TITLE: Dreams on Dragon Wings

PART: 1/?

AUTHOR: AJ from NZ

E-MAIL: [email protected]

GENRE: AU Fantasy

RATING: PG

PAIRINGS: 1x2, 3x4, 5x6, 11x13,

DISCLAIMER: I don’t own GundamWing – if I did I’d make sure they’d got out to New Zealand by now. I acknowledge that they belong to some other lucky personages… **sighs**

WARNING: OOC for all; yaoi - hopefully lemons will abound if I can get my head around writing them, violence, nasty Relena, fighting queens… **smirks**

AUTHOR’S NOTES: This fic is based ever-so-slightly on the wonderful books of Anne McCaffrey; and also those of Raymond E. Feist. To some extent Terry Pratchett also has something to answer for. Expect weirdness.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

PART ONE

The young man leant against one of the ornate pillars behind the conference table, watching with minimal interest as the meeting whiled away in front of him. His attention was on the tall man currently speaking to the gathered High Council of Citir.

Emperor Brendan was a solidly built man of middle years whose forceful nature and keen insight into their enemies had been vital in steering Citir safely through several bitterly contested confrontations with their nearest neighbours the Neaseans. At the moment the two kingdoms were going through a period of armed observation… neither entirely trusting the other and both determined to be ready and waiting when the approaching war that both could feel drawing near broke out.

Emperor Brendan gestured forcefully at the aristocratic looking man across the council table. "DragonLord Treize, will you and your DragonWarriors be available if the Neaseans next attack? It is noted that two of your Monts are in direct line of the projected invasion routes."

Raising an eyebrow at the gesticulations Treize nodded briefly. "Yes your Majesty we are prepared – and always have been prepared to defend our own territories. I think you mean to ask us if we are willing to assist you in defending your Empire?"

Brendan didn’t flinch as the DragonLord stressed the independence of the Dragon Monts in one civilly expressed phrase. It had never been the Emperor’s way to acknowledge such things – preferring instead to plough on regardless. "My empire," he stressed the phrase himself with a slight smile before continuing, "has always accepted the independence of the Dragon Monts. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the Neaseans. They dislike leaving any possible risk of attack undefended – just look at what they did to the Messenger Guild in Neasa!"

The youth standing in the shadow of the pillar flinched. He wished that Brendan hadn’t brought that particular topic up – it was too soon.

"The Messenger Guild?" Treize looked confused. "What did the Neaseans do to them, and why? I can hardly see where they’d pose a threat."

A grim smile quirked Brendan’s lips. "The Guild was independent. That in itself was reason enough for the attack, but it was more than that. You know that the Guild prides itself on its ability to deliver messages no matter what?"

"Certainly, only a fool wouldn’t." Treize frowned. Where was this leading, and how did it affect his Monts?

"King Saen of the Neaseans decided that the Messenger Guilds ability to relay news within a matter of hours was cause for concern – he accused the Guild of spying on Neasean for Citir. He attacked each and every Guild house within Neasean borders – and slaughtered every Messenger he could lay his hands on." Brendan watched the DragonLord’s face cloud with disgust. "He had his mages block the Messengers from getting news of the massacre out."

"Then how do you know?" Treize asked curiously.

"I was there, I escaped over the border into Yhtac and found shelter there before making my way here as fast as I was able." The shadowy figure stepped forward into the light, the emblems of his rank and status glinting on his battered cloak. "I am Messenger First-Class Duo of Etteneaj – I had been in Yddap delivering a message when the attack occurred."

"Yddap? That’s the capital of Neasa! How did you get there from here without being apprehended?" Treize questioned the young Messenger. "Did you disguise yourself?"

A thin smile creased the boy’s tired face. "No your Lordship, when a Messenger doesn’t want to be seen we can make sure we aren’t. As soon as the House was attacked the local Messengers, who’d been expecting something of the sort to happen, sent me out through one of their bolt-holes. I observed much of the actions of the Neasa Guard, then travelled here as fast as I could."

"When did the attack take place?" asked one of the councillors – Duke Clement of Atamet, whose estates were next to the border.

"Two days ago my Lord," answered Duo, his voice controlled. He desperately wanted to lie down and cry, then sleep for three days straight but there simply wasn’t the time for him to do so. There must be reparation for the Neasean attack.

"Two days!" exclaimed various members of the council in disbelief – it was three days ride by horse to Yddap from the Neasean-Citir border; and another days ride from the border to Ekupaur where they currently were.

Duo shrugged off the sceptical looks he received. "If you wish to test my veracity, I am willing, more than willing, to undergo a truth test. I am a Messenger – we go fast, especially in circumstances like these."

Brendan looked the lad over, he was clearly exhausted but as he defended himself there was a definite spark in violet eyes. "Enough!"

