Heero strode down the stark white halls like the soldier he was supposed to be. His eyes wanted to wander, to search each passed door for the long haired boy that was the packaging for the most problematic mystery he had encountered since he was still pondering the best way to steal pastries from kitchen tables taller than himself. Of course he had solved that problem as soon as he had discovered the hiding place for the carpenter's tools. This time, though, no handily built shelf or ladder would solve the problem.
He let the hallways focus for a moment as he picked the right turn to take at one of the many junctions. It wasn't as if this character was of any real concern. He had audience with the king, and he had no more time to waste thinking about an irrelevant mystery. He straightened his jacket and slowed his pace as he approached the door of the room he had been told to visit. Lady Po had informed him that it wasn't the normal audience chamber, but that was not unexpected due to coincidental redecorating being done in the normal chamber. She had also told him, he recalled as he slowed to stop before the guards flanking the door and gave himself one last look over, that he would likely not be alone. The guard to his left thumped his heel on the floor with an impressive slap and the two moved their doors inward in unison. As Heero's vision expanded, or, rather, narrowed thanks to the peculiar way the doors opened, he realized that this certainly wasn't an ordinary audience chamber. He also noticed that the room was nearly empty.
An abrupt creak from the doors informed him that the guards were shutting them with utmost care behind him, but the isolated noise that escaped the hinges bounced uselessly from wall to wall, sinking slowly back into an uneasy, stifling silence. As he walked he felt as if the warmth crumbled from his body like dead vines on a wall. One glance at the high ceiling told him that maintaining warmth in this room was near impossible without a bonfire directly in the center at all times. He slowly began the long walk towards the single place he could imagine the audience waited. In the far wall of the room a great window or balcony allowed blinding daylight into the otherwise pitch dark room, creating a diffused square of whiteness that brought passages from fantasy to his head.
'As the hero marched forth, through the gates of light...'
Of course, he reasoned, this was usually when the hero had suffered the martyr's death already. He took his steps quietly, now noticing the scarlet rug that stretched outward from the window; a mat set out to greet him, and still no welcoming party.
'...he felt a great peace fall upon his heart...'
He was not aware that he was muffling his own steps, but as he reached the edge of the carpet, and his eyes adjusted to the dissension between the light and the darkness, he noticed that the transition from stone to rug had gone unnoted by even his sensitive ear.
'...breaking the hold of torment and the bonds of living pain...'
Set before him was a small stage of three lowly pieces of furniture. The chairs were made of rich colored wood, simple and small, with decorative carving accentuating the curves of the backs with vines, and the solidity of the legs with lion's paws. Between them sat a table that barely reached his well dressed knees, only distinguishable from an ottoman by its unusual length. It, too, was a simple but decorative piece, but seemed to be darker than the chairs. Or, perhaps it was a lengthy shadow.
"...freeing his soul from the tortures of his enemy, and casting him into heavenly enlightenment through mortal death."
Heero looked up as a dark shadow of more substance passed onto the table, cutting it into sloppy halves. A backlit form with a halo of light approached the table, and stood opposite him, holding a delicate glass of glowing ruby light.
"Lord Yuy, how good of you to come to my audience."
Heero bowed, passing his arm in front of his chest as if he were a paper doll, folding itself in half,
"Your highness."
King Treize stepped forward, his boots brushing the table, and gestured to the left hand chair,
"Please, have a seat."
Heero bowed his head in acknowledgment and walked to the chair, finding that it had a light, flowered cushion both on the seat, and back. He sat, and looked across the table to the King, his face a neutral mask. Treize smiled with delicate rose lips tainted either by wine ro the royal makeup artist,
"Was that Hoeflan's "Dmitrius" I heard you quoting?"
Heero nodded, cursing his slip all the same. When thoughts became words unbidden, trouble followed. Treize smiled fondly and looked up at the ceiling as if it had a portrait painted on it,
"That death could only free him from his enemies' hands was fortune disguised in the deep cloaks of misery. For his death was sacrifice for a cause greater than himself, and with such noble modesty comes the wrath of such souls that are devoted to goodness and righteousness. When good does battle itself, though only good prevails, guilt and doubt do follow after the victors, no matter how clear their path had been. More than one would vanquish the mighty, but he would rise again, a hero for soldiers' souls when peace would come for them."
