The Knights' Chronicles Part 3

(Flashback)

King Solo and Queen Sophia stayed in the encampment for a celebratory banquet of which they had brought their best chefs in the castle to prepare while their minstrels played lively music throughout the festivities. Once they had had the chance of individually meeting every knight-in-training, taking the time to hear their stories and their hopes of becoming soldiers, the royal couple made their rounds through the officers at the end of the meal.

Rising from their table when their stomachs were full, Heero, Wufei and Anna stayed close. Chang watched the royal couple approach Commander Lowe and Captain Lewis at the other end of the opening. Leaning towards his friends, he frowned in genuine worry, "Do either of you know what happened to the queen that had her unwell the last few days. Is she going to be okay?"

Heero and Anna shared another glance before they gestured to the swordsman to follow them into the cover of the trees.

Safely out of sight and earshot of anyone else in the shaded nook, the archer met Chang's eyes and answered quietly, "The king and queen have been trying for some time now to have a child. A little over the month ago, she had conceived..." She paused to swallow roughly before informing, "Then a week ago, there were rumblings that Queen Sophia had another miscarriage."

"At first we had hoped that they were simply rumors," Yuy went on when his 'sister' fell silent. Running a hand through his unruly hair, he sighed deeply, "After seeing and hearing from her today, it is pretty clear that there was a lot of fact behind the whispers. This would be the third loss of a baby for them in just over a year."

Wufei's heart broke at the information, having already felt akin to the royal couple after all of the kindness and generosity that they had displayed to not only him but every one of their knights-in-training. The thought that either of them were faced with such a challenge in life was terribly unfair. "I see," was all that he could manage, his head lowering.

Taking a deep breath, Heero announced, "I'll be back." Without an explanation, he stepped out from the shield of the trees and walked past the other trainees that were enjoying the music that continued to play for them as well as some of the food that remained.

At no surprise to the boy, the royal couple was no longer in plain sight. Nor were the Commander or the Captain. A glance around revealed Bolt, Captain Fraise's horse, tied to a tree at the furthest end of the opening. His cobalt eyes scanning the location of the guards standing about, Yuy found a hole in their 'wall' and snuck through thanks to the confusion of the party.

When he was within the cover of trees, the young apprentice climbed the nearest trunk to move from branch to branch as a means of making as little sound as possible while following the sound of hushed voices engaged in conversation. On the ground, there were always rocks to trip on and trigs to snap. Odin had taught him well over the years the many means of stealth when it came to traveling through the forest.

Not one to normally pry in private discussions between the leaders of Sanq and his commanding officers, Heero was too compelled to know for certain the state of the queen to question his actions. Since he had been linked to Lowe, the boy had spent many a day in the castle with the royal couple and loved them more than as just one of their citizens.

Managing to cross a half-mile of branches, the knight-in-training came to a perch that was almost perfectly square above the four hidden from all over eyes as Captain Lowe's voice sighed deeply from the ground, "I truly am very sorry for your loss, your majesties. If there is anything that we can offer for help..." beside him, Odin nodded his head in a solemn backing of the sentiment.

King Solo smiled sadly, "Thank you, my friends." Wrapping an arm around his wife's shoulders and squeezing her against his side in support while he said, "We have received an overwhelming amount of support from the community as well as all of you of which we are most grateful."

Nodding, Queen Sophia wiped a stray tear that fell from her shimmering violet eyes after their having to confirm the distressing news of her miscarriage. "It really has helped to make the pain a bit easier to bear," she managed with a sniffle. "Our castle healers have assured that I should still be able to carry a child... perhaps some day. I just admit I am allowing my anxiousness in starting a family to get the better of me." Her husband gave her a grin and kissed her temple.

"Well, that is certainly most understandable, my queen," Odin reassured. Biting his lip, he paused a moment before asking, "Have either of you considered consulting a seer? We could always have a message sent to Romefeller that you may have audience with one to put your minds at ease over your wish for both a child to you as well as an heir for our country."

The braided king met his bride's eyes before looking back to his former brothers in arms. "It has been something that we have thought of trying," he informed. "However, I know that for both of us, it would take time after this last loss before we would have the courage to hear whether or not we will ever be blessed with the family that we have wanted for so long. There is always the possibility that we would hear something that we may not be ready to hear."

From where he sat high above the gathered group, Heero could certainly understand that concern. He was not sure if he would ever be comfortable hearing what his future held from a gifted seer for the very same fear that perhaps there was something unpleasant to come about.

