Lost in the pages

Understanding

The sound of hushed voices woke me. I looked around and saw Aramis and Athos deep in quiet conversation. Athos looked concerned as Aramis put his hand on his shoulder. I sat up and held the covers around me

"Good morning" The both looked around

"Good morning" Aramis smiled "I will leave you to talk and I will see you in a short while" he nodded his head in a slight bow before leaving Athos and myself alone. I got out of bed and walked over to Athos he stepped back and poured tea into a cup and handed it to me

"I am sorry if we woke you"

"It's alright, what did Aramis want?" I asked moving closer to the fire

"To bring you clothes for today and to tell me what was happening" he took a deep breath. I dropped the blanket and heard the intake of breath from Athos. He handed me the clothing and watched as I got dressed, I looked at him as I put on the leather coat.

"So what is happening?" I asked

"You know your way to Bonacieux's home?" I nodded "There is a livery stable across from it, one of the cadets is waiting with a horse for you" he stood in front of me "Leave through the back, there is an alleyway that will take you to the edge of the city and to the old bridge, cross it and there will be another cadet waiting for you to change to a different horse. Ride straight out from the bridge and you will come to the woods; Aramis will be there waiting for you" he reached onto the table and picked up a knife "Have you ever used one of these?" I shook my head he pushed it in to the belt around my waist "If someone comes for you then push it in here" He took my hand and put it under his ribs "and then you push up as hard as you can. Do you understand me?" I nodded,  He picked up a heavy wool cloak and put it around my shoulders I touched the side of his face as he handed me the Queens letter I tucked it inside the coat under the cloak

"I'll be back here tonight waiting for you" I smiled at him Athos held my hands and rested his forehead against mine.

"I still do not like this" he sighed, I reached up and unclipped the book necklace from around my neck and put it in his hand and curled his fingers over it

"Look after this till I get back" I pushed up on my toes and kissed him quickly before I turned around and walked out onto the walkway; Porthos and Captain Treville were both stood there, I nodded to them both and went down the stairs and across the courtyard.

I hurried through the deserted streets, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as the streets seemed eerie. I was sure that I was paranoid with the feeling of someone following me. I was glad when I rounded the corner and saw Constance's home and the stables across from it.

 I pushed opened the stable door, as Athos had said one of the young cadets was waiting with a white horse. He helped my up into the saddle and opened the back doors to the livery. I nudged the horse hoping that it would just start walking and much to my relief it did.

I was glad when the alley came to an end and the city was behind me, I nudged the horse on a little quicker hearing the sounds of wood under the hooves as I crossed the river I saw a lamp sway and I headed for it seeing another cadet standing with a large back horse that pawed at the ground impatiently.

 The cadet took the reigns of my horse and waited while I got down my legs feeling like jelly as I tried to stand properly. I looked at the Black horse and tipped my head as it looked back at me.

"Who's horse is this?" I asked

"It's Athos's horse Hades" The cadet said looking around "Please you have to leave quickly Aramis is waiting for you in the trees over there" he pointed before helping me into the saddle on the back of Hades. I didn't need to do anything Hades turned and moved away picking up speed until we reached the edge of the woods.