Different Worlds Same Hearts
By Trunks lil sis
Chapter four
As I said before, yes I do have a plot that I can actually follow. And yes I know this Is going really weird but I swear if you stick around for a few more chapters it will start to make sense.
And just as I promised Chapter four! (Cause the Angels won the world series chapter five will be out tomorrow, my beta is just about finished.)
Quatre fixed the sword to his side and smoothed his blue tunic. Looking himself over in the mirror, he felt satisfied and smiled lightly to himself. With his father gone, he was now responsible for making pubic appearances and visiting with the council. Looking good was half of the work.
Two guards stood directly behind him at the door, ready to escort him to the festival. Every year a Saluteat festival was held on the day before the blue moon, in honor of the gods.
Quatre felt guilty that while he and the rest of the kingdom's people were having fun, Duo and his little brother were making a hard journey home.
"Prince Quatre?" He turned slightly to see the small boy standing in the doorway. "The council wishes to meet with you before you attend the festival." Quatre nodded lightly and allowed a servant to place his crown upon his head.
"Inform the council I will be there momentarily." The boy bowed before disappearing from sight. Quatre smoothed his tunic one last time before turning and motioned for a guard to open the door.
As Quatre walked down the hall he held his excitement down. Later that night, upon the full moon, Trowa would appear. Quatre still couldn't convince himself that it was actually going to happen. He never thought Trowa would actually agree to come.
"Mind if I walk with you?" WuFei stepped up next to him, still adjusting his sword to his belt. "Your Highness." He made sure to add in, as not to show disrespect. Quatre shook his head and smiled at the slightly larger boy. "I have a few things I'd like to speak with the council about." WeFei's eyes darkened with anger.
"Anything I can help with?" Quatre offered. WuFei was a good and loyal friend, but a deadly opponent. Quatre could imagine the fit his father would have if he came home to find his council demolished and the council room stained with blood.
"No, your highness." WuFei sighed and turned back to his friend. "Well maybe yes. If it's not asking too much, could you make a suggestion to the council of training more healers?" WuFei let out a low growl. "That's what I'm going to do but I doubt they'll listen to me. Sally and the other healers are being worked too hard." Quatre mentally smiled as he heard WuFei's voice soften at the mention of her name. "I want to bond with her, I want us to be joined but I can't take her away from her duties. Still, this isn't fair to either of us."
Quatre smiled warmly at WuFei. "I won't suggest it." Quatre smiled harder at him. "But I will command it." Gratitude shown in WuFei's eyes. "One condition though," Quatre interjected. "I get an invitation." WuFei nodded as the reached the council doors.
Quatre paused like he did every time. Eventually he motioned for a guard to open the door. He braced himself as he heard WuFei say, "You'll make a great king some day." Quatre could only smile as he entered the council's chambers, and the large oak doors slammed closed behind them.
"Make sure to pack a winter cloak. We'll be traveling in the dark and it might be cold out." Trowa only raised an eyebrow as his sister continued to name off things that needed to be done.
"Cathy, do you think we should bring a light?" He began to sweep the floor at a quickened rate. He always over did things when he was nervous. Also, the faster they finished their chores, the faster they could begin to prepare for that night.
"I'd like to bring one but I don't want to run the risk of someone being up tonight and seeing the light and then running back to tell dad or Heero's parents." She pulled another dish out of the sink and began to dry it like the ones before. "You really like him don't you? I hardly doubt you'd be going to that kingdom if you didn't."
Trowa remained silent as a knock came from the door. Trowa set his boom down and opened the door.
Heero practically knocked him down as he rushed in forcing the door shut before him. He leaned hard against the side wall and tried to control his breathing.
"Wha-" Heero jumped forward to cover the taller boys mouth. After his breathing had calmed and they had been blessed with silence, he carefully removed his hands and leaned back against the door.
"I don't know how she keeps finding me, but at least I'll get a few moments of peace here." Both brother and sister turned to look at Heero and then back to each other.
"Relena." They both spoke at the same time and Heero's flinch proved it.
"She was nice for the first year." Heero spoke with a low voice still fearing that she might be near enough to hear it. "I was more then happy to be her friend, but when I didn't want any more then that she turned stalker. I just want five minutes of peace." Heero turned to look at the both of them. He paused and frowned. He had a knack for telling when people were hiding things.
