Rose Tint my World
By Gingivere the Shadowreaver
~*~*~*~
Chapter Eight
~*~*~*~
A single day and a night had passed, yet it seemed like a lifetime for Zhao Yun. He could no longer stay within the Nanman's land, as he knew he was not welcomed there. They were still at war, and soon he would have to return to Zhuge Liang, to explain his behavior and his reasons for sparing his fellow general. Oddly enough, the man was silent, and this greatly concerned Zhao Yun. When Zhuge Liang was silent, he was scheming, and an attack from the Shu forces was inevitable.
The seasoned warrior looked to the sunrise, surprised to find out that he had not slept a wink since Wei Yan's breakdown. Tried as he might, he could not bring himself to close his eyes, for memories would surface and would not allow it. He could not help but dwell on the past, to know that he could have prevented all of this from ever happening if he had just disobeyed his lord's and Zhuge Liang's order.
Still, he knew that dwelling on it would not help, and the general gave a sigh, running a hand through his black and silver hair. This was not good at all… what to do with Wei Yan?
It seemed, though, that the answer to that question was answered quickly by the Nanman queen, as she already made the decision. It seemed that Wei Yan, though not born of the Nanman tribe, was now one of them… at least so says the queen.
It was nice to think that Wei Yan had someone looking over him now, but Zhao Yun could not share the happiness. He did not belong here… but then again, he could not easily be welcomed back among Shu's ranks.
Speaking of Wei Yan…
Now Zhao Yun himself lingering outside of the tent, looking in through the small entrance and seeing the sight for himself. Still unmasked, the general was curled into a ball, sleeping like a child and wrapped in an old fur coat that was given to him by the Nanman king himself. Zhao Yun never saw him sleep before, as the thought never really came to his mind, but now… he was at peace, and an indescribable noise rose from his throat as he burrowed deeper into the blankets.
To think; he's worked with this man for many, many years, but only now did he truly know him, and Zhao Yun gave a sad smile. He was never truly happy until he came here… perhaps he was meant to be here. Perhaps Fate conspired to arrange all of this, to bring Wei Yan to a place that he felt at home, away from wars and pain.
'But…' Zhao Yun's teal eyes narrowed, as he turned away from the tent, to look at the village. 'It will not be long before Prime Minister decides to attack here, and… will Wei Yan rise to fight against us?'
The mere thought of being on the opposite side of the battlefield with him was enough for Zhao Yun to make his decision. Despite the cost, Wei Yan had to return to Shu…
Quietly, Zhao Yun entered the tent, clamping his mouth shut and ranging his breathing as to not wake the man. He could see the shattered skull that once covered his face resting at the table near the bed, and, loosening his chestplate, he grabbed the mask, placing it where he once placed the infant Liu Shan.
Before he could even get it there, a hand grasped his own and forced the mask out of his hands. He looked to see Zhu Rong's fiery blue eyes, and her whisper was harsh, not wanting to wake the sleeping general. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
"My lady…" Zhao Yun's voice was equally quiet. When she snatched the mask from his hands, he was surprised that she did not place it back where it was. Instead, she kept it for herself, as he tried to explain. "My lady, Wei Yan does not belong here… I must take him back to our kingdom."
The look in her eyes was frightening enough, however, she showed no sign of striking him. "Why should he go back to a place that doesn't welcome him? You Riverland people cause him nothing but pain, and I WON'T let him go back to that!"
"But he is not of the Nanman tribe…"
"And he is not one of you either, then…" Zhu Rong countered, her grip on the mask tightening. She wore a look that a mother would have worn to protect her love, as if Zhao Yun was trying to take her own son away.
Still, as admiring as it was to see her concern, Zhao Yun had to argue, not realizing their voices were gradually getting louder and louder. "What can you offer him here?"
She seemed taken back by that comment, but nevertheless, she responded. Her eyes were something to adore at that moment, and her smile seemed genuine. "I… we… can offer him a home where he feels welcomed, a place where he can escape from his past and live a new life, away from war, away from the misery he once knew. Perhaps here he can live a normal, simple life…"
Zhao Yun seemed ready to argue more, however, he heard a weak voice from behind him, and he turned around, to see Wei Yan's eyes were open. He was awake. "Wei Yan… did we wake you up?"
He was only given a blank look, and Zhao Yun could not help but feel pain from those lifeless black eyes, as if he questioned why he was even here. Zhu Rong brushed past him, kneeling down and stroking Wei Yan's thick, bushy hair. "Hey, big guy! You're awake… ya want something? I promise, no foul this time."
