By the Red Moon Part 65
Everything was a clouded haze for Treize as he blinked and looked around to the chaos around him when the blinding light that surrounded him faded away. Standing in between two tall walls of rock filled with men and dragons stretched on the ground and hovering above, he blinked in confusion and racked his brain to where he was and what was happening.
Fang Ravine. That was where he was, he suddenly remembered. He had flown with Dekim's army.
And all of a sudden, everything came back in a flash that took the king's breath away. His eyes wide as he gasped and stumbled forward, his arms wrapped around his torso at the pain that pierced his stomach in realization of everything that had brought him to this place of wailing, bloodied injured and their aids crying out to the bodies for more survivors to make themselves known.
This had all been his doing, Treize told himself. Maybe it had not been so with his willingness, but he had been the one to come up with the idea of the ambush against the Alliance. And just as he had schemed, though it did not last for terribly long ,what was pulled off had become a massive blow against the army.
Nausea sunk in and the king collapsed to his knees. "Dear Creator," he breathed as tears welled up in his eyes. "What have I done?"
A bright chirp filled his ears, causing him to look up to the massive head craning in for a close inspection of him. Letting out a relieved sigh, he whispered, "Noventa." The steed's brilliant, natural silver eyes blinked as a wide smile spread across his face before he leaned in to nuzzle his rider.
Wrapping his arms around the muzzle as far as they would go, Khushrenada closed his eyes and allowed a few tears to fall. "At least I have you back, my dear friend," he said quietly as a couple of tears rolled down his face. It was that reunion that had his heart aching for his beloved wife, Midi and their sweet daughter, Sylvia that they had been taken from.
Though the pain of their loss had been spelled away for years, that yearning and fear for them came on as strong as it had been when he last felt them. With his family gone and this heavy guilt on his head over attacking the very people that he had sworn to stand alongside, it was quickly all becoming too much to bear at that moment.
"Father!" a girl's voice shouted through the voices around and the thoughts in the king's head. Blinking in confusion, Treize pulled away from Noventa and peered around. For just a second, he could have sworn that was... Shaking his head, he told himself that it was just his mind playing tricks on him.
But then, the cry came again only much closer this time and more desperate, "Father!" There was no denying that he had heard correctly that time. His heart hammering in his chest, the king slowly rose on his shaking legs and stared out in the direction that the voice came from where he saw his child running up through the confusion of soldiers and wolves running about. An elated smile on her tear-streaked face, she opened her arms and cried, "Father!"
Swallowing past the lump that had formed in his throat, Treize's voice cracked as he breathed, "Sylvy." Without even having to tell them to do so, his arms were opening on their own to throw themselves around his daughter when she lunged herself at him to hang onto him tightly.
Nearly falling over, he just managed to keep them on their feet as buried her head down into her shoulder as she sobbed into his own. Noventa spun his long body around them to shield them from the rest of the world for a moment as he leaned in to occasionally nuzzle his family in sheer joy at having them back.
From his place only a few feet away, Duo watched on with a warm smile as Nataku and Ingier landed by Scythe and Wing.
Panting heavily from their efforts of fighting in such thin air at the top of the ravine, Wufei and Anna undid their harnesses and jumped to the ground. Bloodied and drenched from sweat, the newlyweds latched onto each other tightly for a moment of reassurance that their spouse was really alright before they joined their braided friend to greet him.
"That all happened so incredibly fast and yet it felt like an eternity," the archer sighed as she leaned forward to prop her hands on her bent knees following her hug with the prince. Looking up at him, she smirked, "You have no idea how good it was to see that dark magic creeping up the walls."
Chuckling, Maxwell replied, "Oh, I doubt you were as relieved as I was to finally have a moment to be able to help."
With his head, he gestured over to the embracing pair ahead of them and said, "Let's give them a moment before I explain, meanwhile we should see where we can be of use." Not about to argue with that, Wufei and Anna hurried through the crowded space to assist any wounded that they could find.
* * * * * *
It had taken the better part of the day to clear out the Fang Ravine of the bodies and wounded. Finally, the Alliance seeped into what remained of Taurus to settle themselves after their treacherous morning. The devastation of the city around them made little impact on the eyes that had become used to crumpled buildings and the bones of the dead spread around without rhyme or reason.
For Sally, however, it was a very different story. As hard as she worked in preparing herself for what she may find when she returned to her homeland, it meant nothing when she actually stepped through the opening of the ravine. Gasping sharply, her hand shot up to cover her mouth as a whimper escaped it. Her eyes shimmering over, she walked and spun around to take in everything.
Duo's heart broke as he watched the braided healer when he followed her into Taurus alongside his knights. Swallowing roughly, he peered around the ruins surrounded by smooth walls and tall formations of rock that made a protective ring around the city.
Those walls inside glistened in the setting sunlight to take on the appearance of a rainbow that wrapped the town. Waterfalls ran off those steep barriers here and there to run off and gather into a stream that ran through the kingdom. About the only structure through the whole area that stood without any damage to it was the white bridge that bowed over that stream.
