DESTINY(3)
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2003 2:30 pm
Hilde moved forward,dunking her short,dark hair into steaming waters of the crystal spring.A light snore distracted her and she giggled softly as Dorothy's hung back,her mouth open.Dorothy was benefitting the most here as the crystals that warmed the warms also mysteriousely replenished the spirit.She and Quatre had been pushing themselves each night,assuming the form of a fleet-footed Chimera.A noble beast long hunted to extinction due to the danger it posed to caravans on the trad routes.Each morning after they halted,the two shapeshifters barely had the energy to feed themselves before collapsing onto the cloaks they pulled from their packs.A sudden splashing interruoted her musings as Noin pulled herself from the spring.
"Lu?"she asked curiously.
Noin turned from drying herself and smiled,"Let's go,little one,I think it's time we gave the men a turn here."
Giving a sigh Hilde pulled herself up and quickly dressed,pulling on the piece of string she'd tied her soulstone to.Dorothy posed a problem as the blonde woman was still too drained to move around too much.Instead Hilde levered her into a standing position while Noin dressed her.Back at camp Quatre was awake,but the lines on his face and dark circles under his eyes made him appear more dead than alive.Seeing them supporting Dorothy he moved towards them,but stumbled and would have fallen had Heero not caught him.
"Steady friend,"Heero told him."She's in no condition to go anywhere....and neither are you."
He glanced around at them his gaze lingering on Noin,"You're in charge till I get back,"he told her.See to it that she's fed and kept warm,much of what happens the next few days will rely on these two."So saying he turned and carried Quatre in the direction of the waters.
*****
Noin sat high up an old oak tree,her elven eyes and ears alert for any unusual sights or sounds.Down below Dorothy had grudgingly given in to Hildes' assistance,but her face remained set in an angry expression as Hilde maneuvered a spoonful of porridge to her lips.Noin chuckled,then frowned as she felt a familiar featherlike probe at her mind.Try as she might she couldn't resist and felt herself falling into herself.
<Have I caught you at a bad time>the voice sounded amused.
<I suppose not>Noin controlled her irritation.<I'm only supposed to be in charge until Heero returns>
<I apologise,if there is any danger I shall return control of your body to you.But there is still much for us to discuss>
<Just who ARE you?>
<I am the one who continues to fight fate>the voice replied cryptically.
<That's not much of an answer>she pointed out.
<No it isn't>the voice admitted.<But it's all you need to know right now.Your main concern should be our little knight>
<What do you mean>she hedged.
<I know Noin.I know about your talent,and how........>
<It's not a talent>she shouted internally.<It's a curse>
<Calm my friend>It soothed.<You may not realise it but the the fate of thousands of lives may rely on your 'curse' and..........>
<What is it?>
<He's returning>the voice sounded almost wistful.<I'd almost forgotten what he looked like.Return to your body,Noin and be ready when the time comes.>
*****
They'd rested for only a few short hours before continuing their trek.Dorothy moved alongside Heero while Quatre hung back with the other two women.
"Quatre,"Noin started casually."Where exactly are we going?"
"The castle of Duke Dermail,"Quatre answered in a matter-of-factish manner.
"Why?"Hilde pressed.
"Tell them Quatre,"Dorothy said without looking back."They'll be helping us,so they might as well know what they're getting into."
"The Duke recently acquired a reluctant guest within his Castle keep.This guest is a valued member of a Noble House the Duke fears,so he is using her as a lever against their opposing him."
"So just the five of us are going to assault a castle with an unknown number of enemies inside?"Hilde asked incredulously
"It's six of us and we have an edge they don't."Dorothy said.
"And what's that?"
"They don't know it's only six of us."Heero answered.
*****
Sally'd avoided the Keep's tower,for fear that if the princess was held there,she might try something rash.But now,her suspicions confirmed and the diversionary attack set for tonight,she could no longer put off her visit.Holding her amulet close she concentrated,her figure shimmering,growing,until she had assumed the form of one of fearsome Black Nites that acted as the Dukes' own personal Guard.Assuming aposture of total confidence she bypassed the two soldiers with a contemptuous salute and stomped her way up the stairs.
