Disclaimer: This story was written by a fan only for the enjoyment of other fans, without any monetary compensation. Gundam Wing and its characters are registered trademarks of Bandai Entertainment Inc.™ and Sotsu Agency. All rights reserved.

A big Thank You to KT who is taking time out of her busy schedule to help me proofread this story.

windwraith: Thank you for your review (you seem to be the only one leaving feedback these days). I am glad you like the characters and Heero's introduction. Hopefully you will also enjoy the 'presentation' of the last GW boy, who should make his appearance very soon.
As for Odin Lowe. I always liked him. He is a very mysterious and elusive man, but hopefully he will stick around for at least a while in this story :)

The Dragon King

Book 1- Of New Kings and New Friends

Chapter 12

"Wake up…Wufei, wake up!"

The boy moaned in protest and grabbed his blanket tighter when someone tried to pull it away from him. At the king's insistence he had spent the night inside the carriage, where it was warmer, even though everyone else, including his Highness himself, had been sleeping outside by the fire.

"Come on, wake up now."

"Why?" Wufei finally sat up and rubbed his eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing at all," Treize assured him. "Just hurry up, get dressed."

His cloak and shoes were shoved toward him and Wufei had barely enough time to put them on before he was grabbed by the arm and pulled out of the coach. It was still dark, the sun had not even begun to rise yet, and aside from a few guards most everyone in the camp was asleep. At the edge of the clearing Zechs seemed to be waiting for them. The blond dragon knight had his stallion as well as two more saddled mounts with him.

"I' m sorry but we do not have much time," Treize apologized as he ushered the boy toward the horses. "I nearly overslept myself."

"Time for what?" Wufei asked, still sleepy and confused.

"There is something I want you to see. But if we do not hurry we might miss it."

The lad allowed himself to be hoisted into the saddle. He yawned and tried hard not to fall asleep while he followed the king and his bodyguard up a slightly sloped and winding mountain trail. It was a relatively short ride. Soon the three riders reached a large plateau that ended in a rather steep drop. By now the sun was beginning to rise, painting the first streaks of orange and gold onto the otherwise gray morning sky. Zechs stopped his mount near the cliff and both, the king and Wufei came to a halt beside him.

"Look down!" Treize told the boy as he gestured over the edge.

Wufei complied and his yaw nearly dropped. In the valley below, spreading out as far as the eye could see, lay what was easily the largest town he had ever seen.

"Is that Altea?" Wufei wanted to know.

"Indeed," the king confirmed. "What do you think?"

"It is…It is so…," the boy trailed off, unable to put his amazement into words. He had never seen anything like it. He counted no less than three…no four outer curtain walls, each taller than the previous one to allow archers to shoot over their comrades' heads in case of an attack. A wide moat seemed to stretch around the entire town, and Wufei could see guard towers right and left of the large main gate. And from the center of Altea, set upon a hill, arose the Royal Palace with its mighty towers, halls and white walls, almost like a town in itself.

While they were watching, the first rays of sunlight began to move over the city and the castle, bathing the rooftops in a soft glow that made them look like they were made of gold.

"Magnificent, is it not?" Zechs remarked quietly.

Unable to rip his gaze from the beautiful sight Wufei could only nod. There was one thing though that he didn't quite understand. "We are so close to town; we could have easily reached the palace last night, could we not?"

"We could have," the king confirmed with a nod. "But then we would not have seen this." He smiled softly as he looked at the lad then turned his gaze upon the city and his palace. He could still recall the awe and wonder that had filled him the first time he stood here.
He might have been Wufei's age, perhaps a year younger, when he made his very first trip to the capital. It was a long and exhausting ride. Most of the details about it had long since slipped his mind. but the one thing he would always remember was standing here, on this ridge, next to his father watching the sun rise over the royal palace.

#

As soon as the royal carriage approached the castle four blue and gray dragon flags were raised over the main towers, announcing to everyone who didn't already know, that his Majesty the King had returned safely. The heavy gate groaned in its hinges as it slowly opened up before them. The possession crossed a wide stone bridge, passed through the first gate, the outer ward and finally a second gate before pulling into the castle's spacious inner yard.

