Wolf Moon Part 19
First light found a flurry of activity in Twilight.
Quatre and Trowa were in their bedroom packing for the journey to Deep World. Since the Cleric and the Manipulator had chosen a modest life they had few worldly possessions.
Several changes of clothing and cloaks to ward off the night chill were neatly folded and tucked inside two rectangle tapestry bags with woven leather handles. Also included was hard milled soap, a bottle of aloe oil for washing the hair and a paste made from peppermint extract for cleaning the teeth.
To his bag Trowa added a leather pouch containing gemstone amulets for defense against the variety of creatures that would surly be dispatched by Lord Khushrenada.
Polished bloodstones were useful in repelling bloodsuckers that prowled at night. A bracelet of amethyst beads strung on thick thread spun from flax kept the dream creepers at bay and an oval pendant of jade attached to a silver chain could grant a glimpse into the future if the proper prayers were recited.
Lastly a white moonstone on a gold chain encircled Trowa's neck and served as the Priest's personal protection.
The day Zechs departed for Deep World, the wise teacher had given the moonstone to Trowa. At first Trowa protested that he wasn't worthy to wear the consecrated talisman that had been passed down from priest to apprentice for a thousand years.
Only after Zechs insisted that, through hard work and selfless sacrifice, Trowa had indeed earned his priesthood did he humbly accepted his Twilight duty. That day the moonstone joined the Warrior's Cross never to be removed until his death.
Likewise, Quatre assembled his natural arsenal of dried herbs and powdered potions. Lavender was particularly repulsive to daywalkers, Khushrenada's soulless slaves. Ginseng was a remedy for aliments of the stomach and head. Catnip made an excellent tea for insomnia. Balmroot healed wounds and counteracted poisons.
Quatre also had his own means of safeguard. Encircling his neck, along with his Warrior's Cross, was a small blue satin bag containing petrified wolfsbane.
*********
A fortnight after Quatre's arrival in Twilight, Zechs performed the purification ritual that enabled the Fair Manipulator to commune with the sun, moon and stars and command the seasons.
During the rite Trowa, who was still an apprentice, took a handful of earth, summoned water from the ground and combined the elements into clay. He took a fresh sprig of wolfsbane, encased it in the mixture then called up the wind to harden the clay.
Trowa held the rough piece in his right palm; Quatre laid his right hand over Trowa's. They interlaced their fingers and squeezed until the earthen shell shattered to release the poisonous plant that was now preserved for eternity.
Trowa placed the wolfsbane in the satin bag sewn onto a satin cord. Quatre permanently sealed the seam by using his forefinger to guide a thin beam of sunlight along the edge. Zechs blessed the talisman then Trowa placed it around Quatre's neck and leaned over to kiss his cheek.
To Trowa's surprise, Quatre hooked his thumb under Trowa's chin and redirected his mouth to center over his lips. Without hesitation Trowa deepened the kiss.
"Trowa Barton, would you, this day, be joined to me?" Quatre whispered his heart's desire.
That night in the full moon's glow Zechs officiated the Joining Ceremony.
"This union is entered into with the mutual consent of Trowa and Quatre. It is their sincere wish to be joined in mind, heart and soul." Zechs declared. "Have you a Promise Token to exchange?"
"We do." Trowa and Quatre answered in unison as they handed Zechs two wide bands of gold they had jointly produced.
Quatre had intensified the heat from the sun to melt the gold and employed the moon's tidal force to fashion the bands. Trowa used the wind to transport the hot metal to a crystal stream where the rings were tempered by the cold water.
"There is no doubt concerning the depths of your love. "Zechs proclaimed, "Love that is strong enough to withstand any adversity that might rise against you. There is no reservation concerning the commitment of your hearts, that promise is evident in the light in your eyes.
Zechs held up the rings. "Never-ending circles. As one season follows the other, so do months revolve into years and years into a lifetime. May these rings serve as an outward sign of your bond and may your love always be an inward connection that can never be severed."
He handed the rings to Quatre and Trowa who, in turn, slipped them on each other's ring finger. A Blessing Prayer, a kiss and the lovers became as one forever.
*********
Wufei, Heero and Duo's preparations for departure were not as detailed.
Wufei was a Spartan traveler. Regrettably in his veiled form, his wolf's sleek coat no longer covered his skin or leathery pads protected his feet and since most humans took offense at him wandering about naked, clothes were required. His sword had been cleaned and polished, a warrior's pride was always evident in the state of his weapon.
