Haven: Gundam Wing
By: Derrian Star
Chapter 2
"That's the third one this month!" A fierce whisper made its way across the inches to his ear. Their hiding spot, a shaded corner of an alleyway, kept them close enough to action but not 'too' close. "What are they all, monsters?!" The two figures crouched and peered around the brick building's crumbling corner. Carefully watching for any one who might catch sight of them.
"Calm down, Duo."
"Calm down. Calm down! I'm sick and tired of hearing the cries of the burning in my sleep, Trowa!!" The young man yanked at his waist length brown braid. This was just too much, to watch human's happily kill other humans. Monsters! All of them! How could he even live here knowing that some day these people he called neighbors might turn on him too.
The other put a restraining hand on Duo's arm, not allowing him to reached the standing position he sought. "Don't be foolish, they're out for blood man. You want to join that mage?" Green eyes darted from the long-haired young man then to the captured blond. He couldn't help keep his attention fixed on the scene before them. He too wanted to save the boy, but they were sorely outnumbered. Right now all he could do was keep Duo from doing anything stupid, Duo was known for doing stupid things.
Huffing, he wasn't afraid of death "If he did control the powers that they claim, don't you think he would have used them to get free by now?!" Trowa stopped, a blank look on his pale face. The thought only now crossing his mind. Eyes clouded over, he removed his hand.
Duo stood up, one hand resting lightly on the brick building they hid behind. He was ready to put an end to these meaningless acts, once and for all. Who cared if a person possessed this magic that most feared; they were few and far between. It wasn't every day you heard about a black mage rampaging through the countryside. And looking at the blond fellow who was struggling against the bonds that now bound him to the burning stake, it was a very doubted fact that he was walking in the line of darkness. His high-pitched pleads cut through the rumble of the crowd, and shot straight to Duo's heart. He was determined, but was only one man against the entire crowd. "I don't think I can do it alone though." He held a hand down to his still kneeling friend.
Trowa shook his head, rustling the silken brown hair that laid lazily over a single eye. "Your gonna get us 'both' killed." He took that hand in a strong encouraging grip.
Duo's face split into a full out grin. "That's my job, you know.
***
"I'm innocent!" The blond still protested, struggling feebly with the bindings on his wrists. Blood slowly saturated the rope as it drug into soft flesh. They held tight. Several of the villagers lowered their flaming torches to the area around the heretic's booted feet, the fire danced perfectly to the pile of logs he stood on. Black smoke lifted off the flames as it ate hungrily at the burning oil. Tears quickly sprung forth as it assaulted his lost, child like eyes. Attempts to escape heightened, fueled by fear of death. A strangled cry escaped the boy.
They say burning is the worst way to die. Standing right along side of drowning. Sanity is risked when your mind knows what is going on, and knows it cannot win. Sometimes it gives up the battle and you take that last breath. But with the mesmerizing blaze of heated reds, there is the pain. An unimaginable void filled with nothing but pure agony. Feeling your own skin peel and blister off the muscle. You want to take that finishing breath and end it all, but instead choke on the smell of your own death. Your body can't give up, instead it is forced to remain functioning though a good portion of the end. Unless of course you're lucky, incineration is almost instant.
Flames grew with intent, feeding on the wood in the large pile, eating away at the stake. Enveloping its prey with savage speed. Preoccupying so that he never noticed his would-be rescuer's entrance.
The guards obviously did. "Get down from there, in the name of the king!" Hooves stamped into a quick gallop. Rushing over to the source of the disturbance, horses reared up as they were pulled to a halt. The villagers turned from their prey to look at the newcomer who was walking skillfully across the wire that was used to hang laundry to dry. He was easily twenty feet in the air, but no fear shone radiated off of him.
"I think the King would enjoy the show, no?" he easily flipped, landing with one hand down, feet high above him, still perfectly balanced. He walked on his hands, performing various tricks. Soon the crowd was cheering him on, and gasping when he seemingly was losing his precious balance. This was quickly righted with a back flip, taking to his bare feet once again. Then a cartwheel followed.
