Haven: Gundam Wing
By: Derrian Star
Chapter 4
Volderon, a rock, literally. Built out of the side of a mountain. The great stonewalls have never, in all its years of existence, been breached by a siege. Sieges were also rare because of key points. First with the vast deserts spread for hundreds of miles all around the cornered kingdom it was a trial just to get to the prize. Secondly who wanted to rule over such a desolate wasteland, there was nothing but sand as far as the eye could see. Very few. The current ruler Baron Gresto was an elderly man, but a very loved ruler by his people. The kingdom prospered under his hand.
This information Duo had learned from Trowa. He hadn't even heard of the place until Quatre had mentioned it. Now he looked down at an unrolled map, peering at the spot marked for the rock kingdom. "You live here?" the blond nodded from his sitting spot on the bed, wrapped in warm sheets. "Let me rephrase that.You 'can' live here?!"
Soft laughter. "Of course."
Cocking his brown head to the side Duo raised at eyebrow, looking from map to desert boy in front of him. Living in a pile of sand. Okay!
"You feel up to a trip to the market place Quatre?" Trowa figured his partner would probably never understand the concept so he might as well switch the conversation and save the boy the trouble. Besides he had been healing quite rapidly with the help of smaller doses of the cooler herb. The pale boy itched his wrapping frequently, the old skin wanted to come off and make way for the new layer.
"Will it be safe?" Worry about the past events came with the notion of going to the surface world. Even with the fear, it was a welcome thought. The blond had been bedridden for a couple of weeks now. Never seeing the light of day. He missed it greatly, therefore nodded with enthusiasm, a large grin appearing on his pale face.
"Good, Duo has some errands of his own today so you and I shall get some much needed fresh fruit. I know nice seller and bet you'll like him. Plus there is no worries with this guy, known him for a while now." Trowa tossed a clean set of cast offs to the other. They were too small for either of them but still kept around for just a situation like this. They still seemed to drown the smaller stature Quatre held. But the bagginess and hooded tunic would allow a sense of protection if he decided to his bright head from wandering eyes.
They also had a worn pair of boots to cover the bandaged feet. Neither residents used them ever, and since Quatre's own had been burned beyond repair. Plus he needed something to cover his injuries, so they would do nicely.
Grabbing two small daggers Duo handed one to Trowa, who gratefully accepted, the other went to the blond. "You know how to use one of these right kid?" the sheathed dagger was passed on. Quatre nodded.
"Enough not to stab myself with it at least."
The braided young man cocked an eyebrow wondering if maybe he shouldn't have given out the weapon. "Aye, well I'll be back before sun down. Wish me luck!"
"Luck?" the blond looked between the two, fumbling to strap the sheath in its place on his belt with his bandaged hands. Neither answered it though. Duo grabbed a small bag and left the room with wicked grin.
"Ummm..?"
Chuckling, Trowa took the knife, securing it for the other. "Don't mind him, he just takes his job a bit too seriously." The boy sat and allowed the boots to be placed on over his white wrapped feet. They were almost a perfect fit with the extra breath added on by the bandages. "Okay, lets go. The walk isn't too long but tell me if you get tired." This was agreed upon. Truly the toughest part was escaping out the ceiling door.
****
True to Trowa's word only a short trip through the sewers brought them to storm drain near the river. The brown haired boy hauled his companion up the steep embankment. The sun shone brightly in the mid day air, causing both to squint against it as they walked through the cart laden streets. Shopkeepers waved and shouted. Animals wandered freely, mostly on their own doing though. Causing their owners to run around in a frantic. People pushed against one another. It was another rainless day in this heat wave. Things were beginning to suffer; it had been almost a month now with nothing but intense heat. Plants were withering and the crops were quickly dying off.
Their pace was slow thanks to the brunette; he didn't want to overstress the other on his first day with land legs again. Trowa pushed a path for Quatre amongst the flowing bodies. It took them into the great market place and over to one building in particular.
"Sauney?" Trowa pushed open the double doors and peered inside, squinting until his eyes adjusted to the dimness.
"Ah, Trowa my boy!" An overweight man lumbered towards them, arms held out in an inviting manner. "Come in! Come in! Duo is with you too, no?" The first was certainly not alone, a figure kept close behind him. But when the hood was pushed back it revealed a splash of yellow.