"Okay." He finally pushed off the door and flat onto his feet. "You're hiding something and you can either tell me right now and save us both the trouble, or I can find out myself." Trowa sighed and began to sweep the floor again.
"I'm going to see Quatre tonight." Heero faltered and his gaze turned hard.
"No. Don't you dare, those Terran's are evil and you know it." Trowa felt a sting of betrayal. He had hoped that one of his closest friends, if not his best friend, would have been in support.
"Quatre isn't evil, he will never be the man his father is. He will never do the horrible things his father does."
Heero deepened his frown. "And how do you know that? Heero challenged back. "How do you know that he isn't using you to gain access to our village, and our people? You know damn well that the king is trying everything possible to gain entrance to this village, he has been banned from it by magic, and it would be best for everyone if Quatre was banned as well." Trowa threw him his best glare that spoke for it's self. "Do you want to risk lives with the feelings of your heart?"
Trowa, still masked in his anger decided that arguing with Heero wasn't going to get him anywhere. "Heero, if you aren't going to support my decision then please leave. I'd never endanger our village but you don't understand. I'm in love, for the first time in my life, I've felt my heart. That's not something I'm willing to let slip away."
Catherine, who had remained silent, now found it time to speak. "Heero, think what you wish but I have reason to believe a soul bond has begun. Whether it was intentional, or the work of the gods, or pure accident, it is forming. To break it now could kill the both of them. Don't let your anger with Quatre's father impact your judgment of Quatre." She smiled when Trowa silently thanked her. "Quatre isn't like his father, I know and believe this. Plus, I think they make a great couple." Trowa blushed and Heero's face softened.
"You have no idea how much I am against this," Heero paused to place his hand upon his friend's shoulder. "But I can't let you and your sister run off to Terran lands alone." Trowa smiled genuinely as he realized the words.
"Catherine and I planed to leave two hours before midnight. We'll meet you on the outskirts of the village at that time." Heero nodded once before slipping back over to the door. In a face filled with dread he opened the door and heard his name called out in a high-pitched voice. In less then a second, he was yanked out of the door way and being pulled away from both siblings. From a distance all that could be seen moving was a very large pink dot, dragging another along.
Sally smiled down at the small girl sitting on the table, she before finished bandaging her knee. "Now then, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Sally looked over the girl to her parents who were waiting patiently at the entranceway to the healer's wing of the castle. "Next time, try to be more careful. You might be my favorite patient, but you don't want to be in here too much." She patted the girl on the head before helping her off the table and over to her parents. "Wash and re-bandage it two times a day, for a few days, and she should be fine." The little girl's parents respectfully thanked her before leaving to rejoin the Saluteat festival.
"Shouldn't you be at the festival?" WuFei now occupied the space in the doorway, while watching her move around the room.
"Shouldn't you?" She tried back with a slight laugh to her voice. "You know I can't leave, what if someone needs help? I'm the senior healer and it's my duty to stay while everyone else goes out."
WuFei shook his head and walked over to her. "I spoke with Prince Quatre today. I asked him to recommend to the council more healers." He ignored the look Sally gave him. "Whether you admit it or not, there are not enough healers. We hardly get any time together." Sally nodded sadly to him.
"I know I can't ask you give up more time, but I can't abandon my work."
"And Quatre said he'd tell the council to appoint more healers." WuFei shot back. "I know you don't like to admit things, but you can't continue on without more help. I want us to have a future."
Sally turned to look at him with a surprised face. "A f-future?" WuFei nodded with a sound expression.
"I want you to be my wife." Sally gave him an awkward smile before it developed into a genuine grin.
"I've been waiting for you to say that for a while WuFei." Leaping forward she tackled him in a hug that knocked them both to the floor. "Oops." Sprawled out on top of him (Stop thinking like that you hentai freaks!), she took the opportunity to place a soft kiss on his lips, before hoisting herself up.
"So," She flipped some of her hair over her shoulder and offered him a wink. "Are we going to go celebrate?" He smirked back at her before standing and brushing bits of dirt off his tunic.
He offered her his arm, which she accepted and led her over to the door. "Maxwell will have the time of his life when he gets back." WuFei spoke in a glum voice while Sally merely laughed.
"Duo really isn't that bad, and you know it." Sally poked at him in jest. "I think it bothers you that you actually like him. That you actually consider him a friend." It only furthered her point as he remained silent and pulled her from the room.
