Crossing Spears
By: Yeu
Comment: Historically, this story would be impossible, as Mr. Zhao would have been one foot in the coffin by the time Mr. Jiang came around. So, this story is going according to Dynasty Warriors' setting; Zhao Yun is 24 years old, and Jiang Wei is 19. A 5-year difference is a lot better than 50. Amazingly, Zhuge Liang is set at age 22, 2 years younger than Zhao Yun. It is true that Zhao Yun is older than Zhuge Liang, but judging by the character models, you would never have guessed. (I have the art book to Dynasty Warriors 2 (3 in the US) to prove it.)
Not criticizing anyone, but some of the fan fictions out there have characters behaving in ways that were not accepted by society. For example; women back then will NEVER propose something by themselves, except if it concerns the household. Women back then, if they were found dressed as man, ran the risk of losing their heads, no matter what they accomplished. The only exceptions are like Sun Shang Xiang, for she is a princess. She does not have to worry about behaving properly so she can get a husband, her father can order people to marry her .
Additionally, I don't own any of the characters; they are real people that existed at one time and thus they belong to themselves. But the game Dynasty Warriors belongs to Koei, who created many other great games.
Zhao Yun parried the slashing pole and was slightly surprised when numbness overtook his arm. He quickly aimed for the weak spot of the wrist that held the attacking weapon and struck the spot with a swift side blow. With a yelp of pain the pole flew into the sky, the tiger general sidestepped quickly to catch the renegade weapon before it can hurt anyone.
He returned to the spot of sparring, where his opponent is still holding his arm in pain. For a moment he worried that he might have struck too hard, but then a bruise or two in a fight, even if it is mocked, is unavoidable. Seeing the general approaching, Zhao Yun's sparing partner turned to him.
"General Zhao, you are truly as powerful as rumored. " Jiang Wei said as politely as possible through clenched teeth. Sweats of pain poured from his forehead.
"Let me see that arm." The older man gestured toward in injured wrist that the young apprentice is hiding in his sleeve as he knelt next to him.
"No need." The ex-Wei general replied, "It is merely a scratch, it shall pass soon enough." But he relented and let the tiger general study the swollen wrist.
"I hit the pressure point, no wonder it's swollen. You see that white area? That's the impact spot." Zhao Yun studied the injury carefully and tentatively touched the wounded flesh.
He was so busy looking at the hand that he did not noticed the rosy color on the other man's cheeks. The apprentice strategist was so surprised by his own reaction that he snatched his hand back and hide it again under his sleeve.
"I was too involved in the fight and forgot to restrain," Zhao Yun admitted as he stood up and brush the dust from his pants. "Let a doctor look at that. Come, I shall accompany you."
Jiang Wei resisted another urge to blush. "No! There is no need to pay so much attention to such a minor wound."
"I have roam the battle field long enough to know that is no minor wound." The spear general objected. "If you wish full use of that hand in the future you will need to be seen."
The apprentice swallow hard, the pain was excruciating, but apparently he did not grasp the full extent of the wound. He gently tried to move the hand, but was stopped when sharp pain traveled through his arm.
"Come, I shall accompany you." The general repeated, this time he held out his hand to the young man that is still on the ground.
Jiang Wei looked into the other man's eyes, and looked away quickly when he felt naked under the intense look. Silently the apprentice took the helping hand with his good arm. The other man's hand felt strong, and it pulled the young man to his feet with ease. He nodded thanks to the other man, not trusting himself to speak.
Zhao Yun led the young man silently through the palace. Jiang Wei had only recently joined their cause and is still unfamiliar with the surroundings. Not to mention that there may be those who wished to pick on the young man in his less than perfect state. The tiger general glanced back at his companion. Tall and slender, the young man really isn't build for the battlefield. His place is in the tents, not out where the action is, but the young will always be the young, they wish to be free and he respect that desire, for he was also young once.
The tiger general frowned at himself, the apprentice was placed in his care because the Prime Minister was too busy with the everyday business of running a kingdom and that the young man could use more lessons to ensure his safety where the heat is. There are still many who resented the ex-Wei general, but no one in his right mind will do him any harm while the man who rode through Chang Ban alone was there. Then here he went and injured the Minister's prized pupil, it's no something he wanted to happen.
Jiang Wei studied the tiger general's back while they walked quietly to wherever the infirmary is, pain momentarily forgotten. He could faintly see the ripping muscle under the sweat soaked workout robe, and was memorized by its powerful yet graceful movements.
He had heard much of Zhao Zilong of Chang Shan, of his feats, his power, and his courage. The young man had always wanted to meet the famous general, who creates fear in all those who oppose him. But he had always thought that they would meet on the field of battle, and if the meeting did take place, he would probably become a ghost under his spear. However, the circumstances changed dramatically when he defeated to the Shu side.
