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.

The Dragon King

Book 1- Of New Kings and New Friends

Chapter 13

"Is this where the royal court meets?" Wufei asked gesturing toward the large stained glass windows of the great hall in the main structure of the royal palace.

"That's right." Zechs confirmed.

"So that's where the king is right now?"

He'd better be.

After their bath and a quick but scrumptious meal, Treize had left the young dragon prodigy in the care of his bodyguard while he, as he put it, had to attend to matters of state. Zechs knew better than to voice his discontent about the assignment, but instead decided to make the best out of it by showing the boy around the palace, especially the royal residence and gardens so that, if need be, he could find his way around on his own.

"There is nothing wrong with asking one of the guards for directions," he had told Wufei. "But there is always someone, who thinks of himself as a jester, that might send you on a wild goose chase."

The gardens were beautiful, especially at this time of the year when the air was filled with the smell of sweet flowers and the sounds of countless birds. As they crossed one of the ornate wooden bridges the boy stopped for a few moments and leaned over the side to watch the gold and silver koi fish swimming in the pond below. "They are beautiful."

"They sure are." Zechs held his step and joined Wufei. "I believe the fish were a present from the former ruler of Beregoth to the late king who had admired them at a visit to the royal gardens there." Crossing his arms, he propped his elbows onto the wooden parapet as he stared into the water below. For a long time neither he nor the boy spoke, until the sounds of approaching footsteps interrupted the peaceful tranquility.

"My Lord?"

The dragon knight turned his head, looking back over his shoulder. "Ah Otto, what is it?"

"His Majesty sent me to relieve you. He asked for you to meet him outside the royal court."

"Thank you." Zechs nodded, and then directed at the boy he added. "Wufei, this is Otto, a member of the king's personal guard…" Which apparently has become your personal guard as well. "Otto, this is Wufei."

"Well met, young Master Wufei." The tall, curly haired man gave the boy a friendly nod and Wufei returned the gesture.

"Nice to meet you too, Sir Otto."

"I was showing Wufei the grounds. When he gets tired escort him to his quarters," Zechs instructed the other man before he walked away.

"Well then…" Otto gazed down at the boy beside him. "What would you like me to show you next?"

"Hmm…" The boy thought about it for a few moments. "The archives," he finally decided. "The king told me there are more books stored at the archives than any human can possibly read in a lifetime. I want to see it for myself."

The royal guard nodded. "Very well, shall we go then?"

As they headed toward the archives, located just east of the royal residence, Wufei looked up at the tall man. "Sir Otto, may I ask you a question?"

"You can drop the 'Sir' and just call me Otto. But go ahead, ask."

"The crest on your scabbard and your uniform looks a bit different from the royal crest of Galados. I noticed Instructor Noin and Lord Zechs wearing the same insignia…"

"Ah yes, you are quite observant." The man seemed impressed. "This emblem is a combination of the crests of Galados and Sanq. It symbolizes that, although we are serving a new king now, we still are loyal to our homeland."

"So you are from Sanq, too? Did you come to Galados together with Instructor Noin and Lord Zechs?"

"No," Otto shook his head. "I'm not sure about those two, but I didn't actually meet them until they entered the Dragon Shrine. Noin and Zechs trained in the same age group, I was their senior by two years."

Wufei had already another question on his tongue – for some reason he never seemed to run out of them – but the noise of flapping wings above their heads distracted him. Shielding his eyes from the sun with one hand the boy squinted into the sky and watched a large grayish dragon pass over them. "Another dragon knight."

"Actually that's a dragon messenger," his companion corrected.

"There is a difference?"

"Messengers usually aren't trained for battle. Their dragons are smaller in size and wouldn't stand much of a chance in a fight, but in comparison they have larger wings, which allow them to fly long distances without resting."

"Where do you think it is flying to?" Wufei asked as he watched dragon and rider slowly fade in the distance.

"Home, I assume. This one hails from Beregoth."

"How can you tell?"

Otto smiled softly. "I know because I was on duty when they arrived this morning. But you can also tell from the colors of the trappings the dragon is wearing."

"How long do you think it will take them to get back to Beregoth?" the boy asked as they continued their walk.