The couple traveled down the hall towards the festival being held in the gardens with high spirits. The Saluteat Festival was one of the largest celebrations of the year, and only a fool missed it. In honor of the gods it was almost demanded that everyone in the kingdom go to the festival. It was also the king, or rulers, place to supply the people with as much food and drink they could ever want.
As WuFei and Sally turned a corner, a couple walking in the opposite direction failed to notice them, and sent Sally sprawling to the floor who, in return, dragged WuFei down.
WuFei immediately gained his composure back and helped Sally to her feet, while glaring at the man and woman. "I'm very sorry, I really wasn't paying attention." The woman confessed as a light blush covered her features.
Sally waved it off but paused to inspect the woman and man. "Do you live in the castle? I haven't seen you around here and I've lived here my whole life." WuFei's gaze didn't lift as he, too, began to scrutinize to couple.
"Well, Zechs and I just transferred in here, to tell you the truth. We came from the Yensin kingdom in the north. I was hired as an extra training instructor, and Zechs was hired as a strategizing expert. The king of this kingdom fears a war is coming, and we were sent to tip the odds in our favor."
Sally remained passive, as did WuFei, while at the same time, both wondered and questioned, the story. Their king rarely confided such serious matter to men and women from other kingdoms.
"That still doesn't tell us your names." WuFei pointed out while glaring at those in the hall who dared to stop and 'accidentally' over hear the conversation. He didn't want to be involved in the rumors that were sure to follow.
"My wife already told you my name was Zechs." The man spoke up glaring at WuFei as if his life depended upon it. Sally recognized the look in her future husband's eyes and sighed. They didn't need a repeat of last year, when WuFei had placed at least a couple dozen of men in the healer's ward.
"Call me Noin." The woman smiled at Sally while she knocked her elbow into her husband's side. "Excuse Zechs, he's being a pain lately." Sally smiled and nudged WuFei.
"Only if you excuse WuFei. Say, would you two like to accompany us to the festival? It's bad luck to miss it, and I noticed you were heading in the wrong direction." Noin nodded and began to walk down the hallway leaving the two men speechless and alone.
A staring contest began between them, and just as it seemed the two men would jump at each other, a shadow loomed over them causing both men to turn and look up at the nearly seven foot man.
"No trouble here, I hope." Rasid (1) questioned, and the two men jumped apart.
"No, I was just leaving." WuFei nodded in the tall man's direction before hurrying after Sally, who had long since disappeared from sight. Seconds later Zechs ran after WuFei.
Rasid frowned before walking the short distance back to the closed off balcony. Bowing to Quatre he took a seat to the back and motioned for a fellow guard to step closer. "WuFei has found another one he doesn't like, I would consider it a favor if he was watched, I have a feeling he's not going to leave this one alone." The other man nodded before excusing himself.
Rasid's eyes lifted to meet Quatre's worried ones. "Is there something wrong?" Suddenly all attention had been turned to the tall man who didn't function very well under attention. His division dealt with the prince's safety, a completely different division then Duo's, which dealt with the castle's safety.
"No, a minor disturbance with WuFei." Quatre's eyes lifted, his interest peeked.
"Someone rubbed him the wrong way again, right?" Rasid offered him a quick nod, which satisfied the prince, for the moment.
Down in the garden area those from the protected town and those who lived in the castle mingled in joy while Quatre sat above them on the balcony in misery. As usual he hadn't been permitted to join his people in the garden. With his father gone he wasn't allowed to enjoy a freedom he had become accustom to. Of the very few places he was allowed to go, the garden during the festival had been one of them.
Quatre turn to the man sitting next to him, Fiyn. "Five of your best men should be ready to go an hour before the full moon." Quatre ignored the outrage on the man's face and turned back to watching the people. "Tell them to be ready to accompany me out of the castle, we'll meet outside the stables."
"But-But," The man stuttered in shock. "As acting captain of the guards, I cannot allow you to leave this castle, and at night as well. Not without me either." Quatre gave the man a hard look.
"I'll be leaving with five of your best men, and Rasid's A group. There is no point arguing with me, for I am leaving, and I advise you not to follow. I'll tell my men to shoot anything that approaches from the rear of us."
There! He had finally said it. He admitted that he was never going to be a very strong person. He had never excelled in the games or hunting, and he didn't enjoy killing animals like the other men. He didn't feel the need to prove himself by not washing for days, or using foul language.
