Changban
The sun was an angry orange when the troops managed to begin marching. Their marching was structured, hard feet pounding into the earth causing the trees to wither and shake. Zhang Lien rode closely behind the horse of Xiahou Dun, the man's strength felt by all of his troops. Despite the might of Cao Cao's right-hand man spewing into the atmosphere, Lien had that nagging feeling at the base of her neck that told her that something strange was about to happen. It wasn't a foreboding feeling, but…
Suddenly, a scout approached the front lines bowing to Xiahou Dun.
"Sir, I bring news from the advance unit. We have seized the northern and northeastern villages. Liu Bei's heir is lost in one of those villages."
"Thank you," Xiahou Dun grumbled rubbing his beard and the scout scuttled away.
"Liu Bei will probably send an advance to take those towns back, unfortunately they are vital to our strategy."
"But there are innocents there," Zhang Lien protested, her gentler nature preventing her from holding her tongue, "Women and children?"
Xiahou Dun was understanding of the young woman's concerns, but this is war. Casualties are unavoidable.
"Don't let your feminine sentimentalities get in the way, Zhang Lien. You only have Liu Bei to blame. His foolishness doesn't just endanger his own force but the lives he claims to be saving."
Xiahou Dun sighed, before issuing an order, "Alright! We'll split off. A small regiment will go to maintain those villages; the rest will follow me to attack Liu Bei!"
Finally, Xiahou Dun turned in his seat to glance at Zhang Lien, "If you wish to help the innocents, then I suggest you go to the villages. Just don't disappoint our Lord. Defend those stations at all costs."
Zhang Lien's grip tightened on her spear, but before she could say anything Xiahou Dun turned his horse and doubled-back, taking his regiment in a different direction, leaving Zhang Lien alone with but a few foot soldiers.
"Alright, men...!" Lien announced. "Let us get to Shu's heir before they do!"
The men cheered, raising their swords, spears, pikes, and whatever else they carried. Their battle cries inspired the woman, who then gripped the reins of her horse and charged toward the nearest town. The wind had a slight chill in the air as it snaked through Lien's long, auburn ponytail, though the thin cloth under her armor padded her just enough to where she was unaffected.
It hadn't taken long to reach the small town. Pulling on the horse's reins caused him to whinny, kicking his front legs while standing on his back. Calming her horse down, Lien stared over the poor villagers, fighting off the Wei soldiers with everything they had. Narrowing her eyes, she pushed every personal, selfish thought about the villagers aside and hopped off her horse.
A few men charged at her, shouting at her to retreat; that Liu Bei would be here to save them. With a chuckle, she struck them down.
"Liu Bei will not come!" She shouted, trying to strike doubt into the hearts of the poor people. "You have been left to die by the hands of Wei!"
A few peasants stood in fear, while others ignored Lien's threats. A few others pleaded for help, saying they wished to live and serve Wei.
"Such weak people…" She scoffed, taking the lives of the beggars. "Liu Bei's kid is not here…" She shouted to her troops before retreating to her horse.
"You'll pay!" A lone villager emerged from his wounded men, aiming his blade to challenge Zhang Lien. "Liu Bei is a kind man! He will come, and you'll suffer!"
"Hmm…" Zhang Lien raised a brow as she looked down to the man from atop her steed. "You seemed to have great faith in this man… Though you are a fool if you think a warlord such as him would come for you. You mean nothing…"
With that, the motion seen from Lien was a streak of metal before the man fell to his knees. Clutching his gut, he glared, trying to prevent the blood from spilling between his fingers.
"Yes…" He gritted his teeth. "I shall keep believing…in my…Lord…"
Lien sighed as he fell forward, his wound too severe to withstand any longer. She pitied him for hanging onto the beliefs of Liu Bei so strongly, it cost him his life but quickly took her sights on something more. Her troops had all continued fighting, mercilessly killing each and every villager, no matter the age or gender.
As much as Zhang Lien remained in absolute control and command, she tried desperately to block out the sounds of clashing and screaming. Yet, once it all started, it could not be stopped, even as the tiniest portion of her heart tugged in a direction that was not conducive to her orders. Right about now, she was envying Zhuji's position. Well, not the dirty part, but the woman can now lay back at camp, fondle a few burly soldiers, and entertain them with her "bedside manner". That lucky bitch…
Her vindictive thoughts were interrupted when a bloodied old man came rushing past her with a small girl in his arms. He seemed to be in a state of such horror that he didn't even notice her.
Her arm shot out and caught the man's collar as he tried to sprint past her.
"Hold it there," she growled, bringing the feeble man in front of her. The man immediately fell to his knees.
"Please…please…my lady," he began to sob. "Let me go, let me flee. I have no fight with you. I just want to get my daughter out of here."
Such weak men disgusted her. Yet, the fellow was smart. He knew defeat was imminent and didn't waste his time preserving what little pride he had.
"I'll let you go if you tell me about Liu Bei's wives and his son."
