| Gundam Wing: Legend of Mystiks Chapter 19 Too many for the girls in their weakened state. They knew they had to try anyway. But before they could do anything, the Ferals all disappeared in different forms of the separate Elements. Realizing that they�d never been without aid, the girls smiled knowingly at each other and, satisfied, turned back to fuss over the boys. *~*~* � Us?� � Hai.� � Doushite?� The king frowned. � Is there something wrong with my choice?� They looked at each other before hurriedly answering. � Iie, Sire!� � All right then. The troops are waiting outside the gate.� They bowed and left, careful to not let their wings twitch even the slightest bit. Since the king could be somewhat paranoid at times, they worried he would think his generals were possessed and order for the girls� deaths because they were Mystiks and they hid it from no one. Therefore, the only logical assumption was that it was the girls� fault. They also found it strange that the king did not comment on their change of armor. Instead of the normal metallic gray, they were the color of the Element of the bearer to keep their wings from gaining too much attention which were, Duo had shown, easily and comfortably rested on one�s shoulders, the claws gently digging into the shirt or armor. Outside in the courtyard, six girls with the strangest feathered clothing each stood holding a horse the same color as their clothes. They handed the reins to the guys and stepped back, smiling a good-bye. � Remember, follow in two days,� Heero reminded them, whirling Wing and taking off across the bridge. Trowa followed, then Wufei, Zechs, Quatre, and Duo happily brought up the rear. When the guys disappeared into the forest with the army, the girls changed to their second form and headed after them slowly but surely. It would be a long trek to the Fasanera border (once again, the weak country had tried to attack its stronger neighbor) but they could be patient. Having to put up with the guys� confusion about their power had taught them what patience was. Eventually they came to the edge of the forest. The vastness of the Riscat Plains spread out before them, the dry grass stalks waving in a gentle breeze. They would wait here, just inside the forest, where they could keep an eye on the camp and its surroundings. To keep themselves amused, they would move just barely outside the forest edge and move around until some one spotted them before dashing back into the shadowy woods. Cosmos was able to give half the camp a scare because everyone was always catching glimpses of her head or tail and they stayed awake for fear of being attacked while they slept. The guys finally had to command them to sleep, then, when they were sure the soldiers were all asleep, went out to investigate the forest. They came up with nothing, but the horses kept on snorting nervously until they were back in the camp. *~*~* Around dintime on the first day, Pyre flew to a tree in the camp and perched there, looking at the goings-on with disinterest. Her focus was for the guys, to see how they were handling keeping their wings �out of sight�. They were doing very well, considering how many troops kept asking them about their �capes�. Several times the wings had gotten caught on a tent stake and they�d had to carefully remove it by hand to avoid being questioned about a cape that could move on its own. Pyre was almost caught twice. The first time, Wufei had stopped under the tree and stared up at her in mild suspicion. She�d allowed the hawk�s mind to be in control briefly, letting it cock its head to the side to stare back at him. He�d decided she was a regular hawk and had continued on his way. The second time, she�d dove down for a mouse and had found an arrow in her belly instead. The troop members who�d shot her down went out and brought her back. Ready to pluck her clean, the soldiers were surprised when Wufei materialized out of nowhere and took her away. They were doubly surprised when the hawk, who�d been resisting them the whole time, lay like a tame chicken in the arms of the general, who bandaged her up and kept her in his tent. She escaped that night and returned to the others. Pyre was more cautious after that. Hardly three hours after Pyre�s escape, black shadows crept into the camp. The girls saw this and Cosmos� sharp sight realized what they were. [Assassins!] she hissed, sliding through the grass even quieter than the invaders had been. The girls slipped into the camp and killed the assassins before they got anywhere near the tents. Then they looked up and saw part of the Fasanera army hidden in the tall grass. Changing to their third forms, they quickly and efficiently killed all but one, who they allowed to flee to tell the army commander of the failure. No one in the camp ever woke once. Two hours after dintime on the second day, the rest of the army attacked. Caught off-guard, the guys and their troops fought back as best they could, but the opposing forces were surprisingly overwhelming. During a momentary cessation of the battle, when the Fasanera army had been sufficiently driven back, the generals stood in a circle apart from their men. � They�re not going to get here in time, are they?� Quatre asked. � Probably not,� Heero replied bluntly. � Even if they hurried?� Zechs pushed. � They most likely already know what has happened because of their attachment to us,� Trowa answered quietly. � They�d be hurrying the rest of the way here.� � But it wouldn�t be enough,� Wufei concluded. � Definitely not enough,� Duo agreed with finality in his voice. Little did they know, the girls had been laying hardly ten feet away. And had heard every word. |