NOTES: Hi there…you all must reeeaaallly hate my disgusting guts. Its been what? Nearly a year since I payed any attention to this fic…and wow! Three whole chapters! When was the last chapter written…I have no damn clue. Its not like I lost interest in it or anything! Its just I got all these other ideas. Check out the love of my life (and complete) The Targets. Its sequel, The Way Home (not complete…five chapter so far). The three part Mirror's Reflection (which I just completed a couple of days ago!!) . Then there are the fics that sprung out due do what happened on September 11th: The Tales of Two Towers, and (though it has nothing to due with the 11th, the darkness and total seriousness and grimness of it is a reflection of the mood I have been in since then) The Dark Road. So I have not been idle.
Also, I have written this part over four times since I wrote part three. And I have lost four beautiful disks!!!! I give the Nutty Professor a run for his money with my carelessness…and as I usually put it: Butter Fingers/Butter Mind. .
Okay. You want enough with me, I'm sure.
Well here it is.
Once again:
GOMEN NASAI!!!
(this time I'm saving this on the hard drive on my computer….I ain't working on it anywhere but here in my room on my computer! Ha! Bet I can't loose this damn computer…though, it is a stupid machine that takes pleasure in seeing me loose my temper and scream obscenities at it…so it might contract some fatal computer virus and I would loose everything in its flimsy memory…I know I'm jinxing myself, but come one…anyone who calls herself Rue has got to have the worst luck around!)
ON WITH THE FIC!!!
KINGDOMS' MASKSPART IV
Trowa looked at the blackened ashes of what was once the small cottage of a boy named Duo Maxwell. It had taken him three days of searching, tracking, and following to finally reach this now desolate piece of land. He had started at the docks, and from then on he followed the trail of the Amhir and his escorts. Nearly three towns later, and five dead, murdered bodies of farmers, children and women later (all having been in contact with the Arabian Prince), he came onto the body of King Milliardo's guide. The man had his neck cut so deep that only a thin piece of shin held the head to the rest of the body. Trowa had known the man as kind and gentle, yet determined and strong. Judging by the tracks that had been attempted to be covered, they small entourage of Prince, Guide, and four escorts had been besieged by probably highwaymen.
Probably lost, the Prince and his men, now without a guide, had wondered to another village (where the body of a farmer and his five year old son were murdered). There it seemed they gained another companion. Maybe a man who offered to guide them, Trowa had assumed. Yet, instead of the tracks leading to the Palace, they lead away. Trowa knew that there was foul play. For also there was a score of tracks following the Prince.
Knowing what lay ahead was going to be grim; Trowa had gone on, finding more dead bodies of murdered innocents. Then, finally earlier that day, Trowa found three desecrated graves where obviously there had been a battle. To his growing horror, within the graves were three Arabian men, in the royal clothing of the Sultan of Arabia. It took him nearly two hours trying to figure things out by the tracks, but he found yet another different pair that he did recognize. He followed it from the main road, meaning someone else had stumbled upon this carnage. And the same footprints were heavier when the left the scene, then they disappeared amongst the footsteps of those who followed. All this having happened not three hours earlier.
Trowa ran, and found his heart sinking when he saw smoke billowing above the trees, and the ranking smell of burning wood…
Trowa looked to his side, kneeling next to him was Hilde, an acquaintance of the owner of the destroyed cottage. When he had arrived he had found the girl weeping, and trying to look through the wreckage, screaming a boy's name and nearly getting herself burned as she tried to yank still burning timber aside. Trowa had to literally drag her away and hold her while she struggled. Now, tired and spent, she just wept while Trowa looked onto the destruction.
"You…you're a King's Man?"
Trowa looked at her, surprise that she had composed herself already when just seconds ago she was hysterical. "I am, Miss." Answered Trowa, reaching down and helping her up to her feet. The girl was a pretty little thing, her hair was cut short as a farmer's daughter would (long hair got in the way of hard labor), she was thin, and pale, with large expressive eyes.
"D…Duo…this is his house…" Hilde placed a hand over her mouth to compose herself, biting hard on her knuckles and narrowing her eyes so that they became hard as steel. "I got a message from Duo earlier today." She started. "He had trained a massager pigeon, that only came to me. On the paper he wrote that he had found someone who was in trouble and that he was taking him to the…the King. He also told me not to come here incase whoever was after this person would come to the cottage." Hilde growled, "He's such a jerk! I saw the smoke not ten minutes after I got the message. The villagers wouldn't let me go, but I got away and came here." She looked at him, "Do you think he was gone when these butchers came?"
