The young knight stepped out of the stables removing his helmet and letting a long chestnut braid swing free. His assistant Hilde helped him remove his armor then walked with him toward the great hall.

"Will you be staying long Sir?" she asked

"I believe so Hilde, The Baron's county is now one of the few that has not been to badly affected by the Madness. Civil war is threatening and I cannot afford to be away from home when it strikes. My days of roaming are over now, My service is most needed here." He replied solemnly. Looking him over she realised what had seemed so wrong to her when he first arrived. His normal cheeky demeanor had vanished, taking with it the defiant glint in his violet eyes and the huge grin that he normally wore. He had changed considerably during his years of roaming she realised, Too much exposure to the outside world will do that to you.

"I understand sir, I shall have the servants prepare your quarters now then?"

"Yes I think that would be best, I realize it's late Hilde and my arrival somewhat - unexpected. I'm sorry to have pulled you out of your...activities" He chuckled slightly remembering the scene he had arrived to find in the stables. Lets just say Hilde would be returning to one very agitated Sally tonight. He knew that Sally didn't like to be interrupted when she was working on anything - especially Hilde.

"It's quite all right Sir" she mumbled, blushing beet red

"Oh for heavens sake Hilde, you've known me since we were children, please will you just call me Duo? after all we used to be best friends. This whole knighthood business seems to have driven a wedge between us. I'm no different now than the cheeky street rat I used to be"

She smiled at this, "I suppose Duo, but your rank does change things- deny it or not"

He rolled his eyes "stubborn as always! Listen, don't wait up for me tonight, go back to sally and tell her I'm sorry to cause a disturbance. See if you can't smooth over her ruffled feathers for now,(here he winked suggestively) and report to my quaters after breakfast, alright?"

"Yes S--Duo" He smiled and she went up a narrow staircase leading to the left. Duo turned and strode forward gallantly into the Great Hall where he had not been for four years...

*****

Baron Treize sat at the head of the main table laughing and joking with the noblemen around him. Taking a piece of fruit he lifted the chin of the young Asian beauty that knelt at his feet. A tender smile graced his face as said "Here dragon, eat - I cannot have you starve now can I? Open your mouth" The slave obediently opened his mouth and Treize slipped the small piece of citrusy fruit into his mouth. "I'm sorry to have to bore you like this Wufei, I know how much you hate parties but I promise I'll make it up to you later tonight" he whispered. Wufei nodded "It's fine Sir, I don't mind" he whispered looking down at his knees. Treize smiled slightly and looked up to where a Jester was tumbling around on the floor in front of him.

Suddenly a cold gust of air washed past him and the doors to the great hall were flung open. A hush washed over the room and the jester dropped all of the colored balls he had been juggling and scuttled away. Treize looked up to see a slim figure sillouhetted against the orange glow of the sunsetting over Demons forest. His cape billowing out behind him and his hands resting on his hips. Several moments passed before he recognised the youth... "Sir Duo!" he boomed out into the silence. The boy bowed low, the tip of his braid almost grazing the floor.

"Baron Treize," His lilting voice echoed out into the hall

"I have returned from roaming the world to pledge my service to you as a Knight of your realm," Treize stood

"We welcome you home Sir Duo, It has been too many years since you left us. It is just like you to turn up just in time for a feast" Treize winked and Duo just grinned in agreement,
"You have no doubt many things to discuss with me, but you a weary and travel worn. We can discuss these in the morning, In the meantime Sir Duo, Will you sit with us and share in our feast ?"

"As tired as I am Baron, and as much as I wish to retire for the night, the thought of passing up all this good food which may not be there for me in the morn, It is too much for me. I would love to feast with you tonight, besides everyone knows that a little of your ale Baron, can do almost as much good for the weary feet as a night of restful slumber"

"Excellent!" Treize cried, then bent down to his slave who was eyeing the newcomer over the edge of the table. "Wufei will you escort him to sit at my side?" Wufei nodded and got to his feet, walking behind the table and down off the dais over to where Duo stood. He dropped to one knee as Duo regarded him with a tilt of his head.

"Please Sir Duo, let me show you to a seat at The Baron's side" He said raising his head to meet Duo's eyes. Duo stood transfixed for a moment as Sloe eyes met wide Violet ones.

