Due South - part 3
by KatiKat
"Wow," Duo sighed out in awe. "This is Peacemillion?" he
asked and leaned over the rail to closely watch the progress of their ship
sailing into the port. His cheeks were red from the cold, eyes alight with
excitement. The big town shone in the last rays of the setting sun. Never in
his life did he see so many people in one place.
"Yes, this is Peacemillion," Trowa answered as he and Heero stepped
closer to the braided lifebearer. The Enforcer laid one of his gloved hands on
Duo´s shoulder to make sure his mate didn´t overbalance and fall into the ice
cold sea.
"Wow." Duo´s eyes jumped from one thing to another, trying to take in
everything at once. But suddenly he frowned, straightened and turned to his
friends. "But why does the town have the same name as our ship?" The
fact seemed to confuse him.
"That´s because the founders of this town came with the ship of the name
Peacemillion."
Everybody turned to Treize who was approaching them over the wet, slippery
deck. The aristocrat was clad in expensive clothes, his cloak fringed with
black fur.
"Really?" Duo mulled over that fact. "I always thought that new
places bear the name of the ship´s captain or something like that, not the ship
itself."
Treize smiled and leaned against the rail by their side. "Yes, usually it
is so that new towns or isles are named after the person with the highest rank
present. But the towns and isles along this shore line are an exception."
"Why?"
Treize´s smile widened at the braided lifebearer´s curiosity. "Well, they
were founded over two hundred years ago. Before that time nobody had lived this
far north. But back then the City - the seat of the Emperor - was attacked by the
rebels from the south. The Emperor´s army was forced to retreat by ship since
the City is surrounded by mountains. During their journey north, the people who
didn´t feel like going too far north, settled along the shore and on the isles.
Thus many new towns were founded. It took the Emperor´s army over three decades
to win their territory back."
Duo seemed fascinated by the story Treize described. "But what about the
name?" the younger man reminded him of his inquiry.
This time, Treize laughed out loud. "You are rather impatient, aren´t
you?" When Duo blushed, the nobleman continued. "Since the person
with the highest rank was the Emperor himself, who had retreated with his army
and his people, it would mean that every place would have to carry his name.
Could you imagine thirty towns along the shore carrying the name Noventa?"
Duo smiled and shook his head. "Heh, that would be confusing."
Treize nodded. "Exactly. And that´s why every place was called by the name
of the ship that arrived there first. Or by its captain."
"Does that mean that our ship is the same as the one after which this town
is called?" Duo asked.
"No. Our ship carries the name Peacemillion II. It´s a replica of the old
ship. The first Peacemillion was the flag ship of King Noventa, just like this
one is," the nobleman explained patiently to his publicum.
Duo scratched his head. "Wow, then you must be really important if he sent
his flag ship for you."
That seemed to rather amuse Treize. "Well, you could say that. I´m his
First General. Or his Prime as they call me, too." He leaned closer to the
braided young man and whispered. "But I don´t like that title much."
Duo grinned at him, then pondered something again. "Hm, and what´s actually
the name of the present Emperor?" When he saw Treize´s surprised look, he
blushed. "It took the information a rather long time to reach our
village."
The aristocrat nodded, understanding. "The Emperor´s name is
Noventa."
Duo raised one eyebrow. "What? Is he the same as two hundred years ago or
are they just not inventive enough with their children´s names?"
Trowa snickered and tried to hide his smile behind his gloved hand and even
Heero´s mouth twitched at the innocent comment. Treize swallowed the laugh that
tried to force its way through his throat, but his eyes danced merrily.
"Our Emperor´s name is Noventa XXXIV. This town was founded by his
grand-grand-grand-grand-grand-grand-grand-father. Noventa XXVII."
Duo´s eyebrow climbed higher. "Right. Twenty-seventh."
Treize smiled. "It really helps you when you study history. The name is
the same, you just have to remember the number."
The long-haired young man shook his head and waved his hand. "If you say
so." He turned back to the town that surrounded the quite large natural
bay, protected from the cold wind and high waves of the open sea through rocky
peninsulas between which, there was a gap large enough for only one ship to
pass through. Suddenly though, Duo turned back to the aristocrat. "Speaking
of names... Did you finally decide on a name for the baby?"
"Actually, we did. Our son will carry the name Zechs and six or seven
other names after the godfathers and who knows whom else." His voice
sounded a bit disgusted by the whole thing, but tradition was tradition.
Duo opened his eyes wide. "Six or seven? For the gods´ sake, why?"
Treize shrugged. "The heck if I know, but every child born in a noble
family has more than one name."
"Even you?"
The aristocrat nodded. "Even me."
"Wow," Duo seemed rather shocked. "Then I think I´m happy not to
be born as a nobleman." Returning back to the previous topic of their
conversation, he continued. "But why Zechs? It´s a lovely name, but I
thought you would name him after yourself. You are his father, after all."
"Zechs is the name of Mil´s Sire," he explained. Then he furrowed his
eyebrows. "But Duo, you shouldn´t call a Sire ´father´. Especially not
further down in the South."
Duo looked confused. "Why not? It´s the same, after all."
"Yes, it is. But..." Treize looked at Trowa and Heero. "This
title is used by Others. The people in the South are rather sensitive about
things that have something in common with them." He fell silent, but there
was more written in his eyes. Trowa and Heero understood the message he was
trying to convey, and with a nod, they assured him again that they would keep
the secret of the small noble family.
"Ah..." Duo answered then turned back to the town. He heard about the
war the people of OZ fought with Others. Even though he didn´t understand what
they fought for, after what they lived through in the last couple of weeks, he
understood everything about misguided acts of violence. He decided to watch his
tongue.
