Beginning Of The End
Chapter 21
The Next Day
As the search party arrived back at the capital from the Nanman lands, a Wei messenger arrived. He simply handed Sun Jian a note and left without a word.
" Wei will pay dearly for this. " Sun Jian spoke softly but furiously as he read the note.
Lu Xun stepped forward. " What is it my lord? Word of Lady Tiānshǐ? " Sun Jian sighed hesitantly before handing Lu Xun the note. As Lu Xun read it , he almost broke into tears. The note read:
" Lord Sun Jian. Lady Tiānshǐ has been captured and is being held prisoner. If you wish to see her again you will surrender the two young girls my men captured at the Shu border. Make your choice. Lord Cao Pi. "
Lu Xun ripped the note in half before running to the barracks to gather some men. " I need 10 soldiers for a rescue mission. Lady Tiānshǐ is being held prisoner in Wei. This mission will be highly dangerous. "
One of the soldiers stood and stepped forward. " My Lord any one of us would die gladly to see our Lady safely back in Wu. I volunteer. " Lu Xun smiled and nodded as more and more soldiers volunteered.
A few hours later Lu Xun and twenty five of Tiānshǐ`s most loyal soldiers were armed and ready to march. Just before they could leave Sun Jian burst into the barracks. " Lu Xun Stop! This mission is suicide. Tiānshǐ would not want you to throw your life away so carelessly. "
Lu Xun and all his volunteers stopped but before Lu Xun could speak, the soldiers said it for him. " Lady Tiānshǐ would do no less for any of us. If we die my lord then we die knowing that we did our best for the Dragon Of Wu. It is our honor to die for her and we will die fighting to bring her home. " Sun Jian was speechless.
No other general in Wu had such loyalty from the soldiers. Before he could speak however, the soldiers and Lu Xun had walked past him , mounted and were riding towards Wei. Shang Xiang had been standing outside listening and walked in as they left. " You can`t blame them father. Tiānshǐ is a symbol of hope for our people. Our soldiers will follow her to hell and back if she ordered it. No other general in Wu or otherwise can inspire such loyalty from they`re soldiers. We must bring her home at all costs. "
Sun Jian simply nodded as Shang Xiang and her messenger rode swiftly after Lu Xun. When they caught up, Lu Xun was surprised to see Shang Xiang. " Shang? What are you doing here? " Shang Xiang smiled and hugged him gently. " She is my family too Xun. I will negotiate with Cao Pi while you rescue Tiānshǐ. We must get her home. Her daughters need her as much as you do. " Lu Xun nodded and told the soldiers to make camp for the night.
" Tiānshǐ do you swear loyalty to Wei? Do you swear loyalty to Lord Cao Pi? "
Tiānshǐ spat towards Cao Pi. " I would rather die! "
Cao Pi Smirked. " As you wish. Kill Her! " As Cao Ren`s blade descended upon Tiānshǐ`s head, Lu Xun awoke screaming.
" NOOOOOOOOOOO! " Lu Xun sat up sweating as Shang ran into his tent. " Xun whats wrong?! " Lu Xun told her about his dream as Shang handed him a cup of tea. " Xun it was just a dream. She will be ok I promise. " Lu Xun hugged her before she left to get ready. It was almost time to leave for Wei.
An Hour Later
As they were leaving, a villager ran into the camp and collapsed at the feet of Shang Xiang. " Lady Shang Xiang...I bring a message...from Lady Zhu Rong. "
Shang Xiang knelt beside him. " What message? "
The messenger took a deep breath before sitting up and speaking. " Your ride to Wei is in vain. Lady Tiānshǐ is not there. "
Shang Xiang gasped in surprise. " Where the hell is she then?! "
Lu Xun handed the villager some tea. " She is being taken to Shu. A group of Shu generals heard of her capture and assaulted the capital. They rescued her and took her back to Liu Bei. "
Shang Xiang placed a hand on his shoulder gently. " Thank you. Take a horse and ride home. We will see to Lady Tiānshǐ. "
As she stood the villager took hold of her arm. " Lady Zhu Rong is at the border with an army. She awaits you. " Shang Xiang nodded and mounted her horse. " Leave a horse for this man and some food and water. We ride for the Shu border! " Before midday they had almost reached the border.
