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"In My Master's Arms "Written By: Jewel of Hell Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' but these words Rating: NC 17 Warnings: Yaoi, lemon, violence, slavery, cruelty, possible OOCness, AU/Fantasy/Drama Pairings: 1x2 Summary: In a society where sorcerers are feared
and hated, Duo is given as a slave to a powerful warrior in order
to keep his tremendous power under control. All he wants is freedom
from his cruel master, but nothing is as it seems . . . "In My Master's Arms "
Journey to Corai When the ridiculously fancy carriage drew to a halt, Duo peered out the window and started in surprise. They were outside the city now by a little less than a league, and a large camp sprawled a few hundred yards off the main road. Though it was difficult to say, Duo thought there must be at least a few hundred men. All of them were wearing uniforms, so this wasn't a caravan. It was a military train. The thought sent shivers of dread down Duo's spine. The carriage halted, and Heero stepped out at once. He tossed a small purse to the driver and untethered his horse from the back rail. The stallion was a magnificent creature, large-boned and deep-chested, obviously trained and bred for stamina and endurance. Its sleek fur was inky black, and metallic silver blazed through its mane and tail. Heero easily climbed into the saddle, and the beautiful horse frisked a moment. Duo watched the Black Prince bring it under control with a firm hand. "Get over here," he snapped, gesturing sharply to Duo. Wondering if he was meant to trot alongside the horse, Duo hesitantly climbed out of the carriage. He was barely a step away when it began trundling back toward the city. Duo jumped aside to avoid being trampled, sending a heated glare after the driver, who didn't so much as glance back. It distracted him just enough that he didn't realize Heero's intent until an arm was around his waist and he was swung up into the saddle as though he were a featherweight. Heat suffused his face. Did Heero mean to make him ride like this? Sitting in front of him on the saddle like a child, or a woman, or an invalid? His heart thumped a sickly beat in his chest. Calm. It won't do you any good to get angry now. Closing his eyes, he sucked in several deep, slow breaths. Heero's beautiful stallion cantered to the waiting train. The man in the lead bore Corai's banner-a falcon diving talons-first toward a rearing snake with fangs beared. Duo had always thought it was an ugly symbol, violence and intent to cause harm. "Where to, Highness?" the banner-bearing man asked. "To Corai," Heero replied in that cold voice of his. Not a hint of emotion. "I got what I came for." "This . . . boy?" the man asked, giving Duo a critical look. "He's . . . young. And he's a Black? I find it somewhat hard to believe." "As do I," Heero said, "but I took the opportunity during the ride back here to examine the depth of his skill. It runs deep. He is a Black." Duo blinked. Really? Why hadn't he sensed Heero doing that? "Very good, my prince." Putting forefinger and thumb to his lips, he let out a piercing whistle. "Move out!" Heero's stallion frisked again, seeming quite eager to get moving. Duo's heart leaped into his mouth when the beast reared up, causing him to slide back against Heero's chest. Once more, Heero brought his mount back under control with ease, and Duo edged forward on the saddle. If he had to ride like this, there was no point in being in the man's lap. Resentment seethed through him as Heero and his train set out, the prince and his banner-bearer in the lead. "A messenger pigeon reached us early this morning," the man said. A breeze stirred his long, platinum hair. "Apparently your father's health is deteriorating rapidly. He requested you make all possible haste returning home, so he can arrange a formal coronation making you king." Duo found himself wishing this man was his master. Though he wasn't more attractive than the Black Prince, he looked more human. His stormy blue eyes were softer, allowed to shine through real hints of emotion. Perhaps he would have been kinder to Duo. By midday, the clouds that had been dotting the sky with gray gathered until all traces of blue were obscured. By the end of the hour a cold drizzle had begun. Duo, wearing nothing suitable for wet weather, cursed his miserable luck. He would be freezing cold in a few candlemarks. The first shiver coursed up his spine. "Zechs," Heero said, startling Duo, "fetch me a