The Entertainer

Chapter 2

So The Journey Begins

Wu-fei's POV

It was mid-morning by the time we started on our journey. The sun showed brightly over the land as the birds greeted the morning with their song. Two sets of hoofs clambered along the dirt-packed road as we continued on our journey

I could tell Heero was lost in his thoughts, wondering what he would be walking into once he arrived at the Conditioning Facility. I'm sure he is wondering why the warden didn't at least give him an idea of what to expect, going in completely unprepared was not something he appreciated. I turned my gaze up at the cloud-blotted sky and watched as they floated by.

I could tell that he did not want to talk about the situation he found himself in so we just continued in companionable silence for several hours before we had to stop at a nearby creek to water the horses.

We both dismounted from our steeds and I stretched as he lead the two horses over to the creek. By the time I was done working out the stiffness in my legs with light stretching, I looked over to find Heero sitting on the grass bank, leaning back on one of his hands, as the other rested over a raised knee; the other leg out straight in front of him. He seemed to be troubled or deep in thought from the crease I saw that has made itself known on his brow and the stern set of his face.

I wasn't quite sure how to approach him about what he may be pondering over, especially when he was in this type of mood. I was sure he was trying to work everything out that had happened over the past few days. Silently, I made my way over to him, sat cross-legged next to him on the bank, and stared out at the river as it lazily flowed by.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Heero threw a rock across the creek and watched it skip. He didn't even bother to look at me, but I knew my inquiry was heard. trouble filled his usual stoic eyes and he finally responded.

"These past few days have not gone as I had planned." was his monotone answer.

Not sure about what to say, I just nodded and continued to listen.

Heero slightly tilted his head in my direction and skipped another stone across the glass surface of the creek, "I am walking into a situation that I have no information on, I don't know how to approach it or how to even prepare myself for what I am about to take on."

"I am not sure what I can say to better the situation Heero. You've done this multiple times, why is this one any different from the others."

"I wasn't given any information on my charge. It's as if they don't want me to know. It sounded like they had already written the Half-Breed off as a lost cause." I watched as he threw another stone, it skipped twice before joining the others at the bottom of the creek.

"If that's the case, then why even bother calling you back? Why not just terminate the problem and be done with it." I wondered.

Heero shrugged, I am sure he was wondering the same thing.

"In any case, you should approach with caution."

Heero nodded in response and we continued to stare at the creek. All that could be heard for several moments was the sounds the horses made as they grazed and the birds flying overhead in search of their next meal. Heero hated this part of traveling, the long grueling rides, and searching for things to talk about just to pass the time. He was no good at small talk. I looked over to see Wing chuff and shake out his main, as if he, too, hated the long daunting journey.

The noise caught Heero's attention and he turned his gaze to his steed. I watched as his features lost some of their edges and a small, almost unnoticeable smile turned up the corner of his mouth. It was hard not to notice his eyes taking on a less haunted and troubled gaze as he watched his companion's ministrations.

The silence stretched between us. There was nothing more to say about the situation Heero was facing and I had no answers to give that would shed any light on the subject. Heero stood up and made his way over to his horse to stroke his neck. His brow was furrowed again as he digested everything that had happened over the past two days.

"I'm sorry Heero, I wish I had the answers that you seek."

"Hn..."

I let out a soft sigh, I missed the way Heero used to be when they were younger. He used to always smile and cause mischief in his Sire's estate, giving everyone a good run for their trouble. I could remember when he got that beast, Heero had smiled so brilliantly that the sun would have been jealous. Wing was just as unbreakable as his owner and just as unpredictable. The stable slave would always complain about 'that beast' and the trouble it caused him but Heero didn't care.

