Darkness at Dawn Part 38
"Abdul!"
The young Man'gua'nac looked up sharply as he heard his name called and felt his jaw dropping open. The King was headed in his direction, hailing him by name...
He observed the blond carefully - though still rather young and a firm believer in the ideals of peace, Quatre Raberba was a renowned warrior who looked perfectly at ease in shining chain mail. He gave Quatre a sweeping bow. "My Lord?"
Quatre smiled. "I have a service to ask of you, in addition to your guarding of my sister and the Mother Healer's party."
"Name it, my liege," Abdul said, smiling.
"I will be assigning a group to you, Abdul," Quatre said, his face no longer smiling, "and you will be charged with guarding the Mad Four during the battle. Now before you begin thinking that this will be an easy task and unworthy of either you or Noin," he said quickly, seeing the look on his follower's face, "I can assure you that I am doing this for a reason. The four will be working an important spell during the battle, one that will permit Duo and myself to communicate with our men at all times - directly, not through runners and commanders - and it is apparently common practice in Dawnchild warfare that these spellcasters be killed as quickly as possible, so as to destroy those communications. This must not happen. Do you understand?"
Abdul shook his head and replied honestly. "Not really, sir, no. But I will do as you ask."
Quatre gave him another smile. "Don't worry - I don't get it, either."
~*~
To the West, Solo the Dragon came awake slowly, annoyed. It felt almost as though someone were prodding him-
~I am prodding you. Now wake up! Please?~
If dragons could smile, Solo would have. He sat up slowly and opened his eyes to stare down at the small figure he knew would be there, wreathed in elemental flame - not a true person, of course, but a spirit projection of the one creature who could disturb his rest and not suffer the consequences. ~What would you have of me, Fire Lord?~
The spirit-like Duo smiled up at him, flames dancing on brightly-polished armour. ~The battle begins soon, my friend. We will have need of you.~
Solo felt excitement coursing through him - even after his last 'failure', his master was willing to trust him... ~Tell me what I must do.~
~The Dark Army is moving north towards the Raberba's city as we speak. You will approach them from behind and drive them into our Army's waiting arms when the time is right,~ spirit-Duo said, his eyes gleaming eerily in the firelight.
The dragon bowed his head in obedience. ~As you command, my Lord.~
~*~
Relena still felt somewhat scandalized to be riding a horse with her legs astride - wearing pants, no less! - but she didn't say a word about it. Indeed, few people had looked in the direction of the Healers' party, at all, and for the first time in a long while, she did not feel like an object of annoyance and ridicule.
She looked ahead and smiled - she doubted if the Princess and her guard had any notion of how they looked at one another. That the man was smitten was obvious, and Relena was almost certain that Noin felt the same way.
"Pathetic, isn't it?" She turned to find Sally at her side, looking ahead at the same two people. "If they don't figure it out on their own before this is all over, I will be much surprised."
Relena smiled. "Does Quatre know?"
The Mother Healer shrugged. "I do not know, and I do not dare to guess at what goes on behind those calm eyes of his. It would not surprise me if he did, though. He could not have chosen a better bodyguard for his sister."
Relena nodded her agreement.
Sally Po gave the Lady a close look. "Are you truly certain you are up to this, Relena? It is not too late to return to the castle, and no one will think less of you for it."
Relena shook her head resolutely. "No. It was by me that this evil was reborn to the world; I deserve to see firsthand the consequences of it. For what it is worth, I will be there to help pick up the pieces, when it is all over." She gripped the reins tighter in her hands-
Sally reached over and patted the Lady's shoulder in a motherly fashion.
A burst of laughter ahead drew their attention back to the elegant couple riding at the head of their small company, and the two women exchanged glances. Sally rolled her eyes in mock annoyance, and both of them burst out laughing, themselves.
~*~
Berani scowled up at the sky. After running her errand for Lord Roth, she missed the gleaming sun and clean taste of the air outside Ramar's influence. Her patience was running thin. For days she had been back, and all that time, not a move was made...
"Huntress!"
She snapped her attention back to her commander, somehow managing to keep the growl from her voice. "My Lord Ramar?"
He pointed into the sky, and Berani's eyes widened - she recognized the golden blur darting high above them. Lord Duo's Eagle!
Ramar's voice intruded on her thoughts. "I thought I instructed you and yours to get rid of that beast! I grow tired of waiting for incompetents to do my bidding..." He stalked forward, glaring down at her. "What say you? Or do I have to summon one of your pack to make my point?"
