Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Prophecy ❯ Torelle ( Chapter 6 )

Additional Warnings for this chapter: mention of suicide and NCS. Also, possible het crack pairing at the end (I haven't really made up my mind yet).
Author's note: Torelle was modeled slightly after the crown city Ero from the book “The Bone Doll's Twin”. If any of you out there haven't read this book, I strongly advise you to take a look at it. It's one of my favorites (first in a trilogy). The palace grounds were inspired by Haven of Valdemar fame.

 

-Glossary updated

 

Prophecy
By: Lotus-chan
Torelle

 

The Council chamber was a vast rectangular room. Large windows lined the walls on either side of the chamber near the high ceiling and from them hung ancient tapestries, lovingly cared for and preserved. The room was filled with old relics left behind by the last monarchy of Eco Vera, including the royal coat of arms that still hung from the ceiling behind the dais at one end of the chamber. Even the two identical thrones that belonged to the former Kings still sat side by side at the center of the dais; exactly as they were when last they had been used.

 

The former throne room had been left completely intact save for the V-shaped table that had been set up in front of the dais. The open end of the V faced the chamber doors so that the council members sitting behind it could receive its guests and conduct its business.

 

As a noble from Nishi walked out of the chamber, the ten people seated at the council table began to speak all at once.

 

“That pompous, self-absorbed fool thinks that we can make him human again? Bah! It's not our fault one of his ancestors was celestial.”

 

“I only hope he doesn't make trouble for the others…”

 

“He won't be any trouble after he performs the ritual.” Another interrupted, “they all understand things better afterward.”

 

“That's if he performs the ritual, Howard.” One of the men on the Celestial side of the V said. “The man may skip it out of spite.”

 

Howard smiled confidently at Quinze from the Ecomancer's side of the V. “The Spirits won't let him leave if he's a threat, you know that. Even if he makes it all the way home, they'll trouble his conscience until he comes back.”

 

Quinze scoffed, “you leave too much up to the Spirits. Where do you get off speaking as though you were the Oracle??”

 

“Silence, both of you!” said a middle aged woman two seats down from Howard. “We need to address the matters at hand. I believe Prince Barton should be our next guest.”

 

`Thank you, Azriel.' Howard mouthed to her from his seat. He pulled down his unique sunglasses slightly and winked at her. She rolled her eyes at him but smiled.

 

Howard sat back, exuding a good natured sense of satisfaction. He was the only man on the Ecomancer's side of the table, and he liked it that way.

 

“Heh, the `prince of fools' is back is he?” Quinze interjected again. “Does he honestly think we believe that cockamamie story he tells us every year?”

 

“Some of us do, Quinze.” Said a dark skinned older gentleman sitting next to him.

 

“Yes, Quinze. I think the boy is sincere. The faster he becomes King, the better it will be for all of us.” Azriel added.

 

“I think you're all daft.” Said an Ecomancer at the end of her side of the V. The Duchess Dermail was the oldest lady on the council. The title no longer belonged to her officially, but people still used it as a matter of respect. She was a woman in her early eighties with a heavily scarred face and modest clothes despite her affluent upbringing. She appeared frail but she was wise and there was a fire in her eyes and strength behind her voice that made her the most influential person on her side of the table.

 

The Duchess Dermail gave the approaching herald a sidelong glance, “The apple never falls far from the tree.” She said, her voice dripping with disdain.

 

The herald stopped half way between the table and the chamber doors, “The Crown Prince Heero Yuy, Heir Apparent to the throne of the Sank Kingdom.” The herald announced and stepped aside.

 

This announcement caused much commotion all along the council table as the prince entered. Duchess Dermail sat back in her seat slowly and raised an eyebrow at the boy as he walked up to the table with a confident stride.

 

The Prince was dressed in his ceremonial armor with a red velvet cape billowing behind him as he walked. The tradition of anonymity in Torelle meant the missing coronet was expected, but the Sank Kingdom crest missing from his uniform was not. In its place was the sunflower crest; the symbol of his mother's noble family.

 

“Prince Barton,” Duchess Dermail greeted with mock-courtesy as Heero bowed to the council table. “You make quite an impression today, on this first visit of the year on behalf of the Sank Kingdom. Unfortunately, the Oracle has not yet arrived from Belvai and until the council is complete we will not be holding formal audiences. Today's appointments are matters of screening and introduction only so I'm afraid that your… efforts to impress are wasted.”

 

A few members of the council frowned at the Duchess. `What manner of greeting is that?' Someone said under their breath. `He gets what he deserves,' another whispered too loudly.

 

Heero did not rise to the bait and addressed the former Sank Duchess with all the dignity befitting his royal title, “My greetings to the council on behalf of the Sank Kingdom.” Heero began undeterred. “I realize that my time is short today so it is my intention to make clear that this year I come to this council not as an envoy of the King but as an emissary of change.”

 

Heero paused as that seemed to cause a bit of a commotion among the council members.

 

`Change? What is he talking about?'

 

`It's treason, that's what it is.'

 

`Hush you old fool, you don't know what he wants yet.'

 

Heero waited patiently and as things began to die down, he continued. “The Sank Kingdom is in desperate need of change. The Gifted suffer everyday, and the King's policies only spread more fear and hatred…” Heero was interrupted when a pair of hands slammed down onto the table and a woman got to her feet.

 

Duchess Dermail stared at Heero for a long moment, then took her cane and slowly walked out of the chamber through a side door behind the thrones. When she was gone, Quinze and another council member got up and left, leaving seven out of the ten who were present when he entered.

 

----------

 

“I was originally in the cargo hold with the other slaves,” Hilde told Duo as she rode side-saddle beside him on Quatre's horse. Three days traveling together inside that carriage had made Duo a bit claustrophobic so he'd invited Hilde to ride with him for the last leg of the trip. They were following the carriage at a sedate pace, surrounded by Catherine's escort - who'd been threatened with bodily harm by Trowa should they fail to protect him.

 

Duo had ignored Trowa's over-protectiveness and slipped out of the carriage at the last village they'd visited. He was simply grateful for the chance to get some air but he was even more grateful that Hilde had gone back to treating him as she had when they first met. He'd worked hard to make her feel at ease around him and rid her of that reverent awe she'd so blatantly expressed when she'd first learned of his identity.

 

“They didn't take kindly to my instigating disobedience among the other captives, though.” She said with a grin. “My plan was to get everyone fired up enough to take over the ship but… when the pirates came down to investigate, one of the guys gave me up pretty quickly.” Hilde shrugged, “I guess I don't blame him, he was pretty scared. We all were.”

 

Duo was pretty surprised by her forgiving attitude, he wasn't entirely sure he would've felt the same. She smiled at him then, “In any case it allowed me to meet you. The pirates punished me with that lashing and decided to separate me from the group by throwing me into the brig with you.”

 

Duo nodded, “What about after that? How did you get away and run into Catherine?” he asked out of curiosity.

 

“I was among the slaves liberated by the Roma Guard that night at the auction house.” She said looking up at the sky with her eyes unfocused, as if she were seeing the events take place again in her mind. “They were able to keep the auction house from burning to the ground and we stayed there until the next morning. The Guard found us food and clothes and I found out their leader was actually the leader of the Imperial Guard! A guy with platinum hair… Milliard something or other…

 

“Anyway, he'd left that night for the palace to inform our King of what happened and returned the next day around noon with more help and supplies. He announced that His Majesty Treize sent us his regrets over the ordeal we'd been through and was going to provide us not only with compensation but with a ship that would take us back to the colonies.”

 

She gasped suddenly and looked again to Duo, “there was something else. During his announcement he asked us if any of us were Gifted or if there was anyone who knew anything about an Ecomancer that had been on the ship with us.”

 

Duo blinked in surprise, “how would he know that?”

 

Hilde shrugged, “I don't know but I'd been worried about you because I'd looked for you that night and that morning and couldn't find you. So I decided to go talk to him incase he knew more than I did. When I described you to him he got pretty upset and told me he'd seen you in a nobleman's carriage the night of the auction.”

 

Hilde paused and her gaze fell back to the mane of her borrowed horse. “I couldn't believe you'd already been sold. I was afraid I'd never see you again.” She looked back up at him curiously, “how did you get away?”

 

Duo's cheeks flushed with embarrassment and he tried to find something interesting around the side of the carriage. “My brothers rescued me...” He mumbled shortly. Duo noted several large structures in the distance and concluded they were nearly to Torelle. The palace was already visible as it towered over the other buildings, clearly the largest structure in the city.

 

Hilde smiled and ran a hand through her short hair absently, “must be nice to have such dependable brothers. They must love you very much.” It came out more wistful than she'd meant and managed to catch Duo's attention again.

 

“Hilde… why are you here? Why aren't you on that ship that was going to take you home?” he asked cautiously.

 

Hilde sighed, “because I don't have a home to go back to. My parents died of the plague and I was looking for a job in that coastal village when I was kidnapped by pirates. I was trying to make up my mind about whether or not to go back to the colonies when Lady Catherine arrived in the village that afternoon. It turns out that she takes a road that leads into that fishing village every year after her visits to Sank. I didn't even notice she was there until she walked right up to me inside the auction house where everyone was getting their things together.

 

“She said she'd seen me in a vision and that the Spirits had asked her to come get me. I didn't understand it at first but I had no real reason to go back to the colonies so I decided to accept her offer to become her attendant.” She smiled at him again, “though, I think I'm beginning to understand now.”

 

“Torelle!” A guardsman on the other side of the carriage announced, interrupting their conversation. Duo looked around and was surprised he hadn't noticed the city creep up on them. They were still in the outskirts but he could already see a distinct difference between this crown city and all the others he'd been to and that was that Torelle was clean.

 

The outskirts of the biggest cities were usually the places where the poor lived and were the most neglected parts of the city but here, the buildings were well kept, the passersby waved merrily as the Priestess' procession passed and the beggars, vagabonds, and unattended or orphaned children he often saw in his travels were conspicuous only by their absence. “I'd heard stories of Torelle but hadn't actually believed them…” Duo said looking around.

 

Raucous laughter spilled out from a tavern as they passed and people milled about the dirt road, going about their business. There was no garbage in the streets, and most notably, no stench of feces or farm animals even though Duo had seen plenty of slaughter houses and stables. As they got further into the city, the buildings went from wood to a combination of wood and stone bricks. The procession slowed as they approached the first of the city's ancient gates.

 

“Does Torelle have a sewer system?” he asked the guardsman who stopped next to him as they waited for passage into the city's upper rings. Duo hadn't thought so before, since Torelle was such an ancient city but now he wasn't so sure.

 

The guardsman smirked knowingly, “no, there's no sewers here. Torelle's too old. The council employs men to transport garbage out of the city once a week. There's a volcanic fissure two days ride from the city that separates Eco Vera from the Draconian Desert. We dump our garbage there. Any organic waste however, is buried and absorbed by the soil.”

