"Any idea where Michael got to?" Alexander turned to his friend, a Siamese cat clad in a belt and a flowing black cloak. Nikita looked up, halfway from climbing up a rope in their practice hall place. Both the young cats were training to become proper muscateers and both were passionate in their training with swords, thrusting at each other playfully... Getting ready for fights to come!
The she cat shook her head slightly, a frown creasing her brow. "I heard he may be late though" she replied, gripping the rope with her claws and leaning back, she took one paw off and waved it at their friend who had just decided to turn up.
Michael waved back, a smile lighting his handsome features. Before he could get to them, he was tackled over by the training master, and they both tussled on the floor in mock battle.
The training masters fur shone with sweat as he shouted at Michael, spittle flying from his jaws. "Cossack!" This being Michael's surname. "Cossack! You young, disrespectful scoundrel!" The master shook the young cat in pretence roughness. "Speak up! Where have you been?"
The two cats scrabbled to their feet and whipped out their blades simultaneously. A  feisty fight mounted, the training master and student locked in playful yet serious battle.  "Battle is all about skill,young Cossack!" Cried the training master, parrying Michaels attack with ease.
Alexander and Nikita grinned at each other, and winked before leaping into the fray to help their friend in distress.
Nikita leapt in first, parrying the masters thrust with a well timed parry.  Her blade shone as she exclaimed loudly "not all about skill sir... But also honour!"
The Siamese cat was forced back, driven to submission by the elder's swift sword work and long- term experience. There was a twinkle in his eye as he told the young cat "true about honour yet skill can be more important... Like now!"
Almost bursting with laughter at their silly antics, the three cats prized themselves from the training masters wrath and before they began to practice their sword fighting together, obviously not aiming to wound.
In between thrusts and parries Nikita and Alexander questioned Michael mischievously. "So... Where did you get to?" Asked Alexander, as he stepped back to avoid Nikita's swift blade. Michael grinned and shook his head as both his friends looked eager for what was going to be... An exciting explanation.
"I was just late ok?" Compromised Michael, nudging Alexander's sword out of the way and lunging forward. "We over ran at the play I'm in". His friends looked slightly disappointed before smiling and nodding, sharing their thoughts on the hilarious role that their friend was to play at an open air theatre that night.
"So how is your role coming along? asked Nikita, poking a bit of fun. "Your playing the lady nurse right?" Alexander snorted in laughter, the moment almost costing him a whisker as Michael swished his blade close to his friends face.
"So what if I am?" Michael replied in a mock injured tone, his whiskers drooping theatrically. Both his friends nudged each other, keeping back tears of mirth at his dramatic expression.
"W- what dress are you wearing? I- is it w- with frills?" Hiccuped Alexander, spluttering in amusement as he imagined his friend, dressed as a woman on the stage and dancing in a petticoat dress. The sight was pretty much hysterical.
Having enough of his friends merciless teasing, Michael made a sly compromise. "Why don't we sing the Muscateer song? Keep up the morale hmm?"
Nikita and Alexander jumped to the idea, all three of them had fine singing voices and often put them to good use, singing their songs throughout training sessions to really stir up the passion... To really feel like muscateers!
So as they went through the various obstacles, weather swinging on ropes or duelling with Sabres, the inspiring song was sung by the ever faithful friends.
"Loyal friend, fuel your heart!
On a journey... Then we'll go together!
Loyal friend, here is joy!
On a journey... Then let's go!"
The three felines really sung with a will, the noise of clanging swords and the atmosphere of the training hall adding to their voices. They sung the verse next, doing  alternate solos.
"If our friend was lost,
In that joyful battle,
We would always continue the fight!
Our loyalties lie with our nation,
Our fighting is a sensation!
We drive our enemies to frustration!
Where will we go?
Where will we go?
Where will we go? Forward!"
The chorus came next and they sung the ending loudest of all, their sword thrusts becoming more passionate with each word.
"Loyal friend, fuel your heart!
On a journey... Then we'll go together!
Loyal friend, here is joy!
On a journey... Then let's go!"
The three friends burst out laughing as they finished the song, feeling very cheerful as they finished training for that day. Taking turns they drank water from a hanging pitcher and made for the door where they were accosted by the head of the regiment who placed a paw on Michaels shoulder.
"Anna Korevna is waiting for you in my office" he informed the startled looking cat. Michael gaped at the head and
stammered incoherently. "W-what? She can't be! She's waiting in her house for the play tonight... I just went to see her before training..." He slowed to a halt, looking utterly perplexed.
The training master smiled. "She's in my office" It was common knowledge that he nursed a soft spot for Anna Korevna. He led Michael to the office, indicating with a lash of his tail to nikita and Alexander to stay put.

If anyone bothers to read this story... Please comment or leave a like. Can you imagine cats dressed partially in musketeer clothing. I hope you can.
Hope you like the picture I drew of the main characters. From left to right is Nikita, Michael and Alexander who I hope look dashing and valiant in their hats and cloaks. At the bottom of the picture is Russian writing. In English this means 'don't hang your heads! Gardemarini!" Gardemarini were Russian soldiers in the time of tsars. They apparently sailed on ships hence the bit "marine" sound in the word. But in the film there is no mention of ships. Strange.
I hope you enjoy the picture and new ones coming soon and at random. Perhaps comment on your favourite character and il draw them for a chapter.
Bye my muscateers!