Her blood froze. He wouldn't kill another of her people, would he? Over an eagle?
"Do it now, Huntress."
She cringed at the sound of his voice and sadly strung her bow, trying not to let her hands shake. She drew out one arrow, knocking it and taking a deep breath as she lifted the bow. ~I am sorry, my Lord. I had no choice.~ She sighted and shot, her hand jerking at the last second.
"CREEEEEE!"
~*~
In his saddle, Duo jolted hard, as though struck by lightning, and Heero instantly grabbed his shoulders, leaning dangerously from his saddle to hold the Dawnchild in place. "Duo!"
Violet eyes glittered in shared pain. "She did it, I can't believe she did it..."
"Did what?! Who?" Heero's hands went cold as he felt Duo beginning to shake in his hands.
The Dawnchild turned to look him in the eyes. "It's Cree. He has been shot... and it was the Huntress that did it." Hurt was giving way to anger, and Duo's eyes began to glow slightly. "I protected her and harboured her, and she repays me by killing..."
"Stop this right now, Duo!" Heero ordered, shaking the Dawnchild slightly. "Reach out to him - can you still feel him?"
"That stinking..."
"Duo!" Heero waited until the Dawnchild turned to him and looked him in the eye. "Step back from your anger for a moment and try. Try to call Cree now."
Duo nodded and closed his eyes in concentration -
~He is alive, friend-Duo. Hurt, yes, but alive,~ Trowa's voice rang in his head. The Dawnchild's eyes opened again, unbelieving.
"Trowa-friend says he lives, and I can feel..."
~*~
Ramar eyed the Huntress speculatively. If she thought he didn't notice how she modified her shot, she was much mistaken. She recognized that bird and, injured though it is, it still lives. The question to ask now is why and how she knows it.
He favoured her with a small smile. "That was a nice shot, Huntress. You may leave us now."
He watched her go silently, then called, "Roth!"
The dark-haired Darkchild appeared at his side almost instantly. "My Lord?"
Ramar's eyes remained glued to Berani's retreating back. "Have someone stay close to our beloved Huntress and report back. There is something... not right about her."
Roth bowed. "As you wish, sir." He turned and left curtly.
Ramar turned to watch as Roth disappeared around the corner of a tent. Something not quite right... about you either, my friend. What are you hiding from me?
~*~
By the time they stopped for the evening, Duo was talking to no one, a dark look on his fair features that sent all but the bravest scurrying away as quickly as they could. Trowa sighed, watching from a distance, where he sat with Quatre and the others. It wasn't right for Duo to be alone, not right at all! He squeezed the blond King's shoulder once before standing and heading towards the solitary figure, sitting in front of a solitary fire.
The Dawnchild looked up as his friend approached, violet eyes narrowing. "I'm in no mood to be around other living creatures right now, friend-Trowa. There is a reason why I'm alone."
"Duo, you must snap out of this. Cree is alive and we both know it, but you're scaring everyone," Trowa said softly, putting a hand on the Dawnchild's shoulder. "Everyone except Lucas, that is, and he's threatening to do something to get you out of your mood, and what he might have in mind frightens the rest of us even more." He sat down at Duo's side and fell silent, staring into the fire. He belatedly realized that even the fire sprites were trying to free the long-haired creature at his side of his black mood, playing games in the flames that would normally have elicited a smile and a few gentle words. Not today.
Duo finally broke off his stare into the flames and turned to his companion. "I love that stupid bird, you know."
"I know."
A heavy sigh. "If Berani survives the final battle, I'm going to beat her black and blue for harming him."
Trowa shook Duo's shoulder. "It could have been worse - she might have killed him outright. At least now we know he can survive."
"Only with help, Trowa-friend, and I have no help to give for the moment." Duo's hands found the end of his braid and began twisting it tightly. "So... what brought you over here? Did you lose a bet? Draw a short straw?"
"No, I thought it would be kind to console a friend in need," Trowa said, his green eyes shining with reproof.
Duo immediately broke their eye contact. "I suppose I deserved that." He was silent for another moment. "And where... where is Heero?"
Trowa cocked an eyebrow. "He's probably off somewhere, watching you from a distance while he gives you some space."
"He doesn't understand..."
