Episode 1 - Dogtanian's journey

It is the year 1625. In the small village of Béarn, in Gascony, southern France.

Young Dogtanian is engaged in a wooden-sword battle with the Mayor's son - the arrogant Francois LaVache -
for the title of being the best "musketeer" in the village. To be a Musketeer - a member of the elite troops of
King Louis XIII - is a noble rank, one that young would-be swordsmen all try to emulate. Dogtanian has
considerable skill with a sword, and fights with honour, but Francois is less professional and is intent on calling
Dogtanian a coward. It is, however, Dogtanian who gets the better of his opponent. A mounted soldier arrives &
salutes Dogtanian for his skill. He is from Paris, and a member of the Musketeers under the leadership of
their Captain, Monsieur Tréville. Whilst Francois and friends are left to be scolded for their rough behaviour, the
Musketeer rides up to Dogtanian's house. Dogtanian is surprised, and wonders why anyone so noble would
come to a house such as his. He spies on the conversation between his father and the Musketeer. The Musketeer brings
a letter from M. Tréville. Dogtanian's father is a former officer and good friend to Tréville. He reads the letter, but
Dogtanian, listening in, cannot see what the letter contains. After the Musketeer has left, Dogtanian spars with
his father. Whilst they battle, the mother of Francois comes to the house and complains - again - to Dogtanian's
mother about the violent behaviour of Dogtanian. Later that evening, Dogtanian's parents talk about their son.
His mother is concerned that he sees the sword as merely a plaything but his father defends his policy of
teaching Dogtanian to fight like a true gentleman who would only fight to defend his Country.

Next morning, Dogtanian receives a message from Francois, telling him that their fight must be resolved that day,
and that they should meet. Before Dogtanian arrives, Francois and his friends have set traps for him at the
scene of battle. But Dogtanian has already sneaked up on them and has found out about the traps. By using
armour taken from his father's house, he outwits Francois and friends so they fall victim to their own traps. They
run away and Dogtanian celebrates victory. But then his father appears, telling him that he must treat the sword
as a plaything no longer. He throws him a real sword. After a brief confrontation Dogtanian is disarmed, but his
father is impressed by his son's skill on the first occasion that he held a real sword. He decides that
he will send him to Paris on M. Tréville's invitation as contained in the letter - to train to become a Musketeer. 

The next day, Dogtanian is informed of his journey and fitted out for his trip. His father gives him his sword that he
used in battle when he fought alongside the late King Henry IV, telling him to only use it when honour is at stake.
He also introduces him to Sandy, a yellow horse provided for Dogtanian to speed him on the long journey north.
With a special healing ointment and a few coins provided by his mother, and a letter that he is to deliver
personally to M. Tréville, Dogtanian leaves his home behind. On the road out of town he meets Francois and
friends, who give a reluctant farewell as Dogtanian travels on the road towards Paris.
    