Good lord, His eye's are so fiery, they are fierce like a dragon -- what is this little one doing as a slave? I can tell he has a warriors heart...

"Sir Duo?" The slave questioned, his voice faltering slightly

"hmm? Oh Yes, thank you child" His face was lit by a warm smile and wufei couldn't help but stare at the genuine grace those fey features held.

Getting to his feet he led Duo behind the smaller tables and up onto the Dais where the Baron and the Noblemen sat.

Lady Dorothy, Court sorceress, who sat at Treize's right hand rose to greet Duo.
"Welcome back Sir Duo!" She said offering her hand toward Duo who kissed it quickly murmuring "Lady" with a slightly spiteful tone edged with sarcasm. Dorothy glared at Wufei who was hovering at Duo's side and he scuttled over to Treize's chair. Duo watched him go as Dorothy remarked "If it isn't the Noble night, Prince of peasants, back from his travels" She made no attempt at masking the sarcasm in this statement.

"Yes lady Dorothy, And upon my return I come back to find more than I bargained for, It seems your beauty has blossomed almost overnight." At this she smiled slightly "Oh and don't let me forget, I picked something special out for you on my travels" Her eyes widened in mock surprise and obvious greed "Oh?" she inquired as Duo produced a small wooden box from his tunic. Opening it hurriedly she found a small piece of metal, forked at one end like a wish bone. She looked up at him curiously and he explained.

"They are an instrument of beauty that I purchased in the far eastern lands of Tiroth, They call them "tweezers" and the women of those lands use them to shape their eyebrows" He said smiling slightly and placing an obvious suggestive tone on the word "eyebrows".

Dorothy's mouth twisted into a small sour smile, "How thoughtful" she bit out. Duo bowed with a flourish and made his way over to his seat on the other side of the baron.

****

"So, I take it you are back for good then Sir Duo"

"I believe so Baron"

"What news of the world at large then?"

"Sir, Nothing you don't already know - The country is in a dire situation. The madness is spreading like fire, and It seems to be focusing on nobility. No one knows how it spreads and there is still no known cure. These things you may already know of course - but for me it is different. I have seen the way that the Madness is affecting our land and It is terrible."

"I understand Sir Duo, War is always a glorious golden dream to the young soldiers Until they are called upon to fight one"

"What I have seen -"

"Oh please Sir Duo, do stop, these things can wait until morning. Please do not spoil my appetite Duo, let us move on to lighter topics"

That always was his problem, He doesn't really give a damn about the peasants, Nobility never does. How can they - they don't know what it's like. They haven't experienced it for themselves. But if Treize wants to move on to lighter topics then so be it - I want to know where he got his new slave

"of course Baron Treize, Forgive me. I did not mean to be so careless as to spoil your appetite for this dedicant feast with tales of the starving peasants and the hungry children." Treize looked satisfyingly uncomfortable at this remark so Duo started off on a new topic.

"I see you have found yourself a new slave Treize" he began. Treize smiled "Yes indeed, he was captured in the lands of anderr, During the war. Queen Relena sent him to me as a gift, to thank me for sending my knights to her aid."

"I see" And he smiled at wufei, who blushed slightly

That's why he has so much fire inside him, he's a warrior - but he's only a child! And why is he so meek and obedient. Prisoners of war are normally full of fight - Treize never was one to break his slaves was he?

"What is your name child?" Duo asked and Wufei looked up - shocked.

// He's asking me? I'm just a slave! Nobility never addresses slaves directly!//

"M-my name is-s Ch-ch-" But Treize cut him off abruptly

"Chang Wufei" He said rather irritably, rolling his eyes. Duo wasn't like the other nobles - Having once been a peasant. He paid no heed to the boundaries of rank, which has gotten him into trouble more that once, Treize thought. What does it matter what my slave's name is?

Wufei looked down, ashamed.

