Trial By Fire
Chapter Four
Duo Awakens
The next morning, Quatre was up with the sunrise, as usual. His patient was still slumbering peacefully, he noted as he started to prepare for breakfast. Wufei had fallen asleep in front of the fire... no surprise. And Trowa had tied up his hammock between the supports of the back porch... again, no surprise. Quatre spent a moment leaning in the doorway, just watching as the rising sunlight played across Trowa's face. It had been several months since he'd last gazed upon that face; the longest he'd ever gone without seeing it since the first time they became lovers. No, before that, even; from the first moment they had met.. They'd always knew, always said that it couldn't be permanent. Their arguments over it often were small and resolved or ignored quickly, but Quatre's temper had reigned last time, and Trowa'd taken the full force of it. Quatre could clearly remember the words he'd spoke.
"By all that is held Holy, I cannot... will-not.... let myself be dragged into your childish warfare games. It is stupid, selfish and I cannot stand for it! Go, if you must. They're your family, of course you'll go. But I do not belong in Ellesmera. I don't want to belong there."
Tears were blinked away from aqua eyes as he forced himself not to dwell on his harsh words. But they had been true... much too true. Quatre didn't belong to the people of Ellesmera. By his very nature, he was different than them. And Trowa could never completely leave his people behind; Trowa was, by nature of course, an integral part of their hierarchy. No matter how they tried, or how they felt... they could never have made a relationship work.
The pain of that fact alone was worse than anything he'd ever felt before.
He felt the presence behind him before Wufei ever spoke.
"Y'know... the two of you are meant for each other."
"Then why do we keep hurting each other?" Quatre questioned softly.
"A certain amount of pain should be expected when two people love each other. The phrase 'falling in love' even has the connotations of pain."
"We're not good for each other," Quatre shook his head. "We're just too different. We belong in two completely different worlds."
He turned to walk back inside. "Your new friend is waking up. Perhaps it would be best if you and Trowa left today. I can take care of your friend well enough alone."
"Perhaps," Wufei said, following.
"I am expecting Heero to return within the fort-night," Quatre warned, seeing Wufei wasn't convinced.
"I can handle my own against that demon," Wufei growled. The animosity between the fire-wielder and the earth-wielder was well-known to the healer. The friendship the blond shared witht he latter was just another wedge between him and Wufei... between him and Trowa. For Heero, and Quatre himself, had refused to join the rebellion. Quatre's heart was bent on maintaining peace... he was a healer. Heero simply refused to be a pawn in history. He would help here or there, but Heero was his own master. Not even the amazing persuasive powers of the Southern Trinity itself could persuade Heero to join the resistance.
Quatre studied the young brunette now laying on one of his healing beds. Burnished chestnut hair was spread in disarray, and surprisingly vivid indigo eyes were blinking open.
"Calm," Quatre said softly, seeing the panic begin to come to life. Immediately, the panic snuffed out. Another thing about his unique, strong and rare gift that made Quatre different than most healers was his ability to lace his magic into his voice, and not just work it through his hands. Quatre saw Wufei's indignant look as his own body relaxed at the soothing, healing voice.
"My name is Quatre," he told the waking patient. "I am a healer, and I heal through magick. Do you understand?"
The boy nodded, still unsure, but calmed.
"I've healed your wounds, but you *must* take it easy for the next few days. Your injuries were severe; burns covered most of your body. Healing is an inexact art, no matter the skill of the healer. You will probably experience itching or tingling on your skin for about a fortnight or so, but it will diminish in time, and it won't be painful... more annoying than uncomfortable, even."
The boy nodded once more.
Quatre smiled. "Now... can you tell me your name? And then we will see about getting you some breakfast."
"I..." the boy swallowed. Fething a small cup of water, and holding it to the boy's lips, Quatre noted that his throat must be dry. The herbs he gave him often had that side-effect, but it was mild and temporary. "Duo," the patient managed, throat now wet and working a bit better. "My name's Duo."
"A pleasure to meet you Duo. Wufei, be a doll and go fetch Trowa, wouldn't you? The oats are cooking, the bread is warming... but he'll likely want tea, so he'll have to put the water on to boil."
Duo, his patient, looked as Wufei walked out of the room. Duo felt the power in the room diminish slightly as the dark haired man left, and he oddly felt that there was something about that man... something important, something familiar.
"Who...?"
Quatre smiled. "Wufei is the one who saved you. You owe him and Trowa both deep gratitude. I hear that burning at the stake is not a pleasant way to die... and not many survive it as spectacularly as you did, might I say. What power do you possess?"
"Heh?"
Quatre smiled at the confusion. "What talent do you have? Your gift? Why did they burn you at the stake? Or was it simple misunderstanding?"