"With Shenlong's grace they'll probably reach the border by nightfall tomorrow," the guard replied with a little shrug. "And from there it is little more than another day's travel. Like I said, messengers are chosen for their dragon's ability to fly long distances. A lowland dragon probably would take twice as long to reach their goal."

"Lord Zechs was right."

"About what?" Otto asked curiously.

"Dragon knights have to know a lot about dragons. I barely know anything yet."

The dark-haired man laughed, it was a soft reassuring sound. "I wouldn't worry too much about it. You'll have a lot of time and opportunity to learn. I have a feeling His Majesty will make sure of that." He held his step, prodding the boy lightly with his elbow. "Well, here we are; the Archive. What do you think; is it big enough for you?"

The building was easily the largest Wufei had seen, stretching out along the wall that divided the royal residence from the more public areas of the palace. It was two stories high, build on a solid stone foundation. Perhaps the king was not jesting after all, when he claimed it contained a copy of every book ever written.

"Do you think we are allowed to go in?" The boy gave the tall man a hopeful look.

Otto almost gave an amused huff. "You are the king's ward, Young Master. I don't believe there are too many things you are not allowed to do, here at the royal palace."

###

"Heero, take care of the horses and then meet me inside," Odin Lowe instructed as he reined his mount to a halt in front of a small inn at the outskirts of Talys, a town at the foothills of the Gra mountain range that separated the kingdoms of Lhankor, Galados and Narath.

Odin was riding Dex, his grey gelding while the boy was following him on the pack horse, as usually. With a silent nod of acknowledgement, Heero slipped off the steed's broad back and adjusted his sword belt as he waited for his guardian to dismount as well. Since the day he received it the weapon had never left his side, being kept in arm's reach even when he was sleeping.

From across the dusty street a group of kids watched the unusual pair curiously. Heero paid them little attention as he led the horses into the small stables next to the tavern. He watered, then fed them oats from their own supplies before giving them a quick rub down with a bundle of bunched up straw. As usual he started with Odin's mount, eliciting a jealous snort from Kiba. The dun mare even nipped at the boy as he passed her, and Heero gave an amused huff.

"Be patient, you will get your turn." He slipped her a piece of dry bread and patted the white mark on her large forehead before he went on with his work.

By the time the boy had finished the chore and walked into the tavern Odin was sitting at a table in the back of the room.

"You hungry?" his guardian asked as he waved for the innkeeper even before Heero could answer. He ordered a slap of boar's roast with carrots and parsnip roots for the boy and a refill on his ale for himself.

Heero was starving after a long day of traveling, and the roast smelled delicious. The vegetables however, he wasn't so sure about. He never really liked the taste of parsnip. Or perhaps it was because in the very back of his mind he had memories of his mother cooking them for him, mashed with just a little bit of sweet butter because that was the only way he'd eat them.

As usually Odin spoke little during their meal. While drinking his dark ale he was always keeping an eye on the door, as though he was expecting someone. The boy's gaze went to the window. Outside the children were playing chase and catch. He watched their game for a few moments, and as he turned his head he noticed Odin looking at him.

"Would you like to go and join them?"

"I'm fine." Heero stared down at his plate as he cut off a big piece of meat. His guardian gave what sounded almost like an amused huff, and he wondered if he had said something funny. The boy didn't ask thought, but finished his meal in silence.

The innkeeper came to pick up the empty dishes, and Odin asked for yet another glass of ale. He paid for the order, but before he put away his money bag he pulled out a small silver coin and handed it to the boy.

"Go check out the town, have some fun. But be back before sundown"

Heero frowned slightly as his hand closed around the money.

"What is it?"

"You said you were going to show me how to sharpen my sword."

"Maybe later. Now go." his guardian promised. "Wait. Leave that with me." He gestured at the boy's sword belt. "You won't be needing it while we are in town."

"But…" Heero swallowed the rest of his protest and nodded as he started to remove the belt. "Yes, Sir."

Odin's eyes went to the door again, and the boy was certain now that he was waiting for someone. This was probably also the reason why his guardian wanted him out of the way. As Heero was leaving the inn he nearly collided with a tall, bearded man wearing a long hooded cloak. As they brushed against one another in the door the cape moved a little, and for a brief moment the boy could see what looked like a short curved sword or dagger on the stranger's belt.

