Warnings: R, 3x4, 1+R, 2+H, 5+S, 13+11, 6+9 - Sap, Angst, Lime, AU
Disclaimer: As always I make no claim to Gundam Wing nor any of its characters!
A/N: Thanks for reviewing you guys, I'm really glad you're enjoying the story! Sorry updates are a little slow at the moment I've just started uni and things are a little hectic!
Misanagi - Duo will be along in a couple of chapters; you know him, he likes to make a bit entrance! Well anyway onwards!
FALCON'S REVENGE
Part Six - Revelations
They left the city many hours after Quatre's speech to the people, the lord had been inundated with pleas from various folk for vengeance and blessings of good fortune on his journey.
Quatre had stood with an amazing amount of patience, listening to each person individually and refusing to leave the city until he had spoken to all those who wished an audience.
Needless to say this adhered him to the peoples' hearts proving to them the young man would come to be a great leader much like his father, the task however took its toll on the young duke and the others could see him growing increasingly pale as Wufei's spell began to wear off.
Once the last person had bestowed their gratitude on the young man Quatre sat back heavily on the shattered fountain his back leaning against one of the broken pillars. He closed his eyes tightly against the pain that threatened to overwhelm him and let out a shuddering breath as he motioned for the others to join him.
He gave them a wry smile as they approached and struggled to stand until Trowa laid a steadying hand on his shoulder to keep him in place.
Quatre gave the ranger an exasperated look 'not you too Trowa, really I have enough mother hens without needing another!'
Trowa chuckled under his breath 'you're not looking so well Quatre that's all, perhaps this would be a good time to retire for the day?'
The blonde looked about to argue for a moment but one glance at the pained look in Wufei's eyes made him change his mind, 'perhaps your right Trowa, where do you suggest?'
Heero answered the question 'there's a coach house about half a league to the west my lord, I suggest we head for that.'
Quatre nodded, he knew the place although he had never set foot through its doors before. 'Very well then, we'll head there, it will give us chance to rest and discuss where we go from here.'
Mounting his horse Quatre bit back a cry as pain shot through his injured side, he jumped slightly as a hand came to lie on his shoulder and he looked up to greet worried forest-green eyes, forcing what he hoped was a reassuring smile he shook his head slightly 'it's alright Trowa I'm fine. Really!'
The ranger looked unconvinced but said nothing merely nodding and moving his horse to flank Quatre's on the left as the moved out of the city.
Quatre gave a sigh of relief when they finally came to a halt at the coach house's entrance and he made no fuss when Trowa moved to help him from his horse.
He leant heavily on the other man glad of the support for his head swam and the throbbing in his side if anything had grown much worse over the short journey. Silence descended on the inn as the party entered and Quatre bit back a sob of anger as he surveyed those in the common room.
The tables had been cleared to the sides of the main common room, injured and dying people lay crammed into the small space as the innkeeper and his family rushed around trying to provide everyone with food and blankets.
As soon as the man caught sight of the duke and his party he hurried over to them giving the noble a untidy bow before kneeling before him.
'My lord Quatre! Words cannot express how glad we are that you still walk among us!'
Quatre nodded his eyes still searching the crowded building and missing nothing, 'you are doing us all a great service, you have my thanks' he told the man and the innkeeper glowed with pride.
'Tis all I can do my lord, I hope it will be enough, please I would be honoured if you and your men would use my private lodgings tonight to rest in.'
Not wanting to offend the man Quatre nodded and thanked him for his hospitality before a young blonde woman who sat in the corner of the inn tending to a wounded soldier caught his attention.
He turned his head to Heero motioning to the woman 'go to her Heero, I am sure she was very worried,' the captain nodded his eyes showing his gratitude as he hurried over her.
'The Lady Relena is Heero's wife,' Quatre explained to Trowa as they followed the innkeeper through the coach house and into the lodgings at the back.
'Its not much my lord but please make yourself at home, I'll have my wife bring you some food once you are settled.' Quatre thanked the man profoundly before sinking into one of the bare wooden chairs with a sigh, he let his head fall to rest on his arms as he fought the urge to scream and hurl something against the wall.
Wufei and Trowa also sat and Heero joined them not long after with Relena behind him.
'Quatre!' she cried out running to the blonde as she came through the door 'I am so glad you are safe! When you didn't return from the hunt we thought,' she let out a sob and Quatre stood pulling her into a tight embrace his hand moving to run soothingly through her hair
'I am fine Relena really. I also am glad you are safe.'
