Beginning Of The End
Chapter 10
Two weeks had passed and it was time to ride for Shu. Tiānshǐ had been prepared the day before with her weapons and armor cleaned and strapped to her horse. She would be accompanied by Lu Bu, Diao Chan, Lu Xun and Shang Xiang.
She would also be escorted by a full regiment of Wu soldiers just to be sure. It was strange that Shu wanted to meet her so quickly after the battle at Hu Lao gate...what would they want with her?. They discussed this small mystery as they set out for the land of Shu. It would take them two days to reach the Shu capital from Wu. It would feel like a long ride but there were many things to talk about while they were on the road.
What seemed like a full day actually passed quickly as they reached the border between Wu and Shu. They arrived at a small river and decided to camp the night here. They set up they`re tents and built small fires as some of the soldiers decided to try to catch some fish. Shang Xiang, Lu Xun , Tiānshǐ, Lu Bu and Diao Chan sat around the fire and talked until late at night.
Tiānshǐ leant against Lu Xun gently and he held his arms around her until they all decided to go to bed. Tiānshǐ lay awake for a couple of hours before stepping outside to look at the stars and sit by the warm fire. She had a lot to think about. All the possibilities of why Shu wanted to meet her. What possible reason could Liu Bei have for wanting her to meet him? And why was it so urgent?. She thought it best to think of these things tomorrow as she went back to bed.
The Next Morning
Tiānshǐ awoke alone and wondered where Lu Xun was until she heard his voice outside the tent. " Good morning everyone" Tiānshǐ sat happily with Lu Xun and ate her breakfast. "We should reach the Shu capital city before nightfall. It isn't very far now." They packed up the camp and when everyone was ready they once again set off for the Shu capital. Along the way they rode past several small villages.
They were greeted with strange looks and distant stares as they passed. Perhaps the villagers thought they were riding to war?. It did`nt seem much of an idea in Tiānshǐ`s mind. War with Shu was pointless right now. They had nothing that was worth going to war over. As Tiānshǐ thought about why the villagers looked so...strangely..at them, she saw the Shu capital city on the horizon.
It would not take long to reach it if they rode fast but then the soldiers would be left behind. " No. We will stay together in-case Liu Bei is planning something." Tiānshǐ thought to herself as the capital grew nearer and nearer. It was tempting to race Shang to the capital but they would have to wait until they got home to have fun. This did after all seem like a very " important " occasion.
As they finally reached the gates of the capital they noticed that the city walls were lined with archers. Perhaps Liu Bei was not a complete fool after all. It seemed that he had expected them to do something that may trigger a battle. Tiānshǐ was no fool. Who did Liu Bei think he was dealing with? She was not stupid enough to spark a pointless battle in the middle of Shu territory.
They had nothing to fight over anyway. Tiānshǐ still did not trust the Shu lord as they all put they`re horses in the stable and walked towards the palace. As they entered the main hall of the palace they saw Zhao Yun waiting for them at the door to the throne room. " Welcome to Shu Lady Tiānshǐ. It is an honor to have you here. Lord Liu Bei is waiting for you, but I must ask that you proceed alone." Tiānshǐ looked at him strangely. " No. If my family must wait outside then I will refuse to see your lord. Either my family join me or I will take my leave." Zhao Yun looked worried for a moment before telling them to wait as he entered the throne room and talked to Liu Bei.
After a few short moments Zhao Yun returned and bowed to Tiānshǐ. " My lord has agreed to allow your family to enter. Please proceed quickly, my lord is anxious to meet you." Tiānshǐ nodded and they entered the throne room cautiously. As they slowly approached Liu Bei they noticed he was also accompanied by a small group of generals. They noticed various generals standing around Liu Bei.
They saw Xing Cai, Guan Yu, Guan Ping, Zhuge Liang, Yue Ying, Zhang Fei and Pang Tong. When they reached the group of Shu generals, Liu Bei stood and bowed directly to Tiānshǐ. " Welcome to Shu young warrior. I have heard much about you. It is a true pleasure to meet such a..legendary...warrior such as yourself. Tell me though.. how did you get your name? The Dragon Of Wu?."
Tiānshǐ looked around at the small group of generals before answering. " It was given to me by Sun Jian after i killed the leader of the yellow turbans. But that is not why you asked me here. You want to know if the rumors of Cao Cao`s death are true " Liu Bei looked amazed, as if she had read his mind. " Y..Yes I do want to know the truth. Who better to ask than the person rumored to have fired the arrow that killed Cao Cao? "
Tiānshǐ smiled slightly and walked to a pillar before leaning against it gently. " Yes I did kill Cao Cao. I used an arrow that was tipped with poison. My father Lu Bu was fighting Cao Ren so i could have a clear shot." Lu Bu stepped forward and nodded. " It is true. Cao Ren was rather quick to try to defeat me but did not notice my daughter aiming her arrow for Cao Cao." Liu Bei looked surprised by her tactics. Distract the bodyguard with an unbeatable opponent for a clean shot at the leader. It was a brilliant strategy.
