Wing Warriors

Author: Abby Ebon

Beta: Alara Moonrunner

As Quatre sat- and had tea- with the two women who had 'captured' him, when his Gundam had landed just outside their home.

Which, for the moment, was a castle that seemed unassailable from the outside- as it had no set of stairs outside, at least not until the silver-and-blond haired woman with green-eyes (who reminded Quarte of his sisters- and thus was to be obeyed) had muttered something and stairs had came out of the walls.

He mused on what they would do next- seeing as he didn't know their names (somehow they had gotten his) he thought that was the best place to start…

--

"Excuse me, but if you don't mind my asking…what are your names?" The young who had fallen from the sky man –Quatre, Kethry reminded herself, asked them. Kethry knew her sworn blood-sister was amused by the blue-eyed blond-haired boy.

Both of them were beginning to like him, he was naturally honest (having no idea where he was- or had came from) and kindhearted- but had a harder nature under it- obvious by his now showing surprise when Kethry had made the stairway appear.

Despite the metal contraption –Gundam the boy called it, which housed more magical power then an Adept would feel comfortable around day-in day-out just sitting there.

Yet the boy hinted at there being more of these Gundams- for he had mentioned friends…likely with just as powerful Gundams.

Tarma had taken to sharpening her favorite knife, and the boy didn't look that intimidated by it, which put him up a notch in her oath-sisters estimation of him.

"My name is Kethry- and she is Tarma." Kethry murmured taking another sip of tea. Quatre had introduced himself the moment he had spotted them- not even the large war-horses, or Tarma's weapons had distracted him from the introduction- he had been much dismayed when they hadn't given their names.

"Ms Kethry, do you know where, exactly, it is I am?" Quatre asked, fingering the table clothe- it was made out of some of the strangest and silky-soft material Quatre had ever felt.

"In Rethwellan- near the Dhorisha Plains…" Seeing Quatre's confused look, Kethry glanced at Tarma – who nodded, this knowledge wouldn't hurt her people- most knew what was in the Plains.

Kethry paused gathering her thoughts, and deciding on what exactly to tell the boy, and continued. "It's the home of the Shin'a'in. The forest around it is called the Pelagiris- those who inhabit it are the Tayledras- the Hawkbrothers."

His reaction was not what they had expected…

"Oh that place! The Avatars of the Star-Eyed, the Shin'a'in Goddess- I think, took my friends and I to ancient place in the Dhorisha Plains to get our Gundams. Then some guy named Untho had set a trap to them- and I- we, got lost…" Quatre trailed off, seeing the sudden sharp blue eyes of the darkly dressed black-haired woman on him.

He swallowed as she studied him, wishing he had brought a gun along…he had left it in the cockpit of his Gundam.

None of the others would have been so foolish…

"The Avatars?" Tarma mused, exchanging a glance with Kethry. One of their Clan Shamans of Tale'sedrin, had trained Tre'valen shena Tale'sedrin – the Avatar of the Star-Eyed.

"Yes…" Quatre answered uncomfortably, and continued as if pressed. "They had eyes like the night-sky…" He finished unsure if he was being tested, or teased.

"Well, what did they want?" Tarma asked, placing he knife in its sheath, and straitening. As Swordsworn of the Goddess, it made Tarma both her priestess, and her protector of the people of Clan Tale'sedrin. The Tale'sedrin - Children of the Hawk…The Clan that Would Not Die – hers, and Kethry's.

"They asked our help with the items- we only got to get in the Gundams to check them, when Untho's trap activated." Quatre answered, shifting uncomfortably in his seat- he felt suddenly…anxious.

Tarma noticed this- but knew that he either told a fantastic tale- or it was true. "Well as it seems you have lost your way- I shall call on the Star-Eyed, for I am her Swordsworn, and we are bound to each other- and ask Her where it is She would like you to be…" And ask her a few questions of my own… Tarma thought- but did not add. Such as the magic-storms that had nearly sent her blood-sister into hysterics.

Quatre hushed suddenly, he wasn't anxious…nervous yes, but not anxious, so it was someone else he Felt- one of his friends.

Quatre Felt along their mental-link, the others were far apart- it terms of walking distance, but Quatre and the others had developed and perfected the Bond in space- where distance was larger by far.

Quatre knew it was Heero- for he was the closest one- and coming so fast that Quatre knew he would join them shortly before sunset.

He smiled and decided to tell his 'captors' of his friends coming, they disbelieving, humored him by preparing a fourth bed.

Of the pilots only Quatre knew at all times where and how the others were- consciously.

--

Queen Selenay and her Heralds – and many of the Companions, were about to get a surprise. The unpartnered Companion twin-sisters, who had helped escort the group from Valdemar to Untho's Tower in the Dhorisha Plains, had rushed back.

For Sartra, Senta's twin – felt her Chosen was back in Valdemar. So using all the unnatural speed and endurance Companions are gifted with they had raced to Valdemar – in less than a day.

When Sartra and Senta (for Senta was curious whom her sister would Chose) pranced into Companion's Field, no one really took any notice, for there were Companions aplenty gathered there. Some upset about the invasion of their Field- other curious of it.

