Darkness at Dawn Part 34
"HALT IN THE NAME OF THE KING!"
Mikloscz and his comrades cursed roundly as torches flared to life around them, surrounding them. He sneered openly as he recgonised Rashid in the crowd around him. "Little Quatre sent his finest after me, eh? This is ludicrous! You cannot hold us prisoner here!"
"Prisoner?" Rashid practically roared at the smaller man. "How can you say that? Do you honestly think your forces will stand a chance if you try and face the enemy alone? You will be dead faster than you could blink."
"What about my people?! Our families! Our kin!" Mikloscz roared back.
Rashid re-sheathed the sword in his hands before he walked forward, towering over the Lord and his companions. "From what we've heard of Sanc, these Darkchildren will steal and plunder their way through the countryside, but will overlook the people there, unless they are given a reason not to." He reached the other man and looked down at him impressively. "You cannot save any lives leaving here tonight, my Lord. Do not force me to keep you here against your will."
Mikloscz' hand tightened around his sword hilt. "If you think to intimidate me, Man'gua'nac..."
"He doesn't need to. I will, instead," a voice called drolly from the sidelines.
Platinum hair shone in the dim torchlight as Zechs of Sanc pushed his way forward to Rashid's side. "So... you think you can ride out with fifty men and stop the Army of Shadows? You are wrong, sir. My city, my army, all gone! My people scattered! The Sanc Kingdom had never fallen to a foe before, and I lost it in one horrific day."
There was silence as Zechs turned to the men surrounding Mikloscz. "You are worried about your families, I understand that. I feel for you. But you cannot help them, not like this. The only thing you can do is give your support and allegiance to your King! I have seen and fought this enemy, and I know we will fall if we do not stick together!"
He sighed and turned to the tall Man'gua'nac leader. "Now stand aside, Rashid. If they wish to go, they are right. We cannot force them to stay."
"But my Lord..."
Zechs looked up again. "I know what Lord Quatre ordered you to do, and I know you don't want to displease him. But this is right, you know it is."
The Man'gua'nac gave him a long look before he surrendered with a nod of his head. The Man'gua'nacs resheathed their weapons and stepped aside. Rashid looked into Mikloscz' eyes. "If you wish to go, we cannot force you to stay, but I beg you to reconsider."
The stunned Lord looked deep into Zechs' eyes before he turned back to his men and looked into theirs. He did not bother to turn back. "We will not desert the King. I give you my word of honour."
~*~
Wufei yawned as he sat up, pushing his hair back out of his eyes. He smiled as he looked down at the broad back of his bed-mate. "Treize?" He leaned down and gently kissed the other man's shoulder.
"Mmmm," Treize sighed, turning and wrapping one strong arm around the former Captain's waist. Wufei allowed the taller man to pull him back down again and submitted to a slow, lazy kiss. "Morning, Wufei."
Cornflower blue eyes opened and gleamed brightly as they stared into onyx. "This is the proper way to wake up." Burying his hands in the other man's loose hair, he brought their lips together again.
As they broke the kiss, Wufei settled back comfortably into Treize's arms, closing his eyes in appreciation as he felt the other man's breath against his neck. "I like this."
He got a 'hmmm' of appreciation before Treize pressed a kiss against his neck. "Tell me," the tall man asked finally, turning his companion so he could look him in the eyes, "what weapon will you choose?"
Wufei's eyebrows went up. "I... you know, I don't know what I'd choose." He frowned. "Is it really that important?"
Treize thought for a moment. "It's like... like an extension of your own mind, but fortified, stripped of things like fear and worry and sorrow. Holding a weapon like that in your hand... I'd never been more humbled by such a great responsibility, nor as alive with a sense of being. Does that make any sense?"
Wufei nodded, threading his fingers up into Treize's hair and pulling the other man down for a kiss. "Prefect sense, love."
Treize gave his lover a heart-stopping smile. "And so?"
Wufei shrugged. "Maybe I'll let Duo choose."
Treize laughed. "He'd be overjoyed at the idea!" He swooped in for another kiss, this time deeper, more passionate, and he felt a shiver running through him as Wufei's arms wrapped around his body, strong and warm. "Fei..."
A wicked look entered the Oriental man's eyes. "I'll tell you which weapon I'd like to play with right now..."
An answering glint in Treize's eyes made the former Captain's mouth go dry. "I was wondering when you'd get around to the double entendre..."
Long fingers twisted in Treize's short hair, and Wufei barely had the time to breathe the word, "tease," before Treize's lips were on his.
