Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Prophecy ❯ The Beginning: part01 ( Chapter 1 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Lotus-chan 
Duo is taken back to Asia Major against his will by pirates determined to sell him into slavery, leaving Trowa and Quatre behind on the sister continent. Can he escape before reaching the Sank Kingdom?
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Fantasy / Drama / Adventure | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.01.2001 | Updated On: 02.18.2008 | Pages: 5 | Words: 8.4K | Visits: 359 | Status: Completed
Duo is taken back to Asia Major against his will by pirates determined to sell him into slavery, leaving Trowa and Quatre behind on the sister continent. Can he escape before reaching the Sank Kingdom?
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Fantasy / Drama / Adventure | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.01.2001 | Updated On: 02.18.2008 | Pages: 5 | Words: 8.4K | Visits: 359 | Status: Completed
Warnings: Shounen ai/Yaoi, AU, 1x2 3x4
Disclaimer: On prologue.
Disclaimer: On prologue.
~ Third Revision plus face lift.
Prophecy
by: Lotus-chan
The Beginning: part01
--About 16 years later--
He held on tightly to the bars as the ship swayed back and forth violently in the storm. Waves pounded against it from outside, threatening to capsize it at any moment. It was this and the shouts from above decks which overwhelmed the usual silence of the holding cells. Duo looked out the small porthole of his cell and grinned.
Prophecy
by: Lotus-chan
The Beginning: part01
--About 16 years later--
He held on tightly to the bars as the ship swayed back and forth violently in the storm. Waves pounded against it from outside, threatening to capsize it at any moment. It was this and the shouts from above decks which overwhelmed the usual silence of the holding cells. Duo looked out the small porthole of his cell and grinned.
That would teach them to mess with him.
Another wave pounded against the side of the ship and he lost his grip. Duo rolled across the cell floor and smacked his back against the steel bars of the other side. He gasped when his head hit the bars of the cell door. His vision swam for brief moments and he unconsciously tried to bring his hand up to his head before remembering they were still tied behind his back.
A groan to his left startled him and he turned to see the girl in the other cell had regained consciousness.
Another wave pounded against the side of the ship and he lost his grip. Duo rolled across the cell floor and smacked his back against the steel bars of the other side. He gasped when his head hit the bars of the cell door. His vision swam for brief moments and he unconsciously tried to bring his hand up to his head before remembering they were still tied behind his back.
A groan to his left startled him and he turned to see the girl in the other cell had regained consciousness.
Slowly, he sat up. "Hey, you ok?"
The girl looked up from the ground and stared incredulously at his question, "Of course not." She looked away, "I just had a lashing and the guy asks me if I'm ok..."
Duo sighed and tried to stand up. The ship swayed abruptly and he slipped on his black robes, falling on his stomach. "Damnit," he cursed when one of his sandals slipped off and through the bars. God, how he missed his boots.
The girl giggled and this time it was his turn to frown, "What're you laughing at??" but his voice softened when he saw her tears.
The girl giggled and this time it was his turn to frown, "What're you laughing at??" but his voice softened when he saw her tears.
She blinked them away and smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Aw, c'mon. A girl like me wouldn't have much to laugh about in this situation. We're gonna be sold as slaves the minute we reach the Sank Kingdom's docks. I can at least laugh whenever you make a fool of yourself, ne?" Despite himself, he smiled.
That's when she noticed his earring for the first time. On his left ear, Duo wore a dangling half turned rose leaf on the end of a tiny chain. Her eyes widened and traveled to his bound hands. On his arms were a pair of white-gold metallic arm guards. They ran from his wrists to his elbows, the surface of which was painted white with the exception of the gleaming white gold vine carvings that ran the length of each. Half turned rose leaves adorned the vines every now and then.
"That's the mark of a healer!" she gasped. Looking back at his face she was suddenly infuriated, "You were a healer all this time and never said anything?!" She caught herself when she realized she was screaming at him and her expression suddenly became desperate. "Oh, please, please could you help my wounds??"
That's when she noticed his earring for the first time. On his left ear, Duo wore a dangling half turned rose leaf on the end of a tiny chain. Her eyes widened and traveled to his bound hands. On his arms were a pair of white-gold metallic arm guards. They ran from his wrists to his elbows, the surface of which was painted white with the exception of the gleaming white gold vine carvings that ran the length of each. Half turned rose leaves adorned the vines every now and then.
"That's the mark of a healer!" she gasped. Looking back at his face she was suddenly infuriated, "You were a healer all this time and never said anything?!" She caught herself when she realized she was screaming at him and her expression suddenly became desperate. "Oh, please, please could you help my wounds??"
The ship tipped again but this time Duo was ready. He flipped onto his back as he slid to the other side of the cell and brought his feet up. His feet hit the bars, stopping him, but the girl was not so lucky. Unprepared, she rolled across the cell and smacked her wounded back into the bars.
She screamed again and several fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. Duo winced sympathetically and looked at her, frowning. "I really couldn't do anything while you were unconscious. I don't go through bars, you know." His expression softened, "Can you crawl back?" She breathed in and out carefully but finally nodded. Because of the lashings, her arms were tied in front and she was able to get on her hands and knees and crawl to the bars that separated her cell from Duo's.
Duo inched his way over to her when she made it, "Put your back as close to the bars as possible." She nodded and turned around, sitting as close to the bars as she dared without touching them and faced away. Duo sat with his back against the bars when she was ready and reached his hands through the bars to touch her back through her torn and bloody shirt.
She winced but said nothing. He closed his eyes to concentrate and almost at once his hands began to glow. A white light pooled between his hands, quickly forming into what looked like liquid electricity. The energy spilled out of his hands and crawled onto her back, seeking out her injuries. The energy seeped into the wounds and slowly, they began to close up; to heal. The grimace she'd held on her face slowly diminished and within moments, the light faded and her wounds were gone.