I could also recall when the daylight went out of his eyes and his smile disappeared. It was raining that day yet you could still hear his Bearer's screams over the heavy rain. Heero stood outside the door with his Sire waiting for the arrival of his younger sibling. He was so excited to have someone else to play with besides the slaves and staff. He couldn't hold still and then it happened. His bearer's screams died down and the room went silent. The midwife stepped out and shook her head, that was the moment I witnessed the light fade. Heero was only 5 fazes old and had lost not only his bearer that stormy night, but his brother as well. From that point Heero began to distance himself from everyone, his smile disappeared, and he spent all his free time in the stables with Wing. Thinking back, I would give anything to see that radiant smile again, to hear him laugh, and the light comes back to his eyes.

I let the memories fade as I stood and made my way over to my own beast, Shenlong. I ran my hand down her white main and trailed her brown, almost red, neck. In return, she chuffed at my hair and nuzzled the side of my face. I smiled at her actions and pat her flank before getting back up in her saddle. I turned to look at Heero only to find him following suit and mounting his pure White Stallion.

We made our way back to the path and continued our journey.

“Did you speak with your father this morn before we took our leave?”

He nodded, “The Council did a direct link, and we discussed the terms.” His voice was stern and his frown became more prominent.

“I take that the Council was less than pleased with your requests?”

Heero slowed his gate so that we were riding alongside each other, making it easier to communicate. “I requested that they give me the estate before I agree to the breed-pairing. I will not 'court' Miss Relena in my father's estate, it would look less desirable and I wouldn't have anything to offer in return for bearing a child or the means of rearing the child once it was born.”

“That doesn't sound like too much to ask.”

Heero's brow creased, “They did not have a problem with the request, which raised questions. Given my status, my sire made sure to ask about the estate itself and if it was inhabitable. We found out it has been unattended since the last owner. When Sire asked how many fazes it had gone unattended they stated it had been over 10 fazes since it had a regular tenant or owner.”

I snorted in disgust, “So it's likely in shambles and overgrown. No wonder they were quick to offer it, they just want it off their hands.”

Heero nodded then continued, “I advised them that I would need staffing and they stated the estate could run with as little as one head cook and an assistant/slave, one stable hand, two maids, and most of three guards. Two additional to you that is. The estate has four rooms, one being the master. It has a small informal dining room, a parlor, two lavatories, one office, and a kitchen. The maids/slaves' quarters is two communal spaces, large enough to house five in each communal sleeping area. There is one lavatory that separates the two that both have access to. In the kitchen is a large enough eating area for the staff to eat in without being seen by others in the estate or by guests.”

“That seems reasonable for that sub-division.”

Heero snorted in disgust, “For a mid to low-rank fae maybe, not one of my high-ranking and strong coding. What they are offering is laughable.”

“You fail to recall that your Sire was considered middle-rank, borderline low-rank, due to the circumstances that brought him into this realm. Do you not recall his bearer was half-breed? The only reason he was able to obtain the title he has now was due to your grandfather.” I shook my head, “ You may have been pampered due to your, unique...capability. Your Sire earned that title that you hold, you did not earn it in the council's eyes, you only obtained it due to your Sire.”

“Tsh...” Heero broke eye contact at that point. By the looks of his slightly glowing eyes, I must have hit a nerve with my observations.

“I wanted to procure a Healer, a head cook and assistant, enough housekeepers to do the upkeep on the estate and get it ready for inhabitants, and the right to my own harem. They allotted me half that. I was told that there is no need for a personal healer, the local one should be enough for now. They said they would revisit that request once my end of the agreement is met. They had also said, if the child born is not of my rank or coding, but of Miss Relena's, that it would not count as an heir to my estates, but a promised one to manage her estates. So they are stating that the condition is not met until I personally have an heir.”

I winced slightly, “I could see that causing an issue.”

He stopped with his explanation and looked back at me, “What do you mean, 'Issue' I am of strong coding, it should be no issue copulating and procuring an heir for my estate”

I sighed, “Did they not at least provide you with her coding and rank?”