Walking down the dusty road Heero threw a quick look through the window into the tavern. And sure enough, the stranger had headed directly for Odin's table and was sitting now with his back toward the window, across from his guardian. The table was too far away for him to hear what the two men were talking about, and so, after watching them for a few more moments the boy strolled off, down the road and toward the market place.

###

"Where have you been, it's late? We'll have to prepare for the evening show soon." Catherine asked as her brother entered the small trailer the two siblings were sharing.

"I took Kin and K'ri out into the woods. They haven't had a chance to stretch their legs in days."

"Be careful, Triton," his sister warned. "You know people get scared seeing them run free."

"I know, I know." The boy replied as he stepped over to a bucket of water in the corner to wash his hands.

"You missed supper. I saved you some leftovers; are you hungry?"

"Starving," Triton admitted. He took a seat at the small wooden fold out table by the window and waited for his sister to dish up his food.

"Its vegetable stew and baked cod," she said as she put a bowl and a plate in front of him. "There is also leftover fish for the cats tonight."

"Thanks," Triton looked up with a soft smile. He knew how hard it could be to buy enough food for the two saber cats. "Can we afford it?"

"Don't worry about it." Catherine reached out to ruffle her brother's hair as she settled down at the table across from him. "The fish dealer still had a lot of stock left when he was closing; he gave me a good price for the whole load. Besides, with that travel pass we got from the king we will be able to play in larger cities and make more money this summer. Now eat, the food will get cold."

After a few bites from his stew the boy looked up again. "It's good," he remarked, and then as he looked at his sister closer he added. "You are wearing Mother's earrings."

"Does it bother you?"

"No no," Triton quickly shook his head. It had been almost three summers since their mother's passing and Catherine had barely ever touched her things. "It's just that I have never before seen you wear them. They look beautiful on you. You should use them all the time."

His sister smiled softly. "I don't know about that. I'd be afraid of losing them."

"Were they really a gift to mother from King Octavius?" Triton had heard about it but wasn't sure if the story was true.

"That's right," Catherine nodded. "The king loved our performances, and especially Mother's dance I believe. He would never miss a show when we came to the capital, and afterward he often would visit her at our trailer. One time…" She couldn't help but laugh at the memory. "…You must have been two or three years old at the time, you climbed onto his lap as you always liked to do, and took off his crown and put it onto your head. It was so big it fell right over your eyes. But King Octavian laughed and said 'That boy has ambitions already, I see.'"

Triton frowned, somewhat embarrassed. "Did I really? I don't remember any of it."

"Yes, you probably were too young. Well, time for me to get changed for the show. You'd better eat up and get ready too." Walking into the back Catherine pulled the curtains that divided the sleeping area from the rest of the trailer close behind her and took out the earrings. As she returned them to the little jewelry box at the bottom of the chest where she was keeping all of their late mother's belongings, her eyes fell onto another, somewhat larger carved wooden box. Shortly before her death their mother had given that box to her, asking Catherine to safeguard it until Triton was old enough. Old enough for what, she was not quite sure. But just as she had promised, Catherine had kept the box hidden away and unopened for the past three years.

###

With his hands buried deep in his pockets he strolled down the dusty alley, faking disinterest, even as he was watching the marketplace like a fox. A hungry fox, to be precise. He hadn't eaten all day and his stomach was growling. The smell of different foods hanging in the air didn't make it any easier. But he knew he had to be careful. Most vendors were cautious enough to keep an eye on their goods. But then he saw his chance when a farmer who was selling fruits and vegetables from the back of his wagon, turned his back toward him to talk to a customer.

Quick as an attacking snake Duo struck. He jumped forward grabbed two apples from a wooden crate, one in each hand, and was running down the street before the poor farmer knew what had happened.

But when the man realized that he had been robbed he started yelling and shaking his fist as he ran after him.

"Stop him! Someone stop that little thief."

Duo tried to dash around a corner when he suddenly and painfully collided with a tall figure. A strong hand grabbed the boy's arm.

Seeing the sword on the man's belt Duo's brain instantly screamed 'city guard'. He tried to struggle free, but the grip never loosened.