Treize's hands quested down Wufei's torso as he deepened the kiss, fingers splayed over the slighter man's rib cage as he teased him with his tongue and lips. Wufei was arching into his hands, moaning into Treize's mouth as hands found and toyed with his nipples. The sound went straight to Treize's groin, and he moved his hands lower -
Wufei tried not to laugh as they became tangled in the sheets and Treize cursed, yanking the material out from between them. "Patience, love. I will still be here when you work your way free."
"Now who's being a tease?" Treize's lips moved down Wufei's arched throat to his collarbone and along his well-defined shoulders. As he finally managed to get rid of the sheet, he bit down gently on the spot where shoulder met neck, even as he wrapped his hand around Wufei's manhood and began to slowly pump him.
Wufei's breath escaped his lips in a hiss of pleasure as his eyes slid shut and his grip on Treize tightened. "Guardians, Treize..."
Lips were on his again, and Wufei groaned as Treize's tongue invaded his mouth again in a prequel to what was about to happen. He opened his eyes to find himself drowning in a sea of blue, hovering over him and glowing as though lit by the sun. "Open for me, Wufei. Help me prepare you."
He sucked in a deep breath as Wufei spread his legs as far as he could, still staring deep into his eyes. "Love you, Treize."
"I know." Treize pressed two fingers against Wufei's lips and sucked in yet another breath as Wufei sucked those fingers into his mouth, teasing sensitive fingertips with his tongue. "Wufei..."
He leaned down again to kiss the other man as he snaked his now moistened fingers down between them and unerringly found Wufei's entrance. He teased there gently for a short moment before gently pushing into him.
Wufei's moans were music to Treize's ears as he quickly prepped his lover. He felt himself throbbing with need as Wufei's moans became completely incoherent, his well-muscled form writhing with pleasure as Treize's fingers found the right spot within him. One word filled his mind. "Treize..."
Hearing his name called in that tone was almost too much for Treize. Removing his fingers, he quickly positioned himself at Wufei's entrance. Then he waited.
Wufei's eyes finally opened again, pupils dilated with pleasure as he stared up at his lover. "Treize, please..."
"As my love wishes," Treize nearly growled out as he slowly pushed himself into the other man.
Wufei groaned as pleasure and pain danced through his mind, the sensation of being filled and stretched making his heart race madly. He forced his body to relax as he thrust against the other man, impaling himself upon his hardness.
Treize groaned loudly as he felt that heat surrounding him, accepting him as he began thrusting in and out of his Chinese lover at an agonizingly slow pace, as though he were determined to drive his partner mad with need before he allowed either of them release.
Wufei was a mass of nerves, his body tingling with sensation as Treize gripped his shoulders and sucked at his throat, still thrusting with slow deliberateness. "Guardians, love," Wufei panted, pulling Treize's head back to look him in the eyes. "For Heaven's sake, please!"
"What, this?" Treize replied in a gravely voice. With no further warning, he thrust deep and hard into the other man, pulling almost all the way out again before thrusting forward even harder than before.
Wufei's voice gave out as he gasped for air and his grip tightened on Treize's shoulders to the point that he would bear bruises from it later. "Treize, love..."
The ginger-haired man moaned and wrapped a hand around Wufei's hardness to pump it in rhythm with his now powerful deep thrusts, as though determined to drive Wufei over the edge before he gave in himself. He took the smaller man's mouth in a blinding kiss.
Wufei clung to his lover, his head spinning as pleasure overrode his senses. He screamed into their kiss as his climax hit, muscles clamping down on Treize as his own essence spilt over the other man's hand and both their stomachs.
Treize broke the kiss as he felt Wufei's body contracting around him and the heat of his orgasm on his hand. "Wufeeiiiiii..." He wrapped long, powerful arms around the other man and lifted him bodily off the bed as he came, buried hard and deep inside his lover.
Both men panted raggedly as Treize collapsed bonelessly. He pressed a hard kiss to Wufei's forehead and another to the young man's bruised lips as Wufei's arms wrapped around him almost of their own volition.
Recovering their breath, the two smiled at each other, both brushing sweat-dampened hair from the other's face. Wufei quirked an eyebrow. "Much more pleasant in a bed wouldn't you say?"
Treize laughed gently. "Quite so, love. Especially for you, I daresay." He placed a quick kiss on Wufei's nose. "My beautiful Wufei."
The dark-eyed man smiled up at him. "I'll make you understand it someday."
Treize gathered the other man in his arms and buried his face in Wufei's loose hair. "I'll hold you to that promise."
~*~
There was no warning.