Heero nodded, folding his hands over his stomach,
"I believe you left out a part."
The King looked at him sharply, but Heero continued,
"Turning his enemies to his side by his righteousness, he would lead them to a more honorable ideal, though it destroys himself and gives heart to that which is evil."
He paused, "Only the damned may lead the damned."
Treize's smile widened, "Mixing references, Lord Yuy, but an acceptable choice. You are right, I had skipped a line. I should not adjust for what is most pleasing to me."
Heero nodded, trying to observe any unusual traits in His Majesty's demeanor. The futility of it vexed him almost as much as the strangeness. He hadn't seen Treize in more than eleven years, and now he was alone in conversation with him at the King's direct request. It appeared to be a private audience after all. Treize sipped his wine and looked out the window before returning his gaze to Heero and making a small gesture,
"Wine?"
Heero shook his head, "No thank you, Your Majesty."
Treize smiled another small, private smile that left no opening for the outside world to share in it.
"Tell me, Lord Yuy, how have things been in your demesnes? It has been very long indeed since you or any of your house have come to the palace."
Heero expected this question, and responded with due civility, "Things go well, Your Highness, but for my sudden absence. We have had a good season for crops and livestock, thanks to the work of the Royal Breeder."
Treize smiled again to himself at some hidden joke and nodded to Heero, "But for your sudden absence of course. Tell me, do you have a great deal of personal involvement with your vassals?"
Heero took a practiced moment to think before he shook his head, "No more than is to be expected when I have yet become of age to fully inherit the duties of my father."
Treize chuckled knowingly, "Ah, yes, the duties of the father."
Having just in recent years inherited the crown from his father, it was expected that Treize would relate to that comment. Heero forced some small gesture that would, in any one else, betray the amusement required when the King decided something was funny. As much as Lady Po had tried to drill his responses into his head, she had given up on his gestures. 'They will always be yours, and not some courtier's conversational frills,' she had told him. Nevertheless, he put forth some effort to appear normal, if rustic, just for her. She wanted him to succeed in this interview, though what succeeding truly was appeared to be some vacant concept that no one could define. As Treize continued asking the questions that Lady Po had predicted, and Heero continued responding with the glaze of normality she had provided him with, Heero found his mind painfully aching for release. Any temporary distraction would do, but he knew he had to keep tabs on what topics the conversation wandered over and meandered past, so that he could report fully to Lady Po.
A slight headache began to build in the back of his head. He had no mind for politic conversations, and if some sources were to be believed, he had no mind at all. That depressing thought nearly caused him to falter mid sentence with a frown, but fortune had him pull back into the present before any noticeable mistake occurred. Treize politely blathered something back at him. He couldn't imagine why someone would want to be so boring. Heero's mind drifted off again as his headache grew worse with each polite nod. Noin said that he had a mind for tactics. She believed in him. Lady Po frequently served him with tasks beyond his normal skills, so that certainly meant something? But if he was such a tactical genius, then why couldn't he find out what that boy was doing running around the castle?
"I would imagine that large country castle does get boring."
Heero snapped back to reality and realized that he'd been staring into the white window, and hadn't said anything for a good minute. He quickly nodded,
"I have lessons and duties to keep me busy, Your Majesty."
Treize smiled at him, "Of course, being so far away from court you must have to keep up on politics."
Heero nodded, wondering if Treize knew about the last minute drilling that Lady Po had forced on him in his room. With the secret passages, it was entirely possible, but for what purpose?
"Yes, your Majesty, Lady Po does like to be certain that all news of the kingdom reaches us."
Treize nodded, and Heero saw some small glint in his smile, something that hadn't been there before.
"You must certainly be well up on your facts then. Though I would imagine the distance interferes with the...currency of the news."
Heero knew a more well adjusted person would make some amusing pun at that moment, but he just forced himself to look amused and nodded.
"Distance does prove problematic, but we receive news quickly enough."
Treize nodded, "Indeed you do. Your response to my call for a visit was almost as quick as if you had already been on your way before I released the courier."
Heero noticed that peculiar look again and shrugged lightly, "We packed and left the day after you called. The general and Lady Po agreed that this urgency was required."
Treize nodded politely again, "Of course."
He glanced at the window once and took another sip of is wine, "I am quite relieved that you're here, but I do wonder why you did not bring the Lady General with you, she is a staple of your entourage and she is much missed by many."
