Truth of Love

Chapter 2

The air was buzzing with energies of life as the sun reached it's final descent from the heavens, allowing the ever-looming darkness to consume the skies. On this night, the night of the new moon, stars blanketed the dark oceans above. The stars batted their long, dark lashes to reveal twinkling eyes, daring one and all to look on, compelling them to unravel their mysterious beauty. It was a night of perfection, marred with no worries, no stress, just the bliss of being alive. It was a grand night indeed for the soldiers of Rome, for the Goddess of Victory had smiled upon them tonight, her soft words strewn into their hearts, and her passion enflaming their souls.

The room was filled with the bustle and hustle of men enjoying themselves, and laughing in a drunken glee. The walls were lit with a golden hue, the light flickering, as the nights gentle breath caused the flames which lit the room, to dance. The atmosphere of the room was filled with amusement and desire, the squealing of a woman's giggles and a man's drunken mirth proving thus. His presence in the brothel house was not something that was new, he had been here on more than one occasion. But no matter how many times he had come, a feeling of remoteness welled up inside his chest, discomforting him, leaving him in an odd place. He had never liked the idea of using women in the way that all other men did. Every time he had come here, and every time he had looked around, it was the same. Men of all statuses lusting, like a savage, wild beast in heat, after any woman that they could get their ravenous hands on. It was sickening to watch.

Heero had never been a man of virtues, being who he was, a soldier, a man of military, had proved that. He was in the prime of his life, at the lively age of 23. He thought himself as a man who was loyal to his country, his brethren, never swaying when it came to spilling the blood of all who dared threaten him and what he fought for. He was a man who would command a whole legion of men into the depths of hell to save his people and uphold the dreams and glory of their emperor. His heart was deaf to the cries and screams of mercy, wailed by the poor souls who met their end by his blade. If anything, he was a man who was damned, destined to live his life in regret, until the day when death would come searching to reap his soul, and even then he would be cursed with the sorrows of his own damnation. His life was one lived for others to control and his death was one that would not matter. He would live a life of wretchedness and die into one as well. No, his life was not respectable in the least, but never in his life, would he disgrace a woman of the only thing that she had, the only thing that she was allowed to have; her dignity.

Sitting in a dimly lit corner of the room, Heero drank the sweet, honeyed-wine, waiting for the night to end.

"Its pointless in me being here", he mumbled to himself, "We should be out in Gaul, planning our next battle, not celebrating our minor victories." Leaning back into the cushioned seat, he lifted up his wine cup, cupping it's golden body in the palm of his right hand, caressing it's side with his thumb. His thoughts started drifting as he gazed into the pool of blood-red fire.

Their emperor was an ambitious man. Caesar's campaigns in Gaul began soon after five winters past, when the Peacecraft's and their barbaric peoples began their trek through Roman territory. Caesar quickly saw his opportunity to profit from those poor fools, and started his reign to drive them back from which they came. These Celts were strong, and though not as civilized at Rome, they stood tall. Their leader, Peter Darlin, was a man who could equal Caesar if given the chance. Darlin had even managed to form alliances with Belgae and all of Gaul, giving Caesar no room for mistakes, and no room for arrogance. Having had thus five years of great victories, the war was far from over.

"It seems I wont be free of my duties till I am as old as Rome itself", Heero said heaving a sigh, closing his eyes. It was no sooner than he let the breath escape his lips that he felt a had clap onto his shoulder.

His eyes snapped open, his senses heightening. Jerking his head sharply to the right, as his had reach for the dagger in his belt. "Easy there, buddy boy! You're forgetting that we are not out in the battlefield anymore," said Duo, chuckling with his deep throaty voice.

Duo, his friend and companion, was his friend since the time he had joined the armed ranks. He was a tall man, towering over most, his olive-skinned body, rippling with muscles, and the most unique thing about him was his long flowing braid. Duo was a man of honesty and integrity, though he lacked sense at times, he was a man that Heero would trust his life with.

"What are you sitting here for all dark and gloomy like that?", asked Duo with one brow raised, "The night is young, man! And Venus has been gracious tonight in bestowing her bounties upon us!" Giving off a mischievous lopsided grin, Duo grabbed a woman by her waist and pulled her by his side, resulting in a peal of playful giggles.

Looking away from the unbearable scene played before him by his drunken comrade, Heero gave out another deep sigh, "Why have you brought me here, when I specifically told you time and time again that I wished not to come." it would seem that he would never understand the reasoning's of the men whom willingly waste their time and money here. It made no sense.

"Calm down now, Heero ." said Duo, " All day we toil out there in the blistering sun, risking our lives to fight off those nasty Celts! We tire our bodies and our minds to no end! I am no too clear on your thoughts my friend, but I as a man have my limits too."

Heero understood full and well the hardships of a soldier, and it was near impossible to keep sane on the battlefield as months passed by; for a normal soldier that is. He had been raised to fight, to kill, and to deal with the insanities of war, death was his purpose and his reason for living. If there was no war, he would be useless, and there would be no place for him. Though he was young, Heero was a high-ranking soldier, commanding respect from his legion and his men. He was renown for his skills in combat, his leadership, and his resolve.

Looking up at the older man, Heero shook his head, "I understand you full and well, Duo, but as my comrade you should know better than I, that we are at war! There is no time for this! Not when we almost have victory in our grasps. The Gods are more than likely making a mockery of us, sending Venus as you say, to blight you all with her passions!"

