Ryuu no Hikou, 10/?

[Goldilocks]

Slowly but surely, I am making progress on this fic!! And hey--it's been only 4 months since I posted the last chapter! I'm improving! ^_^

All subsequent chapters can be found in my writer's forum, here: http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=46

Thanks to all who have read and reviewed thus far! ^__^

Ryuu no Hikou
by Sara

Chapter 10

Weyridge called the war council together almost immediately after the first message arrived. They gathered in the maproom, which was intriguing simply because of the large table situated in the center of the large room. The table had been commissioned many years ago, and had been a joint effort of carvers, mapmakers, and artisans. When they had finished, their labor had produced a table that had an entire map of Sanq etched into its surface, highlighted with paints and inlaid with stones and metalwork.

Weyridge stood at the head of that table now; the rest of the war council, as well as the dragons and their riders, flanking him on either side. The princess's regent had taken small, red stones, and was placing them at points within the nation sketched out on the table below.

"Each stone," he said as he finished his task, "represents a village having sent an alert message of attack." He stepped back and frowned. "I can see no real rhyme or reason to the attacks, save that they are spread out along the border of Sanq only. There are no mid-country attacks as yet reported. My guess is that either the enemy wants to give us an illusion of great size, wants to confuse us as to its identity, or wants to slowly wear us down and work its way inland."

Treize coughed politely and stood up. "I would also venture to guess that you could be right on all three counts," he said, studying the red stones carefully. "Our enemy is most definitely cunning. Not only do they begin the attack on border villages, with no pattern to who gets attacked and who doesn't, but they send creatures which may not be suspect as to reveal their identity."

"Yes," said Weyridge, a note of defeat in his voice. "So far, our most conclusive evidence is still the weaponry recovered from the sneak attack. We have no real proof that these two are connected, though I do have my suspicions."

"It feels like a diversionary tactic, to me, to draw attention away from their location," rumbled Frys. He cocked his head to one side, eyeing the map. "Do you notice that there are no attack reports near Qa'nirvenye? If our attackers are indeed from an-Mymar'alachvurdes, then I find this fact highly significant."

"Surely they would not be so foolish as to leave so glaring a hint for all to see?!" scoffed Wufei. "Even the greenest lad knows better than to make things so conspicuously obvious."

"Perhaps the person in charge of the attacks is not so clever as to avoid that pitfall?" suggested Trowa. "Not to mention the fact that the manner of monsters being unleashed onto the villages are not benevolent. One could easily wander back to its land of origin, were they to release it too close to their border."

"It seems so glaringly obvious, yet it makes sense," said Quatre hesitatingly. "However, that could also be because of my home's brass dragons. None of the villages within my father's lands would need to send to Calon Gaer for help; it is much easier and quicker to turn to my father, who would simply deploy the brass dragons."

Frys nodded, as though he had already calculated Quatre's revelation into his estimate. "Would it be possible to contact someone in Qa'nirvenye to see if there have been any attacks rebuffed? It would eliminate that uncertianity."

Weyridge nodded. "I concur. It's best that we gather as many facts as we can, to limit our haring off after uncertianities and spreading our resources too thin."

"What sort of monsters have been attacking the villages?" asked Duo. "They must be bad, if the villagers can't handle them, themselves. There's a stone sitting on Mir Caye," he said, casually flicking a hand in indication toward a red stone set on the bank of the large river that crossed the map. "That's near my home, and I know them well. They wouldn't send for help unless it was really bad. The people of Mir Caye are not weak, nor do they like being perceived as such."

"It varies from location to location," said Weyridge, "and for the most part, seems to be only one monster per area, which is odd in the sense that some of the monsters unleashed tend to travel in packs, not solo. But we will take that as a mixed blessing, as it were.

"There seems to be a wide variety of monsters, again with no real reason with what went where. Shankou and Ri Shihai, both near Ri Shin, reported wyverns, though so did Mossfort near Baden. The people near Aelhoof have reported a chimera, and say that several deaths have already occurred. Malary by Ka'legeth has reported a giant badger in the area, and the farmers are in a total panic; the beast is tearing up their fields and panicking the livestock." He listed several more locations and monsters, and as he did so, a growing doubt began to well up among the dragon-riders.

"Those beasts are no match for a dragon!" scoffed Wufei imperiously. "Though they are dangerous to humans, a single dragon can easily dispatch many of those monsters. If this is a case of sabotage, why would the enemy send such weak monsters in as the first line of offense?"

"Perhaps they seek to override your senses with a lull of false security and victory," said Frys, his eyes narrowed as he surveyed the map. "And do not be fooled by appearances. There are a great many villages being attacked. One wyvern is simple to beat. Several of them, coupled with other, more dangerous creatures, may not be so easy."

Weyridge nodded absently as he pondered the map. "We shall send out troops of soldiers immediately," he murmured. "We must deal with these monsters as quickly as possible. There's no telling how much damage will be done, if we tarry."

