Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Spirit of the blue-eyed Wolf ❯ Chapter 7 ( Chapter 7 )

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Spirit of the Blue-Eyed Wolf

Chapter 7

“Here you go.” The street vendor at the road-side stand set a bowl filled with steaming, spicy smelling noodles in front of his one and only customer. It was still early; business usually didn't pick up until closer to lunch time. Bored, the middle-aged man tried to strike a conversation with his guest as he wiped down the wooden boards that served as his counter. “So, you are new in town?”

The young man, blue eyed and with unruly deep-brown hair, looked up from his bowl and nodded. “Yes.”

“Did you come here looking for work?”

“Maybe.” Heero reached for his fork and started to eat.

The vendor's gaze fell upon the pair of swords hanging from his customer's belt. “You are a warrior?”

“Hm…” The young man grunted affirmatively around a mouthful of noodles and chicken meat but didn't even look up.

The vendor sighed as it became apparent that his guest wasn't interested in making small talk, and turned his attention toward his steaming pots.

The young man finished his meal in silence but didn't leave right away. He was in no hurry to get anywhere. The sounds of screaming children caught his attention and he turned his head to see a about a dozen or so boys, between four and eight years old, running down the street. The rambunctious bunch headed toward two young men who were standing out like two sore thumbs amongst the merchants and farmers at the market place. One of them was dressed all in black. His long, dark hair was pulled together in a tightly braided tail that he was wearing over his shoulder like some kind of shawl. His companion looked even more unusual. His hair had the shade of gold sparkling in the sun, and he was wearing colorful, exotic looking robes over a pair of loose pants.

#

Within moments the two young men were surrounded by the noisy bunch.

“Duo, Duo play with us!”

“Yes, let's sword fight.”

The braided young man laughed as the boys started to tug on his clothes. “Sorry, not today, lads. Maybe some other time. Here, how about some sweets instead?” he reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag filled with candied fruit and honey covered nuts. “Make sure to share and don't eat them all at once.”

His companion chuckled as he watched the kids run off with their treasure. “Duo, how much of your weekly pay do you actually spend on sweets?”

The other man grinned. “Does it matter? I happen to love sweets, and I like sharing them.”

“Is that so? Well then, share some with me. Or did you give them all away?”

“Do you think my father raised a fool?” Duo's grin grew even wider as he pulled out a second bag, opened it and offered it to the blond.

“Your father didn't raise you,” his companion pointed out and he helped himself to a piece of candied plum.

“True,” the braided young man admitted. He popped a few nuts into his mouth before clothing the bag and slipping it back into his pocket. “But that's not the point.”

His friend looked up into the sky with a content sigh. “What a beautiful day. I'm glad we decided to take a walk.”

“If my memory serves me right it was YOU who decided to take a walk, Quatre.”

Suddenly a man in a worn out and patched tunic rushed toward them. Noticing the movement from the corner of his eyes Duo reacted instantly. Putting himself between the apparent attacker and his friend he reached for the short sword he carried concealed beneath his robes.

“No Duo,” Quatre raised his hand to stop him. “It's all right.”

Indeed, the man was not carrying a weapon but a crying baby in his arms. He dropped to his knees in front of the golden-haired young man, holding the infant up to him. “Lord Winner, please help my son. He has fallen ill three days ago and the fever won't break. We have given him medicine but it doesn't seem to be helping. Please my Lord, I beg you.”

“Please, rise.” Quatre waited for the man to get up on his feet. With a soft smile he reached out and pushed away the blanket covering the child's head. He laid his hand onto the tiny forehead and closed his eyes and he summoned his powers.

Meanwhile people around them, merchants and shoppers alike, had stopped and watched the scene in silent amazement. A gasp went through the crowd as a warm bluish glow suddenly enveloped the hand on the infant's forehead. The golden-haired man muttered some inaudible words, and by the time the glow diminished the child had stopped crying.

Quatre opened his eyes and smiled at the anxious father. “Don't worry, he will be fine. He is sleeping now. When he wakes up he should feel better. Next time don't wait; come to see me right away. The castle's gates are always open for those who need help.”