Though he spoke no words, the life that sparkled in his eyes were enough, but before Zhu Rong could rise, Zhao Yun sighed. "Zhuge Liang will attack soon, and I fear what will become of my comrade should he try and fight against the Prime Minister."
"Would ya shut up… I'm sick of hearing about this stupid war!" Zhu Rong growled, neglecting Wei Yan for the moment and rising to stare up at him. "I won't let you take him back to a place full of war! War's ruined this man's life as it is, and don't think I don't know that your feather-buster snoot will attack! He's nothing more than a war-hungry savage himself, forcing so much pain and stress on this poor man!"
"Yet you will force him to fight for your own cause?"
The look in her eyes told him the truth, and she knelt down to the weary man, holding him in a protective embrace. Her voice was soft, so different from the tone she spoke in before, and Zhao Yun knew she meant every last word, "No… I don't want him to fight… not anymore. He's been fighting his whole life… and now, he deserves his peace, okay?"
To see her like this was astounding for Zhao Yun to see, and though he was happy for Wei Yan that someone else besides Huang Zhong or Pang Tong had cared for him, he still sighed. And, by the way Wei Yan's dark face rested against her breasts, all you had to do was see the rare, content smile that was upon his face… never had Zhao Yun seen such a smile rise from him. He didn't even need to ask, "Is this your choice then, Wei Yan?"
The man said nothing, only closing his dark, black orbs and giving a relieved sigh, as if the pain could easily be taken away by her touch alone. What could Zhao Yun do but honor his wishes, and he gave the lady a bow, "Then I shall take my leave then… and I hope that you can find happiness here, even though we could not supply it, Wei Yan."
It seemed all too simple to just turn about and leave, but he paused, hearing his comrade's last words to him as a friend… "Farewell…"
"Farewell to you too…" Zhao Yun flashed him a smile, then left the tent, leaving behind a man he knew for twenty odd years, yet only now could he call him a friend. He left with regrets and slight fear within his heart, and, as he soon left the gates of the Nanman city, he wondered if there was any possible way to convince the Prime Minister to call off his attack on the Nanman once and for all… this was a battle that could not be won by tactics of war… it ran much, much deeper than that.
~*~*~*~
Rumors spread quickly during times of war, and Zhuge Liang noted every last one of them. He laid back in his chair, fanning himself in a sad attempt to cool himself off, as the morning had just begun. Though there was no sign of either the Little Dragon or the raving lunatic, rumors of their whereabouts were already making their way around the camp…
One such rumor was that he murdered Wei Yan and Zhao Yun in the woods, but as quickly as THAT rumor started, it had died away. Wei Yan, perhaps, but they knew that Zhuge Liang would have NEVER have harmed Zhao Yun…
Another rumor was that both officers had ultimately betrayed Shu and left to join the Nanman, but just as the first, there was no possible way that would have been true for Zhao Yun. No one could even imagine Zhao Yun betraying Shu's cause for the likes of anyone, must less the Nanman.
Despite these rumors, Zhuge Liang was calm, and the only fear he had was of Zhao Yun not returning. As he fanned himself from the coming heat, he wondered if he went too far… all he wanted was to remove Shu's threat, but he hadn't truly anticipated the cost. However, all fear subsided as he reminded himself of Zhao Yun's past… he seemed invincible, as if the Heavens themselves could not rid the earth of such a man.
But would his own acts falter his alliance?
A soldier rushed to his tent, and he prostrated himself before the Prime Minister before speaking. "Sir, the scouts have reported in. They have, in fact, seen the Nanman Queen entering the village with Zhao Yun and Wei Yan…"
That made the Prime Minister narrow his eyes, and he asked, "How was Wei Yan's condition?"
"He had several arrow wounds to his back and side, sir… and he didn't look alive, at least that's what the scouts have said."
"And Zhao Yun?"
"Physically okay." The soldier replied, and he pondered Zhuge Liang's look before daring to ask. "Do you know why Zhao Yun would be entering the village with the Nanman?"
To be quiet honest, Zhuge Liang knew the truth behind his officer's reasons, however, he knew that the soldiers would not settle well with the idea. And he had planned ahead for this; he replied, "Of course. You see, I was the one that injured Wei Yan, but only after he aligned himself with the Nanman, so I had no choice but to eliminate the traitor."