With a great effort Quatre passed the weeping lady to her husband his face white as he caught the edge of the table to stop himself from falling, Relena's eyes went wide as she watched Quatre and she looked up at Heero her eyes searching.
Trowa was by the blonde's side in seconds supporting his weight and helping him to sink back into the chair, his hand moved to lift the lord's tunic but Quatre pushed it away before he had a chance. 'It's nothing I can't deal with Trowa please trust me in this, it's healing that's all.'
Trowa opened his mouth to argue but Quatre cut him off, 'perhaps it would be easier to show you then to try and argue the point,' he said lifting the tunic high enough for the others to see his wound.
The area surrounding the injury was red and small black veins ran from it across Quatre's side and chest, Wufei gave a cry of alarm and immediately fell to his knees before the young man his fingers tracing the lines.
'Why did you not say so Quatre! How can you even bear to stand while she heals you, not alone ride, you fool!'
Quatre blushed slightly under the magician's anger 'I bear it Wufei because I must, the healing process has to be sped up, I cannot hope to catch up with our enemies if I sit here for weeks recovering from this damn injury!'
Heero stepped forward his eyes blazing 'does someone want to fill me in?' he demanded.
Quatre sighed and pulled his tunic back down to cover the wound 'perhaps that would be best.let us eat first and then I will try to explain.'
His anger quelled for the time being Heero nodded and sat down at the table with Relena at his side. Not long after the innkeeper's wife, a plump lady of middle years with ruddy cheeks and a ready smile, entered the room with dinner for the duke and his companions and in silence they began their meal.
About an hour later they sat around the large fire in the innkeeper's family room, Quatre sat in a worn high backed chair covered in patched velvet his eyes closed as he enjoyed the warmth from the fire.
Presently he opened his eyes and surveyed his companions who sat in respectful silence waiting for him to begin.
Quatre frowned uncertain of where to start 'I'm unsure of how much you all know of my peoples' history, he began glancing from one face to the next. 'I know that Wufei knows much as he has served my family for many generations; of the rest of you though I am unsure.'
He fell silent for a moment before turning his attention to Trowa 'forgive my asking Trowa but are you native to the Kingdom of Levas?'
The ranger shook his head 'I hail from the Kingdom of Tylith, the town of Neath to be exact. I came to Levas four years ago when my parents were killed by raiders. My sister and I joined a troupe of travelling performers after their deaths but once visiting your city I decided it was a place I would like to settle so I swore allegiance to your father.'
'Catherine decided to continue with the troupe, a stable life does not suit her personality,' he smiled softly then and Quatre found himself having to tear his gaze from the ranger's face, so lost was he in studying the man's perfect features.
'Well then I will explain things from the beginning for your benefit and Heero's. My ancestors were originally the first people to populate the land now known as the Kingdom of Levas. They lived far to the south in the deserts, they were nomads travelling the wastelands in search of an oasis where they might build their true home.'
'After centuries of toil they finally found what they were looking for and the city of Setadon as it is now called was founded, the people named themselves the Magunac and they became a great race of scholars, architects and priests. So it was that they lived in peace for thousands of years until the barbarians from the north saw fit to descend on the Magunac people and declare war, as they desired their city and its treasures for themselves.'
'It is told that the people had few warriors among them having lived in peace for so long, so the high priest Seta offered his life and soul to the one goddess and in exchange she gave him the power to defeat his enemies.'
'Once the enemy had been vanquished disagreements raged between those of the people that believed the Magunacs should build up their military strength to prevent such an occurrence happening again, and those who insisted that pacifism was the peoples' way and that things should continue as they had always been.'
'It came about that no agreement could be reached between the two factions and while one remained in the city, the other travelled the land of Levas in search of a new home. They found it here and settled, dividing their resources equally between the arts practiced in the home land, and military training to ensure they would never again be helpless against an enemy.'
Quatre paused for a moment to stare off into the fire before collecting his thought and continuing. 'A number of centuries after our people settled here they were approached by the then king of Levas and invited to join the kingdom, they accepted and the Duchy of Rebalion was formed.'
The blonde glanced at Wufei for a moment 'how long ago was that?'
The magician frowned for a moment before answering 'about four hundred years ago.'