“Yes, my lord.” Gratefully, the man bowed. “Thank you my Lord. May you be blessed!”

“Thank you,” the blond replied with a polite nod. I am blessed already; blessed with powers that allow me to help people, he thought. Growing up, Quatre never fully appreciated the fact that he was different than other children. It wasn't until he got older and wiser that he realized that his powers were a gift not a curse.

#

“Who is he?” Heero threw a look back at the noodle vendor. He had been watching the scene from his seat at the roadside stand.

“Who? Oh, you mean Lord Winner? Have you ever heard of the `Golden Mage'?”

“The golden Mage?” the young ronin echoed. “He is a wizard?”

“A healer,” the other man corrected. “At least that's what he calls himself, but people say there is a lot more to his powers than meets the eye.”

“What about the other one? His bodyguard?” Why would a wizard need a bodyguard?

“Duo?” the vendor laughed. “People here call him `his lordship's shadow' because you rarely will see one of them without the other. In fact it's rare for his lordship to come down into town anyway. The sick usually visit him in his castle.” He gestured into the distance and when Heero turned his head he could see the walls and towers of a small castle up on the hill.

His Lordship's shadow, huh?

#

“Are you alright, Quatre?” Duo asked as the crowd slowly started to disperse.

“I'm fine,” his friend answered, but the braided young man wasn't quite convinced. Over the years he had learned that healing spells took a lot out of the caster, and Quatre was known to push himself to the limits when he felt the need.

Noticing his companion's critical gaze the blond laughed. “I am fine, really,” he assured him.

“That's exactly what you said the last time just before you collapsed and I had to pick you up from the ground,” Duo pointed out.

Quatre's smile turned into a somewhat sheepish grin. “I did, didn't I? But that time I had healed several people. This was only one minor healing spell. No reason to worry, really.”

“Well then…” Duo suddenly felt like he was being watched and for some reason the feeling made the hair in his back stand up. As he turned his head he noticed a young man with dark brown hair sitting at a roadside stand just across the street. They looked at one another and for a brief moment their eyes met. Then Duo's gaze fell onto the pair of swords at the stranger's side and his eyes narrowed slightly.

“Duo?... Duo, is something wrong?”

“No, nothing.” The braided young man put on a cheerful smile as he turned toward his friend. “Oh my, look at the sun; it's almost lunch time. No wonder I'm starving. We really should head back to the castle.”

“Just wait a second.” Quatre tried to protest as his companion grabbed him by the shoulders and turned him around. “We came here to shop and haven't bought anything yet.”

“Well, then we will have to come back, won't we.”

#####

“Commander?!”

“Captain?” Noin tugged at her steed's reins, making the horse fall into step beside the superior's.

“There is a clearing just behind the next bend in the river.” Lady Une told her. “We will stop there to let the horses rest. We will move on at nightfall. It's a full moon tonight; it will provide us with enough light to travel safely.”

“Yes, Captain,” the young woman replied with a crisp nod before she turned around to relay the orders to the rest of the team.

A short time later they reached the clearing and started to dismount and take care of their horses. Noin winced as she slipped out of the saddle. She felt stiff and sore after spending several days on horseback. “I can't wait to get home. And I'm sure neither can you.” The young woman patted the mount's neck before loosening its saddle belt. The gelding rubbed his nose against her leg, begging wordlessly for one of the treats he knew she was always carrying in her uniform. With a smile Noin reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of old, dry bread. “Is that what you want?”

“Commander…Commander Noin!” The gelding was sill munching on the bread when one of the soldiers came running toward them.

“What's wrong, Max?” Noin's voice was laced with alarm. The soldier was one of the two men assigned to drive the wagon with the wolf cage.

He stopped, caching his breath before he replied. “Come quickly, Commander. The wolf…Something is wrong…I think he is choking to death.”

“What? What happened?” Rather than waiting for an answer the commander ran toward the wagon stopped at the end of the clearing, with Max following her on the foot.

“I'm not sure, Sir. We didn't notice anything until we stopped. Looks like he got caught in his own chain.”