The dragon-riders did not take this decision gracefully. "We should be the ones to confront these monsters!" said Wufei, his voice carrying across the room. "As protectors of the kingdom, it should be us who rise to confront any threats."

"Not only that," said Quatre, "but it is good of us to get out and be seen. If we confront these beasts, then the people will see that we are real, and not legend or fantasy."

Weyridge did not look convinced. "But you are untried in battle!" he protested. "To rush out to confront a challenge without even the slightest preparation is sheer folly. Sanq's army is not only trained, but prepared to meet such a challenge. Let them handle this!"

"And would you make us wait until something much greater faces us, and then send us out to attack? We would still be unprepared, and now the odds would be that much more against us." Heero challenged the advisor, no indication other than the tone of his voice showing his displeasure. "These are small creatures. They are not difficult to dispatch. Not only that, but by battling them, we gain the experience that you claim we so sorely need."

Weyridge's lips were pursed in disapproval. "These are no small, paltry creatures," he protested. "Caer Regis reports a gorgon, and both Ardskill and Hindidyll have been spotting wyverns! These are beasts that not even seasoned warriors would confront lightly, yet you presume to go in completely unprepared?!"

"Your armies are only human. We are teamed with dragons. Even inexperienced, they present a formidable opponent, and should not be taken lightly." Heero's eyes glittered. "Do not underestimate us."

"I am trying not to overestimate you!" Weyridge's voice was firm and unwavering.

"What if we compromise? Even if we were to counterattack, there are quite a few targets, and we cannot be everywhere at once." Trowa cupped his chin in his hands as he thought out loud. "Send armies after some of the lesser, more easily-dispatched beasts, and allow the dragons to confront the more dangerous monsters."

Weyridge was alarmed. "I fail to see how this is any sort of compromise!"

"It means that we dispatch these things more quickly," Duo picked up where Trowa left off. "Some of the larger monsters would be difficult for a legion of soldiers to destroy, but not so difficult for a dragon. Remember, some of these pests plague dragons in the wild; why would they suddenly be unable to defeat them, when paired with a rider? We would dispatch the creatures more quickly, and gain battle expertise at the same time."

Heero stood up abruptly. "We will agree to this," he declared, "for while we dicker over inconsequential details, people in my duchy, as well as others, are dying because our enemy released monsters into our lands. Send soldiers or dragons, but send something. The people cannot combat these beasts. Sitting here arguing accomplishes nothing. It won't matter who is allowed to defend our lands if there is nothing left to defend by the time the decision is made!"

In the end, it was this that proved the catalyst to Weyridge's decision. "All right," he sighed with reluctance. "I do not agree with this decision, but I cannot deny your logic. Your first destination will be Malary. They have already suffered several casualties and great damage to their lands because of the giant badger released there."

The dragon-riders moved to leave, standing up and pushing away from the table. "I did not yet dismiss you," said Weyridge curtly. Five heads turned to regard Weyridge, each wearing slightly varying levels of annoyance and impatience. Weyridge sighed. "I speak this for your own benefit," he explained. "You will depart this evening, after moonrise. For now, you are dismissed. Go, and get some rest; you will have a long night ahead of you."

* * *

The plans were made. Departure would take place after moonrise, when most of the castles' inhabitants would be sleeping. Weyridge felt that the populace needed to be gently eased into the idea of the dragons and their riders leaving the castle, particularly when word of the monster attacks would begin spreading like wildfire, causing a ripple of barely-concealed panic in its wake.

Despite being ordered by Weyridge to rest for the remainder of the day, and though the dragon-riders and their beasts had obediently returned to their quarters, sleep was elusive.

Had there been the room for it, Ryl would have been pacing. Trowa sat cross-legged on his bed, eyeing her anxious movements. "Ryl," he said, his voice laced with amusement, "if you continue this, you will be too tired to fly."

The copper dragon ceased her restless movements. "Do you have a better idea for making the time go faster?" When Trowa did not answer, she continued fidgeting. "Finally! Our first real battle! I cannot wait!"

Trowa smiled, but his eyes were troubled. "Does it not occur to you that you are behaving rather frivolously, considering the situation? These are not mere playthings we move to confront, regardless of Wufei's insistence. There is a good chance that someone will be injured in these battles."

Ryl stopped her movements again, and this time, seemed to hunch up in the corner near her nest. Trowa continued to speak.

"It is likely. We are not immortal. The chance that we shall leave this battlefield wounded is much greater than the chance that we leave unscathed. It is folly to assume otherwise."

"I know that," snapped the dragon, her voice harsh. "I know that!" She wrapped her tail around her forelegs, dipping her head to chew on it nervously. "Don't you think I know that?!" Trowa frowned. She had not done anything like that in a very long time; not since she was a pup had she chewed on her tail out of nervousness.

"Ryl," he said gently, crossing the room to her nest. She butted her head against him, and he wrapped his arms as best he could around her massive jaw. Though her head was nearly as long as he was tall, she still found comfort in this simple embrace.

