Author’s Notes: Okay…for those of you still reading! Thankies! Thankies! Hugs and big fat smoochies to you all! I’m having such a wonderful time with this fic so far. Stellaboo, thank you so much for all the effort you are putting into this as my beta. I TOTALLY could not do this without you! **furious applause** You are truly amazing!
Wayward Travelers
by Luvspook
Chapter 2: Ash Colored Skies-The Fallen City
The sun seemed reluctant to rise, shedding not a single ray of light with which to warm the open countryside as morning came to Carthington. Relena drew her riding cloak tightly around her shoulders, stepping out into the troubled chill of the hazy dawn. She had passed a sleepless night, her uneasy mind unable to rest in anticipation of the next day’s journey, all the while battling dark images-nightmarish pictures of the Yuan-ti. Until now, the serpentine conquerors had merely been stories the nursemaids used to frighten children into obedience. Could it be that they were drawing nearer to the castle at this very moment, slinking out of the dream world and into a frightening reality? The way he spoke of them made her believe it could be so, and she could still hear his impassive voice warning her father, see the depths of his cold, blue eyes…
Her thoughts drifted involuntarily to the mysterious young knight, this Heero, whom her father now entrusted with her life. He had sworn to protect her, his oath still ringing in her ears hours later.
She made her way across the dusty courtyard, moving toward the stables under a canvas of sullen gray skies, stretching lazily to the horizon as far as the eye could see.
Though the journey to Livendale would undoubtedly prove to be a refreshing change from the typically dreary days spent wandering the corridors of the castle, she knew in her heart that she was merely exchanging one prison-like existence for another.
By the eve of his twelfth birthday, her brother, Milliardo, had been chosen to serve as an acolyte to the Temple of Riesolas, and traveled to Livendale to learn the fundamentals of intense study and training. Proving his worth in the trials of both physical strength and purity of heart, he came to master the art of swordsmanship, earning his title through valor in battle. Revered by his peers, Milliardo quickly became an example to the people there, standing as a symbol of righteousness and courage.
Since then, he had sent for her many times, hoping to lay claim to the bonds long severed by the distance of time. And every time, Relena found herself declining. Hardened by an existence born in battle, she had feared that he would have had little more to offer her than the obligations of a stranger. Certainly not the loving affection that had been so apparent before the fates had managed to set them apart ten years ago. Now, those fears were of no consequence.
She reached the lonely stables, Ceric greeting her with a soft whinny as he nuzzled his velvety nose into her outstretched hand. He had already been fed, well groomed and saddled for the day’s ride-tasks she had risen early to do herself. Relena’s eyes darted to a pair of empty stalls at the far end of the building, where her father’s proud ginger horse was usually housed, and where Heero had boarded his own impressive black stallion. Where would they have gone so early…so close to the time she and Heero were set to depart? Could it be that the enemy?…
Her concerns subsided as her father came to silhouette the doorway, the young knight not far behind, carrying in his stride an air of nobility which had not been present before.
She felt her pulse quicken when he entered the stables, her heart beating like the frantic feathered wings of a bird, trapped within her breast.
The fine silken threads of his tunic peeked out from beneath the protective cover of his chain mail shirt, sparkling with the radiance of freshly polished emeralds. His chest and shoulders were adorned with heavy, armor plates which, when reflected in even the dim light of the stable’s interior, gleamed like molten steel, swirling in a pattern of silvery gray and brilliant white. A flowing, velveteen cloak was drawn loosely over his shoulders, and she couldn’t help but notice the way the ebony folds rustled softly as he walked.
In her mind, she conjured the memories of a childhood spent in the company of fairy tale princes in their storybook romances-the imaginings born of all foolish young girls.
He put them all to shame.
"I’m afraid it is time, my daughter." She heard her father say, the tenderness in his voice, embracing her only moments before his large, but gentle, arms did. She looked up into the pale blue eyes so like her own, startled at the tired, lusterless glaze that had stolen their brilliant glimmer, sunken into the shadows of his aging face. "Send me word when you arrive at Livendale," he rasped, a wavering in his tone, unlike any she had heard before. He managed a fleeting smile as he closed the heavy riding cloak over the curve of her shoulders, before enfolding her once again.