As they pass by a man made stream, Zilong suddenly stopped in mid stride, struck by sudden thought. Jiang Wei's eyes trailed after the older man as the other sudden took a detour and knelt next to the slow moving water. The tiger general rolled up his sleeve and let his arm sank beneath the cool surface of the water, feeling the river bed with his palm, he found what he was looking for and fish it out of the water.
The young strategist was surprised by what the tiger general handed him when he returned to the hallway; a smooth flat pebble the size of the other's palm.
"Press it against the joint." He instructed, "Its coolness shall help with the pain."
Jiang Wei did as he was told and was grateful for the cold touch, as the joint felt like it was on fire.
"I'm very grateful for your concern." The young man said, out of genuine gratitude. "I can not thank you enough for how much you paid attention to me."
"Minister Zhuge asked that I take care of his student." Zhao Yun replied off handedly, "I can't have you returned damaged to the point where you can't do follow his instructions."
The young man suddenly felt like he was dosed with icy waters. Does he only care for my will being because I've become Lord Zhuge's pupil? "Still.I'm grateful." Was all that he could say.
Zhao Yun was suddenly alarmed by the tone of rejection in the young man's voice, but he didn't know why the sudden change of mood, nor does he know how to react to it. Instead, he chose to stay silent and led the young man to the doctors.
The diagnosis isn't as hopeful as Zhao Yun had wished, that blow he landed on the young man's wrist had torn the tendons. The doctor applied some paste made from herbs and bonded the injured arm, with severe instruction to lay off the actions for a few weeks.
The pair exited the infirmary and looked at each other and sighed. They are not looking forward to tell the Prime Minister the news.
Zhuge Liang raised one of his eyebrows as he studied the pair standing at the foot of the podium where he was sitting and plotting.
"So... exactly how long is he going to be out for?" The Prime Minister asked calmly, which only send chills down the pair's spine.
"Approximately 3 weeks, Your Excellency." Zhao Yun answered briskly.
"You do know that we are setting out the day after tomorrow to check out a rumor that Dong Zhou is still alive and up to no good?"
"Yes, master." Jiang Wei answered submissively.
"So tell me again why this little event happened?"
The pair stayed silent, not trusting themselves to say anything. Finally Zhao Yun replied.
"Forgive me, Prime Minister, it is because of my carelessness that I cause this to happen and I'm willing to take punishment for it."
Zhuge Liang sighed, "Accidents happen, that's why it's called accidents. But I have to revise the plans now. Jiang Wei is going to have to sit this one out."
"I can still fight, master!" Jiang Wei protested. "Please do not leave me out."
"A spear takes two hands to wield, my student." Zhuge Liang pointed out. "A battle field is no place for a man that can not protect himself."
The young apprentice becomes desperate as he search in his mind for a reason why he can't be left out and can find none. He pushes his mind to come up with something, anything that will save him from the fate of being left out.
"I will protect him." Zhao Yun suddenly volunteered. "Your Excellency will have nothing to fear as long as he is with me."
"This battle will be very dangerous, general. We cannot expand too many troops because of our battle with Wei and Wu and every single man will count. One that is handicapped will only hinder the entire army."
"I can handle it, I have never let you down, Your Excellency. I will not do so now."
The Sleeping Dragon looked at one, than the other. The pair could almost see his mind laying out all the plans and other details. No one moved as the minutes drag on, as each second becomes an eternity.
"Fine." Was the final word.
Jiang Wei expelled a breath that he wasn't aware that he has been holding. He faintly heard the words his master said after that because of his relive at not being forced to stay behind. He was so eager that the moment the Prime Minister finished talking, the youth was already out the door.
"You will take care of him, won't you general." Zhuge Liang asked again as the tiger general excused himself. "You didn't have to do that, I understand an injury or two by accident can't be help."
"I was his age ones," Zhao Yun replied politely. "I understand the urge and the drive. I will protect him." With that, he closed the door behind him.
"Is it really a good idea to let Lord Jiang Wei go, Prime Minister?" An attending officer asked quietly as they watch the two young men leave. Zhuge Liang didn't reply, only a faint trace of a smile can be seen on the corner of his lips.
Zhao Yun found Jiang Wei waiting for him in the corridor and handed the young apprentice the scrolls of instructions that he was too excited to remember about. The ex-Wei general sheepishly smiled and took the scroll.
"Try to calm down a bit otherwise his Excellency might change his mind." Zhao Yun warned.
Jiang Wei stuck his tongue out and made a face. "Yes, I should try to be more adult, after all, it won't be long before I become old geezers like you." With that the youth raced down the hallway and disappeared behind the bend with laughter trailing after him like the wind.
Zhao Yun didn't chase after him; he just stood where he was and watch the other man until the walls blocked his sight. He had forgotten how easily one loses their innocence and youthful energy at this time and age. He is not that much older than the apprentice strategist, yet he felt like he does not remember a time when he does not rage across the battlefield. Some how he envied the other for the ability to retain that energy, with one last look down where Jiang Wei had disappeared, he turn his heels and marched down to his own place. Musing wither the new comer will find his room on his own or not.