Lu Bu's Puppet – Chapter 4
Idiot's Guide to How to Fly
The entire world shined in Jade's eyes as they crossed over the long grass down to the bottom of a rather large hill. The Sky laughed as She gazed down on the travelers, expanding Her horizon to no end, drawling out Her sweet blue tendrils to envelope their small sizes. Father Time quickened His pace throughout the day, leaving hours behind, letting them seem like minutes and minutes but moments in the world. The Heaven and Earth were right and all was calm. Or would have been were it not for the Wind. The Wind decided to let it be known that She was not to be unannounced and thought invisible. She whistled sweetly in the ears of men, cooing Her forbidden fruit and succulent taste into their minds, wooing the horses into a steady, uneventful walk through the beautiful scenery. All this, though, was horribly boring to Jade.
Scuffing her feet along the sides of mountains from atop her horse and picking out grass blades as they trotted across the land did not tend her mind, as she would have liked. She tried a bit of swordplay, but ended up embarrassing herself when she dropped a perfectly good sword down the side of a ravine. Luckily, only one soldier witnessed this account and agreed not to tell anyone in exchanged for her homemade comb. Jade agreed. Now she was without a sword and without anything to do but pamper her horse. Combing his hair with her fingers gently as they walked, he began to make slight sounds of comfort, keeping his pace nicely. She patted him on the side and lowered her head down towards his neck. A thought of fun then occurred to her.
Rubbing his side, she cooed in his ear, "Let's fly. What do you say, boy?" She did not get a response but decided the poor animal needed some fun. Digging her heels into his side roughly, he reared and took off down the path, beating the sun-bleached gravel to dust as she flew by His Majesty Lu Bu and his right hand man, Zhang Liao. Oddest couple she had ever seen was now looking at her flank as she left them to choke in her wake. They were flying through the fields, lifting over the bumps and rocks that littered the road. She felt her body slowly lift and time slow down when they were in the air. It related to floating in space, lifting easily out of the saddle and into the sky. Then after coming down, slamming into the saddle for more of an exhilarating ride was more than Heaven at that moment. Then she heard him.
Rounding a corner behind her, here came the commander in chief, Lu Bu, on his trusty steed, the devil in his eyes. Jade took it the wrong way however. She believed it was an open challenge. Down the path they sped, Lu Bu gaining considerably fast on hers. She pushed her animal of burden even harder, believing in the poor thing so much that she could actually win. Jade soon found out that she was sorely wrong. He came up on her right flank, looming into her eyes with his emerald stones, knees high and close to his chest, reigns held close to his torso and his chin nearly sat on his horse's neck. She heard the panting, the rubbing of the saddle, the breath of him and the animals, and she felt her heartbeat. It was a race of romance to her.
Dust flared in the setting sun, the clouds painted her eyes in the horizon, and she felt the Wind in her hair and through her chest. She gave a lasting smile of authority for staying an inch ahead of the handsome competitor. Suddenly, the smell of cherry blossoms distracted her. Ahead lay a field that caught her thoughts in a tight bind of Lu Bu. It was spring and the wind that blew softly over her back. Then, she lost control. Her foot slipped through the entire opening of the stirrup, her tennis shoe preventing her from pulling it back. The painfully sharp edges cut into her ankle and her leg dangled from being over stretched. She panicked. His long arm then reached over to the piece of reign that was close to the horse bit and pulled…hard. Her steady and exasperated horse skid to a stop along with his. Jade looked to him like a child who had been beaten in contest and then humiliated into sadness. Her freedom was over.
With some clangs, he clamored expertly from atop his horse and assisted her foot out of the stirrup. Lifting her from her saddle, Lu Bu placed her on his animal and climbed behind her. Holding her stomach, he led both animals back to the marching army, speaking only a few words, "Because of that act, you will be riding with me for the rest of the trip…No one has ever beaten me or my steed in a race." Her heart sank and she enjoyed the warmth of his breath on the back of her neck. He smelled exactly like their surroundings. He smelled like the sun. "We will acquire a better horse for you to ride later. You may have some use there." There was light at the end of every road after all.