The clamouring councillors fell silent after the echoes of the Emperor’s command had died away. Their eyes turned from the Emperor’s angry face to the pale countenance of the exhausted Messenger at his side.

Brendan sent a quelling glare around his raucous councillors before continuing, " If anyone wishes to test the Messenger let them do it now!" he commanded rather than asked, his temper running short. "Any takers?"

"I’ll test him," Treize spoke up calmly. He didn’t doubt the boy; there was a too evident sense of soul-deep pain about him. "If you will come here?"

Drawing a deep breath Duo approached the DragonLord. He was proud of himself for managing to walk without swaying in exhaustion. "I’m ready."

Treize held one hand over the slight youth’s head summoning a golden globe of energy around them both. "Any words spoken now will be the truth and only the truth or the curse of the DragonGods will smite you without mercy."

"Accepted," Duo intoned solemnly, fighting to control the hysterical laughter that was bubbling up inside him. He never knew why but for some reason invoking Gods when swearing oaths always struck him as rather funny – this had resulted in trouble for himself more times that he could count.

"Please state your name and your place of birth." Treize started off with something that would establish the boy’s identity.

"Duo of Etteneaj." Duo responded promptly.

"Where were you two days ago?"

"I was at the Messenger Guild House in Yddap, Neasa." Duo fervently hoped that he wouldn’t be asked why he was there.

"What happened while you were at the Guild House?" Treize asked quietly, watching for tell-tale changes of colour in the glowing circle.

Duo drew in a shaky breath. "I-I saw the Neasean Guard enter the House premises without permission and… and they started killing people without even giving a reason." He shuddered at the memory of all the blood, and the shrieks of pain and fear.

"Are you sure that they were killing Guild members?" Duke Clement asked wondering if the boy had somehow exaggerated the entire incident. "Did you actually see them do that?"

"I saw them cut the head off the Guild Master, and then they disembowelled the next two in command. They killed a few more that I saw before the Guild Master Archivist had me shoved down the bolt-hole with some of the younger members… they told me to take them to Yhtac where we’d all be safe." Duo swayed before he could stop himself, his senses threatening to leave him altogether.

"Are there any further questions?" asked Treize supporting the lad with one hand. "I think our young Messenger is in need of some rest."

The councillors shook their heads, stunned into silence by Duo’s report. Brendan looked from face to face and then shook his own head. "I’ll have someone escort him to rooms."

Duo tried to pay attention to what was going on but he couldn’t make his tired eyes focus any more and gave up the fight. The last thing he heard as he felt someone catch him before he hit the floor was the emperor asking Treize if the DragonWarriors would grant their assistance. He never heard the answer.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Duo awoke to soft sheets and a feeling of relief. He’d managed to tell his tale, and more importantly it was now in the hands of those more capable of dealing with it than he was. After all, what could a mere Messenger be expected to do? He conveniently managed to forget that he was not a ‘mere’ anything. Although he’d described himself as a Messenger First Class, Duo was actually a Mage-messenger.

Mage-messengers were rare, and normally not expected to go out on normal runs, being assigned to the nobility or military to assist in the accurate relaying of information. Duo however, had wanted to be more active – he got restless if cooped up too long; and he was adept at reading deeper into people than most realised. Duo respected neither rank nor privilege and he wasn’t backward about being forwards if he thought it was called for. Few appreciated it, and fewer were prepared to put up with disrespect. So Duo was free to roam the country, delivering messages and keeping an eye on things for the Guild. He was a trouble-shooter of sorts. It was a lifestyle he enjoyed, though few others would have.

He enjoyed the freedom that it offered him; freedom from constricting rules and regulations – not that the Guild had many anyway, freedom from the boredom of having to remain in one place longer than he wanted to, freedom from other people’s opinions and expectations of him. Duo valued that freedom greatly and any attempt to curtail his precious freedom angered him. The wholesale slaughter of his fellow Messengers by the Neaseans had opened his eyes to the fact that to some Messengers and their freedoms from ordinary restrictions weren’t as sacrosanct as he’d thought them to be.

Something had to be done to stop the Neaseans before they invaded Citir and took away his freedom. He snorted slightly; it wouldn’t just be his freedom they took away. It would be his life. And if they knew that some of the Messengers had escaped their slaughter… well… he shuddered thinking of what they’d do to rectify that oversight. Neaseans were notoriously ruthless when it came to witnesses to a military disaster – no witnesses… no disaster. He wasn’t the only witness, but the youngsters he’d help escape had been taken in by the Yhtacians and would be more than safe in that country.

