Wolf Moon Part 11
While Duo relished his freedom of flight, Heero and Wufei continued to Twilight by means of old fashion foot power.
Heero shouldered his crossbow and quiver; his cloak was draped over his bedroll hanging diagonally across his back. Wufei, his sword secured to his belt, had graciously taken over Duo's duty of carrying the Tracker's bag.
The path had become increasingly narrow and more frequently littered with smooth pebbles that rolled under boots to unbalance equilibrium. Shelves of gray slate jutted out to curl the trail tightly in a mazelike manner. Wiry saplings that offered less substantial handholds had replaced sizeable trees.
There was also a change in altitude, a distinctly elevated incline that turned walking into hiking and breathing into labored puffs. Both warriors prided themselves on their excellent physical condition but the upward slant, the hazardous footing and the thinner air were proving to be a challenge.
"I believe Duo chose the best way to travel." Heero declared between winded gasps.
Wufei used a jagged crevice etched by the elements in a russet outcrop to pull up a couple of steps then he, too, paused to catch his breath. "I have been lax in my training."
He tucked hair that had frayed from his ponytail behinds his ears. "We'll have to climb another fifty or so yards before we reach the Elon River Plateau then the pace will be easier."
Heero leaned his back against a moss-encrusted rock and squinted up at the cloudless sky hoping for a glimpse of the Duel Spirit but the sun stabbed at his eyes.
"He'll come down when he's ready." Wufei commented on Duo's independent nature.
Heero nodded in agreement. "I know how Duo came by his powers; may I ask how you're able to veil your true form from the human eye?"
"That I can not answer, not because it's forbidden but because the veiling is an instinctive part of me. Members of my clan can work the magic at birth, although it does take practice to master the subtleties that make the masking believable.
My kinsmen are born wolves but the knowledge of our origin was lost centuries ago when our ancestors took the secrets to their graves. Only the last generation has lived side by side with humans, learned their language and to read and write but the elders wisely decreed that we not take on the mind-set of man."
"Mind-set?"
Wufei rested his hip on a rocky protrusion and crossed his arms over his chest. "Man is the only creature that kills, not for food but for sport or greed or jealously. Humans are so eager to possess what they want they start wars or covet another's mate. They are perplexing and irrational," he stated, "but surprisingly some people have admirable qualities and a few may be counted as friends."
"Am I counted among those few?" Heero inquired sincerely.
"You have proven to be a warrior worthy of comradeship." Wufei offered his praise as best as his reserved personality would allow.
Wufei paused a moment to watch patterns created by sunlight shimmering through the branches dance over the stony ground. "We should move on if we want to reach Twilight by evening."
Heero took the lead, proceeding with caution as the path snaked between a sheer vertical wall on his right and a deep gorge spiked with sharp stones on his left.
Sporadically lower ledges would protrude into the sparse walking space further compromising his and Wufei's precarious trek.
One horseshoe bend looped back on itself at such a severe angle he couldn't see the other side. The Tracker threaded through the tapered trail, each footstep sending a shower of pebbles and sandy ground into the ravine.
Likewise, not wishing to plunge over the edge to be impaled or have various body parts strewn about the abyss, Wufei exercised the same prudent vigilance as he carefully picked his way along the fragile route.
A hefty chunk of trail gave way and tumbled a few feet before shattering on the rocks. "Now I understand why Twilight offers sanctuary." Heero declared as he sidestepped the breach. "Only fools or those protected by the fates take this path."
Pressing his back against the rough stone wall, Wufei skirted the expanding hole. When his feet were once again on solid ground he wondered aloud, "Which best describes us?"
"Both but I suppose..." Heero's sentence was cut off seconds before he ducked to avoid a pair of boots hovering inches above his head.
An upward repositioning of Heero's eyes confirmed that the lean legs responsible for the dangling footwear did indeed belong to his and Wufei braided comrade.
"Duo?"
"I was wonderin' when you two would come along." Duo announced with a grin that displayed a great measure of mischief.
Wufei craned his neck at the grinning Irishman. "Must you always perch so inappropriately?" he asked with a curt puff of air accenting the question.
Duo pulled his feet beneath him, stood up, centered his weight then, by means of a graceful somersault, joined his friends.
"Damn showoff." Wufei mumbled under his breath.
Duo mocked the Asian with an over-flourished bow. "Beggin' your Highness' pardon." he snickered then bounced back a few steps in case Wufei took exception to the good-natured royal reference.