"Not this time Sauney, I've got a newbie." Stepping to the side so the small boy's entirety was visible.
"I see. Taking him on the rounds then?"
"Not yet, but soon I think."
"Aye, that blond hair of his certainly fits the cause."
Quatre watched the conversation. It was easy to tell they were discussing him but what was this connection with his hair? The start of a smile played at the corner of Trowa's thin lips. Was it a joke? Or maybe a plan for the future? Confusing. A hand was absent-mindedly run though the becoming famous hair. At least this shop owner seemed as trusting as the other had said before.
Speaking of which, the blond looked at building interior. A fruit run had been mentioned and sure enough this was just the place to get such things. Either side of room had the walls lined with shelves full of fruit. Most he had never ever seen before, so instead of worrying about the conversation he wandered over to some brightly colour delicacies for studying.
"I need the usual, and maybe a few extras this time my friend." Trowa set down a single gold coin face up on the counter he stood next to. A diagonal knife mark split the surface cutting the image of the king in two.
Sauney bowed his graying head. "I've a fresh shipment all the way from Cordove in the back, and it is only the best for you of course."
"Of course." The coin was taken by its new owner, as Trowa looked across the store to his companion. "Quatre." The blond looked over his shoulder. "I'll be right back so look around a bit will ya?"
The smaller boy gave a quick look around the room; beside from them it was entirely empty. He wasn't really comfortable about being left alone even for a little bit in this city, but Trowa just smiled reassuringly and went with the shopkeeper to the back room. The hood was immediately replaced on his platinum locks; one could never be too safe. He went back to starring at all the foreign fruits that lined the shelves with both splashes of colour and aroma. Having grown up in the desert this was a very rare sight surrounding him now. Very little was actually grown at home, only few plants could tolerate the intense heat of the day, and even fewer could survive through the freezing the was night fall. It pretty much made any kind of fruit besides from cactus a delicacy. One that was way too expensive to indulge in, even for royalty.
Picking up a strange shaped green item he turned it over and over in his small, bandaged hands. The small sign in front of the fruits siblings cause a soft chuckle. 'Star fruit' made sense.
In the middle of the shelf-lined walls was a window that looked out, left wide open in an attempt to cool the heated building. His newfound friends explained that this heat wave had gone four weeks now without being broken. The people were hurting for some rain to cool their parched souls. But with Winter's Breath still running though his veins, Quartre was quite comfortable.
The fruit was set down and another was palmed, a 'pear'. There was so much to look at, so many kinds he had never laid eyes on before. The thought of possibly tasting any one of them made his mouth water.
Several minutes of happy browsing were spent before the front door rang open. Signaling a would-be customer. Though it was soft and therefore un- noticed by the room's sole occupant. His mind being of somewhere in a fruity looking cloud. Two figures walked up to the front bar, apparently looking for the owner of the shop. One wore metal, it made minimal noise on well oiled hinges. A broad sword was attached to his back.
Quatre went reaching for another, large, round fruit. He never thought that such huge things could grow on plants. But his idea of plants had a limited range of growth. While lifting the heavier bulk up, another set of tanned hands did the same to the item beside his. He hoped the startled side step his body took didn't appear to out of nature. Not wanting to draw unwanted attention.
It didn't all work too well. "Are you new around here kid?" A gruff voice seemed to demand from behind him. Of course they had to ask the horrified question right now. A quick nod of his head, acted in a dual manner. Answering the question without the need for words and casting the thick hood farther over his blue eyes. No one he had met yet in this kingdom was so palely coloured. Only Duo's bright violet eyes contrasted the darker colours here.
The melon in his hands was held in front of his lithe body acting as a shield if need be. It might even make a good weapon, being it weighed a decent amount. Gazing carefully at the other mans eyes that he hadn't noticed enter. Of course they were brown, like most others. But the flicker of prestige and higher power made the contact very brief. The blond knew this was 'not' somebody he should be dealing with right now.
The gruff voice spoke again, it defiantly didn't belong to the one next to him. A man dress like that wouldn't be 'gruff' instead it should be smooth and commanding. " Since you're a obvious foreigner, I won't take this act as defile to the throne.yet."
