Beginning Of The End
Chapter 26
The song in this chapter is Pale by Within Temptation. I don't own it.
Although Tiānshǐ was unable to fight, She decided that it was time to complete her daughters training.
She sent Lu Xun to find Liè Shì and Xing Cai to find Qǐ Shì lù.
Once they returned to Tiānshǐ , Sun Jian arrived to speak with them.
Sun Jian spoke plainly as usual but it was obvious that he was excited. " Tiānshǐ and i have decided that it is time to complete your training. You will study the second weapon you chose and when you have mastered it you will face an opponent in battle. If you win you will be recognized as generals of Wu. Liè Shì you will be training in the arena with Zhao Yun. He should be here shortly. Qǐ Shì lù you will be training with Diao Chan. Listen carefully and learn well. Good Luck. "
Liè Shì walked to the training fields where Lu Bu normally trains but instead found Diao Chan waiting for her. Liè Shì noticed that the small pedestal with a stack of small boxes on it was still there from when the two girls fought Tiānshǐ.
Diao Chan spoke softly but firmly. " Listen very carefully Liè Shì. The whip is not an easy weapon to wield and if you use it wrong you will hurt yourself. To begin we will practice proper wrist movement. " Liè Shì nodded and took her twin whips off her belt and set one aside. Learning one first would make learning two easier.
Meanwhile in the Arena
Qǐ Shì lù was eager to begin training but Zhao Yun had still not arrived. As Qǐ Shì lù started wondering if he would show up at all, she noticed both Zhao Yun and Tiānshǐ approaching.
They looked rather happy and were laughing happily. " It is good to see you Zhao Yun and thank you for agreeing to train my daughter. "
Zhao Yun smiled at Tiānshǐ and hugged her gently. " It is my pleasure Tiānshǐ and besides... Yue Ying would have slapped me senseless if i said no." Tiānshǐ giggled softly and waved goodbye to her daughter and Zhao Yun. " So you want to learn the spear? Well let's get started! "
Tiānshǐ decided to go for a walk to the peach blossom trees in the palace garden for some alone time. She rarely got any time to herself with everyone fussing over her due to her pregnancy. As she was walking through the gardens she suddenly felt both happy and sad at the time. Although she didn't know why, she decided that the best way to release it would be to sing and let her emotions flow like water.
The world seems not the same
Though I know nothing has changed
It's all my state of mind
I can't leave it all behind
I have to stand up to be stronger
As she sang, Zhen Ji joined her and began playing her flute. More and more of Wu`s generals came to the gardens to listen to her sing.
I have to try
To break free
From the thoughts in my mind
Use the time that I have
I can say goodbye
Have to make it right
Have to fight
'Cause I know in the end it's worthwhile
That the pain that I feel slowly fades away
It will be all right
Although the song was sad, The Wu generals that were listening all understood what she was singing about. She had a pain in her heart that none of them had felt. That none of them could fully understand.
I know
I should realize
Time is precious
It is worthwhile
Despite how I feel inside
Have to trust it'll be alright
Have to stand up to be stronger
As a single tear fell down Tiānshǐ`s face, Shang Xiang , Xing Cai , Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao broke into tears. They all heard the emotion in her voice.
Have to try
To break free
From the thoughts in my mind
Use the time that I have
I can say goodbye
Have to make it right
Have to fight
'Cause I know in the end it's worthwhile
That the pain that I feel slowly fades away
It will be all right
Tiānshǐ had tears flowing down her cheeks but was slowly feeling better as Lu Xun , Sun Ce , Zhou Yu , Sun Jian and Sun Quan walked into the gardens. They had been listening from one of the palace windows but wanted a closer seat.
Oh, this night is too long
Have no strength to go on
No more pain I'm floating away
Through the mist I see the face
Of an angel, calls my name
I remember you're the reason I have to stay
Lu Xun could feel his lovers emotion and hear it in her voice. He was almost in tears when Sun Jian placed a hand on his shoulder. " When she is done...go and hold her. " Lu Xun nodded as a tear fell down his cheek.
Have to try
To break free
From the thoughts in my mind
Use the time that I have
I can say goodbye
Have to make it right
Have to fight
'Cause I know in the end it's worthwhile
That the pain that I feel slowly fades away
It will be all right
As Tiānshǐ finished singing, Lu Xun walked up behind her and put his arms around her waist gently. He held her until she managed to slow her tears. He leant forward and kissed her cheek tenderly before whispering softly in her ear. " I love you Tiānshǐ. "
Tiānshǐ turned and kissed him gently before breaking down completely in his arms. After a few minutes Shang Xiang walked over to hug her sister. While everyone sat with Tiānshǐ and tried to comfort her, a messenger approached Sun Jian.
" My lord i apologize for interrupting but Qǐ Shì lù has almost finished her training and Liè Shì isn't far behind. " Sun Jian simply nodded as he watched his daughter let a lifetime of pain and sadness flow out of her heart.
In the Arena
Qǐ Shì lù was learning quickly but Zhao Yun still wasn't totally happy with her skill." You need to move more gracefully. Using a spear is both a skill and an art. Move like a river flows but swift enough to challenge the winds. "
As she slowly caught the concept and improved her technique ( while still using a lot of her mothers technique ) Zhao Yun asked her to spar him. " I will know if you are ready. Now fight with everything you've got! "
In the Fields
Liè Shì was learning whips very quickly. She had already learned to use a single whip but was struggling with two and seemed to hit herself more than the soldiers she was sparring with.
