Jaid: *crawls out, looking ashamed* Yes, I know. Two weeks and not one update. *cringes* I’M REALLY, REALLY SORRY!! I just had the worst bit of writer’s block ever! But hopefully we’ll be moving along faster now.

Naga: Hopefully she says.

Jaid: -__- Care to explain that remark…?

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Chapter Thirteen

            The company stood, tense, as the high pitched wails of the Xry met their ears. Wufei and Heero stood in the front, staffs and swords in hand. Midii, Quatre, and Hilde had out their bows, Trowa had his sword, Duo his scythe and Dorco his axe. Deathescythe sat cocking his head to one side and Nataku had her fangs bared. The waiting seemed endless. Midii felt her hands shaking. Trowa put a hand on her shoulder and she relaxed slightly, then gave him a weak smile. He smiled back.

            Then the Xry came. There was only a few of them, but they were incredibly hard to kill. Arrows gone, Hilde and Quatre used their daggers as best they could, but Midii was pretty much helpless. One of the shadow demons reared up in front of her, his liquid black body waving like a snake’s and his eyes gleaming red. Midii closed her eyes and cried out, put her hands in front of her. Through the closed lids, she could discern a bright light, heard a high pitched wail and then a hissing sound. Peeking one gray eye open, she saw that the demon was gone.

What did I do? she thought numbly.

            “Midii, look out!” Trowa pushed her to the ground, fighting off another Xry that had been about to pounce on her. Midii’s mind was racing.

The jewel? Maybe. But how do I make it do that again?  Midii stood, closed her eyes and stuck out her right hand.

Please. she mentally begged. Work. Save us. As if the jewel had heard her, it began to glow with a red fire, beginning to float a little in the air. A beam of red energy shot out and hit the Xry Trowa had been trying to kill. He jumped back in surprise as the creature he had been fighting was reduced to a small mound of ashes. He looked back, as Midii opened her eyes. Her face was pale and strained, but she looked incredibly pleased with herself.

            “What-?” Trowa looked at her in confusion.

            “I did it.” Midii whispered, then promptly collapsed. Trowa sprang forward and caught her, gently lowering her to the ground. He looked up. Quatre was helping support Duo, who had a wound in his side. Hilde’s face had been cut and the blood was pouring down her cheek and neck. Heero and Wufei looked fine; Heero didn’t even seem tired. Trowa frowned.

            “Where’s the dwarf?” he asked. Quatre looked away, his eyes filling with tears. Duo looked grim as he sank to the ground in a sitting position.

            “I see.” Trowa said quietly. He looked back at Midii, cradled in his arms. Wufei knelt next to her.

            “What happened?” he asked.

            “I don’t know.” Trowa told him. “All I know is that Midii was behind me, while I was fighting a Xry and then next minute a beam of red light hits the demon, consumes it and burns it into ashes.”

            “Red?” Wufei raised an eyebrow and gently lifted the red stone. He frowned, then looked at Trowa. “She’ll be fine I think, she just needs to rest.” So saying, he stood and helped Duo care for his wound. Quatre and Hilde had gone to bury Dorco properly.

*  *  *

            They had been flying all night. Normally, the Skye-borne used their own wings to travel, but because of the distance, they used mounts. Mariemeia was leading them. She looked back at their army and bit her tongue. Turning back around, she hoped that the nervousness and fear she felt was not echoed on her face.

            Sercan flew next to her, his eyes closed. She wondered what he was thinking. Sometimes Sercan could be very difficult to read. He opened one eye and smiled at her. Mariemeia smiled back and looked ahead.

            “Do you see it, Highness?” Juni, a general asked. “Do you see the city?”

            Mariemeia looked, then smiled. “Yes! Yes, I do.” She blinked. “It’s beautiful.” she whispered.

            Against the hilly, vibrantly green ground was a city made of stone, white stone clean and pure. She could also see the camps, reminding her of the upcoming fight. Mariemeia’s face hardened slightly. She would not fail her people, she would not fail her father.

*  *  *

            Dorothy wore a simple green dress and cloak as she walked through camp. When in battle, she would dress as a man, complete with armor, but for now, propriety demanded that she wear women’s clothing, however simple.

