Broken Hourglass

Chapter 7

Zhou Yu couldn't believe what had just happened.

At first he was looking at the drawing of the new kind of warship with deep interest and the next moment, as he turned to show it to Taishi Ci so he could also take a peek, he was surprised to see that he wasn't there.

He disappeared.

This is weird, he thought... only a minute had passed since they last talked.

Then, even more surprise was added to the existing one, when he saw him perched on the mast, surveying the reason for which the ropes couldn't retain the main sail properly.

He remained still for a while, with wide eyes... it was impossible not to acknowledge that Taishi Ci's mobility was equal to a wild cat's. However, he really had to interfere so the "wild cat" would continue to be in one piece and no more in unnecessary danger because of non-required tasks.

Zhou Yu hurried close to that place with decisive steps and casted a stern look at the men, who were entrusted with the repairs of the ship, as they were bringing out their enthusiasm towards the warrior who had revealed -without realizing it- an additional talent identical to the skill of a heroic acrobat.

Their voices quietened a bit just when Zhou Yu called out the warrior's name. As an answer to this, he saw Taishi Ci's hand waving to him as though he was trying to say, " Be calm".

Several minutes of efforts at repairing the sail had passed already and Zhou Yu was about to take the possibility of adding the warrior to the " people who need lecture" list, into serious consideration.

The eyes of the worried commander were fixed on the warrior, watching attentively his mettlesome effort... eventually, he fastened the ropes correctly and the sail tightened and became stable as it should. The work was done and Taishi Ci climbed down with skillful movements, landing carefully in front of the other warrior.

"There, I fixed it." he said simply, without sounding like he waited for a praise. He was always content to provide help for the necessary post-battle tasks.

Zhou Yu crossed his arms on his chest; okay, he wouldn't put Taishi Ci on his list but, " To be honest, I would prefer you not to take risk in matters for which other people are trained in dealing with them. I think, this is more prudent."

The other warrior knew that Zhou Yu didn't mean to underestimate him. " I don't have a reason to disagree. Perhaps, I wouldn't do this if I didn't feel that I must take care of this ship, in any possible way... I guess it's because I have boarded this one in all battles that I have participated till now." There was an emotional attachment.

" Hm, I cannot refuse that you did a great job." admitted the commander. " We have almost finished with most of the repairs. After this, the usual inspection for the maintenance is left to be done, it won't take too long. All vessels are generally in good condition." Zhou Yu reckoned and then added, " Our chief shipwright has suggested to check out the newest warship they have been building. It must be very impressive, judging from the drawing I just saw." Ships destined for the world of battle, always intrigued his interest... in war, they seemed to possess a power of their own and a special influence over the balance of victory and defeat.

" I wonder if we really need a developed model. The ships we currently have, can perform great manoeuvres and it is quite difficult for the enemy to ram them." Taishi Ci stated sceptically as he and Zhou Yu were leaving the ship to head towards the near shipyard, " Do we expect an opposing force with a better fleet?" he finally expressed his real thought.

" Of course not, as concerns the second part of your question. The most skillful technicians are natives of Wu, it has always been like this. Nevertheless..." a dramatic pause followed, the kind which intensified the expectancy for the continuation, " I think it's a matter of time until a challenge to our pride for the fleet occurs... it might lead to a naval battle and it won't be a short skirmish or the suppression of an invader who seeks easy fortune like Huang Zu. We will be called out to prove that we are worthy of living in this land."

Taishi Ci's shook his head, an indication that he had listened carefully the point of view of his comrade even though there was no tenable evidence to it for the moment... then he averted his thoughtful eyes to the quiet waters of the river...

Perhaps, this kind of perspective sounded more like an epic's excerpt, an event that people would preferred it to remain in the sphere of occurrences unlikely to happen... yet, Zhou Yu hadn't actually realize that his words would prove prophetic.

" It's simply a thought that I have on my mind... I pray that the rivers of Jiang Dong won't ever know the turmoil of a serious war." Zhou Yu attempted with these words to exorcise the coming of such an awful future. Unfortunately, for some dark reason, an undefinable sense of sudden disturbance, made him want desperately to end this topic.

" We will be ready for anything, at any time. Our lord Sun Ce has showed many times that he knows how to lead us to victory... I am sure he would do it again, even in such a dreadful battle."

A slight melancholy grazed Zhou Yu's heart, hearing Taishi Ci's confident statement... he considered this feeling unreasonable and ascribed it to his general lack of talent to set his emotions into order... it couldn't be something else, wasn't it?

