Darkness at Dawn Part 15
"Restoring suppressed memories?" Hilde asked. "But what if she's blocked them for a reason? Is it really fair to ask her to re-live everything that happened?"
Orin stared down at this small mortal- she had true spirit. That much, at least, could be said. "No, to be honest, it isn't fair. As a rule, we don't approve of torture, but we must know what Ramar has planned! We can make it as painless as possible..."
Sally looked disturbed at the very thought. "Right. Painless. She's been through enough, Orin."
He turned to her and gave her a dark stare. "I understand your concern, Mother Healer, but I assure you she will be fine."
Une threw her hands in the air in exasperation. "Oh, for heaven's sake! Enough! Relena," she turned to the white-faced woman, "it is your consent and opinion that we need above all. These men will open your memories and search through them for any hint of Ramar's plans. In doing so, they will uncover many difficult things for you, things you might not want the rest of us to know. I will be honest with you- we need any information you can give us, badly. But we will respect your wishes if you'd prefer not to let us in."
All eyes pivoted to the blonde, who was shaking in her seat. Relena scanned each face in turn. She had few doubts about what the Dawnchildren thought of her- and they had every reason to hate her, in her opinion. But that the others were offering her the option to back out, when they should have simply strapped her down and forced it upon her...
Hilde's eyes glowed in support.
Relena gripped the edges of her seat in a tight, white-knuckled grip. "I... don't like the idea. I don't want to... But I will. Just promise," she looked up into Jareth's face, "promise me that the details of my imprisonment will not be made public knowledge. I have brought enough shame onto my family, simply by existing."
The Dawnchild's hard gaze softened slightly. "It will be as you have requested, Lady."
~*~
Six faces went slack-jawed in amazement as the Dawnchild Barton grabbed hold of Trowa and hugged him hard against his breast. "By the Guardians, boy! Everyone thought you were dead, when we got to your encampment and everyone was... You escaped! You got free!"
"Um, excuse me?"
Barton looked up in surprise to find Treize staring at him. "What is it, Lord of Water?"
Treize tried to appear calm. "Who are you and what do you have to do with my brother?"
Trowa pulled back from the hug and turned to look his brother in the face- it was uncanny, seeing the boy they all thought they knew side-by-side with this newcomer. "I promise to explain it all, Treize. Even for me, it is just a vague set of recollections. My family... had wild blood, as it is said, in it. I'm sorry- I should have told you."
After a moment of silent amazement, Treize turned angry eyes on Duo, who had stood, silent, to the side through the entire reunion. "You knew it, didn't you? Damn it, Duo! How long have you known?"
Niles drew himself up in indignation at hearing Lord Maxwell addressed so roughly, but Duo waved it off. "He didn't want it revealed, Treize. Trowa thought he had left that life behind when he was the only survivor of that attack. It was not my secret to reveal. I'm sorry."
"I hate to interrupt," Zechs broke in, "but shouldn't we get moving from here? I want answers like anyone else, but..."
"You're quite right, my Lord," Lucas said, his melodious voice steely enough to challenge anyone to disagree. "We'll just need to relieve you of your prisoner, and..."
Dorothy grabbed for the sleeve of Heero's tunic in fear.
"She is not our prisoner, and she will be no concern of yours," Duo said, stepping forward to her other side. The others shivered- they had heard that voice before... on the battlefield.
A white-faced Lucas nonetheless dared to look Duo in the eye. "But my Lord... she's... she's one of them."
Duo smiled coldly. "Yes and no, friend Lucas. She is Dorothy Catalonia. Does that name mean nothing to you?"
All three of the other Dawnchildren gasped and stared her in the face quite suddenly. "Oh Guardians..." Niles whispered, before his lips spread in a wide grin. "Oh- someone's going to be very happy to hear this news!"
Dorothy turned to Duo, at her side. "Maxwell..."