And knowing personally just how desperately the royal couple wanted a child, there was the unfortunate possibility that it would never come to be. If that was the case, the telling would devastate them.

"Perhaps some day the wait and longing will be enough that we would call upon that kind of assistance," Queen Sophia shrugged. "But in the meantime, we will be taking it one day at a time as we always had." Shaking her head, she changed the subject by announcing, "My sister, Queen Noin, has been traveling to see me and should be arriving in two days time."

Already knowing where she was going with the discussion, the Commander nodded his head of short, red hair firmly and promised, "We will be certain to have our best lookouts and guards sent out of the city to ensure that she and her escorts arrive safely." Placing a fist against his chest, the Captain Fraise expressed his own word to see that the Queen of Epyon had all of the protection that she needed.

They were both rewarded with a grateful smile from the young woman.

"It should be a good exercise for the trainees in watching the more experienced knights out on a watch," Captain Fraise smirked. Peering up, he asked loudly, "Would you agree, Heero?"

Gasping sharply, the bow gripped the thick limb of the branch that he was in to keep from falling at his start. He had shifted enough in his perch that his location was exposed to those below.

"Come on down, Yuy," Odin chuckled, his hands setting into fists at his hips as he stared at the shifting branch. With a rough swallow, the knight-in-training carefully shifted himself and climbed downward.

When Heero reached the ground to gaze up to the amused faces around, he fell to a knee before the king and queen. "I am sorry to have listened in as I had, your majesties," he said in a rush, head hanging low. "I just... I was just worried for your state, Queen Sophia. Please forgive my intrusion."

The queen giggled and reassured, "It is quite all right, Heero. After all of the time that we have spent together, I should have been more mindful to have included you in on this discussion." Stepping forward, she squeezed his shoulder as she told him quietly, "I am most appreciative that you were so concerned for my wellbeing."

Still a little more than guilty for his actions, Yuy slowly raised his head of thick, unruly hair to meet her violet eyes that shone with nothing but kindness. Returning to his feet, he bit his lip and a small smile of appreciation tugged his lips.

Quickly snapping to rigid attention, he thumped his fist against his chest and declared, "You can be certain that we knights-in-training will help our superior officers in protecting your sister. I look forward to the experience that the visit will present for us."

King Solo laughed along with his wife and friends. Shaking his head, he mused, "Spoken like a true soldier, Heero. And we have no doubt that Queen Noin could not be in better hands." Meeting the Commander's eyes, he snickered, "He certainly is your apprentice, Odin. Takes after you quite well." Sophia nodded in agreement.

Yuy's chest swelled at the great compliment that he would only take those words to be. A brilliant smile spreading across his face, he looked back to Lowe as his mentor rubbed the top of his head. "That he does," the tall man grinned. Pulling his hand back, he added, "Though there is the occasional forgetfulness over the matter than any tactic taught by me also means that I know how to pick it out... like using the forest to move about virtually unnoticed."

At that, Heero snorted and fought a blush that threatened to warm his cheeks. Just when he thought that he may have bested the old man, he was proven sourly wrong once again.

Sensing the boy's dismay, the king smiled, "All things come in time, including knighthood in your case, son." He raised a finger and warned, "You are already well beyond your years of age. Remember to try and not grow too quickly if you can help it. These younger years of your life will not come to you again. So, be certain to enjoy them while you can."

His cobalt eyes widening and blinking, Yuy took in the sage advice. It was not the first time such a suggestion had been made to him. However, there was quite the weight bearing down on the message when it came from his king.

Perhaps there was more to preparing himself to being the knight that he had centered his life around.

With a deep breath, Heero straightened himself again and nodded firmly, "I will be sure to remember that, Highness."

The king grinned and patted the boy's shoulder with a wink. "Very good," he replied. "I will be receiving regular updates from Odin, so I will be keeping and eye on you." Straightening, the braided man turned to his wife to notice the fatigue that she was holding back from her violet eyes. A forced smile tugging his lips, he asked, "Shall we return to the castle, love?"

Nodding, Queen Sophia answered, "I suppose that we should. The hour is growing late." She stepped forward to embrace the Commander and Captain with a sincere, "Thank you for my sister's guard. I know that she is in the safest hands with you." Following their hugs with the young woman and an exchange of handshakes with their king, Odin and Justin stood smartly with their fists over their chests.

