Notes: I am purposely not adhering to all the details of the original world created by Mercedes Lackey. As a fusion, I've placed Gundam Wing characters in a pre-fab world, but character changes lead to other changes as well. My wish is to stay true to my characters, and this precedes my loyalty to their world. I hope no one familiar with the series minds, I'll probably be making both minor and major changes as the Gundam boys, or simple brevity, require. Thanks.

Beyond Our Borders Chapter 2

The morning dawned crisp and cool, despite the early date. Summer was hardly past, yet the sun's first rays reflected gold in the highest fingers of the nearby trees.

The wide expanse of Companions' Field still lay in blue shadow, as did the stable where Duo and Shinigami waited anxiously. Even in his barely reigned excitement, Duo was soothed by the gentle silence of this place. Memories of his own nights spent here, curled with Shinigami in the straw, came back to him, though he knew he hadn't had as many such nights as others.

The Companions, though they looked for all the world like brilliantly white horses, were the heart, soul, and quiet strength that held the kingdom together. No one knew where they came from; they were not born, as other creatures; they would simply appear, galloping through the fields with their fellows, dancing in the sunlight and whinnying to the breeze. Each companion eventually Chose a partner, a Herald, with whom he - or she - would spend the rest of his life. Some Chose more quickly than others. There were a few Companions who had remained unbonded in Companions' Field for as long as anyone could remember, but once a bond was made, it was for life. When a Herald succumbed to death, his Companion followed.

The Heralds themselves were an unusual lot, chosen from all walks of life. When a boy or girl was Chosen by a Companion, usually between the ages of eight and sixteen, he or she was brought immediately to the Collegium in Haven to be trained properly in the use of his or her Gifts. Gifts could range from simple Mindspeech, to Fetching, Farsight, Foresight, Healing, and the Bardic Gifts, among others. A Herald must have at the very least a bit of Mindspeech to speak with his Companion, so humans without any Gifts could not be Chosen, but what made a Herald was his heart. The Companions somehow had a way of seeing into a person's heart, the deepest recesses of the soul, to determine its make up. A Companion would not Choose a partner unworthy of the honor and responsibility.

This surety of character provided the basis of Valdemar's justice system. Heralds were humans who had been Chosen, and who were subsequently trained and trusted to act as the kingdom's arbitrators and security. They traveled throughout the kingdom assisting wherever they were needed, providing peace and justice in the realm. It was not a safe, nor an easy occupation, but it guaranteed a lifetime of unconditional friendship and love from at least one source.

The varied backgrounds of the Heralds created a sensitivity within their ranks to all the citizens they served, from the noblest lord to the dirtiest child in the streets, and providing justice and hope to those deprived of such was a calling none could refuse. Often, brightening the hopes of one childhood helped make up for those which had been crushed years earlier. Duo knew that, unlike himself, most Heralds, when Chosen, were taken away from lives sad and frightening, possibly even rescued from death or worse. Companions would often travel far and wide to find their Chosen, occasionally even venturing outside the borders to rescue a child in need.

This was what made the Companions' stables such a comforting place for so many. Given a sudden ray of sunlight and unconditional love in a life previously devoid of such, and immediately thrust into a new and confusing life, many Chosen would refuse to leave their Companion's side, even sleeping in the gateless stalls. It was not unusual at all to find a newly Chosen Herald asleep alongside his Companion. In fact, Duo thought he'd spied one or two this morning, during his hurried preparations.

The day before had been a frenzied rush of people and things, the details of which remained a blur in Duo's fluttering mind.

He and Sally had gone immediately to the Council room, seeking Queen Relena's audience as soon as could be arranged. Since all the Companions could speak with one another, Altair had relayed everything to Dorlian, who had already informed her Chosen of the situation. Queen Relena called a brief recess of the Council immediately upon their arrival, gave her reluctant approval, and wished her cousin all the luck he could need. Before his departure she had pulled him into a tight embrace, startling him momentarily, but which he soon returned with enthusiasm. Though not true siblings, Duo and Relena had grown up together, and their affection for each other was strong and longstanding.

Due to the urgent need for departure and enormous amount of work to be attended to first, they had not met since, and Duo fervently hoped that he would be successful. If he did not return soon, who knew what terrors Dekim could send into his homeland? He was determined not to leave his cousin alone to fight that threat. The Heralds and Companions were strong, but even Shinigami knew they could not handle this alone.