 

“Absorbed?” Asked Hilde who'd been listening.

 

The guardsman nodded as the procession began moving again and they passed through the first of the city's defensive walls. “Torelle was built around the Atrium. All of that concentrated spiritual power is what makes Eco Verian soil so fertile, what makes our powers here twice as potent, and incidentally what keeps the city clean. The soil absorbs filth and burns it away.” He looked at Duo's arms pointedly, where his arm guards were hidden by long sleeves. “Kind of like how Healers burn away illness and poison from peoples bodies…”

 

“That would explain the dirt roads.” Hilde said looking around. It was true. As they passed through the next four city gates into the city's upper rings, there still weren't any paved streets. Duo noted that the closer they got to the palace at the center of the city, the older the buildings were and the more richly decorated. The nobles of Eco Vera had taken over the last two of the upper rings and even here, the homes had large gardens and the roads were left unpaved. These unpaved roads however were smooth and seemed packed as hard as stone from the sound of the horseshoes on the earth as their mounts walked. Duo doubted anyone ever had trouble traveling them even in the rain.

 

Hilde reached out to touch Duo's arm as they passed through the last gate and entered the palace grounds. A vast lawn lay spread out before him covered sporadically with ancient trees whose trunks were as wide around as he was tall. There were three dirt roads that branched off from the main road at the gate.

 

The one to Duo's left lead up to the palace which was an enormous, breathtaking structure made of white limestone. All along the perimeter of the palace were the ruins of a short gray stone wall topped with battlements and covered by vines and green moss. The walls were relics left over from a time long ago when the gifted were still uncertain that respect for the holiness of this location wouldn't keep invaders out.

 

The middle road lead to another gray stone structure that appeared to be the palace stables. This long two-story building was dwarfed by the palace and Duo was able to see that beyond the lawn that lay behind the stables was a small forest.

 

However, the road they had taken was the one to the right of the gate which lead to a cluster of several wide three-story buildings. These buildings encircled one much larger structure also made of white limestone that stood at half the height of the palace. Duo knew it immediately as the Temple to the Great Spirits and even if he hadn't, the symbols of their power decorating the outside of the buildings were unmistakable.

 

As the procession made its way between the outer buildings encircling the central temple, Duo and Hilde noted the delicate but beautiful architecture and the symbolic carvings on the walls. Carvings of stars blooming from vines like flowers, symbolizing the Gifted, growing beneath a sun which symbolized the Spirit creators of the Gifted - Earth and Outerspace - and the crescent moon which represented the dormant Spirit creator of the non-gifted. All of the temple buildings were covered in real vines as if lovingly embraced by the earth itself.

 

The carriage stopped at the front of the temple and he and Hilde dismounted as a group of clearly agitated temple priestesses dressed in white robes came running out of the front entrance. Catherine stepped out of the carriage to meet them and Hilde quickly excused herself so that she could join the other attendants in unloading her priestess's things.

 

Duo took pride as he watched Catherine reassure the psychic priestess's that she was alright. He'd given Catherine her last healing earlier today and as close as she had been to death, she held herself now as though nothing had ever happened to her. Absorbing that poison had been a long term drain on his powers but healing her in stages had proven just as effective as if he'd healed her all at once. Duo himself was finally beginning to feel normal again.

 

He blinked as he noticed that the priestesses were staring at him, “What?” He said, surprised.

 

Catherine smiled, “I told them about you, Duo. There's no telling how long the Spirits will wish me to remain High Priestess and if any of the other girls are promoted to the position they'll need to know who you are. Not to worry though, Quatre agreed that this is according to wishes of the Great Ones.”

 

The three priestesses bowed to him politely and that's when he noticed they and Catherine were dressed in the same white dress-robes. The only difference was that the three priestesses wore a white-gold brooch over their breasts in the shape of an eye with a large diamond as its pupil. Catherine wore one as well but hers contained a rare blue diamond, which was likely what identified her elevated station.

 

“Ladies,” Duo said bowing back to them in greeting but quickly grew irritated when they seemed stunned by it. Uh-oh, more hero-worship.

 

“What's going on?” Quatre said emerging from the carriage.

 

`Thank the gods,' Duo thought and immediately deflected attention from himself by rushing over to Quatre and shoving him toward the priestesses with a big grin. “Ladies, meet your new Oracle. This is Quatre Raberba Winner.”

 

While they oogled and fawned as though Quatre were a celebrity, Duo stepped back and went inside the carriage to get Trowa. `I'm going to kill you for this, Duo.' Quatre sent through their link.

 

Duo grinned as he stepped aside so that one of Catherine's attendants could get passed him with her luggage. `But what would your new fangirls think of their Oracle committing bloody murder in their precious temple?' he thought back at him, struggling not to laugh.

 

Duo pushed Quatre's irritated growl to the back of his mind when he noticed Hilde staring off into space and nodding. She blinked as she came out of her internal conversation and smiled at Duo excitedly, “Catherine says that she wants to escort you into the palace herself and that I'm to come with! Servants and attendants aren't usually trusted in the palace until they've served at least five years in the temple!”

 

Duo smiled as he helped her by grabbing a few things, “I guess that means Catherine trusts you.”

 

“More than that, it means the Spirits have accepted me here!” Hilde picked up her things and gave Duo a one-armed hug before rushing out. Duo shook his head, lately people were talking about the Spirits as if you could run into them walking down the street.

 

Duo picked up a few more things, looked up and noticed that Trowa was sitting on one of the pillows staring at his hand as if he'd just noticed it was attached to his wrist. “Trowa?” Trowa started and looked up. “You okay..?” Duo asked somewhat concerned. It wasn't like Trowa to space out like that.

 

Trowa's faced hardened. “Fine.” He said shortly, picked up their saddle bags and walked right passed him without another word. Duo stared after him with some unease and projected his feelings and these memories through the bond to Quatre. Whatever was wrong with Trowa, no one could sort him out better than Quatre could.

----------

 

In the center of the vast reception hall Dorothy lounged in a tall gilded chair like a queen on her throne. She'd removed all of Silvia's decorations, seating pillows and plush rugs, transforming the room into a cold and intimidating place reminiscent of her callous nature. As she toyed with the large diamond in the eye of her broach, it reflected sunlight in the eyes of the stable-hand who had been brought to his knees before her. He sat there sweating bullets, dwarfed by the `escorts' who stood guard on either side of him.

 

At that moment, the double doors at the front of the chamber were pushed open and a tall man strode confidently inside. His short, greasy black hair was pulled back away from a face he held high as he approached Dorothy. He didn't bother to hide the sneer that curled his lip at the sight of her, nor did he bow to her despite her elevated station. “Why was I brought here?” he demanded.

 

Dorothy straightened up in her chair and smiled at him. “Oh, I assure you Lord Septum, I'm about to make it worth your while.” She glanced at the stable-hand who cowered at the sudden unwanted attention. “Go on, tell him what you told me.”

 

The man swallowed loudly and bowed low to Septum from his place on the floor. “M-my Lord… there were three of them. Right before the attac… before the Lady Catalonia arrived, one of them came for the horses. I followed him out and saw the Ecomancer raise the earth to the second story window so that they could climb down and escape. I'd never seen anything like it! Then, I overheard one of them say where they were headed. T-they said the Lady Oracle told them to go to Eco Vera.” He paused at the confusion on Septum's face and lowered himself to the ground slightly as if in supplication, “p-please, my lord… that is all I know…”

 

Septum's gaze traveled back to Dorothy in anger, “what the hell is this? What is he babbling on about?”

 

Dorothy's confidant smile widened, “that is the vital piece of information you have been waiting for.” She glanced at the guards and waved them off. “Get rid of him.”

 

The stable-hand gave her a startled look, “M-my Lady? You said… you promised…”

 

She smiled gently at him, “not to worry, you will have my mercy. As promised.” She nodded to the guards who nodded back and escorted their charge from the reception hall.

 

Septum crossed his arms, “my time is valuable, my lady.” He said the last bit mockingly. “Explain yourself quickly so that I can leave.” Disgust for her dripped from his every word. The only reason he didn't attack and kill her outright was because everyone knew she was the right hand of the Sank King. Septum's hatred for the gifted was legendary and his support for the Burning Leaf was no secret. However, what few people knew was that he also led them.

 

Dorothy knew, and didn't care. She would use him to serve her purposes and he would obey her out of self interest. She'd known it from the moment he entered the room. “Those three people that man was talking about were the Vistarian Prince and his two eternal guardians.” She paused to enjoy the shock on Septum's face. “They were here to see the Oracle and got away just as I arrived. I want you to send your most skilled bounty hunters into Torelle to capture him. Silvia will have sent him there for the ritual. However, keep your assassins leashed. The Prince is more valuable to us alive than dead.”

 

Her arrogantly issuing orders to him seemed to snap him out of it. “If you think you can order me about like some servant, you are sadly mistaken! I ought to...” he was cut off by the sound of screams coming through the walls. Septum turned around in alarm as he recognized the voice of the stable-hand who'd just been taken from the room. The man howled again and then the screams abruptly stopped.

 

Septum turned back to Dorothy who trained him with a level stare. “The mercy of a quick death is all one can ask for in life. But I don't plan to give that mercy to any of my enemies.” Ostensibly still talking about the Vistarian Prince, it was still a subtle warning that was not lost on Septum.

 

He was angered that she thought he could be intimidated by such a display but he also became acutely aware of the fact that he was in the middle of the lion's den and with his soldiers outside he could not afford to upset her. Septum took a deep breath and said calmly, “how do you even know it was him? Have you any idea the number of fakes my people have captured and disposed of in the past few years?”

 

“And I will ask you, how would you know the real thing if you saw him?” she asked.

 

“The prophecy was obviously very vague in that respect,” he said, recovering his mocking tone. “All it says is that he'll be powerful and be protected by two guardians sent by the Spirits. Any ecomantic teenager with command of two or maybe even three elements traveling with two hired peons at his back could claim to be him.”

 

She smiled and picked up the ancient scroll that had been sitting on her lap throughout the entire conversation. “I hold in my hands a great treasure. It is an uncensored copy of the Vistarian Prophecy, possibly even the original. Herein lies a detailed description of the prince and his entourage and I assure you, that stable-hand's description of the three who were here before me matched perfectly.”

 

Septum was practically salivating at the mouth as he stared at the scroll. He couldn't help taking a step forward even as he attempted to restrain himself from snatching it out of Dorothy's hand. “Give that to me. I demand it.”

 

She laughed, “I'm taking this with me to Sank to place directly into the hands of His Majesty. However, I wouldn't have called you here and told you this much only to make you leave empty handed. I want you to capture the boy after all.”

