Wolf Moon Part 35
Ghostly fog enveloped Hellgate Castle. Dusky gloom, not produced by the moon's vaporous veiling but borne of a morose spirit, embraced the massive fortress, crept about the tower spires, spilled over the walls and slunk above the moat.
The sullen shroud cloaked the lichen-encrusted gargoyles guarding the ledges and prowled along the parapets then paused to pry at windows and claw at wavy panes shut tight against the relentless chill.
Amber candlelight shone from within the ancient keep but the dim illumination had little affect on the icy mist except to lend it a sickly hue.
Treize Khushrenada, his mind fretful and his soul restless, sat at a large table made of oak and marred by years of abuse.
Much misery had proceeded Treize's arrival at Hellgate. A quarrel between King Peacecraft and King Edwin, ruler of Belvar, concerning claims to ancestral property had evolved from a border squabble into the threat of war.
When Edwin accused the mapmakers of cheating him out of his proper acreage, Peacecraft purposed that a new survey be done, after all it seemed a small concession to avoid hostilities.
But Edwin wasn't content with mere readjustments in the boundary lines. He was adamant that he'd obtained by divine decree sovereign rights to all land from the Arcade River to the north face of the Sister Mountains.
Peacecraft supposed and his advisors agreed that Edwin's desire to occupy that region stemmed from its wealth of timber and fertile soil. Edwin's unwise forest management had resulted in severe erosion and overuse of cropland had turned his kingdom's lush fields into barren ground.
After months of random assaults on carriageways and village attacks designed to escalate the dispute, Peacecraft invited Edwin and his son Prince Julius to meet with the Council of Aragon. Hopefully a face to face exchange would cool tempers and encourage rational discussions.
But the conference did nothing to allay Edwin's fervent demands for his lawful inheritance. The meeting rapidly deteriorated into a shouting match between Julius and Septum then ended abruptly with Edwin swearing "to make the hills run red with Aragonian blood."
Despite numerous conciliatory efforts to defuse the volatile situation, after each offer of concession was rejected and Peacecraft could do no more without total capitulation, the King's worse fears were realized...Edwin, King of Belvar declared war and ended five decades of peace.
*********
The definition of war is relative to the people involved. While the impending conflict might have seemed minor to Aragon's neighboring principalities, it was a serious matter to Peacecraft.
And while the battles would not engage thousands of men or be fought with ruinous armaments, the fighting was just as perilous and carried the same grave consequences as full-scale combat.
Since General Septum was the only military man on the Council, he was charged with amassing an army and planning the strategy for Edwin's defeat. In turn Treize Khushrenada, a nobleman and regimental Captain, was enlisted to aid Septum in the preparations for war.
"Isn't it glorious?" Treize declared as he and his lover shared their orgasmic afterglow.
Zechs stretched then pulled the duvet over his genitals not from modesty but to ward off the chill of cool air flowing over his damp skin. "Are you talking about sex?" he asked for clarification.
Treize offered a rare smile. "Sex is marvelous but I'm talking about war."
"There's nothing glorious about war." Zechs countered with a firm shake of his head that sent silver hair gliding over his shoulder.
"Septum promised me a promotion to General." Treize boasted, "He says I'm worthy of the rank."
"Septum will use any means to achieve his goals." Zechs stated. He sat up with a heavy sigh and leaned back against the headboard. "He's a ruthless man who doesn't care how many bodies he steps over. He'd challenge the King if he could convince enough officers to follow him in his quest for power."
Now it was Treize's turn to shake his head. "Septum is an honorable soldier dedicated to his King and country." he came to the General's defense, "but I can't expect a pacifist to understand."
Although the remark stung Zechs he took Treize's hand and fixed his lover's sight. "Come away with me to Twilight." he begged. "Please, for both our sakes, leave the folly of war behind."
Treize jerked back his hand but Zechs couldn't tell if the stern look on his face was shock or anger or a mixture of both.
"You would have me deny my destiny?" Treize hissed in what he believed was righteous indignation. "Would you go to Twilight without me? Are your duties as a Priest more important than my duties as a warrior?"
With a quiver in his voice accenting his anguish Zechs declared. "You are traveling down a path I can not follow."
"Then you've made your choice. But in spite of your lack of support I WILL become a General and take my place as a leader in the kingdom's magnificent victory. One day you will be proud of me."
