*.....* denotes thought or internal struggle
***** denotes change of scene within same time parameters
------ denotes flashback
[1, 2, 3, 4...] denotes author's notes at end of fic
Society's Mirage Part 1
An Approach to Peace
A Year Ago
The impossibly white walls of the Sandrock Palace gleamed in the bright, Arabian sunlight, shining down unchecked by either clouds or the natural cover of nature. Hot and sweltering, the sun's heat manages to curtail even the most stalwart of foreigners, quickly sapping both strength and desire to move in the most minute of activities. However, to those accustomed to the environment, the sun was as much of a boon as it was a hindrance.
The royal guards of the palace, the esteemed and highly skilled Magaanarc Corps maintained their ever-vigilant watch on the out skirting city that lay about the palace, ignoring the slight discomfort wrought by the blazing sun. Their lives dedicated to the protection of the members of the royal families of Manasia, they had been trained from an early age to withstand a few physical inconveniences. Each elite member of the Magaanarc Corps would sacrifice their lives in return for their ruler, Sultan Quatre Raberba Winner, his son and daughter, Javier and Alia, and his two beloved cousins, Sheik Duo Maxwell and Sheik Treize Khushrenada.
The two sheiks were rulers over their own principalities, ruling from their respective palaces, Shinigami and Epyon. They only answered to their cousin, Sultan Quatre, ruler of all of Manasia. Each ruler was kind and benevolent, their people rejoiced in the years of relative peace they had managed to maintain in the years of political friction.
While Manasia upheld the ideals of pacifism and peace, the country ironically also maintained a powerful military power, rarely ever used, but necessary in the face of the brute force often accompanying attempted coups on the country. Many of these coups arrived in the form of Duke Dermail, the self appointed leader of the Romefeller Kingdom from across the vast oceans. Dermail was power hungry, allowing his greed and lust for power to be the driving force behind his irrational actions, often resulting in devastating losses for his country.
Although the Earth was comprised of many kingdoms across the blue green globe, there were only a few that held most of the power. Manasia being one of them, the Romefeller Kingdom was its most apparent opponent, and the Sank Kingdom its most apparent supporter. So far, Manasia had managed to overturn each of Dermail's takeover bids, but it needed to ally itself with an equally powerful associate.
In fact, that was what the beloved sultan of Manasia was attempting to do even now.
Esconced in the luxurious study of his palace, Sultan Quatre was pouring over an alliance proposition that had been sent to him from the ruler of the Sank Kingdom, Queen Relena Peacecraft. The Peacecraft ruler was well known for her pacifist standings, much akin to Quatre's own. An alliance with the kingdom would be strong and well received by both of their people.
Queen Relena was attempting to gather support from all the countries to defy Dermail's tyrannical rule of the Romefeller Kingdom. She believed that with all of the surrounding kingdoms united, Romefeller would have no choice but to back down and stop the chaotic forays into each outlying kingdom, or else suffer the wrath of the other kingdoms and their military forces.
The idea itself was sound and one to Quatre's liking. However, the success of such an attempt was contingent upon the alliance of ALL the other kingdoms, a gigantic feat in itself. However, the possible peace that could result from such campaign was worth the effort it would require, resolving the blond ruler's mind.
Settling the proposition back upon his massive desk, Quatre turned his gaze to the other two occupants of the room. As they both continued to pour over their copies of the alliance agreement, the young ruler took the time to observe his two cousins. He needed to decide which one of them to send as an emissary to the young Peacecraft.
Sheik Treize Khushrenada, ruler of the Epyon Palace and surrounding districts was a tall man, his figure cutting a sharp and elegant picture of aristocracy. His features, while fine and Aristotelian, were boldly confident and self-assured, his natural arrogance shining through every now and then. But the noble was a good, if somewhat poetic, leader, despite his unusual fetish for roses. The Epyon Palace was renowned for its incredible rose gardens, an unusual success in a land that naturally resisted growing such fragile beauty. Treize always ensured him that while it was no easy task, the fruits of such labor were well worth the effort.
Treize's clothing was as impeccable as the man that wore them. Neatly tailored, the fine cloth was form fitting and showed off Treize's muscular torso to its greatest advantage. Treize's personal fetish about neatness and presentability was amusing at times, while it also had the possibility of being annoying at other times.
However, despite his personal eccentricities, Treize was a good ruler, his natural patience and calm had often soothed ruffled tempers at the negotiation table. However, Quatre had reservations about sending the older man to the Sank Kingdom. He knew Queen Relena was a relatively young ruler, being a year younger than his own 23 years, being forced by the mysterious disappearance of her older brother to assume the throne. She would probably feel more comfortable with a representative around her own age.
That turned his focus of attention to his slightly younger cousin, Sheik Duo Maxwell. If Treize was the model of order and neatness, Duo was the epitome of chaos and unconventionality.
