Category: Angst, Adventure, AU, Slave/Master
Pairings: 1x2, 4x3 (eventually), 5x?
Rating: R (?)
Disclaimer: Standard. You know them all by now so I won't bore you with a repeat.
Warnings: This story does show how a lot of people felt about the owning of slaves, a feeling that was very alive in this country not that long ago, as well as in many civilizations down through the ages. There are some good owners and some bad owners, like in everything. If someone owning another person bothers you, you might not like this fic. But then I'm not forcing anyone to read it. There are also M/M relationships in this fic (I'm very much a 1x2/3x4 fan.) so if boys being together (and I do mean together) bothers you don't read.
Golden Lights Part Twenty-Three
By SilverLady
Two mornings later Quatre was carefully checking Trowa's room to make sure nothing had been left behind.
Trowa had made arrangements to meet up with a guide that afternoon at an inn several miles outside of town. Trowa had informed him he wanted all of his things packed and ready to go, but Quatre was not to put anything on any of the horses. He was going to get one of the stable hands to take care of the packing. It told Quatre just how little Trowa now trusted him. He was afraid that Trowa would decide he trusted him so little that he would sell him to one of those horrible men that Duo had talked about.
Quatre sighed sadly as he remembered the scene from two nights before.
*****
Quatre had followed Trowa into the dining area of the inn. Trowa had told him that he was to stand behind his chair and do nothing. That he would get something to eat after the others were finished.
Duo had smiled in greeting as Trowa and Quatre had walked up to the table. "Hey, Quatre. How's it going? You all right."
Quatre had stared at the ground; not daring to even meet Duo's eyes for fear Trowa would disapprove.
Duo frowned. "Is everything all right? You're not mad at me are you?"
Trowa had turned to look calmly at Duo. "Don't bother talking to him. He has his orders and for once he's listening."
Duo had blinked at Trowa in surprise. "Orders?"
"He is not to talk or have anything to do with anyone but me. I will not put your lives at risk again."
Duo had frowned, but a warning glare from Heero had silenced the words he'd been about to say. Shooting another glance at Quatre, Duo had followed Heero to the table.
Trowa had paused beside one of the chairs at the table they had been led to, looking at it then at Quatre.
Quatre could read what Trowa was thinking as if he'd said the words out loud. Pull out my chair and you'd best not try anything. Quatre had immediately moved to help Trowa to sit down and then had taken up his place behind and slightly to the left of the chair.
He'd kept his eyes downcast, not wanting to see the anger in Heero's and Wufei's eyes nor the questions in Duo's.
The meal had seemed terrible long to Quatre, since he had nothing to do. The boredom combine with the fact that the smell of the food was making his stomach twist in complaint, had made Quatre feel as if it had taken three times as long as it really had.
Finally, the meal was finished and the others had gotten to their feet. Quatre had moved forward to assist Trowa as he had been told. He was suddenly determined to not give Trowa any more reason to be angry with him.
Trowa had nodded at the blonde's quick reaction. "Very good. You may take this plate to your room and eat." Trowa indicated the plate that remained on the table.
Quatre didn't even flinch as he got sight of the small bits of leftovers he'd been given. It was no more than most slaves would expect to get and it was apparent that Trowa had every intention of treating Quatre exactly like every other slave in his possession from now on.
Taking the plate, he had followed Trowa back up the stairs.
*****
Quatre sighed again. Somehow he had to prove that he hadn't meant to cause Wufei to fall down those stairs. That he really had been pushed. And that he wasn't responsible for the other things that had happened. Is it just coincidence that I am being blamed for this? Or is this all part of his plan? Maybe he's hoping that Trowa will get so disgusted with me that he'll sell me and he'll be able to buy me.
Quatre silently vowed that he would get to the bottom of this. He agreed with Trowa on one thing. He did not want to see the others hurt anymore. And he knew that if, somehow, he ended up in Michal's possession, his second attempt at suicide would be his last. There was no way he would live with that man as his master. He was many times worse that Trowa could ever hope to be.
*****
Duo watched in disbelief as Quatre followed Trowa out into the courtyard. The blonde had been quiet and subdued since the incident on the stairs. Duo had tried to get him to talk to him, but Quatre had simply stared at the floor and said nothing.
Duo still couldn't believe that they thought Quatre had deliberately pushed Wufei down the stairs. If he was really behind the accidents that had been happening lately, he certainly wouldn't have done any thing so blatant. But Heero had brushed Duo's arguments aside, calmly stating that it was between Trowa and Quatre and that he wasn't to interfere.
He watched as Quatre stood to one side, waiting silently for the horses to be brought out. I thought the purpose of this trip was to help Quatre get better. Now he looks worse than he did before we left. What little light that had finally begun to burn again the quiet boy's eyes was gone. Damn it! Why are they being so stubborn about this? If I was to pick someone to blame for what's going on, Quatre would be at the bottom of the list. He's more likely to do something to himself than to go after any one else. He just ain't got the personality to hurt another person. And I should know all about that. Hell, why aint' they accusin' me of doin' it? I'm the one with the reputation for killing owners. What makes them think I've changed? I have, but they don't really know that. Duo turned his attention to Heero, who was talking quietly with Trowa and Wufei. I'd slit my own throat before I'd do anything to hurt Heero. And hurtin' his friends would be the same as hurtin' him. And I sure don't understand how come Trowa dismissed the possibility of his cousin bein' behind all this. That is one fucked up guy.