Heero nodded, Lady Po had said he would possibly avoid this subject, but she had also said that it was of utmost importance that he watch carefully for any sign of unusual attention being paid to it. Heero could see nothing significant at this point.
"She asked to be left at home in order to be available for a call to the front."
Treize's oddly sculpted eyebrow shot up, "The front? Surely it is of no worry to your estate as of yet?"
Heero shrugged, relaxed as they reached a topic he was more familiar with, "the front moves with frightening speed and irregularity. Noin said it would be no surprise if we awoke one day to find it on our grounds."
Treize looked away at the window and seemed to suddenly loose much of his lightness. Heero hardly noticed until the silence grew imposing. He wondered about interrupting the royal thoughts, but suddenly Treize slid back to life again,
"Would you say, Lord Yuy, that the front moves with imposing speed? I realize you have told me General Noin's opinions, but I have yet to actually hear yours. Your silence in regards to your own thoughts seems to be...out of character."
Treize smiled at him, but Heero felt distinctly uncomfortable. Not only had Lady Po not drilled him in this line of questioning, she had distinctly informed him that such a question appearing in conversation was against all likelihood. He realized also that silence was not, in fact, out of character for him, but rather the staple of his conversation. I tmade him wonder what he had been blindly saying to the King.
Heero was very distinctly aware that he had two paths along witch to guide this conversation, and both were potentially dangerous to him. However, there was far less danger in discussing the war, than in discussing himself, in case the question of loyalty came up.
"The front does move with frightening speed, Your Majesty, however I see no signs that my opinion will make it move any slower."
Treize smiled appreciatively, "It is unlikely that you would have an opinions differing from hers," he rested his chin on his free hand for a moment, staring at Heero, "But I respect the opinions of tacticians. If the front really is moving as far as you say it is, then perhaps I should be getting more warning from my own Generals."
Heero maintained a noncommittal stance, "I would say that their distance from the actual war would be a hindrance to their judgement, however, it is really a matter personal opinion."
Treize nodded, "Of which you have little to share. I respect a good tactician, Lord Yuy. And I keep their opinions in my mind"
Heero nodded back, unsure of what to make of this change in tone. It was clear that something lurked beneath the surface of the conversation, something he could not recognize at the moment. Treize continued,
"A good tactician will always try to work a situation to his favor, Lord Yuy, and it appears as if things have turned against me. I have come to realize that it appears as if my tactics have worked against me. I am, however, a good tactician, and I have on my side, good tacticians. I believe that I have nothing to fear. The only thing that can conquer now is a weakness from within."
He set down his glass on the short table and sat back, steepling his fingers before his face and staring out the window.
"Something I have come to regard as a threat. It is this kind of backhanded maneuver that I have come to regret. It destroys the beauty of the honorable battle between honorable enemies. However, one must realize that these things happen, or one will be consumed, like our poor Dmitrius." a small smile crept over his face, "I would like you to know, Lord Yuy, that I respect you, however, I must be wary of tools of all shapes. Please consider this. You are dismissed."
For a shocked moment, Heero held perfectly still in the chair, looking at Treize in cold disbelief, however, the King had already begun to stand and stare out the window once again. His position was useless. Heero stood and bowed deeply again, muttering a parting grace and walking for the doors that parted before him like leaves in the face of the wind. He stopped outside the hallway as the doors swung shut behind him and glanced up and down the white corridors. There were no guards. He filed this into his mental report, and turned down the hallway leading back to Lady Po.
Stepping softly from his hiding place, Duo Maxwell stared at the retreating nobleman's back for a long, tense moment. Treize had yet to emerge, and he doubted his highness would step foot from that room for another good hour. Duo's stomach was tight with anticipation, but his hands were clear of even a trace of sweat. It was good sign. He moved his fingers slowly to his chest and took the silver cross around his neck into his hand. Treize was alone for the hour, wonder-noble wandered the hallways by himself, the good Lady Po absorbed herself in her own thoughts on the west facing balcony. Milliardo was unaccounted for, but given Duo's strict observation of the man, it was most likely he was gathering the intelligence he had requested about the war and the threats to the king's life from his own personal guard. Duo could feel a faint smile creep it sway onto his face. The man was so tricky sometimes, it was almost admirable. It was just too bad he forgot to look under his nose when he could tell something was stinkin'. He had missed the conversation in the deep room, no doubt something was done to ensure it didn't echo in that cave, but he hadn't missed his golden opportunity. When he had finally waited as long as he felt appropriate, Duo began to pad down the hallway after his prey. If anyone was unknowingly privy to information about the King, it was the mouse that had just weathered the cat's paws.