Through the opening in the tarp Noin could see the animal laying on its side as they approached. She quickly pulled away the cover to get a better look. And sure enough, she could see that the heavy chain was wrapped a few times around the wolf's neck. Damn it! How did this happen? His eyes were closed but she could see that his chest was falling and rising, so at least he was still breathing.

“Get Captain Une, quickly,” she yelled over her shoulder as she started to unlock the cage with shaking hands. By the time she had the door open Lady Une had entered the scene.

“What's going on, Commander?”

“I need the key for the chain.”

The captain didn't ask any more questions; one look was enough to realize what was going on. She tossed Noin the key and watched as the commander crawled into the cage.

“Hang in there, alright,” the young woman whispered as she knelt down next to the large silver wolf. The animal whimpered quietly but didn't move. “It's alright, it's alright,” she told him. “I'll have you free in no time at all. Hold out just a little longer, you hear me.”

“Careful Commander,” Lady Une warned. “He is a wild beast after all.”

“Yes, Sir.” Noin quickly opened the lock that connected the chain to the wolf's collar and reached out to remove it from around the animal's neck. The very moment she slipped her hand between the soft fur and the iron links however, she knew that something wasn't right. The chain was not even remotely as tight as she had expected. What's going on here…?

#

Milliardo's eyes flew open as he felt the young woman tense, and he knew instantly that his plan was going to fail if he didn't act immediately. Sorry about this. I really like you and I hate that I had to deceive you like this, but I had no choice.

He shook his head to throw off the now loose chain before he jumped onto his feet. With the moment of surprise on his side he used his weight to knock the startled young woman off her feet. He leaped over her and out of the wooden cage that had been his prison for the past few days. Finally free he dashed toward the forest as fast as his feet would carry him, knowing that this was his one and only chance of escape. As he reached the first trees the large silver wolf threw one last look over his shoulder. I don't even know your name, but maybe we'll meet again… someday…under better circumstances.

For a few moments the soldiers seemed frozen in surprise. All they could do was to stare after the animal as it disappeared into the brush. Captain Une was first to recover from the shock.

“Don't just stand there,” she shouted at her men. “After him! But remember I need him alive. Don't hurt him!” …or he would never forgive me.

#####

Wufei stifled a yawn as he closed the door to his room behind himself. Four days had passed since he arrived at Tonisburg. As usually he had returned to the “White Lotus' shortly before sundown. He was intending to spend the night in his room, reading and waiting, in case his services were needed.

As the young monk lit one of the oil-filled lamps on his nightstand he suddenly heard a rapping sound coming from the window. Frowning Wufei turned his head. I didn't realize it was that windy when I was outside, he thought.

His frown only deepened when he noticed a dark shadow looking in from the outside. A potential intruder? Or maybe some kind of peeping tom, hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the girls while they were changing and got made up? The monk reached for his staff. I'll show you!

Hurry up! Open the window! A voice in his head demanded before he even had completely crossed the room. Flabbergasted Wufei held his step. That voice…I have heard a voice like that before. That night… in the forest…when I was fighting those demons.

In the shadows of twilight it was difficult to see who or what exactly was outside his window, but when he stepped closer he could make out a contour that didn't seem to be human but rather canine. A wolf? Miri?!

Open that window now! The voice repeated, more urgent and desperate this time.

Hesitantly Wufei reached out to open the latch that kept the window locked. Even before he had pushed the window up all the way the wolf jumped past him and into the room.

And no, it was not Miri, the monk realized as he turned around. It was the other, copper-colored wolf he had seen in the woods behind Wolfstein Castle. “What…who…”

Just then the last traces of daylight faded as the sun's golden disk disappeared behind the horizon. A sudden flash of bright light startled Wufei, and he instinctively raised his arm to shield his eyes. When the light was gone so was the wolf. In his place stood a man, a man he recognized instantly. Lord Khushrenada!

Wide-eyed and shocked the monk stumbled backward as he noticed that the nobleman wasn't wearing as much as a stitch of clothing. Clumsily he managed to knock over with his staff a colorful jar that had been sitting on a small dresser. The sound of the vessel shattering on the ground brought him somewhat back to his senses. “What in the name…” he murmured more to himself.