He stopped his horse and turned him to block mine, bringing me to a stop. His eyes were brilliantly gold at this point, “Why would I bother to listen to the details outside of my demands, I did not want this pairing in the first place. If you know something Wu-fei I advise you to tell me”

I let out a sigh, “You have a lot to learn young Marquess, you should always listen to the details...never sign anything without knowing everything.”

I knew he wasn't going to be happy, this was most likely going to cause some harmless creature of nature to pay the price for Heero's anger, “Miss Relena was born of high rank, strong coding, and considered pure. She has a dominant coding.”

“What is her fae coding Wu-fei, out with it, Chang.”

“She is what you would call Pure-Blood Elven...emphasis on pure. She has borne none, sired none, copulated with none.”

I saw smoke starting to raise from the grass around a tall oak to our left. Heero worked his jaw as his eyes turned a brilliant red.

He spoke in a very low...very monotone voice when he answered, “So you are telling me...they paired me with a (6)Purist...me...a Conditioner.”

I nodded as he let that information sink in, thankfully he must have reigned in his power because the smoke had died down, and the tree was safe today. I looked at him as he worked his jaw, he didn't say a word as he calmly turned his stallion back the way they were going and continued at a faster gate. I followed him at a distance, letting him have the space that he needed.

I cannot blame him for being angry. He may only be 23 fazes old but he was far from pure...he had many partners and his Sire had made sure that he was taught the correct way of courting and copulating with both males and females before he was allowed to do so without some sort of supervision. Most would think this way of teaching is barbaric but it was better than sending a young Sire out to figure out on their own.

Most women were not given the same teachings, their maidenheads, especially in the Purist belief, were considered holey gifts and not to be given lightly. They were given basic information on what to expect but nothing more. They were also taught bringing yourself passion by your own hand was taboo and not spoken of or encouraged. The action of intimacy or passion was their mate's job to see to.

This pairing goes against everything purists believe in. They must have offered something large in return for Duke Darlain to allow this to take place without a promised life-mating. Hades know that if Duchess Darlain was still present this would not even be discussed. Miss Relena may not be of her own breeding but she was, in all sense of the word, Duchess Darlain's daughter.

We continued at our fast pace and reached (1) Rangeen Ghaatee kee Bhoomi before the sun had fully set. Heero refused to speak of the pairing since I gave him the information he requested. We put our horses at the nearest tie-out and made our way over to (2) Eard Alwadi Inn, it was one of the few that catered to the upper-ranked fae in the area.

I grabbed his arm before we went inside and brought him to a stop. “Heero,”

He was still irritated from the looks of it, “What Chang, get on with it. I am hungry and tired and have had just about enough adventure and surprises for one eve.”

I sighed and bowed slightly, “I wanted to apologize. I should not have mentioned anything about Miss Relena or her information. I was told by your father all her information would be discussed this morn with the council and assumed you had been listening and knew of the details.”

Heero relaxed his shoulders and rubbed at the crease between his eyes, “No apologies are needed...as much as I hate to admit it, you are correct. I should have paid attention to all the details and information that was given to me. But given my mental state, I was not happy with the pairing, to begin with, and did not really care, I just wanted to get it done and over with so I could go about my life.”

“what will you do if her code cancels out yours,” I questioned.

He leaned against the outside of the Inn and looked deep in thought with his arms crossed, “At that point, I may request that the pairing be dropped, allow her to keep her offspring to secure her estates, and request the right to a harem. I had requested one this time and they denied it along with the use of more than two personal slaves as part of my estate.”

That confused me, most high-ranked fae were allotted at least a small harem of 5 if requested. With how his sire had explained the situation to me before we left, it sounded like the council was using the Marquess as a breeding bull, I would think they would allow him the Harem so he could at least have two other breed pairings outside of miss Relena if he offered the position of Head Concubine to her in his estate.

“So, you are telling me they are limiting your courting to just Miss Relena? You are not allowed to court the allotted three that others at your rank are given?”

