AN: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of its characters. Chapter 4, here we go.
{-}
Trowa and Quatre were well on their way. It saddened Quatre to leave the peace and quiet life of the gypsies, but in his heart he knew he was destined for much greater things. The two young men traveled together on horseback. Catherine had been sure to provide them with as much food as she could spare. She had packed bread, dried meat, cheeses, and fruit in their saddle bags. They traveled through the day, not stopping to eat or rest. Trowa had been silent for the majority of the trip. Quatre often found himself wondering what was going through the gypsy's mind. He was not an open, emotional person; that was for certain. So Quatre decided to ask him,
"Trowa, why have you decided to travel with me? I know Catherine wished it, but I know there is also something that you are looking for."
Trowa was silent for a long while. For a moment, Quatre feared his companion would not answer him at all. But then, Trowa spoke quietly,
"I have no doubts that Catherine has told you of my past."
"Yes, she has."
"I know I may not live the most respectable life, Quatre, but it is a life I cherish. I love my sister and I love the forest. It is my home. The only one I have ever known."
Quatre was silent as he listened. Trowa continued,
"I do not know from whence I came. I do not know who I really am, but I do know I have a place in this world. It is with my sister, it is in the forest: the trees, animals, air, and flowers. Yet, I also know there is something inside of me that tells me my life was meant to hold a greater destiny than that of the gypsy. When Lord Treize began his reign, I knew all would be lost if no one stood to fight for it. All that I love and cherish will be lost. I will fight Quatre for my people, for my life, and for my world. I do not go to find glory."
Quatre was silently astonished. He had never heard such a speech from his friend. But he understood it all very well. Quatre was going to fight for the same reasons Trowa was. It did not matter where they were from. Mythica was home to many. Home is where the heart presides.
The two men rode on into the night. Silent, but articulate companions.
{-}
Relena walked briskly through the halls of the great palace. Her robes blew in the soft spring breeze coming from the windows. Castles were always very drafty either way. She approached a door where two guards stood at attention. Upon seeing the princess, they immediately opened the door to let her pass. Relena nodded at them politely and entered her father's study. She found King Darlian searching through his library of books. Upon seeing her, the King smiled down upon his daughter.
"Relena, you look lovelier every day."
Relena bowed to the King.
"Thank you father, I heard you sent for me."
"Yes," replied the King as he walked over to her. He bent down and kissed her forehead gently. "I wanted to know how you liked your birthday present."
"It was very thoughtful of you. But I do not deem a new gown necessary. After all, it is just a ball…"
"It is your birthday Relena," interrupted King Darlian. "I know times are hard and that you insist upon remaining plain, but I thought, for one night, you could play the part of a princess."
Relena blushed slightly,
"You have given me so much already. I did not even think there would be a celebration this year."
"It is your eighteenth birthday and you're coming out. You are right Relena, I was not so sure of having a celebration myself. But, I thought it would be best. It would give all of us to take our minds off the war; off of that scoundrel," the King muttered under his breath.
Relena's face fell as she saw the look on her father's face. He was under much stress. This was a time of fear. Nearly all of Mythica had flocked into the Northern Realms after the fall of King Peacecraft and all his other loyal subjects. The Northern lands were all that remained untouched by Treize's wrath. However, even their safety would not last forever. Relena saw her father yield under the pressure thousands and thousands of times. He sought to hide it from her, but she knew him better.
"Father, it will be all right. I can feel it."
"I wish I had your faith Relena."
Relena walked over to a window. She stared out upon the city, and beyond into the lush greenness of spring.
"Something will happen, father. A miracle will come upon us and lead us out of this time of war. I do not wish for us to fight, but I know there is nothing we can do but defend ourselves. Day in and day out, I pray for the day when peace will come to Mythica, and the High King will find his way to the Cinq Kingdom, once more."
King Darlian watched Relena's eyes stare out into the distance.
"Your heart tells you that you were meant to be something greater," said the King quietly.
Relena smiled slightly,
"My heart tells me that there is some greater good out there, we just have yet to find it."
With that, the princess bowed and left the room. King Darlian stared after her and smiled sadly.