______________
TReize stared out of the window for a long quiet time.
"The sun is beautiful at this time of day in this room. You should come, Milliardo, and look out for once."
The noble finally stepped from the deep shadows near the walls of the room and performed a short bow, "I am always looking out, your Majesty."
"I know, Milliardo. I know very well."
The two waited in a momentary communal thought. Finally Milliardo bowed again,
"Thank you, for asking about her, Treize."
"It was nothing, I was curious myself. And if there anythign else, I can do for a friend..."
"We are even."
Treize's brow furrowed as he watched the outside world bathed in ethereal white light.
"Far from it, and you know it."
"We are always friends, Treize, before we are anything else. A debt can't exist between friends."
"We are not always friends," Treize smiled at him, an old familiar look in his blue eyes that few other than Milliardo would have recognized, "And we won't always be, Zechs Merquise."
Milliardo flinched, "That name is retired, gone from me..."
"..For now. I will see him again, as will your general. Go, or your men will believe you've fallen behind schedule for once in your life."
Milliardo paused, before finally bowing and drifted out through the shadows again.
Treize was alone.
But he was never alone...
...when he had thoughts of his beloved.
"Lady..."
_____________________******************
AN:Whee! What a strange part! What was that I spotted? Could it be? Coherance?! *gasp* Yay! Thanks for the positive reviews guys! Thank you Chibi Tsuki! I like any review, no worries if it's late! I'm glad you liked the sword bit too...I didn't know what was going to happen with that. I really hope you all like this chapter...and...uh...don't bother lookng up what it was they quoted becuase I made it up. It would have been absolutely spiffing had I found something appropriate to quote off of, but hell, I did my best. Keep the reviews coming and if you have anything to say, go for it! I'll try to keep the updates coming a little quicker. Thank everyone!
Until next time, spirits, same bat channel, withing three to four months of the same bat time!
Kitten
(Ps: yeah, I'm lame. I enjoy it *grin*)
He let the hallways focus for a moment as he picked the right turn to take at one of the many junctions. It wasn't as if this character was of any real concern. He had audience with the king, and he had no more time to waste thinking about an irrelevant mystery. He straightened his jacket and slowed his pace as he approached the door of the room he had been told to visit. Lady Po had informed him that it wasn't the normal audience chamber, but that was not unexpected due to coincidental redecorating being done in the normal chamber. She had also told him, he recalled as he slowed to stop before the guards flanking the door and gave himself one last look over, that he would likely not be alone. The guard to his left thumped his heel on the floor with an impressive slap and the two moved their doors inward in unison. As Heero's vision expanded, or, rather, narrowed thanks to the peculiar way the doors opened, he realized that this certainly wasn't an ordinary audience chamber. He also noticed that the room was nearly empty.
An abrupt creak from the doors informed him that the guards were shutting them with utmost care behind him, but the isolated noise that escaped the hinges bounced uselessly from wall to wall, sinking slowly back into an uneasy, stifling silence. As he walked he felt as if the warmth crumbled from his body like dead vines on a wall. One glance at the high ceiling told him that maintaining warmth in this room was near impossible without a bonfire directly in the center at all times. He slowly began the long walk towards the single place he could imagine the audience waited. In the far wall of the room a great window or balcony allowed blinding daylight into the otherwise pitch dark room, creating a diffused square of whiteness that brought passages from fantasy to his head.
'As the hero marched forth, through the gates of light...'
Of course, he reasoned, this was usually when the hero had suffered the martyr's death already. He took his steps quietly, now noticing the scarlet rug that stretched outward from the window; a mat set out to greet him, and still no welcoming party.
'...he felt a great peace fall upon his heart...'
He was not aware that he was muffling his own steps, but as he reached the edge of the carpet, and his eyes adjusted to the dissension between the light and the darkness, he noticed that the transition from stone to rug had gone unnoted by even his sensitive ear.
