Hello again, everyone, and my apologies...again...for making you wait so long. For all of you who didn't read my profile page, I have just moved into a new house, which is lovely by the way, but there is just one problem... I am without cable, and because I am without cable, I am also without the internet (I'm about to go INSANE!!) But I was able to purchase my flash drive and get to the library. So, at long last, here is Chapter 21. Hope you enjoy it!!
I don't own Dynasty Warriors...
Destined
Chapter 21
Shang Xiang stepped just inside the door, smiling slightly when she saw Gan Ning.
"Hey, I heard you were out of the infirmary." she said. "Just thought I'd come and check on you."
Ling Tong laughed lightly, opening his mouth to comment; he closed it, however, after receiving an evil stare from the Wu princess. Gan Ning nodded, averting his eyes away from her.
"I'm fine, thanks." he said simply.
"Well, that's good to hear." Shang Xiang said.
There was a slight pause before anyone spoke again.
"I…guess I'll be going now. See ya." Shang Xiang said finally before turning and leaving.
Ling Tong watched her until she disappeared before breathing a heavy sigh of relief.
"Man, that was way too close." he said.
"Tell me about it." Gan Ning said, walking over to help Ice as she pulled herself from underneath the bed.
As she dusted herself off, Ice looked at Gan Ning.
"Hey…is it just me, or did it seem like Shang Xiang was hoping for you to say more than just "I'm fine, thanks."?" she asked curiously.
Gan Ning looked at her. "It did?" he asked vacantly.
"Yeah." Ice said, looking towards the doorway where Shang Xiang was standing a minute or so ago. "That's why there was an awkward pause between you guys before she just finally excused herself. Girls with her title usually aren't at a lost for words when they're talking to anyone else, especially not a girl with her personality…" She then looked back at Gan Ning, a knowing smile on her face. "Gan Ning…does Shang Xiang like you?"
Gan Ning stared blankly at Ice for a moment.
"How could you tell?" he asked.
Ling Tong, who had been listening from his spot at the doorway, immediately walked over to the two.
"Who wouldn't be able to recognize those emotions when you see them…or hear them…vaguely?" he asked.
"She really does like you?" Ice asked laughter evident in her voice. "Wow…so that explains why she was attempting to pierce through my soul with her eyes that day by the river."
Now both men stared blankly at the girl before them.
"You mean, you noticed that?" Ling Tong asked.
"Yeah, how could I not?" Ice replied. "That's why I came up to her and asked her if she didn't mind me being there. And even after I did that, I still didn't feel like she wanted me there…or rather she didn't want me there with Gan Ning; that sudden outburst of hers confirmed my thoughts."
Gan Ning and Ling Tong looked at each other, shocked. Ice couldn't help but to laugh at them.
"Are you guys okay?" she giggled.
"Yeah, we're fine. Just a little shocked and surprised is all." Ling Tong said.
"What he said." Gan Ning said looking back at Ice. "You're quite the observant one."
Ice smiled, blushing lightly at his comment; she then stepped closer to him.
"I'm glad." she said, wrapping both arms around the ex-pirate's waist.
"Glad about what?" Gan Ning asked wrapping an arm around her in return.
"Even though the circumstances of our first encounter were nothing short of unromantic, and even with the affections of the Wu princess being practically offered to you out of her own hands, I'm glad that I was the one who you let into your heart."
Gan Ning smiled warmly at the girl in his arms.
"Likewise." he said softly, hugging Ice tighter.
Ling Tong stood back and merely watched the two, a small smile on his lips. Those two are practically made for one another. he thought. Heh, and that makes me wonder even more just how Shang Xiang would have reacted if she actually walked in on them kissing. Then, at that moment, an alarm went off in his head, turning his thoughtful expression into a grave one. A reaction… He looked back at Gan Ning and Ice, who were still locked in their embrace. Could Liu Bei have been…no way!
"That's it!" he said aloud suddenly, startling Gan Ning and Ice.
"Ling Tong, what is wrong with you?" Gan Ning asked.
"Look, I don't mean to twist up the beautiful atmosphere, but I think I know what Liu Bei's goal was when he set those men out to capture you." Ling Tong said.
"What?!" Ice almost shouted.
Gan Ning looked at his friend, stunned. "Explain." he said.
Liu Bei stood on the balcony at the roof of his palace, overlooking the scenery below. Officers and troops moved swiftly over the palace grounds, and bustling villagers went on about their daily lives in the towns just outside of the palace itself. He inhaled deeply and released a long sigh. It's peaceful now, but soon, all this…will be…
"My lord." a voice clearly belonging to Zhuge Liang came from behind him.
"What is it, Zhuge Liang?" Liu Bei responded dryly.
The strategist moved to stand next to the emperor.
"My lord, you do know the inevitable consequences sure to befall us now…" he began.
"I am well aware of what is to come." Liu Bei stated, cutting the strategist short.
"What will you course of action be?" Zhuge Liang asked.
