Chapter 14 Aftershocks

When both door and gate were closed and bolted behind the unwanted guests Treize turned leaning his back against the door and heaved a sigh of relief. Only then did he notice Heero and WuFei flanking him, swords still in hand, incase the interlopers offered more than token resistance.

"Thank you." Treize smiled weakly at the boys.

"There is still…that woman." Heero remarked. And the noble wondered just what WuFei HAD told the others, with regard to his relations with his cousin.

"Hm." Treize nodded thoughtfully. "I expect she will be leaving shortly as well."

Both slaves looked relieved but said nothing as they returned together to the hall.

Trowa was gathering the dirty plates and uneaten food from the tables Quatre was busy cleaning up the spilled wine. Duo knelt to retrieve the panther cub that had been concealed in a wicker basket beneath the table. Cutting the evening short had meant that they wouldn't need Nanashi to conclude the night's entertainment…which was perhaps for the best. Trowa had not had much time with the young panther and having it perform within sight and smell of food might have been problematic. Not that what had happened was any less so, but at least that had been something beyond Treize couldn't be held responsible for.

"Ugg, Fuzz butt…you are soaked--" Duo wrinkled his upturned nose, setting the cub down on the table and grabbed a towel to dry him off. Gazing into dilated blue eyes he made a startling discovery "--And drunk."

"Impossible." WuFei growled.

Then the black cub took a few wobbly steps tail swinging in large loops and promptly fell over.

TROWA!" WuFei called just as the beast lord was returning from ferrying the leftovers to the kitchen.

"What is it?" the green-eyed youth asked wiping his hands of his tunic.

"Nanashi's basket was right in the way of the spill. He was most likely trying to clean his fur and…" Heero explained.

"He's drunk." Duo giggled then tried to look straight-faced caressing the creature's ears. "Poor little guy."

"Don't set him on the table. If he falls off he might hurt himself." Trowa cautioned.

"Do you think he'll be alright?" WuFei asked unable to hide the concern in his voice.

"He can't have had too much…but it might be best if he stays upstairs with us tonight. That way we can check on him. Perhaps Lady Une will let us have one of the crates in the store room to use as a temporary pen. I'll give him a bowl of fresh water and some soft bedding. he should be fine after he sleeps it off." Trowa explained logically.

"I expect he'll have a hangover in the morning." Duo remarked with a smirk.

"He might at that." Trowa agreed with a nonchalant shrug.

"Have you ever had one?" Heero asked curiously.

Duo made a motion like he was locking his lips and throwing away the key; a testament to his commitment to always tell truths. He wasn't saying anything at all…lest it incriminate him.

Trowa wasn't so reticent, "There was a time I could have indulged in such things, food, wine, companionship … favorites in the Circus Maximus are offered anything they desire. … I think I was too young for it to hold much appeal though. And of course, I saw what happened when Master Barton overindulged." He explained, then asked, "You?"

"I was a champion in the arena it is true but Scissori are kept to a different regime." Heero admitted with a slight frown. "The only reward I fought for was the opportunity to sleep in the next morning. Odin took me to an open field once and just let me run. It made me…feel strange…he said drinking in too much sky made me giddy. I still don't understand what he meant though."

"Some of the older students in our temple thought it was funny to steal the masters' Shaoxing wine (yellow rice wine) and get the youngest slaves intoxicated. I do not recommend it…for man or beast." WuFei admitted quietly.

"Wise words Wu-wu." Duo whispered, cuddling the young panther to his chest.

"Wu-FEI!" the obsidian eyed youth growled through grit teeth. "I know you can manage two simple syllables."

Duo laughed and the others just rolled their eyes.

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Quatre was so distracted with his own thoughts he was oblivious to the interplay among his fellows. The presence of his former mistress had unsettled him from the beginning. He was relived he hadn't been expected to do anything more involved than play. Then, considering how things had turned out he doubted he could even do that much had Treize not called an early end to the festivities. "M-miss Dorothy W-wasn't that Irea?" The little blonde faltered under Lady Catelonia's pale blue gaze. "What did she want? Did you instruct her to interrupt so you could leave early?"