"That's a lovely name Wufei" Duo continued, deliberately ignoring Treize's obvious frustration

"I always did prefer the Asian names, Western names are so dull"

"Th-thank you Sir Duo" he stammered, amazed at this strange knight. Was he sincere or did he want something from him

//Just like all the other slave traders// he thought bitterly //All they ever wanted was a fuck toy//

"What part of Anderr are you from?" He asked

//No he seems to kind to be interested in me in 'that' way...//

"The Weise Valley Sir"

"Gosh! you've come a long way" Wufei nodded

"So duo - tell us are you never going to pick a lady - your already 18 now by my count. Isn't it time you took a wife." Treize deliberately changed the subject. Duo sighed, that was about all he could get out of the exotic slave then.

And we are back, yet again to the topic of choosing a wife! Does he never give up? When is he going to realize I don't share his preferences for men and women - for me its just men, always has been and it always will be!

"When I find one that suits me" he answered casually.

Yeah right I'm ever going to find a woman that suits me! She'd have to have certain parts that women simply DO NOT have unless they aren't women.

The rest of the evening passed comfortably. The Baron became even more and more drunk and Duo as always was careful not to drink to much. When the room became a little to hot to handle he decided he'd best be getting to bed for the night.

"OOOH please Sir Duo, won't you stay a little longer? The night is still young!"

"I'm afraid I must retire for the night - tomorrow promises to be busy and I cannot afford to feel like a zombie tomorrow"

"Very well then, If you must. Wufei will escort you back to your chambers"

Duo smiled at this. He was looking forward to spending some time alone with the slave.

"Very well baron, good night"

He rose to leave and Wufei walked carrying a flaming torch ahead of him.

//Just like a warrior, he walks with such grace// Duo thought.

The torch revealed the stone corridors as the climbed up stair case after familiar staircase.

They reached his rooms and Wufei opened the door for him - hesitating.

"Come in child, come in"

Wufei bowed his head walking into the spacious rooms. They were nothing like his masters rooms. Everything seemed to be draped with black satin - but not in a sinister way.

"C-can I get you anything Sir?" Wufei wasn't entirely certain as to why Sir Duo had asked him to come in.

"If you could have a bath run for me I would love it Wufei, then I'll let you get back to your master"

"Yes Sir"

"Wufei?"

"Sir?"

"Don't call me Sir - please! I'm used to being a peasant ...just call me Duo"

Wufei frowned, Sir Duo really was different!

"Yes S-Duo" And he went to have 'Duo's' bath filled.

Duo strolled out onto a balcony and looked over the land, clothed in darkness. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes as the scent of his home filled him again. But this time it was different - there was the stench of burning flesh in the air - the same smell that had hung over every other town he had visited. It was the smell of the madness. He looked over at the reddish glow coming from the village, perfectly normal and peaceful. But what showed him that everything wasn't 'alright' was the yellow and red bonfire that shone out from the darkness of the fields. Those yellow and red fires he knew were ment for two purposes. One ; to warn travellers from a distance that this place was effected by the madness and Two ; for burning the bodies of its victims. His home wasn't fully under the Madness yet, only one fire was lit. If it was as bad as in some towns he had seen there would be 5 or more fires. Way in the distance on the hills he could even see the light of other places death fires. This was home - but it wasn't the way he remembered it, nothing was.

"S-Duo?" The Asian smooth but hesitant voice coming from the room behind him pulled him out of his thoughts

" Hmm" he murmured

"Your bath is ready"

"Thank you Wufei..."

Wufei approached him from behind cautiously.

"May I go now Sir? - will that be all?"

"Yes - thank you child" Wufei turned to leave.

"But before you go..."

Wufei turned back toward the knight

"Sir?"

"Don't call me that"

"Sorry - Duo"

"It's alright - tell me Wufei, has your home been affected by the madness?"

Wufei was rather shocked from the out of the blue comment

//Why does he care - he's a knight, I'm only a foreign slave, why should my homeland matter to him?//

"I don't know Duo" he admitted "It wasn't when I was - when I left"

"I promise you'll see it again Wufei, no one, let alone a warrior should be taken from their home."

Wufei was speechless. This knight - what was he playing at, what did he want from him. He was so strange...What was he supposed to say to a comment like that? After several moments he made the safest answer he could.

"May I go now - is that all?" Sir duo sighed and nodded.

"Yes - thank you for the bath"

Wufei made a hasty exit and went back downstairs very much more distracted than he had been before he came up.

Thats all for now - R&R, tell me whether I should continue or not... Cos I really don't know.