The Knights' Chronicles Part 10
Picking his son back up into his arms, Wufei looked to his braided friend across from him and said, "For years, we completely forgot about Relena's vision thanks to Quatre's gift. He went on to explain what had happened and why he used his gift on us."
Duo shifted, raising his head from Heero's shoulder where they sat together as he asked, "Then that was the first time Relena saw the war coming? By trying to see the three of you becoming knights?"
"It was not what she saw that had scared her so," Heero frowned deeply. Meeting his husband's violet eyes, he informed, "It was what she did not see."
* * * * * *
(Flashback)
In the first four years that they had known their gifted friends, Heero and his 'family' always felt as though there was something lurking beneath the surface that was screaming to come out... something that they could not explain. And at the same time, not one of the three of them ever thought to bring the matter up.
Every other month without fail, Quatre and Relena flew into the Sanq knight encampment atop Sand Rock to spend their rare downtime with the Terrible Trio. Odin and the other officers were more than used to the visitations, always treating their guests with the utmost respect and hospitality.
By then, both Relena and Anna had grown into their young womanhood with the shift in their bodies as well as the addition to their heights. Not anywhere near the end of their own growth spurts, Heero and Wufei continued to put on more lean muscle while Quatre remained slender but well-put together.
Carefully lowered from Sand Rock's saddle with the gentle giant's assistance, Relena laughed at the sight of their approaching friends and moved right in to exchange a tight embrace with them all. "It is wonderful to be back," she greeted.
Pulling back from the seer at the end of their hug, Anna asked, "How was your stay at Sagittarius?"
"Quite interesting," Quatre replied after a graceful landing to the ground. "It was strange being on our first requested visitation without our mentors present. But the king and queen were more than satisfied with what our gifts were able to reveal to them and they treated us very well."
Wufei bowed his head and told them, "Congratulations on your first solo mission, then. Dallion and Virgil must have been happy when you returned to Romefeller with the news."
Nodding, Relena smiled, "This was our official passage into the Guild of the Gifted. Now we can go about our lives as we choose to use our abilities as we may." She turned to face her betrothed and announced, "Quatre and I have both decided to stay at Romefeller so that we may continue our services to all of the kingdoms, as opposed to concentrating ourselves in one land as most gifted choose." The empath nodded and gave her a wink.
It was daunting for the knights-in-training to know that their friends, no older than they were, were already being respected and treated as adults. However, they were also aware that the training and tests of any gifted were far more challenging and advanced than anything they would ever experience. Both the empath and the oracle certainly carried themselves as much more mature than their ages.
As for the relationship between Quatre and Relena, it came as no surprise to any who knew them when they announced their engagement the prior spring. No one needed either of their abilities to see how much they loved each other.
Leading the way towards the stable with Sand Rock in tow, Heero peered over his shoulder to compliment sincerely, "I cannot think of two better people for the role of looking after the realms of this world." Wufei and Anna hummed and nodded in agreement.
"Why, thank you," Relena giggled, a blush coloring her cheeks. Quatre gave the knights-in-training a warm smile and bowed his head in a silent but heart-felt show of appreciation.
As the lot walked towards his closed off stall, Wing beamed and craned his neck forward to lower it before them. Gently patting the steed's smooth snout, the gifted reunited with him a moment as Sand Rock took up the next stall. While the squires around made ready a trough of food for their guest, the golden dragon conversed with his fellow scaly friend through bright chirps and grunts.
Rubbing her hands together, Anna asked, "So, what is on the agenda today? It is hot enough outside that we could go to the lake for a swim. Or we could head to the marketplace to see what wears are being sold since we've received our salaries for the week."
"Either of those sound good to me. Since we will be here for a few days, we have plenty of time to do whatever we want once the main reason for our stay is finished," Relena replied.
Heero tilted his head and frowned, "You mean that you are here on business? I thought that this was just a bit of a vacation for you after all of the work you had put in for the last few weeks."
Snickering, Quatre answered, "It is still a break, though there is a bit of volunteered assistance we will be providing. The task will by no means be a strain on us and we have a while before we have to see to it."
