Trinity
By Gingivere the Shadowreaver
Disclaimer: I do not own any character in this fanfic unless otherwise stated. Lu Xun, Gan Ning, Lü Meng, and all other characters are copyrighted to KEOI Productions and are used for fan reasons only. Please do not steal or alter this fic.
Ach… my head hurts. Not really much else to say but thanks for the support and such. And thanks for pointing out my mistakes, Black Aura-Sama; I'll have them corrected and I'll repost the chapter later. I always make those mistakes… ~sweatdrop~ Anyway, ON with the story…
Chapter Four: Stare Down at the Beach
"Xu Huang? Where is Xu Huang?"
If the general was aware of the mild chaos that had fallen upon the camps, he did not show signs of it. Xu Huang always meditated in the morning, however, not today. Instead, if Xiahou Dun had taken the time, he would have noticed that the warrior was in the watchtower, hiding above all the rest as he did his usual meditating. When he didn't want to be found, he would always hide in the most bizarre of places. This one was equally bizarre at the fact that this certain watchtower was the most rickety and old one there was and threatened to fall at a single gust of wind. Yet, somehow, he made it up there.
There was more to Xu Huang than battle, and it only angered him that many people overlooked that, even his lord. He fought to end the fighting, but now, even he was doubtful that this chaos would ever end.
He heard his name again, and he sighed, figuring that half an hour of hearing that voice was finally affecting his meditation, as he looked over the edge of the watchtower. There, he could see the one eyed general directly below him, looking in all the wrong directions. It was almost humorous, but the general kept his serious tone as he finally answered the calling. "Yes, Lord Xiahou Dun? I am here."
There was a quick jerk of the head, and the cousin of Cao Cao looked up, catching Xu Huang instantly. As he pondered how the man got up there, he scolded him, "Our Lord's been looking for you for the past half hour; didn't you hear us?"
'Perhaps ignoring them wasn't for the best then…' Xu Huang thought with almost near dread, but he covered it up. "I couldn't hear you, but I apologize. I shall be done shortly…"
"Make it quick; we may be going to war."
Hearing that, Xu Huang sighed, his eagerness dying away once again. War. He hated that word, and as he prepared for the cautious journey down the wobbly watchtower. However, he never complained, as he knew that somewhere among the chaos, there would be peace and honor, and this fighting was not futile.
At least that what he always thought before going into battle…
Now things were quite different for him; fight after fight, he returned, feeling emptier than the time before. Was his hopes dying? Where was the honor in all of this? Xu Huang could find none, but he bit his tongue and said nothing aloud, not wishing to lower morale for the forces or reveal his distress to his fellow officers and his lord. He could pull off this act for a little while longer…
Now, he stood before Xiahou Dun, he rested his hands on his hips, scowling with that one eye of his. He asked, "Couldn't you hear me calling for you? You are the only one I know that is brave enough to go up there."
"I like it up there. It's quiet." Xu Huang pointed out, making himself presentable. "But it doesn't matter. I'm here."
"Good… scouts reported strange activity from the south."
As they began walking, Xu Huang could see soldiers dashing about, barking orders and preparing for war. Maybe he missed TOO much when he's in that watchtower… "From Wu?"
Shaking his head, Xiahou Dun replied, "No, but we've gotten word from them as well, requesting aid to fight off this new enemy. It's a naval fleet, full of pirates, corsairs, villains, you name it, they probably have it."
"How big is this fleet? Why would Wu, a nation with perhaps the greatest skill of the rivers, need our aid?"
To that, Xiahou Dun did not answer, but Cao Cao did, as they entered the Imperial Tent, they could see the Wei emperor standing next to the scout and the Wu messenger, his rage hardly contained. The messenger trembled, fearing for his life, as Cao Cao's words shook all like a gong. "A naval fleet as big as that can step upon themselves and walk along over the river, Xu Huang. But no possible army that big could exist! Where's Sima Yi? He'll see through whatever plot those Wu scum has!"
It was bold of him to automatically say such a thing, as the soldier spoke up, "Sir, we've seen it with our own eyes! At this very moment, our forces are gathering in the south to intercept this enemy, but our defense there is weak, and it will take a week for the main force to arrive."
"It's Wu's problem, not ours! Where IS that Sima Yi?!"
Xiahou Dun spoke out now, "Sir, what if it is true?"
His cousin glared at him, "Find Sima Yi, but until then, we do nothing. If this is true, then they will send a second messenger, or we will receive more news. If not, then we will be saving ourselves the trouble of mobilizing and marching to our dooms!"
Xiahou Dun could only obey, and Xu Huang lingered until Cao Cao addressed him now. "Xu Huang, grab a horse and go investigate the situation… you and Dun are the only ones stationed here with me, but our reinforcements will arrive by nightfall."
"Yes, my lord…" Xu Huang bowed, quickly taking his leave as his lord gave a deep sigh, preparing to give instructions to the messenger from Wu. It did not take a psychic to tell that Cao Cao was beginning to get worried, Xu Huang noted, as he entered the stables and stroked his white steed's long, fuzzy snout. He had mixed feelings about this himself… truly, there could be no such army!
There was only one way to find out, he supposed, obeying his lord's command and, checking his supplies and keeping his weapon, his long handle axe, at hand, he took off towards the south.
~*~*~*~
The villagers of the ill-fated village dared not question Lu Xun's orders, though it took them awhile to realize that the young boy was actually one of the generals from the camp. He looked far too young to hold any important role in military, but after spotting his twin sabers and well-fed horse, they questioned him no more. They only wondered why they were being forced from their homes, as they grabbed as much belongings as they possibly could.
Lucky for him, the village wasn't a very large one, and it wasn't too long before the confused but silent people were lined out in the streets, parents keeping their children and older relatives close as Lu Xun counted all of them. He wasn't too comfortable on top of the light brown horse, not because of his slight fear of them, but because the horse was nervous as well.
"Hundred ninety-seven, hundred ninety-eight…" Lu Xun counted to himself, knowing that his serious manner was not helping the confusion among the people. He was going to explain everything to him, just to make sure that everyone was accounted for. "Hundred ninety-nine… two hundred…"
He seemed to reach the end, and his horse came to a halt when Lu Xun turned to the first villager he spotted. "Sir, is this everyone?"
"No… there is still an old hermit, over there. I went to see her myself, but she refused to move."
Lu Xun's brow narrowed, looking in the direction and catching his bearings well. He realized that it was the old woman from earlier this morning, and with an inaudible sigh, he turned to the rest of the villagers, who looked to him with their befuddled faces, waiting for an explanation. Why not inform them, he thought, but the problem with that would be the chance of mass confusion and fear that could rise, and that could waste any valuable time they had left.