"Be well, father." Relena whispered against his tunic, fearful that her voice might betray her own deepening sorrow should she speak any louder. "You shall be in my thoughts…and in my heart."
Sensing the unmistakable threat of tears stinging in her eyes, Relena relinquished her hold on her father and returned to Ceric’s side, grateful for the momentary distraction the animal could provide. Her fingertips had scarcely made contact with the smooth, padded leather of Ceric’s saddle when she felt a set of firm, strong hands encompass her waist just above the hips.
His touch was electrifying. So much so, that she couldn’t restrain the inaudible gasp that tumbled from her lips, as a wave of excitement coursed through her body, washing away and dulling the painful sadness of the moments before. He was standing dangerously close…close enough to feel the warmth of his breath kiss the naked flesh of her neck. Close enough for the faint aroma of leather and steel to ignite each of her senses, as though she was using them for the first time.
She felt the involuntary rush of blood coloring her cheeks as she slipped her left foot into the stirrup, smiling inwardly as Heero swiftly and effortlessly lifted her to settle onto Ceric’s back. Though she tried, she was unable to avoid his gaze, and hoped that he hadn’t noticed the way that she had trembled at his touch.
If he had, he gave no outward indication as he turned his attention back to the king, bowing his head as if reassuring the man of her safety. Taking the reins of the massive black stallion he had been tending to the previous day, he vaulted into the saddle, nestling comfortably on the animal’s back. Dalamar let out a temperamental huff as Heero reined him toward the stable doors, obviously anxious to get the journey underway.
"Farewell, my daughter," the King called out. Relena stole a fleeting glance over her shoulder, until his tall figure disappeared from sight. She bit her lip and turned to her companion, observing the young knight in silence as he led them from the stables and down the winding dirt path leading east out of the city. Within what seemed only moments, they had traveled far beyond the great meadow, and she felt suddenly removed from anything at all familiar. What she had known of the world seemed so small to her as she viewed the overwhelming expanse of dense forest that lined their path.
"It’s at least a three day ride to Livendale from here…if the weather holds." Heero said, as if sensing her discomfort at the strange new surroundings. "If you need to stop…"
"No, I’m fine." She interrupted, a bit more anxiously than she had wanted to. She silently chastised herself for sounding like a homesick child.
"We’ll make camp in a few hours, but we must reach the pass at Daar-lem. There’s plenty of shelter and a fresh-water lake nearby. You’ll be able to freshen up there in the morning, if you like." He explained, gradually slowing Dalamar’s pace until the young princess and her steed were nearly traveling at his side. "If we ride hard enough, we’ll have completed the first leg of the journey by late-morning. I’m sure you’ll want to reach your brother’s stronghold as soon as the Gods would allow it."
"Actually, Sir Knight, I have little desire to see my brother at all." Relena replied, heaving a deep sigh as she stared up into the misty sky. "It has been a great many years since I have seen Milliardo. I fear my heart may not recognize him after so long an absence."
Heero remained quiet, keeping his vision fixed far off into the distance. Silence stretched languorously between the two riders, broken only by the sound of hooves on the dampened forest floor. Relena could see the muscles in her companion’s angular jaw growing tenser as he moved along, apparently lost in his own thoughts. She couldn’t help but feel that an untold story rested somewhere beneath the pensive expression etched on his handsome face.
"Do you know my brother, Sir Knight?"
"I know of him, Princess." Heero replied, a hint of hesitation peeking through his words.
"I wish for you to speak openly of him." Relena prodded. "I fear you know more of him than I."
Seeming to choose his words with careful deliberation, Heero answered. "There is no greater symbol of nobility than that which your brother stands for. However, I have come to realize that when one walks the lines that fall between goodness and evil, it is realized that those lines are never quite so easily drawn."
She could sense a pooling sadness emanating in the depth of his words, but in light of her own reservations where her brother was concerned, chose to pursue it no further. Instead, the two rode on in the simple comfort of their shared silence.
* * * * *
Dusk began to settle across the land, pulling its rich, dark fabric over the cloudy sky. Relena suspected they were very near to their destination, as Heero eased their traveling pace for the first time since they started the rocky ascent into the mountain pass. Little more than a small clearing imprisoned by rock, the entrance to the pass would serve as their shelter for the night.