"I remember when you were small enough to fit into my arms," Trowa murmured, scratching the soft skin underneath her jaw. "Be calm. Going into battle completely frightened is as bad as going into battle assuming you will win." He stepped back, and Ryl nodded wordlessly.

Trowa returned to his bed, and Ryl curled up in her nest. Trowa waited until he heard her start to snore softly, knowing she slept. Only then did he release the breath he was holding. He had not wanted to reveal to his dragon that he was as nervous as she about the impending battle.

* * *

In Heero's chambers, Kyarn was curled up in his nest, but his eyes were open and alert. He watched his rider. Heero was silent, but his entire body was tense. However, Kyarn knew that the forthcoming battle was the last thing on the dragon-rider's mind.

"So," Kyarn purred, taking a moment to stretch, arching his talons so that they scraped against the stone floor, "I take it you are not thinking about the impending battle, based on the fact that you're not discussing strategy with me. Shall I come to the conclusion, therefore, that you are finally going to tell me why you've been moping about the castle like a kicked puppy? Or are you going to continue to keep me in the dark?"

Heero glared at the dragon sharply. "What is that supposed to mean?"

The dragon chuckled. "I mean that ever since the ball, you've been sulking. You're acting as though something happened."

Heero turned to face the wall, his shoulders rigid with annoyance. "Nothing happened," he replied, his voice barely audible.

"Oh? Nothing happened? Not even anything involving a certain princess, perchance?"

The dragon-rider whirled to face the dragon. "I don't know what you're implying. And I have not been moping. Don't mistake me for the princess."

"Mm, yes, indeed, I have noticed that she has been rather subdued, as well," replied the dragon, eyes closed in thought. "In fact, it had not escaped my notice that both your behavior and hers seem to have started after that ball." The dragon grinned. "Could it be that someone felt a bit put-off by all the attention a certain monarch-in-training was receiving?"

Heero simply glared without responding. He turned toward the wall once again. "She had plenty of attention. There were more suitors there than one person could ever want. She had no need for me."

"Are you sure about that?"

The dragon-rider snorted. "She was surrounded by suitors. She couldn't take two steps without tripping over one of them, and they all completely monopolized her time. She had no time to dance with anyone else, much less someone like me."

The dragon arched one eyebrow. "Someone like you? Do you mean to imply that you're jealous of the suitors?"

Heero turned to stare at the dragon. "What reason would I have to be jealous?"

Kyarn propped his chin on one forepaw and smirked. "I find it ironic that you would ask that at all."

Heero scoffed. "She has plenty of suitors. She does not need me. Not only that, I am not a prince. What right have I to even consider wooing her?"

The topaz dragon pretended to look surprised. "Why Heero, I do believe you've confirmed my suspicions. Besides, you know as well as I that you are completely within your right to woo the princess, should you wish to do so. None would consider it odd."

His rider turned toward the wall once more. "She would not...approve." He sat upright. "Not to mention, I saw her at the ball. She had no loss for willing partners. Every time her hand was dropped by one, it was immediately picked up by another. She had no reason to seek out someone like me." His voice carried the slightest edge of hurt.

"Which is why you found her later, in a secluded hallway, by herself, far away from the ball and all of those willing suitors, and looking for you--am I correct?"

"What is that supposed to mean?!"

The dragon gave his rider a measuring look. "I pity the princess," he said, his voice even. "Surrounded by suitors jockeying for her hand, and knowing that each and every one of them is only interested in her kingdom, and perhaps her body, but not her heart or her mind. Yet she still moves onward, even though the one person she desperately wishes would notice her is the one investing the most energy to distance himself from her."

Heero scowled. "I hardly think that is an accurate representation of the truth."

Kyarn shook his head ever-so-slightly. "What makes you think it is not?"

Heero opened his mouth to protest, then closed it in a grim line, turning to face the wall and closed his eyes, deliberately ignoring the question. The dragon sighed, and Heero listened to the soft snick of scales as Kyarn curled up to doze. After a time, the youth opened his eyes again...for try as he might, sleep evaded him, as his mind was filled with the images of a pair of soft blue eyes, and guilt at the idea that the pain he saw within them might have been caused by he himself.

* * *

The moon rose late, hovering over the edge of the horizon, swollen and glowing a watery orange-red. The dragons, gathered at the edge of the cliff behind the castle, were strangely silent. They regarded the sky with trepidation.

"Red moon rises," murmured Sandrock. "That bodes ill for battle."

The dragon-riders stood in front of their mounts. A small crowd of people faced them; among them Weyridge and the princess. Treize and Zechs also stood nearby, their dragons accompanying them, though they did not join the dragon-riders in preparing to leave. As guests of Sanq, it would be an insult to expect that either the Es'rilshan king or his second-in-command would be asked to join them in battle, unless the circumstances were very dire.

Weyridge sighed, his eyes closing for a moment. "It is time to depart," he said as he opened his eyes. "I wish you speed and safe journey. Do not fear using retreat, if need be. Think of it as a strategy, for future battles. We cannot afford to lose a single protector."