Just then the sounds of horses' hoof beats interrupted Duo's musings. Swallowing hard, he walked carefully towards the big black horse that was his ride. He didn't want to admit it, but he was still more than a bit scared at riding the horse that had almost killed him.
"I'll be riding him," Heero said quietly, walking up behind Duo. "You take my horse."
Duo looked up at Heero in surprise. "Uuh?"
Heero smiled slightly as he guided Duo over to the white mare he'd been riding. He knew damn well that Duo wasn't completely over his fright. He had decided it was best to let Duo get comfortable riding again by giving him a different horse, one that hadn't scared the living daylights out of him.
Quatre walked silently up to Trowa. He'd been half afraid that Trowa would tell him he wasn't trustworthy enough to ride and would have to walk. But all five horses had their saddles in place, so maybe.
Trowa nodded to the stable hand, then turned to glance at Quatre. In his hands he held a lead rope. Without saying a word, he walked up to Quatre's horse and clipped it onto the bridle.
"Get on," Trowa said coldly.
Quatre blinked in surprise. He'd figured Trowa would expect him to help him mount first. "Master?"
Trowa stepped up to Quatre. "Don't think I'm going to give you the chance to bolt. Get on the horse, now. And just so you don't try anything, I'm keeping the lead rein on your horse from now on. You are to ride with your hands on the pommel or in your lap. You are not to touch the reins without my permission, for any reason."
Quatre swallowed, but nodded. "Yes, master." Moving quickly, he scrambled up onto the horse's back.
With a vague nod, Trowa turned and let one of the stable hands help him mount up as well.
*****
It was late afternoon when they finally arrived at the inn where they were to meet their guide.
"I hope he hasn't left," Wufei grumbled, shifting his casted arm to a more comfortable position. He'd ridden the entire day with Quatre well in front of him. He wanted that blonde sneak where he could keep an eye on him from now on. He was still cursing himself for being so stupid as to turn his back on the slave.
Trowa said nothing as he stepped into the inn. He had been assured by the Guild that the guide was reliable and willing to agree to the terms he had laid out. Trowa wasn't exactly sure how they knew this, but he was willing to put his trust in them. They wouldn't last long if they couldn't keep their word.
Just then a slender figure extracted itself from the shadows and walked over. "You Lord Batona?"
Trowa blinked at the woman, but no hint of surprise showed on his face. "Yes."
"I'm the guide you asked for. The name's Salira, most just call me Sal."
Trowa looked the woman over. She was dressed in plain brown breeches and a green shirt. Her light brown hair was done in two twisted braids that came to just past shoulder length. There was a no nonsense manner about her that spoke of competence and experience.
"I was lead to understand you had agreed to the terms I requested."
Sal nodded. "I'm to show you and your party through the Carpathian Mountains to Kendil on the other side. You also want me to act as supplier and cook on the trip."
"That is correct."
"No problem. You got all the basic stuff?"
"Yes. We've been traveling for a couple of weeks now. I understand that the mountains are dangerous to those who are not familiar with them and felt that a guide would be the best idea."
Sal frowned. "Mind if I take a look. Earl here sells a lot of things and I'd like to take advantage of it while we're here."
"Go right on ahead."
"Thanks." With a nod, Sal headed out the door.
"I can't believe your going to hire that woman," Wufei sputtered as soon as the door closed.
Trowa looked over at him. "I don't see were there is a problem. She is in agreement and I was assured she know the mountains as well, if not better, than anyone. Plus, I understand she is skilled in healing, which is a bonus."
"She's a woman."
Trowa arched an eyebrow. "I did notice that."
"It is not a woman's place to do a man's job. Did you see how she was dressed?"
"Wufei." Heero said quietly.
"What?"
"You sound like your father."
Wufei glared at Heero, snapping his mouth shut in anger.
*****
A few minutes later Sal walked back into the inn. "I don't know who your outfitter was, but he sure knew what he was doing. I've not seen a better setup in a long time." She looked at Trowa. "So, do we have a deal?"
"If you are in agreement."
"Sounds good to me. I don't think I need to get to much."
"Then yes, we have a deal." Trowa extended his hand, which Sal shook firmly. "Do you want to leave now or in the morning?"
"Why don't you go ahead and spend the night here. We can start fresh in the morning."
"Fine. What time?"
"After breakfast. Around eight or so. I don't worry much about clocks, unless you're on a tight schedule."
"No. We don't have to any where at any certain time."
Sal nodded. "Good. See you in the morning."
"Agreed."
With another handshake, Sal turned on her heel and headed back out the door.
Trowa glanced over at Wufei, who was still grumbling about women doing men's work. "Did you need your arm looked at?"
Wufei looked up sharply. "No. It's fine. If you don't mind, I'm going to get a room and get some food."
"That sounds like a good idea."
Quatre sighed as Trowa turned and walked towards the counter where a clerk waited to help them. He didn't even say anything when she said I did a good job. What am I going to have to do to make him not so cold anymore? And why do I care so much?