'...breaking the hold of torment and the bonds of living pain...'
Set before him was a small stage of three lowly pieces of furniture. The chairs were made of rich colored wood, simple and small, with decorative carving accentuating the curves of the backs with vines, and the solidity of the legs with lion's paws. Between them sat a table that barely reached his well dressed knees, only distinguishable from an ottoman by its unusual length. It, too, was a simple but decorative piece, but seemed to be darker than the chairs. Or, perhaps it was a lengthy shadow.
"...freeing his soul from the tortures of his enemy, and casting him into heavenly enlightenment through mortal death."
Heero looked up as a dark shadow of more substance passed onto the table, cutting it into sloppy halves. A backlit form with a halo of light approached the table, and stood opposite him, holding a delicate glass of glowing ruby light.
"Lord Yuy, how good of you to come to my audience."
Heero bowed, passing his arm in front of his chest as if he were a paper doll, folding itself in half,
"Your highness."
King Treize stepped forward, his boots brushing the table, and gestured to the left hand chair,
"Please, have a seat."
Heero bowed his head in acknowledgment and walked to the chair, finding that it had a light, flowered cushion both on the seat, and back. He sat, and looked across the table to the King, his face a neutral mask. Treize smiled with delicate rose lips tainted either by wine ro the royal makeup artist,
"Was that Hoeflan's "Dmitrius" I heard you quoting?"
Heero nodded, cursing his slip all the same. When thoughts became words unbidden, trouble followed. Treize smiled fondly and looked up at the ceiling as if it had a portrait painted on it,
"That death could only free him from his enemies' hands was fortune disguised in the deep cloaks of misery. For his death was sacrifice for a cause greater than himself, and with such noble modesty comes the wrath of such souls that are devoted to goodness and righteousness. When good does battle itself, though only good prevails, guilt and doubt do follow after the victors, no matter how clear their path had been. More than one would vanquish the mighty, but he would rise again, a hero for soldiers' souls when peace would come for them."
Heero nodded, folding his hands over his stomach,
"I believe you left out a part."
The King looked at him sharply, but Heero continued,
"Turning his enemies to his side by his righteousness, he would lead them to a more honorable ideal, though it destroys himself and gives heart to that which is evil."
He paused, "Only the damned may lead the damned."
Treize's smile widened, "Mixing references, Lord Yuy, but an acceptable choice. You are right, I had skipped a line. I should not adjust for what is most pleasing to me."
Heero nodded, trying to observe any unusual traits in His Majesty's demeanor. The futility of it vexed him almost as much as the strangeness. He hadn't seen Treize in more than eleven years, and now he was alone in conversation with him at the King's direct request. It appeared to be a private audience after all. Treize sipped his wine and looked out the window before returning his gaze to Heero and making a small gesture,
"Wine?"
Heero shook his head, "No thank you, Your Majesty."
Treize smiled another small, private smile that left no opening for the outside world to share in it.
"Tell me, Lord Yuy, how have things been in your demesnes? It has been very long indeed since you or any of your house have come to the palace."
Heero expected this question, and responded with due civility, "Things go well, Your Highness, but for my sudden absence. We have had a good season for crops and livestock, thanks to the work of the Royal Breeder."
Treize smiled again to himself at some hidden joke and nodded to Heero, "But for your sudden absence of course. Tell me, do you have a great deal of personal involvement with your vassals?"
Heero took a practiced moment to think before he shook his head, "No more than is to be expected when I have yet become of age to fully inherit the duties of my father."
Treize chuckled knowingly, "Ah, yes, the duties of the father."
Having just in recent years inherited the crown from his father, it was expected that Treize would relate to that comment. Heero forced some small gesture that would, in any one else, betray the amusement required when the King decided something was funny. As much as Lady Po had tried to drill his responses into his head, she had given up on his gestures. 'They will always be yours, and not some courtier's conversational frills,' she had told him. Nevertheless, he put forth some effort to appear normal, if rustic, just for her. She wanted him to succeed in this interview, though what succeeding truly was appeared to be some vacant concept that no one could define. As Treize continued asking the questions that Lady Po had predicted, and Heero continued responding with the glaze of normality she had provided him with, Heero found his mind painfully aching for release. Any temporary distraction would do, but he knew he had to keep tabs on what topics the conversation wandered over and meandered past, so that he could report fully to Lady Po.
