Jiltanith asked for Guard vs Mage and gave me the prompt explanations. So, we have some stuff explained here.... *grin* Mostly by Quatre. I know, it's all a lot of talking, but I'm sure actiony things are on the way.
Guard vs. Mage Part 7
He's where?"
"Here, milord. With his bodyguard. He claims that he was tired of being attacked and wants to be under the protection of Sand."
Winner leaned back in his chair and frowned. "Tired of being attacked?"
"He claims that there has been two assassination attempts made on him." Rashid shrugged. "He doesn't have any proof of the attacks-"
"Still, it would be better to have him under our eyes. Escort him here."
Rashid blinked in surprise. "Now? He broke the agreement already- he was supposed to stay on the borders- "
"True, but- I have a feeling that we're running out of time, old friend. If he's truly been attacked twice already-"
"I'll go and fetch him at once."
Winner turned to the man chained to his desk. "Any suggestions?"
"Be honest." Trowa leaned back against Winner's chair and smiled. "If you can."
~*~
Duo kept an eye out for trouble as he followed Rashid down the hallway. Behind him, he knew that Heero was doing the same, his guard had kept one hand on his sword ever since they had entered the enclave. Duo was rather surprised that Winner had agreed to see them so soon, especially since he hadn't asked permission before turning up at the enclave.. Then again, if the attacks made on them were any indication, Winner might be having some serious trouble here.
The large man opened a door and gestured them inside. Sitting at a desk was a blond man, younger than Duo had imagined. Beside him, on the floor, chained to the desk, was the missing Barton.
Trowa glanced up under his fall of hair and gave Duo a flash of a smile. Now- what did that mean?
"Mage Maxwell?"
"That's me. I'm assuming you're Mage Winner?"
The blond nodded and gestured at the chair across from him. "Please sit down. I understand you had some trouble getting here?"
"Two attacks," Duo sat down, Heero taking the place behind his right shoulder, and smiled widely. "An ambush when we stopped to rest and a bunch of wrath lizard eggs in our room at the inn."
Winner's mouth twisted down for a second. "Someone was watching your trip."
"Seems like it. I apologize for just arriving on your doorstep, but I thought since someone was trying so hard to stop our meeting, that quicker was better."
"I agree. I'm surprised however- you don't think my enclave was behind the attacks?"
"The men in the ambush weren't wearing your enclave's badge."
"Which one were they wearing?"
"I suspect you already know."
"It was from an enclave that hasn't been heard of in a long time."
"Any idea why they've suddenly reappeared?"
"Some." Winner glanced down at his prisoner and then back up at Duo. "I've... been advised to deal honestly with you, Mage Maxwell. If I tell you what's going on, I have to trust that you won't use that knowledge against me."
"If you deal fairly with my enclave and myself- then I will not act against you."
Winner seemed to consider that for a moment. "Very well. Leave us, Rashid, please?" He waited until the door closed behind the other man and then met Duo's gaze. "Where should I start?"
"Who do you think is behind the attacks?"
"One of our former mages- one of the ones who had a hand in training me- left the enclave four years ago. He claimed that he was retiring."
"But he didn't."
"I don't think so. He was talking, right before he left, about how the enclave should get more- aggressive in it's dealings with the other enclaves. He was... not popular here when he left."
Duo nodded. "And so he joined another enclave instead?"
"I don't think he joined it. I think he restarted it. We hadn't heard anything from the Lake enclave for years- supposedly River had taken them out ages ago. I think he set up base there- and started recruiting."
"You can't confirm that?"
"I've tried- no one- not even the sprites- have come back." Winner sighed and leaned back in his chair. "There have been several attacks- both on my mages and on some visitors that we've had. The attackers wear the Lake badge- but none of them survived to be questioned."
"Didn't you tell your mages-?"
"Of course. But the moment we manage to capture any, they'd die. Immediately- and rather messily."
"Damn." Duo glanced at Barton. "So, when Mage Barton arrived to visit his family-"
"He was a known member of another enclave- and he showed up in the area right after one of the worst attacks. We- had to be sure."
Winner gave Barton an almost apologetic look and Duo was puzzled. If Barton wasn't under suspicion anymore, then why was he still in chains?
Barton laughed quietly. "Plus, if he then broke the treaty with Forest- then someone would have to come and negotiate- and-"
"You could ask for help on the side."
"Exactly. My council isn't willing to ask openly- but- this is getting to be too much for us to handle on our own."
Duo frowned slightly. There was more going on here than he could see- but Winner didn't seem to be lying. "All right. If you can show me proof of these attacks- reports, eyewitnesses, whatever you have- and if you release Mage Barton- then I will ask my enclave to help you."
"Agreed."
"No."
Duo looked at Barton in surprise. "What do you mean no?"
"I mean no. I will remain Mage Winner's prisoner until our enclave agrees to help."
"Trowa!" Winner snapped. "That's not needed- it will be safer for you back in Forest-"
"I'm not going." Barton looked at Duo. "I can't be freed until they agree to help."
Duo was somewhat amused. Something was definitely going on here.
Winner looked exasperated. "Trowa-"
"I already said I wasn't leaving, Quatre. End of discussion. Maxwell?"
Well, that was a rather familiar way to talk to the head of the Sand Enclave. Duo made a mental note to look into this later. "Very well," he agreed. "Our demand for your release will be delayed for the moment."
"It will take me some time to get the eyewitnesses together for you," Winner turned his attention back to Duo, though he was still clearly upset with the man beside him. "Rashid can get the reports for you- in the meantime, I extend the hospitality of Sand to you." He flicked his fingers and a small chime sounded. The door opened again, and Rashid and other man stepped in.
"Sir?"
"Abdul, take Mage Maxwell and his guard to one of the guest suites. Rashid- fetch the files on the Lake attacks and deliver them to his room." Duo got to his feet, and Winner rose as well. "Thank you," he said in a softer tone. "Once you have read the reports and spoken with the witnesses, then we will talk again."
"Sounds like a plan." Duo nodded and followed Abdul out, his guard on his heels.
~*~
Duo watched as his guard swept their new quarters; he'd already scanned them himself for magical traps. "What do you think?"
"I think there's something going on between Barton and Winner."
"That was obvious," Duo tossed himself down on the plush sofa and frowned. "What else?"
"Winner is worried. These attacks must be getting worse."
"I agree. I can't wait to see the reports. I wonder what Chang will say?"
"Do you think he'll refuse to help?"
"Doubtful. Lake wasn't a nice group before this- he supported River's attack. Hm. Suppose your father would be interested to hear about this?"
"I'm sure he would." Heero finished his check and took his place beside the door. "If you like, I'll send him a message- once you've seen the proof."
"It might not be a bad idea." Duo tugged at the end of his braid thoughtfully. "I have a feeling this situation is going to get worse...."
TBC...
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