Author's note: Yikes! Another short chapter! I'm kinda at a writer's
block at the moment, but I'll get by I promise! School is starting
tomorrow and I just wanna let ya know that I might not update every day
now. Thx for reviewing, my goal is 100 reviews, so plz continue!
Enjoy!
Part 2
The Power of the Red Moon
Chapter 13
Midnight Star
"Zhang He! Are you awake?" Someone was whispering in Zhang He's ear. He stirred a bit and opened his eyes. He was lying on his stomach on the ground next to Diao Chan. He tried to move his hands so he could feel if his head was bleeding or not, but failed. He tugged at them with all his might, but heavy ropes were binding him. He couldn't stand either, he soon discovered, as his feet were also tied.
"What's going on around here?" He said to Diao Chan, who remained motionless.
"Quiet down! Don't move very much, lie down!" She hissed.
"Why do I ha-"
"Just do it!!" Diao Chan whispered harshly. Zhang He obeyed her orders and lowered himself back onto the ground. Diao Chan looked around cautiously then swung herself onto her side so she faced Zhang He.
"He's still around here somewhere, I think he's waiting for us to wake up . . ." She informed him "He's taken all our belongings, even the weapons."
"Did he hurt you?" Zhang He said, getting angry.
"No, I'm just fine, but I don't even want to know what he's planning for us when we 'wake up' . . ." Diao Chan said, a little frightened.
"Don't worry, I won't let him touch you." Zhang He said reassuringly. "Now, lie back on your stomach, let me see what I can do about those ropes." Diao Chan flipped over back to her original position and Zhang He peered around to see if the thief had returned. When all was cleared he inched over to her and laid his head on her back. He bit into the tough ropes that were tying her small, white hands together. If he could pull them the right way, maybe they'd come undone and she could untie them both and then they could slip away. The ropes slightly loosened after he thrashed them from side to side. It was working, the knot was pulling away! Slowly, the first knot untangled and Zhang He started on the second one. Just as he thought it was coming undone, he heard footsteps from behind him. He launched himself back to the place he was lying before and shut his eyes tight. He chest still stung from where the man metal fingernails had dug into him. He felt gnarled fingers slide into his hair and grab it. They grasped the dark, silky strands and yanked his body up. Zhang He cried out and two tears sprang from his eyes from the sudden burst of pain.
"So we are awake . . ." He croaked gleefully.
"Please, don't hurt Diao Chan, do whatever you want to me!" Zhang He pleaded. The man laughed deepthroatedly and tossed Zhang He to the floor. He flipped a sharp, crooked dagger out of his pocket and grasped the hilt. He bent down to Zhang He's face and cut a small slit in his cheek. Blood dripped down slowly to the ground. The evil man took the knife and slashed the bonds on his feet and hands.
"Stand up!" He ordered. Zhang He shot up fast as he could and said nothing. He then cut Diao Chan's bonds and she rose to her feet. He looked at them both and brought the knife to Zhang He's throat.
"Pretty nice clothing you got, they look very royal and expensive . . ." He said looking up and down his figure. He peered over at Diao Chan, surveying her as well. "Those ones probably were nice, but you've ripped them to hell. Alright, you, give me your shirt and pants, and you give me all your jewelry and your headdress." He said, pointing at Zhang he then Diao Chan. She hurriedly seized her necklace and rings and threw them down. Then she removed the lovely glass flowers from her hair, and set it down carefully. Zhang He undid the frogs quickly and laid the shirt down with Diao Chan's jewelry.
"I-I'll have nothing to wear without my pants, sir . . ." Zhang He said cautiously to the man.
"Does it look like I care!?" He yelled. Zhang He slowly pulled down his pants and covered himself with his hands.
"Now, scram! If you ever come back I'll kill you both!" He yelled menacingly. They turned to run, but something jumped out at them from the bushes. Another man, just as tall, with a huge sword charged out yelling. Instead of attacking Zhang He and Diao Chan, he sped off towards the thief. Diao Chan stopped to watch, but Zhang he urged her to keep running. They hid themselves in the plants and watched the fight through the leaves. Zhang He turned to look at Diao Chan. She was slowly removing her belt and hip-cape.
"W-W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!??" Zhang He yelled, backing off a little.
"Here . . ." She said a little surprised, "You can wear this."
