Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/4152390.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Underage
  Category:
      F/F, F/M, M/M
  Fandom:
      d'Artagnan_Romances_(Three_Musketeers_Series)_-_All_Media_Types, The
      Musketeers_(2014)
  Relationship:
      d'Artagnan/Olivier_d'Athos_de_la_Fère, Aramis/Porthos/Lemay, Armand_Jean
      du_Plessis_de_Richelieu/de_Tréville_(Jean-Armand_du_Peyrer), Constance
      Bonacieux/Anne_of_Austria/Louis_XIII
  Character:
      d'Artagnan, Athos, Aramis, Porthos, Lemay, Armand_Jean_du_Plessis_de
      Richelieu, de_Tréville_(Jean-Armand_du_Peyrer), Constance_Bonacieux, Anne
      of_Austria, Louis_XIII, Milady_Clarick_de_Winter, Comte_de_Rochefort
  Additional Tags:
      Dystopia, alpha/beta/omega, Mpreg, Slavery, Child_Abuse, Prostitution,
      Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Threesome_-_M/M/M, Threesome_-_F/F/M, Twisting
      Religion, Slow_Burn, Self_Harm, dub/con, NON/CON
  Stats:
      Published: 2015-06-17 Completed: 2016-02-04 Chapters: 44/44 Words: 106803
****** Where there is darkness ******
by Elenduen
Summary
     I did`nt like my first summary so I`ve changed it.
      
     In the early years of Christianity Omegas were declared The Children
     of Spawn of Satan, as evil as the snake in Eden, sent to tempt Alphas
     and Betas in mortal sin and damnation. Condemned to be burned at the
     stake hundreds and thousands of Omegas were slain.
     Then in the year 540 AD The Pope changed the Papal law, declaring
     that Omegas were not the children of The Devil, nore were they the
     children of God, they were the inferior children of Man, mindless,
     weak, and contemptible, thus Omegas were saved from being murdered in
     one breath, and condemned to an existence of slavery in another.
     Now over a thousand years on, there are those who fight against this
     ruling, who fight for the day when Omegas are once more freed from
     the bondage of bygone bigotry and can live as equals with Alphas and
     Betas once more.
     Aphan- Alpha parent
     Oman- Omega Parent
Notes
     Trigger warnings Mentions of Infanticide, rape, and dub/con
***** Chapter 1 *****
Prayer to St Francis of Assisi
Lord make me an instrument of your peace
where there is hatred let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is darkness, light
Where there is saddness, joy.
Oh, devine master grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled
As to console.
To be understood, as to understand
To be loved, as to love.
For it`s giving that we receive
and it`s in pardoning that we are pardoned
and it`s in dying that we are born
to eternal life
Amen.
 
Chapter One
 
Aphan-Alpha parent
Mother-Beta female parent
Father-Beta Male Parent
Oman-Omega parent
 
It had not always been this way, eons ago, when Mankind still believed that the
Earth was a centre of the universe, when multipul Gods were worshiped, and
ritual sacrifices were made in their honour for gain or to appease their wrath
things were very different.
Back then Alphas, Betas, and Omegas lived along side one another in relative
peace.
Oh Countries fought against each other, over land, wealth, and relegious
belief, but those in their own comunities, certainly in their own packs lived
freely.
Then as all things do, times changed.
Back then Omegas were given the same rights as Beta Women, being the bearers of
young rather than the sires, they were not permitted to ride into battle, and
were seen as the weaker of the sexes, needed to be coddled and protected by
their Alphas and Betas.
However, the rise of Christianity, the belief in Adam and Eve, an Alpha man and
a Beta Woman, being the first progeny of The Lord, was seen as proof that
Omegas were not the children of God.
The Birth of Christ by the Beta Virgin Mary furthered this belief, Jesus Christ
was an Alpha, born of a blessed beta Virgin, yet another sign that Omegas were
not part of Gods creation and design, and had not true place upon the world.
In the earliest days of Christian dominance in Europe, Omegas were seen and
believed to be The Chrildren of Satan!.
There were the Snake in Eden, they were upon the world to lead rightious Alphas
and Betas in sin and damnation, and must be put to death to save Alphas and
Betas from their wicked charms!.
In those early years of Christianity hundreds of thousands of Omegas were put
to death, Midwives strangling them at birth, Mothers smothering them in the
cribs, Fathers and Aphans dashing their tiny brains out.
Adult Omegas were burned at the stake, those which had been saved from the
infantacide were rounded up and set ablaze as a cheering public spat on them,
threw rocks, and laughed at their screams.
For centuries this practise went on, Omegas being half wiped from existance, as
they were persecuted and put to death.
Then five hundred years after The Birth of Christ, the Religious law was
changed, and Omegas were no longer viewed at the children of Satan.
In the year 540 Pope Vigilius rattified the Papal order that declared Omegas
the children of Satan, and instead declared them, not the children of God, but
the inferior children of Man.
Drawing upon the Biblical Whore Mary Magdeline who had been an Omega, whom
Christ himself had redeemed, Vigilius was able to proclaim that Omegas could
not possibly be the creatures of The Devil, when Gods own Son had redeemed one
of them, had lead her from the path of Vice and Sin, and saved her soul.
While this bull stoped the burnings and Infant murders, it did not restore
Omegas to their place along side Alphas and Betas.
Instead from that day on, they were viewed as runts of litters, as Punishments
from God upon the Parents who begot them, just as still births, cripples, and
idiots were.
Saved from certain death, Omegas now became the slaves and whores of their
packs, unworthy of everything since their only purpose on the earth was to
spread their thighs and whelp young.
Some Omegas were kept to do just that, to breed an endless supply of Pups to
their packs.
From the moment their bodies matured in puberty and began to go into heat,
there were taken and raped by every Alpha and Beta male in the pack, forced to
bear their young, to breed strong Alphas, and Betas, and of course more useless
Omegas whores, many of whom would be sold at auctions the moment they were
weaned from the breast at three months old.
The packs who kept their Omegas as brood mares, soon learned what herbs to use
to manipulate Omega bodies, just as those who did not wish for their Omegas to
breed did aswell.
Some herbs could be used to surpress an Omegas heats, prevent them from
ovulating, and so prevent them from conceiving, making them the perfect sex
slaves, without the risk of having extra mouths to feed.
White willow, mugwart, blackberry leaf, and hawthawn leaf blended together and
brewed into teas, were fed to these Omegas on a weekly, sometimes even daily
basis, without their Packs caring a fig for the internal damage being done to
them from the lack of ovulation, heat, and menstration.
Used safely, and Omega might skip two heats, and then have the third naturally,
without damage being done, but to keep the heats completely absent through the
use of drugs caused nasty side effects.
From painful bloating, stomach cramps, and uterenal haemorages to phantom
pregnancies brought on by the imbalenced hormones in their systems.
The reverse was for the Omegas used for breeding, these were fed a
concentration of herbs that kept them constantly ovulating, constantly going
into heat save when they were pupped.
Blending soya beans, flak seeds, yarrow root, and dandelion root and brewing it
into a strong tea and feeding it to the Omegas from the moment they had their
first heat, kept them as the perfect brood mares for their packs.
Many Beta Women, who did not wish to risk their lives in the childbed, and
their figures with pregnancy, abstained from their mates and Husbands beds, and
happily had them slack their lusts upon the Omegas to beget his heirs,
heiresses, and further whores.
Leaving them to simply shine on their husbands and mates arms, to be wife
without the unpleasantness of childbirth.
These Omegas did not lead long lives, the constant onslaught of hormones
ravaging their bodies, and the constant stress of bearing litter after litter
with only three or four months reprieve between pregnancies soon took it`s
toll.
With their bodies drained of all vital nutrients, their wombs strained from
over bearing of Pups, they would wither and die before the age of thirty, if
they even made it that far.
Their packs did not care, one less Omega, meant one less mouth to feed, and
considering the Omegas could have up to ten or twelve litters in their life
spans, litters of twins, triplets, and quadruplets, and sometimes more!, there
were always pleanty of new Omegas to take the places of their Omans once they
grew up.
Some packs however did not do either of these things, some instead decided that
Omegas were more hassle than they were worth as either slave or whore, and
chose instead to sell them to brothels and auctions.
 
This was what happened to the young Jean-Armand du Peyrer de Troisville.
The youngest of four children, two surviving, himself included, and two dying
in infancy, Jean was seen a runt, a worthless disapointment to his Aphan, who
had lost his Beta wife in delivering the Omega Pup, after ten pregnancies, four
live births, one still birth and five miscarriages her body simply could not
take anymore stress, and she had slipped away two days after Jean had been
brought into the world.
His older Alpha brother treated Jean with as much scorn and disapointment as
their Aphan did, relishing in bullying the Omega Pup, telling over and over how
much he was not wanted and that he and Aphan were simply counting the days
until Jean was old enough to be sold to a brothel.
While as an infant he could be sold at auction, breeding farms taking the Pups
when their stock of Omegas was running low and they needed fresh blood to mix
into the pack, brothels would only take Omegas who were past their first heat.
Brothels also paid more, and the Comte de Troisville was not a wealthy man.
His land produced little by way of food or live stock, and it`s people lacked
the skills of artisans, making for a poor amount of revenue and a poorer
treasury, a Parisian Brothel would pay handsomely for a virgin Omega fresh from
their first heat, and The Comte was keen to add to wealth to his treasury and
be rid of his worthless Omega Pup.
Poorly fed, neglected, and completely unwanted, Jean learned swiftly how to
hide himself in shadows, how to keep out of the way of his Aphan and Brother`s
fists, and the few servents upon the estate, who saw no wrong in abusing him
themselves, save for one elderly groom, who took pity upon the Pup.
As an aging Man he had seen much of life, too much cruelty, and did not enjoy
seeing the little Pup being so down trodden.
Unable to save the Pup himself, instead he helped Jean as best he could,
planting in him seeds that grew into fruition and eventual salvation.
Taking the Pup from the Chateau up into the rocky out croppings, the old Groom
taught Jean how to ride a horse, how to shoot, how to handle a sword, and most
importantly how to fight unarmed.
These lessons were kept strictly secret, and given for the day when Jean must
gain his freedom and go out into the world to find his own path and destiny.
What that destiny was neither Jean or the Groom knew, but both knew it would
not reside in some filthy stinking brothel.
"You need to use speed lad" the Groom said spitting onto the grass as he fenced
with the Pup "Use your wits, your dexterity, dizzy your enemy, blind them with
speed, tired and confuse them, do not try to match them for brute strength, for
in that you will fail"
"Yes Monsieur" Jean said scowling at his sword arm, as if willing it to become
stronger!, and beginning the next round of fencing with more vigor, using his
legs, and the speed coiled in the taut muscles to his advantage rather than
trying to get extra strength from his shoulders
"Thats the way lad!" the groom applauded as he was forced to fight back harder
to keep from loosing his blade to his oponant! "You`re getting the hang of it
now!, keep this up and you`ll be an expert swords man in no time!".
 
By the time the two of them were finished sparring, they were laying on their
backs on the grass, panting in the sinking sunlight as dusk came over the land,
both knowing they would have to get home soon, but neither wanting to leave
their little sanctuary just yet.
"D`you think I could become a soldier?" Jean asked propping himself up on his
elbows to look at the groom "If I work hard enough?, and get good enough?"
"I don`t see how lad" the groom had sighed "Omegas have never served in any
army, not even in the days before Christ, and certainly not since", he looked
at the Pup, looking into the big blue eyes, eyes that already knew far too much
suffering and cruelty despite his young age, smiling gently the groom reached
out and ruffled the Pups hair "Then again, they say they`re doing it England
now, and Germany and Sweedon"
Since the rise of the Protestant Faith in these countries, Omegas had again
been reborn, had been restored from their damnation as whores and slaves, and
made equall beside their Alpha and Beta kin.
The protestants took the story of Mary Magdeline, of her redemption and
salvation, and believed that while Omegas at one time may have been full of sin
and wickness, they were just as capable of redeeming themselves as Alphas and
Betas were, and should be entitled to the rights of Alphas and Betas once more.
While the Omega Women were still not permitted to fight, Omega men were slowly
being allowed to take up arms, and Omegas were being allowed to inherit when
there were no Alphas or Beta Males to inherit either.
Perhaps one day similar beliefs might come into France, and Omegas here might
be set free, however the old Groom doubted it would occure in his life time,
but wished to give the Pup hope for the future none the less, maybe it would be
nothing but a fools hope, but that was still better than no hope at all
"If you work hard Lad, and fight for what you want, then maybe it can be done"
the Groom said smiling as he saw the blue eyes light up in joy "Perhaps you
will be the first, and come to lead many Omegas to a new future".
 
Jean did not go into heat until late in his adolescent years.
Having been so poorly fed all his life, his body did not mature as fast as it
should, and he was sixteen before his first heat struck.
To make sure he remained a virgin, the aging Comte had him locked away in the
attic for the whole of his heat, guarding the door themselves to ensure he was
not knotted or fucked and his worth to the brothels lowered.
Jean however spent his lucid moments during the heat making plans.
The groom had died of old age three years earlier, after teaching him enough to
become a more than competant swordsman, pistol shot, and fighter.
He had also gifted Jean with a small Legacy, a sword, a pistol, and a pouch
containing twenty livre.
It was no fortune, but it would be enough for Jean to get started out in the
world, as he intended to do, as his Brother and Aphan took him to Paris.
***** Chapter 2 *****
Chapter Notes
     Thankyou to everyone who kudosed!, As you`ve proberly seen I`ve
     edited the tags, this fic is going to be slow burn there won`t be
     romance straight away, but it will happen.
Armand-Jean du Plessis de Richelieu was the youngest of five children.
He was the second Alpha of the pack, his elder sister being an Alpha too, while
the rest of the pack were Betas.
The Richelieu family were proud of the fact they had not bred any Omegas, only
Alphas and Betas, believed it was a sign from God that their family was
blessed, and God was showing his favour to them, with their having recently
been granted the Bishopric of Lucon, a wealthy Monastic house that helped keep
the pack living in the wealth and glory that they were use to.
To show their devotion to God, and the Catholic church, the family promised
their second eldest Beta son Alphonse to the Church, to become Bishop of Lucon.
Their Eldest Beta Son of course was to inherit the title and Lands of the de
Richelieu estate, and continue to run them as his Aphan had done, the girls
would be married off, one to an Alpha or Beta lord, and the other to a Beta
woman of breeding with a fat dowery.
Armand was intended for the army, where his parents expected him to rise in the
ranks, and do them proud and his country proud.
With Alpha strength and natural commanding skills it was not difficult to
believe he would thrive in a Military career.
However, as is common in life, things did not work as out quite as planned.
Alphonse, the future Bishop of Lucon, felt called to God, but not as a Bishop,
or any position of power in the Church, instead he chose to become a Cathusian
Monk, leaving the Bishopric vacant.
At this time Armand was serving in the army of King Henry IV, studying
Politics, planing to forge himself a political career aswell as a Military one.
But with Alphonse`s unexpected retreat from the world into a closed order, the
duty now fell to him to take up the seat as Bishop of Lucon, a duty he did not
shirk, and instead threw his whole heart into.
Becoming a man of the Church did not mean that he could not also have a
Political career aswell, he was perfectly capable of doing both, and many
church men upheld positions of power outside the Church, building themselves
large fortunes, and legacys.
The Late Cardinal Wolsey of England for example had been a Prince of the
Church, but also Lord Chancellor of England under Henry VIII, before his down
fall, and Henry`s turning the country protestant to satisfy his own desires.
He worked tirelessly at the Seminary in Rome, thriving as he gained knowledge
of the world aswell as Catholic Doctrine.
As a very astute and enlightened man, Armand did not adhere to the belief of
the Catholic Church in all it`s practises.
He was a Modern man, who upheld science and new learning, believing in
bettering the world and mankind, not continuing to live in the dark ages of
medieval superstition and fear.
He also did not believe that Omegas were the brainless whores that the Church
had named them as over a thousand years before, or the Children of the Devil
five hundred years before that!.
He believed them to simply be people, as any other, no more saintly or evil,
than any other Man or Woman could be.
The Richelieu`s unlike most packs had not had Omegas in their pack, when one
had been birthed in the past it had quickly been sold off to the highest
bidder, and disposed of, the family not believing in the keeping of breeders or
whores, and wished to keep their pack free of runts that would only be a strain
on their wealth.
Owing to this Armand had had little to no contact with Omegas through out his
life.
Growing up on his family estate there were no Omegas, and those in the village
owned by his family were kept under lock and key as pack whores and brood
mares.
Omegas did not walk free in the streets, and Armand had only caught breif
glimpses of Omegas when they were taken out with their packs on rare
occaisions.
Even as a Small Pup he had shuddered at the sight of the malnourished, pale,
sickly Omegas, their large eyes haunted, and bodies stooped an cowed as they
shuffled behind their Alphas and Betas.
Armand could remember asking his Mother once why these Alphas and Betas were so
cruel to the Omegas, why they were treated so baddly.
Susannes answer had been brief and to the point, telling him that Omegas were
not "People" they were Runts, Weaklings, and Whores, and had no true purpose in
life beyond bearing Pups, and so did not deserve kindness or respect.
Armand had not liked the answer, had not believed her words to be true, but had
known better than to answer back, Susanne was not a gentle woman, she was harsh
and quick to anger, and would think nothing of disciplining her unruly Pup if
he had dared to question her.
Instead Armand kept silent, but held onto his beliefs that Omegas were in fact
no different to he, and hoped one day that he might be able to make others see
the same.
However he did not anticipate how the beginning of this dream becoming a
reality would come about.
 
Lucon 1601
 
Jean de Treville huddled on the floor of the Inn his Aphan and Brother had
chosen for them to stay in over night.
There were two beds in the room, but both his Aphan and Brother had taken them,
leaving Jean with no where else to sleep but the floor, though sleeping was the
last thing he was doing.
They were close to Paris now, and Paris was where Jean intended to go, but not
as an Omega to be sold to brothel for a high price owing to his virginity, no
he would be going to Paris as a Beta, and would join King Henri IV army, he
would use all the skills he had learned from the groom, and excell as a
soldier, would make his life and his fortune as a warrior, if he were to die
young, then it would an honourable death in battle on the sword of some foe,
not torn apart inside from over excessive use of supressants or birthing to
many litters.
Since his Aphan and Brother did not want to draw attention to him until they
were safely in Paris and close to the brothel, Jean was dressed like a Beta,
rather than an Omega, his breasts were bound flat to his chest, his clothing
loose and hanging off his body hiding the curved shape of his hips and thighs.
While neither of them knew it, this was a great help in Jean`s plan for
freedom.
Silently he huddled on the floor of the room, his cloak tucked under his chin
and his eyes closed in a parody of sleep as his Brother smoked his pipe and
tossed a keg of brandy back and forth with their Aphan, the two of them
speaking of the high price they would sell Jean for, and what they would do
with the money once they had it.
Use to being spoken off as nothing more than a comodity, Jean did not rise in
anger to this, mearly continued to fake sleep and waited until the brandy had
been finished and the two Alphas settled down to sleep.
Once both were snoring Jean threw back his cloak and quietly rose to his feet.
In his pack of belongings that he had been allowed to bring with him, Jean had
hidden his sword and pistol, and the money that the groom had left him.
Silent as he could possibly be, Jean fastened the sword about his waist, having
to tie the belt in a knot rather than fasten it properly since he was too thin
for it to fit otherwise, it was a struggle to get the pistol to attach but he
managed it, and drew his cloak over his shoulders, slipping his feet into his
boots, and slipped his pack onto his shoulders.
Taking a last look at the sleeping figures of his Aphan and Brother his eyes
caught sight of his Aphans purse, he knew it would be wrong to take the money,
that it would be stealing, but part of him wanted to take the money, to add it
to the small amount he had, after the way he had been treated, with what they
were planning to do to him did`nt he have a right to compensation?.
With his mouth growing dry Jean inched his way across the room reaching out for
the purse, his fingers wrapping about the leather and lifting it up, at the
same moment an owl hooted outside startling the Omega into dropping the purse
with a cry of fright!.
The noise roused both his Aphan and Brother from their slumber, both of them
sitting up and rubbing sleep from their eyes
"What the hell?" The Comte snapped upon seeing Jean standing there, without
waiting a second longer Jean spun on his heel and tore from the room, the door
banging against the wall as he flung it open in his haste, and all but fell
down the stairs as he ran!.
"Don`t just lay there fool!, get after him!" the Comte roared at his Alpha Son,
rising himself and fumbling for his boots, cursing and grabbing his pistol the
Alpha heir rose and chased after Jean ho pushed his way past the few hardened
drunks still drinking and ran out of the door going to the stables for his
horse.
He did`nt bother with saddeling the beast, instead he climbed up onto the stall
and mounted bare back clinging to the horses neck and urging him out of the
stables just as his Brother reached them!
"Get back here whore!" he bellowed aiming and firing his pistol!, drunk and
unable to see well in the dark he missed doing any serious damage to his
younger brother or the horse, but did succeed in grazing Jean`s upper arm, and
making him ride on harder desperate to escape while he still had the chance.
With his Aphan and Brothers curses ringing in his ears, and fear spurring him
on Jean rode all the way to the very outskirts of the town, to where the church
stood tall and proud.
While Jean wished to ride onto Paris, to get himself immersed in the masses, he
knew that he needed to treat his arm, lest it would become infected, and if
that happened he would either loose the arm or die.
Drawing up in the church ground, Jean led his horse to the stables where
several horses rested comfortably, and looked up in interest at the new comer,
their nostrils flaring and making whufling noises as they sniffed at the Omega
and his gelding, realising that they were not enemies, the horses settled
swiftly, and Jean was able to stable his gelding with ease.
Getting some water from a trough Jean settled himself down in the stall with
his horse, and set about undressing wincing as he moved his sore aching arm,
hissed as his fingers probed the wound.
It was not deep and would not require more than cleaning and binding, but his
whole arm was still covered in blood, and the flesh was throbbing with pain,
making Jean`s left hand shake as he tore material from his shirt and dipped in
into the water gingerly cleaning at the wound and closing his eyes in pain,
with them closed he did not see the flesh of the lantern light, and he was so
engrossed in cleaning the wound that he did not hear the footsteps until he
voice spoke behind him.
"Well now, what do we have here?"
***** Chapter 3 *****
Richelieu could not sleep, and had decided to take a walk about the church
grounds to wear himself out, on his quiet stroll he had seen a shadowed figure
going into the stables, and had gone to investigate himself instead of calling
for his servents.
Entering the stables with his lantern before him, Richelieu walked to the stall
where he heard the sounds of whimpering and could smell stale gun powder, and
blood in the air.
Holding the lantern higher he stepped up to the stall where a strange horse
stood making noises with Richelieu`s own horses speaking with them in the
language of equines companionably.
Inside the stall a half naked boy was sat on the straw dabbing at a gun shot
wound with torn material from his shirt trying to clean it with his eyes shut
and face contorted with pain
"Whats this then?" Richelieu asked his voice keeping his voice neutral, while
he did not want vagrants in his land, he also did not wish to frighten a child
unessaserily.
With a yelp the boy turned and gazed at Richelieu with large frightened blue
eyes, the bloody material in his hand falling to the ground, fear spreading
over his face he gazed at Richelieu taking in the rich robes of the Bishop of
Lucon, his too thin arms rising up in a futile gesture to cover his bandaged
breasts, which Richelieu had already seen.
"Please Monsigneur" Jean whispered "I mean no harm and I swear to be gone by
morning!, if you`ll just let me spend the night here!"
"Spend the night?" Richelieu repeated glancing about the stable "In here?", his
voice showed how obsurd the notion was as did his expression as he looked at
the Omega huddled in the stall, clearly the Omega thought that Richelieu was
going to throw him out, or worse for he hurriedly reached for his purse, not
willing it seemed to draw either his sword or pistol on a man of the cloth, and
instead pulled out a few coins to offer to the Bishop!
"I`ll pay for the lodging Monsigneur!, and I swear I`ll be no trouble......",
the Omegas voice trailed off as the sounds of two men speaking angrily as they
rode horses reached the air
Even an idiot would have been able to figure out that the Omega was terrified
of these men, by the way his face paled and his hands shook, and Richelieu was
no idiot.
Usually when it came to making decisions and choices he would think through
every option carefully, and consider it from each and every angle to be sure he
was making the best choice he could before settling upon a path.
Now however he made a decision in a second, without even considering the
alternative.
Grabbing a horse blanket from one of the other stalls he threw it at the Omega
who caught it looking surprised
"Bury yourself under that and the straw and stay silent" Richelieu hissed
straightening his robes and brushing off an straw that may have gotten onto
them, looking bewildered the boy did as comanded and burrowed his way under the
straw to make himself a nest of kinds and threw the blanket over himself and
his posessions.
Taking a deep breath Richelieu drew himself to his full and impressive height
going outside to greet his "Visitors".
As he hid under the straw and the blanket that stank of horse sweat, Jean
listened to the conversation going on outside, listened as his Aphan and
Brother spoke of his escape and how they were searching for him, claiming that
he was their property and would have him back!, after all an Omega could not be
trusted to care for themselves and would surely come to mischief if left
alone!.
The Bishop of Lucon offered his sympathy to the pair, his voice melodious and
cool as he spoke, betraying no sign that the very Omega they sought was in fact
hiding in the Bishops stable listening to every word.
"I appologise that I am not able to help you gentlemen more" Richelieu lied,
despising the very sight of the Comte de Troisville and his Alpha Son, "But I
have seen nore heard a single person pass this way"
"Perhaps he doubled back through the town Aphan" the Alpha said to the Comte
who growled, gritting his teeth and nodding his head
"Come then, lets find the little slut before he gets himself raped and
murdered!" bowing slightly he gave Richelieu a smile "Our thanks for your help
Monsigneur"
"My pleasure Monsieur le Comte" Richelieu replied "God be with you both", he
made the sign of the cross over them even as he grit his teeth and silently
cursed them, watching as they turned and rode away heading back into the town
in search of their wayward Omega
"May God strike you both dead!" Richelieu spat after them "Degenerate fools!".
Waiting until they had ridden out of sight, Richelieu went back into the stable
where the Omega had risen from his hiding place and was looking at him with
surprise
"Have no fear Pup, I will not harm you" Richelieu swore "Not all Alphas and
Betas believe in Omega supression"
"I know" the Omega whispered "An old Groom on my Aphans estate taught me to
fight, and gave me a little money with which to escape"
"Money you shall keep" Richelieu said beckoning to the Omega to come out of the
stall "Come, we`ll go to my house, I can offer far better shelter than a
stable!, and I will have that wound properly treated and dressed before you get
lock jaw or some such thing!"
 
Jean wet his lips looking at the Bishop, not really sure if he could trust him
or not, yes he ahd just saved him from his Aphan and Brother, but he had also
learned Jeans true sex, and that alone gave him a good reason to take Jean into
his home.
As if knowing why the Omega hesitated Richelieu smiled gently at him holding
out a hand in a gesture of friendship
"I swear upon our Holy Lord I will not lay hand upon you, nore see you harmed
by another, I wish only to protect and help you", with his hands held out
before him, Richelieu waited patiently, as the Omega made up his mind and
eventually decided to come out of the stall, hugging his shirt to him and
looking at Richelieu with wide worried eyes, still not sure if he could trust
the Bishop.
"I am called Armand by my family" Richelieu said "I would be happy if you also
called me by my given name, rather than my title"
Jean pressed his lips together and nodded his head "Jean", he whispered "I`m
called Jean-Armand du Peyrer"
"Jean" Richelieu repeated "I am very pleased to meet you"
Jean gave a shaky smile reaching out tentively and clasping the Bishops hand
and shaking it "Welcome to my home" Richelieu said "I hope that you will find
it to your liking and be comfortable here".
 
Jean quickly settled into Richelieu`s home, while he had first planed to only
stay the one night, and get his arm patched up, he ended up staying for nearly
three months.
Richelieu proved to be the perfect gentleman Alpha to him, even staying away
when Jean went into heat, and making sure his staff stayed away aswell so Jean
would not be abused by anyone who caught his scent.
Asking for nothing in return besides Jeans presence at meals, Richelieu
provided him with chambers, new clothes, and a freedom of the estate.
The new clothes came in very handy, since with his greatly improved diet Jean
gained a healthy amount of weight very quickly, growing a couple of inches
aswell!.
Richelieu, while resolved not to lay so much as a finger upon the Omega, was
not blind to seeing the increased beauty of the Omega.
The added weight suited Jean well, filling him out with a healthy layer of
flesh that stoped his hips, ribs, and collar bones jutting from his body with
the sharpness of knives, his skin gained a healthy golden tan as he enjoyed
being outdoors practising his sword moves and shooting.
As gentlmanly as Richelieu intended to be, he could not help but to find his
gaze lingering on the young Omega, eating up the ruddy hue of his cheeks, the
bright shine of his blue eyes, the healthy shape of his body, and the brilliant
gleam of his chestnut hair.
Staying away while Jean was in heat had been the ultimate test of his
resiliance, for three days he had been unable to sleep, eat, or do anything but
pray for strength as his body constantly reminded him that there was an
unbonded Omega in heat in his property.
He found himself perminantly hard and aching with the desire to knot, mate, and
breed the Omega, to make him his for the rest of their lives.
However through sheer force of will, he managed to keep himself from the Omegas
room, making great use of his left hand, to the point that he was painfully
sore by the time the heat broke and Jean was able to return to him, looking
even lovely than before, and twice as desirable.
 
Jean too was not blind to Richelieu`s gaze upon him, and contrary to what he
had previously felt when looked at by Alphas and Betas, he actualy felt happy
for the Bishops desire, perhaps because he had made no attempt to force him,
had treated him with nothing but respect and kindness, when he could have just
possessed Jean the moment he found him in the stables.
While he was drawn to Richelieu, he was still resolved to go to Paris, with his
arm healed, and his health greatly improved from his healthy diet, he was more
ready than ever to become a soldier in The Kings service, however he did not
wish to leave Lucon and the Bishop without truly knowing Richelieu.
Realizing quite quickly that Richelieu was never going to make the first move,
having become stead fast in his resolve to keep a distance between himself and
Jean, Jean decided to take matter into his own hands and aproach Richelieu
himself.
Using a rather unorthodox method to get Richelieu`s attention and make his
feelings known.
 
Slipping out of his chambers during the night, his bare feet slapping against
the cold stone of the floor, Jean hurried down the torch lit halls to
Richelieu`s private chambers, pausing for a moment outside with his hand raised
to knock on the door, before lowering it and reaching straight for the handle
and opening the door.
Slipping inside he found the chambers hushed, and darkened, the drapes were
drawn over the windows, and the candles had either burned out or had been
snuffed out, the only sound in the room was coming from the bed, where behind
the heavy velvet curtains, Richelieu snored quietly, his breath making a
wuffling noise as he exhaled and rattling when he breathed in.
Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves Jean padded across the room to the bed,
drawing past the curtain and seeing Richelieu laying on his back in bed, his
right arm flung out across the matress while his left rested over his flat
belly, his face relaxed in his repose.
Feeling a little out of his depths, Jean reached out to caress Richelieu`s
face, his fingers tingling at the feel of the prickly stubble on his cheeks and
the corse hair of his goatee beard.
Richelieu made a mumbling noise and shifted in his sleep encouraging Jean into
climbing up onto the bed and straddled Richelieu`s pelvis placing his hands
onto the Alphas broad firm chest leaning down to kiss him and startled
Richelieu into waking.
***** Chapter 4 *****
Waking up with an Omega sitting on your thighs, and kissing you was definately
the most pleasurable way of waking, but it was also one of the most startling
Richelieu had ever suffered save from when he had been a Pup and had been
awoken by his pet cat landing on his chest and screeching right in his face!.
His eyes snapped wide open, and his whole body went rigid as he gazed at the
pretty Omega sitting so obligingly on his body
"What the hell are you doing?" he hissed
"What d`you think?" Jean asked deliberately shifting his weight and rolling
himself over Richelieu`s cock, making the Bishop groan and grip the bed sheets
tightly to control himself and not seize hold of the Omega, flip him over and
bury himself into the devine heat he could feel eminating from the youthful
body
"Jean......you don`t owe me anything" Richelieu whispered fighting for control
as best he could "You don`t have to......", he was cut off as Jean placed a
finger over his lips hushing him
"I`m not doing this for any reason other than the fact I want to" Jean said, "I
want you, I want to lay with you, as a lover", outside of heat he would not
conceive, so there were no worries about a Pup being created by their laying
together, he and Richelieu could simply enjoy one anothers bodies and spend a
night together without obligation or expectation.
Richelieu bit his bottom lip looking torn at the Omega, wanted so much do as he
had said and lay with him, but also not wanted to take advantage, but oh! dear
God!, when Jean moved again and again over his cock it took ever ounce of
strength he had not grab him and fuck him through the matress without a second
thought!, his cock was also rising in appreciation of Jean`s movement, his
balls filling and making it all the more difficult to resist the temptation sat
before him.
"Jean" Richelieu whispered his voice strangled
"If you don`t want me, tell me to go" Jean whispered peeling back Richelieu`s
bedsheet and grinning when he saw that the Bishop was wearing no night shirt,
was naked beneath the sheet, deftly his long fingers tickled and teased
Richelieu`s skin as they explored his firm muscled and lightly haired chest, he
gave a moan as his nipples were tweaked and twisted just hard enough to cause
him some pain,
"D`you want me to go?" Jean asked leaning forward to kiss Richelieu`s chest
"D`you want me to leave you?, go back to my bed, and never have us spend this
night together?"
It would have taken a saint to refuse such an offer, and Richelieu was not a
saint, he could not help but to reach out and draw Jean into his arms, bringing
him down for a long and deep kiss that left them both breathless, "You`re out
of heat, I can`t bond with you" Richelieu whispered nipping gently at Jeans
lips
"I know" the Omega whispered "I don`t want that, a bond I mean, not yet, not
for a while" Jean shrugged his shoulders doubting he would ever really bond as
Omegas had done centurys ago with Alphas and Betas, these days they were not
bonded, save for the very few who were lucky enough to find Alphas and Betas
who did not believe in keeping an Omega as a whore and slave, wanting to have
the Omega as a mate.
"Are you sure you want this though?" Richelieu asked, running his hands over
Jeans back feeling the young flexible muscles beneath the skin, longing to
delve further down, to wrap his hands about the plump buttocks which were
resting oh so obligingly on his crotch!
"I am" Jean breathed leaning down to press a kiss onto Richelieu`s lips once
again "Take me, make love to me!"
Sending a silent prayer up to the Almighty that he was doing the right thing,
Richelieu brought Jean down again for another kiss, adding more passion than
before, and delighting in the moan that came from the Omega as his hands
stroking down to cup the deliciously firm buttocks and lift the thin night
shift to gain access to the smooth unblemished skin beneath.
Arching his back Jean lifted his head and groaned for the pleasure of having
Richelieu`s hands on his flesh, "Armand!", the throaty purr went straight to
Richelieu`s groin, and had him flipping them over with a single fluid move,
spreading Jean`s thighs and nestling himself between them, rubbing their cocks
against each other in an agonisingly pleasurable motion.
While Jean did not have Testicals and would not ejaculate semen as Richelieu
would, his cock could still become hard, and feel the same pleasure as
Richelieu`s, it would also produce a viscus fluid similar to that of vaginal
fluid, and the pressure of Richelieu`s onw larger organ rubbing against his own
cock was making lightning bolts of pleasure shoot through Jean that had him
bucking and moaning almost incoherantly!.
Richelieu smirked at the Omegas loss of control, and deliberately rubbed
himself harder against Jean to elicite keening cries from the cherubic lips,
and delightful shivers that ran from head to foot.
The more relaxed Jean was, the easier this would be on him, and the more
pleasurable, and Richelieu was determind to make sure that Jean felt only a
minimum amount of pain, and the maximum of pleasure.
Taking his time, Richelieu deftly lifted the night shift from Jean`s body,
treating himself to the sight of the adolescent Omega, placing butterfly kisses
down his torso and playfully biting at his abdomen while rubbing his hands up
and down Jean`s thighs, and lifted him onto his lap, slipping his fingers
between Jean`s nether cheeks to run them over his slick hole, making Jean buck
wildly in his lap, reaching for him with shaking hands, and begging for more
with his dilated eyes.
"Are you sure beloved?" Richelieu asked one last time, knowing that if they
went any further he would not be able control himself, and wanted to give Jean
a chance to back out while there was still time.
"Please!" Jean whined wriggling against Richelieu and pawing at his chest like
a kitten against their Mother cat demanding attention, "Want you!, need you!",
he broke off to give a long keening moan, the pitch of which went straight to
Richelieu`s hard and aching cock, fisting himself he used the precum fluid to
coat his cock to make for an easier enterence to Jeans body in spite of the
fact Jean produced his own slick.
Biting his bottom lip to keep some control as the sweet spicy scent of the
fluid leaking from Jean hit his nose, Richelieu squeezed the bottom of his cock
to keep his knot from inflating just yet, and swiftly lined himself up against
the pliant and very keen body before him, with a gentle push he breeched the
virgin enterence staying shallow and keeping from moving at all to allow Jean`s
body to become acostomed to the feel of his cock before pressing deeper inside
the hot tight flesh, that seemed to close about him like a glove.
Jean panting and gripping tight to Richelieu`s shoulders, he was`nt in pain
exactly, it was more like a powerful and instense pressure inside his body,
threatening to over whelm him, he could not supress the sharp gasp that escaped
his lips as Richelieu pulled back, his flesh feeling like it was being burned,
but as he thrust back inside Jean was sent into the throes of pure bliss as his
nerve clusters were struck with such acuracy that he could do nothing but
writhe and moan, wrapping his long legs about Richelieu and bucking up with his
hips to make the Alpha continue to move and continue to strike that spot inside
him that made him feel like every nerve ending in his body had been
stimulated!.
What Jean lacked in skill, he was more than making up for in passion, as his
hands stroked and caressed all over Richelieu`s shoulders and back, his mouth
kissing hungrily at Richelieu`s face, throat, and chest as he clung to him,
rutting his body against him as hard and as fast as he possibly could, meeting
every one of Richelieu`s thrusts, crying out wordlessly for more!.
Dipping his head, Richelieu captured Jean`s lips in a messy kiss, stroking over
inch of skin he could reach, and drawing in lung fulls of scent and grinding
down his pelvis as he sank deeper and harder inside Jean`s body, feeling his
knot swelling as his balls filled to the point of bursting!, Jean was not far
off his own climax, his thighs were going rigid as he clung tighter to
Richelieu burying his face into the spot between his neck and jaw, holding
tight to the Alphas broad chest and letting loose a scream of passion as he
came, his shivering body, and clenching inner muscles drawing Richelieu`s
release from him, and milking every drop of seed from his body.
A dopey smile that would have made him blush in public spread over Richelieu`s
face as he felt soft gentle lips kissing his cheek and turned to meet Jeans
kisses with ones of his own, his deflated cock slipping from inside Jean making
the Omega whimper a little at the loss and snuggle closer to Richelieu almost
burying himself under the Alpha as if making him into a human blanket!.
While part of Richelieu wanted to get out of bed, and get water and towels to
clean up both himself and Jean, Richelieu could not bring himself to leave the
warm cosy nest he and Jean had created, and the slowing breathing of the Omega,
the warmth of his body pressed against Richelieu`s were too good to resist and
before he even knew what he was doing Richelieu had settled down, with his body
covering Jeans, to fall asleep snug against him.
 
Waking snuggled under Richelieu`s body was a heavon that Jean would have been
happy to spend the rest of his life doing, though he knew that he could not do
so, not if he wished to have a life beyond being the bearer of Richelieu`s
offspring, which, if he stayed and bonded with the Alpha was all he would be.
While he was not replused by the idea of this, of being the Bishops mate, in
fact he was quite drawn to the notion, but, he knew in his heart he wanted more
than that right now, he was not ready to become Richelieu`s mate, or anyones
for that matter, he was not matured yet, his body itself was still growing and
maturing, as was his mind, emotionally he was no where near ready to parent a
Pup, he had to grow as a person, to mature in all aspects of his person before
he could truely give himself Richelieu and be an Oman.
He smiled warmly as Richelieu awoke, giving a happy sigh as he was greeted with
the sight of the young Omega still cocooned in his arms, "Good morning" he
greeted giving him a chaste kiss
"The best morning in my life" Jean replied "One I`ll never forget"
Richelieu was able to read the subtext to this, and nodded with a resigned sigh
"You`re going to leave ar`nt you?"
"I want to be a soldier" Jean said "I can`t do that if I stay here with you"
"No, no you can`t" Richelieu agreed with a little sadness in his voice, and
more in his heart, while he had not known the Omega for long, his feelings had
grown very strong for him, and he knew that he would mourn the loss of the
bright intelligent youth, not just in a lustful sense either.
"You will be careful won`t you?" Richelieu asked stroking Jean`s cheek, his
smooth cheek where not even the first down of hair was growing yet, "You`ll
take care of yourself?"
"Worried about me already?" Jean teased "You sound like an over protective
mate!"
Richelieu had the grace to smile at this, and shrugged "We all have a club and
a cave in the back of our minds Ma Petit, and I would be concerned for you even
if I did not feel for you as I do, and I do care for you very much"
"As I do you" Jean said smiling snuggling closer still and rubbing his cheek
against Richelieu`s palm "Maybe one day we can be together properly?, as
mates?"
"One day" Richelieu replied more than liking the thought of that, of he and
Jean being together in the future as bond mates, having a family together and
spending the rest of their lives devoted to one another, "It`s a promise" he
said to Jean "On that I more than intend to keep".
 
Parting with Jean a few days later was one of the hardest things that Richelieu
had ever done in his life.
Standing outside of his home, he watched as the Omega rode away, disguised as a
Beta, his scent hidden under perfume, and breasts bound tightly under loose
fitting clothes to hide his shape from prying eyes.
Would he and Jean ever see each other again?, that Richelieu did`nt know, a
soldiers life was often short and brutal, it was more than likly that he would
die in some skirmish or other, and that he and Richelieu would never get the
chance to bond.
The last few days had been the best in Richelieu`s life, even if they had past
far to fast, he would treasure his short time with Jean for the rest of his
days.
"Dear God, watch over him and protect him" he whispered making the sign of the
Cross to Jean`s retreating figure in the distance "May it be so that we meet
again in years to come".
***** Chapter 5 *****
Chapter Notes
     Thankyou to everyone who kudosed and commented
Paris 1619
 
Richelieu straightened up, putting his shoulders back, and lifting his chin to
make the most of his impressive height, and give himself the air of one looking
down at others from on high, a position he was growing well acostomed to as The
Cardinal Richelieu, and First Minister of France.
The only man higher than he in the Kingdom was the King himself, all others
must bend the knee before him, and while it was not a pious or humble feeling,
Richelieu could not help but to like the exultation of his lofty position and
supreme power.
While many Men, certainly those of good conscience would have balked at having
such power at their disposal, feared the price he might have to pay in the
future, Richelieu did not fear it, he saw that the benefits would out weigh the
cost in the long run, and he could and would do much with his new power.
Partly for France of course, but also for Omegas.
In the last eighteen years had never forgotten Jean-Armand du Peyrer, in fact
he thought long and deep about the young Omega who had stolen his heart.
Who ever came up with the saying that time healed all things, was a fool who
had never known true love, and true heartache.
For it seemed to Richelieu that time only made it harder bear his loss.
Those few days he and Jean had spent together as lovers were held dear in his
heart, even as they haunted his dreams at night, a bittersweet memory of
lightning blue eyes, creamy golden skin, and plump pink lips curved into a
mischievious smile, played in the Cardinals mind constantly.
It was strange how easily some things could be forgotten in time, while others
stayed as fresh as the moment when they had happened.
Richelieu could recall each and every moment he had spent with Jean in those
blissful few days, recall his scent as strongly as if he was breathing it in,
remember the taste of his skin, and the smoothness under his hand, the feel of
long slender limbs moving under him, and wrapping about him to hold his body
close in passion, or to simply enjoy closeness and comfort.
While these memorys could bring him some pleasure from knowing what he had
enjoyed, even for so short a time, they also reminded him of what he had lost.
"Tis better to have a loved and lost than never to have loved at all" Richelieu
muttered under his breath as he walked the halls to the Throne room where His
King waited,
"Your Pardon Sir?" Jussac asked, his faithful Captain of the Red Guard at his
side
"Nothing" Richelieu said with a shake of his head "Nothing but an old Mans
musing"
"You`re not old Armand" Jussac said "Not even close!"
"Fool!" Richelieu chuckled without malice "I`m forty three!, hardly a spring
chicken anymore!"
"But also not in your dotage either!", Richelieu turned his head with a smile
on his lips ready to deliver another remark when a hurrying figure struck him
from behind almost knocking him over as they rushed past, a light blue cloak
trailing out behind them like a cats tail!.
"Imbecile!" Richelieu barked recognising the newly formed Kings Musketeers
uniform at once, his Red Guards biggest rivals and antagonists if the bar
brawls and illegal duels were anything to go by!, "Have you no eyes in your
head?" he snapped straightening his clothes
"I applogise Eminence, I was in a hurry to reach his Majesty" the figure
replied turning round to face the Cardinal without fear, "It will not happen
again"
"You`re damn right it............" Richelieu broke off mid rant and froze, just
as the Musketeer did as their eyes met.
Eighteen years older, taller, and broader, dressed in the garb of a Musketeer,
was Jean-Armand du Peyrer de Troisville!.
 
 
It was not often in his life that Richelieu was left speachless!, after coming
to Paris, becoming embroiled in Marie de Medici`s schemes, making a name for
himself in politics, and proving his loyalty to Louis XIII, he was very much a
man who had seen all the world could throw at him in one form or another, and
very little could now shock him.
However, now, as he stood in the corridor face to face to a Man he had long
thought dead, and burried under an assumed name, he felt as if his tongue had
been taken from him.
Many times over the last eighteen years he had thought about what he might say
if he ever saw Jean again, what he would do, how he would behave.
But now as he stood before the Omega he loved, it was all he could do not to
fall to the ground in a dead faint!, he was aware that he and Jean were calling
attention to themselves, simply standing there staring at each other, as people
went by going about their business.
"You Eminence?" Jussac asked coughing slightly to get his attention "The
audience with His Majesty?"
"Yes, yes" Richelieu said breaking out of his daze "Of course", he cleared his
throat looking to Jean "I must attend his Majesty, perhaps we can speak later
Monsieur.....?"
"Treville" Jean said "Captain of the Kings Musketeers"
"Treville", close to his own name, without calling attention to himself, and
Captain?, clearly Jean had done very well for himself, and had more than
achieved his dream of being a soldier, something that Richelieu was both proud
and happy to see
"I`ll look forward to conversing with you later Eminence" he said giving a
shallow bow "Very much so".
 
Palais des Cardinal
 
Jussac had pestered Richelieu for hours once they had left the King, wanting to
know about what had happened in the corridor with Treville, and what was going
on between them, claiming he could not properly protect him if he did`nt have
full information.
Richelieu however had refused to divulge anything, keenly aware of the need to
keep Jean`s identity secret.
If he were discovered as an Omega the result would be disasterous.
The punishments for Omegas masquerading as Betas, and Alphas, for forgetting
their place in the world, were severe.
It would likly also be much worse for Jean, since he was not only pretending to
be a Beta, but was acting as a soldier, and serving The King, as his greatest
protector!.
He would be lucky if he was merely hung before the Luxemburg!, and Richelieu
doubted his end would be that swift or painless, chances were the powers that
be would enjoy making an example of him, to teach other wayward Omegas the err
of their ways.
Richelieu had already resolved to do everything he could prevent that from
happening to Jean, no matter what he had to do to make sure of it.
 
He had been distracted all through out the audience with The King, where he was
actually formally introduced by The King to the Captain of the Musketeers.
If he and Treville had both had knowing smiles on their faces, amused glints in
their eyes, then it had gone unnoticed by any but themselves, and Richelieu
could not wait for the time to pass so they could get a chance to be alone
together.
 
"Captain Jean-Armand de Treville" Jussac announced as he was addmitted to
Richelieu`s private apartments.
"Thankyou Jussac you may leave us" Richelieu crossing the room to where
Treville was his hands itching to reach out and hold the Omega close
"You`re sure?" Jussac asked looking between the pair and frowning
"Very" Richelieu assured him, hardly registering Jussac`s departure as he now
only had eyes for Jean.
 
"Eighteen years" Richelieu said shaking his head "You look......"
"Different?" Treville offered with a smile "Older, perhaps not quite as
pretty?", he gestured to the scars on his face, which Richelieu was only just
now noticing
"They seem to just make you look more handsome, a rugged soldier, dashing and
gallant!"
Treville gave a short laugh, not to dissimilar to how his laugh had been
eighteen years ago, though now it was deeper, his voice having lowered in pitch
in the last eighteen years, "You always were poetic in your speach" he said
"Some things never change it seems, in fact I don`t think you have changed much
at all"
"Now that is just flattery" Richelieu laughed "I am grey, and lined, and far
more jaded than I was all those years ago"
"And I have scars, a captaincy, and a new name" Treville shrugged "Some things
chance, but some, some things can not be altered by time", he stepped forward
coming closer to Richelieu, his blue eyes searching the care worn face of the
Alpha "I never stoped thinking of you, you were my first love, my only love,
the only Alpha I have ever felt such......", he was cut off as Richelieu surged
forward capturing Treville`s lips in a passionate kiss.
 
This kiss was much different to their kisses in the past, Treville was not a
virgin Omega now, he was an experianced Omega, a grown man, confident, and
skilled.
He met Richelieu`s kiss with a matching amount of firmness and passion, his own
face now stubbled with a beard that Richelieu caressed gently, enjoying the
feel of the corse hair under his hand.
Treville`s body was very different to how Richelieu had remembered, but no less
pleasing under his touch, as he held him.
He had added perhaps another inch to his height, and several inches in width,
his body was now packed with lean but firm muscle, that he must have worked
himself half to death to obtain, since Omegas were not made to produce muscle
tone, their bodies tending more towards fat layers for child bearing.
Richelieu longed to strip the uniform from Treville, the god forsaken bandages
he would be wearing under it to bind his breasts, to see his body bared before
Richelieu, the longer muscled limbs, the flat taut plane of his abdomen, the
soft curves of his breasts, the broad and powerful muscles of his shoulders.
Richelieu wanted to see it all, to kiss, and caress, explore and love every
inch of the Omega, to touch, tease, lick, and suckle Treville, and to watch
with delight as he shivered, writhed, and came under Richelieu`s manipulations.
"Take me to bed" Treville purred, his mouth just an inch from Richelieu`s ear,
his warm breath ghosting over Richelieu`s skin and making him shiver for bliss
"This way" Richelieu heard himself rasp, his body moving by rote, and guiding
Treville in the general direction of the bed chamber, while his mind continued
to drift in a sea of bliss, not returning to reality until the following
morning when he awoke in a tangle of limbs and sheets, his head resting on
Treville`s abdomen, and long calloused fingers stroking through his hair.
 
A lazy smile broke out on his face as he turned over and looked up into the
dazzeling blue eyes of his lover
"Good morning" he greeted stretching languidly over the bed and taking
Treville`s hand into his own, to bring it to his lips and kiss "You`ve no idea
how long I have wanted to do this"
"Oh I think about as long as I have" Treville replied "The last eighteen
years?"
"Eighteen unbelievably long and lonely years" Richelieu said "After you left, I
felt as if a part of myself, the better part of myself had been taken from me,
and only a hollow and aching void remained in its place"
"I`m sorry" Treville whispered with true empathy "I did not mean to hurt you,
that I never wanted, and I am sorry that I caused you such distress"
"It was not your fault" Richelieu said "You needed to leave, you had a right to
follow your heart, do what you felt you needed to do"
"Even when it hurt us both to be parted for so long?"
"Even so".
 
Silence reigned between the two of them for several minutes, a pleasent and
relaxed silence in which they just enjoyed the presence of the other.
"I meant to come back you know?" Treville said at length, making Richelieu lift
an eyebrow "It`s true, I did, it just..........I never seemed to find the right
time to do so, there was always something happening, some fight, or battle, The
late Kings assassination, Marie de Medici, taking care of Louis, I`m not trying
to make excuses, I just want you to know why I never returned"
"I understand" Richelieu said honnestly "I have been very busy myself, between
King Henri IV assassination, and the Medici/Concini intrigues, I have hardly
had time to devote just to myself", he squeezed Treville`s hand tugging him
closer "That said though, now I have you back I do not plan on letting you go
again!", he paused after saying this, thinking it may sound wrong to Treville,
as if he were looking to imprison him as his kind were by so many, but The
Captain however grinned at him
"My Heats not due for another six weeks, that should be time enough for us
to......get to know each other again?"
"And make plans for the future", Richelieu`s gaze fell to the smooth flat plane
of Treville`s abdomen, letting him know exactly what he was refering to, Pups.
Richelieu had thought much about having a family with Treville, litters of
Pups, Alphas, Betas, and Omegas, all brought up the same, with freedom and a
true knowledge of right and wrong, not differing because of their genders.
While the world as a whole would believe that Treville was nothing but
Richelieu`s whore, the reality would be very different, he would be his equal,
his mate, his help meet, his beloved, not mearly the bearer of his young, and
body for his pleasure.
Treville however only gave Richelieu a sorry excuse for a smile "I don`t intend
to have Pups, now or in the future"
"Because you would loose your position" Richelieu said, reality crashing back
into his mind, if Treville were revealed an Omega not only would he have to
give up his position, he would be punished for having spent the last eighteen
years as a soldier, would pay dearly for it, most likly be killed, even if he
were to bow out of the position gracefully he would be allowed to just walk
away, he would suffer severely and there would be little that Richelieu could
do to prevent it.
In fact, since he had been an accomplice in Treville`s deception, he too would
be punished most harshly, as would any and all others who had aided Treville in
the last eighteen years.
If they were to have a family, then Treville would have to disappear, would
have to completely give up his life, and seem to die, so he could slip into a
hidden home somewhere in the country, away from the world, a prisoner in every
way, so that no one would ever know who he really was.
It was not a life that Richelieu would wish for Treville to have, hell it was
not a life at all, but an existance, a lousy one at that, and Richelieu wanted
far more for the Omega than to hidden away like a dirty secret.
"If you do not wish to Bond with me, if you wish for a family, then I do
understand" Treville said looking down at the bed sheet, visably closing in on
himself "You have every right to want a family, to want to continue your pack
line"
"So do you" Richelieu said reaching out and cupping Treville`s chin, lifting it
and meeting his eyes warmly "And I would rather be with you, and be Pupless,
than Bond with another and have a dozen Pups at my feet!", perhaps it was just
the light in the room, but Richelieu could have sworn he saw tears glistening
in Treville`s eyes as the Omega smiled at him
"Perhaps we might find a way for it to be done" Treville whispered "Before I
grow to old"
"We`ll have a good twenty to twenty five years before you are likly to hit
heat-ceassesion, perhaps time enough to change the world"
"If anyone could do that, I think it would be you" Treville said tugging on
Richelieu`s arm for him to join him at the top of the bed
"With you by my side, perhaps so" Richelieu said kissing Treville`s forehead
"Perhaps together we can make it so".
***** Chapter 6 *****
Chapter Summary
     Aramis and Porthos join the story
Paris 1623
 
Aramis or Rene d`Herblay as he was Christened, was born on the Spanish/French
border, to a French Father and Spanish Mother, both Beta, and both devoutly
Catholic, believing whole heartedly in the supression of Omegas.
Having birthed three Beta children, two boys, including Aramis, and a daughter,
they had thought their family complete, and that they were blessed to have not
been cursed with an Omega in their family, something they were very proud of
and enjoyed showing off to their neighbours.
Their eldest Son Henri, was the heir to their estate, a wealthy small holding,
in which their Father was a Gentleman Farmer.
A farmer who did not till his own fields but employed others to do so and held
a position of respect in the comunity.
Their daughter would be married off to a suitable husband, a Baron hopefully,
to add Nobility to their family line, Rene was intended for The Church, to
become a Priest, and hopefully rise up to the ranks of a Bishop, and if
possible a Cardinal.
Life seemed perfect for the family, until Rene`s Mother unexpectedly fell
pregnant for a fourth time.
This pregnancy was harder on her than the first three, and labour was longer
and more difficult as not a baby, but a Pup was brought into the world, a
female Omega Pup.
Rene`s Mother and Father were outraged, horrified that they had been so cursed
by God to have such a creature born to them, despised the sight of the infant
Pup, hating her completely.
At seven years old Rene did not understand his parents hatred of his little
sister, finding her adorable, and spent many hours beside her crib, singing to
her and holding her in his arms.
His Mother refused to nurse the Pup, or to hire a wet nurse, forcing the Pup
whom she and her Husband had reluctantly named Isabelle, into consuming watered
down soup, or starve to death.
Rene, unlike his elder siblings who shared their parents feelings towards
Isabelle, took the time to feed her, and care for her, insisting on having her
crib moved to his room, and taking on the roll of nurse maid himself, some how
managing to defy the odds and keep Isabelle alive, moving her onto solids when
her first teeth came through at three months.
He was the one who was there when Isabelle spoke her first word, which was a
garbled version of his name, it was he that watched with rapt attention as she
shakily took her first steps at a year old, it was he that dealt with her
terrible twos temper tantrums, and who toilet trained her, he that took the
time to teach her to read and write, who to use a knife at the dining table,
and a spoon, how to eat and drink without spilling anything on oneself, he
taught himself how to sew, so he could make her clothes from the material that
his Mother deigned to give him for her daughter.
In every sense beyond biology, Rene became Isabelle`s Father, caring for her as
if she were his own child, and being just as protective of her.
Which lead to his stealing her away when he was just sixteen years old, and she
only Nine.
He had over heard a conversation between his parents and elder Brother, in
which they were discussing selling Isabelle to a brothel in Paris as soon as
she reached her first heat!.
Disgusted and terrified, Rene followed his heart, not remotely thinking of the
consequences.
Packing up everything he felt they`d need, he took Isabelle away during the
dead of night, leaving a letter telling his parents to never look for them, and
forget that they ever existed.
With no real plan in mind, he took Isabelle to Paris, and enroled himself in
Infantry of King Louis`s army.
While his pay was deplorable, he was able to rent a single room above a bakery,
where he got a break on the rent by Isabelle working as a maid for the baker,
who also gave them any of the burned, or mishapen produce for free, having
rather a soft spot for the pair.
Taking the name Aramis, Rene exceled in the army, becoming an excelent sharp
shooter, with an unsurpassed eye and aim with his harquebus.
His ability singling him out for promotion to the Musketeers Corps.
After a few years of service he was joined by another novice who had come from
the infantry, Porthos du Vallon.
An Alpha who had grown up on the streets of Paris.
At first Aramis had been reluctant to make any aquantance of any Alphas,
fearing for Isabelle`s safety, however, after standing guard duty with Porthos
several times when time dragged and a need for talk became nessasery to stave
off the urge to collaspe for bordom!, he learned that Porthos was no threat to
his little sister, in fact he had a similar story himself.
 
Porthos had been born on a breeding Farm owned by the Marquis de Belgard.
His Oman being one of the ten Omegas kept on the farm for the packs use.
Alpha and Beta Pups and Children delivered from them were kept in the pack, and
raised according to their stations in life.
The Omegas were either kept until old enough to be sold, or kept to replace the
Omegas who had died delivering offspring.
Porthos`s Oman, like all the Omegas was weak sickly, her body ravaged by years
of drugging to keep her perminantly ovulating, preminantly going into heat and
conceiving large litters, too large for her body to bear.
Porthos was one of five Pups, two still born, and two dying in infancy having
been delivered too early.
His Oman was allowed to keep him with her while he nursed, caring for him as
best her ravaged body would allow.
She had already delivered three litters, in just two years!, all of them far to
large, and far too early, Porthos being the first Pup she had born which had
survived.
Unable to bear the thought of having her Pup snatched from her, to be raised to
treat her as less than a whore, less even than an animal, Porthos`s Oman sought
her freedom.
Managing to escape the breeding farm, she had stumbled onto the streets of
Paris, entering the slums of The Court Of Miracles, where many hiding Omegas
dwelt, having fled their homes under similar circumstances.
Finding herself work in one of the rank Inns near the court, and sharing a doss
with two dozen others, Porthos`s Oman worked to support and raise her beloved
Pup, teaching him that the belief of supressing Omegas was wrong and that all
people should be treated with respect regardless of their race, gender, or sex.
Despite her intentions to raise her Pup to adult hood, Porthos`s Oman was sick
and weak, and working her fingers to the bone, living in deplorable conditions
on the streets of Paris, her health rapidly began to fail, and by the tender
age of Five, Porthos was orphaned.
Things may have gone ill for the Pups then, had it not been for the fact that
his Oman had made many friends during ehr years in The Court, and the many
hiding Omegas chose to take over the care of the Pups themselves, as they did
all the children and Pups growing up there who had been orphaned.
Porthos grew up to be strong willed, with a deep sense of justice.
While he was forced to thieve along with the rest of those in the court who did
not whore, or murder, he retained his sense of honour, acting as protecter for
his friends the Omega`s Charon and Flea, keeping them safe from any who would
attempt to pimp them out as whores, and standing guard when the time came for
the onset of their heats in puberty.
Many had thought at that time that the three of them would bond, since it was
not unusual for an Alpha to have more than one Omega, however this was not the
case, since Flea and Charon had eyes for no one but each other.
Porthos acted as minister during their bonding to each other, happily giving
the young couple his blessing, as they vowed to spend the rest of their lives
together.
His life, however was not to be spent in the Court of Miracles, but as a
soldier.
Enlisting as a soldier in the infantry, his skills with a sword, and his bare
fists soon won his the attention of the Musketeer Captain Treville, and Porthos
found himself being enlisted in the Musketeers working for his comission from
The King.
After a few false starts, he and Aramis formed a friendship, between talking on
the tedious guard duty at the Palace, brawls with the Red Guards, and fights on
missions!.
The two of them having such similar back grounds, both hating the belief that
Omegas should be supressed, something that, while they ahd not known it at the
time, had helped them to win Treville`s trust and assist in their enlisting in
the Musketeers.
As the trust grew, they both learned that Treville not only depised the
supression of Omegas, but was an Omega himself!, mated to an unknown Alpha, and
had managed to keep his sex concealed in service to the royal family as a
soldier for more than twenty years.
He also helped other Omegas hide in the ranks of The Musketeers, the Omegas
making up one third of the total regiment, Alphas making up the majority and
Betas the rest.
All were carefully vetted so their beliefs were known before they were allowed
to be fully intergrated into the unit.
Once certain of each other, Aramis and Porthos became fast friends, closer than
brothers, closer than The Church would ever believe in being right, not that
either cared much about it, but knew they had to keep this side of their
relationship hidden.
Isabelle was not kept in the dark about this, and she praised her Brother for
finding such a mate, enjoying Porthos`s company.
However as she grew up, Isabelle knew she could not remain in Paris, and under
her Brothers protection indefinately, nore was it likly that Aramis would be
able to find ehr a suitable mate who would treat her as anything other than a
whore.
Having no money with which to provide a dowery for his sister, Aramis was at a
loss with how to provide for her future.
Isabelle however found a path of her own, one which shocked Aramis, since he
had never expected her to pursue such a course.
Isabelle chose to join a convent in Bourbourne Les Eaux and become a Nun!.
 