She blinked a few times and a delighted smile crept onto her face. Her back didn't hurt anymore. It was as if the wounds had never been there. Almost laughing, she whirled around, "My God, you really *are* a healer. Thank you so... are you ok??" she said worriedly when she looked at him.
She screamed again and several fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. Duo winced sympathetically and looked at her, frowning. "I really couldn't do anything while you were unconscious. I don't go through bars, you know." His expression softened, "Can you crawl back?" She breathed in and out carefully but finally nodded. Because of the lashings, her arms were tied in front and she was able to get on her hands and knees and crawl to the bars that separated her cell from Duo's.
Duo inched his way over to her when she made it, "Put your back as close to the bars as possible." She nodded and turned around, sitting as close to the bars as she dared without touching them and faced away. Duo sat with his back against the bars when she was ready and reached his hands through the bars to touch her back through her torn and bloody shirt.
She winced but said nothing. He closed his eyes to concentrate and almost at once his hands began to glow. A white light pooled between his hands, quickly forming into what looked like liquid electricity. The energy spilled out of his hands and crawled onto her back, seeking out her injuries. The energy seeped into the wounds and slowly, they began to close up; to heal. The grimace she'd held on her face slowly diminished and within moments, the light faded and her wounds were gone.
She blinked a few times and a delighted smile crept onto her face. Her back didn't hurt anymore. It was as if the wounds had never been there. Almost laughing, she whirled around, "My God, you really *are* a healer. Thank you so... are you ok??" she said worriedly when she looked at him.
Duo was slumped against the bars breathing heavily. "I-I'm fine." He turned to his side, still leaning on the bars and she noticed a fine sheet of sweat over his face. And still he smiled, "Don't worry about me. You ok, now?"
She glared at him, "You know you fixed me up. I just wanna know why you look so awful."
She glared at him, "You know you fixed me up. I just wanna know why you look so awful."
Duo shrugged, "The healing takes a lot outta me sometimes." he lied.
She stayed silent a minute. "Even though I've only known you for the length of this trip, I'm very glad to have met you." She gave him a small smile, "You're a nice guy."
Duo smiled back, "Your welcome."
Just then the doors to the cell blocks opened and a pirate stormed in. "Ecomancer!"
Duo glanced at him disinterestedly, "what." he replied flatly.
The pirate glared, he was soaked from head to foot and carried a short length of rope in his hands. "We know you're the one that caused this blasted storm, Ecomancer! The Captain wants you on deck. You did this and now you'll undo it!"
Duo gave him a patronizing look. As if he was no more than a child who just couldn't understand. "I can't."
Duo gave him a patronizing look. As if he was no more than a child who just couldn't understand. "I can't."
The pirate seemed taken aback by that response but it lasted only seconds before his rage returned twice over, "Don't you dare say something like that to me, slave! You'll calm the storm, blast you, or we'll throw you over board!"
Duo chuckled, "I really don't think your captain could afford that." The pirate hesitated, glancing at his arm guards that were the symbol of his Healers touch.
It was true. Ecomantic slaves were hard to come by and high in demand. They were worth a small fortune even with control over only one basic elemental power and a Healer so much that few could afford them. But those that could would pay a Kings ransom to have one.
The pirate glared at him nonetheless, "and why the hell can't you?!" he demanded.
It was true. Ecomantic slaves were hard to come by and high in demand. They were worth a small fortune even with control over only one basic elemental power and a Healer so much that few could afford them. But those that could would pay a Kings ransom to have one.
The pirate glared at him nonetheless, "and why the hell can't you?!" he demanded.
Duo took a deep breath. This man was a sailor? "Because, in case you haven't noticed yet, I didn't call just any storm. If I had called a simple thunderstorm, I would've had to make it chase you across the entire Sea of Mer to make it last this long and that takes too much energy. This is a hurricane genius," The pirate's eye's widened. "…and hurricane's are too big and too powerful to call off unless I have *all* my reserved energy."
The moment he said it, he wished he hadn't. The pirate looked at him skeptically, "but you *can* do it. There's no reason why you shouldn't have all your `reserved' energy."
The moment he said it, he wished he hadn't. The pirate looked at him skeptically, "but you *can* do it. There's no reason why you shouldn't have all your `reserved' energy."
That was when the girl in the next cell stood up, glaring daggers at him. "Look, the Ecomancer said he can't help you so leave him alone!"
The pirate returned her glare with equal venom, "That's the kind of attitude that got you a lash.... wait a minute." The nameless pirate looked from her to Duo and back again. The girl shouldn't have been able to stand for days... "So that's why you said you can't do it! You wasted your energy on the girl!" Her eyes widened and she backed away from the cell door.
Duo pulled himself to his feet and leaned back against the bars, wishing he could melt through them to stand between her and the pirate. The soaked pirate grinned, "Listen, Healer. If you don't want me to slit her throat you'll come with me above decks." he said putting a hand to his sword. "It's true that I can't kill you, but she's been a royal pain in the ass the entire voyage and the money we'll get from you will more than cover for her loss in the Black Market."
With that said another man entered the small cell block. He too was soaked to the bone but unlike the first one, this pirate was a much bigger man. His shirt strained over his muscle's even when wet with the sleeves torn off to make more room for his bulky arms. The second pirate grinned menacingly at the girl.
He'd been listening.
Duo's eye's widened in alarm. "Ok ok! I'll do it, just leave her out of it."
