Thank you to everybody who reviewed this story

A special Thank You to Anne Olsen for beta reading.

_________________________________________________________ _________________________________

Journey of a Thousand Miles

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"

-Confucius-

Part 15

My cousin was reading the newspaper when Zechs and I stepped out onto the terrace. He looked up and greeted us with a smile. "How are the fencing lessons?" he wanted to know.
"I think I'm doing a little better, wouldn't you say so, Zechs?" I looked at the prince. He and I now practiced twice a week, and I had to admit that I was looking forward to his lessons. Fencing was fun. It was fast, exciting, and left no room for errors.

"You are doing extremely well," he replied. "I really have to be on guard now or the student will beat the teacher one of these days."

"Please, Zechs, you are exaggerating."
"You know that I'm not. You are being much too modest, Quatre."

"I think I'll have to come and watch the next time you are practicing," Treize said, as he folded his paper up.
Zechs settled down across from the duke. "So, what is new in the world?"
"The Chinese signed the treaty."

"Is that so?" Zechs seemed surprised. "The war is officially over, then?"
My cousin nodded. "So it appears."

"The war?" I asked curiously, as I pulled another chair over to the small table.
"The Opium War."

Oh, right. I had heard about that. My cousin was encouraging me to read the newspaper every day. He said that it was important to know what was going on in the world. From what I knew the war had started after the Chinese authorities had stopped and ceased foreign ships that were suspected of importing something called opium into their country. (1)

"Cousin, what exactly is opium anyway? I thought it was something like a remedy for different ailments."

"It is," Treize confirmed. "But it is also a lot more than that. Some people smoke it not because they are ill, but because they like the way it makes them feel. Some might say that there is no harm in that, and they compare it to drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco. However opium can make you very sick or even kill you if you use too much of it. And people who take it can become addicted to it. They can't stop using it and they will sell anything and everything they own to buy more opium."
"That's terrible," I gasped. "No wonder the Chinese don't want opium brought into their country. Why would people sell something like that?"

"Because there is a lot of money to be made from opium," Zechs replied somberly. "Selling opium is a lot more profitable to the merchants than selling grain or textiles."

I gazed at my cousin as a terrible thought crossed my mind. "Treize, you don't deal with opium, do you?"
"Of course not." He seemed almost offended by my question. "I am a businessman and I'm trying to make as much profit as I can, but I don't make my money at the expense of other people's health and lives."
"I'm sorry, I …"
"It's alright, Quatre. I don't blame you for asking. But enough of this now. Let's talk about something else, shall we."

*****

About two weeks later, while my cousin and I were on a ride, he suddenly announced. "Quatre I'm taking a trip to China."
"China," I echoed surprised, and slowed down my horse until Treize and I were riding side by side.
"Yes," he confirmed. "There is something I really need to take care of. When the war started two of my ships were on their way to Canton. Somehow they disappeared and I never heard from them again. There has not been much that I could do about it for the past three years, but now that the war is over I need to find out what happened to them, to their crew, to my merchandize."

"Shouldn't the authorities take care of that?"
"They have their hands full and I'm not willing to wait another three years. I'm sure that I'll get quicker results when I go there myself."
I frowned. "The war might be over, but there are still a lot of disputes going on in some areas. I read about it in the newspaper. I don't think it's safe to travel there yet."
"Don't worry, Quatre. I'll be fine." My cousin gave me a reassuring smile. "It will take a while for me to get to Canton, and by then things will have calmed down even more."

"When will you be leaving?"
"This coming week, on Tuesday."
"Like you say, it's a long way to China. You will be gone for a long time, won't you?"
Treize nodded. "Six months at the least, perhaps a few more, depending on how well my search goes."
Of course I knew that I couldn't accompany him on this trip. But I also realized that I couldn't stay at Rosehill Manor alone either. So, what other options were there?
"What…what am I going to do while you are gone?" I looked at him, dread in my eyes. "Will I have to go and live with Aunt Sophia again?"
"Oh god, no! I wouldn't do that to you, Quatre." He seemed almost appalled that I would even suggest it. "Zechs and I talked about it at length, and have decided that it would probably be best if you move in with him - if that's alright with you, of course."
Anything was alright with me as long as I didn't have to stay with any of my other relatives. So, moving in with Zechs and, not to forget, Trowa, sounded wonderful.
"Oh, I would love that. Thank you."
"You are quite welcome. Make sure to thank Zechs as well." Treize gave me one of his charming smiles, but then he grew serious. "Quatre, Zechs and I have also made arrangements in case anything should happen to me …"
I swallowed. "Please, Cousin, don't even say something like that."
"I know, this a rather depressing subject. But nevertheless, I want you to know that I have made sure that you will be well taken care off. If anything should happen to me before you come of age, Zechs will become your legal guardian."

I swallowed, trying hard to fight the sudden tightness in my chest. Treize was the only member of my family who really seemed to care about me. As far as I was concerned he was the only family I had left. I didn't even want to think about losing him too.

*****

My move to Blue Lake Manor was somewhat bitter sweet. As much as I liked the idea of being around Trowa all day long now, it couldn't diminish my worries about my cousin. Zechs was worried too, I could tell. I knew that he had tried to convince Treize to wait for at least another six months before traveling to China, but without success. I think the duke was simply too stubborn to change his mind, once it was made up.

It was rather easy for me to adjust to living with Zechs. He was, unlike my cousin, a morning person. He took a ride every morning at the break of dawn, and more often than not I accompanied him. Other than that, not much changed for me. Mr. Pushowski still came four times a week to tutor me, and Zechs and I continued our fencing lessons. And of course I spent every free minute with Trowa.
Treize wrote to us from every port the Rebecca anchored at. His latest letter arrived just the other day. In it he told us that they had safely arrived at Canton, and he joked that he was considering chaining Duo up in his cabin just to make sure the braided prankster wouldn't get himself into trouble again.

_________________________________________________________ _________________________________

T.B.C.

Author's Note:

(1) Keep in mind that all Quatre knew came from British newspapers, which probably didn't report the whole story.

I'm sorry that this chapter turned out so short, but there was just no other way to split the story any differently. As compensation I'm posting two chapters today. I hope you enjoy.

Feedback is greatly appreciated, constructive criticism is welcome :-)