"You are meant for greater things, Relena. You will be the one to find the good in this world."
{-}
Heero stared sternly at Duo. They were residing at Martin's cottage. The wizard had decided it would be best to remain under his protection until it was clear that no more of Trieze's war bands were afoot. The braided boy was lying just outside the front door staring at the stars. Heero watched him closely. There was something on his mind.
"What did you see today?"
Duo made no reply. He simply ignored Heero. Growing agitated Heero repeated himself,
"You saw something on the hill. You knew there was trouble. How did you know?"
Duo picked himself up off the ground and shoved his way past Heero,
"I don't want to talk about it."
Heero grabbed his arm roughly, refusing to let the boy pass. Duo stared at him.
"Out of my way, Yuy."
"Not until you tell me what you saw," stated Heero coldly.
Duo sighed,
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Try me," seethed Heero as he tightened his grip on Duo's arm.
"Fine," said Duo as he pulled away. "But don't say I didn't warn you."
The young man walked away a little bit and sat down on a bail of hay. He gripped his hands together and tried to search for the right words.
"Ever…ever since I was little, I saw things. No, I saw something. It's always a shadow and a thought. It appears to me in my dreams and in reality. I saw it today on the hill. It's a black shadowy figure that comes out of the underworld to bring death to those who reside in Mythica. He appears to me. Do not ask me why I can see him but I can. I have been cursed, he has cursed me!"
"Who is he?" asked Heero.
"He is Shignami, the God of Death. Where he goes death follows." Duo shook his head. "That is how I knew something was amiss."
"Great," replied a voice out of the shadows. "A man who sees demons, just what I need."
Heero and Duo watched as Wufei emerged from the shadows. Duo narrowed his eyes at Wufei. He did not need this.
"You do not understand!" he cried out as he jumped to his feet. "Where I go death follows! Do not come so near to me Chang, you might be next."
At this Wufei grew angry,
"You are serious Maxwell?"
"He tells no lies," stated Heero calmly.
"Did you know my brother was going to die?" asked Wufei angrily.
"I do not know who the victims are," replied Duo as he struggled to maintain his composure. "I could not have told you Death was coming until it was too late."
Wufei bowed his head. He clenched his fists at his sides. "If you had not been so near my village, maybe…"
"Do not speak such nonsense," burst Martin as he approached the trio. "Duo may see Death, but he does not control its actions. Death has a funny way of playing itself out. There is no way to predict it."
"Everyone I have ever come close to has died," said Duo quietly. "Friar Maxwell and the sisters were the only family I knew. I am afraid if I linger here too long it will come for you too."
"Death will come for us all," replied Martin, "but not today. The journey does not end here. This is where the journey begins."
{-}
Treize sat in his chamber. He was not in the mood to be toyed with. A knock came at the door,
"Enter," replied the war lord.
In walked a tall man with golden hair that streamed down to the middle of his back. He was built sturdy, and had pale blue eyes. He bowed as he came before his commander.
"At your service my Lord."
"Zechs," replied Treize calmly, "I was beginning to think you were turning into a ghost. Why have I not heard reports from your company in nearly two weeks?"
"We have been busy trying to occupy the Northern Realms," answered Zechs Merquis stoically.
"Foolishness! Darlian guards his lands well. It is a fool's hope to break in unawares with strong army of men."
"We have found ways to send in smaller bands to disperse villages and small quarters of troops. Thus far, we have been successful."
"Very well, I shall take your word for it Zechs."
Treize stood and paced his chamber. An idea slowly formed in his head; a malicious, vial idea.
"Merquis, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Yes Lord Treize?"
"The only thing standing in my way right now is King Darlian. He brings hope to the people of Mythica when there should be none left. If Darlian should die, then hope should die with him…"
"It is impossible to get to King Darlian," replied Zechs. "His stronghold is deep within the center of the Northern Realms and it is heavily guarded. To break through the border with a strong army would only mean Darlian would have time to relocate himself. Word would spread of an arising attack and he would escape into hiding to reformulate his plans to attack you my Lord."