"Oh . . . T-thanks . . ." He said, calming down and taking the pink material. Phew, glad it wasn't anything . . . He thought to himself, still blushing a little. The man outside battled furiously well. He knocked the thief's sword away in a matter of seconds and slashed his throat like lightening. He turned to look at the bush they were concealed in. His eyes were pale green and seemed to shine. His hair was perfectly straight and just reached down to his lower back. He had a very small beard around his chin and wore fine looking, dark blue clothes.
"You can come out, I won't hurt you." He announced to the forest. Zhang He cautiously poked his head out and emerged from the floor, closely followed by Diao Chan.
"Thank you so much for saving us, sir." Zhang he said bowing, and then hastily snatching up his clothes. He yanked his pants on, then handed Diao Chan back her cape and belt. He buttoned up the shirt, and then turned to face to tall man.
"Are you two alright? You seemed in quite a fix." Said the man, stroking his moustache.
"Just fine, now!" Zhang He said as Diao Chan moved behind him. "You were amazing the way you struck him down, if you hadn't been here, we would've been all alone with no supplies or weapons if you hadn't saved us."
"It was nothing at all, I couldn't just let two kids be stolen from right in front of me." He paused "What are you two doing out here anyway?"
"We're on a journey to find my sworn brother." Zhang He said as the man eyed him.
"You have green clothing . . ." He said suspiciously "Am I to believe your are from the Shu forces?"
"No, my brother is the strategist, I wish to speak with him." Zhang He said.
"So you're the Sworn brother he talks about all the time. Honestly, the way he acts, I wouldn't expect him to have even one friend. Are you going to try and join the Wei?" He said, sounding friendlier. Zhang He faltered. His sworn brother was on it, so maybe he should be too . . .but what about Zhou Yu and Sun Ce?
"N-. . . Uh, I'm not sure, I'm thinking about it . . ." Zhang He said quietly.
"Well, then you are in luck. I am Lord Cao Cao's cousin, Xiahou Dun. If you wish, I can escort you to our main camp." He said.
"Thank you, sir! You are too kind!" Said Zhang He bowing low to him Diao Chan also bowed respectively, but looked afraid. "I am Zhang He, and this is my friend Diao Chan."
"We shall start on the journey in the morning, but first we must sleep." He advised. They all crawled back to the tent and lay down. Diao Chan rolled right beside Zhang He and didn't face Xiahou Dun. He supposed she was scared of him, so he put an arm around her tiny frame and closed his eyes. He fell asleep, breathing the soft, sweet fragrance of her dark hair.
In the morning Diao Chan was the first up. She stepped quietly outside, eager to get away from Xiahou Dun. Something about him scared her very much. She scolded herself for being such a coward. Zhang He and Xiahou Dun rose at the same time and met her outside. They packed up the tent and all the items, and then set out for the Wei camp.
"It's a long, long way away, we should be there in about a week's time on foot." Xiahou Dun informed them.
"What were you doing all the way out here, My Lord?" Zhang He said.
"I was hunting for enemy spies from the Wu or Shu. We must be careful about letting any information out at all." Xiahou Dun said, looking down over the plains. "Due north for a while."
They walked for hours and hours. The soft spring breeze caressed their faces and brightened their spirits. It was good to know the long harsh winter was over and now another year or fertility and bounty was upon them. Zhang He looked out to the cloudless blue skies as they moved along. He breathed in the fresh warm air and thought how wonderful it was to be alive. He now laughed at himself for thinking death was better than the pain of living when . . .when . . . Why couldn't her bring himself to think of his old life still? It happened, it was done, but he couldn't seem to face it. In his mind he had partially fooled himself into think Rai Tso could maybe still be alive, waiting for him to return. It seemed like such a long time ago, although it couldn't have been more than three weeks ago. At least he was with Diao Chan, going to find his brothers. There was still some hope.
Over the next few days, Diao Chan grew less and less afraid of Xiahou Dun. She could now almost carry out a conversation with growing quiet or hiding behind Zhang He. Zhang He knew it wasn't a very good quality, but when Diao Chan was frightened, he took a strange delight in protecting or comforting her. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but Diao Chan was different than all the other girls he had met. His very subconscious made him believe he was responsible for what happened to her, even though he knew this was foolish. There was something special about her, Zhang He knew it from the very moment he had first lay eyes one her. It was a strange connection between the two, something that had bound their fates for some unseen event in the future. Whatever it was, Zhang He felt happiest when she was by his side.
