Sorry it's been so long, but I've been trying to end one of my other stories, it's almost over so if I don't update for a while, be patient. All good things and all that
Chapter 9: relaxation plan
Sometimes I did think about the next few battles, and then worry about them, but then I would relax and think that whatever happened would happen. I believe Sarah was the same, but just a bit more tense then me.
Sarah and I walked through the city after our little talk with Ling, he did apologise for his actions but told us that he would keep up his campaign against Gan, I had given up at that point, if he wanted to kill Gan, then he would have to keep on going alone, one day he would see the truth, I knew it, he did give us a map of the city as a gift.
We walked out of the palace into the residential area of the city, heading towards the industrial district, our weapons and armour still by our sides, looking round for a blacksmith of some sort. The buildings were made out of a combination of stone and wood, not like back in Jing. Everyone we walked by that wasn't a member of the military bowed in respect, I could feel my face blush after the sixth time, and it occurred about 30 odd times.
"I don't think I'll get used to that" I told Sarah, putting my hands behind my head and shaking my head.
"Well, I guess we will have some recognition for our deeds on the battlefield" Sarah told me, smiling at the same time.
"True, but it's not exactly something I got back home" I looked at her, seeing he smile, that was enough to keep me silent on that conversation. I put my arms by my side, walking through the street with Sarah at my side.
We walked through the street, seeing a market set up with plenty of gold changing hands for what we would consider small goods, carvings, seeds and things like that. Nothing like our time when electronics would change hands for much more. I looked around, seeing someone in a black uniform looking round the market square; standing outside what I assumed was her home, A big chimney sticking out of the top, black smoke coming from it and a strong smell of sulphur in the air.
She looked in our direction, waving as he saw me looking at him, I grabbed Sarah's arm and dragged her over to this person.
"Sir, madam, are you two, by any chance, Lord Fu Xi and Lady Nu Wa?" she asked us, we looked at each other, thinking how to answer.
"We are" Sarah answered, bowing to the man.
"Who would you be, madam?" I asked him.
"My name is Xing Hai, blacksmith for the officers of the Wu army" she answered, bowing to us, Sarah got back up, looking at the young woman. I only just started to take in her details, she was quite tall, with a good figure and her blonde hair was quite long and straight, her hazel eyes showed a determination that betrayed her apparent age.
"If you would follow me inside" she said, turning round and walking into the house, Sarah followed first, I stayed outside a bit, looking round at the market to see if any soldiers were doing the patrol rounds, all I saw was one soldier standing in a shop selling stuff. I then walked in after them.
The inside was well ventilated, lots of windows and holes in the roof (I then chuckled as I thought about what might happen if it rained) Sarah and Xing were in one corner, looking around the various tools of the trade, a hammer, a tonsil and an Anvil were the first things I saw, I didn't know what the rest were, but my curiosity was at it's peak.
"So, what do you guys want?" she asked, shoving some coal into a flame filled……thing, I'm not exactly sure what it's called, but it was definitely hot, I was boiling just standing in the room.
"Well, I think the best thing is a bit of derusting" Sarah explained, getting her rapier and shield out and showing her them, Xing looked over the pair, seeing they grand design and age, whistling after she was done.
"These look like they were made by a master craftsman" She replied, looking at the whole shield. "I think I may be able to make these two lighter yet stronger if you want"
"That would be great" Sarah answered, smiling as she did so.
"Well, what do you think you can do with this?" I asked Xing, getting my blade out of its sheath (Nearly falling over doing do) and showing it to her, she grabbed it in one hand and held it up, doing all the noises of someone interested in this stuff.
"Well, I think I can make it lighter, but I will have to reforge the core of the blade to do so" she answered.
"What's that in English?"
"I'll have to remove the gold bit, which will mean melting it down and making a brand new blade or I can hammer it out and coat the blade in silver to cover the hole"
"I think I'll go with option two"
"Well, that will still take time"
I leaned against a wall, thinking about this, we would be unarmed for a bit, but that didn't mean we couldn't do it. I sniffed the air, smelling something cooking.