          The Village of Béarn                                          Dogtanian's House

Episode 2 - Dogtanian meets the Black Moustache

Riding Sandy on the road to Paris, Dogtanian is insulted for his lowly status by a pompous, fast riding nobleman
with a black moustache. Dogtanian gives chase, determined to avenge the insult. He catches up, but the
nobleman refuses to apologise and laughs at Dogtanian's offer of a duel. He rides away in a cloud of dust, and
Sandy is unable to match the speed of the nobleman's horse.
Having lost their quarry, they stop at a nearby farm for water. The farmer recommends a good inn at the nearby
town, the Franc-Meunier, and Dogtanian rides towards it. They arrive close to sunset and go straight to the inn.
The innkeeper comes and Dogtanian requests a room. He takes Sandy to the stable hand, and there spies
Black Moustache's horse. He asks the innkeeper about Black Moustache and finds out he is in the next room.
He goes and spies on Black Moustache and his squire through the keyhole, overhearing them talk about some
sort of meeting - "Milady will be here tonight".
The stable hand suddenly surprises Dogtanian, and the squire, coming to see, spots Dogtanian. Dogtanian
goes back to the innkeeper, asking for Black Moustache's name, but then Black Moustache suddenly arrives.
Dogtanian takes the opportunity to press for an apology for the insult. The innkeeper protests that he wants no
fighting, but Dogtanian foolishly offers to pay for any damage once his insult is avenged. Black Moustache's
squire reminds his master of his "meeting" but Black Moustache is determined to cut Dogtanian down. Both
Dogtanian and Black Moustache demonstrate great skill with a sword, then come to blows, smashing the room
up in the process. Whilst they fight, "Milady" arrives. The squire informs Black Moustache and is ordered to
keep Dogtanian busy whilst Black Moustache attends Milady. The innkeeper helps out, and they try to strike
Dogtanian to the floor with clubs, but do not succeed. Dogtanian heads out into the courtyard and sees Black
Moustache telling Milady about the English Duke of Buckingham's illicit love for the Queen of France. Milady
is told she must travel to England to find out more about this potentially scandalous affair. Dogtanian is struck
by Milady's beauty before she leaves in her carriage. Then the squire appears and again tries to apprehend
Dogtanian. He breaks Dogtanian's sword in two, and together the squire and innkeeper knock Dogtanian
out. They search him and find the money and letter. The innkeeper gets the money, but Black Moustache reads
and decides to keep the letter. He orders the innkeeper to dispose of Dogtanian, but the innkeeper, on
dragging him inside, finds Dogtanian still alive and so revives him.

Black Moustache, preparing to leave, orders the innkeeper to keep silent about his visit. Dogtanian discovers his
loss, and the innkeeper tells him that Black Moustache took the letter - the letter Dogtanian was supposed to
deliver personally to M. Tréville. But Dogtanian, very weak, is in no position to go after him. In his room,
Dogtanian suffers both mentally and physically, thinking of home. But then he remembers the ointment his
mother provided, and it has not been stolen. He uses it to heal his wounds, and sleeps until morning.
The next day at lunch, the innkeeper tells him that the money he has is not enough to pay for the damage done in
the fight with Black Moustache, so he will hold Sandy as a surety until Dogtanian has enough money to pay him.
Reluctantly, Dogtanian is forced to agree and so leaving Sandy behind, though forced to carry the heavy
saddle, he walks along the road to Paris.

Episode 3 - Paris, city of dreams

Dogtanian sleeps rough during his long journey towards the capital city. He journeys through all weathers, hitching
rides on carts where he can. Nevertheless his spirits remain high. A cart passes him without stopping,
splashing him with mud. Running, he makes the driver stop and demands an apology, in much the same way he
did with Black Moustache. However, he is humbled by the driver's comments and the fact that when he draws his
sword he remembers it was broken during the battle at the inn. But then the occupant of the coach appears - the
beautiful Juliette. Dogtanian is embarrassed. Although Juliette apologises to him for the behaviour of her coachman,
Dogtanian suddenly wants to accept full responsibility. Much to his further embarrassment, Juliette cleans the mud
from his tunic with her handkerchief. He learns from them that he has almost arrived in Paris, and tells Juliette of his
meaning to become an Musketeer and that he must meet with M. Tréville. In his haste to enter the city, he forgets
to return Juliette's handkerchief before her coach moves off, but reckons that it gives him "an excellent excuse to
see her again!"
Arriving in the city, Dogtanian goes straight to the barracks to try and see M. Tréville, but the guard at the gate shows
him first-hand the number of young men in France who are competing to become Musketeers, and says that he
will only let Dogtanian in providing he competes with them just like everyone else. With his sword broken, Dogtanian
is forced to wait, and tries to buy a new one so that he can compete. He finds a sword shop, but the prices are
much to high and he lost almost all his money at the inn. He wants to buy the best sword in the shop, but it is many times
more expensive than what he can afford. In order to get a sword, he works for the shop owner, sharpening
old swords. As he works, Juliette's coach comes past and Juliette spots Dogtanian working. Dogtanian soon earns
a (not very good quality) sword, and then remembers Juliette's handkerchief and how he must find her and return it to
her.
Meanwhile, Juliette visits the sword shop owner asking about Dogtanian. Upon seeing the type of cheap sword that
Dogtanian bought, she realizes it is no sword for a gentleman.
Our hero trudges aimlessly through Paris at night falls. He has no money and cannot get food or shelter. He is ambushed
and beaten up by a street gang and nearly run out of the city as a vagrant. Finally, he collapses, as luck would have
it, outside Juliette's house.
  