After six days of traveling, Xiahou Dun announced they would be arriving at the main Wei camp at noon the next day. That night the all ate a big portion of rice and talked happily. The fire crackled merrily, they world and its noises floated all around them, and they stayed up late into the night.
"The coming of spring brings great fortune to the land." Xiahou Dun mused as he looked around the area and its lush meadows of grass.
"Yes, I'm very glad it won't be cold anymore, I can't stand it at all. I was born on the hottest day of summer 15 years ago." Zhang He said.
"I was also born in summer, on the equinox in fact." Xiahou Dun said calmly stroking his beard again.
"My birthday is in twenty-five days, I can't wait to be fifteen." Diao Chan said happily.
"I thought you were younger than that." Xiahou Dun mused.
"Yes, most people think I look younger than I am." Diao Chan said, bravely speaking to Xiahou Dun.
"My son, Xiahou De, he's turning fifteen soon as well." Xiahou Dun said sleepily.
"Please, Xiahou Dun, tell me about the Wei, about the generals and such." Zhang He said.
"Ahh, I fear I cannot until I have your word you will be joining the Wei." He said sadly.
"Well, I cannot be sure. Let me explain to you my problem. I have three sworn brothers, Zhou Yu, Sun Ce, and Sima Yi. As you probably know, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu are part of the Wu forces. We had all planned on being in the Wu. So a couple of months later, I discovered Sima Yi was on the Wei. I want to fight alongside all of them, but if I were to join Wu, I would be fighting against him. He seemed like he wanted to join us at the time. Now I want to search him out and ask him his reasons for joining Wei." Zhang He explained.
"I know that." Said Xiahou Dun grimly.
"Please, please tell me!" Zhang He said desperately.
"My cousin heard of Sima Yi's genius and desired him for our force's strategist. When we visited him, he made it clear to us that he was going to join the Wu. The only things more I know of the matter was that his father was furious, some money was given to him by my cousin, then the next day Sima Yi shows up, looking tired and angry, and joins us." Xiahou Dun said in his calm voice.
"He was forced!" Zhang He said angrily "That bastard Cao Cao paid his father to force Sima Yi!"
"You are my friend, Zhang He, but I will not have you insulting my cousin, even if I don't agree with his actions." Xiahou Dun said a little louder.
"Yes, you are right, please forgive me . . ." Zhang He said, suppressing his anger. "I now hunger for a meeting even more . . ."
"Tomorrow will be the day, let us get some sleep for now." Xiahou Dun said, extinguishing the fire.
The next morning they woke quite early and gathered up the equipment. Xiahou Dun led them into a low valley where no grass grew. Mist hung heavy in the air and twice they took a wrong turn. High and jagged mountains towered overhead and it began to drizzle later in the day.
Soon the ground flattened out and huge boulders appeared out of the thick mist without warning. The plowed through the barren wasteland and searched for any signs of life. After about an hour they came upon a human skeleton with a sword stuck through its skull. Diao Chan shuddered and grabbed onto Zhang He's arm. After walking a few more steps, a horrible, putrid stench rose into the air.
"What is that terrible smell?" Zhang He said, clapping a hand over his nose and mouth. They walked up to a ring of rocks and the smell intensified. Xiahou Dun drew his sword, and Zhang He, upon seeing this, readied his Talons. When the mist cleared a horrible site met their eyes. Dead soldiers in green armor lay around decaying. Maggots and al sorts of bugs were crawling over their corpses and through their eye sockets. Weapons and arrows were still lodged in their bodies and heads and they lay in disgustingly weird positions.
Diao Chan gasped and buried her face in Zhang He's back. Zhang He wrinkled his nose and looked slightly to the side. Xiahou Dun, on the other hand, went over and investigated.
"These are Shu spies!" He bellowed. "I'm glad they were killed . . ."
"That's sickening . . ." Diao Chan said, still wrenched onto Zhang He.
"Come, let's push on!" Xiahou Dun said, veering around the dead soldiers. About ten minutes later, they came upon a great chipped gate. It rose some twenty feet above the ground and the doors were simply massive. Some archers poked their heads out and ordered to identify themselves.