The place was no less crowded and noisy than Altea's people-lined streets. Every person in the entire palace seemed to have gathered to witness the king's return and pay their respects. Wufei's head was spinning from all the excitement, but deep in the pit of his stomach he felt an uncomfortable churning.

From what the king had told him, Galados was not ruled just by him alone. There were ministers and advisors who discussed and approved most if not all decisions that were made. What if, the boy thought, those advisors or ministers don't like the idea of me staying in the Royal Palace? What if they decide to send me back to the Dragon Shrine? Does his Highness have the power to tell them 'no'? I really don't want to go back.

The carriage came to a hold and Wufei gave a deep sigh that earned him a surprised look from the king.

"Is something the matter?"

"Nothing," the boy replied quietly, but he could not even look up.

Treize shook his head and reached out. Laying his fingers beneath Wufei's chin, he tilted the tan face towards his own. "Whatever it is," he spoke softly, "you have nothing to worry about. Trust me, you will be fine. The palace is large and noisy, but you will get used to it." He lowered his hand and patted the boy's shoulder reassuringly. "Just stay beside me and everything will be fine."

The king waited for Zechs to dismount and open the carriage door for him. His feet had barely touched the ground when he was already approached by no less than half a dozen people. Instinctively Wufei stayed in the background between the two dragon knights, but nobody even seemed to pay any attention to him.

"Your Highness, a dragon courier arrived from Danbar. It must be an important message, because he had orders to wait for an answer…."

"Your Majesty, I need your signature on the work orders for the new levee or we might not be able to finish the construction before the first rainfall…."

"If I may have a word with you, your Highness, we really need to…"

Treize finally raised his hand to stop the onslaught. "Enough!" he demanded firmly, and instantly everyone fell silent. "We will listen to each and every one of you. But first things first... Is my bath ready?"

"Yes, your Highness," a female voice, coming from somewhere in the background, replied.

"Excellent!" the king looked rather pleased as he gazed over his shoulder at the boy. "Come on, Wufei; a good soak to wash of the dirt of the road will feel wonderful right now. You will join us, Zechs, will you not?"

#

Wufei couldn't help but feel overwhelmed, even intimidated by the sheer size of the castle. As he followed the King through a labyrinth of corridors and stairwells he was sure that he, should he ever get lost here, would never find his way out again. Zechs had excused himself, stating that he wanted to make sure their horses were well taken care of before joining them in the bath. It was obvious that both, he and the king, cared very much for their stallions.

The boy had to hurry not to fall behind, but still he could not stop himself from letting his gaze wander. Columns and pillars were decorated with dragon heads, and even the ceiling above depicted battle scenes and fighting dragons. Beautifully crafted tapestries and paintings lined the walls, and the windows were framed by heavy velvet drapes.

"Almost there," Treize declared as they headed down yet another short flight of stairs.

The Royal Bath was located directly beneath the great hall; a smart approach by the castle's architect, for the heat from the bath kept the hall warm during winter.

Two soldiers standing guard in the corridor snapped instinctively to attention when they saw the king approaching.

"At ease!" Treize stopped and waited for the guards to open the double-wide door.

A quiet gasp of awe escaped Wufei as he followed the king cautiously into the bath. The floor was made of polished marble, and so was the large oval pool that was set into the ground. The entire room was immersed in a soft light that seemed to come not from torches or candles but from the ceiling itself. The sparkling luster seemed somewhat familiar.

"Glowworms?" The lad gave Treize a surprised look.

"Indeed," the king confirmed. "Somehow the man who built this bath managed to create perfect living conditions for them. He covered the ceiling in crystals taken from one of their caves, and brought in a handful of worms. They have been growing and multiplying ever since," he explained.

Suddenly a small door opened to Wufei's left and half a dozen servants, female servants no less, walked into the room carrying towels and baskets with soaps and oils. They curtsied respectfully and set down the towels and baskets on what looked like a small marble bench or table near the pool.

"Would His Majesty and the Young Master like help with their robes?" one of the young women asked.

Treize gazed at his ward and fought down an amused smirk at the boy's positively terrified face. "Thank you, we will be fine," he replied politely. "You may leave. All of you."

"As you wish, Your Majesty."

With another curtsy the sextet shuffled out of the bath and Wufei let out a silent sigh of relief. But even as the door had closed behind them and the king started to disrobe he still stood there frozen, as though some part of him feared that the maids might return.