"Are you sure this is what you want Querida?" Aramis asked as he and Isabelle
sat at the small table in the room they rented, Porthos standing with his back
to the wall leaning against it, his arms folded over his chest
"It is Rene, I can`t explain it, but I feel that this is what I am meant to do
in life, my Calling" Isabelle said "I feel called to Serve God, to be a Bride
of Christ", Aramis sighed, sinking back in his chair and looking to Porthos who
shrugged
"She has the right to make her own choices Mon Cherie" he said "And it sounds
to me that she is set on this"
"I know" Aramis said with tears shining in his eyes "It`s just.....I
don`t..............I don`t want you to go away!", he reached out his hands to
Isabelle who happily held them smiling in compassion at her soft hearted older
brother "I`m going to miss you so much Querida!, you`re my baby girl!, my
little Sister!, I don`t want to loose you!"
"Oh Rene, you`ll never loose me!" Isabelle laughed, rising from her seat to
come round the table and hug Aramis "I`ll write to you, and you can come and
visit, I`ll never stop being your little sister, just as you`ll never stop
being my big Brother", she turned her head and held out her hand to Porthos
"Both of you my big brothers"
"Got that right Mon Petit" Porthos said pulling her into a large hug and
kissing her curly haired head
"Well" Aramis said with a shaky smile "If this is truely what you want, then
we`ll support you, always".
 
Taking Isabelle to Bourbourne Les Eaux, was one of the hardest things that
Aramis had ever done in his life, while in his heart he knew she was happy, and
was making this choice for herself, he was still sorrowful at having his baby
sister leave.
Porthos said it was empty nest syndrome, which did make a sort of sense, since
Aramis had raised Isabelle from infancy, been all but her parent, to have her
leaving home was like the empty nest syndrome that effected parents when their
children and Pups grew up and left to live their own lives.
While happy for Isabelle, and pleased that she was finding her path in life and
persuing it, Aramis spent a good while moping, missing coming home each day to
his little sister, listening to her singing to herself as she cleaned, and
cooked, (Especially missing her cooking), trading light hearted insults and
jibes, even missed when she and Porthos would gang up on him, and force him
into a chair so his hair could be cut before it grew as long as a girls!.
Not for the first time in his life, Aramis gave thought to having a family.
With Porthos as an Alpha, and he as a Beta, neither could carry a child or a
Pup, only a female Beta or an Omega could do that.
If they were to have a family then they would either have to adopt an orphan
(Of which there were many in the court of miracles), or bond with a Beta woman,
or an Omega.
With their relationship being as "Unethical" as it was, or to be more acurate,
down right illegal, they were both reluctant to bring a third into their bond,
not wanting to risk exposure, which would only lead to their being hung for
sodomy.
"If we are to have a child or a Pup, then we`ll need a bigger place to live"
Aramis said, he and Porthos shared the single room that he and Isabelle had
first taken when they had come to Paris.
While enough for adults to use, ones who were simply thankful to have a roof
over their heads at least, it was not large enough to raise a Pup or a child
in.
"Well if we pool our money we can afford to rent a better apartment" Porthos
said tugging Aramis down onto his lap and kissed his neck happily, wrapping his
arms about Aramis`s waist to hold him in place
"You don`t wish you`d found a Beta woman to be with?" Aramis asked "Or an
Omega?, at least they could give you a child or a Pup, which is far more than I
can do", the morose tone of his voice made Porthos`s heart clench, and he
gripped Aramis tighter, holding him closer to his broad chest as if afraid he
would be taken from him at any moment.
"Aramis, I could never wish for a more loving and beautiful mate than you!",
putting his forefinger and middle finger under Aramis`s chin, he tilted the
Betas head towards him so they were looking at each other, "Have I ever given
you reason to think that I would wish for anyone other than you?"
"No, never" Aramis sighed "I just wish I could give you all you deserve, that I
could be a true mate to you"
"You are a true mate!, the best of mates!"
"But I can`t give you a family" Aramis said seriously "Thats something I can
never do"
"Neither can I do so for you" Porthos reminded him, "I am equally inept in
this, we are both sires, not bearers, neither of us can give the other Pups or
children"
"You`d make such a wonderful Aphan though" Aramis said leaning back against
Porthos`s chest and resting his head on his shoulder "You`d be brilliant with a
child or a Pup"
"So would you" Porthos said squeezing him gently "A Father I mean"
"You think?"
"Hey!" Porthos said giving his mate a nudge "You raised Isabelle did`nt you?,
and you were only a child yourself, yet you brought her up, and did a damn good
job of it aswell"
"There is that" Aramis admitted smiling at the thought of little Isabelle, or
Sister Helene as she had chosen to become, "I guess there is a lot more to be a
parent than just biology"
"That there is" Porthos agreed "And we can do much for an Orphan from the
court, give them a decent up bringing, instead of having fend for themselves on
the streets"
"I hate thinking of you having to do that" Aramis whispered wrapping his arms
about Porthos`s neck and pulling him in to kiss his head, "I hate all that you
went through as a Pup, all you suffered, but it also makes me proud, to see
what you have made of yourself, how far you`ve come from there"
"It does?" Porthos asked, had his skin been a lighter colour he would proberly
have been blushing, but as it was, he was fortunate enough to escape without
tell tale signs of blood rushing to his cheeks, "Silly!" Aramis playfully
scolded, kissing his head agains and stroking his cheek "You know how proud I
am of you, how proud I am to be with you, and if you don`t, then you do now!"
Porthos gave a breathy chuckle at that, looking at his lover with as soft gaze
"And are you clear on how I feel for you?"
"Hmmmm", Aramis pretended to mull the question over in his mind, tipping his
head to one side "I might need a little more assurance, perhaps less verbal and
more physical action is needed to convince meeee!!!" Aramis let out a shriek as
he was suddenly swept up into Porthos`s arms and carried over to the bed!.
Placing Aramis down, Porthos pinned his hands above his head and delivered a
searing kiss to his mouth leaving them both panting, "How much convincing do
you think you require my love?" he inquired, removing one of his hands from
Aramis`s wrists to reach down and undo the lacing of Aramis`s loose grey shirt,
untucking it from his breeches, which was where his hand went next.
"Hmmm, a huge amount of convincing, a truely mass-Ive amount!" Aramis gasped
and bucked his hips as Porthos`s calloused hand slipped inside his breeches and
wrapped about his cock, stroking his length from root to tip, flicking the tip
of his thumb maddeningly over the eye, making Aramis whimper and squirm, going
limp and pliant in Porthos`s hands, his impossibly dark brown eyes gazing up at
the Alpha begging for more, while his swollen lips parted and pouted at Porthos
promising him all sorts of wicked delights!.
"Slut!" Porthos growled stroking his hand down Aramis`s length once more before
pulling his hand out of his breeches, and flipped Aramis over onto his belly,
grinning at the petulant moans coming from him, "Patience pet, all good things
come to those who wait!" he teased, and he shed his own clothes, and pulled off
Aramis`s breeches, reaching for the oil they kept by the bed, and slicked up
his fingers, placing a hand on the small of Aramis`s back to keep him from
leaping up and turning the tables, as he sometimes did if he felt Porthos
was`nt moving fast enough!.
The delicious moans, and cries that could be elicited from Aramis as Porthos
took his time in preparing him, made him go slow just to wring as many high
pitch whines from his lover as he could before he thrust inside him.
The moment Porthos entered Aramis`s body, the beta arched up under him, raising
his backside and thrusting back into Porthos`s pelvis, throwing a wicked grin
over his shoulder and wriggling under the Alpha, letting out a moan of pure
delight as Porthos`s hand wrapped about his cock, stroking and teasing him, as
they rocked back and forth, Porthos`s larger cock, and growing knot stretching
and filling Aramis almost to the point of pain!.
Rising up on his knees, Aramis bucked and rolled his hips back into Porthos,
turning his head and kissing the strong fore arm that was supporting Porthos`s
weight, playfully nipping with his teeth and letting out a horse cry as he felt
teeth sinking into his shoulder blade!.
While until an Omega, who could be bonded like this during in heat, Porthos`s
bite would do nothing other than give him either pleasure or pain, and in this
case, with his cock being tormented so wonderfully, and his prostate stimulated
with every thrust of Porthos`s cock, the bite gave both feelings, and
heightened Aramis`s passion.
Feeling the pressure building in his lover, Porthos clamped his hand tight
enough over his cock to keep him from coming, while continuing to thrust inside
his body, bringing himself to the point of release, only then continuing to
stroke Aramis`s cock and allow him to spill into his hand, following moments
later himself in the shivering clenching muscles of his lover.
***** Chapter 7 *****
Chapter Summary
     Aramis and Porthos rescue an Omega
"Why am I hearing of my best Musketeers dueling with his Eminences Red Guards,
when dueling is against the Kings edict?"
Treville rose an eyebrow at Aramis and Porthos, who both effected the faces of
children having been caught with their hands in the cookie jar, trying to
appear innocent!
"Perhaps you think I have nothing better to do that listen to one of his
Eminences tirades?" Treville went on, stalking about his men who remained front
faces and perfectly errect as they took their dressing down, such as it was.
"Do you believe I enjoy being summond to the Palais Cardinal like an errend
boy!, being made to wait upon The Cardinal and beg his pardon for my Mens
behavior?" Treville stopped in front of Aramis and Porthos giving them a hard
look "Well?, what have you got to say for yourselves?"
"Technically it was`nt our fault!" Aramis said giving Treville one of his most
charming smiles that never failed to make a woman weak at the knees but had
little effect on Treville who just glared back!
"Yer see I was playing a hand of poker!" Porthos said "And I had accidently got
a card stuck in my wrist guard from an earlier game!, and you see it fell out
at the wrong moment, and the Red Guard I was playing against accused me of
cheating!"
"Really?" Treville drawled "How could that possibly be!?"
"And the red guard started the fight with Porthos!" Aramis said "Who valiently
fought without even drawing his sword!, but then several other Red Guards
joined the fight, and I had to intervine!, to even up the odds!"
"And what exactly where the odds?" Treville sighed
"There were ten of them and two of us!" Aramis brightly told him "And we won!,
I mean, we defused the situation swiftly sir!".
Treville did`nt bother to comment on that, mearly rolled his eyes, feeling like
an exasperated parent dealing with mischevious Pups!
"So thats why Ten of his Eminences guards needed a physicians care and two will
be on bed rest for a month!"
"Ummm, I assume so sir!" Aramis offered, Treville could`nt hold back the smile
that was desperately trying to spread on his face, how could he remain angry
when his two best soldiers had fought against ten men and won!
"I really aught to punish you both" he said "Confine you to the garrison, put
you on latrine and stable duty!"
"Captain please!" Porthos moaned
"I hate shoveling shit!" Aramis whined
"How can that be when you speak enough of it!" Treville snorted before sobering
again "However I have a mission for you".
 
At this both Porthos and Aramis straightened again, eager for their orders
"There is a Brothel in the Rue de Saville, near the Seine" Treville said "There
are rumours that the whores there are not there by choice but have been
captured and are being forced into prostitution", Porthos and Aramis could
easily read between the lines on this, The Brothel had Beta women willingly
selling themselves, but it also had captured Omegas being pimped out by force,
having either bought them from auctions, or packs who did not wish to support
them any longer.
"Do you wish us to investigate?" Aramis asked resting a hand on his pistol
"No, I wish you to team up with Cornet and his squad, kill the owners, free the
whores, and burn the place to the ground!"
Porthos grinned wolfishly, and chuckle low in his throat, eager to bring
justice to those who thought they had the right to peddle flesh and blood,
"This`ll be a pleasure Captain"
"I`m sure it will" Treville replied going round his desk to sit down
"The whores?, what are we to do with them?" Aramis asked
"Bring them back here of course" Treville replied "What else?", Aramis and
Porthos shared a smile between them, Treville always had the Omegas they
rescued brought to the garrison, always under the pretext that they were
kidnapped Alphas and Betas, whom he then reunited with their packs and
families.
In truth he had them smuggled out of Paris through his connections with the
Omega Rebellion, a faction of powerful Omegas who had risen up against the
supression of their people, and worked to undermine the brothels, breeding
farms, and auctions, freeing the Omegas, and setting them up in new lives with
new identitys, often out of France, sending them to England, Sweedon,
Switzerland, and Germany, where the Protestant faith allowed them to live
freely.
 
Aramis and Porthos had assisted on many of these missions, assulting breeding
farms, and getting the Pups and Omans out of the hell holes they were living
in, Severl times they had needed to provide emergency refuge for heavily
pregnant Omegas who could not be taken any further, staying with them until
trusted Midwives could be brought in to take over the care.
They had even come close to delivering an Omega of his litter once!, Porthos
screwing his eyes shut and wincing as his fingers were brutally squeezed, and
Aramis frantically boiling water, tearing sheets, and trying to figure out if
the Pup was coming head or buttocks first!.
Thankfully the Midwife had arrived before the delivery, but both Porthos and
Aramis had remained, wanting to see that the Litter was safely delivered, (Also
the Omega refused to release the death grip he had on Porthos`s hand!).
Seeing the litter born had perhaps been the catalyst for Porthos and Aramis
desiring a litter of their own, something they were keen to make happen.
 
Cornet was an old soldier of many campaigns, his appearence was of a grisseled
and unfriendly man, the many scars on his face and perminant scowl line between
his eyes making him seem moody and unpleasent.
But as was common in life, looks were deceiving, as Cornet was just the
oposite, he was very proffesional, and devoted duty, but he had a wicked sense
of humour, and treated all the Musketeers as his Brothers.
Aramis and Porthos had teamed up with his squad several times before, and were
happy to do so again, especially since it meant they were taking down another
stinking brothel.
The plan was for two of Cornets men to go in as customers, and block off the
back door as an escape route for the owners of the whore house, while getting
it open for the Musketeers and keeping it clear for the Omegas and Betas to
make their escape, the Beta women would be freed as soon they reached the
garrison and allowed to go where they wished, it was only the owners of this
shit hole that they had the problem with.
 
Aramis took up position on the low roof of a shed, his harquebus loaded and
ready for any of the owners who came out the front, and if a couple of punters
were caught in the cross fire then no one was going to shed a tear for them.
Since he was the largest of the Men, Porthos was to take the front, along with
Cornet himself, while the two other Musketeers came in from the back door.
As the Church clock struck, they made their move, bursting into the brothel.
 
There were three Alphas who owned the brothel, one of which attempted escape
the moment the Musketeers attacked, only to be shot through the heart by Aramis
the second he set foot outside.
His partners were quickly taken out by Porthos and Cornet, neither of them
being a match for highly trained and experianced soldiers.
The few servents in the brothel cowed in the shadows, hands over their heads,
sobbing and pleading for their lives, while the Alpha and Beta Men who had been
making use of the whores, were to be found hastily pulling up the breeches and
making speedy exits, with rather red cheeks!.
"That all of `em?" Porthos asked only to have his face brutally slapped by a
rather unhappy Beta woman, dressed in a sapphire blue corset with a matching
see through chemise
"`ee was m`bes` customer y`friggin` lout!" she yelled, her preety mouth pulled
into an angry mew of displeasure
"We`ll I`m sure a woman of your skills will soon find work else where!" Porthos
tactlessly replied only to get another slap about the face and was shoved into
the wall as she stormed past him!
"You do a have a way with women don`t you?!" Cornet snorted in amusment as
Porthos rubbed his stinging cheeks
"Got one of the Omegas Sir!" one of Cornet`s men said, coming out of one of the
side rooms that was seperated by a curtain, the Omega in question was huddled
under his arm, with a bed sheet wrapped about her, to conceal her modesty,
since she had no clothes
"Madamoiselle?" Cornet said softening his voice and smiling gently at the
frightened Omega who looked no more than fifteen years old, if that!
"We are not here to hurt you, but to set you free, can you tell us where the
other Omegas are being kept?"
"Set us free?, truely?" the girl whispered, her indigo eyes shining in fear as
she looked at Cornet and Porthos
"On our honour Madamoiselle" Porthos said placing a hand over his heart "You`ll
be safe now"
The Omega bit her bottom lip, looking worriedly at her feet as if mulling
things over, however considering her current circumstances, things could hardly
get worse for her, and her fellow Omegas, and she swiftly made her mind up
looking back at Cornet
"Some are kept in the cellar, the special on is kept in the Attic" she said
pulling the sheet tighter about herself
"Special?" Cornet whispered
"A male Omega, the rest of us are female" the girl said "The master made
everyone who wanted him pay double for the pleasure"
"I`ll bet" Porthos growled heading for the front door and sticking it head out
into the street "Mis!"
"You bellowed dear?" Aramis said cheerfully, however his cheer was soon lost
when he saw Porthos`s expression
"What is it?"
"They`re keeping most o`the Omegas in the basement, but they`ve got a "Special
one" in the attic", Aramis grimanced at this, knowing when they were liable to
find up there.
An emaciated, sickly, and very likly pregnant male Omega, who`d been torn to
ruination by the abuse he`d endured, having a crowd bursting in on him would
not help the situation, so Porthos and Aramis would go to him alone, and try to
calm him before they got him out of the hell hole.
 
 
The attic was a single room with a slanting ceiling, only six foot by eight
foot, without a window or any light beyond the guttering candles mounted on the
walls.
The door to the room was locked, but Porthos`s boot saw to that easy enough,
allowing he and Aramis to enter, both of them recoiling at the putrid scent of
stale sweat, sex, and unwashed chamber pots, which hung heavily in the air.
On a low slung, four poster bed of rusting brass, naked, and thin as a rake,
lay the Omega.
A chain was about his throat, tethering him to the bed like a dog, his skin was
whiter than chalk from lack of sunlight, his eyes hollowed and pupils enlarged
from being in the dark for far to long.
His body was littered in bruises, bites, and sores, his wrists and ankles
bearing the tell tale scars of having been chained up, by the scars which
marked them.
Surprisingly he did not flinch where Aramis and Porthos entered the room, in
fact he hardly looked at them at all, he simply continued to lay listlessly on
the bed, his eyes half lidded
"IS he drugged?" Porthos asked looking the Omegas over, and grimancing at the
state he was in, dear God he could count every rib on his body!, his pelvis was
all but ripping it`s way out of his skin!
"Monsieur?, can you hear me?" Aramis said gently lifting an eyelid back to look
at the Omegas eyes, which were dilated from lack of light, however just the
touch of his skin told Aramis that he was not drugged, and the fact he was
taking breaths with obvious effort
"He`s not drugged he`s sick" Aramis said placing the back of his hand on the
Omega`s forehead "Christ he`s burning up!"
"Syphillis?" Porthos asked, a common sickness among whores
"No, but the rattle in his lungs I think it`s pneumonia, living in conditions
like this it`s hardly surprising"
"Then lets get him out of here!" Porthos snapped, "Treville can get him a
physician and he can stay with us until he`s well!"
Aramis did not disagree, he mearly stepped back, allowing Porthos to pick the
lock on the collar chaining the Omega to the bed, and took over his cloak to
wrap the Omega in, thinking the poor love would be awfully pretty were it not
for the deplorable condition he was in, "Gently love" he said as Porthos lifted
the Omega from the bed, both of them grimancing at the welts on the Omegas
back, and the blood stains on the sheet, it was obvious where infection had
gotten into him, he`d been whipped and the wounds had been allowed to fester,
and now the infection had spread to his lungs,
"Bastards are lucky they died so fast" Porthos growled "If I could do it again,
I`d make `em beg for death before I even came close to givin` it to `em!".
 
 
The Physician concurred with Aramis original diagnosis of the Omega suffering
from pneumonia, but he did not think that it had come from the festing welts on
the Omegas back, but from a recent miscarriage or still birth.
After examining the Omegas body under the watchful gaze of Aramis who would not
leave the Omega`s side even for a moment, he found extensive bruising and
tearing that was not consistant with forced intercourse, but with a delivery.
Examination of his sunken belly showed stretch marks, and muscle wastage from
his having been pregnant recently.
"I would hypothosize that he went into labour prematurely due most likly to the
fact he is so malnourished, what ever was delivered would not have lived long,
if in fact it was delivered alive" the physician said as he and Aramis gently
finished binding the wounds on the Omegas body, after washing him, and cleaning
out the infected ones.
"Poor love" Aramis whispered stroking the Omega`s cheek "He`s suffered so
much......"
"I can not be sure that he`ll pull through Aramis" the Physician said as gently
as he could "The state he`s in..............pneumonia is a killer even in the
hearty and hale, and this Omega is far from that"
"I know" Aramis whispered "But we have to try"
"Aye, and we will" the Physician agreed "Keep the fire stoked, and have pans of
boiling water about the bed, the heat and steam with hopefully break the fever
and ease the congestion in his lungs"
"Anything else?" Aramis asked eyeing the wood pile and making a note to send
Porthos for more later
"Ply him with pleanty of liquids, lemon and ginger, or raspberry leaf tea,
they`ll both act as dioretics and help flush the infection from his system"
"I go to the apothicary later" Aramis said "What about the welts?, should`nt we
use a salve?"
"At present no, I want washed daily in boiled salt water, and the dressings
changed twice a day" The physician frowed at the prominance of the Omegas ribs,
"Try to feed him some rich broths aswell, when and if he regains consciousness,
we`ll talk about a healthy diet to get some weight on him"
"He`ll make it" Aramis said "He`s a fighter, I can tell"
"Then he has a chance" the Physician agreed "And if nothing else, at least
he`ll die free, and not as a slave".
 
 
The Omega did prove indeed to be a fighter, despite the deplorable condition he
was, he managed to hold his own against the fever ravaging his body, drinking
the teas that Aramis and Porthos gently fed him, and taking well to the broth,
and not throwing them back up.
After needing to be reopened and drained three times, the wounds on his back,
the angry sores on his body finally became clean and began to heal.
Between Aramis and Porthos`s constant round the clock care, and the Physicians
gentle massages of the Omegas back to shift the phlem in his lungs, the fever
finally broke after ten long days, and the Omega`s breathing became far less
laboured and his sleep easier, the physician confident that he would now make a
complete recover.
 
 
"I wish we knew his name" Porthos said as he and Aramis tucked the Omega back
into the bed after washing him, and changing the linens on the bed, "I don`t
like calling him "Omega", it`s derogatory"
"I don`t think it`s derogatory" Aramis said plumping the pillows under the
Omegas head "It`s just descriptive, he is an Omega, and it`s not like we know
of any name or nic-name he has"
"The bastard pimps did`nt name him?" Porthos asked
"The other Omegas did`nt know it if they did" Aramis replied "Apparently he was
refered to as "The special"", the Beta made a face "Makes him sound like a
gourmet dish!"
"Maybe we should call him Ange?" Porthos suggested "Do you like that Mon Ange?"
he asked the Omega
"He is rather angelic" Aramis mused "Ange it is, at least until we know his
real name"
"Mon petit Ange" Porthos said or rather cooed as he smoothed the bed covers
over the Omega "He`s really pretty is`nt?"
"No Port, he`s beautiful" Aramis corrected "And will become even more so as his
recovery continues, and he gains some weight on his bones"
"And when we get him out into the fresh air, get some sun on him, add some
colour to his cheeks"
"We need to get him some clothes too" Aramis said "He can`t keep on living in
out night shirts indefinately"
"Aye, I`ll see the Captain, he`ll likly have some breeches and shirts in the
spares box, they`ll do until we can get him some of his own", the spares box
contained "Seconds" from tailors who donated the clothes that they could not
sell off, giving the Musketeers shirts, and breeches they could use to replace
ones that were damaged beyond repair, until they could afford to buy themselves
new ones
"He`ll look adorable in velvet" Aramis said "Dark colours will suit him best,
they`ll look wonderful against his pale skin, like black sapphires against
diamonds and silver!"
"You big girl!" Porthos teased chuckling as Aramis stuck his tongue out at him
"Besides, who`s gonna be coughing up the money for all this velvet?"
"Well I thought you might be able provide the funds by turning your hand at a
few rounds of cards!" Aramis replied "God knows you spend enough time ripping
off Red Guards!, you might aswell cheat a few aristocrats while you`re at it!"
"I have never cheated at cards in my life!" Porthos huffed sticking his nose in
the air "I simply play with things in my favour!".
 
 
The Omega whom Aramis and Porthos had named Ange, awoke a few days later.
With sticky gritty eyes blinking heavily against the sun light which was
streaming into the room from the open window, he looked about the unfamiliar
room disorientedly.
Granted this room was not much to talk about, it was messy, with clothes,
plates of food, dirty pots, and books laying around, aswell as several weapons,
but it was clean, the floor was regularly swept, and the walls, while stained
with damp, were not covered in cob webs, or filth, and there was a homely
comforting feel about the room.
But what was he doing here?, where the hell was here?, the last thing he
remembered was being beaten for loosing the litter he`d been carrying, both
Pups being still born after brutally long labour in which the Omega had been
sure he would die.
He had only been in his sixth month and had been desperately ill for the whole
pregnancy, his body being unable to support the lives growing inside him as it
had been so malnourished, in such poor health.
The Pups had been the progeny of the Masters, who had taken it in turns to knot
him during his heat, they had been hoping to breed from him more male Omegas to
be pimped out.
For some reason Male Omegas brought in the crowds more than female, and people
were prepared to pay through the teeth to fuck a male Omega, and the chance of
having several more had appealed greatly to the masters.
For a brief moment at the beginning of his pregnancy the Omega had thought he
might be granted a reprieve from being pimped out, that he might be treated
better for a time, surely he would be better fed since he was now gestating a
litter.
However he had soon learned that this was far from the truth, his being with
Pups had made no matter to the Masters, nore to the bastards who`d paid to fuck
him, in fact they`d enjoyed caressing his rounded middle, perhaps pretending
that they were the sires of his Litter, or enjoying the feel of a fertile Omega
in their arms.
When he`d awoken bleeding in the night, the Omega had let out a scream of
horror, bringing the masters to him, though they had not assisted him, nore
bothered to get him a physician, instead they had berated him for being too
weak to carry their young, and had beaten him after he had delivered the still
born pups.
What had happened to him since then, and what he was doing here the Omega
did`nt know, he supposed that he had been sold to some new master or masters,
or even a master and mistress.
After all, he`d spent his whole life being sold so it would not be anything
new, as soon as he had been weaned from his Omans breast he had been sold at
auction to another auctioneer, who`d again sold him for a higher price, this
time to a breeding farm who had just been starting out, only to find themselves
in need of urrgent funds shortly before the Omegas first heat, and had sold him
to yet another auction house, who had then sold him to the masters of the
brothel had spent the last ten years of his life at.
All he could figure out, was that those masters had decided to sell him off and
buy another male omega to breed from, and that was how and why he was in this
place.
 
Most people would have felt fearful, or upset by finding themselves in a
strange room, belonging to strangers, but the Omega had spent his whole life
like this, he knew of nothing else, and had not feared being past from hand to
hand in many years.
For what was there to fear?, being beaten?, being throw down and raped?, that
had happened everyday for the last ten years, and at least here he was not
chained by the throat.
Placing his hands on the matress, the Omega pushed himself up and climbed from
the bed, walking unsteadily across the room to look out of the open window.
It had been nearly ten years since he had last seen daylight!, oh! the sky was
so blue!, he had forgotten how blue it could be!, and such a fair and pretty
blue, like those flowers which had grown about the garden of the breeding farm
pens, where he had lived for several years!, he could remember picking them
several times, and braiding them into the hair of the other Omegas, who had
done the same to him, the Omen had laughed, and petted them, enjoying the scent
of the flowers in the hair of the pups.
The air was cool against his face, and smelled of freshly baked bread, coming
from a bakery down the street, the sun was shining brightly in the sky, and the
Omega smiled as he felt it warming his face, he had spent many years dreaming
of feeling the sun on his face again, of breathing free clean air, and to do so
now was a delight enough to bring tears to his eyes.
The Omega would likly had spent much longer standing by the window soaking up
the sun, however, at that moment the Omega heard voices coming from behind the
door which opened revealed two men.
***** Chapter 8 *****
Chapter Notes
     Mentions of self harm, and sexual abuse.
Aramis and Porthos had been at the well in the courtyard filling several
buckets to bring back to their room, they had been playfully arguing about the
weight of the buckets, Aramis stating that the buckets he was carrying were far
heavier than the ones Porthos had!, however their conversation stopped the
moment they saw the Omega standing by the window.
"Oh my God!" Porthos cried
"You`re awake!, and up!" Aramis said setting down the buckets and hurrying over
to the Omega to hastily take his pulse and check for a fever!, "We`ve been
hoping you`d awaken soon, you were so ill when we found you we wer`nt sure
you`d make it!, but you proved to be a fighter!, just like I thought you
would!", Aramis let out a breathy laugh wrapping his arm about the Omegas
painfully thin shoulders guiding him away from the window "Now, d`you want
something to eat and drink?, God knows you need feeding up!, you`re skin and
bones!"
"Back off Mis!, you`re scaring him!" Porthos said, seeing the uncertainty in
the Omegas eyes, and the way he was curling in on himself, "It`s alright Ange,
you`re safe here, no one is going to hurt you, we just want to help you"
"Yes Master" the Omega whispered looking to his feet, however he jerked his
head back up when he heard the master who had been called Mis, make a strangled
noise in his throat
"You`re not our slave Ange, and we are not your Masters" he said "I`m Aramis,
or Mis, and this lunkhead is Porthos!"
"Hey watch it!" the one called Porthos grumbled
"Whats your name?" Aramis asked smiling warmly at the Omega who`s eyes
widdened, no one had asked for his name in years!, his former masters had
called him whore, or slut, they had never cared to use the name one of the Omen
at the breeding farm had given him, and the auction houses had only used
numbers to designate the Omegas for sale.
"Lemay" he whispered, the name feeling odd on his tongue, he had not said it in
so long
"Lemay" Aramis repeated "It suits you".
 
Lemay bit into his bottom lip, shuffling his feet uncomfortably, he had no idea
what he was meant to be doing, his new masters............but they said they
wer`nt masters that he was`nt a slave, but then what was he?, did they mean to
keep him and breed him souly for themselves?.
He felt himself jump as he hand was taken by Aramis and he was guided back to
the bed, ah, this was what they wanted then, breeding.
Well he was`nt in heat at present, but they would want to break him in first
would`nt they?.
 
Feeling more stable now he knew what was expected of him, Lemay relaxed himself
and climbed into the bed, laying down and spreading his thighs, he did`nt know
they`d want him on his back or his belly, so this was the best way to start,
quickly he reached for his night shirt and began to lift it only to have Aramis
grab his wrists alarm in his eyes
"No no!, we don`t want that!" he said shaking his head "We`re not going to
force ourselves on you, we only want to help you"
"But.....you bought me" Lemay said frowning
"No, we saved you from that shit hole brothel, you`re former masters are dead,
all of those they were pimping out have been freed, they`ll be going wherever
they wish, and so can you once you are healed"
"Where would I go?" Lemay asked "I don`t belong anywhere but a bothel or a
breeding farm!", this was clearly the wrong thing to say as Aramis moaned low
in his throat, his eyes closing in a grimance, while Porthos made a sound that
was a cross between a snarl and a grunt!
"Is that what those bastards told you?" Aramis whispered, opening his eyes
which were shining with unshed tears "That you had no existance beyond a
whore?"
"I`m an Omega" Lemay said matter of factly "Omegas only exist to......"
"Omegas exist to live any life they wish!" Porthos snarled furiously "No one
has any right to enslave them, or dictate what they can and can not do!"
Lemay shrank back on the bed, away from Porthos`s anger, though the anger was
not directed at him, but at those who had done this to him, made him like this,
made him believe he was worthless, could do nothing in life save breed and
pleasure Alphas and Betas.
 
"Lemay, Mon Ange, we, and others like us, free Omegas like you" Aramis said "We
do not believe in the notion that Omegas should be surpressed, we believe in
freedom and equality between the sexes, not domination and force", he sighed
unhappily at the frown on Lemay`s face, it was clear the Omega did not
understand, nore did he believe what he was being told, not yet at any rate.
But this was not the first time that Aramis and Porthos had come across an
Omega who`d had the supression ingrained in them so much, that they simply
could not imagine another way of life, and truely believed themselves to be the
worthless whores they had been called.
With alot of patience, coaxing, and teaching, the Omegas had learned to stop
believing that they were born to be slaves.
Aramis and Porthos would break the hold the pimps and others like them had over
Lemay, would heal him, not just in body, but in his mind and soul to, it would
not be an easy path, nore a swift one, but they would do it, that Aramis was
determined on.
 
Not easy proved to be an understatement.
Lemay had been abused for so long, had grown up knowing nothing but but
degradation, and cruelty, that he thought, in fact he believed that it was the
norm, that he deserved nothing more, and trying to convince him otherwise was
no easy feat.
More than once the Omega offered himself to Aramis and Porthos, seperately, and
together, having caught them in bed together and been more troubled by the fact
they would not make use of him than the fact they were making lover to each
other.
It was not just disturbing to have the pretty Omega strip himself off and
present himself like an animal, it was both upsetting and down right tempting!.
While they both hated themselves for it, both Aramis and Porthos could not help
their bodies natural arousal as the Omega came onto them.
They would have had to be blind and stupid to not feel atracted to Lemay.
As he slowly gained much needed weight, with the healthy diet that Aramis put
him on at the physician`s advice, Lemay`s appearance grew far more appealing.
The emaciated waif that Porthos and Aramis had found chained to the bed in the
filthy brothel, was replaced by healthy adult Omega, his luminous green/blue
eyes were offset prefectly by his dark chestnut hair and creamy skin, which was
much inproved by regular trips outside once he was strong enough to do more
than walk about the room.
Taking Lemay outside also helped his self esteam and self confidence.
Being allowed out amongst others, not chained, or retrained in anyway, allowed
to speak freely, ask questions, examin wares at a market all helped heal his
soul, and ignite what was swiftly becoming a passion for learning.
 
Lemay had never been tought to read and write, but before he`d met Aramis
neither had Porthos, and Porthos was of the opinion that if he could learn to
read and write then anyone could.
They started slow of course, learning the alphabet, and how to write the
letters onto a page before basic small words, and from there small simple
sentences (Porthos was not allowed to choose the words because he always chose
obscenities!).
Lemay proved not only to be a swift study, but very intelligent, he quickly
mastered how to write out messages and then paragraphs, and was soon reading
the books that Aramis had accumulated over the years, asking without any fear
when he got stuck on a word he did`nt know, or was curious about the meaning of
a poetic fraze.
The sonets of Shakespear appealed greatly to him, and before he knew it,
Porthos had both Aramis and Lemay quoting Shakespear about him, so that every
meal time, conversation, in fact any activity turned into A Midsummer Nights
Dreams, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth!.
As much as he grumbled and groaned about it, he did not really mind, certainly
not when Aramis would whisper words of love in his ear while doing wicked
things with his hands!.
 
Seeing the change in Lemay was beautiful, seeing him blossom from the fragile
broken Omega slave he had been, into a curious and intelliegent Omega was a joy
to the Alpha and Beta.
I was`nt all plain sailing of course, and while Lemay was getting more
confident, he was still easily scared, and very introverted, his sexual
advances aside.
Realising eventually that what had been done to him was wrong, that it had not
been sex, but rape, had both the effect of making Lemay see that he was not a
slave, and was not owned by anyone, but also to make him feel dirty and ashamed
of himself, of his own body.
The shame he felt towards himself was not being helped by the fact that Aramis
and Porthos refused to touch him, and in Lemay`s tormented mind, that simply
confirmed that he was the filthy damaged creature he believed himself to be.
Cleaning himself went from being a daily duty and a pleasure to rid his body of
sweat and grime, to a painful ritual, in which Lemay would brutally scrub at
every inch of his flesh with a wire brush, sitting for hours at a time in a
metal tub of cold water, mortifying his flesh with tears rolling down his
cheeks and blood dripping from where the wire had gauged too deeply into his
skin.
It was Aramis who found him in such a state one night, when he had awoken to
the sounds of muffled sobs, and risen from his shared bed with Porthos, leaving
the larger man snoring into the pillows to draw back the curtain they had hung
for privacy to see Lemay sitting a tub of freezing cold water, scraping away at
his flesh, his hands shaking as he ran the brush over his thighs, blood oozing
down them to splash into the water which was turning pink from the blood.
"Jesus Christ what the hell are you doing!" Aramis cried crossing the room and
snatching the brush from Lemays hand
"No!, I need it!" Lemay cried, water sloshing over the side of the tub as he
tried to reach for the brush with shaking hands "Please!, I need it!, need to
get clean!", Aramis cursed, throwing the brush aside and grabbed a sheet which
he wrapped about Lemay, hauling him from the tub as Porthos staggered from the
bed
"What the hell?" he demanded seeing the blood dripping from the many cuts on
Lemay`s body
"I have to get clean!, I have to get the filth out!" Lemay sobbed "It`s inside
me!, tainting me!"
"Fuck!" Aramis whispered closing his eyes and moaning in despair
"Ange there is nothing tainting you, you are not filthy, you`re hurting
yourself!" Porthos said joining Aramis and helping him to escort Lemay over to
his bed and sat him upon it, keeping his arm about the Omega while Aramis went
for his kit to treat the wounds.
 
Shaking his head, Lemay burried his face into Porthos`s shoulder, wrapping his
arms and legs about the Alpha, clinging to him tightly, as if he were afraid
that Porthos would disappear if he let go, "It`s alright Ange, it`s all going
to be alright" Porthos said stroking Lemay`s hair and gently rocking him as
Aramis lit more candles so he would have more light to work by.
The added light showed the viscious cuts running over Lemay`s body, while they
were not deep and would not need stitching, they were still painful, and
troubling for the fact he had caused them himself.
"I`m going to disinfect these and put a salve on them" Aramis said gently
unwrapping Lemay from Porthos so he could examin him properly, "And I`ll bind
them"
"No" Lemay whispered tears slowly snaking their way down his cheeks "Got to get
it out, got to clean myself!"
"You are clean!, there is nothing inside you to get out" Porthos said forcably
restraining himself from putting his fist into a wall!, he was not angry at
Lemay, but at those who had driven him to this, had made him think he was
dirty, that he had to mutilate himself to get invisable filth from his body.
"You don`t want me!" Lemay whined hiccuping on his tears "You don`t want me
because I`m dirty, because I`m defiled!".
 
Horror filled Aramis`s face at this, he paused in his actions of treating the
cuts on Lemay`s legs to look up at Porthos who looked equally apauled by
Lemay`s words.
How had they driven him to this?, made him think this?, that they did`nt want
him because of what had happened to him?.
But then was`nt that exactly why they were not attempting to court him?, had
never made any advances on him.
Had they met under different circumstances, then they would certainly have
approached Lemay, would have offered their suite to him, but knowing how abused
he had been, what had been done to him all his life, they had not dared touch
him, or make any sexual advance on him.
While they had never intended to hurt Lemay, had only wanted to help him, it
seemed they had inadvertantly done the very oposite.
Swallowing hard past a lump in his throat, Aramis gently lay a hand on Lemay`s
thigh, giving him a weak smile
"We have never thought of you as being damaged or defiled, and that is not the
reason we have not..................made ant advances on you"
"Then why?" Lemay whimpered "I want you!, I love you both so much!"
"Ange it`s not that simple!" Porthos moaned pinching the bridge of his nose
"You.................for your whole life people have taken advantage of you,
abused you, treated you worse than a slave!, if we had taken you up on your
offers then we would be no better than those who abused you"
Lemay shook his head, reaching for Porthos`s hands and holding them tightly
"You are different!, I never wanted them, but I want you!, I love you!"
"Querida you don`t know what love is" Aramis whispered tears shining in his
eyes "You`ve barely started to live, to really live, not just exist, you know
so little of this world, of what it has to offer, what you feel for us....."
"Is real!, I know it is!" Lemay cried "I want you two!, I want to be with you!,
I want to be your Omega!, your mate!", biting his bottom lip, Porthos looked at
Aramis who shrugged, he did`nt know what to do anymore than Porthos did,
"How can you know that you want this?" he asked as carefully as he could "That
you want us above all others?"
"How did you know you wanted Aramis?" Lemay answered back, nodding his head
when Porthos struggled to find an answer "You just knew, the same as me"
"It`s not the same" Aramis whispered, his voice horse and half lost in the
expelling breath from his lungs
"It is" Lemay said looking away dispondantly "And if I had`nt been a filthy
ruined whore, then you would feel different, thats why you don`t want me, and
never will".
***** Chapter 9 *****
The days that past were more than strained, Aramis and Porthos were tip toeing
about Lemay on egg shells, as he retreated into introverted silence, refusing
to believe that their refusal to aknowledge his feelings for them was for any
reason other than that he had been defiled.
While he was not harming himself, he was not eating properly, just picking at
food and spending his time hunched over books looking for all the world like he
was trying to disappear into them.
"What can we do?" Porthos asked Treville, whom he and Aramis had decided to
turn to, knowing of no way to help Lemay themselves
"How can we make this right?"
"Something like this, what Lemay has been through can never be made right"
Treville said leaning back in his chair "It can only be lived with, endured, he
will never forget what has been done to him, he will always have that pain in
his heart, in the back of his mind, but he will learn to over come it, not to
let it control him"
"But what about...............what about what he thinks he feels for us?"
Aramis asked "How can we deal with this?, make him understand?"
"Understand what exactly?" Treville asked tapping his nails on his desk "That
you believe he is too naive, too fragile and weak minded to know what he
feels?, you are acting under the assumption that you know best and he does not,
that he can not truely feel love for you simply because of what he had suffered
in his past"
"That not it!" Aramis cried rising from his seat "It`s wrong!, thats why we
won`t touch him!"
"And why is it wrong?" Treville asked him "Now he is healed, that he had
acknowleded what has been done to him, that he knows he owes you nothing, how
would you be taking advantage of him?"
"Because!", okay so that was proberly the most childish answer Aramis could
have come up with, but he was highly allergic to leaving questions unanswered
Sighing deeply Treville leaned forward resting his arms on his desk and
clasping his hands together as he looked at his two best Musketeers, "When I
was young, I was saved by an Alpha, the very Alpha I am now bonded to, for
three months I lived under his roof waiting for him to make a move on me, a
move that never came, in the end, it was me who made the first move, and we
spent a week of bliss together", Treville smiled as he thought back to those
long gone days when he had been so young, so innocent, when each time he had
lain with Armand had been an adventure all of it`s own, as they had learned
about each other`s bodies, how to please each other, and how to drive each
other into complete nirvana.
Their passion had not lessened over the years, but nothing could revive those
youthful days, nore bring back the eighteen years they had lost.
"I wanted to stay with him, to be with him" Treville said "But I wanted to be a
soldier aswell, and he believed I was too young to be bound to anyone, so we
let each other go, and lost eighteen years in which we might have been
together, eighteen years in which I missed him everyday, longing for him
desperately, but still denighed myself none the less", Treville sighed and
shook his head giving Porthos and Aramis a wan smile, "I do not regret becoming
a soldier, but I do regret those lost years, all we might have been together,
done together"
"What are you saying Captain?" Porthos asked
"What I am saying is, do not make the same mistakes as I and my mate did, do
not waste eighteen years in which all three of you might die!, do not let the
cruelty of evil Men and Women destroy something beautiful before it has even
had a chance to come about".
 
Palais des Cardinal
Richelieu smiled fondly as Lucie, the black and white queen jumped up on the
chaise with a trilling noise and nudged her cold wet nose against his hand
demanding his attention
"Good evening your highness!" he greeted lifting his hand and stroking her
head, shifting his legs to allow her to come and make herself comfortable on
his lap, after nudging his face, nuzzeling his nose and turning round and round
several times, she settled down purring contendly upon her human.
Lucie had wandered into the Palais gardens one day three years ago and captured
the hearts of Richelieu and Treville as soon as they had seen her padding her
way through the roses.
What they had not known at the time, when they had taken her in, was that they
would also be getting another four cats a few weeks later!.
It had turned out Lucie was pregnant with a litter of four kittens, two male
and two female, but owing to the mothers less than lady like behavior, all the
kittens were of different Fathers!.
There was a ginger tom, and a pure black tom, a tabby, and a long haired silver
tabby!.
Richelieu had joked about changing Lucies name to Jezebel! considering her
promiscuity!.
However the kittens were adorable, Jean had stayed up with Lucie the whole
night when she was in labor, stroking her back and rubbing her swollen middle
as she purred, whined, and panted through her contractions, snuggling close
into the Omegas side keen for the comfort of his presence until her time came,
then she scurried into the crevice between a book case and the wall to drop her
first kitten, then picking him up by the scruff of his neck she scurried back
over to Jean to lick him clean and nurse him until her next kitten came an hour
later, followed shortly by the last two.
When Armand had risen the following morning, he had found Jean beside the fire
place still with a very proud Lucie curled up on a large velvet pillow nursing
her brood of squeaking bundles of fur that were not even as large as Armands
palm!.
The lack of sleep seemed to have not effected Jean at all as he held each tiny
kitten up for Armands inspection and blessing which he gladly gave, crossing
their furry little heads in the sign of the cross and blessing them with Gods
Grace.
The ginger Tom was named Jasper and was adopted at eight weeks by Jussac,
becoming the Red Guard garrison cat, and a grumpy bastard if ever there was
one!.
Oh he killed mice, and rats a pleanty, but also happily sank his claws and
teeth into anyone who irritated him too!, tollerating Jussac so long as he got
his daily fish or meat, and had his place on the Captains bed every night
without fail!.
The silver long haired queen was taken by Queen Anne, who named her Luna for
the moon colour of her long soft fur, and happily settled into life in The
Louvre, enjoying luxuary in all its form, having her own cot made up with the
softest of woolen blankets and velvet pillows!, dining twice daily on fresh
cream, fish, and meat!.
The pampered pet strolled happily about the halls with a diamond collar about
her neck looking down her velvet nose at everyone including The King, whom she
seemed to treat with utter disdane!, and freely hissed and spat at anyone she
disliked!.
The Tabby was named Opal and was taken to The Musketeers garrison to be their
mouser.
She was instantly adopted by The Musketeers, and had dozens of beds to sleep
on, regular fuss from the big burly men who turned to mush at the sight of a
small furry animal who purred so sweetly when her coat was stroked.
The black Tom was kept by Armand in the Palais, named Jet for his sleek black
coat, an lived along side his Mother quiet happily, accepting her next litter
of kittens a year later, a black and white female named Poppy and an all white
female named Lily, these two also bearing litters themselves of which three of
the kittens were kept as part of the house hold a grey tabby named Twilight, a
tortoishelle named Safferon, and a black and white male called Remy, bringing
the total up to seven cats!.
Rather a high number, especially considering the various siblings and offspring
of their cats were either in the Red Guard garrison, Musketeer Garrison, or the
soldiers households!.
Richelieu had come to terms with the fact that he and Jean were using their
cats as a substitute for the Pups they could not risk making.
Jean frequently lifted them up to cuddle them calling their his "Furry babies".
While the affectionate and soothing, the cats did not make up for ache
Richelieu saw in Jean, at times when he would gaze out, a look of longing on
his face and a hand resting over his middle, wishing for what could not be.
They had discussed various ways and means of their having Pups, but none of
them appealed.
One way was for Jean to hide his pregnancy with corsets until he grew to large,
and then to fake an injury and go into the country to deliver in secret.
But that would mean their Pups would have to be raised in the country away from
them, being brought up by nurses and governesses proberly only seeing their
Aphan and Oman a handfull of times a year.
While this was common practise among Nobility whom generally did not trouble
themselves in raising their offspring, leaving that to their servents, it did
not appeal to either Jean or Armand who wanted to raise their Pups themselves,
and have constant contact with them.
The other way was for Jean to "Die", his death would be faked, and he would
retired from public life, going into the country under a new name, to have Pups
and raise them away from the world.
Again this did not appeal.
Treville had worked so hard to get his position, to break away from the
sterotype of his sex that throwing it all away just to become a glorified house
wife was repugnant to him, and Richelieu did not relish the thought of being
seperated from his mate, possibly for months at a time.
If they were to ever have a family, then they would have to raise them here in
Paris openly, and the only way for that to happen, was to change the views on
Omegas, the laws preventing them from being more than chattle and whores.
At present Richelieu had little idea on how to make this work, not least of all
because The King and Queen had their own Omega whore, Constance Bonacieux,
given to the King by his Tailor, who had been keen to rid himself of his Omega
sister.
The pretty red head was a demure subservient creature who rairly lifted her
eyes from the floor, and followed the Queen around like a trained poodle, her
voice a trembling whisper when she was spoken to, which was rare aswell, and
always looked like she wanted to melt into the walls and disappear.
While she had been theirs for a long time, she had never quickened with a Pup,
anymore than the Beta queen had with a child.
Louis was not the only one growing impatient for heirs, the whole of France was
eager to secure the throne so they would not be flung back into yet another
civil war as Louis`s constantly jealous and grasping younger brother Gaston
took the throne upon his Brother death, or Marie de Medici tried again to
regain her power, or The Kings sisters Christine, and Henrietta urged their
respective husbands Victor Amadeus duke of Savoy, and Crown Prince of England
Charles Stewart, into also making a play for the French throne.
It could be that the Royal couple and their Omega would benefit from the
services of those who specialized in Omega-ology and the reproductive organs of
Betas and Alphas, but such Physicians were rare, and had to practise their arts
in secret, since The Church declared such things heretical, as they were
learned from the teachings of The Moors, had read of the ancient Greek and
Hebrew texts, learned the workings of each and every organ, cutting into the
corpses of Men and Women to learn more about anatomy and how to heal.
Why God would want people to live in ignorance and to die from lack of
knowledge was beyond Armand who himself valued and respected learning wherever
it could be found, enjoying learning new things himself.
 
"What are we to do Lucie?" he asked rubbing the furry head and smiling as Lucie
looked up at him stretching and rolling onto her back to get a belly rub
"Talking to the cat for inspiration Armand?" Treville asked a grin on his face
as he walked into the room leaning over the back of the chaise to place a kiss
on Richelieu`s forehead and walked round to sit on the end of the chaise his
smile increasing as Jet and Lily padded into the room, briefly pausing to pat
paws at each other before hurrying over to get some fuss from their humans
"I have some good news" Jean said leaning back on the chaise as Jet and Lily
clambered over him both demanding attention at once!
"Hm?", Richelieu tried not to imagine Jean struggling to deal with the damands
of two fussy Pups like he was with their cats right now
"Aramis and Porthos are going to court Lemay"
"Ah!, at last!", Jean chuckled shaking his head, watching as Lily hopped down
to go to the window and enjoy the last of the afternoon sun
"They were worried about taking advantage of him, after all he`s been through,
they want to do the right thing"
"Courting him is the right thing" Richelieu said taking Jeans hand and kissing
it "Lets hope they find as much happiness as we have"
"Or perhaps more" Jean said snuggling closer, "I was hoping you could also
recommend Lemay to Ninon de Larroque, according to Aramis and Porthos he is
very intelligent and will greatly benefit from an extensive education".
The Comtesse Ninon de Larroque was an enlightened Alpha woman, who wished for
equality not only for Alpha and Beta females with males, but for Omegas aswell.
A wealthy and titled woman in her own right, she could afford to speak her
mind, and do as she wished, and providing education, clothing, food, and
shelter for Omegas was what she wished and did, in secret of course.
To encourage an Omega to rise above their station, was an offence punishable by
death.
It was to risk the safety of the Omega who had not the sensability to care for
themselves, and the safety of others if they tried to make use of this
inadvisable learning.
Ninon had been a contact of Richelieu`s and Trevilles for a number of years
now, and helped them in securing Omegas whom they had set free, having her give
Lemay an education was an excelent idea and Richelieu heartily agreed, drawing
Jean closer still and wrapping an arm about his shoulders encouraging Jean to
lay his head on Richelieu`s shoulder
"Have you been happy with me?" he asked startling Treville by the question "I
have not be able to give you all that you desire"
"Armand.....you`ve given me everything!, you`ve made me happier than I ever
thought possible!", sitting up straight now Treville turned to he was looking
directly at his mate as he spoke
"Armand, that night we first met you saved me from a life of hell, I would not
be here today if it had not been for you, you showed me kindness, respect, and
love, things I thought I would never find after I left my Fathers estates and
his servent, the only thing we do not have together is Pups, and that is as
much my choice as yours, what else we have together is more than I ever hoped
for, ever imagined I would find!, I could not be happier if I were mated to a
King and had a dozen Pups in the nursery because you are not just a bond mate
but my soul mate aswell and I thank God everyday for bringing us together".
It was a far longer speach than Jean normally made, and Armand felt tears
filling his eyes at the sincerity behind the words
"It must have been an Angel that guided us together that night" he whispered
lifting Treville`s hand and kissing it gently "Only God could have had such
clarity of foresight in bringing us together"
"Amen" Jean breathed standing up from the chaise and offering his hand to
Armand "Let us go and celebrate his wonderous intervention!", while it might
have been a rather blasphemous to asociate God with fornication, but at present
Armand could`nt have cared less as he rose from the chaise, dislodging a rather
disgruntled Lucie in the process and followed after Jean to their bed chamber.
***** Chapter 10 *****
In the last sixteen hundred years, any true courting rituals between Alphas and
Omegas had been lost.
With the opression, and degradation the loss of courting rather paled in
comparrison, but as they were now intending to court Lemay, Porthos and Aramis
could have done with some solid rituals to follow, rather than feeling their
way through the dark.
All they had to go on were the usual forms of courtship that Alphas and Betas
made to one another, and to make use of romantic tales that spun rather poetic
courtships.
The use of flowers, and their meanings being a good start, or at least thats
what Aramis said as he dragged Porthos to a florist and spent half their pay
buying up half the stall!.
They also set guide lines for themselves that they would not cross.
This was to be a chaste courtship, in which they would give gifts to Lemay to
show their affection, and tell of their designs, but they would not touch him,
save beyond a kiss and an embrace.
They would take him on pic-nics, and dance with him, technically they should
have a chaperone present, but there was`nt really anyone who could forfill that
obligation, so they would have to make do without.
Also, when Lemay`s heat came, which owing to the state of his health, and his
body needing to take time healing, could be quite a ways off yet.
They would depart from the apartment, leaving Lemay in Treville`s care until
the heat had past, so they would not be lost to the phermones and force their
courtship to its hopeful conclusion to fast.
What they had to do now was to present their suite to Lemay, and hope he looked
favourably upon them.
 
Lemay was writing in his journal, a way to practise and improve his writting,
as well as to get his thoughts and feelings out without gauging his flesh.
He glanced up briefly when Aramis and Porthos came through the door, they had
stoped him from automatically falling to his knees, his head bent forward in
submission whenever they entered the room.
Part of Lemay still felt the need to do so, still feared the beating he would
have received from his former masters for not bowing in suplication the moment
they entered.
But Aramis and Porthos had made it clear they did not wish for him to ever show
such submission to them, that he was an equal to them, and was never to think
otherwise.
Toady however Aramis cleared his throat, drawing Lemay`s attention back to them
and making him frown at the rather large collection of flowers he and Porthos
were holding.
"We hope, that is we wish, to pay court to you, as the chivalrous knights of
old did to their beloveds" Aramis said
"Pay court to me?" Lemay whispered feeling rather light headed all of a sudden,
and by the heat he felt in his cheeks he knew he was blushing furiously!
"Indeed" Porthos said stepping forward "We wish to honour you, and show our
affection and devotion to you, and hope to win your affection in time"
"With that in mind, we present you with the first gifts of courtship" Aramis
said handing Lemay the first of the flowers, bright sunny daffodils with their
petals golden and orange, "Daffodils to demonstrate our chivalry to you, and
our promise to respect and treat you chastely"
"Snow drops as the symbols of hope" Porthos said giving Lemay the white
blossoms "Our hope for the future we may share with you"
"Purple lilacs, the flowers of first love, the beginnings that we wish to build
on and share with you" Aramis said handing Lemay the pretty sweet smelling
flowers "And finally Iris`s, for the flame of love, a flame which will never be
extinguished and will grow stronger and brighter through out our years
together"
Lemay smiled, pressing his lips together as tears pricked at his eyes, quite at
a loss for words, looking up at Aramis and Porthos he bit his bottom lip shyly
"What.....what exactly do I do?" he asked "How do I accept your courtship?"
"All you need do is say yes" Aramis said with a smile
"Yes, yes!, absalutely yes!", Lemay moved forward looking ready to kiss Aramis
but the Beta held up a hand to him
"As said, this courtship will be chaste, we`re not going to rush into anything
physical, we want to take time with this, and slowly work our way up to that"
"So....I can`t kiss you?" Lemay asked "Not even a thankyou kiss?"
"Well perhaps a few kissess won`t hurt!" Porthos said with a grin, which grew
much wider as he ended up with an arm full of Lemay and flowers, and alot of
kissess!
"Alright alright, settle down!" Aramis laughed "And lets get those flowers into
some vases before they shrivel and die!".
 
Their first "Date" out was a pic-nic just outside of Paris in the countryside,
half way between Paris and Meung.
With a pic-nic basket filled with enough food to feed an army, or a least
Porthos!, they rode out at a leisurely pace, with Lemay nestled in Porthos`s
arms on the horse, they had yet to teach him to ride and were planing to give
him a few lessons today, on Aramis`s mare, since Porthos Stallion was too large
and powerful for Lemay to even hope to control him.
Spreading out a blanket on the grass, Aramis unpacked the food and drink while
Porthos lead Lemay around the glade upon Belle`s back, telling him how to grip
with his knees, and to keep the reigns up otherwise the horse would take
advantage and do as it pleased.
Aramis grinned at the spread Serge had prepared for them, the grisseled former
Musketeer who had taken a nasty leg wound in battle during Marie de Medici`s
coup, had become the garrisons cook, and did them proud with with fine hearty
food.
He had provided them with a fresh loaf of crusty bread topped with cheese, half
a round of hard ripe yellow cheese, a thick rich stew of beef with some good
rout vegetables.
He had even provided them with some sweet pastrys from the bakers, some
delicious looking cream puffs, and a couple of bottles of wine.
Looking up he grinned as he saw Lemay leading Belle on his own with Porthos
keeping an eye and calling out tips to him as he walked her round the glade,
Porthos`s Stallion Ace looked up from grazing and whinned at the trio before
going back to eating his grass contentedly.
"If you want to make her go faster just nudge her with your knees" Porthos said
"But not too fast" Aramis advised opening the wine and pouring three cups for
them, gently Lemay nudged Belle into trot, moving with a little more speed
about the meadow now and without even being told, he brought her to a stop
beside a currious Ace who had grow tired eating alone and had gone to see where
his friend was, dismounting, Lemay patted Belle`s flank and let her follow Ace
to graze, walking over to the pic-nic spread
"I don`t think I was made for riding horses!" he said sitting down with a
grimance "My backsides hurting like hell!"
"Ah you`ll get use to that!" Porthos laughed sitting down beside and taking up
his wine
"Remember that mission in Poutiers?" Aramis groaned "I was saddle sore for
nearly a week after that!"
"And did`nt stop complaining about all week either!" Porthos groused rolling
his eyes
"My arse was black and blue!, I could hardly sit down!"
"Which you said, over, and over, and over again!"
"Just because your backside is made of cast iron dos`nt mean that the rest of
us are that lucky!"
"Shut up Aramis!" Porthos said shoving a serving a stew at him in the hope that
with a full mouth he`d stop harping on about his bruised backside
"Can I get my own horse if I learn to ride well enough?" Lemay asked admiring
Belle and Ace as they grazed happily together
"I don`t see why not" Aramis said cutting the bread and handing Lemay the crust
since he liked that the best, "We`ll save up, and when you`ve got more
confident in the saddle we`ll go to an auction, a good filly who`s already been
broken under the saddle I think"
"We can have a word with Treville, he knows the best places to get fair deals
on horses" Porthos said, "Oh, that also reminds me, we are thinking of sending
you to Comtesse Ninon de larroque to further your education"
"A Comtesse?" Lemay looked truly astonished by the suggestion
"She`s a sympathizer, she secretly educates Omegas at her Salon in
Paris" Aramis explained "She can give you a far more extensive education than
we can provide"
"An education", Lemay had never heard of Omegas receiving an education, hell
women generally wer`nt educated, and unless they had the money to provide it,
neither were alot of Men, for him to be given such an opotunity was astounding
"What will I be tought?" he asked
"Science, the cosmos, Latin, Greek, and history" Aramis said "She has a keen
interest in the new learnings from Padua, and has personal corrospondance with
The Astronomer Gallileo!"
"Mon Dieu!" Lemay shook his head, hardly able to believe this was happening,
"D`you...........d`you think I might be able to become a Doctor?" he asked
shyly
"A Doctor?", Porthos rose his eyebrow looking to Aramis, Lemay had never
mentioned a desire to persue the medical arts, "You want to be a Doctor?"
"I would like to, but I don`t suppose it`s possible" Lemay said, who`d ever
heard of an Omega physician?
"I don`t see why it should`nt be" Aramis said "I`m sure Dr Faveroux would be
happy to have an apprentice, and I`ll bet The Comtesse would support this"
"We can always use another pair of hands in the garrison when it comes to
treating injuries aswell" Porthos said "We`ve been lacking a Medical Officer,
having to make do with what surgeons we can grab at the time, I`ll bet Treville
will welcome a regular physician"
"And having a trained midwife will be very handy" Aramis concurred, all to
often they had ended up rescuing pregnant Omegas close to delivery and had to
rush off to find a sympathetic midwife or doctor to deliver them, to have Lemay
fully trained and able to assist would be very useful
"Be good for when I have our Pups aswell" Lemay said stunning both Aramis and
Porthos into silence "What?", he asked seeing the shock on their faces
"You want our Pups?, you want a family with us?" Aramis asked
"Of course" Lemay said "Don`t you want to have Pups?"
"Want....of course we do!" Porthos said "We just.....it`s rather a surprise
that your already thinking about this"
"Well it dos`nt have to happen right away does it?" Lemay said "I was think of
the future, when we`re mated", he blushed at the adoring looks he was receiving
from Aramis and Porthos, the two of them imagining being mated to Lemay, seeing
him round and heavy with a litter, laying in the birthing bed, tired and
beaming with joy as he held in his arms the new born Pups wrapped in woolen
blankets, the family they had been hoping for would come to pass, they would
have Pups of their own with Lemay, beautiful strong Pups with Aramis`s winning
smile, Porthos`s dark wiry curls, and Lemay`s blue/green eyes, they`d be a
bloody handful if they took after their parents in all characteristics!,
certainly keep them on their toes!.
Sharing a look with Porthos, Aramis raised his cup proposing a toast "To the
future".
 
