"Shadows of The Past" Pg 20
Disclaimer/Notes:
I do not own Gundam Wing or any of it's wonderful character, they
are owned by some rich guy.
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Everyone
began to mount as the suns hung in the early sky. Duo helped Heero
mount in front of him, as Heero settled Duo wrapped his arm around
the small waist pressing the young man close o his chest. Heero leant
back into the embrace but it some how felt different to Duo. He knew
exactly what was wrong but he wasn't going to say anything in front
of everyone. Milliardo and Wufei mounted easily proving that in this
short period of time everything between them had changed. Trowa and
Quatre knew it as second nature to ride together.
As
they rode they began to pick up the pace wanting to get to the
spring as soon as possible. They didn't want to run into any more
trouble. Only Duo knew it wouldn't be that easy to get there quickly
and not run into any trouble along the way.
Entering
the valley they came across the trouble Duo was waiting fro. Ahead
of them stood three lines deep of men wearing armor. The six riders
brought their horses to a halt.
"What's
going on?" Wufei asked.
"A
battle is to take place here," Milliardo replied drawing on his
knowledge from being the King's advisor.
"Are
you telling me we've gotten ourselves in the middle of a
battle?" Duo asked his voice high.
"Only
if we stay here much longer," Milliardo answered looking around
for some kind of cover.
"Over
there in the trees," Trowa said as if reading the older ones mind.
"Yes
I think that is the best we can do."
Everyone
rode over quickly putting the horses behind the few trees while they
climbed inside. Taking several high strong branches they saw
Callidonia's army sitting at an angle to the invading army.
Heero
sat one branch up and to the left of Milliardo, while Quatre and
Trowa sat on two branches even with each other on the tree to their
right. Wufei sat on the branch under Heero's. They all used the tree
as leverage to keep their seats while Duo practically just sat in the
air near Heero.
As
the battle began the suns sat directly over head. The men below
roared out battle cries as they cut other soldiers down. The clanking
of swords was deafening as the two armies clashed. Blood soaked the
battlefield as more men fell.
"I
did not know the country was at war," Quatre said watching the clash.
"It
was not when we left the castle. It must have come true,"
Milliardo answered.
"What?"
"The
King feared a war between us and our neighbors, Matorlos."
"Who
could have guesses an army would invade in the fall?" Trowa
thought out loud.
"How
long have we been traveling, it still cannot be fall," Duo wondered.
"No,
I believe the seasons will change here very soon." Milliardo replied.
"Change
to what?" Quatre asked.
"Dead
of winter."
"It
had not felt a bit colder then when we began so how can you say we
are entering the dead of winter?" Trowa asked.
"We
have been traveling hard these past four months, we did not notice
the change. But can't you feel the air changing and growing colder quickly?"
"They
all lost," Heero's voice was very soft and deeply mournful.
Everyone turned and looked at him in surprise, then to the
battlefield where it was drawing to a close. Bodies on both sides lay
practically piled on each other. It looked that Callidonia had won
but their numbers had been reduced greatly. Reaching over Milliardo
gently took hold of Heero's hand causing the boy to turn and look at him.
"Yes
war is not beneficial to anyone," the mage said softly knowing
how Heero felt. Everyone watched the exchange before a deep voice
startled them.
"Hey
what are you doing up there?"
"Um
staying out of the way," Duo said quickly settling on a branch.
"Get
down here now, are you spies," the man below ordered.
The
six travelers climbed down the trees to be surrounded by some of
Callidonia's army. Suddenly a quick moving mass of fur knocked
several men off their feet as it ran over to stand in front of Heero
growling. Heero's hand unconsciously pet her back as she faced off
with what she perceived as a threat.
Milliardo
stepped forward his voice clear, "General you will release us
to leave."
"Says
who pretty boy?"
Wufei
growled in his throat about to take a step forward before
Milliardo's hand stopped him. "You ruler, King Treize. I am his
most trusted advisor and you are in the way of me finishing my job."
The
general seemed taken back a moment, but recovered quickly,
"Right and I'm a mage."
Moments
later several younger officers approached on of them gapping.
"Sir Milliardo, what are you doing here?"
"Who
did you call him?" the general demanded.
"Why
this is Sir Milliardo, the King's number one advisor. I had heard he
had been sent on a mission for his Highness."
The
general turned several shades of green at the news he was hearing.
Milliardo felt a smile grace his lips.
"General
we will need supplies before we can continue our journey,"
Milliardo said his voice calm but with a hint of control over the
other man.
The
general looked at him realizing he had been caught, "All right,
Private see to them. Come men let's check the wounded."
"Yes
sir," the private bowed leading the seven toward the tents.
"So the rumors are true. Should I report you are well?"
"Yes,
tell his Majesty everything is fine."
"Is
it true the Prince is with you?"
