Guard vs. Mage Part 2
Duo frowned at the spell book in front of him. He'd nearly had the spell mastered when his new watchdog had thrown open the door- nearly scaring a few years off Duo's life- and very nearly turning himself into a smudge of ash.
Hopefully the guard would learn about Duo's tendency to spell first and look after very soon. Duo couldn't afford to leave an opening- he had enemies- some of which had even attacked him here in the enclave. He didn't dare leave anything to chance.
He cast a quick glance over his shoulder. The guard, Heero, was standing silently against the wall by the door. At least he was quiet. One of the other guards had a habit of making small noises- he'd driven Duo crazy in less than a day. Quiet was good.
Please let this one make it through the two weeks in one piece, he prayed silently. Please. It was bad enough when the guards got in the way of his experiments- despite his warnings to stay away from him- it was worse when he was attacked and they were the first target of an enemy. They knew the risks when they signed on of course- and Duo was sure that was why the new guards were always assigned to him- the riskiest duty in the enclave outside of being one of Lord Chang's personal guards.
At least this one was nice to look at- unlike the last few. Polite too- he hadn't even turned a hair when Duo had been trying to rile him with that 'bed warmer' stuff. That routine had scared off more than a few guards. Duo made a mental note to conjure up the usual bed for the guard by the door to his bedchamber.
Pity he really couldn't have the man warm his sheets- and more- for him, but Duo knew what happened to anyone that he let get too close.
Sighing, he focused on the book.
A soft chime made him look up with a growl. The small metal dragon that hung over the study door was glowing red. His new guard was regarding it warily.
"Council meeting," Duo explained with frown. "Red means that it's urgent- if it was blue or green I could ignore it, but red usually means someone somewhere is either in trouble or trying to make trouble." He closed the book with a snap. "Damn it all, anyway."
His guard didn't reply, he simply nodded and held the door open for Duo after quickly scanning the hallway. Duo had to give him points- he wasn't assuming Duo was safe just because he was in the enclave.
As he hurried towards the council chamber, Duo had to mentally award the guard a few more points- he was close to Duo, but not too close- and his eyes were continually moving over their surroundings. Maybe he should ask Chang to have the poor guy transferred early- he was definitely good at his job. He didn't need to risk his life in the stupid 'trial period'.
The council chamber was nearly full by the time Duo got there and slipped into his seat. Not surprising- most of the other mages had quarters closer to the heart of the enclave. His guard took his place on the wall, alongside the other personal guards.
"Got a new one, I see," said the Mage beside him with a grin. She flicked the sleeve of her robe over the arm of the chair and winked at him. "Not bad looking either."
"You know Chang, he always has to give the newbies the worst duty." Duo rolled his eyes at her. "Any idea why we're here?" He wasn't the only one wondering, the room was buzzing with speculative conversations.
"You think our leader tells me anything?" Relena responded coyly, patting a strand of hair back into place.
"I don't think he'd deny you anything you asked of him, Lena. So, why are we here?"
"It's that desert bastard again."
Duo nearly choked. "We had a truce!"
"He claims we broke it."
"What-?"
Before she could answer him, Lord Chang entered the room and his mages grew silent. He took his place and folded his hands on the table. "I am sure you are wondering why I called this meeting," he started. "This afternoon I received a message from the Sand Enclave. They are renouncing the truce."
"But why?" Duo leaned over the table. "What is their reason?"
"Their leader is claiming we sent a spy into his territory."
"Did we?" An older mage on the other side of the table asked.
"No," Chang's eyes turned to an empty chair close to his. "But we did have a mage who asked to be allowed some time to visit his family- who apparently live a little too close to the Sand Enclave for Winner's comfort."
"Barton." Duo hissed under his breath and Relena nodded.
"So are they planning to attack us?" Another mage asked.
"I don't know. All I do know is that they have Mage Barton- and that they are renouncing the truce. I don't know if it's because they are planning on attacking us- or if they are planning on executing him."
"We have to save him! I'll go and speak to them- demand his release!" Duo mentally winced as Relena made her declaration. There was no way in hell that Chang was going to let her do anything of the sort.
"We don't even know if he's still alive." Chang sighed. "I've already sent messages back, assuring Winner of our friendship and explaining the situation, but we must remember who we are dealing with. Winner has been the focus of more assassination attempts than myself and Maxwell put together. He's extremely suspicious of everyone- and I fear that we must look to ourselves first."
Duo mentally pulled out of the discussion- he already knew that Chang had made up his mind. No rescue attempts could be discussed yet- not until the safety of the enclave was assured. The shields would have to be strengthened, the guards put on high alert, traps and snares would have to be set in case Winner sent a few spies of his own.
He already knew that none of those tasks would fall to him. His strengths lay elsewhere- and after all the business of protecting the enclave was completed, then he would see what Chang had in mind for him.
The candles burned down as discussions raged, as Duo predicted, Chang had his way in the end. Mages were sent out of the room as tasks were assigned, and it was closer to dawn than to midnight, when at last it was only himself, Chang, Relena and their guards left in the room.
"What do you have in mind?" Duo asked and Chang's mouth quirked up in a tired smile.
