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"The Negotiator"Written By: t-shirt Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are
copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties.
I make no money with this fic. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: AU/Fantasy/Adventure, Angst, Fluff,
Sexual favors from a dragon? ^0^ (non graphic), Eventual Lemon, Mild
violence, My corky humor lol ^-^ Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 5xM Beta’ed by the wonderful Mechante Fille *hugs*
You’re the best baby! ^__^ Summary: Duo Maxwell finds himself on the adventure of a lifetime when he is hired by the future king of Lagrange to aid in dealing with an encroaching Dragon. However, he quickly discovers that not everything is as it seems. Wizards, Dragons and magic abound in this epic tale of adventure and discovery when one young man finds himself between two worlds and suddenly the future depends solely on his skills as The Negotiator. View art work commissioned
by SkyLark and drawn by t_shirt for "The Negotiator" - Click
HERE "The Negotiator" Ch 1 “Welcome, Good Elf. Please, come. The Master waits.” “I am not an elf,” Duo replied, removing his black, felt hat to dust his cloak as he stepped away from the servant and further into the common yard of the castle. “Sir?” the young man questioned, hurrying nervously after him. “If you would care to follow me?” “I would not.” “B…but, Sir?!” “Where are your stables?” Duo asked, not seeing them readily handy. “On the south end,” the man explained, trying to herd his reluctant charge back toward the front steps. “But My Lord is waiting.” Duo turned to the south, noting with some satisfaction the evidence of the man’s claim on the trail before him as fitted his hat back on his head and replied, “He need wait no more, I am here. He has only to find me.” “But…Sir!” the man gasped, bug eyed as the visitor sauntered away on the southern trail. Ten minutes later he burst from the southern entrance of the Keep; his large, brown eyes alight with fearful concern. Duo looked up from his quiet interview long enough to see a slender but powerful looking young man stride purposefully down the stairs. At first glance he seemed nothing more than an arrogant reminder of how much he detested the company of humans but the way he paused to look at the sky before speaking to his servant caught Duo’s eye. He went back to questioning the cooperative mule, watching sharply out of the corner of his eye while the young Master was informed of his presence. Again he was impressed by the young man due to his lack of hostility as he strode quickly across the yard. “You are the Negotiator?” he inquired, stepping under the thatch roof of the forward stables. “I am,” Duo replied simply letting his hand stroke the large mule’s broad forehead. “Hey!” an angry young woman’s voice barked. “What’re you doing to Nair!?” she demanded, storming toward them. “He is my guest,” her Master intervened. “Lord Wufei?” she gasped, backing down but only for a moment before she leveled a disapproving glare on the newcomer. “Well, Negotiator?” Wufei prompted, seemingly amused. “Has the mule any secrets to share?” “She says you have a boney ass and would appreciate it if you used at least a blanket when you ride,” Duo informed the young woman. “W…what!?” she rasped furiously while the mule snorted loudly and Wufei and his servant hid their laughs behind their hands. “Why you… you little…” “Her words exactly,” Duo grinned, stroking the mules cheek. “Don’t be absurd!” the woman snapped. “Animals do not speak!” “They do to him,” Wufei chuckled, preempting any further objections by way of a short introduction. “Nettle Creek, meet Duo Maxwell. The Negotiator.” Her eyes went wide but retained their angry vehemence before setting into a skeptical scowl. “You’re a bit young considering your reputation,” she observed haughtily. “Was your father a jester?” Duo inquired, bringing a new fire to her golden eyes. “Of course not!” His head tilted down a bit so that he peered up through the thick fall of his chestnut bangs when he grinned and coyly intoned, “Nettle Creek?” His smile widened as her face began to bake in the sudden flames dancing in her eyes, her chest swelling in preparation to unleash the fury building inside her but before the steam filtering from her ears could manifest itself into words Wufei gallantly inserted himself into the line of fire. “Shall we adjourn to the castle?” he interjected, effectively letting the wind out of her sails. “You must be tired after your trip,” he smiled, slipping an arm around Duo’s shoulders to lead him away. Nettle glared after them, Duo’s parting