Solo ran a hand through Heero's unruly hair as the boy mimicked his officers. "I am looking forward to the reports on you and your fellow knights-in-training, young man," he smirked. "I have no doubt that there will only be good things to hear." That said, the king offered an arm to his wife with a warm smile. Returning the grin, Sophia threaded their arms together as they turned and led the way back through the forest.

Once they were out in the open, the royal couple announced to the crowd gathered of their readying to leave. Pausing to offer the officers a farewell, they made their way to the white carriage. Heero chewed on the inside of his cheek in thought from where he watched his king and queen. Then, quickly slipping through the crowd, he made his way towards them by taking advantage of the royal guards distraction of mounting their horses. Over the cheers of the knights and recruits gathered, he called, "Queen Sophia!"

Her foot on the step of the carriage, the young woman paused and turned her head in the boy's direction. Frowning, she lowered herself back down as he came to a stop before her. "Yes, Heero?"

Under the focus of those intense, violet eyes, Yuy swallowed roughly and nearly lost his nerve to say what he needed to say. Then, slowly drawing a deep breath, he stated, "I know that I am not be a seer... but I know that you are going to be a wonderful mother one day."

Gasping, Sophia froze with wide eyes. Her vision watering, a brilliant smile lit her face and she fell to her knees to hug the knight-in-training tightly. Blinking his own shimmering eyes, King Solo stayed back, but gave the child an appreciative smile when their gazes met. Shocked still by the embrace, it took Heero a moment to wrap his own arms around the queen as she whispered a broken 'thank you' in his ear.

As she pulled away, the queen placed a soft kiss on the boy's cheek and straightened herself with a quiet laugh that was nearly droned out by the accolade of the crowd. Wiping away a stray near, she winked to Heero and waved to the masses one last time before disappearing back into the carriage. With another rub of the boy's head, King Solo followed his love into their haven and the door was closed after them.

Those remaining behind waved off the royal pair until their carriage and their horse-backed guards disappeared into the thick of the forest. While the doors to the encampment were closed, Commander Lowe turned back to his charges and waited for silence to fall before announcing in a cry, "Men, we have our first mission for you! Fall into your teams to learn of your assignments!"

Brimming with excitement at the news, the young knights-in-training threw their fists in the air with a deafening roar.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Much to the thrill of the recruits, the next two days were filled with exercises and lessons of tactical placement in the trees surrounding the Sanq kingdom. Finally beyond the tours and introductions, this was just the start of what would be the foundations of their knighthoods. This was what they had been looking forward to most... the chance to prove themselves.

Swordsmen, lancers and archers were established amongst the teams. Most of the knights-in-training knew where they wanted to fall in those categories. Those who did not were examined and placed where the officer thought that they would be the most successful.

Then, they were assigned the weapons that would fit their purposes as they grew.

For Heero, a sword was always his weapon of choice. Odin was a master of the blade and had already passed on several beginning tips in how to wield the weapon to his adopted charge. It was a very exciting day for Yuy when Captain Fraise presented him with his practice sword. He was so happy, in face, that Justin even commented on how he had never seen such a large smile on the boy's face.

And so, weapons ready, the teams broke up into their subdivisions for intensive teachings in their specific ways of fighting. Odin took charge of the swordsmen while the Captain focused on the weapon that he worked best in the bow and arrow.

Having his students make a large ring at their end of the encampment, Commander Lowe made his way to the center and addressed the group, "One of the things that you all need to know when handling a sword..." Slowly removing his own blade from its sheath at his side, he caused it to ring in its release and raised the shimmering blade before his pupils. "It is to be respected before it can be trusted." Heads that came up to the man's torso nodded all around, eyes wide and attentive.

A few feet away, a dozen targets had been braced against trees to fall in a straight line at the edge of the base. Walking before those targets, Captain Fraise looked to the newest pack of archers a few feet away. His own quiver and bow draped across his body, the redheaded man leveled the youngsters with his stern blue eyes.

With his arms folded behind his back in his pacing back and forth, Justin opened his first official lesson. "As archers, you will be the first line of defense in the army of Sanq," he stated. "You will be the first to strike at an enemy before our swordsmen or lancers need to put themselves into harm's way. Because of this, you will effectively be shields to our stronghold."

From her place at the front of the students, Anna's hand tightened around her bow draped across her chest at those words and took them to heart.

Her father met her blue eyes a moment as he went on, "No matter the situation, you all must be patient. Steady. Focused."

Slowly holding an arm out to the targets at his side, he spanned the lot and said, "And this is where we shall start in helping you achieve those needed tools. I want lines of a dozen of you made and ready for rotation. You have one shot each round and we will continue until you have all run out of arrows."

