Lost in the pages

Not real

People were walking in and around Notre Dame; I walked inside. The eerie sound of Gothic monk singing reverberated around the stone pillars. The last time I set foot inside of this building I was twelve and there were lines of pews; now there was nothing, people wishing to worship there needed to stand. The late afternoon sun streamed through the stained-glass sending rainbows of color around the floor.

There was the sound of excited chatter from the entrance making everyone in there look around; a group of soldiers walked in making way through the crowds, they were followed by the King and Queen, I tipped my head. The pages of a book were playing out in front of me and I couldn't tear my eyes away, until something caught my eye.

The four figures that followed King Louis and Queen Anne; were the same four men from earlier. Four of the Kings Musketeers. My heart was in my throat as I moved around the pillar watching them as they walked through the center of the Cathedral, The youngest of the four nudged the one that had saved me earlier and nodded in my direction.

He turned his head and lifted his chin making the brim of his hat move back until his eyes meet mine and he smiled and bowed his head a little. I felt like I'd had the wind knocked out of me just looking at him again, it must be the lack of oxygen from the corset.

 I turned away from them and pressed my back to the cold stone of the pillar trying to cool myself down. I shook my head this was insane, I was just in a dream. I made my way out of Notre Dame and followed the line of the streets that I had a vague recollection of.

I stopped to smell some flowers that an old lady was selling at the side of the street. She smiled at me and picked up a few sprigs of lavender .

"For you" she said closing my hand around the stems "You look lost and in need of something"

"Thank you" I sniffed them and stepped back from her cart of flowers and carried on down the road.

"MAKE WAY" I looked around as Soldiers on horse back rode at speed toward me I stepped out of the way and felt myself slipping on the cobbles as the carriage clattered on by followed by the Musketeers. I sat down with a hard thud making my curse at the pain that shot up my back.

"Estelle" There was a swoosh of a blue cape flash in front of me as a horse was stopped and a man dismounted "Estelle" I looked up at the familiar face

"We need to stop meeting like this" I winced

"Are you hurt?" I stopped moving and shot him a look "Alright I can see that you are. I am sorry" He smiled "Can you walk?"

"I fell on my derriere I didn't break a leg" I groaned he hung his head a little and let out a chuckle

"Then would you at least allow me to help you up" He said holding out his gloved hand

"Thank you" I nodded putting my hand in his. He moved to my side and used his other hand under my other arm and lifted me to my feet with little effort

"Are you sure you can walk?" he didn't let go of my hand

"It's sore that's all" I said tacking a small step "Ow damn" I hissed squeezing his hand

"More pain than you thought?" I nodded "Allow me to take you somewhere?"

"Take me where?"

"To the Garrison, the home of the Musketeers. You said you are not from Paris and it is getting late in the day and if you are not familiar to this city then it can be dangerous" He walked me with him toward his horse

"Should I be going there?" I hesitated

"I think you should" He nodded as he swung himself up into the saddle and offered me his hand

"You want me on the horse?" My voice rose and octave

"Well it is the quickest way to travel" he smiled a broad smile "I promise I will not let you fall and Hades is gentle"

"Hades?" I looked at the horse that turned his head and looked at me. He bent down and lifted me in front of him and put his arms around me to take the reins. He nudged Hades and he moved off along the street. I put my hand on his neck and felt the sheer power in the muscle.