For the rest of the trip, she was quiet and it was uneventful. A few hills and a few forests littered their paths, but for the most part, it was still and peaceful. Jade never felt more content. Lu Bu kept his hand on her abdomen, holding her close to his chest. She could feel him breathe, feel his heartbeat, feel his warmth, hear his movements, and just picture his expression. Daydreaming consumed her for the rest of the trip. Jade also had one fear in the back of her mind. What would happen when night fell? Her last minute is always her worst.
Eventually the boredom took her over and she into a deep sleep rocked by the constant movement of riding and lulled by his deep lungs and comforted by his presence behind her. Jade let her head loll backwards and lean herself into his arm. Soon she dreamt of a romance so rich that she could not breathe and had to take deep breaths just to keep herself from fainting. Yet in the back of her mind, she knew he would never do any such thing. That was how Matt was. He never hugged her without a meaning and never just kissed her because she was his. Prince would, but Lu Bu did not have that trait from him. His attitude was all Matt and not enough of Prince. It was a sad world when a girl could not have one simple thing that she wanted for so long…romance. But after a while, she decided that it didn't exist anymore and it was only fantasized about and portrayed in movies. This dream world was her home away from home. Whenever she woke up, she never wanted to move and stand for the day. Sleep was more inviting.
Her dream faltered for just a second. "She's flat lining! Charge the pads! Give me two CCs of …" Her eyes opened for just a second to see Diao Chan ordering Lu Bu around. Everyone was dressed in paramedics out fits and she was looking up at the ceiling. Zhang Liao was in the driver's seat because she heard his voice mention that there was a hard right approaching. Sounded just like him. She smiled and her world went blank again, only to end back up in the world where she was Lu Bu's queen and she was to be admired.
He watched her curl into the crook of his arm and shook his head. She was like a child sometimes and he felt his temper rise as if he were the parent to a disturbed little one who drank too much and didn't know what battles to pick and which to let go. Then sometimes, the great Lu Bu actually felt belittled by her; as if she were Heaven and Earth and he was just an angel to be ordered. She was calm and content at that moment, quiet and serene with little interruption. He could not help but pity her in her stupor of herself. She would withdraw when she felt threatened and lash out at any hand that would try to feed her, making it very clear she could take care of herself. But it was also obvious she wanted something, and she has been deprived of it for a long period of time…perhaps years. Diao Chan had nothing of her integrity. What she wanted, she got. It has never been any different since they were kids. Well, this time, perhaps it would be different.
When dusk fell, he ordered all of his men to halt and set up camp. It was a time where leniency was not to be tolerated; yet he could not help but take a few breaks here and there himself. Supper was calm and all was well with the world, accept for two things. Diao Chan and Jade were still at each other's throats. They did nothing the entire day but complain about the other. Chan also grew the courage to confront him about 'her' affecting their relationship. Lu Bu had the feeling that their 'relationship' would have gone downhill anyway due to Chan's constant need to be desired. If she were not wanted by anyone, her life would end that very same day. She was the cat that picked a fight with a rat instead of a mouse. A very large rat can hold their place against a predator of her size, and would therefore become evenly witted. He predicted that this fight would be endless and legendary.
Night arrived and the moon rose above the tree line to shine down upon their camp, conflicting with the firelight and white ground. He sat on a nearby rock and looked over the running water of a river, as if to supervise that the water ran right and the rocks that weren't to move never budged from their indents in the ground. Yet what was on his mind that night was not water or rocks or even the idea of being superior. As of that moment, he heard her voice shout aloud that she was the queen of drinking in the camp and had proclaimed Wang Fei as her right hand man. Oddly enough, they had become friendly drinking buddies and had not been separated since the beginning of the night. Men cheered.
Suddenly, Lu Bu made a resolution, one that would change their relationship forever. He stood with all the determination of a predator, breaking twigs and marching with a purpose. Crashing through the underbrush and out into the open to rain on her parade. "Jade!" He watched her wearily look up at him and smile, "Yes?" "Follow me." He began to walk and heard her greedily grab a bottle of sake and follow as quietly as she could. Through his tent flap, she followed him and stood in front of him, wavering from side to side as he sat behind his table on a throw pillow. "I have decided to tell you what everyone thinks of you. Seeing how no one has yet, I have taken up the undesirable job." She sat down and placed the bottle quietly on the ground next to her, looking at him as if she had no idea what was to come. "What does everyone think of me? I would really like to know." Evidently, she wasn't as far-gone as she seemed. She slurred but still understood everything she was saying. Lu Bu grew hard and his face set itself with a steely gaze. "You are crazy, arrogant, and the only time anyone likes you is when you drink yourself into a stupor. That way they can laugh at your antics and stupid jokes. Basically, they laugh at you. Granted, you are a very good warrior, but that cannot set aside the fact that everyone thinks you are a clown not to be taken seriously. Diao Chan despises you and so do her followers – half of the camp."
