School just started, so I'll be having some trouble updating. But not to worry, I will show signs that I am still alive.
Kinda dedicated to "Fathers' Day", it's a bit late. I know. And my start of the school year chapter.
Enjoy
Chapter Thirteen: Papa
Zhang He's soldiers scoured the vicinity, looking for the unwanted person the superior officer had spotted.
"Sir," reported a soldier.
"Speak," Zhang He said.
Soldier stated, "We found this among the bushes." He held up a dark colored cloth.
"Where did you find this?" the Butterfly General inquired.
Soldier motioned west. "From that direction sir, most of the unit is searching heavily there," he said.
Zhang He nodded, "Then let's go and see."
With the soldier ahead, Zhang He took note of the surroundings. He smelled a different scent in the air, something exquisite.
"Can you smell it?" he asked the soldier.
The solider sniffed the air, "Smell what sir?"
"An exquisite scent," Zhang He muttered, "something expensive that I couldn't describe."
The captain of Zhang He's unit approached the general and said, "Sir, we found this seal among the bushes."
Zhang He took the seal in to his hands and raised both eyebrows.
"…This is… interesting?"
Footsteps echoed the hall. Steel armor glowed by the lantern-lit halls. The chain mail was making a rhythmic thumping sound as he made his way down the hall. He was recounting the events earlier. He smirked at the memory of his new captain, and then frowned a bit when his brother came along in his small flashback.
He stopped on the final destination before returning to his room to retire. He knocked on the door.
"Captain?"
The door slid open. Ai Xin had spent nearly a minute to realize who was at her door.
"G-General!"
Xiahou Dun snorted, "It took you long enough to register."
Ai Xin scratched the side of her face, stuttering, "I… uh… I was…"
The lone-eyed general raised an eyebrow.
"…Studying."
The general broke out into hearty laughter. "Studying? Give me a break Captain," he stifled his laughter. "You're already on your toes in learning the art of fighting."
"But it's strategy," she answered in a minute voice.
He nodded, not caring at all. "Where did you get those scrolls?"
"From the library sir."
"Must you burden yourself with so many things Captain?" he asked.
Ai Xin looked to the side and replied, "I guess I just get used to things that I finish them quick sir."
"Zhongda persuaded you to continue this, right?" he asked, with a little hint of emotion.
Ai Xin was oblivious to the tone. She simply shook her head, "No. I just thought it would help me."
"I see."
There was a short silence between them. Suddenly, Xiahou Dun smacked his forehead in annoyance. "How can I be so stupid," he muttered to himself. He fished the rolled up rice paper from his pocket and handed it to Ai Xin.
"You will be sent out in a forth to the south," he said. "Consider this as your first official assignment."
Ai Xin took it respectfully. "When do I leave sir?"
"It's all in the paper. Read it," he said curtly. "Have a pleasant evening Captain." He left at once.
Ai Xin raised an eyebrow. Well, that's typical for the general, always running off in a hurry to drink or to spar. She opened the scroll and read the contents.
"So… I am to leave the day after tomorrow," she muttered. "And I'm going to be stationed along with General Zhang Liao." She closed her door. "That shouldn't be so bad. I guess."
Zhang He had ordered the men to return their post while he continued the search alone. Like a bloodhound, he sniffed out the scent from the trees. He closed his eyes and sharpened his hearing.
"The wind is smooth and trees are rustling in an average pace," he muttered. "No one is in the area."
He heard a snap of a twig. He opened his eyes and went lightly to the direction of the sound.
"Come out," he whispered. "I won't hurt you."
He waited quietly in the shadows. There was a soft cry of pain. Zhang He approached cautiously towards the bushes. In his hand was a small dagger. He cut an opening and raised an eyebrow.
"..Excuse me lady," he greeted. "But are you lost?"
A young woman was on the ground, holding her ankle. It suffered a bruise, or possibly a twist. She had black hair and deep-shaded eyes and light colored skin. Her clothes were of regality. Zhang He started to skim thru his memory for any moment with this woman, but found none.
"Yes, apparently I am," the young woman answered. "And hurt."
"Your ankle seems to be twisted milady," he said, checking the injury. "Allow me to take you back to the camp for it to be treated."
The woman blushed and looked down, "...Uhm, thank you."
Zhang He helped her up. "Lean on me, please," he said.
Together, they went back to camp.
Ai Xin had a small leather bag slung around her shoulder. On her hand, she held her blade Xuejian. It was early in the morning. She was going to miss her chores in General Xiahou Dun's room, but hey, it's better. She was given a few soldiers who were supposed to be in her unit.
"Morning Captain," they greeted.
Ai Xin smiled, "Let's get going then?"
Xiahou Dun was passing by the castle gates when he heard the doors slammed shut. A familiar aroma lingered in the area. He left immediately to the stables to tend to his horses. Stepping into the hay, he heard the defiant snorts of the horses.
"What's wrong? Not too happy to see me?" he spoke to the first horse.
The horse neighed and shook its mane, then calmed down a bit when Xiahou Dun stroked its ear.
"You just miss the morning bath didn't you," he muttered to the horse. "She won't be around for quite some time." He also noticed that the only white horse in his stable was gone.
"And she took her favorite horse as well."
Zhang He was pacing forward and backward in his tent. Ever since he found that lady in the forest, he had been somewhat smitten by her looks. He had never found someone who had such intricate and beautiful features. He could remember short glimpses of her defined facial structure and dark hair.
There was only one problem.
He didn't know her name.
"Oh this is so un-beautiful," he cried to himself. "I must muster courage… Breathe in! Breathe out!" He was psyching himself up.
