Chapter 8: Run Boy Run
It's midday, the sun shines brightly, Guan Ping shelters his squinting eyes with the back of his hand. Red hare had calmed down keeping a steady pace, even his walking was faster than the average horse, Guan Ping had no clue of his whereabouts or where he was headed. Red hare led forward to his own accord. Despite the sun the winter breeze was skin pinching, and the earth was covered in frost. Guan Ping shuddered, he'd used the stolen furs to cover himself, their heavy weight easing the pain of the cold winter. His lips were blue, his face pale, he looked around him his teeth chattering. The tall trees help disguise him if he's being followed he hoped, but the loud sound of nature makes it difficult to detect an upcoming danger. The birds chirped high above, the squirrels leaped from branch to branch, and red hare's steps trotted through the woodlands. Pray there be no bandits.
"How far till Weixing?" Guan Ping mumbled his teeth chattering as he addresses red hare.
Lu Bu's former beast snorted as though he understood. Guan Ping leant forward, hugging the horse and petting it's neck gently, letting him know how grateful he was for saving him. He then sat back up, a strange feeling came over him. His heart began to race again, danger was lurking near. His head turned to the sound of a unit nearby, on the main path perhaps, he ducked his head down ushering for Red Hare to move away as quiet as possible, Red Hare gaited in the opposite direction, staying clear of the main path and moving further into the woods.
The Wei border was generally secure with their regular patrols, it was unlikely that bandits would be this close, and the assumption was confirmed when Guan Ping heard the voices of foot soldiers nearby. He slowly slid off Red hare's back, panting lightly, he removed the furs off his back and placed them on the horse in case he needed to run. In fact, he'd decided it was better to part with red hare now, or use him as a distraction to avoid the lurking danger. The voices of the soldiers became closer, or perhaps there was more? The unit marched through the woods, and the loud sound of horses neighing faded closer.
Guan Ping slapped red hare's hind to set him off in the opposite direction. He nodded as red hare trotted on and he himself crawled to the floor using the bushes in the woods to conceal his presence. He'd wished he could dive in and stay there, but the rustling could alert the nearby soldiers. Guan Ping swallowed a lump in his throat as he tried to peak between the branches to catch a sight of the woodland passers. They are dressed in black with no army banner to wave. Are they an independent unit? Bandits? Men here to join Wei? There was too many of them for one person, yet the unit was small in numbers, creating a path through the forest like a garden snake. Such a method of travel only indicates they too don't want to be seen. But now is not the time for such mysteries, Guan Ping squatted moving faster between the bushes, cautiously avoiding stepping on any branches and keeping his hand ready on his axe in case he needs it. The small army continue to travel calmly, the foot soldiers chattering about how they miss their home.
Guan Ping halted, freezing in his position, he clenched his side and looked at his wound which had created a trail along the frosted grass behind him. "That's not good" He whispers, wincing in pain quietly, he bites his lips to avoid letting out a cry, but when he opens his eyes he sees the shadow of a man on a horse covering him. That's when he knew he was detected.
Run.
Guan Ping shoots up and sprints for his life, ignoring the throbbing pain that begs him to stop. Not now, not here. He refuses to die.
It takes moments for the horse rider to follow, but only a matter of seconds for him to be upon his prey. Unfortunately, red hare didn't do well as a distraction and by the manner of the oblivious soldiers he'd probably not been spotted at all.
Guan Ping panted as he continued to run a losing race, his axe in his hand and heart pumping fast and begging to not be struck by an arrow.
The horse rider was right upon him, the sound of his animal's hoofs ringing in Guan Ping's ears and telling him it was all over.