She stood at the single window at he Keeps' pinacle.If she'd just been able to remove this accursed pendant the court sorceror placed around her neck it wouldn't be a problem.But she couldn't remove it since touching it rendered her unconscious,and if she tried to gather her spirit the pendant caused it to backlash on her,causing the same result.She whirled at the sound of the door opening seeing one of Dermails dread Nites entering her room,and felt the first twinge of fear.
Sally was horrified at the sight of how drawn the princess looked.She unclasped her hand from the amulet,shimmering back to her natural form before dropping to her knees,"Your Highness...."
The sight of such an imposing figure shrinking into a smaller one almost caused her to faint with fright....at least until she recognised the figure that knelt before her,and with a soft cry embraced her."Sally,what are you doing here?What about father is father coming,what abou Wufei?"
"Highness,we......."
"Sally we've talked about this before,"She stopped her,a note of command in her voice.
"I'm sorry you.....Meiaran.No they're not here,but we ARE getting you out."
"How?"
A ferocious roar drowned her answer,but the screams and explosions answered that question.She glanced at her friend.
"Now I need you to do exactly as I say,"Sally told her.
*****
At thirty-two,Viruc had been a Black Nite for almost eight years.As with all the Nites,his skill with the sword and axe were considerable,but those talents were of no use here as the massive Silver dragon expelled another explosive blast of silvery light.The castle archers had responded well and were firing barrage after barrage of arrows that were sure to bring down the beast.A sudden cry got his attention as archers on the walls suddenly started dropping.
<What the hell>he thought.
"Sir there's archers hidden in the woods."another Nite reported."The frequency of the arrows and the positioning indicates at least ten at the Eastern and Western walls."
"What about the gates?"
"No activity there sir,but that's where the dragon first struck so most of our defenses there are non-existent."
"Then that's where the main thrust will be.Gather what Nites we can spare and met me at the gates."
*****
From her current position Noin watched as a group of black clad knights moved towards the gate.She counted at least ten of them.Her fingers itched to shoot at least one of them,but Heero's orders had been explicit.Anyone or anything approaching the gates was not to be attacked.So instead she loosed the arrow the held at the ready at an archer that was attempting to track her movements.He gave a gurgling cry before tumbling forward to fall over the wall into the moat.
Gort led his ten Nites across the bridge.They eached carried a silver shortsword,preferable for close range fights against superior numbers,but each also carried the fearsome Scythe that was a Black Nites favoured weapon.Just at the forests' edge his foot tangled in something stretched across the path.As his Nites paused to help him up a figure in white and blue,stepped onto the path and shouted a challenge in a guttural foreign tongue.
One of his men leapt forward charging the newcomer,but then something strange happened.The Nite seemed to shift,shrinking down into a feminine shape.He didn't recognise the running woman,but every Nite knew the red-clad woman on her back.With a below of rage,Gort threw aside his shortsword,wrenching his scythe forward and charged,with his men closely following.Instead of retreating,however,the white and blue knight charged forward wielding a large broadsword.
"Fool,"was Gort's last thought as swung his scythe to cleave th interloper's skull.
*****
(Morning/Sunrise)
"........All total we lost about fifty archers as well as a few dozen infantry.Coupled with that we also lost nine of of the fifteen black Nites we were assigned."
"I see,"the cloaked and hooded man spoke softly as he contemplated the rising sun."That'll be all."
"But Lord Sage shouldn't we ready a capture party.If the Duke finds out........"
"He won't.I will deal with it,"he responded in a clipped tone."Now go."
After the official left he turned his attention to the shadows,"Well?"
A pair of deep green eyes stared a him through the gloom,"I've examined the area surrounding the castle.My best estimate is that there were just three attackers along with that dragon."
"A covert attack under the cover of darkness.an impressive and bold plan."He noted."anything else"
"There were ten Black Nites at the site."
"What?"
"At least there were at the time.Ten sets prints left the castle,there was an accident just past the bridge.They were apparently met by one of the attackers in heavy armour.The tracks of the missing Nite move past him.
"A spy,"Sage noted."But you mean to tell me that one man beat nine Nites!"
"That is how it seems sir."
