Dragonheart Part 11
Heero left the balcony doors open so Shinigami could see into the bedroom. Laying Duo on the bed Heero quickly stripped off his wet clothing including his breechcloth and covered his chilled body. He went to a chest, got an extra blanket and added it to the coverings.
In the flickering lamplight Duo's skin was chalky and his lips bluish gray. His eyes were slightly parted but his sight was unresponsive. His breathing was shallow and a wheezing sound accompanied each intake of air.
Duo gave no sign that he followed anything as Heero undid his braid then used a towel from the washstand to dry the stringy tresses. Heero sighed as he recalled how beautiful Duo's hair was the first time he had seen him on the road and again when it had been freshly washed in the hot spring and dried in the sun.
Throughout Heero's tender tending Shinigami sat quietly outside the doors. He made no attempt to come in but took advantage of his height to keep his green eyes trained on his master.
Occasionally something akin to a whimper would rise from his throat but the worried dragon had no doubts concerning Heero's care. He knew that the soldier would do everything in his power to see to Duo's recovery.
Heero extracted one arm from under the covers. Gently he rubbed the goose bump flesh hoping that the friction would increase the blood flow and warm the clammy skin. After a few minutes he replaced the one arm and started on the second. All the while he called to Duo, pleaded with his friend to hear him and offer some acknowledgement.
Finally the massaging and the continual talking broke through the wintry condition numbing Duo's body and mind. Eyelids fluttered before his eyes opened but he still had trouble focusing on the dim figure hovering above him.
Heero brush back stubborn bangs that insisted on clouding Duo's sight. "Duo look at me!" he ordered hoping that the stern tone would command his attention.
Duo sucked in a raspy breath then shifted his violet orbs to find Heero's fretted face. "Heero?"
"I'm here." Heero assured taking Duo's hand and giving in a squeeze. "Everything will be all right." he promised with all the determination he had.
"Shinigami. Is he...."
Heero leaned aside to make a clear path for Duo to see out of the doors. "He's here."
Duo fixed his wandering sight on his winged protector. "Thank you." he whispered weakly.
Shinigami tilted his head. His scarlet eyes beheld his master with a sorrowful gaze. A single green-tinted tear slipped over shiny scales before the dragon redirected his gaze to Heero silently begging permission to go to his master.
"Come on." Heero encouraged with a wave of his hand.
The massive reptile lowered his head and carefully fit his broad shoulders through the double entrance. The dragon that could roast someone with one fiery breath, the beast that could dismember a body with a single swipe of his razor talons humbly crouched beside Heero.
Snaking out his long neck Shinigami touched his snout to Duo's hand. Heero let go and guided the hand until Duo's fingers caressed the meek dragon. A forked tongue lapped at the fingers as they made a feeble attempt to pat Shinigami's soft nose.
"I will be fine." Duo declared as he, too, had no qualms concerning Heero's treatment. Shinigami nuzzled his hand then withdrew to the far wall.
As Heero shut the balcony doors he praised the loyal dragon. "You are a faithful guardian. Sleep now you have earned the rest."
Lifting the bedcovers Heero slipped in beside his friend. "You once offered to keep the demons away, now it is my turn." Wrapping his arms about Duo's shivering body Heero twisted his head to see the great dragon. "I know that you are worried about your master."
Shinigami nodded then settled down with his chin on his paws but his scarlet eyes remained locked on the bed.
Heero blew out the lamp. "You and I will keep watch together." he whispered then pulled Duo's as close as physically possible.
*********
Duo continued to shiver. Heero cuddled and tucked the blankets tighter. He turned Duo to face him and buried Duo's face in his chest to warm his breathing.
The Keeper shuddered and shook, mumbling in a confusion of words that were difficult to decipher. Heero tied to pick apart the indistinct sentences but most of the gibberish was beyond his understanding. One word, perhaps a name, was repeated over and over again. Heero listened closely but even the single utterance defied his recognition.
It did not take wisdom to know that something terrible had happened and that "something" had turned Duo's world upside down. The combination of exposure to the foul elements and some mind-wrenching shock had put Duo's life in jeopardy.
Heero cursed under his breath, as he felt helpless to stem the debilitating tide. "Dammit Duo please don't do this to me." he whispered as another sturdy tremble threatened to yank his dear friend from his grasp.
Heero was so absorbed with his fight to warm Duo's body and rescue his mind he did not notice that Shinigami had moved from his place by the wall. It was not until the anxious reptile bumped the bed that Heero looked up to see the dragon's crimson orbs staring back.
Fixing the soldier's gaze Shinigami sent a mental message. Slowly Heero realized that the beast was Duo's only hope of recovery. Making sure that the blanket was still wrapped snuggly Heero laid Duo on the floor then held his breath as Duo's protector slid his claws underneath and pressed him to his scaly chest.