Ninon de Larroque was the epitome of an Alpha Woman.
She was tall, and athletic in build, her bosom small, and hips narrow.
She was also a natural leader, oozing confidence and self assurity, her head
held high and chin jutting proudly, her clear blue eyes meeting Aramis and
Porthos`s gazes without any deference for her feminity.
She spoke to them briskly, exchanging only the facts and details of Lemay`s
education with her, sounding more like a general on a battle field delivering
orders, than a teacher speaking to the friends and guardians of a charge of
hers!.
As Aramis and Porthos left Lemay, he saw Porthos purse his lips blowing out a
sigh of relief having been intimidated by the other Alpha!.
Rumour had it that she was little different at Court, treating Louis with
barely disguised disdane for his naivity, and at times out right stupidity!.
Being as intelligent as she was, Ninon could easily confuse the King into
thinking what she had said was a compliment to him, when in actual fact she was
being sarcastic and rather insulting!.
Her spats with Richelieu were legendary, both of them having a silver tongues,
they could spend hours trading verbal barbs with each other, much to the
amusment of Louis, who would watch them, his head going back and forth as if he
were watching a tenis match!.
Having been told this, Lemay was rather aprehensive in meeting Ninon, but she
quickly put him at ease after she had dismissed Aramis and Porthos, putting an
arm about his shoulders, she led him through her Salon, showing him the works
she had collected over the years, talking to him about the subjects she would
be teaching him, and learning of his desire to become a Doctor, which she whole
heartedly supported, and produced several volumes on human anatomy for Lemay to
study, promising to get more texts from over Europe to further his education.
That first day past with blinding speed, Lemay loosing himself in learning how
the heart circulated blood about the body through the veins, how clots moving
into an organ could kill, how the chambers of the heart worked in a constant
rythem.
When Aramis and Porthos came to collect him that evening, he was actually sorry
to leave, and was very much looking forward to attending the Salon again the
following day.
So a pattern swiftly evolved, with Lemay going to Ninon`s Salon three days a
week to study, not just on anatomy, but also being tought Latin and Greek,
studying the ancient Greek Myths and Legends, and given lessons on Astronomy,
even spending nights with Ninon to use the telescope she had, had built in her
Salon so she might study the motions of the heavons above.
Three other days he trained with Doctor Faveroux, leaning about herbology, what
the medical instuments were used for, how to thread a needle with cat gut and
make small neat stitches, and agreed with the Doctor about how important it was
to clean the hands and the tools before operating on the patient.
On the seventh day of the week, when Aramis and Porthos were off duty, they
invariably went out for the day, going into the country so Lemay could practise
his riding, or if the weather was poor, then simply spending time together in
their apartment, discussing what Lemay had learned through out the weeks, and
what his own theorys were.
 
Six months flew by without any of them really noticing, Lemay`s confidence
growing in leaps and bounds as his learning grew more and more.
He had attended three births with Dr Faveroux, two Beta women, and one Omega,
who was living under the guise of a Beta Woman with her Alpha husband and mate.
Lemay had readily assisted the Doctor, fetching bowls of boiling water and
tearing sheets, holding the labouring Mother or Omans hands and encouraging
them to breath through the contractions, learning how to judge dilation by the
number of fingers that could be inserted, how to unravel an umbilical cord if
it was about the throat, and how to safely deliver a breech which was common
when it came to delivering Omegas of litters, at least one pup would be in
breech if not more.
Seeing the new born babies and Pups, furthered Lemays desire for a family of
his own.
He had already had one heat, and had spent four days locked away in the
apartment with Treville watching over him, as he writhed on the bed, plying
himself with sedatives to sleep through the worst of it, and bathing in cool
baths to cool the raging fever in his blood.
When Porthos and Aramis returned he made his desires quite clear in regard to
future heats, and that he wanted to be mated during his next one.
While it was proberly not traditional for an Omega to demand a date for mating,
neither Aramis or Porthos minded, but insisted on their remaining chaste until
that time.
While physically Lemay`s virginity was long gone, his true innocence was still
present, and they wanted to preserve it until they could be properly mated, to
do things right.
 
A few weeks before Lemays heat, they moved into a new, and larger apartment,
one with two bedrooms, and a fair sized living space, big enough for them to
start a family in.
Lemay and Aramis swiftly set about decorating and making the place how they
wanted it to be in preporation for the big day!.
 
His creamy skin damp with a light sheen of sweat, Lemay lay on the bed in the
main bed chamber, his pupils dilated, and breathing rapid.
As Aramis and Porthos approached him he gave a keening noise, drawing his legs
up and parting his thighs that were glistening with slick.
Porthos was the first on the bed, his Alpha breeding demanding her dominate the
situation, had Aramis not been pack, then he would have been fighting him, to
protect the Omega he meant to mate with, however, he mearly gave a slight
warning growl as Aramis climbed onto the bed beside him, the two of them going
up to Lemay who flung himself at them his hands gasping needily at their flesh,
and heated lips delivering kissess and moans for more.
Aramis greedily captured Lemay`s lips, and drew him into his arms, running his
hands over the Omegas breasts and toying with his nipples, making him whine and
rut against the Beta as Porthos growled and took possession of his hips, lining
himself up behind the writhing Omega and sank inside his body with lewd pop of
flesh.
Instantly Lemay arched his back, breaking his kiss with Aramis to lean back
into Porthos rubbing himself up and down shamelessly
"Like that Mon Omega?" Porthos asked huskily into Lemay`s ear, getting a mewl
from the temporarily muted Omega who squirmed harder on his cock and growing
knot and ran his tongue over Lemay`s throat making him shiver wonderfully
"I think he likes it alot" Aramis purred kissing his way down Lemay`s chest,
his lips puckering and suckingly at his nipples as Porthos began to move in and
out of Lemay`s body, making him cry out even harder at the double assult that
seemed to make every nerve in his body tingle!.
Trapped between the Alpha and Beta, Lemay was going out of his mind with the
pleasure their joint assult was causing him, desperately he tried to grab hold
of them both, to kiss, caress, taste, and devour, as Aramis`s head sank lower
down his body, his mouth wrapping about Lemay`s cock, the Omega almost screamed
for the pleasure that shot through him, Aramis`s skilled tongue flicked over
the head of his cock, teasing and tormenting him so wonderfully that Lemay
thought he might go completely insane, especially with Porthos`s knot hitting
that place inside him that sent lightning bolts through his body!.
Unable to do anything but gasp and cry out in desperation, Lemay closed his
eyes, his whole body stiffening as he felt his climax building, the entire
world becoming a flash of blinding white light as Porthos`s teeth sank deeply
into his neck, and he spent himself in Aramis`s mouth, as Porthos filled him a
moment later.
The next thing Lemay knew, he was nestled between Aramis and Porthos, but with
his head upon Porthos chest as Aramis wrapped his long legs about him from
behind, licking at the fresh bond bite with long strokes of his tongue
obviously planning on taking him through out his next bout of heat.
Unlike Porthos, Aramis could not bond with with a bite, but his salivar upon
the fresh bond bite, would add his genes to Lemay, mating him as part of the
bond.
Sated from the first bout of heat, Porthos was content to allow this, laying
back on the pillows to watch with a lustfull gaze as Lemay slowly began to warm
again, the hormones starting to pump back through his blood again, making him
lean back into Aramis and rub himself against the Betas hardening length.
Lifting Lemay from the bed, Aramis arranged him in his lap, easing Lemay down
on his cock and gripping onto his hips, his fingers teasing his buttocks as he
began to thrust up into Lemay, making the Omega arch and buck, riding him
Aramis with increasing speed as the hormones raged through his body.
Never had Lemay been given the freedom to make love like this, but then he ahd
never made love before, he had been forced, been pinned to a bed and had Alphas
and Beta take him with no regurd to his pleasure.
Aramis allowing him to ride him like this was both exhilerating and amazing!,
with dazed eyes, Lemay ran his hands over Aramis`s smooth musular torso,
fingering the scars, and tugging at the hair he himself did not grow, making
Aramis grin and lean up to capture his lips in a sloppy kiss as he held Lemay
loosly but securely as he lost himself in the growing bliss and brought them
both to climax.
 
For the next three days this pattern continued, with Aramis and Porthos taking
turns at taking Lemay, the other either watching the erotic display, or joining
in by using his mouth and hands on the sensative Omegas body, almost making him
sob for the sinful bliss it brought him.
When his heat was finally spent, the three of them collapsed in an exhausted
heap, and a messy tangle of limbs on the sweat and sex stained sheets, sleeping
for nearly twelve hours before awakening deliciously sore and keen to celebrate
their new bond.
***** Chapter 11 *****
1625 Paris
Lemay was seven months pregnant with Aramis and Porthos`s pups when Athos
joined them.
Aramis and Porthos had been wary of the new Alpha when he had first come into
the Musketeer garrison, fresh from a fight with bandits, and stinking of a
nights heavy drinking, he hardly impressed people with his appearance.
However, Treville had seen him fighting, seen his enviable skill with a sword
and had decided to offer him a commission in the Musketeers.
Surly, moody, frequently drunk or hung over, Athos was not quick to make
friends amonst the Musketeers, something he seemed happy about, if one could
call sitting alone working your way through bottle after bottle of red, happy.
With Lemay heavily pregnant with their first litter, Aramis and Porthos decided
to give Athos a wide birth, not wanting anything to threaten their mate or
their pups.
In the last two years Lemay had completed his education with Ninon and Dr
Faveroux, earning himself a degre from the Sorbone, curtesy of Ninon putting up
the funds, and creating a false relationship with him.
As far as the world was concerned, Ninon had known Lemay`s parents, who had
saddly died young and lost all their money, leaving Lemay orphaned and
destitute.
Since he was so very intelligent and had a great desire to become a Doctor, she
had decided to fund his education.
His sex was recorded as being a Beta with Ninon backing up the claim, it was`nt
likely that anyone would dare question one of the richest and most influencial
Women in France, and Lemay took great care to conceal his true gender.
One he had finished his time as apprentice to Dr Faveroux, he became the
Musketeers official Medical officer, aswell as the rebellions Physican.
Since falling pregnant, Lemay had needed to disappear for a time to protect
himself.
Once he had began to show too much for a corset to conceal, he had let it be
known that he was going to travel Europe for a few months, especially
Switzerland, to try and learn more about medicene from other countrys.
A story would be spun on his return to public life, of how he had attended the
birth of a poor woman, who had died delivering her Pups/Babies, and as no
Father or other family could be found to care for them, Lemay had adopted them
as his own.
No one would know the truth, that they were his Pups, his Aramis, Porthos`s
litter.
No one would question that he was still living with his friends Porthos, and
Aramis in the Rue de Foyssiers.
They had been good friends for a number of years, and everyone knew that
Porthos and Aramis loved children and Pups, and Lemay was the Musketeer medic,
it made sense that he cultivate a friendship within the ranks, and sharing the
rent was also practical, especially when one had offpsring to raise.
It was risky, there was a chance that people could become suspcious, but at
least this way Lemay could remain in Paris with them, and with the Pups, and
they would not need to fake a marriage to some woman and have her pretend to be
pregnant and pretend to mother the Pups/Babies herself.
The downside of this plan, rather than sending Lemay into the country to have
the Pups, was that he was having to remain shut away in the apartments, and
would not be able to return to the world until after the birth.
While the reason for his imprisonment was very different to how his being
locked up in the brothels had been, it did not change the fact that he was once
again locked away from the world.
However Lemay himself had chosen to do things this way, rather than leave for
the country and be away from Aramis and Porthos for so long.
To while away the long months of his confinement, he set about creating the
most lavish nursery either Porthos or Aramis had ever seen!.
The walls and ceiling were hand painted and turned into a story book of scenes,
the ceiling showing the heavons, with the dominant sun blazing bright by the
window, the serene silver moon casting a ghostly light above the cribs, and
silver/white stars dotting over the midnight blue ceiling, that became azure
beside the sun.
The four walls were all different too, the wall by the window showed an African
plain, under the brilliant sun, with Lions, Antelope, girraffe, elephants,
tigers, cheaters, and parrots brought to life on the wall.
The wall oposite was under the sea, with blue/green waves cresting over head,
and all types of fish and sea life swimming in the depths.
The wall furthest from the door showed a jungle with monkeys swinging through
the trees, and birds nesting high in the branches, Leopards, and panthers
prowling on the ground below.
The wall by the door was of a farm land, open green fields with fluffy sheep,
patches cows, brightly coloured chickens and pink pigs!.
Lemay also knitted and sewed and endless aray of pups clothes, and blankets,
even buying lace and creating lace canopys to hang over the cribs!.
Aramis and Porthos grew used to comeing home and finding Lemay engrossed in his
nesting, both of them enjoying the domestic scene of their pregnant Omega
preparing for the litter, though the often had to physically drag him out of
the nursery to sit down and eat with them, since he would loose track of time
and everything else as he made things ready for their pups.
Things would proberly have continued on in this manor, with no realtionship
forming between Aramis, Porthos, Athos at all, had it not been for the events
that Treville inadvertantly set into motion with what should have been a simple
routine mission to Toulouse.
 
The mission itself was simple, all they were doing was carrying messages from
The King to the Comte de Toulouse, staying a few days for the reply, and then
riding back to Paris.
The only reason that Treville had sent Athos with his best Musketeers was to
give him a taste of mission work outside of Palace duty and street patrols.
Aramis and Porthos were happy enough to leave Lemay at home, as he would be
under Treville`s care until they returned.
While Treville was not strictly speaking Pack, he was their unofficial
surragote Oman, and they trusted him implicately to care for Lemay in their
absence, even if Lemay stated that he was perfectly capable of taking care of
himself for few days while they were gone!.
The mission went without a hitch, the Comte was gracious and aimiable, giving
the Musketeers rooms in his Chateau while they remained with him for three
days, giving their horses a rest before the ride back, and the Comte a chance
to reply to the Kings letters.
They were also given a good aray of provisions to go back with curtasey of the
Comtes kitchens, stocking their packs with salted pork, smoked chicken, double
baked honey bread, ripe rounds of cheese, dried fruits, and nuts, and some
bottles of wine.
 
Refreshed from their stay over in Toulouse the three set out more cheerful and
energetic on their ride back to Paris, which was when trouble began.
A Thunder storm struck as they were passing through Agen, with no signs that it
was going to let up anytime soon, between the sky being as black as night,
torrential rain, gale force wind, and blinding flashes of lightening, the three
Musketeers opted to seek shelter in Agen, heading for the first Inn they came
across.
Aramis stayed to help the stable hand with the horses as Porthos and Athos went
inside to secure rooms for them.
Leaving Athos`s horse Roger to the stable hand, Aramis set about brushing down
Belle and Ace, and getting them some oats for the night, soothing Belle as she
became skittish with the rumbles of thunder
"It`s nothing to worry about Querida, you`re perfectly safe in here" he cooed
scratching behind her ears where he knew she liked it and grinned as Ace stuck
his head over the stall to whinny at her
"See?", Aramis said to Belle "Ace is here, he`ll look after you"
"Are we such poor company that you have to talk to horses now Mis?" Porthos
asked as he came into the stables,
"Well you`re not" Aramis replied "Wheres grumpy!?", Grumpy had become his nic-
name for Athos over this journey, as the maudelin drunk had made no effort to
befriend either Aramis or Porthos, and had remained silent for the most part,
only answering questions with one or two words before retreating back into his
moody silence.
"Athos is taking up position by the bar" Porthos said "Proberly fall asleep
there after he`s emptied the wine casks!"
"Well he can sleep there, I`m not straining myself to carry him to bed!" Aramis
said dismissively
"Thank God for small mercy`s!" came Athos`s emotionless voice as he appeared in
the stables going to Rogers saddle and taking a forgotten pack from it, Porthos
rose an eyebrow at Aramis who shrugged, not really caring if he`d offended the
other Alpha at all
"We`ve got two rooms" Porthos said "You and me in one, and Athos has the other"
"I thought I`d leave you two to your privacy" Athos said heading back out of
the stables "I`m sure you`ve had enough of my company"
"Well if you wer`nt such a miserable bastard it would`nt be so bad!" Aramis
shot back "You don`t exactly make an effort to have people like you!"
"Maybe I don`t want to be liked!" Athos responded, stopping and turning to look
back at Aramis with a snide superior look about him
"Oh, ar`nt we good enough for you?" Aramis snarled "Figured you were Nobility,
always looking down your nose at everyone, and talking like you`ve got a flag
pole stuffed up your arse!, well get over yourself!, you wanna be a Musketeer
then you best learn that you ai`nt no better than the rest of us!"
Athos regarded Aramis cooly, his left eyebrow rising slightly and scarred top
lip curling back in a look that was a cross between amusment and disgust, "Are
you always this insufferable?" he asked emphasising his vowels and clipping his
accent even more than usual
"You arrogant son of a.....!"
"Mis!", Porthos cut Aramis off and stepped in front of him, blocking him from
marching over to Athos and starting a fight, while the other Alpha riled him up
aswell, it was not worth getting into a brawl for, nore would it bring good
reputation to the regiment if the soldiers were fighting amongst themselves.
"Let it go" Porthos said "This ai`nt worth the hastle that Treville`ll give us
if we get into a scrap", he lowered his voice and pressed closer to Aramis,
whispering in his ear "Lemay would`nt like it either"
Aramis made a face, hearing the truth behind the words, and knowing that
Porthos was right, sulkily he stepped back, giving Athos a cold look, "Fine,
after this mission is over we go our separate ways, and never cross each others
paths again"
"That`ll be a little difficult considering we serve in the same regiment" Athos
drawled
"Then maybe you should find somewhere else to go!"
"Mis!" Porthos cried appauled by the out burst
"What?, it`s not like anyone`ll miss him if he goes!" Aramis replied "He`s
friends with no one, and makes no effort to be either, he`s not the sort we
need in the unit, we`re a brotherhood, we need another brother, not some
spoiled rich brat looking to amuse himself and bring disgrace to the regiment
for being drunk all the time!", the mention of being brothers seemed to shut
Athos down more than ever, it was as if curtains had just come down over him,
making him disappear inside his own dark shell and hid him away from the world.
Porthos opened his mouth to speak out to the Novice, but his words died in his
throat as he, Aramis, and Athos saw something that drew all their attention.
Across the road, four Omegas, in leg irons shuffeled along the street, bare
foot, their soles and ankles bleeding from the cuffs about them and the sharp
stones in the road cutting into them.
They were soaked to the skin and shivering with cold, dress only in grey smocks
that reached their knees, two of them were pregnant, their painfully thin arms
wrapped about their swollen middles as they tried to huddle into themselves as
they were pushed and shoved alone by a large Alpha with a whip who lashed the
willow switch against their shins if they did`nt move quick enough, and cuffed
the backs of their heads if they stumbled
"Be takin` `em back t`the breedin` farm on t`other side `o town" the stable
hand said running a hand through his blonde curls "Said t`ave two dozen Omegas
there, supply`s half o`Gascony`s brothels wit`em"
"I`ll bet" Porthos growled, his nails digging into his palms as he watched the
malnourished, beaten, abused Omegas staggering through the streets with the
Alpha behind them
"Port`" Aramis whispered
"I know Pet" Porthos whispered back with a side glance at Athos "Not `ere,
we`ll talk inside".
 
They could`nt leave the Omegas to suffer, they could`nt just turn their backs
and ride back to Paris as soon as the weather broke, they could`nt let the
owners of the breeding farm continue to this.
While they should have gone back to Paris, reported this to Treville, mounted a
full rescue operation so they would have a decent size squad to take down the
Farm and free the Omegas, neither Porthos or Aramis could face leaving them
there any longer than absalutely nessasery.
So in the dead of night, they left their room at the Inn, silently going down
to the stables and getting Belle and Ace to ride for the Farm, intent on
killing everyone of the masters and freeing the Omegas.
"Athos`s horse is gone" Aramis said as he saddled Belle
"Maybe he`s gone for a ride" Porthos said with a shrug
"In the pouring rain?", Aramis doubted that very much, as did Porthos now he
thought about it
"We don`t have time to worry about what he might be doing right now" the larger
Musketeer said "We need to get to that farm", Aramis nodded, leading Belle out
of the stall and mounting her easily Porthos joining him with Ace, and the two
of them riding side by out of the courtyard, their hats pulled low over their
faces to help stem some of the rain as they rode into the wind and unpleasent
night.
 
The breeding farm was the largest building in Agen, sitting right on the
outskirts of the town, with a three story farm house, and several acres of land
about it, most of which was being used for live stock, save for the fields
closest to the house, where seven foot fences wrapped with barbed wire enclosed
the Omegas fields.
There were two large barns on each of the fields, living areas for the Omegas,
a large trough for food, and well for water in the centre of the two fields,
and a couple of small huts at the sides, where the Omegas would go to deliver
their Pups, or to be impregnanted.
This was not the worst that Aramis and Porthos had seen, Omegas being treated
like barn yard animals was common place, and the fact that they had even been
given a barn to sleep in and protect them from the elements was a blessing!,
some farms did`nt even bother with that!, just left them to lay in the fields!,
not caring if they froze to death during the winter, or died of sun stroke in
the summer.
With the fences so high, and the barbed wire making them unclimbable, there
were no guards on the perimeter, so Aramis and Porthos had no trouble gaining
access to the property, both wondering if they`d even need bother killing the
Masters, when they could just as easily free the Omegas without bothering to go
into the house at all.
This question was answered when they came to the gate, which was chained and
locked, with a lock that was beyond even Porthos`s skill to pick, and shooting
it would bring every person on the property out of bed to see what was going
on.
"We go for the Master of the house" Aramis whispered as they changed direction
heading back to the farm house "He`ll know where the keys are and we can
dispose of him as soon as the gates open"
"Have you given any consideration as to how we`re getting these Omegas back to
Paris?" Porthos asked as they came to the main door, both of them falling
silent as it stood half open before them and creaking in the wind.
***** Chapter 12 *****
Aramis took out his harquebus, nodding as Porthos lifted his pistol and spun
his sword in his hand, silently they stepped into the foyer, with Aramis
covering Porthos until they knew it was clear, then quietly moved further into
the house
"Thieves d`you think?" Aramis whispered
"Perhaps" Porthos replied "They can take what they want, so long as we get the
keys to the gate"
"Aye, save us the trouble of ensuring these bastards can`t go back into
business once we got the Omegas out of here".
 
Figuring that the Master bedroom would be the largest in the property, they
quietly made their way up the stair case, only to pause as they heard footsteps
coming along the corridor above them, a quick check of the situation showed
they had no strategic points on the stairs, and so they hastened back down,
crouching down on oposite sides of the stair case concealing themselves in the
shadows as the footsteps grew closer.
A Man in a long night shirt, and a velvet robe came down the stairs, his bare
feet slapping the wood as he went, a darkly dressed figure behind him with a
pistol pointed at the back of his head!.
Aramis and Porthos waited with baited breath until the pair had reached two
paces away from the stairs, then revealed themselves, with their guns aimed at
both the intruder and the hostage
"You move and you get your brains splattered over the walls!" Porthos warned
making both men freeze
"Please!" the hostage whimpered "He`s insane!, he wants to steal my Omegas!"
"Shut it!" Aramis snapped stepping round the two men, his harquebus aimed on
them at all times "You`re not getting rescued here, he can do what he wants
with you after we`re done, so don`t bother pleased for your worthless
existance!"
"Well, that`ll depend on what he wants to do with the Omegas" Porthos put in,
pressing the barrel of his pistol into the head of the intruder, who grunted at
him "Got anything to say on that?"
"Yeah" a familiar voice replied "Point the bloody gun elsewhere!", Porthos
stilled and glanced at Aramis who`s mouth parted in a silent question, one that
was answered as lightening flashed revealing the face of the intruder to them.
Athos.
 
"What the bloody hell are you doing here!?" Porthos demanded stepping back from
the Novice and training his gun on the hostage
"I could ask you the same question" Athos replied nochalently, keeping his
pistol trained on the head of his hostage
"We asked first!" Aramis shot back "And theres two of us, so why don`t you
answer first!", Athos gave Aramis his usual arrogant unimpressed look that set
the Musketeers teeth on edge, before he deigned to reply
"I`m planning on setting the Omegas free, I figured this bastard has the keys
to the gate, and he also has carriages I can use to get them out of here" he
explained "I assume that the two of you are planning to do much the same
thing?"
"What if we are?" Porthos replied
"Well if you are then it would make sense if we work together would it not?"
Athos said in a tone of voice that made it sound like he was talking to a five
year old Pup! "However, if you`re not, then I assume I`ll be dead in the next
few minutes and none of this will matter anymore, will it?", for several
moments no one moved, then slowly Aramis lowered his harquebus from Athos`s
head, and relaxed his stance
"Carriages you say?"
"Two of them" Athos replied "Should be enough to get the poor sods back to
Paris in"
"You`ll never make it!, I`ll have my men after you and they`ll hunt you down
like foxes!" the Master snarled only to let out a cry of pain as the barrel of
Aramis`s harquesbus smashed into his face breaking his nose and knocking out
his front teeth in s spray of blood!
"By the time your Men find you, we`ll be long gone" Athos growled at the sorry
excuse for a human being, "And all you`ll be caring about is getting back into
your warm bed, after you`ve spent the night tied to a trough in the middle of a
field!, so save your threats, they don`t scare anyone!"
"Trough in the field?" Aramis asked Porthos with a risen eyebrow
"I like `is style!" Porthos replied with a low chuckle "Fits right in wit`
us!".
 
 
There were sixteen Omegas in total, and ten Pups to get out of the farm, eight
of the Omegas were pregnant, while the rest were either nursing Pups, or had
recently had weaned Pups taken from them, since only the Omega Pups were
allowed to remain with their Oman after the first three months.
Fitting twenty six into two carriage was no easy task, especially since the
were made to only fit six each!, all the Pups had to sat on the laps of the
adults, with the adults cramped up uncomfortably, with two each on the floor of
both carriages.
Aramis and Athos drove the carriages, Belle and Roger tethered to the back of
the carriages while Porthos rode Ace both ahead and behind them to make sure
they wer`nt being followed and there were no signs of bandits ahead.
 
Unable to risk going into any Inns, partly because they did`nt have the funds
to pay for so many beds, and because they would have difficulty protecting so
many Omegas, they were forced to sleep rough, sleeping in shifts so that one of
them was always awake and keeping and eye on everything.
Using the two carriages slowed the pace considerably, giving the Musketeers a
chance to get to know each other properly.
While Athos did not seem willing to open up about his past, beyond saying that
his marriage had ended exceptionally baddly and that he had lost people he
loved dearly, he stoped pushing away Aramis and Porthos, admitting that he was
keeping people at arms length so as not to get hurt again.
Respecting Athos`s right to privacy about his past, Porthos and eventually
Aramis after some goading on Porthos`s part, opened up to Athos, telling him
about their own history, how they both became Musketeers, about Isabelle who
was now Sister Helene in Bourbourne les eaux, even telling him about Lemay, and
that they would soon be having a litter!.
"A tripple bond" Athos mused as they sat about the small camp fire, the Omegas
shared the larger one, snuggling together in puppy piles as they passed bowls
of stew about themselves, talking animatedly and laughing brightly, enjoying
their new freedom.
"It`s rare" Athos said "An Alpha/Beta/Omega bond, even in History, it was rare"
"Must be refering to ancient history" Aramis said "Certainly not anything from
the last sixteen hundred years"
"My tutor taught me about ancient history" Athos replied, then flushed as he
realised he had admitted to more than he had intended
"Tutor?" Porthos asked winking at Aramis, leaning forward towards Athos "Tell
us more, Your Grace!", Athos shot him a disgusted look that resulted in Porthos
burting into the most filthy sounding laugh that Athos had ever heard!, Aramis
joining in simply because of the look on Athos`s face, which had gone from
disgust to bewildered bemusment!, after a few moments Athos gave into the
infectious mirth, letting out a breathy laugh and grunting as Porthos slapped
him on the back
"Would you mind not breaking him before we get home!?" Aramis complained "It`s
hard enough driving these carriages as it is, without you smashing up one of
the drivers"
"So thats why you want me around?" Athos sighed with mock pity "Just to be in
service to you?"
"What else!", Athos grinned at Aramis`s innocent expression and sparkling eyes
"Why do I think that being around the two of you is going to do me far more
damage than drinking myself into an early grave will?" he sighed with false
melancholy and a rather resigned sigh
"Well look on the bright side!" Porthos chuckled "At least you`ll get more
excitement from us than you will from a bottle!"
"There is that!" Athos agreed raising his water skin, that was unsurprisingly
full of wine!, "Heres to excitement then!"
"I`ll drink to that!" Aramis agreed grabbing the flask as soon as Athos had
done, and after a swig tossed it to Porthos who saluted Athos before drinking
deeply and tossing the skin back to him
"Well" Athos said "Let the excitement begin!".
 
 
Two months later
 
Athos was now wearing a shiny new pauldron on his shoulder, having impressed
Louis by single handedly tackeling a would be assassin.
They had managed to relocate the Omegas and Pups they had rescued from Agen,
Ninon had helped a great deal in that, sending them out to her estates to build
new lives, with paid jobs on her land, or given them shelter until they could
be gotten out of the country to England, or Switzerland, or Germany.
Both Dr Faveroux, and Lemay had attended the Omegas, delivering several Pups
during their weeks in Paris, and checking over the general health of the
Omegas, who, given time, would recover.
Lemay had taken an instant like to Athos when he had been properly introduced
to the Alpha, Athos had seemed rather sad when he had first met Lemay, or if
not sad, then had an air of painful nostalgia, as if he were recalling
something that he missed deeply.
Not wanting to drive him back into another depressive drinking bout they did
not push Athos on the subject, allowing him his privacy, as he slowly settled
into their small family, becoming a good friend and welcome fixture in their
lives, which was more than slightly appreciated when Lemay went into labour and
neither Aramis or Porthos wanted to leave him to fetch Faveroux, so they were
able to send Athos running through the streets at three in the morning while
they ran a warm bath, heated ale, fetched towels, rubbed Lemays back, got under
each others feet, and nearly gave themselves hernias with panic!.
"You are seven centermeters dilated with contractions coming every six minutes"
Faveroux said as he examined Lemay who was laid on the bed, heels to bottom,
knees apart, and breathing deeply as Aramis and Porthos looked on biting their
nails, and moving from foot to foot with nervousness
"First head is engaged, and I think the second Pup is also going to come head
first"
"Thats lucky" Lemay said rubbing his bared belly "I was expecting one of them
to be breech"
"Is everything alright though?, is he okay?" Aramis burst out hopping from foot
to foot so much that he looked like he was desperate for the privy and holding
on!
"Perfect" Faveroux replied patting Lemay`s knee so he could lower his legs once
again "A few more hours and the little ones will be here"
"Hours!?" Porthos cried "You expect us to go on like this for hours!"
"Err hello?, who is US?" Lemay cried "I`m the one giving birth not you!"
"I did`nt mean it like that!" Porthos offered with a wince, that increased as
Aramis elbowed him in the ribs, getting onto the bed and rubbing Lemay`s back
as he sat forward panting with fresh contraction
"D`you want anything for the pain?" Faveroux asked
"No" Lemay winced "I can do it!", he gripped tightly to Aramis`s hand his eyes
screwed tightly shut and forced himself to breath and not hold his breath until
the pain passed
"Can I get you anything?" Porthos asked "Ale?, water?, Ice?"
"Just hold my hand" Lemay panted laying back against the pillows, sharing a
smile with Aramis, Porthos got up onto the bed taking Lemay`s other hand while
Faveroux went into the kitchen where Athos was making a hearty stew for Lemay
to have after the birth
"Hows he doing?" he asked as he added sliced carrots, red onions, swede and
parsnips to the beef broth
"Very well" Faveroux replied inhaling the delicious scent of the stew happily
"Do they need anything?", Athos knew better than to try and approach the nest
while Lemay was in labour, friend or no, Porthos and Aramis would react on
natural instinct, they would attack him and likly kill him to protect their
mate in a vulnerable condition, that he was trusted enough to be allowed to
remain in the apartment was amazing in itself and he was sensible to the
honour.
"I think they`re alright at the moment" Faveroux replied pouring himself a
glass of wine, they both paused glancing back at the bedroom where Lemay was
letting out more crys of pain
"How much longer?" Athos asked wincing at the pain he heard in Lemay`s cries
"A few hours I think" Faveroux replied "But he`s strong, he`ll do fine".
 
Several hours later Lemay was up on all fours, clinging to Porthos as Aramis
rubbed his back, straining to bear down and deliver the first Pup
"One more push" Faveroux said "Wait for the contraction, and then bear down"
"I know, I know" Lemay panted, breathing deeply and gripping tight to Porthos`s
shoulders smiling as the Alpha kissed his forehead
"I don`t think you`ve ever been more beautiful then you are right now" he said
"What?, sweaty, tired, swollen, and straining to deliver a Pup?" Lemay laughed
leaning into Aramis`s touch as he wiped his face
"Having our Pups" Porthos said "Glowing with new life that is just about to
begin, a life that your body had nutured for nine months and is now bringing
into being", had he been able, Lemay would have likly said something at that
impossibly beautiful declaration, but at that moment the next contraction hit
and he could do nothing but moan as he bore down, feeling the Pup moving slowly
down the birthing chanel into Faveroux`s waiting hands and after a beat let out
a spluttering cry
"A fine healthy Alpha girl" he declared wrapping the wriggling Pup into a towel
and carefully passing her to Aramis who`s eyes filled with tears of joy at
seeing her
"Mi Querida!, Mi Angelo!" he whispered kissing her face and breathing in her
scent, gently he passed the Pup to Lemay who could`nt even speak for the wave
of emotions that came over him at the sight of his new born baby girl
"She`s perfect, she`s.....she`s.....she`s..." Porthos broke off and reached out
to stroke the new borns cheek with his finger tip, she was clearly his
daughter, her dusky skin and tight dark curls showed that, but she was
absalutely the most beautiful baby any of them had ever seen.
Lemay was given a few minutes reprieve before the labour began again, and
Aramis took the baby girl to go and be washed up, and introduced her to Athos
who looked rather terrified when she was placed in his arms as if he was afraid
she might break!, but as he held her his face softened and a smile spread over
his lips
"She`s perfect Mis, she`s beautiful"
"She is is`nt she" Aramis said with a huge grin that managed to grow wider as
he took her back and went back to the bedroom eagerly awaiting the second Pup.
 
"Thats it, push down, let your muscles do the work and breath through it!"
Faveroux encouraged as Lemay moaned and strained, his exhausted body screaming
out for sleep but somehow finding enough strength to keep going and keep
pushing down until the Pup was delivered
"An Alpha boy!" Faveroux said as he let out a bellow of a cry
"A boy too!" Lemay whispered sagging down on the bed and turning round,
reaching out his hands and breaking into tears as he was laid into his arms
"He`s a lusty lad!" Porthos chuckled as the Pup continued to let out
disgruntled cries keen to state his dominance over everything!, dear God would
they have their hands full with two Alpha pups to run about after!
"He`s perfect" Aramis agreed looking at what was undoubtedly his boy, that was
his nose, and his eyes he was looking at, though he definately had Lemay`s
chin, and forehead
"Well done sweetheart" Porthos said kissing Lemay`s cheek "And thankyou,
thankyou so much"
"I think we all played a part in this" Lemay laughed stroking his boys cheek as
he settled down "Our Pups our Litter".
 
Later, much later, after Lemay had been delivered of the after birth, and
cleaned up, and was laying back in a clean bed with the Pups wrapped up and in
his arms, Aramis and Porthos settled on the bed beside them.
After meeting both Pups, and congratulating Lemay, Athos had taken his leave of
the new family, going back to the Garrison to tell Treville the happy news and
wet the Pups heads.
"What d`you think about Isabelle for our daughter?" Porthos asked "Isabelle
Angelique?"
"I like that" Lemay said "For our Sister and for the name you first gave me"
"I love it" Aramis whispered blinking back a couple of tears and looked down at
the infant Pup in question stroking her head "So you`re our litte Izzy now" he
said "Our little Izzy"
"What about our boy though?" Lemay said "I`ve always rather liked the name
Edouard"
"Edouard" Porthos repeated "Nic named Ned?"
"Edouard Francios?" Aramis suggested
"Our little Ned" Lemay agreed looking down at his new litter "Izzy and Ned I`ll
bet you both keep us on our toes!".
***** Chapter 13 *****
Chapter Summary
     Trigger warnings Forced Incest Rape/Non Con Mentions of Miscarriage,
     still birth, and Infant death
Gascony 1611
 
Castlemore Estate
 
The Squire of Castlemore Bertrand d'Batz was a proud and forceful Alpha.
He and his family had risen from nothing, had been prosperous as traders, and
had made a name for themselves in the land, enough of a name and enough wealth
to buy an estate and title.
While it was only minor Nobility, it was still Nobility, and they were thought
of highly enough for the Comte D'Artagnan Henri de Montesquiou to wed his
Sister Francious Montesquiou to Bertrand in the year 1598.
Bertrand had thought his fortunes were made then, that he was well and truely
on the up, that he would create a great and lasting dynasty with his Beta Wife,
and her extensive dowery.
However, like often happens in life, things did not go to plan.
Francious swiftly fell pregnant, and was delivered of a healthy son, but not
the Alpha or Beta Son that they had hoped for, but an Omega Son.
Reluctantly they named the Pup, calling him Alexandre, and kept him on the
estate with Bertrand planning to sell him or breed him in the future, very sure
that their next offspring would be the desired sex.
Sure enough their next Son was an Alpha, but still born, followed by several
more Alpha and Beta Sons and Daughters who were either still born or died after
a few days or weeks of life.
On and on it went, for thirteen long years until Francious finally stopped
being able to conceive, the damage of so much bearing and several bad
deliveries having rendered her unable to do so anymore.
Bertrand was beyond furious, could not believe that God had seen fit to leave
him childless save for a useless Omega, he had prayed, given tithes to The
Church, lived in a God fearing household, and yet all he had to show for it was
Alexandre.
Alexandre
A fertile Omega, just starting his heats
Perfect for Bertrand to breed.
 
While Famile Alphas would not naturally become aroused by a famile Omegas heat
scent, they could stimulate themselves into being able to lay with them, if
they were twisted enough to do so, which Bertrand was.
The very day that Alexandre went into his heat Bertrand, his own Aphan raped
him and impregnated him in determination to get himself an Alpha or Beta heir.
At just thirteen years old, Alexandre was no where near ready to be bearing
Pups, his body was not fully grown, was not matured enough to do this easily,
and the pregnancy that ensued was horrendous on him, as was the birth.
For nearly four long painfull days he lay in his chambers attended by a Midwife
and a Physician as he struggled to deliver his premature Pup.
For seven months he had been well fed, given a decent bed chamber in
Castlemore, had been treated like a prized brood mare as Bertrand eagerly
awaited his longed for heir.
Francious had nothing to do with Alexandre, would not suffer to have him in her
presence, disgusted that she had birthed an Omega, and more disgusted that he
might be able to do the one thing her body ahd failed to, provide a living heir
for the estate.
However, despite the best of care, Alexandre had not had an easy pregnancy,
suffering constant sickness, blood pressure that went to high and to low, had
been so dizzy that he was often unable to rise from the bed, his joints
throbbing with pain, his pelvis struggling to shift the carry the pup growing
in his womb.
Since his sixth month he had needed to be on bed rest, since he had started to
have premature labour pains since his twenty fourth week, now at thirty weeks
his labour was coming on full, and there was no stopping it.
Screaming for the intense pain shooting through his body that was no where near
matured enough to handle this, Alexandre clung to the pillows sobbing as his
fragile flesh tore and the undersized Pup was pushed into the world giving a
weak mewl rather like a kitten when the Physician tapped his back
"An Omega boy" the Midwife declared wrapping the infant up in a towel after the
physician had cut the cord
"What!?" Bertrand bellowed shoving the curtains aside to step up to the bed
where a pasty grey Alexandre took his new born Pup in his arms, falling in love
with the doll like Pup who whimpered weakly and blinked tiny eyes at his too
young Oman
"An Omega!, another useless Omega!" Bertrand roared his fist hitting the wall
"Why?, what does it take?, why can`t I have an heir!", he glowered down at
Alexandre, his top lip curling back at the sight of blood leaking from between
his pale thighs, his body ravaged from the birth, and a far too small Pup
nestled in his arms
"Clean him up" he barked at the physician "I want him able to conceive again as
soon as possible!".
 
Alexandre named his Pup Charles, some how managing to defy the odds and keep
his Pup alive, pumping his breast milk into cups and using a tea spoon to tip
milk into the Pups mouth since he was too small to nurse properly.
Charles also nursed for longer than Omegas and Alphas usually did, not weaning
until he was five months old when his teeth finally came in.
From there, despite his premature birth, Charles thrived, fighting off
infections and ailments, and growing well.
For the most part he was ignored by Bertrand, and certainly by Francious who
wanted absalutely nothing to do with him or Alexandre, who, unlike his Pup was
bearing the brunt of Bertrands attentions.
The Omega was forced to bear litter after litter by his own Aphan, miscarrying
most of them, and prematurely delivering the rest.
Perhaps his body had been perminantly damaged by bearing a Pup too young,
perhaps it was because he and Bertrand were too closely related to be able to
have a healthy litter together, either way, Alexandre was unable to carry a
litter to term, and his health was rapidly declining.
By the time Charles began his own heats, Alexandre was a frail withered and
prematurely aged Omega.
While only twenty six years old, his hair was turning grey, his abdomenial
muscles ruined from so many pregnancies, his bones sticking out from under his
skin, and his damaged pelvis making him unable to walk properly, forcing him to
stagger weakly limping along with use of a crutch.
Almost driven mad by his desperate desire to make himself an heir, or even an
heiress since he was now so desperate, and age was rapidly gaining on him,
Bertrand sank to even lower depravity, raping his own GrandPup, who was of
course also his Pup!.
Charles, unlike his completely submissive and down trodden Oman did not submit
to Bertrand easily, he had spent his whole Pup hood playing with swords,
copying Bertrands guards at fencing, teaching himself to fight, and fought back
against Bertrand, kicking, punching, biting, and scratching at him, never
giving in without a fight, and continued to spit out curses even as his heat
left him unable to fight anymore and Bertrand had his way with him.
For years it went on, Charles thankfully never conceiving a Pup by Bertrand,
most likly because of how closely related they were, and his determination to
get away from Castlemore, to get freedom grew inside him, until one night, when
Bertrand came to his and Alexandre`s room to slack his lusts on the Omegas,
D'Artagnan fought back harder than normal, managing to get Bertrand`s sword
from him and stabbed it through his shoulder!.
More shocked than pained Bertrand gazed at the Omega Pup holding the bloodied
sword in his hands, dizzy and astonished, he staggered backwards tripping over
an over turned chair and falling to the ground cracking open the back of his
skull!.
"Charles!" Alexandre whispered from the bed "What......what did you......"
"We`ve got to go" Charles whispered biting his bottom and nodding his head as
he made the decision for them both, "We have to leave here, right now, go far,
far away, and never come back"
"Where should we go?" Alexandre asked shaking his head "This is our home!, this
is.....we have nothing and no where to go!"
"We`ll fine somwehere!, we`ll find a way!" Charles shouted swiping tears of
stress from his eyes, and set about grabbing the sword belt, main gauche, and
pistols from Bertrand and fixing them on his own narrow waist, hurriedly he
tore the money pouch from Bertrand containing five livre and thirty sous
"This`ll see us through for a while" he said taking the rings, gold chain
necklace, and bracelette from Bertrand which they could pawn
"We`ll go to Paris" he said to Alexandre who had struggled from the bed, and
dressed himself in his only doublet, and hobbled over on his crutch placing a
painfully thin hand on his Pups shoulder
"You go, leave me" he said coughing weakly, his whole body shaking with the
force of the cough "I`m crippled" he rasped "I`ll be a burden to you!, go,
escape, live your life"
"Not without you!" Charles swore, grabbing his Omans hand and holding it tight
"I love you, I will not leave you here to die at that bastards hands!, I will
care for you and we will never be anyones slave again"
Through sheer force of his will, his own inner strength that Bertrand had never
been able to crush, Charles managed to convince Alexandre to take a chance,
leave Castlemore with him, stealing a Gelding named Zad from the stables and
riding from the Gascon Chateau with Alexandre clinging to his back, and moaning
for the pain that shot through his pelvis as they rode through the night,
heading to Paris and freedom.
 
1630 Paris
He shivered in the cold night air as he stood outside the Inn, a hand on his
hip which was pushed out just so, a come hither smirk on his painted face, hair
teased and piled high and pinned on top of his head and dressed in a too tight
corset, skin tight leather breeches and a cloak which was open and thrown back
over his shoulders like a cape, he was making sure that anyone and everyone who
saw him knew he was touting for buisness and exactly what that business was.
He`d been living in Paris for three years now since he had convinced his Oman
that they had to escape their home, home!, prison more like!, saddly his Oman
had not long survived their freedom, his body weak and ruined from so many Pup
births and miscarriages he had been in too poor health, and had died within a
few weeks of reaching Paris.
But his Omega Pup had survived, survived to work the streets, selling himself
for a price.
Many would have asked why he`d bothered leaving home only to become a whore,
but the difference was, out here he got to choose who he lay with, he was the
one in control, was not forced to submit to the will of others.
Out here he was free, he could do as he pleased, he may sell his body, but it
was only his body, and once he had the money in his hand he could walk away and
forget the bastards who used him, and with money in his pocket he could buy
food, and drink, and go about other business, the business of freeing Omegas.
He had changed his name, from Charles d`batz Castlemore, to simple d'Artagnan,
the name of his Grandmother.
 
Presently a well dressed man walked up to him, giving him the once over with
cold blue eyes
"You are open for business?" he asked
"If the price is right" d'Artagnan replied sauntering foward and looking over
his mark, an Alpha by the large bulge in his breeches, a member of The Court if
the exprensive clothing were anything to go by, "What d`you want?" d'Artagnan
asked
"Your services" the Alpha said "You come back to my apartment and I will pay
you, very handsomely", an appartment would be far more comfortable than bending
over in the nearest ally, or being shoved up against a wall, shrugging his
shoulders d'Artagnan tugging his cloak about him and followed the Alpha.
 
The Alpha led d'Artagnan into the Champs des Elysess, the richest area of
Paris, taking him into his house, where the servents were conveniantly out of
the way so they would not see their Liege Lord indulging in an Omega Whore from
the streets.
D'Artagnan was taken straight up to the master bed chambers, and ushered into
the dressing room
"In there you will find your payment, a gown, a crown, and lines to learn"
"Lines?" d'Artagnan repeated, being dressed up as a woman was nothing new to
him, many of his clients wanted that, but lines?
"You can read I take it?" the Alpha sneered as he removed his doublet and
stroked the black silk sheets of his grand and vulgar bed
"I can" d'Artagnan threw back, heading into the dressing room, he`d tought
himself to read, by borrowing books back at Castlemore and he was able to read
the rich script he`d been given by the Alpha
"Jesus Christ you sick fuck!" he muttered as he read the words, now very
unsurprised by the presence of a crown in his costume, "I wonder if The King
knows you want to fuck his Queen!".
 
Dressed in a half laced stomacher, and split skirts of gold brocade, a crown
fixed on his head, and stood before the Alpha who knelt before him
"Rochefort I have longed for you, all these years I have ached for your
return!" d'Artagnan said his top lip curling back in disgust, his skin crawling
with revulsion "You are the only Alpha I ever desired, I...." he paused as he
stumbled over the words
"I despise" Rochefort prodded
"I despise my Husband the King, you are the only Man I want, the only man I
love!" d'Artagnan purred rolling his eyes heavonward "Hold me!, take me into
your arms!, make love to me!", by sheer force of will and thinking of his money
he did not flinch as Rochefort laid his hands on his hips and pressed his nose
into d'Artagnan`s lower belly
"And I love you, your Majesty!" Rochefort breathed "God how I love you!", with
his lips pulled back and his teeth bared he lifted d'Artagnan and threw him
back on the bed, pouncing on him and ripping open the bodice his teeth sinking
down between d'Artagnan`s small breasts and digging into his skin hard enough
to draw blood!
His hot, grasping hands shoved up d'Artagnan`s skirts and pried apart his
thighs hard enough to bruise, entering the Omega brutally hard, making
d'Artagnan moan for the pain as he was forceably taken, his hips held in
Rochefort`s vice like grip, pelvis being battered by the rampant thrusting, and
throat being licked and nuzzeled by the Alpha.
Detatching himself from his body, moving simply by years of practice,
d'Artagnan gazed at the black lace canopy over head, letting Rochefort do
exactly what he wanted, making all the right noises when he needed to, and
mentally planned what he`d do when this was over and he got out of here.
***** Chapter 14 *****
Chapter Notes
     Trigger warnings graphic traumatic birth
D'Artagnan lived in The Court of Miracles, sharing what had at one time been a
large town house, with ten others.
His room was on the top floor, a small area, with a single glassless window
over which hung tatted moth eaten curtains matching the ones hanging in the
door way to his room.
In the room had half a cracked mirror nailed to the wall, a piss pot, a bucket
for water, and a straw matress thrown down on the floor with a single woolen
blanket.
His clothing, such as it was hung on a couple of bare nails in the wall he used
as hooks.
Aside from his corset and skin tight leather breeches, he had two shirts, one
of faded ecru, and one of grey, a second pair of leather breeches in dark grey,
and a leather doublet in cherry wood.
Happily unlacing his corset and breathing freely he arched his back and rubbed
his ribs where the firm bones had been digging in.
Unlacing his breeches and kicking off his boots he stripped down to his skin
and cleaned himself off in cold water from the bucket, happy to get Rochefort
off his skin.
He knew who the Alpha was of course, once he`d heard the name he`d known the
Man.
The Comte de Rochefort, Master of The Bastille, High Peer at The Kings Court,
and formerly a Lieutenant of The Cardinal.
No one was really sure what had occured to end their working relationship,
well, no one but the Cardinal and Rochefort themselves.
Rumours had it that Richelieu had refused to the pay the ransom when Rochefort
had been imprisoned in Spain, that Richelieu had suspected The Comtes sanity to
be lacking and had washed his hands of him.
Whatever the truth, Rochefort had somehow managed to free himself and crawl
back to France, getting himself made Master of The Bastille, the biggest shit
hole in Paris!.
If you were to be thrown into prison, it was far better to go into The
Chaterlet than the Bastille.
The Bastille had an entire floor dedicated to torture chambers that Rochefort
himself had installed.
Some for criminals, but most for the torturing of Rebellious Omegas, and
suspected members of The Rebellion.
D'Artagnan, while not officially affiliated with The Rebellion, had great
respect for them, not least because he was an Omega himself.
He had heard the horror stories of what had been done to The Unfortunate Omegas
Rochefort had captured and taken into The Bastille, and what he had done to
Members of The Rebellion.
The Comtesse Ninon de larroque had been the most notable of victims.
As an equal in rank to Rochefort, a favourite of The King, Ninon had been
intitled to a trial, and had not automatically under gone the horrors of The
Breast Ripper, The Pear of Anguish, The Judas Chair, or The Weel.
Instead her trial had taken weeks, being at The Monestary of The Holy Cross
just outside of Paris.
The Cardinal himself had presided, as Rochefort had presented his evidence
triumphantly, trading barbs with Ninon who refused to be cowed by the obnoxious
Comte, and laughing out loud when he`d declared her guilty of Witch craft on
top of being a Member of The Rebellion, a Sympathizer to Omegas, a harbouror of
Runaway Omegas, a deceiver and manipulative creature who deserved to burn for
her crimes.
Ninon would addmit nothing, not when threatened with The Rack, nore when
several of her poor Omegas were forced to give evidence against her, their
minds having been as broken as their bodies by the torture they had endured.
With gaping wounds were their breasts had been ripped off, the flesh cauterized
to keep them alive, blood streaming down their legs and dripping on the floor
from the damage of The Pear of Anguish, arms and legs shattered from being on
The Weel, they were brought in, one by one, made to speak or face even worse
before they would die.
With a Dozen peers declaring her guilty Ninon`s fate was sealed, and she was
doomed to burn for her "Crimes".
In respect for her position, The King Forbade Rochefort from torturing her, not
that it mattered, for two days after her sentence, Ninon, along with the
remaining Omegas who had not bled to death or succumbed to infection, were tied
to stakes and burned in the Bastille courtyard.
That Rochefort not only condemned free Omegas, but made use of them aswell did
not surprise d'Artagnan in the least.
The Man was clearly insane, and had d'Artagnan been Queen Anne he would have
been very afraid of having the freak anywhere near him.
Settling down on his bed, he pulled the cork out of a bottle of wine and drank
deeply, knowing he had enough money for more wine later, and several decent
meals.
If Rochefort had been such a twisted freak then d'Artagnan would have happily
returned to him for another rich payment, but as it was he would rather starve
than go through all that again
"How I`ve ached for you Rochefort!" he muttered in a nasal voice snorting in
disgust "Yeah I`ve ached for you!, ached to give you a good kicking you sick
bastard!"
Draining the bottle he picked the woolen blanket up and pulled it over himself
keen to get a few hours sleep before he went out to spend his hard earned
money.
 
Garrison
 
Porthos yawned loudly getting a sharp look from Treville as he Athos and Aramis
stood before the Captain, he shrugged sheepishly, it was`nt his fault that the
Litter of Triplets that Lemay had delivered Five Months ago were going through
a bad faze of colic and were keeping them awake with demanding cries as their
bellies pained them.
Two of the triplets were Aramis`s identical twin girls that had been named
Pheobe Adele, and Alice Evette, they were both Betas and still nursing where
Porthos`s Alpha Pup Son was weaned and eating soft foods, he and Lemay had
named him Cortland Rene.
This was liable to be the last litter they would have, Lemay had not had an
easy time delivering the Pup and Babies, all three had the wrong way round, and
Alice had been almost horizontal, forcing Doctor Faveroux to reach into Lemay`s
womb, tearing him quite baddly, so he could manipulate her into the correct
position to be delivered.
Porthos and Aramis had been sobbing themselves as they had held Lemay`s shaking
body as he had screamed and howled in pain, his pooling blood spreading thick
bewteen his thighs as Faveroux had forced the baby into the right position.
He had wasted no time in delivering her after that, tugging her quite forcably
to get her from Lemay`s womb so he could get on with delivering the after birth
and stitch Lemay`s torn flesh.
Ghostly pale, and in alot of pain, Lemay had been bed bound for six weeks
following the birth, having lost so much blood he`d been very weak and Faveroux
had feared he would take The Birthing Fever.
But miracle of miracle he had been spared, and had healed, though Faveroux
himself stated that he should not bear again, that if he did his he might well
not survive.
Aramis and Porthos, already more than satisfied by the large family they had
were far more concerned with Lemay`s health to care about having any future
Pups or Babies, and insisted that contraceptives be used from now on for every
future heat.
Their five year old Twins, while jealous at first over the new Litter getting
so much attention, had fallen in love with them, were fascinated with them,
wanting to feed Cortland themselves and laughed loudly when they ended up
wearing half the food the Pup gobbled up, liking to squeeze it in his hands and
throw it as much as he did eat it!.
They also loved holding the Triplets, though were made to sit down first and
had one of their parents present as they did so, Cortland was far more wriggly
and demanding that Pheobe and Alice, he also had a much louder bellow that
Porthos swore could wake the dead!.
With all three going through Colic, The Girls shrill screams and Cortlands
wounded Bull like bellows were ensuring none of them got much rest!, so Porthos
felt justified in being sleepy before The Captain!.
"I`ve a Mission for you" Treville said noting the sleep deprived appearance of
Porthos and Aramis "If you are fit of course?"
"We are" Aramis said "Just a little fatigued"
"Family keeping you busy?"
"And how!" Aramis breathed a small laugh
"You`re sure you`re up to this?, if not then I can asign another unit" Treville
offered not wanting to over burden his men, he respected the fact they had
family to care for, and their latest litter was not very old so if they need to
be put on light duties for a while they he would do so without question
"We`ll be fine Captain" Porthos said "Whats the job?"
"Rebellion work" Treville replied "Theres an auction house near the Court of
Miracles that needs to be closed down, tomorrow at noon an auction will be
taking place"
"And what are we to do?" Athos asked "A raid?"
"No" Treville said opening the drawer of his desk and getting out several
purses bursting with coins, "Not all of the "Goods" being sold are Omegas, some
is live stock, bric-a-brac, and the like, it is mearly the Omegas I am
interested in" Treville handed out the purses to his men "Use that to buy the
Omegas, wait to give your bid until the last moment to ensure you win, when all
the Omegas have been bought, bring them here and we`ll see to getting them out
of Paris as soon as maybe"
"Shame we don`t have Ninon anymore" Aramis murmured, since her death two years
ago she had been sorely missed, her Salon had been a God send in Paris, the
perfect place to hide Omegas before they could be bundled secretly away to new
lives, now they had to stay hidden in the catacombs beneath The Garrison,
precarious safe houses about The City, living in fear until they could be
gotten out of Paris.
"What if we are outbid anyway?" Porthos asked "We allowed t`use force?"
"No, not then" Treville said "We`ll try to locate those Omegas later, but don`t
draw unnessary attention to yourselves, obviously do not go in uniform, and
bring the Omegas back here by different routes"
"And Auction house?" Athos asked
"Will be dealt with accordinly as soon as the Omegas are safe", Treville eyes
shone with the anticipation of what would be done to the Auctioneers in due
course.
 
 
Bastille
 
Rochefort sat behind his desk his top lip curling at the sight of another
letter from his new Masters, the ones who had taken possession of him after
Richelieu had left him to rot in The Spanish shit hole.
The Spanish Spy Master Vargas, and The Jesuit Priest Sistini.
Vargas wanted to destroy the French Throne, have Louis seperated from his
council, specifically The Cardinal and Captain Treville, the two most powerful
supporters of The King, the ones who kept his arse on The Throne, kept his
bumbling, weak, managment of his country from falling into disaster, with them
removed Louis would fall very swiftly, and with no heir to take his place, and
only a greedy fool of an exiled Brother in line for The Throne, Spain would
easily dominate France, the vast armies desimating the French forces and over
running the country in a matter of Months if not weeks.
Sistini worked exclusively for The Pope, his business in this was his suspicion
that Richelieu was a Traitor to The Church.
That he had violated his holy orders by having mistresses was well known,
though the last one Adele, the Spanish Spy had spoken of how rarely he had
actually lain with her, and seemed to disliking doing so, as if it were a duty
rather than a pleasure.
She had been killed by Richelieu when her true alliegences had been found out.
But this was`nt the betrayal of his Vow of Chastity that had piqued Sistini and
Romes interest, it was the belief that Richelieu was a sympathizer to Omegas,
that he himself was Affiliated with The Rebellion.
Sistini and Vargas had hired Rochefort to bring Richelieu down, to get
conclusive proof of his guilt as a Sympathizer so he could be de frocked and
destroyed.
Without Richelieu political prowess, Treville would soon topple, he was a Man
of action not a shrewd politition and would not last long as Rochefort
manipulated politics to his own ends, then shortly there after Louis would
fall, and Anne would be left all alone, safe for their slut Omega that could be
easily disposed of, though, Rochefort mused, it might be fun to keep her around
for a while.
Opening the letter he sighed as he read Sistini`s impatience in his bringing
down Richelieu, while he had been praised for destroying Ninon de Larroque two
years before, Sistini wanted him to move faster in disposing of Richelieu.
Vargas was also impatient, while Rochefort power at court was growing, he was
not yet the dearest person to Louis, that was held between Richelieu and
Treville, the both of them being the ones he turned to for advice.
If Rochefort was to get himself in Louis`s closest council he needed to removed
one of them and take their place.
Richelieu was a hard target and while the main target, it was going to take
more time to bring him down, Treville on the other hand provided an easier
target, one that Rochefort was happily take advantage of and remove.
"You don`t eat a pie all in one go after all" he said filing away the letters
to reply to them later "You eat it slice by slice, Ninon was one slice,
Treville will be the next, after that The Cardinal, and finally The King".
***** Chapter 15 *****
Chapter Summary
     d'Art meets the Inseparables
The Auction house was on the edge of The Court of Miracles.
It, unlike the more upper class houses had not used to sell Omegas, and were
only just branching out in that area.
Upon a scaffold the Auctioneer stood, calling out the lots, his employees
bringing forth the items to be viewed by the patrons waiting to bid.
At first it was the usual Art, Bric-Brac, Collectables, and so on, however
behind the Auctioneer were eight Omegas, two male and six female, all shivering
and clinging to one another as they waited to be sold.
Athos stayed at the back of the crowd, Aramis and Porthos to his left and
right, they had each come to the house alone, and out of uniform, they would
also bid seperately, and take the Omegas back to The Garrison seperately, only
they would not actually enter the garrison, not directly anyway, they would go
into the catacombs beneath the Garrison, where Omegas were hidden for days,
sometimes weeks before they could be safely gotten out of Paris.
When Ninon had been alive, her Salon had provided a havon for Omegas like this,
as had her vast estates, now, they were forced to find other options with
limited resorces.
Athos set his teeth into a grimance, and pulled his cloak tighter, the wind was
biting cold, and there was rain in the air, his heart went out to the poor
Omegas on the scaffold.
Not one of them had a pair of shoes or boots on, there were dressed in what
could optimistically be called chemise, but really, there were nothing more
than thin pieces of material thrown over them to cover what was nessasery,
leaving their arms and legs baddly exposed to bitter cold.
As the time wore on, the crowd thinned, until only the Brothel keepers, The
Breeding Farm owners, and general sick bastards looking of an Omega sex slave
remained, eager to bid on the Omegas.
"Lot Fifty three!" the Auctioneer called cheerfully as an Omega boy was brought
forward, his chemise was removed revealing his skinny undeveloped body with an
angry bruise in the shape of fists on his prominant ribs "A fine Omega male
just past his first heat" the Auctioneer declared "Untouched and ready for
breeding, lets start the bidding at Twenty Livre!"
"Thirty!" a brothel keeper called out
"Forty!" a young Beta with cruel eyes yelled
"Fifty!" came a bid from a breeding farm owner
"Fifty five!" the Beta countered
"Sixty!" another Brothel owner yelled
"Seventy!" the first Brothel keeper added
Athos grit his teeth, waiting for the bidding to draw to an end before placing
his bid, his heart ached as he looked at the poor boy on the scaffold,
malnourished, beaten, broken down, and being sold like an animal at market,
everything in Athos wanted to tear apart those that were eagerly bidding on his
flesh, planning to further abuse and ruin the Pup, to breed him until his body
gave out, glancing at Porthos and Aramis he knew he was not alone in his
feelings, the bastards here today had better pray they never met The
Inseparables on a dark night in the future!.
As the bidding drew to a close Athos opened his mouth to place his bid but
before he could two smoking bombs landed on the scaffold blinding and choking
the Auctioneer, his employee and the Omegas, not to mention everyone about the
scaffold.
Blinded by the thick foul smelling smoke, Athos shoved his way through the
crowd to where Porthos had been standing, bumping into Aramis on the way
"What the hells going on?" Aramis cried coughing as he tried to clear his chest
"I don`t know!" Athos snapped, turning his watering eyes on the stage where a
rope from the roof of the building behind the scaffold suddenly fell, and a
blurred figure slid down.
Kicking off the wall, the figure arched outward and wrapped a pair of long lean
legs about the neck and shoulders of the auctioneer dragging him backwards and
with an impressive move, brought his right foot up under the mans jaw and with
a kick snapped his neck and dumped him on the ground!.
Swinging back against the wall the figure kicked off again only this time let
go of the rope and sumersalted through the air to land like a cat and draw his
rapier to meet the sword of the auctioneers assistant who had come to avenge
his employer.
As impressively tall and broad as the Alpha was, he was no match for the slim
figure, who became clearer as the smoke cleared and the crowd, fearing for
their lives dispersed leaving only The Inseparables and Omegas behind.
The attacker was tall, about six feet in height, very thin, garbed in a cherry
wood leather doublet, and dark grey breeches, with a scarf tied over his face.
He moved with the agility and speed of one long accustomed to fighting and
needing to rely on deftness rather than strength.
Bending himself backwards, almost horizontal, the Attacker slipped under the
blow the Alpha tried to deal him and with a blinding move, brought his sword up
and severed the mans arm from the elbow in a shower of blood!, he did`nt give
the Man long to cry over his loss though, his next thrust was through the heart
killing the Alpha out right!.
While impressed by the attackers fighting skill, the Inseparables did`nt know
what his intentions were, and so as he made his way towards the Omegas, they
sourt to intervine, running up onto the scaffold, and getting between him and
the Omegas, who were huddled into each other for both warmth and comfort.
"You`re not getting them!" the attack snarled, his voice muffled by the scarf
over his face "They`re not endin` up in your filthy brothel or breedin` farm!"
"We own neither, and have no intentions of subjecting them to such" Athos said
looking the youth over "Stand down, we are not your enemies"
"Bollocks!" the attacker spat "You either get out of my way or you can join
that pair of fuckers in hell!, I don`t care which!"
"It`s three of us against one of you" Porthos said "What d`you reckon the odds
are?", the obvious challenge hung in the air, and the attack appeared to grin
behind his scarf,
"Lets find out!" he snarled drawing his maine gauche and striking Athos who
drew his sword and blocked the thrust in a single neat move, and countered the
next strikes the attacker made, Porthos drew his sword and was impressed to
have the attacker block him with his maine gauche while his focus was still on
Athos, who was not called the best sword in the regiment for nothing.
Porthos really did`nt need to get involved here, Athos could handle the youth,
though it was taking much more effort than with his usual oponants, opting to
back off, Porthos fell back beside Aramis, who had cut the Omegas free, and
watched amused as Athos finally disarmed the youth and stabbed his maine gauche
into wooden beam beside him and ripped off the scarf revealing a young and
albeit sulky, beautiful face.
"Thats enough!" Athos shouted at the boy "That could have been your throat!,
don`t make me kill you over nothing Pup, stand down, and let us handle things
from here", turning away Athos made to walk towards Aramis and Porthos only to
have Aramis cry out in alarm as the youth pulled the maine gauche from the beam
and threw at Athos`s back narrowly missing him!
"That could have been your back!" he snarled at him "And none of you are
leavin` with these Omegas, not while I`m still breathin`!", he lunged forward
to tackle Athos only to have Aramis bringing his sword down over his own
"He said enough!" Aramis said "We mean no harm to these Omegas, and I don`t
think you do either, so why don`t we....", he never got to finish the sentence
as the attackers fist slamed into his face bloodying his nose!, the boy pulled
his sword free and swung at Athos again parrying with him and Aramis combined
until Porthos came up behind him and wrapped his strong arms about the boy,
lifting him up off his feet!.
"Let go!" the youth roared struggling in the powerful
"Not likely!" the Alpha replied "Aramis, Athos, get the Omegas out of here!"
"No!", the struggles increased and Porthos`s nose which was pushed into the
neck of the attacker got a wave of Omega scent from the sweating and struggling
Pup in his arms
"Bugger me!" he whispered loosening his hold, this gave the Omega the advantage
and slamming his elbows back into the Alphas belly, he was released to the
ground, immediately he picked up his sword and lunged for Aramis`s back!.
Athos, acting purely on instinct to protect his pack mate, intervined, and even
as Porthos shouted out for him to hold, he sank his sword through the Omega`s
side just below his ribs!.
 