 

“Well, hurry up! Tell me what it says!” He urged.

 

She delighted in making him wait a moment longer before she sat the scroll back down in her lap and answered. “The Vistarian Prince is a young man `with long brown hair and eyes like his mother's. He will be born a healer at the fall of his kingdom to a plague-ridden Queen and be rescued by two immortal guardians.'”

 

Septum looked flabbergasted. “That's impossible. Ecomancer's consider it rare for anyone to be born with two elementals. People aren't born with all four, it-it just doesn't happen! And there's no way his guardians are immortal!”

 

“Sure there is, I'm the one who cursed them.” She replied.

 

Septum stared at her agape. She sighed, “They were my guinea pigs. After all, I had to make sure the spell worked before I used it on myself. Their names are Trowa Barton and Quatre Raberba Winner, who I'm certain is the new Oracle. Unfortunately, the scroll doesn't mention the Prince's name and I never met the fool's mother so I don't know what her eye color was but do a little research and I'm sure you can find out. Regardless, I honestly don't think a sixteen year old male healer with long hair walking around with the Oracle is going to be hard to miss.” She finished sarcastically.

 

When Septum still didn't say anything, she rolled her eyes. “You said yourself the prophecy described him as powerful. Now that you know what to look for there's no way he can hide from the Burning Leaf anymore.” She felt satisfied as she watched a smirk crawl slowly onto Septum's face.

 

Of all things he could've been, the Prince was a healer. She almost laughed herself silly as she considered it. Unlike other gifted, healers couldn't hide what they were. They were compelled by the spirits to use their powers or go mad from the internal strain. If they had only known this in the past, they'd likely have had him already. Silvia had done a very good job of protecting the Prince's identity… but now she was dead and soon her beloved Prince would join her.

 

----------

 

As soon as Duo walked out of the carriage, one of the priestesses immediately liberated him of Catherine's luggage. Catherine took the opportunity to loop her arm around Duo's arm and once the group had gathered together, she lead them into the temple.

 

“There are a few things you should know as a Gifted on his first visit to Torelle.” She said as she waved a hand around the entrance hall of her great temple. The temple was beautiful on the inside, with long white columns, mosaic tile floors, and colorful frescos painted directly onto the walls.

 

“The Temple to the Great Spirits is the oldest building in Torelle, quite possibly the world. It was built shortly after the great Human-Gifted War and the palace was built soon after it when the gifted first settled this part of Eco Vera.” Catherine led them through several hallways and down an impressive set of stone steps to an area beneath the temple's first floor.

 

“As the city grew, the buildings that surround the temple were built in order to house the priestesses of the Order. When the Great Spirits first began calling their gifted children here for a yearly purification the priestesses realized that many humans began to show up in the hopes of participating. Most of the ones who came here did so in the hopes of triggering some latent or dormant ability in their mixed heritage and were disappointed when we told them they could not participate in the ritual without gifts.

 

“That's when the newest set of buildings were built a few hundred years ago. We created the Academy in order to teach the gifted how to use their powers, learn about their heritage and teach the humans who believe they are of mixed blood to tap into their ancestor's abilities in order to awaken them. Most of the members of the Council of Elders teach there.”

 

Catherine walked up to a set of wide stone doors and drew her free hand out. The heavy doors opened simultaneously to reveal a massive earthy underground tunnel. Torches were lit along the walls to illuminate their way. Duo's brows knitted together, “You're taking us to the palace through an underground passage? Why didn't we go through the front door?”

 

Catherine smiled, “because there is no front door. Not for the gifted anyway. There are many rules our guests abide by while they stay in Torelle for the ritual and here's the first: no human is allowed inside the palace.” She declared and began leading them through the labyrinth of tunnels. “The exceptions are human attendants and servants who have proven to be trustworthy after five years service in the temple, or those whom the Spirits reveal to me or the Oracle as acceptable,” she said nodding to Hilde who beamed.

 

“… and of course the human nobles who come to pay their respects to the Council of Elders. These are the ones who are lead through the front entrance of the Palace, Duo. All humans who do so are lead via escort through a part of the palace that has been sectioned off with locked doors and false walls so that the halls lead only to one place and that is the waiting room where they are seated and watched carefully before they are called into the council chamber. After they have conducted their business, they are lead outside by their escorts.

 

“Humans are never allowed to stay in the palace, instead they are given lodgings in the noble rings of the city where the council rents out empty mansions that belonged to the former nobility of Eco Vera. The gifted nobility are allowed to stay in the palace but any non-gifted servants are housed in the Academy dormitories. The palace has plenty of its own servants, gifted and human, who are assigned to each noble for the duration of their stay. That is why you're here.” She said turning to Hilde. Duo turned with her but barely acknowledged the joy on Hilde's face as she was told she'd be assigned to them when he noticed the steely look in Trowa's eyes and it suddenly came to him - Trowa was human.

 

Quatre seemed to pick up on that sudden realization through the link because he gasped lightly and glanced at Trowa who looked like he had finally had enough. “Priestess,” he said, interrupting Catherine and Hilde. Catherine looked at him curiously. “I've been putting up with your speech until now but I want you to know that I have no intention of being separated from Quatre or Duo. Despite your anti-human policies, either you allow me to stay with them or I'm turning around right now and taking my Oracle and my Prince with me.”

 

The torch above Trowa flared briefly as if disturbed by a draft and Catherine grinned secretively. “Oh, not to worry my friend. Do you think I would've brought you this far and said this much if I didn't trust you too? How could I not allow Prince Duo's divinely appointed guardian inside the palace? How could I not trust you when the Spirits themselves vouch for you?” Visibly placated, Trowa nodded once and Quatre smiled hooking his arm around Trowa's waist as they continued down the corridor.

 

“Now, what was I saying to you…? Oh, yes.” Catherine said, smiling innocently at Duo. “All of these measures are taken in order to protect the identities of the gifted nobles inside the palace. The secrecy may seem extreme at first but it is necessary and has protected the gifted for centuries.”

 

Duo looked at her suspiciously for a moment but eventually decided to let it go, “One question,” he asked. “If only the gifted are allowed to stay inside the palace then how is it the humans don't find out who's gifted simply by finding out who is allowed to stay and who isn't?”

 

“Because the humans don't know they're being separated.” Catherine responded. “Most of them prefer the villas in the noble rings anyway, and a few gifted rather like it there too and opt to stay there instead of in the palace by their own choice. If any human noble requests lodgings in the palace we simply give them some excuse.” She said shrugging. “That's also part of the reason why the council screens the new nobles before formal audiences. The psychics on the council are able to identify the gifted among the un-initiated and they are then explained the rules much the way I am to you.”

 

They came upon another set of stone doors which opened as they approached in response to Catherine's out-stretched hand. When the group stepped through, Duo had to hold back a gasp. Even the temple wasn't as richly decorated as the palace. The chamber they entered was vast but had no windows which Duo guessed was because they were still underground. The floor was a sea of black marble which crept up the walls that were covered in delicate draperies and elegant paintings with gilded frames. The columns that held up the ceiling were also made of black marble and were decorated with solid gold rings at their base and peak.

 

Catherine lead them up a flight of stairs to a special back entrance hall. The Gifted's Entrance Hall was a circular room with a dome ceiling that continued the theme of black marble and antique furniture from the chamber downstairs. There was a grand staircase that led to the upper levels and as they climbed up it, Catherine explained that from the entrance hall, you could find the kitchens, some servants quarters, a bath house and an exit to the gardens that wrapped around the base of the palace between it and the ruins of the gray stone wall he'd seen earlier.

 

They climbed several flights of stairs and passed many nobles and servants who all either nodded or bowed politely to Catherine and her entourage as they passed. Catherine waited until they were alone again before she continued to speak. “Another rule you'll see played out soon enough is that of titles. No matter what kingdom you are from and what titles you have there, in Torelle and while you stay in the palace all gifted are treated as anonymous nobility. You can be a Baron or a King and everyone will address you strictly as either `Lord' or `Lady'. This goes for servants as well as the gifted to each other. You only have formal titles in the council chamber when you address the Elders, or in private with the priestesses, and that is it.”

 

After a final flight of stairs Catherine lead them down a long hallway. “Most of the gifted prefer to use pseudonyms here to further help hide their identities but it's really up to the individual. Everyone who stays in the palace is sworn to secrecy anyway, but the gifted often use their pseudonyms if they go out into the city.

 

“It's taboo to ask personal questions unless they are welcomed and the gifted you meet will likely be evasive anyway, more out of habit and tradition than their taking offense so don't worry too much if you make a faux pas. Most of the gifted here are very understanding.”

 

`Gee, thanks.' Duo thought, raising an eyebrow at all the new customs he was expected to abide by. They turned right and the hallway dead-ended at a set of tall white double doors covered in intricate gold designs. The doors opened at Catherine's command and walking inside the room was like stepping into a white dream. The marble floors and columns here were white, and so were the carpets, the couches, and the cushions on the chairs of the antique dark mahogany furniture. The wall opposite them was nothing but windows framed with billowing floor length white curtains and the center of the wall held glass doors that lead out to a balcony with a stunning view.

 

“These are the Oracle's rooms.” Catherine said, watching as her guests walked inside and explored. “They were originally the Queen's private rooms before the Eco Verian monarchy fell. These are the only rooms on this floor. No one should come up this way save for the young man who always rents the King's chambers this time of year on the floor above you and he's a good lad. I assure you he won't disturb you.”

 

Duo wasn't even listening. He'd walked out onto the balcony and was stunned by the view. The balcony faced the back of the palace where he could see the small forest which was littered with the occasional hot spring pools. The city lay spread out in a series of rings beyond the small forest and the innermost defensive wall that protected the palace grounds. There were ancient trees sprinkled sporadically within the city, large enough to be seen even from this vantage point.

 

Duo ignored all of that however when he caught sight of a massive dome made of opaque glass sitting behind the temple. He felt Catherine come up beside him and follow his line of sight. “The Atrium,” she said unnecessarily.

 

Duo tucked a few loose strands of hair behind his ear as the wind bat at his face. “I couldn't even see it when we entered the palace grounds so I didn't think it'd be so… big.”

 

Catherine smirked knowingly, “wait until you see the inside.”

 

Duo turned to look at her fully, “when?”

 

Catherine brought her gaze back to his face and said, “not just yet. You have plenty of time and we should probably get you an audience with the council first. You never know how long the ritual will take and meeting the Elders is probably a bit more of a priority. Besides,” she started with a cynical expression, “after dealing with those old coots you'll probably need the peace of the ritual just to keep from killing one or two of them.”

 

Duo smiled sympathetically, “speaking from experience?”

 

Catherine smiled back, “you know it.” She paused, “I know you all would probably like some rest so I sent Hilde with another servant who knows the lay of the palace to get you a few things. Clothes, shoes, towels and other necessities. It shouldn't take long so the three of you can use the bath house downstairs whenever you're ready.”