smile searing her smoldering ire as she huffed, stomped her foot and turned to storm away. “I need to speak to the jade.” Wufei paused to consider his guest with mild surprise before he chuckled, “I was unaware our livestock was so well informed.” “The entire castle reeks of dragon,” Duo informed him. “You have the gifts of the wild ones as well?” Wufei smiled, looking him over. “No,” Duo replied, stepping out from under his arm. “But large predators are not something prey can easily overlook.” “Indeed,” Wufei smiled, looking him over once again. “Perhaps you would care to dine in the garden?” he asked, graciously offering his guest the way. “Master Chang,” Duo began, turning so that the young Chinese Lord had to scurry to keep up. “I have not come for your hospitality nor am I a means to hone your mating skills.” “I meant no disrespect…” “My job is to find a suitable solution between you and you’re squatter.” “Arf!” “Thank you,” Duo absently nodded to a small dog they were passing before making a left turn into a downward spiraling stair. “However,” he went on as Wufei jogged down the steps behind him, glancing back warily at the yard mutt. “Let me remind you that your problem is unique. There may be little I can do. Great Dragons are not known for their generosity.” “As has been the case so far,” Wufei sighed in agreement. “How badly is he injured?” Duo asked, taking a torch from the wall as the corridor was growing darker ahead of them. “Our healers expect he will eventually make a full recovery,” Wufei explained as they stepped into a small dungeon where a man sized, jade dragon lay in a soft nest of hay, his skin festered and broken in several places around his jeweled neck, his emerald eyes half slit in exhaustion and pain as raspy breaths rose and fell in it’s chest. Duo paused for a moment, long enough for the jade to become curious enough to force its eyes open to focus on him, its effort to raise its head reflected in the hissing growl that gurgled in its throat as one clawed arm smashed into the bedding beneath him. “Don’t,” Duo breathed, lurching forward. “By the Seven Winds,” he gasped softly, easing the creature back into his bedding. “What did it do to you?” The jade’s emerald eye rolled to regard him curiously for a moment before coming to some reconciliation within its own mind and hissing painfully, “My fault.” “How can I help?” Duo asked, leaning in to examine the festering flesh along his neck. “The humans mean well,” he gave a wet chuckle that brought indignant determination to Duo’s eyes. “Peace, Negotiator,” the dragon sighed. “They have done their best.” “I’m sorry,” Duo groaned helplessly. “If there is anything I can do…” “Go home,” the jade told him, letting his eyes slip shut. “There is no reason for you to die.” “I can’t do that.” The jade chuckled darkly but kept his thoughts to himself while Wufei stood silently by the door holding the torch his strange visitor had charged him with. His amazement shown in his eyes as he watched him hiss and click at the injured beast. Never in his wildest dreams had he expected to find the famous Negotiator to be such a vibrantly young individual. His reputation and deeds dictated a much older and less… appealing character, one known throughout the land as the only means by which to solve problems between humans and the creatures of the land, sky and sea. His odd ability to speak to animals had proven invaluable in many ways but Wufei couldn’t help but wonder if one so seemingly young should be attempting a task of this magnitude. He moved to lean against the wall as Duo continued to hiss softly to the jade, his hands moving caringly to the basin of warm, herbal water by his side to dab and tend the beast’s injuries as they spoke. “You should leave this place,” the jade sighed softly under the tender touch. “I have to try,” Duo insisted. “I tried,” the dragon reminded him peering out of the corner of his eye. “You’re a dragon, maybe he saw you as a threat.” “I am no bigger than his thigh,” the jade laughed, hitching his breath when the pain washed over him. “I am no threat to him.” “Why didn’t he kill you?” Duo wondered, drawing something from his bag. “Probably because he likes me,” the jade grinned. “If this is how he shows his affection, I’m in serious trouble,” Duo laughed, adding a bit of crushed greenery from a bottle to the water. “I would have been his late afternoon meal had he held any malice toward me,” the jade smirked. “As you well know, Negotiator.” “I will never understand dragons,” Duo sighed, dabbing the wounds again. The jade hissed as a foul, smoldering black and green cloud rose into the air where the cloth met with his