"Can't you guess? I need you to go to the Sand enclave. We need to try and see what is really happening there."
"I'll go too." Relena said and crossed her arms. Duo edged away, not willing to get caught in the crossfire.
Chang shook his head at her. "I need you here, my heart. I would send you as cover- I know you've done such things in the past, but you cannot put the child at risk. Winner would know for sure what you are to me- and use you against me- you know he would."
Duo blinked in surprise.
Relena pursed her lips in consideration. "Very well," she said, much to Duo's relief. "But Duo can't go alone!"
"He has his guard," Chang pointed out. "Who, if I'm not mistaken, is also from that region?"
"Yes sir," Heero's voice echoed out of the dark. "I've had a few of the Sand mages on the caravans. I know the area well."
Chang's gaze met Duo's and Duo nodded. It was amazingly fortunate that just today a man from the same region as Winner had shown up on their doorstep. It might be a coincidence.
Or it might not. Just because the guard had the right references and passed the spell scan didn't mean someone else wasn't pulling his strings- there was more than one way to manipulate someone.
"Get some rest," Chang told him. "Leave at dusk. I'll hopefully have more information for you then."
Duo hurried back to his tower, his guard just another shadow in the dark behind him. "I should pack before I rest," he said to his guard as they entered his rooms.
"I'll help you," said Heero, just as Duo hoped.
"Thank you. My packs are upstairs, right next to the cabinet in the bedroom, will you get them please?" As the guard turned away, Duo sketched a quick sign in the air and flicked his fingers at the guard. Then he turned to his cupboard.
Heero returned a few moments later with the bags. Duo was pleased to note the faint tinge of blue around the guard. His spell had worked.
"Happy to be going back home already?" He asked as he took one of the packs. "Can you put those books down there into that one?"
"Not really," Heero knelt beside the bookcase. "It's not really my home, it's just where I was able to find work."
The spell surrounding him confirmed that Heero spoke the truth.
"So you met some of the sand mages?"
"A few. They were more helpful than some of the other mages. Had a thing about setting up their own tents and bringing their own guards. They were usually older men, set in their ways."
He wasn't lying. Duo took a careful breath and pushed on the spell gently. "Are you working for the Sand enclave?"
Heero froze in place, his eyes glazing over. "No."
"Why did you come here?"
"Tired of caravans. Father told me to try here; he said the mages were honorable. Said it'd be a good change for me. It wasn't my first choice, but there wasn't much work out there."
Duo nearly snorted at the 'honorable'. It wasn't very honorable of him to bespell his guard, but better safe than dead.
With a sigh he dismissed the spell. At least he didn't have to kill the man- he seemed to be exactly what he claimed.
Heero blinked and shook his head. He glanced up at the mage beside him, but Duo made sure that he was industriously storing his potions. The guard should just think that he dozed off for a minute. It was late after all.
Duo found himself yawning an hour later. His packs were full, he'd sent a message to the stable master to have horses ready at dusk, and the sky was shading to blue.
"You should rest," said Heero as he finished placing the packs beside the door. Duo nodded. His eyes were nearly closing of his own accord. His couch was nearby, all he had to do was lay down...
A strong hand gripped his elbow. "This way."
He was tired enough not to argue. Duo let the guard lead him upstairs and didn't protest when he was gently pushed down onto the bed. Kicking off his shoes, he stretched out and fell asleep a few moments later.
It wasn't anywhere near dusk when something poked his nose.
Duo opened his eyes and squinted. A small salamander winked back at him and poked his nose again.
"Chang?" He mumbled and the salamander nodded, its mouth curving into a grin.
"News," it said and vanished in a small puff of smoke.
Duo groaned and snuggled back down into the bed. Damn it, why was there always something? He was so damn comfortable too- and warm. Chang could wait a little... he wiggled a bit, trying to get more comfortable. Was his pillow always this hard? He punched it, trying to get it to soften.
"Ow," said someone and Duo's eyes flew open.
'What are you doing?' He meant to demand at the sight of his guard. But the words caught in his throat. Tousled, his golden skin contrasting very nicely with the sheets, those blue eyes blinking at him- his guard was quite a sight.
Duo cleared his throat. "What are you doing? And-" he realized something else, "where are your clothes?"
"What you told me to do." Heero arched an eyebrow at him. "And they're with yours."
Duo tightened the sheet around himself. "What I-?"
"Bed warmer," his guard reminded him.
Duo mentally groaned. He hadn't thought the guard had taken him seriously!
"That doesn't explain the clothes," he said inanely.
"I thought it would make it easier for you."
"I said bed warmer, not sex toy!" Duo rolled his eyes. Before he could say more, the salamander popped back into being beside him. The damn thing looked amused.
"Lord Mage says to hurry please."
"I'll be right there!" Duo snapped and started to slide out of bed, bringing the sheet with him.
His guard slid out on the other side, apparently unconcerned about his lack of clothing, pulling a sheathed dagger out from under the pillows.
Forcing himself to turn away, Duo looked for his clothes, making a mental note to watch whatever he said to his guard for the next two weeks. Apparently the man took things very literally.
He snuck a glance over his shoulder, ignoring the smirking salamander. It really was a pity that he couldn't do anything...
TBC...
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