Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Gundam Wing and the Quest for the Holy Grail ❯ The Stone-Eyed Duke ( Chapter 8 )

Dear Readers: I just want to mention that Damodin will be singing another song in this chapter, and I want to point out that I wrote both this song and the one he sang in Chapter 1. I like Damodin's songs, and I may try to squeeze one more in before the end of the story, but no promises. I kind of need inspiration for these, but poetry is yet another hobby of mine, so we'll see.

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Chapter 8: The Stone-Eyed Duke

The group stopped for the night after they had put a comfortable distance between themselves and Motten Bluff, although it didn't look like anyone was coming after them.

Several of the knights seemed rather troubled by something as they ate their supper, and finally one of them, Sir Mauldin, spoke up.

“Master Duo, how is it that you seemed to be aware of that… creature's thoughts?”

“It was a little difficult, I admit,” Duo answered without looking up from his own supper. “It's English was really archaic.”

“It was speaking?” Sir Mauldin exclaimed. “I heard naught.”

“No, it was just thinking.”

Sir Mauldin and a couple of the knights exchanged glances.

“Are you then capable of hearing the thoughts of others, Master Duo?”

Duo didn't seem to hear the note of concern in Sir Mauldin's voice.

“Kind of,” Duo said absently.

Quatre gave Heero, seated next to Duo, a warning glance and Heero nudged Duo.

“What?” Duo looked up, still chewing.

Heero just frowned and shook his head.

Duo stared at him in confusion for a second and then looked at Sir Mauldin. Sir Mauldin and three or four other knights were regarding him with looks of distinct displeasure.

“It's not like I'm trying to listen!” Duo exclaimed defensively. “If you all wouldn't think so damn loud, I wouldn't hear anything at all.”

Sir Mauldin looked decidedly upset. “You can hear what I'm thinking?!”

Duo winced. “Man, if you're gonna shout like that, everyone's gonna hear you!” Duo rubbed his head.

“How long have you had this ability, Master Duo?” Percival asked curiously.

“A couple of weeks, I guess,” Duo shrugged. “It's been getting worse lately.”

“What might have brought on this skill, do you suppose?”

“Well…” Duo looked sheepish. “The truth is, every time I talked to my damn knife, or rather when it talked to me, I noticed afterward that I could hear people thinking. The first few times it happened, the effect faded after awhile. But lately, it doesn't seem to be going away.”

Wu-Fei leaned forward. “Do you suppose that's the curse that Gift told us about, that would happen from using the knife's power?”

Duo nodded. “Yeah. The knife uses telepathy to communicate and it's sensitizing me.”

“That's fascinating!” Wu-Fei said.

“Maybe for you!” Duo complained. “You have no idea what goes on inside other people's heads! I sure didn't want to know.”

“This is most unseemly!” Sir Mauldin exclaimed peevishly. “A gentleman's mind should be inviolate. I find this intrusion most disturbing!”

“Trust me,” said Duo, “it disturbs me, too.”

“Now, Sir Mauldin,” Percival said, “I am certain Master Duo is too much the gentleman to reveal knowledge he comes by through unspoken communication.”

Heero coughed.

“I am sure you have no reason to be unduly concerned,” Percival continued.

Sir Mauldin did not appear convinced and neither did some of the others. After supper, a few of the knights drew off to one side and conversed quietly.

“That lot definitely looks unhappy,” Trowa remarked.

“Yup,” Quatre agreed. “I wonder what they've been thinking that they don't want Duo repeating it.”

“Probably the part about soiling his trousers when we were fighting the ghouls,” Duo remarked casually. “But then, I'm sure Roku smelled it, so I could have learned it from him.”

“It was hard to tell which one though,” Roku said. “I think a couple of them did it.”

Heero snorted. “He shit his pants? Over a couple of ghouls?” He shook his head in disgust.

“I was scared, too,” Roku said.

“Yeah, but you didn't crap all over yourself.”

Hagrimore laughed. “But we all know our little tiger is braver than some of our fine companions.” He patted Roku on the head. “But now then, how shall we proceed? You read something about virgins and a duke?”