cloak from the pack animals." Duo's eyes widened a little. An act of compassion? With what he knew of Heero so far it seemed completely out of character. The man named Zechs returned, and Heero draped it around Duo's shoulders. Duo pulled it shut, wondering if he dared hope. "Thank you," he all but whispered. "Don't thank me," Heero replied in that icy tone. "You'll be useless to me if you get sick." Bowing his head, Duo bit back a grim smile. Of course. The day dragged in endless monotony. Duo, who had never even left the tower after being taken there, found horseback riding for an extended period of time to be boring and incredibly uncomfortable. He tried to focus on the passing landscape, keeping his eyes open for birds or small animals, but after several hours even this lost its appeal. They didn't stop for lunch, the train just ate some flavorless dried meat and crusty bread. Though Duo wasn't exactly used to eating like a king, the food tasted dry and flat. By night he wanted to cry with relief when the train finally came to a halt. Zechs immediately ordered everyone to make camp, and to Duo's relief Heero didn't seem to expect him to help out somehow. In short order they had tents erected, and one great big pavilion. At this point, Heero once more grabbed Duo around the waist and lifted him down off the horse. Duo's knees buckled alarmingly, but he steadied himself with a hand on the stallion's flank. Heero swung down without pause, moving as if he were born in the saddle. Duo hesitated, not sure now what to do. He wanted to run and hide, climb into a small hole and never come out again. Heero's stallion turned its head and looked down at Duo, giving him a nudge with his velvety nose. Smiling a little in spite of himself, Duo stroked the beautiful animal's face. "What's your name?" he whispered. The stallion looked at him with liquid black eyes. "Duo!" Heero snapped. "Come, now." Flushing, feeling like a berated and unloved dog, Duo moved to Heero's side. Reluctantly he looked up into frigid blue eyes. Was this man even human? Or was he some kind of machine? Zechs and a few others had gathered an enormous pile of wood. "Obviously we can't light a fire when there's rain," Heero said. "Do something about it." Duo swallowed the urge to snap back, What, exactly do you want me to do? I can't change the weather. Turning away from Heero, he closed his eyes and tried to think. Despite what Normals might think, the Silent Order did not teach sorcerers useful spells. They taught them how to control their power and how to be slaves. Spells, they'd assured their pupils, were mostly instinctual. Taking a deep breath and holding it, Duo began forming a shield. Pale blue energy seethed from him in a dome-shaped wave. It took a lot of concentration, but eventually Duo pushed it out until it encompassed the immediate area around the wood. It was extremely difficult to make it repell water but allow smoke to travel out. He sincerely hoped creating spells would be easier as he grew accustomed to using magic. Heero didn't offer so much as a word of thanks or praise. He simply gestured at his company and they lit the fire. "Go back to my pavilion," Heero said over his shoulder to Duo, "and go to bed. And don't sleep in those dirty clothes. I don't care if you have to sleep naked." Stung and feeling it was ridiculous to feel hurt, Duo went to the large pavilion. A bed with an actual mattress had been put together. Duo could see the frame was collapsible, and he wasn't sure if that was a nice amenity or an absurd one. But more pressingly, there was only one bed. Where am I supposed to sleep? Surely he doesn't mean to make me sleep in the same bed as him? It was easily wide enough for two people comfortably, but there wouldn't be much room between them. A queasy feeling gurgled in Duo's stomach. He'd heard of masters using their sorcerers for more than just weapons. He swallowed thickly. Heero didn't seem human. Perhaps that meant his human appetites and lusts were not there, as well. Hopefully. Nervous and trembling, Duo shucked his clothing and folded it neatly on a chair by the bed. He dove under the covers immediately, wearing only his thin undergarments. Pithy protection. He'd felt the strength in Heero's steely frame. Squeezing his eyes shut, he tried not to think anymore. And despite his nervousness, he was asleep in minutes. o8o o8o The distant wailing of a bird startled Duo awake sometime during the night. After several moments of disorientation, he realized it wasn't