Duo thought. He was already supposed to be dead... anything after this was borrowed time. So... what the hell?
"I... I make things move." He waved a hand weakly, and a wooden bowl on the table wobbled a bit before raising into the air.
"Impressive," Trowa commented, coming into the room with Wufei on his heels. Quatre laughed as Trowa's interruption caused the bowl to crash down onto the table.
"S'rry," the boy Duo said as he blushed in embarrassment. "I'm not usually so... weak."
"How strong is your gift?" Quatre asked, then decided to explain, least his patient get confused again. "How long can you lift something? How heavy? How many? Things like that."
Duo closed his eyes against the headache. Who was this cheerful person? He'd survived the stake? How... he remembered the flames not burning him, and then suddenly they were. What exactly had happened back in that village?
"I'm not sure. I never tested it. I managed to lift a wall of the...." he paused. Should he really tell them about the monastery?
"Maxwell Monastery?" The dark Wufei asked. Duo blinked. How had they....
"Yes... I lifted the wall when we were being attacked. They used explosives to topple the North wall, and I lifted it back up. I managed to hold it for an about an hour until they made it through the doors and I lost concentration."
Quatre nodded. "A fairly strong gift. According to the Trinity's basis, that would qualify as a level seven, maybe level eight."
Duo nodded in reply. "Father Maxwell told me I was a level six when I first came to the Monastery. But I never understood the basis."
Trowa smirked. "Few people do. It's a very... complicated.... process to judge a mage's talent in terms of strength."
"You're a mage, too, then? Another healer?"
Wufei shook his head. "We are all mages. But no, we are not healers. I am a fire-warrior from Ki-Lin. Trowa comes from Ellesmera."
Duo nodded. Quatre helped him set up, and served him a bowl of oatmeal before taking a seat in a chair next to him.
"Duo," Trowa asked, "What are your opinions on the theological views of Sanq?"
"Huh?" Duo asked, a spoon of oats in his mouth. Quatre shot Trowa a cold glare, but he explained.
"He's asking what do you think of the religion of the people in Sanq. What do you think of their view of the 'One God', their Earth god?"
Duo shrugged. "Not my place to judge. Lots of people called upon Iandros, but not me. I only believe in the God of Death. But let them believe what they want. I personally have nothing against their God, despite his so called dislike of magick. I just hate that king of theirs; I think it more of him poisoning their beliefs than their god doing it."
Wufei smirked, and nodded. "An astute observation. Which is mostly correct. Kushrenada has tainted the people's beliefs. They didn't like magick wielders... but it was Kushrenada that turned them to hating us, and burning us."
"There is a group," Trowa added. "A resistance, a rebellion of sorts. Magick-wielders that don't agree with he way Kushrenada has turned the people against mages. They are preparing to remove him from the throne by force if necessary to protect their own from his misguided followers."
Duo looked at these two before him. They were warriors, strong... it was easy to tell. These were rebels, these were fighters.
"Count me in. I'll help with whatever you want from me, just so long as I can help keep others from having to go through what I did."
Wufei nodded. "You will need rest first, but then we'll take you to Ellesmera. You can train with the others there, find a way of being useful."
"Don't you think he should know what he's getting himself into?" Quatre demanded, standing up. He'd finally had enough of this. "This isn't just to protect people! Not anymore. This rebellion of yours will turn into all-out WAR! People... more innocent people... will die. Fighting only lead to bloodshed. We healers have enough to do without maniacs out there trying to get themselves killed!"
Trowa blinked up at Quatre, surprised. No, he'd expected an outburst. Quatre would not just sit by idly while Wufei and himself recruited yet another sorcerer for the Ellesmeran rebellion. But it was the words Quatre spoke with vehemence, his voice cracking and breaking, teal eyes sparkling.
'... without maniacs out there trying to get themselves killed...' Trowa swallowed. Was that what Quatre had been trying to say months ago, when he'd demanded that Trowa leave the rebellion? Was *that* why Quatre was so upset with him?
He thought Trowa was seeking death?!?!
Trowa stood, oblivious to the curious look from Wufei and the confused one from Duo. "Quatre..."
"No! This... this is POINTLESS!!!" Quatre raged, aqua tears trembling in teal eyes, as he turned on his heel and dashing from the cottage.
"Quatre!?!" Trowa rushed after him, leaving two confused mages in his wake. He was not letting Quatre go so easily. Not this time. This time... they *would* resolve their problem.
"Quatre..."
~*~*~*~
AN: MUCH, MUCH thanks must go to Jewel Of Hell, for her suggestions on the names of the gods/goddesses in Atara. And for being the original inspiration for my first foray into fantasy! ^__^ Love you, girl!