                   Paris                                                     Trainee Musketeers

Episode 4 - The three invincible Musketeers

Safe inside a warm bed, Dogtanian dreams of Juliette. When he awakes, he learns from Juliette's uncle that he
may stay in their house for as long as he pleases, for which he is most grateful. He also leans that Juliette is at
the palace as a lady in waiting to the Queen of France, Anne of Austria, the wife of King Louis XIII.
A commotion in the street outside draws their attention, and they go to see what the trouble is. Several of the
Cardinal's guards are battling with Athos, the strongest of the Musketeers, who is at the moment somewhat drunk.
Even so, the giant Musketeer is able to defeat them easily, and they crawl away in shame. Watching their shameful
display in secret is their master, the great Cardinal Richelieu, and his captain, Widdemer. Richelieu wants his
guards to defeat the popular Musketeers so that his own men can replace them as guardsmen to the King, and
is annoyed when Tréville's men are the victors. But Widdemer has a plan by which the Cardinal's guards can gain
the upper hand...
Dogtanian walks with Juliette's uncle, and learns of Athos's two friends, Porthos and Aramis. The three of them
are world famous swordsmen and together are known as "The Three Musketeers." The impetuous Dogtanian
narrowly avoids a fight with Porthos when they meet in the street.
Later, Dogtanian is alone in the city when he overhears a street robbery taking place, and sees what appears to
be Porthos robbing two defenceless women. He rushes over, denouncing the musketeer. A fight ensues, spilling
into some trees where Widdemer waits with a pistol. The shot misses Dogtanian, but it allows his adversary to
escape. Crossing a stream, the fleeing musketeer passes Aramis, reading a bible under a tree. Dogtanian
passes by shortly after, searching for his quarry, and Aramis is shocked when Dogtanian implies that his great
friend Porthos is a thief!
Porthos's apparent misdeeds are the talk of the town, pleasing the Cardinal's guards - in on the plan - who move to arrest him. On
hearing the news, Athos is sceptical, but soon learns the truth, and runs to warn Porthos of his imminent arrest. A
crowd moves towards Porthos's house, whilst a gleeful Widdemer watches. His plan of planting a lookalike Porthos
in town to turn the public against the musketeers is working! Athos finds the real Porthos and warns him, but the
crowd - including Dogtanian - is upon them. Porthos tells them it was a case of mistaken identity but is not believed,
and Dogtanian turns on him, whilst Athos engages the Cardinal's guards. Then Aramis rides up, having captured the
fake Porthos and revealing the truth to all, including Widdemer's plot to discredit the Musketeers. The fake Porthos
tries to run but is shot and killed by an arriving Widdemer. Dogtanian remembers seeing Widdemer riding away earlier
after a shot was fired in the trees and accuses the captain of being behind the conspiracy. The three musketeers believe
Dogtanian and move towards Widdemer and his troops, and another skirmish ensues. Before fleeing the scene,
Widdemer wounds Porthos in the arm with his pistol, but manages to escape. Dogtanian gives his name to
the musketeers before taking his leave, having secured the friendship of the three.