 

She gestured back to the room, “The Oracle's chambers consist of this sitting room here, a drawing room, a private dinning room with it's own kitchen, a small throne room for holding private audiences, two bedrooms with antechambers, and a personal bath but it takes time to get the hot water up here since we can't pump water up to this floor and the Oracle never used it so it hasn't been serviced in decades. The bath house is more comfortable but if you or your brothers ever feel the need to use the private bath, you can call for a servant and they'll have it prepared.”

 

“Thanks but we probably won't need it.” Duo said uncomfortably. He hadn't been this pampered since he was five years old and still living with Silvia. Duo wasn't used to all the attention or the surroundings. He'd stayed in a few noble houses in the past when his skills had been called for by the wealthy but it didn't happen often and he'd certainly never been inside a palace before.

 

There was a knock on the open doors and Hilde came in with another servant carrying bundles of folded clothing. Duo walked back into the sitting room and Hilde placed the things she carried on a table to show him while the other servant went to see to Quatre and Trowa.

 

Duo was already smiling as he walked up to the table. All of the clothes were black. “I remembered what you wore on the pirate ship and found a few things like it.” Hilde said spreading out a few articles of clothing. Duo picked up a set of sleeveless Healers robes with silver embroidery around the V neck and at the hemming where the sleeves should've been. “They were all sleeveless though,” she said apologetically. Duo had previously confided in her his discomfort at having the armguards exposed and she had obviously remembered.

 

He smiled genuinely, “thanks, these are great.” And he meant it. Besides, he had to keep reminding himself that he was safe in this place. The gifted people here were so anal about who they let inside their palace that there was no way he'd be attacked here. He sorted through the clothes and found that despite being all black, the Healers robes were each cut and styled a little differently. There were different colored sashes, a pair of fuzzy slippers, sandals and some toiletries.

 

“I found a few things for Trowa too,” she said indicating the bundle of clothes still in her arms. “I'll be right back.” And she walked off in the direction of Quatre, Trowa and Catherine who were looking through the robes the other servant had brought for Quatre.

 

“Forgive me Oracle,” said the servant, “we weren't expecting Lady Silvia's successor to be… well, not to be female.” Duo glanced at Quatre as he picked up some gaudy outfit that might've belonged to the Oracle before Silvia. It was so ancient it looked like it should be boxed and catalogued. Duo snorted and when Quatre glared at him over his shoulder, he picked up a few things and made a hasty exit.

 

“Hey guys, I'm heading down to the bath house. See ya in a bit.” Duo said quickly while heading towards the door.

 

Trowa frowned, “I'll go with…” he started but was interrupted when Quatre grabbed his arm and shook his head.

 

Quatre sighed, letting go of his momentary anger at Duo and gave Trowa a look. “We're in the palace now. He'll be fine. He doesn't need us to hold his hand while he takes a bath, Trowa.” Duo's jaw dropped and Trowa glared at Quatre's sarcastic tone. That wasn't why Trowa wanted to go with him but he couldn't bring himself to bring up what Silvia had said to him.

 

`Thanks,' Duo whispered into Quatre's mind as he snuck out.

 

“It's to the left of the stairs in the entrance hall, Duo.” Catherine called to him with a smile in her voice.

 

--------

 

Duo cursed as water made it in between his skin and the gold arm-guards. This was one of the rare moments in his life where he'd been able to stay some place with indoor plumbing and he couldn't even enjoy it. He sat naked on a stool in front of a shower head washing his hair, and cursed again for not remembering to ask Quatre to take them off before he left.

 

He was the only person left in the vast shower room of the men's bath. When Duo had walked inside, he'd set his clothes down on the benches in the center of the large room and gone for one of the showers lined up against the wall. In front of him were several complimentary soaps and shampoos so Duo'd helped himself and begun washing when he realized there was something he hadn't taken off.

 

Because he always wore them he often forgot they were there but Quatre was usually around to get them off. “Not this time,” he muttered to himself bitterly as he leaned forward and let the spray wash out the soap and the filth from his hair. He hated getting these things wet while he was still wearing them.

 

There was an unexpected sound behind him. Duo shot up from his seat and pushed his long bangs out of his eyes. The reflexes he'd honed from years avoiding the Burning Leaf prepared him to lash out with his powers at the potential threat.

 

The nine year old servant boy blinked wide eyes at him from the benches where he was picking up the dirty clothes people had left behind. He bowed timidly to him, “welcome, m'lord.”

 

Duo almost laughed. He'd forgotten where he was. Then a thought occurred to him, “hey kid, do you happen to be telekinetic? I need help taking these off.” Duo said and gestured to the arm-guards. The boy stared at the arm guards incredulously, then at Duo's face and back again as if trying to determine whether or not they were fake and Duo was yanking his chain.

 

Duo was used to people reacting to him that way and didn't think much of it. Rather he sighed inwardly, `I hope this kid doesn't freak out and call me a fraud or something. I've had enough of that to last me a lifetime.' He reached over to turn off the water and grabbed a white towel to wrap around his waist while the boy made up his mind. Duo's nonchalance finally seemed to snap the boy out of it, “…no, m'lord. My gift is telepathy. Oh! But the master I serve is telekinetic, he's in a private bath. I'll ask if he can help you.”

 

“No wait, you don't have to…” Duo trailed off when he saw it was too late. The kid had closed his eyes and was obviously not there any more. He sighed and wrung his hair out deciding that he didn't mind disturbing someone else's bath one bit if it would get these things off his arms long enough for him to enjoy a hot soak.

 

Duo pulled another towel off the shelf and began towel drying his hair when the boy opened his eyes and smiled at him. “My master would be delighted to be of service to you, m'lord Healer. Please follow me.”

 

Sighing in relief, Duo picked up his clothes and followed the boy down a well lit corridor. The hall was flanked on either side with sliding doors and he could hear people talking or laughing boisterously behind them as he passed. The servant boy took a left down another corridor marked `Private' and passed several quieter rooms until he reached the right one.

 

The young servant boy stood to one side, slid the door open and bowed him inside. Duo walked in and was breath taken. The room was luxuriously decorated and furnished in warm colors and dark wood. On a finely carved side table was a crystal pitcher of cold water with glasses and an array of fruit, on another table lay extra towels and a second set of neatly folded clothes. There were lounge chairs and sofas, even a hammock hanging from hooks on the ceiling. The entire anterior wall was missing. For that reason he was able to see the steps that led down to the fenced-in outdoor hot spring.

 

But that was nothing to the man standing on the last step, soaking wet, still tying a far too small towel around his waist. Duo's mouth went dry. Suddenly he couldn't tear his gaze away. The other teenager looked about his age with deep cobalt blue eyes and short brown hair that curled at the ends so becomingly when wet. Duo followed a drop of water with his eyes as it fell from a lock of hair to run down a smooth, muscular chest. He tried to swallow with no avail; he was suddenly very thirsty…

 

To his credit, he wasn't the only one staring. The other teen had been frozen on that last step, fumbling with his towel from the moment Duo had entered the room. His gaze seemed to be following a similar pattern. After several awkward seconds, the stranger finally got his towel tied and seemed to find his tongue, “…may I help you?”

 

Duo gave himself a mental slap, “ah… yeah. Your servant said you were telekinetic?” he asked feeling suddenly and inexplicably insecure. Duo dumped his clothes and the towel he'd dried his hair with on the nearest table and showed him the arm-guards.

 

Heero's eyes widened, “you're the healer?” he asked with a bit less grace than he'd intended. He winced inwardly. “I mean, when Toshi said there was a healer who needed my assistance well… there's only one male healer in Torelle.” He said walking up to Duo.

 

“Oh,” Duo replied, struck with an inexplicable sense of disappointment. “So you thought I was him. Sorry to disappoint.” He said wearing a manufactured, apologetic smile.

 

Heero heard the disappointment in his voice and was struck with a fierce need to sooth it. “Far from it,” he said taking Duo's hand. He lifted the arm and set his hands under and over it. “I am… pleasantly surprised. You must hear this a lot but achieving the Healer's gift this young is impressive. It gives me hope for my own abilities. Are you by any chance here to fill the vacant council seat?” There was a click and the guard fell open into Heero's hand. He closed it and handed it back to him.

 

Duo took it and struggled to keep the blush from his face. He'd been complimented for his powers many times before but it had never made him feel like this. Heero lifted his other hand and Duo remembered to reply, “no, I'm here to see the council but not about the vacancy. Besides, it's the Council of Elders. I don't think I qualify.”

 

Another click and the arm guard fell into Heero's other hand. As Heero handed it back to him Duo noted the gold ring on his finger. It was a seal; a family crest with a sunflower on it. `He must be a noble,' Duo thought.

 

“Don't be so sure.” Heero said, “The only requirement to joining is to have achieved all four of your powers and to have the blessing of the Spirits. They're all elders because that's usually how long it takes.”

 

Duo smiled secretively, “somehow, I don't think that's in my future.” He held the arm guards against his chest and bent to pick up his things. “Thanks for the help…”

 

“Wait,” Heero interrupted. Duo looked up and a long lock of wavy hair tumbled over his shoulder. Heero swallowed nervously, “why don't you join me?” he asked gesturing to the hot spring pool outside.

 

`Yes!' His mind screamed. Embarrassed by his own internal reaction Duo couldn't stop the rising blush, “this is a private bath, I thought you might want your privacy…”

 

“I'd much rather have the pleasure of your company.” Heero replied with a small but genuine smile. A smile that felt alien on his face, as though he were using muscles he didn't even know he had. It'd been so long since he'd had something to smile about that he'd almost forgotten how. Silvia was the only other person who could elicit that sort of reaction from him and it made Heero curious about Duo and unwilling to let this chance encounter end too soon.

 

Heero noted the blush on the other man's face as he smiled back and set the arm-guards down on the table with his clothes. It made his heart skip a beat. He was staying! The smile on Duo's face quickly turned into a grin however, “well, if you insist how can I turn you down?” he said walking over to the stack of towels and taking one, “after all, I know how irresistible I can be.” He threw over his shoulder playfully and started walking for the hot spring.

Heero smiled wider and muttered under his breath, “you have no idea…” He grabbed a dry towel and followed Duo outside. To Heero's regret, Duo had wrapped all of that lovely hair into his dry towel and lifted it above his head like a turban. He'd looked so beautiful with his hair down…

 

Heero realized he'd accidentally said that last bit out loud when Duo threw him a questioning look as he eased himself into the hot water. “Oh, nothing…!” Heero said scrambling for something to say to deflect attention away from the slip, “… I just realized I hadn't introduced myself.” He said quickly and followed Duo into the water.