Pained shock registered on the Omegas`s face, his mouth opening in a silent
question, staggering, he slipped down off Athos`s blade to fall to the ground,
clutching at his side where blood pooled under his hands
"Shit!, he`s a fucking Omega!" Porthos cried yanking his bandanna off his head
and running to the Omega to press it into the wound and stop the bleeding
"I did`nt know!" Athos whispered looking a little sick even though he had only
been defending Aramis
"Just hold on Lad, you`re gonna be fine" Porthos said to the rapidly paling Pup
"We`ll get you to a Doctor"
"No!, no Doctors, m`not goin` back!, rather die!" the boy cried groaning in
pain
"He`ll not turn you in, he`s an Omega himself" Porthos soothed looking up as
Athos came over with the boys scarf, and added it to the wadding to pad out the
wound "You`ll be alright if you let us help you!"
"Help?, who the hell are you?" the Omega demanded
"I`m Porthos of The Kings Musketeers, the grumpy one who stabbed you is Athos,
and the charmer is Aramis!" Porthos said with a grin "Now might we have the
pleasure of your name?"
The Omega panted heavily, the pain in his side increasing, and mistrust clear
in his eyes, however, as he looked at the Musketeers he saw only honesty on
their faces, and desire to do good, swallowing hard he cleared his throat
"d'Artagnan, my name is d'Artagnan".
 
 
While Aramis took the Omegas to The Garrison, and to inform Treville of what
had happened, Porthos and Athos took d'Artagnan to Lemay.
The Omega Doctor was in the middle of a make believe tea party with Izzy while
Ned was fighting an imaginary dragon with his wooden sword, and the triplets
slept in the cribs, when Porthos and Athos brought d'Artagnan in.
"What the hell happened?" Lemay asked looking at the state of the youth being
carried by Porthos
"Bastards stabbed me!" d'Artagnan replied getting a sour look from Athos who
went straight to the kitchen for wine!
"Long story Pet" Porthos said kissing Lemay`s cheek and grinning as Ned ran up
talking ten to the dozen about his latest adventure
"Get him into the spare room so I can treat him" Lemay ordered "Then boil me
some clean water", he swiftly went and got his medical case and followed
Porthos into the bedroom where d'Artagnan was laid upon the bed, keeping form
hold of the blood soaked wadding, "I`m going to need to take a look at that"
Lemay said "So if you can hold still as you can for me", d'Artagnan nodded and
grit his teeth as Lemay undid his doublet and weapons belt, removing them, so
he could lift the shirt and see the wound.
Fortunately the blade had not gone more than two or three inches deep, and
thanks to Athos being meticulas over his blades, the wound was clean and would
be easy to stitch
"Any deeper and it would have hit your liver" Lemay said "You`re very lucky"
"Ai`nt feelin` so luck right now" d'Artagnan grumbled glaring as Athos came in
with the water "You best pray we don`t meet again after this!" he growled at
the Alpha
"My own sentiments exactly!" Athos shot back getting a look from Lemay that
sent him packing rather than being on the receiving end of Lemays sharp
tongue!.
 
Lemay cleaned the wound with both boiled water, and surgical spirit, he then
carefully stitched the flesh neatly, placing a layer of wadding treated with
Lemon and Witch hazel over the wound to draw out any infection, and aid
healing, he then bandaged the wound securely in clean gauze.
"You need to keep that dry, and take it easy until the muscle has healed" he
said to the Omega who looked both exhausted and in alot of pain, d'Artagnan had
refused pain relief and was already making to leave
"I can`t stay here" he said rising from the bed, only to fall back with a wave
of dizzyness
"You`re in no fit state to be going anywhere" Lemay said, lifting his feet and
placing them back on the bed "Stay here, at least until your a little
stronger", d'Artagnan wanted to argue, he desperately wanted to rise from the
bed and make a run for it, but the softness of the matress, and pillows, and
the fatigue from the blood loss and stress of the day made his eye lids to
heavy, and before Lemay had even left the room he was sleeping.
 
"How is he?" Porthos asked as soon as Lemay came back into the living room, he
and Athos were at the table, with Izzy showing Athos her latest doll
"He`ll be alright" Lemay replied "We`ll have a house guest until he`s stronger
though"
"Thats fine, I doubt `Mis`ll mind" Porthos agreed rubbing his face tiredly
"I`ll bet the lads from the Court of Miracles"
"By his dreadful language and grammer I`d agree!" Athos drawled
"We ai`nt all born with silver spoons shoved up our arses!" Porthos retorted,
"Besides, the Pup did well, he took all of us on, and defeated those two
bastard auctioneers"
"He is skilled" Athos admitted "But undisciplined, hot headed, arrogant, and
utterly unsufferable!"
"Hmm, now I wonder who that reminds me of!" Porthos muttered giving Lemay a sly
grin as the Omega sat down, and was immediatly joined by Ned who climbed into
his lap for a cuddle
"I think we should work on the Lad" Porthos said "I think he has the potential
to become one hell of a Musketeer".
***** Chapter 16 *****
d'Artagnan awoke to the appetising smell of breakfast being cooked, the
following morning.
The mouth watering aroma of bacon, eggs, warm bread, and coffee filtered from
the kitchen into d'Artagnan`s room, he could hear the sounds of talking, and a
baby or a pup crying.
Presently Aramis opened the door to the spare bedroom smiling when he saw
d'Artagnan was awake, "How are you feeling?" he asked
"Fine" d'Artagnan replied pushing he woolen blanket back from himself and
making to rise from the bed, only to fall back with a groan of pain, his hand
going to his abdomen
"How about we take this slowly" Aramis suggested with a smirk, replacing the
blanket back over d'Artagnan "You need to rest, it`ll take a while for you to
recover from this injury"
"I don`t have time to wait" d'Artagnan said trying and failing to rise again "I
have to go, I have to work"
"And what is it you do?" Aramis asked tucking d'Artagnan in, his Fatherly
instincts to pamper the youngster kicking in, while Aramis himself was only in
his early thirtys, he doubted d'Artagnan was much more than eighteen, at the
very most twenty, though looking into his hardened dark brown eyes, and too
thin olive face, he could have easily been mistaken for much older.
Clearly he had suffered a lot, had been prematurely aged and hardened by what
life had done to him, while he might not have been as broken as Lemay had when
he had first come to him and Porthos, d'Artagnan was damaged, very damaged, the
cold smirk he shot Aramis at his question told that much at the very least
"What d`you think I do when I`m not rescuin` Omegas?", Aramis sighed, averting
his eyes saddly, he was`nt surprised, there were not a whole lot of options for
hiding Omegas, prostitution was common place for them, selling themselves on
the streets so they could get enough money to stay alive and keep hiding.
"Such blushes!" d'Artagnan sneered at Aramis "For a Beta with brood mare Omega,
d`you and that Alpha take it in terms to rape him?, a heat each?", Aramis`s
reaction was instant and enough to startle d'Artagnan into pressing back into
the head board
"Alright, I`ll cut you some slack for the fact that you have clearly spent your
life being abused by Alphas and Betas, but know this!" Aramis growled "I have
never, and will never force myself on anyone, Lemay, Porthos, and I are fully
bonded, we are equals in this relationship, Lemay is not our slave, he never
has been and never will be"
"Since when do Alphas and Betas bond with Omegas?" d'Artagnan asked sceptically
"You just.......do what you want with us, anything you want, whenever you want"
"Is that what was done to you?" Aramis asked "Where did you escape from?, a
Breeding Farm?, a Brothel?"
"How d`you know I was`nt just born in the court of miracles?"
"Your accent", Aramis grinned at d'Artagnan`s frown "While you drop the G`s and
H`s, and make a good effort at slang, theres still too much of a Gascon lilt in
your voice, and had you been born and raised in the court of miracles, you`d
know Porthos, since he lived there for many years and is a personal friend of
your King and Queen"
"You mean Flea an Charon" d'Artagnan said "I don`t know `em that well"
"You are from Gascony though?"
"Originally" d'Artagnan admitted seeing no risk in doing so, Gascony was a
large area, Aramis was`nt to know where he was from exactly,
"How long have you been in Paris?", at d'Artagnan`s wary look Aramis held up
his hand "You don`t need to say anything if you don`t want, you are among
friends, you`re safe", a knock on the door made them both look up as Lemay came
in with a tray containing d'Artagnan`s breakfast
"How are you feeling today?" he asked
"I`m fine" d'Artagnan swiftly replied only to get a look from Aramis that was
shared by Lemay as he carfully but the tray down
"Get that inside you, and then I`ll examin your wound" Lemay said "And don`t
even think about leaving, you`re not going anywhere until I`m satisfied that
you`re on the road to recovery"
"What`ll you do if I do try and leave?" d'Artagnan challenged unable to help
himself "Get your Alpha to tie me down?"
"No" Lemay replied with a smile as sharp as cut glass "I`ll do it myself!".
 
 
Palais des Cardinal
 
Richelieu scowled as he rubbed the vanilla scented oil into Treville`s broad
shoulders, "You`re tense beloved, very tense"
"Been a busy couple of days" Treville replied, his voice muffled by the pillow
he was resting his head on
"The Auction house?", Richelieu had of course been in on the plan, he`d
provided the funds for the buying of the Omegas, and Jussac and Bernajoux had
been keeping a watch from a discreat distance and had seen what had played out,
the boy attacking, and the Musketeers forced to fight him to get The Omegas to
safety.
"Aramis brought the Omegas to the Catacombs, they`re safe at least" Treville
said letting out a breathy moan as Richelieu`s thumbs rubbed beneath his
shoulder blades
"What of this boy?, this rogue Omega?, what is his story?"
"God knows" Treville sighed contentedly as Richelieu ran his fingers down his
spine "He`s most likly from the court of miracles, another runaway from a
brothel or breeding farm, damn good fighter though, kept pace with Athos,
according to Aramis"
"A possible new recruit Mon amor?" Richelieu purred leaning forward to run his
tongue over the scarring of his bite on Treville`s neck, making Treville arch
his back and keen at the sensation "I`ll bet you`re already plotting to get him
in your ranks ar`nt you?"
"You know me too well" Treville grinned letting out a gaso as Richelieu`s teeth
sank into the puckered skin of his bond bite, igniting the nerves just under
the skin, Richelieu`s hands ran up his arms and slipped over his wrists, moving
his arms and pinning them above his head with an iron grip
"On your knees" Richelieu said into Treville`s ear nipping at the lobe and
tugging just the way Treville liked, he lifted his body giving the Omega room
to move and rise up on his knees, presenting himself without an ounce of shame,
even daring to wriggle his backside to encourage Richelieu!
"Tease!" the Alpha scolded slapping the cheeks and making Treville groan
enticingly, and lift his head, exposing his throat to mewl for his Alpha, the
pitch going straight to Richelieu`s groin and knot, with an Alpha growl he rose
up and mounted Treville, sliding inside him with an obscene slap of skin.
Beneath him Treville panted and squirmed unable to free his arms, and loving
the domination of his Alpha, who responded to his impatiant wriggling by
thrusting hard inside him and clamping down with his teeth on Treville`s neck,
capturing him completely as he thrust in and out of Treville`s body, his free
hand slid down around Treville`s flat middle, stroking the firm muscles of his
abdomen, teasing his skin and moving his fingers down lower to Treville errect
cock but instead of fisting it, he only ran his fingers teasingly over the
flesh making Treville whine and moan
"What d`you want?" Richelieu asked bringing his teeth out of Treville`s neck
and licking the reddened bite "Tell me and I`ll give it to you"
"You!" Treville moaned bucking maddly under him "Please!"
"Please what beloved?" Richelieu deliberately slowed his pace, grining his cock
and growing knot infuriatingly over Treville`s prostate making the Omega
whimper desperately "Just tell me?" he asked moving ever so slowly causing
Treville make the noises he loved the most
"Armand! please!"
"Please what?", Treville`s whine was hair raising and he was in danger of doing
himself an injury as he tried to get friction on his aching cock, and make
Richelieu move his cock inside him! "Jean!" Richelieu drew out the name in a
sing song voice
"You bloody bastard!" Treville groaned whining even more as Richelieu`s hand
ran up and down his inner thighs tormenting him brutally
"You......God.....just..............move!" he begged "Stoke me, and fuck me now
or I swear to God I`ll.......I`ll break both your legs and fuck Jussac!",
Richelieu could`nt help but laugh at the threat, and gave Treville exactly what
he wanted, thrusting back and forth at a swift pace and running his hand up and
down his length, bringing him swiftly to the point of orgasem, as which point
he gripped his cock a little tighter, preventing the release untill he had
reach the point himself, only then, as he spilled himself inside his mate did
he allow Treville release.
Panting heavily he slipped out of Treville`s body and rolled onto his side,
tugging Treville with him and spooning round him, burrying his nose in the
crook between Treville`s neck and shoulder breathing in his scent
"You smell good, really good"
"My heat`ll be in two weeks" Treville replied sleepily "I`m going to have this
one, if you`re available?"
"I`ll make certain of it", Richelieu smiled in anticipation of the heady days
they would spend lost in sexual bliss, however the sigh that Treville gave
broke the mood some what, especially as he knew what was making Treville
melancholy.
Then bringing up of his heat, inadvertantly brought up his advancing age, and
thier lack of Pups.
While he was not in heat cesession yet, he was rapidly heading towards it,
instead of the four heats a year he had used to have regularly, he was now
dwindeling to two, or three at the most, and they were becoming erratic,
classic signs of pre-cesession.
"We could try and make it work" Richelieu said as gently as he could resting
his hand on Treville`s belly, right over his womb "We could make a family"
"How?" Treville replied pulling out of Richelieu`s grip and sitting up, curled
in on himself "How could we have a litter without being discovered?, I can`t
disappear from Court for months on end, and I can`t hide a pregnant belly
indefinately", Richelieu bit the inside of his lips wishing he had an answer
beyond the obvious, that Treville fake his death and go into hiding, something
neither of them wanted to do, "We`ll never have a family will we?" Treville
whispered sound so resigned that it broke Richelieu`s heart "I`ll be too old
soon, and we`re still no closer to ending Omega opression"
"We are doing our best" Richelieu said "We`ve saved many lives"
"Not enough, and the losses have been too great, Ninon, Fleur, Therese, when
does it stop?, where does it end?", he turned to look at Richelieu, tears
glimmering in his eyes "Even if we give our whole lives to this will we ever
make a difference?", Richelieu had no answer had no lie to offer or platitude,
in the end all he could was draw Treville into his arms and hold him close
kissing his forehead
"At least we have each other Mon amor, and always will".
***** Chapter 17 *****
As d'Artagnan`s health improved he was allowed out of bed to walk about the
rest of the apartment, he found himself warming to Lemay, and especially to the
Pups and children in a way he had never felt for anyone or anything since his
Omans death.
He was still stand offish with Aramis and Porthos, but not longer accused them
of holding Lemay prisoner and forcing him to do their will.
"You really love them don`t you?" he found himself asking as he rocked a sleepy
Cortland in his arms, getting the boy to settle for his afternoon nap while
Lemay nursed the twins,
"Who?, Aramis and Porthos?"
"Yeah"
"Of course" Lemay said with a shrug "Why would`nt I?", at the dark look
d'Artagnan gave him he smiled gently "Not every Alpha and Beta wants to do an
Omega harm, some are honourable, and want an equal relationship, they want to
love and be loved, not just be a master to a slave"
"None o` the ones I`ve met feel like that" d'Artagnan muttered "if they don`t
want to possess you, all they want to do is fuck you"
"Well you`re not exactly going about the right way to meet decent people are
you?" Lemay said raising an eyebrow in d'Artagnan`s direction "Selling yourself
on the streets, the only kind of Alphas and Betas you`ll meet are the ones
looking to use and abuse"
"Well not all of us get knights in shining armour coming to our rescue!, some
of us have to fight for ourselves!", Lemay had the grace to wince at that
nodding his head and allowing d'Artagnan to sink into one of his silences, (His
sulks) as Athos called them not having overly taken to the Omega yet.
None of them knew of d'Artagnan`s history prior to coming to Paris, he was from
Gascony, but where in Gascony, how and when he had left they did`nt know.
It was clear he had suffered something in his past, it had left him deeply
scarred, the darkness haunting him, making him reluctant to trust, and overly
suspicious of anyones motives.
Well who could really blame him?, a life time of abuse would not be easily
forgotten or erased, all the more so for the fact that unlike Lemay who had,
had the fortunes of being saved by Aramis and Porthos, d'Artagnan did not have
anyone to help him move on from what he ahd suffered.
He`d escaped one nightmare in Gascony, only to be sucked up into another in
Paris.
While he had freedom here, in his mind, in his heart, he was not free, he was
still a prisoner, still isolated, still viewing the world as an enemy and
constantly on the alert for danger.
What he needed was to be helped to let down his defences, to be shown that he
could allow himself trust others, that not everyone was his enemy, that some
people genuinely wanted to help.
The problem of doing this was the fact that d'Artagnan needed to be compliant
for anyone to start to help him, he was going to have to stop leaping on the
offensive the moment a subject turned to something he did`nt like, and right
now, he was still one step away from drawing his sword every time Aramis or
Porthos brought up the subject of his livlihood, such that it was.
All of them wanted to get d'Artagnan off the streets, he may have done well so
far, but it was only a matter of time before he came up against an Alpha or
Beta he could`nt fight off, and was dragged away to some God forsaken breeding
farm or brothel.
Considering his fighting abilities, which even Athos, albeit through gritted
teeth, had to addmit were admirable, he would make an excelent addition to the
Musketeers.
There were only a handful of Omegas serving in the ranks under the guise of
Betas, between padding his clothes, using perfumes to disguise his scent, and
binding his breasts, d'Artagnan could easily pass for a Beta.
For one thing he was tall for an Omega, the average height being five ft ten
inchs, he stood at six ft, which would help pull the disguise off.
Treville was behind Aramis and Porthos on giving d'Artagnan a trial run,
naturaly he wanted to meet the boy first, but was being open minded about
things.
Athos however seemed to think it would be better to get the Boy out of Paris,
preferably out of the country!.
While he was being prickly with Aramis and Porthos, d'Artagnan was being out
and out hostile to Athos, who was responding in kind.
What it was between them that was rubbing the other up the wrong way no one was
sure, but when they were in close quaters they both acted like a pair of cats
on a barn roof!.
Aramis said they would grow on each other, if they did`nt kill each other
first!, Porthos said it was just that Athos was sore about having to compete
with someone younger and prettier than he, who was just as good with a sword!,
Lemay however took a different view, saying that it was because they were
atracted to each other, and both were terrified of the fact and were hiding
their feelings under anger and antagonism while they tried to convince
themselves they felt nothing for the other.
Either way, it was certain that the two of them were going to make things
difficult if d'Artagnan was to become a novice at the garrison.
 
 
Treville was in his office when Aramis, Porthos, and a reluctant Athos brought
d'Artagnan to him.
The boy was looking about the place a muelish expression on his face, clearly
unhappy to have been brought here, or trying very hard to keep him excitment
hidden under a veneer of disdane.
Treville suspected the latter, since as the lad crossed his arms he saw that
his hands were shaking, he was not only excited, he was afraid, but determined
not to show it.
"So this is the illustrious d'Artagnan that came close to besting the three of
you several weeks ago is it?" Treville asked rising from his desk and coming
round to get a better look at the boy, late teens or early twenties, he figured
looking him over, certainly not more than twenty one, if that.
"This is him" Porthos said "Our little warrior Omega!", d'Artagnan shot him an
acid look, clearly not happy about having his sex spoken of
"Peace d'Artagnan, you are among friends here" Treville said "I can understand
why you are hesitant to declare your sex, people like you and I need to be
careful of who knows about us", d'Artagnan narrowed his eyes at the Captain,
looking him over
"People like us?" he repeated, it was impossible to tell if Treville was an
Omega or not, his chest appeared flat as a board, and his hips matched with his
shoulders, his waist hidded by the fold of his doublet, leaving nothing on view
that could discern his true sex.
"The Musketeers is a unique regiment" Treville said, letting d'Artagnan form
his own conclusion about himself, "We are the Kings elite soldiers, we protect
the Royal family, and work directly for the King and Queen, the Men under my
command are the finest soldiers in France, and have all earned their place here
and been granted their commissions by the King himself"
"I thought the Rich bought commissions" d'Artagnan grunted shifting his weight
to one hip and pursing his lips challengingly "Surely thats how tall dark and
obnoxious here got his!"
"Excuse me?" Athos coughed out glared at d'Artagnan
"You`re excused, go on about your business!"
"Now listen here you little.....", Treville clearing his throat and Porthos
moving between the pair stopped things from becoming violent before they had a
chance to, d'Artagnan smirked at Athos who glowered back at him
"If you two are quite finished?" Treville growled scowling at Athos and not
looking at all impressed by d'Artagnan either
"Sorry sir" Athos said stoutly while d'Artagnan just shrugged
"I can asure you of one thing d'Artagnan, and that is that no Musketeer had
bought their commission, the wealthy among us may have been able to join the
corps without having first served elsewhere, but they only come in as novices,
and must still prove themselves before they will be commissioned"
"Well I`m not rich so I can`t do that, and I can`t join another regiment can
I?" d'Artagnan said
"You don`t need to" Aramis said giving him a grin "Our recomendations are
enough to get you an appretiship" , d'Artagnan looked to Treville who nodded
his head
"I`m willing to take you on, on a trial basis, you prove yourself, prove that
you have something to offer, I`ll make you an official Novice, and help you in
gaining a commission"
"How am I supposed to afford this though?" d'Artagnan asked "It ai`nt like I`ve
got coffers full of gold to pay rent and buy food with!"
"You need`nt worry about that" Porthos told him "You are perfectly welcome to
stay with us and the little ones, Lemay likes having you around, you`ve got a
way of settling Cortland, and both Ned and Izzy adore you"
"So what I`m supposed to pay my way through pup sitting?" d'Artagnan asked with
a sneer
"Better than whoring is`nt it?" Athos spat
"If I wanted your opinion I`d ask for it, and as I`ll never want your opinion,
shut the fuck up!"
"Thats it, Captain, no!, I`m sorry but I can work with him!" Athos stated
raising his hands against Aramis and Porthos before they could launch their
protests "I`m sorry but no", turning on his heel Athos marched smartly out of
the office leaving Treville rolling his eyes, Porthos gritting his teeth,
d'Artagnan looking torn between amusment and boredom, and Aramis hurrying after
Athos.
 
 
"No Aramis, I`m not doing it!" Athos snarled as the beta caught up to him and
pulled him into one the stalls to talk alone
"Just hear me out!" Aramis said
"I did!, I let you and Porthos convince me to bring him to Treville, but the
brat is utterly insufferable!"
"Athos it`s not that simple!" Aramis pleaded "He is hurting, he`s young, and
he`s clearly been through hell in his past!"
"A past he has obviously escaped" Athos grunted folding his arms and glaring at
his romantic friend who gave him an unimpressed look
"What did he escape to Athos?, the slums of Paris, to exist by selling himself,
to being further abused by the dregs of society, he`s just exchanged one form
of torment for another, he`s been so down trodden, so scarred by what lifes
dumped on him that he genuinely dos`nt know what it is to have a normal healthy
relationship with people, he knows nothing of kindess, of Alphas and Betas that
don`t want to rape him!", Aramis took off his hat and ran his hand through his
hair as he always did when he was stressed, looking at Athos with a sorrowful
expression on his face
"I know he is difficult, I know he is antagonising, but he is also in desperate
need of help, of being freed from his own darkness before it devours him
completely"
"And how do you know that?" Athos asked
"Because Porthos, Lemay and I have spent more time with him than you!, we`ve
heard him screaming in the night from nightmares, seen him suffer night terrors
that make him run to the privy to empty his stomach, then sit for hours in
silence, shaking all over and looking like a beast caught in a trap!", Aramis
was clearly furstrated with Athos now, and scowling at him as they stood in the
shade of the stall, "D`you remember how you were when you first came here?, how
you pushed everyone away, went out of your way to be completely insufferable?,
to look down your nose and scorn everyone?", Athos gave a non commital shrug
"Well that is what d'Artagnan is doing!, he is terrified of opening up at all!,
of letting his guard down and letting people in!, he is putting up a front to
try and protect himself from being hurt anymore than he already has been, under
than well acted scorn, and foul mouthed street rat attitude, is a very young
man, who has had nothing but misery in his life, and needs to be given patience
and acceptance to help him heal"
Athos sighed heavily, giving Aramis a dark look, hating it when he was right,
and when he used morals to get his point across, "Why should we be the ones to
do it though?" he countered
"Who else is there?" Aramis replied simply "And besides which, you saw how well
he fought, don`t you think loosing him would be a great waste of an asset to
the Musketeers?"
"He`s got some skill I`ll give him that" Athos agreed grudgingly "But he needs
to learn to control his temper, to not let his heart rule his head!"
"I`m sure he can work on that, given some guidence!" Aramis said using his last
ditch effort to get Athos to agree, the big brown eyes, fluttering lashes, and
pouting lips that made Athos roll his eyes and groan, and nod his head tiredly
"Fine, whatever!, it`s not as if I have any sanity left to loose anyway!".
***** Chapter 18 *****
Louvre
 
Louis lolled on his throne looking for all the world like a petulant child
being denied a treat, as Richelieu informed him of the latest concerns within
his Kingdom.
In contrast Queen Anne sat straight backed, and fully attentive to each word
the Cardinal said, the royal Omega, Constance knelt between the thrones, her
eyes downcast, face expressionless as she displayed her subsurvience to her
master and mistress before the morning Court.
"The growing rebels in La Rochelle is a pressing concern your Majesty"
Richelieu said to Louis, trying desperately to get him to pay attention to
matters of state instead of behaving like a child, rushing off to hunt, to play
bowls, or shoot, or do anything beside actually rule his Kingdom!.
"One or two fools pracing about in that war torn city is hardly a matter worthy
of my attention Cardinal!" Louis said waving his hand
"It is more than one or two Majesty" Richelieu said, managing, by gritting his
teeth, to keep from loosing his temper with the King, "While it only a token
number of rebels at present, they could fessably draw others to their cause,
and another uprising could come of it"
Louis made a pouting expression, looking very put out to have to be considering
these things, instead of enjoying the beautiful morning sunshine, "Oh very
well!" he said with a deeply put upon sigh, "Send someone to deal with it!, and
get it sorted quickly Armand!, I have better things to think about than fools
in La Rochelle!"
"Indeed your Majesty" Richelieu agreed exchanging a look with Treville who was
at least making the effort not to smirk, but would be pissing himself with
laughter later!, goddamn him!, "Perhaps we can send the Comte de Rochefort to
deal with the crisis!" he suggested knowing Louis would have no objection, the
King had been very fond of Ninon de Larroque and had yet to forgive Rochefort,
for his burning her
"Rochefort?" Anne said speaking up for the first time "Why the Master of the
Bastille your Eminence?, surely a company of the Red Guard or the Musketeers
would be better?", before either Richelieu or Treville could open their mouths
to speak, Louis beat them too it
"I think Rochefort will be suitable for the job!, if for nothing else, it`ll
get his suspicious mind out of our presence for a time!"
"Quite so Majesty" Treville agreed managing to hold in his smile, having
Rochefort gone for a time would be a great blessing, for he and Richelieu could
arrange the escape of many Omegas during his absence, getting them safely out
of Paris, to Calais, and on to England,
"Is there anything else?" Louis asked yawning loudly
"One other matter" Richelieu said "One that Captain Treville and I both feel
needs urrgent attention"
"Hmm?" Louis leaned his cheek on his fist while tapping the arm of his throne
with the finger nails of his left hand
"A discenter, by the name of Vadim has escaped The Chaterlet prison by the
assisstance of his gang" Treville said "He had stolen enough gun powder to do
significant damage to Paris, and as of yet we Know not where said Gun powder
is, or how many men he had in his gang"
"What do you know Captain?" Anne asked
"We have a fair idea of where he is hold up, and have a plan to take down him,
and his entire gang in a single act" Treville replied "I have a knew recruit to
my company, who is unknown as of yet as being a novice Musketeer, he would be
perfect as he has not come from the city guard or the army"
"Where has he come from then Treville?" Louis asked "or did he decend from
Heaven on white wings!?", Treville managed to smile at Louis poor joke, while
the rest of the court sycophantically laughed
"He was of assisstance to some of my Musketeers several weeks back, and
impressed them so much with his swords man ship, that they supported and
sponsered his entery in the garrison as a Novice"
"You think he is suitable to wear my uniform Treville?"
"I do indeed your Majesty, already he his flourishing in his training"
"Very well then" Louis said sitting up straighter "See to it that this Vadim is
brought to our justice, and swiftly!"
"Of course your Majesty", seeing that his work was done for the day, Louis rose
from his throne, the court bowing and parting like the Red Sea as he walked
down the hall Anne, retreating with her Ladies, and Constance, to take the air
in the gardens, leaving the courtiers to break up and go about their business
"You think d'Artagnan suitable for this job My Love?" Richelieu whispered to
Treville as the two of them made their way out of the chamber
"Perfectly, Vadim is hiding in the Court of Miracles, d'Artagnan is known there
as a whore, Vadim will not be suspicious of him", Richelieu made a humming
noise meaning he would allow Treville to do this his way, "Nice work with
getting rid of Rochefort"
"With any luck bandits will attack on the road and we`ll be rid of him
perminantly!" Richelieu muttered, very much considering arranging such an
attack!, looking to Treville he frowned, noticing the Omega touch his breast
plate uncomfortably, "Are you well beloved?" he asked in concern
"Well enough" Treville sighed "Just a little uncomfortable", at Richelieu risen
eyebrow he elaborated, hushing his voice even more, "I`m late bleeding, by
several weeks" he said "The retention of the waste is not exactly comfortable",
he smiled as Richelieu touched his arm gently in a loving gesture.
Late bleeds were becoming more and more frequent following the heats he did not
supress, another sign he was rapidly heading to Estro-ceasession, last time he
had been nearly ten weeks before he had finally bled, and had spent two days on
bed rest from the heavy flow, he suspected that he would be going through much
the same this time, unless his course started soon, it had been seven weeks
since his heat, and four weeks since he should have bled.
Treville wished that he were d'Artagnan`s age, and that his late bleeding would
mean for him, what it would for d'Artagnan, but he knew this not to be the
case, that he was not with Pups, he and Richelieu had used contraceptives,
which had never failed them.
His lack of blood, was mearly another sign, that soon, all too soon, it would
be too later for them to ever have Pups at all.
Garrison
"You don`t have to do this" Athos said to d'Artagnan as he stood, straight
backed in Treville`s office, dressed scantily in a corset, and tight leather
breeches.
His face was heavily made up, his skin painted over with a wash of egg white,
then powdered in sandlewood, and bismuth, his cheeks highlighted in a little
cochneal.
His dark eyes looked darker still, surrounded in black kohl, the lids painted
in a powder of rose and violet petals.
His lip were painted blood red in cochneal and a gloss of cadamon seed oil.
His hair he had curled with an iron, and teased it up on his head with pins to
hold the curls in place.
He looked both the whore he was, and impossibly alluring.
Athos was uncomfortably torn between rightous anger over the degrading portrail
of d'Artagnan, and lust for the sensual and sinful beauty he displayed.
"I am doing this Athos" d'Artagnan replied raising his well plucked eyebrow "Do
you think I am unable to handle it?"
"I think you are not aware of the very great danger you are placing yourself
in" Athos replied forcing his eyes to stay looking at d'Artagnan`s face only,
and not to rove over the rest of him
"What danger exactly?" d'Artagnan asked rolling his eyes, "Of being murdered?,
raped?, sent to the authorities?, which is exactly the same danger I am in
every single day, simply by being an Omega"
"You know what you are to do?" Treville asked from his desk
"Hmm, pretend to fuck a plain clothed Athos, get caught by Aramis, and Porthos,
let them give chase, and flee right into Vadims waiting arms, where he`ll
rescue me like a knight in shining armour!"
"I don`t think he`ll quite live up to that complimentary status!" Aramis
chuckled, patting d'Artagnan on the back "But you have the idea"
"I`ll be fine" d'Artagnan said, looking Athos in the eyes "I`m used to lying
through my teeth, and I am an expert as charming Alphas and Betas", Athos
opened his mouth to speak, but Treville beat him to it, holding up a hand to
d'Artagnan
"I have no intentions of pimping you to this villan, and I would hope that you
do not need to resort to such methods to gain his trust"
"And if I do?" d'Artagnan asked "What is to be my payment?, a commission?"
"Perhaps" Treville said "At the very least, if you succeed in this I can
present you before The King as an apprentice Musketeer, once you have caught
his eye, you will one step closer to achieving the goal of commission",
d'Artagnan pursed his lips, nodding his head,
"Very well, but if I have to bend over for this Vadim, I shall expect further
reward for my services"
"Which will be?" Athos asked ignoring Porthos snort of amusment over d'Artagnan
business like attitude to this
"A barrel of good brandy, a round of Saint Nectaire cheese, and a new pair of
boots" d'Artagnan listed
"Expensive ar`nt you?" Porthos commented slapping him on the back
"I`m that good" d'Artagnan replied "You`d not find better"
"I`m a bonded Alpha, and I do not stray!"
"Shame, I might just have given you a discount!", d'Artagnan`s smile was that
of a wolf, making Porthos chuckle and swipe at his head playfully
"You are incorrigable and I thoroughly approve!"
"Naturally" Athos grunted with barly controlled iritation "Shall we proceed
then?".
 
 
In an allyway on the edge of the court of miracles, d'Artagnan let Athos push
him up against the wall, wrapping his legs about Athos `s hips and braced his
hands on his shoulders
"Try and make this look convincing will you?" he hissed into Athos`s ear
"How?" Athos grunted, his face pushed against d'Artagnan`s small breasts,
breathing in the delicious scent of an Omega, an unmated Omega
"Rut me!, thrust with your hips!, speak dirty" d'Artagnan said running his hand
through Athos`s hair and tipping back his head to let out a lewd cry, as if
Athos had just entered his body
"I`m not the noisy type" Athos replied gritting his teeth and thrusting his
hips into d'Artagnan, very aware of his cock being pushed into the Omegas body,
"I prefer to to put all my energy into my virility, rather than in words"
"Stop talking then!" d'Artagnan said letting out another series of moans and
cries, thrusting his own hips foward so it looked like he was fucking Athos
"Convincing sounds you give!" Athos whispered moving his head to lay his lips
beside d'Artagnan`s throat, as if he were kissing him and biting him
"Told you, I`m the best!" d'Artagnan giggled "I can sound like I am in ecstacy,
when I am doing nothing more than trying to hold in my laughter at their piss
poor skill!"
"And I`ll bet the fools have never realised that you were only pretending to
enjoy their skills" Athos sighed nuzzeling into d'Artagnan`s throat "Have you
ever enjoyed sex?, enjoyed the touch of another?"
"What is there to enjoy?" d'Artagnan replied between gasps and groans "It
hurts, you bleed, it`s over, hardly something to enjoy"
"Thats not sex, thats rape" Athos spat
"Whats the difference?", d'Artagnan started as Athos suddenly stopped
pretending to thrust into him, and held him still, looking in right in the eye,
"There is a big difference Mon Petit, and I hate that you have been so twisted,
so hurt, that you do not know it!", for once, d'Artagnan was silent, not
retorting with some acidic remark, instead he looked at Athos with the first
open expression Athos had ever seen on his face
"No one has ever cared to show me the difference" he whispered reaching out and
curling Athos`s hair about his fingers "Would you care to educate me thus?",
Athos`s mouth opened to answer the question, but at that moment Aramis gave the
agreed upon cry making the two men seperate and run as Porthos and Aramis gave
chase into the court of miracles, shouting loud enough to attract attention.
Athos gave a pratt fall, allowing Aramis to catch him and thrust him up against
a wall to twist his hands behind his back as if he were arresting him
"Get the whore!" he shouted to Porthos who was following d'Artagnan
"Come `ere y`little slut!" Porthos shouted as he tore after d'Artagnan, who ran
straight towards where Vadim was hiding out "C`mere!, I`ll let y`go for free
fuck!"
"Pay for it like every other pervert!" d'Artagnan snarled back pulling a dagger
from his waist and throwing it at Porthos, it hit him in the thigh, where he
had a padding ready to protect his leg, but fell to the ground crying out in
pain, allowing d'Artagnan to run on to the ware house where Vadim was hiding,
"Let me in and I`ll make it worth your while" he said to the two men in the
doorway
"Vadim would`nt like it" one of them hissed looking to the other, who smirked
giving d'Artagnan the once over
"He might be grateful, nothin` like a male whore, for a fuckin` after all!"
"I`ll give you the best fuckin` you`ve ever had" d'Artagnan purred running his
finger down the mans torso and making eyes at him to encourage the thought
"C`mon Felix!" the man chuckled "Who could resist!", he stepped aside, letting
d'Artagnan in the wearhouse.
***** Chapter 19 *****
Chapter Summary
     Athos`s background is explained, while d'Artagnan meets Vadim, and
     Treville makes an unexpected discovery
Vadim was a well built man of perhaps forty five years, he was sat on an up
turned crate eating a plate of meat and bread from a pewter plate when
d'Artagnan was led in by the Beta who was leering at him eagerly.
"Vadim" the man said getting Vadim`s attention, and pushing d'Artagnan forward
a little
"Whats with the slut?" Vadim asked chewing on his meat as he spoke
"He just stabbed a Musketeer" the man said "And promised to make it worth our
while if we let him in here", d'Artagnan subtley looked about the wearhouse,
searching out all exits and enterences, finding that the only visable way in
and out was the door he`d just come through.
"If you wanna fuck an Omega whore on your own time, thats your business, but
don`t do it on mine!" Vadim grunted setting aside his plate and rising up to
corss the room and stand in front of d'Artagnan, looking him over
apprecatively, "Ai`nt bad looking though"
"Least one of us is`nt!" d'Artagnan shot back, shifting his weight to one hip
and putting on his game face, pouting his lips, and making eyes at Vadim,
promising a fiery and passionate conquest should Vadim prove able to conquer
him.
Vadim chuckled reaching out and running his fingers over d'Artagnan`s breast
bone, "You stabbed a Musketeer?" he asked
"Bastard caught me with a punter, wanted a free fucking and would of tossed me
in the Chaterlet after" d'Artagnan shrugged his shoulders "Fuckers lucky I only
got his leg instead of his neck"
"Why did`nt you?" Vadim inquired, his calloused fingers running over
d'Artagnan`s collar bone and up his throat
"I`m in a good mood tonight" d'Artagnan said "The punter had already handed
over the cash!", Vadim let out a bark of laughter at this gripping d'Artagnan`s
shoulder in a friendly hug
"You sound like a lad who could be of use to me"
"In what way?" d'Artagnan asked letting himself be drawn into Vadim`s embrace
and guided over to where the man ahd been sitting
"Well, you are clearly resorcefull, swift thinking, fast on your feet, and not
happy with the current state of establishment", d'Artagnan rose an eyebrow at
him "What do you think of our present Monarch,....."
"d'Artagnan" the Omega replied
"D'Artagnan" Vadim said "What do you think of our King?"
"I think he`s an over grown child, a pupper who has The Cardinal pulling his
strings" d'Artagnan replied "Why?, what d`you think of him?"
"A sack of shit that needs to be gotten rid of!" came Felix`s voice from behind
them "Yer can`t be serious `bout usin` the whore Vadim!, bleedin` Omegas ai`nt
got no brains!, he`ll tell the whole world our plans!"
"Watch who your calling stupid, shit for brains!" d'Artagnan spat at Felix "Or
your tongue`ll be nailed to your forehead!", Felix pressed forward looking
ready to start a fight, but Vadim let out another laugh holding up a hand to
ward Felix off
"I like him!, lads got guts, and witts" he declared "Both of which can be of
use"
"You`ve yet to tell me how, and what I`ll get out of it" d'Artagnan replied
folding his arms under his breasts and leaning back to rest his weight on his
right hip
"See!" Vadim chuckled with a wave to Felix "Thinks of profit first!", Felix
made a face looking like a child sulking!, while Vadim grinned at d'Artagnan
"We are going to build a new France, lead the poor, the destitute, the
dispossesed out of their current degradation and into a glorious new future!"
"How?" d'Artagnan asked already guessing Vadim`s idiotic scheme
"We kill the King and Queen!" Vadim said "The people of France will rise up to
support us as we over throw the Cardinal, and all those who leave us in this
deplorable state!"
"We`ll be heros!, we`ll be Kings!" Felix said
"Feel like being part of that?" Vadim asked "Maybe becoming a Queen?",
d'Artagnan rose his eyebrow again a smile spreading over his lips
"I`ve always fancied wearing a crown!" he drawled "Being dressed in silk and
velvet, dripping in diamonds!", Vadim placed a hand on his cheek stroking with
his thumb
"Support us, and I can promise that you`ll be showered in all the jewels you
could ever desire".
 
 
Garrison
 
Treville bent double over the privy, spitting out the last of his breakfast and
groaning for the remaining nausea and the dull headache that still lingered on.
Under normal circumstances he would believe he had just eaten something that
his disagreed with him, but considering the fact he had`nt bled, that he was
feeling bloated, and tired, with a soreness about his breasts, he knew that
this was not the case.
With a deep sigh Treville slumped back pinching the bridge of his nose and
squeezing his eyes shut, as his mind ran wild.
He was pregnant!, he was actually pregnant!, without even trying for Pups he
had conceived!, the contraceptive had failed and he was carrying Richelieu`s
offspring in his womb!.
Part of Treville was elated, hell it was ecstatic at the fact he was going to
be an Oman after so long, that his aging body had proven fertile enough to
conceive despite the contraceptives in his system.
His mind conjoured images of a the perfect blend of himself and Armand, a blue
eyed, dark haired infant, with Armands aristocratic features, and his broad
shoulders.
He could imagine the darling Pup giggling as running around on shaky little
legs as a game was played with him and Armand, see the huge smiles on Christmas
and Birthdays, picture the Pup running into his and Armands bedchamber and
jumping on the bed, to wake them up and cuddle between them, disturbing their
sleep, but neither of them caring as they snuggled with their little one.
A smile curved Treville`s lips as he imagined himself swollen with the Pup,
laying in Armands arms as they both marveled over kicks, and argued over
possible names.
Pictured himself in the child bed, Armand supporting him, and kissing his face
as he strained to deliver their Pup, collapsing into his mates waiting arms and
bursting into tears as the bloody infant was placed into their arms, gazing at
them for the very first time.
This was the bright side of his thoughts, the other side was`nt so rosey
At his age a pregnancy would have far more complications than years ago, he`d
be at greater risk of death in his child bed than someone of d'Artagnan`s age,
his body not being able to flex, or stretch with such ease as a youths would.
How long would he be able to conceal his condition?, and what would he and
Richelieu do when that was no longer a viable option?, would he have to leave
Paris for good?, abandon his duty to The Musketeers, to other Omegas, to hide
in the country with his Pup, seperated from the world, and for the most part
from Richelieu himself.
What of the Pup?, what he or she was an Omega?, they would have to grow up
hiding their sex from the world, pretending to be something they were not to
escape being enslaved, would have to lie about their parentage, lie about
everything.
Resting a hand over his middle Treville sighed shaking his head, "What the hell
are we going to do?".
 
Bastille
 
Rochefort cursed as he threw two clean shirts into a pack, along with two
changes of under wear, and stockings.
"Not pleased to be going to La Rochelle then?" a female voice asked, Rochefort
looked up to see Milady de Winter standing in the doorway playing with a
forget-me-not between her fingers
"The Cardinal has done this, arranged for my departure" he spat as she came in,
running her fingers over his pack
"I`m sure you`ll find a way to make him pay in the end" she purred giving him a
flirtatious smile despite the fact she knew he was in love with The Queen, well
in his mind he was anyway, in hers he was a deranged lunatic!.
For five years she had served Richelieu, some what faithfully, until she had
discovered that far from being against Omegas as the world believed, he
actually supported them, even helped free them!.
Milady hated Omegas, hated the fact that Alphas prefered an Omegas hole, and
their heats to a Beta womans body, hated the fact they were more fertile, more
arousing then she could ever hope to be.
She had been married to an Alpha once, a Comte in fact, had thought her days on
the streets, hiding in the shadows, living with the vile stench of runaway
Omegas leaking their phermones everywhere, listening to them whine about how
unfair life was to them, had finally come to an end.
But once in her Comtes home she had discovered his younger Brother was an
Omega, one that her Olivier was intent on keeping hidden, believing that he
deserved freedom and consideration, not just getting sold off to a farm or a
brothel!.
She had hated Thomas with all her being, hated how much attention that Olivier
had paid to him, how he had pandered to the whores every whim, fretted over how
they would secure his future, find him a suitable mate!.
Her hatred of Thomas had grown as he had started to become suspicious of her
and her past, digging into her background to find out the truth about her.
Desperate she had sourt out old friends of hers, planning to get him sold to a
Brothel, and make it look like he had been kidnapped to Olivier.
But on the day the Men had come to take Thomas, things had gone to hell, as
Thomas had put up a great fight, screaming blue murder and managing to stab one
of the men in the throat, the other fleeing in fear of his life, screaming at
Milady, that he knew who she was, and would see her pay for all this Thomas had
made to run for Olivier, enraging Milady so much that she had pounced onto him,
bringing him to the ground, grabbing his fist full of his hair and yanking back
his head and slitting his throat with his own dagger just as Olivier had come
running in, drawn by the screaming.
That had been the end of her life of pleasure, Olivier had seen her hung,
though seducing the man he had ordered to do it ensured that she had lived,
even if her throat was scarred from the rope, and so she had come to Paris and
gotten herself into the Cardinals service, only to find that he too, loved
Omegas.
Rochefort on the other hand did not, he hated them, thought them good for
nothing but fucking, but more importantly he hated Richelieu and was plotting
to bring him down, making him a natural allie for Milady.
"You`ll keep an eye on our affairs while I am in La Rochelle?" Rochefort
grunted taking no notice of Milady`s low cut black leather bodice, and the
expanse of her pale bossom
"Of course" Milady replied "I want to destroy Armand as much as you", now
Rochefort smiled at her, a truly unpleasent sight to behold to say the least!
"When I am king, I shall make you a Duchesse, and cheif of Anne`s Ladies in
Waiting" he declared getting a half smile from Milady who laid her forget-me-
nots over his pack and leaning back against the bed post
"I`ll hold you to that, your Majesty!" she breathed, Rochefort`s delusion of
becoming King was not something she would help with, but in destroying
Richelieu and the Omega Rebellion, she would work with him, until Richelieu`s
head was on the block, then Rochefort would meet an unfortunate end in a dark
ally, and a knife between his ribs!.
Smiling maliciously Milady watched as Rochefort took his pack, going down to
his horse and waiting guards, mounting and barking out an order as he rode out.
 
 
Paris
 
 
Tired of spending most of the day listening to Vadim`s insane idea of being a
freedom fighter, d'Artagnan was keen to get out into the fresh air, and report
to Athos, Aramis, and Porthos.
Quite used to keeping his senses alert, he was well aware he was being
followed, and slipped inside an ally waiting for his persuer to come by, then
kicked out, catching them in the gut, winding them agonisingly!.
Not giving the man a chance to recover, d'Artagnan brought his forearm across
the Mans back bringing him to his knees!, then grabbing hold of his right arm,
d'Artagnan hauled the man up and thrust him into the wall face first, twisting
his arm behind his back and holding it there tightly
"Why are you following me?" he snarled into the mans ear
"Seein` where y`er goin` whore!" Felix spat "I don`t trust yer!", he groaned in
pain as d'Artagnan`s knee hit the small of his back
"I don`t care if you trust me, I don`t care if Vadim trusts me!" d'Artagnan
hissed "I`m going t`see my Brother, since I could die in a few days, I want to
see him one last time", pulling back from Felix, d'Artagnan sneered at him "You
stay away from me, or I`ll finish the job I started here"
"You make sure you don`t betray Vadim, or I`ll make you pay for it" Felix spat
at him, blood running from his nose and lips
"You don`t frighten me" d'Artagnan laughed leaning over and patting Felix`s
cheek "Nothing frightens me", shoving Felix back against the wall he continued
on through the streets, heading for Aramis and Porthos`s apartment with Lemay,
his cover story being that Lemay was their captured whore.
 
He was greeted at the door by Ned weilding his wood sword fighting several
imaginary soldiers, and besting them all!
"Should`nt you be in bed?" d'Artagnan asked with a risen eyebrow
"No!, beds stupid! beds for babies and Pups!" Ned declared running off to
further battles
"Oh D'Art!, thank God you`re alright!" Lemay said appearing in the hall way
looking flustered and tired
"Bad day?" d'Artagnan asked going into the main room with him finding a cranky
Cortland grizzling on the chaise, while Ned continued to run around, and Izzy
waved her dolls over the twins faces while they whimpered and moaned clearly
going to start howling soon
"They`ve all been nightmares today!" Lemay sighed running a hand through his
hair "Missing you I think!", d'Artagnan gave him a wiry smile, picking Cortland
up and bouncing him lightly the way he liked it
"Where are the others?" he asked wincing as Pheobe began to cry, sure to be
joined by her sister soon,
"Still out, lucky bastards!" Lemay grumbled, clearly having had all he could
take of the brood for one day!, looking after three Pups and two Children was
no easy task, one that d'Artagnan easily sympathized with
"Why don`t you go and have a bath and I`ll get this little lot settled" he
suggested snagging hold of Ned`s collar as he tried to run past
"Would you mind?" Lemay asked thinking longingly of a long hot soak
"Go!, I`ll handle this" d'Artagnan said with a laugh
"Thankyou, I owe you one!" Lemay said very gratefully, heading to boil some
water and spend a long time relaxing in steaming tub.
 
It took d'Artagnan the best part of an hour to get the little ones all settled
into bed, Cortland went to sleep easily after his colic was eased, and Pheobe
and Alice soon followed after being rocked for a while.
Ned and Izzy were more trouble though, refusing to settle, arguing over not
being tired, demanding bedtime stories, and glasses of milk, before they
finally succumbed to sleep and d'Artagnan was able to blow out the candles and
leave them be.
By which time, Athos, Aramis, and Porthos had finally returned and Lemay was
sat by the fire drying his hair from the bath
"Is everything alright?" Aramis asked
"Other than the fact our offspring have been especially exhausting today, yes I
believe so!" Lemay replied
"Little sods keepin` you busy Love?" Porthos chuckled placing a kiss on Lemay`s
cheek
"As always!" the Omega sighed "Thankyou d'Art, you`re a life saver!"
"My pleasure" d'Artagnan replied sitting down on the chaise, feeling Athos`s
gaze on him as the Alpha looked him over for sign of mistreating
"Are you alright?" he asked, while Lemay explained to Porthos and Aramis that
d'Artagnan had gotten their brood to bed
"Fine" d'Artagnan replied "Other than some groping, and having to listen to a
hell of alot of bullshit I`m in perfect health!", Athos`s eyes narrowed at the
mention of groping, not looking pleased about that at all
"Bullshit?" Porthos asked
"Vadim plans to murder the King and Queen, over throw the present goverment and
set himself up as King, with all the destitute supporting and fighting under
his banner!", d'Artagnan shook his head with a derisive snort "He actually
believes he`ll be successful in this obserdity!, thinks he`s got me on side
with the promise a few trinkets"
"He is mad then" Aramis said "A peasent rebellion?, I doubt he`d get enough to
even storm a brothel let alone The Louvre!"
"Do you know how many Men he has?" Athos asked
"No, I`ve only seen a handful so far, and before you ask no I hav`nt seen the
gun powder or weaponry" d'Artagnan replied "Vadim`s not a complete idiot, he
dos`nt tell me everything"
"Do you know when this is supposed to take place?" Athos asked "How he plans to
achieve his goal?", d'Artagnan shook his head
"Like I said, he dos`nt say much"
"Does he trust you?" Porthos asked as Aramis went to get wine for them
"As much as he does anyone" d'Artagnan replied "His idiot Felix dos`nt, but
I`ve met more dangerous ally cats then him!", Porthos snorted with laughter
while Athos pursed his lips
"I think you`ve done enough, you should pull out and let us take it from here",
agains d'Artagnan shook his head as he took a glass of wine from Aramis
"Pull me out now and The King and Queen are still in danger, theres more I can
discover yet"
"It`s too dangerous" Athos pressed "I don`t want to see you getting hurt",
d'Artagnan found himself smiling slightly at the concern in Athos`s voice
"I`ll be alright, I`m used to watching my back" he assured the Alpha not
automatically shoot off at the mouth and giving him a load of abuse "Trust me"
he added with a gentle smile
Athos glanced to Porthos and Aramis who both give nods of approval, clasping
d'Artagnan`s arm Athos nodded his head "Very well, but be careful, at the first
sign of trouble get the hell out of there"
"I will" d'Artagnan promised draining his cup "I`ll try and get more
information by tomorrow" he said getting to his feet and giving Lemay a slight
peck on the cheek "Look after yourself while I`m gone"
"You do the same" Lemay ordered firmly "I don`t want to be stitch you up
again!", d'Artagnan`s cheeky grin as he left them had him shaking his head
fondly,
"Should one of us keep an eye d`you think?" Porthos asked
"Proberly wise" Athos agreed "We`ll take rotating shifts, in the ally he threw
the dagger at you"
"I`ll go there first then" Porthos said getting to his feet and stretching
enough to make his back crack!, "Releave me in four hours?"
"I`ll be there" Athos said draining his cup and sighing deeply praying that
they were doing the right thing.
***** Chapter 20 *****
Palais des Cardinal
 
"Jean!, this is an unexpected and pleasent surprise" Richelieu declared rising
to his feet from his desk as Treville was shown in, Lucy blinked from her
position on the window sil before turning round and going back to sleep,
Twilight padding in after Treville, and Safferon looking up from she was
snoozing on Richelieu`s desk, stretching herself and then rolling onto her side
to present her belly for a rub
"Tart!" Treville teased rubbing her soft fur as she purred contentedly, though
that turned to a warning growl as Twilight jumped up on the desk looking to get
in on the fuss being had
"Come here, you!" Richelieu sighed, scooping Twilight up to prevent a scrap
before it started and held the feline in his arms applying strokes to the silk
soft back, "So?", he asked looking up as Treville "What brings you here?"
Treville bit the inside of his lower lip, keeping his gaze firmly on Safferon.
He`d been debating this all day, trying to figure out what to do, whether or
not he should seek out the usual remedy for this type of situation and leave
Armand in the dark, or to tell him and then seek the abortion herbs, or to try
and find a way to keep the litter growing in his womb.
"Jean?", there was a note of concern in Richelieu`s voice now, as he studied
his mate, seeing the tension that Treville was carrying, the uncertainty, the
fear, "What is it?, what has happened?" he asked his sharp mind already jumping
to numerous conclusions, and making plans to counter any problems and attacks
that they might be facing
"I.......I don`t quite know how to say this" Treville whispered finally
standing up straight and leaving Safferon to lick her fur and settle back to
sleep, "I.......we`ve always been so careful, never taken any risks, this
should`nt be happening, and yet...."
"What?, what is happening?, what has happened?", Richelieu was out of his seat
by now and crossed the room to take Treville`s hands into his own, his worry
growing with he saw unshed tears shining in Treville`s eyes
"I`m sorry, so sorry" Treville whispered, his voice horse and face tragic
"Alright Jean you`re scaring me now" Richelieu said rubbing his thumbs over the
back of Treville`s hands, "Come on, come and sit down", gently he guided
Treville over to the chaise before the harth, settling Jean down, and sitting
beside him
"Talk to me beloved" he uged "Whatever it is we`ll find a way to get through
it, we always do don`t we?", Treville sniffled a little, slowly raising his
gaze from the floor to look into the worried but devoted eyes of his Alpha, and
drew a calming breath into his lungs
"I`m pregnant".
 
Court of Miracles
 
D'Artagnan treated Vadim`s scolding over his leaving to see his "Brother", with
undisguised contempt, standing with his weight on one hip examining his nails,
a bored expression on his face while the Man spoke, and Felix snarled threats,
his face bearing the bruises from his fight with d'Artagnan
"Did you say anything of our plans to this Brother of yours?" Vadim asked
narrowing his eyes at d'Artagnan
"Of course not" d'Artagnan sneered back "I just wanted to see him, one last
time, in case I die, fuck sake, he`s the only family I`ve got"
"Don`t trust `im Vadim, `e`s a liar and a spy!" Felix spat gloweing at
d'Artagnan like an unhappy bulldog!
"Think you could call your Mutt to heel?, he`s irritating me!" d'Artagnan
sighed looking innocently at Vadim, and swiftly got an enraged Felix into a
shoulder hold when the fool tried to tackle him, "D`you really want me to
finish the job I started on you earlier?" he asked twisting Felix`s arm a
little more, making the man yelp with pain
"No, he dos`nt" Vadim grunted getting to his feet "Let him go, we need every
man we`ve got"
"God bloody help us if they`re all as inept as `im!" d'Artagnan snorted letting
Felix go, and kicking at him with his boot!
"Ah, Felix is alright, what he lacks in brains he makes up for in loyalty"
Vadim declared putting an arm about d'Artagnan`s shoulders leading him away
from Felix, towards where a cot was set up and urged d'Artagnan to sit beside
him, "You have yet to prove loyalty to our cause"
"And how would I do that?" d'Artagnan asked, already thinking he knew what was
coming, with well practised fingers he reached for Vadim`s breeches, to unlace
them and painted a coy sultry smile on his face.
However Vadim grabbed his wrist, stopping him from undoing his breeches, "Not
that" he said letting d'Artagnan pull his hand back with a frown,
"What then?, a blood oath?, a spit on the palm?"
"No" Vadim said giving d'Artagnan a mirthless smile, his sharp eyes searching
d'Artagnan`s impassive brown gaze, "I want your word, on whatever you hold
dear, that you will be true to our cause, and fight in my name"
"My word?" d'Artagnan began to laugh but stopped abruptly as Vadim placed a
dagger beneath his chin
"You need to convince me not to stick this in you, and let my men take their
pleasure on your dying body, before thowing it into the Seine" Vadim growled,
his putrid breath blowing in d'Artagnan`s face, and his eyes glittering with
malice
"I swear" d'Artagnan whispered, his lips trembling, but the rest of his body
ridgid as he met Vadim`s gaze
"Swear what?"
"That I`m not a spy, that I`ll fight in your name, and if nessasery, die for
you", a complete lie, but the sincerity on d'Artagnan`s face, and in his words
made it sound like he was making an oath before God!, he held his breath,
feeling the edge of the blade pricking his skin enough to draw blood, waiting
for Vadim to either kill him or let him go.
The seconds ticked by, until Vadim finally set the knife down with a laugh,
"Good enough" he declared ruffling d'Artagnan`s hair and then cupped his chin
"You`re a pretty thing, very pretty"
"Not so bad looking yourself" d'Artagnan lied "But I thought you did`nt want
that"
"Ah, not as business, but for love......thats a different matter" Vadim moved
forward and placed a kiss upon d'Artagnan`s lips as his left hand ran up
d'Artagnan`s arm to the collar of his doublet, which he tugged up to reveal
d'Artagnan`s upper torso "So for love?" he breathed breaking the kiss
"It`s all the same to me" d'Artagnan replied thinking of the conversation he`d
had with Athos, "Sex is sex, I`ve never had anyone love me for more an a token
number of minutes", Vadim made a humming noise in his throat, his eyes looking
d'Artagnan over
"You`ve suffered the degredation of your sex, since birth" he mused, his hands
moving to stroke over d'Artagnan`s bound breasts, "No one`s ever been gentle
with you, bothered to pleasure you have they?"
"No" d'Artagnan shrugged, leaning forward as Vadim reached the laces on his
corset, undoing them and tugging the firmly boned bodice open, he gave a hot
gasp of breath at d'Artagnan`s small breast, cupping them in his hands and
rubbing his thumbs over the nipples
"I`ll have you when I am King, on a bed of silk with feather pillows beneath
our heads" he breathed "We`ll drink champagne from golden cups, and eat
sweetmeats from golden plates", he slipped his hand between d'Artagnan`s
thighs, rubbing his palm over the mound of his small cock, "I`ll make you mind
in The Kings bed, fill you with my heirs upon his silken sheets, and place our
Pups in the royal crib!"
"And the Queens crown upon my head?", Vadim looked up at d'Artagnan and
chuckled at his words
"Thats what I like about you" he breathed twisting his fingers enough to make
d'Artagnan stiffen and gasp, "You always like to think ahead, to check that
you`ll get your worth, never take something at face value"
"Just practicality" d'Artagnan breathed gripping the worn sheet on the bed as
Vadim`s fingers continued to tease him for a moment before he pulled away
"Strip" Vadim commanded, rising from the bed and starting to undo his own
doublet, and untuck his shirt from his breeches, d'Artagnan rose to his feet,
quickly finishing the unlacing of his corset and set it on the floor his
doublet soon joined it, along with his boots and breeches, he stood unabashedly
before Vadim who ran an appreciative gaze over his form
"Get under the sheet" he ordered kicking off his boots and undoing his
breeches, shoving them down his thighs, then working them off the rest of the
way with his legs and feet.
Once d'Artagnan was beneath the covers, he climbed in beside him, wrapping his
arms about the Omega and breathing in his scent with a growl, his aroused cock
nestling between d'Artagnan`s buttocks "Sleep" he whispered "We`ll save our
fucking for when we rule France"
"I promise to make the wait worth your while" d'Artagnan breathed, forcing
himself to snuggle into the embrace, very releaved this was all he was going to
have to do, that he would not need to let Vadim fuck him, only lay in his arms
and sleep.
 
