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"Ellion"Written By: Vega-Lume Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing. This series
and all characters original to it are licensed by Sunrise and Madman
Entertainment. I claim no ownership, nor do I profit in any way from
this fan work Rating: R Warnings: A/U, Angst, non-graphic NCS (under aged
– early teens), Yaoi, MPREG, death (no major characters), smidge
of citrus (non-graphic). Maybe squik, depending on how you look at
it (non-graphic descriptions of child birth and genitalia). Pairings: 1x2x1, 13xUne Summary: Set in a world where one mad man tries to rule all and destroy the last traces of magic, one young man must overcome a life filled with war and death in order to save those he holds dear. Notes: Lack of grammatical contractions is intentional. "Ellion - Book 1" Chapter 2 Shiore was sleepy as the Colonel arrived. A few soldiers acting as lookouts to protect the town greeted him as he approached. “Where is Zechs?” Treize asked of a man in the village square. “He is breaking his fast at the inn, sir.” “Thank you,” Treize replied sliding from his horse. “Please hold him; I will only be a moment.” The young soldier accepted the reigns and watched as
the Colonel walked into the inn. Treize spotted whom he sought when the younger man raised his bowl asking for a second helping of the creamy porridge. Winding his way through the room, Treize took a seat next to Zechs just as a girl spooned a helping of the steaming food into the waiting bowl. “Good morning, sir,” Zechs greeted and gave a relaxed salute with his spoon. “Where were you last night?” Not missing the suggestive tone in his friend’s voice Treize replied, “I went home with a lovely young thing.” The blonde laughed knowing his friend was joking. “Better not let Anne know or she will tear you apart.” “Of that I have no doubt,” Treize replied with a laugh. “Though I am fairly certain she would like this young lady.” “Picking up strays, are we?” Zechs asked before
spooning a bite into his mouth. Placing his spoon beside the bowl, the blond turned his full attention to his Colonel. “There is a small family on the outskirts of town,” Treize began. “They will be evacuating with the rest of the village. I want you to help me fetch them; I need a wagon and a few chicken crates. They do not have much, and I thought it best to bring them here until we are ready to leave.” “Of course,” Zechs replied, then with a few quick bites he finished his meal and stood. “I can have a wagon and the crates ready in five minutes or so.” “I will settle my horse with the others and meet you in the stable yard,” Treize replied and stood as well. After settling the bill, the two men emerged into a brighter square as the sun continued to heat up the already warm morning. They parted ways after Treize retrieved his horse, and
thanked the young soldier again. “What is the rope for?” Zechs asked as he handed the reins to the other man. “They have a cow too. I figured we can bring it as well and leave it with the other animals for transport.” Treize replied as he urged the horses to turn, a few moments later they were slowly progressing down a road that had not seen a wagon in some time. “Why are we picking them up, may I ask?” “I did not see a wagon or even a horse and there is a very old man, a frail looking woman, and a young child. I thought it would be easier on them if they did not have to walk in this heat, especially as they will be carrying their belongings with them.” Zechs nodded in agreement, that is exactly what he would have done. They traveled a bit longer, the silence companionable as each man was lost in thought then Zechs jerked suddenly as something caught his attention. “What is wrong?” Treize asked trying to sense what had disturbed the other man. “Do you smell something?” Zechs asked in reply as he sat up fully taking a deep breath through his nose. “No-” Treize started, but stopped as the smell of smoke reached him, “fire?” “Yes, I believe so, and not from a fireplace,” the blonde turned his head and sniffed again. “Though I cannot tell how large it is or from where it is coming.” A shiver of fear shot down the Colonel’s spine and he urged the horses to go as fast as they could in the wooded area. As they rounded the bend the clearing came to view and his worst fears were realized. Thick clouds of black smoke were billowing from the house. The Colonel’s cry of “Yah!” was Zechs’ only warning as the wagon flew into the clearing. They had hardly reached the cabin when Treize and Zechs jumped to the ground, there was a wretched bawling from the barn and Zechs ran for it while the Colonel sprinted up to the door of the house. It was a small relief to see that most of the smoke was actually coming from the barn, though the house was singed and smoky as well. Wrenching the door open, the shock of what he saw caused him to take an involuntary step back. Salyn lay sprawled across the tattered remains of a floor pad, her blank, dull green eyes staring right at him. Her skirt was pushed up to her waist and her blouse was ripped down the front. From the way her legs lay and the blood on her thighs, the Colonel had no doubt as to what had happened. From the unnatural