Guan Ping's blood pressure suddenly hit low, making him nauseous and unable to see in front of him as he tried to fight it. His vision was blurring and the sound of horse hooves fading though he knew it was closer than ever. His axe slipped through his fingers as he struggled to keep his hands clenched, his legs were giving up too and he dropped to the floor, the frosty ground against his skin though he was too numb to feel it. He sees the rider unmount his horse, and walk on closer, his shadow covering the winter sun's light that was hitting the semi-conscious Guan Ping. Guan Ping tries to look at the man, but his vision is close to black. He closes his eyes defeated. A second shadow covers him, now two men stand above him, and their soldiers surround them, but only to spectate. Guan Ping opens his eyes once more. A concerned Ma Dai and Xu Shu peer over him, their mouths move but he is unable to hear them. Guan Ping laid his head back relieved and closed his eyes peacefully. "Ma Dai" He murmurs relieved assuming it's a dream.
Ma Dai and Xu Shu look at each other, both squatting over him wondering what massacre he'd committed with the blood covering his robes and face, or what war he fought with the blood spilling out of his side. The two stand up as they see a big red horse trot towards them and then stops just as he is above Guan Ping. The two men's brows raise in bewilderment at the sight of Red hare, and how he'd calmly strolled over.
Later that evening Guan Ping woke up finding himself in a tent lit by a dim light of candles creating a peaceful ambience. The comfort of the furs he laid on and those that covered him could not compare to the opulence of Wei's furniture, in fact this was a very humble setting on the cold floor, but he'd finally felt a peace his heart had long yearned for. The sight of Ma Dai and Xu Shu earlier, it was all he needed to feel at home again, to be safe. He turned over to his side, noticing someone had freshly bandaged and taken care of his wound. He closed his eyes again, knowing he can rest now, his people would take care of him. Pray it not be him hallucinating from the blood loss.
The next day came by, Guan Ping sat up slowly pulling the furs off himself and then clutching his head before pushing himself up. He grunted at the brain fog he was experiencing and walked on to not pay it any attention and hope for it to subside with daylight, daylight that was blindingly too bright. Guan Ping squinted as he drew open the tent and strolled out of it. He blinked a few times to adjust his eyes to the sudden change in brightness. It is another cold and bright day, except the faces he sees bring the warmth he needs. Guan Ping's annoyance at the sunlight changes as he glances at Xu Shu and Ma Dai who are seated by the fire with vegetable baozi's and tea, both smile welcomingly, as they see him. Guan Ping saunter's closer, using the back of his hand to shield his eyes from the sun.
"How do you fair today younger god of war" Xu Shu asks, a pleased smiled on his face as he offers him steamed vegetable buns. The smell is refreshing, Shu's own recipes differ greatly to Wei, and although the latter is dripping with abundance of everything, nothing is quiet like home and everything else that comes with it. Guan Ping takes a bun, and sits down on a wooden log. He scoffs at Xu Shu's comment. "You are too kind master Xu Shu, I wouldn't compare" Guan Ping said sullenly, and then peered at Ma Dai's bright smile.
"Quiet a nasty gash you got there" Ma Dai pointed out, his brows furrowing concernedly.
Guan Ping shrugged nibbling away at his toasty veggie bun contently.
"Well well, if it isn't the great son of Guan Yu" a voice came from behind, and Guan Ping lit up upon recognising it, he turned to Fa Zheng who stood smirking complacently. "Look at you. Survived hell, did you?" Fa Zheng smiled impressed.
"I don't think you've ever looked that happy to see me master Fa Zheng" Guan Ping teased, his tiredness not allowing him to sound as enthusiastic as he should.
Fa Zheng rolled his eyes jokingly and a sly smile appeared on his face, as Guan Ping came closer. Fa Zheng gazed at him for a moment, and then rolled his eyes again and pulled him against his chest briefly, Guan Ping returned the hug and knew Fa Zheng well enough to not expect it to last longer. Had it done so he'd probably passed out on him from fatigue. Upon pulling away Guan Ping found Ma Dai and Xu Shu standing over him again. Xu Shu ruffled Guan Ping's hair like a loving old brother, as his collar covered his light smile and naturally sad looking face. Ma Dai patted Guan Ping on the shoulder too, all letting him know they were glad to have him back.
