Beginning Of The End
Chapter 25
Three months had passed since Sima Yi was captured and Wu still had no idea where Wei found an army of ten thousand. Sima Yi refused to tell them and all scouts sent to find out were returned in pieces.
Tiānshǐ was sitting in the war room with Pang Tong and Sun Jian trying to figure out where Cao Pi got ten thousand soldiers as a messenger from Shu arrived.
" Lord Liu Bei sends a message. He believes he has critical information on Cao Pi`s forces and bids you come to Shu at once. Lord Guan Yu is waiting for you at the gates. "
Tiānshǐ nodded and walked home to get her weapons. Her armor was not wearable due to her pregnancy so she was normally kept under heavy guard. Guan Yu was waiting for her at the main gate as Gan Ning , Lu Bu , Diao Chan , Shang Xiang and a regiment of cavalry arrived. They expected to be attacked while riding to Shu but there was no way they could know for certain.
" Its time to go. Liu Bei wants us there before nightfall tomorrow. If we ride until sunset it shouldnt be hard. " Guan Yu was trying to make them all feel better but everyone knew there was no resting while Wei had an army of thousands. There was no safety anymore.
Cao Pi was vicious before but now with an army that was unmatched he had become merciless and bloodthirsty. No amount of death could fill his lust for destruction. Once peaceful villages were nothing but wastelands after Cao Pi visited them.
Tiānshǐ simply nodded to Guan Yu and Gan Ning helped her mount her horse. " I can't ride very fast. It may be a long trip Guan Yu. "
Guan Yu simply smiled. " My dear...Liu Bei might want us there before nightfall tomorrow but he is well aware that we will more than likely take longer. He would not want you to strain yourself. We take this trip slow and steady. "
Tiānshǐ smiled but knew that slow and steady would make them a moving target for Wei. Cao Pi had not ventured near the capitals yet but it was only a matter of time before he would. Nevertheless Tiānshǐ could not risk her child's life for the sake of a short travel.
The villagers waved goodbye as the group left the city. Everyone looked sad to see Tiānshǐ leaving. They knew she would have a good reason but without her in the capital they feared Cao Pi would attack.
Tiānshǐ was happy to see her friends in Shu but concerned about what would be waiting when she returned.
Two Days Later
Yue Ying met them at the gates of Shu and led Tiānshǐ to Liu Bei. " Its so good to see you Tiānshǐ! How have you been feeling? "
Tiānshǐ hugged Yue Ying gently and smiled. " Well im addicted to peaches and am always craving sweet things but other than that i am perfectly fine. " Yue Ying giggled softly as they walked into the throne room.
Liu Bei stood at once to greet Tiānshǐ. " Welcome back Tiānshǐ. It is good to see you. "
Tiānshǐ hugged him as if he was a brother she had not seen for years. " It is good to see you to Liu Bei. Your messenger said you have critical information? "
Liu Bei asked Yue Ying to get Tiānshǐ a chair before answering. " Please make yourself comfortable and yes my messenger was correct. I have discovered where Cao Pi got his army. "
Tiānshǐ seemed speechless but was eager to know. " Where did his army come from Liu Bei? Who are they? "
Liu Bei was hesitant to answer at first but spoke slowly. " His army is a most lethal force. They are merciless killers and have no code of honor. Nor do they swear allegiance to anyone without an exceptional reason. His army did not come from our land. Cao Pi never left china but has made some exceptionally deadly friends. He has allied himself with two factions that will be very difficult to overcome. "
Tiānshǐ thought for a moment before speaking. " Who are they Liu Bei? What are we up against? "
Liu Bei looked very concerned but spoke slowly once more. " The first problem we will have to face is a faction of deadly assassins that have been secretly training at Mt Dingjun for many years. I do not know how Cao Pi secured they're allegiance but it is most troubling. The second problem is his main army. Somehow Cao Pi has rallied the Mongols to his service. "
Tiānshǐ`s jaw dropped. As if assassins weren't enough to deal with she had heard plenty of rumors about the almost barbaric nature of the Mongolian hordes. " But how? The Mongols hate anyone outside they're domain. Why would they help Cao Pi? "
Liu Bei did not answer. Yue Ying beat him to it. " Simple. He married the daughter of they're leader two weeks ago. He promised the mongols control over all of china in exchange for wiping out Wu and Shu. Most specifically if they managed to capture you alive aswell. "
Tiānshǐ was heavily shocked but smiled anyway. " Let them try. My baby will be born soon and.." Tiānshǐ giggled softly " ...my armor will fit me again. Once i am back to full fighting strength even the savagery of the mongol hordes will not stop me. "
Yue Ying smiled gently before hugging her and saying in a tone much unlike her current mood. Although she did not show it, Yue Ying was extremely worried about Tiānshǐ. " Always the optimist aren't you Tiānshǐ? "
Tiānshǐ smiled brightly and winked. " Learned from the best Yue Ying "
Tiānshǐ sent Sun Jian a letter saying that she would stay in Shu for a few weeks and requested Pang Tong and Lu Xun to join her. She also explained where Cao Pi found his army and who they were.
