**I do not own Valdemar, it is property of Mercedes Lackey. I do not own
the Gundam Boys either, I just use them for my own twisted purposes…Ah, yes…some
day I'll shall be in the middle of a Trowa Quatre sandwich, with a slice
of Duo, slathered in a bit of Heero with some Wufei on the side...*drool*
oh god that sounds orgasmically delicious…wait, what is this thing rated
again, can I say that?...**
~~~Now we begin Chapter 04. Alright, as I have already mentioned I love Trowa and Quatre. They are just oh so adorably perfect for one another. So, once I finish with the initial five chapters I will most likely be centering the story around them with the occasion shift to the other three. And as you know, I have yet to make a judgment call when it come to adding a little bit of 1x2 to my tale, and I also haven't decided what other members of the GW cast may make appearances, but the story is coming together in my head and it will work itself out. What ever happens will be as much of a surprise to me as it will be to you.
Additionally, I am a busy, busy person and entirely too stressed out at the moment. Writing helps me relax but I just don't have enough time to, so chapters will be slow coming. Please don't be angry with me!!
Thank you those who are reading and leaving me such wonderful reviews! Please keep them coming, I really appreciate them! Arigato! Ja ne!~~~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Arrows of Honor
Chapter 04: Quatre
Bright rays of morning sunlight shone though the window to fall upon the sleeping form of a boy no older then fifteen. He slept soundly, a small smile gracing his lips as a cool breeze flowed in the open window to caress his golden hair. He sighed softly in his sleep, turning over to shield his eyes from the sun, trying to escape the morning as always.
"Master Quatre!"
Unfortunately, the morning always seemed to find him.
"Master Quatre! It is time for you to wake up!"
A booming voice was heard form the hallway and a loud pounding shook the door. Quatre stirred, reaching for a pillow. He covered his head with it, holding the pillow tightly over his ears. Yes, morning always found Quatre Winner in the form of a large man named Rashid, Quatre's guardian.
"Master Quatre, if you do not answer me, I'm breaking down the door and I don't think Auda would appreciate having to fix it more than once this week!"
The pounding continued until it reached Quatre's sleep fog mind. He woke up throwing the pillow aside. "Alright, Rashid! I'm up!" He sighed and held a hand to his aching head. Every morning the same goddamn thing…I just want to sleep, Quatre thought to himself as he grabbed his shirt, pulling it over his head, and walked towards the door. Father's not here. All I'm going to do is wake up and wander aimlessly around the house, bored as all hell, he thought resentfully. It's not like I'm allowed to leave the house or anything, god forbid I see something other than the same rooms and same people day in, day out… Quatre reached the door and flung it open. "What Rashid?"
"Glad to see you're finally awake, Master. Breakfast is ready." Rashid said with a false smile.
"Wonderful. I'll be down in a minute." Quatre spoke with a voice laced with sarcasm and all but slammed the door in Rashid face. He felt bad for taken out his anger on the larger man, but it was still early and he wasn't thinking straight. He'd feel better once he woke up, get back to himself.
Quatre took his time getting dressed and making his way to the lower floor of the house. He found Rashid seated at the large dining table, already eating hot breakfast. Quatre seated himself across from the large man and looked at the meal in front of him. He was never hungry early in the morning, but Rashid got frustrated when Quatre would eat, so the young man timidly picked at his food. "G'morning Rashid."
"Good Morning Master Quatre. Glad to see you are finally up and about," replied Rashid, a little too jovially for the earlier outburst, but Rashid understood his master all too well and was never able to stay angry at him for very long.
"I'm sorry it took me a while to get up. But…well you know…"
"I know Master Quatre, but you're Father left early this morning and he gave my explicit instructions for you to keep up with your lessons. He'll have my head if he finds out you sleep your days away, laying about sluggishly."
Quatre sighed. "Rashid, do I really have to spend every day he's gone occupied with lessons? It's so boring. I'm already ahead. Why can't I…"
"No," Rashid interrupted him. "You can't stop right there, Master. I know exactly what you are going to say and the answer is No, as always. You can not go wandering about the city while your Father is gone. If he were to find out…well, I don't know what he'd do, and I don't care to find out. And no I will not take you, alone or with me, it's all the same. No."
"But Rashid…"
"No," the man stated firmly, giving Quatre a look that had 'end of argument' written all over it.
The boy sighed again and stood up, pushing away from the table, breakfast half eaten. "I'm going to go to my room to study. I don't feel like practice music or weapons today, alright? I'll be in my room."