Treize looked down at him as he dropped his belt to the ground and started to undo the clasps on his tunic. "Well," he asked. "What are you waiting for? The water is not getting any warmer, you know. Unless of course…," he added with a smirk, "you would prefer to have someone helping you. I always can call the servants back if you like."

"No! I'm perfectly capable of undressing myself."

Wufei scowled when he realized that he was being teased. With a huff he turned his back toward the king, slipped off his shoes and slowly took off his clothes. Behind his back he could hear Treize chuckle. Then there was the sound of splashing water as the tawny-haired man stepped into the pool. By the time the boy was completely undressed Treize was already sitting, fully submerged, in the warm water. He was leaning against the pool wall with his eyes closed and the back of his head resting against a soft towel that he had pulled from the stack on the bench. Only after entering the pool himself Wufei did notice several seat-like indentations in the walls. He settled down in one of them, watching Treize for a few moments quietly.

The king looked completely at ease. Remembering their arrival at the castle and how he had been besieged by his officials almost instantly, Wufei wondered if it was a luxury for Treize to relax like this. "I never realized how many responsibilities a king has."

"Yes well," Treize opened his eyes and looked at him. "It is no child's play, but it has its good moments too," he admitted. "I was fortunate enough to 'inherit' a number of very competent officials from my successor. In addition I was able to handpick a few of my most loyal supporters and put them into crucial positions; which makes life a whole lot easier for me."

Most loyal supporters…He must be talking about people like Zechs, Wufei mused but before he was able to ask about it the door opened once again and the blond dragon knight stepped into the bath.

Treize turned his head to look at him. "What took you?"

"I was unfortunate enough to run into Minister Ventuno on my way to the stable."

"Ouch!" the king grimaced, and then facing Wufei he explained. "Ventuno is probably one of most capable officials, but he just does not stop talking."

Zechs huffed as he kicked off his boots. "The man does not even take a breath long enough for you to interrupt him once he gets started."

"What did he want? But please…give me the short version."

"Essentially he just wanted me to remind you of the audience with you he has scheduled for tomorrow. He seems convinced that you have been trying to avoid him."

"The audience…ah, yes, that is right."

"You forgot, did you not?" Zechs accused.

"Of course not." Treize insisted with all the seriousness he could master. "In fact I have been thinking about nothing else all morning."

"You have been sleeping all morning." Wufei pointed out.

"I was not sleeping," the king replied. "I was simply keeping my eyes closed to better concentrate."

"You were snoring."

"I beg your pardon? I do not snore."

"But you did."

"Did not. And besides," Treize glared at the boy playfully. "Whose side are you on anyway?"

"I did not realize I was supposed to choose sides."

Zechs was laughing when he walked into the water and settled down next to the older man. "You told him to be frank and honest, did you not?"

"Yes, but right now he is just being cheeky."

Wufei couldn't help but smile. Somehow all his uncertainties seemed to be melting away. I think his Highness is right; I'll do just fine here.

#####

"Your Majesty?"

"What is it, Quinze?" Dekim Barton never even turned his head when his advisor walked into the room. He was standing by the window, watching a group of soldiers sparring at the training grounds.

"I just received word that the men you sent to shadow Odin Lowe have been found with their throats slashed, just outside of the capital."

"All four of them? Does that mean we lost his trail again?"

"I am afraid so, Your Highness."

There was a brief moment of silence as Dekim fought to control his irritation. "Very well." He finally turned. "There is nothing that can be done about that now."

"Do you want me to send out more men to look for him?"

"No!" The king shook his head. "We will deal with that once we have actually decided what we will do with the boy. You may leave now."

The other man hesitated.

"Or is there anything else?"

"In fact, there is, Your Highness," Quinze replied. "A messenger arrived from Narath. Apparently Princes Artan and Calum never arrived at the Emirate. Would you like me to handle it?"

"No, I shall meet with him myself. After all, if something happened to my nephews I would want to do whatever it takes to help find them." Dekim replied. His face turned grim as he added. "Even if they decided to abandoned their own kingdom in favor of Narath."

"As you wish, Your Highness." Quinze bowed. "I'll prepare everything for a meeting."