The next morning Zechs returned to Twilight. Treize followed Septum and waited for the promotion that never came.
*********
Six months of disdainful proclamations, belligerent posturing and indecisive skirmishes escalated the hatred between Aragon and Belvar. Neither side had the advantage in men nor in weaponry and the conflict dragged on through autumn into winter.
Then at the end of February a climactic event occurred on the Elon River Plateau that brought the hostilities to a head and pushed peace beyond reclaiming.
Snow swirled in the bitter wind howling up from the river. The arctic gale battered Edwin's blue and gold battle standards and frayed the hems. Assembled in a staggered-line formation, archers were interspersed among foot soldiers armed with lances. Riders mounted on war horses carried swords and shields.
Across the plateau, Peacecraft's red and white flags, embroidered with the lion and stag insignia, snapped in the same perpetual currents that also buffeted his warriors awaiting the command to charge.
Astride a dapple-gray stallion, Septum squinted through the wind-whipped flakes and studied the enemy. Treize Khushrenada dressed in a dark blue uniform and fir trimmed cape stood beside his mentor and angled a steel sword across his chest.
"Peacecraft is a fool." Septum proclaimed above the whistling wind.
"Sir?"
"Troop placements are too compact, too easy for Edwin to flank. No, all wrong." Septum decided. "Move your squad to the left and flare out the line."
Treize considered the tactical rearrangement. "But sir we have our orders." he dared to question the directive.
Septum shifted in the saddle. "Tell me Captain, what to you strive for?"
"Victory."
"Would that victory be better achieved as a Captain or as a General?"
At the risk of being disrespectful, Treize challenged Septum to follow through on his promise. "Are you keeping your word to promote me?"
"If your loyalties lie where they should."
Treize remembered his last night with Zechs. I will become a General. echoed in his mind. One day you will be proud of me.
Spurred by what Treize believed was Zechs' rejection and vexed by the inconsolable grief that had eaten away at his reason, the Captain made his choice.
"My loyalty is with you, sir."
"Good. This day you will become the Lord of Darkness and fight by my side. We will show no mercy to Edwin, his bastardly whelp or any man who stands with them."
*********
Treize shuddered as the memories of that fateful day in February came rushing back. He wiped his eyes on his sleeve, turned up the wine bottle, drained the last bitter dregs then stared blankly into the fire.
Within the flames he could see the battle's macabre aftermath. Broken lances, shattered swords, arrows protruding from frozen bodies, every horrid detail was displayed with such clarity he suddenly found it difficult to breathe.
Hoof beats pounded in his ears. A battle cry. The clang of blade against blade became a deafening din. A death throe wail then the bone splintering thud as the Prince of Belvar hit the ground.
Once again the Dark Lord stood in scarlet snow and gazed down at Julius' contorted corpse lying by his blood spattered boots.
The Prince's vacant eyes searched the heavens, entreating the angels for forgiveness. Or perhaps his glassy fixed pupils were meant to mirror the Dark Lord's unpardonable sins.
The red and white standard bowed on its staff. The scarlet cord no longer held its sway. The lion and the stag quivered then surrendered and with a terrible tear were rent in two.
"Zechs!" Treize shrieked out. "I need you." he implored but the wind moaning outside Hellgate swallowed his petition as soon as it left his lips.
*********
Zechs trembles in his sleep.
He's riding at a full gallop. His horse wheezes in the arctic air but he can't slow his urgent pace.
Snowflakes pepper his ebony garments. Wintry wind burns his cheeks, blurs his vision, steals his breath and flares his cape like great wings.
Ahead a russet plateau rises in stark contrast to the white mantle frosting the ground. Zechs prods his mount, encourages it to carry him just a bit further.
Closer.
He can hear conflicting orders screamed in confusion and can sense the desperation of a chaotic retreat.
Closer.
Garbled pleas for mercy resound in his ears and the coppery odor of blood is so pungent in his nostrils he can taste it.
Zechs crests the plateau and the gruesome panorama is revealed. He pulls back on the reins. The gallop slows to a trot then the horse stops with a snort and a whinny.
So stunned by the butchery, Zechs can't move. The snow is crimson. Men and horses, dying or dead, litter the battlefield as far as the eye can see.
A figure dressed in dark blue stands among the carnage...blood-tarnished sword gripped in his hand...a mangled body sprawled at the feet.