Fortunately, these thoughts left him once they arrived at the shipyard and the young commander gave a report of the accomplished tasks. He was very pleased with all that they managed to finish before the afternoon comes when the light of the sun becomes mild, creating a wish to seek relax in withdrawal or the joining with the loved ones. Although most of the men hadn't fully recovered from the last battle, they were keen and willing to take care of the ships. The recent victory had fuelled them with energy and the conviction that they were ready to defend their land and rivers from any enemy.

There was still an excitability at the port, though it was supposed to diminish on this part of the day, as usual. Zhou Yu wondered if it was necessary to inspect this further, knowing from his experience in battle that an increased mobility during afternoon could indicate that the people were uptight for some reason...

Or simply enthusiastic.

It was the usual reaction to a special occasion that is, whenever the Little Conqueror entered the scene. I nearly forgot this, his sworn brother thought. He watched his lord being encircled by people who wanted to greet him and express their respect.

Sun Ce wasn't anxious to check on the ones working there, he trusted their conscientiousness and made sure to reward them in like for it. The real reason he came was an earnest will to meet Zhou Yu somewhere they both relished freely one another's presence and their shared time, a true need that had settled within his heart for a long time, and away from the castle; he liked his home, but he found it difficult to lodge his deepest feelings there, sometimes it was like they didn't fit there.

Somehow he managed later to get through the warrior who was standing close to the shore.

" I wonder what could have taken you so long to come..." Zhou Yu spoke first in a bantering tone.

" And I thought you were going to ask me why I didn't stay at home... it was your most likely question and I came up with all these good responses, on my way here." His friend amusingly informed.

" Well, it seems that I caught you unprepared... I guess the influences of my role as a strategist are also reflected in daily life. Anyway, the question I would normally ask still stands so you can recite later all of your answers."

Meanwhile, Taishi Ci was waiting patiently from a considerable distance for the right moment to join them, expecting someone of the two to show that his presence was welcome. Like many of his comrades, he maintained a discreet conduct towards the leader and Zhou Yu whenever they seemed to be interested in having a small talk, for any sort of matter... it was like a silent agreement between the people who knew them, for which nobody ever presented an official explanation for this behaviour. Little he cared about it, there was something else that had caused him a greater impression... Sun Ce's proximity clearly affected the warrior in a positive way; it relaxed him and made him more approachable, melted his usual, aloof demeanour, revealing a man of deep feelings. Taishi Ci wasn't sure if Sun Ce was the significant person in Zhou Yu's life because of the time they dedicated to each other, but at the same time he knew that no other besides his lord had managed to perceive the innermost layers of the warrior's soul. There was a bond between these two, incomprehensible to the world around them...

These things kept his mind busy, while his two friends didn't have the faintest idea or suspicion about it. Maybe for that reason, Taishi Ci was almost taken aback when his interesting contemplation was interrupted by Sun Ce's loud calling. " Taishi Ci, what are you hanging in there for! Come here with us." The man nodded and shared a conversation with them for a while... he liked Sun Ce's company whom he respected deeply and considered as his best friend, although during their very first encounter they didn't exchange words of friendship but the strikes of their weapons. Very soon, the initial hostility was replaced by a noble emulation as well as trust and mutual acknowledgement. They had even agreed to repeat a similar duel -a friendly match, of course- to see which of the two had learned more and made a better improvement in battle with the passage of time.

Taishi Ci didn't intent to suggest this duel soon, at least not these days. If he hadn't known his lord well, he wouldn't have noticed that something continued to plague him that seemed to impair his high levels of energy, since his encounter with the strange man who tried to disparage his good fame. He tried to persuade himself that it couldn't be something too serious, that he shouldn't find it odd that even the Little Conqueror could feel exhausted after many battles, but he didn't manage it completely.

After a while, Zhou Yu and Sun Ce decided to leave the place while their friend chose to stay there a bit longer. Zhou Yu told his companion about another road which ascended towards the castle, but they had to walk by the riverbank first.

The lord looked at Zhou Yu smiling; the afternoon sun lightened the serene face of the warrior who looked so calm at the moment. He averted his gaze and frowned a little once his thought turned back to his sister's contemptuous words. He didn't won the bet they made earlier, but still it was a draw... maybe there is a small hope that Shang Xiang will try to find a reason not to see him as the worst enemy of our family, Sun Ce thought in the end. At the same time, it reassured him what Zhou Yu had told him once, " Any unfair words cannot harm me nor to tear me from you... but your utterance can always reach me and rule all else out." All that Zhou Yu cared to know was how Sun Ce felt and he wouldn't leave his side as long as there was love between them. It was also then, that Sun Ce was persuaded that his warrior possessed the courage and soul to support him equally in battle and life.