The knights-in-training exchanged a round of confused expressions over the cryptic explanation. Shrugging, Wufei offered, "Well, if there is anything that we can do to help with your work when it does come up, let us know."
"We may just take you up on that," the oracle grinned. "Thank you, Wufei." There was something in the way that she spoke those words that had the young swordsman thinking that she had expected such a response.
Of course, with her being able to see the future, that came as no surprise.
* * * * * *
Stepping out of the changing quarters in one-pieced swimsuits, Anna in purple and Relena in pink, the girls caught up with the boys in the stables. Wearing only their short trunks and towels draped around the backs of their necks, three young men turned to face them when they neared.
And it took every ounce of willpower on Wufei's part to not stare at the archer and the way that her... blossoming body filled out her suit. Inwardly, he was quite jealous of Quatre and how he could unashamedly look on his future bride with a proud smile on his face.
Heero turned to face his 'sister' and asked in a protective demand, "No one gave you a hard time on the way out here, did they?" His eyes narrowing, he hissed, "Darryl and the others?"
Rolling her eyes, Anna sighed, "Darryl and his friends have steered clear away from me ever since you and Wufei broke his hands for groping my breasts."
Suddenly caught up in the wave of that recent memory, the redhead planted her fists on either hip as she met Yuy's glare with one of her own. "In fact, no one in the encampment will so much as look at me for more than a few seconds thanks to that!" she snapped. "I should tear into you both all over again for not giving me a chance to defend myself!"
Relena's eyes widened with a gasp over the exchange. Quickly, it became apparent to her friends that she was not one to use her gift to pry into their lives when they were not together. "I cannot believe that someone would treat you like that, Anna!" she cried.
Waving her hand, Fraise reassured nonchalantly, "Darryl likes to show off to his little group of fellow show-offs. I would have handled him just fine for being so fresh when I was caught off guard like that."
Her frustration returning, the archer growled in the direction of her sheepish 'brothers.' With a huff, she informed, "Except that by the time I came out of my split-second shock, I heard a few cracks and he was wailing on the ground."
"And he is fortunate that his hands were all that we broke," Heero muttered under his breath, just low enough that only Wufei could hear. A quiet snort from his 'brother' was enough to express his backing of the sentiment.
Unable to help himself, Quatre laughed and told the two male knights, "I wish that I had been there to see that. Very well handled, I must say." Relena gave into the giggles that she had been fighting back and nodded in agreement. Heero and Wufei lost their embarrassed expressions and smirked back at the gifted.
Losing her ire, Anna's head lowered as another sigh escaped her. Shoulders slumping, she gave Yuy and Chang an apologetic frown and shrugged, "As I have already said since then, I truly do appreciate your wish to defend me, but please try to not fight all of my battles."
"Of course," Wufei grinned, his head lowering in a bow along with Heero. Meeting the redhead's eyes, a mischievous smile curled his lips and he commented, "Although you do have to admit it was priceless seeing the look on Darryl and his friends' faces after what he did."
The last of her mild anger fading completely away, Anna giggled, "Oh, I am not about to deny that for a second." She winked to her fellow trainees. "It is not something that I will likely forget for as long as I live."
Wing and Sand Rock were practically vibrating with anticipation during the whole conversation. Chuckling when he looked up to his steed, Heero nodded, "Yes, we are going for a flight, impatient one." Opening the door to the stall, he moved aside so that the white dragon could all but run out while Quatre released his own beast.
Once everyone was safely harnessed into the saddles, the steeds took a running start out of the stables before gliding into the open air. Lightly tightening his hold around his 'sister's' waist, Wufei leaned forward to whisper in her ear, "You know that I would go much further than that to defend your honor, Anna."
Turning her head back to meet his gaze, the archer smiled, "I know that you would, Wufei. Thank you." Ever so slightly leaning back against him, she admitted quietly into his ear, "Truth be told, I would have done exactly the same thing if our roles in that scenario were reversed."
Relieved that the matter was finally settled with that, Chang smiled as Anna sat up tall again. He did not realize until they landed some time later that he didn't loosen his hold on her for the whole of the flight.
He also noticed that she never said anything about it.