"It's me, Xiahou Dun. I have two visitors with me, you shall let them in as well." He called up to the men. They disappeared and seconds later the mighty doors swung open. Zhang He blinked and he was staring into the main Wei camp.
block at the moment, but I'll get by I promise! School is starting
tomorrow and I just wanna let ya know that I might not update every day
now. Thx for reviewing, my goal is 100 reviews, so plz continue!
Enjoy!
Part 2
The Power of the Red Moon
Chapter 13
Midnight Star
"Zhang He! Are you awake?" Someone was whispering in Zhang He's ear. He stirred a bit and opened his eyes. He was lying on his stomach on the ground next to Diao Chan. He tried to move his hands so he could feel if his head was bleeding or not, but failed. He tugged at them with all his might, but heavy ropes were binding him. He couldn't stand either, he soon discovered, as his feet were also tied.
"What's going on around here?" He said to Diao Chan, who remained motionless.
"Quiet down! Don't move very much, lie down!" She hissed.
"Why do I ha-"
"Just do it!!" Diao Chan whispered harshly. Zhang He obeyed her orders and lowered himself back onto the ground. Diao Chan looked around cautiously then swung herself onto her side so she faced Zhang He.
"He's still around here somewhere, I think he's waiting for us to wake up . . ." She informed him "He's taken all our belongings, even the weapons."
"Did he hurt you?" Zhang He said, getting angry.
"No, I'm just fine, but I don't even want to know what he's planning for us when we 'wake up' . . ." Diao Chan said, a little frightened.
"Don't worry, I won't let him touch you." Zhang He said reassuringly. "Now, lie back on your stomach, let me see what I can do about those ropes." Diao Chan flipped over back to her original position and Zhang He peered around to see if the thief had returned. When all was cleared he inched over to her and laid his head on her back. He bit into the tough ropes that were tying her small, white hands together. If he could pull them the right way, maybe they'd come undone and she could untie them both and then they could slip away. The ropes slightly loosened after he thrashed them from side to side. It was working, the knot was pulling away! Slowly, the first knot untangled and Zhang He started on the second one. Just as he thought it was coming undone, he heard footsteps from behind him. He launched himself back to the place he was lying before and shut his eyes tight. He chest still stung from where the man metal fingernails had dug into him. He felt gnarled fingers slide into his hair and grab it. They grasped the dark, silky strands and yanked his body up. Zhang He cried out and two tears sprang from his eyes from the sudden burst of pain.
"So we are awake . . ." He croaked gleefully.
"Please, don't hurt Diao Chan, do whatever you want to me!" Zhang He pleaded. The man laughed deepthroatedly and tossed Zhang He to the floor. He flipped a sharp, crooked dagger out of his pocket and grasped the hilt. He bent down to Zhang He's face and cut a small slit in his cheek. Blood dripped down slowly to the ground. The evil man took the knife and slashed the bonds on his feet and hands.
"Stand up!" He ordered. Zhang He shot up fast as he could and said nothing. He then cut Diao Chan's bonds and she rose to her feet. He looked at them both and brought the knife to Zhang He's throat.
"Pretty nice clothing you got, they look very royal and expensive . . ." He said looking up and down his figure. He peered over at Diao Chan, surveying her as well. "Those ones probably were nice, but you've ripped them to hell. Alright, you, give me your shirt and pants, and you give me all your jewelry and your headdress." He said, pointing at Zhang he then Diao Chan. She hurriedly seized her necklace and rings and threw them down. Then she removed the lovely glass flowers from her hair, and set it down carefully. Zhang He undid the frogs quickly and laid the shirt down with Diao Chan's jewelry.
"I-I'll have nothing to wear without my pants, sir . . ." Zhang He said cautiously to the man.
"Does it look like I care!?" He yelled. Zhang He slowly pulled down his pants and covered himself with his hands.
"Now, scram! If you ever come back I'll kill you both!" He yelled menacingly. They turned to run, but something jumped out at them from the bushes. Another man, just as tall, with a huge sword charged out yelling. Instead of attacking Zhang He and Diao Chan, he sped off towards the thief. Diao Chan stopped to watch, but Zhang he urged her to keep running. They hid themselves in the plants and watched the fight through the leaves. Zhang He turned to look at Diao Chan. She was slowly removing her belt and hip-cape.
"W-W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!??" Zhang He yelled, backing off a little.
"Here . . ." She said a little surprised, "You can wear this."