The soldier didn't appear too surprised, but he listened attentively as Zhuge Liang revealed his plot. "I knew that the only reason why Wei Yan brought Lady Zhu Rong here was the fact that he had fallen in love with her, so I allowed the two to get close, and thanks to her, she allowed his true, traitorous intentions to show itself."
"And Zhao Yun? Is he a traitor too?"
"No… anything but the sort." Zhuge Liang answered, his cool, sly voice mixing with the heat of the climate and only making him sound more seductive. "It's merely a put on, you see, to show the Nanman queen that he 'cares' for his comrade to gain her trust. You see, she knows of a way to heal Wei Yan, and the only way is to see a witch doctor that lived in her home village. I've done research, however, I was unable to find the headquarters of the Nanmans until now."
The made the soldier's eyes spark up, as he finally understood. "And now that we know of their headquarters, we can attack once and for all?"
All Zhuge Liang did was nod, and the soldier practically bowed to his feet. "Brilliant, Prime Minister! Brilliant indeed!"
"Then let us waste no time… rally the troops, soldier." Zhuge Liang ordered, rising from his seat and pointing southward with his white-feathered fan. "Tonight we shall receive victory, and the Nanman will submit."
It didn't take long for the soldier to comply, and once again, Zhuge Liang was alone in the tent, to contemplate his idea. He knew Zhao Yun well… no, the warrior would not settle with his acts against Wei Yan, but the man was loyal to a fault. He smiled… and what of Wei Yan? "I cannot allow the traitor to live, especially not now… I will have to deal with him once more, but this time, I know exactly where to hit."
And his smile deepened… and this time, he wasn't going to miss…
~*~*~*~
If there was one thing that Zhu Rong hated, it was making glue. She could have done the easy thing and gone to that crazy witchdoctor, however, she wasn't in the mood to hear her constant nagging today. The nerve of that woman, she thought, as she mixed the strange ingredients together. At least now it was finally beginning to LOOK like it would stick, as it became harder and harder to mix.
Ever since Zhao Yun had left, the Nanman Queen kept herself busy, working at a way to fix Wei Yan's broken mask. It was a frustrating task, but she didn't complain too much. She was surprised that the gooey substance was cooperating this well at all, as she never really had the patience for such crafty things. But, Zhu Rong thought with a smile, at least it would be worth it.
"Now… to see if it will stick!"
She didn't know why she even said it allowed until she felt someone's presence from behind her. She pondered who it was until he spoke, and a slight fear rose in her heart as she realized it was her husband. "Sweetheart, how long have YOU been up?"
Sending him a grin that was her own, Zhu Rong replied, looking for something to test the glue on as she turned about to face him. Somehow… seeing him didn't bring that old feeling back… "And how long have YOU been asleep, lazy bones? Lost some nights worrying about me?"
"Aww…" The blush that rose on the king's cheeks was simply adorable, and he asked, curiosity in his voice. "What you makin'?"
"Glue."
He sent her a curious look, one that made her grin as she had an idea. She motioned him to come closer, and, grabbing a feather that rested on the desk, she dabbed it into the bowl, getting the horrible smelling yellow goop on the tip. Meng Huo asked, "Oh… glue! Uh… why glue?"
"Why must you ALWAYS ask so many questions?" Zhu Rong asked, now grabbing the feather and, carefully avoiding the glue, she stuck it onto her husband's nose, half expecting it to slide off. However, even as he wiggled his nose, it stayed, and she clapped her hands in victory. "Good!"
Still wiggling his nose, the Nanman king asked, "Good? Why?"
"To fix Wei Yan's mask, if it makes you happy to know." Zhu Rong blurted out, not truly sure how he would handle it. The fear in her heart grew slightly, as he gave an almost hurt look. She covered up her own fear as she gave a smug look, "Hey, what you givin' me that look for? It's not like I LIKE him more than you or anythin'!"
"Well…" Meng Huo started, neglecting the feather that was stuck to his nose as he scratched the back of his neck, trying to find the proper words to say. He feared that she had fallen in love with the man, however… he dropped the subject. "So, you okay? Did that Zhuge Liang harm you?"
Thankful that the topic had changed, she replied, regaining some of her natural vigor as she turned around to work on the mask now. "Nah! I probably talked him to near death before Wei Yan helped me escape, really. I have a feeling he wouldn't want me back, though, not like I would WANT to go back to a creep like him."
