Of Love and Demons

Chapter One: Attacked

Summary: Good men start returning home much different than usual. A beautiful woman takes an interest in Jacque who is really Jacqueline, and has Siroc found an interest in someone?

The moon sat hidden behind dark clouds, dimming the the cobbled streets. A horses hoofs clattered on the cobbles throwing the sound around, echoing against the many homes and business around it.

Jacque Le Pont was returning from his post at the castle door. Word had come around that someone was to assassinate the king, as a musketeer, he was chosen to watch the door with Bernard, the captain of Cardinal Mazerins guards. The sour man had said nothing; just stood there waiting for the musketeer to make a mistake that he could notice and ruin the rest of Jacques life with.

Cardinal Mazerin was the thirteen year-old Kings adviser. Although he really didn't want to advise, he wanted the seat of power and everything that came with it. Mazerin had been stirring up trouble and his guards did no better. It caused a permanent hatred between the Musketeers, the kings guards, and Cardinal Mazerins.

Jacque looked down at a drunk who staggered in front of the horse. He ran off muttering something about the devil's shadow following him, and the end of the world. Who wouldn't think that. The Kingdom was at a precautions time. The poor out numbered the rich, and the Cardinal seized lands from poor farmers. The state of the city was in such chaos and Jacque remembered how great it used to be.

With a sigh Jaque continued on; ignoring the wanted posters that had long since sat on posts and tavern doors. It was the face of a young woman, with cascading hair and dangerous looking eyes. A high reward in gold sat in fat numbers below the picture luring every good fugitive hunter near. Le Pont allowed his eyes to glance over at the poster, but then he quickly shied his eyes away focusing a great deal upon the street.

What felt like ages ago Jacque Le Pont was Jacqueline Roget living on her family farm with her father and brother. She had been raised without a mother, so it was only natural that she turned out much different than a common farm girl. She learned how to sword fight at a young age, and often times tested her skill against her brother, Gerrard Roget, who only managed to best her once (though she had never admitted so).

Cardinal Mazerin entered in his fine carriage one day. The captain of the guard began to harass Jacqueline, and Gerrard instinctively came to her rescue, only managing to get himself arrested. When her father tried to intervene he got a sword in the chest by the captain. Jacqueline held him while he breathed his last. Blinded by anger she killed the captain, stole his horse and raced off. Jacqueline joined the musketeers as Jacque and saved Gerrard with the help of the other musketeers. D'Artagnan, son of the legendary D'Artagnan, discovered her true gender, but didn't hold it to her. Instead he helped Gerrard go to America and kept her secret.

She pulled out of her thoughts at the sound of a scream, and she kicked her horse into a fast gallop. The screams continued and she followed the sound to a small comfortable inn. A single lazy light was on and quite a bit of banging around was occurring inside.

She dismounted her horse, and ran up to the door kicking it opened. There by the large hearth was Goodman Leon, as he was known, had his sword pointed at his wifes neck. The woman sobbed and clutched her breast. Upon the sight of the Musketeer she cried in relief. Her husband spun around and growled at the musketeer. Using the distraction the lady shoved away the sword and ran up stairs.

The man growled again and glared at Jacque, mad that his victim had managed to run off. He ran toward her sword raised, and Jacque had just enough time to block the attack.

'Damn he's strong' Jacque thought as she danced down the stairs into the street below. He stumbled down the stairs and raised his sword against Leon who already had started the sword in a downward motion toward her head. Jacque grunted and pushed the sword a little higher to keep the sword as far away from her face as possible, but Leon's brute strength kept moving it downward inching it closer and closer. She gritted her teeth and kicked him, making him sail a bit backward, and loosening his hold on his sword.

Leon, had been known for his kindness and charm, not for his legendary strength. They exchanged blows for a good five minutes, and Jacque only managed to dance away in time to avoid the swinging blade.

His sword raked her arm ripping her musketeers coat, drawing bright blood. Jacque panted and ducked down narrowly missing a swipe to her neck. The mans foot kicked out and caught her in the stomach, winding her and sending her roughly to the ground, with her sword clattering a few feet away. Leon's sword sat high above his head and he sent it down, aimed toward the musketeers heart.