Spotting a kid made him come to a conclusion quickly, speaking as calmly as he could, "By THE Orders of our lord, you must be evacuated from your homes. I do not have the time for details, but right now there are pirates gathering in the bay as we speak. This village and all land around it are in their path; you are to go on the safest pass through the gorges and onward to Wujun. You will all be safe there and there is plenty of room for all of you."
"But the journey will take days…" a villager complained.
Speaking up for Lu Xun's defense was another, "It's a journey we'll gladly take! The last thing our lord needs is fear of any harm coming to us at the hands of pirates! They soldiers and generals can fight easier knowing that we are safe!"
Many agreed, and Lu Xun felt some weight lift from his shoulders. It certainly would be easier to fight without having to worry about them, he thought, and he gave a nod, calling their attention once more. "I need the strong to provide for the weak, and take as many horses and cattle as you can, to carry the heavy loads. No one will be left behind, and should someone fall, a stronger shall pick him or her up and carry them to safety."
The villagers did not complain, and, as he turned his horse about, to head towards the hermit's house, he was stopped by a tired-looking woman, holding two children in her hands. "General, when will we be allowed back home?"
Now that, Lu Xun could find no answer. However, he gave a friendly little white lie, to give her and her dazed kids some hope. "I will return to Wujun myself when it is a good time, ma'am…"
"Thank you sir…" She gave a half smile, then left with the rest of the villagers. Now, feeling a bit easier, even though he had lied, he turned about and headed towards the hermit's house, hoping that there was a way to talk her into leaving. He would hate for such a kind woman to be harmed by such men…
He blocked the thought from his mind as he finally reached the house, and he did not have to search far to find the old woman that he had talked to just this morning. His horse snorted at the scent of blood, sidestepping the stream that poured from the front door, not wanting to get its hooves soaked. "Oh… dear…"
Seeing that the horse wouldn't go anywhere near the small house and the barn, Lu Xun dismounted, tying the reigns to the fence as he stepped over the puddle and into the house. There, he saw the knife, not too far from the woman that had used it upon herself. How?! How could someone like her, so kind and loving, end her life like this?
Blood was gathering around her, and what frightened him was that it was still warm to the touch… he was only a few minutes late. Why did she do it, Lu Xun asked, as he knelt next to the body.
Then, he noticed the scroll that was wrapped in her other hand, free of the blood that soaked everything else. Perhaps she planned this all along, he wondered, as he dared to remove it from her cold hands and read it aloud.
"I won't be expecting to see my horses again, young general, but I do not blame either you or your friends. Once you left, I looked to the see, where my husband and son once left; they were once a pirate too. That was when I saw the ships in the horizon… the ships of that one they call Hua Seung. I have seen him before, and never do I wish to see him again. I have supplies in the barn for your generals and soldiers, and I've released all of my animals, so that the pirates could dare not steal them. Keep Ying and Yang safe… love, Hua Ming…"
He must have read it at least three times before noticing his own tears had smeared the words at the end. Now, as he wiped his tears away, he rolled up the scroll and held it within his hands as he rose, preparing to bury the body. To think… this woman…
"Don't waste time… you have traps to set…" Lu Xun told himself, grabbing the scroll and stuffing it in his sleeve as he prepared to bury the body. He found a spot right before the barn, near her small garden that he found himself admiring, and it did not take him too long to dig the whole and laid her there, ignoring the blood on his clothes and hand. He only regretted not giving her a proper funeral, but time would not allow it. He could look to the eastern sky and see the redness grow ever so larger. It would not be long now…
~*~*~*~
Hua Seung rather liked the view of the bay in the midday sun, loving how the sun was almost directly above them. Yes, it did have a good effect to the already sparkling water, like the shadows of leaves on the flooring in the woods of his homeland, but more importantly, the sun seemed to shine on him and him alone. The rays fed his ego greatly, and Sei Rong sighed, not liking that look on the captain's face at all.
"Don't look directly into the sun, my lord… you might go blind." Sei Rong warned him, finally catching Seung's attention as he approached him. He was waiting for a strike or a snide remark, however, to his surprise Seung gave none, just giving him that icy glare. "We will be ready to dock by tomorrow morning, my lord; request permission to send out troops, to gather information on the terrain."
The pirate captain sneered, looking back at a part of his massive fleet and grunting, "Why bother? They can handle any sort of land I ask them to! Why the hell are you always so cautious?"
This didn't surprise Sei Rong at all, as he explained, "Sir, a conqueror should know what land is formidable to his army and his own army's limitation-"
"Are you saying that-"
"Sir, let me explain! You must listen to my advise, or your Million Man Army will be no more use to you then a man with three shoes!"
There was a stare down, and though Hua Seung was the victor, he asked, "How long will it take your troops to search the area and return? I want to dock at dawn, and I sure as hell ain't waiting up on your damn scouts if they're late."
"It will only take a little more than that, sir… best to know what we are getting ourselves into before leaping into the fray, so to speak." Sei Rong informed him, though knowing that all sort of arguments with the pirate captain was pointless. "China is a large nation, and you have not been there in many, many years… things could have changed since you were gone."
The pirate captain seemed unsatisfied, but it was expected, as he gripped Sei Rong's collar and gave a hearty laugh. "The only thing that changed was your thoughts. Weren't you the one that advised me to go to China one day and conquer the land from the Han?"
"Of course, my captain, but only at the opportune moment!"
"My lord, enemy scouts on the cliffs!"
The soldier's shout was more important to his ear than anything the crippled old man had to say, Hua Seung figured, releasing and throwing him aside as he went to the front of flagship, where the soldier pointed. Following his gaze, he caught two figures… he asked aloud, particularly to no one, "Who are they… to spy on me?"
"The most I know, they are from one of the three kingdoms that now occupy the land." Sei Rong answered, following up and rubbing his neck tenderly. He looked to the two men, wishing his eyesight was better to that they were more than just blobs. "The southern most kingdom of Wu. They are known for their defense and excellent naval skills."
Eying him with a snide grin, Hua Seung took his bow and fitted a single arrow on it, as if to prepare to fire upon the two scouts. "If that's so, then where is their navy now?"
This slightly concerned Sei Rong, but he said nothing as Hua Seung took aim and let the arrow fly. It was a wasted arrow, as it only made it halfway to its destination before losing wind and falling several feet short. And, if you listened carefully, you could hear laughs rising from over the hill, not just from the two scouts. Rather Hua Seung meant to hit one of them or not was a question gone unanswered, as one of the scouts shouted back. "I'd wouldn't expect anything else from a pirate!"