Wufei scowled and Heero swore that, for a fleeting moment, the veil wavered to reveal a black wolf with lips drawn back in a snarl.
Duo seemed to take no notice of the ripple in the veil or if he did, he didn't feel endangered. "Shall we journey on to Twilight?"
Wufei sat Heero's bag at Duo's feet. "You've played enough, now you can earn your keep." he announced before starting off down the path.
Duo picked up the bag and fell in step with Heero. "His bark is worse than his bite." he whispered nodding at the wolf warrior.
Without turning around or altering his brisk strides, Wufei extended his arm and flipped the mischievous Irishman a middle finger salute.
*********
True to Wufei's calculations, the path finally unfurled and the wall sloped back at a less acute angle allowing the Lone Hunter, the Duel Spirit and the Perpetual Beast more maneuvering room.
Lengthened by the waning sun, shadows stretched on ahead. Behind, the trail was rapidly swallowed up by the dusky gloom and all traces of the travelers vanished.
To the west the solar "orb of heaven" hovered on the horizon like a bloodshot dragon's eye to blush the sky with sunset's red and orange hues. As the forest anticipated nightfall, there was a chill in the air and the birds began to settle in the trees.
"Our journey is done." Wufei announced as he, Duo and Heero stepped from the tree line to stand on a hillcrest.
Free from the forest's visual interference the panoramic view of the Vale of Twilight was spectacular. As far as the eye could see lush fields were interspersed with graceful weeping willows and groves of cane bamboo so tall they appeared to pierce the sky.
Wildflowers carpeted the emerald expanses in shades of purple ranging from lavender to plum to mauve. Sprinkled in for contrast, reedy stalks topped with blossoms of red, gold and blue swayed in the breeze.
"There," Wufei pointed at a lone dwelling tucked away amongst the breathtaking beauty, "the Priest's home."
"The man in my dreams?" Heero wondered.
"Our dreams." Duo corrected.
"The same."
"Does he have the answers?"
Wufei tilted his head at the Demon Tracker. "Answers often depend on the questions." he stated as he started down the hill to enter Twilight.
*********
The modest abode was constructed entirely of bamboo. The roofline slanted from front to back to direct water away from the rough-hewn rock foundation. Sturdy bamboo poles were set on a front porch to support a lower roof that provided shelter from the sun and rain.
A flock of Cotwold sheep grazed in a meadow with no fences to limit their foraging. Ewes nibbled on tender spring grass while their twin kids kick up their heels and engaged in playful head butting. A ram with horns curled around his head kept watch over his herd from a nearby knoll.
Sharing the pasture, a pair of powerfully built Percheron horses was silhouetted against the sky ablaze with the last crimson rays as the sun slipped from sight.
Vegetable and herb gardens were laid out in neat rows on the house's east side. Slender stalks, most likely onion tops, had pushed several inches through the sandy soil. Stripes of green clearly showed other plantings and a few herbs had begun to bloom. On the south side, fig bushes grew in the shade of apples trees adorned with fluffy, white blossoms.
A three-foot ring of stones enclosed a fresh-water spring at the porch's corner. A wooden bucket was suspended from a rope tied somewhere under the eaves to facilitate the easy drawing of water in all weather conditions.
A natural pond ringed with bulrushes, cattails, swamp roses and marsh marigolds set just beyond the spring. Water lily pads dotted the surface but the single center buds were still tightly closed.
The walkway leading to the house was no more that a well-worn path that interrupted the abundance of yellow daisies, scarlet poppies and peony bushes heavy with buds ready to burst forth in white and pink.
As the weary travelers drew closer, they saw two figures sitting on the porch floor. The Demon Tracker usually didn't make assumptions, especially when dealing with perverted forces that followed no natural laws but he was reasonably sure the pair was human.
Duo had no such misgivings. He quickened his pace then broke into a run. Heero's bag bumped his hip but he didn't care.
Duo was home. The only place he felt safe. The only place he could truly be himself.
"Quatre! Trowa!"
The pair stood in unison. The taller of the two was definitely male, dressed in tan loose-fitting pants, matching tunic and cloth shoes. His skin was bronzed and dark brown hair hung over one eye to add an air of mystery.
The second person's gender was not as easily identified. A light blue outfit of slimmer pants and a knee-length robe with flared sleeves was not necessarily male or female. Golden blond hair feathered around a fairer face and tangled in long eyelashes.
