The Airmessens War
Part III
Disclaimer: Not mine
*
Duo sighed, as the breeze played with the loose strands of his braid. Looking out over the green, fertile lands, it was easy to see what a wonderful land this once was. But look closer, and the cracks began to show.
No smoke rose from the chimneys of the comfortable farm houses. No livestock grazed the fields. No bells tolled in the church, and the people in the streets of the town were far and few. Everyone was gone, the men to fight, and the women to work for the war effort, or to the safety of the castle.
From his position, high on the battlements of the palace, Duo turned. His knight-master sat on a bench beside the wall, bent over his sword, as he polished a stubborn nick out of the blade.
They were moving out to the front lines today. All the necessary organisation had taken place, and everything was ready. Now there was nothing to do but wait until just after noon, when their party would be setting out. Duo was bored. Back in Maxwell, they would have known exactly how disastrous that could be. But here, the poor unsuspecting people had no idea...
Duo sat down beside Heero, idly playing with the decorative tassel on the discarded scabbard, which was resting on Heero's lap. "You know, this thing," Duo looked in disgust at the gaudy red and gold sheathe, "doesn't really seem like something of yours." Heero glanced at him, and grunted.
"It was a gift from Princess Relena."
Duo cocked his head. "But I thought you didn't like her?" Heero's eyes narrowed.
"I don't. King Treize ordered me to wear it. It's impractical, awkward, attracts attention, needs repairing damn near constantly...." Duo raised his eyebrows as he listened to Heero's rant. He hadn't known his stoic knight-master had so many words in him. "So you don't like it, huh?" he asked sympathetically. "Is Treize going to be on the front lines?"
Heero frowned, wondering why it was relevant. "No." Duo smirked, and shrugged.
"Just chuck it in a lake, then. He'll never know, and you can tell him you lost it in battle."
"I've been ordered to carry it. Anything else is a deliberate defiance." Heero stated. "But... he won't know that..." Duo said enticingly. Heero considered. Duo was right. He hesitated, and then gave an affirmative nod. Duo smiled.
"How long til we go, anyway?" he asked after a pause. Heero glanced at the sun. "Now." He said shortly, and turned, walking towards the entrance to the long flight of stairs, which spiralled their way down to the main courtyard.
The courtyard was a whirl of colour and light. The sun reflected off the polished armour, weapons and harnesses, and everywhere pennants stirred in the breeze. Heero's own mount, a powerful white charger, stood quietly in a corner. The stableboy holding his reins was paying absolutely no attention to anything but the pretty maid standing in the kitchen doorway. So he didn't see the cat streak between his legs. And he certainly didn't see the wolfhound tearing towards him on hot pursuit.
The dog, focussed solely on its fleeing adversary, attempted to follow its example, and dash between his legs. Unfortunately, the wolfhound was significantly larger than a cat.
The stableboy gave a high-pitched squeak as the hound's head made painful contact. The boy's eyes crossed, and he stumbled backwards, falling with a thump.
Duo knew it wasn't really funny. It was clearly very painful. And it would be extremely cruel to laugh. But... Duo tried desperately to stifle the peals of laughter threatening to burst out of his mouth. He only partially succeeded. Heero turned around, and raised an eyebrow, and turned away. But before he did, Duo saw the beginnings of a miniscule smile on his face, and beamed.
Heero's white mount remained unfazed by the drama, flicking and ear disinterestedly towards the boy, his gaze instead focussed on his approaching master. As Heero drew near, the dark-haired knight stretched out a hand to the horse, rubbing the velvety muzzle. Duo, walking up beside them, stroked the horse's shoulder in greeting, as a whinny broke out from the stables.
Yet another hapless stable-boy was desperately trying to saddle to flighty black colt. But Shinigami wasn't making it easy, oh no. The horse repeatedly shied away from the bridle, and as soon as the saddle was placed on his back, Shini shook it off before the girth could be cinched. The black eyes sought and found his master, who was... paying attention to another! Without a second thought, the horse ploughed forward, dragging the stable-boy with him.
Heero watched blankly as the colt approached. "Yours, I take it?" Duo grinned, and nodded.
"A war-horse will be supplied when we reach Trethllewyn. Have you got your weapons?"
Duo nodded. Earlier that morning, Heero had given him a set of throwing knives, after being assured Duo could use them, a shield, two daggers and a bow. Duo wasn't quite sure what he was supposed to do with a bow and no arrows. Maybe he could whack the Airmessens over the head with it?
Taking Shini's tack from the battered boy, Duo saddled his colt. The boy stared in amazement as the horse stood calmly for his master. He could've sworn that horse was smirking at him.