Pirate number 1 turned his grin back on him, "I thought you'd see it my way." Brushing aside the hilt of his sword at his belt, he reached into his pocket for the keys to the cell door. Opening it, he allowed bulky pirate number 2 to go in first. The large man was barely able to fit through the narrow cell door but when he did, Duo saw something on his chest that he'd missed earlier. It was a badge, woven into his shirt, of a burning rose leaf.
Duo's heart skipped a beat and he backed into the wall in one abrupt movement, a startled curse dying in his throat before he made a sound. Fear, real fear, had robed him of his voice and all he could do was stare at the symbol on the man's chest as if it were death itself… and probably was. The bulky pirate laughed at his reaction. It was a cold menacing sound that sent chills down Duo's spine. He could feel the blood draining from his face.
Abruptly the ship turned as a wave crashed into it's side. Duo lost his footing again and fell forwards, his other sandal flying off behind him. The bulky man caught him before he hit the ground and suddenly he couldn't move. The man looked down at him, his eye's sparkling with something dark while he still chuckled at Duo's obvious fear. "I've never seen a Healer this young. Aren't Ecomancers supposed to be old and frail before they can reach this level of power?" Even his voice mocked him. Duo didn't answer the question.
"The captain said it would be easier for him to work if we retie his hands in front. Lets get it over with and go back to the main deck before the ship capsizes." Pirate number 1 seemed to have been content to watch until just now. He moved around the large man and behind Duo to untie his hands. It's when Duo noticed the bulky pirates grip tightening on his arms, no doubt to make sure he couldn't get away. Duo winced and knew he would have bruises there later.
The ropes fell and the pirate began inspecting the gold arm guards, noticing the line where they connected together inside his arms. There were no latches or keyholes; no way of prying them open or removing them short of cutting the healer's arms off. "If only we could've taken them off... they'd fetch quite a price themselves.” The pirate said with some regret. “Turn him around." At the last, pirate number 2 turned him to face the other man. The scrawnier pirate didn't tie his arms together right away.
Duo's heart skipped a beat and he backed into the wall in one abrupt movement, a startled curse dying in his throat before he made a sound. Fear, real fear, had robed him of his voice and all he could do was stare at the symbol on the man's chest as if it were death itself… and probably was. The bulky pirate laughed at his reaction. It was a cold menacing sound that sent chills down Duo's spine. He could feel the blood draining from his face.
Abruptly the ship turned as a wave crashed into it's side. Duo lost his footing again and fell forwards, his other sandal flying off behind him. The bulky man caught him before he hit the ground and suddenly he couldn't move. The man looked down at him, his eye's sparkling with something dark while he still chuckled at Duo's obvious fear. "I've never seen a Healer this young. Aren't Ecomancers supposed to be old and frail before they can reach this level of power?" Even his voice mocked him. Duo didn't answer the question.
"The captain said it would be easier for him to work if we retie his hands in front. Lets get it over with and go back to the main deck before the ship capsizes." Pirate number 1 seemed to have been content to watch until just now. He moved around the large man and behind Duo to untie his hands. It's when Duo noticed the bulky pirates grip tightening on his arms, no doubt to make sure he couldn't get away. Duo winced and knew he would have bruises there later.
The ropes fell and the pirate began inspecting the gold arm guards, noticing the line where they connected together inside his arms. There were no latches or keyholes; no way of prying them open or removing them short of cutting the healer's arms off. "If only we could've taken them off... they'd fetch quite a price themselves.” The pirate said with some regret. “Turn him around." At the last, pirate number 2 turned him to face the other man. The scrawnier pirate didn't tie his arms together right away.
He looked Duo up and down like you would a teasing harlot and Duo felt a surge of emotions that was equal parts anger and panic. His outfit wasn't revealing in the slightest, thank the two spirits, but the pirate was looking at it as if it were.
Duo wore simple black robes. They were cut in a kind of V neck at the collar. His sleeves were large and billowing but only reached as far as his elbows so that the arm guards would be easily visible. It was a style most Healer's wore for that very reason. His robes were tied tightly around his waste with a clothe belt and the robes ran past his waste to his feet. They were cut on each side up to mid thigh and under that he wore a pair of matching black baggy pants. The hems of his clothes: collar, sleeves and the bottom of his robes were decorated by vines with rose leafs in silver embroidery.
His outfit left no doubt about his identity. Free Ecomancers in most countries were regarded to having the authority of nobility and although his robes weren't extravagant, they were not the robes of a slave. As the pirate stood, undressing him with his eyes, Duo felt anger win out over fear, "What the hell are you looking at?!?"
Duo wore simple black robes. They were cut in a kind of V neck at the collar. His sleeves were large and billowing but only reached as far as his elbows so that the arm guards would be easily visible. It was a style most Healer's wore for that very reason. His robes were tied tightly around his waste with a clothe belt and the robes ran past his waste to his feet. They were cut on each side up to mid thigh and under that he wore a pair of matching black baggy pants. The hems of his clothes: collar, sleeves and the bottom of his robes were decorated by vines with rose leafs in silver embroidery.
His outfit left no doubt about his identity. Free Ecomancers in most countries were regarded to having the authority of nobility and although his robes weren't extravagant, they were not the robes of a slave. As the pirate stood, undressing him with his eyes, Duo felt anger win out over fear, "What the hell are you looking at?!?"
The man laughed, looking back up at the bulkier pirate. "Perhaps we can convince the captain to leave us alone with him after this is over." The other's burly laugh thundered in Duo's ears and he struggled to get away.
Hands clamped down tighter in response and with a grimace, Duo stood still again. The pirate in front of him grabbed his arms and retied his hands over the arm guards, then tied the additional piece of rope he'd brought with him to the knot. To his great relief, the bulky pirate released him. "Now, Ecomancer. Lets get on with this." And with a push, he ushered Duo out of the cell, still holding the other end of the rope like a leash.