Trowa pointed over to another desecrated grave. The girl looked in confusion. "That man over there was with the person your Duo is helping. I saw two pairs of tracks leaving, and their enemies following, so they were not in this cottage when it was set aflame."
"Thank God!" Gasped the girl in relief.
Trowa looked at her for a moment in indecision. Then finally he reached into his jerkin and pulled out a small pendent, with the King's Seal on it. Hilde took it and gave him a confused look. Trowa said, "Take this seal, and get yourself a horse…" He paused. "You do ride?"
The girls drew back indignantly, "Of course!"
Trowa inwardly smiled, but nothing showed on his face. "Get a horse, "He continued, "Go to the Palace, show them the seal and they'll give you audience with King Milliardo. Tell him that Barton sent you. He will ask you for my message. All you need to say is 'foul play'. Say nothing until he asks you for your story."
The girl had gone pale at this, her eyes nearly filling her face in fear at the prospect of going and actually speaking with the King. For a girl of her status it was unheard of. Hilde swallowed hard and asked in a small voice, "What then?"
Trowa said, "You will be placed under the King's protection. Because you came and saw what has happened here, it is likely that your life is at as much risk as is your Duo. Do you have family?"
Hilde shook her head. Trowa said, "Then go. Don't look back, don't speak to anyone. Just do as I have told you and no one will get hurt."
Hilde suddenly snapped, "You're asking me to just leave my home! Just up and go!"
Trowa stared at her angry countenance for a moment then said calmly, "Then you would rather die, and risk the death of everyone you come in contact with. You should have listened to your friend's warning."
Hilde seemed to reel back at this. But she straightened and shouted at him, "You are so cold! Duo is my friend! I would die for him, and not think twice, that's why I came. That's what friends do! Wouldn't you do that for your friends?"
Her angry words died at the cold and impassive look that Trowa gave her. "Unlike you, Miss, I have no friends. In my line of work they would only get in the way."
"What?" Whispered Hilde in disbelief.
"Go. I have wasted time enough. I have to go find your friend."
Trowa turned away from her, starting to walk toward where he had seen the tracks of the Amhir and the boy, Duo Maxwell. She was a foolish girl with foolish notions. He was a King's Man. He fought and died only for the King. No one else, except for Catharine. He would sell his soul to Lucifer to save Catharine. But Catharine was not his friend, she was family, blood. Nothing ran deeper than that. The girl had no family so she had allegiance to no one, she should not be able to hold dear to anything. Friendship could be cut, but not blood.
Foolish.
"Wait!"
Trowa stopped, but did not turn.
"Please, save Duo! You'll bring to the Palace safe, right? You'll help him?"
Maybe it was the desperation in her voice, maybe he had just worn himself thin, but for whatever reason, Trowa's breath got caught as a flurry of voices rang through his head…
"Well now, boy. Do you have any words to defend yourself?"
"…"
"Trowa! Say something! Tell them the truth!"
"You killed three town guards. Now, the penalty for that is death…"
"No!"
"But since you are still obviously a child we can't do that. What is your name?"
"…"
"His name is Trowa, Your Majesty! Trowa Barton."
"And you are?"
"His sister. My name is Catharine Bloom."
"Different names."
"Different Fathers, same mother."
"And your mother?"
I have not seen her in four years. Trowa and I have been alone together."
"Since your brother is not willing to speak for himself, why don't you tell me what I should do with him? After all, I lost three of my men."
"Sire…I would do anything to pay back for their lives. Please, if you must, kill me!"
"You are still a child."
"I am a fourteen. I am considered a woman already and have worked as one now for two years!"
"Stop it, Cathy. You won't do anything like that. If His Majesty asks it, I would add him among those three men."
"TREASON!"
"HE THREATENED THE KING!"
"Silence! Trowa Barton, for a boy you speak dangerous words."
"I will protect my sister."
"Why did you kill those men?"
"They tried to hurt Cathy."
"He was protecting me, Your Majesty. Please, spare him."
"I see now. You would kill for your sister…but would you kill for me, your King?"
"…"
"No, Sire! Please, don't make him do this! Anything but this!"
"…"
"It is his decision, my dear. He is old enough to kill, so he is old enough to decide his fate."
"I don't want him to kill! He's just a boy!"
"Trowa, what is your decision?"
"I want Cathy to live in the Palace. I want her to work here, under your protection. I want her to get paid, so that she can buy things that she likes. I want her to be fed so that she is never hungry."
"I'm sure I can arrange that."
"And if anyone hurts her, I will kill them."