night. Outside the tent was gray, not black. Perhaps an hour to dawn, then. He shifted slightly, warm and comfortable, not ready to wake. And froze. He was not alone in bed anymore. He could feel the steely frame behind him, right behind him, almost spooning him. And his head was resting on Heero's toned arm. In an instant his heart was in his mouth. Shit, shit. How did he get in bed last night without me noticing? Why is he so close? Is he awake? He thanked any listening deities that Heero's arm wasn't around his waist and gingerly slithered forward on the bed. He managed to climb out without waking the prince, and he quickly dressed. His long hair badly needed to be unbraided, washed, brushed, and braided afresh, but where would he find the time to do that? There weren't exactly any handy baths around here. Making his escape from the pavilion, he was relieved to find some activity around the camp. A fire was built inside the shield, which had held well through the night. The ground was soggy from the night's rains as Duo squished his way to the fire. A huge pot was sitting atop it, and Duo recognized the smell of gruel. He wondered if it tasted as flavorless as it smelled. The tall man with platinum-blonde hair that was almost as long as Duo's stood beside the man cooking. He looked down at Duo and looked faintly surprised. His eyes flicked down to Duo's neck, and Duo resisted the urge to cover the black collar. God, how he hated the thing. The man-Zechs, Duo remembered-nodded to the cook, who filled a wide wooden bowl with the colorless gruel. "Take that to your master," he ordered, but his voice wasn't harsh. Duo took the bowl and paused. "Is . . . there water?" he asked softly. "For him to wash?" Zechs gestured to one of the two wagons accompanying the train. "In there. Use it sparingly. We've a few days to go before we can restock." Duo couldn't bring himself to say, 'yes, my lord.' So he inclined his head out of politeness and walked out of his shielded area. The pale blue light glimmered brightly when he passed through, and he felt a tingly sensation at his neck where the collar touched his skin. Interesting. He'd never felt that before. Putting it out of his thoughts, he headed to the indicated wagon. A soldier was . . . organizing, or something. "I need water," he said without preamble. It was nowhere specified that he had to treat everyone he encountered as if they were his master. "For . . . Prince Heero." The soldier blinked at him, then a glower passed over his face. Duo could see his jaw working as if he wanted to say something unkind. Instead he thrust a fat waterskin into Duo's hands. "For your master," he spat, as if he knew Duo would sneak out of sight and greedily guzzle the whole thing and spare not a drop for Heero. It rankled. Seething, Duo gave him a cold stare and whirled, stalking back to the pavilion. Inside, he stopped short. Heero was awake and up, slipping his feet into his leather boots. But while he was wearing pants, he still wore no shirt. Duo froze on the threshold and stared, eyes drinking in the man's glorious physique. How cosmically unfair was it that such a cold-hearted fiend was so beautiful? There wasn't an ounce of fat on him, and the lean muscle rippled slightly with every smooth movement. His skin looked like sun-warmed gold, a blazing contrast to his icy eyes. Duo found himself wondering if it was as smooth to the touch as it looked. The moment was shattered when those eyes rose and met his. "What are you doing?" the man snapped. Duo started like a guilty girl, face flushing in consternation. He quickly moved and set the bowl on the chair by the bed. The wash basin sat on the floor right beside it, and Duo emptied the waterskin into it. As soon as he moved aside Heero lifted it onto the small table in the corner and dipped one hand inside. Then he turned and gave Duo an arctic glare. "Tomorrow, think to warm it first." Duo fiercely bit his tongue. Not a word of thanks that he'd brought breakfast and water without an order? Heero finished, running wet fingers through his hair and shaking his head like a dog. Then he shot Duo another glare. "Don't just stand there, go eat. The train won't wait on you." Needing no second bidding to leave the prince's presence, Duo all but bolted back outside. Most of the men were up now, half of them through eating and beginning to clear up. Duo snagged a bowl from the soldier cook and hastily ate the tasteless gruel. It was surprisingly filling, so he didn't complain. Done, he tried to