---------
As soon as he walked onto the main deck, Duo was blasted with the raging winds and rain of the hurricane. As the bulky pirate pushed him forward and the wind beat against him, he bowed his head slightly to help keep the sheets of water from his eyes. The thinner pirate pulled him forward with the other end of the rope like a dog on a leash as he struggled to keep his balance on the violently swaying deck. Duo felt it oddly ironic that even though he'd lost his sandals, being barefoot gave him better footing.
Pirate number one led him toward a man who was shouting orders at the crew over the sound of the raging storm. His orders were repeated several times among the other crew members to be sure all heard them. "Captain, sir! We've brought you the Ecomancer as ordered!" The captain looked at him.
Hands clamped down tighter in response and with a grimace, Duo stood still again. The pirate in front of him grabbed his arms and retied his hands over the arm guards, then tied the additional piece of rope he'd brought with him to the knot. To his great relief, the bulky pirate released him. "Now, Ecomancer. Lets get on with this." And with a push, he ushered Duo out of the cell, still holding the other end of the rope like a leash.
---------
As soon as he walked onto the main deck, Duo was blasted with the raging winds and rain of the hurricane. As the bulky pirate pushed him forward and the wind beat against him, he bowed his head slightly to help keep the sheets of water from his eyes. The thinner pirate pulled him forward with the other end of the rope like a dog on a leash as he struggled to keep his balance on the violently swaying deck. Duo felt it oddly ironic that even though he'd lost his sandals, being barefoot gave him better footing.
Pirate number one led him toward a man who was shouting orders at the crew over the sound of the raging storm. His orders were repeated several times among the other crew members to be sure all heard them. "Captain, sir! We've brought you the Ecomancer as ordered!" The captain looked at him.
Duo was slightly surprised to learn this was the captain. He was young and dressed no differently than any of the other men. Even though he too carried a sword, it didn't seem to suit him. Duo wasn't Psychic or anything like that but this man struck him more as a noble man, even in the ragged and soaked clothes, than a pirate captain.
The captain walked up to him, "You are the Ecomantic Healer, correct?!" The man was standing no more than two feet away and still had to shout in order to make himself heard over the strong gale and the shouting behind them. Duo nodded. "We know you have called the sea to your aid but the drowning deaths of my men cannot save you. I ask you to think if not of my men then of the lives of the slaves below decks. Can you calm this storm before it tears my ship apart?!" Duo started. He had not known there were other slaves in the lower levels.
Duo glowered at the deck, the fragments of his plan disintegrating before his very eyes. The pirate that held his `leash' snarled and back-handed him, throwing him to the deck. "Answer when the captain speaks to you, Eco Trash!" Duo blinked a few times, stunned by what had just happened but when he looked up he was even more surprised to see the captain's sword at the neck of the man who had struck him.
"You are not to touch him unless I say otherwise, is that understood?!" The captain's voice was firm and commanding. He held his sword like he knew how to use it. Fear shown in the eyes of the first pirate and he nodded shakily. That was the last he saw of him. In the next second a giant tidal wave smashed onto the deck of the ship.
The big pirate grabbed hold of a flailing rope that had snapped off the riggings before slipping too far. Duo, the Captain and the thinner pirate were all overcome at once and thrown to the side of the ship. Out of the corner of his eye, Duo saw as the thin pirate screamed mercy of the two great spirits before being swept over board. Duo slid on his side, not far behind him and didn't even have time to scream before he closed his eyes and fell over the side.
Abruptly he stopped falling, his own robes suddenly choking him. Opening his eyes, he was surprised to find himself staring at the side of the ship. He looked up to see the pirate captain holding onto the railings on the edge of the ship with one hand, the other holding onto the collar of his robes. "Are you alright, kid?!"
Duo glowered at the deck, the fragments of his plan disintegrating before his very eyes. The pirate that held his `leash' snarled and back-handed him, throwing him to the deck. "Answer when the captain speaks to you, Eco Trash!" Duo blinked a few times, stunned by what had just happened but when he looked up he was even more surprised to see the captain's sword at the neck of the man who had struck him.
"You are not to touch him unless I say otherwise, is that understood?!" The captain's voice was firm and commanding. He held his sword like he knew how to use it. Fear shown in the eyes of the first pirate and he nodded shakily. That was the last he saw of him. In the next second a giant tidal wave smashed onto the deck of the ship.
The big pirate grabbed hold of a flailing rope that had snapped off the riggings before slipping too far. Duo, the Captain and the thinner pirate were all overcome at once and thrown to the side of the ship. Out of the corner of his eye, Duo saw as the thin pirate screamed mercy of the two great spirits before being swept over board. Duo slid on his side, not far behind him and didn't even have time to scream before he closed his eyes and fell over the side.
Abruptly he stopped falling, his own robes suddenly choking him. Opening his eyes, he was surprised to find himself staring at the side of the ship. He looked up to see the pirate captain holding onto the railings on the edge of the ship with one hand, the other holding onto the collar of his robes. "Are you alright, kid?!"
Duo swallowed, bringing a hand up to his collar and yelled back, "Just peachy!" The captain's lips twitched upwards for a second before looking back up. Two crew members had arrived and were helping to pull him back up. Once he got over the railing, he helped them pull Duo over. Duo shivered and let them help him.
He was already soaked to the bone and ready to agree with just about anything so long as they would let him back inside. One of the pirates held onto the other end of his `leash' and gave him a warning look while the captain spoke to the other man. Duo raised an eyebrow at him. What did that guy think he was gonna do? Run? Where?
The captain turned back to him, "Listen Healer, I need you to stop this storm now! Before we're all killed!" Duo glowered, he wanted to say he didn't have that kind of energy left but he had no choice. The captain was right, the hurricane was too fierce. They might not survive unless he did something.