skin. “Black sage,” he groaned but soon his eyes softened as the pain receded. “May I know your name?” he asked in a tone of great relief. “Duo,” he smiled, repeating the action on the next of the wounds. “Trowa.” “I am honored,” Duo smiled, knowing full well the weight of the offering of the dragon’s name. “Duo?” “Hm?” he hummed, moving on to the next in the long line of toothy lacerations. “I require… assistance.” ~ “Well?” Wufei demanded as calmly as he dared as he jogged up the stairs behind his guest. “What did he say?” “There is a desert to the west.” “Yes?” Wufei inquired, confirming at the same time as they stepped out into the sunlight. “Send a messenger to their leader and inform him of the jade’s delay. Do not mention his injuries.” “But that’s where…” Wufei began incredulously but Duo cut him off. “Should there be no word from him soon,” Duo informed him stepping casually into the stirrup of a large, black stallion that appeared so suddenly Wufei jumped two feet backward before he continued, “They will begin to search.” “He would come here?!?” Wufei gasped forgetting the ominous stallion to stare in horror at the western horizon. It took a long moment in which Duo was almost through the gates before he gathered himself enough to shout, “Where are you going?!” “According to the jade,” Duo shouted, “Straight into the jaws of hell!” as said he spurred the huge black horse and thundered out over the rolling tundra. Wufei stood and watched him go with a mixture of regret and elation before his eyes settled into dark clouds. He seemed so young and much to beautiful to have to face such dangers alone but the boy’s undaunted determination gave him no recourse but to honor his efforts so he sent a small prayer to his gods and set his jaw as he yelled, “Nettle!” ~ It was a scene he had witnessed too many times, the wary eyes of frightened villagers casting dark, fearful gazes upon the stranger in their midst. It wasn’t always like this, a good number of townships no longer feared the appearance of newcomers to their lands but being terrorized by one creature or another tended to leave them cautious and in need of somewhere to vent their frustrations. At one time he had attempted to show compassion, leaving his imposing equestrian friend in the trees when moving through inhabited areas but that notion had proven ill conceived. There was only one way to ease the fear in the sorrowful eyes of the humans so he set his mouth in a brilliant smile and lowered his hood. “Mother, look!” a young girl cried as the dread washed from her face and she beamed a delighted smile. “Has he come to save us?” he overheard a young boy asking his smiling father. Humans. It took all his strength not to scowl at the lot of them but the spell only worked if he retained his pleasantness. Soon the youngsters were darting out to get a closer look, all fear gone from their eyes as they giggled and tried to get a better view of the handsome stranger. It was an old magic, so old the villagers were completely unaware of its power. The young were usually the best at it but by the late teens or early twenties they unconsciously renounced the magic unable to comprehend why it no longer served them when the flash of a pretty smile failed to grant them their wishes. But Duo understood and embraced the abilities his unnaturally youthful appearance could grant, flashing a soothing smile at the gathering crowd as he set another hook in the interest of the common good. “Good day, Master Elf!” a heavyset, middle aged woman smiled as she approached. “I’m not an elf,” Duo smiled a little too pleasantly, winking at the young girl that was mostly hiding behind the woman making both of them giggle and blush. “Have you come from the castle?” asked an amiable man that held a blacksmith’s hammer in his hand. Duo sighed inwardly, knowing full well how easily he could take these people for everything they had in the world. It made him ill to know that it took nothing more than a pretty face and friendly smile to earn their instant trust, open their hearts and even their daughters legs if he wished it. Perhaps, he thought, returning the lingering gaze of one of the young men, even the favors of some of the men as well. “Are you a Dragon Slayer!?” a young boy enthused, bouncing close enough to cause the stallion to snort and stamp his big hooves. “Why in the world would you want to slay a dragon?” he asked, slipping from the saddle. “He ate Winard,” the boy pouted. “Even a dragon must feed,” Duo smiled, crouching down to tap his nose. “Was Winard your hog?” “My father’s ox,” the boy replied. Duo took a moment to reassess the depth of the anger the villagers harbored