Dragonheart Part 18
The hours leading to Merquise's downfall passed quickly. Days were spent in practice to finely hone Duo's skills; evenings were filled with finalizing the upcoming confrontation.
As night blanketed the bedroom, Duo and Heero continued the exploration of their budding romance. Tentative touches became bolder in their xperimentation. Uncertainty was replaced with trust that nothing would be done without mutual consent.
Mental clarity was often clouded by too many physical sensations all vying for attention at once. The friction of skin against skin, the heat of a single finger trailing along an arm or leg or spine, a whisper of breath on an ear lobe or neck stoked a fire that only kisses could extinguish.
But throughout the bodily bombardment of their senses Heero and Duo kept their control. They did not want their first coupling to be in the throes of passion, blindly rutting like oversexed beasts but to be guided by love in its purest form.
As much as they craved the carnal bonding they desired firstly to become spiritual soul mates. They required the duel connection of mind and soul then, when that link was secure, they would freely give their bodies to one another.
*********
The day of destiny dawned as clear as the course that the soldier and the Keeper had set to regain all that was rightfully theirs. To an outsider the Gypsy encampment's activity might have appeared to be disorderly but everyone knew what task had to be completely. The "organized confusion" was carried out in a deliberate manner designed to accomplish a single goal...the ruination of Prince Peacecraft and his ungodly army.
The plan had deliberately been kept simple. A wagon loaded with the women would roll into town accompanied by a dozen men on horseback. When a suitable site for their "show" was found a side panel would be lowered to form a stage. Meanwhile at least six more men would be waiting in the forest to receive the captured solders.
The Gypsies had innumerable methods of distraction. They were masters at the art of misdirection. Music would be employed to take the men's minds off of their duties. The dancers, especially the females, would use their bodies to entice and hint that there might be other "favors" available for the right price. Of course this tempting behavior would last just long enough to lure the horny soldiers into an isolated area where they could be silently snatched away.
Acrobats, jugglers and even a fire-eater would all work their diversionary magic until the army was whittled down to a manageable size. Then when the odds were reduced Duo would issue his challenge to Zechs Merquise.
*********
Since the majority of the men and women would be away from camp the field hands had been enlisted to stay with the children and the elderly whose health did not permit their participation. Odin, Anna and members of the household staff had promised that those who stayed behind would be cared for and fed.
The Gypsies dressed themselves in their brightest costumes. Heero and Duo also put on the colorful garb to blend in with the troop of musicians and dancers.
Heero was dashing in his scarlet vest trimmed in golden threads. Duo, too, was quite handsome in a violet shirt that matched his eyes. To lend another layer to Duo's masquerade he had Heero entwine silver ribbons throughout his braid.
Wufei tied back his heavy black hair then tucked a long knife into the crimson sash tied around his middle. Another knife with hidden away in the top of his right knee-high boot. Likewise Quatre and Trowa concealed their choice of defense in their rich-textured clothing, including Trowa's favorite set of six-pointed throwing stars.
Every man and women carried some form of personal protection and all were skilled in the various weapons uses. Heero secured his and Duo's swords to the wagon's axle. He was sure that Merquise's men would not allow any entrance into town without checking the wheeled transportation but he also knew that they were basically too lazy to do a thorough search.
*********
Heero had sworn an oath that he would not interfere in Duo's personal fight. As much as he hated the idea of his gentle lover facing Merquise he had to honor Duo's right to reclaim his home.
The night before Duo had gone alone to see Shinigami. Duo had told him what he intended to do and had also extracted a promise of noninterference from the great dragon.
The Keeper had agreed to Shinigami's telepathic request that he be allowed to view everything from a nearby ridge. Duo was not so sure of himself that he would refuse any backup that he could get. If the worse did happen and he fell in battle Duo knew that he would be avenged by both the mystic reptile and his precious partner and that knowledge gave him the courage to carry on.
*********
"Halt!" one of three men ordered as a vividly painted wagon came into view.
Wufei pulled back on the reins easing the horses to a stop. "Whoa." The mounted riders divided in half and formed a flanking guard on either side of the wagon.
Heero loosely held Wing's reins in one hand while his other hand rested on a dagger strapped to his hip. Duo set astride Chestnut wearing his most sincere smile for the sentry trio.
As the tall guard with a swarthy complexion stepped up beside the wheel the Oriental put on a casual attitude, "Good day to you my friend." Wufei greeted the clearly confused man.