Palais des Cardinal
 
Richelieu gazed at Treville with wide disbelieving eyes, shaking his head
slightly, "How?" he could have kicked himself for that question the moment he
asked it!, How?, well there was only one way a person could get pregnant!, and
he did`nt need that explaining to him!
"The Contraceptive must have failed" Treville whispered "It must be a chance in
a million!, at my age!, a conception the first time with a failed
contraceptive!"
"A miracle" Richelieu breathed his right hand moving as if of it`s own accord
to rest over Treville`s womb, "A gift from God", Treville felt his eyes filling
with tears once again, the breath catching in his throat
"D`you really think so?" he whispered "You don`t...........you.......you want
to keep it?", the expression Richelieu gave him made Treville feel worse for
having even thought of this, never mind suggesting it, while Richelieu was open
minded enough to think that at times abortion may be for the best, he would
never believe it in their case.
They were bonded, they were in love, they could provide for their family, and
give them a happy home, difficulties aside, there was not real reason that
Treville should not have this litter, especially since it may well be the only
one he would ever have.
"Do you wish to.......seek out the......pennyroyal?" Richelieu asked, having to
visably force himself to get the words out
"No" Treville admitted "No I don`t, I know it`s impossible, I hav`nt a clue how
we`ll make this work, but I..........this may be our last chance at a family,
and I can`t throw that away, I want this litter", with a tremulous smile
Richelieu pulled Treville into his arms, caught between worry and delight,
"We`ll find a way beloved" he whispered "Somehow we`ll find a way".
***** Chapter 21 *****
D'Artagnan knew he was arrogant, knew he was too headstrong for his own good,
that he was guilty of being prideful to the extreme.
But this had never been brought home to him more, then when he found himself
bound to barrels of gun powder with Vadim leering at him in amusment!.
It seemed his oh so excelent plan to seduce the Alpha had gone awry, as said
Alpha had not been so stupid as believe him after all, and had set him up!.
He had not only set up d'Artagnan, but his own men, had not cared about freeing
Frances poor from destitution, or assassinating the King, all he had cared
about was robbing the King!.
He came very close to doing so aswell, the gun powder exploding and causing
enough of a distraction for him to enter the palace and gain entry to the
treasury to take the jewels from within.
It had only been the Musketeers quick thinking, and d'Artagnan`s uncanny
ability to survive, that Vadim had been stopped from succeeding with his
scheme.
 
While Treville was thankful that the theft had been stopped, and those who had
plotted against the Kings life had been dealt with, alot of damage had still be
caused by Vadim, and the King, Queen, and Cardinal had, albeit briefly, been in
danger.
With that in mind he could not very well present d'Artagnan to The King, while
all things considered they had a victory in their hands, Louis was not going to
be counting blessings when it came to the cost of repairing the damage done to
the Louvre.
Treville did however assure d'Artagnan that he had proven himself to the
regiment, and that his noviciate was now official, and considering his courage
and tenacity it would not be long before his Noviciate became a commission.
 
While this did bring a small smile to d'Artagnan`s lips, he still returned to
Aramis and Porthos`s dwelling looking depressed, and sighting fatigue took to
his room soon there after, not even allowing Lemay to look him over for injury.
"His head is bloody, he proberly has a concussion!" Lemay complained rubbing
his forehead tiredly and letting out a groan as Cortland chose that moment to
exercise the capacity of his lungs!
"I`ll see to him" Aramis said rising from his chair and planting a kiss on
Lemay`s cheek as he went past to see to the bellowing Alpha infant!
"Want me to go and drag d'Arts sorry arse in here?" Porthos offered "I can sit
on `im till you`ve finished examining him!", Athos snorted through his nose
while Lemay gave Porthos a small smile
"No, he`s proberly best left alone for now" Lemay replied hardly noticing as
Athos rose to his feet
"I`ll see if he`s alright" Athos said tugging on his doublet to straighten it
"You?", the look of disbelief on Porthos`s face made Athos scowl at him and
walk past in a stony silence as he went to d'Artagnan`s room.
 
 
D'Artagnan was sat on his bed, stripped to the waist and washing himself in
cold water from a basin, water that was turned red with blood.
He had obviously washed his hair as it was clinging to his scalp and was
dripping water down his back as he sat there wincing as he tried to wash his
back, a back that was covered in livid welts and burns.
"Jesus Wept!" Athos whispered startling d'Artagnan who for once did not have
the harded expressionless look of the cold hearted whore, but a vulnerable and
fragile expression that tugged at Athos`s heart.
Quietly he closed the bedroom door, and crossed the room, taking the cloth from
d'Artagnan`s hand and dipping it in the water
"Let me" he whispered gently dabbing at the wounds, his face creasing when
d'Artagnan winced, "How close were you to the explosion?" he asked examining
the wounds as he cleaned them
"Vadim had me tied to the gun powder, I barley got free before it blew",
d'Artagnan gave a harsh snort, shaking his head, "So much for my cunning", he
startled as Athos grabbed his shoulders and turned him towards him
"Do not berate yourself so, you did your best, your very best"
"Much good it did us" d'Artagnan muttered "Vadim nearly won"
"But he did not, the King is safe, his Jewels are back in the treasury, and we
are all still alive, I call that a victory!", d'Artagnan tilted his head to the
side looking at Athos with a curious expression, "Is there another reason as to
why you are.......melancholy?" Athos asked as gently as he could
"Another reason?" d'Artagnan shook his head with a frown not understanding what
Athos was hinting at
"Did Vadim..........did...............were you...."
"No, no, nothing like that" d'Artagnan said "He groped me, kissed me, but
nothing else"
"Thats enough!" Athos snarled "The bastard is lucky he`s already dead!, if I
got my hands on him..............." he broke off getting a small laugh from
d'Artagnan
"Why care so much?, it`s not as if I have any virtue left to loose!"
"I wish you would`nt talk like that!" Athos spat getting to his feet and
throwing the cloth down with a wet slap, "I hate it when you debase yourself
so!"
"My being a whore offends you so very much does it?" d'Artagnan asked
"Yes!", the heat in Athos`s answer made d'Artagnan flinch a little, "I would
have you be free, be...........happy and safe, not selling yourself to the
dirty bastards on the streets who think nothing of abusing you!".
D'Artagnan let out a soft sigh, wetting his lips and trying to think of
something to say after this, what was it about Athos that made the Musketeer so
able to get under his skin?, he had never known an Alpha like Athos, not even
Porthos could be likened to him.
God knows Athos was proberly the most maddening, insufferable, aristocratic
bastard that d'Artagnan had ever known!, and yet he intrigued the Omega in a
way that d'Artagnan could not explain, made his stomach flutter whenever they
were near to each other, drew d'Artagnan`s attention, even when they were
arguing!.
"Maybe that`ll change now, if I can get a commission" d'Artagnan said at length
"D`you think I`ve got a chance?"
"More than a chance" Athos replied "Your skill with a sword, with a pistol,
your wit, your beauty....." he broke off as d'Artagnan`s eyebrows reached his
hairline
"Beauty?, is that really a quality needed to be a Musketeer?", Athos muttered
something under his breath, his cheeks reddening, "You think I`m beautiful?"
d'Artagnan asked
"You really need to be told?" Athos grunted narrowing his eyes at d'Artagnan
who looked innocently back at him, "I`m not going to flatter you" he said
"Why?, no one has ever called me beautiful before" d'Artagnan said "Normally
they just grunt and rut!, words are not really shared!"
"Then they are fool aswell as pigs!", d'Artagnan smiled, a genuine warm smile
at Athos
"You know I thought you a cold, emotionles bastard when we first met!" he said
getting another grunt from Athos, "But now...........Now..."
"Now?"
"Now I see there is far more to you than what first meets the eye".
 
D'Artagnan rose from the bed, walking slowly over to Athos who`s eyes were
painfully drawn to the small square shaped breasts on his body, his narrow but
curved hips, and sparcely haired body.
Athos drew in a breath as d'Artagnan raised a hand to his cheek, his thumb
carressing the stubble, his scent filling Athos`s nose potently, "You have been
hurt" d'Artagnan said "Your heart has been wounded severely in the past, so
much so that you fear to get close to anyone, lest you suffer further pain"
Athos` breath shuddered in his lungs, his eyes gazing into d'Artagnan`s
compassion filled gaze, he had never spoken of this to anyone, not even Porthos
and Aramis, and yet, now as he stood here with d'Artagnan he found himself
opening up completely to him.
"I was married, to a Beta woman" he whispered thickly, "She..........I loved
her, I thought she and I would be together forever"
"But she betrayed you" d'Artagna summized
"Yes, but not with infidelity", Athos drew in another deep breath, feeling his
soul lighten as he unburdened himself to d'Artagnan, "I had a brother, he was
an Omega, a sweet, innocent, and charming Omega that I swore I would always
protect", d'Artagnan remained silent, fearing he knew what was coming
"Anne did not like Thomas, she was envious of the love I had for him, and it
was not a sinful love, just the love any Brother would have for his sibling,
yet she resented it, and plotted to rid herself of Thomas", Athos`s voice
cracked with emotion, as in his mind he recalled vividly the horrific day this
had all come about,
"Anne de Brueil was not really Anne de Brueil, but Charlotte Backson, a thief
and liar from the streets of Paris, she had lied about everything, even loving
me I am sure!", Athos gave a snort at this cursing his too trusting past self
who had been so easily seduced by the vipers tongue.
"She hired one of the worst brothels in Paris, had them come to our home to
take Thomas" he said "Thomas fought, managed to kill one of the thugs, then he
and Anne struggled and she............she..........killed him", d'Artagnan
closed his eyes wincing for the pain he knew this would have caused Athsos
"I arrived to late, found Anne with the bloody dagger in her hand" Athos
blinked back tears that pricked at his eyes and fought against the lump in his
throat "I had her hung, I condemned her to death, and then came here to Paris"
"Don`t we all" d'Artagnan whispered squeezing Athos`s shoulder "My
Aphan........was my Omans, Aphan too"
"Jesus" Athos breathed in disgust
"Oman was thirteen when he fell with me, nearly died delivering me, and Aphan
was all the more furious because I was another Omega and he wanted an Alpha or
Beta Son to succeed him, which he had not been able to produce with his wife"
"So he raped his own Son" Athos whispered looking sick at the thought
"And me", d'Artagnan was`nt looking at Athos as he spoke now, was gazing at the
floor, his eyes shining with unshed tears for his brutal past, "I got Oman and
I free a couple of years ago, brought us here to Paris, but Oman..............,
he was so weak, so damaged from constant miscarriage and still birth that
he.....died soon after"
"At least he knew freedom for a time" Athos whispered cupping d'Artagnan`s
cheek and making the Omega look at him "As brief as it was, he did at least get
to taste freedom", d'Artagnan managed a weak smile and nodded his head, taking
in a shaky breath to calm himself, "What of your Aphan?" Athos asked
"I don`t know" d'Artagnan said with a shrug "I think I might have killed him,
I`m not sure if he survived or not, and I can`t say that I care really"
"Bastard deserved it thats for sure" Athos agreed giving d'Artagnan`s cheek a
gentle stroke with his finger tips "You are very strong, you have suffered so
much but you`ve never given in, you`ve kept going regardless"
"Could say the same of you" d'Artagnan countered "You`ve kept going too", Athos
managed a small smile now, though frowed when d'Artagnan yawned
"You`re tired, and in need of rest" he said hastening to get d'Artagnan to bed
"You should really let Lemay look at your back too"
"In the morning" d'Artagnan sighed the stress of the last few days catching up
on him, making him fumble as he undid his breeches and pulled them off his
body, caring nothing that Athos saw him naked as he slid into bed.
It had to be his imagination, but he could have sworn he felt Athos`s calloused
hands stroking his face, and heard whispered words in his ear before he fell
asleep.
 
Palais Cardinal
Treville smiled and rolled onto his side as Richelieu joined him in their bed.
Their bed was not in the grand bed chamber that the master of a household was
expected to take, nore was it the bed chamber that would be occupied by the
Lady of the house, were this an ordinary household of a Prince of State instead
of a Prince of the Church.
Richelieu and Treville, to give themselves further security, slept not in the
grand bed guilded of gold, with black and red curtains of velvet, fine linen
sheets, and a thick furred coverlet, that stood proud in the master Bed chamber
of the Palais Cardinal.
Instead they slept in the room adjescent to the master bed chamber, a room that
would have been fitting for a Valet, so that they would be at their masters
call at a second notice, or perhaps a dressing room for the Lord of the
Chateau.
It was much smaller than the bedchamber, Cosey, as Treville called it,
prefering the less ornate style of the room, having been a soldier all his life
he had grown use to simplicity and appreciated it`s open honesty more than the
glitter of grandier that hide so many falsehoods.
The grand bedchamber of the palais was only slept in by the cats, who delighted
in rumpling the sheets enough to make it appear like the bed was slept in,
should any come looking, not that anyone did, the staff of the Palais were
heart and soul for Richelieu and would rather be broken on the weel then betray
him.
"Alls well that ends well then" Richelieu said sinking into the warm bed and
smiling as Treville snuggled into his side
"Does Louis think so?, considering what it`ll cost to repair the Louvre?"
Treville asked placing soft teasing kisses over Richelieu`s shoulder and throat
"He`ll get over it" Richelieu said with a shrug "He has..........other matters
to think of"
"What matters?"
"Madame Bonacieux is due her heat", Richelieu`s face puckered with displeasure,
not loving the fact that the Omega woman was being used as a royal brood mare,
not that she had bred anything during the long years of her ownership under the
royal couple, neither had Queen Anne for that matter, though Richelieu
suspected that she abstained from the Marriage bed as much as she could.
Anne was not a woman that seemed to enjoy passion, while she was undeniably
beautiful, she was too austier, seemed like a block of Spanish Ice when it came
to her Husband showing her any affection.
Though to be fair Louis was as much a blunderer when it came to wooing, as he
was in every other aspect of life!.
"I`m not sure if I hope that she will quicken with a litter at last, or not"
Treville said cutting into Richelieu`s thoughts, it was a statement that
Richelieu himself could well understand, if Madame Bonacieux fell pregnant at
last, then France`s throne would be secure for another generation, but on the
flip side of the coin, she would just be another Omega forced into submission
and pregnancy by those who believed her inferior.
"Have you given anymore thought on our Litter?" Treville asked making Richelieu
smile, his hand instantly seeking Treville`s belly to rest upon, though it was
far to soon to feel anything but the firm abdominal muscles under his palm, he
could imagine Treville round with Pups, imagine feelings kicks beneath his hand
as life stirred in his womb.
"I have had an idea" he said at length, "It will not be perfect, but I think,
with careful planing, it could work".
***** Chapter 22 *****
After their heart to heart following the events with Vadim, d'Artagnan and
Athos found they had turned a corner in their relationship.
While they continued to bicker, it was now more of a friendly trade of jibes
than cutting remarks to cause hurt.
This change in the dynamics of their relationship did not go unnoticed, their
fellow Musketeers at the garrison soon became aware of Athos acceptance of
d'Artagnan, going from actively avoiding him, to going out of his way to spar
with him.
To them it seemed that Athos was intent on making d'Artagnan his protege, and
d'Artagnan was an excelent student.
The raw talent he had flourished under Athos`s attentions, helping him loose
the bad habbits he had gained learning to fight on the streets, and devloping a
more honed style of combat.
Aramis, Porthos, and Lemay however looked at the change in their friends
another way.
Since they had talked, they had become closer and closer, Athos not only
determined to make d'Artagnan the best Musketeer in the garrison, but to
protect him aswell, seeming intent that there would never be another Vadim
repeat!.
d'Artagnan, while initially balking at the over protective attitude that Athos
ahd towards him, actually began to warm to it, swelling with pride when Athos
praised him for achieving new skills in battles, flushing a little when Athos`s
protective streak came out during skirmishes, a small shy smile forming on his
lips at Athos`s attention on him when he thought that no one was watching.
"They`ve fallen for each other!, I garentee it!" Aramis declared as he ate
supper with Lemay and Porthos, their Pups and children having already been fed
and now either in their cribs, or playing quietly on the floor
"Took `em long enough" Porthos said cutting a slice of bread from the loaf on
the table, and getting a snort of laughter from Lemay
"You two can talk!, how long did it take you both to start courting me!?"
"That was different" Porthos grumbled sitting back down and dipping the bread
into his stew
"We were rather slow about it" Aramis admitted patting Lemay`s thigh "We just
did`nt want to hurt you"
"Which I thoroughly appreciate" Lemay said with a bright smile as he popped a
slice of carrot into his mouth "Though I appreciated it far more when we were
finally bonded!"
"Ohh I remember that night!" Aramis breathed, his eyes darkening with lust "The
best night of my life!"
"Our lives" Porthos corrected with a grin and wiggled his eyebrows
suggestively, Lemay gave them both a pointed look, nodding towards Ned and Izzy
playing on the floor
"Not in front of them!"
"Spoil sport!" Porthos grumbled
"Hold that thought for later!" Lemay replied looking down at his dinner with a
sly smile spreading over his face "We can make up for our propriety then!",
Porthos laugh was positively filthy!, and Lemay squirmed as he felt Aramis`s
unmistakable foot rubbing against his leg!
"Easy boy!" he scolded "They`ll be time for that later!".
 
 
Palais Cardinal
 
"You are sure about this?" Richelieu asked handing Treville a cup of hot tea
and sat down on the chaise beside him, putting an arm about his shoulders
"We need back up on this Armand, you said that yourself" Treville replied "It
won`t be too long before Rochefort`s back in Paris, and all to soon after that
I`m going to be showing, so we need the help", Richelieu made a grumbling noise
getting an eyeroll from Treville.
It would proberly have amazed the citizens of France to know that the first
minister could be as petulant as a child at times!, and resorted to pouting and
whining to get his way with his mate!, especially when he was renowned for
being an emotionless, cold hearted bastard in state affairs!.
"I know what I said, and I hear you" Richelieu said taking a steadying breath
"But I`m worried about risk, and God knows we are taking a huge one here",
Treville did`nt need to reply, the look on his face said everything, that
Richelieu had just made the understatement of the century!.
"Alright, there is no use in arguing or worrying about maybes and what ifs, we
need to make solid plans, and we have to take the first steps to securing our
future tomorrow" Richelieu said sound as if he was half giving himself a speach
to buck up rather than speaking with Treville, "I have always trusted your
judgement in the past, beloved" he said smiling at Treville "And you have never
let me down",
Treville`s face softened into a fond smile, his features looking younger and
happier at once without the frequent frown on his face, he curled his legs up
snuggling closer to Richelieu resting his chin on his chest while looking up
into the familiar blue eyes of his mate
"I hope I never do" he whispered "I hope........we have to be right about this,
we can`t afford to get it wrong"
"And we won`t" Richelieu breathed cuddling Treville closer still refusing to
even imagine for the slightest moment that they might fail, because if that
happened, if they were discovered then it would not just be the end of them,
and the end of their unborn pups, but the loss of security for the Red Guards
and Musketeers, for many hiding Omegas in Paris and about France, the chance
for Omega freedom would be thrown back so far that might never come about,
something they could not afford to even contemplate, they both had to believe
they would succeed and hold fast to that belief.
 
Garrison
"I ai`nt sure how much of this I can take!"
Aramis rolled his eyes and shook his head as he sat on the Inseparables usual
table in the garrison cleaning his harqubus with as much diligence as a cat
with her kittens!.
"Did you hear me?" Porthos asked when Aramis made no response
"I did but I chose to ignore you!" Aramis replied without looking up, but felt
Porthos glare on the back of his neck never the less and smirked in
anticipation of the sting his backside would certainly have to tonight when
Porthos applied his (Punishment) as his Alpha right!, it was just a shame that
Aramis rather enjoyed those forms of punishment!, otherwise they might have had
a better discouragment!.
Porthos grumbled under his breath continuing to watch as Athos and d'Artagnan
"Sparred", though to anyone with a pair of functioning eyes, it was more an
excuse to initiate contact with each other, and to make eyes at each other when
they thought no one else was watching
"I wish they`d just get it together and be done with it!, acting like a pair of
love struck Pups who`ve just learned what their parts are for!", Aramis gave a
dirty laugh at that and set down his harquebus to watch the sparing, grinning
as Athos broke off mid swing and beckoned d'Artagnan over to him, positioning
himself flush against the Omegas back to use his arms in demonstrating how to
make a counter strike
"See how the sword arcs better this way?" he all but purred into d'Artagnan`s
ear
"Theres a sword alright, but that is`nt the one Athos is thinking about!"
Aramis quipped glancing over his shoulder to Porthos who snorted in amusment
"I`ll bet he`s thinking of a prettier sheeth than his leather scabbard too!"
the Alpha chortled wiggling his eyebrows at Aramis until they both burst into
laughter at their friends expence!
"What are they laughing about?" d'Artagnan asked as he and Athos moved apart,
both missing the contact already
"God only knows!" Athos muttered shooting a scowl at them while preparing his
fighting stance only to have Treville call down from the balconey summoning
himself and the others to his office
"Pick this up later?" d'Artagnan asked sheeting his sword
"Count on it" Athos replied with a rare smile.
 
The Musketeers filed into Treville`s office, closing the door behind them,
standing at ease before his desk awaiting their orders for a mission.
"Alright" Treville said letting out a deep breath "What I have to tell the four
of you must not go outside this room, save to Lemay, and only Lemay", the
gravity in his voice had all four Musketeers straightening up, concern on their
faces, concern that grew into confusion, as from the small bedroom conected to
the office came Richelieu!.
"Umm, Captain.....?" Athos cleared his throat, trying to form a question but
failing as he looked at the Cardinal standing bold as brass in the Musketeers
domain.
"Gentlemen" Treville said with a tremulous smile " I would like you to meet my
mate!".
 
The silence that reigned following the statement would have been laughable in
another situation, but this one was too grave for such levity.
Treville would admit that he was as terrified as he had ever been before in his
life as he waited to see the Musketeers reaction to this, Richelieu was ridgid
at his side, he face betraying no emotion, but the tauntness of his body showed
how nervous he was himself.
"This.....this is your mate?", it was d'Artagnan who spoke first, disbelief in
his voice and shock in his eyes "You and..........The Cardinal?"
"Yes" Treville confirmed letting out a breath he had been holding "Armand and I
met over twenty years ago, when he saved me from my brother and Father who were
intending to sell me to a Brothel, he protected me, kept me safe"
"Then made you bond with him" d'Artagnan said glaring at Richelieu, his face
hardening with anger
"No!, God no, we did`nt bond for another eighteen years!, we did`nt see each
other again until we met here in Paris in 1619, and Armand has never made me do
anything I did`nt want to do"
"Jesus Christ!" Aramis breathed resting his palms over his face and shaking his
head
"You have got to be joking!" Porthos grunted "This is..............it`s..."
"The truth" Richelieu replied "And while you may not think alot of me, there is
something very important at stake which we need your help with".
 
Anger continued to register in the eyes of the Musketeers, however all four
remained silent, allowing their Captain to speak
"This is going to come as a shock to you all, and I`m sorry to be delivering
another one to you after this, but we have no choice"
"What is it?" Athos asked "Whats going on?", Richelieu and Treville exchanged a
glance between themselves before Treville replied
"I am pregnant", again silence followed the news until Aramis broke it with a
startled laugh
"Congratulations!" he said offering Treville a warm smile "Seriously
congratulations to you both" he added after a beat
"Thankyou" Richelieu said relaxing a little, he knew that the Musketeers might
not like him, but they would move heaven and earth to help Treville, and
Treville`s unborn Pup which was what mattered here more than anything else.
The news of the pregnancy softened the mood considerably, Porthos and Aramis,
having had a pregnant Omega of their own began to fuss about Treville, forcing
him to take a seat and put his feet up on a hastily made foot stool formed from
a crate that Athos fetched from the Munitions store room!.
"So, how can we help exactly?" Athos asked solicitously "What do you need?"
"We need to keep the pregnancy hidden" Treville said frowning as a blanket was
laid over his lap by an over attentive Porthos, "Armand and I have come up with
a plan, but we`ll need your help to pull it off"
"Go into hiding" d'Artagnan said perching on the edge of the desk "Theres no
other way is there?"
"There might be" Richelieu said "To begin with Jean can wear a different
uniform, one cut to help hide the pregnancy for a while, an underbust corset
can help with that too, buying us time until it`s no longer an option"
"What then?" Aramis asked
"Then I will have a terrible accident and fall down the stairs going to the
balconey" Treville replied "Resulting in a fractured pelvis!, and will require
weeks of bed rest while it heals!"
"How terrible!" Porthos chuckled
"Indeed, he will also have to have a wooden cage placed over him to lift the
blankets off his pelvis as his lays in bed!" Richelieu replied "A cage that
will extend from his waist down to his thighs!"
"And will hide a bump without even trying!" Aramis laughed "Brilliant"
"What about when the Pup or Pups are born?" Athos asked
"Then it will appear to the rest of the world that he, she, or they were dumped
at the gates of my Palais" Richelieu replied "In an act of compassion I shall
take them in and raise them as my own, so no onw will question why there are
suddenly Pups in my home"
"This way I don`t have to leave Paris, and nore do they" Treville said "But
we`ll need your help pulling this off", the Musketeers looked at each other
silently comunicating before looking back to Treville
"How can we help?" Athos asked
"Make sure it`s Lemay who examins me when I have my fall" Treville said "Take
over the running of the regiment while I`m in seclusion, work with Armands
guards to ensure that this goes to plan", naturally they looked disgusted about
having to work with Red Guards!, a similar expression having been shared by
said red Guards when they had been told of this!, but all four Men agreed,
because while they might not like Richelieu, or the Red Guards, they loved
Treville, and would not allow him or the unborn litter to be harmed as long as
they could prevent it.
***** Chapter 23 *****
It should have been a simple job.
It should have been just a simple ride to Le Harvre, a simple collection of an
explorer/Merchant, and a simple ride back to Paris to deposit him in the
Louvre.
But of course for Musketeers nothing could ever be simple.
To put it bluntly, the whole mission went to hell in a hand basket utterly and
completely!.
 
First it turned out they were not the only ones interested in Emile Bonnaire,
it seemed he had a unique talent for pissing people off and making enemies!.
Enemies that included his former business partner, and Spanish agents.
His former Business partner had hired several thugs to retrieve Bonnaire, which
resulted in a fight between them and the Musketeers with Porthos taking an axe
to his back.
The wound was so severe that Aramis insisted that they find somewhere to treat
it immediately, naturally the only place available was the one place that Athos
never wanted to go.
His former home.
 
His friends seemed rather unsuprised that he was the former Comte de La Fere,
as Porthos put it, it had always been obvious that he was a son of Nobility
since he always spoke as if he was a school boy at lessons, and had a gesture
of looking down his nose and curling up his lip as if he smelled something
horrid!.
Being home was a nightmare for him, with so many ghosts haunting these old
walls, it was all he could do to not go mad, everwhere he went he recalled
times before.
Happy days with Thomas, playing games as boys, fencing, and trying to sneak out
of lessons with their strict school Master!.
Happy times with Anne, dreams of Pups filling the empty halls, of finding a
good Alpha or Beta for Thomas, seeing him happy and breeding himself.
All of it gone now, leaving him with nothing but painful memories of what had
been, and might have been had Anne never come into his life.
 
Bonnaire continued to prove to trouble, his Wife turning up to rescue him, only
to die herself at the hands of Spanish agents, and Bonnaire being dragged back
and nearly torn apart by Porthos who had discovered he was nothing but a
Slaver.
Athos seriously doubted anything could get anything worse, however, he was, as
usual, proven quite wrong in this assumption.
 
 
d'Artagnan had been feeling out of sorts for a few days, too hot, his skin
prickling and over sensative, his stomach not wanting food, the reason for this
he discovered at La Fere.
He was going into heat.
 
Having mroe often than not been under weight, and using supressents, d'Artagnan
had never had a regular cycle.
He`d been nearly eighteen months since his last heat, which meant this one was
going to be extreme as months worth of eggs would be released into his uterus,
his body desperate to get pregnant after so long without a heat.
If he tried to spend his heat alone, with nothing to ever take the edge off it
would just about kill him, the hormone storm would ravage his body, making his
heart beat so fast and his tempreture climb so high that he would be lucky to
get through it without a stroke or heart attack.
 
The most logical solution was for him to approach an Alpha to spend his heat
with him, and there was only one available right now, fortunately said Alpha
and he had been growing closer and closer over the past few weeks, had slowly
been leading up to this, so the thought of spending his heat with Athos was not
something d'Artagnan was upset about, though he would rather have had more
warning in advance so they could have discussed this and found somewhere else
to spend it than the one place in the world Athos reviled more than the
Bastille!.
 
As the Musketeers prepared to leave d'Artagnan approached Athos, drawing him to
one side, his hands shaking and his back coated unpleasently in a sheen of
sweat.
"We`ve got a problem" he said
"I think we have several" Athos grunted glaring at Bonnaire "One of which will
at least be gotten rid of once we reach Paris"
"Yeah but I`m not going to reach Paris before a new problem becomes very
apparent", Athos frowned at this, not undertanding what d'Artagnan was refering
to
"I`m going into heat" he said not seeing any point in beating about the bush
with this, "It`s been so long since I had one I did`nt recognize the symptoms
right away, and now.........." he shrugged and ran a hand through his sweat
damp hair "I`ll be in full heat in an hour or two, and considering how long
it`s been since I had one it`s going to be pretty rough"
"Shit!" Athos went through several emotions at once, his face comically
expressing them almost making d'Artagnan laugh!, "Well you`ll have to stay
here!" Athos said nodding his head as he tried to figure this out, "You`ll be
safe here, and you can join us in Paris when it`s over"
"Actually" d'Artagnan said biting his bottom lip "I was kind of hoping that you
would stay here with me, share my heat with me!", had he not been so shaken
d'Artagnan would have laughed at the shocked look on Athos`s face!, however, he
had never approached anyone for something like this, sex for him had been
business, never for pleasure, and could not help feeling nervous about this.
"You want me to.....you want to................us......we....."
"If it`s what you want too" d'Artagnan whispered managing to decifer Athos`s
stammering "What d`you think?, you and me?, together?"
"As mates?" Athos whispered hardly daring to breath for shock "You and me as
Mates?"
"Yeah...."
"I`m alot older than you" Athos said "I`m...grumpy, I drink too much, I`ve had
a failed mating already..."
"I`m a whore who was born from Incest" d'Artagnan said with a shrug "Screw the
past, lets concentrate on the future shall we?"
"Are you sure this is what you want?, not someone younger, less damaged by the
world?", taking a deep breath d'Artagnan inched forward and captured Athos`s
mouth in a searing kiss that after a few moments of uncertainty Athos was
returning eagerly and soon had d'Artagnan pressed up against the wall, his
hands lifting the Omegas`s right thigh up against his hip and rubbing his own
thigh against d'Artagnan`s groin.
"OhhhGaad!" Athos groaned feeling his arousal straining painfully against his
breeches, it had been so long, so long since he had been in anothers arms,
since he had felt such passion, such pleasure, it was both exciting and
frightening, but above all, it was intoxicating!.
"I want you!" he growled, his pupils dilated with lust, his mouth eager to wrap
round the bonding gland and bury his teeth in the supple flesh
"Umm, if you could restrain yourself for a minute?"
 
With great reluctance Athos and d'Artagnan turned to see an amused Aramis
standing in the hallway, a smirk on his lips
"Well it`s about time!" he said shaking his head "I thought it`d take an anvil
falling on the two of you for you to finally see sense and get together!"
"Hillarious!" Athos grunted as he broke away from d'Artagnan, straightening his
clothes with some difficulty, his cock was all but bursting through his
breeches leaving him very uncomfortable and struggling to walk!, "We have
a..........dilema of sorts"
"I`m going into heat" d'Artagnan dead panned, shrugging when Athos looked at
him incredulously, "No point in dressing it up!"
"You were due a heat and came out here anyway?" Aramis almost cried "What the
hell were you thinking!?"
"I did`nt know!" d'Artagnan defended meeting Aramis`s accusing gaze with a dark
scowl, "I hav`nt had a heat in nearly eighteen months!, I did`nt even recognize
the symptoms till about an hour ago!", Aramis paled at the length of time
d'Artagnan had been without a heat, that was`nt healthy, it was far from it and
it was no doubt a result of malnutrician and too many supressents, what long
term damage had been done to d'Artagnan`s body Aramis could`nt even begin to
guess at, nore make a guess on how rough this heat was going to be.
"Will the two of you be alright here on your own?" he asked already guessing
the plan d'Artagnan and Athos had decided on
"We`ll be fine" Athos said "Will you and Porthos be alright to get Bonnaire to
Paris?"
"So long as I don`t leave Porthos alone with him I should think so" Aramis
replied "Though it`s damn tempting"
"Well with any luck Richelieu will have him dumped in the Bastille" d'Artagnan
grunted
"First person I`ll be happy to see sent there" Aramis agreed with a nod, "Well
if you`re both sure, we`ll get on the road, the sooner we`re in Paris and have
Bonnaire off our hands the better"
"We`ll be back soon" Athos said putting a protective/possesive arm about
d'Artagnan, his staked claim clear without the bond bite, making Aramis smirk
"We`ll have a celebration meal ready for you!" he said grinning at them and
offering a cheeky salute before spinning on his toes and popping his hat back
on his head with a spring in his step and he sauntered away
"Well that could have gone worse!" Athos said to d'Artagnan
"It could" d'Artagnan agreed "Shall we go and pick out a bedroom now!?".
***** Chapter 24 *****
Athos of course could not face going to the chambers he had shared with Anne,
they held too many memories, to many ghost, instead he took d'Artagnan to the
chambers that had belonged to his Mother when she had been alive.
While they were filthy with dust and stained from damp mould on the walls and
floor, they were still habitable, and the bed was in good condition even if the
sheets were rather moth eaten.
"It`s coming!" d'Artagnan breathed stripping off his doublet and shirt, his
skin damp with sweat and discoloured about the back of his neck where the bond
gland was, Athos could see how fast and how strong this coming on, the blood
was pulsing so hard in d'Artagnan`s veins they had risen on his skin, his eyes
were blood shot and pupils widely dilated
"Get on the bed" Athos whispered removing his own doublet with shaking hands,
he almost spilled in relief as he took off his breeches! freeing his throbbing
cock!, that was already slick with precum, looking up at the bed almost undid
him, as d'Artagnan lay upon it, stripped naked panting as hormones flooded his
system
"It hurts" he whispered rubbing his stomach and gritting his teeth as eggs were
released into his womb, his thighs were wet and glistening with his internal
fluids, as Athos climbed onto the bed d'Artagnan all but leaped on him!,
rubbing himself against the alpha shamelessly, his whole body going wild with
the scent of the Alpha filling his lungs.
Athos only just managed to restrain his instinct to flip d'Artagnan over and
claim him there and then, holding back even as the Omega rutted against him,
nuzzeling his neck, licking, scratching, pawing, and biting him in desperate
need for the Alpha to take him.
A piercing keen escaped d'Artagnan`s throat as the full force of heat came upon
him, his scent increasing tenfold and over whelming Athos`s senses as it flowed
into his nostrils.
Mewling cries came from d'Artagnan who continued to rut against him, demanding
that Athos take him, calling for a mate the same way a cat does when in heat.
"Mine!" Athos growled taking hold of the Omega and turning him into position,
d'Artagnan eagerly complying and shamelessly wriggling his backside
provocativley at Athos as the Alpha spread his soaked thighs and ran his
fingers over his hole making d'Artagnan keen and whimper with need, Athos`s
teasing hand was a delicious torment to him, caressing between his buttocks,
and sliding further forward to grip and milk his straining cock.
"Please!" he whimpered thinking he might go mad if Athos did`nt take him soon!
"You want to be mine, to be bound to me, to bear our Pups?"
"Yes!" d'Artagnan was almost weeping by now, his whole body seeming to be on
fire, an inferno was searing his insides!, he was going to explode!
"Love you!" Athos breathed closing his eyes sliding inside the Omegas body
smiling as he heard d'Artagnan`s sharp intake of breath at the burn, then groan
of pleasure as his cock stroked over his nerve cluster, wrapping one arm about
d'Artagnan`s waist and keeping a hand on his cock to double d'Artagnan`s
pleasure, Athos began to move in and out of the Omegas body.
d'Artagnan was driven beyond words, his hands fisting the sheets and muscles
tensing and clenching as he met each thrust of Athos`s cock with buck of his
hips until they were moving in a perfect motion, a rythem of pure passion.
d'Artagnan let out a moan as Athos kissed and licked his way up d'Artagnan`s
back, teasing him and scenting him as he made his way to the pulsing bond bite
pressing his lips over it and suckling, causing shocks of lightening to shoot
through d'Artagnan as the mass of nerves were stimulated.
Athos felt his knot swelling and pulsing, his climax nearing and d'Artagnan`s
inner muscles clenching about him to lock them together and milk him dry
"Together forever!" he breathed spreading his mouth wide and as he climaxed he
sank his teeth into d'Artagnan`s gland making the Omega cry out and spill over
his hand shivering in absalute bliss as the world dimmed before his eyes.
 
For nearly five days d'Artagnan remained in heat, his hormones giving only
brief reprieves through the bouts in which he slept heavily, only to awaken
once more desperate for Athos`s knot.
Both were exhausted and sore as hell by the time the storm of hormones broke
and allowed them both to sleep for more than half an hour.
Spooning together, they lay on the sweat and semen damp sheets, the room
stinking of sex and sweat around them as they drifted into dreamless slumbers
only to be disturbed in the most dramatic of ways just before dawn.
 
Athos could not be sure what it was that woke him, if it had been a sixth sense
alerting him to danger, or if it were the sound of glass breaking, or a chair
falling over.
Whatever it was, he awoke to a room full of acrid smoke that had him doubling
over and coughing raggedly as the fumes stung his eyes and filled his lungs
"D'Art, d'Art wake up" he choked out shaking the exhausted Omega, getting a
disgruntled groan from d'Artagnan, not only was d'Artagnan in desperate need of
sleep, he was also being lulled into it by the smoke, the dangerous fumes
filling his lungs were making him sleepy and dulling his senses.
Desperate Athos slapped d'Artagnan`s face to bring him round and ruthlessly
pulled the Omega from the bed
"What the hell?" d'Artagnan whispered his eyes unfocused and expression one of
disorientation, he doubled over coughing on the smoke, struggling to clear his
lungs enough to stand and let Athos help him into his breeches and shirt
"Come on!" Athos snapped carrying the rest of the clothes and bundeling
d'Artagnan out of the room.
The landing was worse, thick black smoke was pouring out of the rooms, making
it almost impossible for them to see where they were going and what they were
doing
"We need water!, we need to put out the fire" d'Artagnan cried, adrenaline
filling him enough to clear his mind "We can save the house!"
"Damn the house, let it burn" Athos grunted guiding d'Artagnan to the stairs by
memory alone, "Lets just get ourselves out!"
Athos had to half carry d'Artagnan down the stairs since his limbs were shaking
so baddly he was constantly loosing his footing as he went, however the sounds
of windows exploding upstairs made both men jump and fall the last few steps
landing on the floor in a dazed heap.
 
Athos groaned feeling his knees protest as he moved, both having taken the
brunt of the fall, beside d'Artagnan was moaning and slowly regaining his
senses, his nose bloody from where he must have hit it either on the floor or
on his own flailing arms, Athos was about to offer his help to his mate when
the cocking of a gun stilled his hands.
Slowly, very slowly so as not alarm whomever it was who held the gun, Athos
turned his head and gasped, for what he saw before him could not possibly be
real.
Right there, standing in the foyer was his dead wife!, dressed elegantly in a
gown of black and burnt orange, Her black hair was expertly coiffed and piled
onto her hair in a stylish bouffant, about her throat she was a choker that
matched her gown, and in her gloved hands she carried a torch, and a pistol.
"You`re dead" Athos whispered "I watched you hang!"
"You did`nt watch though did you?" Anne replied coldly "You could`nt bear to
see your beloved wife choking on the end of a rope!"
"The hangman, Remy" Athos whispered shaking his head
"I seduced him, when you had ridden off he cut me down and revived me but
look!", Anne paused lowering her pistol and hooking a finger over her choker
revealing the scar on her throat, "I still carry the token of your love"
"Athos?", d'Artagnan`s voice was weak, and coughed horsely as he lifted his
head, his eyes widdening when he saw the women before him and Athos
"Found yourself a little whore then?" Anne sneered "A little Omega Catamite to
warm your cock?"
"Do not speak of him thus!" Athos growled shifting a little closer to
d'Artagnan protectively
"You know nothing of him"
"Oh I know enough!" Anne laughed "I`ve seen him selling himself about the Court
of Miracles pleanty of times, happily letting himself be tupped for a few
coins!"
"Takes a whore to know one" d'Artagnan shot back glaring at Anne angrily "Who
the hell are you?, what d`you have against Athos?"
"Who am I?", Anne laughed at this, her laugh harsh and cold, sounding like the
shattering mirrors in the burning Chateau about them "I am The Comtesse de la
Fere!, His lawful wife and mate before God!" she snarled, her face turning
quite ugly in her anger "You have defiled my marriage bed!, sullied it with
your filthy presence!, your leaking hole and whelping heat!"
"You defiled our marriage bed Anne!" Athos roared at her rising to his feet and
making her take a step back leveling her gun on him "With your lies!, your
deceit!, your betrayal!, you murdered my Brother!"
"He deserved to die!" Anne screamed back, the veins on her throat standing out
and her face strained with her anger "He was nothing but a disgusting Omega
whore!, just like that piece of filth at your side!, I did the world a favor by
killing him!", adjusting her aim so she had the barrel pointing directly at
Athos head she smirked coldly at him "I`ll do it another favor now and rid it
of you and that dirty whore!"
Athos tensed preparing himself to spring to side as soon as Anne fired, but the
gun shot never came, instead Anne let out a howl of pain, dropping the gun as a
knife embedded itself into her wrist!.
All but ignored by her, d'Artagnan had managed to get hold of his maine gauche
and waited for just the right moment to use it!, as she had lifted her arm
ready to fire, d'Artagnan had throw the blade, making Anne drop the gun,
disabeling her for the moment.
Dropping the torch Anne clutched at her wounded wrist, unable to pull the blade
out without risking bleeding to death unless she had medical attention on hand,
holding the throbbing limb to her breasts she shot a baleful glare at the two
men before she turned and ran, leaving them to stagger to their feet and do the
same, escaping the inferno that englufed the Chateau of La Fere.
 
Outside on the grass Athos and d'Artagnan watched at the Chateau burned before
them, both trying to come to terms with what had just occured
"I can`t believe she`s alive, all this time!, all these years!, I was so sure
she was dead" Athos whispered shaking his head
"Apparently not" d'Artagnan whispered coughing harshly as he tried to clear the
smoke from his throat, both of them were filthy with soot, and still struggling
to clear their lungs from the amount of smoke they`d inhaled, looking at Athos
his heart broke when he saw the devestation on the Alphas face, the self hatred
filling his eyes.
Gently he pulled Athos into an embrace pressing the Alphas head over his
breasts and stroked his dirty hair "This is`nt your fault" he whispered "Please
don`t blame yourself for her actions"
"I brought her into our lives" Athos moaned as tears trickled slowly down his
cheeks "Thomas would still be alive if it had not been for her, had not been
for my stupidity!"
"You fell in love, theres no crime in that, the crime is hers for deceiving
you, for betraying you!"
"Had I not been so weak I would not have fallen for her lies" Athos whispered
"I would have also had the strength to watch as she hung, not turned and fled
like a coward!"
"No Athos!" d'Artagnan shook him slightly making Athos look at him and pay
attention "You are a good man, too good a man to watch as someone you care
about, or use to care about swings from a rope, only the most cold hearted
bastard could do that!, the fact you could not proves what an honorable man you
are!"
"But it`s put you in danger" Athos breathed "She`ll be coming for you now,
she`ll want her revenge"
"I was in danger anyway" d'Artagnan said with a shrug "Whats one more problem?,
and besides which, she`ll take a good while healing from that wound I dealt
her, being one handed will hamper ambition for vengence some what", gently he
stroked Athos face and smiled at him "Please don`t let her destroy what we have
only just started to create" he pleaded "Our mating is a new start for us both,
I do not want it destroying by the ghosts of the past, even if they are flesh
and blood and come wielding torches and guns!", Athos gave a gurgle of laughter
at this, sitting himself up and kissing d'Artagnan, drawing strength from their
bond
"I will never let her hurt you" he swore vehemently "I won`t let her touch a
single hair on your head"
"And I won`t let her hurt you either" d'Artagnan stated firmly "Together we can
defeat the bitch, she is just one, we are two, and with our pack we are many",
Athos gave a groan at the thought of telling Aramis, Porthos and Lemay this,
let alone perhaps telling Treville, but they deserved to know, hell they needed
to know, Anne was a great threat to their security, they needed to be prepared
and know what they were dealing with.
"No one is going to blame you" d'Artagnan soothed guessing what Athos was
thinking "This is not your fault, none of this is your fault, so don`t you dare
blame yourself for her actions!"
Athos quirked a slight smile at his young mate, shaking his head, "You`re going
to be the bossy type of high maintanace Omega ar`nt you?"
"Of course!" d'Artagnan stated getting to his feet and holding out a hand for
Athos to join him, "Now, lets get ourselves sorted and get back to Paris, the
sooner we start dealing with this "Anne", the better".
***** Chapter 25 *****
Paris
 
Milady yelped as the physician pulled the dagger out of her wrist, he had put a
tourniquet about her bicep to cut off the circulation while he stitched her
wrist.
"I`m afriad this will scar my Lady" the physician said as he pulled the thread
tight
"I know" Milady growled angrily, she clenched her teeth against the pain, anger
ran through her veins as she winced and watched her skin being sewn up, they
would pay for this, her unfaithful husband and that Omega whore.
Her eyes hardened as she recalled seeing d'Artagnan selling himself about the
Court of Miracles.
The cheap slut had been the epitome of his kind, face painted, clothing so
tight and revealing that he might aswell have not bothered with clothing at
all!, his backside on display, hips poised just so, a come hither look on his
face.
She snarled under her breath wishing she had shot him when she`s first seen
him!, God knows no one would have missed the whelp!.
The thought of the whore in bed with Athos turned her stomach, by the smell of
both of them they had been mating, and the whore had been in heat, would have
been writhing on the bed, begging Athos to fill his hole and get him with Pups.
Dear God!, what if the filthy vermin had actually conceived by Athos?, had
gotten his belly filled by her Husband?, that thought was even more infuriating
than d'Artagnan and Athos laying together, how many times had she tried for a
baby or a pup with Athos?, only to find herself bleeding three weeks later?,
how many times had she been late and hoped that she had finally caught?, only
to have her dreams shattered as her bleeding had come.
If d'Artagnan found himself pupped by her husband then it would make the
betrayal all the worse, for those Pups should have been hers!, she should be
the one whom Athos impregnated, it should be her who would be welcoming new
life in nine months, not the little slut who`d seduced her husband!.
"All done Madame" the physician said startling Milady as he released the
tourniquet sending blood shooting back through her veins, her hand ached
angrily as the blood filled it once again, even the tips of her fingers
throbbed with the reinfusion of blood inside them.
"You`ll need to rest the arm, do no lifting with it for at least three weeks"
The Physician said as he wrapped a bandage about her wrist to support the
stitches and keep the clean, "However you need to keep moving your hand so that
it does not atrify from disuse, if you practise relaxing and clenching your
fists several times a day, that will ensure that your hand keeps it`s strength"
"Thankyou Doctor" Milady said handing over her money and grateully rising from
her chair, how she was going to explain this to The cardinal she did`nt know,
she had not been in jured on a mission for him, and he would not be impressed
by her getting injured in her own time, taking her leave of the physician she
pulled her hood back up over her head and walked into the streets, making her
way to her apartment, keen to write to Rochefort and tell him of these events.
 
Palais Cardinal
 
When they had arrived back in Paris, Athos and d'Artagnan ahd decided to tell
everyone about Anne, she knew about d'Artagnan`s sex, knew Athos was involved
with him, and was certainly their enemy, so they needed to be prepared for her
next attack.
Athos did not enjoy having to bear his past to everyone, even after five years
the wounds hurt, telling of Annes betrayal, of her murdering his brother, how
he had been forced to have her hung but not stayed to see that the job was
done, a failing which had let her be able to rise against them now.
"Non of this is your fault you know?" Aramis said gently, seeing the reproach
on Athos`s face, even as d'Artagnan rubbed his knee, "You`ve done nothing
wrong"
"Hav`nt I?" Athos whispered "If I`d done my duty then she would be dead and
none of this would be happening"
"`Thos!, I thought we went through this back at La Fere" d'Artagnan sighed
wrapping his arm about Athos and cuddeling him "You are not to blame for this,
she is, do not take on her guilt"
"He`s right Athos, this is`nt your fault, and we need your help, not your self
recriminations" Treville said as he rested on the chaise with Richelieu beside
him
"Do you believe she is living in Paris?" Richelieu asked leaning forward to
pick up his wine and take a sip
"Yes, she said she knew me" d'Artagnan said "Had seen me in The Court of
Miracles and about Paris, so she must be living here"
"Under a different name I`d guess" Aramis grumbled "Anne de Brueil would not be
a name that would go unnoticed for very long, nore whatever it was you said she
called herself before"
"Charlotte Backson" Athos grunted "She could be calling herself anything now",
Treville frowned and looked to d'Artagnan who was rubbing Athos`s neck to try
and ease the tension in it
"If she`s seen you in the court of miracles, I don`t suppose you`ve seen her?,
maybe know of her?" he asked getting a shake of the head from d'Artagnan
"I`m afraid not, if I have met her before it`s been in passing, we`ve never
spoken I did`nt know her at La Fere and do not recall seeing her before"
"What does she look like?" Aramis asked "You two might know her by sight but we
don`t"
"She`s not remarkable enough by sight to be easily picked out of a crowed if
you don`t know who you`re looking for" d'Artagnan said with a smile "She`s not
even particularly beautiful", he shrugged as Athos rose an eyebrow at him,
"Well she`s not!"
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!" Aramis singsonged grinning wickedly
"Mis!" Porthos sighed rolling his eyes "Not now!"
"She`s tall, dark haired, green eyed" Athos said pinching the bridge of his
nose as his head began to ache, he was resisting the urge to drown himself in
wine, he was a mate once again, he had a duty, responsibility to d'Artagnan to
be the best mate he could, and being drunk all the time was not being a good
mate.
"Her hairs curly" he added letting a deep breath out of his nose "Like
d'Artagnan said she is not so much beautiful as striking, her top lip is
thicker than he bottom lip, and she has a square face".
 
Saddly this description, while good, could describe half the women in France,
tall dark and striking, it hardly shortened the list at all, and short of
dragging every dark haired green eyed women they met off the street and
interigating her, they would not be able to find her anytime soon.
"I don`t suppose she has anything destinctive about her that could help?"
Aramis asked "A mole?, birth mark, scar?, hell webbed feet!, anything!"
"Webbed feet?" Richelieu snorted while the others chuckled
"It could happen!" Aramis shrugged
"I knew someone in the court who had kind of webbed feet" d'Artagnan said "His
toes were conjoined and he kind of shuffled along, he could`nt walk properly"
"I know who you mean, Marcel Moreau" Porthos said
"Yeah, played the viola for coins", Porthos nodded smiling in memory
"She`ll be bearing a wound on her wrist from d'Artagnan throwing the maine
gauche into her" Athos said
"That helps" Treville said
"Also her throat" d'Artagnan added "She`s got a scar about her throat from the
noose, she`s covering it with a choker"
"Lots of women wear chokers" Aramis said shaking his head "They`re in fashion"
"True, but that with her wrist does help narrow the list" Richelieu said "We
know to keep an eye out for a dark haired woman with green eyes, and with
wounded wrist, that would will take a good time to heal, so we can use it to
our advantage and find her sooner rather than later".
 
 
"You`re not worried?" Treville asked as he changed out of his uniform, not
bothering with a night shirt, instead he climbed into the bed and burrowed
under the covers smiling as Richelieu joined him, snuffing out the candles as
he went
"I`m more worried about you than I am about this Women" Richelieu replied
pulling Treville into his arms and kissing his temple
"Lemay says I`m in good health, that my body is adjusting well to be being
Pupped" Treville said "The morning sickness is normal, I`m not showing signs of
too high or too low blood pressure, and I`m not bleeding at all" he smiled at
Richelieu and squeezed his side "I`m going to be fine beloved, and in a few
months we`ll have our Pup"
"Our Pup", Richelieu could still hardly believe that after all these years they
were having a Pup!, he had`nt started to show yet, not really, but Richelieu
fancied that sometimes he could see a very slight softening to Treville`s
firmly muscles body.
It was proberly imagination, certainly Treville had`nt noticed anything, and he
was forever placing a hand over his middle and examining himself in the mirror
when he thought no one was looking.
He had complained over soreness about his breasts especially his nipples that
were definately larger than they had been, and more reddened, once he entered
the second trimester the soreness would lessen, but he would also likly be
suffering with colostrum leaking then, thankfully the bindings he wore would
soak it up so it would`nt show through his uniform, but Richelieu doubted it
would be comfortable for him.
More than that once he began to show he would have to suffer the discomfort of
a corset to tie in his belly.
Richelieu was both dreading and looking forward to this time, he wanted to see
his mate round with his Pup, but at the same time he did`nt want him to have to
suffer having his abdomen squeezed tight in a corset, nore the added risk of
discovery.
"You said that everything would be fine" Treville said kissing Richelieu`s
chest "You were the one who convinced me of it, remember?", Richelieu offered
his mate a small appologetic smile
"I just could`nt bear it if anything happened to you" he breathed, risk was not
only in Treville being discovered as a rebellious Omega, but also his age in
carrying a Pup now.
There was far more chance of complications at his age than there was in younger
Omega, and while Lemay was an excelent physician he was not a miracle worker
and if something went wrong........
"Hey, I`m strong" Treville said smiling at up at Richelieu "I`d have to be,
putting up with you all these years!"
"Cheeky!" Richelieu chuckled running his hand through Treville`s short hair,
his fingers clasped about his hair as Treville`s right hand slid down to cock,
stroking it gently his fingers teasing the soft flesh of his knot stirring it
into life
"Want something beloved?" he asked
"I do" Treville purred straddeling his body and rubbing his own length against
Richelieu making the Alpha groan and buck his hips, grinning wickedly Trevilled
raised himself up and impaled himself upon Richelieu cock letting out a deep
gasp as the growing knot stretched him, "Going to make me do all the work?" he
asked giving Richelieu his most provocative smile
"Not in the least!", Treville let out a delighted cry followed by a laugh as
Richelieu effortlessly changed their positions, and had him pinned to the bed
beneath him, and was gently, yet deepy thrusting in and out of his body, taking
care not to use too much force that could hurt either Treville or the Pup
growing inside him, but still giving enough to pleasure them both.
Treville happily bared his throat to his Alpha tossing back his head and
wrapping his legs about Richelieu, his hands spanning his back running over the
familiar plains of his body, so many years they had been together and he never
got tired of this, the feel of Richelieu`s body, the press of his lips,
pleasure of his knot!, Treville was not romantic enough to believe in soul
mates, but with Richelieu he came damn close to believing in them, very close.
Richelieu kissed and nibbled at his throat, trailing his tongue over his teeth
marks in Treville`s familiar throat, his body was as familiar to Richelieu as
his own was, and yet it never failed to excite him, to make him hard and wet,
eager to pump inside him, and never more so than now as his scent became
sweeter from the Pup growing inside him.
"I`m close beloved" Richelieu panted feeling his orgasem building, saddly at
their age they would not be able to do this a second time without some rest,
but they also had more control and knew exactly how to make each other feel the
most pleasure
"Fill me, do it" Treville moaned clinging tighter to his mate, almost in unison
they came, collapsing together in bliss in each other arms.
***** Chapter 26 *****
Lemay smiled as he helped d'Artagnan pack up his meagre belongings, now he was
bonded to Athos he was moving in with the Alpha in the Rue de Ferou, as far as
anyone but their small pack knew it was because their was too little space in
the house of Porthos, Aramis, and Lemay, and Athos had a spare room and needed
help with the rent.
"You seem very happy since your bonding" Lemay said to d'Artagnan, theres
almost a glow about you that was`nt there before
"You think so?" d'Artagnan said to turning to him with a half smile, truth be
told he felt that heady glow himself, felt a warmth in his heart that he had
never before had.
Despite the threat of Milady, of himself being taken up by the authorities as a
rebellious Omega, he felt far less burdoned in his heart and mind.
It was like the old saying, a problem shared was a problem halved and it seemed
to be proven quite true with himself and Athos.
The Alpha, while still fearing what Milady might yet do, was alot brighter, he
smiled a great deal more and was frequently demonstrative in his affection
towards d'Artagnan, wanting to hold him and kiss him, not only to show his
claim upon the Omega but also his love for him.
Whatever the future might yet hold for them, d'Artagnan knew they would be
facing it together, and while he could not be certain they would prevail he
knew that even torture and death would be worth the happiness he now had with
Athos.
"I have been meaning to speak with you" Lemay said his fingers almost nervously
pulling at loose threads on the woolen blanket on the bed
"Speak with me about what?"
"You heat, and about...........the possibility of Pups".
 
D'Artagnan froze, his hands gripping tight to the shirt he was holding and his
eyes becoming wide as Lemay`s words sunk into his consciousness.
It was stupid he thought, that he`d not considered this already, always before
he had used pennyroyal, had taken precautions even when he was not in heat
knowing that there was a slight chance of falling on the cusp or just after,
but now, after spending a full heat with Athos with no precautions at all he
had not given a moments thought to the potential Pups he could be carrying.
Now that he did d'Artagnan could not help but wonder what it would be like to
have Pups with Athos.
Before now, when he had lain with countless others selling himself so he could
eat, he had always sworn he would terminate the pupping the moment he knew he
was carrying, and truth be told he proberly would have done, for the Pups that
would have been conceived then would not have been from love, nore even lust,
and he thoroughly doubted he could ever have loved anything spawned by the
bastards who had made use of him in the court of miracles.
But this was different, Pups with Athos was not the same as mistakenly falling
pregnant by a customer in some allyway.
He and Athos were mates, he bore Athos`s teeth marks in his neck, the proof of
their consumation of their relationship, their mating meant more than the rings
and paper of a Church wedding, it was more binding to them than something made
of words and the blessing of a Priest.
Even without asked d'Artagnan knew that Athos would welcome the Pups into their
lives, he would want them, would move heaven and earth to see them safely
whelped and happy, he would do whatever it took to see that d'Artagnan and the
Pups were safe and cared for.
The real question here was did he want to become and Oman?.
d'Artagnan had never given any real thought to the possibility of becoming an
Oman, his life style had hardly leant itself to whelping and caring for Pups,
but then he had never imagined himself being mated to anyone, he always thought
he would live and die alone.
Now he was mated and in a pack, had become very fond of Lemay`s Pups by Aramis
and Porthos, had enjoyed playing with them and caring for him something he had
never seen himself doing!, so perhaps, all things considered having Pups with
Athos was not so rediculous as it might first have seemed.
 
"There is pleanty of time for you think about this" Lemay said to d'Artagnan
taking his hand and squeezing, bringing d'Artagnan out of his daze to turn and
look at him with a bewildered expression
"You should`nt rush into anything" Lemay said "You need to take time and
consider things before you make any decision" he offered a smile and a shrug
"You might not even be Pupped anyway"
"Theres that" d'Artagnan whispered "But I had`nt had a heat in so long, the
force of it, the amount of eggs that would have been released..........., the
chances are that I am", Lemay bit his bottom lip, as a physician he knew was
d'Artagnan was saying was true, the odds were that he had conceived, in fact it
was very unlikly that he had not.
"Like I said you have pleanty of time to think about things before you need to
decide to do anything"
"I know" d'Artagnan said pressing his lips into a small smile "But I think I
already know what I`ll be doing", Lemay cocked his head to the side frowning at
d'Artagnan
"Just do me one favor" the younger Omega said "Don`t tell anyone yet,
especially not Athos, I`ll tell him when I know for sure there`s something to
tell", while he did`nt like keeping secrets and there was a shance that Athos
had already worked out the fact that d'Artagnan could well be with Pups, Lemay
agreed not to say anything, after all it should come from d'Artagnan, not
anyone else.
 
