| Moon Prophecy 3/? Part Three: You Can�t Take Away Pride By Wa Chenxi ([email protected] or [email protected]) Disclaimers: Now really� if I owned GW would I be writing fanfiction about it? Warnings: Pairings: Authors Notes: Quatre Raberba Winner, heir to the throne of Arba, groaned in dismay as he shifted through yet another merchant�s wares in search of a present for his sword brother. Holding up an intricately tooled leather scabbard, Quatre felt despair creeping into his normal sunny persona. The scabbard was well made and had a matching belt, but they just weren�t Duo. Now Rashid or one of his other bodyguards might like it, but not Duo. Besides, Duo could find one just as good in his own city. Sighing in frustration, Quatre left the stand, just narrowly avoiding being harassed by the merchant that was watching him like a hawk. Strolling down the narrow corridor between merchant stalls. Quatre looked around in disinterest, his azure eyes not missing a single detail, even the silent shadow of one of his bodyguards. Various fabrics, jewelry, flowers, weaponry, food, and other wares were displayed all around him, but none caught his eye. There just didn�t seem to be anything that Duo would like. �Duo why are you so hard to shop for?� Quatre wondered aloud as he approached the corner stage where the entertainment section of the market was located. Reaching the corner, Quatre�s eyes widened in surprise at what he saw. A large crowd had gathered around the stage and was listening as a slender, scraggly looking blonde addressed them. �Ladies and Gents! Today I�ve got some fresh ones for ye! Just got them on me way here for the Festival!� The man shouted to the crowd, gesturing grandly. Not impressed by the man, Quatre was bothered by a slight sickening feeling in his stomach. Something about this man made him want to avoid him. It was not unlike the feeling Quatre felt when he probed at some of the more shady nobles at his father�s court. �Fer the first one t�day, I�ll start with this boy!� The man waved over to one of his business associates to bring up the boy. There were catcalls from the crowd as the man continued to describe the boy�s assets. Quatre�s sickening feeling increased tenfold with the man�s words. Slavers� he thought disgustedly as he watched two men bring a small, slender boy up to the front of the stage. Moving forward unconsciously, Quatre studied the boy. Long auburn bangs covered half of a slender, handsome face with almost delicate features. One emerald eye glared at the crowd through the long strands, seemingly challenging the crowd. The rest of the boy matched his face, delicate but with inbuilt strength. Shirtless on stage, Quatre could see that the boy�s muscles obviously had seen use, but were not overly large. Flawless beige skin covered the toned muscles, adding to the boy�s beauty. Initially stunned by the boy, Quatre gradually realized that the boy had a ragged look to him. There were holes in what little clothing covered him and there were smudges of dirt and grim all over the boy that he hadn�t noticed at first. Feeling a more powerful nudge that he didn�t feel often, Quatre could literally feel the boy�s soul. Feelings of strength and pride flowed over Quatre, along with a faint sense of fear. Quatre�s heart ached painfully at the tinge of fear. He�s so afraid of what is going to happen to him but he won�t let his pride suffer. He�s got so much bravery� Impulsively fighting his way to the foot of the stage, Quatre called out commandingly. �I will pay 5,000 pieces of gold for him.� The crowd became silent instantly at Quatre�s bid as a space developed around the young blonde. Wondering why the crowd was reacting this way, Quatre looked at them in puzzlement. Recovering from his own shock, the auctioneer closed the sale before Quatre could say anything further. �Sold to the blonde man by the stage!� Wondering at what he�d just done, Quatre found himself flushing shyly as the two men who flanked the boy stepped off the stage and brought the boy to Quatre. Standing in front of Quatre, the boy�s glare had increased in intensity. Swallowing to calm himself, Quatre�s eyes flickered to the boy�s escorts. �Unshackle him,� he ordered. As the men did what he�d ordered, Quatre told them they could come to the caravan that was outside the walls and collect it from his man. Not taking his eyes off the boy�s, Quatre tried to smile lightly as the boy continued to glare. When the men left and the crowd finally began to fill in the space, Quatre tried to reassure the boy. �I�m Quatre,� he said while offering his hand. Looking at the hand in distrust, the boy hesitated before reaching out and taking the hand with a firm grip. Who is this boy and why did he pay so much for me? Trowa looked at the offered hand, his instincts telling him that the boy meant him no harm, yet for some reason he stubbornly stuck to his hostile fa�ade. �I�m Quatre,� the boy said with a smile that lit up his entire face. Trowa felt himself scowl, refusing to melt under the sunny smile. Taking the hand, Trowa tried to keep his frown in place but felt it slipping back towards neutral. �You paid too much. I�m not worth it.� Ignoring the ongoing auction, Quatre�s eyes narrowed slightly but the smile never left his face. �I paid what you are worth. Not a penny less.� Taken aback by the conviction in Quatre�s voice. Trowa took his hand back and crossed his arms over his bare chest. �You know nothing of worth. There is another being auctioned that is worth ten times what you paid for me.� �I will spend my money as I see fit, and you are worth the money I spent.� Quatre couldn�t believe it� the boy�s spirit was amazing. Not answering, Trowa turned his attention to the stage. Heero had just been brought up and he looked much worse than he had when they had been captured. Noticing that the other boy�s attention was no longer on him, Quatre looked back at the stage. The same annoying man was auctioning off yet another boy and was starting to take bids from the crowd. The boy on stage looked pale and was swaying slightly on his feet. Clear cobalt eyes looked out over the crowd without meeting anyone�s gaze. Quatre thought the boy was very handsome, but the gash that was partially visible under a wild mop of chocolate hair looked like it needed attention. �Someone you know?� Quatre questioned his companion. Trowa turned his emerald gaze to the smaller blonde. �If you purchase him I will do anything you ask of me. Anything.� Meeting the taller boy�s gaze, Quatre felt confused. �What do you mean by anything? Why is he so important? Is he family?� �If you buy him I will do anything. He is worth far more than me.� Trowa couldn�t take his eyes from Quatre�s. �Please. I can�t tell you why.� Looking back at the boy on stage, Quatre considered what the slave had said. Well� if nothing else I can always give him to Duo as a personal servant. Raising his voice Quatre called out to the auctionier, �500 gold pieces.� The auctionier nodded back at Quatre and then listened for a higher bid. Receiving none the auctioner declared the boy sold. Turning back to his now silent companion, Quatre studied the boy as he watched the other slave being brought towards them. �You will tell me later,� Quatre told him quietly. �For now I will take you to my caravan and get you both cleaned up and a doctor for him.� Meeting the light azure eyes, Trowa nodded slowly. �I�ll tell you sometime.� * Prince Duo of Ameron sat on a large stone handrail overlooking the gardens and toyed with the end of his long chestnut braid. The gardens were beautiful this time of year, but unlike every other year Duo had no desire to go strolling through them. Sighing in self-frustration, Duo sat crosslegged on the rail as he watched several couples enjoying the spring sunshine and the blooming flowers. �Must you sit like that? You�re going to fall and then I�ll have to tell G I let the prince kill himself,� a nasal voice said from behind Duo. Sighing louder than the first time, Duo cupped his face in his hands as he continued to stare out over the gardens. �Wufei� could you for once not constantly tell me everything I do is dangerous?� �Maybe when you stop this ridiculous moping of yours,� Wufei shot back as he crossed his arms across his chest and glared worriedly at his prince. �I just don�t know �Fei,� Duo mumbled. Tbc. |