By now the knights were directly below the stunt man, swords drawn as they stood up in their stirrups. Ready to cut the stage right out from under the brown haired boy. The performer was ready for them and this attack. When they swiped at the cord he squatted down then jumped. The laundry line bounced with him, avoiding the sharp points.
The dark haired captain swore. "It'll be the Hazarr mine pits for you!" another miss. The tight ropewalker laughed, flipping backwards again and onto the next building's edge. The crowd gathering below erupted into applause. Trowa took a bow, commenting. "Dinner's done." Then leapt off the edge, out of sight.
Silence was only broken by the crackling of fire. After a moment the hint behind the words sunk in. All eyes whirled back to the stake, their burning. None had noticed it before, but the screams had stopped.
***
"Be gentle." Duo held awaiting arms out, holding as gently as possible the unconscious blond mage, wrapped in Duo's own black cloak. His accomplice stood on the other side of the sewer gate. Working together they passed the bundle through the thick bars and to Trowa.
"You didn't get yourself burned did ya?"
"Nah!" the long braid wagged back and forth as the other shook his head. "I was too quick." The boy had to act fast when he did his part of the plan. While the other kept the crowd distracted. He jumped into the flaming pile, cut the ropes holding the so-called sorcerer, and leapt back out of the death trap with his prize. Only a few brown hairs were singed.
They both knew the captain and his companion would soon have reinforcements looking for them. If they thought it was important enough to have this boy burned. But most likely it would be too much of an effort, so they didn't worry too much.
Ankle deep water sloshed as they made their way though the dark tunnels, small rays of sunlight streamed through the street grates. The two didn't need light; all steps were taken out of memory. Home was the destination, below ground, amongst the sewers. Luckily they weren't too far off from the entrance. Taking a left, into a small dugout of the wall, Duo lifted aside a thick piece of leather, revealing a level even below the sewers. Trowa took the jump lithfully, the boy he carried seemed to weigh next to nothing.
A faint glow from the candles that were left burning barely lit the roomy section, it was dry and accommodated with everything the two could ever need. A thump on the stone behind him signaled his friend's entrance. The long haired young man went around him commenting "Put him on my bed." Dark covers were thrown off on to the clean floor. The blond took their place, whimpering softly, eyes clamped shut. "Don't I wish we were back home now and a real healer could do this."
Trowa chuckled. "This 'was' your idea." He built up the hearth's fire, warming the chilled room. Also providing more light to chase away the remaining shadows. Turning around again he found Duo, hands half raised, as he was about to do something. But the look on his tan face showed that he had no clue what that 'something' was. He had never treated wounds so extreme before. Looking back to the other for guidance he shrugged slightly. And was rewarded with a set of easy instructions and orders, while Trowa grabbed some other things. He 'did' have experience with doctoring injuries.
The cloak was unwrapped; it was a bit more singed then the rescuer. Edges were missing and or charred. Several holes had been created also. Never less it was would have to be repaired if Duo wanted to use it again. Until then it was going to occupy the far corner. The familiar scent of smoke and burnt flesh dispersed throughout the enclosure. Neither were pleasant and unfortunately couldn't be vented terribly well where they were. The braided boy seemed to turn a few shades whiter, complaining that he was going to be sick. Towels were thrown and hit him in the chest.
"Go soak those in clean water would you, and grab me that bottle." Trowa pointed to a shelf on the far wall, but never lifted his eyes off his patient. The boots the kid had been wearing saved his feet from major burns but from ankles up the red skin was already rising into nasty looking blisters. Some parts of the pale skin were blackened. When Duo returned, the blue vile he carried was unstopped and a good deal of its contents were poured on to the rags.
A new smell filled the room, chilling as it went. "Winters Breath! Trowa where did you get that?!" a rare aroma, but unmistakable.
Laying the medicine coated material over the burnt legs and wrapping them around gingerly the other replied. "I have it for emergencies. As this is." He seemed a bit too calm for Duo to comprehend.
"But that stuff is dangerous!"