As tenderly as an eagle warms its young Shinigami sucked in a gulp of air, heated it in his gullet and gently blew the hot breath over Duo. The process was repeated until the shivering stopped, his skin was rosy and his lips were a healthy shade of pink.
Like a babe at the breast Duo snuggled close to Shinigami drinking in every ounce of heat that the great beast could produce. Then to Heero's further amazement the dragon began to purr. The low vibration started in Shinigami's throat and rose in a definite display of contentment.
In the first rays of dawn Heero sat on the floor beside the dragon that had proven beyond any doubts that he was indeed Duo's salvation. As Duo slept peacefully in the beast's arms Heero leaned against Shinigami's strong shoulder secure in the knowledge that everything would be all right.
As sun ascended over the mountain, as red as Shinigami's eyes, Heero again tucked Duo into bed. Lying next to his friend Heero sleepily stroked Shinigami's head remembering Duo's instruction to always go in the same direction to spare his hand from being scraped on the scales.
The sun rose higher. Heero held Duo as they both surrendered to slumber's persistence prodding. Shinigami's curled up beside the bed as he, too, gave into sleep's drowsy urging.
That fateful morning the soldier and the dragon made a pact, a solemn pledge of protection for their precious Dragon Keeper and nothing short of death would break that promise.
*********
A knock at the bedchamber door stirred Heero awake. The soft rapping also caused Shinigami to sit up and snort at the noise. "Heero are you all right." Anna's voice wondered through the thick wooden door.
Gradually Heero realized that it was mid-morning and understood the reason for Anna's concern. Heero was always up at dawn. When he did not make an appearance at breakfast then Anna naturally would have become apprehensive.
"Yes I'm fine." he called, "Just a minute."
Now Heero found himself in a peculiar situation. First it would be very hard for Anna to ignore the dragon sitting next to the bed and there was no where in the room large enough to hide the massive beast. And while Duo sharing his bed might come as a shock to Anna, Heero knew that once everything was explained that she would understand.
"Heero?"
"I'm coming." Careful not to wake Duo, Heero slipped out of bed and pulled on his trousers.
Shinigami set back on his haunches. With an inquisitive tile of his head he watched the human scrabble about like a chicken chasing a worm. The tip of his tail twitched as he began to pick up the nervous energy flowing through the room.
Heero was at a loss as to where to put the winged creature. The closet wouldn't do. The balcony could be a temporary solution but in the daylight it would not be long before someone would spot the usual animal and a full fledge panic was the last thing Heero wanted to handle.
"Stop racing about and think." Heero muttered as he opened the balcony doors. He stood quietly taking a moment to breathe in the fresh morning air. "Relax." he sighed as he called up the same centering concentration that he always used before a battle.
In his calmer state Heero's wise inner council spoke loud and clear. *The cave.*
Of course Shinigami already had a place to go, a home picked out especially for him but how to direct the dragon...now that was the trick. Heero pivoted to face Shinigami. "I have somewhere for you to hide," he began walking back to the bed, "but how do I tell you where to go?"
The dragon blinked blankly, his tail continued to twitch. Heero racked his brain for some way to communicate the message. His inner voice spoke again. *Last night Shinigami told you how he could help Duo.* it reminded, *Talk with your mind.*
Heero locked his eyes with Shinigami's crimson orbs and put a picture in his mind. He mentally envisioned the road leading into the hills then in his mind's eye he made a map showing the path to the cave. No words passed between the dragon and the human but the message was clearly conveyed.
Shinigami nodded his head indicating that he understood the directions. With another affectionate nuzzle Duo's dragon bid his master farewell then stepped out on the balcony.
"Return tonight." Heero instructed, "I will take good care of Duo." he promised petting Shinigami's nose.
Another nod. The great reptile unfurled his webbed wingspan. With a powerful whoosh the scaly beast lifted gracefully into the air. Three more flaps and Duo's guardian soared above the treetops. Heero gazed skyward until Shinigami became a small dot on the horizon. "Safe journey." He whispered.
*********
"Here is another secret we can keep together." Anna declared as she stood by the bed watching the boy with the extraordinarily long hair sleep.
Heero told Anna everything about how he and Duo met and what had happened the night before with the exception of Shinigami.
"There are so many unanswered questions." he stated with a clear case of frustration.
"We will see to your friend's health then he can tell you the whole story." Anna replied with the same wise guidance that she had given throughout Heero's life.
"I will make chicken broth; you have to take care of yourself, too."
"Thank you, Anna, you are a treasure."
Anna paused in the hall and gave Heero a warm smile, "You can thank me by having no more surprises." she said before closing the door.
Heero sat down on the bed. Duo sighed and shifted in his sleep. "No more surprises." he repeated, "Oh Anna what will you do when you find out about Shinigami?"
*********
Golden streaks of sunlight flowed over Duo as he was propped up in bed by several pillows. Heero had insisted that there would be no discussion until Duo had proper nourishment. As much as Heero wanted to hear how Duo came to be in such dire circumstances he knew that his friend would be too weak for any lengthy explaining until his stomach was full and his mind alert.