A young girl awoke with a start to hear screaming just outside her window, and bolted from her bed, staring out in confusion. If it was morning, than what had happened to the sun?
Maryan felt a rush of air going straight past her face and jumped back with a choked scream. There was an arrow embedded in her wall, flames spreading steadily along the wooden walls of her small room. She stared at it, transfixed in terror for a moment before she, too, began screaming, grabbing at her clothes and trembling as she called out the one word that came to mind, "Mama!"
She kept calling, but no one came.
She clutched a threadbare blanket to her thin chest as she stared at the flames surrounding her door. She could just make it, if she tried...
With a scream, she darted through the burning doorway and into the rest of the small house- there was fire everywhere, spreading along all the walls, and there, in the middle of the floor in a growing pool of red...
She stared in shock and horror, her fingers suddenly numb, dropping her blanket. "Mama..." Maryan was on her knees at her mother's side, sobbing her name, shaking her...
As the roof began to cave in, though, she screamed again. Fire was raining down around her, falling on her Mama, but Mama didn't move. She backed away frantically, running out the door and into the grey morning.
Horses. Horses and strange beautiful creatures were everywhere, their porcelain-like features twisted into dark, hurtful expressions as they rode down other panicked humans or shot them with their arrows. The girl shrank back, pulling her shawl over her head in an effort to hide, to block out those faces and the looks they wore...
"Well, well, what have we here?"
She screamed as she was lifted from the ground and turned - The creature holding Maryan seemed to be half-man and half-beast, grey-eyed, covered in dark, luxurious-looking fur, like a kitten the girl had once seen. Her eyes widened -
The creature leered at her, long, evil fangs glinting in the strange darkness as she screamed in fear and it opened its jaws wide -
"VERNIS! Let her down!"
The creature spun, still holding the little girl.
Another cat-like creature stood there, but where the one holding the girl had been frightening, this one could only be described as regal and beautiful, her fur gleaming and golden eyes flashing. The arms around Maryan loosened a fraction. "Huntress..."
Berani advanced on the other cat. "Let that child free, Vernis, or you will answer to me."
With a growl, the dark cat dropped her and stalked away, its head lowered in a show of submittal. As soon as he was gone, Berani turned back to the frightened child, helping her to stand. She sank down and brushed some soot from Maryan's face gently. "Go - hide in the woods until the army has gone, and don't come out until the fires stop burning, do you understand?"
The girl nodded, but her eyes strayed back to her burning house. "Mama..."
"Your mother would want you to live, little one," Berani said, her eyes flashing again. She growled slightly as she repeated her directions. "Run now!"
The girl watched as the tall cat woman faded back into the fighting, but then turned and ran as fast as her feet would carry her.
~*~
Weyridge trotted up to Howard's side with a look of dismay on his face. "Howard! You are leading us right into..."
The other Dawnchild nodded. "Yes, right into a human settlement, but it is the fastest way to Sandrock from here." He wiped his brow with a broad handkerchief. "The main army can leave the supply train behind and make for the city as fast as possible. I fear our enemies have moved faster than we have."
Looking ahead, they could both see people staring at the approaching army from around bushes and houses, clutching makeshift weapons to their chests as they watched. Howard's face fell. "Of course! They think we're the enemy."
Weyridge turned in the saddle. "Barton! Barton, come join us, if you please!"
The dark-haired Dawnchild rode quickly to their side, his armour winking brightly in the sun. He gave a half-bow from his place. "My Lord?"
Weyridge pointed ahead. "Take a look at that."
Barton's green eyes went comically wide. "I had no idea we were so close..."
Howard rolled his eyes. "So says the man who guided us hither! Come now! Go talk to them for us!"
"What?!" Barton's smile gave way to a white-faced look of apprehension. "Why me?"
Howard chuckled. "Because you have human - or at least partially - human relatives. You know better how to talk to them. Go on now!"
Grumbling to himself, Barton nodded. "Very well. Just make sure that someone is watching my back..."
Handing off his longbow and quiver to Howard, he trotted forward, his hands in the open, ungloved, in a sign of neutrality. As he got closer, he couldn't help feeling uncomfortable. So many of them, all staring at him as though he were some strange creature from their very nightmares...
"Come no closer, demon!" a man yelled, and Barton pulled his horse up quickly.
He held his hands up, open and empty. "As you wish. We do not wish to cause you any discomfort."
There was an awkward moment while several people conferred in a small huddle, then one man stepped forward a few paces. "You do not belong here, whoever you are! We will warn you once to leave!"