Noventa stepped forward, an encouraging smile gracing his features. "I do not sense, from studying what I've translated of the Oracle's Words, that this is the threat you face," he said. "Still, be cautious. But I do not feel that you will meet the Oracle's challenge tonight."

Before the dragon-riders turned to mount up, Relena stepped forward, hesitation causing her movements to be slightly jerky. "I wish you...all of you...to be safe," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Please...return to us, when your battles have ended."

Though he could not be sure, Heero was given the impression that she was speaking directly to him. Before he turned to Wing's side, she looked at him in a gesture that he could not ignore, and for a moment, he was frozen in place. Do something! his brain shouted at him, and before he could think through his actions, he gave her a small, hesitant smile.

It was enough. The princess seemed to sag in relief, and when she turned to face her advisers, her stance had regained some of the strength it had carried before the incident at the ball. He pondered this as he hopped into place on Wing's back. Perhaps Kyarn had been right, he mused. I cannot begin to comprehend why, however. She has more suitors than most could ever want. Why would she be drawn to me?

Before he could ponder the question any longer, his dragon had turned and launched skyward, followed closely by the other dragons. The journey had begun.

* * *

The dragons followed the directions given to them by the frightened villagers, but even if they had not been given any information, the beast's lair was not difficult to find. The monster had left a clear trail of destruction in its wake, and the land near its burrow was blasted and torn.

Heavyarms landed first, her long neck arched as she tested the air. "The beast is very close," she said, her voice low and harsh. She snorted. "The air stinks of badger."

The other dragons landed nearby. Nataku wrinkled her nose in a grimace of disgust. "Ugh. If I didn't know better, from that stench, I would say that the badger was in its--"

The ground at her feet suddenly exploded outward. Nataku hopped back with a bark of surprise, then lowered her head and hissed menacingly, eyeing the gaping hole in the ground with a wary expression. An even louder, feral growl issued from the hole, and mere seconds later, their quarry emerged.

The dragons and their riders had known what to expect, but they were still startled by the size of the badger. Soil and detritus from burrowing underground clung to its coarse fur. Its hulking shoulders arched as it sized up its assailants. Even on all fours, the badger was as tall as one of the houses in the village. Its claws were taller than a man.

The badger snorted and barked, gouging deep furrows in the earth with its claws as it tried to intimidate its attackers into a retreat.

The dragons were galvanized into action, and retreat was the farthest thing from their minds. "I'llgofirstletmetryfirst!" shouted Deathscythe, and darted in for the attack. But while the dragon was blindingly fast, so was the badger. It lashed out with a forepaw as the mercury dragon struck, cuffing him sharply on his shoulder.

Deathscythe yelped in pain and stumbled backward, and Duo had to fight very hard to maintain his seat. Though the badger's claws were sharp, the dragon's hide was too thick to cut. But Deathscythe had not escaped injury; he was visibly favoring his shoulder.

Duo swore loudly. "Try attacking with breath weapons!" he shouted over the growls and snarls of the badger. "It's too fast for a physical attack!"

The dragons considered their weapons, and Wing began to prepare for a breath attack. But he was never given the chance to use it.

Sandrock later said that he panicked, and considering the circumstances, it was hardly surprising that he did. Before Wing could do anything, the bronze dragon rushed forward, neck extended and mouth gaping wide, and expelled a thick, brown-tinged gas into the badger's face.

The reaction was instantaneous. The beast ceased its growling and blinked in momentary confusion. Then it whimpered loudly, and began to frantically scramble away from the dragons and their riders. It disappeared down into its burrow, kicking back dirt to block its path. Within a span of heartbeats it was gone, and the area was still.

For a moment, no one spoke. Then Duo caught a whiff of the remaining gas, and immediately began coughing and retching. "Ugh!" he gasped. "What is that stink? It makes me want to run, just to get away from the smell!"

"I believe it was repulsion gas," replied Trowa. The dragons seemed mostly unaffected, though their riders--save for Quatre--were suffering from various levels of reaction to the gas.

"Repulsion gas?! Out of all the weapons we have at our disposal, you chose to use the one that chases our quarry away?" Wufei was livid. "We cannot attack our enemy if it is in deep hiding underground!"

Both Quatre and Sandrock looked ashamed. "It was a mistake," said the dragon quietly. "I did not mean for that to happen!"

"You are a dragon!" snapped Wufei in anger. "You are above mistakes!"

"Hey, lay off, will you?" snapped Duo. "It was a mistake. They happen, you know! It's not as though you have never been in error, deserter."

Both rider and dragon whirled to confront Duo. "You talk far too much," snarled Wufei. "I would be much more inclined to listen if you spoke with an ounce of intelligence!" To this, Deathscythe hissed angrily, and tried to rise to confront the emerald dragon. His shoulder buckled and he whimpered in pain, but he did not back down. Nataku snorted with superiority and moved to attack.