The herb called Winters Breath grew only in the highest parts of the Reganis Mountains, and since very few traveled through them the medicine was very rare and very expensive. People paid for it, the healing properties were almost magical. It could cool burning skin, fevered brows, and even bring down the most inflamed wounds. Being very true to its name, perhaps too true. The temperature of the body dropped which was good to a certain point, but when too much, people die. Much like freezing to death, without the winter. Though this could be corrected when caught, fires, blankets, hot food. It was a risk many took, fevers too often led to graves. "We don't have anything else to treat this with. We both never accumulate enough injuries to keep a ready supply of medicine here. You did want to save him right?"
Hands were thrown up in defeat. Trowa had a point. The worse experience they had was him breaking his arm after a roof top night. Cloth and splints they had plenty of. He took the water skin he was offered after Trowa put a few drops of the herb into it.
"See if you can get him to drink some, it'll chase away any fever that might come about."
Duo did just that, going to the kid's blond head and lifting it up slightly. The skin of herbal water was brought to pale lips, only to be pushed aside by their owner. Words, spoken in a hard, well structured language came from those same lips. "Try to drink this kid." He had spoken common before so he must surely understand it.
"I swear.I-I didn't mean to." This time Duo could understand. Though it wasn't the answer he had expected. It did help to answer a question that was stuck in the back of his braided mind though. Something 'had' occurred. But what? The young one winced as his doctor bandaged up cut and burnt hands.
"You're with friends now."
Blue eyes opened and searched around his surrounding, fear was evident. But no violence was here, unlike before in the streets. He accepted the water offered, shivering slightly as it went down, and drifting off not long after he swallowed.
Digging through his belonging, Duo found a thick tunic and several extra winter blankets he had no use for in this heat wave. "I find nothing 'evil' about this boy." He help the other finish the wrapping and get the unconscious boy out of his tattered clothes and into warm, only slightly used ones.
"I'm sure there is nothing Duo. The people are just suffering, and it makes them feel better to watch someone else suffer 'sides from themselves for a change." The dirt and blood was gently washed away from cuts on the child like face. But sleeping and looking a bit less scared, the kid was probably about the same age as they were. Fear and those big blue eyes just made the appearance of youth.
"It's a sad thing."
By: Derrian Star
Chapter 2
"That's the third one this month!" A fierce whisper made its way across the inches to his ear. Their hiding spot, a shaded corner of an alleyway, kept them close enough to action but not 'too' close. "What are they all, monsters?!" The two figures crouched and peered around the brick building's crumbling corner. Carefully watching for any one who might catch sight of them.
"Calm down, Duo."
"Calm down. Calm down! I'm sick and tired of hearing the cries of the burning in my sleep, Trowa!!" The young man yanked at his waist length brown braid. This was just too much, to watch human's happily kill other humans. Monsters! All of them! How could he even live here knowing that some day these people he called neighbors might turn on him too.
The other put a restraining hand on Duo's arm, not allowing him to reached the standing position he sought. "Don't be foolish, they're out for blood man. You want to join that mage?" Green eyes darted from the long-haired young man then to the captured blond. He couldn't help keep his attention fixed on the scene before them. He too wanted to save the boy, but they were sorely outnumbered. Right now all he could do was keep Duo from doing anything stupid, Duo was known for doing stupid things.
Huffing, he wasn't afraid of death "If he did control the powers that they claim, don't you think he would have used them to get free by now?!" Trowa stopped, a blank look on his pale face. The thought only now crossing his mind. Eyes clouded over, he removed his hand.
Duo stood up, one hand resting lightly on the brick building they hid behind. He was ready to put an end to these meaningless acts, once and for all. Who cared if a person possessed this magic that most feared; they were few and far between. It wasn't every day you heard about a black mage rampaging through the countryside. And looking at the blond fellow who was struggling against the bonds that now bound him to the burning stake, it was a very doubted fact that he was walking in the line of darkness. His high-pitched pleads cut through the rumble of the crowd, and shot straight to Duo's heart. He was determined, but was only one man against the entire crowd. "I don't think I can do it alone though." He held a hand down to his still kneeling friend.
Trowa shook his head, rustling the silken brown hair that laid lazily over a single eye. "Your gonna get us 'both' killed." He took that hand in a strong encouraging grip.