#####

"Hello… is anybody here?" The king held his step at the door to the Star Diviner's study at the top floor of the south tower. The room looked like a hoard of marauding trolls had just made their way through it. Books and scrolls were lying everywhere. The large desk was cluttered with tools and star maps; and suddenly behind it a head popped up from amidst the chaos.

"Your Majesty? What brings you to my humble dwelling?"

The man's appearance matched the strangeness of his name; 'S' who had ever heard of a name made up of a single letter. His hair looked like it had never made the acquaintance of a comb or brush, and from his face protruded a slightly large, fake nose, held in place by two leather bands. Rumor had it that he had lost his real nose in his youth, while experimenting with alchemy.

S had been working as head star diviner at the royal palace in Lhankor for many years. After king Octavius death however he left the kingdom. Well aware of his talent and capabilities Treize had jumped at the opportunity and offered him the same position in Galados.

"I have something for you; something I picked up on my way home from the Dragon Shrine," the king explained while he unwrapped the magnificently decorated dagger he had acquired at the market.

The other man raised one eyebrow in surprise as he looked at the weapon. "With all due respect, Your Majesty. This appears to be a more appropriate gift for a warrior. I'm afraid I do not have much use for a knife like that."

"It was not really meant as a gift." Treize replied. "I want you to examine the weapon. I want to know anything and everything about it."

"Oh?" S exclaimed as he finally reached for the dagger. He turned it around in his hand, checking it from every side. "It looks quite ordinary, what is wrong with it?" he wanted to know.

"That is what I am hoping you will be able to find out."

The star diviner listened with interest as the king told him the story of how Wufei had collapsed after touching the knife. "Fascinating!" He once more turned the dagger over to study it carefully. "I wonder what could have caused it?"

"So do I."

"The handle seems to be made from some kind of bone, but it looks unlike any bone I have seen before. I will have to run tests…lots of tests…lots of work…" he grumbled even as his eyes lit up like those of a child who had gotten into the honey pot. "It will take time."

Treize nodded understandingly. "You have all the time you need. I expect a thorough report."

"Absolutely, Your Highness, absolutely. I will get on it right away, but you will have to excuse me…" With that S ushered the other man to the door. "Not to be impolite or anything, but I work best when left alone. It is been a pleasure seeing you, Your Highness. Please visit again. Perhaps when I have more time we can have tea together or something. Good bye for now!"

Treize blinked in bewilderment as he found himself in the hallway and the door to the star diviner's study closed in his face. He couldn't even remember the last time he had been thrown out of…anywhere. What just happened?

####

The heavy gates to the royal city of Gathar were already open when the three riders approached from the desert. The day was still young but the streets and the bazaar was crowded with people trying to do their shopping before the heat of the day made it unbearable.

Ahmad tugged at his mount's reins until he was riding beside the prince. "We will be taking our leave now."

Quatre nodded. The royal palace with its tall towers and round roofs lay directly ahead. "Tell Rashid I will be waiting for word from him. If there is any news from Artan and Calum I would like to know."

"Of course, my Prince."

He said good bye to his companions then clicked his tongue and prodded Asad to move. So close to home the stallion needed little encouragement, falling easily into a slow trot.

The palace guards, recognizing the prince, hurried to open the gates as he approached. Quatre passed the men with a friendly nod and headed directly toward the stable where he handed the mount off to one of the grooms.

"Will you make sure he gets a good brush down?"

The young man nodded. "I will see to it at once, Prince Quatre," he promised.

"Thank you."

On his way through the courtyard Quatre ran into his sister Izza. She was the oldest of the princesses and had been taking care of the royal household for as long as he could remember.

"There you are." She greeted him. "Father has been looking for you."

"Oh? What does he want?"

"You should ask him." His sister shrugged. "And while you at it, find out if he will be eating with us today. I need to know if I should have a place set for him at the table."

"Ten to one he won't. But I will ask," Quatre promised.

#

On his way to see his father he stopped at his own quarters just long enough to wash the sand from his skin and change from his dusty riding pants into something a little more befitting for a crown prince.

The palace was large but the Emir, being a man of routines, was never difficult to find. Following the morning assembly with his advisors in the main hall he would retreat to his private study either alone or with one of his scribes to work through piles of papers that needed to be signed and approved.