The Next Day
Sun Jian was shocked after reading the letter but sent Lu Xun and Pang Tong to join Tiānshǐ in Shu. " Mongols...That explains why his army number so many. But these assassins are unknown to me. I had no idea there were still assassins alive let alone training at Mt Dingjun. "
Sun Ce spoke next as Zhou Yu entered the room. " Assassins? But why would they work for Cao Pi? They care nothing for the outside world. They care only for themselves and they're own interests. "
Zhou Yu spoke next and put the entire situation in a rather simple explanation. " Perhaps Cao Pi has something that interests them enough to dispose of they're secrecy? "
Both Sun Jian and Sun Ce were skeptical about it but did not dismiss the possibility. They spent the remainder of the day trying to figure it out.
Later that night Lu Xun and Pang Tong arrived in Shu. They hadnt stopped riding since Sun Jian received Tiānshǐ`s letter so the trip only took a day. Once they arrived Pang Tong left to speak with Liu Bei and Lu Xun was inseparable from Tiānshǐ.
Tiānshǐ was exhausted and having everyone fussing over her every moment of the day wasn't helping. " Xun im fine. I am perfectly safe here in Shu and quite comfortable. Please lets just get some sleep. You have been riding all day and my back is aching. Lets just sleep tonight and you can fuss over me to your hearts content tomorrow. "
Lu Xun smiled and kissed her deeply. " Very well my love. Lets get some sleep. "
Early The Next Morning
Tiānshǐ awoke in Lu Xun`s arms but still had a rather sore back so decided to just lay in bed for a while. When Lu Xun awoke she was already asleep again. " Her back must be very sore. I could've sworn she was awake a few minutes ago..." Lu Xun kissed her cheek gently before leaving to have breakfast. It was going to be a long few months. As the time for they're child to be born got closer Lu Xun was certain that it would effect Tiānshǐ`s mood somehow.
He was talking to Pang Tong about it when Shang Xiang entered. " Well of course it will effect her mood! How would you like to try and push a baby out?! "
Lu Xun shuddered at the thought and smiled. " I don't much like that idea to be totally honest "
Shang Xiang giggled and they spent the morning talking about names for the baby. Lu Xun decided to talk about it with Tiānshǐ before making any final decisions but had a rough idea of what he wanted to call the baby. He picked a name for a girl as he was strongly hoping for a daughter but knew Tiānshǐ would want to pick a name aswell.
He decided to leave the boy names for Tiānshǐ before studying with Pang Tong for the day. Tiānshǐ slept all day and most of the night but didn't really want to move due to her back aching so stayed in bed until the next day.
The threat to china revealed and the truth of Cao Pi`s army discovered, Will peace last long enough for Tiānshǐ to give birth to her child?
Find out in future chapters!
That`s chapter 25! I know its a short one but im a touch sleep deprived so my writing skill was a bit effected.
Please read and Review ^_^