think ahead what Heero would want him to do next. The only thing he could think of was saddling the prince's stallion. Most of the horses were already saddled, but the beautiful black wasn't. Duo asked the man tending them which saddle belonged to Heero, earning him a foul look, and saddled the horse while he finished his breakfast of grain. Running his hand along the beast's muscular neck, he slid a hand under his head and pushed gently up until the horse lifted his head. There was a fierce-but not aggressive-gleam in his dark eyes as he peered down at Duo. Smiling, Duo stroked his face for a moment before offering him the bit. The horse didn't want it, but after a little cajoling he took it. The bridle was made of leather dyed silver, and it stood out against the horse's inky black fur. Handing the feed basket to the soldier nearby, Duo led the stallion to the pavilion. Most of the tents had been struck, the pavilion included, and Duo watched the soldiers put the few pieces of furniture into the wagon. Heero, standing near the doused fire with Zechs, glanced over at Duo and concluded his conversation. He strode out of the shimmering barrier and climbed onto his horse without a word. Without any further warning he hoisted Duo up in front of him. "Take down your barrier," Heero ordered tersely. Grinding his teeth, Duo obeyed. To his surprise, it was far more difficult to undo a successful spell than to create it in the first place. The established energy did not want to be dispersed. It resisted and resisted and suddenly gave, sending a forceful backwash back into Duo. He reeled, vision graying out. Okay, there has to be an easier way to do that. Had he not been in the saddle with Heero, he probably would have fallen off into the mud. With that, Zechs mounted his great bay horse next to Heero and took up the banner. At his sharp whistle the train began its ponderous way toward the road. Here, they stopped. The road was a mess. It must have rained heavily during the night, because it was a muddy streak through the land instead of hard-packed dirt. Heero made a vexed sound. "It will take forever to get through this," Zechs mused, "and the wagons will have a hard time." Heero rapped Duo on the shoulder. "Do something about it." Duo hissed in a quick breath, biting back a scathing comment. What? What was he supposed to do about it? He had even less idea than he had with the barrier against rain. Gritting his teeth, he carefully cast out with his senses. The natural world had a different resonance than people. The energy was cleaner, sharper, more intense. Probing deeper, going as fast as he could while still being attentive to every detail. As he probed deeply into the earth around him, he discerned that everything was made of particles of energy. As if it were all being held together by a web of energy. The particles in the road were loose and sluggish, made lazy by the rain. After a moment of consideration, Duo decided if he could speed them up again he might be able to solidify the road. He tested a very small surface, and it appeared to work. However . . . "You're going to have to let up on my restriction," Duo said quietly. "Otherwise I won't be able to make it very far." A moment later, his immense energy flooded into him. Able to sense Heero's impatience, he quickly tackled his goal. Magic poured into the particles, and in an eyeblink they were jittering wildly and coming back together. It took less than a candlemark and the road in front of them was solid and hard again. As it solidified, a wave of pale blue shimmered over the surface for a moment before disappearing. The train set out once more on the newly hardened road. Duo was please with his success, but his range was somewhat limited. It took too much energy to send out his wave into great distances, the particles too resistant the further out he got. So he sent his wave as far ahead as he could and stopped, tackling the next stretch of road when he could more easily see it. It was exhausting and required a great deal of focus
and concentration. By midday he had a headache, and by the time they
stopped that night he was completely exhausted. When Heero lowered
him to the ground his legs almost dumped him to the ground. He obediently
made a barrier against rain around the fire, and as soon as the pavilion
was erected he staggered inside. He barely had the energy to undress
and fold his clothes before collapsing into bed and falling into a
deep sleep.
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