"What's cooking?" I asked, noticing the smell getting stronger and a heat building up on my backside, Sarah stood and looked shocked, Elencia the same.
"Lord Xi, your rear is on fire" she said. I looked at it and saw a flame building up. I yelled in pain and ran around, trying to put it out, eventually dunking it into a barrel of water, and breathing out in relief. I'll admit, it was funny if you watched it, but it wasn't funny to be the person on fire.
"Ok, that was weirdly ironic" I said, getting my wet backside out of the water, I looked at it and found a hole in the clothe but no hole in the steel, thank god, that would have been embarrassing.
"Ok, now that that is settled, come back in about, let's see, seven hours" she told us, I looked at Sarah, wondering if we had that time, she smiled, obviously with some idea of what to do.
"Yeah, that'll do, we'll come back at sunset then" she answered. Ok, she definitely has a plan, I was now scared, I didn't know anything.
"Very well, I'll do it for no charge this time, so save up your gold for the next time"
"Thanks, but we don't exactly have a place to get gold" I replied.
"You haven't do much fighting have you"
"Not really, just one major battle"
"Well, when you raid an enemy base, grab what you can or even better, sell these weapons" she eyed the equipment greedily. "I could pay you loads for these"
"Sorry, no sale, just work on them"
She looked at me, her face showing a frown, as if upset at that answer, but she worked on them anyway, getting on with the weapon, we didn't hang around after that, leaving her to her work. When we were outside, Sarah held her hands together, I just had to ask.
"Ok, what do you have planned?" I asked, she looked at me, an evil smile on her face. She then pulled out a scroll, unrolling it and looking at it.
"East of here is a waterfall surrounded by a forest" she started, showing me the map, I saw what she meant, it was to the west of us and not too far away.
"Why do I get the feeling that your next few words are…" I started.
"Let's go have a picnic" we both said at the same time, then looking at each other and laughing. I stopped first, closely followed by her.
"I don't see anything wrong with it" I told her, she instantly smiled at this. "I agree, but if something comes up then we have to do that first, right?"
"Of course, duty before self" she answered, putting her arm along her chest.
"Ok then, I'll get the horses, you get some food"
"Any preferences?"
"Anything apple, peach or meat"
"Ok, I'll get them and a bag together, and then we can be off"
"Meet you at the west gate"
She ran off to gather the food for our little trip; I walked back to the palace, seeing Lu Meng, in his armour with his pike with him, walking towards town with someone younger then him. He looked like a young boy, about my age; he wore a red tunic, covering all of his body. His face was as pure as it was young and he wore a hat with two bronze coloured wings. Lu saw me and walked over, the boy following.
"Fu Xi, just the man I was looking for" he said, punching me on the shoulder.
"What's up old man?" I joked, smiling as I did so.
"Very funny" the boy said, sarcastically.
"Now, now, Lu Xun, what did I tell you?" Lu scolded.
"Hang on, Lu Xun?" I asked, confused.
"Yes, my adopted son" he answered.
"Oh, so I guess he will be alongside you in battle"
"Actually, lord Fu Xi; I'm joining you at the next battle" Lu Xun answered.
"Oh, that's different; I thought new officers were meant to go with veterans"
There was this odd silence between the three of us, as if I had hit a bad note, which was when I realised it.
"You mean I'm working alongside Lu Xun" I said, seemingly unimpressed.
"Yes" Lu Xun answered. "I have fought for about three years now, ever since the failed assault on Xu Chang"
"We lost a good leader that day" Lu Meng spoke, looking up at the heavens.
"Who was it?" I asked.
