Rescue at Chang Ban
Zhao Yun and Diao Chan moved as quickly as they could in their pursuit of Liu Bei's fleeing army. They rode hard each day and rested for just a few hours at night. Living off the land, they cooperated with each other as best they could. Zhao Yun was surprised to see what a great archer the lady was. She could bring down game much further off than he could. They were able to eat well during their journey.
Diao Chan related her tale to Zhao Yun as they rode. She left out certain parts but he was amazed to hear how she and her father had successfully plotted the downfall of Dong Zhuo. The land owed them a great debt of thanks for that. He also admired her for her role in the flooding of Xia Pi which brought about the defeat of Lu Bu.
From her manner though, he realized her war had not been an easy one. She spoke little of her treatment at the hands of the villains, but he could tell she had been abused. The deaths of her father and Chen Gong had left her isolated as well. He respected her for her strength in fighting on alone.
Diao Chan in turn admired Zhao Zilong for his bravery and honor. She respected him for standing up to Lu Bu, though no one man could have defeated the beast in single combat. And she approved of his decision to slay Gongsun Yue as a traitor. In her heart she hoped he would one day know peace. But she still distanced herself from her companion, not wishing to grow too close to him.
They were attacked at times on the road south, but were able to either evade pursuit or eliminate it. Diao Chan discovered Zhao Yun was an even greater warrior than she imagined. He could slay multiple foes with ease and moved like the wind in battle. She fought well herself, but without him she knew should would never have been able to complete this journey.
After many days of travel they came upon a ruined caravan just north of the Chang Si River. Zhao Yun reined in his horse Snow Wolf, and Diao Chan did the same to Black Spider. They found two maidens, ladies-in-waiting from the looks of them, bady wounded and holding two small, frightened children.
"Please…" gasped one of the women, obviously in great pain. "Save these two!"
Diao Chan dismounted and knelt down at her side. "Be at ease. We will protect them and you as well."
"I do not have long to live." She held up a small girl to the dancer. The little one looked at her sad eyes, so dark they were almost black. Her hair was ebon, and her skin as pale as moonlight. She made no sound as Diao Chan brought her to her bosom. "Please protect my daughter. Her father was killed by Cao Cao's men. My friend carries Liu Shan, son of Lord Liu Bei. He will reward you if you take him to his father."
"We are following Liu Bei." Diao Chan soothed. "We wish to join him in his struggle."
"A blessing from the heavens… perhaps my Li too will be safe…" With that the girl died, her body slumping.
Diao Chan sadly closed the dead woman's eyes and lifted Li into an embrace. "It's all right." she soothed. "We will bring you to safety."
"Diao Chan!" Zhao shouted over to her as he held a little boy whimpering for his father. "They are almost upon us!" He pointed to a large sentry force moving quickly down the hill towards them.
"Let's ride!" the dancer cried, as she mounted Black Spider. She spurred her horse on as Zhao Yun followed. They held the children in one arm as they wielded their weapons in the other. The banner of the pursuers was that of Xu Huang, one of Cao Cao's Grand Generals.
Arrows whistled past them as the warriors held the children in front to protect them. Diao Chan cried out in pain as one grazed her left shoulder.
"Are you alright?" cried Zhao Yun in alarm.
"I'm fine Lord Zilong!" she cried back, ignoring the pain. "But they're gaining on us!"
Zhao Yun pointed with his spear to an old, abandoned water tower. "Look there. Ride as close as you can to it and pull in so they are almost on us!"
"But if they catch us..!"
"Just trust me! We have to take a risk!" Diao Chan nodded and reined in close to her partner. Xu Huang had nearly caught up to them as they approached the tower. Zhao Yun hefted his spear and swung with all his might at the old edifice. The cracking of wood was heard as the tower collapsed just behind them, taking out a number of Xu Huang's men and startling the rest.
"You did it!" cried Diao Chan in relief. Spurring on their chargers they rode off down the path as Xu Huang and his men tried to restore order to their ranks.
They soon came to the Chang Ban Bridge where a giant of a man guarded the pass. Diao Chan regarded him fearfully, but Zhao Yun hailed him. "Zhang Fei! Is it you?"
"Hey! You're Zhao Yun aren't you? What are you doing here? Not working for Cao Cao are you?" He hefted his Cobra Pike threateningly.
"No my lord. We have come seeking Liu Bei to join our strength to his. And he bring his son as well." He held up Liu Shan who whimpered his uncle's name.
"Ah Dou! We had thought him captured! Ride on ahead, my brother is meeting up at the docks with Guan Yu and Liu Pi."
"You should come with us!"
"No, I've got some business with Cao Cao and his army here. Don't worry, no one will get by me! Hurry up and take those kids to the docks!" Zhao Yun saluted Zhang Fei for his bravery and rode on ahead, Diao Chan at his side. Things were finally starting to look up.