Heero sighed and turned to walk through the entrance of the Inn. We made our way over to the dining area where the meal of the eve was placed before us without a word by the half-breed servant along with two chalices of the local brew before we were left in peace. The entertainment stage was currently vacant but I doubted it would be for long.

I took a sip of my chalice and waited patiently to see if he would answer my previous question.

Heero took his time chewing before taking a sip of his Chalice, “From what I understood...they will be the ones picking whom I am allowed to Court. For now, it shall be Miss Relena, if the paring bears fruitful, even if her coding cancels out my own, they will revisit the request for a harem but not until I can basically prove my virility...”

His face was blank when he made the comment, if it weren't for the slight spark of red shining through the deep cobalt of his eyes, I would have assumed he was okay with the arrangement. “And you are okay with this?” his non-emotional response bothered me.

“You are aware they are using you as a breeding bull to breed pure-bloods with multiple abilities that they can manipulate or train in their favor.”

He just nodded and continued to eat as a female half-breed in gypsy-like attire stepped up on the stage and began her dance. The melodic tune of a (3) Vlailde accompanied by the rhythm of a (4) Zair played as the entertainer gracefully moved her body to the sound.

The female caught my attention, with the way she moved you could tell she was more than a half-breed trained in entertainment, she had to be one of the higher-class concubines that were offered to those higher-ranked staying at the inn. Her movements were smooth like water and I couldn't seem to pull my gaze away as I continued to enjoy my meal. Her face was covered by a gauzy fabric but what struck me were her very vivid eyes that were the color of the sunset right before dusk.

“Are you interested?” I jumped at the sound as, whom I assumed was the Innkeeper, leaned over my shoulder to speak low near my ear so as not to break the trance that the entertainer had cast on the room.

I cleared my throat and looked over at the keeper, “Even if I were, I could not afford her cost. Although I am interested in her name.”

the Innkeeper made an “ah” look and nodded before crouching down beside me, “Ah, yes...many ask her name.” he smiled, “Her name is Nabila Cnassea. She is one of the three triplets that were brought here by the reconditioning facility in (5) Gaineamh Damhsa. Her sisters' names are Malika and Sahar. Beautiful is she not?”

I did not know how to respond besides nodding as I sipped from my Chalice.

I saw a slight smile appear on the innkeeper's face, “If you change your mind, just ask for me at the front, my name is Flame Nightgust offspring of Duke Dermail Catalonia. Given the company you keep, and his connections to my half-breeds, I could see about a discounted rate.” he winked at me before standing to his full height and making his rounds around the dining area.

“Are you going to take the offer?” Heero's Monotone voice filtered through the calm that Nabila had created.

I finished my meal and sat back to enjoy the rest of my Chalice and watch the show, “It is dishonorable to do so.” I set my face in a stern line, “I do not agree with the way things are or the decrees, the Half-Breed should not be forced to keep my company against her will just because her owner demands it.”

Heero tilted his chin in Nabila's direction slightly before pushing his finished plates away and sitting back also enjoying his drink. I turned to look at the dancer and her eyes were directly on our table...on me to be precise that I could tell and her step faltered slightly.

I turned my gaze back to Heero with a huff as I saw a small smirk form on his face, “She wouldn't mind, I can tell you that much.”

“Cut the link with her Marquess, you persuading her is just as wrong as her owner demanding she performs” I huffed.

Heero smirked, and stared a few minutes longer at Nabila as she danced, before his eyes lost their glow and he turned to look at me, “She honestly wouldn't mind, Chang. She is docile, far from skittish, and was not completely wiped. She can think for herself but you are right, regardless of her wants, she would have to do as her owner said.”

I looked back over to her as she finished her dance and gracefully made her way off stage, “Chang, if you do not take the offer, she will be bedded by another in this room, and none are to her liking. They are regulars and the two that usually request her company, from what she mentioned, are not the gentlest of Fae. You would be a cool balm to an open wound to her.”

