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.
The last chapter was rather painful for me to write, I shall admit, but I'm rather pleased. Except with its ending... it seemed a bit rushed, you know what I mean? Anyway, now, to make up for the lack of Gan Ning in the last chapter! Yes, I know, sezzy pirate man cannot be denied his air time! Oh, and since I love them so much, some Huang Zhong and Wei Yan moments too, to make Nat happy!
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Chapter Seven: Only Lonely Soldier
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"I just don't get it, Wei Yan! If there really IS a million men scourging the seas, then why the heck are WE sitting here doing border duty?" Huang Zhong was well known for his quick temper and his eagerness to fight, and sometimes it was hard to believe that he was well into his sixties, as ones so old were wise and patient. Not Huang Zhong, though... for most of his life he's been like this, and Wei Yan could only vouch for that fact. Now was no different, "Alliance or no alliance, we're not accomplishing ANYTHING by just sitting here on our asses and lolling about!"
Wei Yan didn't seem too eager to even carry on a conversation, much less anything else. Looking at his friend, the elder was slightly worried, as he carried on the conversation for himself. "Practically cowardice if you ask ME... what's with that Zhuge Liang anyway? He'd seem content to sit around until the enemy kills themselves from the suspense!"
And the warrior next to him merely nodded, and though many would have confused him for a simpleton, Huang Zhong knew something was on his mind. Many people looked at his companion as if he was no more than a juggernaut, only meant to go out and battle, but the elder knew a lot more about him. He practically started a fight with the Tiger General leader Guan Yu when the man let a word slip about Wei Yan... he got a black eye for that! Still, the pain was short, and the veteran felt it was worth it. If they knew HALF of what Wei Yan been through, then they would have left him alone about his faults.
Though, as many times as Huang Zhong stood up for his friend, he wondered if the boy would ever fend for himself. He KNEW he could, however, he figured that Wei Yan KNEW that's what some of them were waiting for... for the moment he lost his temper, he'd be nothing more than a disembodied head for even daring to disobey orders or pick a fight with another general...
That didn't seem fair at all to Huang Zhong, but he tried not to let it show. Even though he was a Tiger General, he didn't need to be border lining his own execution for insubordination as well.
Finally, Huang Zhong asked, as the two men led their small forces through the flatlands. "What's bothering you, boy? You have spoken a word until we left Cheng Du!"
The look Wei Yan gave to him was rather amusing, as he laughed, "Now I KNOW you're not the talkative type, but you're not the type to sit there and brood, especially at a chance at battle. Now, before I BEAT it out of you, tell me what's on your mind. You know I would..."
After giving him another disgruntled look, Wei Yan finally said something, his low voice strung by a few pauses every now an then. "New force... don't like..."
"Well, I don't think ANYONE particularly likes them... I mean, who would if all they're here for is to conquer?"
That gave him another look, and Wei Yan continued. "Too... big. Other forces... they not last long."
"No, I really don't think they would, if you ask me," Huang Zhong commented, scratching the back of his neck and gazing upwards at the sun, as if to ponder the situation to himself. What Wei Yan had stated was definitely true, and though he knew nothing of the situation of the stars that Sima Yi had prophesized the night before, he knew from the sick feeling in his gut that one kingdom alone would not be able to defeat this force. A mere three thousand men? He almost laughed, if it wasn't pathetic. "That Zhuge Liang... what's the deal with the Jing Province anyway? With a brain like his, you'd think he'd come up with a way that BOTH sides would be happy, eh?"
That made Wei Yan smirked, "Not so smart..."
And Huang Zhong joined in, laughing and slapping his knee. "Better not let anyone ELSE hear that, boy, or the two of us will be staring towards the east with our heads on a pike! You be careful where you say that, you hear? I rather die in battle than like that!"
In their fit of laughter, they did not realize there was a slight commotion going on behind them, and it took a shout from one of their soldiers before either of the two turned around. "Sir, there's someone approaching us from the rear!"
They both came to a halt, and it was Huang Zhong who turned about first, his wrinkled face morphing into a rather terrified look for Wei Yan to see. Whoever was coming, it was only so obvious that Huang Zhong did NOT wished to see them, and he spat, as the woman gave a shout. "Just wait one damn minute, you two!"
The minute that voice reached Wei Yan's ears, the man cringed, but when Huang Zhong flashed him a look, he slammed his mouth shut, not daring to utter a word as Huang Zhong turned away, muttering below his breath. "Why her? Why, oh WHY did it have to be her?"
