Truth of Love

Chapter 3

She could do nothing but stare at the man before her, disbelieving her own ears. This man who sat beside her, was speaking to her like no man had ever done before. His voice was gruff and strong, but his eyes held that of interest. It was not too long though for her to notice the man's impatience at her shocked silence. Not wanting to anger the man she had answered him in a quiet nervous tone.

"Relena…" she had squeaked, "My… my name…is Relena." The expression painted across her face was one that was not easy to misplace. She was terrified. Though she had been through situations far more daunting than this, she had never felt fear this strong. Up until this point, she had served nothing but wine to any and all that had asked, avoiding the grasps and stares of the greedy and lustful. Looking at the man and his expression, she realized how she must look. She was a scared, frightened girl in the world ruled by men. Relena quickly forced a smile upon her face, mustering out all of the charm she was taught to have held as a woman. She knew this was a battle she could not escape from, she had to continue, "I am at your beckon, good sir. How may I please you tonight?", her tongue felt thick and heavy in her mouth, and her heart throbbed wildly against her breast.

The man tilted his head and gave her a sidelong glance, staring at her so intently that she felt his eyes burn through her and set her aflame. He said nothing. Then after a second or two, the corners of his lips curved upwards slightly, turning his head away from her as he chucked to himself.

What had just happened here? Was this man laughing? At her? For the second time that night, she had felt her pride get stabbed and she did not like it. She had felt irritated that the man who sat beside her for no more than a few minutes, had been able to ridicule her so. Her anger getting the better of her, she boldly spoke out, "Sir, what may I ask is so amusing?" her voice was no longer timid, but sharp and full of aggravation.

The man gave her a quizzical stare, his eyebrow raised with intrigue and fascination. By this time, his laughter had ceased, and he inched closer to the flustered girl, his body closing the gap between them. His hand slowly reached out to touch her face, his expression was solemn and humorless. Relena seeing the man's advance, tried to back away, but found that she could not. Even with all her efforts, she couldn't even budge, due to the man's other hand, that she did not realize was holding her down. As his hand came closer to her, she shut her eyes and started to quiver, she felt her heartbeat race and her breathing turn shallow. Relena waited for the hand to come upon her, but as she waited, she found that it never came. Instead of a hand, she was once again met with the man's laughter. Her eyes slowly cracked open to see what had happened. The man was no longer near her, but back where he was sitting last, and he no longer held a stern expression, but one of arrogance. Confusion was not the only thing that invaded her mind.

"That is what I find so amusing,", said the soldier as his humor started to die, "You are far too easy to read."

"Excuse me?" she asked with a strong tone.

"That.". he pointed out, "You are obviously scared of me, and probably of all the men in this room. And yet, you come to me, force yourself to become a temptress just so men like I can ravage and bask in our own lust." he said with a mocking tone, "and when the time comes to act, you shy away, trembling and quivering like a lost child.", his tone fell deep and his expression turned cold and serious, "But as far as I can see, when I don't react to you, you feel insulted."

Relena couldn't believe what this man was saying, but she remained silent, for she knew all that he said was true. She bowed her head and cast her eyes to the ground; she couldn't look at him.

"You're a virgin aren't you?" he asked with such indifference. Relena tensed up and kept her eyes down. She was told by the others what men would do, and how far they would go to bed a virgin. If this man knew, then surely her fate would be sealed tonight. There was a shift of weight in the furniture as the soldier rose from his seat, and the thud of his boots echoed in her ears as he came to stop in front of her. Her shoulders tensed even more as she felt his hand come to rest on her shoulder. There was no escape, she was trapped.

"My advice for you girl," he said with a low, monotone voice, "is that you keep that temper of yours in control and don't let your mouth go away with you.", he then turned too look at her, and when he did Relena felt an odd feeling in her chest, "If you do, you are only asking for trouble." His hand reached for his belt, and he stood there in front of her as he untied something form his belt. She turned her eyes away, not wanting to taint her modesty as the man untied his belt. And as he was doing so, she felt a blush creep upton her cheeks, setting her whole face aflame. Then Relena felt something drop into her lap with a clink; a little cloth sack? Her eyes widened as she whipped her head up to meet the man's gaze. What was this man doing?

"Sir…?" she barely whispered out.

"For your company tonight, it was quite enjoyable." With that said, he turned around and headed for the doorway without another word.

Left in somewhat of a stupor, she held the coin purse in her hands and opened it. Her face paled at the sight found before her. There was enough gold inside to last a person a whole winter. Frantic to find the man, she quickly got up and started her frenzied search. Running out of the doorway, bumping into many people along the way, she had found him. Coming up behind him, she grabbed his arm and turned him around.