Gulping, Quatre took another risked look at the richly dressed, taller man. White and gold trim made up his entire outfit; a billowing cloak was clasped to broad shoulders with a rearing dragon made out of pure gold. Did he say the 'throne'? There was no crown, but the air spoke that it was all too true. Phrases that would have been very offensive were carefully breathed in his native tongue.
"It's quite alright Heero, you've obviously frightened the lad. He'll learn soon enough how to react around here." Those brown eyes never lifted from Quatre. He shifted nervously. Something wasn't right here. It was that feeling again.evil?
"As you wish your Grace."
The captain of the guard, how could one forgot the man who sealed his fate to the fire. Well tanned from practicing long hours outdoors, almost unruly hair, just barely out of dark blue eyes. A piercing gaze that was like no other in this brown eyed city.
"Forgive me." The blond bowed his head, not wanting to be recognized by the armored man. His accent proved to thicken in his predicament. "I've only just arrive from a long journey and I believed the weariness is catching up to me." Smooth words of reasoning came easily as they were taught to.
A small noise of understanding was made by the regal man as he set down the large round fruit. That wasn't what he came here for after all. "And where was this journey from?"
To tell the truth? "Volderon, my Lord." Most royalty were taught at a young age to distinguish between fact and fiction when spoken to. It was a trait that kept things running smoothly in court.
Both the captain and the other seemed a tad shocked at that. "So far?"
"Aye."
"What importance does such a taxing voyage claim to one so young?"
"Much." That was where the line was drawn.
Closure was at an understanding, even though those glaring eyes of Heero's spoke again of defiance. You 'never' left a royal question unanswered. But technically Quatre 'had' given an answer, just a vague one. The other's lips open to ask another when Sauney appear from the backroom. A very fake smile plastered on his aging face.
"My Lord Prince, to what do I have this, as always, pleasant visit?" There was no open armed greeting as the shop owner had show to him and Trowa. Speaking of his companion, hooded blue eyes went back to the open doorway. But there was no indication that his would-be doctor was coming out also. Doubt flashed red in the blonde's minds eye. He wouldn't have just left him here, would he? An unconscious step away from the Prince was made, the heavy fruit in his hands long forgotten.
"My good man, it is that time of year again."
"Taxes of course."
A nod. A crop-killing heat wave wouldn't stop the money from going to the castle. Why help peasants in their time of need after all? Bright blue eyes closed part way in a hating manner. This was not a loved prince.
Sauney retrieved a brown money sack and tossing it carelessly on the counter before him. It was plump with coins. "Your city is dying."
The dark haired prince laughed, motioning for his captain to collect that which they came for. "I haven't the foggiest clue of that which you speak. All I see is green grass and brightly coloured banners." Smirking with a sweep of his white cloak, and a dazzling smile to the foreigner, they left, task complete.
"I've half a head to say something that would outright have me rotting in jail about now." The shop owner seethed between clenched teeth.
"Maybe it is time to take action my old friend." Trowa stepped out of the back, much to Quatre's silent thanking to the gods.
Looking up to the taller youth. "So much still needs to be done."
"Time is running thin. People aren't going to last much longer Sauney." The green-eyed Arislanian set about gathering the ripest of fruits from the shelves. Also taking the one out of the smaller boy's slightly numb hands. Maybe the herb had finally robbed them of all feeling.
"Hard times are ahead, that's for sure." He waved his hand when Trowa set down money for the delicacies. "You know I never make you pay. And take an extra lime for Duo. I know how much he likes them."
"Thank you." Their goods were piled into a large woven basket and swung to the acrobat's side. The two exchanged a friendly yet grim handshake. Quatre just blinked, far more confused then he would ever let on. Secretiveness was thick in the air, and doom lingered over all heads of the kingdom. Emotions of negative origin all seemed to hit the pale boy at once. He bit his lip hard enough to draw blood.
"Quatre?" He looked to Trowa's concerned features, and only managed to nod slightly. Not trusting himself to speak. Maybe he was just exhausted from his first day out.
"I'll see you Trowa, and you too young sir, soon I hope." Quatre forced a small smile for the older man's sake.
"Farewell." It was time to head back to their underground dwelling.
