This novel is set in France during the reign of Louis XIII. D?Artagnan is the 18-year-old son of an impoverished nobleman from Bearn. The young man decides to go to Paris to seek his fortune. Along the way, D?Artagnan meets Athos, Porthos y Aramis at an inn and challenges each of them to a duel. In Paris D?Artagnan meets up with the musketeers again and ends up fighting with them against Richelieu?s soldiers. Their spectacular victory leads the four men to become inseparable friends.