Dorothy gave the boy her patented 'who, me…would I do that?' look, but the little blonde knew her too well to be swayed by it in the least. He ignored it and continued on, "What happened? I-I don't think I've never seen her act so flustered that before."

"Nor have I." Dorothy frowned thoughtfully. "I've always thought her one of grandmother's more level headed ladies-in-waiting. But I couldn't understand a word she said. Minae Mille Heri, (latin) what is that supposed to mean…I don't see the sense in proclaiming 'a thousand yesterdays' as 'wonderful' poor girl has clearly lost her mind.

"You are mistaken Dorothy dear, She said Min Mildeherra," The northern tongue slipped easily from Treize's lips as if he was long acquainted with it "Unless I am mistaken It means Merciful lord," he explained. Zechs nodded sullenly.

Dorothy's gaze was one of surprise and confusion, a clear indication that her sun-bright hair was the only thing she inherited from her Germani born mother. That was something he could use to his advantage. "Đīnen ap þīn ciþþ?" (The handmaiden she is your kin?)

His faithful second gave a resolute nod and sighed.

Treize knew that look all too well. "Mōdcearu Seax, Oflongan hāmlond." Your heart grieves Zechs. You miss your homeland.) Zechs tried to forget he was a foreign prince; a Peescræft among the roman's to seal a treaty with his father's people. So much had happened since he'd left his northern home. It felt like a lifetime ago. But it didn't take much for memory to come thundering back; and this instance was stressing him to his limits.

"I haven't seen Arri since I was a child." He admitted quietly. Her words stung and the hurt was made more potent from being delivered in his native tongue. "She…she said I brought grief to my family and begged forgiveness of our ancestors. She…she is your sister Quatre, do you know why she should have such cause to hate me?" he asked, pain obvious in his voice.

"My sister?" Sapphire eyes widened in astonishment. Quatre was so stunned by the declaration he didn't even notice his hand moving of its own accord to rub away the sympathetic pain in his chest. The little blonde shook his head. "I never knew…She never said…anything. Before you told me we were cousins I didn't think I had any family at all. Why would Irea hide something like that?" Quatre asked.

"I don't know." Zechs whispered hugging his arms to his chest. There was no denying the distress tingeing his voice, "I don't know…but perhaps we should find out."

"What you should do is get some sleep my friend. It is late and there is no help for it at the moment." Treize tried to redirect the conversation. "We all need to get some rest and decide what to do in the morning." His eyes met Zechs' as he tried to gauge whether his friend would be all right until then.

"Well that is my cue to leave." Dorothy announced shrilly so all in the room could hear the declaration. "I know I've overstayed my welcome. There is still a chance that mislaid maidservant will show up before morning; If not grandmother will make me buy her a new one. Olympus knows she is so particular it takes forever to find one she gets along with tolerably well; and of course they must be blonde…Such a trial!" She held the back of her hand to her brow. "If I learn anything interesting I'll send word…Or drop by unannounced, as the mood strikes me." She grinned cheekily, "Good night Cousin Janis. Good night all." Treize scoffed at the hated nickname and the diabolical blonde was still chuckling as she swept airily from the room.

"Onnas" WuFei grumbled in her wake.

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Perhaps an hour later Quatre crept silently into his master's chambers.

The sight that greeted him was not altogether unexpected but it still made his breath hitch in his throat none the less. Treize lay sprawled on the sumptuous Lecius cubicularis (bedstead) arms flung wide, a thin sheet twining about his midsection dead asleep with a slight smile ghosting across his noble features. The reason for the smile was evident. Wufei knelt beside the man, eyes closed seemingly lost in his own thoughts as his skilled fingers kneaded the supple flesh of his master's back and shoulders.

"F-fei" Quatre's voice was quiet and hesitant. He was well aware startling the other youth from his revere would likely disturb his master as well. In his experience nobles were invariably surly upon waking. Quatre was not eager to give any master…even one as kind as Treize had been thus far, a reason to discipline them. "WuFei," he whispered again clutching his harp close to his chest as he drew steadily closer.

