Shadows of Magic
Chapter 4
By: Malika

Meanwhile the representatives of the Krushenadra Kingdom arrive at
the Chang capitol with an unexpected visitor, King Treize himself.
King Treize soon finds himself on Prince Wufei's bad side due to
unwanted overtures he himself made. Angry at the youth King Treize
steps up his plan of attack, putting the Chang kingdom first in line
to be conquered.
**************
"Prince Chang, how nice to see you," the King of Krushenadra bowed
extravagantly, a little too much to be correct. Wufei narrowed his
eyes slightly, barely more than a twitch. King Treize, however,
noticed. Wufei bowed cautiously from his seated position.

"Do you mind if I sit with you Prince Chang Wufei?" Treize smirked
ever so slightly.

Wufei waved his to a seat reluctantly. The did not want to go to war
with the Krushenadra army after all.

Treize sat next to Wufei, their elbows, brushed and then didn't as
Wufei jerked away. "Is there something I can do for you, King
Krushenadra?"

"Nothing at all my Prince."

**********************

The kingdom of Chang and its capitol were glorious pieces of the
excellence possible in man's work. They illustrated serene beauty
while remaining functional in use. They were in a word, Chang, which
made them admired throughout the Alliance. Yet even the highness of
Chang could see imperfection. And see it they would.

**********************

"Are you sure you are okay to travel, Shin?" Trowa grasped the
youth's shoulder in obvious concern. Duo flicked his braid over his
shoulder and gave Trowa a considering glance out of the corner of his
violet eyes. The Necromancer sighed and turned to face his sometime
partner.

"I'll be fine, Tro. Nothing that I haven't done before, even while
injured. Besides, you know it's not a good idea for us to stay
together longer than necessary. The royal guards could come at any
minute and they'll have two Shadows instead of one."

Trowa's emerald eyes blinked shut and he withdrew his hand from Duo's
shoulder. "I guess you are right."

Duo snorted, "Haven't you figured out by now that I'm always right,
Tro?"

Trowa smiled thinly. "Watch your back out there Shin, and don't
forget to look me up soon."

"I won't," smirked Duo. "But I can't guarantee staying out of
trouble, though. Death waits for no man!"

"Need a boost?" Trowa motioned towards the grey mare Duo
was "borrowing."

"Nah, I'm good. Say goodbye to you sis for me."

"Say goodbye to me yourself, Duo." Catherine growled at the younger
boy hands firmly on her hips.

Duo chuckled helplessly, backing up comically from the irate woman.
If the two noticed his dramatic limp, they said nothing. Catherine
stalked towards the boy and scowled down at him. Duo offered her a
small smile. Catherine snorted and handed Duo two packages.

Duo gave her a quizzical look.

"For your trip, because I know Trowa and he packs only the
essentials, which happen not to taste very good. The other package
is a gift from all of us…they're replacements for your missing
blades." Catherine stated dryly. "Somehow I know I'm gong to regret
giving you those."

Duo's eyes sparkled at the thoughtful touches. The necromancer gave
the knife thrower a glomp for her efforts. Catherine squeaked, Duo
laughed, and Trowa smiled, it was a good start to any journey.

"I'll see you two soon." Duo pulled away and mounted his borrowed
horse.

The two siblings waved briefly before returning to the waiting
caravan. Duo chuckled and kicked his horse into a gallop in the
opposite direction of the caravan. The caravan might not be heading
for the capital of Chang, but he was.

********************

"Prince Chang I presume?" Wufei barely glanced in the servant's
direction.

"What do you want?"

"My master, King Krushenadra would like to speak with you." The
servant bowed to the young prince in attempt to soothe the already
angry youth.

"Krushenadra may speak all he wishes, but not around me. I do not
wish to speak any words at all to that man." Wufei's fists, all but
concealed, clenched in anger.

"Very well your highness. I will tell my master of your displeasure
at his invitation."

