"You cannot be serious." I say with disbelief.

He steps closer to me, his voice even quieter "My family and the Royal Family have always been very close. My father was in the Carriage when the Kings died. I know many despise him, but it is out of duty to my country and concern of my friend , that I ask for your help. The Kings half brother is dead. When the news was brought, i heard talk of a witness from the young man."

"Me." I conclude.

"You were not named directly by the young gentleman, but he was talking about a woman who chased a hooded figure from the scene. Later, on that day you were protecting the queen, I heard a few more Musketeers talking about how this is the second time you chased down a potential assailant. I knew you had to be the Woman I was looking for."

"I saw a woman in a black cloak over the body, I've seen her before."

"Exactly, you're the only one who knows what she looks like. The Cardinal has convinced the King that the Red Guard was much more qualified for a massive man hunt for whoever killed his brother, and the King agreed."

"Okay, but why do you suspect The Cardinal?"

"I know you're new to the Paris, but this has been my home since birth. I grew up in those very palace walls beside the King. I saw from a young age how manipulative Her Eminence was, how he craved more power than his position allowed. But there has never been enough proof, cause he doesn't do his own dirty work. He has boughten off many agents to do his bidding but rarely are they caught sight of. Until now."

"Why would he want the Kings brother dead?"

"That's what I don't understand. George was only an illegitimate son, so he held no real stake to the throne. He was a rather timid man, kept to his library most days. The King wasn't very attentive to his financial needs as George was to the card table. It made things sour between them."

"There must be something else. Are you sure it isn't just a robbery that happened to end in death?"

"It's possible, but the Kings brother had not been seen for a whole week before his body appeared. Then when it does, The Cardinal takes a heavy interest in it? It just all sees unlikely. I just need peace of mind."

"What could I do?"

"I haven't quite figured that out yet, but you're the only one I can trust with this information. Focus on your match, I'll be there to support you of course" he smiles "It'll also give me a chance to talk Cardinal Richelieu, if I let it slip of a potential witness, maybe he'll let something slip or at least his demeanor will give me some indication."

He's very close to me now, his deep brown eyes pleading to me like a stray pup.

"Ok, I'll help you."

He grins wide and grabs my hand, kissing it.

"Thank you. I'll send word when I have a better plan. Until then, good luck at your match."

He leaves the alley first taking one and I wait a few minutes before doing the same and head the opposite way, back to the Garrison. I return to my Training, but as the day grows dark and the men who aren't on guard go out to the tavern, I'm left mostly alone. I knew I was pushing my body to its limits, but I would rather fire my body and distract myself then think of all that has gone wrong in the past few months. My thoughts were dark and clouded.

"You're still here?" Athos voice shouts over to me. He stands leaned against the wall of the gate, watching me. These past few days, that's all he seems to do when I see him. It drove me crazy, his speculative eye constantly judging me.

I'm in the middle of doing some stretching exercises when he walks over.

"Yes." Is all I say.

"You need to take a break. Your match is tommorow, you have to let your body rest."

"I'm fine."

"Let's go."

"Go where?"

"If you wanna stay here and do some boring exercising be my guest, or..."

"Or?"

He smirks "Come with me and find out."

He starts walking towards the stable.

I didn't need to know. I didn't care were he was going. I should train. I will train.

And so I began to stretch again. When he walked his horse out of the stable however, I found myself walking straight for him. The same stupid cocky smirk on his face.

"You know most girls wouldn't get on a horse with a Man they hardly knew."

"Are you a girl, or a soon to be Musketeer Miss La Vielle?"

I say no retort. I just watch as he mounts the horse. When it's my turn I put my foot in the stirrup, Athos holds out his hand and helps me up. I am seated behind him so I place my hands on his sides at first but as the horse sets off, I'm forced to wrap my arms around his stomach. A motion that seemed rather intimate at this time of night.