Turning, Duo looked for Heero, to find him already mounted and waiting. The white stallion snorted at the obvious excitement of the young black horse. His rider seemed to think much the same of Duo. The braided baka's enthusiastic grin was at odds with his circumstances; going to war. Heero knew that innocence would not last five minutes on the battlefield, and he already mourned its loss.
*
A few hours down the road, and Duo was already bored. Out of the many war fronts in the Western Kingdoms, they were headed for one of the worst, Yhman in Trethllewyn. Six thousand men had died barely a mile from the army's current position. They had been forced to retreat after the horrific massacre the soldiers had dubbed 'Feast for Crows'. When the tattered remnants of that army had heard Sir Heero Yuy was coming, the cheering had been heard for miles around, literally. Heero always won. Their survival was assured, now.
The night before, Duo had been briefed on Yhman's economy, language, defences, geography, wildlife and culinary creations. He hadn't listened to a word of it, naturally. They were going to fight, not to live. But Sir Heero was nothing if not thorough.
Heero looked sideways, watching the boy riding beside and slightly behind him. The violet eyes were glazed, as though he were thinking deeply, and a strand of golden brown hair had fallen loose from his braid, lying softly along the boy's cheek. His head was slightly tilted, and his body was relaxed and calm. Suddenly, he seemed to feel Heero's gaze, as he turned to look inquisitively at him. Heero tried a small smile, and was rewarded with an answering grin.
"So, you've been to Trethllewyn before?" Duo asked curiously. Heero shook his head. "It is the only Western Kingdom I haven't been to." Duo perked up.
"Oh, really? So you've been to Hastros, right?" he asked eagerly. Heero nodded. "Is it true some of their people have no fingernails?" Duo asked, wonderingly.
Heero shook his head. "No, not at all." Duo grinned cheerfully. Then his smile faded a little. "What.... what do Airmessens look like? I've never seen one."
Heero paused, considering. "They're... unlike anything else. Their skin is pitch black, and it... glimmers. There's no other word for it. Their faces are a little like cats, but their eyes are silver and have no pupils. They have rather large, pointed ears, and behind the ears there are ribbed fins. They're hideous."
Duo pulled a face. "And I thought they sounded so pleasant." He quipped sarcastically.
Heero rolled his eyes. "Why were you the last squire left?" he asked suddenly. Duo gave a little half-shrug.
"My foster parents wanted to keep me out of it. After... after..." Duo's throat refused to shape the words, and instead he said "... something happened, and they just wouldn't let me go afterwards."
A vague memory sprung to Heero's mind. A mental image of a list of the deceased he had once seen flashed through his mind.
Solo Maxwell
20 years
First-born son of Lady Helen and Lord Maxwell
Killed in action
"I see." He said softly.
*
Somewhere ahead, a dog yelped in the darkness. Slowly the looming shadows of the village came into view.
Duo shifted uncomfortably in the saddle. A full day of riding, and even the best would begin to feel discomfort. Sneaking a glance at Heero, Duo amended that thought. The very best appeared to be just fine, thankyou very much.
As they passed through the town, light spilled out from the windows of the houses, highlighting Duo's exhausted face. Heero, looking at him, nudged his stallion, Kaero closer to Duo's skittish colt, ready to catch the boy if he should fall. Duo, seeing this, gave him a sleepy smile of thanks, and pulled himself back into the saddle properly.
The little procession came to a slow halt outside the town's only inn, a shabby little affair named the Dog and Bone. Dismounting, Heero, being the unofficial leader, signalled to remain on their horses, and went in. The dingy interior was everything a stereotypical country inn should be; small, crowded and more than a little fragrant.
Shouldering his way to the counter, Heero grabbed the fingers of a pickpocket, and twisted, without turning around. The child yelped, and fell backwards when Heero released him. He was given a wide berth after that.
The tall, spare inn-keeper waded through the tables to his side. "C'n I help ye?" Heero nodded, and brusquely dropped a small pouch of coins into the surprised man's arms. "I want as many rooms as you've got. Talk to the small bald man about the particulars." Heero informed him, referring to that very same tailor who had travelled with Duo to Ferith. His cousin had died recently, and there was little work for him in the city. The dispirited man was hoping that there would be some on the front. They still wore clothes out there, didn't they? He hoped they did....
Heero beckoned to the rest, as they dismounted and handed their reins to stableboys. Shinigami seemed too tired to play games with these ones. But in the morning, it would no doubt be a different story.
Heero stood in the doorway, watching as Duo picked his way through the milling group towards him, both of their bags slung over the slim squire's back. As Duo drew level, Heero deftly removed both the bags from his grasp. "I can carry them, you know. It's kind of my job as a squire." Duo remarked with a smile. Heero returned the grin, surprised at himself. The expression felt strange on his face.
Duo let loose a yelp. Heero's head snapped around as he searched for the cause of Duo's distress. "What is it?"