She was startled when she felt her husband's powerful arms wrap around her body, and his voice entered her ears, cheerful sounding that it almost hurt her to listen to… he truly loved her, but did she love him? "You're the best, sweetheart! I'm just glad you're back home!"
And she replied, a nervous chuckle in her voice. "Me too…"
When he released her, she finally let out a breath, not daring to look back as she was left alone once again. She felt horrible now… was it even POSSIBLE to fall out of love with someone? Then again, it wasn't exactly a love marriage in the first place… her parents forced her to marry him anyway. But still, it wasn't right not to love him…
'Don't let it get to you… you're married and that's final.' Zhu Rong told herself, going back to the task at hand. She looked at the mask, wondering if it was salvageable at all. There would be a chip in it where the arrow was, but it could be fixed. Grabbing a leaf, she dumped the tip in the glue, and, as carefully as she could, she tried to spread it across the edges of the cracks, cursing every time she got her own fingers. Crafty woman she was not…
She was so into her work that she never noticed another being had entered the tent, and she gave a grin, finally piecing the two parts together. Now, she took the time to observe the mask, not once realizing that this was Wei Yan's mother's skull. "Done… now to give it to the-"
What startled her the most was the arms that wrapped around her waist, and she jumped, dropping the mask onto the table as whomever was hugging her weighed her down. At first thought, Zhu Rong thought it was her husband playing another joke on her, but when she saw the arms and heard the man's whimper, she muttered his name. "Wei Yan?"
Yes, the man had snuck into the tent, and now, as odd as it seemed, he held onto her, not muttering a sound and resting his head against her smooth skin. She could see his smile, and it nearly broke her heart. There was no doubt about it now… he loved her.
Yet…
"It's okay, big guy… you're not alone anymore, okay?" Zhu Rong didn't really know what had taken over her to say that, and somehow, without hurting him, she turned around, keeping his hands to her waist as she faced him now. She rested a sticky hand onto his hair, careful not to get stuck, and she smiled. "You're with me now, an' I'll never let you out of my sight, okay?"
Wei Yan did not reply with words, but by tightening his grip, as if afraid to let her go. No, he didn't want to be alone, not anymore. And he feared the inevitable… he knew that Zhuge Liang would attack, but he did not want to lose her. And when her soft hands returned the hug, he wondered… would he have to fight again?
It didn't matter right now, he thought, blissfully hugging her silently. As long as he had her now…
And Zhu Rong sighed mentally… 'Will I have to choose someday?'
Oh, how she prayed that she didn't have to…
~*~*~*~
Zhuge Liang wasn't too surprised to hear of the arrival of Zhao Yun, and as the soldiers about him practically danced with glee, he merely smiled, leaving the refuge of his umbrella and going to greet him. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that Zhao Yun would have returned, but he expressed himself differently, as he saw the general's cold gaze. Yes… he was going to hold a grudge against him.
"General, it's a pleasure to see you're alright and unharmed." Zhuge Liang began, putting on a false, cool smile, as if his attack against Wei Yan was nothing. He could see the way Zhao Yun looked at him, as if he was a murderer, and he pondered the health of Wei Yan as he continued. "Do you need any assistance? Food or water perhaps?"
After a short moment of silence, the warrior's almost cold voice replied, "I am well. The Nanman were kind enough to offer me fresh water and a meal before I departed."
Nodding, Zhuge Liang replied, fanning himself for a second before speaking out, "It's a good omen then, that the Little Dragon has returned to us, unharmed and fit for battle! The end of the Nanman threat shall come to an end soon… should he chose to fight."
"What other choice do I have but to serve Shu's greatest interest?" Zhao Yun seemed like an android, saying such a thing, and it slightly worried Zhuge Liang. However, seeing Zhao Yun bow before him seemed to ease all of his fears, as the man was loyal to a fault. "I shall do what you ask of me, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang…"
And that seemed to settle it, and Zhuge Liang smiled, helping him back to his feet and ignoring the look that the Little Dragon gave him as he turned to his men, to give the final orders. "Then we shall carry out the attack… for once, we will take the battle to them and stay on the offensive until the Nanman king submits. The Han Empire will be restored…"
The men cheered, and Zhao Yun was given another horse in a weak attempt to replace the valiant one he lost at the hands of his Prime Minister earlier. He mounted the steed, looking back at the forces and giving an inaudible sigh. This… was so very wrong, and he had no choice but to carry out with it as well. Turning back towards the front, he stared at the back of Zhuge Liang's head, sneering unnoticeably.