That voiced belonged to the former pirate himself, and Hua Seung squinted to see the Wu general's features, slight recognition lighting up in his memories as the other scout called out now. "Don't bother wasting your arrows on two men alone… you will get your chance later, pirate captain!"
"How dare they mock me?" Hua Seung grabbed another arrow, this time, calling to his own archers. "Take fire!"
But Sei Rong stopped him, "No, my lord! They're only taunting you… and wasting our arrows would do us no good once we get to conquering the land!"
Like a lightning bolt sent from Heaven itself, Hua Seung jumped back to avoid the arrow that drove itself deep into the floor. He looked up, seeing Gan Ning lower his bow and jingling his bells, as he now remembered who this man was. He muttered the name, catching Sei Rong's attention as well. "Gan Ning… Pirate of the Silken Sails? Could that be you?!"
Lü Meng and Gan Ning looked upon the forces, trying to get in a good observation. To the pirates, they could not see Lü Meng's silent hand motioned, sending orders to the archers set up behind them. Nodding to his friend for him to answer the pirate's question, Lü Meng hoped this plan would work… stalling such a force would be hard enough.
"No other!" Gan Ning snorted, giving a cat like grin as he addressed his old nemesis, his old friend.
"Gan Ning of the Bells… yes, if my eyes aren't fooling me, that is him!" Sei Rong proclaimed, mainly to himself. But, as rejoicing as it was to see an old friend, seeing him on the cliff with the Wu general meant one thing. He was against them now… and that meant trouble. Yet, by Hua Seung's reaction, the man thought otherwise! "This could be bad…"
"Nonsense! The Gan Ning I knew would never give up his pirating ways to join some tenderhearted inlanders! Why, the Gan Ning I knew-"
"Is NOT the Gan Ning you see before you!" Surprisingly, it was Lü Meng that finished that statement, and as the pirates drew their attention, they instantly realized that this man was the commanding general, seeing the way he presented himself and by mere looks alone. He spoke for Gan Ning, who glared down at the pirates with a rather icy glare. "Things change, people change! But, there is one thing that doesn't change… your kind is not welcomed here in the land of Wu!"
Raising an eyebrow, Hua Seung questioned this, "If that is so, then why does he stand next to you? Man, do you not know who he is?"
Lü Meng did not even hesitate, nor did he waste time by looking at his friend, who seemed to be cooling down now. "If I did not know him, then why would I be standing next to him? But enough of that, Pirate Captain. State your purpose!"
"Why else would I be here?" Hua Seung shouted with venom, his grin never fading. "To conquer this land for myself!"
"My Lord, do not be so blunt-"
"Silence! I do the talking!" Hua Seung bellowed, spinning about and nearly taking his head, but as quickly as he went to do so, he turned back around, to stare at Lü Meng. "You seem like a competent leader… may I ask what is your name?"
Narrowing his gaze, the general replied. "You may ask, but that does not mean I will give it to you. For a conquering sea buffoon as yourself, why would a name be important?"
Fire lit up in his eyes, and another arrow was wasted. The two generals laughed from where they were perched safely, as the pirate captain was stopped again by Sei Rong. He spoke with such venom that it almost dripped from his mouth. "How DARE you call me that? Sea buffoon! Fool! Do you not know the strength of my million man army!?"
The two laughing generals stopped, and Gan Ning proclaimed for all to hear, "A million, you say? All the more for me to kill by my blade, wouldn't you say, Meng?"
"A million lives wasted, Ning, and where shall he stand?"
"At their rear, like the ass he is!"
Their laughter rose, only feeding the flames. "Silence! I'll have your heads!"
It stopped, as Lü Meng grew deadly serious, pointing directly to the pirate captain. So far, the plan was working… "Captain Hua Seung, you may have your million man army, but know this! The Kingdom of Wu was created not by sheer force alone, and it shall not be conquered by sheer force! The blood and bones of those that died for this land welcome no such ones as yourself!"
"For two mere men alone you have brave words, but will your courage last on the battlefield, general?" Hua Seung shouted back. He grabbed the spear from one of his soldiers and raised his high, as if to challenge him. "It's war, you hear me! War! When I step foot onto that battlefield, I shall tear the heart from your chest!"
"A duel then? You wish to duel me?" Lü Meng asked, gripping his own halberd and keeping it firmly at his side. He could see Gan Ning's expression, but he did not acknowledge it, as he gave his answer. "Fine then, pirate! I accept your duel, but under ONE condition! There is a village not too far off from where we are; it is to remain untouched!"
"Who are YOU to make such demands?"
Raising his halberd, Lü Meng answered, "Lord Lü Meng of Wu. Do not expect to see the sun rise to its highest tomorrow, Hua Seung! Tomorrow's dawn… shall be your last!"
As the pirate gave a deep, hearty laugh, Lü Meng whispered to his friend, "This plan better work, or it will be us who won't see midday."
"Hey, with the three of US here, why be concerned? It'll work…" Gan Ning replied, glancing back at the archers that stood at the ready. Now, he called down to his old 'friend', catching his attention once more. "Oh, by the way, old buddy of mine, I'd like to thank you for the gift you have us this morning!"
"What gift?"
"Why, the arrows of course! They were so lovely, that I'd thought I'd give them back!"
With a shout, Hua Seung and the pirates ducked for cover, as the sky was invaded by the very same arrows that he had fired upon them this morning. It rained arrows, some hitting the decks and snapping, some falling dead into the water, while some took victims, one of which was poor Sei Rong, tripping and getting one right in the leg. Perhaps it was hearing the laugh from the Southlanders that brought him back into reality, as he could see the two generals and their soldiers hooting behind them.
"My lord, I am injured!" Sei Rong shouted, but his shout was unheard by Hua Seung's own.
"Prepare for your own funerals, you foolish scum! It will be I who will have the last laugh!" Hua Seung bellowed, though to the Wu forces on the cliff, it was a minor threat. Even as the soldiers stared at the massive fleet, they felt no fear in their hearts as long as Lü Meng and Gan Ning were before them. Seeing that he was not taken seriously, he shouted out again, "You hear me? Every last one of you will SUFFER!"
As the Wu forces began to disappear, Lü Meng shouted back, allowing this to be the last time they spoke before their upcoming duel. "The dead should not be speaking… practice a little tonight!"
It was not long before the cliffs were empty again, but still, the damage that was done seemed little when Hua Seung actually looked into it. He picked up his wounded advisor from the deck, ripping the arrow out with little consideration, rather enjoying his shriek of pain. He asked, "When will be able to dock? The sooner I can kill those bastards, the happier I'll be."
Wincing from the pain, Sei Rong tried not to notice his own blood, "In the morning sir… it'll take us some time to unload off of our supplies, though. And right now we need to worry about the injured…"
"Only a few… they wasted their arrows more than we did!"