A friendly arm surrounded his shoulders, as a response to Sun Ce's personal reflections. A little before they reach the uphill road, another one on the opposite side caught the attention of Sun Ce, " This path is unknown to me." he said.

" It leads to the old port. It's the place where the first docks were built but later it was proved not to be ideal... the waters were shallow and the shore was quite abrupt, it was difficult to anchor the ships. This caused the people to choose carefully a more suitable region to built the port and the dockyard, which is no other but the place we have been standing previously. Still, as far as I know the old port has not been deserted completely." Zhou Yu enlightened him.

" Oh, you surely are well-informed on more things than I am. Actually, now you intrigued my curiosity and I think I would like to take a look. What do you say?"

" Okay. It's been some time since the last time I visited the place."

The path was narrow, high tree across both sides embraced it with their shade and many wild bushes seemed like a natural barrier against the wayfarers who intended to lay their footsteps on that path, breaking its quietness. Sun Ce allowed his imagination to create the pleasurable notion that the mysterious road leaded to a sublime place... this sense became a certitude for a few seconds, when Zhou Yu stopped briefly and turned around to face him... his eyes and smile shone with an ingenuous allurement.

Sun Ce must had been transported with surprise and thrill because when he recovered, Zhou Yu was already ahead and he had to run to catch up with him.

At the end of the path, there was a clearing with a unique, panoramic view on the river... the stairs that descended to the port could be seen as well.

Sun Ce, who was apparently more enthusiastic, went past his friend and drew close to the low, wooden barriers to survey the view better. The warrior smiled at his reaction and came close to him slowly.

A severe damp had risen from the river, a transparent veil had roosted over the waters and the high hills, letting only their peak come into view.

A slight quiver ran through Sun Ce, for which the touch of moist wasn't responsible, but that of his partner who had stood behind him and wrapped his arms round his body.

" You can see everything better when the atmosphere is clear and during noon, when the sun cast its strongest light."

" Even though the scenery is enveloped by this haziness, it still impresses me." The lord said honestly. Then he remained silent for some seconds, perhaps more than the other warrior would expect... he was thinking about something in particular, something that he wanted to tell his partner, but wasn't sure how to put it into proper words...

" If there are thoughts you need to share with me, I would like to listen to them." Zhou Yu said with interest and freed Sun Ce from his embrace, so they could look at one another.

" There is something I want to know..." he spoke with a clear smile, " how would you choose to live three days of your life, exactly as you wished?" The tone of his voice appealed to the listener very much, it was serene and filled with emotion. Maybe for that reason Zhou Yu wasn't surprised and didn't take long to answer.

" Sun Ce, I don't have a response to give you that you wouldn't expect for this question. In my life, there is no day or moment deprived of reason and cause, thanks to your presence. I say this with confidence, I haven't felt that something is missing to search for it. I am with you, this makes time meaningful. I can't imagine myself wanting something else."

" You honor me with your words and I will continue trying to give you the best I have in me... so I ask you earnestly to think and tell me what would you like from me. Let us say it's a humble gift I need to offer you to remember that, yes, I made the decision dedicate my body and spirit to build a kingdom and protect it but they weren't meant only for this, as many would possibly believe in the future, when they will refer to my name. I want you, at least, to know that the same dedication and sense of cause that has strengthened my existence, I keep it for you, my warrior and partner in Life and Darkness. I want you to remember this... it might give some of the courage and hope you will need in times that I won't be where you are to support you."

Zhou Yu's eyes shone with tears on hearing each word... in response, he instinctively clasped Sun Ce in his arms. He kissed his temple gently and his lips embraced Sun Ce's passionately. His lord returned the kiss with a soothing sense which seemed like rain's touch upon a fierce fire, as though he wanted to show his warrior that he didn't want his words to hurt him with their intensity but to give him a peaceful assurance.

"...Here, you should put this on to keep your chest warm." Zhou Yu said in a husky voice. He unfastened the long cape he was wearing and covered his lord with it; the moisture in the air had thickened and a cold wind made its presence noticeable.

Zhou Yu was still deeply moved by Sun Ce's confession, thinking repeatedly each word as they were about to return to the castle.

" The sun hasn't fallen below the mountain yet... the light won't fail until we reach home."

Zhou Yu turned to see the horizon enfolded in a soft splendour of the dusk's colours and smiled; Sun Ce's simple comment had pacified his soul after the emotion of the words they exchanged, like the relaxing light that caressed the surface of the stream.