Tragedy was most definitely on its way…
By Gingivere the Shadowreaver
~*~*~*~
Chapter Eight
~*~*~*~
A single day and a night had passed, yet it seemed like a lifetime for Zhao Yun. He could no longer stay within the Nanman's land, as he knew he was not welcomed there. They were still at war, and soon he would have to return to Zhuge Liang, to explain his behavior and his reasons for sparing his fellow general. Oddly enough, the man was silent, and this greatly concerned Zhao Yun. When Zhuge Liang was silent, he was scheming, and an attack from the Shu forces was inevitable.
The seasoned warrior looked to the sunrise, surprised to find out that he had not slept a wink since Wei Yan's breakdown. Tried as he might, he could not bring himself to close his eyes, for memories would surface and would not allow it. He could not help but dwell on the past, to know that he could have prevented all of this from ever happening if he had just disobeyed his lord's and Zhuge Liang's order.
Still, he knew that dwelling on it would not help, and the general gave a sigh, running a hand through his black and silver hair. This was not good at all… what to do with Wei Yan?
It seemed, though, that the answer to that question was answered quickly by the Nanman queen, as she already made the decision. It seemed that Wei Yan, though not born of the Nanman tribe, was now one of them… at least so says the queen.
It was nice to think that Wei Yan had someone looking over him now, but Zhao Yun could not share the happiness. He did not belong here… but then again, he could not easily be welcomed back among Shu's ranks.
Speaking of Wei Yan…
Now Zhao Yun himself lingering outside of the tent, looking in through the small entrance and seeing the sight for himself. Still unmasked, the general was curled into a ball, sleeping like a child and wrapped in an old fur coat that was given to him by the Nanman king himself. Zhao Yun never saw him sleep before, as the thought never really came to his mind, but now… he was at peace, and an indescribable noise rose from his throat as he burrowed deeper into the blankets.
To think; he's worked with this man for many, many years, but only now did he truly know him, and Zhao Yun gave a sad smile. He was never truly happy until he came here… perhaps he was meant to be here. Perhaps Fate conspired to arrange all of this, to bring Wei Yan to a place that he felt at home, away from wars and pain.
'But…' Zhao Yun's teal eyes narrowed, as he turned away from the tent, to look at the village. 'It will not be long before Prime Minister decides to attack here, and… will Wei Yan rise to fight against us?'
The mere thought of being on the opposite side of the battlefield with him was enough for Zhao Yun to make his decision. Despite the cost, Wei Yan had to return to Shu…
Quietly, Zhao Yun entered the tent, clamping his mouth shut and ranging his breathing as to not wake the man. He could see the shattered skull that once covered his face resting at the table near the bed, and, loosening his chestplate, he grabbed the mask, placing it where he once placed the infant Liu Shan.
Before he could even get it there, a hand grasped his own and forced the mask out of his hands. He looked to see Zhu Rong's fiery blue eyes, and her whisper was harsh, not wanting to wake the sleeping general. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
"My lady…" Zhao Yun's voice was equally quiet. When she snatched the mask from his hands, he was surprised that she did not place it back where it was. Instead, she kept it for herself, as he tried to explain. "My lady, Wei Yan does not belong here… I must take him back to our kingdom."
The look in her eyes was frightening enough, however, she showed no sign of striking him. "Why should he go back to a place that doesn't welcome him? You Riverland people cause him nothing but pain, and I WON'T let him go back to that!"
"But he is not of the Nanman tribe…"
"And he is not one of you either, then…" Zhu Rong countered, her grip on the mask tightening. She wore a look that a mother would have worn to protect her love, as if Zhao Yun was trying to take her own son away.
Still, as admiring as it was to see her concern, Zhao Yun had to argue, not realizing their voices were gradually getting louder and louder. "What can you offer him here?"
She seemed taken back by that comment, but nevertheless, she responded. Her eyes were something to adore at that moment, and her smile seemed genuine. "I… we… can offer him a home where he feels welcomed, a place where he can escape from his past and live a new life, away from war, away from the misery he once knew. Perhaps here he can live a normal, simple life…"
Zhao Yun seemed ready to argue more, however, he heard a weak voice from behind him, and he turned around, to see Wei Yan's eyes were open. He was awake. "Wei Yan… did we wake you up?"
He was only given a blank look, and Zhao Yun could not help but feel pain from those lifeless black eyes, as if he questioned why he was even here. Zhu Rong brushed past him, kneeling down and stroking Wei Yan's thick, bushy hair. "Hey, big guy! You're awake… ya want something? I promise, no foul this time."