Across the group, nerves were starting to play on the faces of those knights-in-training. Deep frowns and quiet muttering spread through the pack of boys and girls over whether or not they would make a good impression with their first shots before the Captain. Anna, however, paid no mind to anything else around her as she kept her gaze locked on the target across from her.

Quickly picking up on the trepidation, the burly soldier raised his hands and grinned, "Now, now, no need for concern over how you will look. I certainly do not expect anyone to make a hit bull's-eye on your first draws. And it is likely many of you will not even make the targets at all. This is simply a way of my knowing where all of you are and how I can assist your growth."

Relief washed over the young trainees as they smiled and quietly conversed amongst themselves while they began to form lines. Still focused on the target a few hundred feet ahead of her, Anna slipped her bow over her head and removed an arrow from her quiver to hook it to the string. Raising her weapon, she pulled back and closed her right eye to center on her mark before she sent released the arrow and sent it singing through the air.

With the thunk of the shaft embedding itself into the hollow target hung in the air, it was joined with the stunned gasps and cries of the young archers. Eyes wide and jaw slack in a perfect mimic of his pupils, Justin Fraise's arms hung limply at his sides as he started in bewilderment at the perfect bull's-eye that his daughter had hit. every officer around had stopped what they were doing to look up in their own wonder at the display.

Lowering her bow, Anna continued to stare at her target and a small smirk tugged the corner of her mouth. "Practice really has paid off," she whispered to herself.

"Stations, everyone!" a booming voice bellowed from overhead. All around froze and raised their heads as a brown-and-green stripped dragon descended to the ground. In his saddle, the Head Scout met Odin Lowe's gaze as the he hurried close. "Queen Noin's carriage is hours away and hurrying along to be in the kingdom by nightfall."

The Commander nodded firmly and turned back to his charges. Everyone, back to your teams and mount the horses to march out for our stations!"

*   *   *   *   *   *

Even though the mission laid out for the knights-in-training was simply following their team leaders' example and minding their words, the opportunity to watch their superiors in the act of providing a stealthy cover of protection for a visiting queen was a thrill. Hiding hundreds of feet in the trees and brushes was not easy, but the knights-in-training heeded every direction given to them and kept their locations secret.

Couched low in one of the bushes along one of the winding dirt trails leading towards Sanq, Heero and Wufei peered through the shroud of leaves around them. "Have you ever met Queen Noin before?" Chang asked in a hushed voice as he kept his eye on the road.

Nodding with his own gaze ahead, Yuy replied just as quietly, "On a few occasions. She and her husband, King Zechs, are every bit as kind and loved as our own leaders."

"Runs in the family, then," the raven-haired boy smiled. Their eyes widening, the two recruits ducked lower into their cover at the sound of hooves clopping around the bend. From their post, they watched as a golden carriage flanked by soldiers was led into view by a half dozen white horses.

When the caravan made its way past the place where Heero and Wufei were hidden, they watched as the queen sat up to peer through the opened side windows of her carriage. Scanning the forest around her, the short-haired woman's lips curled in a warm, appreciative smile as she raised her hand to wave.

The only reason for that waving was that she had to know that there were soldiers looking out for her regardless of the fact that they were unseen. And in that moment, Wufei knew the truth of his friend's assessment of the Epyon queen. Indeed, she was as good and compassionate as her sister.

And it was a relief that they would have each other during this difficult time.

(End Flashback)

*   *   *   *   *   *

Almost completely forgetting about her eggs or the fact that they had yet to shift beneath her in the first signs of hatching, Scythe settled comfortably into a near doze as the humans around her talked amongst themselves. Beside her, Wing smiled in his own contentment and nuzzled closer against his partner.

Having come to one of the more difficult entries, Duo frowned and rested his head back on Heero's shoulder. "It's still... upsetting to me what my parents went through to have a baby," he sighed. "And I know that they're with me since they helped bring me back after I was drained. I just wish for their sakes that they hadn't had to suffer so much."

Gently kissing his husband's temple, the former knight said quietly, "Well, just remember that they still have you as their son. They never actually left you, or any one of us."

Instantly recalling how his parents had led him back from the dead... their embraces and familiar voices that he had forgotten from his time with them as a baby, Duo smiled. "You're right," he nodded, his voice little more than a whisper.

Leaning against his lover, he closed his violet eyes and took a moment to go back to that time that he had been able to spend with them before he turned through the next few chapters of the journal in his lap.

TBC...

 

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