"DUO!" The blond shouted as he descended the three porch steps and ran toward his returning friend.
Duo dropped Heero's bag and embraced his dear friend. "Quatre, have you been well?"
The Manipulator of Seasons leaned back and held Duo by the shoulders at arm's length. "I'm well," he smiled, "but you, my friend, are still too thin."
"Definitely male." Heero decided by the masculine voice quality.
The taller man who, by process of elimination, had to be Trowa took his turn at a warm embrace. "We were becoming concerned something might have waylaid you along the road."
"We had a few minor challenges but all in all it was an uneventful journey."
"You're here now and that's all that matters." Quatre declared.
In contrast to Duo's enthusiastic greeting, Wufei remained in place merely observing the happy homecoming. Copying the Asian's aloof attitude, Quatre and Trowa stood side by side and bowed to the wolf warrior.
Wufei bowed then relaxed his stiff posture and offered his hand. "It is good to see you."
Trowa stepped forward. "You must be the Demon Tracker. Welcome to Twilight."
"Heero Yuy." Heero introduced himself. "I'm honored to be here."
Quatre waved to the bamboo house. "You're all exhausted and, "he grinned at Duo, "I know you're hungry. Come to the house. Come on." he urged.
Flanked by his quinque comrades, Duo walked up the path talking and using his hands to accent his excited conversation. Heero, having retrieved his bag, joined Wufei as they lagged a little behind.
"Where is the priest?" Heero wondered lowly.
Wufei let a rare smile grace his lips. "Walking in front of you." he nodded to the tallest of the trio.
Heero shook his head in disbelief. "Him?"
"What did you expect?"
"I don't know, someone more imposing and..."
"Not as humble." Wufei finished the thought. He slowed his pace, forcing Heero to do the same. "Haven't you learned by now that humble men can wield great power?"
*********
Dusky rays of sunlight melted away before the rapidly encroaching night. An ebony blanket cloaked the sky and a thousand pinpoints of light blinked and winked across the heavens.
In the house's main room illuminated by candlelight, several basins of warm water and handmade soap scented with peppermint oil were put to good use as Heero, Duo and Wufei washed their hands and scrubbed a full day's dust off their faces.
Duo finger-combed wet bangs that were determined to hinder his sight and announced he needed to visit the outhouse. "I'll help with supper when I'm finished."
"You WILL wash your hands again." Wufei warned then winced as soap stung in a cut on his palm, no doubt acquired from climbing over sharp rocks.
*********
While Duo, with newly cleansed hands, and Quatre cut up vegetables, Trowa fanned a hibachi (1) filled with straw and twigs layered beneath chunks of coal.
Heero sat at a table observing the supper preparations. Since his offer to help had been graciously refused, "You are our guest." Quatre insisted, he experienced no guilt as he enjoyed a respite from the kitchen duties.
Soon the embers blazed and the aroma of frying trout wafted over the room. Chunks of potatoes, onions, carrots and water chestnuts shared five skewers arranged beside the fish. A salad of wild dandelion greens was tossed in a wooden bowl with dill leaves. Cold water drawn from the spring completed the appetizing meal.
At first supper was consumed in silence, mouths used to gratify hunger are much too busy to talk. Gradually as stomachs became content, words began to replace the sounds of chewing and drinking.
Wufei narrated the story of his, Duo and Heero's meeting outside the stable. He did skip the part about spying from the loft, figuring that was one piece of information better kept secret.
He recounted their encounter with the Shadow Spy, the defeat of his army of Soulless Slaves and how Duo's falcon transformation and his unveiling was revealed to Heero.
At regular intervals, Duo would interject colorful adjectives to illustrate the tale or included gruesome details of their escapades that would have sickened weaker men's guts.
Throughout the telling and embellishing Trowa put each part to memory so he could chronicle them in the Book of Adventures.
As much as Heero took pleasure in the retold tales, his curiosity concerning the Priest and the Fair One sitting by his side pressed him for answers.
When the last sentence was spoken and the account brought to an end, the Lone Hunter took his turn, not at telling but asking. "Sir, tell me how you came to be Priest of Twilight." he implored respectfully.
Trowa tilted his head so that the usually concealed eye joined the other orb to focus on Demon Tracker. "You wish to hear my story?"
"Please."
"Then pour out the wine and I will tell you."
TBC...
(1) Hibachi: A portable brazier used for cooking.
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