Sword of the Stars Part 3
A Sanctuary
Duo opened his eyes and saw a handsome young man's face above him. He was dressed in white robes and a white hooded cape lined with a yellow and blue fringe. The hood was down, however, revealing his dark eyes and shoulder-length black hair. He stared down at Duo and smiled gently.
"How do you feel now?" he asked in a soft voice.
Duo blinked uncertainly and looked at his surroundings. He was in a soft bed in a dark room, with only the light of a few candles illuminating it. "Where...?"
"That can wait until we deem you trustworthy. Let's start with how you're feeling."
"How I'm...? Oh. Better, actually...much better. Did you do this?"
The young man nodded. "I did. I am a Cleric of Healing. My name is Wufei Chanter. And you are?"
"My name is Duo. Duo Zendrick."
"And where are you from?"
"...Redwood..."
Wufei gasped. "Then is it true? Redwood was taken by the Empire?"
Nodded. "I'm from...Redwood's Clearing. They burned it down and hunted everyone."
Wufei tapped a finger on his lips. "So that is why you and the other boy were running here so desperately."
Duo gasped and sat up. "Other boy...? Heero! Where is he?!"
Wufei raised a hand for silence and pointed behind him. Past him was another bed. Heero was in it, sleeping peacefully. "Shh. Don't wake him. He received a much larger dose of the poison, I'm afraid."
Duo gazed fearfully at his friend. "He will live?" he asked hopefully.
Wufei smiled and nodded. "Yes, thank the gods. The poison wasn't meant to kill, only to render someone unconscious. He will be well soon."
The door opened a crack and another young man entered. He had platinum blond hair and aquamarine eyes. He was wearing a sleeveless shirt of dark green cloth and loose black breeches.
"Ah," he said when he saw Duo. "Awake at last." He stole a glance at Heero. "How much longer for this one, Wufei?"
"He received triple the dosage than Duo did," Wufei replied, standing, "so I cannot be sure. He will live, though."
"Duo?" the blond turned to him. "Oh, that must be you. And how are you feeling today?"
"Well enough," Duo replied. "How long have we been here?"
The blond folded his arms and looked up. "Oh, about three or four days now. You are safe here, though, so don't worry." He put a hand on his hip and tossed his head. "I'm Quatre Fangshaw, Duo."
Before Duo could reply, Heero moaned. Wufei moved toward him immediately. Duo turned to his friend. Heero opened his eyes and sat up groggily, shaking his head. "H-huh...? Where is this?" He stared at Wufei. "Who are you?"
Before Wufei could answer, Heero's gaze met Duo's. "Duo! You're alive!"
"I am Cleric of Healing Wufei Chanter," Wufei interrupted. "This is Quatre Fangshaw. May we have your name?"
Heero looked at Duo. When he nodded, Heero spoke. "Heero Ariark."
"Pleased to meet you, Heero," Wufei answered, bowing his head. "Both of you, your heads will clear in a little while, but it is best if you stay sitting in meantime. Do not worry about more Imperials coming after you. They will not find you here."
Duo blinked. "Are we...in Garrania?" he asked.
"Yes," Quatre replied. "Both of you collapsed at the border. The border-guards didn't quite know what to do with you, but luckily for you, I was on my way to Redwood. I ordered the two of you to be cared for." Duo opened his mouth to express his thanks, but Quatre raised a hand. "Don't thank me yet. I still have questions for you. First of all, why in the world would the Imperials chase so relentlessly after two boys?"
"I don't know," Duo said with a sigh. "And I didn't want to find out." Boys? The blond was at most a year older than he and Heero.
"Maybe they just didn't want anyone from Redwood to warn Garrania," Heero offered.
"I don't think that's it," Quatre said, shaking his head. "They wouldn't have spared precious men just to get rid of two pesky little children."
"We don't know what they wanted with us, Quatre," Duo said forcefully. "We never did anything to them, and we don't like them either. They burned down our home, conquered our land, and killed everyone we cared about. I hate Triantia! And I hate Grantis!"
Quatre fell silent, staring at Duo with a strange expression. "Enough about that," Wufei said. "Quatre, I have not seen you in a few days, so is it safe to ask if you were in Redwood?"