            Relena walked beside her, in her dark grayish blue overdress which served as a cloak as well. It was her favorite garment, durable without looking awful and awkward, and something that required no cloak.

            “Dorothy?” Relena finally said. Her sister glanced at her. Relena stopped walking and looked down.

            “I need to ask you something.” she said quietly. Dorothy cocked her head, her inquistive look encouraging Relena to continue. The said maiden sighed.

            “What would you do, if you were suddenly very unsure of your feelings for someone you thought you had feelings for?”

            Dorothy raised an eyebrow. “You’re not being very clear.”

            Relena sighed again, and began to walk. Dorothy stepped in beside her.

            “I don’t know, Dorothy. I’m just so unsure of things right now.” she said quietly.

            “Unsure of what?”

            Relena stopped again and faced her sister. “I’m not sure about me and Quatre anymore. We’ve both changed so much in thirty years. I care for him still, but…oh I don’t know!” There was a note of helplessness in her voice. Dorothy blew out a breath, wondering what to say.

            “Someone else?” she asked. “The wizard?”

            Relena’s cheeks grew faintly red. She nodded unsurely. “I don’t know what it is, but he…there’s something....” her shoulders slumped. “I don’t know.”

            Dorothy put a hand under her chin and lifted Relena’s face to face hers. “You’ll make the right decision, I’m sure. You have a good heart” Dorothy told her, trying to smile. Relena’s eyes seem to clear. She smiled and hugged her sister.

            “Thank you.” she said softly. Dorothy didn’t answer; she was too busy wondering why she wanted to cry.

*  *  *

            The other Generals were looking at Meiran in shock. She knew what they were thinking; would this slip of a girl really lead this great force to victory against the Xry? She couldn’t answer that question; all she could do was try to convince them to trust her.

After all. she thought. It’s not as if I’m the only female leader. The Skye-borne were led by a Queen; the Elvish Princess of Sanq was a leading a regiment and Meiran had spotted several female dwarf captains.

            Meiran lifted her chin and looked at the others seated there. She met Catherine’s eyes. The Queen was seated at the other end of the table. Catherine smiled brightly and encouragingly. Meiran smiled slightly and then addressed the group.

            “I suppose we should get down to business.” she said softly. There was a slight rustling as maps were brought out and plans laid.

*  *  *

            Une walked silently by herself. She was dressed in silvery gray as always, her long brown hair unbound. Her sandaled feet made barely a sound as she strode through the camp. Stopping, she looked up at a brilliant star, and swallowed to keep the tears away.

I’ll see him again. she thought. Please stay safe.

            Leagues away, a man looked at the same star and prayed for the safety of his daughter…and his beloved lady.

*  *  *

            Midii moaned slightly and opened her eyes. The sky was moving. And her breath came out in steam in the early morning light, yet she was warm. Blinking, she moved her head, and met Trowa’s eyes.

            “You’re awake.” he said in his low, calm voice. Midii nodded, a bit dazedly. Trowa had her on his horse, arms supporting her, even as he held the reins.

            “What happened?” she asked.

            “You fainted.” he said, a hint of a smile showing. Midii blushed.

            “Oh.” Midii looked in front of her. Hilde turned, smiled and then waved cheerfully. Midii smiled back.

            “I see your doing well.” another voice said. Midii looked to the right to see Quatre.

            “Yes, I’m fine. Just a little tired.” she answered. Quatre nodded and smiled, but there was a hooded look to his face; a sadness. Midii frowned, then realized someone was missing. She looked at Quatre with a stricken face, but he did not look at her again. Instead, he spurred his head ahead slightly, where he was alone.

*  *  *

            The older man, Jaris, was barely alive. His captor stared at him, her cold expression never changing.

            “You know,” she said idly. “I was always taught to respect my elders. Too bad that you’re so stubborn. This is wouldn’t have happened if you were ready to cooperate.”

            Jaris kept himself from shooting her a withering look. He hurt enough as it was.

            “They tell me that you are still unwilling.” she continued. “Such a shame. You could have died in your bed old man, instead of spending your last few days in torment.”