Sartra Felt her Chosen- but it was none of the humans gathered about the thing…her Chosen was in the thing. She pranced in place, slightly upset by this, but undaunted, she Mind-Called for her Chosen.

It was then that the other Companions took notice of them- and informed their Heralds (and Trainees) of the new development.

Duo had been dozing, waiting for sunset, when something echoed in his head- and caused him to be alert in seconds. The 'echo' was like with his friends, when they gathered and needed to speck without specking, but none of his friends were female.

: I'm here- you're safe, come out Chosen. :

Duo tensed, and felt Deathscythe stir anxiously underneath him –even though Duo had not touched the controls.

"Easy old friend…" Duo murmured – to calm them both.

: Chosen? Do you not want me? : The 'echo' sounded heartbroken at the thought, and Duo knew she could- would, die of a broken heart. Nothing should die like that- Duo knew that. As she was specking in 'echo' he thought he might speck to her like he would to his friends.

: It's alright, I'm here, I'm sorry- was scared…no one but my closest friends have spoken to me like this…: Duo tried to explain to her, her felt her relief and acceptance of everything he was and had been, even as she searched through him and all he was – from his innermost thoughts to his bloody past her presence in his mind was like a warmth. Something that Duo thought would very like a sister or mothers acceptance.

:You are MY Chosen and safe with me…always. : She assured him soothing. He had wanted to flee when she had dug up his memories, the only ones who had accepted it were the rest of the pilots- and they all had such pasts.

:What are you called? : She asked calm and 'backing off' from him as he collected his scattered wits and half-formed thoughts.

: Duo Maxwell, Pilot 02 of the Gundam Deathscythe. : Duo answered her unthinkingly, not fearing her- and she seemed to sense this- as did Deathscythe who felt the link between Pilot and Companion, and let it grow into a bond. For its Pilot was in no danger from it- and would gain from it.

: I am your Companion, Duo. My name is Sartra. You are my Chosen. : She assured him, and he felt her content- but, he felt impassionate to meet him face-to-face.

: What is a Companion? And why do you call me Chosen? : He thought to her, and felt her amusement.

: Come out of…the Gundam Chosen. You will see, and understand then. : Sartra insisted- Duo felt uncertainty crawling in his belly, his heart trusted her- his mind was a warrior's, what if they tried to kill him again? Sartra felt his unease.

: They will not dare to harm you, I would not allow it. : She assured- strangely Duo felt he could trust her to keep him safe.

Duo rose and Deathscythe let him out… he stepped on the wire that let him down easily. There was a hush over the group- and no one moved to stop him- or harm him, and Duo's head knew that even with his gun hidden by the back of his jacket, he could do little if they turned on him.

A white, sliver maned horse walked up to him and did something no horse would do- with eyes no horse could have.

: I am Sartra, Duo. You are my Chosen- and I am not horse, but a Companion- as are all the other 'silver horses'- the ones in white are their Chosen- Heralds, those younglings in grey are Chosen, Trainee Heralds. : Sartra insisted matter-of-fact and Duo while he trusted her- he turned his eyes in disbelief to the crowd, and to the two grown-ups with Companions who wore a grey.

: They are not from Valdemar (this place) originally, those that are Heralds but not born to Valdemar have chosen to not wear Heraldic whites. : Her tone was one of amusement as she felt Duo empathically agree with the non-Valdemarans and even consider keeping his 'priest' uniform no matter what they- or she, suggested otherwise.

The group of Heralds suddenly decided almost as one to trickle off as there no longer was any danger- there would be a gathering later to discuss the new Trainee, and the…Gundam (as their Companions insisted it be called, having learned its proper name from Senta -who had been 'listening in' to her twin and Duo chat- and Eldan's Companion- who had learned it from his Chosen).

It left Queen Selenay, Daren, Talia, Kero (one of the two adults in darker grey instead of Herald white), Eldan, Skiff, Nyara, and Alberich (the other one that chose the darker grey).

The eight approached Duo and Sartra - the Queen, Talia, and Daren in the lead- the rest fanning out just behind them. Duo trembled with nerves, wanting the protection of his Gundam- even with Sartra there. It got worse when Selenay addressed him.

"I am Queen Selenay of Valdemar, and the Companion's Field is Royal Property… mind telling me why you've chosen to invade it."

Friday, April 13, '07- Reposted with corrections made by Alara Moonrunner

AN: Oh happy day- not only is it Easter- but it's the day I finally finished all of the Valdemar series (by timeline no less!)- including all the anthologies! ('Sword of Ice', 'Sun in Glory', and 'Crossroads'!) Now that I think on it- it's ironic that I finish it on Easter Sunday. I'll leave you to think on just why that is…

PS- I started reading it in late '05- or early '06, so its taken near a year- and a little over, maybe- 'cause I was reading other things at the time…All 4 of her Jousters – and two of the Obsidian series (still reading the third..)and the three Diana T. Investigations besides others not by her….

Now I only have to stick my arse on a chair, and finish the second half of Gundam Wing…the first half I watched on Christmas Day '06…-sigh-