Louvre
 
Milady`s mood had not improved over the last few days, in fact she was still
seething about Athos and the Omega whore.
With her face set into a hard mask of extreme ire, she walked through the back
halls and passages of The Louvre, making her way to Richelieu`s office
discretely so that she would not attract anyones attention on the way.
While part of her deeply resented having to skulk in the shadows, she did
apreciate the fact that entering the office by the private enterence meant she
did not have to bandy words with Jussac or the other lackys of Richelieu who
treated her like she with contempt.
After pausing beside the door to listen if there was anyone inside the office
with Richelieu, Milady pushed the door open and stepped inside, her black and
red skirts trailing along the floor as she walked with her heels clipping an
echo in the air.
"And where have you been?" Richelieu groused not even bothering to look up from
the endless paper work he was going through
"You said I might partake of a vacation" Milady replied smoothly, "I mearly did
so"
"One that took you nearly a week away from Paris?", now Richelieu looked up
with a scowl on his face, his eyes narrowing as he glowered at Milady not even
remotely amused by the fact she did not flinch from his anger as others would
do
"I appologise if I was a little longer than I thought I would be" Milady said
her lips curving into an insincere smile "I ran into a little trouble I had not
anticipated"
'Trouble I intend to rectify as soon as maybe' she thought to herself
Richelieu continued to glare at her, his sharp eyes moving over her features as
if he were cataloguing them, tall, dark curly hair, green eyes, a fuller top
lip than the bottom.
These were traits that could describe a thousand women in France alone, but
Richelieu could not help but see the description coming to life before his
eyes, eyes that shifted from Milady`s face to the choker about her throat,
always she wore a choker of some sort, ropes of pearls, ribbons, a velvet
collar studded with jewels, she was never without something covering her
throat.
Milady fingered her collar, a frequent habbit she had since it irritated her
throat at times, requiring her to tug at it, something that Richelieu was very
used to seeing and dismissing, but not today.
Now his eyes widdened and locked in on the bandage about her hand and wrist, a
bandage in the exact place where d'Artagnan and thrown a maine gauche into the
Comtesse de la Fere.
As master of manipulation and diversion Richelieu knew how to hide his
emotions, how to place a mask over his features and fool practically anyone
into thinking he was feeling something other than he was, had he not be able to
do this he would never have been able to hide his revulsion at the flogging of
rebellious Omegas whom he had been unable to save, nore send good men to their
deaths to see that France and the crown were secure, he would never have
survived so long in his position.
Only someone else who was very skilled at deception would see a change in the
Cardinal`s face and demeanor, would know when he had put on a game face so to
speak.
Milady was one of these few, and she felt her stomach churn under her tight
stays as Richelieu rose from his desk and aproached her.
"It appears you have been injured Milady" he said in the most off hand manor,
even adding a little insincere concern in his tone for her health
"A mere trifle your Eminence, nothing to be concerned with" Milady replied
closing her good hand over her injured wrist and taking two small steps back
feeling very much like a closed in animal facing a predator, not a feeling she
enjoyed at all
"How did you come by this injury?" Richelieu asked advancing on her more
swiftly now determined to know if she was in fact the woman he sought
"I was careless" Milady whispered her face paling and her heart racing, her
green eyes skipped to the window but she knew it was to high for her to make an
escape that way, the main door was also useless since the guards would slay her
in a moment, her only escape was by the same door she had entered the room, and
to get there she had to get past Richelieu
"Careless with what Milady?" Richelieu breathed reaching out a hand now for her
wrist "What was it that you did to gain this injury?", a for a few second the
two of them were frozen in place like a pair of ice sculptures in a winter
garden, then, in the blink of an eye Milady had her dagger draw from her belt
and plunged it into Richelieu`s shoulder!.
 
The Cardinal fell back with a cry of pain, his left hand clutching his wounded
shoulder as blood seeped from between his fingers, his cries alerted the guards
on the door and they came running in with weapons drawn but Milady had already
fled, taking to her heels and running for her life down the corridors very
aware that if she were to live then she needed to get out of Paris right now.
"What happened?" Jussac cried helping Richelieu to his feet and placing a hand
over his wounded shoulder "Get a physician!" he shouted at his subordinates
"Milady" Richelieu growled his anger making the pain dull slightly "She is the
Comtesse de la Fere, she is the one we are looking for, and the little bitch
has just escaped!".
***** Chapter 27 *****
Palais Cardinal
 
Lemay was the physician called to treat Richelieu`s stab wound.
While it had bled alot, it was not overly serious, there was no muscle damage
nore were any major blood vessals damaged by Milady's blade.
"You've been lucky your Eminence" Lemay said as he carefully stitched the wound
making a neat narrow row of stitches that would further ensure that it would
heal well,
"You'll need to take things easy for a while" he added looking up into
Richelieu's moody blue gaze, "I'll make you a sling which you'll need to use to
keep the pressure off your arm and allow it to heal"
"I have no time to sit in bed and nurse a scratch, Doctor Lemay!" Richelieu
stated with more than a little anger in his voice "I have an assassin to catch"
"Which is what you have us for" Jussac said giving Richelieu one of his eat
shit grins that always set Richelieu's teeth on edge "Don't worry doctor we'll
make sure he takes care of himself"
"Why don't you do something useful and go and find the bitch instead of playing
nurse maid!?" Richelieu hissed petulantly
"Boisrenard and Bernajoux are already doing that, and Cahusac has gone to the
garrison to fetch Jean"
"Jean!", Richelieu all but leaped up out of the chair he was sitting on making
Lemay curse at him as he came close to ripping the stitches!, "Jean can not be
troubled by this!, he is in no condition to be facing these kinds of upsets"
"Hold still!" Lemay scolded using the Physicians perogative to push Richelieu
down as he shifted restlessly
"I think he's going to be troubled by the fact his mates been scewered whether
you tell him or not" Jussac stated walking over to the side board and poured
both himself and Richelieu cups of wine to drink, "And" he said as he walked
back over to the ill tempered Cardinal and handed him his drink, "Jean will be
furious if he is not told directly, at least this way he won't be reading you
the riot act".
 
Richelieu only grunted at this hissing a little as Lemay applied a bandaged
covered in a salve that would help prevent infection to his shoulder and
carefully bound his shoulder and upper chest.
"Now you need to keep this clean and dry" he instructed Richelieu as he began
to pack up his equipment "You should also take it easy for the next few days
and eat pleanty of red meat and dark green vegetables to make up for the blood
you've lost", Richelieu made a face at this much like a child would when told
to eat their greens!, he was a finiky eater picking at food and turning his
nose up at most things, his diet generally consisted of bread, fruit, and
cheese.
To have to dine on heavy meats and vegetables was not something he was going to
enjoy, and Jussac was very glad he would be able to foist the duty of forcing
the meals down Richelieu's throat on to Jean!.
"Armand!", and speak of the Devil!, Jussac thought to himself with a small
chuckle as Jean's voice echoed down the corridor before the Captain burst into
Armands parlour looking wind swept and flushed from his frantic ride to the
Palais Cardinal.
"Dear God Armand!, Cahusac said you were stabbed!, are you alright?, what the
hell happened!", Jussac had to addmit he was impressed that Jean was able to
say all that without taking a breath as he flew across the room to get to
Armand and start clucking over him like a mother hen!.
"I'm fine beloved, it's a mere flesh wound is it not Doctor?" Armand said
looking to Lemay
"It's not a serious wound but he does need to rest and consume an iron rich
diet" Lemay replied
"I see" Treville stated nodding his head "We'll get you to bed then Love and
make sure you have pleanty of rich beef dishes to eat, maybe some lamb and
perhaps some venison to"
"I hate Venison" Richelieu grumbled "And I don't need bed rest I need to find
Milady!"
"Milady, why would she do this?" Treville asked, he had know of Milady as
Richelieu's agent, or one of them, but had never met her nore wished to, why
she had suddenly betrayed Richelieu after five years of loyal service he
could'nt imagine, and as he looked into Richelieu's troubled eyes he felt a
shiver run down his spine.
"What is it?" he asked his voice trembling slightly as he spoke
"I am sorry beloved, I really am" Richelieu said with a deep sigh "I swear to
you I had no idea who she was, not until today, had I known then I would never
have had her in my service, nore let her so deep into my council", Treville
frowned and glanced at Jussac for a second before looking back to Richelieu
"I don't understand, who is she?", Richelieu wet his lips and sighed again
before he answered Treville, very aware of the weight his information would and
did carry
"The woman I have had serving me as Milady de Winter is in fact the Comtesse de
la Fere!, Athos's murderous ex-wife".
 
 
Treville did'nt say anything for a moment, his mouth opened and closed without
a sound as he tried to process this information, slowly he rose to his feet
placing a hand over his mouth and staggered a few steps away, leaning against
the back of a chaise to steady himself
"I swear I did'nt know" Richelieu said "It was only when I saw her wrist that I
realized who she is"
"How much does she know?" Trevilled asked his voice strained and body ridgid as
he held in his emotions "How many are in danger from her?"
"I'm not sure" Richelieu addmitted hating himself all the more for this blind
side and what it could mean for those he loved,
"We have dispatched a men to apprehend Milady" Jussac offered making Treville
snort in disgust
"She's been five years in your service Armand!, don't you think she'll know
what tactics you'll take and be able to evade capture?", the Captain turned
round clenching his jaw a sure sign that he was struggling to reign in his
Gascon temper, "Athos must be told of this, he and d'Artagnan will be most at
risk from her, Aramis and Porthos too need to be warned"
"Oh God the Pups" Lemay whispered paling as he thought about his family coming
under threat
"We'll do everything we can to protect you and your pack Lemay" Richelieu
assured the Doctor "And one way or another we will find Milady and she will pay
for her crimes, all of them".
 
 
Athos took the news about Milady about as well as could be expected, as did the
rest of the Inseparables.
The fact that d'Artagnan was very much likly to be in her firing line worried
Athos the most, not only was d'Artagnan an Omega, something Milady hated, he
had gotten in her way and ruined her plans, that was something she would never
forgive and would be plotting revenge even as she fled for her life.
"You've no idea where she might have gone?" Aramis asked glancing at Porthos
who was cracking his knuckles and growling under his breath,
"No" Jussac replied "Her appartment was searched, as were her usual haunts, but
she is no fool, she'd know better than to stay in Paris"
"She would'nt head into the court either" d'Artagnan said as he perched on an
arm rest, a hand on Athos's shoulder offering him support and love, "She knows
we have contacts there and would not last long"
"We have contacts searching for her" Jussac stated "She is going to have to go
to ground if she wants to survive"
"She always survives" Athos grunted "And this won't stop her from getting her
revenge, it'll barly slow her down" he let a disgusted snort out of his nose
and rose from his seat going over to Richelieu's drinks cabinate and helping
himself to a brandy, a large one at that, "In fact!" he said as he raised his
drink "This will just make her more vindictive than before"
"Well getting drunk is not going to help matters is it?" Richelieu asked icily,
it was one thing to be blaming himself, but he had far to much pride to take it
off Athos or any of the Musketeers!
"What will exactly?, sending a couple more hired blades to commit more murders
perhaps?, prayers at Notre Dam?"
"Alright Athos thats enough!" Treville snapped "I know you're upset, we all
are, but you need to keep a level head if we are to get through this", it was
on the tip of Athos's tongue to argue with Treville but d'Artagnan forstalled
that
"He's right love" he said rising from his perch on the arm rest "We need to
stick together not fight amongst ourselves", Athos immediately softened as
d'Artagnan approached him and nodded his head
"Alright" he whispered "What do we do next".
 
 
Milady had wasted no time in leaving Paris, she had not even bothered returning
to her appartment knowing that Richelieu would dispatch a contingent to arrest
her and that would be the first place they would look for her.
Instead she stole the first horse she found and killed the rider with a knife
through the throat, mounted and rode away as fast as she could determined to
put as much distance between herself and Paris as she could.
There was only one place she could go now, only one person she could turn to if
she was to take her revenge.
La Rochelle and Rochefort.
***** Chapter 28 *****
La Rochelle
 
Milady had never been more grateful to enter a city in her life as she was by
the time she reached La Rochelle.
He journey had been long and hard since she had not had the time to prepare for
it, leaving her having to make do with just the clothes on her back and eating
what game she could find and kill on her way there.
By the time she rode into the war torn city she felt as filthy dirty as she
looked, her gown was torn and the skirts caked in mud, her hair was clinging
limply to her head slick with grease that was making her scalp itch.
Her face was darkened by days in the sun and dirt from the rode, her usually
plucked eyebrows were thick and uneven with extra growth, her nails broken and
fingers reddened from the hard labor she'd been undertaking.
Longing for a hot bath and a change of clothes she swiftly made her way to
Rochefort command post and demanded to be taken to him by the first guard she
came across.
 
Rochefort rose and eyebrow at Milady's diseveled state, not used to seeing her
look anything but immaculate and knew that something serious must have happened
for her to come here in such a mess.
"What has happened?" he asked setting down his papers and pouring both of them
cups of wine, his nose wrinkling slightly as the distasteful smell of sweat and
horse that clung to Milady
"Richelieu discovered that I tried to kill an Omega who was bedding my ex-
husband" Milady replied "An Omega that is training to be a Musketeer"
"And he took exception to your rightious outrage of your bed being sullied by
the slut?"
"I had to stab him in the shoulder to get away!", Rochefort grunted and took a
mouthful of wine
"Mores the pity you didn't put the blade into his heart!"
"I thought you'd rather he suffered more than that" Milady said sitting down on
a spare stool in the room and moved her head from side to side to ease the
tension in her neck
"I have more news anyway" she added sipping her wine which after days of rain
water was like pure nectare
"Oh?"
"Captain Treville has been rather sickly of late, frequently needed to absent
himself in court to use the privy or requesting mornings off" Milady said a
slow smile forming on her lips "He's also been seeing alot of Doctor Lemay"
"He could just be ailing with something, his age is not exactly small!"
Rochefort sneered draining his cup and pouring another "On the other hand
though....." he mused "Sickness in the mornings?"
"Also a couple of dizzy spells I hear" Milady added
"He's Pupped!, he's a bloody Omega and he's Pupped!", Rochefort let out a bark
of laughter at this "This perfect!, this will destroy him and the Musketeers
once and for all!"
"Indeed, the regiment must be infested with the whores!, and those that are
Alphas and Beta's are guilty of habouring them" Milady agreed smiling darkly
"And still more"
"Oh?"
"I have on a handful of occaisions seen Treville entering and leaving the
Palais Cardinal at odd hours, at the time I thought nothing of it considering
his position at Court and the fact that he and Richelieu would have matters of
state to discuss especially since Louis is naught but a fool, but now Treville
is Pupped......".
The smile that Rochefort gave was nothing less than pure evil, in fact Satan
himself would have balked at the sight of those lips stretched over Rochefort's
teeth
"Richelieu could be the Aphan"
"A perfect and just reason for our friend Sistini to arrest him and take him to
Rome to be punished" Milady said "Just think of him in the Castel Saint Angelo,
spending his time in the dungeons being tortured before he is burned in St
Pauls Square"
"Leaving Louis without his precious Musketeers or Beloved First Minister"
Rochefort all but purred "Excelent my dear" he raised his cup in salute of her
"We must contact Vargas and Sistini at once, and make the plans for the end
game", rising from his desk he went round to a lock box and opened it taking
out a pouch of coins which he tossed to Milady, "Buy yourself some new gowns
with that" he instructed and turned to the door "Lebarge!"
A very large and scarred man entered the room, he was Rochefort's lieutenant,
he had been hand picked by Rochefort for his brutality and utter lack of
humanity, some men were soldiers because they wanted to protect their country,
Lebarge just loved blood shed and carnage making him the perfect right hand man
of Rochefort
"See that Milady de Winter is given chambers and a hot clean bath is brought to
her, along with a good meal" Rochefort ordered "Then find a messenger, I need
to send word to Spain".
 
Paris
Several weeks had past sinced Milady's attack on Richelieu and so far there had
been no sight of her, Richelieu had all his agents looking out for her but she
was proving a most difficult quarry to discover.
Porthos had suggested that maybe she had finally fallen afoul of the wrong
person and had ended her days in a shallow grave somewhere unknown.
While this would be a fortunate outcome for all concerned until they had
definitive proof of her death the search would remain on going, Milady knew too
much for her to be forgotten and she was far to dangerous an enemy to be
allowed to escape indefinately.
Richelieu's shoulder was healing well at least, the wound had been publically
explained away by the tale of a thief trying his luck in the Louvre only to be
cut down by Richelieu's guards as he had tried to make his escape after
stabbing Richelieu.
Louis had been in up roar over it, demanding that the Louvre guards be doubled
and had spent hours at the Palais Cardinal fussing over Richelieu and doing
nothing more than getting in everyones way and irritating Richelieu half to
death!.
Which was why it was a great relief when the Cardinal was up and about again
since it kept Louis from getting under everyones feet!.
 
Preperations were now well under way for Richelieu and Treville's Pup, Lemay
was now sure there was the only one in his womb, using an ear trumpet to listen
to the heartbeat that assured the nervous and excited parents to be that the
heartbeat was strong and healthy and the growth which was just starting to show
on Treville's middle was within the average at this stage of development.
"When will you start using a corset?" d'Artagnan asked curriously as he and
Treville checked the munitions which ahd been delivered that day,
"Hopefully not for another month or two" Treville replied running his finger
around the waistband of his breeches that were pinching his thickening girth
"I'm not looking forward to it" he commented in fact he was dreading having to
lace himself in once his belly grew too much for his clothes to hide
"Nore am I when my time comes!" d'Artagnan said making Treville look up in
surprise
"You....?"
"Yeah!, Lemay confirmed it today!" d'Artagnan said a smile on his face "I've
not told Athos yet, I'm not sure how he'll react"
"Care to lay a wager that he'll faint?" Treville chuckled
"That or have a heart attack!" d'Artagnan laughed before sobering "Whats it
like?, being pregnant?, the only experiances I have are from my Oman and he was
ill all the time, and from what of seen of the sluts in the Court of Miracles
they fair no better"
"Well they would not have been in good health before their pregnancy's began,
and would not be receiving decent medical care or having a substantial diet"
Treville replied "The is of course some discomfort, morning sickness is common
though not all suffer it"
"Yeah I've been lucky on that I think" d'Artagnan said "I've been nauseous, and
had a few bouts of sickness but not everyday, though I seem to have a constant
taste of metal in my mouth", Treville nodded at this knowing these symptoms
were common
"My breasts hurt too, in fact they're killing me!"
"Wait till your milk comes in and your nipples start leaking!", Treville
laughed at d'Artagnan's disgruntled expression and patting his back, "It's not
all bad you know, once the first three months are past the sickness and the
bloating will ease off, and your breasts will stop being so sore"
"Yes but then your middle starts swelling and your ankles get all puffy and
theres stretch marks and back ache and now you're telling me I'll be leaking
like a damn milk cow!",
Treville could not help but bursting into laughter at d'Artagnan's description
of pregnancy "You'll be fine" he assured the younger Omega "Just wait till you
start to feel the Pups move"
"Yours is kicking?", d'Artagnan looked down at Treville's middle with
astonishment
"Not yet, but you can feel movement inside, like butterflys flapping their
wings" Treville said placing a hand over his belly "According to Lemay the
kicking won't start till later, or at least not be strong enough for others to
feel it until about the fifth or sixth month"
"Have you thought of any names yet?" d'Artagnan asked already wanting to name
his Son should he have one Alexandre for his lost Oman
"We've picked out some, a favourite for a boy is Louis Armand" Treville said
"And for a girl we are thinking Ninon for the poor Comtesse"
"That'll be a lovely way of honoring her" d'Artagnan said, he had never met
Ninon but had known of her and how brave she had been when she had faced the
flames, if Armand and Jean had a daughter then perhaps her spirit would live on
through the child or Pup.
 
Rue de Ferou
 
Athos did not faint as d'Artagnan told him their news, however he gaped at
d'Artagnan looking like a fish out of water and gasping as it lay in the sun!,
his mouth worked but no sound came out and his eyes bulged as he looked at
d'Artagnan all over!.
"Are you happy about this?" d'Artagnan asked suddenly feeling uncertain, he was
only eight weeks along so there was still time to end the pregnancy but he was
hoping that he would not have to do so.
The uncertainty in d'Artagnan's voice snapped Athos out of his revorie and he
marched across the room to sweep d'Artagnan up into his arms kissing him
feircly!
"Nothing could make me happier than this!" he declared setting d'Artagnan back
on his feet but kept his hands on the Omega's small waist "You are well?, have
you seen Lemay?"
"I have and I'm fine" d'Artagnan assured him almost laughing with relief that
Athos was happy over this, "Though I'm not looking forward to what other
symptoms being with Pups entails!" he added with a rueful smile
"Oh?"
"Yeah I spoke with the Captain and he's told of some of the things I have to
expect!, leaking nipples!", d'Artagnan wrinkled his nose at this making Athos
laugh, "Oh yes it's easy for you to laugh!, you're not the one who's got to get
huge and have pups resting on your bladder for months!"
"True!, but I can bring you the pot at a seconds notice and rub your back when
it starts aching"
"Hmm and get me gerkins dipped in honey and croissants stuffed with salted
cod!", now it was d'Artagnan's turn to laugh at Athos's look of disgust "Fear
not love, I hav'nt any cravings at present, and with any luck I won't desire
anything quite so revolting!"
"Well even if you do I shall fetch it for you and serve it to you on a silver
platter!" Athos sword sinking to his knees to kiss d'Artagnan's stomach and
pressed his face against the taut flesh "I promise I shall keep you all safe
and happy, none of you will ever know unhappiness or misfortune again".
***** Chapter 29 *****
Under normal circumstances expectant couples would be making a nursery ready,
getting in craddles, blankets, toys, having baby clothes made, interviewing wet
nurses if they were going to use one, and generally making sure everything was
ready for when the little one arrived.
These however were not normal circumstances, and Richelieu and Treville could
not afford to raise suspicion by getting in things for a nursery when they were
going to be concocting the story of the Pup being dumped outside the gates of
the Palais Cardinal.
To have everything there ready and prepared would hardly make the story
believable and there were likly to be enough questions raised as it was.
However with Lemay's little ones rapidly outgrowing their clothes he had set
aside their old ones for Richelieu and Treville to use, and likly they would
then also go to Athos and d'Artagnan some months later.
 
Now six nearly seven months along Treville was having to use the dreaded corset
to flatten his growing middle.
It had been decided that he would continue to do so for another month, then he
would suffer his "Accident", and be hidden away in his rooms until after the
birth.
While he hated the uncomfortability of the corset, he was preffering it to the
fact he would be locked away for weeks on end and so did not make too much a
fuss about it.
He had also commisioned a new doublet which was much bulkier than his previous
beige doublet, it was not at all flattering and made his body look broader all
over thus helping to further diguise his thickening waist.
 
D'Artagnan was now starting to show his pregnancy, not enough to need to use a
corset yet as it simply looked like he'd gained some weight, but soon he would
have to take more drastic measures to conceal his condition.
He and Athos had settled on a story of him taking a bullet to the thigh during
a fight with bandits and thus becoming bed bound for weeks while the limb
healed, the Pups would be explained away by d'Artagnan's ficticious sister
having passed away while delivering them and their Father rejecting them thus
leaving the Pups with no one else to care for them but their "Uncle".
Since no one knew anything of d'Artagnan's back ground it was a story that
would be believable enough to pull off, and since he was not a person of
consequence no one was likly to take that much notice anyway.
It would have perhaps been better for d'Artagnan to have been able to get
himself a commision before the Pups were born since he would then be receiving
pay from his Majesty, but now that he was Pupped it was better that he remain
out of the spot light so to speak and keep himself relatively unknown until he
had recovered from the whelping.
Treville being pregnant helped d'Artagnan tremendously, he was able to take
time with the Captain and talk about the pregnancy, share his woes over feeling
sick, having constant breast pain, and needing the privy every few minutes!.
They could also commiserate about having over protective mates who seemed to
think that they needed to be wrapped up in cotten wool for the entire time they
were expecting!.
Lemay could also adhere to that, having suffered it from both Aramis and
Porthos while he'd been pregnant, at times actually begging Treville to send
away on a mission just so he could have some peace!.
 
D'Artagnan could see the reasons for that through Lemay's perspective, but
right now as he sat in Treville's office being told that he would be remaining
in Paris while the others went off on a mission had him feeling more than a
little resentful.
"It should only be a short reconesance mission to the border" Treville said
casting an eye at d'Artagnan's sulky expression "Simply take a look around, see
if rumours of Spanish incursion are true and then resport back"
"Should'nt take more than ten days or so" Porthos said getting an afirmative
nod from Athos
"If it's so simple why can't I go with them?" d'Artagnan grumbled knowing he
sounded like a petulant child but really did'nt care right at that moment
"Because we want to move with speed, and with you stopping to take a piss every
five minutes we'd be taking twice as long to get there and back!" Aramis
teased, then pretended to feel faint at the look d'Artagnan shot him, and if
looks could kill he would definately be in his shroud!
"I would feel better if you remained safely back here in Paris" Athos soothed,
or at least attempted to, but d'Artagnan was not in the mood to be swayed by
gentility and continued to glare
"It's liable to be pretty boring d'Art" Porthos offered "Recons usually are"
"Besides, who's going to be here to make sure the Captain is behaving himself
and not trying to take training sessions and fencing lessons like he normally
would!?" Aramis asked cheekily and got a glare from Treville to match the one
he got from d'Artagnan
"Think of it this way" Treville offered "We can be warm and dry here and
commiserate together while these three have to huddle around a fire at night,
and try to shelter from rain under trees!", d'Artagnan immediately brightened
at this while the Inseparables groaned hoping that the weather would hold and
stay dry while they were away, there was nothing worse than having to spend
days in wet clothes that would'nt dry out and going about smelling like a damp
dog!.
 
d'Artagnan was still disgruntled about being left behind, which coloured his
mood as he sat on the chaise watching Athos pack away a change of shirt, under
clothes and socks for his journey, and went through his equipment, checking he
had everything that he might need.
"Promise you'll be careful" d'Artagnan asked resting his head on the back of
the chaise and watching Athos from over the top of it
"I promise" Athos replied without turning round and checking his water skin for
holes
D'Artagnan bit his bottom lip hating this feeling of uselessness that he was
feeling right now, he knew it was stupid, that he was'nt useless, that he
wasn't being dumped or anything like that, he was being left in Paris for his
own safety and practicality.
They were going on a recon mission, they were going to be relying on stealth
and speed, and right now d'Artagnan wasn't really capable of either.
While he wasn't yet so heavy with the Pups that it was effecting his speed or
balence, the bouts of nausea and sickness would slow things down, especially
since the motion of horse riding was making him sick right now, and the need to
pee all the time as Aramis had so kindly pointed out!.
He had never known that Omegas and Beta women suffered the bladder weakness
this early in pregnancy, he had thought it came about later, with the weight of
the infant pressing on the bladder, but now, according to Lemay as his uterus
expanded and slowly made it's way up from his pelvis to sit in his belly it
would add pressure on his bladder.
However, despite knowing all this he was still chaffing about having to stay
home like some cliche house wife who was only good for making babies while the
big strong Alphas went out to work.
There was also the fact that he wasn't feeling overly attractive right now, the
nausea and fatigue were leaving him pale and drawn, the raging hormones were
making his skin greasier than normal which had resulted in an out break of
pimples on his forehead and chin, and the thickening of his waist which at
present looked like extra weight rather than a pregnancy were all combining to
make d'Artagnan feel rather insecure.
"You will be alright on your own here?" Athos asked setting his pack and coming
to sit with d'Artagnan on the chaise and frowning at the expression on his
mates face, "I won't be gone long you know" he added placing a hand on
d'Artagnan's knee "Ten days, maybe less"
"I know, and I'll be fine" d'Artagnan said offering a weak smile that didn't
reach his eyes
"You can go and stay with Lemay you know?" Athos offered "He'll love to have
you stay over again, and the Pups adore you...", d'Artagnan made a noise in his
throat and shoved off the chaise folding his arms over his chest as he went to
stare out the window
"Whats wrong?" Athos asked confused by d'Artagnan's reaction
"You think I'm so useless that I can't look after myself for ten days?"
d'Artagnan spat over his shoulder, he didn't really want to pick a fight with
Athos, what he wanted to do was go and snuggle in Athos's arms and be reassured
that he was still attractive, still useful, still more than just a breeder of
offspring.
But his own pride was holding his tongue, aswell as the knowledge that these
thoughts and feelings were so petty and silly made him feel too embaressed to
give voice to them, so instead he chose to argue over something else.
"Where the hell did that come from?" Athos demanded rising to his feet to
confront d'Artagnan
"Whats wrong with you?, you know why you are staying here, it has nothing do
with you being able to take care of yourself"
"Then why ask if I'll be alright on my own?" d'Artagnan gritted out hating the
fact his stupid hormones were making feel like crying all the time!, "I was on
my own for years and managed well enough!"
"Oh yeah, as a whore in the court of miracles!", a ringing slap resounded in
the appartment as d'Artagnan turned and slapped Athos brutally hard
"How dare you?" he spat almost shaking with rage "Who are you to stand in
judgment on me, when for the past five years you've been nothing but a drunken
lout?"
"You are the one who's decided to pick a fight not me!" Athos tossed back his
cheek stinging and reddened from d'Artagnan's hand "What d'you expect me to
do?, just stand here and take abuse from you without answering back?"
"What would you know of abuse?" d'Artagnan snorted shoving past Athos and
heading to their bed, tossing the curtain aside and throwing himself down on
the bed, he heard Athos take a sharp in take of breath as if he were going to
continue to speak, however he must have thought better of it since moments
later he was walking out of the door and slamming it behind him leaving
d'Artagnan laying on the bed with tears silently dripping off his nose.
 
Meung
 
Rochefort sat with Milady in the Inn at Meung drinking quietly and partaking of
what was optimistically called stew but was really a gravey so thin it was see
through with a couple of inedible vegetables and pieces of leathery meat thrown
in!.
They were both thankful they would not be forced to stay in this dump any
longer than nessasery, and were truely only waiting for The Inseparables to
leave before they would enter Paris again and set their plan into action.
It had been Rochefort who was certain that it would be The Inseparables who
would be sent to see if the reports of Spainish incursions on the border were
true, Aramis was half Spanish, spoke fluent Spanish, so who better to use if
one wanted to find out about Spanish Spys?.
The Inseparables were also the finest of the Musketeers, and were always
Treville's first choice to send on missions that required more than battle
skills.
There was the chance they would have to cross the border and enter Spanish
terratory, once that happened they would be on their own, if captured then they
would be as good as dead since Louis would never ransom them back nore
acknowledge that he had sent soldiers outside of his own lands, only the most
hardy and skillful of soldiers would be able to survive in a foriegn state, and
being able to speak the language like a native would also be a great help
making The Inseparables the obvious choice for this mission.
In the weeks leading up to their return from La Rochelle much had be set into
motion, and conclusive evidence against Treville had been procurred, ensuring
that Rochefort could bring him down once and for all.
"We are not going to make our move instantly?" Milady asked still rather sore
about the fact that if the Inseparables were leaving she would not get to
personally vent her anger against d'Artagnan and Athos, however the knowledge
that she would be able to watch Richelieu suffer was soothing that sting, along
with the certainty that d'Artagnan and Athos would be meeting a nasty end at
the Spanish border.
"No" Rochefort replied sipping the watered down filth that apparently passed as
wine in this God forsaken Inn and scowled at the pewter cup longing for a
decent Burgandy or Bordeaux
"We'll wait a few days, let the Inseparables get some distance from the city
before we act" he said lifting his fork to poke at the stew again and giving up
a blood began to seep from the meat showing how baddly cooked it was!
"I suppose we don't want to risk the Musketeers being able to call for help, or
the Red Guards for that matter when their beloved Cardinal is defrocked!"
Milady mused making a face at the wine "I'll be happy to get back to
civilzation though!" she added "Even La Rochelle provided better fair than
this!"
"Far better" Rochefort grunted shooting a glare at the barkeeper who was
running a filthy rag over his bar counter in a useless attempt to clean it when
all he was managing to do was move the spilled wine and ale around
"I'll strangle the fat foot with my bare hands before we leave" he hissed his
cold eyes flashing with perverse delight over being able to commit murder
"Enjoy yourself" Milady drawled looking away in disinterest, her mind was
focused on what was in store for Richelieu and how much she was going to enjoy
seeing him brought low.
***** Chapter 30 *****
"Whats got you in such a grump then?"
The question voiced by Porthos pulled Athos out of his brooding state and made
him frown at the larger Alpha
"You've had a face like thunder and the temperment of a bear with toothache
since we left Paris!" Porthos said "Whats up? missin' yer Omega already?"
"Something like that" Athos grunted morosely, part of him hoped that they would
leave it and let him brood to his hearts content, but he knew better, neither
Aramis or Porthos were the type to let sleep dogs lie, and grumpy Musketeers
sulk!, so he could not even be bothered to try and feign surprise when he was
swiftly sandwiched between his two friends and had them both gazing intently at
him.
"d'Artagnan and I had a fight" he said with a deep sigh "We didn't make up
before I left, I don't know if we will make up!".
By the time he had returned to their appartment d'Artagnan had already been
asleep in bed, his back facing towards Athos who had been loath to disturb him.
Instead he had spent the night on the chaise, snatching a few hours sleep and
rising early, sneaking out before d'Artagnan had awoken to avoid another
confrontation, part of him knew this was childish, that he should not be trying
to avoid things since that only made things worse in the long run, that he
should have stayed and spoken with d'Artagnan before he left, but at the time
he had simply wanted to put space between himself and his tempermental mate,
something he was regretting right now.
 
"You'll make up" Aramis assured him with a smile "You think we and Lemay havn't
had rows over the years?, that we've never argued and fought?"
"'ad some crackin' good rows wit' 'em both before now" Porthos said with a grin
"'Specially when Lemay was expectin'"
"Dear God his hormones!, one minute sobbing about the bread having burned in
the oven, and the next screaming blue murder because we were two minutes late
home for dinner!" Aramis shook his laughing "It'd go from him not deserving us,
to the both of us being a pair of worthless bastards whom he despised!"
"We certainly never repeated the mistake of agreeing with him that his backside
was bigger!" Porthos chortled "Took a good week for that hand print to fade
from your cheek Mis!"
"I do so love violence in an Omega!" Aramis purred beaming over the memory.
 
Athos frowned at what his friends were saying, could hormones be the cause of
d'Artagnan picking a fight with him yesterday?, it would make sense and Athos
felt rather like kicking himself for not realizing sooner
"You think that might be whats wrong?" he asked getting nodds of confirmation
from his friends
"His hormones are going haywire at the moment, his body is changing rapidly and
is completely out of his control, he's proberly tired of feeling sick and sore,
and isn't too happy with what he sees when he looks into the mirror" Aramis
explained
"He looks fine!" Athos defended at once
"To you maybe, but to 'im?" Porthos asked
"Think about it Athos" Aramis said "How would you feel if you were gaining
weight, feeling sick, had pimples, greasy hair, and sore breasts?, pretty
shitty I'd think, I know I would, so how d'you think d'Art is feeling?", Athos
mulled the thought over in his mind, admitting to himself that it made sense,
but if d'Artagnan was feeling like that then why didn't he just tell him?, well
that answer was so obvious that Athos did not need even ask it out loud
Pride
"What should I do?" he asked looking to his romantic friend for advice, he was
not disapointed as Aramis beamed
"When we get back make things up with him, don't try to make dramatic gestures,
that isn't your style and would just come across as a hustle, just tell him
what you feel, speak from the heart, thats all it'll take I promse"
"He's right Thos" Porthos agreed patting Athos's back, you an d'Art'll be right
as rain when we return, you'll see"
"Well then" Athos said with a smile "Perhaps we should get a move on, the
sooner we get there, the sooner I can get back and make things good with d'Art
again.
 
Paris
 
D'Artagnan was as depressed as Athos, was kicking himself over starting the
fight, over not trying to make amends.
He hadn't slept, had heard Athos return to their apartment but had pretended to
be asleep, continuing to do so as Athos had gone to their chaise, and then
silently departed in the morning.
He hated the fact he had done so, wished he had not, wished he had spoken out
to Athos, had swallowed his damnable pride and made up with him.
He was afraid that despite the relative simplicity of the mission Athos might
not return from it and the last words they had ever spoken to each other in
this life would be those uttered in anger.
Lemay took one look at his morose expression and promptly pushed him down onto
the chaise and got them both a cup of hot chocolate each to drink while the
Pups played happily at their feet.
"Whats wrong then?, did you and Athos have a row?" he asked intuitively hitting
the nail right on the head
"How did you guess?" d'Artagnan asked back slumping down on the chaise and
gazing moodily into his steaming cup
"Because I remember what it is to be pregnant, to have hormones flooding my
body and changing beyond my control, making my moods shift at the drop of a
hat, leaving me feeling as if I were going mad at times!", Lemay leaned forward
and squeezed d'Artagnan's arm "You are not the first Omega to be struggling
with the ravages of pregnancy nore will you be the last".
D'Artagnan sighed and laid his head on the back of the Chaise looking at Lemay
forlornly
"I just feel so.........horrible at the moment" he admitted "I've got pimples
worse than I ever had when I was an adolescent!, I'm constantly tired, I can't
ride my horse because the motion is making me sick, my breasts are still
hurting so much I feel like I want to rip them off!, and my belly just looks
fat not pregnant!, if this is what I've got to endure for another six months
then I don't think I can face it!"
"Oh pet!, it's not that bad" Lemay soothed "Once you pass into the second
trimester things will improve, you'll not feel so tired and the sickness should
ease off, your breasts won't be so sore, and your belly will pop and a proper
bump will form"
"And the acne?", Lemay shrugged looking d'Artagnan's face over
"It's not that bad, and it may well ease off as the pregnancy progresses",
d'Artagnan gave and non comital grunt and scowled down at his middle
"I don't see how this getting bigger will make me feel better!, or more
attractive!"
"Wait till Athos sees you round with his Pups!" Lemay laughed wriggling his
eyebrows suggestively, "Alphas like the sight of their Mates breeding, like
seeing the proof of their own virility and rutting!", d'Artagnan snorted with
laughter Lemay joining him with chuckles of his own
"It's true!, it's all part of the Alpha swagger!, they like marking their
teratory, bond bites, pregnancy!, it makes them feel powerful and potent!"
"So like with everything else they're doing their thinking with their knots!"
d'Artagnan dead panned getting a nod from Lemay, the two of them held their
composure for a moment before dissolving into laughter about the predictability
of Alphas!.
 
Five days later
 
Treville was enjoying an afternoons training session when everything went to
hell in a hand basket.
With his rapier drawn he was walking about the fencing Musketeers, calling out
pointers as he went when a full squadron of Bastille Guards rode into the
garrison with their weapons drawn and Rochefort at their head.
"Jean Armand du Peyrer de Troisville" the Comte de Rochefort called out with a
smug smirk on his face making Treville's blood run cold as did the faded sheet
of paper in his hand held aloft "Your birth cirtificate and proof that you are
an Omega" Rochefort declared "An Omega who has defied natural order, had lied
and ussurped his way into his position in life, for such crimes I place you
under arrest in the name of King Louis XIII of France".
Treville should not have been surprised as the Musketeers immediately rushed to
his defence, circling him and prepared to fight to the death to keep him from
being taken from them.
He felt some what light headed as he watched the Alphas, Betas, and Omegas
forming a barrier between himself and Rochefort, the Bastille guards poised and
ready to retaliate the moment blood was drawn
"Come now Jean Armand" Rochefort called out drawling Treville's name mockingly
"Surely you do not wish to bring further disgrace to the Kings regiment by
having this turn into a brawl do you?" he asked "Certainly things will not go
better for them once this news reaches his Majestys ears!, and a full search of
the Musketeers persons will soon follow to ensure that you are the only one
masquerading as something you are not!"
For the second time Treville's blood ran cold, the threat hanging in the air
between he and Rochefort was totaly obvious, if he were to put up a fight here
then Rochefort would have each and every Musketeer captured and subjected to
the torture chamber in the Bastille whether they were Omegas or not.
If he were to submit to Rochefort, to go quietly then his Men had a chance to
escape, they would have time to gather their loved ones and run, they may not
get far, and certainly they would spend the rest of their lives running even if
they did get away, but al least they would have that chance.
With his mind made up Treville straightened his uniform and tilted his chin up
refusing to look ashamed as he stepped forward
"Stand down" he commanded his men getting looks of shock from them all "I order
you to stand down and make no attack upon the Comte or his men"
"Captain!" Cornet growled
"Think!" Treville hissed at the man begging him to understand by his expression
"Look to yourselves" he whispered eyeing the other Musketeers and was relieved
to see realization dawning on Cornet's face, "I will leave command in your
hands" he said loudly enough for everyone to hear "And I know you will do what
is nessasery".
 
Treville's stomach lurched as he walked over to Rochefort despising the smirk
on the vile mans face even more than he did Rochefort's lieutenant coming over
with rope to bind his hands behind his back and take him to a horse onto which
he was bound for the short ride to the Bastille.
"They won't get very far you know Jean" Rochefort said choosing to ride beside
Treville and use his Christian name as if he had a right to do so "All those
Omegas and sympathizers you protected will burn along with you, that Court of
Miracles slut, that Doctor who had hidden the truth for so long!, all of you
will burn!"
"As one day will you!" Treville said turning and spitting into Rochefort's eye!
"Do what you will to me Rochefort!" he jeered knowing he would be tortured for
information on The Rebellion "I will never tell you a thing, and when I die I
shall go the grave cursing your name and safe in the knowledge that my death
will protect others!".
***** Chapter 31 *****
Louvre
 
The Louvre Guards were startled and at a loss as what to do as Papal guards
lead by The Jesuit Priest Sistini marched onto the grounds a Papal Bull held
aloft to show they had His Holiness The Popes authority to set foot here on
Papal business.
Fear struck the hearts of all those who saw them, seeing an Inquisition
marching through French halls seeking to arrest, torture, and eventually kill
some poor soul within The Louvre.
Many ran, taking to their heels to escape the eye of the Vatican for fear that
they too may become guilty by asociation; others slipped into the shadows to
watch what was going to happen desiring knowledge and intrigue so that they
might either use it for their advantage later or for sheer entertainment.
 
Sistini had only one quarry in mind and marched towards it with a smile on his
face having waited years for this oportunity.
So insensed was he that rather than allowing The Usher of the Throne Room to
anounce him and open the doors he shoved them open himself breaking the seal on
the Papal bull and letting the scroll unfurl which he held aloft in his hand.
"Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu, by the orders of his Holiness
Pope Urban Vicar of Rome, Heir of Saint Peter, Gods representative on Earth, I
arrest you for the crimes of Heresey and Treason"
Richelieu had been speaking with Louis quietly, was standing beside The King
addressing him in a friendly manor when the Papal envoy entered the Louvre and
Sistini made his declaration, coming to a stop before the Throne and giving
Louis and Anne a small bow before holding out the Papal Bull to Richelieu.
"Armand?" Louis whispered the colour draining from his face and fear widdening
his eyes, he half rose from his throne reaching out to Richelieu like a
frightened child might do to a beloved Father
"Have you nothing to say Your Eminence?" Sistini goaded dragging out the words
Your Eminence sarcastically
"What is there to say?" Richelieu asked looking up from reading the Papal Bull
he raised his hands to call off Jussac and other Red Guards who were poised to
draw their swords and fight for him, "I shall offer no defence to the charges
that I am accused of save this; I have found more strength, honor, and loyalty
in the Omegas I have gladly sheltered and aided than I have ever found in the
hearts of those who degrade, abuse, and enslave them!; it was not our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ who declared our Omega Kin to be evil, or weak, or
deserving less than equal respect and love from us, it was but flawed, cruel,
and avericious men who did such a thing"
Collective gasps ran about the court which till now had been silent, Queen Anne
was grasping her rosary with tears shining in her eyes, Louis was openly
weeping looking back and forth between Richelieu and Sistini in open horror
Sistini smiled coldly and beckoned a guard forward who carried heavy shackles
in his hands destined for Richelieu's wrists and outside the Louvre a cage
awaited in which Richelieu would be carried in to Rome, like an animal destined
for a menagery.
"Your Eminence shall be taken forth with to the Castel Saint Angelo where you
shall under go questioning as to your knowledge of The Omega Rebellion, then at
such time as is pleasing to The Holy Father you shall be taken before the steps
of Saint Peters and burned before the whole of Rome".
 
To his credit Richelieu did not even flinch at this instead he dropped the
Papal Bull upon the floor and held out his wrists for the shackles to be placed
upon meeting Sistini's eye without a shred of fear.
"You can not do this!" Louis burst out rising from his throne his hands balled
into fists and his body shaking with rage even as his voice broke with his
tears, "I forbid this!" he shouted at Sistini "You sir are on My Soil and are
subject to My Laws and I forbid you to take my Cardinal and First Minister from
my side!"
"Your Majesty is much distressed and has perhaps forgotten that an edict from a
Pope transends all laws set forth by an earthly Prince" Sistini said in an oily
patronising voice
"Damn the Pope!" Louis screamed his wet cheeks reddening and spittle flying
from his lips!, "That Spain serving ape can rot in hell for all I care!, I will
not have Armand taken from me!, Musketeers!, Musketeers here to me now!"
The Musketeers within the Louvre reacted at once drawing their swords to defend
their King without question, Anne rose from her throne to stand by Louis side
her shaking hands reaching for his arm either to support him or restrain him
from violence
"Majesty come now!" Sistini laughed "You would not risk being ex-comunicated
would you?"
"I care not a rats arse about the Pope!"
"Louis!", Richelieu's sharp command broke through Louis's anger gaining his
attention completely, "Sire I beg of you do not risk the security of France or
that of your Throne for me!"
"But Armand......" Louis whimpered "I can't.......you are.....I need you!, My
Musketeers will have these brigands dragged to the Chaterlet and held there
till Urban recants his Bull!"
"I rather think not your Majesty", Sistini's words had both Richelieu and Louis
turning to look at him to which he smiled broadly at them, "As we speak the
Captain of your Musketeers is being arrested by Monseigneur le Comte de
Rochefort who has discovered that said Captain is non other than Jean Armand du
Peyrer de Troisville an Omega in hiding and daring to portray himself as a Man!
and a Soldier!", Sistini laughed as the horror which showing on Richelieus face
at this news, "A full investigation into the whole regiment of Musketeers will
soon be underway to route out any other rebellious whores in hiding and those
who would conspire and protect them!"
Louis staggered backwards looking like he would faint at the news of Treville's
downfall of his personal regiments suspicion and soon to be arrest by the
Jesuits which could not be far away from marching on French soil
"Sire!", Anne grabbed hold of Louis to support him gazing in open hatred at
Sistini who smirked at Richelieu seeing the defeat and fear finally in his
eyes, not for himself but for his mate, as the guards took hold of Richelieu to
take him from the Louvre to journey to his doom she spoke out her anger clear
in her face and turning her voice harsh and cold
"You shall suffer for this Sistini!, I swear it before God you shall pay dearly
for your actions here today and shall be damned to burn for all eternity in
hell!"
"Her Majesty should take care making such threats" Sistini cautioned mockingly
"She may need all the friends she can get, especially in Rome!", despite the
open threat Anne valiantly held her ground glaring at Sistini as he turned and
lead the way from the Louvre Richelieu being escorted behind him in chains
"What are we to do?" Louis whispered slumping to the floor before his throne
"Anne! dear God what are we to do?".
 
As Richelieu was trussed up in further chains than wrapped about his shoulders,
arms, and waist and shoved into the cage, Jussac, Bernajoux, Boisrenard, and
Cahusac watched in growing anger.
"What are we to do?" Boisrenard hissed into Jussacs ear "Armand chained and
being dragged to Rome, Jean in the Bastille under going God knows what in
torture?, what the hell do we do?"
"We split out labour" Jussac replied turning and walking swiftly towards the
stables "Cahusac ride to the Musketeer Garrison seek someone out and find out
what is going on and what they intend to do about Jean, he is their beloved
Captain I doubt that they will allow him to rot in the Bastille without
attempting to save him"
"There are many Omegas in those ranks, and others wed to Omegas who will wish
to protect themselves and their families" Bernajoux argued "And you can
garentee that Jean will have ordered them not to act on his behalf!"
"Never the less some will wish to make an attempt to save Jean and we shall
pass on the message to our fellow guards that they are to be helped if possible
and certainly left unmolested!" Jussac replied
"And Armand?" Bernajoux pressed "What of him?, surely we are not to abandon him
to his God forsaken fate in Rome"
"Of course not!, we shall see to that ourselves" Jussac replied waving away
stable hands as they reached their horses and waiting until they were out of
earshot to continue "There is but one route to Italy and with such a precious
cargo they will not wish a lengthy journey so they shall take that route, we
shall ride out after them, we will be faster than they since we have no heavy
cage to drag in our wake and we can easily over come a couple of Vatican boot
boys and an old fool in clergy skirts!"
"You do realize that it will likely mean war" Cahusac said as he mounted his
horse to ride to the Musketeers garrison "To attack a Vatican envoy will ensure
Papal wrath upon France"
"Yes, but Rochefort is not mearly acting to expose a few Omegas and the
rebellion" Jussac replied mounting his own stalion "He has other plans and
schemes in motion, he has now ensure that The Kings best advisors are taken
from him that his Majesties regiment is in taters and his goverment unstable!",
the faces of the other three guards registered their horrified understanding of
Jussacs inplications
"Spain?" Bernajoux asked
"Most likly" Jussac grunted leading the way out of the garrison "And so France
will have need of Jean to lead it's army, and Armand to secure it's goverment,
The King would rather have earthly support from stalwart friends who will spill
their own blood to ensure his safety than Spiritual promises from Rome of the
repose of his immortal soul"
"Well then" Cahusac declared "To War we ride".
 
d'Artagnan pressed himself against the wall of the ally when he saw Treville
being escorted out by Rochefort and his men, Treville trussed up and clearly
destined for The Bastille by the look of pleasure of Rochefort's face.
With wide eyes and a sickening feeling burning in his belly d'Artagnan ran to
the Garrison which unsurprisingly he found in uproar as the devestated
Musketeers tried to make plans for escape and to protect their families.
"What in the hell is going on?" he shouted
"Rochefort arrested Treville, he knows he's an Omega has his Goddamn birth
cirtificate" Musketeer Morel snarled kicking savagely at a clump of dirt
clearly wishing it was Rochefort's face
"And you are doing nothing!, you let that swine ride out of here with the
Captain and did nothing!" d'Artagnan cried
"Treville ordered us not to, he ordered us to look to our families, and those
like you!" Morel yelled back, if he was hoping to frighten d'Artagnan he was
disapointed as he gave not a single flinch
"Its worse than you know" Cahusac said as he rode in panting and smelling of
the horses sweat having pushed the beast so hard, "A Papal Pig has just had
Richelieu arrested for Heresey before the King and Court!"
"What?", d'Artagnan and paled and clasped a hand over his belly, if Richelieu
too was lost in this evil game then their enemies were truly closed in about
them and was striking to the very heart of The Rebellion itself,
"I and several others will be riding to save him as they try to take him to
Rome" Cahusac continued
"Richelieu?" Morel spat "Why should we care?"
"Because he's Treville's mate and the Captain is pregnant with his Pup you
fucking fool!" d'Artagnan snarled turning and grabbing the Alpha by his throat
and shoving him up against one of the stable support beams, "Get any willing
Alpha, Beta, and Omega to meet me outside The Wren tonight, let them secure
their families first and then prepare themselves for a siege"
"What siege?" another Musketeer asked, a hiding Omega by the name of Olivere
"The Bastille, we are going to rescue the Captain, and if possible kill
Rochefort" d'Artagnan replied pushing away from Morel to walk out of the
garrison
"How?" Morel shouted after him
"Leave it to me" d'Artagnan shouted back "And meet me if you have any loyalty
in your heart!"
"Where are you going?" Cahusac cried
"To secure my own family" d'Artagnan replied then dropped his voice to a
whisper "And pray the rest of it will soon return"
***** Chapter 32 *****
French/Spanish Border
 
The Inseparables were old hands when it came to recon missions, they knew how
to move without being heard or seen, knew to leave their horses and go on foot
so as to keep from being discovered.
They dirtied their faces in earth, used the sap of trees to attach leaves and
branches to their uniforms to conceal themselves in the undergrowth, removed
the spurs from their boots so no sounds came from their footsteps as they crept
along as quiet and as stealthy as cats.
It was only through these skills that they were able to avoid the trap that had
obviously been laid in wait for them.
There was not just signs of Spanish incursions into France, there was a
squadron of Spanish Soldiers already there and waiting for them lead by none
other than the Spanish Spy Master himself Vargas.
Staying close to the ground the three Musketeers silently made their way
towards their would be capturers coming across the trip wires, burried gun
powder, bear traps, and other devices which were meant to be used to befall
them.
"Nice that they brought us a few toys to play with isn't it?" Aramis quipped
grinning at Athos and Porthos
"Very thoughtful of them" Athos drawled checking their wear abouts "That tree"
he said nodding to a tree that was half covered in dense over growth that
Aramis could climb into without being seen and then conceal himself in the
branches to act as sniper.
"You two?" he asked as he prepared to go to the tree and take up his position
"I'll act as bait" Athos replied "I'll draw the idiots in get as many into
range for you, and lead several into the "Gifts" they had intended for us"
"And me?" Porthos grunted
"Lay low and wait" Athos ordered "When Vargas is alone and unprotected then you
act", he looked to Porthos meeting his eyes as the larger man gave a feral
grin, "We need him alive, we need to know what the game is"
"He'll be alive" Porthos grunted "I can't garentee his health though!".
 
Surreptitiously Athos made his way closer to the Spanish making sure that his
discovery would not seem too suspicious so the Spanish would not be forewarned
he carefully broke a few branches under his feet which resounded loudly in the
silent hillside alerting the Spanish at once.
He watched as Vargas silently directed a couple of the younger men to
investigate and very carefully lifted his hat above his head allowing it to be
spotted.
As the cry rang out he grinned and began to move swiftly away as the soldiers
ran after him, Aramis watched from his perch as the six soldiers ran after
Athos, waiting until he got a clear line of sight before he fired his harquebus
his shot being as a true as ever!.
While Athos kept on running he quickly reloaded pausing along the way as he
heard a blood curdling scream and he winced as he saw one of the soldiers had
stepped into a bear trap!, the poor bastard lay on the ground clutching at his
trapped leg where the metal teeth were stuck deeply into his flesh and bone
with blood oozing down onto the ground, as one of his fellow soldiers reached
him Aramis expected the man to be aided however all the man did was thrust his
sword through his brother in arms heart!.
"So much for friendship" Aramis muttered raising his harquebus to his eye again
and taking aim, with Athos and Porthos far enough away he fired at one of the
burried barrels of gun powder resulting in an explosion large enough to take
out two more soldiers, a fourth tripped over one of the wires in his panic,
loosing his sword and reached for his pistol which Aramis blasted out of his
hand before he had a chance to use it, the last two soldiers Athos faced head
on defeating them easily as the one who had fallen tried to make a run for it
back towards Spanish land only to be shot down by Vargas himself as the Spy
Master turned to leave, he did not get too far though, for while all this had
been going on Porthos had slithered through the undergrowth and poised himself
right above the Man waiting for just the right moment to strike.
Moving like a coiled spring and leaping into action Porthos threw himself down
onto Vargas forcing him to the ground.
Vargas roared in indignant anger ramming his elbows back into Porthos's solid
abdomen making him groan as he was winded allowing Vargas to flip them over and
deal a good solid punch to Porthos that would have knocked unconscious a lesser
man, Porthos however simply flinched and dealt back an even harder blow forcing
Vargas backwards and giving him another mean right hook before he grabbed the
Spaniard by the shoulders and rammed his knees into his chest cracking several
of Vargas's ribs and leaving him coughing and groaning in pain!.
"I think that'll do love" Aramis said coming down the hillside with Athos on
his heels "One more blow and he's had it"
"Ah an I thought he was meant to be tough!" Porthos snorted grabbing hold of
Vargas's collar and pulling the mans bloody face up to his own "Not such a
Master now are you, Vargas!"
The Spaniard smirked at Porthos and spat bloody spittle onto the ground "You do
not scare me Musketeer, and even if you kill me you have already lost!"
"Lost what?" Aramis asked folding his arms and leaning his weight back on his
right leg
"Your Kingdom!" Vargas laughed, he looked at the three Men his amusement
growing by the second despite the very real danger he was in, "Well while this
has not gone quite as I hoped, it still matters not, because by the time the
three of you get back to Paris it'll already be to late"
"What d'you mean?, what are you talking about?" Athos demanded getting nothing
but another laugh from Vargas, snarling in anger Porthos grabbed hold of his
arm and twisted it behind his back forcing him back onto his knees
"Start talking unless you want your arm ripping off!"
"You are a poor interrogator, mere pain is nothing!" Vargas ground out, however
he could not keep from crying out a one of the bones in his arm snapped
"Thats just for starters" Porthos growled digging his knee into Vargas's back
"If we have already lost as you say why don't you tell us anyway?" Aramis asked
"Surly you'd like a chance to boast?"
"I am not such a fool as to speak out in haste" Vargas replied spitting at
Aramis and getting a split lip for his trouble by the marksman
"Wait", Athos held up a hand as his sharp mind locked onto something "Vargas
clearly expected us, this was a trap not just Spanish aggression on the border,
the only way Vargas would know that Musketeers were coming here was if he had
inside help"
"A spy" Aramis agreed "But who...................." he trailed off as he
reached the same conclusion as Athos had and one glance at Porthos showed he
too had the same thought
"Rochefort" Athos said "He spent years in Spain, in a Spanish Prison no less
and I'm willing to bet it was you Vargas who conducted his interrogations",
Vargas smirked and laugh showing his bloody coated teeth
"With far greater skill than you have shown here"
"Athos if this is some scheme of Rochefort's then we need to get back to Paris"
Porthos said
"Indeed" the Lieutenant agreed "And he is coming with us!".
 
Paris
 
d'Artagnan burst into Lemay's apartment startling the doctor into dropping the
spoon he was using to feed Cortland mashed potatoes, though more of it seemed
to be smeared over the boys face than actually in his belly!
"Wheres the fire?" Lemay cried picking the spoon up as d'Artagnan ran to the
windows to check that he hadn't been followed
"Pack a bag!" he said turning round "Get food, milk, water, anything else you
need right now"
"What?, whats going on?" Lemay asked shaking his head
"Rochefort!, he's arrested Treville, Richelieu's been arrested by some Priest!,
they know everything!, we have got to go!".
 
The colour drained from Lemay's face at d'Artagnan's words, "No" he whispered
looking to his family who were innocently playing and sleeping completely
unware of what was going on
"What are we going to do?" he asked feeling a sense of helplessness he had not
felt in many years
"I'm going to take you and the little ones to the Court of Miracles where
you'll be safe" d'Artagnan said grabbing a woolen throw from one of the chairs
and folding it up to be put in a bag
"Safe in the Court of Miracles?" Lemay scoffed "Surrounded by whore, thieves,
and murderers!"
"I have friends there who can help" d'Artagnan said going through to the
bedroom to get a bag and threw open trunks to grab a change of clothes for
Lemay, "Or at least people I know who'll help especially since your're
Porthos's mate"
"Flea and Charon?" Lemay asked going to the nursery to get clothing for the
children and Pups biting his lips as he saw how much his hands were shaking,
taking a deep breath he tried to calm himself making a silent vow to do
whatever it took to protect his family and make sure they would never know the
horrors he had suffered before he'd been saved by Aramis and Porthos
"They'll help you" d'Artagnan said joining Lemay and helping him put the
clothing into the sack, "Get supplies, and the slings to carry the twins, I'll
carry Cortland but the Ned and Izzy will have to walk"
"What about Athos, Aramis and Porthos?" Lemay asked as they went through to the
kitchen grabbing cheese, meat, bread, milk, and water
"We can't help them now" d'Artagnan said "We have to get you safe before
thinking about anything else"
"But...."
"Lemay!", d'Artagnan's exclamation made the Doctor freeze and d'Artagnan took a
breath to calm down before continuing "I know you're scared and I am too, but
we have to be strong we have to get the little ones to safety, that is what
Aramis, Porthos and Athos would want"
Lemay nodded pressing his lips into a thin line of determination and went back
to the sitting room to get the little ones ready.
 
With the twins tied in slings to his chest and Izzy holding his hand Lemay
walked behind d'Artagnan who carried a grizzling Cortland and held Ned's hand
as they walked through the back streets and allyways to make their way to the
court of miracles.
"What about Treville and Richelieu?" Lemay asked
"The Red Guards are going to save Richelieu, I'll get Treville" d'Artagnan
replied checking the street was clear before leading the family across and
rubbing Cortlands back as the Pup whimpered and grumbled
"What?, break into The Bastille alone?" Lemay cried
"Not alone" d'Artagnan said his face stony "And one way or another I will get
him out of there".
 
Bastille
 
Treville glared as Rochefort came into his cell where he had been left so far
unmolested but by the large blood splattered men behind the Comte, Treville
doubted he would remain so for much longer.
"Enjoy yourself Jean?" Richelieu asked sauntering over and looking Treville up
and down "I have gone to considerable trouble to bring you here"
"Well you'll forgive me if I don't thank you for it!" Treville sneered refusing
to be intimidated or to let his fear show, Rochefort smirked at him and nodded
to the two men
"Strip him!",
As they approached him Treville reacted like a threatened animal and lashed out
fighting as hard as he could even though it was useless and he was beaten down,
his clothing torn from him and his pregnancy revealed with his nakedness
"Well well well, what do we have here?" Rochefort drawled walking up to
Treville who was on his knees "Has the Musketeer Captain been indulging in too
may cakes?, or is a little bastard Pup growing in his belly?"
"Go fuck yourself Rochefort" Treville spat, Rochefort chuckled once then pulled
back his fist and cold clocked Treville sending him tumbling into the wall with
his nose breaking before he hit the floor spitting blood from his mouth
"I'll break you "Captain" Rochefort sneered "I'll have you begging for death
before I am done with you!"
"Don't count on it" Treville muttered as his left hand wrapped about a rusted
nail that must have come from some fixing or other and fallen free, concealing
it in his hand he pulled himself to his feet using the wall to support himself
and turned to Rochefort with his bloody face held high with pride
"You might think you have won but let me tell you Rochefort this triumph of
yours is but a passing moment and even if you kill me your downfall will still
come and I will be waiting for you at the gates of hell to see you burn for all
eternity!", Treville leaped forward and thrust the nail into Rochefort's left
eye!.
The Comte howled in agony clutching at his bleeding face as if trying to
protect his ruined eye, the two thugs grabbed and restrained Treville who
grinned feraly at Rochefort's bloody face knowing he had dealt him a blow that
the Comte would never forget
"You'll pay for that!" Rochefort snarled straightening up and keeping a hand
over his eye as blood streamed through his fingers and down his cheek, "Rack
him!" he snarled at his thugs "Rake him until he passes out, bring him round
and do it again!".
***** Chapter 33 *****
Chapter Notes
     Work is getting a bit hectic so my fics may be coming a bit slower
     now, but I will still be writing I promise
Court of Miracles
Lemay kept his head down and pulled the little ones close to him as they walked
through the dingy filthy streets of the Court of Miracles.
He made a conscious effort to ignore the insults and suggestions that were
hurled his way by the degenerates dwelling there many of whom would not think
twice about slitting his throat for a few meagre coins, this was that last
place in the world he had ever wanted to be but with Rochefort hot on their
scent he had little choice if he wanted to protect himself and his family.
 
d'Artagnan too ignored the Court of Miracles citizens many of whom recognized
him as a whore who had lived here and made offers to him while other whores
spat at him and warned him to keep away from their patch.
"Where are we going?" Lemay whispered wanting to get the little ones away from
this as soon as possible
"To the Palace" d'Artagnan replied turning and giving Lemay a half smile at his
snort at the term, "The King of the Court lives there with his Queen, it was at
one time a Chateau and beautiful one at that if the remaining archetexture and
frescoes are anything to go by"
"And now?"
"Now it's as worn and in as much a state of disrepair as the rest of this
dump!", d'Artagnan shook his head kicking a couple of rats out of the way and
gave a warning glare at a couple of children he knew to be pick pockets, "The
Court of Miracles, where the only real Miracle is if you manage to stay alive!"
"And that it opens the eyes of blind men and gives cripples the use of their
limbs!" Lemay quipped making d'Artagnan chuckle a little at the mention of the
con men and women in the slums who made their living pretending to be blind and
cripples to beg for coins from suckers who passed by them in the street!.
 
