a/n: Thanks to those that are reading this story! It's probably not for everyone, but I'm really enjoying writing it! Sorry for my large gaps in between updates.

Previously in Silk Road

As he lay Relena down on his bedroll, Heero was grateful to be the one Wu-Fei had tasked with seducing her.

Chapter 7

Quatre and Heero brought Relena to Tashkent the next day, dismounting their horses at the gates for Trowa to take back to camp.

Lucretiastayed behind under the watchful eyes of Duo and Wu-Fei.

Heero and Relena, arms linked, followed Quatre through the Stone City's streets. Relena still wore Heero's kosode and scarf, holding the latter tightly and covering her mouth. Quatre dressed much like the rest of the people in Tashkent, but kept a hood over his head to not attract as much attention. Heero, as understated as he was, stood out like a sore thumb in his Japanese attire and sheer intensity in his expression.

As much as Relena and Quatre tried to exude the aura of "under the radar", Heero's presence demanded attention. Townsfolk were eager to step out of their way as they made their way through the streets.

Relena's eyes wandered about, taking in the bustling markets and more questionable scenes. This was a far cry from St. Gabriel's.

All the while, Heero kept the hilt of his sword pressed into her lower back. Her throat caught each time she felt its hardness graze her spine. It was an erotic feeling, and yet a dark reminder that she was his captive.

"Here we are!" The smiling Quatre pointed to a seedy tavern at the end of an alley, a road paved in packed dirt. The blonde bandit walked ahead of the pair and into the tavern door.

Soon, she felt his breath on her ear. How dare he send chills down her spine like this.

"Watch yourself in there,princess." He whispered. "We're here on business. Stay close." As if she had any choice in the matter. Heero pulled her inside and the pair joined Quatre in a shadowed part of the tavern in a tight booth made of wood. Relena took a seat between the two of them at Heero's direction.

"I ordered you a sweetShakhrisyabz wine my lady. Black tea for both of us, Heero. We should get some food as well." Quatre commented while waving down a server.

"Are any of your connections here todayQuatre?" Heero kept his voice low, asking once again in a language he thought Relena couldn't understand, Farsi.

"I expect the barbers from the desert. But there is something else we probably should speak on." Quatre said as he passed his companions the drinks the server brought them. "If word gets back to the Catalonias and the Khushrenada family, we may have a bigger issue than some politically-minded physicians and alchemists."

Relena's ears perked at the mention of the names. Why did they sound so familiar to her? She stayed silent as she brought theShakhrisyabz to her lips.

Heero was watching her out of his periphery. If she truly didn't know her own identity, she might not know who the Catalonias and Khushrenadas were, especially growing up in an isolated abbey. Still, other people in the tavern probablydidknow.

"Keep your voice down Quatre." Heero warned. "Those two families may have dealings in this part of the world."

"True, Sanc may be a small kingdom, but its trade interests are expansive. The regent seems particularly interested in colonization." Quatre said from behind his teacup. "Imagine what they'd pay to havethe crown princessin their possession? I'd worry for her. She has no idea what she's being dragged into."

Relena was starting to get annoyed with the two of them. Perhaps it was the wine, or the adrenaline of the entire ordeal, but she was about to let them have it.

"You two need to start explaining things to me." Relena said in perfect Farsi. "Now."

Quatre's eyes grew wide. Heero smiled, happy to learn that she'd retained some of their schooling. There was no doubt she remembered the other languagesthey had learned, too. He'd have to keep that in mind when speaking with the other bandits. She probably understood everything he said at any given time. But now was not the time to out her.

"What, you don't think I know how to speak any other language after growing up in a Catholic Abbey near the Silk Road?" She huffed. "Ridiculous."

She exhaled. She would give up her knowledge of the Persian tongue, but she planned to keep her other languages close to her chest. If she wanted to know more about what they were planning to do with her, she'd need to.

"Of course, my lady." Quatre stumbled. He took a final sip of tea. Their server brought them a plate piled high with skewered shashlik and a side of steaming flat bread.

Heero retrieved a skewer and delicately ripped it with his teeth from a few sections. He chewed for a few moments and swallowed before handing the hot meat to Relena.

"Seems safe to eat." He said to her in Japanese. She retrieved the stick and approached with caution, flicking it with her tongue to get a taste of the spices. Heero felt himself sweat at the sight. The intimacy was short-lived as the reality of the spice hit Relena's mouth.

"I meant safe as in not poisoned." Heero laughed before pulling another skewer off the plate. Quatre's eyes narrowed as he observed his fellow bandit. He hadn't agreed with Wu-Fei's plan from the start. It was bad enough they kidnapped a young woman with the intent of passing her off as royalty, it was even worse to think of an honorable man like Heero flirting with her for nefarious reasons.

Heero's actions seemed genuine, though. Quatre thought it curious.

"Princess..." Quatre began, this time in English, in between his own bites. "The Khushrenada family may be the regents ruling Sanc, your home country, right now. But it is your cousin who has her sights set on your throne."

Glossary:

Shakhrisyabz -A style of Iranian sweet wine available in Uzbekistan, also the name of a city. My research is telling me that while predominantly Muslim, the city of Tashkent and surrounding areas in Uzbekistan are into alcohol. This would especially make sense in the 12th century as there weren't many ways of safely keeping water. Alcohol and otherfermented drinkswere safer options.

barber -A medieval word for surgeon, sometimes used as a word for doctor.

shashlik- similar to kebab, skewered meat