"We lost Lord Sun Ce there, shot in the back by an archer" Lu Meng looked upset as he finished this sentence. "He died aged 20, too young to die in my book"
"And that was when your attention turned to Jing I presume"
"Yeah, we needed to expand in order to withstand the next assault"
"Ok" I looked round, seeing Sarah still in the market, arguing with a trader over some meat. "I'm sorry, but I've gotta run, got to get those horses for our little break"
"Ahh, I understand, get going, she isn't going to wait forever" Meng told me, I ran by, waving as I did so.
When I got to the palace, I went straight towards the stables, running as fast as I could. As I turned a corner, I bumped into Sun Quan, with Zhou Tai at his side. Both me and Quan fell to the ground, groaning in pain, I looked up, seeing Zhou Tai advance on me, Sword drawn.
"Traitor…" He spoke, getting ready to slash me; I rolled out of the way, kicking his legs as I did so.
"I'm sorry, I didn't see milord there and I'm in a hurry" I told him, he slashed at my legs; I jumped it, grabbed his sword sheath and started using it as a shield. He slowly got back up.
"Coward…" he called me, slashing again, which I blocked with the sheath, man the strength he possessed was…amazing. He slashed again, and got blocked again; Sun Quan swung his blade in the middle, keeping Zhou Tai's blade down.
"Zhou Tai, enough" he commanded, The loyal officer withdrew his blade, grabbed the sheath I held and putting his sword away.
"My lord…" he said, bowing to Sun Quan. Quan looked at me, angrily; I immediately bowed to save grace.
"I'm sorry, my lord" I told him.
"Be careful Fu" he told me, putting his hand on my shoulder; I looked at his face and saw a smile instead of the anger. "Forgive Zhou Tai; he is very protective of me"
I got up, my face red with embarrassment, and shit scared I might set Zhou Tai off again.
"That was my fault my lord" I replied.
"What were you rushing round for anyway?" he asked.
"Well, me and Lady Nu Wa are planning on a little trip out into Wu's country side, to get used to it"
"So a day out is it?" Sun Quan asked, stroking his chin.
"Yes my lord"
"Well, I can't see the harm in it, make sure to come back though, I don't want to send someone to find you"
"We will my lord"
"I guess you need two horses then" I simply nodded "Well, I suppose I can send someone to help pick your friend up"
"That would be greatly appreciated my lord"
He turned round, clapping his hands and slamming a foot down on the floor. "Show yourself, Spy master!" he shouted, a cloud of black smoke appeared in front of him, when it dissipated, I saws what I assumed was a ninja, and guess who it was. Shimao Kong.
"My lord" he spoke, bowing on the ground.
"Ah, Shinra, good timing" I walked forward with the intent of beating the hell out of Shimao, Zhou stopped me, sensing my intent, Quan looked in my direction, seeing my action. "What is wrong, Lord Fu?"
"That's Shimao Kong, the guy who tortured me after the battle of Xia Kou" told him, Quan looked at his spy in surprise.
"Is that True, Shinra?" he asked.
"Every word, but sometimes you have to to keep working for an opposing power" the spy answered
"Good enough"
"Your order my lord?"
"Take a horse and go with Fu Xi, when you see his friend, get off the horse and come back here"
"No problem for a shadow"
"Ok, see you later, lord Fu"
Quan walked off with Zhou Tai following, I looked at Shimao, or Shinra, wondering what to do with him.
"Well…Come on then, duty calls" I said, walking towards the stable, I couldn't hear his footsteps, so guess how surprised I was when he appeared in front of me.
"Speed up" he told me, I then ran ahead to get a horse for Me and one for Sarah, so I didn't have to rely on him that much.
"So, back in Jing, when you tortured me…" I started.
"All for Cao Cao to make it look like I was loyal to him" he replied.
"So what does he think you're doing now?"
"Recon on the Wu army, numbers and so on"
"Ok then"
The rest of the trip was silence, I preferred it that way I suppose…
I was excited to think 'a day out in a foreign land, ought to be fun' but I was almost scared to death when Zhou Tai started on me. But what I couldn't believe was that Shimao was around as a Wu spy…That I just couldn't see…not easiliy anyway