Though he spoke no words, the life that sparkled in his eyes were enough, but before Zhu Rong could rise, Zhao Yun sighed. "Zhuge Liang will attack soon, and I fear what will become of my comrade should he try and fight against the Prime Minister."
"Would ya shut up… I'm sick of hearing about this stupid war!" Zhu Rong growled, neglecting Wei Yan for the moment and rising to stare up at him. "I won't let you take him back to a place full of war! War's ruined this man's life as it is, and don't think I don't know that your feather-buster snoot will attack! He's nothing more than a war-hungry savage himself, forcing so much pain and stress on this poor man!"
"Yet you will force him to fight for your own cause?"
The look in her eyes told him the truth, and she knelt down to the weary man, holding him in a protective embrace. Her voice was soft, so different from the tone she spoke in before, and Zhao Yun knew she meant every last word, "No… I don't want him to fight… not anymore. He's been fighting his whole life… and now, he deserves his peace, okay?"
To see her like this was astounding for Zhao Yun to see, and though he was happy for Wei Yan that someone else besides Huang Zhong or Pang Tong had cared for him, he still sighed. And, by the way Wei Yan's dark face rested against her breasts, all you had to do was see the rare, content smile that was upon his face… never had Zhao Yun seen such a smile rise from him. He didn't even need to ask, "Is this your choice then, Wei Yan?"
The man said nothing, only closing his dark, black orbs and giving a relieved sigh, as if the pain could easily be taken away by her touch alone. What could Zhao Yun do but honor his wishes, and he gave the lady a bow, "Then I shall take my leave then… and I hope that you can find happiness here, even though we could not supply it, Wei Yan."
It seemed all too simple to just turn about and leave, but he paused, hearing his comrade's last words to him as a friend… "Farewell…"
"Farewell to you too…" Zhao Yun flashed him a smile, then left the tent, leaving behind a man he knew for twenty odd years, yet only now could he call him a friend. He left with regrets and slight fear within his heart, and, as he soon left the gates of the Nanman city, he wondered if there was any possible way to convince the Prime Minister to call off his attack on the Nanman once and for all… this was a battle that could not be won by tactics of war… it ran much, much deeper than that.
~*~*~*~
Rumors spread quickly during times of war, and Zhuge Liang noted every last one of them. He laid back in his chair, fanning himself in a sad attempt to cool himself off, as the morning had just begun. Though there was no sign of either the Little Dragon or the raving lunatic, rumors of their whereabouts were already making their way around the camp…
One such rumor was that he murdered Wei Yan and Zhao Yun in the woods, but as quickly as THAT rumor started, it had died away. Wei Yan, perhaps, but they knew that Zhuge Liang would have NEVER have harmed Zhao Yun…
Another rumor was that both officers had ultimately betrayed Shu and left to join the Nanman, but just as the first, there was no possible way that would have been true for Zhao Yun. No one could even imagine Zhao Yun betraying Shu's cause for the likes of anyone, must less the Nanman.
Despite these rumors, Zhuge Liang was calm, and the only fear he had was of Zhao Yun not returning. As he fanned himself from the coming heat, he wondered if he went too far… all he wanted was to remove Shu's threat, but he hadn't truly anticipated the cost. However, all fear subsided as he reminded himself of Zhao Yun's past… he seemed invincible, as if the Heavens themselves could not rid the earth of such a man.
But would his own acts falter his alliance?
A soldier rushed to his tent, and he prostrated himself before the Prime Minister before speaking. "Sir, the scouts have reported in. They have, in fact, seen the Nanman Queen entering the village with Zhao Yun and Wei Yan…"
That made the Prime Minister narrow his eyes, and he asked, "How was Wei Yan's condition?"
"He had several arrow wounds to his back and side, sir… and he didn't look alive, at least that's what the scouts have said."
"And Zhao Yun?"
"Physically okay." The soldier replied, and he pondered Zhuge Liang's look before daring to ask. "Do you know why Zhao Yun would be entering the village with the Nanman?"
To be quiet honest, Zhuge Liang knew the truth behind his officer's reasons, however, he knew that the soldiers would not settle well with the idea. And he had planned ahead for this; he replied, "Of course. You see, I was the one that injured Wei Yan, but only after he aligned himself with the Nanman, so I had no choice but to eliminate the traitor."