Relena had busied herself with unpacking some of the rations for dinner, as Heero searched for kindling to keep their fire burning through the remainder of the night. Laying out her bedroll, she could already begin to feel weariness taking hold, radiating from her limbs and finally climbing to her heavy-lidded eyes. She fought against sleep, sitting atop her blankets and watching the myriad of colors flickering in the heart of the fire, lapping at the bleak, night sky. She knew Heero was near, and promised herself that she would merely close her eyes for a moment. The warmth of the fire embraced the tired girl; it’s merry crackling singing a soothing, comfortable lullaby. No sooner had long eyelashes brushed against wind-burned cheeks, than she had surrendered to the calm oblivion of unconsciousness.
By the time Heero had returned, the young woman was asleep, beyond knowing or caring about the night settling in around her. He found his eyes drawn to her in the darkness, envious of the peaceful expression she wore, even as she slumbered. The firelight caressed her fair-skinned features with a soft and delicate glow, bathing her in an aura of peace and serenity, rivaled by only that of the angels. Her beauty was an unnatural one, both youthful and enchanting. So much so, that he found himself spellbound.
He tore his eyes away as she stirred, berating himself for even entertaining the thought of allowing her to become a distraction. He had taken a vow…nothing more. He would see her safely to the gates of Livendale, where he would leave her in the protection of her brother and return to aid the King. He was her escort…nothing more.
The enemy, he knew, was fast approaching Carthington. He and the King had ridden out, under the cover of darkness, to address the swiftly gathering army that would be sent to prevent the Yuan-ti from entering the city.
If Carthington fell, he was to see the Princess safely to wherever the Prince ordered her to go once they reached Livendale, as the enemy would surely follow.
The knight leaned back against the giant surface of a nearby boulder, positioning himself so that he could watch over the sleeping girl. He swore to protect her…to see her safely to where she must go.
"Nothing more…" He whispered, softly, before drifting off into a dreamless sleep.
* * * * *
Relena woke at the first light of dawn, greeted by the young knight who had guarded her as she slept.
"I see you’re awake." He said, grinning inwardly as he noticed her struggling to straighten her unkempt tangles of hair. "Did you sleep well?"
"Um…yes…" Relena responded, smoothing her wrinkled dress. "And you?"
Heero took a moment just to look at her before answering. Her hair, now swept all to one side, cascaded over her right shoulder like a honey waterfall, shimmering in the morning light in fine golden threads.
"Well enough." He replied.
Excusing herself with a curt smile, Relena braved the crisp chill in the air and rose to her feet, intending to make her way to the clear, crystalline lake that Heero had spoken of. Openly craving the warmth of her riding cloak, she pulled the fur-lined garment around her, stumbling over the craggy surface of rocks before her. Breaching a small gap in the pass, Relena found herself unable to move. Any sound she could have made caught in her throat, and her eyes grew wide, then shut and opened again, as if closing them might make the sight before her disappear.
It couldn’t be…It just couldn’t….
Against the backdrop of what she imagined would have been an otherwise breathtaking sunrise, was the place of her birth-Carthington. The enormous city was a mere speck on the distant vista below as she looked upon it now, but it was the sky above it that drew her attention, blackened by thick tendrils of smoke the color of ash.
Without comprehensible thought, she found herself moving; her feet carrying her across the jagged slivers of rock and dirt to where the horses were still tethered to the trees below.
The pounding of hooves and Ceric’s protesting cries caught Heero’s attention immediately, and he quickly jumped to his feet to trace the source of the commotion. Reaching the top of the pass, he caught sight of the great city to the East, still smoldering in the early morning light. A deep sense of dread struck him to the core as he noticed that Ceric was gone, Relena along with him. It didn’t take long for him to realize where she was headed, and with a swift kick to Dalamar’s side, he rode off down the path in the hopes of stopping her.
Carthington was burning…the attack had begun.
Yay! The attack has begun! I hope you’re all ready for this…because it’s gonna be like a ride at Disneyland, from here on in! Next chapter you can expect to see some familiar faces, along with some new evils…adventure and mayhem to come. Thank you all for reading and hope to see you next time, too!
*hugs*