Zaheed was reading through one of the tax reports when he was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Come in!" He demanded, his eyes never leaving the paper.

The sound of the door opening was followed by familiar footsteps and he recognized his visitor even before Quatre spoke.

"You wanted to see me, Father?"

Zaheed finally looked up. "Where have you been?"

"I took Asad out for a ride."

"For two days?"

"It was a long ride."

"Don't get cheeky, it doesn't befit you," his father admonished sternly. "I believe I asked you not to leave the palace alone. It is dangerous."

The prince felt the urge to point out that an unarmed guard did not offer much protection if someone was really out to harm him. But he bit his tongue answering instead: " I wasn't alone. Ahmad and Hassan were with me. You can ask them if you wish."

"Ahmad and Hassan," the Emir echoed. "I take it they told you then? "

"If you are talking about Calum and his brother... Yes, I heard that they disappeared on the way here. But how do you know? Has Rashid returned already? "

"He sent word by messenger. From what I understand he is traveling to Lhankor himself." There was a pause before Zaheed spoke again. "Perhaps the princes and their entourage were simple slowed by bad weather, or they decided on a detour."

The words were meant as encouragement for his son. Quatre and Artan had always been the best of friends. Which was one of the reasons he, the Emir, had invited the princes to live is Narath after their father's death.

"Yes, perhaps." Quatre nodded but somehow did not sound too convinced.

"I know you are worried, but I believe it is too early to fear the worst. Nevertheless, I have sent a messenger to the royal palace in Lhankor to ask for assistance."

"Ask King Dekim for help?" The prince almost snorted. "Would that not be like asking the fox to guard the henhouse?"

"Quatre!" His father snapped. "What are you suggesting?"

"It is far beyond a mere suggestion Father. I am certain you have heard people whisper, too. Even though nobody dares to speak it aloud... King Dekim had his brother killed to take the throne. Who is to say he would not also try to get rid of his nephews?"

"I am not one to believe in rumors and idle chit chat. And neither should you, Quatre. If there is any ounce of proof to this... this accusation I would like to see it."

"King Octavius was not that old," Quatre pointed out.

"He became ill. That happens, even to dragon knights. We are not invincible, you know."

"But he was a picture of good health the last time I remember seeing him."..."

"Enough! I want to hear no more of this, do you understand me? Now go! I believe your tutors have been looking for you as well."

"Yes Father. But before I leave Izza wanted me to ask if she should have the table set for you today?"

There was a moment of hesitation before the Emir shook his head. "I am quite busy today. I shall have one of the servants bring me my meal."

Quatre sighed, even so he hasn't really expected a different answer. "You do realize that Narath will not fall apart just because you spend a few hours with your family, do you not?"

"Some day you might understand. Now go!"

"Yes, Sir."

On his way back to the courtyard as Quatre rounded a corner he nearly collided with Halif, the boy who was somewhat between an apprentice and an errand boy for the royal healer.

Halif jumped aside, somehow managing to not spill the drink he was carrying.

"Please forgive me, Your Highness, I wasn't watching where I was going."

"No, it was my fault, too," Quatre smiled. "Father's morning tea, I assume? " he added with a nod toward the cup in the boy's hand.

"Indeed," the young apprentice confirmed.

"I wonder what is in it anyway? Father has been drinking it almost religiously every morning now, and somehow he always seems a bit less grumpy afterward."

"I wouldn't know, Your Highness. Master Basir is very secretive about it. He always brews it himself and he grows the ingredients in a part of the garden I'm not even allowed to enter."

"Perhaps he is afraid you might run off with the recipe and make a fortune selling it," Quatre jested. "But you better be off now, Father's mood is bad enough he might chew your head off if his tea is cold by the time he gets it."

"I hope not." Halif replied with a little smile. "But I shall hurry."

"Just try not to run into any more people," Quatre called after him in good humor. then as he continued on his way he turned serious again. In spite of his father's words he could not help but worry about Artan and his younger brother.

T.B.C.

Author's Note: Alright, that's it. We have finally arrived at the end of the last re-written chapter of Dragon King. Chapter 13, which is going out to the proofreader later on today in case you are wondering, will be completely new.

Thanks for reading, and if you find the time please leave a few words of feedback to let me know how I am doing.