against the resident rogue considering he was making off with animals that not only provided them meat and milk but aided them in their work as well. “It must be huge,” he grinned. “Monstrous!” the boy enthused, using large waving motions to emphasize. “His wings are as big as my house!” a little girl piped in. “And he ate our whole flock in one afternoon!” another boy added. “Yet here you stand,” Duo smiled, tousling the second boy’s dark, sandy hair. “Good thing he doesn’t seem to have an appetite for little children,” he grinned but the smile faded when the entire assembly fell silent. He felt his stomach turn before the blacksmith offered his news. “We’ve lost two of our young women.” “He took them?” Duo asked, having suddenly forgotten the children to stand. He had not been informed of this complication. “No,” the woman explained, tucking her daughter further behind her. “They… volunteered to go,” the man went on. “A sacrifice,” Duo sighed. “Kiya thought she could reason with him,” the man explained sadly. “Dragons like pretty, young girls but…” “She never returned,” Duo finished for him. He shook his head and took a deep breath before continuing. “Alicia was furious when the attacks didn’t stop. She climbed the mountain intent on satisfying the beast but…” “How long has it been dormant?” Duo asked, swinging back into the saddle. “About two weeks,” the woman replied. “Alicia’s been gone over a month.” “Are you gonna kill it!?” cried the sandy haired boy. “Yeah! Bring us its head!” sang the girl. “Master Elf!” a young man called excitedly, jogging from the blacksmith’s shop to offer the hilt of a broadsword to him. “A gift,” the teenager smiled. Duo gazed at the blade, obviously a craftsman’s best effort with gold inlay and a hilt wrapped with such fine thread it looked like brushed steel before allowing his eyes to drift coolly back to the boy’s beaming face and firmly intoning, “I am not an elf.” The entire village stared in open-mouthed wonder as the stranger galloped away and up the mountain to where they were all sure he would find certain doom. Trowa had told him the easiest way to reach the den but he had apparently been referring to a path accessible to someone with wings. It wasn’t long before he was forced to abandon his mount, freeing him of his saddle and arranging their usual contact information. The steed would stay within the sound of Duo’s shrill whistle from the rock where they parted for three days, if Duo did not return he was free to search for him or return to his herd where Duo would find him later should he live. The horse was never happy with these arrangements but having been with Duo for some years, readily agreed and trotted off into the trees. Duo sighed, shouldered his pack and began the lengthy climb. Luckily, the rogue had chosen a den not too far from his meals, a deep cavern set in the highest cliff of Mount Mishunichi, so named because it was believed that the God Mishunichi, a deity of light and air, once made his home on the summit, bringing prosperity and bounty to all. To have a demon living there had to have been seen as an evil most dire by the people of this land. He wondered idly if the dragon would bother to enlighten him as to why he had taken up residence here or simply eat him and be done with it, but his thoughts were broken by the sound of a tiny little scream as he pulled himself up on a small ledge. “It’s ok!” he assured the terrified, little mouse as it tried desperately to crawl into a crevice too small for it’s head. “Hello?” it gasped, looking around wildly until it’s tiny, black eyes found Duo’s smiling face. “Hello,” Duo echoed, pulling himself up to sit on the small outcropping. The mouse edged forward a tiny bit, gazing up at him as if he might sprout wings and asked in a very small voice, “Did you just say hello?” “I did,” Duo grinned, extracting his water bag. “Or is that an incorrect greeting for mice?” “No,” the little grey fur ball shook its head. “But usually anything your size is too busy trying to eat us to take the time for good manners.” “I don’t eat meat,” Duo explained, offering him some water in his palm. “How’d you get that big eating seeds?” the mouse asked, eyeing him as he crawled into his hand and lapped at the water. “I’m actually smaller than most humans,” Duo sighed, gazing out at the magnificent view of the valley far below. The mouse nodded, jumping down to sit beside him. “You got any seeds?” “Not much to eat up here, huh?” Duo grinned, fishing a piece of flatbread out of his pack. “Nope,” the mouse agreed, nibbling fiercely on the bit of bread. Duo considered it for a moment, looked down at the sheer cliff below and up at the