Author's Note: I promised a fic where Zhuge Liang was *grumbles* nice. So
here it is. Per usual Wei Yan is in it. They will be friends in this one.
Maybe Zhuge Liang and Wei Yan fans can get along as well? I always was a
dreamer. Anyhow, there will be some inconstancies compared to what really
happened and some items like door structures. If ya don't like it, then
stop reading here and go read ROTK instead of bugging me about it.
Chapter 1:
Sima Yi felt the beginnings of a smile slide across his face. Today would be the day that his most hated of enemies discovered what real pain was. Rising to his feet he pulled one scroll up from the chaos that was his desk. It was finally time to begin the ceremony that would bring about the downfall of Zhuge Liang.
@--}--@--{--@
Zhuge Liang stepped back away from the desk and headed for his bed. Four days had passed now without benefit of sleep. But how could one sleep with two other kingdoms pressing in? With a sigh he pulled off his hat and ran his fingers through his thick black hair. How indeed? He walked through the silent hallways, his only companion the flickering dance of the torches' light.
A soft glow caught his attention. He paused, the starch white of his flowing robes making him appear more specter than man. It was the door leading to Yue Ying's chambers. Sighing, he raised his hand to knock, the ritual obligation to talk with her before seeking his bed making him feel older than his years. Before he could bring his fist down, he heard the first muted sob.
A wave of regret flooded him. He knew why she cried. Had he not given his word to her that they would be equals? Why had he promised the impossible? Maybe years from now a woman could be noted for her intelligence and skills, but not in this time, not in this place. Oh she tried, but all the praise, all the devices she made were always considered his invention. How could they ever be equal with such a chasm separating them?
Allowing his hand to fall, he moved back into the safeness of the shadows. Tonight he could not bear to look into her face and see the half concealed sadness. No, tonight he would bypass his kind wife and those gray eyes that shot arrows of disappointment at him. With no more than a whisper from his robes, he walked to his own chambers. Tonight he truly needed his rest.
@--}--@--{--@
Wei Yan finished his series of moves by spinning his weapon directly in front of him. None were there to watch the warrior practice. His men had long since gone back to their respective bunks, but he still did not tire. Setting the voulge down, he pulled the mask off, wiping at the sweat that had formed on his brow. With one hand he replaced it. Damn this inactivity! It reeked of Shu's doom.
Wu was at bay for the moment. Their princess had indeed truly lost her heart to their lord. Zhou Yu had surely never considered for a moment that love might bloom between Liu Bei and the feisty maiden. It seemed all that kept their advance into Shu was Lady Shang Xiang's refusal to allow her brother to attack. But how long could a single woman keep Wu's armies in check? Not forever, that was certain.
As for Wei, there was suspicious movement on the front. Sima Yi was planning something. If only they could find out what. Wei Yan picked up his voulge and swung it. Why would Zhuge Liang not listen to his advice to send out a spy? The mole that the strategist had planted was bringing no useful information.
With a grunt, the masked general shook his head. One day he would discover why the man never listed to anything he said. It went beyond his speech abilities. With one last swing, he took his weapon and started back for his chambers. Tomorrow he would speak with the strategist again. Perhaps this time he would listen?
@--}--@--{--@
The spell curled its way around Sima Yi's body, lovingly covering him in a purple haze. Yes! The power was real this time! If this could not stop Zhuge Liang, then nothing ever would! With a laugh he drew the power to him tendril by tendril until two small tight balls of energy pulsed in each hand. Sweat peppered his face, but he could not afford to stop now. He turned to the ball of purest crystal that lay nestled on the stand on top of the table.
With a smile he waved his hand, and reached through the magic of the crystal ball to see his enemy. Zhuge Liang lay straight and still, by himself, covered by a single thin silk blanket.
If only his enemy knew what was about to happen. The Wei strategist almost wished that the man would awake so he could see his face when he finally won. He gave a soft laugh. No, allowing his enemy to wonder what madness gripped him would do until he could get his hands on the man himself.
Sima Yi drew his focus away from his most hated foe, and concentrated on the other one, the feral general. Wei Yan lay sprawled in a nest of furs, the mask he wore in battle still on his face.