A curt snort sounded as the soldier studied the assortment of colorfully costumed men. "State your business." he demanded roughly. His hand cautiously moved to the sword hanging from his belt.
"We are a band of entertainers traveling through your land." Wufei stated in a relaxed tone that matched his posture.
The soldier's mouth turned down in a sour frown. "We've got no need to be entertained." he growled, "Now be gone before I arrest you all and seize your property."
Wufei shrugged in a noncommittal fashion. "Very well, we want no trouble." he declared clicking his tongue to put the horses back into motion.
The guard began to step aside then froze in place. His eyes widened as a raven-haired beauty poked her head out of the wagon and leaned over the front seat. Her gauzy blouse strained across her ample chest and the flimsy material struggled to keep her creamy breasts from toppling out of their lax confinement.
The young lady smiled and fixed her beguiling gaze on the stunned guard. To her left she could see that her display of sexuality had also captured the interest of the remaining guards who had left their post for a closer inspection of her considerable charms.
"Hello." the lady cooed using a subtle tilt of her body to further bewitch the already distracted sentries. She was rewarded by gaped mouths and the fact that one soldier was trying to discreetly readjust his pants that had become too tight across the front.
"Who might you be?" the swarthy guard asked hoarsely through a throat that had suddenly gone dry.
"Cassandra." she replied in a breathy whisper.
The man stepped closer never lessening his lustful stare. "And what do you do Cassandra?" he wondered with a lecherous smile.
"I dance." the Gypsy women answered with another suggestive wiggle.
"Is that all you do?"
"I have many talents."
Certain that the hook had been set Wufei prepared to reel in his first catch of the day. "As I said we are entertainers. Cassandra is one of several dancers that a man of your tastes would enjoy but, alas," he sighed using a nod of his head to keep the man's attention squarely on Cassandra, "we have been sent on our way."
The guard who was having problems with his uncooperative anatomy wasted no time in stating his view. "Ah come on Captain, we ain't had no fun in a long time."
"I don't think the Commander would like us lettin' strangers in."
The man with the frontal swelling looked like a child that had just been denied sweets. "It won't hurt to ask." he insisted with an adolescently silly grin plastered on his face. Wufei almost expected the man to pout and whine until he got his way.
Cassandra cocked her head at a flirtatious angle and licked her full lips as an added incentive for the Captain to risk Merquise's wrath and make the request that the "entertainment" be allowed to stay.
"All right." the totally infatuated Captain gave in. "You," he called to Wufei, "come with me. If the Commander don't like this I am not takin' the blame."
"I hope to see you soon." Cassandra cooed then blew a kiss to seal the seduction.
*********
The town had taken on the guise of an armed camp. Although the local citizens moved around freely Wufei could tell by the townspeople's wary manner that they were anything but free. Sidelong glances were carefully directed in Wufei's direction as he humbly followed a few steps behind the Captain.
All about the streets Merquise's mercenaries strolled by twos and threes looking more like sightseers than an occupation force. The scraggy "army" was made up of varied nationalities. English and Irish appeared to be the dominating ethnicity but several other dialects that Wufei could not identify were overheard in the men's causal conversations.
There was nothing that matched among the odd assortment of soldiers, no uniforms or standard issue weapons. It seemed that Commander Merquise was the only constant holding the ragtag troopers together.
*Bring down the leader,* Wufei thought to himself as he studied the incongruous collection of soldiers, *and the men will scatter like sheep before wolves.*
The Magistrate's Office had been commandeered for the Commander's headquarters. Another mismatched pair of sentries stood watch on either side of the office door. As the Captain and the Oriental approached both men snapped to attention and raised their swords in a showy salute. The senior officer barely acknowledged the overdone gesture as he paused to knock.
"Enter." a voice barked through the wooden door.
Commander Merquise stood beside a large desk displaying the executive bearing that befitted his rank. His dark blue uniform jacket adorned with double rows of brass buttons and navy blue trousers was neatly pressed. A stiff-collared shirt trimmed in red wrapped around his throat.
The Prince could not have been more than twenty years old but Wufei had to admit he was a formidable figure. His shoulders were broad, his legs were lean and his physique was muscular but not bulky. But Merquise's most striking feature was the cascade of pale blond hair that reached to his waist. Equally pale bangs feathered over his forehead and draped in wispy strands along his high cheekbones.
The heir to the Peacecraft Kingdom who defied his father to become leader of a band of ruffians locked his ice blue eyes fixing their steely stare on the visibly uneasy Captain. "Report." The single word was again barked out in an impatient tone making Wufei wonder if Merquise was suffering from a good case of boredom.