He turned the full force of his smile on her. "Not now, Dorothy. More explanations later. Will that be okay with you?"
She shook her head. "No, it won't. What does he mean?"
Duo shook his head sadly. "He means that certain members of your family will be overjoyed to find that you are alive and that you've returned to them. And I'm not saying another word!"
Her mind brimming over with questions, Dorothy nonetheless forced herself to simply glare at the Dawnchild and said nothing.
Barton motioned to Walker and Otto, who were still staring at them, transfixed. "And them?"
Zechs quickly said, "They are with me and I will vouch for them."
Lucas laughed. "I suppose that will have to do, then. But let's get going now- we have quite a way to go before nightfall."
~*~
Eyes that gleamed like hot coals snapped open, slitted like a cat's. No one had disturbed his slumber in a very, very long time.
Tendrils of smoke and flame rose from his great snout as he stirred. So he was needed, was he? All in good time, of course. He had no reason to rush.
And if his target was just another Dawnchild, he had nothing to fear, either. He hadn't tasted their flesh in a long time, but he would be perfectly happy to change that.
~*~
Sally Po and Quatre Raberba were finally alone with the five Dawnchildren, and they stared at them long and hard. "So," the young King began, "that wasn't all the help you came to offer me. What news do you have of my cousin."
Gerald grinned, a strangely discomforting sight. "Only that our people are actively looking for him and his small band. The message went out not long after the fall of Sank that he was alive and in need of assistance. He will still be far away, but I'm certain he will be found."
Sally shook her head. "You, of all people, should know that he is invisible until he wants to be found. What makes you so certain?"
Simon shrugged. "He has a Darkchild in his company, and Darkchildren pursuing him. We will find him."
Quatre looked disturbed at this news. "A Darkchild? Why? Why would he protect one of..."
Sally shook her head. "I thought Noin had told you. They caught this one early on, before the battle, even. The girl is apparently the granddaughter of a very well-respected leader among the Dawnchildren, a man called Weyridge."
The blond rubbed at his temples. "Fine- okay."
Orin let out a small chuckle. "His Lordship is still not well after the battle, perhaps."
Sally glared at the tall creature. "You know damned well he isn't, so don't bait him! Remember who he is!"
Quatre was surprised to see how the Dawnchildren backed off at the Lady's words. Just how is she related to all this, anyway?
Jareth broke into the discussion by clearing his throat. "All it will take is a word from Lord Maxwell's lips and our people will stand at his side again."
Quatre nodded. "Meaning my human armies cannot hope to stand against the Army of Shadows, I take it."
Heller winced. "Not quite the way we would have put it, my Lord."
"But it was the point he was trying to make," Quatre finished levelly. "As much as I hate to admit it, he is right. All the same, we cannot sit by and do nothing."
Jareth smiled. "Ah! And that is where we can be of service, my Lord."
"Do go on, please."
The Dawnchild enjoyed his grand-standing. He cleared his throat theatrically. "What would his Lordship say to the possibility of creating such weapons of war that even Dark magic would be at a loss?"
Sally glared at the grinning creature- she was in no mood for Dawnchild riddling! "What does that mean in plain language, then?"
The Mad Five wore identical smirks as they looked at each other and then back to the two humans. "No ordinary human would be able to handle the weapons we speak of. My Lord, have you heard of blood magics?"
~*~
The sun had long since set in the west, and even the Dawnchildren seemed to be tired as the travellers noticed soft lights burning in the distance. Smiling in relief, Niles pointed and spoke in a low voice. "It's just ahead, through the trees. And a good thing, too!"
Duo let out a musical, low laugh. "Tired, are you?"
The other Dawnchild drew himself up proudly. "Unlike you and your party, my Lord, we have had the luxury of not needing to walk until our feet fall off."
Heero drew up to Duo's side and fixed Lucas, who was just doubling back from running ahead to warn of the approaching party, with a stare. "What did they say?"