Wufei wished for the manners of the lesser born so he may snarl at
the back of the odious servant. How dare they come to their palace
and act as if they own it. How dare him for making such overtures
blatantly in public. I am not at the call of anyone, but myself!

Wufei stood still at the balcony managing his anger the best he
could. His control, normal rock solid, fluttered anxiously.
Something was wrong, he knew that much. Even angry Wufei heard the
footsteps behind him. He turned around sharply, his surprise hidden
under a stoic face.

The weasely servant stood smirking slightly with at least seven
guards of the Khrushendra's regime behind him. The servant gestured
the guards forward towards the prince. "My master couldn't wait any
longer, princling. Your castle shall fall tonight."

Wufei stepped into a fighting stance as the guards rushed him.

********************

"I think I'm going to like this place. If there wasn't so much to do
elsewhere I might actually settle down for once." Duo smiled broadly
his eyes darting everywhere for glimpses of another culture. Sure he
knew that there were other kingdoms around and had even traveled
through some of them, but never had he seen such happiness. It was
everywhere, everyone was happy. Instead of instantly setting Duo on
guard he started to relax. This was just what he needed; too bad he
couldn't stay for longer.

"I'm just here on a lead. Perchance, a very unlikely lead, but a
lead nevertheless. Now where is this tavern, The Slaughtered Lamb?
Grr…should have asked for directions, but no I never get loss." Duo
rolled his eyes and kept up his mindless chatter as he led his horse
deeper into the Chang capitol. He was happy, truthfully, just to
have mad it into the city before nightfall. Otherwise, he would have
had to wait out in the damp until morning when the guards once again
opened the main gates.

The necromancer rolled his shoulders tensely as he passed a few of
Khrushendra's guards. The King's evil spreading out, even as far as
to another country. As if it was a bad omen, Duo hunched over a
little.

Duo sighed and pulled the gray forward, still keeping his head down
to avoid notice of the Khrushendra's guards. The last thing he
needed was the oft chance that one of the guards would recognize his
face. His power was still erratic with his injury not yet healed.

Trowa had recommended an inn that was midway into the center of the
city, close enough to see the palace, but far enough away for a quick
escape if necessary. Duo was taking no chances. The inn's name was
the Slaughtered Lamb and by all accounts it was the average inn set
up. A small bar/sitting area, communal washrooms, and standard bread
and soup fare. What made this inn different from the tens of others
in the city limits was the unique lock systems of the doors and the
pair of (1) Chauron guards.

"Damn it, Tro. Where the hell is this damn street you told me
about? I don't need this!" Duo narrowed his eyes and stopped
frowning on the street corner. Hands firmly on his hips he scowled
at the street sign that he passed almost a half an hour ago.

"Gotta love my life." Duo snorted.

******************

Duo ended up coming across the inn by shear luck alone. A merchant
had stumbled in the market; spilling fruit and men to the ground. In
pure defense, Duo side toured down an alley which was apparently also
serving as a magic doorway leading to lost objects. (Luckily the inn
could be considered as such.)

Duo shrugged at the sign, past frustrated and already in a demented
stupor, he did what anyone would do when arriving at an inn; he
walked in. A portly man (with the thick fat that rivaled muscle)
gladly helped him to a room, for a healthy "pre-fee" that is. Duo
wasn't stringy. This man no doubt had a double set to their "famous"
locks.

Duo followed the man up a flight of stairs and through several
hallways with his packs thrown over his shoulder. His limp was
minimal barely noticeable to the untrained eye. But an untrained eye
wasn't the one that was watching.

***********
Finally got a new chapter out in this series. Expect revisions on
the first three chapters and most likely a compilation of all the
parts into one story.

1-Chauron Guards-for hire warriors, mostly working in mercenary
companies, but can be seen working jobs such as body guarding or
assassin work. This pair are actively employed to protect the
overzealous inn keeper.