Quatre nodded in thanks, 'once it had become part of the kingdom the city was inundated with people from Levas and many of the Magunac decided to leave and return to Setadon. Those that remained here lost their Magunac heritage and now it is only really the leading family that are taught such history.'
Heero frowned at the duke his eyes bright, 'that is a very interesting history lesson my lord.but it does not really tell us much of what we wish to know!'
Quatre made a frustrated gesture at the captain 'if you would be patient Heero I was just getting to that! As I mentioned earlier the Magunac people were a race of scholars, architects and priests; the religion of the people is very different to that of the other kingdoms in our world.'
'It is common belief that there are many gods and goddesses commanding various aspect of life, the Magunac however believe, no they know, that this is not the case. There are truly only two deities that rule over our world, one god and one goddess and the individual beings other religions focus on are merely different incarnations of these two.'
'The Magunac people worship the one goddess and they fear the one god above all else, for while our goddess is fair in all things and seeks to maintain balance in the world she has created, the one god seeks only to bring destruction and chaos to all.'
'The priesthood of the one goddess is the pillar stone of the Magunac society. As I mentioned before, when the people are in peril a high priest can sacrifice his life to the goddess in exchange for the ability to summon her many forms onto the physical plain to aid them in their struggle against an enemy.'
'I told you after the summoning in Setadon that only a few of our people have been able to do this, only decedents of the original high priest Seta, and only then if the goddess sees fit to grant their request. Once she has excepted their life she will bestow the summoner the ability to call her to our world, it is a tremendous power that must only be used in the most dire of circumstances when no other option is left.'
'If I had been born in Setadon instead of Rebalion I would have been initiated into the priesthood and trained in how to correctly summon the goddess. As things stand now I have had none of this training and I can think of no reason as to why she would see fit to accept my sacrifice.'
The room fell silent as Quatre finished talking, Trowa's voice was soft as he broke it 'are you telling us Quatre that what you did out there today, was summon this one goddess?'
The blonde nodded an affirmative and Trowa continued, 'so once you have fulfilled you task, I mean once you have defeated you enemies with the goddesses help,' he broke off unable to finish his sentence.
Quatre nodded smiling sadly at his companions, 'yes, you are correct Trowa, once I complete my task, she will seek to reclaim the debt I owe to her and I will die.'
TBC.
Disclaimer: As always I make no claim to Gundam Wing nor any of its characters!
A/N: Thanks for reviewing you guys, I'm really glad you're enjoying the story! Sorry updates are a little slow at the moment I've just started uni and things are a little hectic!
Misanagi - Duo will be along in a couple of chapters; you know him, he likes to make a bit entrance! Well anyway onwards!
FALCON'S REVENGE
Part Six - Revelations
They left the city many hours after Quatre's speech to the people, the lord had been inundated with pleas from various folk for vengeance and blessings of good fortune on his journey.
Quatre had stood with an amazing amount of patience, listening to each person individually and refusing to leave the city until he had spoken to all those who wished an audience.
Needless to say this adhered him to the peoples' hearts proving to them the young man would come to be a great leader much like his father, the task however took its toll on the young duke and the others could see him growing increasingly pale as Wufei's spell began to wear off.
Once the last person had bestowed their gratitude on the young man Quatre sat back heavily on the shattered fountain his back leaning against one of the broken pillars. He closed his eyes tightly against the pain that threatened to overwhelm him and let out a shuddering breath as he motioned for the others to join him.
He gave them a wry smile as they approached and struggled to stand until Trowa laid a steadying hand on his shoulder to keep him in place.
Quatre gave the ranger an exasperated look 'not you too Trowa, really I have enough mother hens without needing another!'
Trowa chuckled under his breath 'you're not looking so well Quatre that's all, perhaps this would be a good time to retire for the day?'
The blonde looked about to argue for a moment but one glance at the pained look in Wufei's eyes made him change his mind, 'perhaps your right Trowa, where do you suggest?'
Heero answered the question 'there's a coach house about half a league to the west my lord, I suggest we head for that.'
Quatre nodded, he knew the place although he had never set foot through its doors before. 'Very well then, we'll head there, it will give us chance to rest and discuss where we go from here.'
Mounting his horse Quatre bit back a cry as pain shot through his injured side, he jumped slightly as a hand came to lie on his shoulder and he looked up to greet worried forest-green eyes, forcing what he hoped was a reassuring smile he shook his head slightly 'it's alright Trowa I'm fine. Really!'