He stood and looked down at me, “And it wouldn't hurt for you to relax for an eve, considering your workload has not been the lightest either. When was the last time you partook?”

My face turned to beat red as I stood and set my lips in a line, “That, Sire, is none of your business what I do in my free time when I am not on guard duty.”

Heero snorted and shook his head, “Take the offer, Chang. Give the Half-Breed a good night before she is put back in the Hell she knows, that is how you can help her with the current decrees.”

Heero turned and made his way up the stairs to his room, but not before I noticed he stopped and placed coin in the hand of the Innkeeper as he made his way by.

I set my drink down and made my way to the stairway to go up to my own room but was stopped by Flame, “She will be up shortly, she has one more dance before she Is released to tend to her patrons. Do not worry about the cost, your Marquess has taken care of it.” My face was red as he released my arm and I made my way up to the room for the evening.

HEERO'S POV

LATER THAT EVENING

I found myself sitting in my room going over the documents that were provided to me by the council. The map of my estate was not large, but it looked sound if small. It looked like there was a wall around the estate property, which wasn't much, that allotted me about three acres of land. With a sigh, I set my reading glasses down and leaned back in my chair.

I understood their dislike for my Sire, but to pass that dislike to myself, allotting me land about the size of a small farm, breed-paired with a Purist...I cannot recall any action I may have done that would anger them.

Given I was no saint, given my abilities, my title, and my job at the reconditioning facility...and that I did disobey direct rules from my sire to stay away from the half-breeds close to their fertility week...I was not aware they had that close of an eye on my and my Sire's actions.

*knock knock*

/It better be urgent otherwise the one knocking will find their head missing from the rest of them/I pushed up from my small desk in the room and pulled the door open, only to find Wu-fei standing there with a slightly irate look on his face. His clothing was mussed, his hair was loose, his trousers were unlaced and his shirt was the same. I leaned on the door frame with a smirk and took in his current state.

“You failed to mention that she was a Siren...” he sounded irate as he pushed his hair out of his eyes.

I gave him a short laugh and let him into my room and shut the door behind him. “it has only been a quarter of an hour since I left the dining area, I could have sworn I paid for at least three.”

He let out an indignant puff of air through his pursed lips, moving his bangs out of his line of sight. “I have yet to do anything with the half-breed.”

I motioned to his state, “Then, dare I ask, why are you in such a state if she has yet to attend to you.”

upon further observation, I noticed his hair was slightly damp and his shirt was sticking to his frame as he stared daggers at me, “Ah, I see.” I smirked and took a seat back in my chair, continuing to look over the blueprint of my estate.

I heard him come over, at least he righted his pants before coming to stare over my shoulder. “Is she in your room? If so, why are you wasting my coin on talking to me.”

He sighed and pointed to the blueprint, off to one area that was open and no markings were made, “I was direct linked, your Sire has mentioned that in this area, although not marked, there is a small training arena for use for training additional guards and for open sparring. He wished me to deliver the information.”

“and this couldn't wait until tomorrow to deliver?” I was irritated at this point.

“I figured you would still be up looking over the layout of your estate,” he pointed to a little building set behind the main estate, “this is the slave quarters, it isn't attached to the main estate. There is a small garden, “he motioned between the slaves quarters and the back part of the estate, “In this area. It is terribly overgrown and will need completely redone, due to this, the Sire was able to get you two groundskeepers along with the decided staff from the council due to the state of the estate as it is.”

I nodded my head and wrote down notes on a parchment nearby, “So that leaves me with two groundskeepers, two maids/housekeepers, three guards including yourself, a stable hand, and two personal tenants/slaves...that is still not much but we will have to make do with what we have available.”

he leaned over and pointed to a smaller building on the other side of the training arena, “These are the barracks for the guards, including myself.” he pointed to a small open area toward the side of the estate near the outer wall, “This is the barn. It currently has four stalls, but they were willing to add more if needed. They also stated there was a fenced area where a hen house and a few cows could be housed for your own personal use. They stated you may be able to keep a few bee nurseries in the garden as well for personal use. Anything else would be purchasable from the vendors in town.”