angle of her neck and the whiteness of her skin, he knew she lived no more. Taking a deep breath he grimaced at the smell of their burned breakfast, still smoking in a pot near the hearth, and he stepped into the tiny home looking around, fearing what else he may find. Salyn was the only one there. Pulling a blanket from beneath the woman, he then brushed a lock of dark hair from her face before gently closing her eyes, then covered her and sent up a small prayer to the Mother. “Colonel!” Zechs’ call startled the man more then he would have liked, sending a final look at the woman; he turned and went back outside. The sun burned his eyes for a moment, feeling very bright after being in the dim cabin. Blinking, he glanced around. Movement from the cow caught Treize’s eye and he saw the singed and smokey beast moving quickly towards the direction of the creek. “Over here,” Zechs called out again drawing his attention to where he was kneeling next to something that was lying out near the drying line where the clean clothing put up just the day before still hung, flapping in the wind and covered in soot from the barn that still glowed from the flame. Upon approach, Treize found Jay. The old man breathed still, but he bore several deep wounds and life blood pumped from him with each beat of his heart. “Heero-” The old man whispered “The roof… Hiding…” Treize turned back to the house, expecting to see the child on the roof. “I do not…” “Inside…” Jay gurgled; foamy blood filling his mouth. The old man’s spirit left him then and he breathed no more. “Inside?” Zechs repeated and the two soldiers locked eyes. Something unspoken flashed between them and they turned in unison for the cabin. As they stepped inside broken dishes and crusty bread crunching under foot, Treize pointedly did not look where Salyn lay, instead he focused his eyes elsewhere. There were no beds or cubbies for a child to hide in or under, but Jay’s last word had been ‘inside’. Did he mean the house or the barn? By the Mother, not the barn! Turning, intent on checking the barn, he stopped as he stepped on a large clump on straw on the floor. Crouching he picked some up, it was old straw, dull and grey with a slightly greasy feel… He looked up. The spaces between the ceiling’s beams had been stuffed with straw to keep the warmth in, the same straw he now held in his hand. Climbing up onto the table, he felt around and found nothing but straw. He began to think he was wrong when he suddenly remembered that the table had been farther from the hearth last night. Jumping down he shoved the table to where it had been the night before and climbed on again. This time Zechs joined him and they prodded the ceiling carefully. Zechs gasped his name and Treize turned to see a tiny, pale arm dangling down from a niche hidden by a beam and straw. “Heero!” Treize called, tugging the hand gently. It was warm and soft against his palm, but it was completely unresponsive “Fetch a chair please,” Treize said softly as he focused on the hand, so tiny compared to his. Zechs jumped down and grabbed one of the overturned chairs. He placed it on the table and held the back to ensure it did not move as the Colonel climbed onto it. Treize could see into the hole now, the child lay almost face down, curled around an old cloth carrying sack. A small wooden box sat next to her. She looked unharmed but still showed no sign that she heard him. There was a surprising amount of light there, and upon
closer inspection the Colonel understood why. Cinders from the flaming
barn had settled on the roof, burning holes into it. Some of the burning
material had fallen on the child as there were small scorch marks
on her face and blackened holes in her light sweater and white cotton
nightgown. He placed her in the back of the wagon and then examined her. Aside from the minor burns she looked unhurt, though her unresponsiveness worried him greatly; she was limp in his arms and seemed deeply asleep. Turning her face to look at a burn on her cheek he noticed a smudge of soot down the side of her nose. He knew that fire could kill without burning if someone breathed in the smoke too long. His stomach clenched in fear, she could still die. He turned to call out for Zechs only to see the other man standing nearby. “How is she?” The blonde man asked, setting the wooden box and carrying bag on the wagon seat. “She lives still, but will not wake. She shows signs of breathing smoke.” “By the Mother,” He breathed, “Can Sally help?” “I do not know,” Treize replied. “We
