"He's a very good start," says Aramis flatly. After everything they have endured in this horrible place, he is no longer able to be impressed by the bleeding spectre of a dead man. It is only Athos' reaction to him that he fears, and in deference to the man he loves, when Aramis aims his pistol through the scant spaces between their bodies, his ball strikes the ground at Thomas' feet.

"We protect one another."