Liu Bei thought for a moment before answering.
"We will meet their attack whenever it is to occur." he replied simply after a few seconds.
Zhuge Liang looked at his emperor; a hint of shock passed over his ever expressionless features for just a few fleeting moments.
"My lord, surely you are not considering meeting Wu head on when and if they do decide to attack." he said. "Considering the current shape of our armed forces, it would be very unwise."
"Our forces will hold." Liu Bei said.
"My lord, you must take into consideration that…"
"Our forces will hold." Liu Bei said curtly, turning to look into Zhuge Liang's face.
Zhuge Liang bowed his head. "My apologies for questioning your intentions, my lord." he said. "What would you have me do in preparation?"
Liu Bei turned his gaze back over the land below. A slight smile appeared on his face.
"Revise the plans you formulated for Gan Ning's capture at Jian Ye." he replied. "We will be making a second attempt in this next, practically inevitable battle."
Zhuge Liang paused slightly before responding.
"As you command, my lord." he said.
Standing straight again, he turned to walk away. Liu Bei's smile grew slightly. The hour of revelation draws near, and at last, all will be brought to light and I will finally be able to put my mind at ease. He gaze lifted to the horizon, his expression one of malicious determination. I will not endure failure again…no one will escape this time…
"Let me get this straight. You're saying that Liu Bei ordered my capture just to see what kind of reaction he would get from Wei?" Gan Ning restated what he had just been told.
"That has to be the reason." Ling Tong said. "Why else would he just suddenly attack you for no apparent reason whatsoever?"
Ice huffed. "If that is indeed the case, it only proves that the man is getting desperate." she said.
Gan Ning nodded in agreement. "He most certainly is if he would go so far as to try something like that." he said.
A period of silence passed between the three then.
"Well, any guesses on what's gonna happen next?" Ling Tong asked.
"The most likely thing would be a confrontation between us and Shu." Gan Ning said. "Sun Jian's definitely gonna want some retribution for what happened."
"Yeah, that's for sure, despite the fact that he hasn't the slightest clue as to what's really going on…"
"Soldier, go and retrieve generals Gan Ning and Ling Tong and escort them to the war council." a booming voice came from further down the breezeway.
"Yes sir." they heard a soldier say.
"Not again." Gan Ning muttered, turning to Ice. "Ice, you'd better go. The last thing we need is you getting caught here, and in my room of all places."
Ice giggled. "Yeah, you're right. Well, I'm gone, see ya." she said.
Before she could move, Gan Ning pulled her to him and landed a quick kiss before releasing her. Ice giggled again as she backed towards the door; she blew a kiss at him before running out of the room. Gan Ning smiled as he headed back for his bed. Ling Tong shook his head at the ex-pirate as he reassumed his position at the doorway.
"I swear I thought I'd never see the day when the great Gan Ning of the Bells would care about something other than fighting and beating the hell out of people." he chuckled.
Gan Ning stretched slightly before looking over at Ling Tong.
"Well consider yourself fortunate, my friend." he said. "Now, if only we could find something that you'd care about more than your hair."
"Haha. That's really funny, you bastard." Ling Tong said.
Gan Ning laughed. A few seconds later, the soldier appeared at the room door.
"Generals, you have been summoned to the war council." he said; a concerned expression crossed his features when he looked at the ex-pirate.
"General Gan Ning, will you be able to…"
Of course I can go." Gan Ning said. "My arm is injured, not my entire body."
"Oh, right, of course sir." the soldier said, bowing quickly. "We should be going then; I'm to escort you as well."
Ling Tong and Gan Ning shot knowing looks at each other before moving to follow the soldier.
Liu Bei pushed himself out of the giant chair at the head of the long table and looked over the gathering of generals that sat before him.
"Gentlemen, today we call together this war council to prepare for an immediate threat which has presented itself in the form of a pending battle." he stated. "This is a result of our previous attempt to capture the Wu General Gan Ning, which not only ended in failure, but has most likely given Sun Jian the impression that we were attempting to launch an attack at night while his army was unprepared and completely off guard."
The officers traded glances of shock and slight frustration as they began to mumble amongst themselves. Zhao Yun, who sat among them, watched the emperor wearily; a sudden ill feeling had filled the pit of his stomach. What is this feeling all of the sudden? he thought. Liu Bei raised a hand, and immediately the room was silenced.
"In this battle that is sure to come, we have been presented with a rather golden opportunity." Liu Bei said. "This battle will give us another chance to capture Gan Ning."
Zhao Yun stared at Liu Bei in utter shock, feeling as if someone had punched him in his stomach now.
"My lord, what will be accomplished by capturing this particular general?" one officer asked.
Liu Bei looked at the general. "This man is the key to getting the answers that I have been trying to attain for quite sometime now." he replied. "It will be by his capture, that we will finally discover whether or not Wu has indeed become allies with Wei."