Despite the officer's best efforts not to react to the piercing orbs and stern tone Wufei sensed a tensing of nerves along the man's spine. The Captain swallowed hard to ease the dryness in his throat. "There is someone I...I thought you needed to see." he stammered shifting his weight from one foot to the other.
Merquise took a moment to consider the Captain's reply then centered his chilly gaze on the Asian man standing respectfully behind the officer. "Who are you?" The question was asked in the same crisp pitch that spoke volumes about the Commander's high opinion of himself.
Wufei deliberately kept his eyes lowered and his shoulders slightly stooped in a posture of humility. With an air of mock genuflection Wufei bowed deeply from the waist then straightened but still maintained his deferential attitude.
"I am honored to be in the presence of such an important man. My name is Chang Wufei, your Lordship, I am the leader of a band of Gypsies traveling through your country." the Asian man replied with an identical air of false meekness.
"And why should that be of interest to me?" Merquise declared setting his hip on the desk's edge.
"We, my troop of entertainers, were told that your soldiers have been encamped here for several months without any diversion from their daily duties. May I humbly offer our services of amusement to your deserving men...free of charge of course."
The Commander thoughtfully contemplated the Oriental's proposal. He had heard grumbling among the men. They had no means to release their pent up energy so they had become increasingly restless, more ready to quarrel.
Merquise had given strict orders that the women of the town were not to be bothered. This restriction had not come from any ethical obligation but from the fact that, although the soldiers were well armed, they couldn't take on the entire town if the residents were pushed too far. This lack of sexual contact plus the monotonous routine had multiplied tensions and put tempers on a short fuse.
The Commander planted his black boots on the floor and stood tall at his six-foot height. "I suppose for the sake of morale a few hours of merriment could be permitted." he conceded to his men's recent complaining, "Captain find a suitable location for these Gypsies to set up whatever it is that they do."
Commander Merquise stepped forward until he was only inches from the obeisance Oriental. "Do not make me regret my kindness." he growled close enough for Wufei to feel each word brush against his face.
Wufei bowed again, "I assure your Lordship that your rank and station will be upheld in every way." he proclaimed respectfully then backed up a few paces before turning to leave.
The Captain saluted then joined Wufei by the door. "Captain," Merquise called after his exiting officer.
The man cringed but promptly responded, "Yes sir."
"If there is any trouble you will answer to me."
"Yes sir."
It wasn't until the swarthy man and Wufei were well away from the building that the Captain dared to breathe. "There had better not be any trouble." he hissed through clenched teeth.
Wufei lifted his head being careful not to make direct eye contact. "No trouble sir." he replied. *No trouble until we capture your sorrow ass.* he finished the sentence in his mind.
*********
Heero leaned his back against the wagon's side, arms folded across his chest. Duo, who could not stay still, kept fidgety company beside the surprising calm soldier. Occasionally Heero would glance at the guards that had been left in charge then look past the watchful pair for some sight of Wufei.
"It's been a long time," Duo whispered as he fumbled with his braid. He cut his eyes in the town's direction. "Do you think Merquise took the bait?" A scene of heavily armed men surrounding the wagon kept replaying in his head.
"Yes." Heero replied with the same damnable deportment that he had displayed since Wufei left with the Captain.
Duo leaned nearer not bothering to hide his annoyance. "How can you be so sure?" he asked as another scene of everyone being dragged away to be executed followed in quick succession.
If Heero sensed Duo's snappiness it wasn't evident in either his relaxed posture or his unflustered composure. "Because Wufei can charm any snake."
"But..."
Heero pushed off of the wagon and situated his body to hide Duo's uneasiness from the guards. "You have to settle down or you're going to make our watchers suspicious." he whispered taking Duo's hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
Duo leaned into Heero's shoulder. "I just want all of this to be over."
"I will be soon, love, we have a workable plan and the determination to carry it out. Merquise will pay for his sins and you will be the avenging angel."
As if on cue Wufei and the Captain walked into view. The senior officer shared his orders with the pair of underlings; Wufei made his way to his comrades. The pleased smile beaming on his face was all the confirmation Duo and Heero needed.
Laying his hand on Heero's shoulder Wufei verbally confirmed what his smile already showed. "The Commander is eagerly waiting to be entertained."
Duo took a deep breath and readied himself for the final confrontation. "Let's give these bastards a show they won't forget."
TBC...
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