Still cradling the girl, the man ran a hand over his brow, wiping the sweat and blood from his forehead.
"The last I saw Liu Bei's lady she was in the town south of here. But it's since then been burned down. That's all I know."
Zhang Lien turned her gaze south for but a moment, eyes narrowing. She raised her spear, and petted the man's head with the blade. He shuddered and whimpered.
"Good man," she whispered smoothly, frightening herself with how much she sounded like her prostitute friend. She needed to stop hanging around her.
With an exasperated sigh she strode past him, bringing her foot back and kicking him the back. Like a whip to a horse, the man shot too his feet and fled, never looking back.
Shouldering her spear, Zhang Lien mounted her horse and rode to the south.
If it was any surprise, the old man was right. All that remained of the town was embers and ash. Charred remains of the small town were strewn across the ground like firewood. Lien kept her eyes alert, the grip on her spear solid. Something wasn't right.
Then she heard it; a footstep in the ash. Her ears pricked up. She turned and found a lone warrior standing in an aggressive stance. The man had long black hair and had graceful features that contrasted with his burly arms. His silver armor shone so brightly that it nearly blinded her. Wrapped around his chest was a white sash carrying a bundle.
Slowly, cautiously Zhang Lien dropped from her horse, eyeing the warrior. Of course, she knew who he was; there weren't many soldiers who didn't know who Zhao Yun was. He, if anything, was known as a horse's worst nightmare... Lien, however, had the regrettable privilege to see this warrior in action close hand when she was just Zhang He's guard. Perhaps, she could even give him credit for inspiring her spearmanship.
Still, he was the enemy.
Zhao Yun gritted his teeth and rolled the spear in his head. Zhang Lien took that as a sign to fight and she charged after him.
Zhao Yun stood his ground and easily parried her attack. Lien buckled under the warrior's strength. She used his strength against him and allowed her spear to slide off his and graze his nose. Zhao Yun backed away, nursing the bundle at his chest.
As he did that, Lien heard a faint coo. A child... Liu Bei's son was cradled at Zhao Yun's chest. Men really didn't know how to handle children.
"It's over, Lord Zhao Yun. Your forces are retreating already. Admit defeat and I'll let you go."
Zhao Yun stiffened, his hand securing Liu Bei's kid to his chest, "Nothing is lost. My lords are keeping the bridge safe. Your forces shall not pass."
"Only one problem with that," Lien retorted, her brow furrowed, "We are nowhere near the bridge. So that just leaves you, the brat, and me."
Zhao Yun remained calm, though he couldn't help but narrow his eyes at the woman opposing him. She had courage, he gave her that. Not many would stand alone with him on the battlefield so confidently. With a smirk, Lien eyed the man from toes to eyes before raising her spear to challenge him once more.
"If you insist on fighting me, I shall not go easy." Zhao Yun announced, shifting the child against his chest.
"You would really endanger the life of that child? That is the future of Shu, you know…" She took a step closer, now holding her spear across her chest to block any attack she seen coming.
Zhao Yun pursed his lips before charging, blade outstretched. Widening her eyes at the speed, Lien almost had no time for a quick dodge, so made due with blocking. Knocking her back, she gasped in spite of herself. It was unusual to face someone with such precision and stamina while trying to protect something in the meantime.
With a fast side step, Zhang Lien attempted to swipe the butt of her spear around the ankles of her foe, though hopped over it, sending his spear across her face, causing her head to turn, flailing her to the ground. Almost as soon as her body touched the dirt, she pushed herself back up, spinning around while holding her cheek.
'It's as if he seen that coming…' Lien thought to herself with a smirk. 'This man's reputation truly does no justice…'
With a few clashes of their spears, each move blocked just as easily as the last, the two dueled whole heartedly. Adrenaline kicked in and soon Lien matched speed with the warrior, never once jarring the child enough for him to cry.
"Why do you keep fighting?" Lien questioned between staggered breaths. "What if you hurt that child?"
"That doesn't sound like the comment a Wei officer would make…" Zhao Yun stared into her eyes, slashing her across the gut.
As the blade sliced through her armor, she stumbled backwards, falling to one knee as she held her stomach in shock. His remark took her off guard, but she swore not to be so careless again. Regaining her composure, she lunged at him, tackling him to the ground. Laying the general on the flat of his back, she aimed her blade to his throat.
"You do not seem like most Wei soldiers I have encountered in the past." He stated, never one flinching as the cold blade touched his neck.
"Hush!" She never once broke eye contact.
"Perhaps Wei isn't your forte?"
Just as the doubted words past through his lips, she gasped, mistakenly flinching the blade just an inch away from him, giving him the leverage he needed to be freed from her attack. As if time sped up, Zhao Yun grabbed the butt of his spear, jabbing it to the face of Zhang Lien. With her head knocked back, her eyes rolled into her head, collapsing next to him. With a sigh of relief, he sat up, giving a fellow officer a nod as they rode past on their horse.