The tawny-haired nobleman cleared his throat. “Would you mind handing me a blanket or something to cover myself with?” he asked with as much dignity in his voice as he could master under the circumstances.

“Umm… yes…of course.” The monk flushed bright red as he turned his head away, reached for the spare blanket at the foot of the bed and tossed it to Treize.

The older man wrapped the soft fabric around his body like a robe, holding it closed with one hand in front of his chest.

Wufei was still stunned with amazement about what he had just witnessed. “What…I mean who…who exactly are you; a mage, some kind of powerful wizard?”

Treize snorted; a trace of bitterness in his voice. “A wizard? I'm afraid not.”

“Then what just happened? Are you human? I don't feel any demonic aura from you...”

“No, I'm not a demon either.” The older man assured him. “I'm very much human... at least half of the time.”

“Half of the time?” the monk echoed. “Do you mind explaining that to me?”

“It's a long story but…”

The sound of footsteps in the hall interrupted the nobleman, and Wufei nearly had a panic attack as moments later someone knocked at the door to his room. “Wufei?!”

The young man swallowed. Madame Hawara! He looked at Treize. “Hide, quickly!”

The older man raised one eyebrow as he mouthed. “Hide? Where?”

“Wufei, I heard some noise. Is everything alright?”

Wufei looked around. True, the room didn't offer too many hiding places, not even a large trunk or wardrobe. “The bed!” he finally whispered, already on the way to open the door. He cracked it open just a few inches and put on an apologetic smile.

“Everything is fine, Madame. I was opening the window and accidently broke the vase on the dresser. I'm sorry. I'll pay for it of course.”

“Oh, don't worry about it, dear. I'll send someone up to clean up the pieces.”

“Oh, no, no. I'll do it myself.” Wufei quickly assured her.

The older woman looked at him suspiciously. “Are you sure everything is alright?”

“Yes, perfectly alright,” he assured her as he tried to block the door opening with his body. But considering his size it was only too easy for the tall and slender woman to look right over his head.

“Oh my!” She covered her mouth with one hand in a gesture of surprise. “Why didn't you just tell me that you were not alone? I really didn't mean to intrude.”

“What?” Wufei turned his head and his heart nearly skipped a beat. Here was Treize sitting in his bed, with the covers pulled up to his chest, wearing nothing but a charming smile. What in the name of the ancestors …?

“Tsk tsk and here I thought monks weren't supposed to do that kind of thing.” Madame Hawara chuckled quietly. “I hope I did not interrupt anything.” With that she turned on her heel and started to walk away.

Wufei's face was burning as he realized that she had the totally wrong impression of what was going on. “It's not like that,” he yelled after her. “We are not `doing that kind of thing'. We are just…”

She held her step just long enough to turn her head and wink at him. “I'm not one to judge, Dear.”

Mortified the monk stood frozen for a brief moment before he finally closed the door and spun around to face Treize. “What do you think you are doing?”

The tawny-haired nobleman blinked innocently. “You told me to hide in bed. I did.”

“Under the bed.” Wufei snapped. “I meant under the bed. And I wouldn't exactly call that hiding either.”

Treize gave an awkward shrug. “You didn't really give me much time. But… what are you doing in a place like this anyway?”

“I work here.”

“Oh?!” The nobleman raised one eyebrow in a mixture of surprise and amazement.

Wufei's brows furrowed even as the color in his cheeks intensified. “Not like that. I'm working as a kind of bodyguard. But what about you; what are you doing here?”

Treize's face turned solemn in a heartbeat. “Remember the day you left Wolfstein? You said you felt indebted and some day you would like to repay us. I'm afraid the time has come for me to call in that favor.”

“What happened?”

“Milliardo has gone missing,” the older man explained. “I believe he has been captured.”

Wufei let out a surprised gasp. “Captured,” he asked, “by whom?”

“Like I said, it's a very long story. Do you have time to hear it?”

The monk nodded. “We have all night.”

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T.B.C.

 

Author's Note:  Okay, another chapter finished. The next chapter will probably be more or less Treize telling Wufei the whole story about the curse, the demon wolves and their past.