Barton gulped, but slid down from his horse in a fluid motion. He stepped forward. "Please, at least hear me out? I am Barton of the North. With me are many of my kinsmen, en route to Sandrock to the aid of your King."
"Why should we believe that?" The man across from him clutched his pitchfork tightly.
Barton took another step forward. "It is true, sir. His enemy and ours are one in the same, and our Chieftain, Lord Duo Maxwell, is already with him at his city. Sandrock itself is only a few days' ride from here, is it not?"
The man took a few steps closer. "Duo Maxwell was a myth, sir. You cannot expect..."
"But he is not! He is quite real, and alive!" Barton exclaimed. "He is a cousin of your King!"
As Barton took another step forward, the man hefted his weapon menacingly. "Not another step! How do I know you are not my enemy?"
Barton stared for a moment before he began to laugh long, hard and musical. "Dear me! My good sir, do you honestly believe the Enemy, of whom I'm sure you've heard, would bother speaking to you, or would he just ride you down? Guardians!"
The pitchfork was lowered as the Dawnchild began laughing again, a sound so merry and catchy that most of the close-by people couldn't help smiling. The village spokesman took the moment to observe his opponent carefully, and finally lowered the pitchfork entirely. As Barton's chuckles faded into the air, he stepped forward. "Good point. I am called Darlian. Our Lord has already ridden for Sandrock, these three weeks ago." He held out his hand.
Barton clasped it warmly. "Well met, sir. I assure you, we do not mean to impose or trespass. All we require is to be pointed in the proper direction. I'm afraid it has been far too long since I last visited this part of the world."
Darlian finally laughed himself - he could tell instinctively that this man was to be trusted, and couldn't help liking him, in fact. He gave the Dawnchild a small bow. "I would be honoured to point you in the right direction, sir."
Barton bowed back. "My thanks, then, on behalf of us all." He turned and waved to the others, and smiled as the army began to move once more. With any luck, they would be in Sandrock in only a few days.
~*~
Six companions looked up in unison as a side door opened and Duo Maxwell slipped into the room, and Lucas gave his kinsman a small nod of welcome.
At dawn, Duo Maxwell had snapped awake, staring about the room in shock as visions filled his mind. He was seeing through Cree's eyes as the eagle soared high over an attacking army and a small, helpless village...
"Guardians, NO!" Next to him, Heero had snapped awake at the yell and wrapped him in strong, steady arms, whispering small words in his ear as he stroked the Dawnchild's long, silky braid soothingly.
Duo had continued to tremble, though, as images flooded his mind, and over it all, a darkness that choked and blinded him, even by remote, uncontrollable flames dancing from house to house, and people, fleeing in fear and horror from the harsh beauty of their attackers...
As he came to himself, Duo jumped from the bed and fled the room, and had been silent for the remainder of the day, only speaking as necessary.
Heero stood and approached his love with apprehension. "Duo..."
The Dawnchild held up his hand. "I am fine, Angel-love, I promise you. And I do apologise for this morning," he said, turning to address the rest of them. This morning... I saw it all through Cree's eyes. Bashir is gone, I saw it all, but I could not bring myself to speak of it in front of the Council of Lords today..." He shook his head. "No matter how we slow them down, they are coming for us, and we have precious little time."
Quatre gave his cousin a reassuring glance. "Your kinsmen are not far away, though..."
"A few more days at least," Dorothy said, looking up from her seat at Zechs' side. "My grandfather and I spoke briefly through the mirror just before mid-day."
Duo held his hands up for silence. "I would give them three days at the most, which means we have little time to prepare ourselves. With your permission, I would like to adjourn to the forges. If you are ready, that is."
Trowa and Treize exchanged a glance and a shrug before the green-eyed young man rose fluidly. "I am ready, if you are."
"And I," Wufei echoed, squeezing Treize's hand as he stood.
Heero grasped Duo's swinging braid protectively. "Do you mind if I come along?"
The Dawnchild lord turned to his lover and gave him a bright, love-filled smile. "Never."
~*~
"That's very well done, my Lady!" Sally crowed, looking over Relena's shoulder as the young woman helped her with medicine preparations. Relena had a good eye for the practice of medicine, and had been spending quite a lot of time with the Mother Healer, aiding her in her preparations for the coming war.
Relena smiled. "My thanks. I must confess - I rather like this job."
"Your help has been invaluable," Sally said, taking the small bowl from Relena's hand to empty its contents into a small bag. She tied it off with a red string. "If you have the time, I should like to show you more. I will need as many competent sets of hands around me as I can get, when the time comes."
Relena hesitated for a moment, but nodded her assent. "I would be honoured."
TBC...
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