"Oh . . . T-thanks . . ." He said, calming down and taking the pink material. Phew, glad it wasn't anything . . . He thought to himself, still blushing a little. The man outside battled furiously well. He knocked the thief's sword away in a matter of seconds and slashed his throat like lightening. He turned to look at the bush they were concealed in. His eyes were pale green and seemed to shine. His hair was perfectly straight and just reached down to his lower back. He had a very small beard around his chin and wore fine looking, dark blue clothes.
"You can come out, I won't hurt you." He announced to the forest. Zhang He cautiously poked his head out and emerged from the floor, closely followed by Diao Chan.
"Thank you so much for saving us, sir." Zhang he said bowing, and then hastily snatching up his clothes. He yanked his pants on, then handed Diao Chan back her cape and belt. He buttoned up the shirt, and then turned to face to tall man.
"Are you two alright? You seemed in quite a fix." Said the man, stroking his moustache.
"Just fine, now!" Zhang He said as Diao Chan moved behind him. "You were amazing the way you struck him down, if you hadn't been here, we would've been all alone with no supplies or weapons if you hadn't saved us."
"It was nothing at all, I couldn't just let two kids be stolen from right in front of me." He paused "What are you two doing out here anyway?"
"We're on a journey to find my sworn brother." Zhang He said as the man eyed him.
"You have green clothing . . ." He said suspiciously "Am I to believe your are from the Shu forces?"
"No, my brother is the strategist, I wish to speak with him." Zhang He said.
"So you're the Sworn brother he talks about all the time. Honestly, the way he acts, I wouldn't expect him to have even one friend. Are you going to try and join the Wei?" He said, sounding friendlier. Zhang He faltered. His sworn brother was on it, so maybe he should be too . . .but what about Zhou Yu and Sun Ce?
"N-. . . Uh, I'm not sure, I'm thinking about it . . ." Zhang He said quietly.
"Well, then you are in luck. I am Lord Cao Cao's cousin, Xiahou Dun. If you wish, I can escort you to our main camp." He said.
"Thank you, sir! You are too kind!" Said Zhang He bowing low to him Diao Chan also bowed respectively, but looked afraid. "I am Zhang He, and this is my friend Diao Chan."
"We shall start on the journey in the morning, but first we must sleep." He advised. They all crawled back to the tent and lay down. Diao Chan rolled right beside Zhang He and didn't face Xiahou Dun. He supposed she was scared of him, so he put an arm around her tiny frame and closed his eyes. He fell asleep, breathing the soft, sweet fragrance of her dark hair.
In the morning Diao Chan was the first up. She stepped quietly outside, eager to get away from Xiahou Dun. Something about him scared her very much. She scolded herself for being such a coward. Zhang He and Xiahou Dun rose at the same time and met her outside. They packed up the tent and all the items, and then set out for the Wei camp.
"It's a long, long way away, we should be there in about a week's time on foot." Xiahou Dun informed them.
"What were you doing all the way out here, My Lord?" Zhang He said.
"I was hunting for enemy spies from the Wu or Shu. We must be careful about letting any information out at all." Xiahou Dun said, looking down over the plains. "Due north for a while."
They walked for hours and hours. The soft spring breeze caressed their faces and brightened their spirits. It was good to know the long harsh winter was over and now another year or fertility and bounty was upon them. Zhang He looked out to the cloudless blue skies as they moved along. He breathed in the fresh warm air and thought how wonderful it was to be alive. He now laughed at himself for thinking death was better than the pain of living when . . .when . . . Why couldn't her bring himself to think of his old life still? It happened, it was done, but he couldn't seem to face it. In his mind he had partially fooled himself into think Rai Tso could maybe still be alive, waiting for him to return. It seemed like such a long time ago, although it couldn't have been more than three weeks ago. At least he was with Diao Chan, going to find his brothers. There was still some hope.
Over the next few days, Diao Chan grew less and less afraid of Xiahou Dun. She could now almost carry out a conversation with growing quiet or hiding behind Zhang He. Zhang He knew it wasn't a very good quality, but when Diao Chan was frightened, he took a strange delight in protecting or comforting her. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but Diao Chan was different than all the other girls he had met. His very subconscious made him believe he was responsible for what happened to her, even though he knew this was foolish. There was something special about her, Zhang He knew it from the very moment he had first lay eyes one her. It was a strange connection between the two, something that had bound their fates for some unseen event in the future. Whatever it was, Zhang He felt happiest when she was by his side.