Duo turned silent as he leaned forward to the seated man, a look of drunken confusion on his face. It was then that he soon burst out laughing, his loud chuckles overpowering all other noise in the brothel, "Boy, you take things too seriously for one so young!" through his laughter, Duo continued on, "If we men have really been cursed upon by Venus and her charm, is it really so horrible? There is a difference between us and them. We as mortals are fragile and struggle to survive, and therefore we do not have the privileges as they do with their bounties and pleasures. We live our days in their theatre of war, we are their entertainment. Is it so wrong to enjoy their rewards to us mortals, once in a while? "

Narrowing his eyes, Heero turned his head away, "Say what you like, they will not sway me to stay any longer." getting up, he started to walk towards the exit of the brothel. His attempts failed as Duo's hand grasped his wrist, his companions demon-like strength pulling him back down. He found himself falling back onto the cushioned seat from which he just came.

"If what I say will not change your thoughts, that is fine," smiled Duo, with an air of mischievousness, "but maybe this young lady will." With that said, he grabbed the nearest woman around, pulling her into his grasp, and plopping her to sit beside his young comrade. Heero's eyes widened as he saw the woman start her descent upon him.

A yelp of surprise escaped the woman's lips as she found her self falling towards the seated man. Not being able to control her balance, her whole body fell upon the young man's form, her face pressed against his chest, and her limbs entwined with his. Her heartbeat was erratic, pounding against her chest, and she could not move, for her body was in such a state of shock at the sudden change of her situation. She had first been serving wine to all of the customers in the room, and before she knew it, she was grabbed and hurtled towards the couch, lying against a man she did not know.

With a sudden realization at her current position, the woman pushed herself off of the man, her eyes wide with shock and fear.

"Now the two of you play nicely. I am sure this one is good enough to make your night at least somewhat enjoyable Heero ." Duo grinned, "And do not worry about the costs my friend, she will be on me." With that said, Duo turned around and left into another room, the woman that he came with following his disappearing form.

A look of annoyance immediately appeared on the young man's face. 'I have a feeling this night will never end', he thought to himself. Giving off a deep sigh, he turned to look at the woman's face, his expression changed into sort of an awe, his eyes widening as he did. She was young, very young, her long golden hair falling in wisps and curls across her face. She was interesting, she did not posses the beauty of a goddess, and seemed not to have the charms of a seductress. She sat there with her small, thin frame, her face a little soiled by dirt and sweat, but she was beautiful in her own way. He did not feel compelled by her, not in the least, but there was just something about her that piqued his interest somewhat. Her skin was fair and soft, and she looked as fragile as a new born lamb. Her round blue eyes, were set upon him, and he realized that they reflected feelings of wonder, that is until they soon changed to fear.

The woman's eyes suddenly were cast down, as she realized she was staring. She was just so dumbfounded by the man. In here eyes, he was hansom. His dark brown, sun streaked hair, illuminated in the evening light, his face was rugged thick with stubble. Her gaze slowly followed his strong jaw line until she had reached his Prussian blue eyes. "I am so sorry, I did not mean to fall upon you. Please do as you wish for.." His hand raised up in front of her, beckoning her to silence herself.

"It's fine. It wasn't your fault. And I have no desire to be with you, so you can go on you way to whatever you were doing before," he said with a clipped voice.

The woman was taken aback by his words. She had felt an overwhelming sense of relief in knowing that nothing would happen to her, but at the same time, somewhere deep inside her heart, she felt her pride being stabbed. Heero noticed the expression on the woman's face and closed his eyes, calming himself down, and turning his head to look back at the woman, "I did not mean to offend you, but I am not the kind of man that would pay a woman for her services. Do not take my words to heart, I am just not in such good spirits tonight." Glancing at the woman, he noticed her expression relax. It seemed the gods were not in his favor tonight as Heero noticed the woman stay where she was, not going away, not moving. Giving up with his thoughts of leaving, he spoke up, "Well as long as you are being paid to stay in my company, I might as well enjoy it in some way. Can you tell me your name?"

Lifting her head to look at the man, the woman looked confused, her eyebrows furrowing together as she parted her lips to speak, "My name?" She gave a pause, noticing the man watching her with some interest, urging her to continue, "My name is Relena…."

Deep in the forest, in which life blossoms to the moon's eternal glow, spirits danced along to the music of the night and the melodies of enchantment. Looming figures crept behind the wiry limbs of the overgrown trees, their forms moving briskly through the darkness. The cries of mother earth could be heard, as the emerald forest floor became stained and splattered with the crimson color of blood. The sound of footsteps, trudging along, could be heard only by those who the secrets of the forest. They had returned. The soldiers of men trickled through the shadows and into the light, their bodies war torn, and their spirits crushed.

The gathering of people, the old, the women and the children, arose from their positions, frantic at the sight of their arrival. Half of the women rushed to the aid of the bloodied soldiers and the rest ushered the children off to a distance. This was a scene played out before them for many months now, their men and brethren returning from the realm of shadows, looking paler than death himself. It never got any easier.

"My lord Darlin, it was a failure. The Romans attacked us before we reached the city." A soldier with emerald greed eyes said as he kneeled before the older man.

"It is all right for now Trowa, there is still hope. We must find her as soon as possible, before Caesar himself beats us to it."