"Oh, I think he does," Trowa interrupted. "In fact, I think he spent an entire afternoon trying to get someone who will remain nameless to speak to him and let out his anger and grief, and backed away when said person not only ignored, but then growled at him."
Duo had the grace to flinch this time. "I definitely deserve that."
"Yes, you do."
~*~
Heero didn't hear anyone approaching, but he didn't need to - he could feel Duo's approach the moment the Dawnchild left his solitary place behind and went in search of him. He said without turning, "I'm sorry about Cree."
Strong arms wove around him and he felt soft hair against his neck and cheek as Duo leaned forward to rest his chin on Heero's shoulder. "You don't have to apologize - I should, for being such an ass. He's alive - I should be happy."
Heero lifted one of Duo's hands and placed a gentle kiss on the Dawnchild's inner wrist. "It is okay to feel anger and pain, Duo. It's part of what makes you who and what you are."
Just as your devotion is part of what you are... Duo stepped around his lover to look him in the eyes. "I don't deserve you, you know."
Heero didn't dignify that statement with an answer, choosing instead to silence Duo with a kiss.
Standing in each other's arms, they clung to one another long after the kiss ended.
~*~
Ramar was uneasy and brooding as he rode. It was becoming increasingly clear to him that he could trust no one from his entourage, not Roth nor any of his other commanders, and that fact disturbed him.
The Huntress disobeyed my order to kill that eagle for a reason. She thumbs her nose at me, blatantly, and though Roth performs all his duties with fervour and skill, I sense his heart is no longer in it. Damn Maxwell - his reach has grown far. He had nothing to go on, no evidence to back his suspicions, yet he knew.
Ramar remembered teaching Dorothy how to rule - telling her that fear was a far greater motivator than love or admiration. His frown darkened - now there was a lieutenant who would have stayed at his side, no matter what! Powerful, strong, dependable, ruthless... He had taught her well.
And yet even she has slipped into Maxwell's influence...
Ahead of him, Roth was conferring with the scouts, sitting straight and proud in his saddle. Perhaps too proud for an underling. And just maybe too smart for his own good.
The dark-haired creature turned and spurred his horse back to Ramar's side. Roth bowed from the saddle. "My Lord, the scouts report that there is a great army heading this way to meet us, human and Dawnchild, and the Raberba rides at its head, surrounded by Shinigami and his entourage."
Ramar nodded. It wasn't as though it was unexpected, after all. "How far away are they?"
"Less than a day's ride, sir," Roth replied, receiving a nod of agreement from the scout at his side.
Nodding again, Ramar smiled and shit his eyes, reaching out with his senses-
~Not this time! Go back where you came from!~ Power slammed into his mind like a bludgeon, and it took everything in his power not to sway in his saddle in the aftermath.
Ramar's eyes opened in shock. That hadn't even been young Duo's power signature. No - that was the Raberba. He smiled again. "Good - his anger and determination have made him strong. I will enjoy watching him fall."
"Sir?" Roth queried.
The General shook his head. "Give the order to arm. With any luck, we can attack at nightfall."
Roth saluted and turned back to the long train of horsemen behind them. Watching him go, Ramar's smile quickly faded away. And as for you, my friend, you will pay personally for the first soldier to step out of line. I know you are behind it, and you will pay the price of treason!
~*~
Quatre did sway in his seat, his hands clutching the reins of his stallion tightly to keep from falling. It was like a tendril of darkness, reaching out just for him-
Anger. He felt it welling up inside of him. This... creature... this remarkably self-centered, childish creature was set to destroy as many lives as he could, all for the love of a long-dead Lady who had never loved him in return. On the physical plane, he could feel Trowa's reassuring presence on his right, and he took heart from it as he pushed back at the incoming darkness. ~Not this time! Go back where you came from!~
Power rushed through his system and he opened his eyes to find that an aura of pale blue had burned to life around him, pulsing with each heartbeat.
"Impressive, cousin," Duo chuckled very close to his left ear. Quatre jumped - how had the Dawnchild gotten to his side so quickly? "Ramar definitely didn't expect that!"
Quatre gripped Trowa's arm and took a deep breath, calming the flow of energy that was making all the colours around them glow with a vitality that he had never before noticed, but somehow always knew was there. With a great effort, he calmed himself and looked into his lover's eyes with a small smile. Trowa smiled back.
Quatre turned back to Duo without releasing Trowa. "He is planning his attack for nightfall. Tonight."
Treize, Wufei, Heero, Zechs and Dorothy converged on the other three. "What was that?"