 

The water reached up to waist level on their side of the spring but there were several smooth rocks to sit on and once seated it brought the water comfortably up to just below their shoulders. “My name is Heero Yuy, I am a son of the Yuy Noble House and nephew to the Duke of Kaigan of the Sank Kingdom.”

 

Duo froze as chill went up his spine. He'd never met anyone from the Sank Kingdom who hadn't wanted to kill him. He suddenly became very aware of the fact that he was in a private bath, alone and half naked with a guy he didn't even know, who was from Sank of all places. `Calm down, Duo. You've been able to talk your way out of situations like this before. Besides, maybe you're jumping to conclusions. He's gifted… he may not be like the others.' But there was a cynical voice inside his head that was screaming otherwise.

 

He conjured up the fakest smile he'd ever made and replied conversationally, “that's pretty elaborate for a pseudonym.” `See? Just bullshit conversation. Nothing's wrong. Everything's fine…' he was trying not to panic.

 

Heero grinned conspiratorially, not the least bit the wiser to Duo's internal freak out. “Who says it's a pseudonym? Maybe it's my real name.” In truth, it was both. Heero had been using the surname `Yuy' ever since his first visit to Torelle when he was ten. That was the year he and Wufei had learned that their father had murdered Wufei's mother. The year that his passing dislike for his father had become full blown hatred.

 

He began using his mother's name as a way to rebelliously mock his father behind his back. He hadn't intended to actually change his name until recently. So by taking his mother's name he'd made the pseudonym real.

 

There was a pause and Heero raised an eyebrow, “…and you are..?” he prompted.

 

Duo jerked nervously, “oh, um… My name's Duo Maxwell. Just your average traveling healer.” He said with another fake smile that would've convinced even Quatre… he hoped.

 

Heero paused and the small smile on his face dissolved. He looked at Duo curiously for a moment before he seemed to make his mind up about something. “Is this your first time in Torelle?”

 

That threw him, “what? How'd you know?”

 

Heero seemed to nod to himself. “Don't misunderstand, I'm not offended but… you might want to think about choosing a different surname while you stay here.”

 

Duo groaned, `Did I really just give him my real name? What the hell's wrong with me? Wait…' “Why? What's wrong with Maxwell?” he asked suddenly defensive.

 

Heero looked at him, frowning curiously, “you honestly didn't know? Maxwell is the surname of the former Vistarian royal family. Its taboo to use the surnames of royalty for your pseudonyms and some people from Sank find that one in particular, offensive.”

 

`Oh, shit!' He hadn't realized he'd been so obvious. For one panicked moment he thought back to all the people he'd introduced himself to in the past. Everyone who knew his name could be a potential threat. Then his mind screeched to a halt as rationality struck. “Is… that commonly known?”

 

“No, not commonly but you can expect the nobles staying in the palace to know.” Heero replied.

 

Duo gave him a shrewd once over. Heero didn't seem to have had an epiphany about him or put `two and two together' yet. He seemed to be assuming that `Duo Maxwell' wasn't actually his real name. Maybe there was hope. “What if I wanted to keep it?”

 

Heero shrugged. “Then I say anyone who doesn't like it can stick it up their asses.” There was a tiny grin forming on Heero's face after that comment that intrigued the hell out of Duo. “You can do as you please here, that's part of why I love Torelle so much. People make these unwritten rules about things and then forget to think for themselves. I can admire a person willing to rebel against the status quo.”

 

Duo felt himself relaxing again. Heero didn't seem like such a bad guy, for a Sankan. “Then why did you suggest I change it?”

 

Heero shrugged, “I didn't know if it would matter to you.” He paused, “So where are you from?” he asked, changing the subject.

 

Duo was suddenly uncomfortable. He toyed with the idea of making something up but in the end realized he wanted to be honest with his new friend. “I was born in Vistaria but grew up in Roma. I left Vistaria when I was a baby and we've only been back a couple times since.”

 

Heero smiled wistfully and leaned back against the smooth rocks. “It must be nice to have that kind of freedom. To be a traveler, go where you please, when you please.”

 

Duo looked at him oddly, “but surely a nobleman from Sank would have the means to do the same and more frequently and comfortably at that.”

 

Heero shook his head regretfully, and said not a little bitterly, “My… father has me on a short leash. I'm his heir but he doesn't trust me and rarely ever allows me to leave the country. This,” he said gesturing to everything around him, to Torelle itself, “is the exception. One I wouldn't have had if it hadn't been for the Oracle.”

 

Duo considered that as he sank into the water a little more, “maybe he's only trying to protect you. At least he lets you come for the ritual.”

 

Heero scoffed and turned away slightly, glaring at nothing. “My father,” he said, spitting the word out with venom, “cares for no one but himself. He considers me merely as a means to an end. I was born because he was expected to produce an heir but he was never a father to me. And as for the ritual? If he knew that I was gifted, he would kill me without reservation or remorse.” He turned back to Duo, anger still coloring his words, “the palace has always been my gilded prison, I leave it only as an envoy of peace to the Council from Sank.”

 

“You live in the palace?” Duo said in amazement.

 

Heero cursed inwardly for the slip. What was wrong with him today? He rubbed his eyes with the heels of his palms and pushed his hands back through his hair. The heat from the hot spring must be affecting him. “I'm sorry, I shouldn't have unloaded like that on you. I… my family is one of the noble houses in residence at court in the palace. The Oracle was responsible for making me Sank's envoy. She must've known I was gifted and did it to help me…” Which was again the truth… just not all of it.

 

Duo sat next to Heero for a quiet moment, digesting that. He hadn't had it easy in life but at least he could say that he had a family who loved him. It looked as though Heero had experienced that in reverse. Everything he could possibly want or need as the nephew of a Duke but apparently missing the love and support of his parents… which led Duo to realize something. Heero had introduced himself as the son of `a noble house' instead of giving him the names of his parents. Duo'd met enough nobles in his travels to know that they only introduced themselves in that way if their parents were dead or out of a desire to disassociate themselves from them and he wondered which if not both applied to Heero.

 

Heero seemed to come out of his bitter musings and turned back to Duo with a gentler tone, “What about your family? What are they like?”

 

Duo smiled, “Quatre and Trowa are my big brothers. I… lost my parents when I was young so they took me in and raised me.”

 

“So you're not related?” Heero inquired.

 

Duo shook his head, “no, but it doesn't make a difference. They've been there for me my whole life. I'd do anything for them.” He said with a smile.

 

Heero smiled back and breathed in deeply. He was starting to feel light headed and thought now might be a good time to get out of the water, he'd already been in the bath a while before Duo had arrived, but he didn't want this conversation to end. So he climbed the short rock wall of the pool until he was sitting on the edge of the hot spring, his feet dangling in the water. Duo's face went beat red when Heero's new perch on the edge of the spring gave him an unobstructed view right up that wash cloth Heero was trying to pass for a towel.

 

Heero gave him a concerned look as he watched Duo's face do a slow burn. “Maybe we should both get out for a while, you don't look so good.”

 

Mortified, Duo nodded and made a bee line for the steps. Heero followed him back into the antechamber and went to pour them some cold water from the glass pitcher. When Heero turned around his heart did a little skip in his chest. Duo had pulled his hair out of that ridiculous turban and it lay spread all around him as he fanned himself on a lounge chair.

 

`Gods but he's beautiful…' the words crept unbidden to his mind and surprised him. He'd never felt attracted to anyone like this before. That realization was both frightening and thrilling. Heero pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind before he got carried away and walked the short distance to the lounge chair beside Duo's. The last thing he needed was for his new friend to catch him standing there unabashedly checking him out.

 

He sat and handed him the glass. “Do you ever wonder what your real family was like?” he asked after watching Duo drink for a moment. He didn't know if this was a touchy subject for Duo but he couldn't help wanting to find out more about him.

 

Duo swallowed one last satisfying gulp and considered how to answer that, “Quatre and Trowa have always been my only family but… recently I've discovered more about who I am and where I come from. That's kinda why I came here…” `Duo… what the heck are you doing? Shut the hell up!' his mind screamed.

 

“Oh?” Heero replied.

 

Duo promptly told that little voice of reason in his head to shove it. He didn't have to go into detail and he'd certainly never had anyone to talk to about this except Quatre and Trowa and they didn't understand. His brothers thought his `new' (it certainly felt new to him) status was something he needed to suck up and accept. Something he had to get used to and get on with but… even though he'd told Silvia on her death bed that he accepted his new identity, it was still difficult for him to reconcile the image of this legendary prince that even he'd grown up hearing stories about… as being himself.

 

It still felt unreal, as if everything that had happened since he'd learned he was the Vistarian Prince had all been part of some twisted, messed up dream. He looked back into Heero's inquiring face and realized he needed someone to confide in and he wanted Heero to be that someone.

 

“My parents left me some unfinished business to take care of,” he began vaguely. “Turns out that now that I know more about my family, I've inherited a lot of responsibilities and as much as I'd love to go back to when I was living my life as a traveling healer, I know those days are over.” Duo sat up and leaned his elbows on his knees, holding the glass of cool water in both hands. “The truth is… I feel overwhelmed. There's so much I need to do and I don't have the slightest idea where to begin.”

 

Duo lifted his gaze from the glass and was relieved to see understanding if not, curiously, empathy reflected back in Heero's eyes. He didn't seem at all surprised or miffed with Duo's vagueness - which was a great relief. Maybe it was even expected. They were in Torelle Palace after all. But even that small bit of empathy seemed to help lift a heavy weight from his shoulders. Something was telling Duo deep inside that here was someone who understood, who could even relate.

 

Before he even realized it, a small relieved smile found its way onto his lips. “Anyhow, my brothers and I decided it was probably best to see the Oracle about it. She's the one who sent us here.”

 

Heero nodded in understanding, “probably to perform the ritual, things tend to come into focus…” but Heero trailed off as mention of the Oracle caused a half forgotten memory to shoot itself to the forefront of his mind. He'd been running, had barely seen his face for more than a second but had much longer to stare at him from behind. That long hair had been braided. That's why he hadn't recognized it! “You…! I saw you at the Oracle's temple!” Heero declared suddenly.

 

Duo's eyes widened as recognition dawned, “you're the guy in the armor!” But how? He remembered a strange power coming off of Heero when they'd crossed paths. He'd never forget it because it had blown his mind that it was something even a psychic as powerful Quatre hadn't been able to feel. But why couldn't Duo feel it now?

 

That's when he realized that he did. It was a low thrum of energy that had been subconsciously fueling his desire to get physically closer to Heero this entire time. It must've been lying just beneath his senses at the back of his mind from the moment he'd entered the room. He could tell that Heero felt it too when he reached out a tentative hand and touched Duo's bare arm.

