutal. Of course, for some it seemed to be a lesson learned during their younger years. For others, war had made them so. War had turned them into something that they couldn't recognize themselves. After all, you aren't born a monster, you're made one.

Kitty and Emmanuelle followed the young boy that delivered Planchet's message to them. He had located Captain Montoya and his men. They were staying in a two-story house; on the outskirts of town. Emmanuelle remembered to have passed it as they entered town.

"No one is guarding the door." Planchet explained. Then he pointed to the window on the second floor. "There are two guards. Every two hours, two new guards take over."

"Montoya?"

"He left hours ago." Planchet said. "He seemed to be angry."

"Were you able to locate the Countess?"

"No. But I think she may be near those two guards." Planchet speculated.

"Alright." Emmanuelle said as they hid behind the wall. Kitty was standing between her and Planchet. "Is there a way for us to get in without being seen?"

"We could go through the kitchen. But it also could be dangerous." Planchet suggested. "There is a balcony on the left side. The door is always open."

"That's good news." Emmanuelle was thinking fast. This was their chance to free Miss Lucy Hay. "Planchet, you and Kitty," She started placing her hat on Kitty's head, making sure that no one could recognize her face. "Go in the back, create a diversion. No one must catch you." She looked down at Kitty and put her own pistol in the girl's hand. "Wait for me, don't engage. Only if necessary. Understood?"

"Yes, Mademoiselle." Planchet nodded.

"Stay together." She ordered them.

All of three of them entered the yard. There were no one in sight. They walked alongside each other, trotting to the house. They separated ways when they reached the balcony. Planchet continued towards the kitchen. He pulled Kitty behind him They both hid behind a cart near the stables. Emmanuelle took a last look around her, making sure there was still no one in sight. She stepped out from under the balcony. While Planchet and Kitty walked up to the kitchen door. With barrels of wine in their arms. Emmanuelle took a deep breath, she sprinted into the wall. Her right foot met the wall at full speed which gave her momentum as she pushed and reached the bars of the balcony with her hands. Her body was now hanging and swinging in the air as she pulled herself up.

She jumped over the balcony and quickly hid behind the open door. The guards that were in the room were in the middle of a game of cards. Nonetheless, one of them stood up, maybe alerted by the sound of her landing. He walked towards the balcony, Emmanuelle stood in silence. Ready to fight if need to. At that instant, a woman shrieked somewhere in the house. He froze mid step as his fellow soldiers sprang to their feet while the woman kept screaming. After that she heard them rush out of the room.

Emmanuelle stepped into the room and crossed in a few strides. The door was left open, she peeked around the door. Men and women were rushing down the stairs. She didn't know what Planchet and Kitty did but it was working to her advantage. The less people there was in her way, the easier this rescue would be. The room she was looking for was the furthest away from the stairs. The hallway and the rooms were empty but the same couldn't be said about the one she had interest in. She was nearing the room when the door opened and a guard stepped outside. Confusion clearly written all over his face. He was even more confused when he saw the Musketeer walking towards him.

It all happened within seconds. He immediately pulled out his pistol and aimed at her. The woman didn't stop, on the contrary she quickened her pace. She closed the distance between them before the Spaniard could even think of firing his weapon. She kicked him in his chest, sending him flying in the wall behind him. Another guard came rushing out of the room. His pistol in his hand ready to fire. She grabbed his arm and pulled it towards her and pushed him against the opposite wall. He lost his pistol. She backhanded him and grabbed onto his shoulders. The guard grabbed onto her arms and kneed her in the stomach. He shifted their position, he slammed her back against the wall and backhanded her. She dodged his fist, that collided with the wall above her head. She punched him in his stomach and he hunched over. She then punched his jaw and he fell on the floor. She went for the pistol on the floor. Instead of shooting, she used the butt of the pistol to knock him out as he tried to attack her again.

She was now breathing heavily. She hooked his pistol to her belt and grabbed the set of keys hooked to his belt. She walked up to the first guard that seemed to be unconscious. She grabbed his pistol and she heard a groan. She didn't think twice as she used the pistol to put him out of commission. She walked into the room they were in and discovered that it was empty. However, there was a closed door. She unlocked it with the keys that she took from the guards. And there sitting in the middle of the room, tied to the chair, the Countess of Carlisle.

"You took your time." The Countess said as a form of greetings as the musketeer started to cut her bounds.

"If I didn't know any better I'd say you're happy to see me, Milady." Emmanuelle joked in return. When she crouched down in front of the woman, she was mortified to see that her beautiful face was bruised. There was a cut on right cheekbones and her bottom lip swollen. "You look terrible."

"So, do you." She answered.

"Can you walk?" Emmanuelle asked her while giving her a pistol.

"Yes." The woman replied.

They both walked into the other room. Emmanuelle took a cloak that one of the guards had left hanging on a chair. And draped it over the Countess' shoulders. She looked out of the window to see that people were running away from the house while some were rushing towards it. "I don't know what Planchet and Kitty did but it'll work to our advantage."

