Notes: AU, Fantasy, RPG-ish magic, shounen ai (You don't like, don't read. Simple, ne? ^_~), probably OOC (I try for IC, I really do...for the most part ^_^)


Disclaimer: Gundam Wing belongs to Bandai, Sotsu Agency, I think, um, Sunrise, and lots of other people who aren't me. If you believe I invented
these characters, I got some oceanfront property in Arizona that you might be interested in. For those people who do own Gundam Wing, don't sue me. I have
nothing but a couple thousand dollars in tuition debt to give. College and anime have sapped my feeble funds. Besides, I do this only out of deep love
and respect for these guys, am making no money off it, and will return them (relatively) unharmed. Oh yeah, and any elements herein that do not belong to
Gundam Wing belong to me, so as Emperor Kuzco would say, "No touchies!"

Chapter 1
Arrivals

"And life, it seems so easy when it's from my easy chair..."
-'Burnin' Up', Goo Goo Dolls

"The dragon's fiery breath flared at the knight from its perch atop the well. The flames battered his shield, heating the metal till it burned his
hands through his thick gauntlets...." A long chestnut braid flew through the air as a lithe boy leapt onto a nearby sofa, pantomiming thrusts and slices
with a phantom sword. "As the great beast was forced to stop for breath, the knight took the opening, crashing forward to bury his sword in its side."

The boy stepped on the sofa's back, pushing and toppling it and him to the ground, and landing expertly in a rolling crouch. "...But his sword met
an armored hide, skin which could be pierced only by a lance and destrier...and in the moment it took to regain his balance, the dragon
struck, smashing its tail into his side and flinging him away from the well." He flung one arm in front of his face. "The knight barely had time to
raise his shield before he was again pelted with flames!" The child beside him was transfixed, staring wide-eyed as the drama unfolded before her.

"The knight had to think fast, even he couldn't take the heat much longer. The dragon had to be killed, it was guarding the only well in the
area, and mudering innocent villagers who dared to try for the precious water. But the beast was nearly invincible! His sword couldn't penetrate the
armor, and the vulnerable mouth was made invulnerable by the flames, and the poisonous saliva that dripped from a razor-sharp tongue."

"So what did he do?" the child asked in a reverent whisper, and the boy almost laughed at those eyes, which were now big as saucers.

"Well now, what would you do?"

The girl thought for a moment. "When facing an opponent, one should strike at their weaknesses."

The boy nodded, amused. "As I said. The answer came to the knight quickly." He was up again, 'shield up' and facing off against the massive
canopy bed. "The next time the dragon had to stop its barrage, the knight had a plan. Attacking the dragon's side, he waited for the lethal tail to swing
at him, and a split-second before it connected, he vaulted over the creature, landing at its back." The boy executed a graceful flip onto the bed, crashing
down on the luxuriant down pillows with a war whoop and sending feathers flying. The little girl giggled with delight. *She* was never allowed to
manhandle the finery in her chambers, but somehow the boy managed to get away with anything. "So what happened?" she pleaded, bouncing up and down in her
excitement.

The boy jumped to his feet, bouncing a little on the bed and ruffling the clean linens a bit for good measure.
"Why the knight lifted his spike-toed steel-armored boot," he drew one leg back, demonstrating, "...and *kicked* that dragon right in the a--"

"*Ahem*..."

The boy fell back onto the bed with a startled yelp. "Your highness!"

The new arrival winced. "'Trieze', if you please. You of all people should know how weary I am of that title."

"Sure thing, milord!" The boy winked mischievously at his young charge, who stifled a giggle as her father raised a gloved hand to rub at his
temples, feigning exasperation.

"By the way, Maxwell, where do you get these...*colorful* tales?" The king raised an elegantly forked eyebrow at him.

The boy blushed slightly. "Sir, if you think they aren't...appropriate for Mariemaia--"

Khusrenada smiled almost tenderly at him. "No, Duo. I know they always carry important lessons, although the delivery is a trifle...unrefined." He
seemed about to say more, but interruption presented itself, in the sounds of trumpets coasting in through the open windows.

"Ah, I see they have already arrived. I came to inform you, we are to have visitors. Ambassadors from the east. You may meet with them now if you
wish, but as assistant bard to the royal family, I would appreciate your attendance when they present themselves."

"Of course, Treize, I'd be honored," Duo beamed.

Mariemaia came to her father's side, and he placed a hand gently on her shoulder, smiling warmly. "You too, my princess."

Straightening her shoulders, she nodded. "Of course, father. My thanks for the offer." The men exchanged knowing, pride filled glances. The child
was growing up to be just like her kingly sire.

