The Missing Musketeer

Chapter 5

Hadren's POV
I went down the stairs,gripping my crucifix tightly,while trying to find Carlos,and eventually I found him. He was sat with Horthos,looking at a map planning our path to France. They sensed my presence when I coughed to get in their deep muttering of conversation. "Ah,Hadren,how is Katiana? To what extent are her minor wounds? Is she getting dressed? Is she fee-"

"She is fine now,and yes she is getting dressed," I paused momentarily before continuing,as a way of controlling my emotion,"As for her wounds,well,my friends,I believe we will be taking her back to France. She has been tortured by her father,in different methods,beatings,burns,cuts and many more," I paused as I watched them control their own emotions before continuing.

" And I refuse to leave her here,because she has no other family,and giving her back to her father is obviously out of the question,so Carlos,my friend,because we have finished a mission,I need to ask you,can we bring her? I don't think I will be able to live happily for the rest of my life without knowing she is safe" I finished,staring at my two friends,hoping they had a similar opinion.

It took several silent seconds of contemplation before Carlos answered,"Hadren,I agree with you,we cannot leave her here,so we will take her to France,however,who will she stay with? Surely that has dawned on you."

I nodded before saying,"I plan on leaving her under the protection of your niece,Constance,and her family. However,we should teach her,like our sons to sword fight,so that she knows how to protect herself,and I won't take no,for an answer,ex-priest , but still a man of God,or not,I will not let Katiana be defenceless when she sets out into the world."

Both Carlos and Horthos smiled at my firm tone and I could also tell they were surprised ,before we all turned our heads  to see Katiana walk down the stairs. I smiled at her,and she returned it,before smiling towards Carlos and Horthos too.

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Katiana's POV
After several seconds of staring at the unrecognisable girl in front of me,I went down the stairs before being faced with The Three Musketeers themselves.

I was sent a kind smile by Hadren,which I dutifully,and full heartedly returned,before facing both Horthos and Carlos and sending them smiles. They both sent smiles back.

"When will we be heading off to France?" I asked,before they looked at each other with amused looks and burst out into laughter.

" We will set of tomorrow,at dawn,Katiana,you seem quite eager to get there don't you!" Said Carlos,as amusement danced across his eyes,and my cheeks flushed.

"I say,Katiana,the clothes I got you look absolutely fabulous! Although,I feared they wouldn't fit you,they seem to fix you perfectly!" Horthos cried with pride,as his chest puffed out.

I giggled before replying,"Yes,I do agree with you,Monsieur,I when I looked at myself,I looked like a totally different person!" I paused before asking," Am I really going to learn how to sword-fight?"

I could immediately see the amusement, shock and doubt flash in their eyes before I explained, "The floors here aren't really soundproof,although,I would love to learn,I want to know that I will never be helpless again, because honestly,I would like to second Monsieur Hadren's point,I will need some sort of shield for myself when I go into the big world."

After several seconds of comfortably awkward silence,I decided that thanking them,would be easier now,and not later.

I looked at Hadren before saying," Thank you Monsieur Hadren for your kindness and for suggesting the topic of my future,for I thought I had none,"

I looked at Horthos before saying," Thank you Monsieur Horthos,for providing me with these clothes and for your humorous self that has helped to keep this smile on my face,"

And finally I looked at Carlos before saying," Thank you Monsieur Carlos,for the support you have given,and the support I know you will give in the future, I hope that I will become great with all of your help," I addressed to all of them.

I smiled before hugging them all,even though I was up to their belly buttons,I hugged them with all my strength, however as I hugged them,I felt myself get pulled upwards and thrown into Carlos' hug,then Horthos' death hug and finally Hadren's hug.

~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=  Later that day

Before I knew it,the second I had drifted off on my bed,looking like a baby wrapped in blankets,I was shook by Carlos. I sat up groggily and rubbed the sleep from my eyes,before he said," We are going to set off in 5 mins,Katiana,I just wanted to give you time to freshen up before we set off," his voice sounded deep,so I predicted he had just woken up too. After I greeted him Good Morning,I got up and jumped up and down lightly before looking through the rest of the things Horthos had kindly provided. I found a small brush that I used,along with a hair tie and bunched my long hair into a high ponytail. I went to a bucket full of spare water that I was left with after Hadren had healed my wounds. I splashed some of the water in my face before drying it off with a spare quilt.

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After fully freshening up, I walked out of my room,my tattered satchel full of memories and things I kept dear, hidden under the coat that was provided to me by Horthos.

I vowed,that if I didn't go out with at least one of those treasured memories I would come straight back,otherwise my mind wouldn't be at some sort of peace.

I found the three Giants of men,shouting at a chubby teenage boy,they addressed him as Cranchet     (A/N father of Planchet,so I would want to know if any of you had a different name for him?)    ,so I went to the boy and asked him,what they wanted him to do as he other three Giants stopped shouting when they saw me in the picture.

I let the traumatised boy calm down in my room,while I did all the jobs they had asked him to do,much to their disliking and regret,of course,I knew I was younger than Cranchet but,I didn't like seeing people maltreated. After I had finished,we were soon to start to head out,so I went to check on the traumatised teenage boy,and check if he was ready to set off.

After several waves in front of the face and kind words Cranchet got back to his senses and hugged me gently. I giggled before saying to his silent response," I do not like seeing people be maltreated and I will never again be like that,so I like to help others who got throught the same thing,stay positive throughout." I finished with a smile,instead of a flourish. He said thank you,and we both headed out the door,
I could not WAIT to see France,and see what it could have in store for me.