No one tangled with Yhtac… not if they wanted to remain the same shape or species. The curse-casters of Yhtac were phenomenally accurate and known to be rather single-minded when avenging a slur on their homeland. No country wanted their military to suddenly turn into swine or develop a terminal outbreak of plague. Attack Yhtac and that’s what would happen – what had happened until the surrounding countries had had the lesson hammered home to them.

Duo had known this, which is why he took the trainees there. The fact that he was half Yhtaci hadn’t hindered him either. He simply approached the head of his mother’s clan and explained things. No fuss, no bother and the trainees were quietly assimilated into the clan to be taken to the nearest Messenger House when circumstances allowed it. Even if the Neaseans were so stupid as to attack Yhtac… they’d hesitate before entering Flametree territory. The Flametree Clan was renowned as Death-cursers. Even the other Yhtaci clans hesitated before entering into their territory.

Duo stretched, uncurling himself from his nest of blankets. "Time to get up I suppose," he murmured. As he stood the door to his room opened and a curly head poked through.

Restraining himself from hurling something at the invader, Duo waited for the other to speak.

"Healer Branagan was expecting you to awaken about now," chirped the curly-headed one, in a distressingly perky voice. "There are clothes laid out in the bathing room and when you return there will be breakfast."

Again restraining the urge to hit the servant – Duo hated early-morning-perkiness, and deemed it an unforgivable sin – he followed the girl silently.

"Do you want me to wait on you Sir?"

The hopeful look in her soft brown eyes told Duo everything he needed to know… another infatuation. "No thank you, I am quite capable of caring for myself. If you would bring my meal to my room as soon as possible?" He smiled at her and then ignoring her presence began to shed the light robe he’d been dressed in. He looked up, realising that she hadn’t moved. "Is there anything else?"

"N-no," she stammered, admiring his slender form. She looked up, and catching his mildly annoyed glance, blushed. "Sorry Sir, I’ll see to your food." Still blushing she backed out of the room, reluctantly letting the door close behind her.

Duo sighed. "Why is it always the fluffy shy ones that are attracted to me?"

Receiving no answer he proceeded to enjoy a long relaxing soak in the bathing pool, finally feeling clean. He only left the water when his skin started to wrinkle. Briskly towelling himself down he dressed in the clothes supplied. To his surprise, rather than being a Messenger uniform – which he’d’ve preferred – someone had supplied him with clothes suitable for a formal appearance at the court. "Damn! Couldn’t they find a uniform?"

He wrinkled his nose in disgust but donned the clothes with no further complaint. He hastened back to his room and the promised food – he was starting to feel as if he’d not fed in several weeks. After peering cautiously around to determine that the fluffy servant wasn’t lurking in the corners, he entered and did justice to the mini-banquet he found on the covered dishes.

After eating every last morsel and feeling comfortably replete he leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes. Relaxing in the security of the plushly upholstered chair he sent his spirit out to make contact with the Messenger Heart. Without delay he conveyed the events that led to him being ensconced within the Imperial Palace, and received commendation and directions that soothed his mind. As he slowly returned to his physical body, he became aware of another presence in the room… someone other than the fluffy maid.

He opened his eyes and was greeted with the sight of a black tipped dagger sailing through the air towards him.

Part 2b

Even as Duo raised his hand to deflect the dagger a staff suddenly crossed its trajectory and the dagger went sailing off course. Even as the dagger sunk into the ornate plaster wall Duo threw the nearest thing to hand at the assailant. The sound of the heavy plate hitting the assassin on his head was audible through the sudden silence, as was the small ‘oof’ he emitted before collapsing unconscious to the floor. Only after securing the assassin with both physical and magical bonds, did Duo think to look at his surprise rescuer.

He blinked, shook his head, looked again and collapsed in laughter. "Oh my! Thanks for saving me… but… really…" He choked to a stop unable to continue.

Dark blue eyes narrowed in anger as his rescuer glared at him, adjusting the rather rumpled maid’s uniform. "I save your life and you laugh?"

"Sorry," snorted Duo helplessly. He looked his rescuer over. "I think you’ve got a run in your stockings my good… lady."

Another glare and some more adjustment of the rumpled dress rewarded the quip. "Stop that! You think I like dressing like this?"

Duo couldn’t control his sniggering. "I have no idea what you get up to in your private life… but you certainly make a sweet little maid." Still grinning he reached out to chuck the ‘maid’ beneath her chin.

"Stop that!" The cross dressed maid grabbed the Messenger’s arm, preventing Duo from completing his action. "Treize said I had to do this – someone’s got to keep an eye on you and it seemed the most practical method would be as a member of the staff."

"A maid?" Duo choked out. "Couldn’t you find any male clothing?" He leered at the other youth. "Not that you don’t make a really fetching young lass."

"Hn," grunted the young man, ignoring the still chuckling Messenger. "We have to leave here. Treize thought something like this would happen… the Neaseans know where you are… and they won’t wait all that long to strike again." He grabbed the Messenger’s arm and tried to hustle him out of the room. "We have to go!"

