Exaudi Nos, et Misrere
"…Hear us, the wretched…"
by: Lost-Remembrance (Red Tail)
Chapter One:
Heero was pulled from the depths of his mind, the voice of his faithful companion and mythical falcon Ter calling to him. He blinked, focussing his eyes from the darkness of the room he had locked himself into. The fire, once blazing green and bright was now just smoking ashes, barely lighting the room. He closed the open book sprawled across his lap, looking at the name of the legolegendaryature he had been seeking once more. The tome closed, sending a little bout of dust up at him. He only wrinkled his nose and set the book beside him.
"Ter," he called the bird of prey with his mind, "Who dares to interrupt my calling?" Like his father and his grandfather before him, he was the single child of a great line of wizards. His great grandfather had first set his gaze towards Eld mountain and left the townsfolk that had only feared him. Once upon the mountain, the man made a house of crystal. He created areas around the house—a lake and a cave. He had great plans in mind.
He then used his powers to call to the forgotten mythical creatures that once roamed the world. He woke each slumbering animal, speaking the names that had not be said or sung for many years. They came, obedient and powerful to him in all their glory. Ter was one of the first. Others soon followed.
With his mind, the man had called a woman to his household. She came, dazed and unaware of what she was doing. She was a simple mountain woman. Then, she bore Heero's father. When both had passed, Heero's father had already learned all he needed—he would continue the collection that his father had started.
When Heero's father had first felt the stiffness in his bones, signalling something to him, he called a woman like his father before him. Amelia, second daughter to a wealthy household had caught his fancy. She came, as willing as the others before her.
Heero never knew his mother. Ter would speak to him when he was a child, saying how she would gaze out the window to the towns below the mountain. Her gaze was always towards her home. Heero's father died not soon after.
"A man in metal."
"Kill him." Heero stood, stretching out the numbness in his body. He had been sitting there for too long. He walked to the door, tome in hand, and unlocked it. He made his way to the study, intent to put away the priceless book he carried with him.
"I cannot."
Heero froze in his steps, "Why not?" He growled under his breath at Ter's response.
"Men in metal come in numbers. If this one dies, there are sure to be others. Men are unlike other animals. They kill for vengence and travel in groups."
Putting the book onto a shelf and turning, he narrowed his eyes into a glare. He closed the door, locking it behind him. He made his way through the dark crystal-like house, silent and annoyed.
A baby's squall made him pause, confused. He had seen the mountain women with their loud and annoying bundles, sometimes wandering around but never daring to come near his dwelling. There was a neutral alliance between the mountain folk and his animals and he.
He slipped out into the night. The moon was full, hanging heavy and bright in the sky. He lifted his head, letting the fresh air great him. It seemed like forever since he had last enjoyed the presence of the moon. He basked in the light.
Another baby cry broke the serenity of the moment. Heero ran his hand through his hair in a frustrated manner. He called for Ter, wondering where the giant falcon was. The bird's mind reached back to him, signalling he was perched in a nearby tree, watching for any threat.
With precaution, Heero called for the great black cat Morgana with his mind. She came, willingly slipping into the night and blending in the the shadows. Her green eyes were flashing with delight. "It has been far too long since we have had company." She purred, "I know a spell that can make sure none will be able to find his body."
"No," Heero responded calmly, "Ter says that more will come. They may try to kill you or take you from this place." Morgana was silent, knwoing very well it could be true. Ter had been around men long enough to know of their ways.
"If he does anything to harm you, I—as well as the others—shall not hesitate to do as we please with him." She moved back into the shadows, staying silent and waiting for if Heero called upon her. Morgana, the giant black cat, had once been a companion with one of the great witches that had been feared in Eldworld. The witch was long since dead though.
"What do you want?" Heero questioned, walking up to the iron gates that separated him from the outside world.
A man looked at him, locking eyes with the wizard. Ter swooped down from his perch, resting on the man's shoulder. Heero made note that Ter's lethal talons were digging through the man's chainmail and into the tunic and skin betheath it.
"Ter…" Heero warned, curiosity bubbling in him at why this man was shouting at his gates. The bird acknowledged him, loosening his grip. With a pointed look at the bird, Ter took to the air and took perch in a tree once more. The falcon streched his wings and folded them neatly by his side.
