Dragonheart Part 7
The sun dipped lower along the horizon casting purple shadows over the trail. Wing moved with a casual gait apparently unaffected by Duo's announcement of his master's impending introduction to Shinigami.
However Heero was not as well satisfied. Flickers of memories, visions of green scales and fire tinged smoke belching into the night, gave him cause to be concerned. Again he had to question just how much sway Duo held over the mythical reptile.
The Dragon Keeper's insistence that the beast could be controlled did little to relieve the nagging doubts that fluttered inside Heero's brain like flame-entranced moths.
As Duo kept a loose grip around Heero's waist he didn't seem to have a worry in the world. His carefree posture and his tranquil gazing up through the forest's leafy canopy should have put Heero at ease but, still, what if the massive dragon took exception to the warrior? What if the lingering scent of blood and battle that Heero could never completely wash away triggered Shinigami's protective instincts?
Heero wiggled in the saddle readjusting his tense grip on the reins before Wing sensed the stress and became skittish. The last thing he wanted was to have his high-spirited steed spooked by a flighty, furry creature and go bolting down the path or worse rear up, throw both riders and run off stranding he and Duo in the ominous woods.
"Duo," Heero began then ducked under a low hanging branch, "I don't think...."
"You think too much." Duo interrupted the forthcoming protests.
"It is just that your dragon and I did not get off to a very good start."
"Shinigami is not MY dragon." Duo replied to Heero's assumption of his possessiveness of the great beast.
Heero pivoted in the saddle centering his attention on Duo. "That is even more reason for me to be concerned."
With his eyes aimed backward the skeptic soldier didn't see the next branch coming. "DAMN!" he exclaimed as the rough bark scraped his head and dislodged leaves tangled in his hair.
Duo didn't bother to hide his amusement but he did stop short of a full belly laugh. "I don't think you...will have to worry about losing... your head to Shinigami." he smirked as he struggled to quell a fit of giggles.
With a curt snort Heero twisted to face forward and put a deliberate stiffness in his shoulders. Behind his sulking friend Duo pressed a hand to his mouth to stifle his laughter as he used his free hand to extract a leaf from Heero's heavy hair.
Heero drew up at Duo's feathery touch but he knew that he could not keep up his pouting for long--not with the braided man's playful influence being practiced with such expert efficiency.
With a surrendering sigh Heero reached around, took Duo's hand and guided it back in place on his waist. "If that dragon does see fit to do me in I swear I will return from the grave and make your life a living hell." he promised his serious retribution should the unthinkable happen.
*********
Twilight arrived just as Wing, the Captain and the Keeper stopped in front of Duo's house. While Heero unsaddled Wing and gave him his supper of grain and water, Duo lit a lamp and stoked the fire. By the time Heero returned from the stable bowls of reheated soup, bread, honey and waterwas waiting for the hungry soldier.
When Heero questioned the lack of wine on the table Duo declared, "You do not need false fortitude to face Shinigami, you only need faith."
Heero found himself once again amazed at Duo's maturity. He marveled at the young man's wisdom.
"Heero do you trust me?"
"Yes."
"Now much?"
"Enough to leave my sword behind and let faith be my shield."
*********
Holding Heero's hand Duo lead the way through the shadow shrouded forest. He had made the trip so many times that his feet knew where each rock and root rested along the path. Even in the dusky darkness his eyes could see as they followed the map in his mind. "Watch that hole. Mind that branch." Duo would advise using words and touch to guide Heero around or over each obstacle.
Slowly the rocky clearing materialized from the ghostly gloom. Like an army of apparitional warriors gnarled trees guarded the mysterious place. As Heero's eyesight adjusted to the marginally improved light he could just make out the black hole of Shinigami's lair.
Duo felt a hesitation in Heero's stride. He gave Heero's hand a reassuring squeeze before letting his fingers slip free. "Stay here until Shinigami senses that I am safe."