Now Zechs is walking, purposeful strides. He knows the figure, feels the empathetic link and with each step his heart pounds harder until the pain is unbearable.
In the surreal dreamscape Zechs' breath shatters into glistening shards. "Treize." The single word is instantly encased in ruby crystals.
At the sound of his name, the triumphant General flinches but doesn't turn around.
Zechs stops close enough to touch his estranged lover but his hands remain clenched at his sides.
"Why?"
"For you." Treize replies barely above a whisper.
The ensuing silence is louder than any rebuke Zechs could deliver. Treize would rather the Twilight Priest shout out his loathing, strike out with his fists or slash with a sword but he knows the pacifist abhors violence.
Zechs surveys the devastation. "You wrought this vile destruction for yourself."
Treize pivots to face his lover. His eyes are as cold as the glacial gusts and their glare threatens to freeze Zechs' heartbeats.
"Your failure to believe in me caused this." he growls.
Zechs whimpers in his sleep.
Every night the identical dream exhumes the truth buried beneath layers of remorse and shame and reopens guilt-festered wounds.
"Treize." he calls. A tear tracks down his cheek. "Forgive me."
Wufei rolls onto his side, drapes his arm over his bedmate's waist and pulls him closer. "There's nothing to forgive." he whispers.
As the Temple Keeper huddles into the reassuring enfoldment, Wufei again exorcizes the nightmare demons sent by the Dark Lord to steal Zechs' sanity.
"No more dreams."
*********
"Can't sleep?"
Heero redirected his sight from the cavern's dusky ceiling to gaze into Duo's drowsy eyes. "It's difficult." he admitted. "Damn Deep World and this altered schedule of time."
"Tis odd not having day and night defined by the sun and the moon." Duo agreed. "Zechs seems to know when a new day begins but how is a mystery to me."
The Tracker continued to find fault with the subterranean environment. "I'm tired of the chill and the dampness. I miss basking in the sun, bird songs, dewy breezes blowing on my face and rainbows."
"I miss the stars and...." A sigh laced with melancholy cut off Duo's words.
Heero took Duo's hand and gave it a supportive squeeze. "And what?"
"Flying."
"Come here." Heero invited.
When Duo was settled with his head resting on his partner's bare shoulder, Heero stated. "Tomorrow we leave for Hellgate. When the quinque steps out into the morning light you will fly as high and as long as you want to."
"But we can't afford to waste time."
"The remaining of us earthbound beings will walk and you can join us when you're ready."
Heero ran his index finger down Duo's cheek, hooked it under his jaw and raised his chin until their faces were inches apart. "My earnest wish is for your happiness and my vow is to protect of your body, mind and soul."
"Would you prove the sincerity of your oath?"
"Without hesitation." Heero pledged. "What would you have me do?"
"Love me."
The first kiss was a gentle brushing of lips, an exploration, sharing breath, savoring taste. Tongues caressed and teased.
The second kiss was lustful, directed by bodily appetite. Fueled by pent up sexual cravings, passion boiled to the surface and animal instincts took over.
Raw. Wild.
Hands fondled. Fingers traced hot tracks over sweaty skin. Arms encircled and legs entangled. Duo's hair came undone.
Penises strained against breechcloths and demanded immediate liberation from their cloth confinements. Without deliberation the offensive fabrics were ripped away and rigid shafts were displayed without shame.
Duo gasped when his and Heero's erections rubbed together. "Take me." he begged.
Although Heero's brain was clouded by sensual sensations and his body barraged by carnal desire, he paused to ponder the request. "Are you certain? I don't want any regrets once our urges no longer rule our actions."
Duo sucked in a breath. So sturdy was its shaking Heero believed he'd said something wrong. "I'm not rejecting you. I only want to guard your emotional well being."
"I know."
"Then what's wrong?"
"I'm scared." Duo confessed with a quiver in his voice that matched his trembling.
Again Heero attempted to alleviate his partner's distress. "I would never do anything to harm you, physically, mentally or spiritually."
Duo's misty eyes widened. "I'm not afraid of you. I trust you with my life. I'm anxious about Hellgate. What if we fail? What if your dream was a forewarning of things to come?"
"I thought you didn't believe in prophecies?" Heero asked as he recalled Duo proclaiming that "Premonitions aren't set in stone."
"I don't...I mean..." Panic joined Duo's anxiety. "If something happened...if I lost you ...I wouldn't want to...live."