The officers nodded in understanding; Zhao Yun, however, was now frustrated beyond belief. Resting one elbow onto the table, he massaged his temples as his thoughts began to whirl around in his head. Why is he doing this? To what point and purpose does he feel it necessary to risk the lives of his men in a foolish attempt to answer a question that has already been answered ten times over?! When will he finally see that?!
"Zhao Yun, are you alright?" Liu Bei's voice instantly snapped him out of his thoughts as he directed his attention back to him.
"My apologies, my lord." he said. "I have been feeling a bit ill this morning is all; there is nothing to be concerned with. Please…continue."
Liu Bei nodded and continued. "Zhuge Liang will now explain to us our course of action."
Zhao Yun watched as Zhuge Liang stood from his chair and began to go over in detail the different formations and strategies to be used in the looming battle. This will not end well…he thought despairingly.
Sun Jian stroked his chin as he scanned the group of generals in front of him. Huang Gai, Zhou Tai, Taishi Chi, and Lu Meng sat to on the left side of the table; Zhou Yu, Ling Tong, and Gan Ning sat on the right side. At either side of him were Sun Ce and Sun Quan. His eyes, though they glanced over the faces of all the generals who now sat before him, repeatedly fell on Gan Ning. He bristled at the sight of the injury in the ex-pirate's arm. Liu Bei, whatever you thought you were trying to do last night, it will be repaid to you with interest… With that thought, he stood from his chair and rested his hands on the table.
"Generals, we are all aware of the events that took place last night." he began. "My daughter, the two Qiaos, and Generals Gan Ning and Ling Tong, were suddenly attacked as they were returning to the palace and pursued all the way back to the palace gates. The attack was quelled there by Gan Ning, but it did not end without injury."
All the generals in the room looked over to Gan Ning, their eyes scanning over his bandaged right arm.
"Because of this attack and the injury caused to one of my generals, I have decided that we retaliate, and show Liu Bei just what happens when you attempt to enter the lair of the tiger."
Everyone in the room nodded and mumbled in agreement with the Wu emperor. Sun Jian then looked over towards Zhou Yu and nodded. The man then stood from his chair and looked over all the generals in the room.
"We can safely assume that Liu Bei is most likely expecting us to retaliate because of his actions against us." he stated. "However, what he cannot know for sure is when it will take place. He also cannot predict the format of our assault. Those factors are completely within our control. That is why I have come up with this strategy."
He summoned two soldiers carrying large maps to the table. When the maps were spread out on the table, Zhou Yu continued.
"Instead of an all-out, head-on assault, the likes of which Liu Bei will most likely be expecting, we will implement the element of surprise."
He guided his hand across the maps, allowing his finger to come to rest on lands marked as the location of Liu Bei's palace in Jing.
"According to several traveling reports and a record of battles on Shu soil, the westward side of the Jing castle has never been a point of attack by any enemy; this is due to the fact that this side of the palace is back-to-back with forested terrain and small mountains. There is also a gaping hole in the wall, created when a boulder or something of the like crashed into it ten years ago."
Zhou Yu lifted his eyes from the map and allowed them to come to rest on the generals once again.
"This, gentlemen, will be our entry point in our attack…the ultimate surprise attack." he stated proudly.
"Excellent plan, as always." Sun Jian said.
The generals nodded in agreement, praising the strategist for such an original idea.
"My lord, when will we march to battle?" Taishi Chi asked.
Sun Jian stood at the asking of that question. "We will march at nightfall." he declared. "Therefore, you must go ready yourselves and your men. Council dismissed."
With that, all the generals stood up, bowed deeply and filed out of the meeting room. As they walked back to their rooms to prepare, Ling Tong glanced over at Gan Ning.
"Will you be able to fight with that arm?" he asked.
"Of course I'll be able to fight." Gan Ning replied, looking at his arm. "This is just a flesh wound."
"Um, that "flesh wound," as you call it, caused you to collapse from a substantial loss of blood. And let's not forget the other important fact…this all occurred last night." Ling Tong said matter-of-factly.
"And your point would be?" Gan Ning prompted.
"What do you mean what is my point?" Ling Tong huffed, stopping in his tracks. "Do you enjoy staring death in the face all the time?"
Gan Ning chuckled, turning to face his best friend. "Look, even if my arm was about to fall off, I would still be going into this battle. I owe that bastard for what he did to me and Ice." he said. "And besides, you should be more concerned about yourself, because if you keep getting worked up and worrying yourself like that, you're gonna lose your hair…literally."
Ling Tong gaped as Gan Ning turned around and continued to walk, laughing. Once he regained his composure, Ling Tong walked after the laughing ex-pirate.
"You're a crazy person, I swear you are." he said.
And there you have it! As Liu Bei predicted, Sun Jian is retaliating against him for what he thought was a failed attempt at a surprise attack on his forces. But what will occur when (and if) the Wu Emperor discovers the real motive behind Liu Bei's sudden attack? And what of the Shu emperor's plan to try again? All is soon to be revealed...
So, what do you think? All opinions welcome...
xLonely Soldierx