Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'stamina'.
-
Chapter One Roger looked towards Porthos and Henri who both gave him two thumbs up as he knocked on the door of Captain Treville's office, who announced "Entrez" in his usual commanding voice. As Roger entered, the Captain looked up and as soon as he saw who it was beamed from ear to ear. "Oh my dear Roger!" he said, and practically bounded over to him, and like all Frenchmen kissed him on both cheeks, "You are the saviour of the French monarchy. Oh, there is nothing I wouldn't do for you. Why, if it were possible, I would marry you myself!" "You would?" asked Roger, slightly surprised "But of course" he replied, "to be able to announce to the world that a Musketeer cadet was getting married is the dream of every single Captain of this famed corps!" "Oh" said Roger, suddenly realising that the Captain meant he wanted to marry Roger off, rather than marrying him himself "So what I can help you with then?" asked the Captain as he resumed his seat. Roger took a deep breath and announced "Captain, I have come to a conclusion over these last few days. Everywhere I go, I am hailed as a hero for my part in ensuring that the Queen was spared her blushes and yet when I see all these other cadets, men who have spent years trying to get to the same position as me, a friend to both the Titan and the English Musketeer, I feel as if I am stealing their thunder..." "Nonsense!" replied the Captain, but Roger raised his hand "...therefore" he continued, "I wish to take the test!" The Captain gasped in horror and looked up saying "Non, non, non, non, I...I can't let you!" "You can't?" asked Roger "Roger" said the Captain as he stood up and placed his hands on Roger's shoulders, "The test is the most difficult part of any cadet's training. It involves a fifty mile horse ride across country, a forty mile march in full uniform and equipment, a thirty mile run, a two mile swim and a final test that is held at night in the Bois de Boulogne!" "Doesn't sound too tricky!" said Roger "In order to pass each stage successfully, you must finish in the top two in every stage and win the final test. Otherwise" and with that the Captain gulped, "You would be ejected from the corps and not able to apply again for another five years. Roger, I cannot dare to lose a man of your calibre. Have you seen how Porthos and Henri treat you? Why, if they were women, I'd say that they were both in love with you!" Roger smiled and said "I consider them to be my best friends in the entire world and they have agreed with my decision!" "In that case" said the Captain, sitting back down, "if they have given their consent I have no reason to object" and with that pulled out a document, added Roger's name and said "Once you sign there, nothing, bar your death can remove your name!" "Then let's hope I don't die!" Roger chuckled as he signed his name and with that act, the die was cast.