"Let's look at that wound of yours" Ma Dai suggests, prompting for Guan Ping to remove his tunic.
"You know who'll be really glad to see you" Fa Zheng began, pressing his hands against his own hips. "Ma Chao" He announces, and Guan Ping's face lights up a little more as he untangles himself from him his robes.
"Where is he?" Guan Ping asks excitedly.
"Gone to patrol the surrounding area, he'll be back in a few days" Xu Shu explains, as he sips tea from behind his cosy high collar.
"Who else is here? And where even are we?" Guan Ping asks as he shivers from the cold air hitting his bare chest.
"It's just us" Ma Dai responds as he seats Guan Ping on a barrel and lifts his arm to look at his injured side. "We're just on the border of Wei's territory"
Guan Ping's brows raise in confusion, and Fa Zheng folds his arms anticipating his next question. "We're here to spy" He reveals. "Master Pang Tong's idea. We've been here for a while, keeping our eyes on Wei's movements". Fa Zheng explained.
"They haven't made any military moves for a while, I'm not sure why, but their lord is taken by illness" Guan Ping pointed out and Ma Dai pulled off Guan Ping's bandage gently.
"Xu Shu" Ma Dai calls, and Xu Shu nods immediately knowing what to do, except he fidgets at first trying to find somewhere to place his cup of tea, reluctant to waste good tea. Fa Zheng offers his hand out to hold it, and Xu Shu nods gratefully, before proceeding to collect a sword from a weapon's rack and holding it on top of the fire to heat it.
"Why are your men wearing black?" Guan Ping asks, his brows expressing his confusion.
"We're not trying to announce our presence here, Wei are less likely to pay us any attention this way" Fa Zheng explained, his tone implying that the reason was obvious. "We just patrol, send news back to lord Liu Bei, things have been tough in Shu" His tone transitioned to a disheartened one.
Guan Ping frowned in worry.
"The winter harvest was destroyed by parasites, and a sickness had been spreading in the capital, brought about by the peasants apparently" Fa Zheng said in annoyance, and Ma Dai sharked him.
"Many people have lost their lives to it, we believe it's been controlled now, but it will take time for us to re-establish our swathes. We can't expect the men to fight on empty stomachs, our army's been hit hard by the lack of food supplies." Ma Dai explained, glaring at Fa Zheng once more for his insensitivity. Guan Ping looked at Fa Zheng who rolled his eyes nonchalantly, Fa Zheng then poured the cup of tea on the ground resulting in a disappointed face from Xu Shu, but the latter chose not to say anything, attending to readying the hot sword for Ma Dai. Fa Zheng folded his arms and walked away anticipating what was about to follow and purposely avoiding the sound of it.
"He cares in his own way" Guan Ping defended and Ma Dai made a sarcastic smile implying he wasn't convinced. Xu Shu handed the sword to Ma Dai and glanced at Guan Ping sympathetically. Ma Dai held Guan Ping's hand firmly to stop him from jerking back against the weapon, and the pressed the hot steel against his wound without warning. Guan Ping used his other hand to muffle his pained scream, biting into his own skin as he felt his eyes tear up. No amount of tensing his body could help bear the pain of the burn, and Ma Dai had cruelly left it against his skin for the entire minute before he removed it. Guan Ping panted, his brows drawing down from the sides and he blinks heavily in agony. Resisting to touch his side which felt like it was going to melt off.
"You'll feel better soon" Xu Shu reassured, his worried expression remaining.
"You'll be okay" Ma Dai smiled and patted Guan Ping's leg. Guan Ping exhaled heavily as if his soul was leaving his body. Ma Dai reached for Guan Ping's robes, and he and Xu Shu both helped him dress.
"MY LORD!" A messenger almost tripped over himself wailing breathlessly. Ma Dai, Guan Ping and Xu Shu looked up perturbed. "WEI FORCES AT THE GATES!" The messenger declared.
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