* * * * * *
Over the course of the next two days, the band of friends spent time with King Solo and Queen Sophia, toured the marketplace and hiked through the forests and meadows around. And on the evening of the third day, Relena made the request that they spend the evening in the mountains surrounding the northern borders of Sanq.
Unhooking the sleeping bags that had been latched to Wing's saddle, Heero gazed up to the star-filled heavens that engulfed them for as far as they could see atop the high cliff that they perched on. "I can see why you wanted to stay here for the night, Relena," he stated as the last pack came free. "It is beautiful up here."
The seer was already curled up with Quatre in one of their own blankets by the campfire a few feet away and said, "This is a nice little reminder of home since Romefeller is embedded in the mountains of the land. Whenever you have a long enough leave, it would be wonderful to have all of you visit us there."
Gasping at the invitation, Anna smiled, "That would be wonderful. I have always wondered what your kingdom looks like since few besides the gifted ever get to see it."
"It is mostly for our protection that we normally travel out instead of allowing a lot of people to come and go as they please. There is much information regarding the kingdoms of this world that needs to stay out of the hands of anyone that could use those details to do harm," Quatre explained. Grinning, he added, "Of course, we completely trust you, so we would be more than happy to have you there."
Wufei replied, "The honor is most appreciated." Looking over to Heero as his 'brother' finished rolling out the sleeping bags around the fire, he asked, "So how shall we rotate the lookouts for the night?"
Frowning, Relena questioned, "There is a concern of harm in these mountains that you need to stand watch?"
"No," Heero reassured, a smirk curling the corner of his mouth. "But this is good practice for us. One of Odin's teachings is that a soldier must never allow their guard to slip... especially when their safety is assumed."
Quatre chuckled and shook his head, "Well that kind of devotion to your lessons is more than admirable. I know that I will be sleeping well with the knowledge that you will be watching us." His fianc¨¦ smiled and nodded in agreement.
Rising to her feet, Anna slipped her quiver and bow over her shoulder as she offered, "I can take the first shift. You boys decide between the two of you who will cover the next." That said, she walked beyond the light of the fire to disappear into the near pitch that enfolded the edges of the glow.
Her head tilting, Relena asked the young swordsman across from her, "Wufei, have you ever witnessed a Sanq sunrise over the kingdom since you became a citizen here?"
Taken aback from the question, Chang blinked in surprise and silent consideration. "No, I have not," he answered. "I spend most of my mornings in meditation before our daily lessons begin."
"Ah. Then that decides it," Heero announced. "You should have the last shift so that you can see the sunrise from here. Anna and I have been up here before with Odin and Justin many times over the course of our childhoods. You are the kind of person who would appreciate the view, so you should see it."
Not about to deny his interest at the opportunity, Wufei nodded firmly, "Very well. Thank you."
Moments later, the gifted and knights settled down in their 'beds' with Wing and Sand Rock wrapping their long bodies in a protective ring just within the reach of the fire light. Just before his eyes drifted closed, Heero could have sworn he heard a whispered conversation between the empath and the oracle that was nearly buried by the crackling and snapping of the wood as it was licked up by the flames.
'We have to make sure that we are up for our... business matter tomorrow,' Relena muttered. At least, that was what Yuy was sure she had said before he was taken by a deep and dreamless sleep.
* * * * * *
Sitting with his legs folded together and his arms resting over either knee, Wufei took a deep breath of the cool early morning air. Keeping his mind at peace for his meditation, he also kept his ears and subconscious alert for any changes to the calm that was the world around him.
The young swordsman had made his lookout spot the stump of a tree that had been cut down by lightning that resided on a cliff a couple dozen feet over where his friends lay sleeping around the long-since faded campfire. Facing the Sanq kingdom, he would have a spectacular view of the ocean beyond when the sun came over the horizon.
At the feel of the air around him warming, Chang knew it was nearing that time. Slowly blinking his eyes opened, he took in the brightening blue skies above while the millions of stars began to fade from sight. Stretching his arms overhead, he released a long and silent yawn. His head lowering, he settled is gaze on the sleeping lot below him... or at least one person in particular.
Biting his lip, Wufei watched as Anna shifted in her slumber to turn onto her side. Long, wavy red hair was spread out around the archer like a second blanket that added to what was pulled up around her. And like every other time when he looked on her, he could feel his heart hitching in his chest.