She soon found herself face-to-face with Wing. "No matter what the reason," he growled, speaking slowly to emphasize his words, "you do not attack a comrade. Above all, you never attack a wounded comrade."

For a moment, it looked as though Nataku would simply attack Wing instead, but finally she snorted derisively and backed down. Deathscythe growled low, his tail lashing back and forth in his annoyance, but he did not make any moves. Both Wing and Heero glared after each dragon and rider belligerently, but for the moment, conflict was averted.

"What should be our next move? The monster has not been dispatched. One of our number is injured, and the day grows late. We may not be able to make it back to Calon Gaer." Trowa spoke quietly, ticking off points.

Duo reached down and rubbed his dragon's shoulder carefully. "Doesn't feel like anything is broken," he said. "We could make it."

Trowa shook his head. "It's best not to risk it, in case it is worse than it feels. It would be ideal, if we could find a place to stay where a dragon physician also dwelled." He grew thoughtful. "This village is part of the Ka'legeth duchy, yes? We should be able to find accommodations, as well as a physician, at the ducal estate."

All heads turned to regard Heero. The boy scowled darkly. "My family is not one to support such frivolities," he said brusquely. "We would have a better chance finding accommodations at Malary. Plus, we will be close at hand, when the badger chooses to resurface."

"The Ka'legeth ducal estate is not far from here, is it not? It would be much better to take up the duke's hospitality than use the resources of villagers ill-equipped to afford it," commented Wufei. "Besides, if the duke is an honorable man, he will not turn us away, as defenders of the kingdom."

Heero looked as though he were about to protest, but Duo spoke up loudly. "It is a great idea! Besides, it gives you an opportunity to see your family. Gods know we don't have opportunity enough for that." The other riders nodded knowingly.

Heero sighed in defeat. "Fine," he snorted. "If you all believe it is for the best, we will stay at my family's estate." He turned, his back facing the other riders. "But I am not responsible...for anything that may happen, good or bad." He shrugged in defeat. "Follow me."

* * *

Dusk was beginning to fall when the dragons and their riders reached Ka'legeth. The darkness was deepening, collecting and pooling in sheltered corners and huddling at the edge of the forest, waiting for the last of the day's light to fade.

The ducal estate was situated in a sprawling valley that seemed to be scooped out of the forest. The forest reared up behind the estate with the landscape, the ground bristling with trees. The air was thick with the cool, earthy scent of forest and the sharp tang of evergreens.

The estate itself was massive, built from the same wood that forested the area. It looked warm and inviting; a home as well as a fortress. The long, cobbled promenade that led up to the massive doorway was lined with pine-tar torches, which had already been lit to chase away the encroaching gloom of night. The flames flickered and snapped sullenly, sending thick smoke skyward.

The five dragons landed, and Deathscythe, who was obviously favoring his wounded shoulder, could not hold back a whimper of pain. Duo looked as pained as his dragon. "Heero, you say there's a dragon physician here?" he said anxiously. "'Scythe doesn't look so good."

Heero nodded curtly. "I will have her sent for at once," he said. Before he could say another word, he was heralded by a cluster of people who had gathered at the main entrance of the estate house.

For a moment, Heero's expression looked grim, and the other riders wondered uneasily if what he had said about the duke not taking kindly to unwelcome visitors was true. The welcoming party was lead by a tall, muscular man, who obviously knew his land and territory intimately as a woodsman as well as a duke. He looked to be strong and athletic, with unruly auburn hair that was touched with lights, as one who spends a great deal of time in the sun is apt to develop. The locks framing his face were pushed back beneath a silver circlet set with a single bright green stone.

The man looked familiar somehow, and he strode forward with the confident ease of one who is a natural leader and secure in his rule. As the man neared, his stern face broke into a wide smile, a smile which reached all the way to his eyes and played about the contours of his face.

"Heero! Welcome home. And Wing! Well-met to you both." He affectionately slapped the topaz dragon's neck. Wing snorted and shook his head, but looked pleased all the same.

"This is my...father, Duke Ade of Ka'legeth," Heero said, his voice strangely flat. One by one, he introduced the other riders and their dragons. The riders all dismounted to show their respect. Duke Ade looked pleased.

"It is an honor to provide host for the guardians of Sanq," he said. "We will prepare a feast at once, and have accommodations prepared for you all."

"Begging your pardon, your Grace," interjected Duo, "but my dragon sustained injury. Would it be possible for the physician to see him?"

"Of course," said the duke. "I will send a servant to summon her at once."

Heero had settled into a wary calm, but was suddenly alert and very anxious. "No..." he murmured, looking progressively more alarmed. "No! Why are they here?!"

Ade looked nonplussed. "They live here, too, Heero," he replied as if the answer were obvious, and one that he had answered before. "And they certainly would have heard the commotion by now, and would want to see for themselves what was going on." His frown deepened. "You have not seen them in months. You should be happy for the chance!"