         The Cardinal's guards

Episode 5 - Monsieur Tréville, Captain of the Musketeers

The next morning in Paris. This is the day Dogtanian goes to see M. Tréville.
A cheering crowd greets Athos and Aramis as they walk through the streets towards the Musketeers' Headquarters. As Dogtanian stands watching them, Captain Widdemer approaches with some guards, intent on arresting Aramis and Athos for fighting with the Cardinals' guards the day before. The Musketeers protest that the guards started the fight, but Widdemer will have none of it. A fight is about to start when M. Tréville appears on the scene, ordering his Musketeers to put their swords away. He refuses to hand Athos and Aramis over to Widdemer, saying that his Musketeers would never attack anyone without a just cause. After M. Tréville threatens to inform the King of the outrage, a frustrated Widdemer leaves, determined to report the encounter to Cardinal Richelieu. On his way, he spies Dogtanian and recognising him, feels that he should deliver him to the Cardinal instead. He orders his men to arrest Dogtanian, and Dogtanian is forced to run. After a chase and a confrontation on the ledge of a tall building, Dogtanian evades his captors by jumping onto a carriage below and hiding on the roof. The carriage takes Dogtanian back to the Musketeers' Headquarters, as the occupants of the carriage - a lad named Terence and his mother,a Countess, have an appointment with M. Tréville, concerning joining the musketeers. Widdemer is still waiting for Dogtanian, but Dogtanian engages the guards in a swordfight. His sword is stuck in its scabbard, but he fights on bravely anyway.
Meanwhile, M. Tréville questions Athos and Aramis about the fight with the Cardinals' guards, but commends them for defending their honour as a Musketeer should always do. They are interrupted by the Countess, who wants Terence to become a Musketeer. But she changes her mind when M. Tréville tells her of the qualities required to become one - and the fact that titles and rank count for nothing when selecting who joins the ranks of the Musketeers. Whilst he talks, M. Tréville overhears Dogtanian fighting Widdemers' guards outside and, going to the window to see, comments to Athos on Dogtanian's valour & the fact that he has apparently not drawn his sword. Athos recalls his name - "Dogtanian", which M. Tréville recognises and wants to speak to him. Athos goes to fetch Dogtanian, but runs into Widdemer on the way. Widdemer wants Dogtanian arrested on the grounds that he drew his sword against the guards, but Athos shows Widdemer that Dogtanians' sword was never drawn as it was stuck in the scabbard.
Accompanied by laughs from the watching crowd, Widdemer returns to Cardinal Richelieu, who is angry at him for having been made a public spectacle. The Cardinal is determined to be revenged for the insult dealt to his men.
Dogtanian has gained an audience with M. Tréville, who knows him to be the son of his old friend Dogtanian Snr. Our hero apologises that the letter he was supposed to bring to M. Tréville was stolen. M. Tréville tells Dogtanian of the times, before Dogtanian was born, when he and Dogtanian Snr fought under the banner of the late King Henry IV during the civil wars in France, when they were both commanders. Dogtanian Snr resigned from the army after many civilians were killed in cold blood during a battle, even though he himself had not given the order to fire. Their lives parted at that point, but M. Tréville made Dogtanian Snr promise that if ever he had a son, he would one day send him to Paris to train as a Musketeer.
M. Tréville produces the sword that Dogtanian wanted to buy but could not afford, saying that Juliette brought it for him. Dogtanian cannot quite hide his blushes. Looking out of the window, he spies Black Moustache down in the streets. Taking leave of M. Tréville, he runs to give chase, but runs into Porthos , hurt from his bullet wound, who does not recognize him. Rebuked by Porthos, but eager to get after Black Moustache, he agrees to fight Porthos in a duel.

More episodes to come soon.

Episode 6

Episode 7 - Dogtanian meets the King

Episode 8 - Juliette's secret

Episode 9 - Juliette kidnapped

Episode 10 - The Great getaway

Episode 11

Episode 12 - Dogtanian to the rescue

Episode 13 - Dogtanian meets Monsieur Pip

Episode 14 - In search of Juliette

Episode 15 - Dogtanian saves the day

Episode 16 - Daggers and diamonds

Episode 17 - The journey to England

Episode 18 - The chase

Episode 19

Episode 20 - The Blue Falcon

Episode 21 - The shipwreck

Episode 22 - The jungle adventure

Episode 23 - Marco's mission

Episode 24 - The impostor

Episode 25 - Milady's revenge

Episode 26 - Dogtanian's dreams come true