The closer they got to Zhu Rong`s position, the more dead soldiers they came across. Soldiers from both Wei and Shu. Shang Xiang thought this was most curious but did not stop. They rode for a few more hours before they saw Zhu Rong`s flag on the horizon. Zhu Rong greeted them herself. " You got my messenger then? Good. I gathered my army and rode for Wei after you left our lands with Tiānshǐ`s daughter. Are they recovering well? "
Shang Xiang hugged Zhu Rong gently. " They are recovering slowly but at least its progress. Thank you for sending a messenger. How did you find her? "
Zhu Rong smiled. " The dead soldiers you most likely noticed on your way here were her escort to the capital of Wei. Shu wiped them out but the generals managed to escape with her and took her to Cao Pi. When we arrived, Shu was still here deciding what to do. Liu Bei himself led the assault on the Wei capital and rescued Tiānshǐ. I decided to keep my distance until you arrived. What are we going to do? " Shang Xiang sighed softly and thought for a moment before hearing what sounded like cavalry in the distance.
After about half an hour, Zhang Liao, now adorned in the red of Wu, arrived with two regiments of cavalry. " Lord Sun Jian has sent us to help. A villager on his way home told us where to find you. He also sends his gratitude for the provisions and horse you gave him. And before you ask. I am not a spy. I have sworn loyalty to Tiānshǐ. Let us bring her home. "
Shang Xiang smiled. " Alright but first I need you and Lu Xun to ride into Shu with me. The army will wait outside the capital. I will negotiate with Liu Bei. But first we will rest. Make camp here. "
It was quiet that night. Too quiet.
It was as if every animal had fled the area. There was no wind. No sounds at all.
Shang Xiang was concerned that Liu Bei was expecting them to assault the capital despite the peace.
Shang Xiang did not sleep that night. Neither did the soldiers. They stayed awake all night until sunrise.
By midday they were at the city gates.
" I have come for The Dragon Of Wu. I wish to speak with Liu Bei immediately. My army will remain outside your city until a decision is made. " Guan Yu was standing atop the gates and nodded to let them through. " Escort them to my brother. He will be most anxious to speak with Lady Shang Xiang. " As Shang Xiang , Zhang Liao and Lu Xun entered the city, they were surrounded by Shu soldiers. " I come in pea..."
Guan Yu interrupted. " I am well aware of why and how you have come Lady Shang Xiang. Come. My brother awaits you. "
As they entered the palace they saw Tiānshǐ laying on a large bed with healers tending her wounds. " Ah the young Lady Shang Xiang. Welcome to Shu. How may I be of service? "
Shang Xiang ran to Tiānshǐ`s side but she was unconscious. " I ask for the immediate release of Lady Tiānshǐ. "
Liu Bei smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder. " I understand but that is not possible. Moving Tiānshǐ would kill her. Her wounds are very severe and she was beaten quite harshly by Cao Pi. She must stay here until she has healed. Our healers have worked sleeplessly through the night to make her well. She is recovering but we need more time to heal her wounds properly. "
Shang Xiang nodded as a tear fell down her cheek and she leant her head on Tiānshǐ`s hand. " I am sorry sister. I should have gone with you..."Lu Xun looked heartbroken as he watched Shang Xiang.
Liu Bei knelt beside Shang and put his arm around her. " She will be alright. You have my word. We will do absolutely everything within our power to help her heal. However I require something in return. Since my men and I assaulted the Wei capital, Cao Pi will no doubt bring war upon my people. I wish a permanent peace with Wu. My heart has no desire to bring harm to Lady Tiānshǐ or her people and I cannot fight Wei alone. You are most welcome to stay here with Tiānshǐ but the army that has followed you must leave. I will not harm any of you and if I try I promise that you may kill me without consequence. "
Shang Xiang looked at him before turning to Lu Xun. " Xun send the army home. Give a message to the cavalry to deliver to Sun Jian. Tell Zhu Rong that she may stay here but her forces must leave. " Lu Xun nodded and left. Liu Bei summoned his adviser and wife.