"My Lord!" The guard said, leaping off their horse to rush to his side. "How may I aid you?"
"I am fine." He stated, shifting the child out of the cloth that strapped him to his chest. "Please, take young Liu Shan to our Lord. I will arrive shortly…"
"Right." The guard nodded, strapping the child to his chest and riding off.
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Zhang Lien groaned as she rolled to her side before pain struck the bridge of her nose. Slowly opening her eyes, she grabbed her face in agony.
"What the hell…?" She gasped.
"Shhh…" Zhuji spoke softly, attempting to console the young woman.
Peering through partially opened lids, Lien gazed around the room, finding herself in a dimly lit bedroom in one of the Wei castles.
"What happened..?" Lien pushed the red blankets off of her, gazing down at her bandaged chest and stomach. "…Zhao Yun got away."
"It would appear that way. Xiahou Dun found you after we failed in stopping Liu Bei's retreat." Zhuji informed, sitting next to Lien in attempts of laying her back down.
"Where am I?" She complied.
"You are in my room." Zhuji answered in a matter of fact tone.
"Ew, gross…" Zhang Lien smirked, rolling away from Zhuji to dress herself.
"Oh silence." The woman rose to aid her friend, who struggled to stand. "You should be resting, no matter the bed. You don't want to reopen that wound now, do you?"
Without a word, Lien knew Zhuji was right and so did as she was told. Giving a sigh, she laid her hand to her nose, feeling the bulbous knot Zhao Yun had given her.
"You're lucky…" Zhuji grabbed the rag out of the pale next to her bed. "Your wounds are not deep enough to be fatal."
"P'sh. So much for one of the Five Tiger Generals of Shu…" Lien applied pressure to her nose once Zhuji laid the cloth to it.
"Deary…" Zhuji shook her head with a sigh while she began petting Lien's soft auburn hair. "Think about it…A general of such high praise in Shu, leaving you alive?"
"Oh you're not implying it was on purpose, are you?" She peaked over the damp cloth. "Why on earth would he do that?"
"Who knows...Men aren't the brightest of creatures… Then again, there could be a deeper agenda to it all."
"I was quite surprised by his energy…" Lien spoke after a long pause. "We've had only a couple previous encounters, though never a one on one battle…"
"You speak so highly of this man." Zhuji sneered, disapproving of the fact. "Keep in mind who he is."
"Yes. I know… His aura was so captivating though. I couldn't help but to be drawn to it."
Snarling, Zhuji pinched Zhang Lien's nose.
"Gahhh!" the younger woman cried through pinched nostrils.
"Best not be drawn to that, little girl, or your life will end up like your nose."
Finally, Zhuji pulled away with a smirk. She stood up to wash out the bloody cloth she used to clean Zhang Lien's wounds.
"What would your brother think, Zhang Lien, if he found that your virtue was taken because you were drawn to some man's power? Many did the same with Lu Bu, and look where that got them."
Zhang Lien flinched as if she had been slapped. Zhang He…Her dear brother. He'd have a heart attack if he found that she was injured. Not only that, there were wisdom in Zhuji's words. Lu Bu's immense power drew many to his aide, but when he pled for his life to Cao Cao, groveling like a cockroach, he and nearly all of his followers were executed.
The flaps of the tent opened and Xiahou Dun entered.
"Seriously?" Zhuji glared incredulously at the general, "Don't you ever knock?"
"Oh please," Xiahou Dun scoffed. "It's nothing I haven't seen before."
Quickly, Zhang Lien pulled a blanket over her body out of propriety, cheeks flushing red with embarrassment. The bearded man's eye fell upon her, making her feel more selfconscious.
"Hey!" Zhuji's brown eyes were flashing, "Did you not hear me? Women only! Unless you suddenly lost your genitals in a fight, you don't qualify as one."
"I just wanted to see how the girl was fairing," the man rumbled.
Lien exhaled, noticing that Xiahou Dun's eye wasn't prying nor did it show any interest in her body. He saved that lustful gaze for Zhuji.
"The bad news is Shu retreated successfully. The good news is that they won't be able to fight as a large force for quite a while, though they may attempt a few small skirmishes."
"I understand…" Zhang Lien paused and forced a smile. "Thank you, my lord, for saving me..."
"He only did it because I threatened to castrate him if anything happened to you," Zhuji said off to the side, running her fingers along her concealed blade for effect.
The general nodded.
"Regardless, you are one of my soldiers and I don't leave men…or women…behind. It is my responsibility as a general. What were you thinking fighting Zhao Yun on your own anyway?"
"He was in the way and had Liu Bei's heir with him."
Xiahou Dun blinked and bristled. The brat was there? Damn. How did they miss it? Oh well. It would do no good to dwell on could haves and should haves...
Right now, Xiahou Dun had to try to come up with a good excuse to explain to Cao Cao about how they failed. That was a conversation he was not looking forward to.
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