"Sir, I cannot take this from you," she said as she held up the coin purse in front of the man's face, "I cannot take this for I have done nothing. At least allow me to use my…"

He grabbed her by the shoulders and suddenly pinned her small frame against the wall with his. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Quiet, your attracting too much attention." he noticed all of the curious glances headed their way. Her breathing swallowed and heart thudded, "Is this what your really want?" It sent shivers down her spine. and before she knew it, his lips came crashing down upon hers like a tidal wave, fierce and unrelentless. her mind was in a daze as she felt her head buzz with the sensation of her first kiss.

Her first kiss.

Chucking and howls could be heard across the room, all coming from the drunken men who were looking at them before. They now seemed content to believe that the incident just moments before was nothing more than a lovers spat.

He took himself off of her and turned away. "It is fine, I am sure that you will find that money more useful than what I would ever use it for." He walked to leave the tavern, when he stopped, "You said your name was Relena, was it not?" She nodded. "Well, then I wish you good partings on your journey ahead, and may it be fate or good fortune that we may be able to meet again."

Startled by his sudden departure, Relena watched him as he started to exit, and she couldn't suppress her curiosity for the man, "Excuse me!" The soldier stopped and looked back. "I am sorry, but may I ask for a name, good sir?"

He paused a moment and replied, "Heero. Heero Yuy, that is what I am called."

"Thank you… Heero…" she said, "I am humbly in your debt…"

With that said, he nodded and left the brothel, leaving the dimly lit structure, filled with laughter and drinking, into the darkened, silent streets.

Trowa frowned as he surveyed the land around him from the back of his horse waiting for his comrades to return from thier search. He was losing his patience, for it was now the 5th day he and his men had been on the move towards Rome. His fist tightened around the reigns of his horse as he remembered the incidents that had happened on his last mission.

He would never forget the day of when the blood of his brethren was spilt, and the cries of his people shattered the air. It was a horrible mistake he had made, and one that he would never allow to happen again. He had followed Roman troops out into the country that day, wanting a hearty battle to defeat the last of the troops in the province. Finding no more than 50 roman soldiers, he felt that it was easy prey, and found it all to easy for he and his men to annihilate them. He should have known it was far too easy, that it must have been nothing more than a trap. He and his men journeyed 3 days to the battle and back, enough time for Caesar's plan to succeed. When they arrived back at the village, they found nothing but a black, ash filled graveyard. His village was murdered, with only a few women and children, and his king remaining. They had escaped into the nearby forest, barely alive. And it was also then that the romans had attacked he and his men, already tired from their battles and travels. Half of his men were killed and the others terribly wounded. Trowa could never forgive himself of the grievance that he had caused with his foolhardiness. To him, it was a nightmare that he caught himself reliving everyday.

Darlin, their leader, High Chief of the Celts was dying, his age getting the better of him, his wife along with his sons were dead, and his daughter missing. Caesar and his war band had put them all to the sword and had declared himself the new High King, claiming all land in the name of Rome. Gaul was in turmoil, half the population outraged that their King was hurt and his family murdered. The threat of Roman victory was great and Darlin foresaw that Caesar would now attempt to acquire the last remaining lands of his people and secure his hold on the world.

After finding Darlin, Trowa to immediately rode South to Rome, where Caesar currently remained, housed in his palace of riches. He was to sabotage the legions and cause unrest within the ranks.
Unfortunately it seemed they would not be able to act swiftly enough. Upon their journey to Rome, they had faced one too many enemies. Each battle was won through the courage and bravery of his men. They moved cautiously unsure of whom they would encounter next, making sure that their cloaks hid the steel swords that hung from their belts.
A couple days before, while resting in a village on the outskirts of Rome, there was a rumor about a fairly large band of roman soldiers returning home. Half of the men returned to the capital city, while others still patrolled the borders. They were headed east, towards Belgique after a week or so of rest. Trowa had exchanged a brief glance with Quatre who immediately understood his command and disappeared into the woods to scout and spy. Trowa and the rest of his band stayed long enough in the village to find out that what else the villagers knew. Satisfied that he would learn no more after listening for quite some time, Trowa returned to where his war band would wait for his friend.
The forest was filled wtih silence, and it was only due to Trowa's keen senses from all the years of battle, did he hear Quarte's foot falls on the forest floor.

"They were attacked just up there. Some of the women and children were hurt, but most got away safely." Quatre lifted a hand showing the bloodied garments of one of the villagers.
Trowa nodded and could not help but frown. "So it seems those Romans haven't found a way to rid themselves of their habits." he said before he issued a brief instruction to his men "Lets go."