AN: No cutsie little greetings I'm just going to get on with the fic.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, Bandai and Sunrise do.
Warnings: misconceptions, shounen ai hints, violence
Italics denotes thoughts
***** denotes scene change
//…// denotes flashback
Spoils of War: Chapter 19
By the time they had arrived back at the castle gates Heero's head had cleared somewhat and he'd discovered the reason for his shortness of breath was the tightening of the collar he always wore around his neck as the sign of a slave. The horse he was draped over stopped suddenly and Heero closed his eyes as his vision started to tilt. Realizing a few seconds too late that he was only sliding off the horse's back, he groaned quietly as he dropped several feet to the ground.
His arms were seized by the chain that ran between the manacles that bound his arms. He didn't fight as he was dragged across the courtyard. The metal cuffs dug into his wrists. He hissed in pain as he was suddenly jerked upwards, the metal cutting the softer skin of his inner wrist. The thin trickle of blood only worsened the chaffing of the rough metal cuffs. There was a loud clang as the middle of the chain between Heero's manacles was secured in a large metal clip that hung suspended from an adjustable chain that connected to a wooden beam that was laid horizontal on another beam that was firmly staked into the ground. He was hauled up so the toes of his feet barely brushed the ground. A thick rope was wrapped around his ankles and slipped through a small metal hoop staked into the ground directly under him and was pulled tight before it was tied off so that his body was taunt between its restraints.
The cold iron cut cruelly into his wrists and hands and a disturbing numbness was beginning to spread through his hands and feet. The skin prickled and stung as the blood circulation was painfully cut off. He labored to draw breath into his lungs, the constricting collar proving its true purpose to the bound slave. The gathered soldiers jeered at his helpless form. A man wearing a commander's badge parted the soldiers and approached the still slave.
Finally, Heero thought hopefully, someone who'll listen.
The man's eyes traveled over Heero's body, assessing before he smirked. "You have been charged with several crimes-"
"WHAT!" Heero demanded, interrupting the man and glaring at those gathered.
As soon as the outraged word had left his mouth a hard hand struck his right cheek viciously. Slowly raising his head again, Heero could taste the bitter copper essence of blood on his tongue.
"You attempted escape…"
The words rang dully in Heero's mind.
"resisted a soldier…"
His anger was burning him from the inside out.
"And injured free men. For your disrespect and disobedience you will be punished."
The heat Heero was feeling turned to ice inside of him. A cold feeling gripped his heart. Two soldiers stepped up to his sides, laughing darkly and gripped the sleeves of his shirt. Heero grit his teeth against the pain of having the garment torn from his body with violent tugs. Gathering himself, Heero was about to struggle when a crack sounded in his ears and burning pain laced up his back. The boy's body arched and twisted as another blow landed across his shoulders. The air rushed out of Heero's lungs with each angry lash of the whip. Holding in his cries of pain, Heero attempted to concentrate on keeping his restricted breathing regular. The chains rattled and the manacles chaffed at his wrists as the blows cut into his back.
Heero struggled for what seemed like an eternity as the whip rained biting strokes across his back. For a blessed moment the lash ceased to fall as the commander came to stand in front of him again. A large callused hand nudged Heero's chin up so he was forced to meet the man's cold gray gaze. The man smirked at the defiance in the slave's deep blue eyes.
"And what do you have to say for yourself, slave?"
Glaring at the man, Heero drew himself up as much as the binds would allow. The man jerked back as the boy's spit hit his face.
"Why you…" he growled wiping the mixture of blood and saliva off his cheek.
The hand came a second time, striking the slave's cheek hard. Before Heero could move, the man jerked his head up, pulling roughly on the boy's dark hair.
"You'll pay for that…"
Heero's face remained neutral as a slow malicious smile spread over the officer's face. His eyes widened in shock as the pressure around his neck increased slightly with a soft click, once…twice…three times. The soldier watched in satisfaction as the dark haired slave fought to draw breath. He nodded to the man poised and ready behind the captive.
A choked cry left Heero's lip's as the whip was laid across his back again. The blows came harder and faster now. The slave slumped helplessly down in the chains, body screaming in agony. Why is this happening?… Heero despaired. Suddenly he remembered something Duo had once said…
// "A slave can never be punished without their master's permission."
"Why?' Heero inquired the boy seated across from him curiously.
"A royal slave belongs to only one person. To act freely against the slave without the master's permission is certain death in most cases. Everyone knows the law and I have yet to ever see someone strike a slave without the master's permission. It just doesn't happen."
"So if a slave is punished then the master commanded it?"
"Yup, that's the long and short of it." //
Doesn't he trust me… Heero fought against the pain that constricted his chest. The thought that Duo did not trust him hurt worse than any physical torture.
*****
He'd been suspicious ever since they'd been interrupted. Duo's unease had grown when the two guards were called out. He sighed as he gazed around the room; the other occupants seemed perfectly fine with the idea of spending the rest of the day cooped up in the conference room. Just as he was about to call to move that the meeting be adjourned there was a hurried knock at the door. Sighing in frustration, Duo waved to the man nearest the door to open it. A smug guard strode in and knelt before Duo. A frown crossed the boy's face as he waited for the soldier to state his business.
"My Lord, we found your slave."
"Found?" Duo's tone was flat.
"He was trying to escape."
"What?!"
"Two guards saw him riding towards the East." The soldier seemed wary of the anger in Duo's voice.
"Where is he now?" Duo's voice was deadly soft.
"The commander has already stated his crimes and is taking care of the situation."
Duo's eyes narrowed to slits that glittered dangerously as his teeth clenched in anger. Standing he stalked to the door without a word.
"Lord Duo!" one of the other council members called out to the irate advisor.
"The meeting is adjourned." The command left no room for argument as Duo continued out the door. Once he was clear of the council room, Duo broke into a run, his rage and fear increasing with every step. If they've hurt him, I swear I'll kill them all…
AN: Next chapter to be posted soon. Read and review ONEGAI!