Beginning Of The End
Chapter 36
Tiānshǐ awoke early the next morning to silence.
After rubbing her eyes gently, Tiānshǐ walked to the nearby river where she saw Shang Xiang , Chao Xing , Liè Shì , Qǐ Shì lù and Xing Cai sitting the edge of the river watching Zhu Rong catch fish.
Tiānshǐ spoke softly as everyone turned to see her. " Good morning everyone...Catching breakfast Zhu Rong? "
Zhu Rong smiled and nodded before swiftly spearing another fish and throwing it to Xing Cai.
Xing Cai caught the fish and put it into the basket next to her with several other fish before turning to speak with Tiānshǐ. " We didn't want to wake you. Are you feeling ok? "
Tiānshǐ nodded sadly but almost burst into tears. " Ill be ok...I just...I have a lot on my mind and with the battle against Wei soon...I...I'm scared. "
Chao Xing hugged Tiānshǐ tightly before speaking." We are all scared...I don't know what id do if I ever lost Qǐ Shì lù. I don't know what id do if I lost any of you. But I know I have to face that fear someday. It might be at the battle or it might be fifty years from now but I will have to face it. It is going to hurt and I'm scared to think of it but that doesn't make it go away. I can only get stronger if I face my fear and overcome it. Ill do everything I can to protect my family and keep them safe. That's all any of us can do. "
Tiānshǐ hugged Chao Xing lovingly before heading back to the camp and lighting a fire to cook the fish. After eating and packing up the camp, They continued the ride to the Nanman Lands. As they rode, The group spoke about what life could be like after the war. Tiānshǐ's only thought was raising Meilin without the shadow of war in her life. A world where her family was safe and could be raised in peace. Everyone smiled but in her heart, Tiānshǐ was in tears. Deep down Tiānshǐ felt that her dream of a life without war for her daughter may be impossible.
After a few hours, The group arrived at the border of the Nanman Lands. As far as the eye could see, The ground was covered in a layer of ash. Pools of blood and bodies were scattered across the landscape. Tiānshǐ was speechless as Zhu Rong burst into tears.
Shang Xiang spoke first. Her voice was almost a whisper. " T...They really left nothing alive did they...It's overkill...Like they specifically wanted to eradicate every living thing here..."
Zhu Rong managed to voice a few words through the tears. " That is the horror that Cao Pi has become. Nothing can satisfy his bloodlust. "
After a few moments everyone got off they're horses and walked around for a while. There was no life. No sounds to be heard. No birds or animals. All they could see was ash and death. Small columns of smoke drifted into the sky from burnt buildings and the smell of death and fire filled the air.
As everyone slowly walked back to the horses, Shang Xiang spoke softly. " There's nothing here...We need to get back to the capitol...The battle is in a week. We have to prepare..."
Tiānshǐ spoke next. Her tone was full of mixed emotion but she spoke bluntly. " All of you should return to the capitol. I'm going to search for survivors for a few days. "
Chao Xing spoke quickly." But Lady Tiānshǐ we need you back at the capitol! The army needs its leader! "
Tiānshǐ hugged Chao Xing softly and smiled before climbing onto her horse and riding into the Nanman Lands. Although Tiānshǐ felt almost all the hope and happiness leave her, She saw something that lifted her spirits. An eagle, flying high above the carnage. Its cry echoed through the area as if it was the only sound to be heard there in centuries.
As the eagle flew off into the distance, Tiānshǐ stopped her horse. After a few moments, Zhu Rong stopped beside her. " That is one of our scouting eagles. It's master is probably dead and it's looking for survivors. "
Tiānshǐ turned to Zhu Rong slowly. " But what if it isn't? What if that eagle was sent to find help and is trying to lead us back to whoever sent it? Isn't it worth checking out? "
Zhu Rong smiled and wiped the tears from her cheeks. " My friend you have an amazing ability to motivate people. Alright lets follow the eagle. "
Meanwhile
" Shouldn't we have gone with them? This is a very dangerous time to be riding around in pairs. They could get ambushed. " Chao Xing was very nervous about riding back to the capitol without Zhu Rong and Tiānshǐ. Everyone felt the same but Liè Shì spoke in a way that set they're minds at ease.
" This is Tiānshǐ we are talking about. She is one of the strongest warriors in all of china and your talking about her like a lost child! If anyone can survive on her own it's her. She has survived everything the world has thrown at her and still has the strength to keep going. If you really doubt her enough that you need to be with her then stop complaining and go. But sitting here talking about it isn't helping. Zhu Rong is with her so stop worrying. " Liè Shì smiled as Shang Xiang laughed heartily.
" Ironically Liè Shì, you sound just like your mother. " Shang Xiang smiled as they stopped at the border for the night.
After setting up camp and having dinner, everyone went to bed.
In The Nanman Lands
" I know someone may have survived Tiānshǐ but we have followed this eagle for hours and found nothing. Maybe we should head ba..." Before Zhu Rong could finish, The sound of a horn echoed through the area. It was almost like the sound had echoed across half of china and for a moment Tiānshǐ and Zhu Rong had thought they imagined it. But as it sounded again, It grew slightly louder.
" Someone is alive! I knew it! " Tiānshǐ smiled brightly as Zhu Rong burst into tears again. After a few moments, Tiānshǐ took the war horn off her belt and blew it as loud as she could. The sound of her horn pierced the night sky like a red hot sword. As her horn fell silent, the distant sound of possible life echoed again.
" Lets go Zhu Rong! There's someone alive out there! " Tiānshǐ felt hope and happiness swell in her heart as she blew her war horn again.
At The Border
The sound of a horn echoed through the area as Chao Xing ran out of her tent to wake everyone up. " Wake up everyone! I heard Tiānshǐ's war horn! "
Everyone ran out of they're tents and listened in silence. As Shang Xiang was about to speak, The sound echoed again. Shang Xiang stood silently as her jaw dropped. " Th...They found survivors..."
Chao Xing almost screamed in happiness. " Tiānshǐ was right! Someone survived! "
As everyone smiled happily, Shang Xiang spoke. " I know we are all excited but we need to get some sleep. We will get back to the capitol tomorrow and we can be excited then. Now off to bed all of you. "
The Nanman Lands decimated with nothing but blood and ash remaining.
Will Tiānshǐ and Zhu Rong find survivors? Or is it another machination of Wei?
Read on to find out!
That's Chapter 36. I apologise for taking so long between chapters.
Read and Review ^_^