Duo's face split into a full out grin. "That's my job, you know.
***
"I'm innocent!" The blond still protested, struggling feebly with the bindings on his wrists. Blood slowly saturated the rope as it drug into soft flesh. They held tight. Several of the villagers lowered their flaming torches to the area around the heretic's booted feet, the fire danced perfectly to the pile of logs he stood on. Black smoke lifted off the flames as it ate hungrily at the burning oil. Tears quickly sprung forth as it assaulted his lost, child like eyes. Attempts to escape heightened, fueled by fear of death. A strangled cry escaped the boy.
They say burning is the worst way to die. Standing right along side of drowning. Sanity is risked when your mind knows what is going on, and knows it cannot win. Sometimes it gives up the battle and you take that last breath. But with the mesmerizing blaze of heated reds, there is the pain. An unimaginable void filled with nothing but pure agony. Feeling your own skin peel and blister off the muscle. You want to take that finishing breath and end it all, but instead choke on the smell of your own death. Your body can't give up, instead it is forced to remain functioning though a good portion of the end. Unless of course you're lucky, incineration is almost instant.
Flames grew with intent, feeding on the wood in the large pile, eating away at the stake. Enveloping its prey with savage speed. Preoccupying so that he never noticed his would-be rescuer's entrance.
The guards obviously did. "Get down from there, in the name of the king!" Hooves stamped into a quick gallop. Rushing over to the source of the disturbance, horses reared up as they were pulled to a halt. The villagers turned from their prey to look at the newcomer who was walking skillfully across the wire that was used to hang laundry to dry. He was easily twenty feet in the air, but no fear shone radiated off of him.
"I think the King would enjoy the show, no?" he easily flipped, landing with one hand down, feet high above him, still perfectly balanced. He walked on his hands, performing various tricks. Soon the crowd was cheering him on, and gasping when he seemingly was losing his precious balance. This was quickly righted with a back flip, taking to his bare feet once again. Then a cartwheel followed.
By now the knights were directly below the stunt man, swords drawn as they stood up in their stirrups. Ready to cut the stage right out from under the brown haired boy. The performer was ready for them and this attack. When they swiped at the cord he squatted down then jumped. The laundry line bounced with him, avoiding the sharp points.
The dark haired captain swore. "It'll be the Hazarr mine pits for you!" another miss. The tight ropewalker laughed, flipping backwards again and onto the next building's edge. The crowd gathering below erupted into applause. Trowa took a bow, commenting. "Dinner's done." Then leapt off the edge, out of sight.
Silence was only broken by the crackling of fire. After a moment the hint behind the words sunk in. All eyes whirled back to the stake, their burning. None had noticed it before, but the screams had stopped.
***
"Be gentle." Duo held awaiting arms out, holding as gently as possible the unconscious blond mage, wrapped in Duo's own black cloak. His accomplice stood on the other side of the sewer gate. Working together they passed the bundle through the thick bars and to Trowa.
"You didn't get yourself burned did ya?"
"Nah!" the long braid wagged back and forth as the other shook his head. "I was too quick." The boy had to act fast when he did his part of the plan. While the other kept the crowd distracted. He jumped into the flaming pile, cut the ropes holding the so-called sorcerer, and leapt back out of the death trap with his prize. Only a few brown hairs were singed.
They both knew the captain and his companion would soon have reinforcements looking for them. If they thought it was important enough to have this boy burned. But most likely it would be too much of an effort, so they didn't worry too much.
Ankle deep water sloshed as they made their way though the dark tunnels, small rays of sunlight streamed through the street grates. The two didn't need light; all steps were taken out of memory. Home was the destination, below ground, amongst the sewers. Luckily they weren't too far off from the entrance. Taking a left, into a small dugout of the wall, Duo lifted aside a thick piece of leather, revealing a level even below the sewers. Trowa took the jump lithfully, the boy he carried seemed to weigh next to nothing.
