Notes: I would like to thank my beta, Lucid Nightmare! :)
Due South Part 3
"Wow," Duo sighed out in awe. "This is Peacemillion?" he asked and leaned over the rail to closely watch the progress of their ship sailing into the port. His cheeks were red from the cold, eyes alight with excitement. The big town shone in the last rays of the setting sun. Never in his life did he see so many people in one place.
"Yes, this is Peacemillion," Trowa answered as he and Heero stepped closer to the braided lifebearer. The Enforcer laid one of his gloved hands on Duo's shoulder to make sure his mate didn't overbalance and fall into the ice cold sea.
"Wow." Duo's eyes jumped from one thing to another, trying to take in everything at once. But suddenly he frowned, straightened and turned to his friends. "But why does the town have the same name as our ship?" The fact seemed to confuse him.
"That's because the founders of this town came with the ship of the name Peacemillion."
Everybody turned to Treize who was approaching them over the wet, slippery deck. The aristocrat was clad in expensive clothes, his cloak fringed with black fur.
"Really?" Duo mulled over that fact. "I always thought that new places bear the name of the ship's captain or something like that, not the ship itself."
Treize smiled and leaned against the rail by their side. "Yes, usually it is so that new towns or isles are named after the person with the highest rank present. But the towns and isles along this shore line are an exception."
"Why?"
Treize's smile widened at the braided lifebearer's curiosity. "Well, they were founded over two hundred years ago. Before that time nobody had lived this far north. But back then the City - the seat of the Emperor - was attacked by the rebels from the south. The Emperor's army was forced to retreat by ship since the City is surrounded by mountains. During their journey north, the people who didn't feel like going too far north, settled along the shore and on the isles. Thus many new towns were founded. It took the Emperor's army over three decades to win their territory back."
Duo seemed fascinated by the story Treize described. "But what about the name?" the younger man reminded him of his inquiry.
This time, Treize laughed out loud. "You are rather impatient, aren't you?" When Duo blushed, the nobleman continued. "Since the person with the highest rank was the Emperor himself, who had retreated with his army and his people, it would mean that every place would have to carry his name. Could you imagine thirty towns along the shore carrying the name Noventa?"
Duo smiled and shook his head. "Heh, that would be confusing."
Treize nodded. "Exactly. And that's why every place was called by the name of the ship that arrived there first. Or by its captain."
"Does that mean that our ship is the same as the one after which this town is called?" Duo asked.
"No. Our ship carries the name Peacemillion II. It's a replica of the old ship. The first Peacemillion was the flag ship of King Noventa, just like this one is," the nobleman explained patiently to his publicum.
Duo scratched his head. "Wow, then you must be really important if he sent his flag ship for you."
That seemed to rather amuse Treize. "Well, you could say that. I'm his First General. Or his Prime as they call me, too." He leaned closer to the braided young man and whispered. "But I don't like that title much."
Duo grinned at him, then pondered something again. "Hm, and what's actually the name of the present Emperor?" When he saw Treize's surprised look, he blushed. "It took the information a rather long time to reach our village."
The aristocrat nodded, understanding. "The Emperor's name is Noventa."
Duo raised one eyebrow. "What? Is he the same as two hundred years ago or are they just not inventive enough with their children's names?"
Trowa snickered and tried to hide his smile behind his gloved hand and even Heero's mouth twitched at the innocent comment. Treize swallowed the laugh that tried to force its way through his throat, but his eyes danced merrily.
"Our Emperor's name is Noventa XXXIV. This town was founded by his grand-grand-grand-grand-grand-grand-grand-father. Noventa XXVII."
Duo's eyebrow climbed higher. "Right. Twenty-seventh."
Treize smiled. "It really helps you when you study history. The name is the same, you just have to remember the number."
The long-haired young man shook his head and waved his hand. "If you say so." He turned back to the town that surrounded the quite large natural bay, protected from the cold wind and high waves of the open sea through rocky peninsulas between which, there was a gap large enough for only one ship to pass through. Suddenly though, Duo turned back to the aristocrat. "Speaking of names... Did you finally decide on a name for the baby?"
"Actually, we did. Our son will carry the name Zechs and six or seven other names after the godfathers and who knows whom else." His voice sounded a bit disgusted by the whole thing, but tradition was tradition.
Duo opened his eyes wide. "Six or seven? For the gods' sake, why?"
Treize shrugged. "The heck if I know, but every child born in a noble family has more than one name."
"Even you?"
The aristocrat nodded. "Even me."
"Wow," Duo seemed rather shocked. "Then I think I'm happy not to be born as a nobleman." Returning back to the previous topic of their conversation, he continued. "But why Zechs? It's a lovely name, but I thought you would name him after yourself. You are his father, after all."
"Zechs is the name of Mil's Sire," he explained. Then he furrowed his eyebrows. "But Duo, you shouldn't call a Sire 'father'. Especially not further down in the South."
Duo looked confused. "Why not? It's the same, after all."
"Yes, it is. But..." Treize looked at Trowa and Heero. "This title is used by Others. The people in the South are rather sensitive about things that have something in common with them." He fell silent, but there was more written in his eyes. Trowa and Heero understood the message he was trying to convey, and with a nod, they assured him again that they would keep the secret of the small noble family.
"Ah..." Duo answered then turned back to the town. He heard about the war the people of OZ fought with Others. Even though he didn't understand what they fought for, after what they lived through in the last couple of weeks, he understood everything about misguided acts of violence. He decided to watch his tongue.