"Alright Master Quatre, but you will eat dinner with me and tomorrow you will have to practice your music and your swordplay." Quatre barely heard as he was already half way up the stairs. He entered his room, locking the door behind. I can live with that, he thought to himself. I should be back by dinner anyway. He glanced around his room grabbing a small coin purse and slipping a brown cloak over his shoulders before walking towards his window. He jumped on to the small window sill and then onto a branch beside it. Quatre slid himself along the branch before leaping onto the wall that surrounded his Fathers property and then again, landing in a small alley. He laughed softly to himself as he walked toward the crowded streets of Haven. Quatre knew the streets fairly well despite that he was never allowed out in the city on his own. The only time he could go out was if he was accompanied by his Father, which was rare since his Father was often away on business. But Quatre managed to sneak out every once in a while to see the sights the city had to offer. He didn't do it often, afraid that Rashid would catch him, but he could resist.
Quatre took in a deep breath as he entered the busy streets. Haven is so alive! So wonderful! The boy began to walk the familiar streets occasionally stopping to look at various goods that were being sold. He really had no intention of buying anything, but it was always nice to look. He always had money when he went out into the city, but it was really for any food he might want.
"Hey, did you hear?" Quatre's ears perked up as he heard a group of children nearby laughing and chattering loudly.
"Hear what?" asked another child.
"A strange group of performers arrived this morning. They're set up outside the South Gate. I hear there's some really crazy looking foreigners."
"Yeah, I heard they have some really strange looking animals and all kinds of acrobats and a knife thrower!"
"Oh! Let's go!"
The children scattered and ran towards the South Gate, which was not all that far away. Foreign Performers? Quatre thought. This could be interesting. I've never seen any kind of show like that. He looked in the direction the children had run and then up towards the sky. It was still fairly early, a mark or two before noon. Quatre decided to give it a try and walked off towards the gate, following the laughter of children, all anxious to see the show.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Quatre found the troop of performers easy enough. Even without following the children, he couldn't have missed the caravan of wagons, stages, and tents that were just outside the city. There were already a large number of people gathered around a center stage talking loudly and wondering what the performance would be like. Quatre stood in the back, but he was too short to see over the number of people gathered. Granted, he was fairly short for his age, he was still taller then a bunch of children. However, a large number of adults were anxious to see the show as well, and Quatre couldn't see over them. He gently squeezed his way through the crowd to secure a place near the front where he would have a better view.
Wow, this must be some show to have gathered all these people, he thought. Quatre barely had time to think about it as the show began. Various dancers and acrobats appeared from behind a curtain. The acrobats came forward in high leaps and somersaults and began building pyramids and other structures out of each other. The dancers were mostly woman dressed in long veils and scarves. They danced seductively in front of the crowd drawing the eyes of the men in the crowd, but they had not caught the eye of a certain blond young man in the front of the crowd. His eyes were drawn to a tall figure dressed like a jester who wove himself around the dancers and the acrobats. His skills far surpassed those of the other acrobats as he flipped over and through whatever structure they created. Quatre found that he could not take his eyes off the young performer; he followed his every move and wished to catch his eyes just once, but the jester long brown hair covered his eyes most of the time and hid them from Quatre's gaze.
Quatre was so intent on the actions of the handsome acrobat that he didn't even notice that the stage had cleared until a large wooden board was brought out and two men fastened the jester to the board. What's going on…? He heard the crowd quiet and he shifted his eyes to find another young woman dancing seductively alone on the stage. He was slightly confused until the auburn haired woman produced a set of throwing knives in each hand and turned her focus toward the young man bound to the board. The knife thrower! Those kids had mentioned a knife thrower! Quatre turned his eyes back to the young man and stared at him with fear and excitement. The captive boy kept his eyes forward, focused on the woman and her knives.
As Quatre stared mesmerized by the young man, he's gaze was briefly met with a pair of startling emerald eyes that centered on him for a split second before returning to face straight ahead. Quatre's breath caught in his throat and for a second he was frozen where he stood. Wow...
Thunk!
The sound and sight of a knife hitting the wooden board right next to young man's ear brought Quatre back to himself. He continued to watch as the knives flew by to land around the handsome young man. When the last knife hit the board with a resonating 'thunk,' Quatre willed himself to turn away and explore more of the show, but his mind still held on to the image of the young jester.
Quatre wondered among the tents, stands, and games looking around without really seeing. Some of the dancers that had been on stage early wandered closer to him, seductively moving around him, but he didn't even notice their presence. He passed them by without a second glance and made his way toward a set of odd looking wagons that were partially hidden on the far side of the space the troop occupied. As he approached he realized that the wagons were actually cages and they held the animals that he had hard the children mention earlier.
I wonder what kind of animals they have… Quatre was about to round the corner of when cage when he stopped dead in his tracks. A soft, melancholy melody met his ears. It was like nothing he'd heard before. The music held a sadness and a loneliness that reached his very core, such emotions he was very familiar with, but he had never heard them so eloquently expressed in sound. How beautiful…I've never heard anything so beautiful… Slowly, Quatre peered around the corner of the cage to look for the source of the melody. He heart stopped as he laid his eyes on the graceful frame of the same young jester that had so captivated him. His eyes were closed and his brow furrowed as he was deep in concentration. He held a small silver flute his soft lips. Quatre could only stare in fascination, his heart reaching out to sympathize with the young man.