The violet-eyed ruler hated conformity, often resorting to the use of vast extremes and measures, anything to keep others on their toes. His clothing, while clean and respectable, was often unkempt and had the unique ability to look rumpled even if they were fresh off of the ironing board. When asked about his attire, Duo would often shrug, give a cheeky grin, and say that he preferred being comfortable.
The other unique characteristic of the young sheik was the uncanny length of his hair. While Quatre's own blond locks were long enough to brush against the nape of his neck, Duo's chestnut mane was exactly that... a long, long, long mane.
The heavy, silken mass reached well below the waist of the slender man, and it could often be found carefully restrained in a long braid. While the length of his hair was definitely out of the norm for an aristocrat, Quatre never commented on it. The braid was important to his cousin, a reminder of the past. He couldn't very well command that Duo cut it off; that would be something akin to asking the braided man to cut off one of his hands or feet. The braid was an extension of the cheerful man's body, plain and simple.
Duo was a very cheerful young man, sometimes so cheerful that Quatre knew it was forced, probably to lighten moods up at court when tensions ran high. Quatre had never met someone who could resist the young man's smiles, despite the many who had tried and reluctantly conceded defeat.
Yes, Duo would be the prime candidate for an emissary.
Having decided that, Quatre cleared his throat gently, drawing his cousins' attentions to him and away from the documents in their hands. When he had captured the pair of blue and the pair of violet eyes, Quatre smiled and said, "I assume the both of you agree that this venture is a worthy pursuit."
Treize inclined his head in agreement while Duo vigorously nodded his. The braided ruler rapidly said, "Oi, of course it is, Quatre. If it can successfully see to the end of Dermail's rule, it is well worth the effort."
"I agree," Treize said succinctly. "That man's tyrannical rule has gone on long enough. It is time that we took action to stop him. Although, I must say I'm surprised that the young Peacecraft queen is the one to suggest such a bold endeavor."
"Indeed. If this is any indication of her type of rule, then I have high hopes for the Sank Kingdom. Which is a relief, considering the chaos it was thrown into with the disappearance of the male heir, Milliardo Peacecraft."
Treize swiftly looked at Quatre, his gaze sharp and piercing. Quatre returned the look, his own blue gaze full of unasked questions. Treize slowly shook his head as he answered softly, "No, Quatre. He's still not ready to return home. Although I have done much to break down the barriers erected during his imprisonment, there is still too much work to be done. He's too fragile to face the outside world."
Quatre examined Treize's earnest face for a long moment before his sincere smile returned to his face. "If anyone can do it, it's you, cousin."
Duo watched the exchange with uncharacteristic silence; even his own hyperactive mind acknowledging the seriousness of the interchange.
The subject in question was a young man that Treize had recently taken underneath his wing. The young man had been rescued from a slave trader ship that had the misfortune to travel through the waters that lay off the coast where the Epyon Palace stood. Treize's marine forces had taken control of the ship and had rescued the prisoners, taking them back to Treize's palace.
Once there, Treize had freed most of the prisoners, except for the young man whom he now kept safe in his own fortress. The noble had obviously suffered much abuse at the hands of his captors, abuse to such an extent that his former life was completely blocked out of his mind. Although his distinct characteristics and features had immediately revealed his identity, his own mind was as blank as newborn. Treize was doing everything in his power to help the young man heal before sending him back to his homeland. However, progress was slow, doubly hindered by the fact that the young man had begun to develop feelings for the sheik. Feelings that Treize was starting to reciprocate, if his special treatment of the platinum haired noble was any indication.
Quatre's smooth voice broke into Duo's musings. "Then you agree I need to send a representative to her peace conference."
Quatre turned to his younger cousin and said, "Duo, I believe that you would be the best choice. Are you willing to go in the name of Manasia?"
Duo gaped at his cousin as his violet eyes went wide. He suddenly burst out in an explosion of energy, "Are you kidding? Of course I'll go! You know me, never one to miss the chance for a party!"
Quatre clapped his hands once and said, "Then it is decided. You'll leave tomorrow for the Sank Kingdom. Rashid will accompany you and your servants aboard the Zero."
Duo cocked one eyebrow upwards as he said in disbelief, "You're letting me take your new cruiser?"
Quatre nodded his affirmative as he answered, "Yes. It is the fastest ship in the marine fleet right now and should help you evade any trouble you may encounter on the high seas. Besides, I hear that Queen Relena has an affinity for sailing. You should be able to connect with her through your similar tastes and leisure activities. It'll be a good chance to get to know what the ruler is like in and out of the throne room."
Duo nodded as he added, "Anything else?"
"Oh yes, I do believe that I shall give Queen Relena a gift. Something to represent our goodwill and similar intentions."