distant summit before considering it again. “What’re you doing up here anyway?” “Hawk,” the mouse explained, finishing off his meal. Duo nodded, pouring some more water into his hand for him. He drank for a moment before sitting back and asking, “What about you?” “I have a meeting,” Duo sighed, hitting the water again before putting it away. “You should have it somewhere else,” he was informed. “Something stinks up there. That’s why the bird dropped me.” “I know,” he sighed again. “That’s what I have a meeting with.” “Oh,” the mouse nodded, getting up to peer over the edge of the ledge. “Been nice knowing you then.” Duo watched him a moment as he scurried from one end of the little ledge to the other as if a way down would somehow present itself then snorted, dug out a whole loaf of his bread and set it beside a small indention in the stone that he filled with water. “I’ll take you down with me when I come back,” he told it, preparing to resume his climb. “If you come back,” the mouse replied absently. Duo snorted, hoping he wasn’t onto something and reached for the nearest finger hold. It took him most of the rest of the day to finish the climb. By the time he saw an end he didn’t care what was inside the stupid cave as long as he could get off the side of the mountain and rest his aching muscles. His fingers were so raw they left bloody streaks wherever he touched, his legs and arms so sore and fatigued his limbs shook dangerously, his lungs burned, his spine tingled and his toes had gone completely numb. He flung himself over the edge, rolling into the mouth of the cave on a wing and a prayer that the resident dragon didn’t sleep lightly because he was having a hell of a time catching his breath. True to form however, he heard the low thunder of an ominous growl that started a flash show of the moments of his life before he’d even gotten his heartbeat under control. He froze, unable to do anything but roll his eyes to peer into the darkness in the waning light of evening. The graceful movement seemed to come from all around him, each shadow with a life of its own, every heart beat of the Earth thrumming in perfect harmony as the throaty sound of his destiny hummed and penetrated him body and soul. He’d never actually met a Great Dragon before and honestly had no idea what he was supposed to say but he was certain there was no way he could have walked away and let the humans hire a slayer. Something moved; a quick and purposeful motion that set his skin on fire but still he couldn’t see what was beyond the shadows. He closed his eyes and took a moment to gather all his strength, knowing full well his next words might very well be his last. “Greetings, Lord Dragon,” he spoke in a strong, clear voice that echoed deep into the mountain, but there was no reply. “I must beg your forgiveness for my intrusion but I saw no other way to convey that I wished an audience.” ”Elllllf.” The tiny bit of thunder went through him like a knife, making him hiss and curl in on himself as the heat of the sound spread throughout his body. “I only want to talk,” he gasped, his lungs sucking hard on the absence of air as the creature was suddenly there, right there! Hovering over him, it’s enormous, reptilian head seeming to cut through space and time as huge, dinner plate sized, blue iris’s blinked vertical, transparent lenses over wide, towering slits that seemed to hold the very fabric of the universe within their ebony depths. ”What are you?” the creature hissed. Duo rolled slightly to avoid a river of sizzling saliva as it drooled from around twelve inch long teeth and hissed upon contact with the stone. “A… m…mediator,” he stuttered, trying not to look into those eyes. The dragon peered at him, his head coming close enough to almost touch his chest and face making Duo cringe and turn his head before he thrummed, “Negotiator.” “Y…yes! Please… I can’t breath.” The heat from its breath was stealing away what little air remained, the acidic fumes burning his skin, nostrils and hair until the beast suddenly snorted and withdrew. ”Why have you come?” it demanded, drawing its long body around to curl against the wall. Duo coughed, letting some of the terror bleed from his veins. At least he was still alive, that was promising but he wasn’t so sure he’d survive another look in those eyes. “I’m sorry to intrude…” ”You said that,” the dragon sniffed, casually cleaning one of his deadly claws. “Of course,” Duo sighed, pushing himself slowly to his feet. “I’m sorry…” ”Are you going to do nothing but repeat yourself?” “Just gimmie a minute!” Duo snapped impatiently. He realized what he’d done as the words echoed in the bowels of the mountain