Lucas' fair features were drawn in frustration. "They will accept the Darkchild on the provision that she is kept under constant watch by one of the Elemental Lords... or by yourself, of course."
Heero nodded and turned to the Dawnchild at his side. "Are you ready for this?"
He felt like he was drowning in a sea of dusky blue as Duo's eyes turned to focus on him. ~I don't honestly know, Angel. I've tried to hide for so long...~
He placed a comforting hand on Duo's shoulder. ~Let it go. And if it gets to be too much... We will understand, okay? ~ "We should get moving now."
Heero was surprised to find, as they began walking again, that Duo's hand had sneaked into his. The Dawnchild's finger's were cold and dry- only partially due to the chill of the night- and he massaged them gently. Out of the corner of his eye, he was pleased to see the frown marring Duo's perfect forehead lessen in intensity. Good. Maybe we can hold him in one piece through this after all.
There were more lamps and voices in the trees as they moved now, and no one missed the intense whispering that followed the shocked silence as they passed. Trowa's eyes fixed on the braided leader of their small bunch in sympathy. He could feel it in his bones- the Dawnchild Lord was more than ready to bolt at the very thought of going back to a true gathering of his kind.
It was rather sad, actually.
He gasped in surprise and delight, though, as all the humans did, when they cleared the last line of trees and the small settlement became completely visible for the first time.
Duo's anxiety was manifesting itself in an arctic blast of cold around them, and Heero quickly squeezed the slender hand in his. "No fear, not with me here," he whispered as their hands tightened their grips on one another. The chill immediately lessened.
They had passed two sentry trees, much as he had that day when Duo first walked into their lives in New Port City- he was certain that the town they were looking at simply did not exist in the normal world! Wooden buildings with ornate carvings stood proudly next to what looked like gypsy caravan wagons, brightly coloured dwellings from which peals of song and laughter could be heard. The stars even seemed brighter, though it might have been from the way their light glinted off of the many Dawnchildren and elemental sprites who were out and heading to welcome them.
Treize felt a light-headed giddiness as he took a deep breath of air that even smelled different- fresher, as though he had stepped back in time to a place where no evil had ever tainted the air. He turned to look at Lord Zechs and Wufei at his side- the two were also staring around them, spellbound.
A hand on his shoulder- he turned to Trowa and was not surprised to see a bright smile on his usually blank face. Coming home- as much as I tried to give him a home and a family, he had this in his heart. How could I ever compare?
A long arm wrapped around his shoulders for a brief hug, and Trowa whispered to him, "This is my other home, brother. It isn't truly as strange as it looks- give it time."
Treize merely nodded.
Their attention was drawn, however, to where Duo stood, the Angel at his side. Even among his own kind, the Dawnchild Lord had a seeming aura about him, something to him that was brighter and fairer than anything else and simply attracted all the senses. They knew him well enough by now to be able to read the considerable amount of agitation in his countenance. He would have many questions to answer- of that they were all certain! And they would hopefully get some answers, as well.
Lucas once again gave the ritual greeting, and everyone could feel the tension as what had previously been rumour became accepted fact. Somehow, though the 'how' of it was a complete mystery, Lord Duo Maxwell of Rinfalin was standing in their midst, a walking legend out of the past!
Niles cleared his throat. "My Lord, we have many questions for you, indeed, but we understand that you and your party might require some rest. It would be my privilege..."
"For Goodness Sake, man, give the lad some space! It's not everyday that one is forced to come back from the dead, you know..." Everyone in the now sizeable crowd drew back as a taller Dawnchild strolled through, his shock of grey-white hair tufting strangely from his head. They all stared in surprise-
"By the... Howard, is that you? By all the stars in the sky!" Duo flew from his place down into the crowd and launched himself at the Dawnchild in question, laughing as though there was no tomorrow.
Howard smiled and patted the younger Dawnchild's back gently. "Now now, boy, no need to get emotional on us," he said gruffly, though the smile on his face belied his statement. "Care to introduce your friends?" he asked, as Duo pulled back.