"Trowa! Trowa!" '
Quatre jumped slightly at the sound of a female voice and saw a young auburn haired woman stop to stand beside the young man. The knife thrower. The young blond boy watched as the young boy let the flute drop from his lips and peered up at the woman beside him through a thick veil of light brown hair. "What is it, Cathy?" The soft melodic voice was barely audible to Quatre but it hit his ears and sent shivers cascading down his spine.
"I'm going to walk around the shops with Vaya. Would you like to come? We don't have to perform again for a little."
Quatre groaned softly and willed the young woman away, disappointed that she had interrupted the young man from his playing. Well, at least her interruption let me hear his voice…Speak again!
"No, I think I'll stay here. Maybe another time. Have fun though." Quatre all but melted under the caress of that voice.
"Alright, I'll see you later, Trowa." Quatre watched as she turned and walked away. Trowa? Is that your name? I like it. Trowa, please play your flute…
Quatre shook himself slightly. What…what am I thinking? He brought one shaken pale hand to his forehead. I'm spying on this young…man and…and…and not acting at all like myself! Heat began to crept slowly up his neck and spread across his face. This is…not appropriate behavior. I should… But Quatre continued to stand where he was as he saw the other young man brought the flute to his lips again. Oh please play again!
"Master Quatre!"
Quatre jumped about ten feet in the air and turned around with lightening speed. Rashid!
"Master Quatre, what do you think you're doing here?"
"Rashid I can I explain I…" He tried to stammer an excuse. I'm really in trouble now…
"No excuses, we're leaving now! If your father finds out, he's going to kill both of us!"
Quatre was visibly shaking. He had never seen Rashid this angry before. "R-Rashid…I'm really sorry. Please. I-I-I didn't mean anything…I-I mean I didn't think…"
Rashid paused and finally noticed how shaken his young Master was by his actions. He sighed and spoke lowering his voice. "Master, I did not mean to frighten you, but you know your Father and I have only your safety in mind when we put these rules on you. And you scared me when I realized you weren't in the house. Now come on, we are going."
"But…" Quatre's eyes flicked to the side, trying to look to where the young man had been. Stop that, he scolded himself and shook his head slightly.
Rashid reached out and grabbed his young Master's arm and began to physically drag the young boy away. "No, we are leaving."
Quatre struggled in the man's powerful grip. "Rashid, would you just give me a minute. I…and I can walk, you know! Rashid!"
Rashid dropped his arm roughly. "Fine." He turned and began to walk away. "Let's go, Master Quatre."
"Alright." As Quatre began to walk away, his heart, no matter how hard his head fought against it, turned for one last hopeful glance at the handsome young performer. His eyes were met with that same piercing emerald gaze as he found the young man peering around the side of the cage looking right at him. Quatre swallowed and blushed a bright shade of red, visibly embarrassed. Oh god! He saw everything! He turned away quickly and hurried after his guardian.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Quatre was sprawled out on his bed, an open book lay next to him, forgotten. His eyes stared unseeing at the ceiling as his mind tried to sort out the strange events of the day. He couldn't believe that Rashid had caught him. He never had before. During the walk back to the house, both had been completely silent. Quatre could tell Rashid was very upset with him, but part of him didn't care. The events of the day had been worth it. Hadn't they? Quatre couldn't figure out exactly what had happened. He had been acting so unlike himself and he had no idea why.
What's wrong with me? Quatre thought. I don't understand. It's like I wasn't thinking, I was just …feeling? I don't understand. I can't…I can't have…feelings like that towards a man…what the hell is wrong with me?!?! He sighed and rolled over, looking out his window towards the clear, star-filled sky. A breeze rolled through the window lifted the curtains slightly and twisting itself around Quatre's bangs as the hung in front of his eyes. He sighed again, but in frustration.
"Rashid, I'm sorry…" he said to the empty room. "…but I need time to think. And I just don't want to be here right now." Quatre moved around his room, putting his shoes on and his cloak. He made sure not to carry any money, but did strap on his back a pair of long, slightly curved swords, his weapon of choice. They were hidden by his cloak though. As he moved toward the window, Quatre tried to push the guilt from his mind. He was breaking so many rules, but that was all he seemed to be able to do. He moved along the tree branch and leapt with a practiced grace from the tree to the wall and finally to the dark alley below.