By: Derrian Star
Chapter 4
Volderon, a rock, literally. Built out of the side of a mountain. The great stonewalls have never, in all its years of existence, been breached by a siege. Sieges were also rare because of key points. First with the vast deserts spread for hundreds of miles all around the cornered kingdom it was a trial just to get to the prize. Secondly who wanted to rule over such a desolate wasteland, there was nothing but sand as far as the eye could see. Very few. The current ruler Baron Gresto was an elderly man, but a very loved ruler by his people. The kingdom prospered under his hand.
This information Duo had learned from Trowa. He hadn't even heard of the place until Quatre had mentioned it. Now he looked down at an unrolled map, peering at the spot marked for the rock kingdom. "You live here?" the blond nodded from his sitting spot on the bed, wrapped in warm sheets. "Let me rephrase that.You 'can' live here?!"
Soft laughter. "Of course."
Cocking his brown head to the side Duo raised at eyebrow, looking from map to desert boy in front of him. Living in a pile of sand. Okay!
"You feel up to a trip to the market place Quatre?" Trowa figured his partner would probably never understand the concept so he might as well switch the conversation and save the boy the trouble. Besides he had been healing quite rapidly with the help of smaller doses of the cooler herb. The pale boy itched his wrapping frequently, the old skin wanted to come off and make way for the new layer.
"Will it be safe?" Worry about the past events came with the notion of going to the surface world. Even with the fear, it was a welcome thought. The blond had been bedridden for a couple of weeks now. Never seeing the light of day. He missed it greatly, therefore nodded with enthusiasm, a large grin appearing on his pale face.
"Good, Duo has some errands of his own today so you and I shall get some much needed fresh fruit. I know nice seller and bet you'll like him. Plus there is no worries with this guy, known him for a while now." Trowa tossed a clean set of cast offs to the other. They were too small for either of them but still kept around for just a situation like this. They still seemed to drown the smaller stature Quatre held. But the bagginess and hooded tunic would allow a sense of protection if he decided to his bright head from wandering eyes.
They also had a worn pair of boots to cover the bandaged feet. Neither residents used them ever, and since Quatre's own had been burned beyond repair. Plus he needed something to cover his injuries, so they would do nicely.
Grabbing two small daggers Duo handed one to Trowa, who gratefully accepted, the other went to the blond. "You know how to use one of these right kid?" the sheathed dagger was passed on. Quatre nodded.
"Enough not to stab myself with it at least."
The braided young man cocked an eyebrow wondering if maybe he shouldn't have given out the weapon. "Aye, well I'll be back before sun down. Wish me luck!"
"Luck?" the blond looked between the two, fumbling to strap the sheath in its place on his belt with his bandaged hands. Neither answered it though. Duo grabbed a small bag and left the room with wicked grin.
"Ummm..?"
Chuckling, Trowa took the knife, securing it for the other. "Don't mind him, he just takes his job a bit too seriously." The boy sat and allowed the boots to be placed on over his white wrapped feet. They were almost a perfect fit with the extra breath added on by the bandages. "Okay, lets go. The walk isn't too long but tell me if you get tired." This was agreed upon. Truly the toughest part was escaping out the ceiling door.
****
True to Trowa's word only a short trip through the sewers brought them to storm drain near the river. The brown haired boy hauled his companion up the steep embankment. The sun shone brightly in the mid day air, causing both to squint against it as they walked through the cart laden streets. Shopkeepers waved and shouted. Animals wandered freely, mostly on their own doing though. Causing their owners to run around in a frantic. People pushed against one another. It was another rainless day in this heat wave. Things were beginning to suffer; it had been almost a month now with nothing but intense heat. Plants were withering and the crops were quickly dying off.
Their pace was slow thanks to the brunette; he didn't want to overstress the other on his first day with land legs again. Trowa pushed a path for Quatre amongst the flowing bodies. It took them into the great market place and over to one building in particular.
"Sauney?" Trowa pushed open the double doors and peered inside, squinting until his eyes adjusted to the dimness.
"Ah, Trowa my boy!" An overweight man lumbered towards them, arms held out in an inviting manner. "Come in! Come in! Duo is with you too, no?" The first was certainly not alone, a figure kept close behind him. But when the hood was pushed back it revealed a splash of yellow.