"There you are!" A calm voice said. "Did you find what I sent you for? Well, let's see." With those words the man took one of the apples from the bewildered boy's hand, studied it for a moment and then took a large bite out of it. He chewed the fruit well before nodding in apparent approval. "Not bad, not bad at all," he declared before taking another bite.

Meanwhile the farmer had caught up with them. Somewhat puzzled he looked at the boy, then at the armed stranger and finally back at Duo.

"He is with you?"

"Why yes, of course. Are you the one selling these delicious apples, good man?" The man asked as he handed the farmer the half-eaten fruit. "We will take three dozen, but make it fast. I have to leave soon. And I will need something to carry them in."

"Three... Dozen?" The farmers eyes lit up at the prospect of such a large sale so late in the day. "Of course, right away."

As he hurried away to fill the order the stranger finally released Duos arm. But only to grab him by the neck of his washed out black shirt and drag him back toward the fruit stand.

"Let... go... of... me..." Duo struggled to free himself.

"Shut up!" The man with the dark, mussed hair hissed. "Unless you want to attract the attention of the city guard."

The boy huffed but ceased his struggle for the moment.

The farmer had put the apples into a well used wicker basket. "That will be half a gul, my Lord, including the basket," he demanded.

"Fair enough." The stranger handed the fruit off to Duo while he paid for the purchase then grabbed the boy by the collar again, dragging him along as he left the market place.

Only when he felt they were far enough he finally released Duo.

"Here!" He declared as he took the basket and handed the lad a couple of apples. "Next time, try not to steal. If they catch you, you might get a good beating or worse. Besides, that farmer works hard to feed his family, too."

"Whatever. What do you care." Duo snorted as he took off.

"And you are welcome, too." The man called after him.

Brows narrowed the boy grumbled something under his breath, then hungrily started to devour his loot. Weird guy! Who does he think he is, some kind of saint?

###

The sun was already setting when Heero returned to the Inn. Odin Lowe was still sitting at the table as he had been when he had left, but the bearded stranger was gone by now.

"What did you buy?" The knight asked when he noticed the boy was carrying a small package.

Slipping into the seat across from Lowe Heero put the package on the table and opened it to reveal a small bottle and a piece of soft deer skin leather.

A weapon polishing kit. Odin almost huffed in amusement. I should have known. Any other child would probably have spent his money on honey drops or candied fruit.

"The dealer said the oil is the best one can find. He imports it all the way from Beregoth. And feel how soft the leather is," Heero said.

His guardian nodded. "I will show you how to use it," he promised.

"Will we be leaving soon? Should I get the horses ready, Sir? "

"No need. Our plans have changed. We will be spending the night. I already paid for the room and had our things brought upstairs. Tomorrow I'll have some errands for you to run."

"Yes, sir." The lad nodded seriously but didn't ask what kind of errands it would be.

Odin Lowe emptied the last of the ale from his mug, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Well then," he said as he rose from his chair. "Should we go take care of our weapons?"

The boys eyes lit up and he jumped to his feet in an instant. "Yes Sir!"

###

As the sun set the temperatures began dropping. Duo pulled up his shoulders and shivered as he approached the abandoned old farmhouse a few miles outside of town. It was a broken down place without window panes or furnishings, but at least it still had a semi-intact roof.

He had eaten one of his apples and saved the second one to eat later. The fruit had stilled the worst of his hunger but didn't fill his stomach completely. But tomorrow was another day. Maybe he might get lucky and would be able to snatch something better to eat. Or perhaps someone would give him some odd jobs or errands to run and pay him with a meal. Tonight however he was just too tired to care.

As he approached the house the boy suddenly stopped in his track. Someone had been here. He was quite sure that he had secured the door when he had left this morning. The door was old and broken in one hinge. He used a large rock to keep it from opening on its own, but now it was only ajar, like someone had moved that rock but not bothered replacing it.

Duo drew slowly closer. There was no light inside the house and through the broken windows he could see no movement.

In spite of his best effort the broken door squeaked quietly as the lad pushed it open. Still, everything stayed quiet inside the house. Duo was beginning to think that he might have forgotten to secure the door when he had left when his food bumped against a large bundle on the ground, directly by the door.