The streets of Haven were dimly lit by the few and scattered street lamps. There were few people out at night that had any real use for them anyway. Quatre simply let his feet lead him. They knew the city better than he did and he needed his mind to continue sorting through his troubled thoughts. Visions of Rashid and of his Father sifted through his mind and only made him more frustrated. They were both like parents to him. His real Father was his by blood, but he was always gone, and when he wasn't he was always busy. He insisted on sheltering his son from the outside world, convinced that it only offered pain and suffering, violence and death. He kept Quatre a prisoner in his own house and made him concentrate on books and studying and music. Quatre felt so much guilt whenever he thought ill of his Father. He truly did love him, but it was hard. Rashid was more of a father to him. He was one that he saw everyday, who cared for him and helped him with his studies and even sympathized with him. Yes, Rashid is beginning to realize how much he actually defies Father, Quatre thought. While his guardian normally kept all of the rules that his Father laid before him, such as his lessons or not leaving the house, there was one he disobeyed. Rashid had taught his young Master how to defend himself, had taught him to be skilled with many weapons. Rashid agreed that the world was dangerous, but not like Quatre's Father did. He believed that Quatre will eventually need to make his own in the word and that warranted self defense, not sheltering. Rashid kept him the house, afraid that someone would see Quatre outside and his Father would hear of it, although, Quatre was beginning to wonder if Rashid had known about some of his other excursions. Inside the house, however, the imposing man made sure Quatre could take of himself. And I'm grateful for it.
Quatre wandered around the abandoned streets of Haven for sometime lost in his thoughts. He was so lost in his thoughts that he almost ran into the few people that were out on the streets.
"Be careful kid, watch where you're going."
Quatre mumbled an apology to the person he bumped into, but the sudden contact and brought him out of his thoughts. He realized that he had been wandering around for most of the night and hadn't even comprehended how tired he was from the day's events. Glancing around, he spotted a temple to his right and began walking toward it. Maybe I can rest here for a bit until I can make my way home. Leaving the dim streets, he entered into a brightly lit and neatly trimmed garden. He stopped at the first unoccupied bench he came to and sat down hard.
"I had no idea I was so tired," Quatre mumbled to himself. He leaned his head back against the well. "I just need to rest for a few minutes." His mind had other ideas, as his eyes closed of their own accord and he drifted off to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Young man. Young man, you really should be getting up now."
Quatre groggily open his eyes as he felt his body shaking back and forth ad an unknown voice talking quietly in his ear. "What? What's going on? Rashid?" Quatre sat up straight, ignoring his aching neck, and found a tall, elderly man with wild grey hair and dark-rimmed glasses standing before him.
"You're in the gardens of this temple," the man said. "It appears you've been here all night, and ah…all morning…" The man grinned sheepishly.
"What?!?!" Quatre stood quickly and looked frantically around. He groaned and held his head in his hands as he took in his surroundings. "Oh, no. Rashid is going to kill me." He looked up at the man, who he realized was a priest "I'm really sorry for sleeping here. I really didn't mean to."
"Hey, it's alright, kid." The man smiled and laughed. "Everyone's welcome here. And I apologize for waking you up so late. I hadn't realized you were that out of it. Well, you better get going before you get into more trouble."
"Thank you, Father."
"No problem, kid."
Quatre sprinted from the temple and out into the busy streets of Haven. He looked up into the sky and noticed that it was almost noon. Rashid is really going to kill me! He ran all the way home, praying to any deity that would listen. Maybe Rashid hasn't gone to wake me up yet? Who am I kidding? I'm a dead man! Approaching the alley behind his home, Quatre slowed down and stopped. He entered the alley slowly, reluctant to climb the wall and sneak back in his room. He really didn't want to go home, really did not want to face Rashid and return to that prison.
A strange noise echoed down the alley and into Quatre's ears. It wasn't a bad noise. It was quite pleasant but seemed strangely out of place. He turned to glance further down the alley and found a glowing white shape floating down the alley. Startled at first, Quatre held his breath, but as the shape got closer, he realized it was only a Companion. Having lived in Haven his whole life, the sight of a Companion wandering the streets was not something unusual.
Smiling softly, Quatre spoke to horse-shaped being. "Good Afternoon. You startled me for a minute." The Companion gazed at him intensely. How wonderful it would be to be a Herald… He laughed to himself. Yes, a wonderful daydream. "I see you have no rider, so I'll wish you good luck on your journey. May you find your Chosen soon." He bowed at the Companion and turned back to the wall that surrounded his Father's property beginning his ascent.
: I need no luck, the journey is near its end. :
Shocked by the unexpected voice in his head, Quatre lost his grip on the wall to land painful on his rear in the middle of the alley. Laugther echoed through is mind as he stood up slowly, rubbing his now bruised behind. "What?" He turned to glare at the Companion beside him, but was stopped as his own aquamarine gaze met sapphire and he found himself falling.