must get her back to Shiore as soon as possible.” Treize examined that scrap of fabric he held, it looked as if it had been ripped from its source. Turning it over to see the other side he froze. It bore the emblem of the Ozlainian army. Hastily shoving the scrap into his uniform, he moved to unhitch the horses. Once they were free he reset the rig and hitched one of horses to the wagon. Once done he then jumped into the back of the wagon and opened a rig box that was required in all army wagons, removing the proper haltering for the other horse. Zechs appeared again holding a light blanket, which he lay over Heero then helped the Captain with the horse. “I found a trunk under the bedding in the corner. Plunder must not have been in their plans as the trunk is still intact,” the blonde said as he tightened a strap. “Should I bring it?” “Yes, and anything else she may want or need,” Treize replied, nodding his head towards the carrying sack in the wagon. “There may be heirlooms, trinkets, toys… I will not bring her back to look for them.” “I understand sir,” Zechs replied. Treize mounted the horse then and motioned for Zechs to hand him the child and her bag. “Thank you, my friend,” He said, laying a hand on Zechs’ shoulder. “I will be along shortly,” Zechs replied and a moment later the Captain was gone, disappearing into the woods. Treize rode as fast as he dared, fearful that the ride was too rough for the child who continued to sleep in his arms. It worried him that she had not even stirred, not a twitch or a sound as if she was one breath away from death. It seemed to take years though in reality it was a short amount of time before he came pounding into the main square of Shiore, men were running towards him, sensing that there was something wrong. “Colonel what has happened?” A young female Lieutenant with short black hair asked as she stood at his side holding her arms out for the child. Treize lowered the child into her waiting arms. “Where is Une?” He asked, sliding from the horse and handing the reins to another soldier. “I am here Colonel,” A woman stated, Treize turned to the Major and said, “Gather a party, there are Ozlainian soldiers here.” “Are you certain?” The tall spectacled woman asked, stepping towards the Colonel, who in turn pulled the scrap from his jacket. He placed it in her hand and leaned in so only she could hear him speak. “They murdered this child’s family,” He said softly and watched her once warm brown eyes darken, going nearly black with anger. “I will see to it sir,” She stated firmly
and saluted. Turning sharply on her heel she was off, rounding up
soldiers to search out the Ozlainian’s crawling through the woods. “Thank you Joe,” Treize replied, and then added, “Zechs stayed behind to salvage what he can from the child’s home. He should be along shortly. Please inform Major Une that he is still out there.” “Yes sir,” Joe saluted then mounted the horse,
riding off to relay the message. ~*~*~*~*~ “I knew we should have let them be,” Muller hissed under his breath as yet another Hartoun soldier rode past their hiding place. “If the old mad had not put up a fight I would not have hurt him, and the woman would not stop screaming, I had to do something,” Alex snapped in reply. Muller snorted, “We could have just left.” “And leave them to tell the whole village we are here?” “They already know!” Muller growled then checked himself. It would do neither of them any good if they got into another argument, not with so many currently looking for them. “I knew there was a third person with the way the woman was acting, like she was afraid we would find them.” “That was why you torched the barn, to burn them
out,” Muller pointed out. “They could have seen the smoke.” Alex did not reply. A snap of twig drew their attention
to a horse standing so near to their hiding place that they were sure
the soldier on its back knew they were there. “Over here!” Another soldier shouted and the horse suddenly moved away. The Ozlainian soldiers waited until all fell quiet before slipping from their hiding place and continuing to the border of Ellion. They did not breathe freely again until they were well on the other side. ~*~*~*~*~ “Upstairs sir,” A soldier at the entrance of the inn announced as the Colonel came into view. With a nod of thanks, the Colonel continued inside and up the stairs. He found the room that the doctor favored and knocked once. The door opened a bit and Noin’s face appeared in the crack. She stepped back making room for the Colonel. Sally only gave a quick glance up before returning her full attention to her patient. Treize stood quietly as Sally worked, not wanting to interrupt the doctor’s concentration. Heero had been redressed in what looked to be one of the light shirts the soldiers wore under their uniforms, from the size Treize guessed it was probably either Doctor Po’s or Noin’s. All the scorch marks had been cleaned and were now pink and shiny with salve and the doctor was feeling her belly, arms and legs so see if there were any other injuries. All was quiet for a long while, then Sally said softly, “I expect the child will wake soon, Noin will you please fetch some broth?” “Of course ma’am,” the woman replied and left the room. “What is it that you did not want Noin to know?” Treize asked stepping closer to the doctor and the sleeping child. Sally nodded in appreciation of the Colonel’s perception, and held up a slip of parchment so the Colonel could see it. Treize recognized it immediately. It was the very same parchment he had left at the cabin that morning. Taking it, he turned it over and found something had been written on the back. ‘Colonel Khushrenada – Ozlainian soldiers have arrived on our land. If you find this letter then Heero was found and Salyn and I are dead. I must share a secret with you but for fear that this may fall in to the wrong hands I cannot divulge it here. Find the box, only Heero can open it. Please care for the child. Heero is far more important than you realize. Jay.’ “What do you make of it?” Sally asked, handing the note back after the Colonel allowed her to read it again. “I do not know, I suppose we will have to wait until Heero wakes. We found the box in the same place where she had been hidden. Zechs has it and will bring it with the other items we were able to salvage.” “That is another thing,” Sally began “This