"Fortunately that is not true, sir…" Sei Rong pointed out, snatching the arrow from his lord and showing it to him. "See these red and yellow tips? These are OUR arrows… after you fired upon them this morning, they must have went back and gathered them. They're of no use to us now, as they were already weakened from before."
Scowling, the pirate asked, "Then… they planned this?"
"Yes, my lord… they have a strategy to make up for their lack of forces…"
Seeing that Hua Seung might actually listen to his advise, Sei Rong would have continued, but the pirate captain snorted, standing and snapping the weakened arrow within his own hands. "They can use whatever strategy they want… but still, it is all useless in the end! I think I'll enjoy this conquest… they show a lot more spirit then the others."
"Much more spirit indeed… perhaps they feel that they have more than just their lives to lose that fuels this." Sei Rong stated to himself, and he tried to stand, to wobble off to fix his wound. He could not bare to look at Hua Seung, now that his doubts could be read on his old face. With Gan Ning working alongside the enemy, he knew that this conquest would not end well… he could just feel it in his old bones. He needed to learn about these men…
~*~*~*~
Lu Xun had a feeling he missed something very important when he arrived back at the camp, seeing a few soldiers with wide smiles upon their once grim faces. Why the sudden change, he wondered, as he dismounted and entered the tent where he was instantly greeted by Lü Meng. He, too, wore a grin.
"Is the village evacuated?" Lü Meng promptly asked, noticing the blood on Lu Xun's clothing and hands. "What happened?"
Bowing slightly, Lu Xun spoke vividly, keeping his face hidden slightly. "The village is evacuated, as you ordered, Lord Lü Meng. And as for the blood, sir, I had to bury someone. She's offered us supplies for our upcoming battle with the enemy."
Lü Meng could hear the sadness in his voice, but he tried not to address it, knowing that time was wasting away as they spoke. "Good, then… we need all the help we can get. I already sent troops out to set up the traps, but I need your opinion on how far to place them from one another."
Feeling slightly better, Lu Xun joined his side at the table, looking over the map. Strategies always helped him clear his mind from personal issues, and, as he looked over the map, he pointed out, "We shouldn't have a definite pattern; even pirates would suspect and predict them after a few times."
"Excellent… we can set some up as we move along." Lü Meng seemed satisfied, and Lu Xun noticed that his hand seemed to be trembling. Catching where the young general's gaze was, Lü Meng tried to cover it up, giving out orders, "You should join them as soon as possible; you'd know the best places."
Lu Xun knew why he was being dismissed, and though he understood his reasoning, he felt hurt by it. But, he dared not show it, merely bowing and going to take his leave. "Of course, Lord Lü Meng… I shall return in the morning."
However, before he could leave, he was stopped, "Lu Xun, I'm sorry."
"For what?" Lu Xun pondered, stopping in his tracks and turning about. "You've done no wrong to me."
"I'm apologizing for making you have to go to the village and address the people in this manner. I know it wasn't easy, especially for to have to bury that body." Lü Meng replied, lowering his gaze slightly. Lu Xun understood his reasons, but he held nothing against him. It was his duty and he was only obeying orders.
Lu Xun spoke up, mainly to stop all these guilt trips. "It's quite alright my lord… someone had to do it."
This made Lü Meng feel slightly better, as Gan Ning walked into the tent, a grin upon his devilish face. He pat Lu Xun on the back, making him jump as he asked, "So, what next?"
"We're setting up the traps," Lü Meng replied, hoping to absorbed Gan Ning's endless optimism. "Lu Xun, could you fill him in on the locations of the traps?"
Bringing the former pirate to the map, Lu Xun began to explain the traps in detail, knowing that it would be Gan Ning that would be triggering most of them. He hoped he was paying attention at least… it would be humorous and dreadful should the former pirate get caught in them as well. The man grinned, "Oh, traps, I love traps! What about the open woods there; a good place for an ambush."
Looking towards that section of the map, Lu Xun could only agree. "Yes, and a horrible place to maneuver, especially for such a large force. We can set up archers there, fire them rapidly and hold them back."
"What's the disadvantages?" Lü Meng pondered.
"We haven't the men nor the supplies… I have heard rumors about Master Zhuge Liang inventing a device that would do this, however, I doubt that it is made or if it ever will be." Lu Xun stated, giving a sigh between his breath. "We'd run out of arrows before even hitting the front line."
Biting his lip, Gan Ning asked, "Well, we're not aiming to kill them all, right? Get them through the traps and lure them there, then shoot them up!"
"Sending them through the traps should leave them confused…" The young general remarked, returning the smile and feeling rather safe in his comfort zone. "Confusion among their ranks could be our best ally."
Fiddling with his sword, Gan Ning nodded, "Yeah… especially after the duel-"
Lu Xun's golden eyes met his, "A duel? What duel?"
Looking to Lü Meng, Gan Ning replied, "Oh yeah, you weren't here. Lü Meng is set to duel Hua Seung tomorrow at noon. He plans on feigning defeat and he'll lure the forces through the first wave of traps. Pretty good idea, right?"
"Do you think that's wise?"
"Wise? No… but it's a start." Lü Meng replied, crossing his arms and looking down at the map. That was what was bothering him, but he tried his best not to let it show. "I'm strong, but I know I can't defeat him head-on. I know my limitations."
Had Gan Ning allowed it, there would have been an eerie silence, but he caught both men off guard when he snapped his fingers and slammed his hand on the table, making his bells jingle with excitement. "PERFECT!"
As the two looked at him, he explained, "Okay, Lü Meng feigns defeat and lures Hua Seung into the traps, right? Well, as Lu Xun said, confusion is our best ally, so why not lure Hua Seung into the woods and used some soldiers and ourselves as decoys?"
"Decoys?"
"Aye! Have Lü Meng go out there dressed in a helmet or something, lure him into the woods, where we will be dressed as him… getting the same color horse would be a problem, but it can be done!"
A rather devious smile crept upon Lu Xun's face, as he finished his thought. "And lure him into an archer ambush, and as you said earlier, shoot him up."
"Gan Ning, you devil rat!" Lü Meng shouted, grabbing the pirate and holding his hand under his arm. Lu Xun jumped back as the general assaulted the former pirate with a rather vicious looking noogie, and the general shouted. "So you've had a brain in that head the entire time! And here I am wondering why I ever bother with you sometimes!"
"Ahhhhh, stop it! Not in front of the kid! You're embarrassing me!"
The two went on with their spat, leaving Lu Xun in silence. They were about to go into war and they were standing there, goofing off. However, he objected with a smile, rather welcoming the calm moment before the storm… heaven only knew when would be the next time he could smile in mirth.