Sage paused to consider this while his green eyed companion was content to wait on him."I want you to go after them,the usual fee,plus a bonus if you bring me back that warrior as well as the princess."
"Sir,"the eyes flickered then disappeared.
Confident he was now alone Sage removed his hood and poured himself a glass of wine,"Few men could accomplish such a feat.It has to be him.And once I have him,the real prize won't be far behind.
TBC
_________________
"Lu?"she asked curiously.
Noin turned from drying herself and smiled,"Let's go,little one,I think it's time we gave the men a turn here."
Giving a sigh Hilde pulled herself up and quickly dressed,pulling on the piece of string she'd tied her soulstone to.Dorothy posed a problem as the blonde woman was still too drained to move around too much.Instead Hilde levered her into a standing position while Noin dressed her.Back at camp Quatre was awake,but the lines on his face and dark circles under his eyes made him appear more dead than alive.Seeing them supporting Dorothy he moved towards them,but stumbled and would have fallen had Heero not caught him.
"Steady friend,"Heero told him."She's in no condition to go anywhere....and neither are you."
He glanced around at them his gaze lingering on Noin,"You're in charge till I get back,"he told her.See to it that she's fed and kept warm,much of what happens the next few days will rely on these two."So saying he turned and carried Quatre in the direction of the waters.
*****
Noin sat high up an old oak tree,her elven eyes and ears alert for any unusual sights or sounds.Down below Dorothy had grudgingly given in to Hildes' assistance,but her face remained set in an angry expression as Hilde maneuvered a spoonful of porridge to her lips.Noin chuckled,then frowned as she felt a familiar featherlike probe at her mind.Try as she might she couldn't resist and felt herself falling into herself.
<Have I caught you at a bad time>the voice sounded amused.
<I suppose not>Noin controlled her irritation.<I'm only supposed to be in charge until Heero returns>
<I apologise,if there is any danger I shall return control of your body to you.But there is still much for us to discuss>
<Just who ARE you?>
<I am the one who continues to fight fate>the voice replied cryptically.
<That's not much of an answer>she pointed out.
<No it isn't>the voice admitted.<But it's all you need to know right now.Your main concern should be our little knight>
<What do you mean>she hedged.
<I know Noin.I know about your talent,and how........>
<It's not a talent>she shouted internally.<It's a curse>
<Calm my friend>It soothed.<You may not realise it but the the fate of thousands of lives may rely on your 'curse' and..........>
<What is it?>
<He's returning>the voice sounded almost wistful.<I'd almost forgotten what he looked like.Return to your body,Noin and be ready when the time comes.>
*****
They'd rested for only a few short hours before continuing their trek.Dorothy moved alongside Heero while Quatre hung back with the other two women.
"Quatre,"Noin started casually."Where exactly are we going?"
"The castle of Duke Dermail,"Quatre answered in a matter-of-factish manner.
"Why?"Hilde pressed.
"Tell them Quatre,"Dorothy said without looking back."They'll be helping us,so they might as well know what they're getting into."
"The Duke recently acquired a reluctant guest within his Castle keep.This guest is a valued member of a Noble House the Duke fears,so he is using her as a lever against their opposing him."
"So just the five of us are going to assault a castle with an unknown number of enemies inside?"Hilde asked incredulously
"It's six of us and we have an edge they don't."Dorothy said.
"And what's that?"
"They don't know it's only six of us."Heero answered.
*****
Sally'd avoided the Keep's tower,for fear that if the princess was held there,she might try something rash.But now,her suspicions confirmed and the diversionary attack set for tonight,she could no longer put off her visit.Holding her amulet close she concentrated,her figure shimmering,growing,until she had assumed the form of one of fearsome Black Nites that acted as the Dukes' own personal Guard.Assuming aposture of total confidence she bypassed the two soldiers with a contemptuous salute and stomped her way up the stairs.
She stood at the single window at he Keeps' pinacle.If she'd just been able to remove this accursed pendant the court sorceror placed around her neck it wouldn't be a problem.But she couldn't remove it since touching it rendered her unconscious,and if she tried to gather her spirit the pendant caused it to backlash on her,causing the same result.She whirled at the sound of the door opening seeing one of Dermails dread Nites entering her room,and felt the first twinge of fear.