Quatre looked curiously at Heero. "What--?" he started to ask, but before he could finish, a small fracas erupted by the main entrance to the estate.

"Heero! Heero! Heero!" All heads turned as one in time to witness a veritable herd of children stampeding across the promenade toward the group. Most of them piled onto the hapless dragon-rider, hugging him and patting at his arms and hair, if they could reach it, and trying to drag him down. Heero resisted it very well, although he looked disgusted by the show, and very put-upon, though he did not move nor protest.

It only took the children a moment to notice the other riders and their dragons. They squealed in delight as one, and immediately crowded around the dragons, climbing on them, patting them, trying to scratch them affectionately through the dragons' thick hides. The dragons did not seem to mind; Heavyarms and Deathscythe were thrilled, Sandrock seemed amused, and Nataku looked fairly alarmed. Oddly enough, the children left Wing alone, and for good reason. The topaz dragon bristled with aggression, a sign that even the children could understand meant that they were not to come near.

"Who are all these children?" Wufei asked incredulously as several young girls began to diligently braid Nataku's mane.

Heero sighed in defeat. "They are my brothers and sisters," he replied.

"All of them?! There are easily fifteen children here!"

"Yes, all of them, said Heero, his voice edged with annoyance and exasperation.

"That's not so odd," interjected Quatre. "I have 29 sisters, after all." He smiled at Heero encouragingly. "How many wives does your father have? I'd say four, at least. My father has fourteen, all as precious and beautiful as gems, from the way Father tells it."

Heero looked at Quatre, his expression puzzled. "Just one. Is that so difficult to believe?" he responded in a voice that brooked no argument, though the questions were stamped across the other riders' incredulous faces. "Is it that unusual?" He began to flush with uncharacteristic anger.

"Well, there are three sets of twins, and a set of triplets," said a new voice, soft and soothing. The new voice belonged to a woman of soft curves and smiles, with hair the color of a field of winter grain, pulled back into a long, thick braid. "Ade and I always wanted many children, and gladly accepted what was given to us, though it may seem extreme, to some." She inclined her head gracefully, and the dragon-riders spotted the mate to the duke's circlet resting upon her brow. "I am Mela, dutchess of Ka'legeth, and Heero's mother." She smiled softly at her eldest son. "I've missed you, my Heero."

It was the first time the riders had ever seen Heero smile. "Hello, Mother," he replied. Her smile widened, but before she could say more, they were interrupted by a loud yelp. The riders whirled in time to see Deathscythe, loaded with children, buckle under the strain. His wings flapped, their green undersides telegraphing his distress, and his jaws snapped open and closed in pain. "Ithurtsithurtsithurtsgetoffgetoffgetoffgetoff!!!" But the children only treated this as a new game, squealing with delight and clinging to the dragon's back more tightly. Deathscythe writhed in pain, mewling in distress.

Duo rushed forward, arms waving, howling wordlessly with indignation. Mela took one look at the situation and underwent a drastic change. She strode forward, arms akimbo, and planted her feet firmly in a no-nonsense pose.

"Line up! NOW!!" Even Heero jumped instinctively, though he remained in his place by Wing's head. But his siblings reacted immediately. They leaped off of the dragons and crept forward, slinking slowly into line formation.

Mela regarded the children severely. "Dalya. Ravi. Ezio. Alona." she said. The four named children stepped forward. "Why do you think that dragon was crying like that?" They shuffled their feet nervoursly, and alternated their gaze between each other and the ground. "Because...he's hurt?" queried Alona, a girl who looked to be about nine years old.

"Exactly," replied Mela. "If a dragon makes a noise like that, it means LEAVE ME ALONE. If that happens, step away immediately! A wounded dragon can be very dangerous!"

All of the children looked to be on the verge of tears, but Mela did not relent. "What time is it? You poppets should be in bed." She clapped for servants, who materialized immediately. "It is past the young masters' and mistresses' bedtimes," she said sternly over the chorus of protests. "There will be plenty of time to play in the morning," she called after her children as the maids shuffled them back toward the estate.

When they were out of sight, Mela turned, shaking her head ruefully, and walked over to where Deathscythe was hunched over, whimpering piteously. She ran smooth fingers over his swollen shoulder, clucking her tongue in displeasure. "Those children..." she murmured to herself. "Where is the healer?" she called, looking up.

"Right here, milady," called a cheerful feminine voice. The healer was a young woman, not much older than the riders, with dancing grey eyes amd short dark hair which she absently tucked behind her ears.

"Here, Ambrosie," called Mela. The physician knelt and ran practiced fingers along the dragon's shoulder. "No broken bones...don't think there are any torn muscles...but I'll have to do a more thorough examination, to be sure," she announced. "If you'll follow me, we'll take a closer look." She slowly lead the dragon toward the side of the estate, where a large building hunkered down in the twilight. Duo trailed behind them nervously, not willing to be parted from his dragon when Deathscythe was injured.