"Winner." The other youth's eyes were silted sleepily almost cat-like and his voice practically purred. "I thought we agreed I would keep master's chamber this night. My sleeping things are set on the couch in the antechamber for a reason."

"I, you…well…um." The blonde's brow furrowed in frustration as his normally articulate manner left him stammering. He closed his eyes, and wrangled his thoughts back into submission, before continuing. "The others agreed that since we two have prior experience as chamber slaves it would be the best if we took turns attending Master Treize until the rest learn how to do so. I didn't mind that you volunteered to go first. I understand you wanted to confirm the result of the healing techniques you used on him this afternoon. But now you have done so…and…and Master Zechs--" the blondes eyes shifted to the beautifully woven rug beneath his bear feet. "--He needs you too."

"What do you mean?" Dark eyes glinted in the timid lamp light and he carefully eased himself off the bed and retreated several steps so their conversation would not disturb the sleeping noble.

"Similar to the way Duo can tell when someone is lying I can sense things too. It is a gift I've always had and thanks to Zechs I am beginning to understand why. He knows more about my past than I do. He is my cousin…and Irea, the slave that confronted him this evening, was my sister, I can't understand the language my sister spoke but I know her words hurt him deeply. I can feel his pain. Just being near him sears my soul." Quatre rubbed at his chest. "He should not be alone tonight. You told us that after He and Master Treize gave us an area of our own where we could have privacy you offered him a place in our refuge in return. He needs it now but is afraid to ask, afraid the others won't accept him as readily as you did, especially if you aren't there. If you take my bed and let him have yours I think he would not refuse the offer."

WuFei's gaze lingered on the form of his sleeping master. It certainly didn't look as if he would wake anytime before dawn but one never knew. "Y-You'll look after Treize?" he asked quietly.

"Of course!" Quatre beamed.

"You won't leave for anything?" the eastern slave reiterated.

"I DO know my duty Chang WuFei," Quatre couldn't completely suppress the peevish frown, but there was a playfulness in his tone that made the other boy smile. "Do you seek to impugn my honor?! Quatre demanded"

"Of course not Quatre-jūn…to do so would be unjust." WuFei announced and gave the blonde a formal bow. "I will take my leave now." Matching action to words he retrieved his blanket pillow and sword from the couch.

"Do so." Quatre said and surprised the other boy by mirroring his bow. "Good night WuFei-jun and thank you."

"Rest well little cat." WuFei nudged his arm gently before turning toward the door.

"Um, Fei?" the blonde's uncertain voice called him back.

"What is it?" the other youth encouraged.

"Did you really do what that awful Mueller said? Did you actually bite his friend?" The blond asked his cheeks scarlet with embarrassment.

"Yes, yes I did." WuFei admitted unashamed. "Alex was a louse who enjoyed seeing me humiliated and helpless. I did the only thing I could to prove I was neither--Then I ran."

"But the penalties for doing such a thing…" Quatre hugged himself at the thought.

"I know Cat. Mueller was correct in his assessment that no one has kept me for more than few scant months since Ambassador Ron was killed. I've lost track of the number of times I've been bought and sold. I've been wagered and lost in games of chance and even been given away a few times. Being passed from hand to hand like that left me feeling used and dirty. Alex preyed on those feelings and I couldn't let him get away with it. I knew I couldn't really escape. This isn't even my country. I hoped they would kill me."

"I'm glad they did not." Quatre whispered.

"Me too Cat, me too," WuFei reflected and slipped silently from the room.

"I wish you much happiness Chang WuFei, you deserve it." Quatre whispered though he knew the other boy could no longer hear him. He carefully snuffed out the lamp before curling up in his own blanket and snuggled down onto the couch the other boy had abandoned.

He lay in darkness for some time. Even here Quatre could vaguely sense the three tailed lash of his cousin's distress flicking about the edges of his psyche. Likewise he was aware when Zechs nervousness and pain began to subside. Quatre smiled to himself His plan was working. Content in the knowledge he let the balm of Somnus ease him gently into the realm of dream.