The man visibly relaxed. Heero could see the sweat on the man's face, whether it was from Ter's presence or from the metal he was wearing. It was said that the armor that the soldiers wore was quite heavy and cumbersome. "I would have never thought I'd see a falcon such as that one." Heero remained silent to the man's statement. "Ter, the legendary falcon from lore…"
"How would you know of his name?" Heero questioned, "Ter's name has long since been unsaid in Eldworld."
The man smiled, "Ah, but Eldworld has not forgotten him. There are too few people who will remember his deeds." He looked at Heero, "Are you the Ice Witch?"
Heero narrowed his eyes, "Obviously, I'm not a woman."
Duo laughed, "Ah, but the ones who know of your presence say you are made of ice. Ice Wizard doesn't sound as threatening, don't you agree?"
Heero's anger was slowly building, though his stone-line expression did not speak it. "State you business. I don't spend my time standing her idly talking to strangers."
The man spoke again, "My name is Duo Maxwell--"
Heero started to turn towards the house, "I did not ask for your name. It means nothing to me." Did the man know what he was sentencing himself to? With Heero's power, all he needed to know was the man's name to make him do what he pleased. He would even call him from a battle to come to Eld mountain if he so pleased.
"Wait!" The man, now off his horse, lunged forward, grabbing hold of the iron between Heero and him. Heero half-turned, noticing that a bluish bundle was nestled securely in his arm. He stared at it, wondering if that was where the baby cries were coming from.
Morgana slid out of the shadows, curling herself between Heero's legs in a protective manner. Her green eyes were filled with knowledge and threat, staring at the man who declared himself as Duo. She remained where she was, holding her ground.
Duo stared at her with rapture, "The great cat Morgana, companion to one of the greatest witches in all of Eldworld?" he breathed out in awe, "What magnificent animals you have…"
Ter opened his beak, letting out a piercing cry into the night. Duo was pulled from his thoughts.
Looking at Heero, he shifted the bundle in his arms so Heero could have a better look. The door to the iron gate opened. Heero stepped closer to the man, Morgana keeping sharp eye. "I hold no patience," Heero warned, "What do you want?" he questioned for the final time.
"I want for you to care for this child and keep her safe." Heero looked at the bundle, now fast asleep. "Your mother was the sister of this child's mother. The child's father was slain in battle and her mother died for bearing this child. There is no place that is safe in Eldworld, expect for here."
Heero looked at the man's pleading eyes, and then at the slumbering baby.
"There is a war going on," Duo continued, watching Heero's face for any reactions, "Treize, the King of Eldword, had a wife named Lei Barton, sister to your mother, and fell in love with another man, one from Sirle. This child is of my land and of Eldworld. She is to be the next Queen of Eldworld and Sirle."
"I do not understand these wars that you and your kind busy yourself in." Heero murmurred, reaching for the baby and lifting it from Duo's arms.
"People don't ask for wars." Duo quietly responded, watching Heero's moves incase he decided to drop the child.
"Hn." Heero ignored him, watching as the baby woke from it's slumber. Cornflower blue eyes met his own. Red hair curled around the child's plump face. "It is an odd creature, but I'm sure it will be a fine addition to the collection."
"It's not something that you just collect." Heero turned his sharp and cold gaze to the man clad in metal once more. "You have to take care of it, love it."
"I was never shown love."
Sighing, Duo turned his head towards the path down the mountain, "There is a witch there that lives slightly down the path to your house. She should be able to help you." He turned to smile at Heero, "She knew of your name and directed me up here."
"Hn."
"Her name is Marie-maia." Duo offered, wanting for the child to know her given name.
"Marie-maia." Heero tested the name on his tongue, "Maia…"
"I'll be on my way then." Duo put his foot in the stirrup and mounted. Sending Heero a final farewell smile, he added, "Good bye Ter, Lord of the Skies and Morgana, Mistress of the Night and Magic." He bowed his head to Heero in thanks and turned his horse, sterring it towards the path down the mountain.
Dust rose from the barely trodden path as he gallopped by. Heero looked down at the child. "I suppose a visit is in order with this witch, then." Maia giggled as Heero rocked her in his arms.
TBC
AN: Well, it took a while, but I finally got around to updating this story. People must think that I'm dead since I haven't updated in so long. :sigh: Well, after my little hiatus on not updating my stories or posting any new ones, I'm back! Buahahahaha!
Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks go to the readers and reviewers of this story.
in Liebe, Red Tail