"We've an appointment with the estate agent to see the land again in a week's time," Porthos says, drawing idle patterns now on Athos' chest as he smiles fondly. "And there's no rocky slopes. Only endless fields to ride in, maybe some room to plant vines in the event you want to grow your own wine," he says. "Some place we can make our own." And that means the other thing needs to be discussed.

"We do have an appointment in three days time at the agency," he says quietly. "For Aramis to give his donation."