"There is no need for that. All she needs to do is come to me and they will be punished."
"And if you hurt her, I will kill you."
"SIRE YOU CAN"T TAKE IN THIS BOY!"
"Quiet. Believe me when I tell you this, Trowa Barton, if I do over step my bounds with your sister, my betrothed would have already pulled my manhood out by the time you reach my doors. Do you agree?"
"…"
"No, please Trowa! Don't do this for me. Please, Trowa…"
"I agree."
Trowa did not turn to look at the girl, but he merely nodded his head and kept on walking…
***
Quatre fell with a strangled cry, only to be hauled to back up by Duo. "C'mon! They are gaining on us! We have got to keep running!"
It was nearing sunset. The sun had sunken till its top rimmed the trees, casting a golden light upon the two fleeing boys. Not even ten minutes after leaving Duo's cottage had they heard Quatre's pursuers. They had run, only later to be beset by more men who seemed to be waiting for them ahead. Duo had been shocked at how the small injured Quatre had attacked with a vicious cry, his deadly sickle cutting through the throng of men. Duo had also attacked, his Deathscythe wrecking havoc among the attacking men. Duo had never been officially trained on how to defend himself, but he had learned a lot as an orphan living on the streets of towns, villages, and cities.
For Quatre, it was different. The boy would look at the person he was fighting, and seem to predict the man's moves, cutting him down. He had a form, and stance; he used different kind of attacks, then the same. He knew how to fight, and how to use his weapons; he knew how to judge his enemy with a look and used their weaknesses against them. Duo was wildness on a rampage, no plan, no hesitation, he was speed and strength. He was defense with small and quick attacks. No one could harm him if they couldn't catch him.
But Quatre started to tire before long, becoming dizzy and disoriented. His head wound taking its toll on the boy. It was then Duo noticed something. The men were trying to kill him. They struck savagely at him, going for his face or his stomach. It was different with Quatre. The men were trying to disarm him; they were doing their best not to injure him.
They were now ahead of the men.
Quatre shook his head. "This isn't working! At this rate they'll catch up to us for sure!"
Duo turned Deathscythe in his hand, trying to ignore how the scythe's blade glimmered in the golden sunlight, the red blood on it turning black and dripping onto his hands. "The we'll have to fight them off again!" Duo was desperate. He had never been in the midst of such a battle since he was a child.
Duo nearly bit his tongue when Quatre grabbed him and said, "We have a better chance if we split up."
For a moment, Duo was absolutely speechless, the world seeming to stop as his mind went totally blank. The he shouted, "Have you lost your freaking mind?!"
"Duo, please!" Said Quatre. He reached into his vest and pulled out a chain with a golden ring on it. "Take this."
"Wha…"
"Please, take this to the Palace, and give it to the King! Just in case…just in case you get there before I do."
Duo shook his head vehemently, his braid swinging behind him. "Oh no. You won't make it by yourself!"
But Quatre ignored him and continued, "Try to get audience with the King. Show him the ring and he will know that you were with me and what you say is the truth. Tell him what has happened."
"Like Hell! Quatre…"
"Do it!" Quatre, shoved the chain and ring into his hand and pushed him away roughly, sprinting into the high bushes without a look back, leaving a furious and distraught Duo behind.
Duo was about to follow when there was a shout behind him.
"There's one!"
With a feral snarl, Duo fled, shoving the precious ring and chain over his head and tucking it under his priest's shirt. Duo cursed the blond idiot to Hell and back. Duo was positive that he could outrun and escape the men, after all he knew the landscape, and he was healthy and not having to protect anyone anymore…but Quatre…Quatre was injured, and had lost a lot of blood from his head wound. The kid was a stranger and had no clue where he was going and was defiantly unused to the landscape and the cold. After all, he said he was from Arabia, and though Duo knew almost nothing about the Arabians, he knew that their land was mostly desert, and the nights there were fairly warm. Here in Sank, in the fall, it got damn cold.
Duo cursed again at the blonde's plight. He was going to get caught. The least Duo could do was deliver the ring to the King…which he had no clue how he was going to do that! At least he was sure the men wouldn't kill Quatre.
Stupid kid.
Even if he had to make a deal with Death himself, he'd make it to the Palace, he's somehow see the King, then he was going to find Quatre. Even though he had known the blond for less than a day, the two of them had clicked immediately, working together and depending on each other's strengths. He hadn't had a friendship like that since…Solo.
