|
"The Prince of Beasts "Written By: Jewel of Hell Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' but these words Rating: NC 17 Warnings: EE GADS! THREESOME! Not really, but Duo has two mates. Yaoi, lemon, violence, magic, mythical creatures, vengeful Quatre, slightly evil Duo, AU, Fantasy Pairings: 3x4, 1x2, 5x2 Summary: The Desert Prince is also known
as the Prince of Beasts for his ability to control the powerful mythical
creatures of the world. In the desert Rahadan, protected by an ancient
and mysterious power, Quatre Winner rules the wealthiest kingdom in
the world. " The Prince of Beasts "
The Desert Prince In the tiniest kingdom in the world lived the wealthiest, most powerful man alive. Deep in the heart of the Rahadan Desert in the center of a lush oasis stood a magnificent palace made out of Lyridian Marble, imported from two thousand leagues away. The architecture swirled upward in majestic spyres without sharp planes and angles, adding to an overall sense of breathtaking beauty. And the young man who lived there, the monarch of all the nomadic tribes and all the people of the kingdom, was Quatre Raberba Winner. Prince of the Beasts. All who saw Quatre agreed he was one of the most beautiful men they'd ever seen. He was tall and slender, his figure almost willowy. But the muscle beneath flesh denied any trace of femininity, and he moved with almost sensual grace. His eyes were like the desert sky without a cloud, brilliant and deep. They held many mysteries, those eyes. And his hair was as golden as the desert sun, falling just long enough to brush his sun-kissed cheeks. Rahadan was a small kingdom. The largest kingdom in the world could fit ten countries the size of Rahadan in it, but no monarch would dare order an invasion of the kingdom nestled squarely in the center of them all. Rahadan was ruled by Quatre Winner, and it was protected by an ancient power even the most bloodthirsty warrior feared. The Mage Winds. No one knew where they came from. The Mage Winds blew through the desert with tenacious ferocity, scouring away anything that stood in their path. Magical in nature, they could not be fought. Indeed, how does one fight the wind? Only Quatre, the Desert Prince of Rahadan, could control them. And he did so with vindictive glee whenever anything or anyone challenged him. He had destroyed an entire army out of Gerast when the king had ordered the desert plundered. And he hadn't lifted a finger. Because of his unique position, Quatre was often called upon by the larger nations to act as arbiter for disputes over land and territory. Other countries also went to him to preside over treaties, trade routes, and the shipping of goods. They also went to him if they were ever in need of a loan, because Rahadan remained the richest kingdom by tenfold. But the main reason everyone remained in awe of the Desert Prince was because of his title. Prince of the Beasts. Every generation had one, and Quatre had inherited it from his mother. He could call on and control the mythical beasts that roamed the world. Beasts of tremendous power. Everything from the terrible dragons that ruled the skies to the monstrous wyrms that swam through sand like it was water. They blessed him with immortality, and he had ruled in Rahadan for over fifty years. He looked not a day over twenty. Sitting on the balcony outside his bedroom, Quatre breathed deeply of the hot air when a breeze stirred it up. The gossamer curtains fluttered prettily in the breeze, and Quatre closed his eyes and tipped his head back. During the hottest part of the day he wore only soft silk breeches and a robe of the filmiest gossamer. It felt too warm even in the shade, but he'd been made for this heat. He loved it. He heard a knock on his bedchamber door. "Prince Quatre? Are you in, my prince?" "Come in, Rashid," Quatre called, not moving from his comfortable perch. He didn't have to open his eyes to imagine the huge man's bulk looming over him. "My prince, we've received the first word that the Rahadan Caravan will be arriving tomorrow evening." Quatre smiled and sat up. "Excellent. Did they send me a list of their wares this year?" "Indeed, my prince." The huge, dark-skinned man handed Quatre a rolled parchment. Every year at high summer, nomads from the deep desert traveled to the Bryne River (along which most of Quatre's kingdom resided). They brought their exotic spices with them, as well as silks and sand gems. Merchants from the cities would join their caravan and travel to the oasis where they would stay in the capital city for one week. The entire week was reserved as a special festival. Businesses closed down and the laborers rested their plows, axes, and hammers. It was a week to celebrate the wealth of Rahadan and the protection offered by their beloved prince. Then the caravan moved north to the surrounding kingdoms. Though Quatre wasn't a whimsical man, he did love the Rahadan Caravan Festival. He looked over the list. "Ah, I see they're offering silks of more colors this year," he murmured. "Take this to the cooks and have them make you a list of all the spices they would like to purchase and see they're given enough coin. I would like to purchase some linens for new livery, as well. Our servants have been wearing the same clothes for two years now. I believe they'd be glad of a change. I believe I would like my colors this year to be aqua and silver. That will rather look like water, won't it?" He smiled. "See that enough is purchased so that each servant has four uniforms of three different designs. There's no reason they should have to feel unhappy in their own clothing." Rashid grinned. "Yes, my prince. How about something for you?" "Mm, I would like a new collection of aqua, gold, crimson, violet, ebony, and emerald sand gems. The collars I made for my three precious pets, I'm tired of them. You may take them and offer them as trade. I'm certain the caravan could take the gems I bought last year and trade them up north for a ridiculous profit. They're still in perfect condition." "Of course, my prince. How about some of their fine silks? You would look wonderful in violet. I know aqua is your best color, but you look so good in so many other colors." Quatre smiled. "You flatter me. Very well, you may purchase for me any silks you like. After the festival is over, I'll commission my tailors to make some new outfits for me. While you're at it, take my old silks to them as