: My name is Sandrock, and you see, Chosen Quatre, that I needn't go far on my journey. : The laughter rang like a soft bell in his mind.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~~~Wow! I think that's my longest chapter yet! *claps happily* Yay me! I'm so proud I got this chapter finished! It actually took me more then a few hours too…Oh, I'm so busy! Humph, well…please read and review. I hope you liked it. Remember, I am a very busy girl, but I will work hard to finish Wufei's chapter and then the real tale shall begin!!! Ja ne!!!~~~
~~~Now we begin Chapter 04. Alright, as I have already mentioned I love Trowa and Quatre. They are just oh so adorably perfect for one another. So, once I finish with the initial five chapters I will most likely be centering the story around them with the occasion shift to the other three. And as you know, I have yet to make a judgment call when it come to adding a little bit of 1x2 to my tale, and I also haven't decided what other members of the GW cast may make appearances, but the story is coming together in my head and it will work itself out. What ever happens will be as much of a surprise to me as it will be to you.
Additionally, I am a busy, busy person and entirely too stressed out at the moment. Writing helps me relax but I just don't have enough time to, so chapters will be slow coming. Please don't be angry with me!!
Thank you those who are reading and leaving me such wonderful reviews! Please keep them coming, I really appreciate them! Arigato! Ja ne!~~~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Arrows of Honor
Chapter 04: Quatre
Bright rays of morning sunlight shone though the window to fall upon the sleeping form of a boy no older then fifteen. He slept soundly, a small smile gracing his lips as a cool breeze flowed in the open window to caress his golden hair. He sighed softly in his sleep, turning over to shield his eyes from the sun, trying to escape the morning as always.
"Master Quatre!"
Unfortunately, the morning always seemed to find him.
"Master Quatre! It is time for you to wake up!"
A booming voice was heard form the hallway and a loud pounding shook the door. Quatre stirred, reaching for a pillow. He covered his head with it, holding the pillow tightly over his ears. Yes, morning always found Quatre Winner in the form of a large man named Rashid, Quatre's guardian.
"Master Quatre, if you do not answer me, I'm breaking down the door and I don't think Auda would appreciate having to fix it more than once this week!"
The pounding continued until it reached Quatre's sleep fog mind. He woke up throwing the pillow aside. "Alright, Rashid! I'm up!" He sighed and held a hand to his aching head. Every morning the same goddamn thing…I just want to sleep, Quatre thought to himself as he grabbed his shirt, pulling it over his head, and walked towards the door. Father's not here. All I'm going to do is wake up and wander aimlessly around the house, bored as all hell, he thought resentfully. It's not like I'm allowed to leave the house or anything, god forbid I see something other than the same rooms and same people day in, day out… Quatre reached the door and flung it open. "What Rashid?"
"Glad to see you're finally awake, Master. Breakfast is ready." Rashid said with a false smile.
"Wonderful. I'll be down in a minute." Quatre spoke with a voice laced with sarcasm and all but slammed the door in Rashid face. He felt bad for taken out his anger on the larger man, but it was still early and he wasn't thinking straight. He'd feel better once he woke up, get back to himself.
Quatre took his time getting dressed and making his way to the lower floor of the house. He found Rashid seated at the large dining table, already eating hot breakfast. Quatre seated himself across from the large man and looked at the meal in front of him. He was never hungry early in the morning, but Rashid got frustrated when Quatre would eat, so the young man timidly picked at his food. "G'morning Rashid."
"Good Morning Master Quatre. Glad to see you are finally up and about," replied Rashid, a little too jovially for the earlier outburst, but Rashid understood his master all too well and was never able to stay angry at him for very long.
"I'm sorry it took me a while to get up. But…well you know…"
"I know Master Quatre, but you're Father left early this morning and he gave my explicit instructions for you to keep up with your lessons. He'll have my head if he finds out you sleep your days away, laying about sluggishly."
Quatre sighed. "Rashid, do I really have to spend every day he's gone occupied with lessons? It's so boring. I'm already ahead. Why can't I…"
"No," Rashid interrupted him. "You can't stop right there, Master. I know exactly what you are going to say and the answer is No, as always. You can not go wandering about the city while your Father is gone. If he were to find out…well, I don't know what he'd do, and I don't care to find out. And no I will not take you, alone or with me, it's all the same. No."
"But Rashid…"
"No," the man stated firmly, giving Quatre a look that had 'end of argument' written all over it.
The boy sighed again and stood up, pushing away from the table, breakfast half eaten. "I'm going to go to my room to study. I don't feel like practice music or weapons today, alright? I'll be in my room."
"Alright Master Quatre, but you will eat dinner with me and tomorrow you will have to practice your music and your swordplay." Quatre barely heard as he was already half way up the stairs. He entered his room, locking the door behind. I can live with that, he thought to himself. I should be back by dinner anyway. He glanced around his room grabbing a small coin purse and slipping a brown cloak over his shoulders before walking towards his window. He jumped on to the small window sill and then onto a branch beside it. Quatre slid himself along the branch before leaping onto the wall that surrounded his Fathers property and then again, landing in a small alley. He laughed softly to himself as he walked toward the crowded streets of Haven. Quatre knew the streets fairly well despite that he was never allowed out in the city on his own. The only time he could go out was if he was accompanied by his Father, which was rare since his Father was often away on business. But Quatre managed to sneak out every once in a while to see the sights the city had to offer. He didn't do it often, afraid that Rashid would catch him, but he could resist.