By Gingivere the Shadowreaver
Disclaimer: I do not own any character in this fanfic unless otherwise stated. Lu Xun, Gan Ning, Lü Meng, and all other characters are copyrighted to KEOI Productions and are used for fan reasons only. Please do not steal or alter this fic.
Ach… my head hurts. Not really much else to say but thanks for the support and such. And thanks for pointing out my mistakes, Black Aura-Sama; I'll have them corrected and I'll repost the chapter later. I always make those mistakes… ~sweatdrop~ Anyway, ON with the story…
Chapter Four: Stare Down at the Beach
"Xu Huang? Where is Xu Huang?"
If the general was aware of the mild chaos that had fallen upon the camps, he did not show signs of it. Xu Huang always meditated in the morning, however, not today. Instead, if Xiahou Dun had taken the time, he would have noticed that the warrior was in the watchtower, hiding above all the rest as he did his usual meditating. When he didn't want to be found, he would always hide in the most bizarre of places. This one was equally bizarre at the fact that this certain watchtower was the most rickety and old one there was and threatened to fall at a single gust of wind. Yet, somehow, he made it up there.
There was more to Xu Huang than battle, and it only angered him that many people overlooked that, even his lord. He fought to end the fighting, but now, even he was doubtful that this chaos would ever end.
He heard his name again, and he sighed, figuring that half an hour of hearing that voice was finally affecting his meditation, as he looked over the edge of the watchtower. There, he could see the one eyed general directly below him, looking in all the wrong directions. It was almost humorous, but the general kept his serious tone as he finally answered the calling. "Yes, Lord Xiahou Dun? I am here."
There was a quick jerk of the head, and the cousin of Cao Cao looked up, catching Xu Huang instantly. As he pondered how the man got up there, he scolded him, "Our Lord's been looking for you for the past half hour; didn't you hear us?"
'Perhaps ignoring them wasn't for the best then…' Xu Huang thought with almost near dread, but he covered it up. "I couldn't hear you, but I apologize. I shall be done shortly…"
"Make it quick; we may be going to war."
Hearing that, Xu Huang sighed, his eagerness dying away once again. War. He hated that word, and as he prepared for the cautious journey down the wobbly watchtower. However, he never complained, as he knew that somewhere among the chaos, there would be peace and honor, and this fighting was not futile.
At least that what he always thought before going into battle…
Now things were quite different for him; fight after fight, he returned, feeling emptier than the time before. Was his hopes dying? Where was the honor in all of this? Xu Huang could find none, but he bit his tongue and said nothing aloud, not wishing to lower morale for the forces or reveal his distress to his fellow officers and his lord. He could pull off this act for a little while longer…
Now, he stood before Xiahou Dun, he rested his hands on his hips, scowling with that one eye of his. He asked, "Couldn't you hear me calling for you? You are the only one I know that is brave enough to go up there."
"I like it up there. It's quiet." Xu Huang pointed out, making himself presentable. "But it doesn't matter. I'm here."
"Good… scouts reported strange activity from the south."
As they began walking, Xu Huang could see soldiers dashing about, barking orders and preparing for war. Maybe he missed TOO much when he's in that watchtower… "From Wu?"
Shaking his head, Xiahou Dun replied, "No, but we've gotten word from them as well, requesting aid to fight off this new enemy. It's a naval fleet, full of pirates, corsairs, villains, you name it, they probably have it."
"How big is this fleet? Why would Wu, a nation with perhaps the greatest skill of the rivers, need our aid?"
To that, Xiahou Dun did not answer, but Cao Cao did, as they entered the Imperial Tent, they could see the Wei emperor standing next to the scout and the Wu messenger, his rage hardly contained. The messenger trembled, fearing for his life, as Cao Cao's words shook all like a gong. "A naval fleet as big as that can step upon themselves and walk along over the river, Xu Huang. But no possible army that big could exist! Where's Sima Yi? He'll see through whatever plot those Wu scum has!"
It was bold of him to automatically say such a thing, as the soldier spoke up, "Sir, we've seen it with our own eyes! At this very moment, our forces are gathering in the south to intercept this enemy, but our defense there is weak, and it will take a week for the main force to arrive."
"It's Wu's problem, not ours! Where IS that Sima Yi?!"
Xiahou Dun spoke out now, "Sir, what if it is true?"
His cousin glared at him, "Find Sima Yi, but until then, we do nothing. If this is true, then they will send a second messenger, or we will receive more news. If not, then we will be saving ourselves the trouble of mobilizing and marching to our dooms!"
Xiahou Dun could only obey, and Xu Huang lingered until Cao Cao addressed him now. "Xu Huang, grab a horse and go investigate the situation… you and Dun are the only ones stationed here with me, but our reinforcements will arrive by nightfall."
"Yes, my lord…" Xu Huang bowed, quickly taking his leave as his lord gave a deep sigh, preparing to give instructions to the messenger from Wu. It did not take a psychic to tell that Cao Cao was beginning to get worried, Xu Huang noted, as he entered the stables and stroked his white steed's long, fuzzy snout. He had mixed feelings about this himself… truly, there could be no such army!
There was only one way to find out, he supposed, obeying his lord's command and, checking his supplies and keeping his weapon, his long handle axe, at hand, he took off towards the south.
~*~*~*~
The villagers of the ill-fated village dared not question Lu Xun's orders, though it took them awhile to realize that the young boy was actually one of the generals from the camp. He looked far too young to hold any important role in military, but after spotting his twin sabers and well-fed horse, they questioned him no more. They only wondered why they were being forced from their homes, as they grabbed as much belongings as they possibly could.
Lucky for him, the village wasn't a very large one, and it wasn't too long before the confused but silent people were lined out in the streets, parents keeping their children and older relatives close as Lu Xun counted all of them. He wasn't too comfortable on top of the light brown horse, not because of his slight fear of them, but because the horse was nervous as well.
"Hundred ninety-seven, hundred ninety-eight…" Lu Xun counted to himself, knowing that his serious manner was not helping the confusion among the people. He was going to explain everything to him, just to make sure that everyone was accounted for. "Hundred ninety-nine… two hundred…"
He seemed to reach the end, and his horse came to a halt when Lu Xun turned to the first villager he spotted. "Sir, is this everyone?"
"No… there is still an old hermit, over there. I went to see her myself, but she refused to move."
Lu Xun's brow narrowed, looking in the direction and catching his bearings well. He realized that it was the old woman from earlier this morning, and with an inaudible sigh, he turned to the rest of the villagers, who looked to him with their befuddled faces, waiting for an explanation. Why not inform them, he thought, but the problem with that would be the chance of mass confusion and fear that could rise, and that could waste any valuable time they had left.