After six days of traveling, Xiahou Dun announced they would be arriving at the main Wei camp at noon the next day. That night the all ate a big portion of rice and talked happily. The fire crackled merrily, they world and its noises floated all around them, and they stayed up late into the night.
"The coming of spring brings great fortune to the land." Xiahou Dun mused as he looked around the area and its lush meadows of grass.
"Yes, I'm very glad it won't be cold anymore, I can't stand it at all. I was born on the hottest day of summer 15 years ago." Zhang He said.
"I was also born in summer, on the equinox in fact." Xiahou Dun said calmly stroking his beard again.
"My birthday is in twenty-five days, I can't wait to be fifteen." Diao Chan said happily.
"I thought you were younger than that." Xiahou Dun mused.
"Yes, most people think I look younger than I am." Diao Chan said, bravely speaking to Xiahou Dun.
"My son, Xiahou De, he's turning fifteen soon as well." Xiahou Dun said sleepily.
"Please, Xiahou Dun, tell me about the Wei, about the generals and such." Zhang He said.
"Ahh, I fear I cannot until I have your word you will be joining the Wei." He said sadly.
"Well, I cannot be sure. Let me explain to you my problem. I have three sworn brothers, Zhou Yu, Sun Ce, and Sima Yi. As you probably know, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu are part of the Wu forces. We had all planned on being in the Wu. So a couple of months later, I discovered Sima Yi was on the Wei. I want to fight alongside all of them, but if I were to join Wu, I would be fighting against him. He seemed like he wanted to join us at the time. Now I want to search him out and ask him his reasons for joining Wei." Zhang He explained.
"I know that." Said Xiahou Dun grimly.
"Please, please tell me!" Zhang He said desperately.
"My cousin heard of Sima Yi's genius and desired him for our force's strategist. When we visited him, he made it clear to us that he was going to join the Wu. The only things more I know of the matter was that his father was furious, some money was given to him by my cousin, then the next day Sima Yi shows up, looking tired and angry, and joins us." Xiahou Dun said in his calm voice.
"He was forced!" Zhang He said angrily "That bastard Cao Cao paid his father to force Sima Yi!"
"You are my friend, Zhang He, but I will not have you insulting my cousin, even if I don't agree with his actions." Xiahou Dun said a little louder.
"Yes, you are right, please forgive me . . ." Zhang He said, suppressing his anger. "I now hunger for a meeting even more . . ."
"Tomorrow will be the day, let us get some sleep for now." Xiahou Dun said, extinguishing the fire.
The next morning they woke quite early and gathered up the equipment. Xiahou Dun led them into a low valley where no grass grew. Mist hung heavy in the air and twice they took a wrong turn. High and jagged mountains towered overhead and it began to drizzle later in the day.
Soon the ground flattened out and huge boulders appeared out of the thick mist without warning. The plowed through the barren wasteland and searched for any signs of life. After about an hour they came upon a human skeleton with a sword stuck through its skull. Diao Chan shuddered and grabbed onto Zhang He's arm. After walking a few more steps, a horrible, putrid stench rose into the air.
"What is that terrible smell?" Zhang He said, clapping a hand over his nose and mouth. They walked up to a ring of rocks and the smell intensified. Xiahou Dun drew his sword, and Zhang He, upon seeing this, readied his Talons. When the mist cleared a horrible site met their eyes. Dead soldiers in green armor lay around decaying. Maggots and al sorts of bugs were crawling over their corpses and through their eye sockets. Weapons and arrows were still lodged in their bodies and heads and they lay in disgustingly weird positions.
Diao Chan gasped and buried her face in Zhang He's back. Zhang He wrinkled his nose and looked slightly to the side. Xiahou Dun, on the other hand, went over and investigated.
"These are Shu spies!" He bellowed. "I'm glad they were killed . . ."
"That's sickening . . ." Diao Chan said, still wrenched onto Zhang He.
"Come, let's push on!" Xiahou Dun said, veering around the dead soldiers. About ten minutes later, they came upon a great chipped gate. It rose some twenty feet above the ground and the doors were simply massive. Some archers poked their heads out and ordered to identify themselves.
"It's me, Xiahou Dun. I have two visitors with me, you shall let them in as well." He called up to the men. They disappeared and seconds later the mighty doors swung open. Zhang He blinked and he was staring into the main Wei camp.