When they had gone, Mela turned toward the riders, walking to stand next to her husband. "You must be hungry," she said, her calm demeanor regained. "Dinner has been prepared, and you can tell us what brings you to Ka'legeth while we sup."

The group followed the duke and dutchess, dragons and all, into the estate, leaving the chill of twilight behind them.

* * *

The dragon-riders regrouped the next morning, well-rested and ready to try again. Even Deathscythe was ready to go, though Ambrosie, the physician, had admonished him that he was not to do any fighting, lest he injure himself further.

The riders gathered in the main hall of the ducal estate, seating themselves along the same long, wooden table that they had sat at the night before, during the welcoming feast. As they prepared to break their fast, they also began to discuss a battle plan. The duke and his lady were also there, listening and occasionally offering a word of advice, as servants brought in foods for their breakfast.

"What we need is a strategy," said Quatre as he spooned cream over a bowl of fresh berries. "We can't keep rushing in without any sort of plan. That's what we did wrong last night. We had no plan, no structure. It's little wonder we were defeated."

Wufei scoffed over his cup of hot tea. "Fine words, coming from the one who bungled the entire attack," he sniped.

Quatre flushed, setting down the cream pitcher more heavily than he had expected. Cream sloshed over the edge and spattered the table. Duo pounded the table in irritation. "We're not starting that tripe again, are we?" he groused tiredly. "Who cares? It was a mistake. What's the point of dwelling on it?"

His words earned a scowl from Wufei, but he said nothing in retort. Quatre regained his composure and cleared his throat. "Anyway. Here's what I was thinking would work...."

They deliberated well into the morning, as plans were conceived and discarded in turn. It seemed that none of them were content to settle on any one strategy, and as the sun rose higher in the sky, their debate grew more and more heated.

Finally, Quatre reached his breaking point. "Fine!" he yelled, throwing his arms up in defeat, "fine. None of you are willing to agree with a single suggestion I've made. I give up!"

"Well, for starters, it would help if you were gifted as a strategist," snapped Wufei tersely.

"Oh, thank you so much for that analysis! That means a lot to me, coming from the person whose grand battle plan was to just rush in all at once! Why didn't I think of that? I bow to your obviously superior knowledge," retorted Quatre, his voice heavy with sarcasm.

Wufei stood up, fists clenched, but before he could do anything, the doors at the far end of the hall were flung wide, and a runner dashed in, panting with exertion.

"The monster--!" he gasped. "It attacks--right now! Nearer to...nearer to Ka'legeth this time! The village--"

The dragon-riders had already leaped from their seats, tugging on flight jackets and leather gauntlets as they trotted toward the doors. "Now's our chance," said Duo enthusiastically. "If we can catch that thing away from its burrow, it can't escape so easily!"

They rushed out to the courtyard, where their dragons were already waiting for them, surrounded by Heero's siblings. Deathscythe danced impatiently, scratching at the poultice secured to his wounded shoulder. "Wesawtherunner!" he shouted with excitement. "Let'sgletsgoletsgo!!"

"If you damage that muscle any more, I'm going to dump you in a swamp and leave you there!" scowled Duo. The mercury dragon glared at him desultorily, but calmed down.

The children gathered around the dragons in a tight knot, then scattered as the riders prepared to mount. They clustered around their parents and waved furiously, calling after the dragons to visit again soon.

The riders gathered directions from the runner, then launched skyward. It was not long before they could spot human and animal alike fleeing beneath them, trying to get out of the path of the monster.

The badger, when they found it, had taken to decimating a stand of tall evergreens. Heero's face set in angry determination, and Wing banked into a steep dive. The topaz dragon took a swipe at the badger's hunched shoulder, and came away with one paw full of brindled black and white fur.

The badger shrieked in outrage, and whirled to confront its assailant. When it realized who its attackers were, its eyes narrowed, red-rimmed with anger. It seemed that the effects of the repulsion gas had completely worn off, and the monster was furious at having been bested.

The four dragons landed to surround their quarry, with Deathscythe landing a safe distance away, where he immediately set himself to pacing and babbling a constant stream of insults at the badger. But even with four dragons on the offensive, the badger still held them at bay. It rebuffed each of their attacks, driving the circle wider and wider. It seemed as though they had met an impasse.

Deathscythe was dancing with anxious impatience, furious that he could not help. "Calm down, 'Scythe!" yelled Duo over the noise of the battle. "You won't help if you injure yourself worse and have to be carried home! Let them do the fighting!"

His words caused the mercury dragon to pull up short. "Ofcourse!" he blurted. "IknowIknowIknowwhattodo!" Without further warning, he launched into the air and began winging toward the battle. Duo immediately began shouting. "No! No fighting! What do you think you're doing?! You can't fight!" But the dragon did not seem to be listening.

Deathscythe reached the battle and began to circle it. "Heyhey!" he shouted at the badger. "I'mtalkingtoyou! Lookatmelookatmelookatmemememe!!"