Duo was immediately suspicious of the nature of Quatre's intended 'gift'; his hyperactive mind immediately registering every possible item that existed within the sultan's rather extensive slate of commodities. He cautiously asked, "Is that such a good idea? She might get the wrong idea."
Quatre waved his hand nonchalantly, his expression unconcerned. "Nah. If anything, my gift will be able to create a bridge of understanding between our two different cultures. If the queen is intent on creating a unified nation, then she will need to understand the very cultures she hopes to incorporate. This will be her first clue to our homelands."
Duo just grinned and shook his head good-naturedly. "Whatever you want, cousin." Then the braided sheik's face fell into a mischievous expression, his eyes sparkling with an anticipatory gleam. "Oi, but I can't wait until I see the reaction on her face."
Quatre's pleasant face slid into a firm, decisive stare, his blue eyes serious and intense. "Please, Duo. Don't do anything rash or foolhardy this time."
Duo schooled his expression into the most sincere gaze he could muster, which wasn't saying much, and solemnly intoned, "I promise, Quatre. I'll think before I act."
Quatre visibly relaxed as Duo gave him his oath, although that wasn't exactly what he had asked of his cousin. However, this was Duo he was sending as Manasia's emissary, and he had to place his faith and trust in his younger cousin. "Arigato, Duo. That's all I ask. Now, I'm sure that you would like to prepare for your journey. So gentlemen, this meeting is adjourned."
The three men rose from their chairs, pushing them away from the desk that they had been sitting around. Each paused to give the others a bow of respect before they parted from the study to their individual suites in the Sandrock Palace.
Quatre left to visit his darling children in their nursery; the offspring of an arranged marriage between himself and the daughter of the ruler of a neighboring country. Allah had blessed Fatima and him with a strong and rugged son and an equally blessed, adorable daughter before she had been taken away by her untimely death. His children were the darlings of the country, although the people would like to see their sultan once again married or at least involved with someone, his happiness complete. However, the young blond ruler seemed content with his life, taking no interest in the exquisite women of his harem.
Treize departed for his spacious guest quarters in the Sandrock palace. While they were not his beloved Epyon estate, they would do in a pinch; the veranda doors opened onto a carefully maintained desert garden. It was in these guest quarters that his newest valet and manservant, self dubbed Zechs Merquise, currently resided, awaiting his master's commands and wishes.
While Treize enjoyed spending time with his younger cousin and sultan, he didn't feel the two other men could resonate with him on equal planes of speculation and meditation. Treize's years of life experience had granted the sheik a somewhat twisted sense of cynicism and rhetoric that he often wish to express, but found himself without a debate partner. Zechs offered him that verbal outlet, often sparring words with him despite their differences in public status. His groom also offered him physical relief, and with it an uncanny sense of satisfaction and satiation that previous forays into his personal harem had not granted. And despite the knowledge that one day Zechs would return to the former life he had lived, once his mind could deal with the emotional trauma of his past, Treize was beginning to develop an attachment for the educated man. Perhaps that was why he cherished each moment he could spend with the other. Because he knew that time was flowing along and an end to their desert rendezvous would soon be at hand.
Duo withdrew to his own personal guest accommodations, his mind already focused on the journey ahead. He was planning to contact his own estate and have Hilde, the chief mistress of his harem, prepare his royal luggage. Yet his active mind was not on what he needed to do to prepare for his trip, but rather what he would find at the completion of his journey.
A new land, a new culture awaited him. His eagerness for this new adventure was surpassed only by his enthusiasm for the wondrous possibilities that lay before him. Yes, his time would probably be consumed for awhile with the boring affairs of state, maintaining the carefully constructed reputation and prominence of Manasia. But, he would undoubtedly also have some free time in which to explore the Sank Kingdom and perhaps find some excitement.
And perhaps find some romance as well.
He adored the women of his harem, each beautiful and exotic in their own way. But women just didn't... well, he admired and he found satisfaction in their slender embraces, but it was only fleeting. He desperately wished for something more solid, more real than what he found at his beck and call. The women of his harem all shared the same basic trait... they were all subservient, eager to do his every wish and command. They would never even think of disobeying or ignoring his desire, having all been trained from birth to hold him and his cousins in awe as befit their royal status.
Duo was eager for a challenge, for a struggle in a relationship. He didn't want some submissive, quailing bedmate. No, what Sheik Duo wanted was someone who would inflame his intellect and arouse his hidden passions, as well as his loins. He wanted someone who had his or her own unique personality and wouldn't be afraid to voice those opinions in his presence. Male or female, it didn't matter, although for the longest time Duo had the sneaking suspicion he preferred the male gender to females.
As of yet, he had not been able to find such a person in Manasia, so he hoped that this journey to the Sank Kingdom would yield some different results. With that last thought, Duo headed towards the personal communications console in his quarters. He needed to prepare since his journey was to start the very next day.
TBC...
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