Treize sighed,
"I am not talking about the final battle, not yet. My army still grows and must grow stronger if we expect to crush every man, woman, and child in Mythica. I am not speaking of this, not yet."
"What do you suggest?" asked Zechs.
"You say you have managed to send smaller troops through the borders?"
"Yes."
"Well I want you to take a band of fifty with you to attack Darlian's palace."
"It will never work. We will never get past the King's defenses."
"I thought you were the Lightning Count?" sneered Treize. "Do not ride under my banner. This mission is to be kept a strict secret. You shall ride into Darlian's realm under the guise of refugees. At the most the King's most vulnerable time, I want you to kill him!"
"This is suicide! They will surely discover us!" replied Zechs angrily.
"Do not doubt me Zechs Merquis!" screamed Treize as he circled the man. "I know who you are and whence you came from. You do not have a conscious! You abandoned your name for my sake, for the sake of power! I made you and I can just as easily destroy you!"
Zechs stared straight ahead. He let his anger boil up inside of him. He would not allow himself to be killed.
"Your wish is my command," said the blonde haired man grimly.
"Good. If you listen to me you will succeed. I am going to send Lady Une with you. She shall see that all my wishes are carried out accordingly. Listen to her at all times," warned Treize. Zechs bowed his head in understanding. Treize continued, "Gather fifty of your best men and tell them to dress in disguise."
"My Lord," said Zechs, "I know I can not change your mind, but I beseech you not to do this. The lives of fifty strong soldiers will be forfeit!"
"There lives are of no significance to me. It is a minor technicality of war. Besides… you will not fail. If you do, you will not live to hear of failure. Now go get out of my sight!"
Zechs bowed once more and walked out of the chamber. His anger was getting the better of him. He walked out of the castle and into the courtyard where hundreds of soldiers stood at attention upon the arrival of the Lightning Count, Lord Treize's fiercest warrior. Zechs stopped in front of an officer,
"I want you to gather fifty strong men and tell them to report to me immediately!"
"Yes sir!" replied the soldier as he scampered off to carry out his orders.
Zechs marched along through the camp until he came to his own personal, tent. He went in and threw down his sword and cloak. Angrily he sat upon his cot and put his head in his hands.
"Rough day?" asked a feminine voice.
"The worst," replied Zechs.
A woman entered the tent. She wore the garb of a warrior and her hair was cut short like a mans. But the beautiful feminine features of her face revealed her soul. She approached Zechs and knelt down next to him.
"I saw you storm into your tent," she said calmly. "I knew something was wrong."
"A mission Lord Trieze has asked me to carry out," answered Zechs. "I will leave early in the morning."
The woman nodded her head. "I will hurry and get my things together," she said as she stood up.
"Lucrezia, you can not come with me this time."
Lucrezia Noin stared at him and smiled warmly. "You know very well you can not tell me what to do."
Zechs sighed,
"The mission is suicide. I forbid you to go. Treize has asked to take only fifty with me. We ride into Darlian's realm to assassinate the King."
The smile on Noin's face fell. She stared at him sternly,
"Only fifty to storm Darlian's castle? He sends you to your death!"
"We shall go in disguise as refugees," continued Zechs.
"Refugees indeed!" Noin replied furiously. She looked at Zechs sharply, "Let me ride with you! I can help you Zechs. My sword is just as strong as any mans!"
"Noin there is no doubt of your strength and fighting abilities. But I will not send you to your death with me!"
"Zechs…I would rather die with you than without you," she said sadly.
Zech reached for her and pulled her towards him. She held onto him tightly. Zechs lifted her chin,
"I can not stop you, can I?"
Noin smiled gently,
"No, you can not. Besides, I am an officer in Lord Treize's army and I follow under the command of the Lightning Count. I shall follow him to the ends of the earth."
Zechs smirked before he pulled Noin's lips up to meet his.
AN: Well that's it for Chapter 4! So far I have been turning out a chapter a day and hopefully I will finish this fic before long. Although I must say, the adventure is only beginning and we have quite a ways to go! Please email me with your comments.
Email: Wildrose1404earthlink.net