As they entered what had at one time been an arched porch to the Chateau where
Flea and Charon dwelt they were met with two masked and blade weilding thugs
who liked to think of themselves as guards for the "Royal" couple when really
there were nothing more than a couple of cut throats
"We're here to see the King and Queen" d'Artagnan stated tilting his chin in
defiance to the pair
"The King and Queen are busy whore!, why don't you piss off back to the streets
and get a good fuckin'?" one of them sneered and spat on the floor at
d'Artagnan's feet
Cortland shifted restlessly in his arms and whimpered his small fist tugging on
d'Artagnan's doublet a sure sign that he would soon start bawling
"Oman! don' like 'ere Oman go 'ome!" Izzy pleaded sniffling against Lemay's
thigh
"Yer can shut the brats up an' all!" the second guard snarled "We don' need no
more squarkin' bastards round 'ere, got enough already!"
"How dare you!" Lemay cried, it was one thing to insult him but quite another
to insult his family and threaten his offspring and he was not standing for
it!, "I'll have you know that I am bonded to both Aramis and Porthos!, my
offspring are legitimate which I expect is a damn sight more than can be said
for the pair of you!"
"Why you little!"
"Wait Searle!" the first guard cried stopping the second from raising his hand
to Lemay "Porthos?, you're his mate Lemay?"
"He is" d'Artagnan said "This is his pack and they are in need of protection"
"Rob?" Searle asked, he was the younger of the two and did know the history
that Flea and Charon had with Porthos
"Porthos is Prince of the Court, he's pack mate to Flea and Charon, if we
refuse aid to his Pack then they'll skin us both alive!" Rob replied removing
his mark and revealing a handsome if scarred face from knife fighting "Come" he
said beckoning to the family "I'll take you to them".
 
Bastille
 
Pain, hours of endless agonising pain. Treville had known torture before this
had suffered under Marie de Medici reign and spent time in prison facing daily
whippings and beatings, he'd had all his fingers broken by her bully boys once.
But even so Marie had not used the cruel devices of Rocheforts Bastille so
which Treville was now being subjected to.
Laying on his back with his arms and legs akimbo one knee dislocated and one
shoulder not far off the same; and with his wrists and ankles torn bloody by
the cruel straps that bound him Treville was being racked.
At first the turning of the wheel had been managable, his muscles had been
stretched but he'd been able to cope with the pain.
Then it had grown worse as the stretching had become tearing as the sinews of
his body had buckled under the strain of being so unnaturally yanked about like
this.
He knew that eventually all his limbs would be ripped from their sockets with
even his wrists and ankles dislocated, he also knew that shortly after that his
bones would break if the stretching continued on, his shin bones, his thighs,
his arms, eventually even his spine would be displaced crippling him for life.
Whether or not Rochefort would go that far or if he would curtail this torture
in favor of something else Treville did not know, though he rather hoped
perverse as it was that Rochefort would keep on with The Rack.
As torture devices went The Rack was the lesser of many horros, brutal and
painful but still nothing compared with The Scavengers Daughter, The Spanish
Donkey, The crocodile sheers, or God forbid the Judas Cradle.
Above all of them Treville feared the Judas Cradle, it was nothing more than a
long shaft of wood with a sharp conacle point, innocuous it seemed unless one
knew what it was used for then it would make even the most stalewart of Men
quiver in horror.
A person (Usually male) would be sat upon the shaft with the sharp point thrust
into their rectum tearing their insides brutally. They could be left there for
days with their blood running down the wood and the shaft sinking deeper and
deeper inside them, eventually blood loss would kill them and if not that then
infection.
This device and it's counter part The Pear of Anguish were often used on
rebellious Omegas and Treville shuddered at the thought of being subjected to
such horrific torture.
Inside his belly he felt his Pup stir and shift restlessly; while the kicking
and squirming made him more uncomfortable as it put pressure on his full
bladder that he was desperately trying to hold to avoid shaming himself by
pissing everywhere he was still releaved by the active movments of the Pup for
it showed that he or she was healthy in his womb.
When Rochefort he discovered his pregnancy he had feared that the bastard would
beat his stomach until he miscarried but thankfully he had refrained from that;
well maybe that had something to do with Treville taking his eye out!.
In spite of his pain Treville couldn't supress the smile that cross his face at
the memory of puncturing Rochefort's eye and hearing his scream of pain.
Rochefort was so inhumane that it was almost abnormal to hear such a human
sound coming from him as he had clutched at his face.
Whatever happened to him, whatever horror was in store for Treville he did at
least know that Rochefort would forever bear that wound upon his face and would
remember that it was an Omega who had dealt it.
 
Louvre
 
Louis ran shaking hands through his black curls as he paced the Queens
apartments which were vacant save for Anne herself and their Omega Constance
"What are we to do?" he asked looking at them with tears shining in his eyes
"All this time, all these years we've had allies right by our side and never
known it!, and now......now...." he broke off shaking his head and stiffled a
sob in his throat
"Do not give up sire" Constance pleaded placing an arm about Louis and leading
him to the chaise where she sat him down and Anne gave him a cup of wine
"Constance is right Sire, all may not yet be lost" she agreed placing a hand on
Constance's shoulder and smiling at her
"How can you say that?" Louis asked sounding utterly defeated "Both Treville
and Richelieu taken from me, my greatest friends and loyal advisors removed
from my side!, my own regiment to be harried by the Wolves of the Church!, how
can all not be lost?"
"Because the wolves are not yet here!" Anne said firmly "We still have time to
act, to stop this and make a France we have all longed for", Louis gazed at her
not understanding what his Queen was telling him
"Majesty the Musketeers will never stand for their Captain being taken from
them" Constance said "Nore the Red Guards allow Richelieu to be taken to Rome,
both regiments will be planning rescue stratergys, if we go to the Musketeer
garrison now then we may yet win this battle and beat Rochefort and his friends
down for good"
 
 
Richelieu was thankful that he had worn his heavy leathers and billowed cloak
since the thick material provided some protection from the elements as he was
dragged along in his cage.
Two of the Papal Soldiers round behind the cage while two more rode in front
the fifth controlled the donkeys that were pulling the cage while the sixth
rode ahead with Sistini leading the way.
As he had been paraded through the streets of France Richelieu had refused to
acknowledge anyone as he had been dragged past them, had kept his head down as
if in prayer ignoring insults that had been thrown his way aswell as cries of
outrage over Frances Cardinal being treated thus.
Truth be told Richelieu did not care what happened to him what torture he would
suffer in the Castel St Angelo nore even being burned as a Heretic before The
Pope and Collage of Cardinals with the whole of Rome watching as if it were
entertainment.
It was Jean that Richelieu feared for, he knew well the kind of sadism that
Rochefort enjoyed and just how far the sick bastard would go in tormenting and
abusing Jean, it would not matter to him if did not get a word out of the Omega
about the Rebellion he would get his satisfaction through blood shed alone,
would enjoy tearing Jean apart simply for the pleasure of hearing him scream.
That was not all though, Jean was not the only one at stake here and was not
the only one who would suffer, the Pup too would bear Rochefort's hatred and
brutality.
Richelieu did not know if Rochefort would keep Jean alive long enough for the
pregnancy to go to term so he could enjoy murdering both Oman and Pup, or if he
would beat Jean until he miscarried, either was abomnable and the work of an
inhuman monster.
 
As they passed out of the gates of France Richelieu heard the fast fall of
hooves and looked up his eyes rolling when he saw who the rider was
"Enjoying the ride yet Eminence?" Milady asked throwing her hood back and
smirking at her former employer "I know I am enjoying seeing you brought so
low"
"Naturally my dear" Richelieu drawled with an ice cold smile of his own "Seeing
people caged is the only way such a weak and twisted being could feel
superior!", Milady flinched slightly at Richelieu's barb and lifted her chin in
defiance
"I should have known you'd show no humility"
"Likewise" Richelieu replied "But then I doubt very much that you are human so
things like kindness, humility, love, and loyalty would be beyond you"
"Look whos talking!" Milady snarled leaning close to the cage and spitting at
Richelieu "But it dosn't matter what you say or do because you've lost and the
only thing that awaits you now is death!", giving him another dirty look Milady
clicked her heels into the horses sides and rode ahead to join Sistini leaving
Richelieu alone with his thoughts once more, out of habit in times of trouble
his hand found it's way to his rosary and his lips began to move in the
familiar words of prayers, but he was not praying for himself he was praying
for Jean and their Pup.
Court of Miracles
Lemay and d'Artagnan were lead to a large parlour, or what had at one time been
a parlour, now it was a dilapadated throne room where Flea and Charon held
their court.
The throne was nothing more than a high backed chair with pieces of missing
wood on the back rest and a thread bear velvet sheet drapped over the chair.
Niether Flea nore Charon were on the throne though, they were both on their
feet and hurrying to the small family to welcome them with open arms and barked
out orders to their Guards to get blankets, wine, and food for them.
"Thank you so much for this" Lemay said feeling a wave of fatigue coming over
his as the fear of being caught drained slightly, gratefully he sank down into
a chair into what had once been a dining room where food and drink was being
laid out
"It's nothing really" Flea said rubbing his arm "Porthos has always been there
for us so this is the least we can do in return"
"And you've helped us out several times over the years" Charon said "You dug
that bullet out of my arm and made sure I didn't get any infection", Lemay gave
Charon a weak smile remembering that night four years ago when Flea and Charon
had turned up on the door step with blood everywhere asking for help.
Right now it seemed a life time ago, Lemay felt like he'd aged ten years in the
last few hours simply through the stress and terror he'd suffered, a tug on his
sleeve had him looking down to pick Izzy up and put her on his lap while Ned
who was always the more dominant and curious of the two had taken a shine to
Charon and was being given a piggy back ride by him.
d'Artagnan had the Twins and Cortland laid out in an empty draw which he'd
stuffed with his own cloak to make it softer, "That'll do as a make shift crib
for now" he said giving Cortland his little finger to tug and suck on
"We'll get you something better as soon as we can" Flea promised smiling down
on the twins as they slumbered completely oblivious to what was going on, "I
almost envy that innocence" she sighed stroking Pheobes cheek
"You and me both" d'Artagnan mumured tiredly
"Oman!, want Papa and Aphan!" Izzy whined snuggling into Lemay's chest
"I know sweetheart and they'll be back soon I promise" Lemay said rubbing her
back
"Where are they?" Charon asked setting Ned down on the table and grinned as the
little buggar helped himself to a sausage
"French/Spanish border as far as we know" d'Artagnan replied straightening up
and wiping his spit wet hand on his breeches, "They'll be coming back to a
right shit storm an'all"
"Yeah, we head somethin' about Treville being arrested by that Bastille
bastard" Flea said joinging Charon who put an arm about her
"News travels fast" Lemay commented pouring himself a cup of much needed wine
"It's worse than you know" d'Artagnan said getting a drink himself and ruffling
Ned's hair "The Bastard Rochefort knows that lots of the Musketeers are either
Omegas who are protecting Omegas, including Lemay, the bastard is planning to
rip the regiment apart to dig up information on The Rebellion", he muttered a
curse under his breath as he took a gulp of wine "Some shit head Priest who was
in league with Rochefort has arrested Richelieu, they're taking him to Rome"
"Fuck!" Charon whispered "Not even Richelieu's immune then!"
"And he's Treville's mate, he's been a secret supporter of The Rebellion for
years" d'Artagnan explained almost amused by the stunned expressions of Flea
and Charon's faces but he had more pressing matters to attend to and couldn't
afford to be amused at present especially since he had one hell of a favour to
ask of the King and Queen
"I brought Lemay and his family to you in the hope that you could help" he said
said biting the inside of his bottom lip nervously, "I need a really big favour
from you guys"
"If it helps Porthos then we'll do anything" Flea said
"I think you'd best hear what the favour is first before you agree" d'Artagnan
said "This isn't petty theft or hiding people, this is serious"
"What?" Charon asked with a slight laugh "Want us to rob the Louvre!?", he
managed to startle a laugh out of Lemay and even brought a smile to
d'Artagnan's face "Eh reckon I'd look good in old Louis's crown?" he asked
making Flea snort
"Yeah we'll stick you in one of Anne's gowns aswell!, you'll look a dream in
her corsets!"
"Maybe we should take one of those gold carriages aswell!" Charon snickered "We
can make a good earner out of it!, charge people for rides about the city!"
"Yeah and try and out run the Red Guards and Musketeers when they chase after
you!" d'Artagnan drawled "Great plan Charon!"
"Well what is it then?" Charon asked sobering slightly "Want us to bump off the
Cockroach?" (The court of Miracles name for Rochefort)
"Nah, I'll do that bastard myself" d'Artagnan said clenching his fists "What I
want is help in springing Treville from The Bastille".
***** Chapter 34 *****
Musketeers Garrison
 
Most of the Musketeers had cleared out, heading to their families to usher them
out of Paris, while others had headed into the Catacombs to hide out, only
Cornet and a few others were remaining there getting ready to and meet
d'Artagnan at The Wren where alot of other Musketeers would join them once
they'd got their families sorted.
"I ain't never seen this place so empty" old Serge said as he walked over to
Cornet "Bleedin' crime this is"
"Got that right" Cornet grunted, he was still seething over not being allowed
to smack Rochefort into the ground!, "Christ knows what the hell we're gonna
do"
"You an that Gascon kid got somethin' planned ain't yer?" Serge asked
"The Kids got something planned, whatever that is I don't know, and it ain't
gonna change the fact that Treville's been outed as an Omega, no matter what
happens the Musketeers are finished"
"That may not be true" a familiar voice said coming from a heavy hooded
individual who had come into the garrison
"What the friggin' 'ell would you know 'bout it?" Musketeer Morel asked noting
the expensive riding boots the figure was wearing, but he got the fright of his
life as the man threw back his hood revealing himself to the astonished
Musketeers
"Your Majesty!" Cornet gasped half falling from the table to bow before him!
"Never mind all that right now there are far more important things at stake"
Louis said making sure to keep his hood up enough to conceal himself from
anyone but the Musketeers, "I am so sorry it has come to this that you are all
suffering in this way, if Anne, Constance and I had known that Armand and Jean
were supporters of the Rebellion we'd have passed a law freeing Omegas years
ago!"
"What?", Cornet glanced at the other Musketeers who looked equally as stunned
as he was feeling himself
"You may not believe this" Louis said gazing at the Men and imploring them to
believe him despite how fantastical his words would sound, "Anne and I have
never believed that Omegas are inferior, we have acted the part in public to
stop anyone from getting suspicious, but in private......."
"What about Constance Bonacieux?" one of the Musketeers piped up
"She plays the part of a meek submissive Omega, totaly subservient and down
trodden" Louis explained "But in private she is our equal, we have educated her
in secret to the point that she is fluent in six languages, and competant in
History, Philosophy, Politics, and Sciences!, as far as I am concerned she and
Anne are both my mates and she is as deserving of respect as anyone else!".
 
The Musketeers were stunned into silence at this gazing at each other wanting
to believe their King but afraid of getting their hopes up too much
"Please!" Louis implored holding out his bejeweled hands to his soldiers "I
know you have no reason to believe me, but if we don't act now then there won't
be another chance!"
"A chance to do what Sire?" Cornet asked
"To bring down the Vaticans orders, to free Omegas once and for all in France!"
Louis exclaimed "Surely you were not planning to leave Treville in The
Bastille?", the Musketeers glanced at each other not too sure about telling
Louis their plans
"What if we did have a plan?" Cornet countered keeping things hypothetical
"What would you do?"
"Open The Louvre to you all when he is rescued and rally The City Guard to
defend us and drive Rochefort and his men out!"
"You'll do that?" one of the other Musketeers asked his eyes shining in hope
"For our families too?"
"All the Musketeers and their Kin will be welcomed" Louis swore "I've been the
Red Guards garrison and they are rallying with us and have plans to save Armand
from that deranged Priest!, between us all we can win this battle once and for
all!"
"God Bless you Sire!" Serge said "I'll happily fight under your banner!"
"Aye, me an all" Morel agreed "What d'the rest of you say?", a resounding cheer
of agreement followed making Louis sag slightly in relief
"We'll escort you back to the Louvre Sire, it's not safe out here for you"
Cornet said
"No you have enough to do" Louis replied tugging his hood down "I made my way
here I can make my way back, you just make sure you get Treville out of
Rochefort's clutches and get him safely to the Louvre".
 
As always the Wren was stinking to high heaven of piss, vomit, and poor
alcohol.
d'Artagnan shifted his weight from hip to hip tapping his hands on his arms in
agitation, his eyes wide as he looked around all to aware that he was a wanted
person, he pulled his hood over his face and kept his head down as he waited
for the Musketeers praying they would come through else there was no chance
Charon would risk this and his best men to spring Treville and d'Artagnan knew
he couldn't pull this off on his own.
If he was going to find a way into The Bastille and save Treville then he
needed back up.
A whistle caught his attention and looking up he saw Cornet across the street,
the Musketeer beckoned with his head and slipped back into the shadows of the
ally, d'Artagnan checked the street then ran across to join him in the ally
grinning when he saw how many Musketeers were lurking in the darkness
"You best have a bloody good plan d'Art" Cornet said
"Oh I do, and we'll be getting help aswell" d'Artagnan replied with a broad
grin "The best from the Court of Miracles"
"What?, you're relying on thieves and murderers?" Cornet cried "Jesus wept!,
and here I thought we were desperate!", his head snapped to the side as
d'Artagnan back handed him and shoved him up against the ally wall
"I'm from the court, so's Porthos and you'd have no chance of getting into the
Bastille without me and them!"
"Getting into the Bastille?" Morel asked "Thats the plan?", shoving away from
Cornet and folding his arms over his chest and schooling his face into an
emotionless mask
"I'm breaking in" he said "You lot are gonna kick the shit out of a few guards
after Charon's men have drawn their attention out of the prison, the only
person actually entering that shit hole is me, all you have to do is keep the
guards entertained long enough for me to find Treville and get him out of
there"
The Musketeers looked at each other, this was one hell of a risk, especially
for d'Artagnan, if he was caught then he would have to hope that Rochefort just
killed him out right since death would definitely be prefferable to what the
alternative was.
Cornet rubbed his swelling cheek, Omega or not d'Artagnan packed a mean wallop
when he wanted!, as next senior officer to Athos the Musketeers were looking to
him to make the decision and at the thought of Athos Cornet groaned, he would
be furious if they agreed to this especially since there was suspician that
d'Artagnan was with his child.
"No" he said holding his hand up as d'Artagnan opened his mouth no doubt to let
off a stream of cursing, "No to you going in alone, a couple of us will go with
you as back up, else Athos will kill us for letting you take such a risk on
your own"
d'Artagnan sagged with relief against the oposite wall of the ally and nodded
his head "Tomorrow night then, we meet back here just before Midnight"
"How are Charon's men going to distract the guards?" one of the Musketeers
asked
"Wait and see" d'Artagnan replied with a grin "I wouldn't want to spoil the
surprise!".
 
 
Bastille
 
Treville smirked despite the pain he was in as Rochefort entered the torture
chamber his face marred by his eyepatch
"Aye aye Monsieur le Comte, how are things looking?, a bit one sided?" he
teased coughing raggedly through his chuckles
Rochefort gave Treville a cruel smile and ran his hand over the weel of the
Rack eyeing the bloody ropes that were digging into Treville's wrists
"You know I have heard that if you are kept in a position like this too long it
effects the circulations especially if you are bleeding too", he ran his
fingers over the bloody wounds smirking at Treville's harsh intake of breath
"Of course having limbs dislocated dosn't help either" he continued "And if
joints are left out of place too long they are damaged perminantly", walking
around the rack he ran his hand over Treville's legs making the Omega jerk and
wince in pain
"At your age I don't fancy you recovering from a prolonged period here,
especially if your bones start to break" he purred walking his fingers up
Treville's thigh and pelvis making his way to the Omega's swollen belly and
rested his hand right over his womb
"Theres also this isn't there?" he said patting the bump "Added weight in
middle age isn't easily shed, and damaged limbs on top of that?", he made a
tutting noise and shook his head "You'll never be fit again, certainly not
enough to be a Musketeer, though once your burning on a pyre that won't really
matter will it?"
"Why bother worrying about it then?" Treville spat at Rochefort "You can save
the threats, and the small talk because I'll happily get pulled apart on the
rack before I tell you a damn thing Cyclops!"
Rochefort's expression changed in an instant and he grabbed the dagger from his
belt while he pressed against Treville's belly "How much are you prepared to
risk?" he snarled letting the tip of the blade sink into Treville's skin "D'you
want this bastard cut out of your womb and put on a pike for all the world to
see?, to have it picked apart by the crows?"
"You're a sick bastard Rochefort, a sick twisted bastard"
"Yeah, but I hav'nt been shagging a Cardinal, you did that and Richelieu's on
his way for an apointment in the Castel Saint Angelo before he faces the flames
himself before St Peters", leaning forward he patted Treville's face "Think
about that while your laying here in your own blood and piss"
Treville grit his teeth watching as Rochefort left knowing that he was in for
another session pretty soon.
Truth be told, despite the front he'd put on he was scared of the damage the
rack would do to his body, while he knew the chances were that he would die
before he got out of this place the fear of being crippled was one he could not
shake.
However that fear was nothing compared to the fear of loosing his baby and what
Armand would be facing in Rome.
Silently Treville let his tears roll down his temples to splash the wood
beneath him praying that God would deliver Armand from his God forsaken fate.
***** Chapter 35 *****
It was the humilation that bothered Richelieu more than the discomfort of being
in a cage, of having to use a metal bucket before on lookers to releave
himself, and to have food thrown onto the floor of the cage for him to eat as
if he were animal ground on Richelieu's nerves more than the threats the guards
spat at him, and the barbs that Sistini amused himself by throwing Richelieu's
way.
The Jesuits comments had Richelieu dropping his already low opinion of the Mans
intellect even further!.
Honestly couldn't he think of something else to try and get a rise out of the
Cardinal than mentions of pyres and racks?, Richelieu was no fool he knew
exactly how much damage could be done to him in the Castel St Angelo, and had
already made his peace with the notion of being tortured before he was brutally
executed, frequent speaches on this did nothing more irritate him now, it
certainly didn't scare him; which Sistini took a deplorable long time in
working out.
Milady however was alot more astute than Sistini.
She had spent years as Richelieu's personal assassin, had, had plenty of time
to learn of Richelieu's weaknesses and how to exploit them, she knew exactly
what to use to get under Richelieu's skin and strike a nerve, or if she was
feeling really vindictive then a bloody great blade to his heart.
It was his ego that she went for more often than not, oh it wasn't about his
being publicaly humiliated and defrocked, that was too petty for Milady's
tastes, she liked to go for far more personal and hurtful things than that, and
Goddamn her she had a nack for doing so.
During in the meal breaks, which to Richelieu were far to frequent, having been
a soldier before he had joined the Seminary he had known that hardened Soldiers
survived on two meals a day and rode from dawn until the light was totaly lost
so they could save as much time as possible and move with all speed.
But these were decadent Papal Guards who were use to doing nothing more than
prancing about the Vatican growing fat on wine and the rich fodder of the
Princes of the Churches tables.
They stopped frequently on the journey to rest and to fill their stomachs, and
during these times Milady unleashed her vipers tongue upon Richelieu at every
oportunity.
She spoke to him of his failings, how he had now failed the Omegas of France,
how the Rebellion would undoubtedly fall without his protection and support.
She told him of how alone Louis would now be, how vulnerable he was now that he
had lost his First Minister and the Captain of the Musketeers.
It was Jean that she used to really grind Richelieu down, telling him of what
Rochefort would be doing to him in the Bastille.
She painted such grotesque and detailed pictures of the sadistic torture that
Rochefort would be using on Jean that Richelieu very nearly vomited several
times and had to clench his fists and grit his teeth to restrain himself
against leaping up and throwing himself against the bars of the cage.
Such an act would not have achieved anything but to show Milady exactly how
much she was effecting him, and Richelieu, while sick to his stomach and
terrified for what his mate was going through would not give her the
satisfaction of seeing his distress.
However inside he felt like his heart was slowly dying, thinking of Jean being
racked until he was crippled for life, of their precious and long waited for
Pup being beaten out of his body and thrown onto a fire without a seconds
thought by the Bastille guards.
Of Jean, broken and bloody, being strapped onto a table and having the breast
ripper used on him.
When he fell into brief patches of sleep, Richelieu's mind would torment him
with images of Jean's flesh being ripped from him, flesh that Richelieu's hands
had spent hours caressing and holding, that his lips had kissed with such
tenderness, his tongue had licked and teased, being beaten and torn, cruel
metal instruments of torture sinking into the tan skin and turning it crimson
as it drew blood, and then horrific gaping wounds being left in its wake.
Richelieu had awoken shaking and sweating with the image of Jean's torso still
clear in his mind, his beautiful breasts torn from his body leaving hollow
wounds gushing with blood where they had been.
He had seen Jean shaking and dying on the wooden table that had born many
victims before him, seen him slowly dying of blood loss and shock, only for his
body to be tossed into an unmarked grave without even a Priest to pray over his
soul as his crumpled mutilated corpse was covered in dirt.
Sometimes it wasn't the breast ripper that he saw Rochefort using on Jean,
sometimes it was worse, sometimes he saw his beloved mate being sat on the
Judas Cradle, of his body being raped by that accursed shaft of wood that would
tear his body apart and have slowly bleeding to death in utter agony.
Or for Rochefort to take a more physical roll in Jean's murder and to use the
Pear of Anguish upon him, he saw the bastards face glowing in twisted joy at
the sound of Jean's agonised screams and the feel of the blood gushing over his
hands as he tore Richelieu's beloved apart.
 
If Richelieu could have done anything at all, even if the price of doing so was
his own life, then he would have spared Jean all of this, would have saved him
if he could, and if not, then he would have made sure that Jean died painlessly
and quickly.
People might think it strange to see killing someone an act of love, but if he
had had to snap Jean's neck with his own hands to prevent him from being
brutally tortured then he would have done so without hesitation.
At least then he would know that he had spared the Man he loved more than life
itself had died without pain, and in his own arms.
But there was nothing Richelieu could do to save Jean, he could not escape his
captivity, could not mount a rescue mission, he couldn't do a damn thing but
torture himself with nightmarish images of what Jean would suffer before
finally departing this life.
 
Court Of Miracles
 
d'Artagnan and Lemay bedded down together on the floor of the small room that
Flea and Charon had given them, the Pups and Children had the bed and were
tucked in together, the twins curling up forehead to forehead and knee to knee
making snuffling little snores as they slept, their Alpha brother slept along
side them looking like he was protecting them with his own small body, while
Izzy and Ned slept on the outside of them, Izzy cuddling her favorite doll
while Ned sucked his thumb and drooled over his hand in his sleep.
Fortunately they were young enough to not really know what was going on and
were easily convinced that this was all an adventure and not a life and death
situation.
Lemay and d'Artagnan however knew better and neither were able to find sleep
easily as they bunked down on the floor with thread bare blankets over them and
their own arms as the pillows.
"I feel like I should be going with you tomorrow night" Lemay said quietly so
as not to disturb the little ones as they slept, blissfully unaware of the
danger they were in
"You're not a warrior Lemay you're a Doctor, and likely to be needed for your
skills after the job is done" d'Artagnan whispered back and rolled over to face
Lemay offering him a smile in the darkness
"You'll be pulling you're weight without using a sword or pistol, so you
need'nt feel as if you're letting anyone down"
"I guess" Lemay sighed falling silent for a while before speaking again, "You
shouldn't be going in there at all you know, not in your condition"
"I'm not even really showing" d'Artagnan replied
"That isn't what I meant and you know it", d'Artagnan sighed deeply and sat up
rubbing his eyes and yawning tiredly before looking down at Lemay
"I have to do this Lemay, pregnant or not I have to get in there and get
Treville out"
"Why you?, can't you stay outside and let the others go in....."
"Because this is my fault!" d'Artagnan exploded silencing Lemay and making the
little ones start in their sleep with Izzy nearly waking.
Shaking his head he got to his feet and walked over to the up turned box where
a bottle of wine sat and helped himself, drinking straight from the bottle and
grimancing at the sour taste watching as Lemay got up to sooth Izzy and tuck
her in a little more.
 
"What the hell do you mean this is your fault?" the Doctor asked "How can it
be?"
"Because I know Rochefort" d'Artagnan grunted perching on a half broken petit
pointe and pinching the bridge of his nose while Lemay walked over to sit in
front of him, taking the bottle from his hand and drinking aswell, waiting for
him to explain
"When I was still a whore I met Rochefort" d'Artagnan said his voice dripping
with loathing, "He took me back to his apartments, had me dress up like the
Queen and give him a revolting speach before he fucked me"
"He dressed you up like the Queen?" Lemay gasped "He's in love with the
Queen?!"
"Love?" d'Artagnan snorted "Hardly, he's incapable of the emotion, obsessed
with her?, certainly", shaking his head he reached for the wine and scowled as
Lemay moved it out of his reach
"You're pregnant remember!"
"Like I could forget!"
"I'm still not seeing how this is your fault d'Art, all I'm seeing is that
Rochefort is a pervert aswell as a bastard"
"But I could have spoken up, told Treville what I knew about his obsession with
the Queen and he could have used it to take Rochefort down!, or I could have
knifed Rochefort right there in that apartment!, ridded the world of his
presence there and then and spared us all this nightmare!"
"D'Art no, for God sake!" Lemay cried glancing at the little ones who slept on
blissfully "You're not to blame for this!, Treville couldn't have done anything
with this information, what could he say to Louis?, he had the word of an Omega
Whore?, it wouldn't have meant anything to the King or anyone, and as for
killing him?, you are no murderer d'Artagnan, thats not in your nature", he
leaned over and rested his hand on d'Artagnan's shoulder giving it a squeeze
"Non of this is your fault, you have nothing to feel guilty about"
d'Artagnan pressed his lips together looking up at Lemay with tears shining in
his eyes
"Don't I?" he whispered "What about Athos?, what if the last words I'll ever
have said to him will have been insults spoken in temper?"
"Oh d'Art", Lemay tried to pull the younger Omega into an embrace but
d'Artagnan brushed him off and moved away taking a deep breath to steady
himself and straightened his back a steely expression coming over his face
"This has to happen Lemay, no matter what I'm going into the Bastille and I am
going to get Treville out, even if I don't make it myself".
Bastille
 
With both knees and shoulders dislocated and his ankles and wrists rubbed red
raw from the ropes Treville was in agony.
He had consumed nothing but a few mouthfuls of lupe warm water that had been
forced into his mouth during his entire time in the Bastille.
Rochefort was clearly showing restraint in the torture, this was not a sign of
mercy but of intelligence, he wanted to keep Treville alive so he could make
this last as long as possible.
He wanted him weak, and in pain, but not close to death, not yet, he would keep
him alive by giving him enough water to prevent dehydration and would likely
have him fed something at some point to prevent starvation, and he would ensure
that Treville did not loose to much blood or was going into shock so he could
lengthen his torture and increase the chance of breaking the Captain.
Inside his belly the Pup kicked restlessly, Treville was relieved by the
movement which ensured that it was still alive, but it did nothing to ease his
physical discomfort and reminded him all the more of his hunger and the fact
that the Pup would not have been fed either since all it's nutrician came from
him.
 
Treville tried not to imagine what Armand was going through, what he would be
forced to go through when he reached Rome, he knew that the torture he faced
here would be nothing compared with what awaited Armand in the Castel Saint
Angelo.
It was worse somehow to imagine Armand suffering like this than Treville
suffering himself, and had it only been his life at stake here then he would
have happily swallowed his own tongue and choked himself to death rather than
risk his witts being broken by Rochefort's torture and giving into his demands
for information on the rebellion.
But it wasn't only his life, there was the Pup aswell, and Treville could not
end the Pups life by ending his own, while he knew the Pup had no chance of
survival, and would die along with him when Rochefort finally tired of this and
had him put to death, he could not, and would not kill his own Pup, no matter
what Rochefort did, that he would never do.
***** Chapter 36 *****
The night was over cast but thankfully dry ensuring poor visability but no bad
weather that would make the Bastille guards hurry to change shifts instead of
standing about chatting.
d'Artagnan met with Cornet and several others who were acompanying him into the
Bastille, while the other Musketeers moved off to their designated posts, where
they were awaiting the Bastille Guards whom they were to incapasitate (Or kill)
when the came out to investigate the distraction that d'Artagnan had arranged
with Charon's Men.
"Are you going to tell me what the distraction is now?" Cornet asked as he
pressed himself into the darkness of the ally across from the Bastille
"You'll see" d'Artagnan said with a wry smirk that grew wider as the Church
clock struck midnight, "Here we go" he whispered.
 
Hidden in the darkness by their dark clothing and masks, Charon and his men lit
the fuses they had laid out, "Should be a hell of a party!" Charon chuckled,
his teeth shining white against the darkness of his leather mask
"Night'll go out with a bang!" one of his Men laughed, once the fuses were lit
they all ran back into the ally's to find their way back to the Court of
Miracles.
The fuses burned along the filthy streets snaking their way up to the loaded
barrels igniting the multipul fuse lines coming from them, for a few seconds
nothing happened, then all around the Bastille the streets seemed to light up!.
Dozens of fireworks suddenly exploded in the streets, shooting up into the sky
and erupting in brilliant explosions of lights and noise, wave and wave of the
fireworks came along with small grenades blowing apart in the street to add to
the mayhem that had not only the Bastille guards leaving their designated posts
to investigate but the Parisians stepping out of their houses and inns to go
and see what was happening.
"Bloody hell!" Cornet laughed shaking his head while admiring the display "You
don't do anything by halves do you?"
"I try not to" d'Artagnan replied watching as the Bastille cleared of many of
the guards and the gates were left wide open "Lets go!".
 
Swiftly and silently the Musketeers made their way into the Bastille, they
paused half way as they heard the first sounds of fighting as the other
Musketeers got the jump on the gaurds going to investigate the explosions
"C'mon!" d'Artagnan hissed "Theres not much more gun powder left".
They kept to the shadows once inside the Bastille walls, Cornet directing the
men to go off in twos to take out any straggeling guards and keep the rest out
of the way while he kept their exit clear.
"The torture chambers in the underground cells that way" Cornet said pointing
d'Artagnan in the right direction "You sure you don't need any help?"
"I'm fine" d'Artagnan said drawing his sword, "Just fine".
 
You didn't have to know that people had died in this part of the Bastille, just
the feel of the place was enough for you to know it, a coldness seemed to hang
heavy as d'Artagnan ran down the darkened and blood stained corridor, making
his way to the chamber at the end of the hall where light from torches was
shining under the door and the sound of pained cries echoed out mournfully,
mingling with twisted laughter.
Kicking the door open d'Artagnan burst into the torture chamber to find Lebarge
taking a lash to Treville who was swinging by chains that hung from the
ceiling, his arms and legs clearly dislocated and his ankles and wrists
shredding from his time on the rack.
"Get the fuck away from him now!" d'Artagnan snarled advancing on Lebarge who
cackled at him, his eyes shining in deranged joy
"D'Artagnan!" Treville weezed too grateful to see someone come to save him to
worry for the lad as he normally would
"Whats this then?, a little Puppy come to yap at the big dogs legs?"
"If you're a dog then you're a rabid one!" d'Artagnan shot back circling with
Lebarage, not taking his eyes off the man, with his whole body poised for when
Lebarge made his move, "Head over heart" he whispered to himself recalling the
mantra that Athos had drummed into him during their training "Head over heart".
 
Lebarge lunged forward trying to slash d'Artagnan with the whip making the
Omega lunge to the side and duck under the blow, bringing his sword up to
deflect the next one that Lebarge flung at him
"Come on!" the huge man jeered taking a red hot poker from it's place in a
brazier and twirling it in his hand "I'll enjoy sticking you like a pig and
turning you on the spit!" he laughed
"They only one going on a spit will be you!" d'Artagnan growled deflecting the
blow from the poker that Lebarge tried to inflict on him, but was unable to
dodge the whip and hit the ground with a cry of pain as the tails tore open the
side of his face and his throat, gritting his teeth against the pain he rolled
over and kicked out getting Lebarge in the shins sending the man stumbling back
into the brazier on which he burned his back painfully
"And thats just for starters!" d'Artagnan laughed jumping back onto his feet
and lashing out at Lebarge getting a good slash across his broad belly making
the man roar and hurl the poker at him like a spear!, d'Artagnan brought his
sword up and deflected the red hot poker sending it clattering into the wall
with a shower of sparks, but the action cost him precious time and Lebarge made
use of it bringing the whip down on d'Artagnan's arm forcing him to drop his
sword and clasp at his arm and hand, he barly had a chance to bring his arm up
to protect his face from the next blow which hit him hard, he struggled to get
out of the way of Lebarge to get hold of his sword again but Lebarge was right
on him beating him back into the wall and forcing the whip about his throat!.
D'Artagnan's eyes went wide as his air was cut off, the cat of nine tails dug
into his flesh as Lebarge tightened the noose about his neck
"I was gonna take my time killin' yer" he growled "I was gonna enjoy myself on
yer!, but it looks like I'll 'ave to make the most of stranglin' yer!",
d'Artagnan's hands scrabbled at the whip, his own nails tearing at his throat
to try and get the tails from his neck!, his eyes locked onto Treville who was
pulling on his chains in a futile and painful attempt to free himself and cried
out at Lebarge to let d'Artagnan go, Lebarge's reddened manic face leered at
d'Artagnan as tears slipped down his cheeks and spots danced before his eyes,
he was going to die here, die by this bastards hands right in front of
Treville, slowly his hands slipped down from his throat as he felt the life
beginning to slip out of him, however at that moment he felt a fluttering
inside his womb as his Pups stirred.
The feeling of life within his body gave d'Artagnan a last piece of strength to
fight with, and with all the force he could muster he brough his knee up right
between Lebarges legs making the brute howl in pain and stagger backwards
gripping at his bollocks panting with pain!.
Coughing and spluttering d'Artagnan tore the whip from his throat that was
oozing with blood, anger overcame his pain and he took hold of the whip
bringing it down across Lebarges head splitting open his skin!, he then lashed
the bastards arms and sides until he grabbed hold of the whip and yanked
d'Artagnan forward lifting him like a rag doll and threw him across the room to
land in a winded crumpled heap
"You'll pay for that!" he snarled wiping the blood from his face and advancing
on d'Artagnan who leaped forward and took hold of his sword, bringing it up and
thrusting it through Lebarge's chest stopping him in his tracks
"Told you that I'd have you stuck like a pig" he growled pulling the sword back
and getting to his feet as Lebarge fell to the side choking to death on his own
blood.
 
Sheething his sword d'Artagnan hurriedly took the keys to the manicles on
Treville and unlocked them wincing as Treville fell to the ground in a heap
"What did those bastards do to you?" he spat looking around for something
Treville could wear, in the end he used his cloak to wrap about the captain
"How the hell did you get in here?" Treville asked shakily
"With a little help from my friends!" d'Artagnan replied biting his lips at the
sight of Treville's swollen dislocated joints "I can't put these back in, I'll
have to carry you"
"Don't be mad!" Treville said "You can't"
"Bloody watch me!", it wasn't easy, Treville being pregnant made it all the
harder, but d'Artagnan hauled him up into a firemans carry and fast as he could
made his way back down the hall stopping dead as he heard Rochefort calling out
to Lebarge and making his way down the hall, he was in no shape to get into
another fight right now, and he needed to get Treville to Lemay, quietly he
slipped inside one of the vacant cells and waited as Rochefort marched past,
going down to the Torture chamber, by luck it had been his blind side that they
had been on so Rochefort didn't see anything amiss as he past them by.
Letting out a sigh of relief d'Artagnan hurried on back through the Bastille
wasting no time as he and Treville heard Rochefort's roar of anger at finding
Lebarges body and Treville gone
"How did he loose the eye?" d'Artagnan panted climbing the stairs as fast as he
could
"I took it out" Treville replied with a weak laugh "At least I gave the bastard
a sting he'll never forget"
"I'll give him a damn sight more on our next meeting" d'Artagnan grunted,
panting and sweating as they made it to the top of the stairs and hurried on
down to the exit where he was relieved to find Cornet waiting
"Dear God what the hell happened?" he cried hurrying to meet the lad and took
Treville from him
"Never mind that, lets get the hell out of here while we have the chance"
d'Artagnan said raking a hand through his hair tiredly
"I told you all to leave!" Treville scolded Cornet and glared half heartedly at
the others
"Put us on report then!" one of them chuckled
"Send us to the brig!" another snorted
"Guards!" Rochefort bellowed from somewhere behind d'Artagnan "Guards!"
"How about we save the punishment for a later date and get our arses out of
here!" d'Artagnan said pushing away from the wall he was leaning on to lead the
way to the Court of Miracles.
***** Chapter 37 *****
The Musketeers ran for the court of Miracles where they would hold up for a
while, before going to the Louvre as they had arranged with Louis.
d'Artagnan was still rather dubious about what Cornet told him about the King
and Queen, and therefore was reluctant to leave the relative saftey of the
court to go to the Louvre despite Cornet's assurances.
"Louis wouldn't lie d'Artagnan" Treville said from the bed he was laying on,
Lemay had given him a small dose of laudinum for the pain and had relocated his
joints, not a pleasent procedure considering the pain it cause the patient, but
Treville was adamant that he wanted to remain conscious rather than take a
sleep draft, so with a wooden spoon clenched between his teeth and the dose of
Laudinum to edge off he had valiantly suffered the pain of having his
shoulders, knees, hips, and one ankle put back in place.
With how swollen his limbs were at present Lemay couldn't say whether or not
there would be perminant damage to them, all he could do was put bandages about
Treville's arms and legs to give him support and advise him to stay off his
feet for a while.
He had then turned his attention to Treville's back, wrists, and ankles,
cleaning the open wounds and applying a soothing salve to them to take away the
sting before wrapping them in bandages, some of the lashes on his back needed
to be stitched where the tails had sunk deeply into his skin, but for the most
part they would heal without the need of needle work.
However by the time Lemay was done Treville was so covered in bandages he
looked rather like an Eqyptian mummy!, laying back on the bed he watched as
Lemay tried to treat d'Artagnan's injuries with more than a little difficulty
as the young man kept moving around restlessly.
"I believe that Cornet is correct and we should go the Louvre" Treville stated
smirking a little as Lemay gave a put upon sigh as d'Artagnan moved from the
stool to stand by the fireplace
"It's not like we have anywhere else to go" the Captain added
"I know that" d'Artagnan ground out "But we could still be walking into a trap,
why after all these years would Louis suddenly grow a pair and start acting
like a Man?!"
"Maybe because he knows he's got support now?" Lemay offered making both
Treville and d'Artagnan look at him "Well it's not like he knew that till now
did he?" the Doctor mumbled sheepishly made another attempt at treating
d'Artagnan's neck sighing in irritated frustration as the boy moved again "For
heaven sakes will you sit still and let me see to that before you bleed to
death!?" he exclaimed making Treville chuckle and d'Artagnan narrow his eyes
with a sour pout on his face as he sat back down to let Lemay clean his throat
and apply a loose dressing to keep it clean.
"That might scar" he warned frowning at the welt on d'Artagnan's face, but the
Omega was already on the move again not caring about scarring right now
"D'you honnestly believe that Louis can come through on this?" d'Artagnan asked
Treville, trusting the Captain's prior experiance of the King, and his military
expertise
"Yes" Treville replied without hesitation, "While Louis is not the bravest nore
most tactful or shrewd of Men he is not a liar, a good part of him being
childish means that he is terrible at deception, so terrible that he doesn't
even attempt it, so if he says that he will help us, then he will help us",
d'Artagnan pouted again still looking uncertain, he wanted to believe Treville
he really did, but he was reluctant to let his guard down even on the word of
the King of France.
However that being said, he knew what Treville said about Louis was true, the
Man was not sharp enough to be a deceiver, with him what you saw was what you
got so it was likly that he was telling the truth, but, even if he was being
honest could he really muster enough of a force against Rochefort to be of
assistance to the Musketeers right now?, that d'Artagnan wasn't certain of, but
as Treville had said it wasn't like they had anywhere else to go.
A knock on the door had Cornet sticking his head into the room with an
apologetic look on his face, "Sorry to disturb you Sir, but I thought you'd
like to know what the patrol has reported"
"Go on" Treville said shifting uncomfortably and feeling horribly exposed with
only a woolen blanket covering his modesty
"Rochefort is coming the streets for us" Cornet reported "He's turning over
every brothel, warehouse, tavern, and empty shak he can find thinking we might
be hiding there, but he hasn't dared entered the court"
"Nore will he, not unless he has a death wish" d'Artagnan replied with
certainty in his voice, Cornet nodded in agreement, no guard with more than
half a brain went into the court of Miracles, it was a death sentence and even
the Musketeers were only here on sufferance and were making sure to keep a low
profile and to act like the three wise monkeys, being blind, deaf, and dumb to
all that went on there
"You think we can make a run for the Louvre then?" Treville asked reaching for
the water Lemay had left on the sideboard for him and sipping the tepid liquid
"Run?, you can't even walk right now!" d'Artagnan said ignoring the glower
Treville sent his way for stating the obvious "Well have to use a cart, which
means we'll need a clear run up to the Louvre for this to work or we'll be
dodging bullets all the way"
"Since when were you a General!?" Cornet snorted but held his hands up at
d'Artagnan's dark look and backed out the room muttering under his breath about
tempermental Gascons!
"So you're good to go then?" Treville asked d'Artagnan who shrugged
"Doesn't look like I have much choice does it?, but..." he paused and pointed
to Lemay "I want you and the little ones to stay here until this is all over
one way or another"
"What!?" Lemay cried
"He's right Doctor" Treville said "If this all goes to hell then at least you
and your family will be safe here, you'll still have the chance to get out of
town", Lemay made a face at this but didn't bother arguing, when all said and
done he wasn't a soldier and in truth he did not relish the idea of taking the
little ones into danger
"We'll come and get you as soon as it is safe" d'Artagnan assured him resting a
hand on his shoulder
"And what if you don't make it back?, what if it all goes to hell like you
said?" Lemay asked
"Then you lay low until Flea and Charon can get you across the border into
Swizerland" d'Artagnan replied giving his friend a stern look "Have faith in
yourself Lemay, believe you can do this, and do whatever it takes to survive",
sucking in his bottom lip Lemay nodded already knowing in his heart that he
would do anything and everything to ensure that his Pups and Children survived.
 
Richelieu was trying to get into a comfortable position in his cage to catch a
few hours sleep when an all to familiar hooting of an owl made him prick his
ears up and look about the camp.
Sistini and the guards had not moved from about the fire where the Priest was
reading a passage from the bible while the guards passed a flask of wine
between them, Milady was sat beside the Priest ignoring the lesson as she gazed
into the fire occaisionally accepting a swig of wine from the flask as it went
round.
For a moment Richelieu wondered if he had been imagining things until another
two calls echoed about the camp and swiftly revealed and then extinguished
flame brought a smile to his lips, it seemed that despite his orders for them
to stay away Richelieu's gaurds were coming to his aid.
Getting down in his cage and laying low on his stomach Richelieu held his
breath in anticipation almost counting the second that passed until the first
shot rang out!.
Cahusac's shit was true, hitting a Papal guard right in the center of the back
of his head, the ball passing through his head and blowing out a hole in the
centre of his forehead spraying the fire in a shower of crimson as all hell
broke loose in the camp!.
The guards, sluggish from food and drink strumbled to get to their feet and
draw their swords and pistols, all of them shouting at each other and trying to
search the darkness for their adversaries, making themselves perfect targets
for the Red Guards who continued to pick them off before their cover was blown
and it was time for them to draw their swords fight head on.
The Vatican guards continued to be little challenge for the hardened soldiers,
they had never seen war, only heard tell of it and had spent their years honing
their skills such as they were in training, never actually fighting for their
lives before and could not keep up with Bernajoux, Jussac, and Boisrenard who
certainly pulled no punches while Cahusac kept to the rear keeping them covered
with his harquebus.
As Sistini tried to make a run for it, lifting his heavy robes to run for the
horses, the Red Guard shot him right through the heart killing him on the spot.
Seeing the way things were turning out Milady too toyed with the idea of making
a run for it, but with Cahusac covering the horses so well she could not risk
the run, swiftly evaluating her options she ran for the cage throwing herself
to the ground as a musket ball flew over her back, and crawled across the
ground to the cage, swiftly unlocking the padlock she rose to her feet and
threw herself inside planting her own pistol at Richelieu's head just as Jussac
cried out his Christian name
"A fighter to the last eh Milady?" Richelieu drawled wincing as she pulled back
his head by a fist full of hair and pointed the gun under his chin
"Boisrenard, toss down all your weapons and come in here" Milady shouted, "The
rest of you throw down your swords and pistols and kick them this way, then get
down on your knees with your hands behind your heads"
"Do as she says" Jussac commanded with a disgusted look on his face, each of
them complied with Milady's demand, even Cahusac who came out from his hiding
place to join his brothers
"Now, Boisrenard I'm going to give you the key to Armands shackles and you're
going to unchain him, then you will back out of the cage and join your
brothers, understand me?" Milady said removing her hand from Richelieu's hair
long enough to toss the key to Boisrenard who caught it one handed and glowered
at her
"You're a dead woman" he growled "I'll personally string you up for this"
"Olivier already tried that and look where it got him!" Milady snorted jerking
the barrel of the gun under Richelieu's chin "Now hurry up", giving Richelieu
an appologetic look Boisrenard bent down and unshackled him, meeting the
Cardinal's eyes briefly and imploring him for forgiveness that Richelieu freely
gave
"Go on, back out with the rest of them" Milady barked keeping a firm hold of
Richelieu as she moved the gun from his chin to his back, once Boisrenard had
joined his brothers and was kneeling on the ground she thrust Richelieu forward
ordering him to move
"Get to the horses, you and me Armand are going to take a little journey"
"Indeed" Richelieu said struggling to get to his feet after so many hours of
being cooped up in the cage, his joints and muscles aching as they were
stretched after so long, his head spun and dark spots danced before his eyes
with the sudden change in position making him stumbled and fight against the
virtigo that assailed him
"Keep moving" Milady snarled pushing him forward with the gun
"And just where will we be going?" Richelieu asked continuing to walk
"Like I'd tell you that!" Milady chuckled "Just keep calm and don't try to be
clever and I still might let you live", as they drew close to the horses
Richelieu paused and glanced back at Milady
"You could just run now, we won't come after you, just leave France now while
you have the chance"
"Like you'd let me get away that easily" Milady sneered extending her arm and
pointing the gun right between Richelieu's eyes, "I know you Eminence, I know
how you work, and I know you never leave a loose thread untied, and I assure
you, I am one thread that will not be easily cut", Richelieu opened his mouth
to speak but before a single word could come out a shot rang out and Milady
fell to the ground with a cry of pain clutching at her left leg from which
blood was oozing just above her knee!.
Wasting no time Richelieu kicked the pistol from her hands while his guards
hurriedly got their weapons and trained them on Milady waiting for whomever had
fired the shot to show up.
Several minutes later Athos, Aramis, and Porthos rode up the camp, Aramis
grinning broadly as he brandished his harquebus and Porthos giving their
prisoner a kick in the shin as he grumbled about the gag over his mouth
"I believe you were in need of our assistance!" Athos said with more than a
little smugness
"We had it all under control!" Bernajoux threw back glowering at the snort from
Porthos
"And just who is this?" Jussac asked pointing at the prisoner
"The Spanish spy master Vargas" Aramis replied "He was planning a little
surprise for us that back fired on him", he looked about the camp and rose an
eyebrow "What exactly is going on here?"
"Rochefort made his move" Richelieu said rubbing his sore wrists "He was in
league with the priest Sistini who was taking me to Rome until my guards
intervined as you can see, but we have to get back to Paris fast, Rochefort has
arrested Jean and......"
"The Musketeers are rescuing him" Jussac said cutting the Cardinal off "Louis
is intent on declaring France free for Omegas!, turns out he's been on our side
all these years!", for once in his life Richelieu was stunned into silence
which would have been amusing had the situation not been so serious
"What about d'Artagnan and Lemay?" Athos asked
"d'Artagnan took Lemay and the little ones to the court of miracles, and he was
running the mission to free Treville" Cahusac said "He was calling for help
from the court, from the King and Queen"
"Flea and Charon!, brilliant!" Porthos cried
"What plan!" Athos persisted fearing for d'Artagnan's saftey, but before anyone
could reply Milady made herself known to them again by trying and failing to
get to her feet, her broken leg crumbling under her leaving her moaning in pain
"I suppose it was fated that we would meet again Anne" Athos said dismounting
from his horse to go to his wife who glared at him furiously, "How did you
imagine this would end Anne?, with me on a slab?"
"Yes!" Milady spat glowering at her husband with pure hate in her eyes "I
wanted you dead!, and I hoped that I would be the one to put you in your
grave!", she gave a cold laugh and suddenly from under her skirts she produced
a pistol and aimed it at Athos's head "Maybe I still will be!".
***** Chapter 38 *****
Athos remained unperturbed by the gun aimed at his head, gazing without emotion
down on his ex-wife who glared back at him daring him to move or to do anything
at all, about them everyone tensed, reaching for their own weapons and training
them on Milady who paid them no heed
"No last words?" she asked Athos raising an eyebrow
"God sakes woman this is insane!" Jussac cried "You've got one shot!, just the
one!, you can kill Athos, or anyone of us, but what d'you think is going to
happen after that?, when you've fired your one shot and there are still half a
dozen loaded guns trained on you?"
Milady didn't bother acknowledging Jussac's words, instead she looked on at
Athos lifting her eyebrows as if to say "Your call"
"What are you going to do Anne?" Athos asked holding out his hands towards her
"Is this truly how you want this end?, both of us dead?"
"Why not?" Milady spat "At least in death I will finally have peace, and I will
die safe in the knowledge that I will have your company in hell!", extending
her arm a little more she narrowed her eyes and bared her teeth at her ex-
husband looking truly evil in her ugly hatred "Get down on your knees right
now, beg me for your life!" she snarled
"No!", Athos's refusual shocked not only Milady but everyone!, he gazed at
Milady with pity on his face, as if he felt sorry for her and what she had
become, looking at her closely he could see under the careful veneer of rage
and hate was hysteria and dispair, Milady was not only twisted with anger and
envy but was only just clinging onto her sanity by a thread, a thread that was
at the point of snapping in her desperation
"Anne you don't have to do this" Athos said calmly and gently, speaking to her
as if she was on a sick bed and was ailing with some kind of fever rather than
pointing a gun at his face and threatening his life, but at that moment Athos
was not seeing the gun, he wasn't seeing his murderous wife, he was seeing a
tired, desperate, and sick woman who needed help rather than hatred and Athos's
honor would not allow him to deny her that help if he could get it for her, if
he could reach her.
"Anne you don't want to do this, you don't want it end in needless bloodshed,
in more death and destruction, you need help, if you put the gun down then I
swear that I will get it for you, I will see to it personally", Aramis gazed at
Athos like he had grown another head!, Porthos was shaking his head looking
bewildered while the Red Guards looked to Richelieu who's shrewd mind had
already noticed the same as Athos, that Milady was unstable
"If you do as Athos says I will find you the help you need" he declared quietly
so as not to alarm the woman "There is a convent who would accept and nurse
you, they will help bring you back to health"
"You need to let us help you Anne" Athos implored slowly reaching forward, his
hands inches from the barel of the gun "You don't want to do this, don't let it
end like this", Milady was shaking by now, tears running down her cheeks as she
gazed at Athos with confusion in her eyes, this wasn't how it was supposed to
go!, he was meant to be on his knees praying for his life!, begging her to let
him live not offering
her............................offering?......................salvation?, she
had long thought herself past it, believed she was too far twisted into evil to
be allowed absalution, that the only peace she would find would be in the
moment of her death before Satan claimed her soul for his own.
"Please Anne, let me help you" Athos whispered drawing closer than ever to the
gun his hand only half an inch from the barel, "Let us help you, stop this now
and let us find you peace"
Peace, dear God how she longed for it, she was tired, so very tired, all her
life had been spent in cruelty, bloodshed, and death, more than anything she
wanted this to end, wanted to find peace.
Everyone held their breath as Athos closed the last space between himself and
Milady and siezed the gun from her hand, shoving it at Aramis and gently
pulling Milady up into his arms where she lay limp and unresponsive, her eyes
closing and a half smile curving her lips.
"I will get her to the convent as soon as I can" Richelieu promised "Clearly
she is in need of their care most urrgently"
"Thank you" Athos whispered carefully shifting Milady's weight in his arms
"So she ain't evil but deranged?" Porthos asked raising an eyebrow
"Perhaps she always has been" Athos said with a sigh "And I know she is guilty
of many deaths, my Brothers included, but I can not see her executed when I
know she is not entirely sane"
"Very well" Aramis said placing his pistol back into the holster "Lets saddle
up and get back to Paris, we need to end this for good".
 
Louvre
 
Charon had helped them out a second time by starting a couple of riots to
distract the Bastille guards while the Musketeers made their run for the
Louvre, ensuring that they were not stoped along the way and Treville's cart
was given a clear passage all the way to the gates where they were met by Des
Essarts guards.
For a moment d'Artagnan feared that his suspicions would be proven correct,
however the Guards waved them on through the gates with barely a moments
hesitation, and they were all free to make their way up to the Palace and enter
the sanctuary of the royal halls where an anxious Louis and his mates were
waiting for them.
"Oh thank God!, I had feared the worst when you did not appear last night!"
Louis cried as his personal soldiers entered the throne room, Cornet and Morel
carrying Treville despite his grumbling about being able to walk, (Which he
couldn't!)
"Captain? how badly are you hurt?, will you heal?" Louis asked looking over
Treville his eyes widdening as they settled upon his swollen belly
"Lemay is uncertain how servere my injuries are your Majesty" Treville replied
hating the fact the King and Queen were seeing him in such a pitiful state,
never had he greeted his King and not been on his feet, never had he not been
in uniform!, and right now he was wearing a borrowed night shirt and was
balenced precariously between two of his Musketeers like an invalid!
"Constance Mon Chere" Louis said summoning the pretty red head forward "Can you
please see to our beloved Captain's comfort and make sure the chambers are
ready for our Musketeers?"
"Of course Sire" Constance replied with a swift curtsey and beckoned to Cornet
and Morel to follow her
"You are the Musketeer d'Artagnan are you not?" Anne said drawing up to
d'Artagnan as he made to follow Treville
"The novice your Majesty, not yet a Musketeer" d'Artagnan replied
"Yet it was you who came up with Treville's rescue, and you who defeated
Rochefort's right hand man Lebarge single handedly" Anne declared a smile of
pride shining on her fair face "We all owe you a debt of thanks d'Artagnan, for
your courage and loyalty", d'Artagnan opened his mouth to speak but found
himself unable to do so, instead he bowed to the Queen feeling a flush on his
cheeks as she smiled at him
"I think your commision is a certainty now!" Treville chuckled to d'Artagnan as
he acompanied him to the chambers the King had laid out for them
"Maybe" d'Artagnan said touching his abdomen "But will the King commision a
Musketeer who'll be whelping in less than six months?"
"You're pregnant?" Constance asked the Omega looking excited at the news
"I am Your........" d'Artagnan looked to Treville uncertain of what Constance's
title should be, up until now she had never been refered to as anything other
than the royal Omega, she had not really had a title so d'Artagnan wasn't sure
of how to speak to her
"Just call me Constance" the red head said with a wave of her hand "There's
enough Majesties in the Louvre without another!"
"Well perhaps your Highness then?" Treville offered groaning in relief as
Cornet and Morel settled him onto the bed in his chambers,
"We'll be outside the door" Cornet said "His Majesty may have granted us
sanctuary but it's better to be safe than sorry"
"Indeed" Treville agreed with a grateful nod "Have the men coordinate with Des
Essarts guards and form rotating shifts, Rochefort will eventually come here,
we need to be ready for when he does", Cornet gave a brief salute spinning on
his heal and left the chambers closing the door behind him,
"So, your highness?" d'Artagnan said to Constance
"No, that will clash my Son or Daughter!", she gave a laugh as both d'Artagnan
and Treville gaped at her in shock, "I could hardly believe it myself!, after
all these years, but finally it seems we are to at last be blessed with a
Dauphin or Dauphine"
"Congratulations!" Treville said "This is the best news I have heard in years!"
"As is your own Pupping Captain" Constance replied making Treville blush "With
our Pups being so close in age they will grow up to be friends I should think"
"Just as long as they grow up with freedom we never had, thats all I want"
d'Artagnan said moving over to the window and gazing outside longing for Athos
to return to his side again, for all of this to be over one way or another.
 
Paris
 
Rochefort swore and kicked aside a wooden crate as yet another slum revealed
nothing but a few consumptive and drunken beggars within.
They had searching since the early hours of the morning, had gone through every
place imaginable, had even been back to the Musketeers garrison to see if any
of them were stupid enough to go there!, but so far they had found no
Musketeers and no Treville.
Unsurprisingly Rochefort's limited patience was wearing thin, and his men were
becoming wary of being near him lest they incure his wrath
"Should we perhaps try to enter the Court of Miracles?" one of his Lieutenants
asked flinching at Rochefort's gaze fell upon him
"Are you mad?, they would lynch us before we got two paces into that sess pit!"
the deranged Comte sneered shaking his head "It's that little slut d'Artagnan,
filthy whore that he is, he arranged this he's from the court, sells his rancid
body there like a comodity", he spat onto the road his face screwing up in
anger "Murderous whore will pay for all of this"
"Murder Sir?, you think he killed Lebarge?" the Lieutenant asked
"Not just that, the bastard murdered his own Aphan!", Rochefort gave his
bewildered Lieutenant a smirk before going on "I looked into him, into his
name, d'Artagnan, it's taken from his Maternal Grandmothers side, his real name
is Charles de Batz de Castlemore!, he is the Omega Pup of Alexandre de Batz de
Castlemore and Alexandre's Aphan Bertrand whom Charles killed several years ago
and fled along with his Oman"
"Incest!" the Lieutenant whispered looking disgusted
"Alexandre was just a whore!" Rochefort declared "An Omega whore just as
Charles is, and Treville, and by God I will see them both burning on a pyre
before this ends".
***** Chapter 39 *****
The ride back to Paris was swifter than Richelieu journey through the country,
they had heavy cage to pull along, and were not over fed under trained idolers
who scarsley rode a mile before they were demanding a rest.
Milady had slipped into a state of catatonia and sat limp before Athos on the
horse, her expression that of a child, all big bewildered eyes and blankness
where once there had been the shrewd workings of a malicious deceiver, despite
all the damage she had done, all the bloodshed she had caused it touched the
hearts of all the men to see her in such a deplorable state.
Vargas continued to grumble and moan and struggle in his restraints earning
himself a kick in the leg from Porthos every so often to shut his up, he was
their ultimate playing card, through him they could declare Rochefort guilty of
high treason, an offence punishable by death.
Of course anyone with morals would say that Rochefort had already done more
than enough to be condemned, but as the law stood he had not truly done
anything wrong in arresting Treville and denouncing Richelieu, even with Louis
on their side it would have been very difficult to convince a jury and the
Privy council to condemn Rochefort's actions on that alone, especially since
much of the Privy council were in favor of Omegas enslavment.
But Vargas changed everything, Rocheforts dealings with him made him a traitor
to France, no one would stand by him when this came to light.
 