The ranger looked unconvinced but said nothing merely nodding and moving his horse to flank Quatre's on the left as the moved out of the city.
Quatre gave a sigh of relief when they finally came to a halt at the coach house's entrance and he made no fuss when Trowa moved to help him from his horse.
He leant heavily on the other man glad of the support for his head swam and the throbbing in his side if anything had grown much worse over the short journey. Silence descended on the inn as the party entered and Quatre bit back a sob of anger as he surveyed those in the common room.
The tables had been cleared to the sides of the main common room, injured and dying people lay crammed into the small space as the innkeeper and his family rushed around trying to provide everyone with food and blankets.
As soon as the man caught sight of the duke and his party he hurried over to them giving the noble a untidy bow before kneeling before him.
'My lord Quatre! Words cannot express how glad we are that you still walk among us!'
Quatre nodded his eyes still searching the crowded building and missing nothing, 'you are doing us all a great service, you have my thanks' he told the man and the innkeeper glowed with pride.
'Tis all I can do my lord, I hope it will be enough, please I would be honoured if you and your men would use my private lodgings tonight to rest in.'
Not wanting to offend the man Quatre nodded and thanked him for his hospitality before a young blonde woman who sat in the corner of the inn tending to a wounded soldier caught his attention.
He turned his head to Heero motioning to the woman 'go to her Heero, I am sure she was very worried,' the captain nodded his eyes showing his gratitude as he hurried over her.
'The Lady Relena is Heero's wife,' Quatre explained to Trowa as they followed the innkeeper through the coach house and into the lodgings at the back.
'Its not much my lord but please make yourself at home, I'll have my wife bring you some food once you are settled.' Quatre thanked the man profoundly before sinking into one of the bare wooden chairs with a sigh, he let his head fall to rest on his arms as he fought the urge to scream and hurl something against the wall.
Wufei and Trowa also sat and Heero joined them not long after with Relena behind him.
'Quatre!' she cried out running to the blonde as she came through the door 'I am so glad you are safe! When you didn't return from the hunt we thought,' she let out a sob and Quatre stood pulling her into a tight embrace his hand moving to run soothingly through her hair
'I am fine Relena really. I also am glad you are safe.'
With a great effort Quatre passed the weeping lady to her husband his face white as he caught the edge of the table to stop himself from falling, Relena's eyes went wide as she watched Quatre and she looked up at Heero her eyes searching.
Trowa was by the blonde's side in seconds supporting his weight and helping him to sink back into the chair, his hand moved to lift the lord's tunic but Quatre pushed it away before he had a chance. 'It's nothing I can't deal with Trowa please trust me in this, it's healing that's all.'
Trowa opened his mouth to argue but Quatre cut him off, 'perhaps it would be easier to show you then to try and argue the point,' he said lifting the tunic high enough for the others to see his wound.
The area surrounding the injury was red and small black veins ran from it across Quatre's side and chest, Wufei gave a cry of alarm and immediately fell to his knees before the young man his fingers tracing the lines.
'Why did you not say so Quatre! How can you even bear to stand while she heals you, not alone ride, you fool!'
Quatre blushed slightly under the magician's anger 'I bear it Wufei because I must, the healing process has to be sped up, I cannot hope to catch up with our enemies if I sit here for weeks recovering from this damn injury!'
Heero stepped forward his eyes blazing 'does someone want to fill me in?' he demanded.
Quatre sighed and pulled his tunic back down to cover the wound 'perhaps that would be best.let us eat first and then I will try to explain.'
His anger quelled for the time being Heero nodded and sat down at the table with Relena at his side. Not long after the innkeeper's wife, a plump lady of middle years with ruddy cheeks and a ready smile, entered the room with dinner for the duke and his companions and in silence they began their meal.
About an hour later they sat around the large fire in the innkeeper's family room, Quatre sat in a worn high backed chair covered in patched velvet his eyes closed as he enjoyed the warmth from the fire.
Presently he opened his eyes and surveyed his companions who sat in respectful silence waiting for him to begin.
Quatre frowned uncertain of where to start 'I'm unsure of how much you all know of my peoples' history, he began glancing from one face to the next. 'I know that Wufei knows much as he has served my family for many generations; of the rest of you though I am unsure.'
He fell silent for a moment before turning his attention to Trowa 'forgive my asking Trowa but are you native to the Kingdom of Levas?'