"Not this time Sauney, I've got a newbie." Stepping to the side so the small boy's entirety was visible.
"I see. Taking him on the rounds then?"
"Not yet, but soon I think."
"Aye, that blond hair of his certainly fits the cause."
Quatre watched the conversation. It was easy to tell they were discussing him but what was this connection with his hair? The start of a smile played at the corner of Trowa's thin lips. Was it a joke? Or maybe a plan for the future? Confusing. A hand was absent-mindedly run though the becoming famous hair. At least this shop owner seemed as trusting as the other had said before.
Speaking of which, the blond looked at building interior. A fruit run had been mentioned and sure enough this was just the place to get such things. Either side of room had the walls lined with shelves full of fruit. Most he had never ever seen before, so instead of worrying about the conversation he wandered over to some brightly colour delicacies for studying.
"I need the usual, and maybe a few extras this time my friend." Trowa set down a single gold coin face up on the counter he stood next to. A diagonal knife mark split the surface cutting the image of the king in two.
Sauney bowed his graying head. "I've a fresh shipment all the way from Cordove in the back, and it is only the best for you of course."
"Of course." The coin was taken by its new owner, as Trowa looked across the store to his companion. "Quatre." The blond looked over his shoulder. "I'll be right back so look around a bit will ya?"
The smaller boy gave a quick look around the room; beside from them it was entirely empty. He wasn't really comfortable about being left alone even for a little bit in this city, but Trowa just smiled reassuringly and went with the shopkeeper to the back room. The hood was immediately replaced on his platinum locks; one could never be too safe. He went back to starring at all the foreign fruits that lined the shelves with both splashes of colour and aroma. Having grown up in the desert this was a very rare sight surrounding him now. Very little was actually grown at home, only few plants could tolerate the intense heat of the day, and even fewer could survive through the freezing the was night fall. It pretty much made any kind of fruit besides from cactus a delicacy. One that was way too expensive to indulge in, even for royalty.
Picking up a strange shaped green item he turned it over and over in his small, bandaged hands. The small sign in front of the fruits siblings cause a soft chuckle. 'Star fruit' made sense.
In the middle of the shelf-lined walls was a window that looked out, left wide open in an attempt to cool the heated building. His newfound friends explained that this heat wave had gone four weeks now without being broken. The people were hurting for some rain to cool their parched souls. But with Winter's Breath still running though his veins, Quartre was quite comfortable.
The fruit was set down and another was palmed, a 'pear'. There was so much to look at, so many kinds he had never laid eyes on before. The thought of possibly tasting any one of them made his mouth water.
Several minutes of happy browsing were spent before the front door rang open. Signaling a would-be customer. Though it was soft and therefore un- noticed by the room's sole occupant. His mind being of somewhere in a fruity looking cloud. Two figures walked up to the front bar, apparently looking for the owner of the shop. One wore metal, it made minimal noise on well oiled hinges. A broad sword was attached to his back.
Quatre went reaching for another, large, round fruit. He never thought that such huge things could grow on plants. But his idea of plants had a limited range of growth. While lifting the heavier bulk up, another set of tanned hands did the same to the item beside his. He hoped the startled side step his body took didn't appear to out of nature. Not wanting to draw unwanted attention.
It didn't all work too well. "Are you new around here kid?" A gruff voice seemed to demand from behind him. Of course they had to ask the horrified question right now. A quick nod of his head, acted in a dual manner. Answering the question without the need for words and casting the thick hood farther over his blue eyes. No one he had met yet in this kingdom was so palely coloured. Only Duo's bright violet eyes contrasted the darker colours here.
The melon in his hands was held in front of his lithe body acting as a shield if need be. It might even make a good weapon, being it weighed a decent amount. Gazing carefully at the other mans eyes that he hadn't noticed enter. Of course they were brown, like most others. But the flicker of prestige and higher power made the contact very brief. The blond knew this was 'not' somebody he should be dealing with right now.
The gruff voice spoke again, it defiantly didn't belong to the one next to him. A man dress like that wouldn't be 'gruff' instead it should be smooth and commanding. " Since you're a obvious foreigner, I won't take this act as defile to the throne.yet."