Both Yue Ying and Zhuge Liang approached. " You summoned us my lord? " Liu Bei stepped forward. " Yes. Zhuge Liang you will help the healers. Do everything in your power to heal Lady Tiānshǐ. Yue Ying you will arrange somewhere for our Wu guests to stay. Be sure they are comfortable. "
Both of them nodded and set about they`re tasks. Shang Xiang however, refused to leave Tiānshǐ`s side. " No. I want to stay with her. I won`t rest until she is well again. "
Liu Bei nodded as a tall warrior in plate armor stepped forward. " Shang Xiang. This is Ma Chao. He will be escorting Lady Tiānshǐ home when she has recovered. As will my two brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. We will make sure that she gets home safely. "
Three weeks later Tiānshǐ was almost fully healed but she had not awoken since Shang Xiang and the army arrived.
Everyone was worried that she may not awaken at all. Pang Tong had studied it in Wu before arriving in Shu to offer his aid.
Pang Tong had spent most of the day studying and found several pieces of rather educational information. " I have read about this strange sleeping and it seems it happens after the person endures a great amount of pain or suffers extensive damage to the brain. Did she have any head injuries when you recovered her Lord Liu Bei? " Liu Bei shook his head.
Pang Tong looked puzzled. " It must be due to the amount of pain she suffered in Wei. Cao Pi had beaten her to the brink of death before we resc..." Before he could finish speaking, Tiānshǐ had stirred slightly at the sound of voices.
Shang Xiang immediately knelt beside her and held her hand. " Tiānshǐ? Can you hear me? " Tiānshǐ sighed softly and stirred slightly before what sounded like a whisper escaped her lips. " Sh..Shang.. "
A tear fell down Shang Xiang`s cheek and she kissed her sisters forehead gently. " I'm here Tiānshǐ. I'm not going anywhere. "
Tiānshǐ seemed to smile slightly before slipping back into her slumber. Pang Tong was the first to speak. " Well that's progress. At least she is aware of her surroundings. The healers work must be doing its job. "
Liu Bei nodded as Zhuge Liang spoke. " It was not the healers. Zhu Rong made her a special medicine from the herbs in the Nanman Lands that accelerated the healing process. And Yue Ying has made quite sure that her bandages are changed every few hours. The healers have only stitched the wounds. However they`re help is recognized. "
The healers nearby bowed and left the palace. As they left, the Shu blacksmith entered with Tiānshǐ`s weapons and armor. " Fully repaired as you requested my lord. Also her saddle was damaged beyond repair so I fashioned her a new one. I also made her some armor for her horse. Seemed a pity to let such a fine steed ride unprotected. " The blacksmith bowed and left. " It would seem that The Dragon Of Wu is almost a fortress unto herself. " Liu Bei smiled as Shang Xiang giggled softly.
Shang Xiang spoke softly but there was an obvious amount of concern in her voice. " Liu Bei...do you know if she fought well before she was captured? "
Liu Bei nodded. " She certainly lived up to her reputation. Numbers were against her but she let nothing stop her. It took the trickery of Cao Pi`s magician to bring her down. "
Shang Xiang looked up at him. " Magician?"
Pang Tong spoke next. " Yes. I believe his name is Sima Yi. "
Shang Xiang looked back at Tiānshǐ. " He must be a great tactician if he can trick Tiānshǐ..." Pang Tong spoke again before going to bed. " Yes. A brilliant strategist but often a touch arrogant."
Everyone went to bed but Shang Xiang stayed at Tiānshǐ`s bed side wondering how Tiānshǐ was tricked...and why it caused her capture.
What could have caused Tiānshǐ to be captured?
Read the details in the next Chapter!
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