Duo dug in his heels and refused to budge. "No way! Not until we’ve questioned the knife thrower over there… I want to know how he found out where I was, and more importantly who told him!"

"Treize said…" began the dark haired man, his manner urgent.

"No," interrupted Duo. Despite his initial trust of his unlikely saviour he had no intention of being rushed around without say in the matter. "Call Treize here… we need to find out the reason behind this… and if I’m not safe here… where would I be?"

" In a Mont," came Treize’s calm voice.

Duo started, not noticing the DragonLord’s entrance. "A Mont?"

Treize smiled calmly. "Yes, Messenger, we’ve decided that if you can’t be safe within the sanctuary of the Imperial Palace, then the safest place for you would be in one of the Monts. Heero will take you there." He gestured to the dress clad youth at Duo’s side. "I sent him here earlier to safeguard you.

Duo acknowledged that forethought with a nod to both DragonWarriors. "Never the less, what would Emperor Brendan think if I fled like this?"

"I’d think you were taking all necessary precautions to prevent your premature demise." Brendan entered the room, behind him were several members of the Palace Guard. "I agreed with Treize’s decision to have one of his warriors guard you… you are the only witness to the Neasean’s atrocity and must be kept safe!" His tone was final. "You will leave with Flight Leader Heero this morning."

Duo frowned slightly. "Don’t I get a say in this?"

"No," stated Brendan firmly. "This is an imperial order – despite your status as a Messenger, and therefore granted autonomy of action, I am speaking as your Emperor. I am also speaking with the authority of your Messenger Council. They don’t want your life needlessly lost due to your dislike of authority."

Duo sighed, knowing he was beaten. A quick flick of his mind confirmed the Emperor’s statement. The Grand Council of Messengers were firm on this matter… he was to be protected. "Accepted, and thank you Dragon Lord for sparing one of your Flight Leaders, especially the much respected Heero of Yui, as my own guard. I am grateful."

A groan attracted the attention of everyone in the room to the bound figure of the would-be assassin.

"It looks like my unexpected visitor is coming to again," Duo smiled without humour. "Now we can find out who and how." Before he could move any closer to his assailant Heero interposed his body between them. "Excuse me?"

"It is possible that he could still harm you," he stated. "You will not approach him any closer than this."

Brendan laid his hand firmly on the young Messenger’s arm, effectively stifling any complaints before they were uttered. "Listen to him Duo."

Another sigh was forced from Duo’s lips. "If you insist."

"I do."

Heero and Treize approached the bound figure and hauled him roughly to his feet. The man’s ice blue eyes glared at each figure in turn before settling on Duo. "You will die."

Duo shook his head. "Not for a while blue-eyes, and not by your hand."

‘Blue-eyes’ tried to push his way past the restraining hands, his eyes glinting madly. "The King knows how you are and what you are… you and all of your kind will perish in the cleansing flames of Lehcar and your ashes shall be scattered to the winds!"

"Really," drawled Duo in a bored voice. "I hate to burst your little bubble but Lehcar is the patron Goddess of the Messengers, and she isn’t overly pleased with the thought that her chosen disciples have been slaughtered by filth like you Neaseans."

The blue-eyed fanatic jerked as if he’d been stabbed, and a frown creased his head. "Lehcar serves the Messengers?"

The confusion evident in the man’s voice tipped Duo that he was ignorant to the Messenger Guild’s other role. "No, Lehcar doesn’t serve the Guild, the Messengers serve Lehcar. We are her priests, her chosen means of gathering information from the mortal realms. We serve her until death and even after."

The assassin wasn’t the only one in the room amazed by Duo’s explanation. Even the Emperor looked stunned; and the expression in both Heero and Treize’s eyes was unfathomable.

Duo smiled to himself. "It appears that no one has ever enlightened any of you to our true profession."

"No," agreed Brendan, his forehead creasing in a frown. "But… Lehcar is the chosen Goddess of Neasa – how then can she approve of what happened there?"

"She doesn’t." A new figure entered the room, pushing past the guards with no fear of reprisal. A grim smile quirked her lips as the High Priestess of the Pantheon took in the scene. "At the moment the priesthood in Neasa are discovering that the sacred, ever-burning fires have gone out. The Goddess has withdrawn her favour."

The assassin collapsed, moaning as if in pain. The High Priestess knelt by his side, brushing back the platinum locks that obscured his face. "You’re a priest aren’t you? One of the Holy Terrors of Lehcar I suspect."

The man nodded his visage one of a man completely shattered in spirit. Continuous shivers wracked him and his face turned ashen. "I am… was... Milliardo, Priest of the Holy Knife; charged with destroying all those who sin against our Lady." Lost eyes sought the Priestess’s for absolution. "Is She… has She really withdrawn her favour from Neasa?"