child is not female, but is not fully male either. “This child physically, outwardly, looks male with external male parts but has no detectable testes. When I checked more closely to see if they simply had not descended yet, this happens in boys from time to time. I found a small opening that looks female, between where the scrotum should be and the anus, though it does not seem to be fully a formed vaginal opening. When I felt the abdomen to see if I could feel the testes, I swear I could feel a womb, I have never seen this before and I do not know what make of it.” “How is that possible?” Treize asked, peering
at the child’s face more closely. It was no wonder the child’s
appearance had intrigued him so, looking not quite female or male. The Colonel nodded, understanding what the doctor meant. “I think, for now that it would be best if we kept this just between us.” “Agreed,” Sally replied, examination complete. Then tucked the small child under a warm blanket before standing to retrieve something she needed from her bag. “Jay mentioned last night that Heero is six,” Treize stated. “Would you say the age is correct? Sally seemed surprised by the question. “Absolutely not,” the doctor replied. “This child cannot possibly be older than five years; I would wager she is closer to four.” “Why then would her grandfather tell me she was six?” With a baffled expression the doctor shrugged, it was
impossible to know what the old man had been thinking and as the man
was now dead they may never learn why. “Yes, I found this empty vile of tincture of Sortaine in the child’s pocket,” She said showing him a small bottle that had been sitting on the bench next to her bag. “I believe the child was drugged to ensure it stayed quite. Sortaine is an old and not commonly used herb for sleep. It is fairly harmless and in a child this size, even with a large dose, sleep should only last a few hours.” “Jay was wise to drug her,” Treize informed
her gently. “Her mother’s death was violent, she would have
heard every moment of it quite clearly from where she was hidden.” “Poor dear, what are we going to do with… her?” she finished hesitantly, settling for the gender Treize most often referred to. “I am sorry, but I really think she looks more like a boy.” “Heero may be old enough to realize that she is different, perhaps we should ask which gender she would prefer.” Treize suggested, before the doctor could reply there was a light tap at the door. Treize opened it and stepped aside to allow Noin to enter. “I am sorry ma’am but there was no broth but the cook made a thin porridge to start her with and has begun a veal broth, it will be ready for the child at evening meal time.” “Thank you Merquise,” Sally said as she took the steaming bowl from the soldier. “I will see to the child now, go have your midday meal.” “Call if you have need of me,” The Lieutenant said, and then with a nod towards the doctor and the Colonel she took her leave. When Noin moved from Tropria to marry Zechs and join the Hartoun army she was known as Merquise for the first six months or so but it had caused confusion having two soldiers with the same name and rank, after a while the confusion was boarding on ludicrous so she went back to using her maiden name. Sally had been her commanding officer during her initial training so calling her ‘Merquise’ was a habit the doctor had yet to fully break, despite Noin’s use of her maiden name for the last 3 years. Noin did not mind the occasional slip up and felt no need to correct the doctor. It was sometime later, much later then Sally had anticipated when the child finally stirred. Treize had left a while before with promises that he would return as soon and he had a chance to speak with Major Une. He asked the doctor to send someone to fetch him if Heero woke before he returned. Sally went to the door to inform the solider waiting there that the child was waking, then was beside Heero a moment later, soothing the dark hair away from the small, pale face. “Heero, my name is Doctor Po. I am an officer in the Hartoun army, you were hurt and I have been taking care of you,” Sally said gently as she moved where the child could see her. She was wearing a uniform from the army but she wanted to ensure the child understood who she was. “How do you feel?” “I feel sick, here,” Heero managed softly
laying a small hand on her stomach. Thinking on it, Sally realized that with an empty stomach the effects of the Sortaine would be much stronger. That would explain why the child had slept longer than expected, it also accounted for the child’s stomach upset. “Heero, I would like you to eat some of this, it
should help settle your stomach,” Sally said placing the bowl