Gulping, Quatre took another risked look at the richly dressed, taller man. White and gold trim made up his entire outfit; a billowing cloak was clasped to broad shoulders with a rearing dragon made out of pure gold. Did he say the 'throne'? There was no crown, but the air spoke that it was all too true. Phrases that would have been very offensive were carefully breathed in his native tongue.
"It's quite alright Heero, you've obviously frightened the lad. He'll learn soon enough how to react around here." Those brown eyes never lifted from Quatre. He shifted nervously. Something wasn't right here. It was that feeling again.evil?
"As you wish your Grace."
The captain of the guard, how could one forgot the man who sealed his fate to the fire. Well tanned from practicing long hours outdoors, almost unruly hair, just barely out of dark blue eyes. A piercing gaze that was like no other in this brown eyed city.
"Forgive me." The blond bowed his head, not wanting to be recognized by the armored man. His accent proved to thicken in his predicament. "I've only just arrive from a long journey and I believed the weariness is catching up to me." Smooth words of reasoning came easily as they were taught to.
A small noise of understanding was made by the regal man as he set down the large round fruit. That wasn't what he came here for after all. "And where was this journey from?"
To tell the truth? "Volderon, my Lord." Most royalty were taught at a young age to distinguish between fact and fiction when spoken to. It was a trait that kept things running smoothly in court.
Both the captain and the other seemed a tad shocked at that. "So far?"
"Aye."
"What importance does such a taxing voyage claim to one so young?"
"Much." That was where the line was drawn.
Closure was at an understanding, even though those glaring eyes of Heero's spoke again of defiance. You 'never' left a royal question unanswered. But technically Quatre 'had' given an answer, just a vague one. The other's lips open to ask another when Sauney appear from the backroom. A very fake smile plastered on his aging face.
"My Lord Prince, to what do I have this, as always, pleasant visit?" There was no open armed greeting as the shop owner had show to him and Trowa. Speaking of his companion, hooded blue eyes went back to the open doorway. But there was no indication that his would-be doctor was coming out also. Doubt flashed red in the blonde's minds eye. He wouldn't have just left him here, would he? An unconscious step away from the Prince was made, the heavy fruit in his hands long forgotten.
"My good man, it is that time of year again."
"Taxes of course."
A nod. A crop-killing heat wave wouldn't stop the money from going to the castle. Why help peasants in their time of need after all? Bright blue eyes closed part way in a hating manner. This was not a loved prince.
Sauney retrieved a brown money sack and tossing it carelessly on the counter before him. It was plump with coins. "Your city is dying."
The dark haired prince laughed, motioning for his captain to collect that which they came for. "I haven't the foggiest clue of that which you speak. All I see is green grass and brightly coloured banners." Smirking with a sweep of his white cloak, and a dazzling smile to the foreigner, they left, task complete.
"I've half a head to say something that would outright have me rotting in jail about now." The shop owner seethed between clenched teeth.
"Maybe it is time to take action my old friend." Trowa stepped out of the back, much to Quatre's silent thanking to the gods.
Looking up to the taller youth. "So much still needs to be done."
"Time is running thin. People aren't going to last much longer Sauney." The green-eyed Arislanian set about gathering the ripest of fruits from the shelves. Also taking the one out of the smaller boy's slightly numb hands. Maybe the herb had finally robbed them of all feeling.
"Hard times are ahead, that's for sure." He waved his hand when Trowa set down money for the delicacies. "You know I never make you pay. And take an extra lime for Duo. I know how much he likes them."
"Thank you." Their goods were piled into a large woven basket and swung to the acrobat's side. The two exchanged a friendly yet grim handshake. Quatre just blinked, far more confused then he would ever let on. Secretiveness was thick in the air, and doom lingered over all heads of the kingdom. Emotions of negative origin all seemed to hit the pale boy at once. He bit his lip hard enough to draw blood.
"Quatre?" He looked to Trowa's concerned features, and only managed to nod slightly. Not trusting himself to speak. Maybe he was just exhausted from his first day out.
"I'll see you Trowa, and you too young sir, soon I hope." Quatre forced a small smile for the older man's sake.
"Farewell." It was time to head back to their underground dwelling.