Quatre took in a deep breath as he entered the busy streets. Haven is so alive! So wonderful! The boy began to walk the familiar streets occasionally stopping to look at various goods that were being sold. He really had no intention of buying anything, but it was always nice to look. He always had money when he went out into the city, but it was really for any food he might want.
"Hey, did you hear?" Quatre's ears perked up as he heard a group of children nearby laughing and chattering loudly.
"Hear what?" asked another child.
"A strange group of performers arrived this morning. They're set up outside the South Gate. I hear there's some really crazy looking foreigners."
"Yeah, I heard they have some really strange looking animals and all kinds of acrobats and a knife thrower!"
"Oh! Let's go!"
The children scattered and ran towards the South Gate, which was not all that far away. Foreign Performers? Quatre thought. This could be interesting. I've never seen any kind of show like that. He looked in the direction the children had run and then up towards the sky. It was still fairly early, a mark or two before noon. Quatre decided to give it a try and walked off towards the gate, following the laughter of children, all anxious to see the show.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Quatre found the troop of performers easy enough. Even without following the children, he couldn't have missed the caravan of wagons, stages, and tents that were just outside the city. There were already a large number of people gathered around a center stage talking loudly and wondering what the performance would be like. Quatre stood in the back, but he was too short to see over the number of people gathered. Granted, he was fairly short for his age, he was still taller then a bunch of children. However, a large number of adults were anxious to see the show as well, and Quatre couldn't see over them. He gently squeezed his way through the crowd to secure a place near the front where he would have a better view.
Wow, this must be some show to have gathered all these people, he thought. Quatre barely had time to think about it as the show began. Various dancers and acrobats appeared from behind a curtain. The acrobats came forward in high leaps and somersaults and began building pyramids and other structures out of each other. The dancers were mostly woman dressed in long veils and scarves. They danced seductively in front of the crowd drawing the eyes of the men in the crowd, but they had not caught the eye of a certain blond young man in the front of the crowd. His eyes were drawn to a tall figure dressed like a jester who wove himself around the dancers and the acrobats. His skills far surpassed those of the other acrobats as he flipped over and through whatever structure they created. Quatre found that he could not take his eyes off the young performer; he followed his every move and wished to catch his eyes just once, but the jester long brown hair covered his eyes most of the time and hid them from Quatre's gaze.
Quatre was so intent on the actions of the handsome acrobat that he didn't even notice that the stage had cleared until a large wooden board was brought out and two men fastened the jester to the board. What's going on…? He heard the crowd quiet and he shifted his eyes to find another young woman dancing seductively alone on the stage. He was slightly confused until the auburn haired woman produced a set of throwing knives in each hand and turned her focus toward the young man bound to the board. The knife thrower! Those kids had mentioned a knife thrower! Quatre turned his eyes back to the young man and stared at him with fear and excitement. The captive boy kept his eyes forward, focused on the woman and her knives.
As Quatre stared mesmerized by the young man, he's gaze was briefly met with a pair of startling emerald eyes that centered on him for a split second before returning to face straight ahead. Quatre's breath caught in his throat and for a second he was frozen where he stood. Wow...
Thunk!
The sound and sight of a knife hitting the wooden board right next to young man's ear brought Quatre back to himself. He continued to watch as the knives flew by to land around the handsome young man. When the last knife hit the board with a resonating 'thunk,' Quatre willed himself to turn away and explore more of the show, but his mind still held on to the image of the young jester.
Quatre wondered among the tents, stands, and games looking around without really seeing. Some of the dancers that had been on stage early wandered closer to him, seductively moving around him, but he didn't even notice their presence. He passed them by without a second glance and made his way toward a set of odd looking wagons that were partially hidden on the far side of the space the troop occupied. As he approached he realized that the wagons were actually cages and they held the animals that he had hard the children mention earlier.
I wonder what kind of animals they have… Quatre was about to round the corner of when cage when he stopped dead in his tracks. A soft, melancholy melody met his ears. It was like nothing he'd heard before. The music held a sadness and a loneliness that reached his very core, such emotions he was very familiar with, but he had never heard them so eloquently expressed in sound. How beautiful…I've never heard anything so beautiful… Slowly, Quatre peered around the corner of the cage to look for the source of the melody. He heart stopped as he laid his eyes on the graceful frame of the same young jester that had so captivated him. His eyes were closed and his brow furrowed as he was deep in concentration. He held a small silver flute his soft lips. Quatre could only stare in fascination, his heart reaching out to sympathize with the young man.
