Disclaimer: I do not own Guan Yu, Dynasty Warriors or any of the mentioned characters
Guan Yu's Escape
Chapter 1
The cool night breeze blew softly over the city of Xu Chang. Music rose from every street. Soldiers marched through the city with pride, receiving food and wine from humble merchants. Every man, woman and child within Xu Chang was rejoicing in celebration, for the evil Yuan Shao had been brought close to defeat. Earlier that day, Cao Cao's army had assaulted Wu Chao compound, captured the food supplies therein and burned what they did not need. With the loss of his supplies, Yuan Shao's army had become desperate and demoralized.
This misfortune was merely the latest in a series of tragedies for Yuan Shao. His initial assault had failed, despite far superior numbers. Then Zhang He, one of his finest generals, had defected, taking with him Zhen Ji, the wife of Shao's son, Yuan Xi. The loss of his wife had resulted in Xi's serious depression and sickness, removing him from battle. Finally, Yuan Shao's two most skilled generals; Yan Liang and Wen Chou, had both been slain by the great Guan Yu, golden boy of Cao Cao's forces. Now it was rumoured that Yuan Shao would soon surrender, and victory would belong to Cao Cao, and for this his people celebrated.
That is, all but one. Sitting beneath a peach tree in the palace gardens, Guan Yu quietly pondered his life. He thought of his childhood in the Xie province, of the summers he spent with his young wife under trees such as this. He thought of Lu Xiong, the man he had slain after an insult to Yu's wife. He thought of the long years in exile, travelling the land, earning a living through helping local militias. He thought of how he met his sworn brothers, Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, joining them to quell the rebellion of the Yellow Turbans and to defeat the tyrant Dong Zhuo, with Guan Yu slaying Hua Xiong, defender of Si Shui Gate. He thought of Xia Pi, the castle held by the mighty Lu Bu, whose great steed Red Hare was now ridden by Guan Yu himself.
After Cao Cao had attacked Xu Zhou, home of Liu Bei, Yu had been trapped within the city with Ladies Fui and Yan, two of Liu Bei's wives. Cao Cao had spared the three of them, offering Yu many gifts, including Red Hare, to convince him to join his army. Guan Yu had accepted, believing his brothers to be dead, and under Cao Cao he had slain both Yan Liang and Wen Chou. However, after eliminating Wen Chou, a third officer had confronted Guan Yu, an officer resplendent in emerald green armour and atop a magnificent steel-grey horse. Yu had been shocked into tranquillity as he locked gazes with his brother. He had lowered his spear and spurred his horse towards Liu Bei, but his brother had immediately sounded a retreat, and had withdrawn from the battlefield.
Returning from battle, Guan Yu had been hailed as a hero for slaying two generals of such calibre. It was thought that he would lead the assault on Wu Chao, but he had refused to march into battle since his duel with Wen Chou. He could not wrap his head around events. His brother, Liu Bei, was alive. Questions had raced through Yu's troubled mind. What had happened to Liu Bei? Was Zhang Fei alive too? Why did Lie Bei serve under Yuan Shao? Guan Yu had thought guiltily, did Liu Bei believe Guan Yu to be a traitor for serving Cao Cao? These questions would not relent, and demanded answers, and Guan Yu intended to find them.
He rose from beneath the tree. The garden was empty but for the general; everyone else was at the many feasts and banquets throughout the city. He proceeded through the large carved doorway into a richly decorated hallway. The palace belonged to the local governor of Xu Chang, who had gladly offered it to Cao Cao for as long as he should require it. Guan Yu's room was in the North wing, but instead of taking the North passage he strode, quickly and purposefully, towards the women's' quarters.
Since being taken from Xu Zhou, Lady Fui and Lady Yan had been treated with nothing but respect by Cao Cao. Both were incredibly beautiful, known for their sharp intellect as well as their dazzling looks. Cao Cao had provided them with a lavish quarters, several highly loyal servants and had given them a great number of gifts, dresses, jewellery and more. He had forbidden any man from treating them uncouthly, insisting that they be treated with as much respect as his own wives. However, Guan Yu had heard whispers and murmurs amongst the men. It was said that several of the generals of Cao Cao's army had set up a wager on who would be the first to lay either of the women in their bed, by force if necessary. Yu had told this to the women and sworn to them that he would destroy any man who laid but a finger on them. Both women had convinced him, though, that he could not keep them safe at all times. They insisted that the three of them escape, but Guan Yu had refused, insisting that he owed Cao Cao a debt for sparing them, and that they would have nowhere to seek safety. However, with the discovery of the very much alive Liu Bei, all that had changed.
Guan Yu slid open the door of the women's chambers, home of Cao Cao's wives, concubines and daughters. Fui and Yan's room was to the East of this compound and both rarely left the relative safety of the sanctum. He listened at their door, ensuring that no others were present, before opening the door and entering the lavish room. Both women were sitting by a fire, embroidering and talking quietly. They looked up as Yu entered the room, and then smiled at him.
"Guan Yu," said Lady Fui. "Why are you not down in the city, enjoying yourself? We can hear the music from here. They say much of it is in your honour. They are calling you a hero. "A match for a thousand warriors", they say." Both women broke into fits of giggles as she said this. Guan Yu ignored this, and bowed low.
"My ladies, I must speak with you now, while we will not be interrupted."