The diversion worked. The badger eyed the airborne dragon with a snarl, and swiped at it, its claws whistling as they sliced the air. The mercury dragon darted lithely out of reach. Even with his shoulder wounded, the air was his element. Deathscythe then began to shout at his companions.

"Attackattackattack!! I'llkeepthemonsterdistractedandyouattackit!" Hurryhurryhurry!"

Heavyarms was the first to react. Her neck snaked forward and she snapped at the beast's muzzle. The badger yelped in pain and started forward to attack the copper. Deathscythe pivoted in midair, cupping his wings. The metallic scales grabbed the light and focused it into a beam, which the dragon directed at the beast's face. The badger fell back, shaking its head, momentarily blinded by the light.

"Theeyes! Heavyarms!! Gofortheeyes!"

The copper dragon reacted immediately. Her rider murmured strategies, and she darted forward again, this time making sure the badger was aware of her approach. When she had locked her gaze with that of the beast, she drew a great breath and shot her neck forward, spraying the badger's face with a green-tinged fluid.

The badger squealed, dropping to all fours and clawing at its face frantically. Its claws left bloody furrows behind, marking the monster's face. It whipped its head back and forth, trying to catch the sound of its assailants. Heavyarms' acid had blinded the monster.

"Everybodystarttalkingatonce! Don'tletitsingleanyoneout!"

The dragons and their riders began shouting at the badger. The beast whipped around in confusion, unable to pinpoint any of its attackers. Blood from the wounds on its face spattered the ground.

"Sandrock! Hititwithyourlightingandstunit!"

Quatre waved in acknowledgment, and his dragon squared massive bronze shoulders in determination. Sandrock's neck curved back in an S-shape. The dragon snarled, baring his fangs. Small electrical currents crackled along his teeth as he built up a charge.

Meanwhile, the badger had heard him snarl. The other dragons had backed off and fallen silent. The monster zeroed in on Sandrock, but just as he prepared to charge, the bronze dragon's neck shot out, and with a loud roar, he let loose a crackling burst of lightning that caught the badger squarely in the chest.

The badger slumped backward in stunned shock, shaking its head dazedly. The blast from the bronze dragon had nearly felled it; the beast was barely conscious. Sandrock paced around the perimeter warily, growling under his breath as he monitored the beast's actions.

"WingWingWing! Nowit'syourturn! Finishitoff!"

The topaz dragon snorted, as though it were the first good suggestion he'd heard all day. Sandrock backed away quickly as the topaz strolled up, obviously in no hurry, since the badger was still hunched over on the ground, whimpering softly, trying to shake off the effects of the bronze dragon's attack.

Wing reared up on his hind legs and roared, then took in a breath, expelling it forcefully. The other dragons, even after having backed up a great distance from the blast radius, could feel the backlash of Wing's weapon, like the gust of air from a hot furnace. The blast caught the prone badger squarely. The monster let out one long shriek, and then was silent. When the air had cleared, all that was left of the beast was its dessicated hide, clinging tenaciously to its skeleton.

Deathscythe landed nearby, whooping with joy. "Wewonwewonwewon!!" He strutted around the badger's carcass proudly, as though the accomplishment had been all his. Wing snapped at the dragon irritably, but Deathscythe deftly ducked out of the way, razzing the topaz from a safer distance.

After that, it was a small task to clean up the remains of the monster and begin winging for home. Spirits were high among the dragon-riders; though it had taken longer than expected, they had been victorious, and no one had died. Deathscythe's injury would heal shortly, and they could continue to clean out the monsters that plagued the kingdom.

As they flew homeward, Sandrock lagged behind until they had achieved enough distance to talk without being overheard. "You seem troubled," the bronze dragon noted.

"I am," admitted his rider. "This was almost...almost too easy."

"But we did win," Parth pointed out adroitly. "And the battle did not take as long as I feared. After we began to work together, it went by rather quickly."

"Yes," admitted Quatre. "It did, at that. But they still will not admit to needing a strategy. Deathscythe was acting on his own when he started distracting that badger and shouting instructions." He sighed, eyes scanning the horizon with worry. "I have to wonder--all of our battles won't be this easy. What will we meet next?"

~*~

TBC

As always, C&C is greatly loved and appreciated. ^_^

[Morrighan]

Ooh... Heero's siblings seem so cute!!

I can't but feel that there're more to this than there seems... The calm before the storm almost.

Can't wait to see more!!

[RyanEX2000]

Eh...Woohoo, and update.

Twins?

TRIPLETS!!!!!

Daaammnnnn.....all of a sudden I feel sorry for Rel. And that's quite uncommon people.

[J Alberghini]

I was wondering what had happened to this story. But it was worth the wait. Can't wait for the next chapter!

[Padme]

Twins?

TRIPLETS!!!!!

The twins and triplets would have nothing to do with Relena because no one in her family has twins or triplets. So unless she drops two eggs at once, shes not having twins or triplets. Her little girls might, though.

Good chapter. I cannot wait for more.

[silent muse]

I didn't realize that chapter 10 was out!

....believe me...i was quite excited