Duty Calls

Chapter 10

Athos’ POV

I simply nod, then I leave into the direction of the sea. I avoid the harbor because I know that there are still some of Buckingham’s men. Soon, I reach a little beach from which I can see the ship. I quickly get into the water. It is cold, but I can handle that. While I’m swimming towards the ship, I think of how to free D’Artagnan – if he isn’t already dead. I immediately tell my stupid brain not to think of this kind of scenario.
I reach the ship and I gotta remark: it’s even bigger than I thought. So now, I only have one problem: I have no clue where on this thing my friend is. Probably down in some kind of cell, but how the hell should I get there unnoticed and get him out of there and escape. It’s not like these Englishmen are blind or something.

Now I’m right next to the ship. I am diving now, only breaking through the surface to get some air. Then suddenly I think of what Porthos would do in my situation. Right, he would plan on being taken prisoner and hopefully be taken to D’Artagnan into some cell. I am quite sure that this plan is crazy enough to actually work. I find a place at the back of the ship, where I am able to climb on deck.
When I’m on deck, I quickly show myself to some guards. I don’t struggle when they grab me since it is all part of my plan.
Then they take me to Buckingham.
This is not exactly what I’ve planned, but it’s okay, I guess. Buckingham looks at me angrily.

“Athos! I can’t really say that it’s a pleasure to see you… Where is my ship?”

“What are you talking about, I thought this was your ship?”

“Don’t fool me! I am talking about my airship. You remember? The one you’ve stolen.”

Yeah, great. Just great.

“It’s, well it sorta exploded.” I tell him.

He doesn’t look like that’s new to him. Well, of course not, D’Artagnan must have already told him. Buckingham looks really pissed…

“Take him to the cell, to the other scum!”

Thank God! This is what I’ve planned. I’m gonna be taken to D’Artagnan. Hopefully, he’ll be fine. I am taken downstairs. We’re walking through some storage rooms and I try to see every detail in order to get an impression of how large this ship actually is.
Then we reach the cell. It’s in the last, darkest corner of the ship. I can make out something inside of it. My heart sinks as I realize that the figure, that’s leaning against the wall is a frightening unmoving D’Artagnan.

“What the hell did you do to him?!”
I hiss before I can stop myself. The Englishmen just laugh and push me inside, then they leave. I hurry to get to my friend. My heart literally stops as I see that his clothes are soaked in his own blood. It seems to be coming out of a wound in his left shoulder. Probably that’s where they’ve shot him earlier.
I kneel before him and lean forward to check his pulse carefully. There! I let out a sigh of relief as I can feel the beating of his heart. Then I try to shake him awake, careful not to hurt him. I call is name, as he stirs weakly.

“D’Artagnan!”

His face is deadly pale, but I can see his eyes moving under the lids.

D’Artagnan’s POV

Pain. Burning. I’m on fire. The pain is clouding my mind. I am still fighting against it, but I’m alone and won’t be able to tell anybody about Buckingham’s plans. That he actually doesn’t even wanna destroy peace. That he could actually be the one to restore it.

“D’Artagnan!”

That’s my name – my name being called. Wait, what? I know that voice. But that’s impossible! Or maybe… maybe it isn’t? The thought of not being alone lets me fight harder.
I struggle to open my eyes.
My vision is blurry and I blink several times. Someone is squeezing my right shoulder. Finally, I manage to clear my vision. There’s a face right in front of mine. Am I seeing things? Am I going crazy? I mean I am supposed to be alone in here. I should be alone here to keep them save! So what does this mean? Have I failed?

“It’s alright, D’Artagnan. Do you understand me? We are going to get out of here. I’m gonna get you out of here.”

“Athos?”

My voice is sounding raspy and surprised. Well, actually I cannot even believe that it is really him, kneeling before me and squeezing my right shoulder. He smiles at me, obviously relieved, that I am finally responding.

“Yes, kid, it’s me.”

I give him a weak grin. He has sort of always seen me as a kid. Hearing this is some normality in all this chaos.

“And how exactly are you planning on getting us out of here?”

I can see in his eyes that he doesn’t really have a plan for that. He most likely has been busy with getting in here. And what did he achieve? He got in here, so far so good. Now we’re both trapped. It may be selfish but a part of me is happy to see him and to know that I am not alone in here. But of course the other part is desperate because now he is in the same crappy situation as I am.