Noin, Priestess of Ehtetum and accepted leader of the Priests of the Pantheon smiled gently down at the broken man. "Yes, Lehcar has repudiated Neasa. The slaughter of her Chosen has offended her and it will be long before she forgives."

"I’m sorry," whispered Milliardo. "I listened to the words of mankind and was swayed from the path of the true… how may I redeem myself?"

Noin cast a considering gaze on the Holy Terror. "I can promise you naught, but redemption is possible. It isn’t up to me to speak for Lehcar though – you should ask her own priest."

As one all eyes turned to Duo. He solemnly regarded the man who’d tried to murder him mere minutes before, then closed his eyes, drawing on that part of himself that was linked inextricably to the Goddess. Finally, after what seemed like hours to the silent watchers, he opened glowing amethyst eyes and gazed beatifically down on the erstwhile assassin. "She commands that you sever all ties to Neasa. You must be taken to the Guild MotherHouse – there you will be cleansed and purified and then, if She deems that you are truly repentant, you will be taken into service in Her everlasting name."

Part 3

Noin exchanged a smile with Duo then extended one slender hand to the former Holy Terror still seated on the ground. "Come with me and I’ll give you over to the Priest of Lehcar here in Ekupaur – she see to your cleansing and will be as a sister to you."

"Relena?" Duo looked at Noin with sudden interest. At Noin’s nod he grinned widely. "Great! I knew she would rise far in the Priesthood." He looked down on Milliardo once more. "Trust Relena with your life and soul… she will steer you clear of any pitfalls that result from the Neasean version of our Lady."

Nodding mutely Milliardo followed Noin from the room, too confused by what had just happened to reply. There was no doubt in his mind that both the Messenger and the Priestess had spoken truly in regards to Lehcar – he had been granted a second chance to serve the Goddess, and he was not about to mess it up.

Trieze and Heero watched Duo silently for several moments, adding this new information to what they already knew concerning the young Messenger. Mage, Messenger and now Priest… did the deceptively frail looking boy conceal any further secrets?

Brendan coughed politely, drawing the attention of all that remained in the room. "If you’re ready Messenger Duo? I’d advise that you left for the Mont as soon as possible to prevent any further attempts on your life."

Treize nodded, agreeing with the Emperor’s decision. "Heero – if you are ready?"

"I am always ready Lord Treize!" Heero snapped to attention – an action that looked rather peculiar given that he was still garbed as a serving wench. "We can leave immediately."

Duo sniggered. "It might be better to change first." Looking at his own apparel he decided to follow his own advice. "Both of us."

Hiding their grins Brendan and Treize nodded and left, leaving the Flight Leader and Messenger alone.

"My flight suit is hidden behind the door… will you be safe while I change?" Heero looked at Duo as if he expected the messenger to suddenly faint.

"I am quite capable of protecting myself but if you like you may check that there aren’t any more assassins hiding behind the door." Deciding that he deserved to have a little fun at the other’s expense Duo gestured solemnly for Heero to proceed him into the adjoining room before he changed. To his surprise the DragonWarrior did just that; poking and prodding any possible hiding places for would-be assassins. It made the Messenger snigger, earning him a glare from his assigned guard.

"Someone is trying to kill you, I don’t see it as a matter for laughter."

"I don’t think you’d see anything as a matter for laughter." Duo shook his head and started to remove his courtier’s clothing. More suitable clothing for his journey would be forthcoming in a matter of moments. Stripping completely he heard a startled gasp from behind him. "Oh, you’re still there… I thought you were going to change?"

Heero fought a sudden blush as he surveyed the naked youth in front of him. "I… I didn’t expect…" He faltered and blushed further.

Duo tried not to laugh at the other’s shock. "Surely you’ve seen a naked man before? Or does it embarrass you?" Suddenly solicitous of the other’s feelings he approached the blushing youth. "Do you find my lack of apparel distasteful?"

"No!" Heero looked down and then jerked his eyes up to meet Duo’s smiling face. "I mean… what I mean is…" He fumbled for control – both of his voice and his eyes which kept drifting downwards despite himself. "You don’t have anything to change into!"

"Sorry to disappoint you my friend," Duo nearly laughed at the flustered look on the other boy’s face… and his inability to control his wandering eyes. "But I have clothing on the way. If you’d like to leave me to get dressed in private so you can do the same?"

"Private… dressed… Yes!" Seizing on the excuse Heero bolted from the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

Duo stared at the door shaking with silent laughter. "This is going to be fun, I feel it in my water." With a satisfied smirk in place he opened the bundle which had appeared as Heero left and changed. Shrugging the over tunic in place he surveyed himself in a nearby mirror and nodded in approval of what he saw. The formal uniform for a Messenger of his rank and status was a mixture of suede, leather and silk velvet in shades of silver. It was warm, comfortable and supple. "Sweet as!"