Sally was horrified at the sight of how drawn the princess looked.She unclasped her hand from the amulet,shimmering back to her natural form before dropping to her knees,"Your Highness...."
The sight of such an imposing figure shrinking into a smaller one almost caused her to faint with fright....at least until she recognised the figure that knelt before her,and with a soft cry embraced her."Sally,what are you doing here?What about father is father coming,what abou Wufei?"
"Highness,we......."
"Sally we've talked about this before,"She stopped her,a note of command in her voice.
"I'm sorry you.....Meiaran.No they're not here,but we ARE getting you out."
"How?"
A ferocious roar drowned her answer,but the screams and explosions answered that question.She glanced at her friend.
"Now I need you to do exactly as I say,"Sally told her.
*****
At thirty-two,Viruc had been a Black Nite for almost eight years.As with all the Nites,his skill with the sword and axe were considerable,but those talents were of no use here as the massive Silver dragon expelled another explosive blast of silvery light.The castle archers had responded well and were firing barrage after barrage of arrows that were sure to bring down the beast.A sudden cry got his attention as archers on the walls suddenly started dropping.
<What the hell>he thought.
"Sir there's archers hidden in the woods."another Nite reported."The frequency of the arrows and the positioning indicates at least ten at the Eastern and Western walls."
"What about the gates?"
"No activity there sir,but that's where the dragon first struck so most of our defenses there are non-existent."
"Then that's where the main thrust will be.Gather what Nites we can spare and met me at the gates."
*****
From her current position Noin watched as a group of black clad knights moved towards the gate.She counted at least ten of them.Her fingers itched to shoot at least one of them,but Heero's orders had been explicit.Anyone or anything approaching the gates was not to be attacked.So instead she loosed the arrow the held at the ready at an archer that was attempting to track her movements.He gave a gurgling cry before tumbling forward to fall over the wall into the moat.
Gort led his ten Nites across the bridge.They eached carried a silver shortsword,preferable for close range fights against superior numbers,but each also carried the fearsome Scythe that was a Black Nites favoured weapon.Just at the forests' edge his foot tangled in something stretched across the path.As his Nites paused to help him up a figure in white and blue,stepped onto the path and shouted a challenge in a guttural foreign tongue.
One of his men leapt forward charging the newcomer,but then something strange happened.The Nite seemed to shift,shrinking down into a feminine shape.He didn't recognise the running woman,but every Nite knew the red-clad woman on her back.With a below of rage,Gort threw aside his shortsword,wrenching his scythe forward and charged,with his men closely following.Instead of retreating,however,the white and blue knight charged forward wielding a large broadsword.
"Fool,"was Gort's last thought as swung his scythe to cleave th interloper's skull.
*****
(Morning/Sunrise)
"........All total we lost about fifty archers as well as a few dozen infantry.Coupled with that we also lost nine of of the fifteen black Nites we were assigned."
"I see,"the cloaked and hooded man spoke softly as he contemplated the rising sun."That'll be all."
"But Lord Sage shouldn't we ready a capture party.If the Duke finds out........"
"He won't.I will deal with it,"he responded in a clipped tone."Now go."
After the official left he turned his attention to the shadows,"Well?"
A pair of deep green eyes stared a him through the gloom,"I've examined the area surrounding the castle.My best estimate is that there were just three attackers along with that dragon."
"A covert attack under the cover of darkness.an impressive and bold plan."He noted."anything else"
"There were ten Black Nites at the site."
"What?"
"At least there were at the time.Ten sets prints left the castle,there was an accident just past the bridge.They were apparently met by one of the attackers in heavy armour.The tracks of the missing Nite move past him.
"A spy,"Sage noted."But you mean to tell me that one man beat nine Nites!"
"That is how it seems sir."
Sage paused to consider this while his green eyed companion was content to wait on him."I want you to go after them,the usual fee,plus a bonus if you bring me back that warrior as well as the princess."
"Sir,"the eyes flickered then disappeared.
Confident he was now alone Sage removed his hood and poured himself a glass of wine,"Few men could accomplish such a feat.It has to be him.And once I have him,the real prize won't be far behind.
TBC
_________________