He had never been very good at standing up for himself, either. But nothing, and he meant nothing, was going to stop him from seeing Trowa.
Quatre turned in his seat as a large crash erupted from behind him. Rising to his feet, ignoring the protests of his protectors, he moved into the room where he met a gruesome sight.
Taking steps backwards he covered his mouth in shock and finally allowed men to push him back. "Is She-" Quatre couldn't finish as Rasid nodded lightly and turned him from the sight.
"Where did you find her?" Quatre asked the man covered in her silver blood.
The man held a dark cloth to his mouth and turned to his prince. "I was part of the group that went to see the Silveran group off. It was our duty to ride with them to the edge of the Haze forest and then turn back. We had just made it to the forest when we were ambushed. We scattered in different directions.
"I escaped, but when I returned to the sight of the ambush, I could only find Alisa's body. The rest were gone. I do not know what happened to my companions."
Quatre had recovered most of his shock and watched as they prepared to move the body out of the room. "What attacked you? How many?" The tall man raised his eyes upward.
"The gods only know. To the best of my knowledge it was not a group of men or beasts that attacked, my mind can only account for a large dark figure."
"One man?" Quatre's eyes widened. A man had attacked -- Wait, hadn't . . . "Duo. Duo and his little brother were part of the group."
"Yes, but as I said, it was not a man that attacked us. Rather a large shadow that seemed to consume our group. I can say that this shadow was not interested in my men, but in the group traveling back home. I have never seen a creature such as that, or a beast move as it did." The man was excused as Quatre looked up at Rasid.
"Do you think Duo is okay? He probably hasn't even made it home. Do you think I should send out troops?" Quatre bit his lip. As acting ruler he had complete control over everything in the castle, and with that came complete responsibility.
"Prince Quatre, I advise you to do what you wish but if you do send out a rescue party, let it consist of pure mortals. Do not let those of silver blood go." Rasid turned from Quatre and left to gather a full report while Quatre looked back over at the fallen being.
The last documented time this had happened the lands had been plunged into darkness. Only the scrolls had survived. No people who had stayed had survived. Nothing that stayed had survived.
(1) - - It's Rashid in the American version but I'm taking the names from the Magna version and it's Rasid so if I used Rasid don't get confused.
As I said before, yes I do have a plot that I can actually follow. And yes I know this Is going really weird but I swear if you stick around for a few more chapters it will start to make sense.
And just as I promised Chapter four! (Cause the Angels won the world series chapter five will be out tomorrow, my beta is just about finished.)
Quatre fixed the sword to his side and smoothed his blue tunic. Looking himself over in the mirror, he felt satisfied and smiled lightly to himself. With his father gone, he was now responsible for making pubic appearances and visiting with the council. Looking good was half of the work.
Two guards stood directly behind him at the door, ready to escort him to the festival. Every year a Saluteat festival was held on the day before the blue moon, in honor of the gods.
Quatre felt guilty that while he and the rest of the kingdom's people were having fun, Duo and his little brother were making a hard journey home.
"Prince Quatre?" He turned slightly to see the small boy standing in the doorway. "The council wishes to meet with you before you attend the festival." Quatre nodded lightly and allowed a servant to place his crown upon his head.
"Inform the council I will be there momentarily." The boy bowed before disappearing from sight. Quatre smoothed his tunic one last time before turning and motioned for a guard to open the door.
As Quatre walked down the hall he held his excitement down. Later that night, upon the full moon, Trowa would appear. Quatre still couldn't convince himself that it was actually going to happen. He never thought Trowa would actually agree to come.
"Mind if I walk with you?" WuFei stepped up next to him, still adjusting his sword to his belt. "Your Highness." He made sure to add in, as not to show disrespect. Quatre shook his head and smiled at the slightly larger boy. "I have a few things I'd like to speak with the council about." WeFei's eyes darkened with anger.
"Anything I can help with?" Quatre offered. WuFei was a good and loyal friend, but a deadly opponent. Quatre could imagine the fit his father would have if he came home to find his council demolished and the council room stained with blood.
"No, your highness." WuFei sighed and turned back to his friend. "Well maybe yes. If it's not asking too much, could you make a suggestion to the council of training more healers?" WuFei let out a low growl. "That's what I'm going to do but I doubt they'll listen to me. Sally and the other healers are being worked too hard." Quatre mentally smiled as he heard WuFei's voice soften at the mention of her name. "I want to bond with her, I want us to be joined but I can't take her away from her duties. Still, this isn't fair to either of us."
