AN: Hey all I'm really sorry I've been taking so long. It's really frustrating because I haven't been receiving the reviews in the mail like I should so I thought you all hated to story. Thanks to the magic of review saves I finally saw them and I'd just like to say I have a lot more written I just have to type it up. Thanks again for the great reviews.
^-^ Cheers, huggles, and Yaoi for all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As always italics denotes thoughts.
Spoils of War: Ch. 5
The loud whistle of an animal drowned Duo's voice out. The shouted, panicked cries of men made the quartet rush toward the courtyard, and the source of the noise.
Quatre and Duo gasped and stepped back into Heero and Trowa when they saw what had caused the commotion. An immense shadow fell over them as the largest horse Quatre had ever seen reared and screamed again. The gigantic equine had to bee at least 18 hands (1) high! The rust colored coat gleamed in the sun as it tossed its mane angrily, its tail lashing about like whip. Four men surrounded it, dodging the flying hooves. A fifth stood off to the side holding the reins of a fully dressed battle horse. The pure white coat animal lifted its head as Quatre and Duo gasped. Heero spotted the horse and stepped away from the group. Turning his attention to the dark-haired slave, Duo elbowed Quatre who also turned. They watched as Heero raised his hand and snapped his fingers once.
The horse's ears perked and without a second glance to the man holding his reins, moved toward the cobalt-eyed boy. The man, a guard by the looks of his uniform, shouted in surprise as the reins were tugged from his hands. Trotting up to Heero the horse stopped at his side like an obedient dog. Quatre and Duo watched the whole procedure curiously.
A scream from the large chestnut drew their attention. Duo and Quatre watched in horror as a man, who had climbed onto the horse's back, held on to the bucking and rearing equine. With a final plunge the man lost his grip on the enraged animal's neck. Sailing through the air, he landed in front of the stunned prince and advisor. Trowa slipped out from behind them. Putting two fingers in his mouth he released a whistle that could be heard above the giant horse's loud cries.
The large brown eyes, white with fury, focused on Trowa. Rearing once more it broke out of the circle, charging at a full gallop towards the green-eyed boy. Running away from Quatre, Duo and Heero, Trowa stood in wait at the bottom of the palace steps.
"Trowa!" Quatre cried, lunging forward. Duo reached out and held him back.
"Is he insane?!?!?!" Duo demanded roughly as he restrained the throne's heir.
Trowa closed his eyes, listening only to the thunder of hooves, counting each heart-racing beat. 1,2,3,4…1,2,3,4…1,2,3…NOW! Trowa reached up just as the horse swerved on its left hind leg. His hand curved over the whither with familiar ease. Pulling himself up he flipped over his straightened arm to settle comfortably on the horse's bareback. Having no reins to steer with he wrapped his fingers in the wildly whipping mane.
Quatre and Duo stared slack-jawed as Trowa rounded the courtyard and galloped back. Quatre's breath caught as he watched the horse and rider move with the fluid grace of experience. Riding toward the far wall, Trowa slowed then stopped the massive animal. Sliding off immediately, Trowa took hold of the gracefully curved neck. Coaxing the head down, Trowa leaned up and began to speak rapidly into the equine's ear. The hushed whispers calmed the large animal. Its tail and head sagged and it almost appeared that Trowa was holding it up. With one last whispered command he stepped away from it and headed back to the trio waiting for him.
"How did you do that?!?!" Duo exclaimed in awe.
"It wasn't that hard. I've done it before."
"That is a very large horse. I wonder if he gives his owner any trouble…" Quatre trailed wonderingly.
"Heavyarms trusts me. We get along just fine." Trowa shrugged.
"That's your horse?!" Duo shouted. A curt nod answered him. "Then why'd he go berzerk?"
"He doesn't like other people. He won't even let Heero ride him."
The loud crack of a whip and Heavyarms' renewed shrieking startled the four boys. Turing Trowa saw something that made his blood boil. His horse had obediently stayed where he was as Trowa had asked. One of the soldiers was whipping his horse! Heavyarms wasn't even moving. He was simply taking the pain.
"STOP!" The usually quiet boy made his presence known with little effort. The man ignored him, continuing to abuse Trowa's mount. Running down the steps to the man Trowa grabbed a hold of his arm.
"I said to stop. This horse has done nothing."
"Shut up slave!" The man bellowed shoving Trowa away. "This isn't your horse."
"Yes it is. Now stop or I'll use force."
With a smug smirk the man brought the lash down that much harder, making the chestnut wail once more. Grabbing the whip with one hand, Trowa wrenched the weapon away.
"Why you little…" the guard growled unsheathing his sword.
"Stop at once!" Quatre shouted.
Disobeying the prince's command the soldier lunged at the brown-haired boy. Dodging the clumsy thrust, Trowa grabbed the man's forearm and rammed his elbow into the guard's face. The man cried out as his nose broke. Clapping a hand over his nose he stumbled back, releasing the sword.
"You're overstepping your boundaries slave!" Another guard shouted as he drew his sword. The other three uninjured guards followed suit.
"Replace your weapons!" Quatre demanded furiously, once again he was ignored.
"Now, now. Four to one hardly seems fair." Heero smirked walking up. "After all Trowa you might seriously injure them. But perhaps you'll let me join you anyway."
"What?!?" Screeched the nearest of the guards. "You'd better shut up, or you'll regret it."
"Be my guest." Trowa replied ignoring the soldiers while he picked up the discarded sword. Heero nodded his thanks and snapped his fingers. The white horse stretched its neck around to a sword and scabbard on its back. Grabbing the weapon between its teeth, it snapped its head around so the sword was tossed a few feet into Heero's open hand.
"Thank you Wing." Heero called uncovering the long sword. The four guards split up two to a slave. Circling around Trowa they decided to flank him so one was to his back, the other to his front. Thinking they had him trapped they charged. Trowa watched them a few seconds before jumping as they were about to hit him. He smirked at the crashing sound they made smashing against each other. Twirling midair he flipped a few times before landing several feet away. Turning he watched Heero's actions.
Paying no heed to the screeching future monarch on the castle steps, the two guards assigned to Heero opted to charge his front together. They were quite surprised when he parried their swords easily. Slashing again and again, they grew frustrated at his smug smirk and obvious skill. He hadn't even hit back, only parried their blows like it was mere child's play.
"Pathetic." Heero murmured as they tried to push him back. "Using only brute force with such sloppy swordsmanship. Have you no appreciation for subtly?"
With that he twisted the sword in his hand to force theirs away with minimal effort.
"Did you think that just because I am a slave, I wouldn't be able to defend myself?"
He demanded driving them back with well-aimed thrusts. Weak parries clanged feebly against the young boy's blade.
"Never underestimate you enemy. It will be your downfall!"
With that he knocked the two swords out and away from the offending hands. The two guards regarded Heero with bitter awe as they sank to their knees. Sheathing his sword in the scabbard he'd carried during the whole affair he regarded them coolly.
"Sword play isn't a game. Learn to use one properly, your next opponent my not be as nice about letting you live."
1. hands- a term used to measure horses. This measurement is taken at the withers or the shoulder of the horse. One hand is 4 inches or 10 centimeters thus Heavyarms is 72 in. or 6 ft. at the withers.