Quatre repeated, louder this time, "Ramar is planning to attack us tonight. I think... Yes, this will be perfect." He looked around the area with a calculating eye. They had left the forests behind the day before, and were now riding over gently rolling hills, crowned with tall grasses and a few brave trees. It was miles from the nearest town and afforded the young King a long view into the southern plains.
He signaled Rashid over. "Rashid, we need to set up our defenses. Bring the wagons forward."
~*~
It was difficult, but Heero managed to slip away unnoticed by any of his companions.
He waited until there was a great distance between himself and any other living creature, and sighed in relief as he let his power burst forth, wings furled behind him, and called to his Lord and master.
The bright sky seemed pale compared to the figure that materialized at his side, a sword at its belt and a grim smile on its face. The angel fell to one knee. "Lord Michael, I did not mean to..."
"No need for apologies, little one," the Archangel's voice rang in his ears. "What is troubling you?"
Heero looked up. "I wanted to ask for His blessing and forgiveness before the battle. This will be a sad day for us all."
"Yes, it will," Michael agreed, "but you know your place and your role. He knows what lies in your heart, and as long as you are acting by His command, the evils done by your hand are done with His good graces."
"And Duo?" Heero couldn't help asking.
Michael sighed and shook his head. "He is not one of us, Heero; the rules that you and I must abide by do not apply to those of the lower realm, as you know. He knows what he must do, and he knows what is right, thanks in part to you." The Archangel smiled. "I have faith that your Dawnchild will know what is right in his heart and will not betray it."
Heero dared a small smile. "I truly do love him."
"I know," Michael answered. "Treasure that gift, for a gift, it is. Return to him now, and remember that We are always with you."
Heero bowed his head obediently. "As you command, Archangel, so shall it be."
The glowing figure dissipated on the winds, leaving Heero standing alone on the windy hillside. He flexed his wings, wishing he dared a small flight in the cool breeze, but instead allowed them to disappear, and turned to jog back to the main army and to Duo.
~*~
The sun seemed to be setting earlier.
The humans present shrank away from the unnatural darkness, but the Dawnchildren simply regarded it with serious faces and a sense of foreboding - they pulled out their star-lamps and fell silent. Watching.
Drawn up in formations across the hills, man and Dawnchild strained their eyes through the gloom. It was extremely disorienting; without the light of the sun or moon to judge it by, they had no concept of the passage of time, simply that of weariness and fear sitting into their bones, and an unnatural silence and stillness designed to make a person uneasy.
Hours passed in waiting, until a single hooded rider at the head of the company finally lifted his cloaked face. "They are here. Be ready and remember that your sense of mercy and respect for another life sets you apart from your enemy - do not let him take advantage of it, but do not let him force you to become that which you hate, either."
Reaching up, Duo pulled the cloak off -
An unnatural light gleamed from his armour and the drawn sword in his hand, a light that seemed to come from within the Dawnchild, and everyone who saw him felt a sense of calm and serenity invade their troubled thoughts. His hair was once again done into small, thin braids and held back with a leather thong - a Warrior God, come back to life from another era.
Next to him, Quatre Raberba threw back his cloak - torchlight glinted from his armour and caught in his steely eyes.
On Duo's other side, Heero released the hood of his cloak, but did not yet take it off.
Trowa, Treize and Wufei trotted up to their side, their cloaks already thrown back. "Is it time?" Zechs and Dorothy joined them from the other direction.
Quatre turned and nodded to them, reaching out one gauntleted hand to clasp his lover's. Trowa took hold and did not let go.
Duo could feel the power of his people gathering behind him, and sent up a quick prayer, ~Great One who Watches Over Us All, please do not let all this be in vain...~
He reached back and pulled Deathscythe from its sheath, staring down at the blackened metal as though fascinated by it. He looked up again and into Heero's eyes. "I think the Scythe wants its original form back, Angel-love. What do you say?"
In the distance, a horn sounded, and angry voices began to fill the air, along with the sounds of thundering hoofbeats-
With a war cry, Duo held his sword aloft and, before everyone's amazed eyes, it shape-changed in his hands to a gleaming scythe.
As they followed him in a furious charge, his friends couldn't help wondering at the change - not only had the blade taken back its original form, but it was no longer glowing with the sickly green of hatred, or singing the same dark song.
It was an iridescent violet, and the only song it sang was one of power.
TBC...
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