As his eyes started to adjust to the darkness he could make out what looked like leather trappings and a enormous saddle. It seemed too large to fit any horse he had ever seen, including those huge draft horses they used up north to transport stone and marble from the rock quarries.

The lad was still trying to imagine how large a creature would fit a saddle like that when he suddenly heard a sound from outside. He jerked around...and froze in terror. In front of him, no more than a few feet away, stood a dragon, easily the size of ten draft horses. Or at least that's how it appeared to the startled boy.

Duo had never seen a dragon this close. He swallowed as he tried to remember what he knew about the creatures. Do dragons eat humans? Or was that only a myth made up to frighten children? He wasn't sure he wanted to find out.

The creature took one step toward him and Duo's breath caught in his throat; his mouth suddenly as dry as sagebrush at the end of a scorching summer.

The creature was too large to fit through the door, but Duo was quite sure it could simply, and without much effort, break it down along with the rest of the house if it wanted to. His mind screamed for him to turn and run but his legs felt like lead, unable to move.

For a moment that seemed like forever both dragon and human just eyed one another. Then the beast took one more step.

He is going to eat me! The lad though and somehow he mustered the courage to speak. "You know," he said, his voice trembling. "I'm really not much more than skin and bones, not worth the effort, trust me. There is prey much more suitable out in the woods; deer as big as cows and juicy wild pigs..."

The dragon gave a sound that seemed almost like an amused snort. But suddenly its large nostrils flared and it raised its nose slightly as though it was smelling the air. Moments later its large head pushed through the door and the creature started to sniff the boy's face.

Duo closed his eyes, convinced he was going to be devoured any moment now, then jerked them open again as something warm and moist touched his hand. The dragon was licking him, his tongue long and dark in color almost like that of a cow. Is he tasting me?

Suddenly the creatures attention seemed to be drawn to the apple Duo was carrying in his pants. Quickly and almost instinctively the boy covered the pocket with his hand. "Hey, that's my breakfast!"

Almost as in surprise the dragon drew away, crooking his head slightly like a dog would do. It was almost comical and Duo relaxed a little. Maybe he is not going to eat me after all.

The creature looked at him for a moment before attempting again to reach the sweet smelling fruit with his long slender tongue.

The boy sighed. "It really was supposed to be my breakfast, you know. But if you are that hungry, I suppose we could share it."

###

By the time he left town, the apples in his basket were in the company of a loaf of crusty bread, some onions and a thick slab of salted and cured bacon. He headed down the dusty, overgrown road toward the old farmhouse where he had left his companion.

Bolt was a strange creature to say the least. Who had ever heard of a dragon that preferred the human world to his own realm and returned home only occasionally to hunt. And not to mention a dragon that loved apples more than anything. He could still remember the time when Bolt got into an orchard, devouring nearly the entire crop, and then was sick for the next three days. Never mind what it had cost him to repay the farmer for his damaged and uprooted trees.

All in all Bolt seemed to enjoy human company while he... well let's just say he wasn't called Solo because of his social nature. He wasn't sure who was responsible for pairing up a human with its dragon half. But apparently even the gods seemed to possess a strange king of humor, on occasion.

Finally he reached the old farmhouse where he had left his companion to wait. After all he couldn't just walk through the towns gate with a dragon following him like a puppy dog. Solo raised his fingers to his lips and whistled, surprised when Bolt didn't come to greet him. Alright, so he had been gone a bit longer than usual, stopping at the tavern for a pint of ale and a few games of dice, but he surely wasn't going to be pouting about that, was he?

"Bolt!"

There was a noise to his left and then he saw him curled up with his wings tugged in like he had already been sleeping.

"Did I wake..."

The dragon made another sound: the clicking chirp he usually gave when he was trying to warn him of wild beasts and predators. But it made no sense. If there truly was danger nearby he would never stay so relaxed.

But suddenly the knight noticed something...someone curled up beneath the dragons large wings, and he realized Bolt was not warning him but telling him to be quiet.

He frowned as he recognized the sleeping figure. It's the kid from the marketplace. What in Shenlong's name is he doing out here?

T.B.C.

Author's Note: Alright, that took a lot longer than I had planned. But here we are chapter 13 done.

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