Not now Maxwell…So Duo ran, ignoring the shouts behind him. He found himself wondering who exactly was Quatre Raberba Winner? He had said his father knew the late King Peacecraft, and was sending his son to visit the present King Peacecraft. His clothing was rich, he speech was eloquent, and he had an air of power about him. Yet at the same time he was simple, not minding at all to be aided by a mere low class peasant.
Duo swore, regretting he ever left the path for the shortcut.
***
Heero glowered angrily as he watched King Milliardo pace to and fro. It was getting ridiculous. Usually, the King was calm and collective, approaching a situation no matter how dare it was, with pride and courage. Though at the moment, King Milliardo was anything but calm. He seemed near a panic, actually fretting.
"Your Majesty, calm down." Heero said, and how many times had he said? How many more times would he have to say it?
Heero looked out the barred window of the small conference room. It was dark, and not an hour before had the guards brought in a peasant girl bearing the King's seal. What she had to say had rendered the King speechless. It was Queen Noin who had taken the poor nervous girl's hand and took her away to be cleaned, fed and rested. After all, the girl had ridden hard and fast most of the day bring Trowa's message. But before leaving, Noin had whispered to her husband to get a grip of himself. Obviously, the man was still trying to do that.
"All four of the escorts are dead, Heero! There is foul play here, and the Amhir is out there alone in a land he doesn't know, right smack in the middle of it!" Ranted Milliardo.
But Heero was undeterred by this unnerving fact. "He is alive, Your Majesty. That gives us hope. The longer he survives, the more chance that Trowa will find him."
At this, Milliardo seemed to relax. He sighed and said wearily, "It's sitting around here and not knowing what's happened that is diving my mad! Dammit! I am a warrior! I do things on my own, or I at least help. Here I am useless."
"You feel weak." Said Heero. This would have been treasonous if it had come out from anyone other than Heero. Milliardo nodded his head solemnly.
At that moment, Wufei, who had been sitting aside, meditating, opened his eyes and frowned. "That's odd."
The King and the Royal Guard looked at the Ambassador. Wufei saw the twin looks and said, "I was concentrating on the Amhir's spirit, when it suddenly split. Its as if the was cut in half, yet both parts continued to run on, still determined to survive." He trailed off and shook his head. "This could mean many things, or it could mean nothing." Wufei stood and looked at Milliardo.
The King asked, "Can you find him in your dreams?"
Wufei snorted at this rudely. "Forgive me, Sire, I do not dream, I meditate. At times I feel things that are real, other times they are not, just feelings within me. I am tired, it probably means nothing."
"I suggest we all rest." Said Heero. "Trowa has been gone for now three whole days, and all of us have not given each other a chance to rest properly."
Milliardo nodded immediately, now thinking straight and rationally to Heero's relief. He bade them both a goodnight then walked out.
Wufei, however, gave Heero an accusing look. "You do not plan on resting."
Heero gave Wufei an odd look before saying, "I am not the King, and I am defiantly not the Chinese Ambassador. My rest matters not as long as I get my duty done."
Wufei shook his head, not agreeing. "You are the Captain of the Royal Guard, the King's most trusted advisor and probably the only friend he has other than his wife, the Queen, or his sister, the Princess. Surely your life amounts to something, Heero?"
Heero looked Wufei dead in the eye and said firmly, "It is not. It is worth something cheap compared to the King. His life and comfort is valuable and needed."
"As is yours!" Argued Wufei heatedly. "You are demeaning your worth and that makes you weak! It will put you in a great disadvantage, Heero!"
Heero stiffened at this, but he did not even blink an eye at the Chinese Ambassador. "I am not weak. I am the best at what I do. I know this, so I am not demeaning myself." With those words he turned and left, leaving the door ajar for Wufei. His footsteps sharply hitting the stone floor as he walked.
Wufei looked at where Heero had been standing angrily. "Blind fool." He snorted. Then his face slowly changed from anger to sadness as he too walked to the door and walked out, shutting it behind him.
TO BE CONTINUED…NEXT TIME…
"You enjoyed killing our comrades, didn't you?" Shouted the man angrily. Quatre looked away and struck with a fist on the side of his face. "Answer me! I know you can speak our language with that dirty foreign tongue of yours!" Quatre turned his head away, ignoring as the man drew his dagger…
Duo could not believe his luck as he reached for the doorknob, he had managed to break into the Palace! He had actually pulled it off! His hand touched the metal knob when suddenly the door flew open, and there, standing before him stood Princess Relena. For a whole second, the two youths stared at each other, mouths gaping. She screamed, and Duo shouted as an angry dark haired boy in armor charged in, sword drawn and swinging it toward Duo's head…
So…should I continue? Review please!