After a few more psych-up exercises, he strode out of his tent towards the guest tent he had put up for the lady.
"Milady, this is General Zhang He," he announced his presence. "May I enter?"
There was no response.
Zhang He took a deep breath and repeated, "Milady?"
He heard a shuffling of feet. The flap of the tent opened. She stood there and stared innocently at him.
"May I help you general?" she asked.
Zhang He felt very awkward. He looked upwards, trying to hide the light blush. "…May I have some time to talk with you?"
"Of course," the lady smiled. "Do come in then."
Zhang He entered. He was not at all surprised to see the place neat and tidy, considering she's a woman. "May I ask something?"
"What is it general?" the lady said, her eyes flashing with curiosity.
"May I ask for your name?"
The lady was quiet and then spoke quietly, "I wasn't really supposed to tell it to anyone."
"Please do not worry yourself, I will keep it secret with me," Zhang Junyi spoke with reassurance.
The lady looked at him with reproachful eyes and asked, "Promise?"
Zhang He nodded, "Promise."
"…It's…. Sima Du Yuqi."
Ai Xin and her small unit arrived at southern county which was currently reinforced by Zhang Liao. She missed the lofty general's presence in the capital. The gatemen inquired of her unit. She responded with her name and rank as well as presenting the proof of letter.
The gates opened and her unit entered. There were busy activities going on around.
"It looks like General Zhang Liao's been busy with this town Captain," a soldier told her.
Ai Xin nodded, "Indeed. We are sent here for a purpose… Perhaps to help the citizens of this town."
The soldier looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "We are to defend them right?"
Ai Xin shrugged her shoulders, "I am not sure if it is to defend the town or help in building the town."
Zhang Liao was somewhere near the town hall. He was sitting on a raised pavement, watching his soldiers help rebuild some houses.
Ai Xin got off her horse and bowed, "General Zhang Liao, Captain Ai Xin and her unit reporting."
Zhang Liao looked at her. "Well, what are you standing there for? Grab some shovels and get to work! Your first assignment will be to help the townspeople rebuild their houses."
"What happened here sir?" Ai Xin asked.
Zhang Liao answered, "A quick rainstorm was what happened, Captain. Bring your horse to the stables and join your comrades."
Ai Xin nodded. She pulled Bai, the white horse, to the stables and quickly unfastened the harness and reigns from the mare.
"I'll be back tonight Bai," she softly told the horse. She quickly left to help her comrades with the rebuilding.
It was tedious work to be carrying stones and cement around, but everything was done in a positive outlook. It was nearing sunset when Zhang Liao called for the men to come near him.
"Good job men," he said. "We shall continue tomorrow. You are all dismissed."
The soldiers made a loud cheer before dispersing and returning to the barracks.
"Captain Ai," he called to the single lady officer.
"Yes General?" she responded at once.
Zhang Liao smiled at her, "You're looking brighter and more beautiful."
Ai Xin blushed lightly, "General… That's quite flattering."
Zhang Liao straightened his work robe up and stretched. "Only a few buildings were brought down by the storm, but that won't stop the people from having a fine night life."
"What do you mean sir?"
"How about you come out after dinner and have some relaxation time in town," the man suggested.
Ai Xin immediately thought of how this could ruin her training, if she was actually sent there to be trained by Zhang Liao.
Zhang Liao laughed, "Don't trouble yourself. Enjoy one night of relaxation away from worries and troubles. Trust me, it helps calms the mind and soul."
She nodded slowly, a bit unsure of what the general said.
After dinner, Ai Xin had changed into simple clothes and went around the town. The town square was indeed bustling with life. Canteens were open and there was entertainment from the small teahouses. It was as if there's a small fiesta going on.
She sat on a chair in front of a small canteen and ordered some beef noodles. While waiting, she looked side to side at the crowds. Her eyes caught the image of a father and his child, walking hand in hand. She gasped softly when she saw the child accidentally trip, but his father was there to help the boy up.
Ai Xin looked away when her ordered food arrived. She ate in silence, contemplating. She wondered the children who never knew their fathers.
Like me, she thought.
Her conscience suddenly piped in, Are you getting so emotional again dearie?
I don't know. Maybe I just… couldn't remember how my own dad looked like.
He's just somewhere out there dear. Or maybe he's just around the corner, watching you.
"You think so," she breathed softly to herself.
"I've heard of people who are crazy," someone spoke behind her, "but I didn't expect one such to be you."
Ai Xin nearly fell off her seat. "G-General… Must you scare me like that?"
Zhang Liao took the vacant seat beside her, "Not really. It's all up to you on how you could sense people coming." He noticed the young lady's quietness. "Something is bothering you?" he asked.
Ai Xin figured it was still a day of relaxation; maybe it's alright to talk about it. "I'm just a bit lonely."
"Oh really… How?"
Ai Xin gestured to the father and son she took note of earlier. "…I often tried to remember my own father's face… There were dreams and moments in my memories that I was with him," she sighed, "but I couldn't see the face."
Zhang Liao felt sympathy for the younger officer. "Well, wherever he is… He would be so proud of you." For him, he meant every single word.
Ai Xin laughed softly, "You know something funny? You sound awfully like him."
"Oh really? Maybe he must be my long lost twin?" he joked.
"As if you have a twin brother," she laughed.
Amidst light-hearted talk and laughter, behind Zhang Liao's eyes lies a sorrow he could not quench. He watched the female officer take her leave to walk around town while he sat there in deep thought.
Yes. I'm using the character KIAS and I named. :)
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