 

Duo hadn't reacted at all the first time Heero had touched him but now that he was aware of this energy… a strange, electric warmth spread throughout his body from the point at which Heero was touching him and he shuddered. It wasn't sensual per se but there was comfort and trust in that sensation. Attraction was also in that touch in every sense of the word. That's when Duo realized he could hear someone whispering inside his head as though through the link in his bond. At first he thought it was Quatre but when he probed their bond, Quatre was silent. That's when a crazy thought occurred to him and he glanced back at Heero incredulously. No, Duo was already bonded, that was impossible. Heero was just telepathic. He had to be telepathic.

 

Heero choose that moment to pull his hand back and looked at it as if he'd never seen it before. Duo blinked and the whispering stopped. He was about to ask Heero about his powers when Heero cut him off. “Silvia.” He said suddenly. “How was she when you left her? Did … were you there when she…?” He couldn't finish it. Heero was suddenly overwhelmed. The voice he'd just heard in his mind like a whisper from far away, this odd… attraction, the thought that here in front of him might be the one person who'd been the last to see Silvia alive.

 

Heero fisted the hand he was suddenly glaring at and lifted his gaze to Duo's eyes, “Did she die with dignity?” He asked tightly.

 

Duo looked into his eyes and nodded. He didn't have to ask whether or not Heero was close to her. The way Heero referred to her so informally, by her first name and without title… no, just the look on his face would've said it all. “I was there.” He began, breaking the promise he'd made to keep the circumstances of Silvia's passing quiet. It was obvious Heero already knew.

 

“Silvia died before they got to her. She passed on the Oracle's gift to Quatre and we left with them right on our heels. I only regret we weren't able to take her body with us.” It had turned to dust seconds after he'd said his goodbyes. They'd simply not had the time to go back for it once the soldiers had reached them.

 

Heero took a deep breath and seemed to physically deflate as he let it go. “I wanted to protect her…”

 

“…but she wouldn't let you.” Duo finished. He knew because she hadn't let them protect her either.

 

Heero looked at him curiously, “how did you know her?”

 

Duo swirled the water in his glass, a token distraction. “She was like a mother to me.” He admitted. “I was raised in her temple until I was five. That's when she gave me my first set of arm guards and I began to travel.”

 

Heero frowned curiously, “I wonder why she never mentioned you…” but then, the Oracle knew many people. It wasn't so difficult to believe. “My relationship with her was the same,” he said when he could see the question in Duo's eyes. “My own mother died giving birth to me. Silvia visited Sank often and was the only real parent I ever had.”

 

They were silent a moment before Heero reached for Duo's hand. When they touched, that same strange energy hummed along his senses. It made him feel warm and comforted. So he reached out with his other hand experimentally and held Duo's hand in both of his. His heart sped up and he realized the more they touched, the better/stronger it felt. Heero looked up to gauge Duo's reaction but Duo was already bringing his other hand to place in Heero's.

 

Duo's eyes were half-lidded and there was a barely perceptible blush beneath rare violet colored irises. Heero peered longingly into that face, his eyes traveling to those flushed lips, and realized he desperately wanted to kiss them.

 

“Maybe Quatre can make some sense of this strange energy.” Duo mused, interrupting Heero's train of thought.

 

Heero realized he'd already started leaning forward and quickly leaned back, somewhat embarrassed by his lack of self control. He reluctantly pulled his hands away and nodded, “Maybe…” he was relieved to see Duo hadn't noticed.

 

Duo's gaze found the darkening sky and he sighed, “I should be getting back.” He gave Heero an apologetic smile, got up and walked towards his pile of clothes.

 

Heero felt suddenly empty as Duo walked away. He was leaving… and Heero knew that he had to see him again. “Duo?” Duo raised an eyebrow as he pulled up a pair of pants underneath the towel still tied to his waist. “Are you free tomorrow?”

 

Duo smirked and he slipped into his healers robes, “maaaybe.”

 

Heero smiled and walked over to him. He opened up the arm guards as Duo was tying on the sash and said, “because I'd like to give you the grand tour. You said you were new in Torelle Palace and this place is a labyrinth.”

 

“I'll have to make sure I have room in my busy schedule,” Duo replied haughtily, the smirk on his face betraying him completely.

 

Heero suppressed a laugh and held up one of Duo's hands. Duo's smirk crumbled slightly as Heero closed the arm guard around his forearm. His touch sent a small tingling sensation through him that had little to do with the mysterious power from before and everything to do with his libido. After Heero replaced the second arm guard on Duo's other forearm, he took the hand he was holding and gently pressed his lips against the knuckles. Duo shivered.

 

“Meet me at the entrance hall tomorrow at noon?” Heero asked, his lips still so close to Duo's hand that he could feel Heero's breath against his fingers.

 

“Yes,” was Duo's breathless answer.

 

---------

 

She was lying in a pool of her own blood. The rich silks of her layered dress forever stained a deep red clung wetly to her dead body as she lay there on the floor as though asleep. Wufei felt a stab of guilt when his lieutenant lifted the bloodstained sheet to reveal her face. He'd known it would be her. He also knew he was partially responsible for this and he would carry that weight on his soul for the rest of his life. “That's enough,” he said solemnly.

 

Lieutenant Essex nodded and covered her back up. “Her wrists were slashed, Captain.” The man said reaching for a bundle of white cloth. He opened it to reveal a bloody knife. The kind provided with utensils during meals. “This was still in her hand when we found her. We also found two letters. One addressed to Lady Helen and the other to His Highness.” The lieutenant pulled them out of a pocket in his uniform and handed them to Wufei.

 

The letters were sealed with wax and stamped with the design of her family crest. `Damnit,' Wufei thought, looking at the concubine's one final defiance. `She's not supposed to have this.' All of the concubines given to either the King or the Prince were treated as possessions of the crown unless one of them was chosen as a bride. Only then did her heritage matter and even then, she was never given a seal. Such things defined authority that women in the Sank Kingdom did not have. It would take something rare and drastic to give a woman of this country the authority to carry one.

 

“Did you find the seal?” Wufei asked, trailing a finger over the Bellflower crest.

 

“No, sir. We're still…” he was interrupted when another guardsman came rushing out of the concubine's bedroom.

 

“We found it, Captain.” The man said and handed Wufei a small chess piece. It was a White Queen.

 

Wufei turned it over and sure enough, on the bottom was the seal. Clever… “Good work,” he said to the man who saluted and went back to his duties. Wufei pocketed the seal and turned back to his second in command, “make sure the men search her rooms thoroughly. If she had a seal, she may also have had other possessions with her family crest still on them. I need them found and destroyed. As for these,” Wufei said holding up the letters, “they don't exist.”

 

Lieutenant Essex nodded, understanding Wufei's motivations. The girl's family were allies to the Prince's secret rebellion. By destroying those possessions she shouldn't have had, they would be protecting her family from scandal and shame. The girl had been a gift to Heero from a former Vistarian noble. All of the Vistarian nobles who hadn't fled or been killed during the attack sixteen years ago had tried hard to assimilate themselves into the Sank nobility.

 

Barton had accepted them for the sake of keeping the new `Vistarian Province' of Sank stable but they were generally ostracized and held in poor favor. It was no surprise the girl had ended up here if her family had been desperate to curry favor with the crown. As he pealed off the wax and opened the letters, Wufei considered how difficult it must've been for her family to give her up when Vistaria had been all but matriarchal for hundreds of years.

 

“I have the men searching all the rooms for more weapons and contraband. I also interviewed the other twenty six ladies,” Essex began, “and was especially thorough with Helen, who discovered Lady Risa, and the other two from Vistaria after I saw the crest on the letters in case they were hiding the seal. They all said the same thing.

 

“They were all concerned with how withdrawn Lady Risa had become but no one knew she had a weapon. She spoke of death occasionally but it didn't raise too much alarm because all of these ladies are depressed, and not to mention deathly frightened of His Majesty.” He said the last with a bitter tone that wasn't missed by anyone within hearing distance. “This was Lady Risa's third rape in as many months…”

 

“I know,” Wufei said tiredly, lifting his gaze from the letters. “I was the one who posted the guards outside the King's quarters when he asked for her a week ago.” The way Barton had tried to converse conspiratorially with him about the harem's security the moment he learned Heero wasn't here to protect them still made his skin crawl. Even going so far as to suggest Wufei take one of them for himself for a night. It had been difficult not to give in to his baser impulses and tear the man to shreds, consequences be damned.

 

Essex looked stricken, “Captain… this was not your fault. Barton is a sick man and we are all powerless until His Highness seizes the…” Wufei raised a hand to cut him off when his words began to get dangerous. Essex sighed and submitted to a moment of frustrated silence.

 

“Captain, sir.” He continued sternly. “Everyone in this room feels the same way about `His lack of Majesty' or we wouldn't be here at all.” A few of the palace security guards who were still going through Risa's belongings and listening to the conversation nodded emphatically. “We eagerly await His Highnesses' return with good news from the Oracle and the Council so that we can finally get revenge for things like this; for people like her.” He said looking at the concubine's body.

 

“Aye, sirs.” Declared a guardsman keeping watch at the door. The other guards in the room all quietly concurred.

 

“That's enough,” Wufei said to them. “This is not the place or the time. We all wait impatiently for the Prince's return but while revolution won't come soon enough for some, it is already too late for others.” He said, his gaze returning to the young girl laying on the floor. She'd only been fourteen. “Until then, there will be respect for the dead and no more talk of treasonous things until Prince Heero's return.”

 

“Forgive me, Captain.” Essex began; the only man in the room who would dare contradict Wufei in anyway. “But none of us believe we are committing treason. We all support the heir to the throne and strongly believe that the sooner he ascends to it, the faster this country will be on its way to regaining its honor. Even though we have failed to save her, we can at least help our Prince save this country. Then perhaps, tragedies like this can be avoided in the future.” He finished in a more subdued tone.

 

Essex paused and made a respectful sign with his hands in the direction of the concubine. It was a hand sign made in Sank culture that requested mercy and peace from Shinigami for the dead. The other guards in the room followed suit and after a moment, so did Wufei. His gaze lingered on her a moment before he went back to the letters and opened up the second one. They both said more or less the same thing. They were apologies and reassurances of her love for those whom they were addressed to. Unsurprisingly, there was no note for her family.

 

“Is Helen outside?” he asked. When Wufei had been notified of the suicide he'd rushed into the east wing of Sank Palace where the harems were restricted to. The concubines' bedrooms were located on the upper floors and branched out from a central chamber. The palace guards had gathered all of them into that central chamber while they conducted the investigation and secured the scene. Wufei had been delayed by a whim of the King and barely given them a glance in his haste to arrive.

 

“Yes, she's consoling the other girls.” The lieutenant said as two men in white robes entered the room carrying a stretcher between them and bundles of white fabric to wrap the body with.

