Securing Loyalties

Chapter 2

Surrounded on either side by a string of men she knew to be some of her lord's most trusted officers Lian slowly made her way through the lavishly decorated hall. Three months. It had been almost three months since that ever fateful day in the Valley of the Fallen Phoenix and although she wasn't quite sure what had happened she knew enough to know that the moment Fa Zheng had decided to defect Liu Zhang hadn't stood a chance. With most of his men already fighting on the other side and a good many more soon following their former emperor was quick to crumble beneath the sheer strength of Liu Bei's forces. The battle was over before it had even really begun and though there were casualties there was fewer than there could've been. For that she was grateful. There were losses. In times of strife there would always be some kind of loss but in the grand scale of things they were quite minimal and in the three months that followed Shu had more than recovered.

Slowly she raised her head again and murmured, "Lord Liu Bei, Prime Minister, I apologize for the delay. I hope I did not keep either of you waiting for too long."

"That is quite alright my lady," was the gracious reply from the newly crowned Shu emperor. "It gave me some more time to discuss a few things with my men."

Liu Bei exchanged a brief look with his advisor before allowing his gaze to once gain wash over the gathered group. At that instant she could have sworn she heard the beginnings of what sounded very much like alarm bells ringing in her ears. Silently she waited for him to continue, only to be received with a slightly troubled frown that did naught to quell her sudden unease.

"Lady Yan I am sure you are anxious to know why our lord has requested your presence this afternoon," the man she had come to know as Zhuge Liang began, stepping out from behind the pensive lord. His dark eyes betrayed nothing. He regarded her thoughtfully, looking every bit like a man about to decide his next crucial move in a challenging game of chess. Steady, calculating and absolutely unreadable. His gaze unnerved her. It made her feel as if she were a pawn about to be sacrificed in order to pave the way for an even greater move.

"Over the past few months you have proven yourself invaluable to us. So much so that even one of our most prized officers owes you his very life. What's more you have the full trust and respect of the Shu people, especially of those residing within your family's territories. That in itself speaks volumes for your character," he continued and though she knew he was genuine in his praises she was also aware that there was so much more to this. She wouldn't be called all the way to Cheng Du to meet the emperor himself just to be reaped with niceties. "With no one else of consequence to turn to the people of your lands are looking to you Lady Yan and with the imminent battles ahead we run the risk of a civil uprising while we are away if we do not ensure your loyalty."

Lian frowned. Not believing what she was hearing. Despite her wariness regarding the new rule the last thing she wanted to do was to begin a civil revolt. As the widower of a once prominent and influential lord she wasn't blind to all the eyes on her but she wasn't about to risk all those lives for a cause she knew nothing about. She did not care for lands, titles or politics. She was happy for things to remain the way it was.

"I have long sworn my allegiance to Shu and as the new emperor you already have my full loyalty my lord. I have done all that you've asked of me. I personally tended to your troops and even rallied the townspeople together in order to help your wounded even when they were still mourning the losses of their own," she began almost desperately, suddenly afraid of what was to come next if she did not plead her case. "That should be proof enough you have my loyalty. What more could you want from me? I have no reason to encourage any kind of strife. I am content with the way things are. I have no need for anything else."

She turned her gaze from one man to the other in desperate search for an answer, any answer at all. For what seemed like an eternity all she could hear was the loud rapid beat of her own heart. Finally, just when she was certain she wouldn't be able to bare another second of the silence, Liu Bei stood. "I have decided that to secure your complete and unquestionable loyalty to Shu you are to marry one of my generals."

She completely froze at those words, clenching her fists as she forced herself to hold her tongue. She was angry, yes, but more than anything she was scared. Scared because this time there was no way she would be able to escape this fate. This time it would be a real marriage she was entering into. Suddenly panicked by the very prospect she shook her head almost frantically, eyes wide as she gasped out, "No, you can't do this."

"Lady Yan I understand you are still grieving for your husband but I'm sure he would want you to be happy. Please understand that although the greater good of this kingdom will always be first and foremost in my list of priorities I honestly do think this union will be beneficial to the both of us," Liu Bei tried to reason, eyes softening at her obvious distress.

She desperately searched the faces of those around her. There was no doubt in her mind these were the men he spoke of. They couldn't seriously be agreeing to this.

"What of your men my lord?" she abruptly questioned, grasping onto anything and everything that could possibly get her out of this mess.

"They know where their duty lies and they are willing to-" Zhuge Liang stepped in.