Quatre smiled warmly at WuFei. "I won't suggest it." Quatre smiled harder at him. "But I will command it." Gratitude shown in WuFei's eyes. "One condition though," Quatre interjected. "I get an invitation." WuFei nodded as the reached the council doors.
Quatre paused like he did every time. Eventually he motioned for a guard to open the door. He braced himself as he heard WuFei say, "You'll make a great king some day." Quatre could only smile as he entered the council's chambers, and the large oak doors slammed closed behind them.
"Make sure to pack a winter cloak. We'll be traveling in the dark and it might be cold out." Trowa only raised an eyebrow as his sister continued to name off things that needed to be done.
"Cathy, do you think we should bring a light?" He began to sweep the floor at a quickened rate. He always over did things when he was nervous. Also, the faster they finished their chores, the faster they could begin to prepare for that night.
"I'd like to bring one but I don't want to run the risk of someone being up tonight and seeing the light and then running back to tell dad or Heero's parents." She pulled another dish out of the sink and began to dry it like the ones before. "You really like him don't you? I hardly doubt you'd be going to that kingdom if you didn't."
Trowa remained silent as a knock came from the door. Trowa set his boom down and opened the door.
Heero practically knocked him down as he rushed in forcing the door shut before him. He leaned hard against the side wall and tried to control his breathing.
"Wha-" Heero jumped forward to cover the taller boys mouth. After his breathing had calmed and they had been blessed with silence, he carefully removed his hands and leaned back against the door.
"I don't know how she keeps finding me, but at least I'll get a few moments of peace here." Both brother and sister turned to look at Heero and then back to each other.
"Relena." They both spoke at the same time and Heero's flinch proved it.
"She was nice for the first year." Heero spoke with a low voice still fearing that she might be near enough to hear it. "I was more then happy to be her friend, but when I didn't want any more then that she turned stalker. I just want five minutes of peace." Heero turned to look at the both of them. He paused and frowned. He had a knack for telling when people were hiding things.
"Okay." He finally pushed off the door and flat onto his feet. "You're hiding something and you can either tell me right now and save us both the trouble, or I can find out myself." Trowa sighed and began to sweep the floor again.
"I'm going to see Quatre tonight." Heero faltered and his gaze turned hard.
"No. Don't you dare, those Terran's are evil and you know it." Trowa felt a sting of betrayal. He had hoped that one of his closest friends, if not his best friend, would have been in support.
"Quatre isn't evil, he will never be the man his father is. He will never do the horrible things his father does."
Heero deepened his frown. "And how do you know that? Heero challenged back. "How do you know that he isn't using you to gain access to our village, and our people? You know damn well that the king is trying everything possible to gain entrance to this village, he has been banned from it by magic, and it would be best for everyone if Quatre was banned as well." Trowa threw him his best glare that spoke for it's self. "Do you want to risk lives with the feelings of your heart?"
Trowa, still masked in his anger decided that arguing with Heero wasn't going to get him anywhere. "Heero, if you aren't going to support my decision then please leave. I'd never endanger our village but you don't understand. I'm in love, for the first time in my life, I've felt my heart. That's not something I'm willing to let slip away."
Catherine, who had remained silent, now found it time to speak. "Heero, think what you wish but I have reason to believe a soul bond has begun. Whether it was intentional, or the work of the gods, or pure accident, it is forming. To break it now could kill the both of them. Don't let your anger with Quatre's father impact your judgment of Quatre." She smiled when Trowa silently thanked her. "Quatre isn't like his father, I know and believe this. Plus, I think they make a great couple." Trowa blushed and Heero's face softened.
"You have no idea how much I am against this," Heero paused to place his hand upon his friend's shoulder. "But I can't let you and your sister run off to Terran lands alone." Trowa smiled genuinely as he realized the words.
"Catherine and I planed to leave two hours before midnight. We'll meet you on the outskirts of the village at that time." Heero nodded once before slipping back over to the door. In a face filled with dread he opened the door and heard his name called out in a high-pitched voice. In less then a second, he was yanked out of the door way and being pulled away from both siblings. From a distance all that could be seen moving was a very large pink dot, dragging another along.