The Dawnchild's smile was brighter and starrier than ever. "Certainly! Of course! I can't believe that I haven't, yet... Well." He turned to them and beckoned, smiling even wider at the looks of disbelief mingled with amusement on their faces.
He took hold of Heero's hand as the angel drew near and drew him to his side. "My friends, this is my only other surviving relative, apart from Lord Quatre. Howard was the uncle of my mother and Iria.
"Howard, these are my companions and friends. I present you Trowa Barton, Lord of Earth, Treize Kushrenada, Lord of Water, Wufei Chang, Lord of Air, Lord Zechs of Sank, his soldiers Otto and Walker, Dorothy Catalonia, and last but certainly not least, Heero Yuy, the Guardian's Hand."
The first and last two names caused massive amounts of whispering in the group gathered around them, but Duo paid it no heed. He found himself holding his breath in anticipatory anxiety as he scanned Howard's face for any sign of disapproval, and took a deep breath as the Dawnchild's serious expression melted into a fond smirk. "And yourself of course, Lord of Fire. You always had a flare for an interesting entourage, my boy. Welcome home."
It took the slender Dawnchild Lord a moment to realise what the warm feeling filling his heart was, but it only increased as he figured it out. He had been dreading this for so long, fearing that he could never be accepted back into the fold after what he had done and, even worse, what he had been the sole survivor of.
Howard's gaze fell upon Dorothy, though, and his visage darkened. "But you, young lady," he said, stalking closer as his eyes flashed fiercely- she tried to inch closer to the angel- "Duo should have killed you already, had it not been for your grandfather."
Dorothy dropped her head silently, unwilling to ask the question that was burning in her mind.
~*~
Roth smiled at his General. "It is done, my Lord. No matter where they go- it will follow them. It should even give Shinigami something to worry about."
Ramar smiled, stroking something he was holding in his hands. "If it could just eat one or two of his companions while it is there, I would be much obliged. Thank you, Roth. You may leave now."
The other turned to go, and smirked to himself as he closed the door. He had caught a glimpse of the object in Ramar's hands. It was a dusky pink silk sash.
Even more incriminating, his sharp ears picked up a word floating on the air, barely more than a sigh from the General's lips- "Relena."
He is still weak, and over a worthless human! This news much reach my commanders, and I will not make the same mistakes young Dorothy did... Laughing to himself, Roth disappeared into a row of tents like smoke on the air.
~*~
"I served under your Grandfather, girl! A better man there never was, but your mother insisted on..."
"Um, Howard?" Barton interrupted quietly.
The older Dawnchild looked over at him in annoyance. "What?"
"Look! Up there!" They all followed his point up into the sky, and several jaws dropped open in shock and not a few in fear. Fire in the sky? What could it possibly mean? Such an ill omen...
That is was getting larger by the second sent a chill down Duo's spine. "That is no falling star..."
Panic set in as several people heard his whisper, some people retreating while others simply stared up into the sky in slack-jawed shock and cold fear. "It's a dragon, my Lord," came an amazed whisper from Niles.
"Oh, dear," Duo sighed, shutting his eyes in annoyance as panic set in for real. He released Heero's hand as his aura ignited to life around him, violet flames dancing brightly in the darkness. "Get everyone back and keep an eye on Dorothy for me, please?" he asked, sparing the angel a miniscule smile. "Friend-Trowa, would you be so kind as to come with me?"
Trowa wore a shocked look as he stared up at the approaching menace, spouting flames of death from its jaws. He gulped as he looked down into Duo's eyes. "Um... why?"
Duo actually laughed at that. "To talk to him for me, if you please. Okay?"
White-faced, Trowa just nodded, his own green aura flaring to life about him.
As Duo strolled forward, he reached over his right shoulder and pulled Deathscythe from its sheath.
TBC...
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