"What? Sacrifice their own happiness and suffer wedding a woman who would forever detest them. For what? An ideal that may not even come to be, a man who cares for glory and not for the people he claims to serve," she cried without thinking, not realizing her mistake until too late. The second the outburst left her mouth she felt a sharp sting to the cheek. The force of which sent her to the ground with a muted thump.

"Mouthy bitch," growled the overgrown beast of a man that had struck her. "Show some respect to your lord."

"Brother," she heard Liu Bei gasp his disapproval.

She felt a touch to her arm. She flinched and tried to move away but whoever it was had other ideas. Calloused hands gently cupped her chin, lifting her face up to meet briefly with barely visible brown eyes. The same eyes she remembered seeing just before her collapse all those months ago, the eyes of the man she had saved. And though she had done so thinking he was Liu Bei she could never regret doing so. Tong. She could feel the glares on her and looked around to find varying degrees of contempt on each of the faces surrounding her. She winced. It was expected but intimidating nonetheless. So much so that she found herself gripping onto the robes of what seemed like her only lifeline in a room full of angry tigers.

"Now, now children, play nice," Pang Tong murmured as laid back as ever. "And Fei, if you touch her again I might just have to give you a whack or two with my staff."

Zhang Fei glowered and was just about to retort when he saw his brother move. Immediately silencing any insults he had forthcoming with one look Liu Bei got to his feet and made his way to where she stood, still clutching the slightly shorter man. Noticing her wince he gently took her hand in his and looked to her with clearly apologetic eyes. Although he was quite upset with what she said he could not find it in him to be angry. Because he understood her anger and knew it was only a front to mask her fears.

"Rest assured my lady both my strategist and I will personally make sure the man you are to marry is one of great integrity and honor. You will never suffer under his touch. Ever. You have my word Lady Yan and my word is my bond."

Unable to find her voice Lian remained completely rooted to the spot, dark chocolate eyes troubled as she saw the resolve in his expression that was more apparent than anything else. It was then she realized there was absolutely no way she was getting out of this. Although he was trying his best to convince her she knew that in the end it didn't matter what she thought. Whether she liked it or not this was going to happen.

When he was sure no further protests were forthcoming he announced, "My decision will be made within the month. Until then I would like to invite you to stay here in the castle and get to know some of my men a little bit better."

"Y-yes, my lord," she answered with great difficulty. She wasn't in any position to argue. Her cheek still burned and it was clear these men did not care. Why would they? It wasn't as if they had been condemned. There was every chance they wouldn't get chosen. Too bad she didn't have the same luxury. With a forced smiled she hesitantly added, "I... I thank you for such an honor, Lord Liu Bei, Prime Minister Zhuge. And I apologize deeply for my earlier outburst. My conduct was out of line. I hope I have not offended you too much."

"That is quite all right my lady. I understand the position I had put you in," he replied in all sincerity.

With a weak smile she requested, "If I may be excused I'm still quite weary from making the trip here and would like to retire to my room now."

"Xing, please escort Lady Yan to her room," Liu Bei ordered, calling forth a young serving maid who dutifully bowed to him before doing as she was told.

Still more than a little shell-shocked with the sudden turn of events Lian quickly paid her parting respects, bowing to the Shu emperor before obediently following the younger girl out.

The moment she was gone Fei commented snidely, "I don't envy the man who has to deal with that piece of work, insolent wench."

"Woo hoo, man forever in her debt still in the room," Tong spoke up in a singsong voice, leaning heavily on his staff as he stared after her. He returned his attention to the small gathering still in the room. Most of who smartly chose to stay quiet throughout the whole exchangel. Silently he studied them one at a time. Liang, his old classmate, looked to be thoughtfully contemplating something as he continued to gently stroke his beard. Guan Yu on the other hand was frowning heavily while his adopted son appeared to be stuck between admiration and anger for the little woman. Zhao Yun and Ma Chao however had no such trouble. The two generals seemed quite set in their feelings. They were still incensed by her earlier jab at their lord, both seeming to have taken personal offense to what she'd said. As for Fei, well, his previous statement said it all. The man was just as quick tempered as ever, especially when it came to his two sworn brothers. Tong sighed to himself. The little lady sure as hell knew how to make an impression. Too bad it was the wrong one. He smiled under his mask and in a light voice said, "Well that went well. Any takers?"

When a stony silence came as the only response to his question Pang Tong sighed. He hoped, for the sake of for both of them, hers and whoever her groom may be that this will soon come to change.