He watched her swallow hard and lower her eyes to the ground in thought. "Thank you for letting me know of these faults of mine. Evidently, I have sorely mistaken the entire time of my stay here. Excuse me." Lu Bu nodded and glanced back down at his desk, beginning to straighten his papers as he heard her slowly pick p the bottle of drink and left his tent as quietly as she came. Suddenly, a feeling hit him, one he hasn't felt since his younger days. Regret. He stopped in his movements and watched the table. Perhaps not everyone thought the way he had explained. Perhaps he was just working off of his frustration and Chan's thoughts.
The flaps of his tent re-opened and in waltzed Diao Chan, a light smile of contempt plastered across her lips, her eyes glimmering with enticement. "Good way with words," she said as she lowered herself beside him. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she rubbed her way underneath his clothing, leaning forward to temp his mind, "Perhaps now I can relieve your frustration." He sighed and turned his head away for only a second until she lit a fire with her fingers. The tent flap closed outside and a soldier stood in front of the entrance.
The rest of the night was lonesome. Diao Chan left afterwards, leaving Lu Bu alone to ponder their night together like an expert concubine, though she was nothing of the sort. Yet all that was on his mind was the regret he felt for his words. His furs and his pillows and his soft rug did not comfort him like they normally do on a summer night. His pride hurt because his conscious hurt. Lu Bu was not used to this kind of pain. He called his guard. "Yes, Sir?" "Find her." The guard became confused and quietly asked, "Diao Chan?" Lu Bu shot a glare and corrected him. "Jade, you idiot! Find HER!" The guard apologized and rushed away.
Little did he know that she was not to be found until the morning. She had gathered herself a few more bottles and drank herself nearly dead had she not thrown up most of the liquor then passed out from fatigue. Little did Lu Bu know that she had not desired to live, nor die, but to sleep for the rest of her life in quiet dreams and short stories of romance. Such romance did not exist to her, but neither did unicorns and Pegasus. It was always fun to dream.
He lay awake, receiving the news that she was no longer in camp and a two-mile wide search had been sent underway. He waved a hand dismissively, knowing that she would not spend the rest of her time in the camp. His nerves were on end and he could barely breathe. Sleeping was out of the question and he couldn't think of a plausible explanation as to why these symptoms were troubling him so. Then it dawned on him like the first day of winter. A chill ran the length of his spine. He was worried about Jade. He wanted to know if she was all right, if she was alive, and if she was healthy. To have her die over his account was going to be unacceptable. He continued to worry.
When she awoke, she found herself in a sheer light red tent with the flaps drawn and a warming coal heater by her side. The sky was dimming and Jade estimated it to be around the time of five or six in the afternoon. Slowly, she pushed herself up, a headache pounding her back down. An aging man slowly lifted her head with expertly soft hands and poured warm, not hot nor cold, into her mouth very slowly, the mint extract cooling her senses and the scent giver her a little relief from her headache. He lifted her upper body and leaned it against a heavy piece of black covering and cushioned for comfort. The blood that had collected at the back of her head from lying down so long bean its way to other part of her body in her lower region.
"Is this a dream?" Her question seemed not to faze the physician. He spoke lithely, "Nope. I'm afraid this is reality." She chuckled at his choice of words considering where she came from. He voiced the rest of his information for her. "Evidently, Lu Bu has been worried about your health, coming in every hour or so to check if you were still breathing. You were near death when we found you." She didn't exactly doubt his words and she pulled herself up further to a better upright position. "So are you here to keep me company or just take care of me." He smiled as he turned to hand her another cup of mint green tea, "I believe I am here to do both, ma'am." "Good to finally have actual company." He nodded. That was all she needed. She requested that the flaps be opened and for some tobacco and papers to be delivered to her. The guard at her side made haste in bringing those items as the physician thought a bit of fresh air would do some good and opened the flaps.