Duo narrowed his eyes as he dragged Heero to the other side of the room. The object of his glare, a bald, greasy old man, smiled innocently back at him. "That man just pinched me." He muttered. "Bastard." Heero sent his best glare at the man, noting with satisfaction the look of fear on his face. How dare he? Heero fumed inwardly. Touch my.... my squire. He's my squire. Heero thought firmly. I have to protect him. Especially from disgusting old drunkards. He dismissed the thought that Duo was more than capable of taking care of himself.
Duo nudged Heero, and nodded towards the stairs. "How many rooms?" Heero shrugged, shouldering the bags and making his way up the small, dark stairway, closely followed by Duo, who uncomfortably aware of the lingering gazes resting on him. The old man wasn't the only one interested.
Heero kicked open the door of the nearest room, unceremoniously dumping their bags on the floor. Duo followed, one hand idly fiddling with his cross, as he looked around. It was a dark, cold room, with a small unlit fireplace, one suspicious looking bed and a spindly chair that appeared to be buckling under the weight of Duo's eyes.
A knock on the door, and said door opened, to reveal a serving girl dragging a small straw mattress. She dropped it on the floor of their room, curtseyed, and left. Both youths looked at it in disgust. "I am not sleeping on that." Duo said fervently. Heero agreed. Kneeling beside his field kit, he dragged out a pair of blankets, as Duo did the same. By mutual agreement, all four blankets ended up on the little bed, all in semi-darkness.
For an awkward moment, they stood staring at each other across the bed. Then Duo gave a little grin, hoping to dispel the odd tension, and lay down, rolling himself up in the blankets. Heero hesitantly did the same.
The thin walls kept out none of the common room's noise, but now Duo could hear the sound of the main door, opening and closing in rapid succession. People were leaving, late as it was. Soon silence enveloped the inn, and the steady sound of Heero's breathing filled the room. But Duo knew Heero was awake.
"What's it like in Wing?" Duo asked quietly. Beside him, he felt Heero shift. "It's... different. Cleaner. Brighter. Harsher." Heero glared into the darkness, angry at his inability to describe his home. Duo, on the other hand, was confused. "How can it be brighter and harsher at the same time?" he wondered. Heero struggled to find the words.
"In Wing, things are more... precise. Clean-cut. There are no weaknesses, of any kind." Heero let out a low bark of laughter. "My father made sure of that."
Duo turned to lie on his side, facing Heero in the dark. He could see the frail moonlight reflecting in the other's eyes as he stared at the ceiling. "You weren't close to your father?" he asked softly. Heero shook his head.
"I was a soldier to my father. An heir and a replacement. Not a child." The unspoken words, not his son, seemed to echo through the room. Duo impulsively reached out and touched Heero's arm. Heero stared at him, surprised, then a small smile slipped past the Perfect Soldier's defences. "Good night Duo."
"Goodnight."
*
Three long, dusty, dreary weeks later, a tired and bedraggled party meandered through the Trethllewyn camp. In the lead, Sir Heero sat tall and proud on his white destrier. The sight of him brought a hopeful smile to many faces. This was, after all, the legendary knight who was rumoured to be their salvation.
Ahead of them, a lone figure stood on the edge of the river bank, staring across the water, where he knew the Airmessens were. The sun threw his long shadow behind him, shining into his eyes, one of which was covered by a long swathe of hair. The strange man turned to face them, as Heero, followed by Duo, rode to his side and dismounted.
"Trowa." Heero acknowledged. The emerald-eyed knight nodded in return. "A squire, Heero?" he asked. Heero nodded curtly.
Duo stood a little way back, feeling out of place. Behind him, a pebble was dislodged, and he spun around to see a golden-haired boy making his way towards them. As the boy approached, Duo realised that he was probably not much younger than himself. The boy looked up, and smiled, his blue-green eyes flashing. "Hello. I'm Quatre. Who're you?" he asked. He had a strange, southern accent.
"Duo Maxwell. Sir Heero's squire." Duo replied. Quatre nodded towards Trowa. "He's my knight-master. Trowa Green-eye." Duo's eyebrows shot up. No wonder Heero knew this soldier. Trowa Green-eye was renowned for his agility, and for his abilities with animals. He could make them walk off a cliff if he so wished. That was how much they trusted him on sight.
Trowa turned at the sound of his squire's voice, and Heero alone was privy to the small, soft smile on the hardened warrior's face. His eyebrows shot up. "It would appear I'm not the only one." He said, in reply to Trowa's earlier comment. Trowa nodded, almost sheepishly.
*
Well, no footnotes for this one. Yes, this is definitely going to be a 1x2, because I'm a Duo/Heero obsessive, and someone asked for 3x4 (which is also a very cute pairing) so there may be smatterings of that throughout the story. Nothing's certain yet, though, and if there's anything you really don't like, tell me. Review?