The captain turned back to him, "Listen Healer, I need you to stop this storm now! Before we're all killed!" Duo glowered, he wanted to say he didn't have that kind of energy left but he had no choice. The captain was right, the hurricane was too fierce. They might not survive unless he did something.
"Alright! I'll do it, but you gotta get these ropes off me first!" The captain didn't even give it a second thought.
He turned to the man who was now holding onto his ropes and nodded to him, "do what he says!"
The man looked at him like he was crazy, "but sir..."
The man looked at him like he was crazy, "but sir..."
The captain growled, "I said now, damnit! Or do you want to die!" That seemed to change the pirate's mind because with a `no sir!' he began untying Duo's bindings. When they were all off, Duo suppressed the urge to rub his wrists. With the arms guards, the ropes weren't able to dig into his flesh but he still felt the impulse.
Now that his hands were free, the pirate backed away slightly. Almost as if afraid of him. A few of the men on deck who could spare a glance their way also began to look visibly uncomfortable. The captain only crossed his arms, "Ok Ecomancer, do whatever it is you have to do." Duo nodded and took a deep breath.
He looked out at the violently thrashing waves that were his handiwork for a few moments before he closed his eyes. Almost immediately a shimmering glow began to surround him. The glow grew in intensity and solidified into what looked like greenish-blue electricity. It crawled sluggishly about his body, over his skin and soaked robes, waiting for direction. The captain unfolded his arms slowly and took a step back. Some of the men on deck had now completely ignored their tasks and were staring agape.
Duo's eyes were closed tightly in concentration as he built up more and more power. He raised his arms above his head and the energy spiraled around his arms and shot upwards through his hands, into the sky. The white flashes of angry lightning blazed rebelliously, before surrendering to him. Greenish-blue bolts soon coursed through the clouds. The wind beat against him, almost as if fighting him and he stumbled briefly. He frowned in his concentration, whispering to himself, "Its not enough..."
He brought down one hand and the liquid electricity spilled onto the deck. It spread all around him as if searching, while men ran from it screaming, terrified. Finally the energy found the main mast and ran up it. The rest of it spread on the deck suddenly shot straight for the mast. The liquid electricity ran all the way up until it reached the top then shot into the sky. Thunder roared threateningly but the waves were beginning to calm.
Slowly, within only a couple minutes the sky began to clear. The dark clouds that had brought premature night, thinned and then disappeared completely. The soaked crew of the pirate ship stared in awe as the first sun they had seen in days appeared in the horizon like magic.
Now that his hands were free, the pirate backed away slightly. Almost as if afraid of him. A few of the men on deck who could spare a glance their way also began to look visibly uncomfortable. The captain only crossed his arms, "Ok Ecomancer, do whatever it is you have to do." Duo nodded and took a deep breath.
He looked out at the violently thrashing waves that were his handiwork for a few moments before he closed his eyes. Almost immediately a shimmering glow began to surround him. The glow grew in intensity and solidified into what looked like greenish-blue electricity. It crawled sluggishly about his body, over his skin and soaked robes, waiting for direction. The captain unfolded his arms slowly and took a step back. Some of the men on deck had now completely ignored their tasks and were staring agape.
Duo's eyes were closed tightly in concentration as he built up more and more power. He raised his arms above his head and the energy spiraled around his arms and shot upwards through his hands, into the sky. The white flashes of angry lightning blazed rebelliously, before surrendering to him. Greenish-blue bolts soon coursed through the clouds. The wind beat against him, almost as if fighting him and he stumbled briefly. He frowned in his concentration, whispering to himself, "Its not enough..."
He brought down one hand and the liquid electricity spilled onto the deck. It spread all around him as if searching, while men ran from it screaming, terrified. Finally the energy found the main mast and ran up it. The rest of it spread on the deck suddenly shot straight for the mast. The liquid electricity ran all the way up until it reached the top then shot into the sky. Thunder roared threateningly but the waves were beginning to calm.
Slowly, within only a couple minutes the sky began to clear. The dark clouds that had brought premature night, thinned and then disappeared completely. The soaked crew of the pirate ship stared in awe as the first sun they had seen in days appeared in the horizon like magic.
The line of energy to the mast thinned and then vanished. The energy in the hand that remained raised sparked as it cut off. The collective gaze of the crew then fell on Duo as his hand dropped back to his side and he collapsed.
-----------
Blackness surrounded him. Duo searched around himself for something familiar, something he could make out, anything at all but there was nothing. No sky, no ground, just the air. He knew this wasn't the darkness of night either. Even night had some life to it. Crickets singing, a cool wind, stars in the sky; something, but there was nothing.
`Am I dead?' He panicked and searched his senses, yes, he could still feel it. The Spirit of the Earth. The source of all Ecomantic power. Surely if he could still feel it he wasn't dead. But then..? Duo hugged himself and closed his eyes. This was all a bad dream. Maybe when he opened them again, he'd awaken. Maybe. `Oh gods, what's happening? Where is everyone? Quatre...'
-----------
He woke with a start. The thick blankets covering him suddenly became too hot and he kicked them off. He lay back with sigh as the slightly cooler air of the room hit his bare skin. It had been just a dre... `wait a second'. Duo sat up and looked around. He was in a large cabin, not his cell. The cell he'd spent days in, below decks on... on the pirate ship. A man was sitting at a desk across the room. He was looking at him.
"So, you're finally awake." he said.
-----------
Blackness surrounded him. Duo searched around himself for something familiar, something he could make out, anything at all but there was nothing. No sky, no ground, just the air. He knew this wasn't the darkness of night either. Even night had some life to it. Crickets singing, a cool wind, stars in the sky; something, but there was nothing.
