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 Thirty-Four

By SilverLady

The sight that met Quatre's eyes as he topped the last rise before the city of Marinia caused him to gasp in shock.

Before and below him stretched the port city of Marinia. Not only was the size of the city itself astounding, but there were several building on the outskirts that towered many stories into the air. How can they make buildings that tall? And why would they?

As they descended to the main gate of the city, Quatre was kept busy looking around. There were more people in one place than he had ever seen. Even the great Jordina Festival did not draw so many people.

And the clothing! There were people dressed in wild colored clothing that would practically blind you if you looked to long at them. And others that had pictures and patterns that didn't seem possible. Even the tamest were covered with patterns of flowers in a multitude of colors.

"Are you sure we are going to find a place to stay?" Wufei asked, looking at the crowds.

"There is always places to stay in Marinia," Sally reassured him. "It would look bad for them to have to turn a guest away."

"Not to mention the loss of money."

Sally laughed. "So true."

Trowa looked up at one of the large buildings they were passing. "What are these?"

"Most large inns. There are a couple on the other side of town that are rented out for people who want to stay for the season."

Heero arched an eyebrow. "And they get enough people here to fill them?"

"All the time. This is the main destination of anyone going on a vacation. Some people have saved their whole lives to come here."

"Why?"

Sally shrugged. "Because someone made it sound like a good idea. You should walk the Boardwalk while you are here. There are a lot of wonderful shops that line one side of it and the on the other is the beach."

Quatre blinked at that bit of information. He'd never seen a beach before. He hoped Trowa would let him go.

"So where are we staying?" Wufei asked.

"I know of a small inn in the old part of town. The rooms are very well maintained and the food is excellent. Plus the owner is an old friend. He'll treat you right."

Quatre noticed that Duo was eyeing the large structures with no small measure of distress. "What's wrong?" he whispered.

Duo looked over at him, his eyes huge with unspoken fear. "What makes them stay up like that? Aren't they afraid they're going to...." Duo gulped as he looked back up. "Fall down?"

"I guess not. But don't worry. I don't think we'll be staying in any of these places."

"I hope not."

Quatre looked at Duo. "Duo, are you afraid of heights?"

Duo looked indignant for a moment, then shuddered. "Not heights, falling."

"But you weren't bothered by the trail over the mountains."

"Sure was. That's why I stayed as close to the inside as I could. That way I couldn't see how high we were."

Quatre blinked, realizing that what Duo said was true. He had not once gotten near the edge of any of the trails they had used. "I didn't..."

Duo shrugged. "It's not something I talk about."

"Is that why you hurt you ankle back at that inn?"

Duo nodded. "Heero had to literally throw me out. I was too scared to go out myself."

"Does he know how you feel?"

Duo shrugged again. "Don't know. He's never asked and I've never said anything."

"Why not?"

Duo looked down. "Because it's a weakness. If you've paid any attention to Heero you know he has no patience for weakness of any kind. He'd get rid of me in an instant if he ever found out."

Quatre looked towards Heero, who was riding ahead of them as he talked to Trowa and the others. He couldn't believe that of the man. Though he did seem cold to him, Quatre knew that he cared very deeply for his manservant. "No, he wouldn't."

"Don't say anything," Duo hissed suddenly. "I won't take that chance. I won't risk losing him."

Quatre nodded, mostly to reassure his friend. He would never tell anyone something told in confidence.

"What are you two talking about?" Wufei's voice suddenly floated back to them.

"How they could build buildings this high," Duo told him, no trace of his fear in his voice.

How often is the face you show us just a mask? Quatre wondered, noting the transformation.

Wufei nodded as he glanced up. "It is impressive, isn't it? Though it seems like a great waste of time to me."

Sally laughed. "But they obviously don't feel the same, do they?"

"How much farther to this inn you have in mind?" Heero asked, glancing back at the others.

"Not too far."

"Duo, come join me up here," Heero said calmly, looking back at his manservant. "I want to talk to you."

"Yes, master," Duo muttered, urging his horse forward.