With a laugh he launched the energy into the air. It would find its victims easily enough. His enemy should be allowed a sporting chance; after all he had been somewhat worthy against his own superior intelligence. Taking his fan up in a hand he danced out of the room. Tomorrow the real chaos would begin.
Chapter 1:
Sima Yi felt the beginnings of a smile slide across his face. Today would be the day that his most hated of enemies discovered what real pain was. Rising to his feet he pulled one scroll up from the chaos that was his desk. It was finally time to begin the ceremony that would bring about the downfall of Zhuge Liang.
@--}--@--{--@
Zhuge Liang stepped back away from the desk and headed for his bed. Four days had passed now without benefit of sleep. But how could one sleep with two other kingdoms pressing in? With a sigh he pulled off his hat and ran his fingers through his thick black hair. How indeed? He walked through the silent hallways, his only companion the flickering dance of the torches' light.
A soft glow caught his attention. He paused, the starch white of his flowing robes making him appear more specter than man. It was the door leading to Yue Ying's chambers. Sighing, he raised his hand to knock, the ritual obligation to talk with her before seeking his bed making him feel older than his years. Before he could bring his fist down, he heard the first muted sob.
A wave of regret flooded him. He knew why she cried. Had he not given his word to her that they would be equals? Why had he promised the impossible? Maybe years from now a woman could be noted for her intelligence and skills, but not in this time, not in this place. Oh she tried, but all the praise, all the devices she made were always considered his invention. How could they ever be equal with such a chasm separating them?
Allowing his hand to fall, he moved back into the safeness of the shadows. Tonight he could not bear to look into her face and see the half concealed sadness. No, tonight he would bypass his kind wife and those gray eyes that shot arrows of disappointment at him. With no more than a whisper from his robes, he walked to his own chambers. Tonight he truly needed his rest.
@--}--@--{--@
Wei Yan finished his series of moves by spinning his weapon directly in front of him. None were there to watch the warrior practice. His men had long since gone back to their respective bunks, but he still did not tire. Setting the voulge down, he pulled the mask off, wiping at the sweat that had formed on his brow. With one hand he replaced it. Damn this inactivity! It reeked of Shu's doom.
Wu was at bay for the moment. Their princess had indeed truly lost her heart to their lord. Zhou Yu had surely never considered for a moment that love might bloom between Liu Bei and the feisty maiden. It seemed all that kept their advance into Shu was Lady Shang Xiang's refusal to allow her brother to attack. But how long could a single woman keep Wu's armies in check? Not forever, that was certain.
As for Wei, there was suspicious movement on the front. Sima Yi was planning something. If only they could find out what. Wei Yan picked up his voulge and swung it. Why would Zhuge Liang not listen to his advice to send out a spy? The mole that the strategist had planted was bringing no useful information.
With a grunt, the masked general shook his head. One day he would discover why the man never listed to anything he said. It went beyond his speech abilities. With one last swing, he took his weapon and started back for his chambers. Tomorrow he would speak with the strategist again. Perhaps this time he would listen?
@--}--@--{--@
The spell curled its way around Sima Yi's body, lovingly covering him in a purple haze. Yes! The power was real this time! If this could not stop Zhuge Liang, then nothing ever would! With a laugh he drew the power to him tendril by tendril until two small tight balls of energy pulsed in each hand. Sweat peppered his face, but he could not afford to stop now. He turned to the ball of purest crystal that lay nestled on the stand on top of the table.
With a smile he waved his hand, and reached through the magic of the crystal ball to see his enemy. Zhuge Liang lay straight and still, by himself, covered by a single thin silk blanket.
If only his enemy knew what was about to happen. The Wei strategist almost wished that the man would awake so he could see his face when he finally won. He gave a soft laugh. No, allowing his enemy to wonder what madness gripped him would do until he could get his hands on the man himself.
Sima Yi drew his focus away from his most hated foe, and concentrated on the other one, the feral general. Wei Yan lay sprawled in a nest of furs, the mask he wore in battle still on his face.
With a laugh he launched the energy into the air. It would find its victims easily enough. His enemy should be allowed a sporting chance; after all he had been somewhat worthy against his own superior intelligence. Taking his fan up in a hand he danced out of the room. Tomorrow the real chaos would begin.