"What about Montoya?"

"We'll be gone before he comes back." Emmanuelle assured her. They both exited the room and rushed towards the stairs.

They could hear the people screaming and shouting orders as they walked down the stairs. No one was paying attention to them. And understandably so, the room was filled with smoke. They reached the door and together they ran within the crowd. Planchet and Kitty were waiting for them outside of the gate. Planchet gave his hat to the Countess, so she could cover her face. Then the four of them walked back to the inn.

They couldn't linger any longer. It wouldn't take long for Montoya's men to realize that their hostage was missing. Montoya was probably on his way back. They had to leave immediately. Once they reached the inn, Planchet was charged with getting the horses ready. Kitty was packing their bags and the Countess was having a change of clothes.

"Be honest with me." Emmanuelle started as Milady was pulling her hood on. "Did he hurt you in any other way? You know did he…?"

"No, he wasn't interested in that." She answered. "He never was. He only wanted to know where the girl was hiding. And what she may have told me."

She finished tying up her cloak under her right arm. She adjusted her hat on her head and took a bag from Kitty before going through the door. Miss Hay and Kitty walked ahead of her. Emmanuelle paid for the room before joining Planchet and the others at the stable. Planchet had managed to find a fourth horse. And they left Valences.

They stopped at Bordeaux where Emmanuelle had to keep up appearances. Madame Catherine De Sauvignon had indeed organized a service for her parents. Which Emmanuelle attended with her grandmother. They remained for the night. The Baroness organized a private dinner for her and the Countess.

Later that night, she knocked on the Countess' door. She stepped in only to see Milady De Winter sitting in front of her mirror.

"If you're worried about the state of your face, let me tell you that men will still find you deadly attractive." Emmanuelle teased her as she sat on the bed.

"Thank you for this kind compliment." The Countess smiled turning towards her.

"Anything to please you." The Musketeer smiled back. "Kitty said that you seemed scared when you sent her to Bordeaux."

"What about it?"

"You weren't afraid for you. You were for her." Emmanuelle continued.

"Montoya is a cruel man." The Countess said somberly. "I've seen the scars he left on her back. He was getting pleasure from her sufferings. If he had found her in that inn, he would have killed her."

"I've never seen you care for anyone but you."

"You have yourself to blame for this, musketeer." She retorted.

Emmanuelle snorted. "Anyway, the Minister wants me to bring you back to Paris with me."

"Why?"

"I have no idea. Those are his orders." Emmanuelle stood up. "We're leaving tomorrow."

"Kitty is accompanying to Paris." She said with finality in her voice.

"Naturally." And with that the Musketeer left the room.

Emmanuelle had left in the early hours of morning, accompanied by Kitty and the Countess. She was at peace knowing that her grandmother was protected by her valet, Planchet. He had shown his worth and loyalty during the last years. Planchet was efficient, in fact, Emmanuelle was surprised that the thought of being a soldier never crossed his mind. Nonetheless, he was often tasked with secret mission that valet had no business doing. And he was more efficient that some soldiers would be. She felt herself lucky to know that he was serving her grandmother.

Kitty was still a timid ad shy girl but she was grateful for what the Countess and the Musketeer had done to help her. They had taken her away from her torturer. Milady De Winter took the girl under her wing because Kitty was a valuable source of information. She knew more about the Spanish troops and their supplies that the Countess could have possibly found during her missions. But Kitty also reminded her of who she could have been. She was lucky enough to have been born smart and cunning but not Kitty. The girl wasn't stupid but she lacked the courage to take matters in her own hands. She had every intention to change that.

Minister Tréville stepped into his office to see the three women expecting him. "I'm glad to see that you have returned safely from your journey." He said as a form of greetings.

"We're glad to be back." Emmanuelle answered. "And I'm on time."

"Efficient as always." The Minister commented. "I hope your mission was successful, Milady."

"This is Kitty. She has interesting information for us." Milady De Winter said introducing the timid girl. "In exchange of protection, of course."

"Good." Tréville nodded. "I will be glad to hear them but first…" He handed to Milady a roll of parchment. The spy opened it and read what was written. "Those are your new orders."

"I am to stay in Paris?" Milady questioned.

"Yes, there's a war to be fought in the streets of Paris." Tréville answered. "I will need the bests."

Emmanuelle returned at the garrison. She was exhausted, her cheek was still slightly bruised but she was happy. She liked it when the mission went well. As simple as this one. All she had to do was to extract their agent and come back to Paris and she did. Simple and easy Petit Lord took her horse to the stable as she went to the mess. She had the desire to drink some wine before sleeping for several hours. She untied her cloak on her way there and as she walked through door she was met with the sound of laughter. Laughter that sounded familiar to her ears. She froze seeing to whom it belonged.

"Athos." She breathed out.

Fun facts: 1. Milady De Winter is believed to be based off of Miss Lucy Hay, the Countess of Carlisle.

2. Planchet and Kitty was respectively the valet of D'Artagnan and the maid of Milady De Winter in the Novel by Dumas.