A slight headache began to build in the back of his head. He had no mind for politic conversations, and if some sources were to be believed, he had no mind at all. That depressing thought nearly caused him to falter mid sentence with a frown, but fortune had him pull back into the present before any noticeable mistake occurred. Treize politely blathered something back at him. He couldn't imagine why someone would want to be so boring. Heero's mind drifted off again as his headache grew worse with each polite nod. Noin said that he had a mind for tactics. She believed in him. Lady Po frequently served him with tasks beyond his normal skills, so that certainly meant something? But if he was such a tactical genius, then why couldn't he find out what that boy was doing running around the castle?
"I would imagine that large country castle does get boring."
Heero snapped back to reality and realized that he'd been staring into the white window, and hadn't said anything for a good minute. He quickly nodded,
"I have lessons and duties to keep me busy, Your Majesty."
Treize smiled at him, "Of course, being so far away from court you must have to keep up on politics."
Heero nodded, wondering if Treize knew about the last minute drilling that Lady Po had forced on him in his room. With the secret passages, it was entirely possible, but for what purpose?
"Yes, your Majesty, Lady Po does like to be certain that all news of the kingdom reaches us."
Treize nodded, and Heero saw some small glint in his smile, something that hadn't been there before.
"You must certainly be well up on your facts then. Though I would imagine the distance interferes with the...currency of the news."
Heero knew a more well adjusted person would make some amusing pun at that moment, but he just forced himself to look amused and nodded.
"Distance does prove problematic, but we receive news quickly enough."
Treize nodded, "Indeed you do. Your response to my call for a visit was almost as quick as if you had already been on your way before I released the courier."
Heero noticed that peculiar look again and shrugged lightly, "We packed and left the day after you called. The general and Lady Po agreed that this urgency was required."
Treize nodded politely again, "Of course."
He glanced at the window once and took another sip of is wine, "I am quite relieved that you're here, but I do wonder why you did not bring the Lady General with you, she is a staple of your entourage and she is much missed by many."
Heero nodded, Lady Po had said he would possibly avoid this subject, but she had also said that it was of utmost importance that he watch carefully for any sign of unusual attention being paid to it. Heero could see nothing significant at this point.
"She asked to be left at home in order to be available for a call to the front."
Treize's oddly sculpted eyebrow shot up, "The front? Surely it is of no worry to your estate as of yet?"
Heero shrugged, relaxed as they reached a topic he was more familiar with, "the front moves with frightening speed and irregularity. Noin said it would be no surprise if we awoke one day to find it on our grounds."
Treize looked away at the window and seemed to suddenly loose much of his lightness. Heero hardly noticed until the silence grew imposing. He wondered about interrupting the royal thoughts, but suddenly Treize slid back to life again,
"Would you say, Lord Yuy, that the front moves with imposing speed? I realize you have told me General Noin's opinions, but I have yet to actually hear yours. Your silence in regards to your own thoughts seems to be...out of character."
Treize smiled at him, but Heero felt distinctly uncomfortable. Not only had Lady Po not drilled him in this line of questioning, she had distinctly informed him that such a question appearing in conversation was against all likelihood. He realized also that silence was not, in fact, out of character for him, but rather the staple of his conversation. I tmade him wonder what he had been blindly saying to the King.
Heero was very distinctly aware that he had two paths along witch to guide this conversation, and both were potentially dangerous to him. However, there was far less danger in discussing the war, than in discussing himself, in case the question of loyalty came up.
"The front does move with frightening speed, Your Majesty, however I see no signs that my opinion will make it move any slower."
Treize smiled appreciatively, "It is unlikely that you would have an opinions differing from hers," he rested his chin on his free hand for a moment, staring at Heero, "But I respect the opinions of tacticians. If the front really is moving as far as you say it is, then perhaps I should be getting more warning from my own Generals."
Heero maintained a noncommittal stance, "I would say that their distance from the actual war would be a hindrance to their judgement, however, it is really a matter personal opinion."