He left the room with a swinging stride but lurched to a sudden halt as he took in Heero’s new appearance. From head to toe he was encased in supple black leather that hugged his lithe form like a second skin. "Well, well, well!"

Heero looked up at the Messenger, his fingers fumbling slightly as he laced up his over tunic. The Messenger’s formal uniform was as form fitting as his own and left little to the imagination. Not that Heero needed to imagine anything. He swallowed suddenly; naked the Messenger had been a vision that would haunt his dreams for several nights, but clothed… for some reason the sleek uniform heightened the boy’s fey beauty. "Oh my."

Part 3b

Duo smiled, pleased at the reaction he’d drawn. "You like?"

Swallowing slightly Heero nodded, not trusting his voice. The slender messenger doing strange things to him and he wasn’t sure he liked the feeling of loss of self-control.

Trying not to smirk Duo motioned towards the door. "Shall we leave? I believe everyone was in somewhat of a rush to have me vacate the premises."

"To keep you safe." Heero frowned at the Messengers flippant tones. "You act as if we’re about to hold you prisoner."

"Aren’t you?" Duo tilted his head to one side, fixing Heero with a measuring look. "Have I been given a choice? No. I’m being sent into exile at your Mont without a say in the matter. I am more than capable of caring for myself and I seriously dislike the high-handed manner in which I’m being treated."

Still frowning Heero considered what Duo had said. He concurred the Messenger did have a point but... "It’s for your own good," he tried to reason. "We’re opening the Mont for you… strangers aren’t normally welcomed and we’ll be doing more than welcoming you, we’re letting you live with us."

Rolling his eyes Duo stormed across the room, stopping about six inches away from the Flight Leader. His voice when he spoke was a controlled snarl. "You’re making such an effort… and being so damned condescending about it. I hope you choke on your welcome because I’m not going with you!"

Heero fought his compulsion to back away from the furious boy, getting angry himself. Grabbing the Messengers arm he gave him a contemptuous shake. "Get a hold of yourself! You are coming with me whether you like it or not! Lord Treize and the Emperor himself have decided. Acting like a spoiled brat won’t get you anywhere, why don’t you just accept your orders and behave!"

"Accept my orders and behave?" Duo’s voice became deceptively calm. "Accept. My. Orders." He shook his head. "Can’t do it."

"What do you mean, you can’t do it?" Heero was fast loosing his temper with the mercurial Messenger. "Don’t you ever follow orders?"

"No." Duo grinned at the expression of pure shock on Heero’s face. "Ahhh, I see I’ve just committed a major sin by your standards." He sniggered. "Messengers are given guidelines and expected to work from there… we’re never given orders… we don’t like orders."

"Don’t like orders?" Heero couldn’t grasp the concept. "But what… how… how can you cope?"

"Easily." Duo perched on the arm of the nearest chair, watching Heero closely. He realised that he’d just shaken the young Flight Leader’s foundations. "Are you never encouraged to make your own decisions… to think for yourselves?"

"No." Heero frowned on the very thought of questioning the orders he’d been given… it wasn’t in him to do that. "We follow our orders. We don’t make a fuss, we don’t argue and we don’t complain."

Duo chuckled softly at the rebuke. "Would-be Messengers are selected because of our questioning natures, and general inability to follow rules that conflict with common-sense. We think for ourselves and make the decisions that guide our lives. There are rules… but very few of them and most are simply common-sense." Something occurred to him and he nodded thoughtfully. "I guess you could say that as Instant Obedience is your guiding ethic; Common Sense is ours."

"Common sense." Heero pronounced the word as if it were profanity. "Common. Sense. How… common."

Duo fell off the chair’s arm laughing loudly. "Common sense, my dear DragonWarrior is anything but common. At least so I’ve found."

Heero looked down at the laughing Messenger with disdain. "And you’ve been looking?"

"Searching would be a better word." Duo abruptly sobered. "You’ve never, in your entire life, questioned any orders you’ve ever received? Not even once?"

"Of course not." Heero felt offended that this flighty boy would think him the sort to question or disobey orders from higher up. "It isn’t done."

"It isn’t done." Duo repeated softly, shaking his head making his long tail of hair whip back and forth. "How much would remain undiscovered if people didn’t do things that weren’t done."

"This is going nowhere, and neither are we!" Heero tried to ignore the direction the conversation had taken. "I can’t wait around here all day. Are you coming willingly or do I have to drag you?"

"You’d drag me?" For a moment Duo considered the threat, a mischievous glint in his violet eyes. "Pick me up and sling me over your shoulder?"