Heero repacked his bag and retied his bedroll. His dirk that he hadn't worn since coming to Twilight lay on his cloak waiting to be strapped to the Tracker's thigh. The crossbow and the quiver, refilled with new arrows Heero had made, sat patiently by the door.
Duo stuffed the whole of his belongings into a single satchel. He had no keepsakes from his past, only scars around his right wrist from being shackled in a hellhole with two insane men and the witch who had given his soul the means to soar.
He had memories. Memories bitter with cold and hunger and dark nightmares. But there was one token he always carried with him...a hole in his heart from his severance with his family that would never fully heal.
Twilight had given Duo a sense of serenity and a reason for hope. His fellow Warrior's of the Rose had promised the brotherhood's protection. His dream link with Heero had grounded his nights and the Tracker's friendship had made his days brighter. Duo proudly wore the same cross as his comrades and pledged the same vow to uphold the innocent and destroy depravity in every form.
While the Lord of Darkness' minions hadn't been brave enough to challenge the sanctity of Twilight Duo knew that once the quinque traversed its magical borders not only their salvation would be at stake but the world's redemption as well.
Soon the Hunter, the Duel Spirit, the Cleric, the Manipulator and the Veiled Beast would join Zechs Merquise, Keeper of the Temple. Soon the five would become six and woe to any Fallen Angel that dared to defy their righteous unification.
*********
The increased activity in the Lord Khushrenada's cavernous quarters copied the travel preparations in Twilight. His personal servant, Michael, scurried around the bedchamber, selecting suitable garments from a walnut wardrobe and packing them in two leather saddlebags.
Treize's tarnished hauberk (1) lay on the bed. Scratched shin guards and a battered helmet topped with plumes of faded feathers were in an equally neglected condition. Propped against the damp stone wall a round shield, pitted and scored, bore the Dark Lord's Lion and Stag Coat of Arms.
Treize studied his reflection in the soot-clouded looking glass attached to the wall. Forty-eight hours without a drop of wine had not improved his surly attitude or lengthened the fuse on his quick temper but the liquor-laced cobwebs in his brain were less sticky and his ice blue eyes not as blurry or bloodshot.
Gazing at the shield's reverse image reflected in the mirror, Treize's thoughts drifted back to that January day on the Elon River Plateau and his the glorious defeat of King Peacecraft's army.
He had proven his warrior's prowess but the victory had been bittersweet. Instead of being extolled for his military genius, General Khushrenada was shunned at court and labeled a traitor by the High Council who charged him with treason and issued a warrant for his arrest.
Instead of a triumphant return to cheering crowds, Treize fled under the cover of darkness, destined to live in exile in the Sister Mountains' dank caverns, shut away from the sun and separated from his lover's light.
Treize closed his eyes; it was too painful to gaze at the Lion and the Stag. "Zechs I didn't lie. Don't you know I could rule the world and still have nothing without you by my side?"
Zechs was right, Treize Khushrenada was the Lord of Darkness. His heart was as black as midnight and his soul was the devil's whore. His mind had retreated into madness and the only time he was granted a brief reprieve was when he was drunk.
Suddenly Treize was shivering. He craved the wine's bitter taste on his tongue, its burn in his gullet and its heat in his belly. His back bumped the wall then his legs gave up their support. He slid down until he sat on the floor, knees drawn to his chest.
"You believe you have...sanctuary...in your damned temple," Treize mumbled as chills lanced his body but wouldn't numb his heart. "I'm sorry...my love...but even the depths of Hell won't provide asylum."
As he stared at the shield the Lion sprang forth and tore out the stag's throat. "You will come back to me or be forever entombed in Deep World."
Michael glanced up from his packing but made no attempt to come to his master's aide. He wasn't about to risk a punch or a kick or broken bones. Luckily there was neither a sword nor a dagger within easy reach but Treize didn't need a weapon to maim or kill.
The prudent servant cinched up the saddlebags, draped Treize's dark blue cape over the bed's footboard and crept out of the room. The hinges creaked and whined then the door closed with a hollow thud leaving the Lord of Darkness alone with his delusions of a repentant lover.
TBC...
(1) A hauberk is a long sleeveless coat of chain mail.
Back to Karen, The Huntress's Fanfictions Page