of porridge in the child’s hand. I am afraid it has gotten cold.” “Heero, I…” Before Sally could continue there was a tap at the door. It opened before she could answer it and Treize slipped inside. “Mister Treize,” The child chirped happily, food forgotten for the moment. Heero was smiling brightly at him, and then looked past him into the hallway. The smile faded slightly as the child asked, “Where are Mama and Grandfather?” “Heero,” Treize began softly, moving towards the cot. He crouched down and took a small hand in his. “Your mother and Grandfather are not here.” “Are they at home still? Will they be here soon?” Treize could see fear in the large blue eyes, and took a deep breath. “They are not coming.” “Why?” The question was whispered in a trembling voice, Heero vaguely remembered something happening, she had been asleep but woke up when Mama and Grandfather started whispering harshly then Grandfather had made her drink something sour and she started to fall asleep again. But she dreamed of a woman screaming, such terrible, frightening screams, and the smell of smoke and heat of fire and then a sudden, deep, chilling sense of loss. Sally sat on the cot beside Heero and wrapped an arm around the slim child. “They have returned to the Mother,” The doctor said as gently as she could, sparing the Colonel these sad tidings. “Mama?” Heero’s eyes filled with tears and with a strangled sob the child pressed her face against the doctor’s breast, tiny hands fisting in the doctor’s uniform jacket. The bowl slipped from the cot to shatter on the floor, but it was ignored as the two soldiers tried to comfort the child. Sally rocked Heero gently, humming softly under her breath as the child sobbed and trembled in her arms. Treize had moved to sit next to them and rubbed soothing circles on Heero’s back. After what felt like a very long time, Heero pulled away wiping her eyes with her hands. Sally pulled out her handkerchief and helped the child wipe her face; sniffling Heero looked at the kind doctor then to her new friend, “Where will I go?” “Do you remember the note your Grandfather left with you?” The child looked thoughtful for a moment, Grandfather had tried to make her hold something, said it was a note but she was so sleepy, he had put it in her pocket instead. She nodded. “In it your grandfather asked me to look after you if anything should happen to them.” A few more tears coursed down Heero’s cheeks and Treize pulled her close again. With a pained smile Sally stood and left the room saying that she would only be gone a few moments. The Colonel rocked the child a few times then said, “I have a small home in Capital City, so close to Peacemillion, that is the name of the palace, that you can smell the bread that is baked for royal household each morning. My cousin Dorothy lives with me; she is twelve years old and has just started to apprentice the cook at the Palace. I also have a housekeeper named Lucinda; she is an older woman who looks after Dorothy when I am away. I am sure they will both love you.” They were quiet for a moment then Treize asked, not sure if this was the right time to bring it up, but needing an answer before the child was introduced to many more people. “Heero, I…” He sighed deeply then tried again, “Do you know that you are different… different from other little girls?” The child frowned slightly, “You mean because I look like Grandfather and like Mama down there?” she said with a slight glance at her blanket covered lap. Treize nodded, then realizing that Heero could not see him said, “Yes, exactly.” “Grandfather said I am special and that I should be careful not to let people see,” she replied quietly, fearfully, as if she spoke too loudly she would be punished. “That was wise of him. I only ask because I want to know if you thought of yourself as a girl, or a boy.” “A boy, I think. Mama…” Fresh tears filled Heero’s eyes but he continued. “Mama said I was her little girl but…” he hiccuped and swallowed a sob. “Grandfather never called me a boy or a girl just Heero and child.” Treize soothed the child the best he could, almost wishing Sally were there thinking Heero needed a woman to mother him right now. “Are you hungry? It is almost time for the evening meal and I heard that the cook was making something special just for you,” Heero shook his head once and Treize pulled away. “Please, will you try to eat a little? I would really like you to.” A faint nod. “There should be someone just outside I can send to fetch it for you. I will be right back,” Treize said before the child could change his mind. Stepping out into the hall the Colonel looked both directions hoping to spot someone he could send to the kitchen. Instead he saw Doctor Po and Noin sitting at the top of the stairs. As he walked towards them he heard Sally crying softly. Not wanting to embarrass her he stayed back for a moment then cleared his throat. “Oh! Colonel, I am sorry,” Sally said hurriedly wiping her eyes. “I just-” Her lip trembled and she swallowed several times. “I understand,” He said, offering the woman a gentle smile. “Heero is ready to eat, Noin, would you mind?” “Of course not sir,” She replied then turned to the doctor. “Would you like me to fetch anything for you?” “Something light, an apple perhaps?” The doctor replied, wiping her cheek with a handkerchief. “Sir?” “Nothing for me just now, I had a late midday meal. However, if you should see Zechs could you please ask him to come up?” With a nod, Noin turned to complete her tasks. “Sally, I would like Heero to stay with you until we leave for the Capital. I believe he will need more of a mother figure then I can be.” “He?” Sally prompted. “Yes, I have spoken with him and he wishes to be known as a boy.” “I will take him to my sleeping room after he eats and I will find more appropriate clothing in the morning.” “Let us get back to him; I do not think it wise