“Yes,” Quatre said. “The twelve virgin daughters of the stone-eyed duke guard the path to the Cup of Christ. Let he who is prepared to sacrifice all learn the secret that they hold.”

“The stone-eyed duke?” Hagrimore repeated, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “That sounds familiar, somehow. Let me think on it a moment.”

“Twelve virgin daughters,” Damodin murmured. “How do you suppose he managed that? I don't know many gentlemen who have managed to keep two daughters virgin.”

“I don't know how a gentleman of your acquaintance manages to keep ANY daughters virgin, Damodin!” someone called out, to a chorus of rude laughter.

Damodin flushed.

“Ha!” Hagrimore burst out. “I've hit on it! There's a blind duke living near Hammersly and it's said his eyes are stone white. I don't recall if he's reputed to have daughters, but it will do no harm to drop by and have a look.”

“Hammersly?!” Wu-Fei and Duo cried out in unison. “Where that bloody dragon lives?!”

“The very place,” Hagrimore said.

Wu-Fei and Duo grumbled several unflattering remarks about dragons under their breath.

In the morning, the group set their course for Hammersly. Trowa entertained himself on the way by conversing with the various beasts and birds they passed along the way. When they passed a row of cows hanging their heads over a fence at the side of the road, he stopped.

“How now brown cow?” he said.

The cows all looked at him. One made a lowing noise.

“I think you'll have to take that up with the farmer,” Trowa said. “I've never milked a cow in my life.”

This time all the cows lowed.

“I'm afraid I can't help you. Maybe you should go back to the barn.”

The cows turned away and walked off with their tails swishing.

“They wanted to be milked?” Quatre asked.

“Yes, but they were hoping to get someone other than the farmer to do it. Apparently, he has cold hands.”

Trowa's horse tossed her head up and down and huffed through her nose. Trowa laughed.

“What did she say?”

“That cows are stupid lumbering brutes.”

“I'd have to agree with that.”

“But they're pretty good eating,” Duo added with a grin. “Although, horse meat has a certain appeal when prepared the right way.”

“I'm not going to repeat that,” Trowa said, “or they'll all disappear on us tonight.”

Wu-Fei turned slightly green. “You've eaten horse meat?”

“Only a couple of times.”

“I may be sick.”

“Fei, you should know better than to ask Duo what he's been eating,” Heero said.

“I know. Let's change the subject.”

“I say, Damodin, why don't you favor us with a song?” said Hagrimore. “A nice airy tune will help pass the time.”

“All right.” Damodin tilted his head back and began to sing:

In a meadow sat the handsome lad with hair as yellow as the sun.

Around him purple lupine bloomed, with golden rod and poppies red.

And here and there and all about, did fat white sheep contently graze.

 

Upon this scene of rural charm, a brave and handsome knight did come.

Idyllic beauty caught him up and toward the lad his steps were led.

And nothing else at all he saw while handsome youth consumed his gaze.

 

“Oh fair-haired lad,” the knight declared, “how came thee by such beauty rare?”

“Oh Sir!” the lad demurely spoke, “thy kind words set my heart aflame.

Most sweetly do thine eyes behold and cause to stir my youthful loins.”

 

“Sweet lad!” the knight bespoke himself, “to thee I must my love declare!
Thy gentle speech doth warm my heart and stirs my manhood all the same.

In sooth my soul shall know no peace until my love with you conjoins.”

 

Upon his back the young man fell, stretched prone among the sweet green grass.

Beside him lay the handsome knight, who kissed him on his soft young lips,

And held him close with sweet caress and stroked the dear youth's firm fair skin.

 

“Beautiful youth, thy tender kiss doth rival that of any lass.

Thy youthful charms command me so, I urge thee to spread wide thy hips

And give to me the deep-felt joy of thrusting my firm manhood in.”

 

The gracious lad, in heartfelt love, did open wide his virgin charms.

With moans of joy and tender cries, he felt the knight's true love go deep.

