Previously... a rubbish nights sleep, a hangover, and an argument about whether riding home is a good idea.
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Treville looked dubiously at her. She was clearly exhausted and he wasn't convinced she was in a fit state to ride, but his suggestion that she postpone the trip, even by just a day had met a brick wall.
Jasper was dancing on the spot in the yard while the others mounted up - tossing his head and snorting in his eagerness to be away. Kate swung her leg forwards, leaning down to check the girth again.
Treville was holding the bridle, talking about something, but she wasn't really listening - her mind already on the road ahead. "...and then you can ignore everything I've just said..."
She looked at him blankly and sighed, swinging her leg back into place. "Sorry... was it important?"
He shook his head, stepped back, smiling ruefully "Just remember to give the letter to Madame Allais..." he paused and looked at her, concerned. "And look after yourself - I wish you wouldn't..." his voice trailed off as her eyes met his.
A hoof slipped and Kate pitched forwards over a shoulder, swearing as she pulled herself upright and then jumped down. She walked round to face the horse, holding both sides of the bridle and pulling his head down to hers, talking to him quietly with their foreheads together. The horse blew softly then stood still as she remounted, swung his head back to bump her foot, and waited patiently as her escort approached.
"Where's your stuff? Is that all you've got?"
Kate looked puzzled, and glanced back. Saddle bags were packed and attached. A bedroll was tied down.
She looked at them, obviously wondering what else they thought she should have. They grinned slightly, thinking of the baggage that seemed to accompany most women on their travels. She turned to Porthos "Did you bring my cloak?" He looked sheepish. "Oh well." her tone was deadpan "We'll just have to pick it up on the way." She shot him a sideways look, amusement evident in her eyes and they kicked their horses forward.
They rode slowly through the city streets, stopping outside at Norah's shop where Kate vanished inside. Norah looked up as she came through the door. "It was my idea, sorry - I wanted to see you before you left. Are you ok? You look...."
"Rough." Kate finished for her "I've been better - can I pinch a drink?"
Norah filled a mug, concerned. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
Kate slumped down onto a stool "No, but I need to see Robbie's family and to be honest I just want to get home and sleep. Will you be ok with Porthos away?"
Norah nodded "I've got too much on to be honest - all the outstanding orders on top of two client visits, and Hélène says that Rochefort's away at the moment, so I don't need to worry about him." She grinned slightly "Look at you - you could almost pass for one of them dressed like that - if you took the skirt off anyway!" Kate glanced down at her clothes - leather coat buttoned down, bucket boots, the split skirt disguising the breeches underneath. "Mini-musketeer, complete with hangover." This produced a rueful smile from Kate. "We'll catch up when you're back. Kate - you look after yourself, ok? Have you got food?"
They walked out of the shop together, Kate carrying the tightly rolled cloak. As she tied it onto her saddle, Porthos jumped down, picked Norah up and to everyone's amusement threatened to kidnap her for the journey. She giggled and thumped him until he put her down, then he turned to Kate as she got ready to mount and offered her a leg-up. She looked up at the saddle and gave him a nod, counting to three. To her astonishment she found herself launched into the air and frantically clinging the pommel as she overshot the saddle, then being shoved back into place by Aramis as she nearly cleared Jasper and landed on top on him. There was a slightly stunned pause as Kate collapsed on Jasper's neck, head spinning.
"Jesu wept Porthos, how much do you think I weigh?!"
He looked slightly embarrassed as she pushed herself upright with a groan. "When I'm not hung-over that's going to be immensely funny. Right now I'll just concentrate on not throwing up."
Athos shook his head in disbelief and shot Porthos a look as he gave Norah a final kiss and re-mounted. They carried on out though the city gates into the surrounding countryside.
.......
They had been riding for three hours when Kate pulled up, and sent them on to an Inn another hour away, while she turned off the road to see Robbie's family. Athos turned his horse after her, she shot him a sideways look but made no comment. They rode in silence past people toiling in the fields, arriving eventually at a small farmyard. A young girl was sitting out in the dirt, watching the geese - she saw them approaching and ran indoors calling for her mother.
He looked at Kate, her face and knuckles white. She slid down from the saddle, loosened the girth and ran up the stirrups, then leant briefly against Jasper's shoulder before handing the reins to Athos as a woman appeared in the doorway. Her smile of greeting fading as she took in the look on Kate's face and stepped back into the house with her. He looked round the farmyard, tied the reins over a fence post and retrieved the small bundle he'd been given, then followed them in, standing silently by the door. A woman was standing behind the kitchen table, hand covering her mouth, an expression of horror and disbelief on her face. And elderly man sat by the fireplace, face impassive. Both were staring at Kate. "How?"
Kate flinched. "An accident in the stables, one of the horses kicked out and caught him in the head."
The woman began to sob, gathering her daughter to her. The man sighed "It was all he ever wanted you know. As long as I can remember. 'One day I'm going to work in the King's stables.'" He shook his head. "Not your fault girl, these things happen. Will you be stopping?"
Kate shook her head "We're expected at The Lamb tonight."
He nodded "Stop by on your way back if you can?"
She nodded as Athos placed Robbie's possessions on the table. They turned to leave as the man pushed himself out of the chair and went to comfort Robbie's mother and sister.