The soldier didn't appear too surprised, but he listened attentively as Zhuge Liang revealed his plot. "I knew that the only reason why Wei Yan brought Lady Zhu Rong here was the fact that he had fallen in love with her, so I allowed the two to get close, and thanks to her, she allowed his true, traitorous intentions to show itself."
"And Zhao Yun? Is he a traitor too?"
"No… anything but the sort." Zhuge Liang answered, his cool, sly voice mixing with the heat of the climate and only making him sound more seductive. "It's merely a put on, you see, to show the Nanman queen that he 'cares' for his comrade to gain her trust. You see, she knows of a way to heal Wei Yan, and the only way is to see a witch doctor that lived in her home village. I've done research, however, I was unable to find the headquarters of the Nanmans until now."
The made the soldier's eyes spark up, as he finally understood. "And now that we know of their headquarters, we can attack once and for all?"
All Zhuge Liang did was nod, and the soldier practically bowed to his feet. "Brilliant, Prime Minister! Brilliant indeed!"
"Then let us waste no time… rally the troops, soldier." Zhuge Liang ordered, rising from his seat and pointing southward with his white-feathered fan. "Tonight we shall receive victory, and the Nanman will submit."
It didn't take long for the soldier to comply, and once again, Zhuge Liang was alone in the tent, to contemplate his idea. He knew Zhao Yun well… no, the warrior would not settle with his acts against Wei Yan, but the man was loyal to a fault. He smiled… and what of Wei Yan? "I cannot allow the traitor to live, especially not now… I will have to deal with him once more, but this time, I know exactly where to hit."
And his smile deepened… and this time, he wasn't going to miss…
~*~*~*~
If there was one thing that Zhu Rong hated, it was making glue. She could have done the easy thing and gone to that crazy witchdoctor, however, she wasn't in the mood to hear her constant nagging today. The nerve of that woman, she thought, as she mixed the strange ingredients together. At least now it was finally beginning to LOOK like it would stick, as it became harder and harder to mix.
Ever since Zhao Yun had left, the Nanman Queen kept herself busy, working at a way to fix Wei Yan's broken mask. It was a frustrating task, but she didn't complain too much. She was surprised that the gooey substance was cooperating this well at all, as she never really had the patience for such crafty things. But, Zhu Rong thought with a smile, at least it would be worth it.
"Now… to see if it will stick!"
She didn't know why she even said it allowed until she felt someone's presence from behind her. She pondered who it was until he spoke, and a slight fear rose in her heart as she realized it was her husband. "Sweetheart, how long have YOU been up?"
Sending him a grin that was her own, Zhu Rong replied, looking for something to test the glue on as she turned about to face him. Somehow… seeing him didn't bring that old feeling back… "And how long have YOU been asleep, lazy bones? Lost some nights worrying about me?"
"Aww…" The blush that rose on the king's cheeks was simply adorable, and he asked, curiosity in his voice. "What you makin'?"
"Glue."
He sent her a curious look, one that made her grin as she had an idea. She motioned him to come closer, and, grabbing a feather that rested on the desk, she dabbed it into the bowl, getting the horrible smelling yellow goop on the tip. Meng Huo asked, "Oh… glue! Uh… why glue?"
"Why must you ALWAYS ask so many questions?" Zhu Rong asked, now grabbing the feather and, carefully avoiding the glue, she stuck it onto her husband's nose, half expecting it to slide off. However, even as he wiggled his nose, it stayed, and she clapped her hands in victory. "Good!"
Still wiggling his nose, the Nanman king asked, "Good? Why?"
"To fix Wei Yan's mask, if it makes you happy to know." Zhu Rong blurted out, not truly sure how he would handle it. The fear in her heart grew slightly, as he gave an almost hurt look. She covered up her own fear as she gave a smug look, "Hey, what you givin' me that look for? It's not like I LIKE him more than you or anythin'!"
"Well…" Meng Huo started, neglecting the feather that was stuck to his nose as he scratched the back of his neck, trying to find the proper words to say. He feared that she had fallen in love with the man, however… he dropped the subject. "So, you okay? Did that Zhuge Liang harm you?"
Thankful that the topic had changed, she replied, regaining some of her natural vigor as she turned around to work on the mask now. "Nah! I probably talked him to near death before Wei Yan helped me escape, really. I have a feeling he wouldn't want me back, though, not like I would WANT to go back to a creep like him."