Treize nodded, "Of which you have little to share. I respect a good tactician, Lord Yuy. And I keep their opinions in my mind"
Heero nodded back, unsure of what to make of this change in tone. It was clear that something lurked beneath the surface of the conversation, something he could not recognize at the moment. Treize continued,
"A good tactician will always try to work a situation to his favor, Lord Yuy, and it appears as if things have turned against me. I have come to realize that it appears as if my tactics have worked against me. I am, however, a good tactician, and I have on my side, good tacticians. I believe that I have nothing to fear. The only thing that can conquer now is a weakness from within."
He set down his glass on the short table and sat back, steepling his fingers before his face and staring out the window.
"Something I have come to regard as a threat. It is this kind of backhanded maneuver that I have come to regret. It destroys the beauty of the honorable battle between honorable enemies. However, one must realize that these things happen, or one will be consumed, like our poor Dmitrius." a small smile crept over his face, "I would like you to know, Lord Yuy, that I respect you, however, I must be wary of tools of all shapes. Please consider this. You are dismissed."
For a shocked moment, Heero held perfectly still in the chair, looking at Treize in cold disbelief, however, the King had already begun to stand and stare out the window once again. His position was useless. Heero stood and bowed deeply again, muttering a parting grace and walking for the doors that parted before him like leaves in the face of the wind. He stopped outside the hallway as the doors swung shut behind him and glanced up and down the white corridors. There were no guards. He filed this into his mental report, and turned down the hallway leading back to Lady Po.
Stepping softly from his hiding place, Duo Maxwell stared at the retreating nobleman's back for a long, tense moment. Treize had yet to emerge, and he doubted his highness would step foot from that room for another good hour. Duo's stomach was tight with anticipation, but his hands were clear of even a trace of sweat. It was good sign. He moved his fingers slowly to his chest and took the silver cross around his neck into his hand. Treize was alone for the hour, wonder-noble wandered the hallways by himself, the good Lady Po absorbed herself in her own thoughts on the west facing balcony. Milliardo was unaccounted for, but given Duo's strict observation of the man, it was most likely he was gathering the intelligence he had requested about the war and the threats to the king's life from his own personal guard. Duo could feel a faint smile creep it sway onto his face. The man was so tricky sometimes, it was almost admirable. It was just too bad he forgot to look under his nose when he could tell something was stinkin'. He had missed the conversation in the deep room, no doubt something was done to ensure it didn't echo in that cave, but he hadn't missed his golden opportunity. When he had finally waited as long as he felt appropriate, Duo began to pad down the hallway after his prey. If anyone was unknowingly privy to information about the King, it was the mouse that had just weathered the cat's paws.
______________
TReize stared out of the window for a long quiet time.
"The sun is beautiful at this time of day in this room. You should come, Milliardo, and look out for once."
The noble finally stepped from the deep shadows near the walls of the room and performed a short bow, "I am always looking out, your Majesty."
"I know, Milliardo. I know very well."
The two waited in a momentary communal thought. Finally Milliardo bowed again,
"Thank you, for asking about her, Treize."
"It was nothing, I was curious myself. And if there anythign else, I can do for a friend..."
"We are even."
Treize's brow furrowed as he watched the outside world bathed in ethereal white light.
"Far from it, and you know it."
"We are always friends, Treize, before we are anything else. A debt can't exist between friends."
"We are not always friends," Treize smiled at him, an old familiar look in his blue eyes that few other than Milliardo would have recognized, "And we won't always be, Zechs Merquise."
Milliardo flinched, "That name is retired, gone from me..."
"..For now. I will see him again, as will your general. Go, or your men will believe you've fallen behind schedule for once in your life."
Milliardo paused, before finally bowing and drifted out through the shadows again.
Treize was alone.
But he was never alone...
...when he had thoughts of his beloved.
"Lady..."
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AN:Whee! What a strange part! What was that I spotted? Could it be? Coherance?! *gasp* Yay! Thanks for the positive reviews guys! Thank you Chibi Tsuki! I like any review, no worries if it's late! I'm glad you liked the sword bit too...I didn't know what was going to happen with that. I really hope you all like this chapter...and...uh...don't bother lookng up what it was they quoted becuase I made it up. It would have been absolutely spiffing had I found something appropriate to quote off of, but hell, I did my best. Keep the reviews coming and if you have anything to say, go for it! I'll try to keep the updates coming a little quicker. Thank everyone!
Until next time, spirits, same bat channel, withing three to four months of the same bat time!
Kitten
(Ps: yeah, I'm lame. I enjoy it *grin*)