The ranger shook his head 'I hail from the Kingdom of Tylith, the town of Neath to be exact. I came to Levas four years ago when my parents were killed by raiders. My sister and I joined a troupe of travelling performers after their deaths but once visiting your city I decided it was a place I would like to settle so I swore allegiance to your father.'
'Catherine decided to continue with the troupe, a stable life does not suit her personality,' he smiled softly then and Quatre found himself having to tear his gaze from the ranger's face, so lost was he in studying the man's perfect features.
'Well then I will explain things from the beginning for your benefit and Heero's. My ancestors were originally the first people to populate the land now known as the Kingdom of Levas. They lived far to the south in the deserts, they were nomads travelling the wastelands in search of an oasis where they might build their true home.'
'After centuries of toil they finally found what they were looking for and the city of Setadon as it is now called was founded, the people named themselves the Magunac and they became a great race of scholars, architects and priests. So it was that they lived in peace for thousands of years until the barbarians from the north saw fit to descend on the Magunac people and declare war, as they desired their city and its treasures for themselves.'
'It is told that the people had few warriors among them having lived in peace for so long, so the high priest Seta offered his life and soul to the one goddess and in exchange she gave him the power to defeat his enemies.'
'Once the enemy had been vanquished disagreements raged between those of the people that believed the Magunacs should build up their military strength to prevent such an occurrence happening again, and those who insisted that pacifism was the peoples' way and that things should continue as they had always been.'
'It came about that no agreement could be reached between the two factions and while one remained in the city, the other travelled the land of Levas in search of a new home. They found it here and settled, dividing their resources equally between the arts practiced in the home land, and military training to ensure they would never again be helpless against an enemy.'
Quatre paused for a moment to stare off into the fire before collecting his thought and continuing. 'A number of centuries after our people settled here they were approached by the then king of Levas and invited to join the kingdom, they accepted and the Duchy of Rebalion was formed.'
The blonde glanced at Wufei for a moment 'how long ago was that?'
The magician frowned for a moment before answering 'about four hundred years ago.'
Quatre nodded in thanks, 'once it had become part of the kingdom the city was inundated with people from Levas and many of the Magunac decided to leave and return to Setadon. Those that remained here lost their Magunac heritage and now it is only really the leading family that are taught such history.'
Heero frowned at the duke his eyes bright, 'that is a very interesting history lesson my lord.but it does not really tell us much of what we wish to know!'
Quatre made a frustrated gesture at the captain 'if you would be patient Heero I was just getting to that! As I mentioned earlier the Magunac people were a race of scholars, architects and priests; the religion of the people is very different to that of the other kingdoms in our world.'
'It is common belief that there are many gods and goddesses commanding various aspect of life, the Magunac however believe, no they know, that this is not the case. There are truly only two deities that rule over our world, one god and one goddess and the individual beings other religions focus on are merely different incarnations of these two.'
'The Magunac people worship the one goddess and they fear the one god above all else, for while our goddess is fair in all things and seeks to maintain balance in the world she has created, the one god seeks only to bring destruction and chaos to all.'
'The priesthood of the one goddess is the pillar stone of the Magunac society. As I mentioned before, when the people are in peril a high priest can sacrifice his life to the goddess in exchange for the ability to summon her many forms onto the physical plain to aid them in their struggle against an enemy.'
'I told you after the summoning in Setadon that only a few of our people have been able to do this, only decedents of the original high priest Seta, and only then if the goddess sees fit to grant their request. Once she has excepted their life she will bestow the summoner the ability to call her to our world, it is a tremendous power that must only be used in the most dire of circumstances when no other option is left.'
'If I had been born in Setadon instead of Rebalion I would have been initiated into the priesthood and trained in how to correctly summon the goddess. As things stand now I have had none of this training and I can think of no reason as to why she would see fit to accept my sacrifice.'
The room fell silent as Quatre finished talking, Trowa's voice was soft as he broke it 'are you telling us Quatre that what you did out there today, was summon this one goddess?'
The blonde nodded an affirmative and Trowa continued, 'so once you have fulfilled you task, I mean once you have defeated you enemies with the goddesses help,' he broke off unable to finish his sentence.
Quatre nodded smiling sadly at his companions, 'yes, you are correct Trowa, once I complete my task, she will seek to reclaim the debt I owe to her and I will die.'
TBC.