well for trade." "I'm certain there are many merchants up north who would jump at the chance to sell the Desert Prince's old wardrobe. You're very fashionable in the cold countries." Snorting, Quatre finally rose. "I have a few things to see to now that we've received word. Make sure we have plenty of cleared space in the stables, and hire more cooks for the week. I don't want the palace cooks to be working so much they don't get a chance to enjoy the festivities of the week." "Yes, my prince. Shall I hire entertainment in the palace?" "Oh, you know what it's like. It won't be necessary. There will be bards and minstrels traveling with the caravan anxious for the chance to perform for me. I will be in my tower, Rashid. Please see no one disturbs me until I come down." "Yes, my prince." Rashid bowed and saw himself out. Belting his robe, Quatre padded to the side door in his bedroom. It opened into a huge, open room. Half the ceiling was glass, allowing in natural sunlight. The other half was marble like the rest of the palace, and thick velvet cushions littered the floor. There were gossamer curtains hanging from the ceiling in shades of the richest red, and lazing about on those cushions was a large, magnificent wildcat. Closer inspection would reveal it was not a normal wildcat. It had two thick tails, and its limpid eyes were indigo-violet. The pale auburn fur was covered in black spots, the centers of which faded to chestnut then gold. When Quatre entered the creature lifted its beautiful head, yawning and showing needle sharp white fangs. Which were hollow and capable of delivering a deadly poison to which there was no antidote. That wasn't, however, the thing about the cat that made it so frightening. When it rose from its lazy sprawl and padded toward Quatre, shadow moved and shifted in its wake as if it were wading through a pool of it. Shadowcat. It stopped and sank back to its haunches right in front of Quatre, its head reaching his lower ribs. Smiling, Quatre brushed his fingers over the soft, soft fur on its muzzle. "Well, you're in here. Duo, where's your mate?" The shadowcat rose to its feet again, shaking and causing the shadows to ripple outward. Quatre was long used to it and didn't fear it. Indeed, he was the only person alive who had nothing to fear from the creatures of nightmare. Duo looked around the room as if only just noticing he was alone, then he yawned again. Quatre laughed. "Ah, no matter. You can come with me to the tower alone." He turned and headed back into his bedroom. He couldn't hear Duo follow, but he could feel the shadowcat's presence. "The Rahadan Caravan will be here tomorrow. I'm having new collars made for you, Heero, and Wufei. I'm tired of the old ones, and I'm certain you are too. You enjoy the festival, don't you, precious?" He heard Duo start purring and chuckled. Among mythical creatures, there were two types. Glory and Nightmare. Duo was a Nightmare. Nightmares tended to be volatile and vicious-tempered, preferring to cause death than to preserve life. No one in the palace would go near the shadowcat, and for good reason. Quatre had long ago formed a pact with Duo, and the shadowcat now protected and obeyed the Prince of Beasts. Servants quickly got out of the way as Quatre and Duo made their way to the tower. In the uppermost regions of the palace, his tower reached up into the canopy of the oasis. The ceiling was made of glass, but though he could see out perfectly, no one else could see in. The door was protected by ancient magic that only Quatre could open, and he locked it behind him. He made his way up the narrow spiral staircase to the small room. It had no furnishing, only a tall and narrow pedestal on which rested a piece of milky crystal that curved upward almost like a flame. Quatre cupped his hands around the crystal without touching it, and instantly it cleared. Inside it suddenly looked like a great wind raged in the tiny space. Quatre hummed soothingly. "Demon of the air," he murmured, "heart of hostility and vengeance. Your prince stands before you now, fragile and vulnerable and in need of your tremendous power." The raging wind inside the crystal grew to a frenzied pitch, shrieking in the small room. Quatre saw Duo's ears go back, but otherwise the shadowcat didn't react. "My caravan will once more make its way north through the desert," Quatre went on. "As long as they are in your grasp, I beg you protect them from all who would cause them harm. Lend them your immense strength, for they are important to me. Will you answer my plea?" The wind suddenly quieted, and a specter rose up from the crystal. It looked as insubstantial as air itself, but its eyes were glowing red pits. It reached out a hand and cupped Quatre's cheek. It felt like a frigid breeze brushed over his skin. The specter opened its mouth, but while no sound issued forth Quatre heard and understood just the same. "For you, our beloved prince, we will do anything. Your caravan will reach the borders of these lands free of challenge. We will slay any who dare try stop them and bring them harm." Quatre smiled. "Thank you as always, my demon. I know I am safe in your hands." The specter evaporated, and the crystal went milky again. Stepping back, Quatre smiled down at Duo. "He was in a good mood today, wasn't he?" Duo panted laughter. Then he rose, tails lashing, letting out a soft growling sound. Quatre nodded. "Yes, I'm hungry too. Perhaps your mates went out hunting? They spoil you, they would happily bring you back some, I'm sure." Duo shook his head, sneezing. Quatre chuckled. "Yes, I would order them to do so if you wanted, but it's probably not necessary." Back in Quatre's huge, beautiful chambers, Duo padded right to the balcony door and looked at Quatre, the request clear. Quatre opened the door for him, and the shadowcat paced outside. The shadows swirling around his feet looked especially freakish in the daylight, and he crouched down on the balcony, gathering himself for an impressive leap. It took him right over the rail, but he didn't fall down to the ground. Instead he melted into shadow which dispersed in the air like a memory. Smiling to himself, Quatre left the door open for when the beautiful creature returned. Though he was the Prince of Beasts and could command them at will, he saw no reason to put them in a cage. Like the Mage Winds, they served him all the more fervently
because they loved him.
tbc Chapter 2 |