Section 14 notes

Alcohol and Cats. Exposing animals to alcohol is never a good idea and can cause serious health hazards. Even a small amount can make a cat or other small animal very ill. It can cause kidney damage or even death if not treated quickly as their small body weight can not handle the amount of alcohol in them. Just a few sips for a cat or small dog may be equivalent to a full glass of wine for a person. Undiluted spirits such as whisky are more likely to be fatal than say a sneaky few sips of a glass of wine or a vodka and coke. Luckily most wine during this time was mixed with water and spices so the result of Nanashi's dip is nothing worse then I described. Still it is interesting that this chapter is the one up for posting today since my own Felis catus passed peacefully from this life just this morning. (No alcohol was involved) She came to me as a stray and has been a faithful friend for 16 years. Rest well little girl, you will be sorely missed.
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Alcohol in ancient China was regarded as a sacred liquid and was used when people made sacrificial offerings to the Heaven and the Earth and as part of funerary rights. Ancient, still liquid wine from 3000 years was found in sealed bronze containers in a grave excavated in western china. It has been identified as containing specialized rice or millet, flavored with herbs, flowers, and possibly tree resins. A variety of molds may have been used to break down the ingredients. A similar method to that used today.

I was originally going to say the acolytes stole sake but that is Japanese, and WuFei is indubitably from Chang'an. Shaoxing wine is considered the most ancient yellow rice wine in China. It is named after the province in northeastern Zhejiang. Modern-day Shaoxing sits on the site of the capital of the Spring and Autumn Period Kingdom of Yue. Around the sixth century BC, the Yue ruling elite fought a number of wars against its northern archrival Kingdom of Wu Both kingdoms were masters of metallurgy, fabricating excellent swords, with incised messages, geometric patterns and inlaid gold or silver; Linguists point out possible similarities and links between the Japanese language and the Wu dialect that may be indicative of ancient connections between the two. Anyone think this may be one more connection to explain both our Fei's facility with languages and his affinity for swords?

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Pronunciation Note: 'Đīnen ap þīn ciþþ"the Anglo-Saxon letter 'Thorn' is written "Đ" or "þ" and sometimes đ it makes the 'Th' sound. The word 'ciþþ' is equivilent to the word found in Middle English idiom 'kith and kin', ie family and extended family. In later years printers fell back to using the runic form 'y' since it was the closest they had in the Roman alphabet. So when you see the horror that is "Ye Olde Shoppe" the 'Y' is a Thorn and the e's were silent so it STILL would have been pronounced 'the old shop' sorry it's a pet peeve of mine. People pronounce all the letters and look so superior doing it…makes me want to slap them. 'Ye' is the archaic 2nd person singular objective pronoun that has since been replaced by 'you'. 'You old shop' equally makes no sense. Sorry, climbing off soap box now.

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Arri:my take on the original Germanic form of Quatre's sister's name. Arri is an Anglo-Saxon name linked to the more familiar term Arian, which prior to the stigma it acquired during WWII meant 'farmer' so in this sense think one known for animal husbandry and care-giving. Not that this is terribly relevant to the story as it stands at present but you know where my thought process was taking me. It wasn't just that the two sounded similar.

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In most roman households the bedroom's primary furnishing was the Lecius cubicularis (literally 'couch of the lair') in its simplest form it was a small wooden bed open on all sides usually with of some slight padding, possibly filled with dry herbs hay. In richer households the mattress might be stuffed with fleece or feathers and supported on a ropes or slats in a frame rather than solid wood. Treize's bed was a bit more extravagant still as befitting a noble of high rank. For one his would be higher from the ground than the common sort requiring steps placed beside it.. The feet of a Noble's beds may be constructed of silver or gold and some possessed backboard/s of costly kinds wood decorated with tortoise-shell or ivory; Treize's Lectius was of the type that had a desk like attachment to the headboard permitting the occupant to study or write correspondence before turning in for the night. Blankets in the houses of wealthy Romans were costly generally of a purple color and embroidered with beautiful figures in gold. The pillows were likewise covered with magnificent cases.

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Somnus: The Roman god of sleep, a translation of the Greek Hypnos. According to myth He resided in Erebos, the land of eternal darkness, beyond the gates of the rising sun. From there he rose into the sky each night in the train of his mother Nyx (Night).