`Am I dead?' He panicked and searched his senses, yes, he could still feel it. The Spirit of the Earth. The source of all Ecomantic power. Surely if he could still feel it he wasn't dead. But then..? Duo hugged himself and closed his eyes. This was all a bad dream. Maybe when he opened them again, he'd awaken. Maybe. `Oh gods, what's happening? Where is everyone? Quatre...'
-----------
He woke with a start. The thick blankets covering him suddenly became too hot and he kicked them off. He lay back with sigh as the slightly cooler air of the room hit his bare skin. It had been just a dre... `wait a second'. Duo sat up and looked around. He was in a large cabin, not his cell. The cell he'd spent days in, below decks on... on the pirate ship. A man was sitting at a desk across the room. He was looking at him.
"So, you're finally awake." he said.
Duo frowned, "who are you? and, not that I'm complaining but what am I doing here?"
The man stood and walked over to his bed. "Don't you remember what happened?" He sat down in a chair next to his bed and gave him a searching, half curious look. That's when Duo noticed he was naked.
He blushed furiously and pulled a blanket over his lap, "Where the heck are all my clothes?!" he sent a glare at the man sitting next to him.
The man raised an eyebrow, "Do you really not remember? You collapsed after calming the storm. I brought you to my quarters after that to give you time to rest. I'm a little familiar with the way your power works so I was sure that was all you needed. As for your clothes, they were completely soaked. I had to take them off." He looked over next to the door where Duo's robes were hung, "They've been dry for some time now."
The memories suddenly came flooding into his mind. The girl, the two pirates, the storm, the... He looked back at the man and was actually somewhat surprised, "You're the captain." The man nodded. "Then what am I doing in your cabin?"
The man raised an eyebrow, "Do you really not remember? You collapsed after calming the storm. I brought you to my quarters after that to give you time to rest. I'm a little familiar with the way your power works so I was sure that was all you needed. As for your clothes, they were completely soaked. I had to take them off." He looked over next to the door where Duo's robes were hung, "They've been dry for some time now."
The memories suddenly came flooding into his mind. The girl, the two pirates, the storm, the... He looked back at the man and was actually somewhat surprised, "You're the captain." The man nodded. "Then what am I doing in your cabin?"
The captain took a deep breath, "Well, really. By agreeing to calm the storm you saved the lives of my men as well as my... merchandise. The least I could do was save yours."
What was that supposed to mean? The captain seemed to understand the look on his face and explained, "After a spectacle like the one you pulled to calm the seas I almost had a mutiny on my hands. The men fear you, especially after they were fed all those lies about Ecomancers being followers of the Evil One by the members of the Burning Leaf. They wanted to kill you, still do. I had to bribe them with money, then threaten them in order to keep you alive.
"That's why I brought you in here. I couldn't trust anyone to look after you for this long. I may be a pirate but I consider myself at least a half decent man. I wasn't about to hand you over to them, never mind that you alone are worth more than all the slaves below decks. Though that's also something I had to keep reminding them." he added, finishing.
Duo sighed, tiredly. None of it surprised him. It was kind of sad but he was used to people trying to kill him. Fear of him wouldn't necessarily have been bad but fear made people stupid and hasty. He didn't want to know what pirates were capable of when they took leave of their senses. Still, there was something else. "How long was I asleep?"
What was that supposed to mean? The captain seemed to understand the look on his face and explained, "After a spectacle like the one you pulled to calm the seas I almost had a mutiny on my hands. The men fear you, especially after they were fed all those lies about Ecomancers being followers of the Evil One by the members of the Burning Leaf. They wanted to kill you, still do. I had to bribe them with money, then threaten them in order to keep you alive.
"That's why I brought you in here. I couldn't trust anyone to look after you for this long. I may be a pirate but I consider myself at least a half decent man. I wasn't about to hand you over to them, never mind that you alone are worth more than all the slaves below decks. Though that's also something I had to keep reminding them." he added, finishing.
Duo sighed, tiredly. None of it surprised him. It was kind of sad but he was used to people trying to kill him. Fear of him wouldn't necessarily have been bad but fear made people stupid and hasty. He didn't want to know what pirates were capable of when they took leave of their senses. Still, there was something else. "How long was I asleep?"
The captain chuckled and got up. He straightened the papers that were strewn over his desk, slipping them in a drawer before casually saying, "Almost two days."
"WHAT?!"
"WHAT?!"
The man nodded, still grinning. "We should be arriving in the Sank Kingdom shortly, assuming your storm didn't throw us too far off course. The recent cloudy nights have made navigation somewhat of a pain." He walked to the door and looked back at the bed, "I'll go find you something to eat. I'm not going to tie you up again but I suggest that you not leave my quarters to do something foolish while I'm gone. For your own good." With that, he left.
Duo fell back onto the bed with a thud. Two days. Quatre was not going to like that. He would've surely felt it... where ever he was. Depression threatened to overcome him but he shook his head and got out of bed. He would see them again, somehow. He walked across the cabin to get his clothes and got dressed. As he was tying the clothe belt around his waist, Duo noticed a bowl of fruit on the desk. He finished and walked over to the desk, grabbing an apple.
He took a bite and looked out the small porthole. He couldn't see the horizon but by the light he knew sunset was approaching. Taking another bite of his apple Duo sat back down on the bed and that's when he noticed his braid. Setting the apple down, he pulled the braid over his shoulder and winced inwardly when he saw it. The wind had blown several strands of hair out of it and it was a complete mess. He looked down to where it was tied and smiled when he saw the charm was still there.