And savored he those driving thrusts that filled his flesh with pleasure great.

 

O'er and again did handsome knight fulfill the youth within his arms.

Until the spurt of ecstasy did bring the handsome lad to weep.

And handsome knight did hold him close until his own joy did abate.

 

So lay they there in happy bliss while flowers all about them waved,

And gentle breeze upon bare skin blew air warmed by the golden sun.

“Oh kindly sir,” the youth did say, “thy gentle love hath filled my heart.”

 

“Oh darling lad,” the knight replied, “though some might find our love depraved,

I say they know not what they speak and I shall prove it ere I'm done.

For I shall love thee yet again and day shall go ere I depart.”

 

“Now that's my kind of song,” Trowa declared.

“You always were partial to handsome blonds,” said Duo.

“Oh, yeah!” Trowa winked at Quatre and Quatre smiled.

For three days and nights the company traveled on the King's High Road to Hammersly. On the first night, they stayed at a comfortable inn, and at Quatre's suggestion, Roku bunked in with Heero, Wu-Fei and Duo.

“This ain't fair!” Duo complained. “How come we get stuck with the kid and they get to have fun?”

“Because it's our turn,” Wu-Fei replied sagely. “And it's important for Roku's Mama and Papa to have opportunities to share their affections.”

“That's right,” Roku agreed.

Duo grumbled. “Well, why don't you and Roku go to bed and Heero and I will stay up drinking.”

“Who says I want to go drinking with you?” Heero demanded.

Duo pouted. “Aww…”

“Oh, geez!”

“Come on, Roku, let's go read.”

“Ok!”

“Maybe we can have another drinking contest!” Duo suggested brightly.

Hagrimore groaned. “Not me, Master Duo! I still get dizzy when I think of that night.”

“Oh, come on! You almost had me!”

“I think not.”

“Damn!”

Duo did drink more than anyone else, but he still had the energy to suggest he and Heero go for a quick walk in the moonlight before bed.

“The moon's not out.”

“The starlight then. Let's just go outside, dammit!”

“You're really trying, aren't you?”

“It's been two whole days! Stressful days!”

“I give up. Let's go.”

“Goody!”

And so it went, until the group arrived in Hammersly. The innkeeper, surprisingly enough, remembered them.

“You aren't going to see the dragon again are you? Because if so, I want my money right now.”

“Hey!” said Duo. “The dragon didn't eat us last time.”

“Perhaps not,” said the innkeeper, “but I'm going with the better odds.”

“Wretch.”

“We are not here for the dragon, my good man,” Percival said. “We have come to call upon the duke.”

“Ah, well, in that case, you can pay half now and half when you leave.”

“How generous!” Duo grumbled.

“I say,” asked Damodin, “is it true the good duke has twelve daughters?”

“Indeed it is,” said the innkeeper, “and all by the same wife, no less. It's no wonder she passed away after the last pair.”

“Wore her out, eh?” Hagrimore said. “My wife wouldn't let me near her after our fourth.”

“I'm surprised she let you near her before the first,” Damodin remarked.

“Ho, there, young lecher, not all of us can have your fair looks.”

“It's a burden, but I make do.”

“More like make out,” Duo whispered loudly to Wu-Fei.

“You are not one to talk, Mister It's-been-two-whole-days.”

“That's a long time.”

Wu-Fei sighed.

“It's a bit too late to call upon the duke,” said Percival, “so I propose we approach him tomorrow morning.”

Everyone agreed to that, and they settled in for a comfortable dinner of beef stew and fresh baked bread.

But over dinner, the still disgruntled Sir Mauldin announced that he had decided to return to Camelot, since they were but a few days travel from there. After some discussion, four other knights elected to do the same.

So in the morning, the party split again, as five knights set out for Camelot, and the remainder of the group headed toward the castle of the Duke of Hammersly.

The castle was a fine, old edifice with vines growing all over it. The benefit of this was that it hid the crumbling effects of vines eating through the mortar. It was a four sided structure with towers at each corner and a wide gate with an iron portcullis. The moat, like the moat at Camelot, did not see regular maintenance. It smelled. Badly.