"And there is our welcoming committee already."
Everybody turned to the right where Treize pointed. As the ship sailed closer
to the pier where it would sink its anchor, the small group of people waiting
at the pier´s end came into view. At the head of the small procession a short,
plump man dressed in expensive furs and decorated with jewels was standing,
fidgeting nervously as he waited for the important guest to arrive.
Treize sighed. "Dunston." His voice was once again filled with
disgust. "I had hoped he lost this year´s elections. But obviously, he
didn´t," he muttered darkly, making his opinion of the large man clear.
Though when the mayor raised his hand and waved, Treize forced a fake smile on
his lips and answered his greeting.
-----
When Treize returned to the anchored ship two hours later, he found Trowa,
Heero and Duo in his cabin where Milliardo invited them for supper. They were
sitting at the table, eating the last bits of fried chicken, happy to have
something else on their plates besides salted meat and fish. Zechs was
slumbering happily in his Bearer´s arms.
When the brown-haired aristocrat opened the door, the small group of people
turned in his direction.
"What´s wrong?" Mil asked, seeing his mate´s dark look.
Treize sighed and unlaced his heavy coat. "The Emperor is not here
anymore. He left with all his ships a week ago." He dropped the coat on
their bed. "I thought as much when I didn´t see his private ship in the
port. What worries me though, is the fact that Dunston said that the King left
rather hastily. He even left his court behind. They set out after him with
delay. It took them almost two days to pack all of their things."
Milliardo frowned, caressing his baby´s back. "I thought the King wrote
you that he would stay here for about a month. He wanted to see the feast and
didn´t want us to travel all the way to the City so close to my term."
Treize nodded. "Yes, his letter said so. But he isn´t here anymore.
Something must have happened since he didn´t even wait for the holiday, and he
was really looking forward to seeing it this year. At least that´s what he said
to me the last time I saw him."
The blond man sighed and rubbed his cheek gently against the soft hair on the
top of his son´s head. "So, what now?"
Treize propped his left hand on his hip and rubbed his forehead with the right
one. "The King left a letter behind for me. It said I should follow him to
the City. I already ordered the captain to gather supplies. We will sail out
tomorrow morning."
Silence fell over the cabin. Only the creaking of the ship and the slapping of
waves could be heard. Trowa, Heero and Duo looked at each other. They could get
off now and try to find a place to live here, in Peacemillion. Or they could go
further south...
As if some sort of silent consensus was met among the three of them, Trowa
nodded, then turned to Treize and Mil. "Would you mind taking us with you?
We can pay for our part of the journey."
As if being pulled from some deep thoughts, Treize frowned at them for a
moment, then waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Of course you can come
with us. Three people more won´t force us to starve. And keep your money.
You´ll need it when we reach the City."
Milliardo looked at his mate, then at the close friends he had won only days
ago. "I must warn you, though. It´s a long journey. A couple of weeks at
least. And with a good wind at that. And who knows what could happen. The
waters further south are not as safe as the ones we have passed through
now."
Trowa nodded. "We understand that, but still - thank you for the
warning."
Suddenly, Mil´s face lit up. "If you would like to go ashore, this is a
perfect occasion. If I remember it right, the feast of Morena is being held
tonight."
"The feast of Morena?" Duo asked, curious.
The blond man nodded. "Yes, Morena is a goddess, the patron saint of this
town. There should be a feast held tonight. It won´t be probably as pompous as
it would be if the King was here, but it´s still beautiful."
Duo bounced in his chair, delighted by the prospect. Then he turned to Heero
and caught him by the hand. "Can we go?"
The Enforcer shrugged, but squeezed his mate´s hand tightly. "If you would
like to."
The braided lifebearer nodded. "Uh-huh. It would be so cool to have solid
earth under my feet once again!"
Milliardo laughed. "Then go and enjoy yourself. But be back before the
first light. You wouldn´t want to miss the ship," he teased, rubbing his
son´s back.
The three young men got up and being led by the happily chatting Duo, they left
the cabin with the promise of being back in time.
When the door closed and the sounds of the retreating steps fell silent,
Milliardo turned to his mate, his face suddenly very serious. "How bad is
it?" he asked silently.
Treize, who until now was standing by the ship´s rear window and was looking
out, deep in thought, turned around and sighed. "I don´t know." He
walked to the table, sat down in the chair Trowa vacated only moments ago, then
poured himself a glass of wine. "The Emperor wrote that news came from the
South. Something about the rebels. He didn´t want to go into details
though."
"What do you think?"
The brown-haired man shook his head. "I wish I knew more. But the tone of
the letter wasn´t worrisome, but... hopeful." He shook his head again.
"It´s hard to explain." He took a sip of the wine, then leaned back
in the chair. "He took Chancellor Winner with him on his private ship,
though. And he is the expert on the situation in the South deserts after
all."
Milliardo nodded. Yes, Chancellor Winner was the King´s trusted friend. Even
though he was born in the desert himself, he never sided with the rebels. He
had always had faith in the unity of the OZ empire. He would advise the King
well, even though he was no soldier, but actually a very rich merchant.
"So... what now?" Mil asked, kissing his son´s head when the boy
started to fuss.
Treize drank out the wine in his glass. "We will head south and try to
catch up with the Emperor. Then we will see."
TBC
PS: You don´t need to worry. I have no intentions to turn this story in some sort of political drama. I just needed to get our boys back on the sea. Them stopping at Peacemillion was needed for the time continuum for my further writings (that is if I ever get to write the story of Treize and Mil .)