Spotting a kid made him come to a conclusion quickly, speaking as calmly as he could, "By THE Orders of our lord, you must be evacuated from your homes. I do not have the time for details, but right now there are pirates gathering in the bay as we speak. This village and all land around it are in their path; you are to go on the safest pass through the gorges and onward to Wujun. You will all be safe there and there is plenty of room for all of you."
"But the journey will take days…" a villager complained.
Speaking up for Lu Xun's defense was another, "It's a journey we'll gladly take! The last thing our lord needs is fear of any harm coming to us at the hands of pirates! They soldiers and generals can fight easier knowing that we are safe!"
Many agreed, and Lu Xun felt some weight lift from his shoulders. It certainly would be easier to fight without having to worry about them, he thought, and he gave a nod, calling their attention once more. "I need the strong to provide for the weak, and take as many horses and cattle as you can, to carry the heavy loads. No one will be left behind, and should someone fall, a stronger shall pick him or her up and carry them to safety."
The villagers did not complain, and, as he turned his horse about, to head towards the hermit's house, he was stopped by a tired-looking woman, holding two children in her hands. "General, when will we be allowed back home?"
Now that, Lu Xun could find no answer. However, he gave a friendly little white lie, to give her and her dazed kids some hope. "I will return to Wujun myself when it is a good time, ma'am…"
"Thank you sir…" She gave a half smile, then left with the rest of the villagers. Now, feeling a bit easier, even though he had lied, he turned about and headed towards the hermit's house, hoping that there was a way to talk her into leaving. He would hate for such a kind woman to be harmed by such men…
He blocked the thought from his mind as he finally reached the house, and he did not have to search far to find the old woman that he had talked to just this morning. His horse snorted at the scent of blood, sidestepping the stream that poured from the front door, not wanting to get its hooves soaked. "Oh… dear…"
Seeing that the horse wouldn't go anywhere near the small house and the barn, Lu Xun dismounted, tying the reigns to the fence as he stepped over the puddle and into the house. There, he saw the knife, not too far from the woman that had used it upon herself. How?! How could someone like her, so kind and loving, end her life like this?
Blood was gathering around her, and what frightened him was that it was still warm to the touch… he was only a few minutes late. Why did she do it, Lu Xun asked, as he knelt next to the body.
Then, he noticed the scroll that was wrapped in her other hand, free of the blood that soaked everything else. Perhaps she planned this all along, he wondered, as he dared to remove it from her cold hands and read it aloud.
"I won't be expecting to see my horses again, young general, but I do not blame either you or your friends. Once you left, I looked to the see, where my husband and son once left; they were once a pirate too. That was when I saw the ships in the horizon… the ships of that one they call Hua Seung. I have seen him before, and never do I wish to see him again. I have supplies in the barn for your generals and soldiers, and I've released all of my animals, so that the pirates could dare not steal them. Keep Ying and Yang safe… love, Hua Ming…"
He must have read it at least three times before noticing his own tears had smeared the words at the end. Now, as he wiped his tears away, he rolled up the scroll and held it within his hands as he rose, preparing to bury the body. To think… this woman…
"Don't waste time… you have traps to set…" Lu Xun told himself, grabbing the scroll and stuffing it in his sleeve as he prepared to bury the body. He found a spot right before the barn, near her small garden that he found himself admiring, and it did not take him too long to dig the whole and laid her there, ignoring the blood on his clothes and hand. He only regretted not giving her a proper funeral, but time would not allow it. He could look to the eastern sky and see the redness grow ever so larger. It would not be long now…
~*~*~*~
Hua Seung rather liked the view of the bay in the midday sun, loving how the sun was almost directly above them. Yes, it did have a good effect to the already sparkling water, like the shadows of leaves on the flooring in the woods of his homeland, but more importantly, the sun seemed to shine on him and him alone. The rays fed his ego greatly, and Sei Rong sighed, not liking that look on the captain's face at all.
"Don't look directly into the sun, my lord… you might go blind." Sei Rong warned him, finally catching Seung's attention as he approached him. He was waiting for a strike or a snide remark, however, to his surprise Seung gave none, just giving him that icy glare. "We will be ready to dock by tomorrow morning, my lord; request permission to send out troops, to gather information on the terrain."
The pirate captain sneered, looking back at a part of his massive fleet and grunting, "Why bother? They can handle any sort of land I ask them to! Why the hell are you always so cautious?"
This didn't surprise Sei Rong at all, as he explained, "Sir, a conqueror should know what land is formidable to his army and his own army's limitation-"
"Are you saying that-"
"Sir, let me explain! You must listen to my advise, or your Million Man Army will be no more use to you then a man with three shoes!"
There was a stare down, and though Hua Seung was the victor, he asked, "How long will it take your troops to search the area and return? I want to dock at dawn, and I sure as hell ain't waiting up on your damn scouts if they're late."
"It will only take a little more than that, sir… best to know what we are getting ourselves into before leaping into the fray, so to speak." Sei Rong informed him, though knowing that all sort of arguments with the pirate captain was pointless. "China is a large nation, and you have not been there in many, many years… things could have changed since you were gone."
The pirate captain seemed unsatisfied, but it was expected, as he gripped Sei Rong's collar and gave a hearty laugh. "The only thing that changed was your thoughts. Weren't you the one that advised me to go to China one day and conquer the land from the Han?"
"Of course, my captain, but only at the opportune moment!"
"My lord, enemy scouts on the cliffs!"
The soldier's shout was more important to his ear than anything the crippled old man had to say, Hua Seung figured, releasing and throwing him aside as he went to the front of flagship, where the soldier pointed. Following his gaze, he caught two figures… he asked aloud, particularly to no one, "Who are they… to spy on me?"
"The most I know, they are from one of the three kingdoms that now occupy the land." Sei Rong answered, following up and rubbing his neck tenderly. He looked to the two men, wishing his eyesight was better to that they were more than just blobs. "The southern most kingdom of Wu. They are known for their defense and excellent naval skills."
Eying him with a snide grin, Hua Seung took his bow and fitted a single arrow on it, as if to prepare to fire upon the two scouts. "If that's so, then where is their navy now?"
This slightly concerned Sei Rong, but he said nothing as Hua Seung took aim and let the arrow fly. It was a wasted arrow, as it only made it halfway to its destination before losing wind and falling several feet short. And, if you listened carefully, you could hear laughs rising from over the hill, not just from the two scouts. Rather Hua Seung meant to hit one of them or not was a question gone unanswered, as one of the scouts shouted back. "I'd wouldn't expect anything else from a pirate!"