Every city that Duo had come to see was unique and lovely in its own way. However, he could tell that this particular one was one that must have been especially beautiful. Simply walking for the sake of moving, he followed Sally over the bridge and into what was once the heart of the city.
Her arms heavy at her sides, the healer came to a stop before a pile of brick and wood that looked like so many others. But there was something in her face that made it clear this particular site meant something to her.
Carefully moving about the rubble, she shifted large pieces away until she found what she was searching for. Both hands gripping her find, she pulled it free. Holding the wooden sign up with one hand, she ran her hand over the etched lettering of fine script that spelled the word "INFIRMARY.'
"We have been through so many cities like this and I have never allowed myself to think about the people who lived there," Sally whispered as she wiped away a new string of tears from her face. "I did not want to think of the lives destroyed... could not let it sink in and affect me." Shaking her head, she shuddered. "It is so different when the city is your own. All that I can think about are the memories here."
Biting her lip as Duo stepped up behind her, she peered around and laughed.
With her hand reaching up to point at the start of the rubble, she shared, "Heero nearly wore a hole in our floor as he waited for you right about there." The prince snickered as his gaze followed her finger and his eyes warmed with the image in his mind.
Moving deeper into the haphazard debris, the young woman said quietly, "This was the room where I normally worked." She walked deeper yet and reached out to touch a doorway that no longer stood as she remembered aloud, "This was Carrie's."
Continuing on the stretch, she ignored her occasional stumble to reach her destinations as she went on, "This was the nursery for the infants we tended to. Then Danny's room and the children's play room..."
Unable to go on when her body began to shake with sobs, Sally hugged the sign to her chest and breathed, "I had taken for granted how a simple building could mean so much... how those lives that I had worked with and healed could all be gone."
Before Duo even had a moment to move to her, First Captain Scott Lewis walked past him. The giant of a man who was normally so sure of himself timidly approached the healer to rest a hand on her shoulder.
Nearly jumping from the contact that broke her dark thoughts, she spun and looked up at him in surprise. Hooking his thumbs into his weapon belt, the knight cleared his throat and looked even more unsure of himself.
"Maybe they are gone, but they will never be forgotten," he commented softly. "Someone as caring as yourself would never let those memories die, and so neither will they." As he lowered his head, he shrugged, "At least, that is what has been getting me through all of this."
Blinking, Sally sniffled and her eyes dried. "You're right," she breathed with a smile tugging her lips. Lewis' head shot up and his wide eyes locked with hers as she nodded, "Nothing is lost forever so long as the memory lives on."
She kept hold of the sign under one arm while reaching out with the other to take one of the Captain's. "Thank you," she whispered sincerely. His chest rising, Scott grinned and nodded back as he squeezed her hand.
A small smile on his own face, Duo looked back to Wufei and Anna before leading them deeper into the city while searching for the rest of their friends.
* * * * * *
The day had been both the most difficult that Treize had ever endured as well as one of the best.
Whilst there was the tremendous weight of responsibility for what had happened to the Alliance on his shoulders, there was also the thrill of being freed of Dorothy's ability as well as being reunited with his daughter.
Still, the king of Libra found it difficult to raise his head and look any of the soldiers or werewolves around in the eye. Keeping his head lowered, he held onto Sylvia's hand as she led them around Taurus before they came to find Duo and his tight band of friends. As nervous as he was about facing the Prince of Sanq, he wanted to sit and speak with him... to thank him for everything that he had done.
And so it was with that intention that he moved through the darkening city with Noventa staying closely behind in a silent watch over him and his daughter.
On their way to the prince's circle around the glowing fire, Treize looked towards the northern walls surrounding the city where a chorus of heart-wrenching howls filled the air. After the recovery of Angela and Jacob within the castle, the werewolves headed off to bury their dead and to mourn as they would any of their lost. Biting his lip, his head lowered further at the painful sound.
Sylvia's own heart broke, not only for the creatures, but for her father as well. He had been quiet and withdrawn from the world following their reunion. And she knew that it was because of how hard he was being on himself for what had happened that day. Squeezing his hand, she reassured quietly, "That was not you back there. I know that and I am sure that the others are aware of that as well."
Finally looking back on his daughter, Treize smiled sadly and nodded, "I do hope so, Sylvy. " His eyes blinking, he really took in the outfit that she was wearing. Smirking, he gently tugged on the sleeve of the deep blue tunic.
A shy smile tugging her lips, the princess giggled and wrung the end of the rope belt around her waist. "I like it," she shrugged. "It is a lot more comfortable than any of the dresses that I have ever worn. Prince Duo really had the right idea there."
"Well, even I have to agree that it suits you better," the king chuckled. "You look more like the child that you should have been allowed to be were it not for what has happened." Those dark thoughts were beginning to set in, but that was for another time.
They had reached the prince's ring around the fire.
Swallowing roughly once more, Treize froze to silently decide whether or not he was ready to confront the braided teenager that he had attempted to capture only a few hours before. His daughter squeezed his hand again and grinned, "Do not worry. They are all very kind and understanding people... not to mention the best of friends that I have ever been blessed to know in my life."