Heero suddenly laughed. "And don't you forget it."

Duo made a face as his horse came up beside Heero's. "And if I forget?"

Heero leaned over and grabbed a hold of the back of Duo's head. "I'll just have to remind you," he whispered, before pressing his lips to Duo's.

"Oh great," Wufei moaned. "Couldn't you wait until you were in your room to do that? You're hurting my eyes with you flagrant display of..."

Sally reached over and smacked the back of his head. "Be quiet. You're making more of a scene than they are."

Wufei glared as he rubbed the back of his head. "Woman, don't do that again."

"Or?"

"I will make you regret it."

"Promise?"

Wufei sputtered before turning his back on her.

Quatre sighed as he watched the exchange. He really didn't think Duo had anything to fear about losing Heero. Especially if the man was willing to kiss him in front of all these strangers. And it would be nice if Wufei and Sally would quite beating around the bush and be honest to each other.

He sighed again as he looked at Trowa. And what was going on with him? Quatre was growing more confused about his feelings for his master and by the hot and cold way Trowa was treating him. He really wasn't sure where he stood right now.

Maybe I should be the one worried about being sold off. There are times when I feel like he really doesn't want anything more to do with me. Not that I blame him. I've caused him nothing but trouble.

But do I want anything to do with him? And how much? I always believed that any kind of relationship between two men was bad, but now I'm not so sure. Duo and Heero certainly seem happier than many of the 'normal' couples I've seen. And Duo certainly seemed to be enjoying what Heero was doing to him that day. I wonder what it would feel like. To have someone take me like that. Would it hurt or would it feel good? Do I even want to find out?

Oh Quatre you are so stupid. Why would he want to carry on any kind of relationship with a plain, weak slave like me anyway? I'm nothing special, not like he deserves. I'm small and weak and stupid and foolish and plain and a big crybaby. He needs someone who is strong and won't run at the first sign of trouble. I just stood there and let my own mother die and never did anything to help. He certainly doesn't need someone who wilts at the first sign of trouble or who expects everything to go his way. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

And besides, thanks to his kind I'm the last of my kind. I should wait until he will finally be able to let me go and then go back home to find myself a bride to bring back my people. I shouldn't even be thinking such things as having sex with another man. Am I so bored and silly as to think such a thing could be good?

Oh, Great One, I'm even more confused than I was. What am I supposed to do? Is what I've been thinking about good or bad? Should I let Trowa take me, if that is what he wants? Or maybe I should ask Duo to show me what it is all about and what I should do. I trust Duo and..... Quatre closed his eyes. He really didn't know what he should do. All these feelings and thoughts were running through him and making him feel even more out of control than before. His head ached with the multitude of confusing thoughts rushing through him.

Trowa glanced back, a frown of concern on his face. Something wasn't right. Suddenly he noticed Quatre start to slip sideways in his saddle. "Catch him!" he shouted as Quatre slumped over and began to fall.

Fortunately, Wufei was able to react quickly enough and caught Quatre before he hit the ground.

Trowa had already turned his horse back to where they had stopped. "What happened? Is he all right?"

Wufei glanced up. "I don't know. He's out cold."

Trowa dismounted and hurried as fast as his leg would allow over to Wufei. "Give him to me."

Wufei did so, a perplexed look on his face.

Trowa carefully brushed the hair out of Quatre's eyes. "Little one, wake up," he whispered.

Quatre moaned softly, but otherwise remained still.

Trowa looked up. "We need to get him to that inn."

Sally nodded. "I'll fetch a doctor as soon as we're settled. It could have been because of the head injury."

Trowa nodded and looked at Wufei. "After I get back on my horse, hand him up to me."

Wufei looked at Trowa for a minute, but didn't argue. "Let's get going."

Trowa carefully handed Quatre back to Wufei before mounting his horse. After he had gotten the unconscious blond settled he nodded to Sally. "Let's go."

Without another word the small group headed out, each one concerned in their own way about Quatre's unexpected collapse.