and the dragon turned to cock a blue, scaly brow. “Sorry.” ”Again?” “I’m a little nervous ok?” he grumbled, brushing his ass off indignantly. ”Understandable.” Arrogant pig. “Look,” he sighed, drawing himself up to his full height. “Lord Chang…” ”The Grand Masters son,” it nodded thoughtfully. Duo paused for a moment’s consideration, choosing to ignore the strange presence of a smirk on a dragon’s lips as he confirmed, “Yes. He sent me to ask why you have chosen his lands and what you want.” ”Is that all?” it asked patiently. “Well, no,” Duo replied uncertainly. “The villagers would like it if you didn’t hunt their livestock and want to know what happened to the two maidens that came to you from their village.” ”I see,” the dragon nodded. Duo took a step back as his head slithered forward on a wisp of wind but held his ground. ”And what am I offered in return should I choose to answer?” it asked. Duo eeped, stepping away to push his cloak back down when the dragon’s thick, forked tongue tried to lift it up his back. “They’re trying to be reasonable,” he informed it, moving further away upon seeing the smirk return to its lips. “At least they sent me instead of a slayer.” ”A slayer?” it grinned, winding its head around to entrap Duo in the circle of its neck. ”What good sport, but I believe I will enjoy you more.” “Hey!” Duo snapped, pushing his cloak down again. “Are you… a female?” he asked nervously, trying to out-maneuver the beast only to find himself pinned against its scaly hide as it hissed… ”Do not insult me, elf.” “I am not an elf!” Duo snapped, pushing at the huge head vainly. ”Hn,” the dragon mused, sniffing his scent in deeply. ”Are you sure?” “Yes,” Duo replied petulantly. ”Perhaps I should have a better look,” he grinned, quickly relieving Duo of his cloak and wrapping him in the length of his tongue. “FUCK!” Duo barked, fighting his way free. “What sort of pervert are you!?” he gasped, retreating further yet as the beast moved toward him. ”I respect masculine beauty,” the dragon grinned, inching closer. “You’re gay?!” Duo barked incredulously but received nothing more than a toothy grin in return. “Geez! Is that why you ate the women?!” he demanded, on the verge of hysteria as his feet neared the edge of the cave. ”Would you rather I bed them?” the dragon snorted. “You’re insane!” ”I am a dragon,” he countered. ”You need only obey me.” “Fuck, no wonder everyone hates you!” Duo snapped, stopping just before his feet ran out of floor. To his astonishment the dragon paused and retreated, his blue eyes looking confused and oddly… hurt. ”Why am I hated?” he finally asked at length. “You think people enjoy being used for your entertainment?” Duo snapped, getting himself back on solid ground. ”Why should they hate me?” he asked, still looking confounded and betrayed. ”Is this not the way one worships their gods?” “You arrogant…” Duo began but staring into the sad, puppy dog eyes of a Great Dragon was more than he could bear. He paused to consider his words and suddenly understood. “You really don’t get it.” ”Get what?” “Men,” Duo began then amended, “Humans… don’t worship dragons anymore. They’ve become too intelligent for that.” ”How is it intelligent to defy a being that can destroy you?” Duo opened his mouth then closed it again. Indeed. “Consider this,” he began, dropping down to sit cross legged on the floor. “Human’s have magic now. They have wizards and warriors that are capable of destroying dragons as well.” ”None have ever succeeded against me,” the dragon snorted. “Well you’re… really big,” Duo conceded, eyeing his impressive length. His jaw stopped when he looked back to see a sappy grin playing along the dragons lips but he chose to ignore it. “But they have succeeded against others.” ”Why would they wish to kill their gods?” “People no longer believe in gods they can see.” ”Then what sort of gods do they believe in?” “Ethereal ones.” ”I thought you said their intelligence had improved?” Duo took a deep breath and tried again. “Ok, let’s just say they don’t believe something is a god if they are capable of conquering it.” ”Then they should accept me without question.” “No, no,” Duo persisted. “You’re a dragon, and they have killed dragons, so you can’t be a god.” ”They have not killed me, therefore I still govern them.” “It’s not just about you.” ”Do not be rude, Efl.” “I am not an elf!” ”You resemble an elf.” the dragon smiled, sliding his head forward to sniff him again. “We are not here to discuss my origins,” Duo replied, pushing his head away. ”I bet you were a cute kid,” the dragon grinned. Duo took a deep breath and began again.
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