Milliardo
stopped in mid-stride surprised by the question. Everyone else
stopped as well wondering where the private could have heard it.
"I'm
sorry did my question surprise you, it wasn't meant seriously. From
what I hear the Prince is meeting possible brides."
Everyone
inwardly sighed but Duo watched Heero's face fall at the idea.
"You
seem to know a lot," Milliardo observed of the young man.
"It's
not hard when your parents are a member of the royal court."
"Lady
Catherine and Lord Philip?"
"Yes,
you know them?"
"Lord
Philip and I have spoken often. I only see Lady Catherine in passing."
"Yes
when King Treize ordered us to go to battle they both came to see me off."
"How
long has the war been going on?"
"Since
about two months ago when a village was attacked on the border."
"Alan
come help me," someone a few tents down called.
"Take
whatever supplies you need, if you will excuse me," Alan bowed politely.
"Of
course and thank you," Milliardo replied as the young man ran
off to help his friend.
Entering
the supply tent they packed their sacks with needed supplies then
took a few extra things that might come in handy later on. Leaving
the tent a commotion attracted their attention. Several men had
gathered around two who seemed to be going at it.
"We
should get out of here, let's get the horses and move on, the spring
can't be more then a week away," Milliardo advised starting to
head back toward the horses.
"Hey
it's blondie!" a voice cut through the shouts. Milliardo
stopped a moment recognizing the voice. He continued to walk before
an object met the back of his had sending him to the ground. Everyone
stopped and Wufei was instantly by his side.
"Just
like when we were kids, he always needed someone to protect
him," the voice sneered.
Milliardo's
five companions turned to see a large ugly man had spoken the words.
Wufei was about to charge him when a hand gripped his arm. Looking
over Milliardo shook his head before standing up.
"I
could have you killed, but I will let it go this time," the
mage said straightening his hair.
"Oh
yes run back to your protector you wimp," the man snarled
ignoring the glares he was receiving from the five standing around
the blonde.
"You
are a waste of my time and effort."
"You
little bastard, to bad your daddy wasn't around to teach you
anything," the man replied venomously before charging at him. He
surprised the group tackling the mage causing his head to bounce off
the ground. "Well I guess I will have to."
His
fist connected with Milliardo's jaw before something pounded into
the back of his head driving him unconscious. Wufei kicked him off
Milliardo while the rock Heero held tumbled to the ground. Wufei
moved quickly pulling Milliardo to his feet and leading the group
toward the cluster of trees. Duo squeezed Heero's hand as he held the
shaking boy close.
Everyone
mounted only this time Wufei sat behind Milliardo as Trowa and
Quatre lifted the blonde on to the horse rest him against Wufei's
chest. They rode out quickly leaving the army and it's men behind.
~*~*~*~*~
They
rode quietly for several miles before a low moan alerted them that
Milliardo had finally regained consciousness. Wufei stopped his horse
just as everyone else did. He felt Milliardo shift against his chest.
"You
should have let me take him out," Wufei said his voice hard.
"I
won't involve anyone in my childhood battles," Milliardo
groaned trying to pick himself up from Wufei's chest.
"And
look what you get for it, a damn black eye and your head bounced off
the ground. If Heero hadn't done something, he would be dead now."
"Heero?"
Milliardo sat up his eyes unfocusing for a moment. "What did he do?"
"Hit
the big lug over the head with a rock," Trowa answered.
"It
didn't kill him but it did render him unconscious," Quatre supplied.
"Yeah
Wufei was reaching for his sword but Heero beat him to it, so to
speak," Duo said trying not to laugh at his little joke.
"Are
you okay?" Milliardo asked directing his question to Heero.
"He
was hurting you... I had to stop him... his blood... I saw
it..." Heero answered his voice low.
"Shit!"
Milliardo jumped down from his and Wufei's horse almost stumbling
but regaining his feet. Moving quickly beside where Duo held Heero he
gently pulled the boy down into his arms. "He isn't dead you
only wounded him. Like when I fell in the castle, remember?"
Heero
nodded as he clung to Milliardo, he buried his face against
Milliardo's chest.
"I
know it worried you... he will be fine so don't let him worry you
anymore." Milliardo spoke gently receiving a nod from Heero. He
released the young prince looking down into those deep pools of blue.
"We
should get moving and have your head looked at," Trowa advised.
"I'm
fine but yes we should get going."
Duo
helped Heero pull himself back onto their horse his arm slipping
around the brunette's waist. Wufei pulled up beside where Milliardo
stood and offering his hand, he pulled the blond up to sit in front
of him. Milliardo turned to him surprised but Wufei's look told him
not to question the youth. Wufei looked over Milliardo's shoulder as
they followed the path toward their destination, the Spring of Eternity.
~*~*~*~*~