Yes, he was beyond certain that he was in trouble. He had fallen in love with one of his best friends and there was no certainty to how she felt of him in return. In addition to that, there was no telling what the reaction of a relationship between two knights would be... from the officers including her father to their fellow trainees.
One thing that no soldier could afford was a distraction. And love was the greatest distraction out there. But... for Wufei, he knew that there would be no changing how he felt. So many years with Anna had proven that.
There were just so many things to consider before any action could be taken. In the end, the very last thing that he wanted to do was complicate their lives and the relationship that he did have with her.
Best to stay friends than risk losing her all together.
Completely losing track of time lost in his thoughts as he watched Anna sleep, Wufei's eyes widened at the first hints of light brightening the horizon. Raising his head, he took in the array of colors that painted the skies as the sun rose slowly and steadily over the water's edge. The stretch of the sea shimmered like fine diamonds while the waves danced and swooped for as far as the eye could see.
And just like the ocean, the Sanq kingdom itself sparkled in the wake of dawn. In the distance, the tall castle was a simply magnificent sight to behold with its waving flags and golden highlights. The city below took on a whole new beauty of its own in the beams that poured over it. All around, the waking birds began to chirp merrily to add to the serenity of the warm morning.
Never moving from his place, Chang finally remembered to breathe deeply when the sun finished its climb into plain sight. Simply awe-struck, he felt the corners of his mouth curl up and he breathed, "Amazing." Everything about the view before him was nothing short of exquisite. He was going to make sure to thank Relena and Heero for the suggestion that he be the one to take the last watch to be able to witness it.
Once the sunrise had ended, the swordsman rose from his station and stretched his muscles. It would not be long before the others began to wake and so he decided to start the fire back up to cook the food that they had brought along for breakfast. It would impress Anna that he did such a thing so that they would not have to bother themselves.
Just as he was about to climb down the side of the cliff, Wufei froze when a strange sound reached his ears... something that was out of place with the serene world around. It was quite, almost inaudible but he had heard it.
...A moan. A wailing cry of some kind. He was certain that was what he had heard.
Eyes narrowed in concentration, Chang turned back to face the crevices of the mountain and strained his ears. The birds continued to chirp, the muffled roar of the ocean never ceased and the low howls of the wind gusts around kept the surroundings from being completely silent. All would have been east distractions from his focus.
But then there it was. It was most certainly a lengthened call of desperation. Whatever was causing the sound was not human. And the sound was absolutely heart-wrenching.
His arms wrapping around his torso against the pain that ripped through at the cry, a sharp whimper broke from Wufei. Fighting for air, he trembled as he struggled to keep his trembling legs from buckling beneath him. Finally, the sound died off and he was freed of whatever hold it had on him.
It was only when he managed to run down the ledge that Chang realized his face was damp with sweat that was running form his brow. When he reached his friends, he shouted in a hoarse voice, "Wake up! Something is wrong!"
Alert in an instant, Heero and Anna sprang from their sleeping bags with their hands reaching for their weapons that had laid beside them when they saw the horrified state that their friend was in. Quatre and Relena were fast in rising to their own feet along with their dragon companions.
Blue eyes scanning all around, Fraise slipped her quiver over her shoulder and urged, "What is it?!"
Frowning deeply, Wufei ran a shaking hand over his head and stammered, "I... I am not sure, but there is something around here that needs help."
As soon as the words escaped him, he heard the distant wail again and the pain came on again. Arms automatically wrapping around his torso against the sharp stab in his stomach, he gritted, "There it is again. Do you hear it?"
Heero and Anna were at his side, their faces saturated in worry. "I do not hear anything," Yuy replied, shaking his head in confusion. Biting her lip, the redhead gently rubbed her stricken 'brother's' back as soothingly as she could manage.
At long last, the strained moan passed. Panting, Wufei looked to his friends and told them, "South. It is coming from the south and we have to hurry."
"We know the way," Relena announced. The knights looked up in surprise to see her and Quatre already harnessed in Sand Rock's saddle. A deep frown on her face, she nodded to Chang, "And you are right... we have to hurry."
TBC...
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