The Musketeer Girl

Chapter 22

Silence filled the mansion until they eventually heard front door open and close once again, followed by creeping footsteps; the hidden musketeers and Lady De Winter remained silent as the man entered the living room - he didn't sound please when he couldn't hear or find any of his men "where the hell are those idiots?!" they heard him wonder out loud. Stepping out from their hiding places with their guns drawn once again, Athos spoke "all dead in the basement" the boss of the masked men froze in place upon hearing the voice; Kayley added "and if you try anything, you'll be joining them" she promised. Glaring, the man realised who they were "the the French King's musketeers I assume??" he sighed as he rubbed his forehead "that's the last time I trust those prats to do a job" they heard him mumble under his breath. From the accent his voice carried, they could tell he was a Spaniard. Ignoring what he was hearing, Porthos spoke up "who are you!? And why did you pay forty men to attack and kidnap us?!" he demanded to know, earning yet another sigh - one of annoyance and disappointment "my name is Russo Calri" he informed; the four musketeers shared a look of shock before Aramis turned to their prisoner "Russo Calri?!" he repeated "you're the Cardinal's spy!?". That was the same name that Treville had given them for the Spanish spy they were after - he had ordered for their capture?? That means the Cardinal must have been involved with it as well!! Their leader spoke up as he looked towards the bear like man "Porthos, tie him up" he ordered before looking towards the spy "you're coming back to Paris with us" he had no decision in the matter as Porthos did as told, grabbing some rope that he had found earlier during his search of the mansion with his boyfriend "looks like we've competed our mission in less time than we thought" Kayley stated with a pleased smile; Athos chuckled as he agreed "indeed, now we can return to Paris and lock him up" he added.

Seeming to realise she had been forgotten, Lady De Winter decided to remind them of her presence by speaking up "well" all eyes turned towards her "it's been lovely but I must be leaving now" she stated, about to do just that before her past lover spoke up, halting her in her tracks "hold on, I still don't understand" Kayley raised a brow as she listened to the conversation "how are you alive?? You were sentenced to death!! Hung for your crimes!! I...I saw it myself" he exclaimed, competed confused how his ex-wife was standing in front of him. Sighing, the woman folded her arms across her chest as she stared at the man she once loved dearly "but you didn't see it, did you?? You walked away!!" she glared "unable to watch as your beloved and innocent wife choked on the rope around her neck, hanging from the tree just on that hill!!" he pointed out the window towards the tree she was talking about; Aramis and Porthos dealt with their prisoner, their heads lowered in sadness and they already knew what they were hearing - their friend had confided in them one late and drunken night many years ago. Kayley, on the other hand, was hearing very new and shocking information "Athos...you became less of a man to me that day" Lady De Winter states, many different emotions laced within her voice "you couldn't even watch your wife, the woman you had ordered to be hung, die" as the man remained silent, the teenager spoke up "you ordered Lady De Winter's death, Athos??" she asked in horror, though she knew she didn't understand the whole story. Ignoring the fourteen year old, Athos defended his actions "you killed my brother!!" he exclaimed "death was the least you deserved!!" this annoyed the woman further, as well as seemed to hurt her "I didn't want to kill him!! He was attacking me!!" she accused "all because I refused to sleep with him, wanting to stay loyal to you!!". This was clearly an extremely messed up and complicated situation "get the prisoner ready to leave" Athos ordered, turning away from his ex-wife "we'll be returning to Paris minutes" the couple did as told immediately; Kayley left to explore the mansion since it used to be Athos's home - she had everything ready after all. "I never want to see again" Athos stated harshly to Lady De Winter who surprising hadn't left yet "stay away from me and my friends" he demanded; the woman rolled her eyes "I am a free woman Athos, I will do as I please, go where I please and speak and befriend who I please!!" she snapped back before a smirk formed on her lips "and right now, I believe - Kayley was it??" she recalled the teenagers name "we're getting along quite nicely". This statement earned a hard glare from the man "stay away from Kayley!! I don't want you messing and hurting her like you did to me!!" and with that, he walked off to help his friends.

Upstairs in the mansion, Kayley had discovered a bedroom...except it was completely trashed!! Books, papers and other things covered the floor, the messy bed was covered in...in old dry blood!! "This was Athos's brother's bedroom, Thomas's" a voice spoke - it was Lady De Winter; the teenager looked over her shoulder to see her leaning against the door frame "what happened in here??" she asked. Sighing, the woman explained "this is...this is the room were he attacked me....I really didn't mean to kill him" she paused "I cared and loved Thomas, but only as a friend, even a brother....but he wanted more" she explained; the young girl listened closely "why would Athos have you hung for you killing your brother if it was in self defence??" she asked "it...it just doesn't make sense, now with Athos". She didn't know what to believe. The older woman began to explain "Athos and Thomas were extremely close, they loved each other dearly" she sighed "they were nearly always together....his death was so hard for him that....I on't think it mattered who had committed the crime and for what reason". Rubbing her forehead, Lady De Winter continued "thanks to this...murder title I have, I have no one and nothing to call my own....I don't even have a friend to talk to" Kayley couldn't help but feel sad for the woman "well....I guess you and I could...be friends??" she hesitantly suggested "but the other's would disapprove, especially Athos...so we would have to keep it a secret". Showing a genuine smile, Lady De Winter happily agreed "I'm going to Paris tomorrow, so I shall see you in a few days time" she stated. Before either could speak another word, a voice could be heard yelling through out the mansion "Kayley!! Come on!!" it was Athos "we're leaving!!" the teenager made her way out of the destroyed bedroom "I better go" she stated "I'll see you when you get to Paris Lady De Winter" and with that, she ran down the hallway out down the stairs; the woman smirked as she remained where she was for a few minutes - she decided to leave once the musketeers and their prisoner were out of sight "indeed you will". Kayley couldn't help but hope she wouldn't regret becoming friends with Athos's ex-wife.