That voiced belonged to the former pirate himself, and Hua Seung squinted to see the Wu general's features, slight recognition lighting up in his memories as the other scout called out now. "Don't bother wasting your arrows on two men alone… you will get your chance later, pirate captain!"
"How dare they mock me?" Hua Seung grabbed another arrow, this time, calling to his own archers. "Take fire!"
But Sei Rong stopped him, "No, my lord! They're only taunting you… and wasting our arrows would do us no good once we get to conquering the land!"
Like a lightning bolt sent from Heaven itself, Hua Seung jumped back to avoid the arrow that drove itself deep into the floor. He looked up, seeing Gan Ning lower his bow and jingling his bells, as he now remembered who this man was. He muttered the name, catching Sei Rong's attention as well. "Gan Ning… Pirate of the Silken Sails? Could that be you?!"
Lü Meng and Gan Ning looked upon the forces, trying to get in a good observation. To the pirates, they could not see Lü Meng's silent hand motioned, sending orders to the archers set up behind them. Nodding to his friend for him to answer the pirate's question, Lü Meng hoped this plan would work… stalling such a force would be hard enough.
"No other!" Gan Ning snorted, giving a cat like grin as he addressed his old nemesis, his old friend.
"Gan Ning of the Bells… yes, if my eyes aren't fooling me, that is him!" Sei Rong proclaimed, mainly to himself. But, as rejoicing as it was to see an old friend, seeing him on the cliff with the Wu general meant one thing. He was against them now… and that meant trouble. Yet, by Hua Seung's reaction, the man thought otherwise! "This could be bad…"
"Nonsense! The Gan Ning I knew would never give up his pirating ways to join some tenderhearted inlanders! Why, the Gan Ning I knew-"
"Is NOT the Gan Ning you see before you!" Surprisingly, it was Lü Meng that finished that statement, and as the pirates drew their attention, they instantly realized that this man was the commanding general, seeing the way he presented himself and by mere looks alone. He spoke for Gan Ning, who glared down at the pirates with a rather icy glare. "Things change, people change! But, there is one thing that doesn't change… your kind is not welcomed here in the land of Wu!"
Raising an eyebrow, Hua Seung questioned this, "If that is so, then why does he stand next to you? Man, do you not know who he is?"
Lü Meng did not even hesitate, nor did he waste time by looking at his friend, who seemed to be cooling down now. "If I did not know him, then why would I be standing next to him? But enough of that, Pirate Captain. State your purpose!"
"Why else would I be here?" Hua Seung shouted with venom, his grin never fading. "To conquer this land for myself!"
"My Lord, do not be so blunt-"
"Silence! I do the talking!" Hua Seung bellowed, spinning about and nearly taking his head, but as quickly as he went to do so, he turned back around, to stare at Lü Meng. "You seem like a competent leader… may I ask what is your name?"
Narrowing his gaze, the general replied. "You may ask, but that does not mean I will give it to you. For a conquering sea buffoon as yourself, why would a name be important?"
Fire lit up in his eyes, and another arrow was wasted. The two generals laughed from where they were perched safely, as the pirate captain was stopped again by Sei Rong. He spoke with such venom that it almost dripped from his mouth. "How DARE you call me that? Sea buffoon! Fool! Do you not know the strength of my million man army!?"
The two laughing generals stopped, and Gan Ning proclaimed for all to hear, "A million, you say? All the more for me to kill by my blade, wouldn't you say, Meng?"
"A million lives wasted, Ning, and where shall he stand?"
"At their rear, like the ass he is!"
Their laughter rose, only feeding the flames. "Silence! I'll have your heads!"
It stopped, as Lü Meng grew deadly serious, pointing directly to the pirate captain. So far, the plan was working… "Captain Hua Seung, you may have your million man army, but know this! The Kingdom of Wu was created not by sheer force alone, and it shall not be conquered by sheer force! The blood and bones of those that died for this land welcome no such ones as yourself!"
"For two mere men alone you have brave words, but will your courage last on the battlefield, general?" Hua Seung shouted back. He grabbed the spear from one of his soldiers and raised his high, as if to challenge him. "It's war, you hear me! War! When I step foot onto that battlefield, I shall tear the heart from your chest!"
"A duel then? You wish to duel me?" Lü Meng asked, gripping his own halberd and keeping it firmly at his side. He could see Gan Ning's expression, but he did not acknowledge it, as he gave his answer. "Fine then, pirate! I accept your duel, but under ONE condition! There is a village not too far off from where we are; it is to remain untouched!"
"Who are YOU to make such demands?"
Raising his halberd, Lü Meng answered, "Lord Lü Meng of Wu. Do not expect to see the sun rise to its highest tomorrow, Hua Seung! Tomorrow's dawn… shall be your last!"
As the pirate gave a deep, hearty laugh, Lü Meng whispered to his friend, "This plan better work, or it will be us who won't see midday."
"Hey, with the three of US here, why be concerned? It'll work…" Gan Ning replied, glancing back at the archers that stood at the ready. Now, he called down to his old 'friend', catching his attention once more. "Oh, by the way, old buddy of mine, I'd like to thank you for the gift you have us this morning!"
"What gift?"
"Why, the arrows of course! They were so lovely, that I'd thought I'd give them back!"
With a shout, Hua Seung and the pirates ducked for cover, as the sky was invaded by the very same arrows that he had fired upon them this morning. It rained arrows, some hitting the decks and snapping, some falling dead into the water, while some took victims, one of which was poor Sei Rong, tripping and getting one right in the leg. Perhaps it was hearing the laugh from the Southlanders that brought him back into reality, as he could see the two generals and their soldiers hooting behind them.
"My lord, I am injured!" Sei Rong shouted, but his shout was unheard by Hua Seung's own.
"Prepare for your own funerals, you foolish scum! It will be I who will have the last laugh!" Hua Seung bellowed, though to the Wu forces on the cliff, it was a minor threat. Even as the soldiers stared at the massive fleet, they felt no fear in their hearts as long as Lü Meng and Gan Ning were before them. Seeing that he was not taken seriously, he shouted out again, "You hear me? Every last one of you will SUFFER!"
As the Wu forces began to disappear, Lü Meng shouted back, allowing this to be the last time they spoke before their upcoming duel. "The dead should not be speaking… practice a little tonight!"
It was not long before the cliffs were empty again, but still, the damage that was done seemed little when Hua Seung actually looked into it. He picked up his wounded advisor from the deck, ripping the arrow out with little consideration, rather enjoying his shriek of pain. He asked, "When will be able to dock? The sooner I can kill those bastards, the happier I'll be."
Wincing from the pain, Sei Rong tried not to notice his own blood, "In the morning sir… it'll take us some time to unload off of our supplies, though. And right now we need to worry about the injured…"
"Only a few… they wasted their arrows more than we did!"