For his fifteenth birthday Quatre had given him a silver ribbon. The Ecomancer's half turned rose leaf hung from it as a charm. When he'd asked what to do with it, Quatre had woven it into his braid. The charm hung from the tie at the end of his braid when he'd finished. It had been the perfect length. Now, it was pulled out in the wrong places and slipping out of others.
He was about to untie and re-braid his hair when shouting outside caught his attention and he turned to the cabin door just when the captain came bursting through. Duo groaned when he saw shackles in his hands. "It seems we've reached land a lot sooner than I thought, Ecomancer. I'll need to take you out of the room chained." he paused taking in Duo's exasperation and frowned. "It will make things a lot easier if you cooperate."
When Duo didn't move the captain nodded and walked toward him. Duo allowed himself to be chained. It didn't matter. It wouldn't have done any good to put up a fight with the only man aboard who'd been civil to him, and probably the only one willing to stand between him and a ship load of pirates who wanted to kill him. The shackles on his wrists were big enough to fit over the arm guards and like the ropes he'd been tied with before, the chains also came with something like a `leash'. He glared at *that* the entire time. When the captain was done Duo wordlessly got up and followed him out of the cabin.
On deck the crew was busy tending to their duties. Few noticed him but those that did looked at him with a mixture of fear and hatred, but steadily avoiding getting too close to him at the same time. Duo glared right back at them and refocused his attention on his new surroundings. It was indeed close to sunset and land was a couple miles away. Some of the slaves were already being led on deck, chained like he was, and lined up against the side of the ship where they wouldn't get in the way.
As the captain walked over to the helm, a short and chubby pirate ran up to him. "Captain, Sir. The crows nest has reported that the flags raised at the docks are not of the Sank Kingdom." The captain looked at him in alarm, "What did you just say?!" The man nodded, "Not of the Sank Kingdom, sir. They appear to be flags of the Roma Empire." The captain ran up to the edge of the ship, dragging a startled Duo behind him and took a spy glass out of his pocket. He looked out to the docks and cursed.
Turning around, he yelled at his crew. "We're in Roma waters! Raise the merchants flags! Get the slaves below decks, now! Helmsman, head to the northern docks!" Suddenly the main deck was full of men running to obey the Captains orders. Several pirates scurried to get the slaves below decks while others went about their own duties. The pirate next to the captain looked at him inquiringly, "Sir, why the northern docks?" The captains eyes shifted to Duo briefly before turning to the other man.
"The northern docks are part of a small fishing village near the border of the Sank Kingdom. I have friends there who won't ask questions and will even help us unload the merchandise. There is a small auction house in the village that does underground work after hours. It attracts many outsiders and will be a good enough place to rid ourselves of the merchandise before the Roma Guard finds us." he paused slightly, "If we tell them we have an Ecomancer, those of the Burning Leaf in town will help us."
Duo's eyes widened. "Are you insane?!"
Duo fell back onto the bed with a thud. Two days. Quatre was not going to like that. He would've surely felt it... where ever he was. Depression threatened to overcome him but he shook his head and got out of bed. He would see them again, somehow. He walked across the cabin to get his clothes and got dressed. As he was tying the clothe belt around his waist, Duo noticed a bowl of fruit on the desk. He finished and walked over to the desk, grabbing an apple.
He took a bite and looked out the small porthole. He couldn't see the horizon but by the light he knew sunset was approaching. Taking another bite of his apple Duo sat back down on the bed and that's when he noticed his braid. Setting the apple down, he pulled the braid over his shoulder and winced inwardly when he saw it. The wind had blown several strands of hair out of it and it was a complete mess. He looked down to where it was tied and smiled when he saw the charm was still there.
For his fifteenth birthday Quatre had given him a silver ribbon. The Ecomancer's half turned rose leaf hung from it as a charm. When he'd asked what to do with it, Quatre had woven it into his braid. The charm hung from the tie at the end of his braid when he'd finished. It had been the perfect length. Now, it was pulled out in the wrong places and slipping out of others.
He was about to untie and re-braid his hair when shouting outside caught his attention and he turned to the cabin door just when the captain came bursting through. Duo groaned when he saw shackles in his hands. "It seems we've reached land a lot sooner than I thought, Ecomancer. I'll need to take you out of the room chained." he paused taking in Duo's exasperation and frowned. "It will make things a lot easier if you cooperate."
When Duo didn't move the captain nodded and walked toward him. Duo allowed himself to be chained. It didn't matter. It wouldn't have done any good to put up a fight with the only man aboard who'd been civil to him, and probably the only one willing to stand between him and a ship load of pirates who wanted to kill him. The shackles on his wrists were big enough to fit over the arm guards and like the ropes he'd been tied with before, the chains also came with something like a `leash'. He glared at *that* the entire time. When the captain was done Duo wordlessly got up and followed him out of the cabin.
On deck the crew was busy tending to their duties. Few noticed him but those that did looked at him with a mixture of fear and hatred, but steadily avoiding getting too close to him at the same time. Duo glared right back at them and refocused his attention on his new surroundings. It was indeed close to sunset and land was a couple miles away. Some of the slaves were already being led on deck, chained like he was, and lined up against the side of the ship where they wouldn't get in the way.
As the captain walked over to the helm, a short and chubby pirate ran up to him. "Captain, Sir. The crows nest has reported that the flags raised at the docks are not of the Sank Kingdom." The captain looked at him in alarm, "What did you just say?!" The man nodded, "Not of the Sank Kingdom, sir. They appear to be flags of the Roma Empire." The captain ran up to the edge of the ship, dragging a startled Duo behind him and took a spy glass out of his pocket. He looked out to the docks and cursed.
Turning around, he yelled at his crew. "We're in Roma waters! Raise the merchants flags! Get the slaves below decks, now! Helmsman, head to the northern docks!" Suddenly the main deck was full of men running to obey the Captains orders. Several pirates scurried to get the slaves below decks while others went about their own duties. The pirate next to the captain looked at him inquiringly, "Sir, why the northern docks?" The captains eyes shifted to Duo briefly before turning to the other man.