A faint glow from the candles that were left burning barely lit the roomy section, it was dry and accommodated with everything the two could ever need. A thump on the stone behind him signaled his friend's entrance. The long haired young man went around him commenting "Put him on my bed." Dark covers were thrown off on to the clean floor. The blond took their place, whimpering softly, eyes clamped shut. "Don't I wish we were back home now and a real healer could do this."
Trowa chuckled. "This 'was' your idea." He built up the hearth's fire, warming the chilled room. Also providing more light to chase away the remaining shadows. Turning around again he found Duo, hands half raised, as he was about to do something. But the look on his tan face showed that he had no clue what that 'something' was. He had never treated wounds so extreme before. Looking back to the other for guidance he shrugged slightly. And was rewarded with a set of easy instructions and orders, while Trowa grabbed some other things. He 'did' have experience with doctoring injuries.
The cloak was unwrapped; it was a bit more singed then the rescuer. Edges were missing and or charred. Several holes had been created also. Never less it was would have to be repaired if Duo wanted to use it again. Until then it was going to occupy the far corner. The familiar scent of smoke and burnt flesh dispersed throughout the enclosure. Neither were pleasant and unfortunately couldn't be vented terribly well where they were. The braided boy seemed to turn a few shades whiter, complaining that he was going to be sick. Towels were thrown and hit him in the chest.
"Go soak those in clean water would you, and grab me that bottle." Trowa pointed to a shelf on the far wall, but never lifted his eyes off his patient. The boots the kid had been wearing saved his feet from major burns but from ankles up the red skin was already rising into nasty looking blisters. Some parts of the pale skin were blackened. When Duo returned, the blue vile he carried was unstopped and a good deal of its contents were poured on to the rags.
A new smell filled the room, chilling as it went. "Winters Breath! Trowa where did you get that?!" a rare aroma, but unmistakable.
Laying the medicine coated material over the burnt legs and wrapping them around gingerly the other replied. "I have it for emergencies. As this is." He seemed a bit too calm for Duo to comprehend.
"But that stuff is dangerous!"
The herb called Winters Breath grew only in the highest parts of the Reganis Mountains, and since very few traveled through them the medicine was very rare and very expensive. People paid for it, the healing properties were almost magical. It could cool burning skin, fevered brows, and even bring down the most inflamed wounds. Being very true to its name, perhaps too true. The temperature of the body dropped which was good to a certain point, but when too much, people die. Much like freezing to death, without the winter. Though this could be corrected when caught, fires, blankets, hot food. It was a risk many took, fevers too often led to graves. "We don't have anything else to treat this with. We both never accumulate enough injuries to keep a ready supply of medicine here. You did want to save him right?"
Hands were thrown up in defeat. Trowa had a point. The worse experience they had was him breaking his arm after a roof top night. Cloth and splints they had plenty of. He took the water skin he was offered after Trowa put a few drops of the herb into it.
"See if you can get him to drink some, it'll chase away any fever that might come about."
Duo did just that, going to the kid's blond head and lifting it up slightly. The skin of herbal water was brought to pale lips, only to be pushed aside by their owner. Words, spoken in a hard, well structured language came from those same lips. "Try to drink this kid." He had spoken common before so he must surely understand it.
"I swear.I-I didn't mean to." This time Duo could understand. Though it wasn't the answer he had expected. It did help to answer a question that was stuck in the back of his braided mind though. Something 'had' occurred. But what? The young one winced as his doctor bandaged up cut and burnt hands.
"You're with friends now."
Blue eyes opened and searched around his surrounding, fear was evident. But no violence was here, unlike before in the streets. He accepted the water offered, shivering slightly as it went down, and drifting off not long after he swallowed.
Digging through his belonging, Duo found a thick tunic and several extra winter blankets he had no use for in this heat wave. "I find nothing 'evil' about this boy." He help the other finish the wrapping and get the unconscious boy out of his tattered clothes and into warm, only slightly used ones.
"I'm sure there is nothing Duo. The people are just suffering, and it makes them feel better to watch someone else suffer 'sides from themselves for a change." The dirt and blood was gently washed away from cuts on the child like face. But sleeping and looking a bit less scared, the kid was probably about the same age as they were. Fear and those big blue eyes just made the appearance of youth.
"It's a sad thing."