Sally smiled down at the small girl sitting on the table, she before finished bandaging her knee. "Now then, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Sally looked over the girl to her parents who were waiting patiently at the entranceway to the healer's wing of the castle. "Next time, try to be more careful. You might be my favorite patient, but you don't want to be in here too much." She patted the girl on the head before helping her off the table and over to her parents. "Wash and re-bandage it two times a day, for a few days, and she should be fine." The little girl's parents respectfully thanked her before leaving to rejoin the Saluteat festival.
"Shouldn't you be at the festival?" WuFei now occupied the space in the doorway, while watching her move around the room.
"Shouldn't you?" She tried back with a slight laugh to her voice. "You know I can't leave, what if someone needs help? I'm the senior healer and it's my duty to stay while everyone else goes out."
WuFei shook his head and walked over to her. "I spoke with Prince Quatre today. I asked him to recommend to the council more healers." He ignored the look Sally gave him. "Whether you admit it or not, there are not enough healers. We hardly get any time together." Sally nodded sadly to him.
"I know I can't ask you give up more time, but I can't abandon my work."
"And Quatre said he'd tell the council to appoint more healers." WuFei shot back. "I know you don't like to admit things, but you can't continue on without more help. I want us to have a future."
Sally turned to look at him with a surprised face. "A f-future?" WuFei nodded with a sound expression.
"I want you to be my wife." Sally gave him an awkward smile before it developed into a genuine grin.
"I've been waiting for you to say that for a while WuFei." Leaping forward she tackled him in a hug that knocked them both to the floor. "Oops." Sprawled out on top of him (Stop thinking like that you hentai freaks!), she took the opportunity to place a soft kiss on his lips, before hoisting herself up.
"So," She flipped some of her hair over her shoulder and offered him a wink. "Are we going to go celebrate?" He smirked back at her before standing and brushing bits of dirt off his tunic.
He offered her his arm, which she accepted and led her over to the door. "Maxwell will have the time of his life when he gets back." WuFei spoke in a glum voice while Sally merely laughed.
"Duo really isn't that bad, and you know it." Sally poked at him in jest. "I think it bothers you that you actually like him. That you actually consider him a friend." It only furthered her point as he remained silent and pulled her from the room.
The couple traveled down the hall towards the festival being held in the gardens with high spirits. The Saluteat Festival was one of the largest celebrations of the year, and only a fool missed it. In honor of the gods it was almost demanded that everyone in the kingdom go to the festival. It was also the king, or rulers, place to supply the people with as much food and drink they could ever want.
As WuFei and Sally turned a corner, a couple walking in the opposite direction failed to notice them, and sent Sally sprawling to the floor who, in return, dragged WuFei down.
WuFei immediately gained his composure back and helped Sally to her feet, while glaring at the man and woman. "I'm very sorry, I really wasn't paying attention." The woman confessed as a light blush covered her features.
Sally waved it off but paused to inspect the woman and man. "Do you live in the castle? I haven't seen you around here and I've lived here my whole life." WuFei's gaze didn't lift as he, too, began to scrutinize to couple.
"Well, Zechs and I just transferred in here, to tell you the truth. We came from the Yensin kingdom in the north. I was hired as an extra training instructor, and Zechs was hired as a strategizing expert. The king of this kingdom fears a war is coming, and we were sent to tip the odds in our favor."
Sally remained passive, as did WuFei, while at the same time, both wondered and questioned, the story. Their king rarely confided such serious matter to men and women from other kingdoms.
"That still doesn't tell us your names." WuFei pointed out while glaring at those in the hall who dared to stop and 'accidentally' over hear the conversation. He didn't want to be involved in the rumors that were sure to follow.
"My wife already told you my name was Zechs." The man spoke up glaring at WuFei as if his life depended upon it. Sally recognized the look in her future husband's eyes and sighed. They didn't need a repeat of last year, when WuFei had placed at least a couple dozen of men in the healer's ward.
"Call me Noin." The woman smiled at Sally while she knocked her elbow into her husband's side. "Excuse Zechs, he's being a pain lately." Sally smiled and nudged WuFei.
"Only if you excuse WuFei. Say, would you two like to accompany us to the festival? It's bad luck to miss it, and I noticed you were heading in the wrong direction." Noin nodded and began to walk down the hallway leaving the two men speechless and alone.
A staring contest began between them, and just as it seemed the two men would jump at each other, a shadow loomed over them causing both men to turn and look up at the nearly seven foot man.