 

The two men greeted both of them, “Captain Chang, Lieutenant Essex, if your investigation is complete we've come to deliver the body to our brothers at the Temple to the Human Spirit.” The Temple to the Human Spirit was the largest temple in the world dedicated to the third of the Three Great Spirits. Contrary to its sister temple in Torelle, it was housed by male monks and sat behind Sank Palace.

 

Wufei raised an eyebrow to Essex and his lieutenant nodded, “We're just about finished here, Captain.” To the monks he said, “you may take her but keep this as quiet as possible. It's still dark out so we may avoid a scandal yet but please be discreet.” The monks nodded again and got started.

 

“Good work handling all of this. Have a report ready for me by noon tomorrow.” Wufei said watching out of the corner of his eye as the monks set the stretcher down and begin to pray over the girl's body. Essex saluted and Wufei walked out of Lady Risa's antechamber and into the reception room.

 

The reception room was the large central chamber all the bedrooms branched out from. The Palace Guard was keeping watch over the concubines here as they weeped and clung to one another in their nightclothes. They were all gathered in a circular depression in the floor at the center of the room and cried inconsolably as Wufei approached. He walked down the two steps into the depression and surveyed all the girls of varying ages and backgrounds until he found the one he was looking for.

 

At age twenty three Helen was the oldest of Heero's concubines and as such, was their `big sister' and represented the harem in formal situations. She was a Vistarian woman of noble birth with long blonde hair and blue eyes. She was also, thankfully, the most level-headed of the bunch.

 

“My Lady,” Wufei said extending a hand down to her. “I need a word.”

 

Helen looked at him briefly, keeping her eyes at around his chin and nodded. She patted the head of the young girl who was clinging to her and said soothingly, “the Captain needs to speak with me, dearest. I'll be right back, I promise, okay?” The girl sniffed but nodded and Helen got up without Wufei's help. “You forget yourself Captain,” she said, looking at the offered hand. Helen was in her nightclothes and hadn't had time to fetch her gloves before all the guardsmen had stormed in. As a royal concubine, she could not allow a man to touch her.

 

Wufei pulled his hand back stiffly but nodded and led her in the direction of a quiet corner. “I understand you were the one who found the body.” He began in low tones after they were a sufficient distance away from the other girls.

 

Helen frowned at his chin, “yes, I found Risa. I was doing my rounds for the night, making sure all the girls had gone to bed. She was no longer breathing when I got to her. I immediately summoned the guard but I didn't know it would be handled like this.” She said turning to glare at the rest of the room where the guards were looming over her girls and ransacking their apartments. “Why is all this necessary? How long are these men going to be here? They're making the girls even more uncomfortable.”

 

Wufei ignored her questions, “did you notice anything unusual when you entered the room? Was there anything unusual in Lady Risa's behavior or in that of her friends in the past few days?”

 

Helen was so shocked she raised her gaze to his eyes, “Just what are you trying to imply…?!” She caught herself and quickly brought her gaze back down to his chin. “I told that lieutenant of yours everything I know, why don't you go ask him?” she said angrily and made as if to walk away.

 

“Damnit, woman…” Wufei muttered under his breath. He reached out, grabbed her arm through her nightgown and dragged her into the nearest room.

 

Helen gasped and struggled in his grasp, “what do you think you're doing?? Let go of me this minute!”

 

Wufei could hear the angry voices of the concubines as they entered the antechamber of a random bedroom. “Out,” he barked and the guardsmen who were searching the room all quickly walked out without a word. He turned around and closed the door once they were gone.

 

“Do you realize how inappropriate this is?” She said, glaring directly into his eyes now that they no longer needed to keep up appearances. “I cannot be alone in the same room with another man! You will let me out right now!”

 

Wufei pulled the suicide note from his pocket and handed it to her. “Risa left this for you. Read it well because I will have to destroy it once you're finished.”

 

That had the desired effect of silencing her oncoming tirade. Helen reached out a hand and took the letter. Handling it like a precious treasure, she opened it up and read its contents. Her eyes misted. “I… I…” She turned away and clutched the letter to her chest. “It's my fault. I should've watched her more closely. I knew she hadn't handled this last experience as…”

 

“It is not your fault,” Wufei interrupted. He sighed quietly and gave her a look of compassion that he spared few people. “You cannot fault yourself every time something like this happens…”

 

“I am responsible for these girls!” Helen cried. Her eyes were welling up with tears. “I should have seen this coming! If I had then maybe I could've done something…” She brought her hands to her face and fell to her knees, crying silently. Wufei felt suddenly at a loss. He stood there for a moment as if paralyzed and then as if suddenly pushed forward by some invisible hand, he walked to her, knelt, and awkwardly took her in his arms.

 

Helen held onto him like a drowning woman and sobbed into his uniform shirt, no longer caring about propriety or social station. Wufei realized belatedly that although Helen had busied herself caring for and comforting all of the girls after this latest tragedy, she had no one to comfort her. That realization made him hold onto her tighter and he stroked her back soothingly knowing then that he would kill anyone who dared interrupt this moment for her.

 

“I try…” she finally said into his shirt after her sobs had subsided. “I try to keep their spirits up but it's so hard. We would be thirty in number if the King would have mercy on us and leave us be, but I doubt he knows the meaning of the word.” She brought her angry gaze back to Wufei's face, gripping the crumpled suicide note in her angry fist. “If he doesn't kill us he leaves us wishing he had. What kind of hope can I offer them when they see the state in which he delivers us back? When they know that some of us won't be coming back? The King's own harem has dwindled down to eighteen!”

 

Every word was like a physical blow. Wufei hated feeling powerless but this entire situation was completely out of his hands to remedy. It made him feel shame faced and angry with himself. “I am sorry we have failed you, My Lady…”

 

Wufei felt cool fingertips on his face that stunned him into silence. He looked up into Helen's compassionate face and she shook her head. “Don't you try to blame yourself for this either. If I can't do it, neither can you.” Her shaky half-smile warmed something within him but he couldn't bring himself to agree.

 

He turned his face away from that compassion and said, “I … I need to know if we'll have to take extra precautions from now on.” He said distractedly. Helen's fingertips were still caressing his cheek. He raised a hand to remove them but hesitated before touching her.

 

She seemed to realize what she was doing then and withdrew her hand with a surprised gasp. “I'm sorry…”

 

Wufei shook his head and with a deep breath, he was all business again. “I asked you if there was anything unusual in Risa's behavior or in that of anybody she knew. I should've asked you about all the girls. I need to know if they're a danger to themselves.” He looked directly into her eyes in order to impart the seriousness of what he was saying. “Will my men need to start counting silverware from now on? Will we need to remove all potentially lethal objects from their possession? Hair pins, ink pens, sashes, curtain ropes, embroidery needles…”

 

She raised a hand to silence him. “I don't think that will be necessary. I will interview each and every one of them individually; I'm certain they'll be more open to me than a man or someone they don't know. If there is one among us that I feel may be in need of more help than I can offer, I will inform you immediately.” She said resolutely and returned Risa's note to him.

 

Wufei took it but was silent several moments before he admitted to himself that she was probably right. “Very well,” He said, relenting. Wufei stood up, walked to the small fireplace behind Helen and tossed the suicide note inside.

 

Helen gasped and he turned around sharply to find the last person he expected, standing in the doorway. Helen quickly got to her feet and curtsied, “Your Highness, please forgive me. I know what this must look like…” She said quickly, a wave of panic hitting her.

 

“It's alright, Helen.” Relena said, entering the room. She was still in her evening gown but her hair was down and slightly disheveled, as if she'd run the length of the palace to get here. “I haven't seen anything inappropriate. You should go back outside though, the other ladies are concerned for you.” Helen curtsied again and walked out of the room leaving Wufei and Relena alone.

 

“Good evening, Princess...” he said quietly. What was she doing here..?

 

Relena gave him a troubled smile, “Wufei, how many times must I ask you to use my name when we are in private? Not `your highness', not `princess', just `Relena'.”

 

A smile tugged at his lips for a moment but it was short lived. “Relena… If I may ask, how much of that did you see?” There was something wrong here… something he couldn't quite put his finger on. His gaze traveled to the sealed envelope in her hand.

 

“Enough.” She closed the door and leaned against it. “You should be careful, my brother. You have nothing to fear from me but it would not due to have people whispering that you lock yourself in bedrooms with concubines behind the crown's back.”

 

Wufei crossed his arms and gazed at her defiantly. “I needed to speak to her in private. The ladies of the harem would never endanger Helen by gossiping and my men are loyal to me.”

 

“Yes, they most certainly are, aren't they?” She began as she walked around the small antechamber. “I have noticed they don't question you like they used to.”

 

Wufei's heart started to beat faster. What was she getting at? “Like I said, they're loyal to me.”

 

Relena nodded, keeping her gaze on objects of minor interest in the room. “No doubt you've made sure of that.” Her gaze suddenly traveled back to him, “I've noticed how those most defiant to you or Heero have disappeared. Those with divided loyalties between the Prince and the King are transferred away from Sank Palace somewhere and guards, some who were former soldiers, who have declared unwavering loyalty to Heero have been transferred in. In the span of several years you've quietly taken the Palace over and made it yours.”

 

There was suddenly a steely grip on her arm. She looked directly into her brother's panicked face as he whispered forcefully, “How many more have noticed?”

 

That simple question cleared any doubts she might've had. Relena calmly brought her other hand to the one that held her arm and said, “No one that I am aware of. You've been very discreet. I barely took notice of it myself but I've been watching you and Heero closely, especially after the three of us found out about your mother Wufei, because you two have changed so much since then.” She removed his hand from her arm, “I don't know what you are plotting but I love you both. I would never put either one of you in danger. However, I cannot say the same for others.”

 

Wufei's eyes narrowed as she walked away from him, “Explain.” He demanded.

 

Relena stopped and turned around, holding up the letter in her hand. “`Long live the sunflower.' That is what the nobleman who gave this to me said.” Wufei felt his blood run cold. “Not, `long live the king'. He said: `long live the sunflower'. Not very subtle was he? I think we both know to whose family the sunflower crest belongs.” It was treasonous to place any other name but the king's in that phrase and they both knew it.

 

Wufei tried to swallow but his mouth was suddenly dry. He held out a hand, “give that to me.”

 

“No,” Relena folded the letter into a small square and tucked down the front of her dress. Wufei groaned as he saw it disappear between her breasts. He was not going in after it. “The man who gave this to me said to guard it with my life until I could put it in the hands of the Prince himself and that is exactly what I intend to do. I think I have an idea of what the two of you are plotting and if I am right then you had best tell your allies to be more discreet.

 

“That noble assumed that whatever it was you are plotting, I knew about it and by so doing could've potentially given you away to an enemy. If Heero is allying himself with fools he must be desperate indeed.”

