"Perhaps you will feel easier if I kept vigil," Rene tells him. There is a chair in the corner of the room, and he sprawls into it, legs wide as he makes himself comfortable. If Porthos means to make him work for it, then Aramis will in turn, by God.

He presses the heel of his hand against his groin, shifting slightly. Certain tasks will surely need to be taken into hand, soon, but not until Isaac drifts off again.