Heero offered no argument as Duo walked into the dragon's realm.
Kneeling in front of a smooth outcrop Duo began to chant the ancient language designed to summon the beast from his slumber. Chills tingled along Heero's spine as Duo's melodic voice wafted on the dew-drenched air. The haunting strains, much like Quatre's music, produced a melancholy mood that moved over Heero's heart like mist on the water. Duo swayed, his braid brushed the ground.
So many emotions flowed on the mesmerizing mantra. Guilt. Sorrow. Fear. But strangely there was also consolation, a promise that everything would be all right. Gradually Heero realized that he was no longer afraid, not of Shinigami or going home. Heero had inner strength. Even in the fiercest battle there was a core of courage that had never deserted him.
Without thinking Heero moved forward. Without concern for his reception Captain Yuy display an unshakable belief that Duo was indeed the great beast's master.
Faith. A word that once seemed so hollow now rang with redeeming truth. The simple act of trusting Duo was so liberating that Heero thought that his heart would burst with joy.
Twin pinpoints of scarlet blinked open just inside the cave's entrance. The scent of sulfur surged in a smoky cloud. The ground trembled, quivering with anticipation but Heero did not waver. Two more steps. He stopped behind Duo and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"You are my shield." he announced his newly found serenity.
Duo continued to sing, to sway but now he not only sang for Shinigami but for Heero as well.
A green snout appeared, a head, then the dragon emerged and straightened to his full height. Shinigami leaned over his human friend and gently nuzzled the top of Duo's head. Duo lifted his face, coming eye to eye with the creature that could go from mild to mad in a heartbeat.
Ending his song Duo stood and petted the scaly nose hovering inches from his face. While Heero kept his position directly behind the Keeper, Duo lavished his affections on his dragon protector.
Duo took Heero's hand guiding it to Shinigami's head. "This is Heero." Duo kept his hand over Heero's showing him how to pet in the correct direction so that his fingers wouldn't sag on the shiny scales.
Shinigami tiled his head, his fiery eyes studied Heero but he did not snarl or puff out his spark-laden breath. Opposite of the dragon's angry charge when he thought that Heero was hurting Duo, Shinigami sensed no threat to his master.
A green forked tongue lapped at Heero's hand tasting the unfamiliar human. Heero shivered at the rough texture against his skin. Shinigami lowered his head and in a sign of acceptance nuzzled Heero's head in the same way that he had greeted Duo.
Duo smiled. "I knew that he would like you. Let's sit down and I will tell you a story about the dragons that live in the sea."
Crickets chirped. Somewhere among the breeze-ruffled leaves a nighthawk screeched then batted his powerful wings as he left for his nightly prowl. Shinigami had curled up at Duo's feet and rested his head on his paws. With the sound of the bird of prey taking flight he raised his head and watched in wonder as the nighthawk soared overhead.
Heero sat beside Duo. Absentmindedly he twirled the end of Duo's braid in his fingers and listened to tales of sea creatures and people that were haft human and half fish.
As Duo used his voice's various inflections and overdone hand gestures to weave the make believe Heero told himself that the fanciful narratives could not be based in reality. Or was there an air of truth to the tales?
If a day ago someone had told Heero that dragons existed he would have told them that they were crazy. But here was Shinigami, real flesh and bone and scales. A living, breathing being with a heart and possibly a soul just like Heero.
With a sigh Heero laid his head on Duo's shoulder. Duo paused in the storytelling to smooth back messy bangs that were hiding Heero's expressive eyes. Heero smiled...the first genuinely happy smile in over a year. Duo's face lit up at his friend's contented countenance.
Crickets chirped. Shinigami settled down. Duo began another tale of wondrous creatures that keep secret company with man. Heero closed this eyes, took Duo's hand and trusted the Keeper and his dragon to shore up his faith.