 

Wufei was shaking his head, “You don't know anything, Relena. It would be best for you if you gave me that letter and forgot about this.”

 

Relena frowned, “Where is Heero? I've looked for him everywhere. I will speak to him about this myself.”

 

Wufei dropped his hand and sighed in frustration. “Heero is in Torelle. He will not be back for several weeks. Who gave you the letter?”

 

“Torelle?” Relena said, shocked. “He didn't tell me he was going so soon.”

 

Wufei averted his gaze guiltily, “You would've tried to make him stay… or insisted to go with him.”

 

Okay, now she was pissed. “Of course I would've! We have business that needs sorting out! Heero has yet to choose a bride and if none of his concubines suit him then it should be me!”

 

“That is exactly what he is afraid of! By the Spirits, woman! You're his sister!”

 

“Why should that matter!? It's not unheard of! Heero is best off with me as a wife; the one woman who'll gladly keep his secrets!”

 

They were both shouting now and Wufei worried that they'd be heard outside so he lowered his voice but grated out the words. “Heero has no secrets.”

 

Relena laughed, “Do you think I haven't noticed? Do you think people do not gossip behind his back? He is already sixteen and still shows no interest in his concubines or the ladies at court. He does however spend a lot of time with you.”

 

What she was implying burned and insulted him. “I hardly think you are anyone to lecture me or Heero on courtly virtues.” He realized too late that he'd gone too far. Relena looked stricken and had taken a step back, as if she'd physically felt that verbal slap in the face.

 

Wufei stumbled over an apology but Relena averted her gaze and waved it away. “No, you're right. Considering my reputation, I have no moral ground to stand on.” What puzzled Wufei was that Relena seemed both ashamed and proud of her sullied reputation. Her midnight liaisons with the sons of powerful nobles were legendary and cause for endless gossip fodder. It was also the reason that at age seventeen, the Princess of Sank had no formal suitor. It both confused and worried Wufei constantly and he instantly regretted bringing it up.

 

“All I came here to do was to find Heero and speak to him about this letter,” she said, quietly. “You will write to him in Torelle and tell him to return home immediately.”

 

Wufei shook his head, “I cannot do that. The Prince has a lot of important things he needs to do in Torelle. Things he cannot leave before accomplishing.”

 

Relena looked at him incredulously, “Is this not pressing enough? That I request it, that this letter could've been his undoing, that one of his Ladies is dead?? Is this not enough?!”

 

Her brother sighed inwardly and decided to take a seat. He was suddenly exhausted. “I will write to him to tell him of what's happened. In that letter I will impart the urgency you feel to speak with him.” He looked up at her from his seat and said gravely, “but I guarantee you that he will not come back until he is ready. This trip to Torelle is far too important.”

 

“Then it isn't just as an envoy of peace that he goes to Eco Vera, is it?” she said just as gravely.

 

Wufei shook his head, “I don't know what you think you know but if I were you I'd pretend to know nothing, at least until Heero's return.”

 

There was a long silence that stretched for several minutes before finally, Relena nodded. “Takashi is the name of the man who gave me the letter. Speak to him before his next blunder puts you all in the hands of Shinigami himself.” With that she walked out of the room and left him alone to brood over what had just happened.

 

`Relena is far too astute for her own good… Heero took such great pains to keep her out of this; to keep her safe, but that woman is determined to place herself in danger.' He leaned his forehead on his palm and sighed heavily. They'd been waiting a long time to receive an answer from the Takashi clan; to know whether or not they would be willing to support Heero in their planned coup. It had taken so long Wufei had begun to believe they might be a liability.

 

Now that answer was written down on a piece of paper that could potentially incriminate all of them should it fall into the wrong hands. A piece of paper that should be tucked safely away in his possession was now instead buried in his sister's cleavage. “What else could go wrong?”

 

There was a knock on the open door. Wufei turned around in his seat to see Essex leaning slightly through it. “Emperor Khushrenada and Queen Une are arriving, Captain.”

 

“Wonderful,” Wufei said sarcastically. He got to his feet and walked out with his Lieutenant. “We better run interference before Barton has a fit of apoplexy at the sight of Treize. I'd rather avoid an international incident that deprives Barton of his crown before we have the chance to take it first.”

 

Essex stifled a grin and followed his Captain out the door, “Yes, sir.”

 

----------

 

AN02: Hey everyone, I have a request: …please drop me some comments/constructive criticisms?

O.O;;

I hate to ask but the feedback helps me determine if you guys like where I'm going with this or if there's something that needs changing. I tend to get overly descriptive/detailed and since I have tons and tons of backstory for this fic and I only just got a beta I never know if the filter between my head and my fingers is working. *sweatdrop* Besides I don't want this to get too wordy or boring (although it might be too late for that) so I'd appreciate anything you guys have to say.

 

Thanks

~ Lotus

 

(Not in ABC order)
Glossary:

1. Bonded/ or Bonds: Bonds are links of power created between an Ecomancer and a Celestial for there own protection. The clairvoyance of a Celestial and the power of an Ecomancer serve to help each other. These bonds create semi-weak telepathic links between the two bonded. Presumably, these bonds can only be done between two people. They are life long. There is no known way to undo them.

2. The Gifted: Made up of psychics, telepaths, seer's, telekinetic's and ecomancers, they are any man or woman who can speak to/use the power of the Three Great Spirits. The Gifted come in a great variety but ecomancers are rare and for reasons not understood, are mainly female. A gifted who can wield the power of the Spirit of the Earth cannot wield that of the Spirit of Outerspace and vise versa.

3. The Celestials: Psychics, telepaths, telekinetic and seers. They are those among the Gifted who can touch the Spirit of Outerspace and use it's power. Their symbol is the Star.

4. Ecomancers: Any man or woman who can touch the Spirit of the Earth and wield it's elemental powers, either just one or all four. If an Ecomancer can wield all four basic elemental powers he/she is granted the Healer's Touch. The Symbol of an Ecomancer is a half turned rose leaf. Healer's are recognized by their white gold arm guards.

5. Elemental Powers: Governed by the Spirit of the Earth: Earth, Wind, Water and Fire.
a) Terramancer: earth user.

b) Aeromancer: wind user.

c) Aquamancer: water user.

d) Pyromancer: fire user.

6. Healer's Touch: Power gifted to an Ecomancer who can control all four elemental powers. Considered to be advanced form ecomancy, this is the ability to heal illness or injury by using one's own life energy, or `chi'. Healer's are recognized by their white gold arm guards.

7. Three Great Spirits: The three spirits who have control over the world: the Spirit of the Earth, the Spirit of Outerspace and the Human Spirit. The first two are the Spirit Creators of the gifted. They are life givers and spirits that help bring peace and fertility to the world. The last is the dormant Spirit Creator of the non-gifted.

8. Two Great Spirits: Only referring to the Spirit of the Earth and the Spirit of Outerspace.

9. Oracle: Title given to the oldest and most powerful seer. Unlike the other Gifted, the power of seer can be transferred from one person to another if old enough. This is how a new Oracle is generally appointed. With the position of Oracle comes immortality. The Oracle cannot die until she/he passes on the old power.

10. Seers: One of the four major forms of the Celestials power, (aside from the Psychics, Telepaths and Telekinetics). It is the power to see into the future spontaneously or via an object. The power comes to the seer at random and theoretically cannot be controlled, not even by the Oracle.

11. The Burning Leaf: A hate group with a near religious dedication to the eradication of all Ecomancers. Regarded as radicals, it is their belief that Ecomancers are actually followers of the Evil One in disguise. According to their beliefs, Ecomancers are rapists of the Spirit of the Earth who tap into it's power through the Evil Spirit and in turn weaken it. They believe that Ecomantic Healers are the most powerful followers of the Evil One who will rob a person of their soul while pretending to heal them. Their hatred toward Ecomancers runs deep enough to lead to acts of severe violence and/or murder. Followers of the Burning Leaf dislike of the Celestials almost as much because they will protect and support Ecomancers. Few Ecomancers will travel without the protection of a Celestial with them. The symbol for this cult is the burning rose leaf for obvious reasons.

12. Five Kingdoms: Sank, Vistaria, Roma, Nishi and Higashi. (Nishi actually meaning west and Higashi actually meaning east).

13. Asia Major: Largest continent where all life began. Ruled by the Five Kingdoms.

14. Asia Minor: Smallest of the two continents. Colonized on the east coast almost completely by the Roma Empire.

15. Council of Elders: Made up of the only six known Healers in existence and the six most powerful Celestials, this group of twelve elders is the high council that rules over all Gifted in every country. They set the laws that both protect and keep the Gifted in check. Working together with the rulers of each of the five kingdoms, they are responsible for looking after all matters concerned with the Gifted. The Council of Elders authority is second only to the Oracle who is also a member. The council resides in Torelle, the capitol of Eco Vera.

16. Shinigami: AKA the Evil One. A loner Spirit who rules over the nether world and the dead. He is a separate, lesser entity outside the control of the Three Great Spirits. Although many people believe that he is the embodiment of all evil and the bringer of death, destruction and chaos, Shinigami is a neutral spirit that does as he wishes and answers to none of the other Three Spirits.

17. True Bonded (Legend): Although any Celestial can bond with any Ecomancer, each time one gifted is born there is one other gifted out there that they are destined to bond with. Two people achieving all the powers a gifted can, the four elementals or the four psychic-related powers, and bonding together can give them a status/power alike to that of a demi-god.

Place Names:

1. Vistaria: Empire from which Duo comes from. Fell to Sank 16 years earlier. (Except in prologue).

2. Sank: Enemy kingdom of Vistaria ruled by King Barton.

3. Torelle: Capital city of Eco Vera.

4. Eco Vera: Neutral no mans land between Sank and Vistaria. An enchanted sacred ground where Priests, Ecomancers and all other Gifted come once a year to seek peace and unity with the two great spirits. Place where all Gifted power is enhanced.

5. Draconian Desert: Desolate no mans land north of Eco Vera in which contact with the two great spirits is completely cut off.

6. Belvai: City just south of Eco Vera within the Roma Empire. It is where the Oracle lives.

7. Roma: Country south of Sank ruled by Emperor Khushrenada.

8. Oz: Capitol city of the Roma Empire.

List of who has what power:

Duo Maxwell:
Ecomancer: Earth, Wind, Water, Fire. Healer.

Quatre R. Winner:
Celestial: Psychic, Telekinetic, Seer (Oracles gift).

Heero Yuy:
Celestial: Psychic, Telekinetic.

Dorothy Catalonia:
Celestial: Seer, Psychic.

Treize Khushrenada:
Ecomancer: Earth, Fire.

Silvia Noventa:
Celestial: Psychic, Telepathic, Telekinetic, Seer (Oracles gift).

 

Catherine Bloom:

Celestial: Psychic, Telepathic, Telekinetic, Seer.