It was in that sentiment that the former Commander to Dekim's army found his courage. Smiling back to Sylvia, he lightly tapped the end of her nose. With a deep breath, he made his way around the steeds that protected the humans within their band.
Noventa tilted his head as Wing, Nataku and the other dragons around looked back at him. Their long muzzles shifting into long grins, the beasts shifted to make room for their new ally without hesitation.
The purple steed's head perked up and his tail wagged excitedly as he took his place amongst the welcoming group. His focused silver eyes, however, remained on his charges as they approached the gifted and knights to be alert if they needed him.
Everyone gathered around the fire looked back at hearing footsteps approaching. When their eyes fell on the king and the princess, much to Khushrenada's surprise and relief, they smiled and shifted so that they could get in closer. As he moved deeper within their circle, he found Prince Duo sitting with Anna to his left and Wufei to his right.
Violet eyes looked up and the braided teenager's face lit up with a grin as brilliant as the light from the fire that flickered along his features. Rising from the rock where he and his knights were seated, he closed the distance between himself and Treize. Stunned, the tall man paused as the youth held his hand out to him.
"Welcome back, your highness," Duo greeted sincerely.
Staring at the hand, Treize let out a sigh of a laugh and peered back into the prince's eyes as he accepted and gripped the boy's palm in a firm shake. "I... I really do not know how to thank you for saving me and for looking after my little Sylvy," he replied in a cracking voice.
When their shake ended, Maxwell snickered and shook his head, "No thanks needed. I'm just glad that my gift was able to help." Gesturing to he others around, he insisted, "Have a seat with us."
Dumbfounded, the king frowned, "You... you would all accept me that easily?" Slowly peering to the watchful gazes on him, he breathed, "Even after everything that has happened?"
A true look of confusion etched Duo's face and he asked, "Why not? You were every bit as much a victim of Dekim's as we all are. I was able to feel what your real soul held against the grip that the black magic that manipulated your thoughts. The person that you were this morning was not you. But now you are our friend and ally as you truly have always been again."
Treize's head snapped over to his smiling daughter who mouthed a knowing, 'I told you.' Instantly, all of the tension leading to that moment had washed away from him and his shoulders sagged heavily.
Peering over his shoulder when a lighter patter of footsteps came up, the prince smirked, "And we're not the only ones who feel that way."
At that, everyone turned to watch as Alex and his pack, including Trent, led a familiar couple into the circle. Gasping, Khushrenada breathed, "Angela. Jacob." Her transparent brown eyes falling on him, the dark-skinned werewolf positively beamed.
Walking past the others, Angela made her way to the king and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Nearly falling over from his surprise, Treize returned the embrace as she whispered in his ear, "Thank you. You kept me and my partner alive and for that we are in your debt. I knew that there was true good in you."
Jacob stepped up to rest a hand on his small lover's shoulder when she stepped back. Smirking, he nodded to their rescuer, "We could not help but overhear your conversation as we came in. I want you to know that if it makes you feel better to hear it, we forgive you for the actions that you had no choice in."
"I would no longer have a pack were it not for you," Trent commented as he also neared the king. "Such a thing will never be forgotten amidst our kind. Already, you and your courage are quite the conversation pieces with our fellow were-people."
Finally, it was all too much for Treize and his eyes shimmered over. "I... I very much appreciate your kind words and understanding," he nodded firmly. "You all have my word that I will fight Dekim and the Keeper with every breath that I take from this day on."
Slapping his back, Duo snickered, "Never had a doubt that you would." He held his hand out to the spare room on the rock that he had taken up with his grinning knights. "Come on and have a seat with us now."
There were many questions that the prince had as he led the king to their resting spot. And nearly all of them pertained to Heero. But Treize was still too fresh in getting back into his own skin to be faced with such inquiries of his days as one of Dekim's puppets.
He would just have to be patient and wait for the right opportunity.
* * * * * *
Dorothy had stayed locked in her spell room for the whole of the day and well into the night. She knew that within moments of witnessing Prince Duo releasing his gift that the shimmering walls of the border would ride up to protect Taurus.
There was no question that Dekim knew what had happened. His dark promise to Treize was that he would be successful in taking the boy or he would pay with his life. Now that it was clear Taurus was recaptured, the sorcerer would realize that not only had the Commander failed, but she had as well.
Whatever the consequences, Dorothy knew that she would have to face them at some time. Taking a deep breath, she spelled her door to open so that she could step out of the pitch that had surrounded her.
She was not one step beyond her room when a hand rose up to slap her hard across the face. Reeling back from the blow, her hand reached up to cup her swelling right cheek. Glaring heatedly on her, Dekim loomed over the sorceress. His face red with bridled rage, he stared into her wide eyes for a long moment before he turned on his heels and walked off.
Never before had the old man been so mad that he did not have a word for her.
Things were going to be quite uncomfortable in his bed that that night.
TBC...
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