The Shu generals were discussing its possibilities as Liu Bei spoke again. " Such a bright and talented young warrior. A shame you are a soldier of Wu. It would be an honor to have you here in Shu." Tiānshǐ had not taken this well however. It almost sounded like he wished she were a traitor.
Tiānshǐ spoke with anger in her voice as she stepped towards Liu Bei. " Normally I would take that as a compliment. However it is well-known throughout the land that I am married to Lu Xun. If you try that line again Liu Bei, make no mistake I will kill you. Do not insult me again by trying such a pathetic attempt at getting my affection." Before anyone could say a word Tiānshǐ had turned and walked out of the throne room.
Liu Bei was shocked but stood and spoke. " Tiānshǐ is correct. I should not have said that. Xing Cai please give her my deepest apologies." Xing Cai nodded and ran after Tiānshǐ.
As she was walking back towards the stables, Xing Cai caught up to her. " Wait! I am sorry for how my lord acted. He has been very lonely of late. His wife has been gone for weeks on a mission and only arrived home today. He should not have advanced on a married woman. Lady Yue Ying is very displeased with him. You have our greatest apologies. He is not normally like that. My name is Xing Cai and I would ask a favor of you."
Tiānshǐ looked slightly hesitant before answering. " What favor would you ask of me Xing Cai?" Xing Cai bowed slightly and looked at the group around Tiānshǐ. " Take me with you. I don`t really like it here. It is really boring here and I grow tired of the constant complaining of Liu Bei. I would be honoured to serve you."
Tiānshǐ looked shocked and looked at Lu Xun and Shang Xiang before answering. " It is alright with me. However you should go to your lords and tell them your plan. We will wait for you at the stables."
As Xing Cai ran back to the throne room, Tiānshǐ and her group walked to the stables and waited for Xing Cai to return. As they started talking about Xing Cai joining them, She had returned but she was not alone. " This is Guan Ping. He also would like to join you. He is a brother to me and i would not leave him behind. The lords have all agreed to allow us to join you."
Tiānshǐ thought for a moment before nodding and riding toward the main gate of the city. Her soldiers were waiting at the gate to escort them all home. It was almost nightfall so they would not get far before making camp for the night. Having two new friends would certainly make life interesting back in Wu. How they would get along and fit in with the Sun family however was yet to be seen.
A few hours after they had left the capital, it was nightfall and they decided to set up camp for the night. Tiānshǐ went to bed rather earlier than normal but she was tired and needed to rest. Lu Xun joined her as the others stayed awake for a while longer to talk to the two new warriors they had found in Shu.
The Next Day
The soldiers had left ahead of them so Tiānshǐ could sleep longer. They all knew she was very tired. She slept until late morning before Lu Xun woke her up. "I am sorry to wake you my love but we must go. The soldiers left earlier so you could sleep longer. It is almost midday so we must catch up with the escort."
Tiānshǐ yawned slightly before sitting up and kissing Lu Xun gently. " Ok lets go. They will be far ahead so we must ride fast."
They packed up the camp quickly and rode as fast as possible to catch up with the soldiers. Before they realized it, they had crossed the border again and could see the soldiers ahead. For such heavily armored troops they could certainly walk fast. Tiānshǐ and her group caught up with them and slowed down so they did not leave them behind. As the day drew on, they decided to walk with the soldiers.
They dismounted and walked for hours before they finally saw the Wu capital far, far into the distance. Only about a day journey away, they walked on until night fell upon them. They set up camp and all went to bed. Early the next morning they left for the capital and arrived slightly before midday. Tiānshǐ and Lu Xun went home to sleep while everyone else went to the palace to tell Sun Jian about what had happened in Shu. Xing Cai and Guan Ping were given red versions of they`re armor to wear and rooms in the palace.
Everything was quiet for the day as Tiānshǐ slept until the following day. For some reason the ride to and from Shu had exhausted her. This was most unusual...She loved riding no matter the distance and it normally left her feeling refreshed yet she seemed to be...drained. As if she had not eaten in a week. It was strange and made Lu Xun worried. He asked the healers from the palace to check on her. " She is fine. She just hasn't been sleeping much from the looks of her. Let her sleep for a few days and she will be alright." Lu Xun was relieved to hear that she just needed some sleep.
He was always worrying about her since her injury while rescuing her mother, Diao Chan. He would protect her from all harm if it cost him his life. He would not leave her side until she awoke though. He wanted to keep a close eye on her in-case it was not just a lack of sleep. Lu Xun decided to have a bath while she slept and went outside.
Will Tiānshǐ recover from her sudden illness?
Find out next Chapter!
Read and Review ^_^