She was startled when she felt her husband's powerful arms wrap around her body, and his voice entered her ears, cheerful sounding that it almost hurt her to listen to… he truly loved her, but did she love him? "You're the best, sweetheart! I'm just glad you're back home!"
And she replied, a nervous chuckle in her voice. "Me too…"
When he released her, she finally let out a breath, not daring to look back as she was left alone once again. She felt horrible now… was it even POSSIBLE to fall out of love with someone? Then again, it wasn't exactly a love marriage in the first place… her parents forced her to marry him anyway. But still, it wasn't right not to love him…
'Don't let it get to you… you're married and that's final.' Zhu Rong told herself, going back to the task at hand. She looked at the mask, wondering if it was salvageable at all. There would be a chip in it where the arrow was, but it could be fixed. Grabbing a leaf, she dumped the tip in the glue, and, as carefully as she could, she tried to spread it across the edges of the cracks, cursing every time she got her own fingers. Crafty woman she was not…
She was so into her work that she never noticed another being had entered the tent, and she gave a grin, finally piecing the two parts together. Now, she took the time to observe the mask, not once realizing that this was Wei Yan's mother's skull. "Done… now to give it to the-"
What startled her the most was the arms that wrapped around her waist, and she jumped, dropping the mask onto the table as whomever was hugging her weighed her down. At first thought, Zhu Rong thought it was her husband playing another joke on her, but when she saw the arms and heard the man's whimper, she muttered his name. "Wei Yan?"
Yes, the man had snuck into the tent, and now, as odd as it seemed, he held onto her, not muttering a sound and resting his head against her smooth skin. She could see his smile, and it nearly broke her heart. There was no doubt about it now… he loved her.
Yet…
"It's okay, big guy… you're not alone anymore, okay?" Zhu Rong didn't really know what had taken over her to say that, and somehow, without hurting him, she turned around, keeping his hands to her waist as she faced him now. She rested a sticky hand onto his hair, careful not to get stuck, and she smiled. "You're with me now, an' I'll never let you out of my sight, okay?"
Wei Yan did not reply with words, but by tightening his grip, as if afraid to let her go. No, he didn't want to be alone, not anymore. And he feared the inevitable… he knew that Zhuge Liang would attack, but he did not want to lose her. And when her soft hands returned the hug, he wondered… would he have to fight again?
It didn't matter right now, he thought, blissfully hugging her silently. As long as he had her now…
And Zhu Rong sighed mentally… 'Will I have to choose someday?'
Oh, how she prayed that she didn't have to…
~*~*~*~
Zhuge Liang wasn't too surprised to hear of the arrival of Zhao Yun, and as the soldiers about him practically danced with glee, he merely smiled, leaving the refuge of his umbrella and going to greet him. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that Zhao Yun would have returned, but he expressed himself differently, as he saw the general's cold gaze. Yes… he was going to hold a grudge against him.
"General, it's a pleasure to see you're alright and unharmed." Zhuge Liang began, putting on a false, cool smile, as if his attack against Wei Yan was nothing. He could see the way Zhao Yun looked at him, as if he was a murderer, and he pondered the health of Wei Yan as he continued. "Do you need any assistance? Food or water perhaps?"
After a short moment of silence, the warrior's almost cold voice replied, "I am well. The Nanman were kind enough to offer me fresh water and a meal before I departed."
Nodding, Zhuge Liang replied, fanning himself for a second before speaking out, "It's a good omen then, that the Little Dragon has returned to us, unharmed and fit for battle! The end of the Nanman threat shall come to an end soon… should he chose to fight."
"What other choice do I have but to serve Shu's greatest interest?" Zhao Yun seemed like an android, saying such a thing, and it slightly worried Zhuge Liang. However, seeing Zhao Yun bow before him seemed to ease all of his fears, as the man was loyal to a fault. "I shall do what you ask of me, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang…"
And that seemed to settle it, and Zhuge Liang smiled, helping him back to his feet and ignoring the look that the Little Dragon gave him as he turned to his men, to give the final orders. "Then we shall carry out the attack… for once, we will take the battle to them and stay on the offensive until the Nanman king submits. The Han Empire will be restored…"
The men cheered, and Zhao Yun was given another horse in a weak attempt to replace the valiant one he lost at the hands of his Prime Minister earlier. He mounted the steed, looking back at the forces and giving an inaudible sigh. This… was so very wrong, and he had no choice but to carry out with it as well. Turning back towards the front, he stared at the back of Zhuge Liang's head, sneering unnoticeably.
Tragedy was most definitely on its way…