"The northern docks are part of a small fishing village near the border of the Sank Kingdom. I have friends there who won't ask questions and will even help us unload the merchandise. There is a small auction house in the village that does underground work after hours. It attracts many outsiders and will be a good enough place to rid ourselves of the merchandise before the Roma Guard finds us." he paused slightly, "If we tell them we have an Ecomancer, those of the Burning Leaf in town will help us."
Duo's eyes widened. "Are you insane?!"
The captain frowned at him, "Silence. It may not be good news for you but that is none of my concern. Nothing changes the fact that I am a pirate and you are my slave." Duo frowned and looked away. No, nothing had changed but he couldn't help reacting to talk of alerting the Burning Leaf to his existence. He'd spent his entire life running from their assassins.
When he looked out at the land he could see they were already moving parallel to the coast. This kind of movement would definitely be suspicious to someone. They'd most likely be followed to the northern docks by the Roma Guard anyway. He could only pray that they would.
-----------
The moment they had arrived a messenger had been sent out into the village and within an hour, it seemed like every freaking member of the Burning Leaf in the continent had come out of hiding and surrounded the docks. They were easily identifiable in their black cloaks, the symbol of their cult woven over the breast. It seemed like *all* the `help' they were receiving was from people wearing these black cloaks.
Duo watched, his heart racing, as men in black cloaks helped the pirates herd all the slaves off the ship. Some of them loomed at him from under their hoods as they passed by. He looked down at his arm guards and cursed them for the first time. He stood out too much. In these clothes and with the arm guards he was unmistakable as an Ecomancer. He could almost feel the hatred and maliciousness of the people all around him.
The captain looked at him out of the corner of his eye as he pretended to be inspecting and supervising his men's work. "You won't have to worry about any of them until we get to the auction house, so calm down. I don't want you having a heart attack until I'm rid of you, understand?"
-----------
The moment they had arrived a messenger had been sent out into the village and within an hour, it seemed like every freaking member of the Burning Leaf in the continent had come out of hiding and surrounded the docks. They were easily identifiable in their black cloaks, the symbol of their cult woven over the breast. It seemed like *all* the `help' they were receiving was from people wearing these black cloaks.
Duo watched, his heart racing, as men in black cloaks helped the pirates herd all the slaves off the ship. Some of them loomed at him from under their hoods as they passed by. He looked down at his arm guards and cursed them for the first time. He stood out too much. In these clothes and with the arm guards he was unmistakable as an Ecomancer. He could almost feel the hatred and maliciousness of the people all around him.
The captain looked at him out of the corner of his eye as he pretended to be inspecting and supervising his men's work. "You won't have to worry about any of them until we get to the auction house, so calm down. I don't want you having a heart attack until I'm rid of you, understand?"
Duo glared at the man, "What do you mean `until we get to the auction house'?!?" This time the captain turned to look fully at him, "I already have a buyer set up for you, Healer, and it is none of my concern whether your new owner belongs to the Burning Leaf or not. If you understand what I'm saying."
Duo paled. The captain sighed, "I've had enough of this, Bruno! Where the hell are ya!"
Duo paled. The captain sighed, "I've had enough of this, Bruno! Where the hell are ya!"
The short chubby man from before came rushing at his captains call, "Sir?" he asked.
"I want you to take care of things. I'm taking the Ecomancer to the auction house, now."
The man stood up straight and nodded, "Yes sir!" With a slight tug to Duo's chain the captain began walking toward the side of the ship, where the Burning Leaf and the pirates were unloading the last of the slaves. Duo stumbled briefly but followed with a glare at the captains back.
"What was all that about??" He demanded.
"What was all that about??" He demanded.
The captain only glared, "By the Three Spirits, shut up! Speak when you're spoken to, slave!"
Duo's glare only darkened. "I'm sick of people calling me that! I am not a slave, damnit!" The pirate captain whipped around and punched Duo in the stomach with all his strength. Duo gasped and fell to his knees, doubling over.
Two cloaked heads shot up from behind them to see what happened. They watched for only seconds, facial expressions hidden under their hoods, before one whispered to the other, "later". The other nodded and they returned to their duties.
The captain cursed and picked him up. He walked down the gang plank and onto the docks where an open air carriage was waiting for him. He muttered a quick "auction house" to the waiting coachman and got in. He dropped Duo down onto one of the seats and immediately the carriage took off. The captain sat down just as Duo was sitting up... slowly. He hugged his knees to his chest and looked out at the village. It wasn't fear or sadness that he looked out at the town with, it was anger.
The captain sighed heavily. "You are the *last* Ecomancer I take on a voyage. The next might cost me my ship, if not my sanity." Without moving, Duo's venomous gaze fell on the pirate. The captain made a face, "No real offence Healer, but I'll be glad to get rid off you as soon as I can."
The captain cursed and picked him up. He walked down the gang plank and onto the docks where an open air carriage was waiting for him. He muttered a quick "auction house" to the waiting coachman and got in. He dropped Duo down onto one of the seats and immediately the carriage took off. The captain sat down just as Duo was sitting up... slowly. He hugged his knees to his chest and looked out at the village. It wasn't fear or sadness that he looked out at the town with, it was anger.
The captain sighed heavily. "You are the *last* Ecomancer I take on a voyage. The next might cost me my ship, if not my sanity." Without moving, Duo's venomous gaze fell on the pirate. The captain made a face, "No real offence Healer, but I'll be glad to get rid off you as soon as I can."
Duo barely moved when he replied, "Likewise."
----------
----------