A bottle exploded over the mans head suddenly, and he turned momentarily distracted by the unfortunate stall.

It was his wife holding a whiskey bottles neck. “You stop it Leon!” She hissed. “This isn't like you.”

He glared at her with malice and smirked. “I'm not Leon.” He said.

When he spoke both women heard a multitude of voices in many ranges, yet it came from the single man's lips. The woman clutched her chest and backed away, muttering under her breath a prayer.

Jacque had managed to recover and ran, jumped up and circled her arms around the man's neck. She struggled with him until Leon bent forward, yanking her off, and threw her with inhuman strength against the near wall. She slid down it with a groan. Jacque grasped her arm and grimaced.

He raised his sword again and grinned. She looked up at his face and gasped as she saw his eyes had turned blood red. What on earth was this man?

The sound of voices and horse hooves however caused the man to turn once again. His eyes changed back and he looked down at her. He yanked her up by the hair and stuck a sword to her throat. “Shhhh...” He told her with the multiple voice of his.

She trembled slightly, struggling to get out of his hold, but with a quick wrench of her arm she stopped. He dragged them both into the shadows giving a warning glance to his wife who sat on the cobbles sobbing.

“I'm sure I heard someone down here.” Came a familiar voice.

“It's probably Jacque...he must have gotten into trouble again.” Someone said with a laugh.

Jacque took in a deep breath. Ramon and D'Artagnan. They must have come looking for her when she didn't arrive at the garrison. She dipped her hand to her belt and dragged out a dagger. Counting silently to herself she dug the knife into the man's thy at the last second. He gave a screech of pain, and she lurched out of the shadow making a mad dash for her sword.

Sword in hand she eyed where the man stood. A low laugh echoed, making the riders rush around the corner, and stop at the sight. The mans eyes glowed red once again and he stepped out of the shadows with a grin. “You are one mean bastard. I haven't had this much difficultly fighting anyone.”

D'Artagnan dismounted his horse. “Jacque...” He watched with horror as the man ran at Jacque.

She blocked his attack but just barely. The force of the attack caused her to stagger back some. D'Artagnan ran out in front of her and started trading blows with the Goodman Leon. Ramon slipped off his horse and rushed toward Jacque examining her arm. He turned and watched as D'Artagnan was knocked off his feet.

“I am Ramon Montalvo Francisco de la Cruz, and I take no enjoyment in you hurting mi amigo like this.”

It took both Ramon and D'Artagnan to subdue the man, but even so he ran off into the night leaving a panting D'Artagnan to follow with only his eyes. Ramon started after him, but D'Artagnan stopped him saying that it would be too dangerous to follow the man, they would try to hunt him down later. He turned and walked over to Jacqueline who sat against a wall trying to comfort the wife.

“Are you ok?” He asked bending down. “When you didn't return to the garrison I was afraid that the Bernard slit your throat.”

She stood up grunting. “I'm fine, the fight just took a lot out of me...” She watched a little dribble of blood run down her arm. “I thought that Goodman Leon didn't like violence, and that he was sickly since birth.”

D'Artagnan frowned and glanced over at where the man had disappeared. “I also doubt that his eyes, and voice were common.”

Ramon joined them. “Perhaps Siroc can explain this...” His voice trailed off, himself doubting that the inventor could explain what occurred just now.

“Lets just get back, Jacques's arm needs to be looked at.” D'Artagnan told Ramon. “Help this woman, get the entire story from her, don't even miss one single meal he ate. Return instantly after that.”

Ramon nodded and took the sobbing woman into the inn. D'Artagnan took Jacqueline's other arm and pulled him on his horse. He mounted himself and grabbed her frightened horse's rein.

“I can ride well enough on my own.”

“Not with that arm you cannot. Jacqueline my dear.” She hit his arm hard reminding him that it was Jacque, but he didn't notice that she blushed at the comment for the night was too dark and D'Artagnan was too focused on their surroundings and keeping Jacqueline safe.

(A/N: ok now tell me now that chapter one is done. Did you like it? If not please tell and don't just say 'cuz its stupid' I really want feedback and something I can fix. 'Cuz its stupid' is something that I cannont fix! The fight scene was horrid, I cannot do action so that was the best I could do! Thank you and I'll try to work on Chapter two really soon!)