"Trowa! Trowa!" '
Quatre jumped slightly at the sound of a female voice and saw a young auburn haired woman stop to stand beside the young man. The knife thrower. The young blond boy watched as the young boy let the flute drop from his lips and peered up at the woman beside him through a thick veil of light brown hair. "What is it, Cathy?" The soft melodic voice was barely audible to Quatre but it hit his ears and sent shivers cascading down his spine.
"I'm going to walk around the shops with Vaya. Would you like to come? We don't have to perform again for a little."
Quatre groaned softly and willed the young woman away, disappointed that she had interrupted the young man from his playing. Well, at least her interruption let me hear his voice…Speak again!
"No, I think I'll stay here. Maybe another time. Have fun though." Quatre all but melted under the caress of that voice.
"Alright, I'll see you later, Trowa." Quatre watched as she turned and walked away. Trowa? Is that your name? I like it. Trowa, please play your flute…
Quatre shook himself slightly. What…what am I thinking? He brought one shaken pale hand to his forehead. I'm spying on this young…man and…and…and not acting at all like myself! Heat began to crept slowly up his neck and spread across his face. This is…not appropriate behavior. I should… But Quatre continued to stand where he was as he saw the other young man brought the flute to his lips again. Oh please play again!
"Master Quatre!"
Quatre jumped about ten feet in the air and turned around with lightening speed. Rashid!
"Master Quatre, what do you think you're doing here?"
"Rashid I can I explain I…" He tried to stammer an excuse. I'm really in trouble now…
"No excuses, we're leaving now! If your father finds out, he's going to kill both of us!"
Quatre was visibly shaking. He had never seen Rashid this angry before. "R-Rashid…I'm really sorry. Please. I-I-I didn't mean anything…I-I mean I didn't think…"
Rashid paused and finally noticed how shaken his young Master was by his actions. He sighed and spoke lowering his voice. "Master, I did not mean to frighten you, but you know your Father and I have only your safety in mind when we put these rules on you. And you scared me when I realized you weren't in the house. Now come on, we are going."
"But…" Quatre's eyes flicked to the side, trying to look to where the young man had been. Stop that, he scolded himself and shook his head slightly.
Rashid reached out and grabbed his young Master's arm and began to physically drag the young boy away. "No, we are leaving."
Quatre struggled in the man's powerful grip. "Rashid, would you just give me a minute. I…and I can walk, you know! Rashid!"
Rashid dropped his arm roughly. "Fine." He turned and began to walk away. "Let's go, Master Quatre."
"Alright." As Quatre began to walk away, his heart, no matter how hard his head fought against it, turned for one last hopeful glance at the handsome young performer. His eyes were met with that same piercing emerald gaze as he found the young man peering around the side of the cage looking right at him. Quatre swallowed and blushed a bright shade of red, visibly embarrassed. Oh god! He saw everything! He turned away quickly and hurried after his guardian.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Quatre was sprawled out on his bed, an open book lay next to him, forgotten. His eyes stared unseeing at the ceiling as his mind tried to sort out the strange events of the day. He couldn't believe that Rashid had caught him. He never had before. During the walk back to the house, both had been completely silent. Quatre could tell Rashid was very upset with him, but part of him didn't care. The events of the day had been worth it. Hadn't they? Quatre couldn't figure out exactly what had happened. He had been acting so unlike himself and he had no idea why.
What's wrong with me? Quatre thought. I don't understand. It's like I wasn't thinking, I was just …feeling? I don't understand. I can't…I can't have…feelings like that towards a man…what the hell is wrong with me?!?! He sighed and rolled over, looking out his window towards the clear, star-filled sky. A breeze rolled through the window lifted the curtains slightly and twisting itself around Quatre's bangs as the hung in front of his eyes. He sighed again, but in frustration.
"Rashid, I'm sorry…" he said to the empty room. "…but I need time to think. And I just don't want to be here right now." Quatre moved around his room, putting his shoes on and his cloak. He made sure not to carry any money, but did strap on his back a pair of long, slightly curved swords, his weapon of choice. They were hidden by his cloak though. As he moved toward the window, Quatre tried to push the guilt from his mind. He was breaking so many rules, but that was all he seemed to be able to do. He moved along the tree branch and leapt with a practiced grace from the tree to the wall and finally to the dark alley below.