Heero attentively sat on a chair spooning out Anna's chicken broth that was guaranteed to put color back into Duo's cheeks. Every other spoonful Heero pinched off a piece of bread and laid it in the broth until most of the moisture was absorbed then all Duo had to do was mash the broth soaked bread in his mouth and swallow. A goodly amount of fresh water followed. The process continued until the broth and bread were gone.
Setting the empty bowl and cup back on a tray Heero wondered, "Are you up to telling me what happened?"
Duo let out a shaky sigh and Heero was afraid that another attack of trembling was about to be unleashed. Easing down on the bed Heero put his arm around Duo's shoulders and pulled him close. "You know that I will not allow any harm to come to you."
Duo shook his head. "Yes." he whispered as his fingers fidgeted with the sheet's hem and he stared at his hands to avoid looking into Heero's eyes.
Heero placed his thumb under Duo's chin lifting his head until his misty sight was aligned with Heero's face. "I can't help you if you don't tell me what happened. Take your time we have all day and all night if that it what it takes."
"They took my...house."
Heero eyes widened at the unexpected statement. "Who?"
"The army."
Now Heero was more than startled. A sense of dread had begun to seep into his mind and stir his soldier's instincts. "Start at the beginning," he urged shoring up his embrace about Duo's shivering shoulders.
Duo began to tell his tale. "After the peace treaty with the Northern Kingdom was signed King Peacecraft's son, Milliardo, made no secret that he was not satisfied with the terms.
Milliardo had always fancied himself as a glorious warrior so when a mutual agreement, not total surrender, was reached he was outraged. When his father refused to reconsider and forbade Milliardo to take any further action the pompous Prince denounced his Kingdom and the Peacecraft name.
Milliardo Peacecraft and several disgruntled Generals who were still loyal to their Commander left the castle. Milliardo changed his name to Zechs Meriquise and began to assemble an army of his own. No, not an army but a group of ruffians and mercenaries." Duo declared then curled up tighter in Heero's arms.
"Meriquise and his treacherous band began a campaign to claim territory he believed belonged to him and to forcibly conscript citizens to serve in his army. The Gypsies through their outside contacts learned that Merquise's forces had been seen traveling in the direction of the village.
At the mention of the Gypsies Heero tensed. "Are they...." the question trailed off. He remembered Jen's sweet smile as she waved goodbye the day that he and Duo visited the camp.
Duo nodded, "They are all right. Wufei and two elders went to see the mayor, to warn him and the villagers of Merquise's impending threat. Of course the authorities would not listen, they even accused Wufei of trying to trick them for his personal gain.
That afternoon the Gypsies packed up their wagons and went to hide in the mountains. They stopped on their way and Wufei begged me to join them but I didn't want to leave Shinigami. I foolishly believed that my house was far enough removed from the village not to be noticed by Merquise.
The next day the bastard, seated on his horse like an arrogant fool, lead his merciless hoard down the main lane. They quickly overcame the villagers and declared that the town was now included in Merquise's sovereign dominion.
That night I was singing to Shinigami when I heard horses galloping along the road leading to my house. I crept down the path, hid in the forest and watched in horror as six or more men broke down the door and helped themselves to whatever they desired.
Duo paused wiping his teary eyes with the back of his hand. "I spend the rest of the night in the cave with Shinigami. At daybreak I decided to find you. I knew that Shinigami could track your scent even if it was weeks old."
"Even in the rain you found me." Heero stated in amazement at Shinigami's keen senses.
Duo nodded, "I knew that I was safe with Shinigami but I had to see you for my heart's sake."
Now tears welled in Heero's eyes, "I was ready to send for you. Duo I am sorry. If I hadn't let home matters occupy so much of my time, you would not have had to endure all these terrible things."
"There is nothing to be sorry about; you had no way of knowing what was going to happen." Duo took Heero's hand and kissed its palm. "I am grateful to be here with you and right now that is all that is important."
Heero tucked silken stands of spun cinnamon behind Duo's ears then leaned so close that Duo's breath cooled his tears. "What can I do to make everything right again?"
Duo locked his centered sight with Heero's shimmering cobalt eyes. Heero sucked in a breath as the violet darkened like storm clouds until only ebony shone in Duo's eyes.
"You can teach me how to fight." Duo growled with uncharacteristic malice.
Heero tensed at Duo's abruptly altered demeanor. An involuntary shiver snaked up his spine at the pure rage that blazed like wildfire inside Duo's enlarged pupils.
He found himself held fast in that scorching gaze unable to look away but a pang of remorse broke through Duo's fury and Heero found his voice. "I can't...can't ruin your innocence. Please, Duo, don't ask me to do that." he begged.
Duo let a single slender finger track down Heero's damp cheek. "My innocence has already been ruined." he replied in a hollow tone that told of his loss. "Now I have to reclaim my dignity."
TBC...
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