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Chapter Four : Against the Dragon

As we were instructed, we got ready to travel all the way down to Fan Castle the next day after the meeting.

"I suppose Lord Cao Cao is hurrying us because the situation is that desperate at Fan Castle," said Zhang He as we both checked our things for the last time before going to bed. I looked at my armour – silver breastplate, shoulder guards and layered skirt pieces that were made of thin metals. I also had pair of armour boots that came up to my knees which were also silver. Damn.

"I can't help but noticing that your armour and boots are–"

"Yes, silver, I know." I interrupted, not looking at him. I could see that he was smirking from corner of my eyes. I pretended not to notice and started to look for my own guards. When I found them, I placed them next to my boots and finished my last check.

"I see you still have your shield arm guards," stated Zhang He, "you know, that isn't a bad idea. Maybe I should wear one too."

My arm guards basically had a shield on top of them so I didn't need to carry a heavy shield. Sure they were small but I could block attacks just fine. I snorted at Zhang He. "As long as it's not pink." I said, and he looked really disappointed.

Even at the last moment before leaving the castle I couldn't find Ji. I was really disappointed but – of course – I didn't show it openly.

As we decided in the meeting, I was leading the front units with Uncle Xiahou Yuan. He told me many stories about battles and how I should dodge particular types of attacks. i listened carefully and thought I had pretty good idea of a battle.

For several days father made the entire army trudge on for ages at full speed. I presumed that he feared we might be late but I pitied the soldiers who had to run on their feel. All the generals had a horse and so did I, but for some unknown reason, my brown stallion took ill and I had to ride one of my brother's horse which 'coincidentally' was white. Damn him. I bet he picked out this one purposely. What a perfect finish touch for an Ice Princess theme! Great.

Anyway, this horse was acting a bit weird. It moved stiffly and couple of times already it had stumbled over a tiny pebble. I really hoped that this horse wouldn't trip over completely in the battlefield.

"Hey princess, we see Fan Castle over there!" Uncle Xiahou Yuan's booming voice awakened me out of my worries. I gazed towards the spot where my uncle was pointing and sure enough, I could see the walls. But what really caught my attention was an army, charging towards us from the distance. I saw the flags and instantly knew that it was Shu army. Uncle Xiahou Yuan saw it too, and was instantly alert and began to shout at our 8,000 front units.

"Okay, soldiers, get ready for a battle!" he shouted and immediately they began to prepare for our first battle of the day. However, I could see tiredness in our soldiers' moves and knew if we were about to clash in a jumbled battle, we will surely lose. I had to find a way to give them time to rest a bit!

Meanwhile, the Shu army came near enough and stopped. I noticed with annoyance that the leader was also wearing silver armour and riding on a white horse. He came forward so he was in the middle of the field and I was doubly annoyed to find that he also used a spear.

"Who would dare to face Zhao Yun, the dragon of Chang Shan?" he shouted. So he was that infamous Zhao Yun, one of the best generals of Shu… I had taken an immediate dislike to him the moment I saw that he also used spear. The fact that his spear wasn't double-ended didn't make me feel any better for the other young general.

Beside me I could see my uncle itching up for a fight but before he could storm out, I had rushed past him, urging my unfamiliar horse forward.

"I accept your challenge!" I said, stopping in the middle to face him. Behind me I could hear my uncle yelling inaudible words, but I had already accepted; there was no turning back.

I observed Zhao Yun and evaluated my first real opponent as he observed me as well. His eyebrows rose when he saw that I was 'merely' a young girl. That would be his greatest downfall, I thought smugly.

"Are all the Wei generals a coward? Why send a girl in their place? Have you no shame?" he provoked, and I could hear Uncle Xiahou Yuan shouting insults from behind me at Zhao Yun. I was glad he restrained himself enough to not interrupt my battle, though.

Zhao Yun was shaking his head when I looked back at him. "Ah, a young girl should not be in the battlefield in the first place. However, since you accepted my challenge, I cannot back down either. Prepare yourself!"

I was more than prepared. I really was getting sick of his long intros. We both urged our horses forward and our spears clashed together very loudly when they met. Whoa, was he strong. Our horses ran towards the opposite ends and we both turned them around for another charge. Zhao Yun seemed pretty impressed. We again urged our horses and met in the center, this time, our horses stopping and us fighting vigorously.

I was trying to drag this combat as long as I could so the soldiers could have some rest and also to wait for our main force to arrive. Right now, Zhao Yun's army outnumbered Wei's forward units…

I winced in pain as Zhao Yun's blade narrowly missed my side and sliced my spear arm, in the gap between the shoulder guard and the arm guard. He was good, very good. I felt warm blood trickling down my arm but I had no time to look at it; I immediately had to dodge another stab. As I twisted, with my left hand I grabbed one of my daggers hidden under the layered skirt and swung it fiercely towards his face. He noticed it, but a second too late. I had managed to make a cut on his cheek which also started bleeding like my wound.

As neither of us was too greatly injured, we continued fighting until the sun began to go down. I was completely unaware of my surroundings until I heard my father's voice.

"I have arrived, Hua, don't give up!" he shouted. Zhao Yun seemed to have noticed it too and I could tell he was thinking. Ha! He was losing his concentration and I thought it was a perfect time to attack him more fiercely when –

The world had turned upside down and I found myself on the ground, amazingly unhurt. My horse was rolling on the ground, neighing painfully, trying to get up. I was also about to get up when I felt a cold metal against my throat. Shit.

I chuckled bitterly. I knew that horse was going to cause me trouble one day. However, that was no excuse. We were in a battlefield where you killed or be killed. It appears that my first was about to become my last.