"Lu Bu held up the entire army and told them to take a day off because of you. He did not want to take the chance of the trip making you sick and having you throw blood out of your system." She assumed that meant that she was to be lectured and jailed or something of the sort. Her answers were soon to come forth. In walked Lu Bu to see her smoking a cigarette and sitting up in bed with her knees to her chest. The physician nodded towards him and slowly stepped out side behind the giant of a man. He merely stood looking towards her, and she couldn't help but look away and continue to blow smoke out her nose. He knelt slowly and sat cross-legged across from her. It was a quiet standoff for about two minutes.
Finally, he reached over and took her cigarette, helping himself to a few drags. A small glance told Jade to smile slightly, twitching only one side of her mouth to produce the smile she needed. He nodded back and took another drag. She broke the silence, "So I supposed I caused some trouble around here." "Not as much as you may believe," Lu Bu said lazily, leaning backwards onto a pillow. The flaps closed and a guard stood in front of the tent. She tilted her head towards him and gave him a look. "Are you trying to seduce me?" He gave a slight chuckle, "I don't have to try very hard. You already have exhibited all the signs." Jade rose an eyebrow. "What signs?" "Well, you seemed comforted when you rode with me for the rest of the travel a few days ago; you breathe deeply whenever you are in my quarters – Diao Chan does the same thing." That remark almost lowered her spirits…almost being the operative word. He took in more smoke and breathed it out in a finale, "And you look at me the way you're looking now. I may be a General but I was a young boy once and I did have an interest in females." She continued to look at him with her heart on her sleeve and her twitch of a smile grew wider. "Oh really?" The cigarette was extinguished.
Zhang Liao leaned backwards against a tree and watched the men play by the blazing bonfire, lifting smoke above the trees and into the void beyond then disappear in a gust of wind. Music played and the men smiled and laughed, enjoying a brew of chicken broth and bread, leaving large crumbs for smaller animals to clean up. There was nothing to worry about tonight. Perhaps, though, he spoke too soon as he watched Diao Chan settle herself beside him, curving a thick fur around her shoulders. She was a beauty tonight. Her hair lay in honey locks around her face, framing her petite body. Enemies would clearly under estimate her, judging her size to be all she is worth. She is worth much more.
"Good evening, Liao," she buttered to him, leaning on his shoulder. He smiled at her and placed an arm behind her head to give her comfort from the rough tree bark. "Good evening, Miss Chan. How are you?" He heard and felt a rush of air enter and leave her in a wisp of content only a cat would have, "Never better." He hugged her close and gave a small smile of approval, "That's always good to hear, girlie. How is Lu Bu?" "An angel that fell into Hell and lived to tell about it…in a most comfortable way." He chuckled and held her close to his side. "So why are you here with me, an old man, instead of with that dashing young stud? I am but an advisor." She laughed and sat up a bit to look at him, "Liao, you're the father I never had. Don't be so modest." They were quiet for a bit longer and he placed a kiss on top of her head, rubbing the side of her cheek. She spoke, "Will Lu Bu desert me for that Red Gem?"
Liao was a bit taken back by her words and replied with another question, "Do you want my opinion or do you want statistics?"
"Statistics AND your opinion."
"Well, statistics predict that he will find an interest in her because she is a rarity and beautiful. It doesn't leave good odds for you, but you have been with him since you two were little. I watched you both grow to become fine warriors. That will weigh heavily, so I would think it would be a fifty-fifty chance between the both of you."
"Go on with your opinion." She was eerily calm about it. What was she up to?
"My opinion, however, is he will choose what he feels to be the best for him and will head towards his heart. She may have a piece of his soul, but you confine the rest. Have faith, he will come back to you without a question."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
The night grew darker as clouds passed by and the bonfire died down to a large flame. The men had passed out where they were with their drinks still in their hands and with weight off their shoulders. The two warriors sat together for a bit more, star gazing and falling into sleep. "You know I was going to extinguish her flame before your words tonight, Liao." He nodded and replied in a half awakened state, "I know, dear." "So then why haven't you said anything to stop me? I know you are fond of her." "Because I knew I could change your mind." They fell into sleep.