The streets of Haven were dimly lit by the few and scattered street lamps. There were few people out at night that had any real use for them anyway. Quatre simply let his feet lead him. They knew the city better than he did and he needed his mind to continue sorting through his troubled thoughts. Visions of Rashid and of his Father sifted through his mind and only made him more frustrated. They were both like parents to him. His real Father was his by blood, but he was always gone, and when he wasn't he was always busy. He insisted on sheltering his son from the outside world, convinced that it only offered pain and suffering, violence and death. He kept Quatre a prisoner in his own house and made him concentrate on books and studying and music. Quatre felt so much guilt whenever he thought ill of his Father. He truly did love him, but it was hard. Rashid was more of a father to him. He was one that he saw everyday, who cared for him and helped him with his studies and even sympathized with him. Yes, Rashid is beginning to realize how much he actually defies Father, Quatre thought. While his guardian normally kept all of the rules that his Father laid before him, such as his lessons or not leaving the house, there was one he disobeyed. Rashid had taught his young Master how to defend himself, had taught him to be skilled with many weapons. Rashid agreed that the world was dangerous, but not like Quatre's Father did. He believed that Quatre will eventually need to make his own in the word and that warranted self defense, not sheltering. Rashid kept him the house, afraid that someone would see Quatre outside and his Father would hear of it, although, Quatre was beginning to wonder if Rashid had known about some of his other excursions. Inside the house, however, the imposing man made sure Quatre could take of himself. And I'm grateful for it.
Quatre wandered around the abandoned streets of Haven for sometime lost in his thoughts. He was so lost in his thoughts that he almost ran into the few people that were out on the streets.
"Be careful kid, watch where you're going."
Quatre mumbled an apology to the person he bumped into, but the sudden contact and brought him out of his thoughts. He realized that he had been wandering around for most of the night and hadn't even comprehended how tired he was from the day's events. Glancing around, he spotted a temple to his right and began walking toward it. Maybe I can rest here for a bit until I can make my way home. Leaving the dim streets, he entered into a brightly lit and neatly trimmed garden. He stopped at the first unoccupied bench he came to and sat down hard.
"I had no idea I was so tired," Quatre mumbled to himself. He leaned his head back against the well. "I just need to rest for a few minutes." His mind had other ideas, as his eyes closed of their own accord and he drifted off to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Young man. Young man, you really should be getting up now."
Quatre groggily open his eyes as he felt his body shaking back and forth ad an unknown voice talking quietly in his ear. "What? What's going on? Rashid?" Quatre sat up straight, ignoring his aching neck, and found a tall, elderly man with wild grey hair and dark-rimmed glasses standing before him.
"You're in the gardens of this temple," the man said. "It appears you've been here all night, and ah…all morning…" The man grinned sheepishly.
"What?!?!" Quatre stood quickly and looked frantically around. He groaned and held his head in his hands as he took in his surroundings. "Oh, no. Rashid is going to kill me." He looked up at the man, who he realized was a priest "I'm really sorry for sleeping here. I really didn't mean to."
"Hey, it's alright, kid." The man smiled and laughed. "Everyone's welcome here. And I apologize for waking you up so late. I hadn't realized you were that out of it. Well, you better get going before you get into more trouble."
"Thank you, Father."
"No problem, kid."
Quatre sprinted from the temple and out into the busy streets of Haven. He looked up into the sky and noticed that it was almost noon. Rashid is really going to kill me! He ran all the way home, praying to any deity that would listen. Maybe Rashid hasn't gone to wake me up yet? Who am I kidding? I'm a dead man! Approaching the alley behind his home, Quatre slowed down and stopped. He entered the alley slowly, reluctant to climb the wall and sneak back in his room. He really didn't want to go home, really did not want to face Rashid and return to that prison.
A strange noise echoed down the alley and into Quatre's ears. It wasn't a bad noise. It was quite pleasant but seemed strangely out of place. He turned to glance further down the alley and found a glowing white shape floating down the alley. Startled at first, Quatre held his breath, but as the shape got closer, he realized it was only a Companion. Having lived in Haven his whole life, the sight of a Companion wandering the streets was not something unusual.
Smiling softly, Quatre spoke to horse-shaped being. "Good Afternoon. You startled me for a minute." The Companion gazed at him intensely. How wonderful it would be to be a Herald… He laughed to himself. Yes, a wonderful daydream. "I see you have no rider, so I'll wish you good luck on your journey. May you find your Chosen soon." He bowed at the Companion and turned back to the wall that surrounded his Father's property beginning his ascent.
: I need no luck, the journey is near its end. :
Shocked by the unexpected voice in his head, Quatre lost his grip on the wall to land painful on his rear in the middle of the alley. Laugther echoed through is mind as he stood up slowly, rubbing his now bruised behind. "What?" He turned to glare at the Companion beside him, but was stopped as his own aquamarine gaze met sapphire and he found himself falling.
: My name is Sandrock, and you see, Chosen Quatre, that I needn't go far on my journey. : The laughter rang like a soft bell in his mind.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~~~Wow! I think that's my longest chapter yet! *claps happily* Yay me! I'm so proud I got this chapter finished! It actually took me more then a few hours too…Oh, I'm so busy! Humph, well…please read and review. I hope you liked it. Remember, I am a very busy girl, but I will work hard to finish Wufei's chapter and then the real tale shall begin!!! Ja ne!!!~~~