I wrote down the listed areas as he mentioned them. “Again, this couldn't be discussed tomorrow. Why the urgency.”

Wu-fei sighed, “I am still awaiting my time with Nabila...that you gracefully paid for,” came his sarcastic reply. “I figured I would have time to bathe and then your Sire, unannounced, linked to me and told me to deliver the message. So that I wouldn't forget I figured it would be easier to deliver now than recall tomorrow.”

He stepped back from my shoulder and leaned his hip against the desk, “I was also informed that once we get to (5) Gaineamh Damhsa I am to make my way to your estates and review some candidates for the staff. Your sire will have all your personal belongings delivered to your estates as soon as it has been made livable. He also was instructed by the Council that you are to partake in the process on the days that you are not needed at the facility.”

I felt my temperature raise as the mention was relayed to me, “So, not only do they expect me to attend to duties at the facility, they wish me to partake in the decisions made at the estate while trying to condition an unknown charge...”

Wu-fei sighed, crouched down by my side, and put his hand on my shoulder, “I will do my best to manage the estate's affairs without needing your inference. But any large decisions would still need to be signed by your hand. I can find the staff but personal tenants and half-breeds are something you will have to do at the facility.”

I nodded and rubbed the bridge of my nose, I took a few breaths to calm down my inner fire before opening my eyes and looking at him, “ I know I don't say it often but you are a dear friend, and a trustworthy guard. We will discuss this more on our journey tomorrow. I am sure Nabila is in your room now, I appreciate your information. Now go make sure my good graces do not go unappreciated.”

Wu-fei's face turned three shades red before he nodded and made his way out of the room. I set the documents aside, done with them for the eve due to my current mental state. I let out a sigh, turned down the sconce, and laid down for the night. The bed was not as luxurious as I was used to but I managed to give in to the exhaustion that was brought on by the day's travel without much of a struggle, looking forward to this journey being over tomorrow's eve.

Translations/Vocabulary

1. Rangeen Ghaatee Kee Bhoomi-Land of Colored Canyon
   1. Sub-division on the border of Brancia and Saturia. Near a canyon that separates the two divisions. Weather is closer to the desert and of the extremes. The area doesn't get winter-like weather. Overseen by Lord Vingt Khushrenada, Treize's Half-brother on their bearer's side.

2. Eard Alwadi Inn- High-end Inn found in Rangeen Ghaatee kee Bhoomi of Brancia. Caters to higher-ranked Fae and provides high-end half-breed entertainers, bed warmers, etc. for patron's use

3. Vlailde- a type of wood end-blown flute similar to a Kawala makes a melodic sound when played. Has 8 holes for the fingers as opposed to 6 or 7.

4. Zair- a type of hand drum, similar to a Mirwas, percussion instrument that can keep a rhythm.

5. Gaineamh Damhsa- Dancing Sands

   1. Sub-division of Saturia sits west of the mountain range that borders Reed Twist, Weather is a desert overseen by Sultan Zayeed Winner and will be gifted to the eldest offspring 'Amira Ira Winner once life-mated. Currently being managed by 'Amir Quatre Raberba Winner, the youngest and only male offspring of Sultan Zayeed Winner.

6. Purist- a Similar belief to Catholicism. All females are left untouched and pure. It is their belief that if the body goes untainted, the offspring that will come from the Fae paired would be the purist of blood, therefore closest to their Savior/Goddess, and would hold rare qualities and talents. The women lose their worth in the eyes of their Savior/Goddess if they tend to themselves or procreate, bear, or mate with any Fae outside of their betrothed/life-mate that is chosen for them by their Sires. They are widely known as pacifists and avoid bloodshed.