"We're ready."

Duo turned as another Herald emerged from the golden warmth of the stables, striding into the glistening dawn-light alongside his Companion. His long gray cloak swung loosely from his shoulders, flowing down to brush against his gray-booted calves. Loose fitted breeches and a clean cut tunic completed the ensemble, entirely a deep charcoal gray. Long bangs of cinnamon-brown hair were the only color on his frame, as they fell in a curtain across his eyes. Though Duo had been chosen early, at the age of seven, and had already completed his Heraldic training, Trowa had only been chosen 3 years ago, and had yet to earn his whites.

In this scenario, though, Trowa appeared to have the advantage. While they gray was inconspicuous, Sally had refused to allow Duo to wear his own uniform, asserting that anywhere besides Valdemar solid white simply screamed "Here I am, shoot me!" Since a Herald rarely wore anything other than his whites, Duo had been forced to go begging among his friends for 'normal' attire, and not all fit him particularly well. The cloak, in particular, was Sally's own. It was a deep forest green, perfect for hiding in the forest, and its weight was more than accounted for by its warmth and durability, if they ran into severe weather, he would be far better off in this than Trowa in his Trainee grays. Still, sally was nearly a foot taller than he, and the cloak reached all the way to the ground. If he wasn't careful, he would be tripping over himself the entire trip.

:Then learn to be careful. It is a good skill for a Herald to possess.: Shini laughed seriously into his mind. Duo tugged at the cloak in exasperation as Trowa, Shinigami, and Nanashi looked amused.

"Ready to go?" Trowa's smooth voice spurred Duo from his grumbling and he nodded, swinging easily onto Shini's back.

:Wait. We need another.:

:What?: From the expression on Trowa's face, Duo guessed Nanashi must have given him a similar command, but no one else was supposed to be coming. If the Queen or Sally's plans had changed, they would have been informed immediately.

:Who else is coming?: Duo asked.

:The priest.:

:Huh?: That eloquent remark was cut short by the sight of a rider entering the field by the north gate. An ebony stallion strutted across the frost, his red cloaked rider perched tall in the saddle.

:Why would a priest want to come with us?:

:Perhaps you should ask him.:

The priest bowed slightly as he pulled his mount up beside the two Heralds.

"I am Chang Wufei, an envoy from Karse." Duo frowned, but bowed his head respectfully. He had seen the boy in the Council meetings, but had taken him for a scribe, not a priest. His garments, however, spoke differently, confirming his introduction.

"Please forgive my bluntness," Duo held the priest's dark gaze, "but why would a diplomatic envoy wish to join us?" Wufei frowned, as though a bit unsure of the answer himself, but spoke evenly, drawing aside the front of his thick cloak.

"Nataku has advised it."

Perched on Wufei's saddle, on a blanket apparently designed for just such a purpose, was a large golden cat, flipping its tail to and fro. She gazed at Duo, wide coppery eyes challenging him to argue. After an extended moment of silence, Trowa's soft voice released the tableau.

"A firecat?" Wufei nodded with pride, and Trowa inclined his head toward the feline. "We gladly greet you, Lady, and will be grateful for any aid you may offer." Nataku seemed to swell a little with this, obviously pleased. With a nod, Wufei brought his cloak back around to enclose his firecat, shielding her from the chilly morning air.

The firecats of Karse were believed by many to be avatars, vessels of the Goddess who served as guides to the most powerful priests of the theocracy. For centuries, though, they had become so rare as to be almost a legend. The High Priestess, Mariameia, was known to have been visited by a firecat at an extremely early age, a fact which had allowed her to claim the position at such an early age. They were sure signs of power, and if the legends were true, unshakable bravery.

:Now we're ready.: Shinigami mindspoke gently.

The morning sun had worked its way up just enough to peak onto their faces as they sat tall, casting a final glance over the Collegium and Palace. They knew they would not return for a long while, even if they were successful, and war was far too cruel and unpredictable. Duo send a prayer to the Goddess that Haven would still be here when he returned.

The molten gold and orange of the treetops, now brilliant cascades of fire, burning in the early sunlight, seemed almost an ill omen, but Duo pushed that thought away, turning toward the road. "Let's go, Shinigami."

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