Despite the assurances of Jussac, Boisrenard, Bernajoux, and Cahusac the
Musketeers and Richelieu were tense as they approached the gates of Paris,
however Des Essarts guards waved them through with smiles and blessed them
reverently earning in turn a blessing from Richelieu themselves.
It was only as they rode through the streets, keeping hidden in the crowds with
their heads covered by their cloaks that Richelieu realized he was no longer
Cardinal!.
Oh he had known it his entire time in Sistini's clutches, but it had not yet
truly hit him till now that he was defrocked, no longer a Man of God, no longer
a Prince of the Church, he was but a layman now, was excomunicated from God by
the Pope himself!.
His excomunication did not bother him as much as one would think, Richelieu
cared nothing for what Urban said or did, the Man was a fool, a creature of the
Spanish Kings creation and totaly under his thumb.
No, it was not hurt that lay in Richelieu's heart, but a bewilderment!, to
suddenly not be Cardinal, to not have the right to take Mass, to read Sermons,
to grant absalution.......he felt bereft of this office he had for so many
years dwelt in.
While he had not agreed with the Churches teachings, he had believed in Jesus's
teachings, in God and his commandments, he had hoped that one day he would be
able to change the church, to cleanse it of it's misguided practises, to end
the Inquesitions, the Purges, the crusades, to make it a Church that preached
love and forgiveness instead of damnation and heresey.
Now that he was stripped of his Clerical collar and Cardinal's hat Richelieu
would be unable to do this, he would not be able to take the perverbial staff
and lead the children to God.
"Home sweet home Eminence" Jussac said cutting into Richelieu's thoughts as
they rode through the gates of the Louvre waved on by Des Essarts guards and a
couple of disguised Musketeers keeping their pauldrons covered by simple brown
cloaks.
Believing this to be a sign that d'Artagnan's scheme to save Jean had been a
success Richelieu straightened up on his horse and smiled at Jussac warmly
"Tis good to be back mon ami" he replied his heart beating faster in anxious
anticipation of seeing his beloved again.
 
Milady was given into the care of several trusted Musketeers who would take her
to chambers and keep watch on her to make sure she did not do any harm to
herself until Richelieu could secure her place at the Convent he spoke of.
While desperate to get to Jean, Richelieu first had to go and present himself
to Louis who forgot all matters of decorum and just about leapt across the room
to throw his arms about Richelieu clinging to him for dear life and babbling on
and on about how Armand must never again leave him and how much he loved him!.
For once in his life Richelieu was too stunned to speak as Louis just about
choked the life out of him!, he gazed bewildered at a giggling Constance and an
amused Anne who just about managed to hold in her laughter while calling Louis
off Richelieu before he strangled him to death!.
"We are all greatly releaved to see you returned to us unharmed Armand" Anne
said "Even more so now we have learned that in you we have an ally"
"Indeed Majesty, I just wish we had know so years ago" Richelieu said "We may
then have all been spared such worry and unpleasantness"
"Quite" Louis agreed "But the past can not be changed and it is the future we
must now look to"
"Well said Majesty, and these Valiant Musketeers have brought with them the
first step to gaining that bright future" Richelieu said stepping back so
Athos, Aramis, and Porthos could present themselves before the King and Queen,
throwing Vargas down on his knees before them!.
 
"What is the meaning of this?" Louis asked looking at the prisoner
"Vargas!" Anne said in astonishment making the King look to her, "He is the spy
master of Spain, my Brothers greatest torturer"
"He is also Rochefort's Master!" Richelieu stated making Louis gape at him
"We found this bastard at the border your Majesties" Athos said "He was
planning to capture or kill us but his plan back fired and we have brought him
here, as proof of Rochefort's betrayal of your Majesties", Louis nostrils
flared in anger, his large eyes shining with outrage at this betrayal by one of
his Peers!
"I will pay for this!" the King snarled all but shaking in his rage!, "I will
see him swinging from a rope like a common criminal for daring to conspire
against France!"
"I would gladly string him up myself!" Constance spat then blushed as all eyes
turned to her, "I was just saying!" she mumbled with a shrug
"If I may your Majesties I have an idea to entrap Rochefort and ensure his
downfall without risking the safety of Paris's populas by open war in the
streets" Richelieu said
"Of course Armand, what is it you suggest?" Louis asked eagerly making
Richelieu smile in the certainty of his position at court despite his
excomunication from the Holy Roman Church.
 
By the time they were dismissed from the King and Queens presence Richelieu and
the Inseparables were champing at the bit to get to d'Artagnan and Treville,
and Lemay since they did not yet know that he was still at the Court of
Miracles.
d'Artagnan met Athos at the top of the stairs, the two of them falling into
each others arms in a flury of tears, half garbled appologies, and declarations
of love as they held each other
"Where's Lemay?" Aramis asked looking around "Is he with the little ones?"
"Um, yes, sorry" d'Artagnan said breaking his kissing with Athos for the moment
to look to Porthos and Aramis, "I did not wish to put them in anymore danger so
I advised them to stay in the court of miracles until Rochefort is defeated for
good"
"They're with Flea and Charon?" Porthos asked cautiously
"Yes, as honored guests", d'Artagnan grinned in amusment as he went on "Ned and
Izzy are enjoying themselves, Flea's teaching them how to pick pockets while
Charons teaching them how to pick locks and cheat at cards!", Aramis groaned
and pinched the bridge of his nose while Porthos gave a dirty laugh!
"Good on 'em!, couldn't 'ave a better pair of teachers!"
"Teachers in theft and deception" Athos drawled "What wonderful examples they
will be getting!"
"Shove it Monsieur le Comte!", Athos rose an amused eyebrow at Porthos while
all but draping himself over d'Artagnan, their desire to be alone to reafirm
their love clear to their friends who took their leave to rest and refresh
themselves from their journey and await the final act that would bring
Rochefort down for good.
 
"Armand!", Jeans cry of his name had Richelieu tearing across the room to sweep
Jean into his arms holding him as tight as he dared in relief and joy at their
both surviving this ordeal
"God Armand!, I thought I had lost you!, I thought you were gone from my side
for good!" Jean almost sobbed holding Armand's face and tracing the familiar
contours and lines as if he were unable to believe they were really together
again
"My dear I feared that too, I feared that I had failed you completely, you and
our Pup", moving back a little Richelieu lay his hand over Jean's middle tears
springing to his eyes as he felt the movement within the rounded flesh, looking
over the rest of Treville's bandaged body he sighed and shook his head
"What did that bastard do to you?"
"Nothing that matters now" Treville said and placed his finger tip over Armands
lips "Let us put aside such matters for now and simply enjoy the blessings of
our reunion" he whispered "No doubt there will be much to do in the days to
come, battles to be fought both verbal and physical, problems to solve, and
stresses to undertake, so now while we have this brief time of peace together
let us just enjoy it and leave all other things till tomorrow"
Richelieu smiled warmly giving a single nod of his head before climbing onto
the bed and wrapping Jean into his arms, their heads touching at the forehead,
arms and legs entangled in a gentle relaxed embrace, content for the moment to
just enjoy each others presence in this sanctuary.
 
"I am sorry for what I said to you before you left" d'Artagnan said, his head
resting on Athos's hairy chest, their bodies warm from love making and tingling
pleasently
"I'm sorry too" Athos replied kissing d'Artagnan's head "But it is in the past
now, and I want for us to look to future", his hand slid down to lay over
d'Artagnan's belly that had formed a pleasent curve of fecundity in his
absence, a sight that made Athos's heart burst with pride and love, hearing of
d'Artagnan's actions in saving Treville from the Bastille made him equally as
proud aswell as horrified for the danger his mate had been in, the injuries
from his fight with Lebarge making Athos's blood boil in anger that had to
remain impotent since he could not exact revenge against a dead man.
Rather than risk starting another argument with d'Artagnan over his
recklessness with his own safety, Athos had instead taken him to bed and spent
a long time kissing every inch of d'Artagnan's body to assure himself that the
Omega had taken no perminant hurt in his fight, d'Artagnan had born the
adoration and tenderness to the point of madness!, then he had pulled Athos to
him and all but begged him to cease this delicious torment and to take him
there and then!.
Now sated and slightly sleepy the two lay in one anothers arms contentedly, the
weight of their guilt in their falling out now taken from them, and the joy of
their make up giving them peace.
"I never want you to be in such danger again" Athos said stroking d'Artagnan's
cheek with his knuckles "If I ever lost you........"
"You never will" d'Artagnan assured him looking up at Athos and pressing a kiss
to his torso and rubbing Athos's side "I promise, once Rochefort is brought
down I will spend the rest of this pregnancy knitting and stitching dresses for
our Pups and get into no more fights at all!"
"You can't knit or sew to save your life!" Athos chuckled "But I will be
grateful if you do desist in fighting for the next few months"
"I'll be too big soon anyway" d'Artagnan said shifting up the bed so he could
lay his head on the pillow facing Athos, "If we succeed then our Pups will be
whelped into a whole new world, one free of repression and dispair"
"A good world for them to grow up in" Athos breathed resting his hand
protectively over d'Artagnan's belly "Pray God we may make it a reality for
them"
***** Chapter 40 *****
Rochefort hautily marched through the Louvre halls followed by a round dozen of
his personal guards.
A smirk played on his lips which looked ghastly on his scarred face that was
further marred by his eyepatch, Rochefort's smirk was over the fact that there
were no Red Guards or Musketeers loitering about the Louvre as there normally
was, hell walking these halls one could hardly throw a stone without hitting a
good half a dozen of either regiment!, without the soldiers prancing through
the halls they seemed far larger and quieter than normal, something that
contradictorily put Rochefort on edge, a deep and lasting quiet like this made
his skin prickle with unease, hushed silences often meant people were
whispering things behind backs, plotting and scheming against others, and a Man
as meglomaniacal and paranoid as Rochefort feared such things since it could be
he that was being plotted against.
When he was anounced by the usher and walked into the throne room Rochefort had
his hand on the pommel of his sword, and eyed everyone he went past, glowering
with his one eye as if to warn them against considering plots against him.
As he had expected Louis did not look happy to see him as he knelt before the
throne, nore indeed did his beloved Anne. The beautiful Spanish Queen looked
icey in her rigidly controlled rage. While Rochefort cared nothing for Louis's
likes and dislikes he did care about Annes, and did not wish to see her so
distressed. Also to his displeasure that filthy slut Constance stood beside
Anne's throne, meeting his gaze in challenge!, as if she had the right to do
so, had the right do anything but spread her thighs for the pleasure of her
betters!.
"Rochefort I see you are at least swift in response to my summons" Louis said
giving him leave to rise to his feet
"Indeed Majesty" Rochefort said "Your summons declared that it was a matter of
urgency that I was summoned for", looking about Rochefort noted that the whole
council was present in the throne room along with the regular courtiers,
perhaps now with Richelieu lost to him and Treville, Louis was looking to elect
new blood to the council, wished for greater strength to protect him, Rochefort
hid a smirk behind a mask of ambiguity, little did the fool King know that he
would do anything but protect him even if he was raised to a position on the
council.
"It is a grave matter indeed that I have brought you here for" Louis said
enounciating his words very carefully as he leaned forward keeping perfect eye
contact with Rochefort, "It is the crime of Treason for which you have been
summoned to court, Monsieur le Comte"
Rochefort rose an eyebrow taking a brief moment to glance about the court
wondering whom was suspected, or perhaps it was about Richelieu and Treville's
treason that Louis wished to discuss, effecting the appropriate expression
Rochefort shifted his stance and replied
"Treason Majesty?, what Treason and by whom?" he inquired
"Your own Monsieur le Comte!", a self satisfied smile stretched Louis's lips as
he saw the shock come over Rochefort, a rare sight to be sure and one that
Louis would enjoy to the fullest as he beckoned the hiding Richelieu, Athos,
Porthos, Aramis, and d'Artagnan to step forward from behind the throne bringing
with them Vargas in chains.
"At first I thought you just a biggoted bastard intent on the persecution of
Omegas" Louis said rising to his feet and staring down for the dais at
Rochefort in pure hatred his voice rising in anger as he spoke until he was
shouting! "But it seems that was the least of your crimes, not only are you a
sick twisted sadist, you plot against the country of your birth!, against My
Kingdom, my person, and if that were not crime enough, in your depravity you
covert my Wife and Queen!, daring to imagine yourself laying hand upon her
sacred person!".
 
Louis voice echoed about the throne room, the courtiers shocked into silence
while the guards present, the Musketeers, Richelieu, and the royal family
smiled at Rochefort looking uncertain, having been caught off guard for once.
Wetting his dry lips with his tongue Rochefort cleared his throat and shifted
his weight to stand to his full height, hiding any fear he had behind a mask of
indifference to Louis's speach
"On what possible grounds could Your Majesty believe me guilty of Treason?" he
asked his voice sounding amused by the notion when under his clothes he was
sweating with fear
"You mean beyond the capture of your Master Vargas, spy master of Spain who has
told us all you have plotted with him?" Richelieu replied seeing through
Rocheforts facade of calm, his own presence here without anything else had
thrown Rochefort into termoil, and he was clinging onto his veneer of stoicism
the way a climber who has lost their footing grasps the rocks for dear life!.
"Of course Vargas did not give up the information easily, but when he learned
the depths of your depravity, your obsession with Queen Anne, whom even the
avaricious King of Spain would not harm, Vargas happily told us all to ensure
your down fall"
"He lies, as do you" Rochefort spat, his eye darting about as he searched for
escape
"Oh we both know he does not Rochefort" d'Artagnan said walking forward to
stand in front of Rochefort, "You havn't forgotten our night together have
you?, you paid me handsomely to not only bed you, but to dress up as The
Queen!", a collective gasp ran about the court at this, Constance stepped
forward clasped Anne's hand in protective comfort
"It turned my stomach to wear that gown and speak those vile words for your
pleasure" d'Artagnan spat at Rochefort "I have been fucked by many Alphas and
Betas, but none have ever revolted me more than you did!"
"Lies!" Rochefort all but screamed in panicked desperation "He lies!, he's a
worthless Omega whore!"
"Would you have me describe your entire body for the whole court?" d'Artagnan
asked "Shall I speak of the birth mark at the top of your inner left thigh?,
the mole cluster in the cleft above your buttocks?, oh how about the scar to
the right of your groin!?"
Rochefort seethed and sweated, behind him he could hear the courtiers
whispering in scandle about this, condemning him right there!, glancing about
with his one eye he saw men in the court throwing off their concealing cloaks
to reveal Musketeer and Red Guard uniforms!, he was surrounded!, his guards
would never be enough to protect him from harm, but there was no way in hell he
was going to go down without a fight!.
In a single fluid motion he had drawn his sword and at at d'Artagnan's throat
making the Omega tip his head back lest he be scewered upon the blade!,
everything happened at once then, Louis made an aborted lunge forward with a
cry of horror, Aramis and Porthos leaping onto the dais to protect him, the
Musketeers and red guards drawing their blades and disarming Rochefort's
gaurds, Athos cried out d'Artagnan's name drawing his own sword but paused
looking stricken as he hesitated making any move that might result in
d'Artagnan's death!.
"What do you think this will achieve Rochefort?" Richelieu asked shaking his
head "You have no means of escape, no friend to which to turn, and no heavon in
which to run to, this is an act of stupidity, let d'Artagnan go and at least
show some dignity"
"Dignity?" Rochefort spat "What would an Omega fucking disgraced prince of the
church know of dignity?, why should I not slit the filthy sluts throat?, would
should I not rid the world of his foul presence?"
"If you do then I will rip you limb from limb and tear your black heart out
with my bare hands!" Athos growled his body shaking in need to protect his mate
who was rigid as a statue as Rochefort kept the blade against the soft skin of
his throat
"Your drink addled brain has clearly deluded you to what utter depravity
inhabits this whore!" Rochefort sneered "He is a murderer!, he commited
Patrecide!"
"Self defense Rochefort" Richelieu corrected "The depraved Seigneur Bertrand
d'Batz de Castlemore raped his own Omega Son repeatedly, begetting dear Charles
here, and then continued his vile acts by raping his Omega Grandson too!",
Richelieu's words had the court exclaiming in shock at this, while many there
had Omega slaves, they had never would never stoop to such deviant behavior as
commited Incest,
"Charles killed Bertrand to prevent his weak and sick Oman from being raped
once again, he protected his Oman and defended himself against a sadistic
monster who deserved death for his foul crimes against both man and God!"
Rochefort bared his teeth at this digging the tip of the sword a little deeper
into d'Artagnan's throat, "You call that justified yet you condemn my actions
as treason?" he whispered
"What you have done is treason!" Louis hissed "What you do now dishonors your
name more than treason does itself!"
"Honor?" Rochefort sneered turning his head to look at Louis "What would a
prancing fool like you know of honor!", his lips twisted in a sarcastic smile
only to freeze in shock and let out a grunt of pain, for in the moment he had
taken his eye off d'Artagnan the Omega had acted, drawing his maine gauche and
sank it into Rochefort's heart with a single thrust!.
 
Leaving the blade in the wound d'Artagnan backed away into the safety of
Athos's embrace watching as did everyone as Rochefort staggered backwards,
dropping his sword and falling onto his backside with blood dripping from his
mouth
"Burn in hell Rochefort!" Anne said rising from her throne and glaring down at
him "None shall grieve for your death!", Louis and Constance put their arms
about her, surrounding her in an embrace of love and support, Rochefort gazed
at this, pulling the maine gauche from his heart with a spurt of blood that
rapidly spread over his doublet and turned his one eye on Richelieu
"Will you not grant me the last rites?" he forced out panting as his lifes
blood leaked from his body with ever beat of his punctured heart
"You are beyond the grace of God Rochefort" Richelieu said his face impassive
and voice cold as ice "Your Soul shall be claimed by it's true master, Satan,
and in his halls of the damned you shall dwell for eternity!"
"Well!" Rochefort spluttered spitting blood and smirking at Richelieu "I shall
wait there then.....for the day............you...........join me!", with that
he sagged down on the floor his body becoming still as the last breath leaving
his lungs beneath the Thrones of the King and Queen of France.
 
For several moments no one moved, everyone just starring at Rochefort's corpse
on the ground, his eye gazing glassy at the ceiling and blood spreading under
him, eventually Richelieu collected himself and beckoned Jussac and Cahusac
forward "Dispose of him, and see to it that the Bastille guards loyal to him
are placed in the Chaterlet, coordinate with the Musketeers and Des Essarts
guards to split the burden of the Bastille duties until fresh guards can be
appointed"
"Eminence", swiftly Rochefort's corpse was carted away, the Bastille guards
along with him leaving only the pool of his blood which the servants would have
to clean up
"That was very well done d'Artagnan" Louis said to the Omega "You are immensely
brave, resorcefull, and out standingly loyal, the perfect attributes I would
look for in a Musketeer, please kneel!", d'Artagnan's eyes widdened in shock at
this and he would likly have been frozen on the spot had Athos not pushed him
forward and onto his knees for Louis to commission him as Musketeer
"Thank you Majesty!" d'Artagnan stammered getting to his feet shakily looking
utterly stunned "Thank you so much!"
"Thank you d'Artagnan, for your bravery in speaking here today" Queen Anne said
"And in ridding us from the deceptive serpent Rochefort"
"Indeed, you have served us greatly today d'Artagnan" Louis said "I predict a
bright and glorious career ahead of you", d'Artagnan flushed hotly at this
while the court was dismissed and Richelieu retired with Louis, Anne, and
Constance to discuss the repeal of Omega Supression in France, Treville would
also be present for the discussion, having been carried (Though he cursed at
the servants and demanded to be allowed to walk!), into the Kings apartments to
speak of this and how best to do it bloodlessly.
Still numb with shock d'Artagnan allowed himself to be lead along by Aramis,
Athos, and Porthos who were beaming with pride and teasing him as the made
their way to the stables to ride to the court of miracles to bring Lemay and
the little ones home.
***** Chapter 41 *****
Izzy and Ned ran screaming into the arms of Porthos and Aramis with excited
shouts of "Aphan!", and "Papa!" getting swept up into hugs by the happy parents
relieved to he reunited with their family once more.
Smiling with both relief at seeing his mates again, and happiness to have his
offspring so happy, Lemay made his way over to Porthos and Aramis, falling into
their arms and feeling the tension he had been carrying for days finally
leaking out of his muscles
"Don't ever leave me like that again" he breathed blinking back the tears his
over whelmed emotions threatened to put into his eyes, "These days have been a
life time in passing and I have been more afraid than I ever recall in my
life!"
"Ah pet, I'm sorry" Porthos said kissing Lemay with heat "We both are, and we
will never leave your side again if we can prevent it"
"The littles ones look no worse for wear though" Aramis declared nodding to
Flea as he looked at the sleeping twins and a sleepy Cort who was sucking his
thumb and gave his Papa a wet smile
"They've thought this an adventure" Flea said with a laugh "One long game to
play, they've not suffered any fear during this time"
"And we can not thank you enough for that" Porthos said releasing Lemay and
giving Flea a grateful smile "We owe you and Charon a great debt"
"Ah, just turn a blind eye to a few pick pockets and robberies and we'll call
it all even" Flea said with a dismissive wave of her hand
"I think it can be arranged" Aramis said lifting Izzy up again and balencing
her on his hip "Heaven knows we'll be busy enough securing his Majesty's
repealing of Omega suppression to give any thought to petty theft"
"We won then?, Rochefort was defeated?" Lemay asked, he had guessed as much by
the fact Aramis and Porthos had come to the court to bring him home, but he had
to hear it from his beloveds lips to believe it
"He was not only defeated, he is dead!" Aramis stated
"Dead?" Flea repeated her eyebrows lifting to her hairline
"Indeed, he was killed by d'Artagnan right before the Kings Throne!"
"d'Artagnan?", Lemay glanced worriedly about fearing that the boy might have
been arrested for killing Rochefort, or have fallen afoul of a guards bullet
"He's waiting with Athos just outside the court" Porthos said "We figured
there's been enough Musketeers through here over past few days, and since d'Art
has just won himself a commission................."
"A commission, really?", Lemay's expression changed completely, becoming one of
joy at this news, "Well good for him, it's about time!"
"Indeed it is" Aramis agreed shifting Izzy's weight on his hip "And I believe
it is also time that we were going", bidding Flea a farewell with a chaste kiss
to her cheek, he set Izzy back onto her own feet to lift a slumbering Pheobe
into his arms making her whimper slightly at the disturbance before she settled
again, Lemay took her sister while Porthos took Cortland, Izzy and Ned to walk
by their side until they reached the horses waiting with d'Artagnan and Athos
"Flea, give me regards to Charon" Porthos said kissing her cheek "And take care
of yourself"
"You too" Flea replied "And don't be a stranger"
"We'll try not" Lemay said kissing Flea and happily making his way out of the
court with Izzy and Ned bouncing along at his side with Aramis and Porthos
following behind them.
 
 
Rue de Fossiers
 
"You know I still can't believe it" d'Artagnan said for the umpteenth time! as
he examined his shiny new pauldron "A Musketeer at last!"
"You deserve it love, you've worked hard for it" Athos said with a smile while
Porthos shook his head
"You keep on running your fingers over the leather you'll stain it!" he teased
grinning even wider as d'Artagnan stuck his tongue out at him
"Will Treville recover from his injuries d'you think?" Aramis asked Lemay who
was half laying in his arms on the chaise, their hands lazily entwined and
fingers playing against each other
"I don't know" Lemay replied with a deep sigh "His age is against him, as is
the pregnancy, his hips have got to bear alot of extra weight and then face the
riggors of child birth, while he may yet heal enough to walk again unaided, I
do not think that he will be fit enough to be a soldier again", a depressed
silence fell over the room at this, none of the men wanting to think of their
beloved Captain invalided out of service, left to spend the remainder of his
days wishing for what he had lost, to be lamed was every soldiers fear since
they all knew how very easily the reality could come about, a stray bullet, a
sword thrust, a fall from a horse, all these could sever tendons, shatter
bones, leave one utterly unable to fight ever again.
"No, no this is stupid" d'Artagnan said after several minutes of silence "After
all we've been through in the past few days we should not be dwelling on what
ifs, and maybes, but celebrating our victory!, the freedom for Omegas!,
everything else can wait until tomorrow, tonight we celebrate"
"Pups right" Porthos declared rising and fetching a couple more bottles to fill
the cups with "Heres to victory and d'Arts commission", the toast was repeated
by the others, d'Artagnan ducking his head in thanks
"I have another toast" Athos said
"You!?", Aramis's incredulas cry and expression made the others laugh and Athos
scowl at him, yes it was rare he spoke out in public but they didn't have to
act like it was completely unheard of!.
"To present Victories, to love, loyalty, and above all family" Athos said
"Whatever may yet come before us, whatever battles and dangers we might yet
have to face, or hardships to undertake, by standing together and sharing in
our unity and love we shall forever succeed", he lifted his cup and waited
while the others mulled over the deep words he had spoken, words fit for a
Comte no matter how much Athos would beg to differ if called on it
"Here here" Aramis said followed by Porthos, Lemay and d'Artagnan
"You should speak more often" d'Artagnan said snuggling into his side "You're
suprisingly good at speaches"
"Oh no, my days of being in the public eye are long done" Athos said "I'm a
Musketeer Lieutenant and have no intentions of being anything more".
 
Palais Cardinal
 
"You will name Athos as your successor then" Richelieu asked returning to the
bed with cups of wine for both he and Treville, handing them over he climbed up
onto the bed making Lucie moan as she was moved off the pillow he wanted to
rest his back on!
"I will" Treville said still reeling from Louis's decision to appoint him
Minister of War!
While he was an idealist, Louis was not totaly unrealistic, he knew very well
that War with Spain was beckoning, and once the news of France releasing Omegas
from supression reached Rome they would also be threatened by the Papacy, if
France was to survive then they needed to make plans for war, and secure all
defenses before the canons began to roar.
"God knows how he will take it" Treville murmured "God knows how I'll manage as
a polititcian!"
"You will make a fine politician my love" Richelieu assured getting a
disbelieving snort from Treville, "It will take time as all things do, but you
are no fool, and you learn swiftly, anything you do not know you will learn and
it will be my pleasure to help you as you become accustomed to your new office"
"Hmm", Treville sipped his wine and shook his head "I will not be in said
office long before I am off on Maternity leave, and then all my time shall be
taken up in the nursery", he turned to look at Richelieu, a smile forming on
his face at the soft look on Richelieus at the mention of his being kept busy
with their Pup, "I do hope that Louis is aware of this"
"If not then I shall make it clear to him" Richelieu said resting a hand over
Treville's belly "I will not have you over worked, nore shall I see you rushing
back to court after you've given birth, you've waited a long time for the joy
of Omanhood and you deserve to enjoy it", Treville smiled even more at this and
shifted closer to Richelieu, stroking his cheek
"You have waited a long time for Aphanhood too, and you deserve to enjoy it
aswell" he whispered trailing his fingers over the iron grey of the First
Ministers beard
"I intend to beloved" Richelieu swore "I will not miss the precious time of our
Pups infanthood, and Puppyhood, I will be there for it all and treasure each
and every moment".
***** Chapter 42 *****
The days following Rochefort's defeat at dArtagnans hands brought relief and
shock to many.
Lemay's examinations of Treville's joints resulted in his opinion that Treville
would recover and would walk unaided without difficulty, but would not be able
to return to active duty. With all the stress the joints had under gone over
the years along with the damage done to them on the rack they simply could not
take anymore stress, certainly the daily rigors of leading a regiment.
To further assist Treville's muscular recovery he instructed him to do a series
of gentle stretching exercises first thing in the morning and before bed, which
would help repair the damage done to his muscles on the rack and to keep his
joints supple without stressing them further.
The first shock came five days after Rochefort's defeat and took place in the
chambers of the Louvre Treville had been given as Minister of War.
Athos gaped at Treville in total shock as the Minister broke the news to him of
his promotion to the rank of Captain along with both Aramis and Porthos rising
to the ranks of Lieutenant and Sergeant, as d'Artagnan had only just received
his commission he could not be given a rank yet, he had yet to prove his worth
as a Musketeer before that could come about.
"You can't be serious!" Athos said staring incredulasly at Treville "I am not
leader, I'm not fit to lead sheep through a field!"
"Oh come on!" Aramis protested "You've done a fine enough job of leading us for
past five years"
"Thats different!"
"I don't see `ow" Porthos snorted as he admired his new pauldron complete with
a Sergeants stripes
"I was not responsible for whole regiment!" Athos ran a hand through his hair
look torn between bewilderment and hysteria!, "You've been very quiet" he said
to d'Artagnan who shrugged
"I think you'll make a good Captain" he said
"Traitor!" Athos growled getting d'Artagnan's tongue stuck out at him!
"C'mon Thos, we'll be there with you, we'll support and help you all the way"
Aramis said
"The men all like and respect you, they'll be happy to serve under you",
Porthos paused and smirked dirtily "Not literally though, we'll leave that to
d'Art!"
"Jesus Porthos!" Athos squarked while the rest of the room dissolved into
laughter
"Just accept it Athos" Treville chuckled "You are to be Captain now, and we all
know you are more than capable of being an excelent one", Athos grunted and
looked away wondering why it was God seemed to take perverse pleasure in
testing him like this!.
 
Palais Cardinal
 
Two months had passed since the defeat of Rochefort and so far Louis repeal of
Omega supression had been accepted at court and by the populas bloodlessly.
However neither Richelieu or Treville were naive enough think that it would
remain this simple all the way.
While many people were happy about this, the Omegas who had been in hiding, and
the Alphas and Betas who had helped shield them were celebrating their victory,
others were not so pleased of this.
Brothels and Breeding Farms would soon be kicking up a stink as they went out
of business, with the release of Omegas from Bondage they would have to free
their Omega slaves or risk imprisonment or perhaps even execution.
There was also the Omegas being released, just because they were suddenly free
did not mean they were ready for freedom or would know what to do with it or
how to take care of themselves. The Brothels and Breeding Farms they would have
been in would not bother to provide them with monies, or any aid to secure
their futures.
To help the transition come about Richelieu had selected Jussac, Cahusac,
Bernajoux, and Boisrenard to use the resorces of the Rebellion to now help
provide the aid needed for the Omegas suddenly freed and having no where to go.
The Red Guards would not only over see the closure of the Breeding Farms and
Brothels, they would then take the Omegas and their offspring to various houses
that were being set up through out France where the Omegas and their Pups/
children would be helped to adjust to their new lives.
First and foremost was medical help since the majority were in poor health,
after that basic aids of food and clothing were provided and then education so
they would have a chance to build themselves a better future.
While so far this was going very well, it was not all joyous, Spain had as
expected declared war upon France, as had the Papacy, while open war had not
yet broken out it was only a matter of time before the armies of the Vatican
and Spain were bearing down upon France, something that was giving Richelieu
lots of sleepless nights as he made preperations for War, Treville was involved
to a point, now in his final few weeks of pregnancy Lemay had ordered him to go
into seclusion and threatened to chain him to the bed if he didn't!, he had
left it and left it until his final month at which point he looked ready to
burst and could hardly fit behind the council table for the width of his
middle!, Louis had tactlessly offered to have an oval cut into the table for
him so he could fit, resulting in him being slapped upside the head by Anne who
had taken over Treville's duties as Minister of War until after his Whelping
leave!.
Having a Beta female on the Council was unpresedented, however due to Madame
Royal Constance's Pregnancy which had been formally announced as soon as she
had passed beyond the first trimester the Nobles were more accepting now they
knew the succession was no longer in jeopardy.
Madame Royal was the official title Constance would now be known as, there was
some talk of her being made a Duchess but right now she was satisfied by being
Madame Royal.
Her pregnancy was not the only good news they had to celebrate either, since
the breaking with Rome, France had formed an alliance with Savoy, and Sweedon,
and were in talks with England for yet another, so when War finally came France
would have several powerful allies on which to call.
 
Finishing his days work, Richelieu went through the Palais to their chambers
and found Treville begrudgingly laying in bed reading one of his beloved Novels
that he rested on his large bump.
Twilight was curled up by his side purring at his belly, Lucie lay over his
ankles and blinked at Richelieu before returning to rest her head back on her
paws.
"Having a good day love?" Richelieu greeted
"Boring day" Treville grunted moodily, he disliked staying in bed all the time,
being pressed to eat and drink heartily and take things easily, he grumbled on
and on about not being an invalid, about being big as a house, and about
everything in general while he whiled away the time waiting to give birth.
He was not without visitors however, Lemay came by daily to check him over and
listen to his ever growing list of complaints!, d'Artagnan frequently came
round, using Treville as a sounding board for his own pregnancy miseries, both
Richelieu and Athos suspected that most of their time together was spent
insulting them and Alphas in general!. Porthos and Aramis came to see him and
deliver all the latest gossip that they seemed to have an endless supply of,
even Athos when duty permitted came to his predacessor and talk about his
transition from Lieutenant to Captain and what the Regiment were doing.
Richelieu however sympathized with Treville's moodiness about being abed all
the time, knowing that he too would dislike being cooped up the way the Omega
was being. Smiling in sympathy he sat down on the bed beside Treville and
placed his hand over his belly smiling wider as he felt the pups movements "Not
long to go now beloved"
"The sooner the better!" Treville groused "I miss my feet!"
"You'll be seeing them again soon enough" Richelieu chuckled "And all this will
be worth it when our son or daughter is born"
"I know" Treville said his face softening and a warm smile spreading over his
face "So, any news from court?"
"Nothing really, just that Madame Royal has developed a craving for eclairs and
Louis has summoned every patissier in France to the Louvre to provide her with
an endless supply!", Treville snorted and shook his head at Louis's sweet if
rather foolish gesture of affection, after all how many eclairs could one
person eat?, they'd have the damn things coming out of their ears for months!,
"Theres no problems at all?" he asked
"None, Jussac reported that the Chantilly breeding Farm was easily destoryed
and the Omegas have been safely delivered to one of our sanctuarys to be helped
in adjusting to their new lives, naturally the owners of said Farm were less
than polite and some rather profane words were spoken to Jussac but no violence
took place"
"He must be disapointed!" Treville snickered "Especially after the fight
Boisrenard and Bernajoux got into at that Brothel!", Richelieu rolled his eyes
cursing the pair of them for their penchant for the dramatic, while he had no
problems in Pimps being arrest or paraded through the streets in irons it was
hardly necassery for them to have the three Pimps bound to a long wooden beam
by their hands and feet, and then proceeded to carry the captives through the
streets resting the beam on their shoulders and took great pleasure and
swinging the pimps over piles of shit and rotten food on their way to the
Chaterlet!.
Naturally the whole regiment had hailed them as heros and the two had proudly
told their tale to all and sundry, which had of course led to the Musketeers
needing to go one better, and a squadron returning from Chatres where they had
been closing a Breeding Farm, had delivered the criminals to the Chaterlet, but
instead of having them bound by ropes and walking beisde their horses, they had
bound them with ropes and proceeded to ride their shoulders in piggy backs
while the horses walked patiently behind them!.
Whether or not they had been riding the ill tempered farmers all the way from
Chatres no one knew, but it had been a hell of a sight to see them being
carried through the streets by the puffing and panting criminals all the way to
the prison!.
Richelieu was dreading to think what would happen next in the competition
between his guards and the Musketeers and often wondered if they were fully
grown men or just over grown children playing games!, no doubt Athos felt much
the same now he had to deal with the antics of the men!.
"At least no riots have broken out, nor have any decentors decided to storm the
Louvre" he sighed
"Long may that last then" Treville said resting his hands over his middle "And
if our Pup is an Omega then he or she will know a bright future with all that
we have achieved thus far".
 
Garrison
 
Athos was still struggling to think of the office as his and not Treville's, he
frequently expected the Captain to walk right in and demand he could out of the
chair behind the desk and always looked vaguely uncomfortable sitting there
filing reports instead being outside training with his men.
He did however have company in the form of d'Artagnan.
Now in his sixth nearly seventh month he was too big for training and was on
light duties until his leave began, something he was not looking forward to
since he was dreading the weeks of seclusion leading up to the Birth that he
knew Lemay would insist on.
With his middle now grown too large for his uniform he was dressed in let out
breeches, loose shirts and an unbuttoned jerkin very thankful that he had not
needed to use a corset to hide his pregnancy, especially since after Lemay had
discovered he was carrying twins they had grown in a real spurt and he would
have been hard pressed to hide the pregnancy by the time he'd reached his fifth
month.
To his great relief his acne had gotten no worse than the pimples on his
forehead, and the nagging nausea had finally abatted along with the pain in his
breasts, though now he was having bind them to give support to the swelling
mammories and soak up the leaking colostum.
His mood swings were still bothering him, but after he and Athos had made up
following their blow out weeks before, they were not having servere arguments,
with Athos now more understanding as to what was effecting d'Artagnan and
making him short tempered and snappy, when the Omega began to go off on one he
would either silently let d'Artagnan vent his hormonal frustrations or would
draw him into an embrace and rub the aches out of his back until d'Artagnan was
settled again.
Finishing the last report d'Artagnan placed the papers down on Athos's desk and
stretched with a sigh, "Feel like going out tonight?" he asked as Athos leaned
back in his chair and rubbed his neck with ink stained fingers "We should
probaly make the most of the freedom we've got, before long we'll be stuck with
endless rounds of nappy changing and feeds to deal with"
"Not to mention sleepless night, colic, and eventual temper tantrums!" Athos
agreed with a smile, a smile slipped off his face as d'Artagnan suddenly froze
and gripped his belly
"What?, what is it?!" he barked rising to his feet in fright, ready to call for
Lemay and midwives
"They kicked!", d'Artagnan's voice was hardly above a whisper but a smile was
spreading over his face, "They really kicked!, not just a fluttering, they're
kicking!", with tears of happiness running down his face d'Artagnan rushed
round the desk and slapped Athos's hands against his belly so he could feel the
kicking himself.
Athos's eyes widdened as he felt the unmistakable shape of a foot against the
palm of his left hand while a sharper shape pushed against his right, perhaps
an elbow?, maybe a fist?
"My God, I don't think I've ever experianced anything quite like this!" he
whispered, not even when he'd been permitted to feel the triplets kicking
inside Lemay had he been so moved as he was right now, and had to blink back
the moisture threatening at his eyes as the Pups eventually settled once again,
"Maybe we shouldn't go out tonight" he whispered pulling d'Artagnan to his
kissing his tear damp cheek "I don't want to share you tonight, I'd rather have
you all to myself".
***** Chapter 43 *****
Chapter Notes
     The fluff at the beginning of this is just for Maryg!
Rue de Ferou
With their bedroom light by the soft glow of candles, and the scent of sweet
smelling incense filling the air the scene was undoubtedly set for romance.
A bottle of wine sat on top of the bedside table with a single pewter cup that
Athos and d'Artagnan would share as a loving cup.
Lay on their back on their bed, relaxed and comfortable in his nudity Athos
smiled with both desire and affection as d'Artagnan joined him, a thin lawn
cloth night shirt covering his body and slipping off one shoulder to expose
skin that looked golden in the candle light.
Since the onset of his pregnancy he had been less self assured about his
changing body, something that Athos was constantly working to change, using
both words and his actions to show d'Artagnan just how beautiful he was.
Taking d'Artagnan's hand Athos tugged him closer and then, taking hold of the
loose neck line of the night shirt pulled d'Artagnan down for a slow deep kiss.
Lazily their mouths moved in sync with each other, tongues teasing and swiping
in playfull games, Athos ran his hands slowly up d'Artagnan's arms, his fingers
walking over d'Artagnan's broad shoulders and making their way down to the
sagging neck line of the night shirt, pulling at it and stretching it wide open
to slip down over his arms and reveal his enlarged breasts and reddened nipples
that Athos's hands greedily set upon and rolled gently in his hands, his thumbs
tormenting the sensative nipples, eliciting sharp cries from d'Artagnan who
squirmed and panted under Athos's heated hands.
Smirking at the dilated pupils of d'Artagnan which gazed at him with only vague
coherance Athos leaned up to place another long kiss on the Omega's lip, biting
gently down on his plump bottom lip while shoving the night gown down to
d'Artagnan's hips then completely off his body as he rolled them both over,
placing d'Artagnan on his back and sliding easily between his thighs.
"Athos!", d'Artagnan's keening moan made Athos grin again as he slowly walked
his fingers over d'Artagnan's distended middle, pausing to tease his popped out
navel making the Omega whine and squirm beneath him, his hands reaching out for
Athos and thighs clenching about his hips eagerly
"Patience my love!" Athos teased leaning forward to kiss d'Artagnan's belly
where at present their pups lay quiet in their round home, keeping his lips
brushing against the stretched skin Athos looked up at d'Artagnan through his
eyelashes, "I don't want to rush this, I want to enjoy every inch of you!",
taking his time Athos proceeded to kiss and caress d'Artagnan's whole middle,
grinning when he felt slight flutters under his mouth as the Pups stirred and
shifted, maybe wondering what what happening outside of their snug watery nest.
By time Athos's was done kissing d'Artagnan's abdomen the Omega was panting his
name and keening desperately!, taking care so he would not hurt d'Artagnan nore
risk damage to his uterus, Athos carefully lifted d'Artagnan's thighs, bending
his knees and shifting himself forward to get beneath d'Artagnan's pelvis,
sliding inside his slick waiting body with ease.
Setting a gentle pace Athos made sure to keep his own weight off d'Artagnan's
middle as he rocked in and out of the Omega. Already half lost in the pleasure
of his own bodies hyper sensative nerves that Athos seemed to have stimulated
from head to toe, d'Artagnan bit down on his bottom lip with his eyes half
lidded and relied on touch more than sight to guide himself as he reached out
to wrap his arms about Atho's muscular torso, his nails digging into Athos's
flesh as his hands gripped tightly to the flexing muscles, and used the
leverage to lift himself up enough to gain a sloppy but passionate kiss with
his Alpha.
Bucking his hips as well as his pregnant body would allow him to, d'Artagnan
ground his cock against Athos's flat abdomen, clenching his inner muscles and
gripped tight to the Alphas narrow hips as he pistoned in and out of his body.
Before his pregnancy d'Artagnan would have pushed Athos back, flipped their
position and straddeled the Alpha, pinning him down to the bed and riding him
hard and fast, but once he had began to show he had not wanted to feel slow
exposed, and now, more than vanity, the added weight of his body made him less
agile and the more submissive position on his back more comfortable by far.
Though he missed the dominance of straddeling Athos, d'Artagnan could not
really complain when then Alpha kissed and caressed his body, taking his time
to drag his tongue over his clavical to his throat and sucking on the skin
beneath his ear while his body shifted perfectly to direct his cock and hit
d'Artagnan's prostate with every thrust. Feeling his climax nearing d'Artagnan
tipped his head back on the pillow until the crown of his head was touching the
goosefeather and his neck was arched outwards with his adams apple bobbing
enticingly between the cords of his throat, running his tongue up d'Artagnan's
throat Athos's damp swollen lips found their way to the Omegas mouth locking
them together as they both came, d'Artagnan's orgasm triggering Athos's as his
inner muscles contracted and milked his cock and knot greedily.
When he regained his senses Athos scooted up the bed and reached for the wine,
filling the cup and taking a sip before handing it to d'Artagnan
"How long can we keep doing this?" he asked as d'Artagnan drank and ran his
finger tip round the rim of the cup
"Lemay said right up until the last few weeks so long as I'm not suffering any
discomfort and the Pups don't drop down early" the Omega replied placing his
hand over his rounded middle "I guess we should make the most, we won't have
much time or energy once they come"
"True" Athos mused, he had seen first hand how exhausted Aramis, Porthos, and
Lemay had been during the early months of their litters lives, he doubted that
either of them would have much inclination towards sex when they were dealing
with sleepless nights and constant feeds and nappy changes!, he could remember
Aramis saying that he'd forgotten what sleep was during the first few weeks
with Ned and Izzy!, he some how doubted that he and d'Artagnan would have it
any easier with their own brood.
That being said, Athos could remember the dazed smiles that Porthos and Aramis
had been wearing beneath their darkly shadowed sleep deprived eyes, despite how
exhausted they had been, the two of them had been delighted with their Pups,
and hadn't cared a fig for the lack of rest, that kind of love that made any
discomfort worth while was something Athos was looking forward to experiancing,
he wanted to feel what it was that Aramis and Porthos did for himself, he
wanted to hold his new born Pup in his hands and feel that impossible burst of
love and desire to protect and nurture the small being that he had helped
create.
"Deep thoughts?" d'Artagnan asked bringing Athos out of his revorie with a
smile
"Just about how much I'm looking forward to meeting our Sons or Daughters!"
"D'you mind which?", there was a slight edge to d'Artagnan's voice, after his
perverted Grandaphan insane desire for an Alpha or Beta Son, or the very least
an Alpha daughter which had resulted in him raping both d'Artagnan and his
Oman, the Omega was wary of desires for particular genders for offspring, he
knew that everyone was hoping that Constance bore an Alpha or Beta Son for the
throne, but people always wanted that for royalty, and with the way Louis was
acting it did not appear that he cared if the offspring was to be male or
female.
"Boys or Girls, Alphas, Betas, or Omegas I don't care which" Athos said without
hesitation "Maybe we have one of each anyway"
"What?, an Alpha, Beta, and an Omega!?" d'Artagnan laughed "I know I'm big but
Lemay hasn't heard a third heartbeat!"
"I didn't mean that!" Athos laughed "I meant a boy and a girl!" his hand joined
d'Artagnan's over his belly "I don't think I could cope with triplets!"
"Ha!, you cope?, I'm the one who'd have to carry them and deliver them!",
d'Artagnan playfully slapped Athos's chest then groaned as one of the pups
chose to shift right on top of his bladder making him scoot down the bed to go
and use the pot
"D'you want to give the Pups my last name or yours?" Athos called out to
d'Artagnan as he emptied his bladder and washed his hands in the ewer of water
they left by the pot
"Yours, I hate d'Batz, and d'Artagnan is a stolen name" the Omega replied
padding his way back to the bed and acrobatically climbed over Athos to sit
back down "Why?, got a name planned?" he asked curiously
"Hmm, maybe" Athos said with a shrug sipping the wine "Aron?, Aron d'Athos?"
"Aron, I like that, think it's a derivative of the biblical Aaron?"
"I don't know, maybe" Athos said "Aron Athos doesn't sound too silly?"
"No, way better than Aron d'Artagnan!", Athos wrinkled his nose too at the
sound of that "How about Deon if we have two boys?, Deon d'Athos?"
"I could live with that, Aron and Deon, but what about girls?"
"Eleta" d'Artagnan said without a moments hesitation which made Athos raise an
eyebrow, "She was a maid on my Bastard Aphans estate, she was good to me and
Oman, brought us extra food from the kitchens and bandages when Aphan got too
rough"
'she didn't help you escape though did she?' Athos silently thought but wisely
did not speak it out loud, instead he nodded his head rather liking the name
"Celine's always been a name I've liked" Athos offered immediately getting a
shake of d'Artagnan's head
"No I knew a Celine in the court of miracles, she was the dirtiest slut I have
ever met in my whole life!", Athos snorted at the description but accepted that
Celine was definately out of the question
"I don't mind shortening it to Celie though" d'Artagnan offered "Celie d'Athos
sounds alright"
"Eleta and Celie then" Athos agreed handing the cup over to d'Artagnan to drink
to the names of their Pups "I'll be interested to see what Richelieu and
Treville call their Pup, and what their Majesties call theirs"
"Never mind that!" d'Artagnan laughed draining the cup "I'm more interested to
see how well Richelieu survives Treville's labor and how many fingers he gets
mangled in the process!".
 
Palais Cardinal
 
Treville went into labor a little early, not so early as to be worried, but at
what Lemay called "Early full term" that left Richelieu baffled and panicking!.
With his shirt untucked, breeches half hazardly buttoned, and his doublet
hanging open the normally unflappable first Minister ran about the Chateau
shouting for midwives, physicians, priests to start praying, and generally
awoke all and sundry while Treville rolled his eyes and rather serenely
stripped out of his blood stained night shirt to put on a clean one and began
to practise the breathing exercises that Lemay had given him!.
Within an hour of Treville's show of blood and first contractions the whole
Palais was up and about, with servants boiling water, preparing sheets and
towels, heating ale for Treville to drink, and a good hearty stew for him to
eat after the birth, Lemay had been fetched from the Rue de Fossiers by a
blerry eyed Jussac and acompanied by two midwives he had worked with before
they made their way to the Palais where Richelieu was still pacing the halls,
barking orders, and biting his nails down to the quick!.
"Calm down Armand theres nothing to worry about" Lemay chuckled seeing the
state Richelieu was getting himself into
"Nothing to worry about?, how can you say that when Jean is in labor early!"
Richelieu shrieked sounding like a hysterical seagull!
"Three weeks early, early full term, it'll be fine" Lemay soothed as they made
their way to the chambers where Treville was calmly walking the floors as he
had been told to do at the onset of the labor
"Alright then, if we can have some privacy I'll do the first exam and then Jean
can enjoy a bath" Lemay said ushering the maids and a protesting Richelieu out
of the room, "Take him for a ride or something, he's not going to be able to do
anything to help for hours yet" the Doctor instructed Jussac who sleepily
nodded his head and took Richelieu by the arm to guide him down to the stables.
 
Naturally since Lemay's departure to the Palais Cardinal had awoken them,
Aramis and Porthos wasted little time in spreading the news of Treville's labor
to the Garrison, as did the Jussac to the Red Guards, which meant that within
two hours the whole of Paris knew that the Minister of War was in labor!.
Once he heard, Louis ordered that prayers for a swift and safe delivery be
given in all the Churches through out France, since the repeal of Omega
Supression many prelits had left France being unable to accept the changes in
their world, and while he was no longer Cardinal of Paris, Richelieu had helped
appoint new Bishops, and Priests in their places, ones who were pro equality
between the sexes and would all be very happy to pray for Treville.
Also knowing the regiments extreme loyalty to Treville, Louis granted them time
off to pray for their former Captain while Des Essarts guards took over their
work for the time being, those Musketeers who did not go to Church made their
way to the Palais Cardinal and camped out in the gardens and through out the
Chateau to await news!.
Boisrenard commented on the fact they had been invaded by Musketeers while he
and the others tried to keep Richelieu from giving himself a stroke or an
embolism as the hours past with Treville's contractions steadily getting
stronger and closer together.
Naturally Athos, Aramis, d'Artagnan, and Porthos were waiting outside Treville
and Richelieu's chambers wincing as Treville gave into the pain let out horse
cries every so often.
Aramis quietly prayed over his rosary, while d'Artagnan sat with a hand on his
belly clearly thinking about his own labor that was yet to come, Athos and
Porthos made brief conversation between themselves while they all waited with
baited breath until the unmistakable cry of an infant reached their ears!.
 
"A healthy Omega Boy" Lemay declared as he cut the cord and laid the new born
upon a weeping Treville's chest, slightly startled blue eyes gazed at the
tearful new parents as their new son adjusted to his new position and blinked a
couple of times before closing his eyes and settling down to sleep
"He has your nose, look at that straight line!" Treville sobbed stroking the
small feature with his shaking finger tip paying no attention to what Lemay and
the midwives were still doing as he gazed at their new Son
"Thats your shoulders though, good strong shoulders" Richelieu choked out
"He'll be a right little menace when he starts walking, be a soldier I'll bet!"
"Have we a name for our future Musketeer?" Lemay asked with a smile, pleased by
the easy birth and the fact Treville had not torn
"Louis Armand" Richelieu said tracing the sign of the cross over his reddened
forehead "God bless and watch over you little one".
 
The cheers that erupted from the Palais Cardinal when the news of Louis
Armand's birth was declared, could be heard across the other side of Paris!,
large and boistrous celebrations followed both in the Musketeers garrison and
the Red Gaurds as they drank toasts to the new Pup and to Treville who Lemay
declared tired but radient and allowed brief visits from d'Artagnan, Athos,
Aramis, and Porthos, aswell as Jussac, Cahusac, Boisrenard and Bernajoux,
before he ushered them all out so Treville could get some much needed rest.
Laying in bed, feeling impossibly tired and as sore as he had ever been after a
days battle, Treville held Louis Armand in his arms with Richelieu right beside
him, the two of them gazing in adoration at their new son who slumbered
peacefully after being fed and changed.
"I can still hardly believe he's here, that he's really ours" Treville
whispered "It still seems like a dream!"
"I can't believe how small he is!, I'm afraid he'll brake!" Richelieu admitted
his palm cupping the underside of the Pups head "He is more fragile and
precious than a diamond tiara"
"He's a treasure though" Treville said looking up with a tired smile "And I'll
bet it's going to be one long adventure bringing him up".
***** Chapter 44 *****
d'Artagnan's labor unlike Treville's was not early, in fact it was slightly
late which did nothing to improve d'Artagnan's temper which by that point was
so short one would need a microscope to see it's length!.
His much dreaded confinement began far earlier than first supposed. at the
start of his seventh month he began to bleed and suffered premature
contractions with a threat of a far too early labor.
While Lemay's quick response had prevented full labor, he had feared that it
still may occur and ordered d'Artagnan to take immediate bed rest with his legs
and pelvis raised by pillows to help the Pups remain safely in the womb for as
long as possible.
While this worked nearly fourteen weeks locked away and bed bound did not
please d'Artagnan one little bit!.
Naturally over the first few weeks he had been too frightened to complain,
having seen his Oman go through miscarriage after miscarriage, and premature
labor after premature labor that resulted in still births he had been terrified
that he was suffering a similar fate and would have gladly hung by his ankles
for rest of his pregnancy if it meant he would go to term!.
However, as time had past and the threat had grown less and less, d'Artagnan
fear had abatted and frustration had grown in it's place, and had continued to
blossom as the weeks had slowly past by!.
Bored out of his skull, sick to death of the rooms of their apartment, tired of
stitching infants garments, or reading books, d'Artagnan was rather like a
volcano on the verge of eruption and letting off regular bouts of smoke, hot
ash, and lava!, well at least thats how Athos described his temperment to
Treville who was unable to visit d'Artagnan until after his churching!.
Aramis and Porthos visited their confined friend as often as they could, duties
permitting of course, and they brightened up the bordem of d'Artagnan's
seclusion a great deal, especially when they brought their brood with them, Ned
and Izzy's antics kept him well amused, as did Cort and the twins who were
starting to speak, having managed their first and second words amisdt a great
deal of babble and giggling.
Constance was another frequent visitor to d'Artagnan, always acompanied by a
pair of heavily armed Musketeers and a Lady in waiting, (The musketeers to
protect her person, and the Lady in waiting since it was not meet for her to be
alone with any Alphas or Men without a chaperone), but as she was pregnant she
was keen to learn all she could of what she had to both look forward to and
dread!.
While these visits, and once he was able, Trevilles along with little Louis
Armand, did help pass the time and brighten his days, d'Artagnan was more than
happy when over a week past his due date his waters finally broke!.
The onset of his labor occured just as Athos was making ready for bed, snuffing
out the candles and pulling a last log on the harth to keep them warm through
out the night before he made his way to the bed where d'Artagnan lay trying
unsuccessfully to find a comfortable position upon a bed that ha grown
increasingly lumpy to him in the past weeks. Just as Athos made to join him
d'Artagnan had given a horse cry as bloody liquid had spread under his thighs.
"Time to call Lemay!" Athos said stripping back the bed sheets and helping
d'Artagnan out of bed to change into a clean night shirt and put a kettle over
a harth to start boiling water before he swiftly threw on a pair of breeches
and his boots, taking to his heels and running down the stairs three at a time
and bolting out into the street shoving people aside and jumping over fallen
drunks as he made his way to the rue de fossiers nearly putting his fist
through the wood he pounded so hard upon it!.
"Alright alright keep your bleedin' bollocks on will yer!" came Porthos's
bellow as he grumply made his way to the door and opened it managing to catch
Athos as he half fell through door and into Porthos's arms!, "I take it d'Arts
in labor then!" Porthos laughed patting a panting Athos's back and turning his
head to look over his shoulder "Lemay get your bag, it's d'Arts time!"
"Right!" came an amused laugh from within the apartment
"Mis, get a brandy, looks like Thos here needs all the strength he can get!"
Porthos chuckled leading Athos into the living quarters and pushing him down
onto a chair, Aramis shoved a cup of brandy into his hand which Athos drank
without even really knowing it!
"Tell me love were we ever in such a state when our Omega was in labor?" Aramis
inquired raising an amused eyebrow at Porthos who pretened to give it deep
thought while Lemay huffed at the pair and shoved them aside
"Instead of standing about like a pair of useless courtiers you could both help
me get prepared and put Izzy back to bed since she's decided to get up and
start playing!" he snapped at them pulling his cloak about his shoulders and
putting his boots on, "Honestly Alphas and Betas bloody useless!" he grumbled
while Porthos and Aramis contritely went to do his bidding with chastened
expressions on their faces that would have amused Athos had another time, but
right now he was too worried for d'Artagnan to find humor in Aramis and Porthos
being hen pecked!.
 
Rue de ferou
 
Scarcely twenty minutes had gone by before Athos and Lemay's return to the
apartment but d'Artagnan's labor was already well advanced, apparently after
being ten days over due the Pups had decided they didn't want to take much time
in meeting the world!.
"How far apart are the contractions?" Lemay asked as soon as he and Athos burst
into the apartment finding d'Artagnan on his knees before the bed panting and
moaning for the pain in his body and the intense pressure that was building in
his pelvis
"Five or six minutes!" he panted fisting the sheets tight in his hands and
moaning as Athos tried to lift him back onto his feet to get him on the bed,
"No, leave me" he said fending his hands off
"You need to be abed not on the floor!" Athos protested looking to Lemay who
shook his head
"If he's comfortable there then let him remain" the Physician told him hurried
setting out his instruments and washing his hands in the water d'Artagnan had
taken off the harth before his contractions had brought him to his knees, "I
can deliver him there as well as I can on the bed"
After drying his hands Lemay knelt behind d'Artagnan and lifted his blood
splattered night shirt to examin him, gently parting his thighs a little wider
so he could get a better look at what was going on, "Is everything alright?"
Athos asked not liking the sight of the blood one bit
"A little fast but yes" Lemay replied measuring the dilation "Not long now, and
not much chance to catch your breath eh d'Artagnan?"
"Im never doing this again!" d'Artagnan moaned shaking his head and gritting
his teeth to pass through another contraction, refusing to cry out with the
grit of a soldier and the stubbornness of a Gascon!, "Never again Athos!, d'you
hear me!" he grunted as the pain past once again "No more after this!"
"Of course, whatever you want!" Athos immediately agreed recalling from what
Aramis and Porthos had said, that when in labor agree with everything the Omega
said, it saved vital parts of ones anatomy!
"I do, I bloody do!" d'Artagnan ground out panting heavily and resisting the
urge to tense as he felt the next contraction coming, while his soldiers
instincts told him to brace himself and tense his muscles ready for battle, he
knew that to remain loose and keep his muscles relaxed would help the process
more
"Okay d'Artagnan deep breaths now, in and out, let your body do the work on
it's own, don't struggle or strain just let nature take it's course" Lemay
instructed rubbing d'Artagnan's back while Athos got a bowl of water and a
cloth to wipe his face and held his hands as he contraction came and went,
"Very good, ten fingers, you can start pushing with the next contraction" Lemay
said with a smile "This will be one of the quickest labors I've ever dealt
with"
"Doesn't seem quick to me!" d'Artagnan ground out making Lemay chuckle and pat
his back.
 
However fifteen minutes later the first Pup was crowning and Lemay had no
difficulty and easing the small bloody body out of the canal as the shoulders
emerged, a loud indignant cry filled the air and Athos promptly burst into
tears as he beheld the wrinkled face of his new born.
"A healthy Omega Son" Lemay declared cutting the cord and wrapping the still
crying boy in a towel to hand to d'Artagnan
"My boy, My Son" he whispered cradling the infant in his arms who spluttered
and whimpered several times before settling and gazing with large eyes at his
parents, his rose bud lips puckering as Athos stroked his cheek and downy head
"Think he's an Aron or a Deon?" he asked
"Aron, definately an Aron" d'Artagnan replied kissing the Pups cheek and
reluctantly handing him to Athos as he felt the contractions returning with
renued force, it seemed the twin did not wish to be long seperated from his or
her brother and was eager to join the world.
Just ten minutes later and d'Artagnan was delivered of a second Son, an
identical twin of Aron whom they immediately named Deon.
 
More tired and sore than he had ever been in his life, d'Artagnan was more than
grateful to be delivered of the placentar, washed up and gotten back to bed,
the very bed he'd been keen to leave for weeks!.
Promising to call back later the following morning, Lemay took his leave of the
couple so they could rest and enjoy their new borns in peace, since once dawn
came they would be inundated with visiters
"Was it all worth it then?, these weeks of captivity and an.....hour wasn't
it?, of labor!?" Athos asked shrewdly while d'Artagnan held their Pups against
his chest, their tiny feet pressed together as they rested their heads in the
crooks of his elbows
"I'd do it all again a thousand times over!" d'Artagnan replied with an
impossibly bright beam that made Athos raise an eyebrow at him "Okay maybe not
a thousand, but some brothers and sisters for these two would be nice in time
don't you think?"
"In time" Athos agreed stroking Deon's head and tucking the blanket about him a
little more "In five or six years maybe!, that'll be just about enough time!".
 
Epilogue
 
Louis Armand was baptized in Notre Dam with their Majesties, Madame Royale,
Jussac, Bernajoux, Boisrenard, Cahusac, and the Inseparables as God Parents to
the Pup.
He was named as legitimate heir to the Richelieu Estates, and since Treville's
degenerate brother had died with no issue, he would also inherit Troisville
upon his paents deaths which all hoped would be many years in the future.
Aron and Deon were Baptized shortly after Louis Armand with Aramis, Porthos,
Lemay, Treville, and Constance as God parents.
The twins were greatly received by the Musketeers who threw an immense
celebration over their Captains litter that led to hours drinking and singing,
(And several brawls with the red guards).
As Bertrand d'Batz had died without providing an heir to his estate beyond
Alexandre and d'Artagnan said estate had past to his wife Francious, but since
she had also died without offspring other than Alexandre upon her own death the
estate had reverted to the crown and Louis was all to happy to place Castlemore
in its entirity to d'Artagnan and his heirs, surprisingly enough d'Artagnan's
Uncle the Comte d'Artagnan was showing interest in his Nephew and new Pups and
was in fact making friendly gestures that might, given time, lead to a
reconsiling within the family.
d'Artagnan had no love of Castlemore, anymore than Athos did for La Fere,
however neither were fools, raising a family was not cheap and only a fool
would turn down a fortune when it was offered and they needed it for the care
of those they loved.
Besides, as Athos said, a land was earth, a house was stone, it was people that
made things difficult an unbearable, not the land itself.
Finally after many months of waiting and praying, Constance was delivered of a
healthy beta Son named Louis for his Father.
As France celebrated the birth of the long awaited Dauphin a treaty was signed
and sealed with England and while Spain and the Vatican may be preparing to
declare war any day, right then no one cared as the succession of the French
throne was assured and for the first time in well over a thousand years Omegas
were equal amongst their Alpha and Beta Kin.
End
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