to leave him alone for too long right now.” “I have sent someone to fetch your supper. She should be back very soon. After you eat we will move you to another room where you should be more comfortable,” As Treize spoke he ran a hand over Heero’s long dark hair. He encountered another singed bit that crumbled in his fingers. “Would you like to have your hair cut? Most boys wear it short.” “Do I have too?” Heero asked quietly, sounding
slightly fearful. There had been so much change so suddenly; he did
not know how he could bear another change so soon. “And some girls wear their hair short like Lieutenant Noin, who will bring your supper,” Sally added, hoping to keep the child’s thoughts, however briefly, occupied with things other than sadness. “I have never seen a girl with short hair before,” Heero said, some of the tension gone from his young face, though his eyes looked haunted. He was exhausted and hungry, Sally smiled gently. Despite the hours of drugged sleep he had had, she expected he would probably fall asleep soon after he ate, if they could manage to get him to eat anything at all. “Well, you will soon and Noin is very nice. I am sure you will like her, she has a younger sister named Hilde who wears her hair short too.” They spoke of random things for a while and when Noin arrived she too joined in distracting the child, and absently the spoon moved from bowl to mouth as he ate his supper seeming to not notice as he did so. Sally was right; Heero did like the short haired woman. However, when Zechs arrived, the mood changed. After being introduced he placed the wooden box on the cot next to Heero. It was sealed in a way that prevented Zechs from opening it; in fact he could not even see a seam or crack that indicated that it opened at all. “Your Grandfather’s note said you knew how to open it,” Treize said softly. Smoothing his small hands over the warm, satin surface of the simple box, a tear streaked down his face. “Grandfather showed me once a long time ago, I do not remember now.” “It is alright, I am sure it will come to you in time,” Treize said taking the box and offering it to Zechs. “Please put this with Heero’s other things so they can be moved to my home in the Capital.” Zechs nodded and started to leave when something he remembered made him pause; tucking the box under his arm he pulled something from his pocket and offered it to the Colonel. Treize looked at the item he now held, it was a delicate silver cross, decorated with a gentle scrolling ivy pattern with light touches of pale green enamel. “That is Mama’s,” Heero said sadly his voice hallow and empty, it was the first time he had ever seen it somewhere other than around his mother’s neck. Undoing the tiny clasp, Treize placed the chain around the child’s neck and fastened it securely. “I think it would be best if Heero was settled
in for the night,” Sally said scooping the child up. Zechs opened
the door and escorted her up to the third floor where the officers
slept. He helped her settle the child then knelt so he could speak
to him. “Thank you Mister Zechs,” The child replied, reaching up to hug the officer. Once the child was asleep, Zechs made his way to a sitting room that was on the second floor where the Colonel preferred to meet when he addressed his officers. Major Une was there speaking with the Colonel. They had found some signs of the Ozlain soldiers but were unable to locate and capture them. “Do you have any idea how many soldiers there had been?” The Colonel asked and the Major was thoughtful for a moment. “No more than two or three, and they were on foot,” She replied. “That few?” He mused. “They were most likely scouts then.” “Yes, I believe so Colonel. I also believe that they fled into Ellion knowing that we would attempt to find them but would not follow them across the border this far south,” she added. Treize frowned. “How far is Shiore from the border? Could they have made it into Ellion by now?” He had never entered Ellion from Shiore and the map had given him the impression that the border was a fair distance away. “We are only an hour or so away by horse Sir, however men on foot may find quicker routes where horses cannot travel,” Zechs replied. “I want several men placed in the woods, give them orders to stop and question anyone trying to enter the village. If they cannot be recognized by at least two separate, notable citizens, they will not be allowed to enter.” A chorus of ‘Yes Sir’ sounded in the room before Treize dismissed them for the evening.
TBC Notes: Original characters Salyn – the name has no real significance other then I thought it sounded like a fitting name for Heero’s mama.
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