"I was," Quatre replied. "I took some of our soldiers and scouted ahead at Uncle's command to see if I could find the Imperial camp, but it isn't in sight. At least, not in the immediate area, and nowhere near Redwood's Clearing." He paused to think. "They must be on their way...unless they are waiting for something. Duo, Heero, can you tell me how many soldiers attacked Redwood's Clearing?"
Duo thought for a moment. "Not a whole army, that's for certain. There were only one hundred, at the most."
"But that was more than enough to handle our town..." Heero added solemnly.
"That means they could only spare a few men," Quatre said. "Their numbers must be low since taking Norana."
"They must have camped further back to avoid being noticed until more soldiers arrive," Wufei added. "How long would soldiers from Triantia take to get to Redwood?"
"At the very least three-to-four months," Quatre replied. "And that only if they ride their horses to death. We have plenty of time to prepare."
"Excuse me," Duo said. "Are you telling me that the two of you are planning on attacking the Triantians?"
Quatre laughed. "Not just the two of us, Duo! This entire nation. We will not surrender to Grantis Irongrip!"
Heero cleared his throat. "Um, if I may ask...where in Garrania are we, exactly?"
Wufei smiled. "You are in the Garranian Palace. I am the official Cleric of the castle, as well as loyal friend of the king's nephew."
Quatre grinned. "And I am Lord Quatre, nephew of King Mudas." Quatre continued while Duo and Heero gaped.
"Garrania and Zendra are the only two nations who have openly declared our opposition to Triantia. We weren't expecting to have to deal with the Empire so soon, but they made it down here quicker than we thought they ever would. I don't know who the commander of their armies is, but he is exceptional."
"Have you reported this news to your uncle, Quatre?" Wufei asked.
Quatre nodded. "Yes. He is beginning to prepare for the assault now, as a matter of fact. So is you will all excuse me, I must go help him plan." He tugged on Wufei's cape. "You come, too, Wufei. I have a feeling Uncle Mudas has a special need for you."
Wufei nodded. Before the two boys left, the Cleric turned to look at Duo. "Remember, you two, it is best of you stay in bed. And stay in this room at all times. I don't want to have to go looking for you." With a smile, Wufei left the room.
Quatre held the door open for the Cleric and sent a smile of his own toward Duo. "Your weapons will be returned to you later on. Don't worry, they are in a safe place." Then, both young men were gone.
Duo and Heero were silent for a few minutes. Then, Heero ran a hand through his hair. "...Duo, I...that is, if Garrania is going to battle the Imperials when they come...I think I'd like to help."
Duo stared at his friend flatly. "Don't be ridiculous, Heero. That would only result in getting you killed. I think the army here is capable of handling them without us."
"You don't understand, Duo," Heero insisted. "If I help, I'll have the chance to find the commander of the army. He's the one who ordered Redwood's destruction, Duo. He's responsible for my family's deaths. I can't let him get away with that!"
Duo lowered his head. A chance to kill the man who had killed his loved ones would be the greatest thing anyone could give him. However, he would be facing an entire army. His father would not be proud if he threw his life away.
Duo stole a glance at Heero. His friend was staring back at him with a determined look on his face. He's made up his mind, Duo thought. And no one can stop Heero from doing something he wants to do. Duo hesitated. The odds were definitely against them; Triantia certainly outnumbered Garrania's forces. But Heero wanted a chance to kill the one responsible for Redwood's destruction, and Duo couldn't let his friend go alone. He looked up at Heero. "If you're going, so am I."
Heero smiled. "Really?"
Duo nodded. "Really. You are the only one I have left, my friend, and don't want to have to carry your carcass off the battlefield."
Heero laughed. "Your confidence in me is astounding, my friend, but I appreciate your concern." He paused. "I hope Quatre will let us join the army."
"I'm sure he will," Duo assured him. "The King will appreciate volunteers. They'll need as many men as they can get."
Heero paused for a few moments. "...Master Zendrick will be proud of us, don't you think?"
Duo smiled and nodded. "Fighting the evil of the Empire? Of course he will." Duo settled himself back down onto the pillows. "When Wufei and Quatre come back, we'll talk to them, all right?"
Heero nodded. "Agreed."
Duo stared up at the ceiling, deep in his own thoughts.
TBC...
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