Diao Chan smiled and stepped forward to catch her arm gently before speaking. " Liè Shì you are doing well but you keep hitting yourself because you are only focused on one whip. Recognize the second aswell and focus on both at once. "
Although it took longer this time than when they learned they`re first choice of weapon, The two girls were still learning very quickly.
Back in the gardens however Tiānshǐ was still an emotional wreck but was slowly recovering.
" I will be fine. I just...I just needed to let out some overflowing emotions. Forgive me. " Tiānshǐ was still struggling to keep her tears from falling.
Sun Jian stepped forward. " My darling daughter there is nothing to forgive. As Pang Tong says you are ruthless and fearless on the battlefield but at home you are a gentle, loving lady of court. There is nothing wrong with showing your emotions and letting your tears flow. Never be ashamed to show your heart to any of us. We will never judge you and never mistreat you. "
Tiānshǐ almost tackled him and hugged him lovingly for a few moments as the other women managed to stop crying and get themselves together. " Thank you father. You always know what to say.."
Sun Jian smiled and chuckled softly. " It is my job as your father to know what to say to my children. If i did not know what to say i would not be a good father now would I? "
Tiānshǐ hugged him slightly tighter. " No matter what you will always be an excellent father. "
Sun Jian held his daughter a little longer before stepping back and smiling at her. " Wipe away your tears my daughter. It is time to test your daughters skill in battle. It is going to be a very difficult fight. Let us go and see how they are going so far. "
Tiānshǐ wiped her tears gently before sighing and nodding. As they approached the arena they saw Qǐ Shì lù disarm Zhao Yun and pin him to the ground with her knee. " Well done Qǐ Shì lù. You are ready. I am very impressed. Let us go and see how your sister is going " Zhao Yun smiled as Qǐ Shì lù tripped him again playfully.
Qǐ Shì lù giggled softly and ran over to her mother to give her a hug. " I did it! I learned to use my spear! "
Tiānshǐ hugged her daughter lovingly and smiled. " Well done sweetheart. Lets go see Liè Shì. It is almost time for your test. "
When they arrived at the training field they witnessed a completely different scene. Liè Shì was not only sparring with Diao Chan but had almost a full squad of soldiers around her. She was quite elegantly disarming and tripping the soldiers and Diao Chan with grace and speed. Her whips were like flashes of lightning on a stormy night.
As she disarmed the last soldier and tripped him with a quick flick of her wrist, Diao Chan stood and congratulated her. " You started out a little slowly but you have developed your skill with twin whips very well Liè Shì. I am very impressed. " Before anyone could leave the fields however, a messenger approached and spoke directly to Tiānshǐ.
" My lady you have a visitor. He will not say who he is or where he is from but he says that it is of utmost importance that he speak with you. He awaits you in the palace throne room. " Tiānshǐ nodded and was curious to see who it was and why they needed her attention so severely. Everyone walked to the palace and as they entered the throne room, Lu Xun , Pang Tong and Sun Ce were talking with the stranger.
Before Tiānshǐ could approach, Lu Xun stepped forward and stopped everyone. " Before he speaks i need you all to remain perfectly calm and not raise your weapons. His patience is very limited and he doesn't seem like someone you would want to anger. Just this once please remain calm no matter what. "
Tiānshǐ stepped forward but as the stranger turned around almost everyone in the room motioned for weapons before Tiānshǐ raised her hand. Everyone went still and returned to a calm stance.
Tiānshǐ stepped forward and spoke softly. " Who are you and what can i do for you? "
The stranger smiled. " I am sure you are aware of the army that you must fight soon Lady Tiānshǐ. My name is irrelevant but what you can do for me and my people is critical. I am from the group of assassins that train at Mt Dingjun. We did not willingly ally ourselves with Cao Pi. He kidnapped our leaders daughter and will kill her if we do not help him kill you. "
Tiānshǐ stepped back slightly as Shang Xiang picked up her chakram slowly. " So are you here to fulfill his wishes? Or do you want something else? "
The stranger removed his hood slowly. " We wish you no harm Tiānshǐ and that is why i am here. We need your help. We hate Cao Pi as much as you do but we can do nothing while our leader is under his influence. We need our leaders daughter rescued. In exchange we offer our allegiance to Wu. "
Tiānshǐ was speechless for a moment but snapped out of it quickly and glanced at Sun Jian. After he nodded, she turned back to the stranger. " Very well. We will rescue your people's treasure and in return you help us defeat Wei and kill Cao Pi. Agreed? " The stranger bowed deeply before motioning to walk out.
Tiānshǐ placed a hand on his shoulder. " Thank you for coming to us. I was not totally pleased with the idea of wiping out people I didn't even know existed. I look forward to peace and prosperity returning to the land. "
The stranger bowed deeply once more before handing her a note and leaving. Tiānshǐ opened the small note to see a small inscription. It simply read Shi Ting.
With the prospect of a new ally for Wu and one less for Cao Pi can Wu rescue the Assassins daughter in time or will they be too late?
Read next chapter to find out!
Another chapter done! This one was a bit emotional for me to type but i hope you enjoy it nonetheless!
Please Read and Review ^_^