Wu-Fei held his nose. “Why is it that everyone has to shit in the moat, if there is a moat?”

“Convenience?” Heero suggested.

“I may never be able to relieve myself again,” Wu-Fei muttered.

“Just don't breathe any fire, Fei, or the whole place may go up,” Duo warned.

The drawbridge was down but so was the portcullis. They stopped on the far side of the moat.

“Hallo the castle!” Hagrimore called. “May a group of travelers engage a little hospitality?”

A head appeared above the gate. “What purpose brings you to these parts, good sirs? My master will want to know.”

“Indeed, we desire to speak with your master, if we may,” Percival said. “I am Sir Percival of King Arthur's Round Table.”

“One moment, Sir Percival! I will raise the portcullis!” The head disappeared, and a moment later the portcullis began to winch up with a horrible screeching sound that made Roku's ears go flat.

When there was enough room, the party rode across the drawbridge and into the castle. A gentleman of middle years, but starting to go a bit gray, was coming out of the main castle entrance guided by a young page. Even from a distance, one could see that his eyes were completely white.

“Welcome, gentlemen, to Hammersly Castle,” the blind man said. “I am Augustus Moreby, Duke of Hammersly.”

Percival dismounted and shook the duke's hand. “Well met, Your Grace. I am Sir Percival.”

“What brings you to my home today, Sir Percival?”

“Well, it is something of a long story, Your Grace. Perhaps we could discuss it over a cup of wine?”

“Very well.” Guided by his page, Duke Moreby led them into his castle. In his musty and rather drafty main hall, they took seats around a large table. Servants brought wine. “Well, Sir Percival, tell me your story, if you will.”

Percival proceeded to provide a brief summary of their quest, to which the duke listened with great interest. But when it came to the part regarding the prophecy of his twelve daughters, he held up a hand.

“Stop right there, Sir Percival,” Duke Moreby exclaimed. “My daughters are maidens of the most pious purity. I cannot allow a man into their presence, lest they become corrupted by his baseness, for indeed, all men are base creatures.”

“Whoa, do you think he's met us before?” Duo whispered.

“Maybe you,” Heero muttered.

“My dear Duke Moreby,” said Percival, “we would never dream of violating the saintly chastity of your daughters. Perhaps you would permit one of our number to speak to them from a gentlemanly distance. It is only their knowledge we seek.”

“I will have to think on that, Sir Percival,” Duke Moreby said nervously. “You have no idea of the difficulty of protecting the virtue of twelve maidens.”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

“However, I wish to remain a gracious host, so you may stay here while I ponder this question.” The duke rose and left the room.

“Say Duo,” Quatre said, “why don't you try reading those girls minds from here? If you can pick out the information we need, we won't need to talk to them.”

Duo stared at him in horror. “Oh, no! You have no idea what a terrifying place the female mind is. I am NOT going in there.”

Quatre frowned. “You forget; I was a woman once.”

“Maybe so, but you still didn't think like one.”

“That's true, Quatre,” Heero said, “you did let Duo knock you up.”

“Just Duo?” Quatre remarked dryly.

“Anyway, I'm not gonna do it.” Duo's eyes lost focus for a second. “And I can't pick them out from here anyway. There are a ton of people in this castle and every last one of them couldn't keep a thought inside their heads if their lives depended on it.”

“Then we're going to have to find a way to talk to them, whether the duke wants us to or not.”

“That must be why the prophecy said one man would have to risk everything.”

“No doubt.”

“Well,” said Hagrimore, “let's cross that bridge if it comes to that. For now, let's wait and see what the duke says. His wine's mighty tasty.”

“It isn't bad,” Trowa agreed.

Unfortunately, the duke was gone for so long, the knights and pilots had time to get, well, a little bit drunk. Well, ok, they drank themselves under the table and passed out, except for Roku, who amused himself by chasing every dog, cat and chicken out of the main hall, and Duo, who was left to just amuse himself.