"If I had to." Heero tried to ignore the glint in Duo’s eyes – for some reason it made him nervous. "We have to go!"

"There’s that word again… we…" Duo folded his legs and looked up. "There is no we, fly-boy. I see no reason why I should shift from here."

"Lord Treize-"

"Is nothing to me." Duo interrupted Heero before the other could get started. "I am answerable only to the Council of Messengers."

"What about the emperor?"

"What about him?" Duo was determined to see how far he could provoke the sombre ‘Warrior.

Heero drew in a deep breath, trying to control his temper. No one had ever made him this angry before, or this confused. "You are answerable to him."

"Are you?" Duo smiled gently.

"Well, no." Conceded Heero reluctantly. "But he ordered-"

"Ahh." Duo held up an admonished finger and waved it at the gasping Flight Leader. "I told you how I felt about being ordered didn’t I?"

Losing all semblance of control Heero grasped the hand waving the finger and pulled the Messenger roughly to his feet, intending to throw the boy over his shoulder as he’d threatened. He was not at all prepared to have the deceptively slight boy throw him. He blinked stupidly at the ceiling. "Wha-?"

"I am more than capable of taking care of myself." Duo smiled sweetly down at Heero. "I also strongly dislike being manhandled… at least being manhandled without consent… with consent of course is something completely different."

"I can’t take this." Heero moaned softly. He decided to ask Treize to give the job of guarding the unappreciative Messenger to someone else. "I shall request Lord Treize to send someone else in my stead. Zeroth and I will leave you alone."

"Zeroth?" Duo looked curious. "Who’s Zeroth?"

"Zeroth is my dragon." Heero managed to control himself. He wanted nothing more than to escape this baffling boy. His head was aching and he was unprepared for any further arguing. "I was to fly you to the Mont, remember?"

"Your dragon?" Duo beamed at the confounded ‘Warrior. "Why didn’t you say so earlier? I’ve always wanted to fly dragon-back."

"Why didn’t I say so earlier?" Heero closed his eyes and hoped that the whole situation would prove to be some strange dream… or nightmare… that would vanish upon opening them again. To his disappointment when he opened them all he saw was Duo leaning over him looking concerned.

"Are you all right down there? I didn’t throw you too hard did I?" Duo wondered if he’d gone too far in teasing the sombre youth.

"No."

"No – I didn’t hurt you… or no you’re not all right?" Duo fastened earnest eyes on the supine young man. "If you’re not harmed maybe we can get going then? Since you’re in such a hurry and all that?"

"No…" Heero started and lost his train of thought as he gazed into those disarmingly innocent eyes. He shook his head angrily – he was a trained and respected Flight Leader and it simply wouldn’t do for him to continue acting so bamboozled around the Messenger – even if he was completely bewildered by the mercurial youth. "No, no I am perfectly fine and you are correct in stating that I am in a hurry."

Duo fixed the innocent look on his face, masking his amusement with the ease of long practice. To have someone like this DragonWarrior to play with was going to be fun… even if he was being sent into seclusion against his will. Thinking of the fun he could have with an entire Mont at his mercy made him snigger. "Oh, this will be fun!"

"Huh?" Heero glared, confused with the sudden change in subject – was the Messenger incapable of keeping his mind on one thing at a time? "If you are quite finished your fooling around we ought to leave. I left Zeroth in one of the cloistered gardens as that seemed the most private area and we are trying," he stressed the word trying, "to keep your departure a secret."

Smiling sweetly at the confused boy Duo made a florid gesture towards the door. "After you my dear Flight Leader. I shall follow your lead with great pleasure."

Giving Duo another suspicious look Heero preceded the slender boy out of the apartment. He couldn’t help but feel that the other was having some sort of joke at his expense and that made him more frustrated than ever. "Zeroth is an Onyx, so don’t be frightened by his size – I find a lot of you plodders seem to be terrified of our dragons."

Duo rolled his eyes at the condescending tone but followed silently. The trip through the otherwise deserted passages was quick and without incident but the slight Messenger couldn’t throw off the sense of being followed. The feeling made him tense and he frowned slightly as he followed the seemingly impervious Heero.

For all his nonchalant act Heero too was tense. He’d sensed something following them, and after the previous attack on Duo, he didn’t feel like taking any chances. If someone was after the Messenger then they’d have to come through him first.

Unconsciously Duo drew nearer to the taciturn ‘Warrior. The sense of being followed grew stronger and he fought the instinct to turn and look. He didn’t want to take the risk of the unknown becoming aware that he’d detected it. What it didn’t know could only work to his advantage.

In front of him Heero came to an abrupt halt, hand raised. "Something’s wrong!"