Heero cradled Duo's slim frame that now seemed much more frail. "We didn't find each other to be parted. I promised you protection and nothing in heaven or in hell will keep me from you side."
Duo clung as if his next breath depended on the contact. "The past cannot be changed and we have no guarantee for the future but we do have tonight. Please, Heero, become one with me and claim me as your own."
Heero offered no further debate. He eased Duo back on the futon and without another word captured Duo's lips, swallowed his angst and replaced his fear with hope.
Downy kisses feathered over Duo's chest. Heero's tongue swirled around each nipple then left a wet trail as it descended over rippling stomach muscles. A brief intermission as his tongue dipped into Duo's navel then the journey of discovery began anew.
Meanwhile Heero's hands were not idle. They petted lightly, raising goose bumps in their wake. They examined every inch of silky skin, made a tactile map of every curve and contour.
When his lover was adequately aroused, Heero's left hand tunneled around Duo's length and began a series of metered strokes, each ending with a swipe of his thumb over the weeping tip.
Heero's right hand flattened on the inside of Duo's thigh and produced exquisite friction that shuddered through Duo's genitals then coaxed a low groan when a single finger circled his anal opening.
"I don't have anything make our joining easier." Heero reported, but he wasn't sure in Duo's pleasure-induced daze his Irish lover understood.
Some part of the statement much have been comprehended. "There's aloe cream in that box." Duo nodded toward a tin container nestled among the disarray of his personal belongings.
Heero didn't bother to hide his smirk. "Came prepared?" he teased.
Duo managed to regain enough of his over stimulated senses to explain. "The hot springs were drying my skin so Zechs mixed up softening cream for me."
"I'll remember to thank Zechs for his kindness." Heero stated as he retrieved the box.
It didn't take long for the skilled Tracker to rekindle the embers and ignite a fire inside Duo.
One slick finger probed passed the ring of anal muscles. Heero asked Duo if he was all right before proceeding. When Duo was comfortable, a second finger was introduced and lastly a third finger stretched him enough to avoid tearing.
Even though Duo pushed most insistently against each additional insertion, Heero asked for final conformation. "Are you sure?"
Duo wrapped his lean legs around his lover's waist. "I want this more that anything I've ever wanted before."
Heero used plenty of cream, positioned his penis then pushed ever so slowly. Duo gritted his teeth and tensed up.
Heero stopped. "Relax." he instructed. "Tell me if it hurts. I'll pull out and I promise I won't be upset."
Duo drew in a breath, exhaled and willed himself to relax. "Go on."
Inch by inch Heero slid inside. When he was fully seated he pulled back just a little then moved forward again. With the same careful pace he established a leisurely rhythm designed to show Duo how much he loved him.
There was no need to hurry. Time seemed frozen in Deep World and, if Zechs was correct and it was indeed night, they had hours before first light.
Together they were buoyed by sultry currents and soared among the sweltering updrafts. The stars lit their way and the moon smiled on them.
Duo centered his sight and was awestruck by the indescribable bliss etched on Heero's face. In turn Heero became entranced by Duo's beautiful violet eyes that mirrored respect, acceptance and unwavering trust.
Heero pushed in as far as he could then held himself motionless on quivering arms. "I love you."
Duo tightened his legs around Heero's waist to aid in their immobile placement. "I love you."
Neither warrior wanted the ecstasy to end but finally Duo surrendered. With a wiggle of his hips he urged Heero to move.
Heero grasped Duo's erection and pumped in time with his thrusting.
A tingle prickled through Heero's manhood. He growled huskily. "Come for me."
Duo's length twitched. He shuddered.
Both lovers cried out in unison.
Heero collapsed over Duo. Their strength spent, all they could do was hold each other until the pulsing inside Duo subsided. When Heero was pliable enough to ease out he settled into the warmth of Duo's comforting embrace.
Duo whispered to his soul mate. "Thank you for making me yours." then showed his appreciation with a tender kiss.
*********
The Lone Hunter and the Duel Spirit had pledged their service to the King. As Warriors of the Rose they'd sworn allegiance to the quinque and had offered Trowa, Quatre, Wufei and Zechs unconditional friendship.
With the declaration of their love they'd forged a spiritual bond and now their physical union sealed that covenant.
An ancient proverb says "Souls bound by love can never be severed."
Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell intended to spend a lifetime proving the proverb to be true.
TBC...
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