"Fortunately that is not true, sir…" Sei Rong pointed out, snatching the arrow from his lord and showing it to him. "See these red and yellow tips? These are OUR arrows… after you fired upon them this morning, they must have went back and gathered them. They're of no use to us now, as they were already weakened from before."
Scowling, the pirate asked, "Then… they planned this?"
"Yes, my lord… they have a strategy to make up for their lack of forces…"
Seeing that Hua Seung might actually listen to his advise, Sei Rong would have continued, but the pirate captain snorted, standing and snapping the weakened arrow within his own hands. "They can use whatever strategy they want… but still, it is all useless in the end! I think I'll enjoy this conquest… they show a lot more spirit then the others."
"Much more spirit indeed… perhaps they feel that they have more than just their lives to lose that fuels this." Sei Rong stated to himself, and he tried to stand, to wobble off to fix his wound. He could not bare to look at Hua Seung, now that his doubts could be read on his old face. With Gan Ning working alongside the enemy, he knew that this conquest would not end well… he could just feel it in his old bones. He needed to learn about these men…
~*~*~*~
Lu Xun had a feeling he missed something very important when he arrived back at the camp, seeing a few soldiers with wide smiles upon their once grim faces. Why the sudden change, he wondered, as he dismounted and entered the tent where he was instantly greeted by Lü Meng. He, too, wore a grin.
"Is the village evacuated?" Lü Meng promptly asked, noticing the blood on Lu Xun's clothing and hands. "What happened?"
Bowing slightly, Lu Xun spoke vividly, keeping his face hidden slightly. "The village is evacuated, as you ordered, Lord Lü Meng. And as for the blood, sir, I had to bury someone. She's offered us supplies for our upcoming battle with the enemy."
Lü Meng could hear the sadness in his voice, but he tried not to address it, knowing that time was wasting away as they spoke. "Good, then… we need all the help we can get. I already sent troops out to set up the traps, but I need your opinion on how far to place them from one another."
Feeling slightly better, Lu Xun joined his side at the table, looking over the map. Strategies always helped him clear his mind from personal issues, and, as he looked over the map, he pointed out, "We shouldn't have a definite pattern; even pirates would suspect and predict them after a few times."
"Excellent… we can set some up as we move along." Lü Meng seemed satisfied, and Lu Xun noticed that his hand seemed to be trembling. Catching where the young general's gaze was, Lü Meng tried to cover it up, giving out orders, "You should join them as soon as possible; you'd know the best places."
Lu Xun knew why he was being dismissed, and though he understood his reasoning, he felt hurt by it. But, he dared not show it, merely bowing and going to take his leave. "Of course, Lord Lü Meng… I shall return in the morning."
However, before he could leave, he was stopped, "Lu Xun, I'm sorry."
"For what?" Lu Xun pondered, stopping in his tracks and turning about. "You've done no wrong to me."
"I'm apologizing for making you have to go to the village and address the people in this manner. I know it wasn't easy, especially for to have to bury that body." Lü Meng replied, lowering his gaze slightly. Lu Xun understood his reasons, but he held nothing against him. It was his duty and he was only obeying orders.
Lu Xun spoke up, mainly to stop all these guilt trips. "It's quite alright my lord… someone had to do it."
This made Lü Meng feel slightly better, as Gan Ning walked into the tent, a grin upon his devilish face. He pat Lu Xun on the back, making him jump as he asked, "So, what next?"
"We're setting up the traps," Lü Meng replied, hoping to absorbed Gan Ning's endless optimism. "Lu Xun, could you fill him in on the locations of the traps?"
Bringing the former pirate to the map, Lu Xun began to explain the traps in detail, knowing that it would be Gan Ning that would be triggering most of them. He hoped he was paying attention at least… it would be humorous and dreadful should the former pirate get caught in them as well. The man grinned, "Oh, traps, I love traps! What about the open woods there; a good place for an ambush."
Looking towards that section of the map, Lu Xun could only agree. "Yes, and a horrible place to maneuver, especially for such a large force. We can set up archers there, fire them rapidly and hold them back."
"What's the disadvantages?" Lü Meng pondered.
"We haven't the men nor the supplies… I have heard rumors about Master Zhuge Liang inventing a device that would do this, however, I doubt that it is made or if it ever will be." Lu Xun stated, giving a sigh between his breath. "We'd run out of arrows before even hitting the front line."
Biting his lip, Gan Ning asked, "Well, we're not aiming to kill them all, right? Get them through the traps and lure them there, then shoot them up!"
"Sending them through the traps should leave them confused…" The young general remarked, returning the smile and feeling rather safe in his comfort zone. "Confusion among their ranks could be our best ally."
Fiddling with his sword, Gan Ning nodded, "Yeah… especially after the duel-"
Lu Xun's golden eyes met his, "A duel? What duel?"
Looking to Lü Meng, Gan Ning replied, "Oh yeah, you weren't here. Lü Meng is set to duel Hua Seung tomorrow at noon. He plans on feigning defeat and he'll lure the forces through the first wave of traps. Pretty good idea, right?"
"Do you think that's wise?"
"Wise? No… but it's a start." Lü Meng replied, crossing his arms and looking down at the map. That was what was bothering him, but he tried his best not to let it show. "I'm strong, but I know I can't defeat him head-on. I know my limitations."
Had Gan Ning allowed it, there would have been an eerie silence, but he caught both men off guard when he snapped his fingers and slammed his hand on the table, making his bells jingle with excitement. "PERFECT!"
As the two looked at him, he explained, "Okay, Lü Meng feigns defeat and lures Hua Seung into the traps, right? Well, as Lu Xun said, confusion is our best ally, so why not lure Hua Seung into the woods and used some soldiers and ourselves as decoys?"
"Decoys?"
"Aye! Have Lü Meng go out there dressed in a helmet or something, lure him into the woods, where we will be dressed as him… getting the same color horse would be a problem, but it can be done!"
A rather devious smile crept upon Lu Xun's face, as he finished his thought. "And lure him into an archer ambush, and as you said earlier, shoot him up."
"Gan Ning, you devil rat!" Lü Meng shouted, grabbing the pirate and holding his hand under his arm. Lu Xun jumped back as the general assaulted the former pirate with a rather vicious looking noogie, and the general shouted. "So you've had a brain in that head the entire time! And here I am wondering why I ever bother with you sometimes!"
"Ahhhhh, stop it! Not in front of the kid! You're embarrassing me!"
The two went on with their spat, leaving Lu Xun in silence. They were about to go into war and they were standing there, goofing off. However, he objected with a smile, rather welcoming the calm moment before the storm… heaven only knew when would be the next time he could smile in mirth.