"What?" Duo asked, the hair on the back of his neck rising as the unseen presence became more strongly felt. "Is it something major or can we just get a move on?"

Heero frowned at the seeming levity. "Major."

When further details weren’t forthcoming, Duo sighed in frustration. "How major?"

A group of armed men appeared from around a corner and halted facing the two. A noise from behind alerted Duo to the fact that they’d been surrounded.

"Life-threatening." Heero watched the men in front of him closely. He’d heard the noise but hoped that Duo was as capable of defending himself as the Messenger had boasted.

Duo took in the situation, his eyes flickering from side to side. He assumed from Heero’s comment that they were surrounded, and if the men in front of them were of the class of those behind, they were facing a serious fight. He grimaced. "These are new clothes, if I get them all mucky, someone will pay."

Suppressing the urge to roll his eyes at the facetious comment Heero concentrated on the three men facing him. All bore the look of hardened assassins but there was something else about them that nagged at him, a certain glassiness around their eyes that seemed out of place. He put that aside for further consideration at a later date. He sunk into a low crouch, eyes never leaving his opponents. He held his staff lightly in his hands, relaxed and waiting for them to make their move.

Duo frowned as he too noticed the glassy looks on the assassins. He recognised the signs faster than Heero and groaned. These were Ennimi – the most feared of all the assassin sects. Drugged into a sense of invulnerability they paid no attention to wounds and would fight on no matter how badly wounded they were. Death was the only thing that would stop them, and they weren’t easy to kill. He grinned broadly. "I guess Saen was really pissed of with me to send this lot."

As Heero’s three opponents launched their attack with uncanny speed and timing he feinted back then struck out with his staff attempting to sweep their feet out. To his surprise they easily avoided his attack and started to press in on him acting in concert with bewildering speed. It seemed to him that they’d rehearsed this attack already and he was barely able to avoid their quick thrusts. He’d been forced into a defensive stance and didn’t much like it. He’d never fought anyone like this before.

Much as he wanted, Duo couldn’t afford to glance behind him and see how Heero was doing. His attention was focused on the four in front of him. Ducking under a concerted effort from one pair he found himself nearly skewered on the swords of the other. Narrowing his eyes in anger and concentration Duo began to chant something softly as he continued to dodge and weave. Crouching low, a pair of daggers in his hands, he suddenly lunged at one pair, apparently forgetting about the others. As they brought their swords up he suddenly twisted and rolled beneath the attack. The pair of assassins that had been about to attack him from behind suddenly found themselves skewered on their fellow’s swords. Taking advantage of the situation Duo ducked in again and slit the throats of the skewered pair.

Fighting a trio who’d been trained to fight as a single unit wasn’t easy, as Heero’d soon discovered. He’d been hoping that they’d attacked singly or at least get in each other’s way but no such luck. Fighting like a man possessed he’d kept from being seriously wounded but was bleeding heavily in several places. He tried to keep the wall to his back – his worst fear was that one of them would come at him from behind.

Duo straightened slightly, head tilted to one side, his daggers held loosely in his hands. Rage clouded the faces of the remaining pair of assassins as they slid their swords out of their compatriot’s bodies. Breathing heavily they advanced. Judging the distance as accurately as he could, he threw the daggers. One assassin crumpled to the floor, hit in the throat. The other caught the dagger mid-air and threw it back.

Ducking a shoulder height blow Heero brought his staff around in a hard arc while kicking out simultaneously. The crunch of a bone breaking no longer comforted him – he’d realised that the men didn’t feel their injuries no matter how serious. His staff crushed the windpipe of one and at last he was rewarded with the sight of one of his assailants falling to the floor unmoving. This momentary relief was soon quelled as the remaining pair increased their efforts.

Duo ducked and rolled, bouncing quickly to his feet. He knew that the remaining assassin would be the hardest to defeat. With this in mind he released the spell he’d prepared earlier. As the lone assassin charged mindlessly at him Duo raised both hands in front of him and made a sudden grasping gesture, pulling his closed fists back into his chest. The chest of the assassin burst open like an overripe fruit, spraying blood and intestines everywhere. The body, already dead, continued forward from sheer momentum before collapsing to the floor.

He blocked one blow with his staff, then brought the other end of his staff up hard between the man’s legs. Even heavily under the influence of the drugs, the Ennimi screamed as his testicles were crushed and his suddenly nerveless hands dropped the sword. Snatching up the weapon Heero dodged two more rapid blows then with a lucky swipe he severed the assassin’s hands. Without thinking he swiftly beheaded the handless one, then finally silenced the screaming assassin.

Determining that there were no further opponents to kill, Heero turned to see how Duo had fared. He was in time to see the Messenger’s final attack.

Duo wearily looked up into Heero’s shocked face. "I told you I was capable of protecting myself."