            “As if they wouldn’t have been.” Jaris muttered. “Not with you the leader of the world.”

            The woman turned, a cold fire burning in her eyes. “Yes, that might have been awful, wouldn’t it? Or maybe not. Too bad you won’t live to see the truth.”

            With that, the woman left, leaving Jaris in the inky blackness again.

*  *  *

            The woman quietly entered the chamber. The creature she had uncovered was still in hibernation. All around her Xry flitted to and fro, eerily silent as they went about their tasks.  She walked towards the crystal chamber that had imprisoned it for a millennia. She placed a hand on the clear prison, fascination making her face almost likeable. A cold blue light emanated from the huge crystal, making look almost ice like. Inside, the creature twitched, then relaxed. The woman smiled.

Soon, she thought. Soon you will be released.

*  *  *

“You’d think we’d be there by now.” Duo murmured. Everyone looked at him.

            “Oh, I said that out loud, huh?” he said sheepishly. Wufei sighed and rolled his eyes, while Heero and Trowa exchanged mutual looks. Hilde and Midii grinned at each other. Quatre smiled slightly, but since the hood of his cloak was up, no one saw.

            “Well,” Duo continued. “Since we’re on the subject-“

            “Let’s not start that again.” Wufei said.

            “When are we going to get there?” Deathscythe asked. It was too much; Hilde and Midii let loose a torrent of giggles. Even Heero smirked. Duo shook his head, then pulled back to ride next to Quatre.

            “You okay?” he asked. Quatre looked at him.

            “It’s hard.” The Wood Elf admitted. “He was my only companion for nearly three decades.”

            Duo nodded. “Yeah.” They both were silent for a little while.

            “Think we’ll succeed?” He finally broke the silence. Quatre sighed.

            “I don’t know.” 

*  *  *

            “We’re moving out tonight.”

            The news spread quickly throughout the camps, as Sally quickly found out. She was dressed in her pale blue robes, a grayish-green cloak around her shoulders. It was early morning and the air was heavy with mist and fog. Hastily she walked to a tent, then pausing, raised her voice.

            “Une?” she called. “It’s Sally. I need to speak with you.”

            “Enter.” a voice answered. Sally lifted a flap and walked in. Une was sitting on a raised cot, buckling a gauntlet. She looked up. Sally raised a questioning eyebrow.

            “I have not worn it for a while.” Une said softly, as she stood. In the lamplight, the thick leather breastplate and gauntlets shone, their beaded edges shining softly. The rest of Une’s costume was simple.

            “I didn’t even know you kept it.” Sally said, smiling.

            “As a reminder.” Une sighed, then parted her hair and began to braid it. Sally came over and helped.

            “You didn’t have to give up your position, you know.” Sally commented after a little while. “You were sorely missed…especially by Treize.”

            “I know.” Une said quietly. “I’ve always known. But I couldn’t trust myself. And then, it was just easier to be alone.”

            “Well,” Sally answered, helping Une pin her hair up. “I can understand that. But still, I think you hurt him by not coming back.”

            Une stood and buckled a sword to her side. She looked at Sally, her brown eyes sad. “I did what I thought was best. There may still be time for us.” She turned and walked to the exit of the tent.

            “Is that why your helping Dorothy?” Sally asked. “To make sure she doesn’t make the same mistake?”

            Une swallowed and turned. “I suppose so. But was what happened really a mistake?”

            “I think it was.” Sally admitted. “And now the whole situation is being played out again. Only this time it’s Quatre, Dorothy and Relena.”

            Une thought for a moment. For a minute, Sally realized how much more delicate and older the woman seemed in her soft gray dress and her hair down. Now, with armor and her hair up, she looked every bit a hardened warrior.

            “I just hope I can guide her.” Une said. “But I’m going to be with Relena, so…”

            “Would I watch over Dorothy?” Sally finished. She smiled. “As much as I’m able.”

            Une smiled back. “Thank you.”

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Jaid: I know, not much excitement. It’ll get better! I hope…

Naga: *evil grin* Oh it will. It will. *cackles*

Jad & Jaid: O__O