"I must prepare. I will expect you both there within the hour." The king turned, pausing in the door. "And Maxwell, please refrain from destroying my
daughter's room. Further damage will come out of your dessert quota." Without looking he knew the smile had, at least temporarily, dropped from the bard's
face.

* * *
Duo raced through the halls, barreling past priceless, but poorly balanced, statuary and the few servants too slow to get out of his way. More
than a year of experience left him able to navigate the maze-like halls without a second thought, so he did it as he did many things...fast and
freely. Most of the people he encountered knew exactly what those whoops, cheers, or pounding footsteps coming down the hall were. They moved to avoid
him with the resigned sighs of those who had learned the futility of arguing with a force of nature.

Miraculously, he tried to stop as he rounded a corner, nearly fell over himself, and crashed into a surface hard as a stone wall. A stone wall with
one visible deep green eye. "Hey Trowa!" he called from the ground, where he had been flung by the impact. The tall boy stared down at him for a moment,
eye wide, then reached to help him up.

"Duo, you're losing your edge." His seemingly emotionless face conveyed none of the amusement his voice did.

"No I'm not! I was just a little excited, that's all. Wasn't paying as much attention as usual." Trowa eyed the room Duo had nearly flown through, a
cluttered storage area filled with artifacts and sculpture which left all of about two inches of space in between, and wondered for the hundreth time what
the boy could do if he was actually concentrating.

"You've heard then?" he asked softly.

"About the ambassadors, yeah. Was just on my way to get ready. After all, it takes time for one to dress to impress. Time that I don't have." He
grinned hugely. "You're gonna be there too, of course, right? Heck, we should get you fixed up, come on, I'll give you a hand. Don't worry, you need the
help a lot more than I do."

Duo pulled eagerly on Trowa's arm, barely pausing to breathe in his rambling, and glared at Trowa's usual uniform, a soft green tunic, dark brown
pants, and short leather boots, topped off by light leather armor and a sword that dangled from his belt. Trowa rolled his eyes, and didn't budge.
"Sorry, my friend, but there are more pressing matters at hand. Namely, my job." He almost flinched as Duo went into pout mode. "Duo, as chief of
security I've got to ensure the safety of both the royal family and the visiting dignitaries. There simply isn't time to 'dress to impress'." He
allowed a small smile for his best friend. "Besides, I'm a lost cause when it comes to fashion."

Duo threw his hands up in surrender. "All right! But only because your 'makeover' would take a lot more time than we have. You could've at least
worn your military dress uniform, though." A shrug and he had dismissed the topic altogether, instead moving on to bigger and better things. "So have you
met them yet? What're they like? How many are there? Guys, girls, young, old, what?"

Trowa shook his head at the rapid-fire questions. "Been too busy getting the grounds right. I--" He stopped and glared at the voices which filtered
down the hall, slowly becoming identifiable.

"Lord Dermail, sir, lord Tsuberov." He and Duo nodded to the castle's other visiting dignitaries as they rounded the corner. "Is there anything I
can do for you?" Dermail looked at him as if he'd just butted into a private conversation.

"No, thank you, boy. We were just readying for our departure," he responded with barely disguised irritation. In silence they disappeared down
the hall, not noticing as Duo stuck his tongue out at their retreating backs.

"Finally. I thought they'd never leave." Duo shivered emphatically. "They've given me the creeps ever since they first got here."

Trowa's gaze was heavy as he followed his friend down the hall, in the opposite direction. "Villagers from the outskirts of Dermail's kingdom have
been arriving for months, with the news that he's strengthening the army and hoarding supplies. If he's not dealt with soon, I fear we face a war."

"Well I say Treize should just toss him in the dungeon and be done with it."

Trowa chuckled softly. "It's not quite that easy."

Duo sniffed. "I don't see why not."

"You know you do. Shouldn't you hurry if you're going to meet the ambassadors on time?" Trowa pointed out, knowing it was the only way he would
have the last word on the matter.

"Yikes! I almost forgot! Thanks, Tro, see ya' there!" With a war whoop he was off, dashing down the corridor to his quarters.




It wasn't until the men were well out of earshot that they felt safe enough to continue their conversation. "Is everything ready for tonight?"

Tsuberov nodded. "My man is already in place. Tonight we will be well on our way home, and within a month your path to this land will be clear. Before
the season changes you will own this realm. I would say your expansion is off to a rousing start."

The pair's cruel laughter lingered in the shadows of the hall, long after the men had gone.
* * *