Vae Victis

Disclaimer: Mulan, and Escaflowne belong to their owners. End of discussion.

The two captains sat quietly in Argos' tent, Shang mulling over the disturbing account of battle he had just heard and Damien sipping a cup of tea. After a few moments, Captain Argos ordered Ping to enter the tent.

"If you don't mind, Captain Li," she said calmly, "I would like to have a few words with Ping alone."

"Certainly," Shang replied curtly and left the tent. He was always puzzled at why Captain Argos always favored Ping over the rest of the recruits. But then again, although he would never admit it, even to himself, Shang felt the same way about the peculiar boy. The difference was that Captain Argos seemed to have detected Ping's enormous potential earlier than he ever did.

"You can't be thinking of fighting with us in the state you're in, you can hardly move," Mulan said with concern, "That long robe of yours, I know, conceals all your bruises and wounds, do not deny it."

"I do not, and I thank you for your concern. I will not be joining you in battle, not because I want to indulge you but because I really am incapable of being of any use to you now. I'm sorry for it but that is how it is."

"Perfectly reasonable. Of course, who would expect you to fight us, after all you've been through."

"I'm quite certain your captain would."

"What? No, he wouldn't."

"You have much faith in him, I see," Diana said slyly.

Mulan blushed and tried to change the topic, "What exactly happened in the battle anyway? I get the feeling that you're leaving something out."

"Never mind that, I will tell you everything in time," replied Diana in a hurried tone, "there are more important things to discuss at present. Now, listen carefully to me. Dilandau and I may have defeated some percentage of the vast Hun army, but they are still numerous enough to defeat your company very easily. Added to that is the fact that Shan Yu is now furious and eager for revenge for the damage Dilandau dealt him. The wound on his face is still fresh and so is his rage.

Remember these at all times. The Huns are still out there and you will be hard pressed to defeat them by strength in numbers. Rely on strategy. Keep your mind sharper than your sword, Ping. In this case, you will need all the ideas you can come up with and fast. Be very careful. Even if you make it through this pass alive, there is still danger that you may be discovered, Fa Mulan. Try not to get injured on your abdomen. Get slashed in your legs for all I care."

"As you wish, Captain," Mulan answered with a smile.

"I'm being perfectly serious, you fool," was Diana's grave but amused reply, "you're dismissed. Send your precious captain back in, I have a few words of advice for him as well."

Ping opened the flap of the tent when he heard a few more words from its inhabitant.

"Oh, and Ping, don't do anything stupid."

Ping smiled as he called Captain Shang back to the tent. The young officer looked at his trainee's face with puzzlement but shook his head and re-entered the tent.

"Ah, Captain Li," welcomed Argos, "before you go on your heroic crusade to rid your country of these blasted Huns, I would like to offer you some advice, if I may."

"Certainly, Captain Argos," came the polite but formal reply, "I have always valued your opinions on these matters." And he meant it. He knew, not just from the official reports about this strange military official the Emperor had sent for, but also from his observations of Argos' demeanor and obvious familiarity with warfare that this youth, although younger than he was and having the same rank, was much more experienced in the battlefield. After all, Damien Argos had been a captain long before Li Shang had been promoted to the rank.

And Shang was always more inclined to hear Damien Argos' ideas because at least the man expressed them with civility. Unlike Commander Albatou who was superior in fighting skills and had more extensive experience but was nasty and hot-tempered about anything else. That silver haired albino was like a dragon, constantly spewing out flaming commands and yelling at his men. He seemed most like an adversary not to be trifled with not only because of his skill but because of the mad, merciless look in his blood red eyes. Shang feared and respected him. Although he did not exactly approve of Dilandau's manner of dealing with others, Shang still felt that the loss of this powerful officer was a great one. Already the chances of their winning the war had thinned.

"I see. Well, pay close attention then. There are still hundreds of Huns out there to destroy you. You will not succeed so easily. I know you have trained them well and have taught your boys everything you know but this will not be enough."

"Excuse me, Captain, but am I wrong in assuming that you will not be accompanying us in battle."

Dark purple eyes flashed but the expression on Diana's face did not change.

"I'm sorry to say that I am not fit for battle at this moment, although I am not averse to the idea. At any rate, I cannot explain it to you at present but I am incapable of being of any use to you. I hope you do not consider this cowardice."

"Please forgive my idiocy," said Shang, humbled.

"It is of no consequence. I know you are nervous about this endeavor and that is why I am giving you advice. I have been there, I have battled with Shan Yu and I know more about the matter than you do."

"Certainly."

"He still commands an army vaster and fiercer than your small troops so in order to defeat him, you must rely on strategy and cunning.

Use your cannons wisely. Do not fire them all right away, they are the best defense you have for long ranges. Reserve them for important targets. Try to kill as many Huns with one cannon. Make the most of them.

If you move across this pass too quietly, you will miss them completely because they are expert at swift and untraceable movement but they may very easily be alerted to your presence by the slightest clue. Be careful.

This is the most that I can tell you for now. There is one important matter though, Captain, that you must heed very seriously. I know that you are still grieving for your father however else you may wish to conceal it, even from yourself. He was a valiant and dedicated warrior and it has been an honor for me to have fought by his side.

But just because you are willing to join him in a similarly heroic death, now, don't attempt to contradict me because I see what you are thinking, (and with this Shang did not continue his protest because he knew it to be true), this does not mean that your men all share the same…. inclination. Do not sacrifice them so easily, escape if you have to to give them a chance to live longer. And don't use the excuse of honor either. There is no honor in dying a futile death, without having really contributing to the defense of your country."

Shang nodded slowly and gravely, trying to take in everything that was being said to him.

"I understand, Captain Argos."

The severe expression on Argos' face softened slightly.

"I don't mean to be too morbid but I really do not approve of dying without purpose or contribution. Do not throw your life away because of the hollow grief that you are suffering now. Remember that you are still responsible for the lives of others. When the time comes that you will only be accountable to yourself for your actions, then, go ahead and feel free to commit suicide. But not now. You are dismissed. Good luck."

Shang smiled slightly at the wording but he caught the other man's meaning completely. He would not abandon his men. He would not abandon his country. He would not dishonor his father.

"I thank you for your wisdom and I take my leave."

"Think about it this way, Captain Li," muttered Damien Argos while sipping some tea, "if you die tonight, you will never get to know the name of she who haunts your dreams. That's the best incentive to live, now, isn't it?"

Shang looked back at the other captain and tried to dismiss the subject and deny its significance by saying, "I will focus on the task at hand, Captain Argos. This is hardly the time to be discussing unlikely fantasies of a person I will never meet anyway."

Argos smiled enigmatically.

"Don't be ridiculous, Captain. You've already met her."

Author's Note: There, at last that's out of my system. Still confusing? But is it still interesting? I hope so. Please leave reviews. If you have any questions, just pm me. By the way, I've changed Diana's male alias from Damon to Damien as I failed to point out in the last chapter. Thanks for reading!