"And there is our welcoming committee already."
Everybody turned to the right where Treize pointed. As the ship sailed closer to the pier where it would sink its anchor, the small group of people waiting at the pier's end came into view. At the head of the small procession a short, plump man dressed in expensive furs and decorated with jewels was standing, fidgeting nervously as he waited for the important guest to arrive.
Treize sighed. "Dunston." His voice was once again filled with disgust. "I had hoped he lost this year's elections. But obviously, he didn't," he muttered darkly, making his opinion of the large man clear. Though when the mayor raised his hand and waved, Treize forced a fake smile on his lips and answered his greeting.
~*~
When Treize returned to the anchored ship two hours later, he found Trowa, Heero and Duo in his cabin where Milliardo invited them for supper. They were sitting at the table, eating the last bits of fried chicken, happy to have something else on their plates besides salted meat and fish. Zechs was slumbering happily in his Bearer's arms.
When the brown-haired aristocrat opened the door, the small group of people turned in his direction.
"What's wrong?" Mil asked, seeing his mate's dark look.
Treize sighed and unlaced his heavy coat. "The Emperor is not here anymore. He left with all his ships a week ago." He dropped the coat on their bed. "I thought as much when I didn't see his private ship in the port. What worries me though, is the fact that Dunston said that the King left rather hastily. He even left his court behind. They set out after him with delay. It took them almost two days to pack all of their things."
Milliardo frowned, caressing his baby's back. "I thought the King wrote you that he would stay here for about a month. He wanted to see the feast and didn't want us to travel all the way to the City so close to my term."
Treize nodded. "Yes, his letter said so. But he isn't here anymore. Something must have happened since he didn't even wait for the holiday, and he was really looking forward to seeing it this year. At least that's what he said to me the last time I saw him."
The blond man sighed and rubbed his cheek gently against the soft hair on the top of his son's head. "So, what now?"
Treize propped his left hand on his hip and rubbed his forehead with the right one. "The King left a letter behind for me. It said I should follow him to the City. I already ordered the captain to gather supplies. We will sail out tomorrow morning."
Silence fell over the cabin. Only the creaking of the ship and the slapping of waves could be heard. Trowa, Heero and Duo looked at each other. They could get off now and try to find a place to live here, in Peacemillion. Or they could go further south...
As if some sort of silent consensus was met among the three of them, Trowa nodded, then turned to Treize and Mil. "Would you mind taking us with you? We can pay for our part of the journey."
As if being pulled from some deep thoughts, Treize frowned at them for a moment, then waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Of course you can come with us. Three people more won't force us to starve. And keep your money. You'll need it when we reach the City."
Milliardo looked at his mate, then at the close friends he had won only days ago. "I must warn you, though. It's a long journey. A couple of weeks at least. And with a good wind at that. And who knows what could happen. The waters further south are not as safe as the ones we have passed through now."
Trowa nodded. "We understand that, but still - thank you for the warning."
Suddenly, Mil's face lit up. "If you would like to go ashore, this is a perfect occasion. If I remember it right, the feast of Morena is being held tonight."
"The feast of Morena?" Duo asked, curious.
The blond man nodded. "Yes, Morena is a goddess, the patron saint of this town. There should be a feast held tonight. It won't be probably as pompous as it would be if the King was here, but it's still beautiful."
Duo bounced in his chair, delighted by the prospect. Then he turned to Heero and caught him by the hand. "Can we go?"
The Enforcer shrugged, but squeezed his mate's hand tightly. "If you would like to."
The braided lifebearer nodded. "Uh-huh. It would be so cool to have solid earth under my feet once again!"
Milliardo laughed. "Then go and enjoy yourself. But be back before the first light. You wouldn't want to miss the ship," he teased, rubbing his son's back.
The three young men got up and being led by the happily chatting Duo, they left the cabin with the promise of being back in time.
When the door closed and the sounds of the retreating steps fell silent, Milliardo turned to his mate, his face suddenly very serious. "How bad is it?" he asked silently.
Treize, who until now was standing by the ship's rear window and was looking out, deep in thought, turned around and sighed. "I don't know." He walked to the table, sat down in the chair Trowa vacated only moments ago, then poured himself a glass of wine. "The Emperor wrote that news came from the South. Something about the rebels. He didn't want to go into details though."
"What do you think?"
The brown-haired man shook his head. "I wish I knew more. But the tone of the letter wasn't worrisome, but... hopeful." He shook his head again. "It's hard to explain." He took a sip of the wine, then leaned back in the chair. "He took Chancellor Winner with him on his private ship, though. And he is the expert on the situation in the South deserts after all."
Milliardo nodded. Yes, Chancellor Winner was the King's trusted friend. Even though he was born in the desert himself, he never sided with the rebels. He had always had faith in the unity of the OZ empire. He would advise the King well, even though he was no soldier, but actually a very rich merchant.
"So... what now?" Mil asked, kissing his son's head when the boy started to fuss.
Treize drank out the wine in his glass. "We will head south and try to catch up with the Emperor. Then we will see."
TBC...
P.S.: You don't need to worry. I have no intentions to turn this story in some sort of political drama. I just needed to get our boys back on the sea. Them stopping at Peacemillion was needed for the time continuum for my further writings (that is if I ever get to write the story of Treize and Mil >.<)
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