*********
There were only a few hours before the sun dispelled the darkness. Duo was hoarse from his storytelling, both he and Heero were chilled and sleepy and Shinigami needed to hunt before dawn. Wearily Duo bade his faithful dragon good night and sent him on his way then hand in hand he and Heero walked home.
Blankets and shared body heat quickly warmed up the drowsy pair and lulled them into slumber. Once Duo was disturbed by Heero's restlessness, no doubt the result of those damned recurring dark dreams. He slid closer and draped his arm over Heero's waist. The comforting contact worked its magic, with a relieved sigh Heero calmed down.
Cheerlessly Duo watched Heero sleep. Knowing that morning would come as it always did and that his friend would be returning to his home Duo wished sadly. "I wish I could always be your consolation."
*********
Breakfast was solemn. Duo had always been honest with his feelings and he did not try to hide the hurt that he knew his and Heero's parting would cause. Heero, too, was having trouble forcing his food passed the emotional lump in his throat. "I will miss you my friend." he declared as he surrendered to his sadness.
"I will miss you." Duo replied also giving into his lack of appetite.
Heero leaned across the table. "If I arrange it will you come for a visit?"
"I would like that."
"Then I promise that I will send for you soon."
"Can I ride with you as far as the village? I want to go to church and offer a prayer for your safe journey."
"Of course that will give us a more time together before I have to go."
*********
Heero stood outside the modest church's door. Despite Duo's urging he could not step over the threshold. The weight of his sword at his side, the bloodshed it represented was a harsh reminder that he was not worthy to enter such a consecrated place.
Perhaps one day when his hands were not tarnished and the soldier inside had been put to rest the Almighty would again welcome him into the fold but until that redeeming day Heero would have to stand on the outside looking in.
He dared to brace his hand on the doorframe and peer down a single aisle flanked by benches. At the back there was an altar bearing a simple wooden cross and two candles. To the right an iron rack held several rows of ruby colored glass containers holding smaller prayer candles.
In the limited candlelight Heero could see Duo kneeling before the altar holding his cross. His head was bowed and he reverently slid each bead through his fingers as he counted his blessings. The soft light glistened over his hair like a glowing halo reaffirming Heero's belief that Duo was indeed an angel.
Spurred by his contemplated thoughts Heero recalled a passage that a kindly priest often recited during his visits to the war camp. "They shall beat their swords into plowshares." The words repeated again confirming the warrior's disfavor.
Heero closed his eyes hoping that God would mercifully hear his silent entreatment. In spite of his misgivings he humbly asked that the angels watch over the Dragon Keeper's chaste soul.
He sighed then opened his eyes. "Amen."
*********
Duo slipped his cross around his neck, tucked the sacred symbol inside his shirt then made his way to the individual candles. The flames shining through the red glass added a fiery touch to his phantom halo. With a practiced prayer he lit one candle for all the departed souls, one for his mother and one for Heero.
"Amen." he whispered.
As Duo started up the aisle he found Heero keeping his solitary watch by the door. He paused as he became aware that Heero's eyes were shut and his head bent low in quiet meditation.
Duo did not move until Heero's head was lifted and his eyes opened. "I suppose it is time for you to go." he said as he reached the door. His heart ached at the words--the goodbye that he had been dreading all morning.
Heero placed his hand on Duo's shoulder. "I am a man of my word, I will send for you."
Duo was afraid that if he spoke the pain in his heart would be too evident instead he disregarded the passing people and pulled Heero into a tight hug.
Heero didn't hesitate as he held on trying to gleam every last ounce of comfort from Duo's embrace. His hand traced along Duo's braid with the same reverence that Duo's fingers had caressed his cross.
Heero swallowed hard to free his voice. "I will miss you."
Duo let go and stood back gazing deeply into Heero's misty eyes. Without a word of farewell he touched Heero's cheek then ran into the steady flow of villagers.
Heero stood still staring at the spot where Duo had disappeared. "We will not be apart for long." he pledged on his heart and soul.
TBC...
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