"No trouble here, I hope." Rasid (1) questioned, and the two men jumped apart.
"No, I was just leaving." WuFei nodded in the tall man's direction before hurrying after Sally, who had long since disappeared from sight. Seconds later Zechs ran after WuFei.
Rasid frowned before walking the short distance back to the closed off balcony. Bowing to Quatre he took a seat to the back and motioned for a fellow guard to step closer. "WuFei has found another one he doesn't like, I would consider it a favor if he was watched, I have a feeling he's not going to leave this one alone." The other man nodded before excusing himself.
Rasid's eyes lifted to meet Quatre's worried ones. "Is there something wrong?" Suddenly all attention had been turned to the tall man who didn't function very well under attention. His division dealt with the prince's safety, a completely different division then Duo's, which dealt with the castle's safety.
"No, a minor disturbance with WuFei." Quatre's eyes lifted, his interest peeked.
"Someone rubbed him the wrong way again, right?" Rasid offered him a quick nod, which satisfied the prince, for the moment.
Down in the garden area those from the protected town and those who lived in the castle mingled in joy while Quatre sat above them on the balcony in misery. As usual he hadn't been permitted to join his people in the garden. With his father gone he wasn't allowed to enjoy a freedom he had become accustom to. Of the very few places he was allowed to go, the garden during the festival had been one of them.
Quatre turn to the man sitting next to him, Fiyn. "Five of your best men should be ready to go an hour before the full moon." Quatre ignored the outrage on the man's face and turned back to watching the people. "Tell them to be ready to accompany me out of the castle, we'll meet outside the stables."
"But-But," The man stuttered in shock. "As acting captain of the guards, I cannot allow you to leave this castle, and at night as well. Not without me either." Quatre gave the man a hard look.
"I'll be leaving with five of your best men, and Rasid's A group. There is no point arguing with me, for I am leaving, and I advise you not to follow. I'll tell my men to shoot anything that approaches from the rear of us."
There! He had finally said it. He admitted that he was never going to be a very strong person. He had never excelled in the games or hunting, and he didn't enjoy killing animals like the other men. He didn't feel the need to prove himself by not washing for days, or using foul language.
He had never been very good at standing up for himself, either. But nothing, and he meant nothing, was going to stop him from seeing Trowa.
Quatre turned in his seat as a large crash erupted from behind him. Rising to his feet, ignoring the protests of his protectors, he moved into the room where he met a gruesome sight.
Taking steps backwards he covered his mouth in shock and finally allowed men to push him back. "Is She-" Quatre couldn't finish as Rasid nodded lightly and turned him from the sight.
"Where did you find her?" Quatre asked the man covered in her silver blood.
The man held a dark cloth to his mouth and turned to his prince. "I was part of the group that went to see the Silveran group off. It was our duty to ride with them to the edge of the Haze forest and then turn back. We had just made it to the forest when we were ambushed. We scattered in different directions.
"I escaped, but when I returned to the sight of the ambush, I could only find Alisa's body. The rest were gone. I do not know what happened to my companions."
Quatre had recovered most of his shock and watched as they prepared to move the body out of the room. "What attacked you? How many?" The tall man raised his eyes upward.
"The gods only know. To the best of my knowledge it was not a group of men or beasts that attacked, my mind can only account for a large dark figure."
"One man?" Quatre's eyes widened. A man had attacked -- Wait, hadn't . . . "Duo. Duo and his little brother were part of the group."
"Yes, but as I said, it was not a man that attacked us. Rather a large shadow that seemed to consume our group. I can say that this shadow was not interested in my men, but in the group traveling back home. I have never seen a creature such as that, or a beast move as it did." The man was excused as Quatre looked up at Rasid.
"Do you think Duo is okay? He probably hasn't even made it home. Do you think I should send out troops?" Quatre bit his lip. As acting ruler he had complete control over everything in the castle, and with that came complete responsibility.
"Prince Quatre, I advise you to do what you wish but if you do send out a rescue party, let it consist of pure mortals. Do not let those of silver blood go." Rasid turned from Quatre and left to gather a full report while Quatre looked back over at the fallen being.
The last documented time this had happened the lands had been plunged into darkness. Only the scrolls had survived. No people who had stayed had survived. Nothing that stayed had survived.
(1) - - It's Rashid in the American version but I'm taking the names from the Magna version and it's Rasid so if I used Rasid don't get confused.