Wei Yan could not answer his question, and he remained silent as Lady Sun rode between them, riding upon her husband's gray horse that she had obviously 'borrowed' from the stables. There was something about Sun Shang Xiang that neither of the two liked, and, as a matter of fact, not many men of Shu liked her at all. She was a beautiful woman, but she was more manly than her husband and over half of the soldiers there, even Zhao Yun! And her temper was something to combat his own, something that Huang Zhong didn't particularly like in a woman. However, he said nothing to the battleaxe until she addressed him first, "General, what's going on? Why aren't our forces going to war?!"
"Oh, it seems our lord's wife seems a bit eager for battle as well, eh?" Huang Zhong joked, trying to keep a smile on his face to lighten the mood. Their feelings for one another were mutual, as neither particularly cared for one another. However, he tried to remain respectful, not wanting to waste anymore time with her, "That's a good question, though. Might want to ask the Prime Minister about that; he seems to be running the country better than our lord anyway."
Wei Yan could only nod with agreement, but it didn't satisfy the woman, as she lingered there still. "I already asked Zhuge Liang, and he told me not to worry about it! The nerve of them telling me to not worry about my family's wellbeing! It's like telling my husband not to worry about his own brothers!"
For that, he could actually sympathize with her without damaging his own ego, and he sighed, trying to avoid eye contact with her as much as possible. He noticed Wei Yan's gaze was elsewhere, too, but he said nothing, making a note of it as he replied to the woman. "Well, I'm simply a general at war, meant only for obeying orders that my lord gives me. We have no say so elsewhere, and neither do you."
This seemed to insult Sun Shang Xiang slightly, but she was determined, "I don't know the exact details, but I was told that only three thousand men were stationed down there for the defense; do you know the commanding generals?"
"Uh, if my memory recalls correctly, it was the generals Lü Meng, Gan Ning, and that young one… don't know him though."
"The young one… oh, I know him." Sun Shang Xiang replied, making an odd face as she pictured him in her head. Yes, she did know him for a little while, but he seemed too distant from her to truly care. All she knew was that her mother was eager for her to marry him before she was married to Liu Bei. She turned back to Huang Zhong, "Look, general, I know it's not a lot to you, but even though I am in Shu, I still do care about my homeland too. I still have family there, and friends, too. Do you think that, if there was any way, you could-"
"Disobey my lord's orders and help them?" Huang Zhong took the words right out of her mouth, and he gave a rather cocky grin, as she nodded. "Well… you're a woman. You don't know what becomes of a man once he disobeys his commander's orders, even for the right reasons. What you're asking is for me and my junior officer here to put our necks on the line for people we don't even know and could very well be our enemies after this is all over."
He tried to sound sympathetic; Wei Yan could see the pity in his eyes, however, this didn't settle too well with the wife of Liu Bei. Her eyes seemed to flash red, and her face, once beautiful, had twisted into that of a demon almost, one that struck fear into Wei Yan even! And that voice! "What do you MEAN enemies?! We have an alliance, don't we?! Why do you think I was MARRIED?!"
This was definitely not what Huang Zhong had in mind, as he did not wish to anger the crazy woman even further. He was about to say something, but she continued, her shouts heard throughout the flatlands. "Wu is being attacked by a million man army, and you guys hesitate to go into battle because you're afraid that Wu's going to TURN on you? Over what? A silly province? It's a bunch of land; you mean to tell me that some land is worth a lot more than people's lives?"
"Not easy…" Wei Yan stated, finally speaking up when Huang Zhong couldn't, and she finally acknowledged him as she looked at him. "You know nothing."
"And neither do you!"
Now Huang Zhong seemed to look agitated, not wanting any insults to go flying. He never struck a lady before, and he didn't want to start that habit now. "Now, now, Lady Sun; no need to get all worked up. I can only obey orders; Wei Yan too. Why don't you bring this up with your husband? In fact, why don't you tackle the Prime Minister and beat some sense into HIM while you're at it? Complaining to us won't help…"
She glared at him, and it was reasons like now that he was SO glad he never married. She spoke bitterly, as if disgusted with them. "A bunch of fine generals you are… a Tiger General afraid to stick his neck out for anything but himself, and his caveman son that'll stand around when others die. It's a wonder how anyone becomes a general nowadays…"
Huang Zhong never realized how much those words affected him until she left, and the army had come to a complete stop as they watched her disappear back towards Cheng Du, leaving nothing but dust to settle and an echo of her insults. It was only so obvious that both men were insulted just by the look on their faces, and both men were deathly silent.
The veteran looked to his junior officer, seeing the life sparkle in his eyes, as he finally uttered a few bold words, "Had every maiden be like that, I think I have no regrets on staying single for the rest of MY life, eh?"
And Wei Yan couldn't have said it better himself, as all he did was spat in her general direction and turned his gaze eastward, somehow eager to get on with his border duties.
~*~*~*~
There was something about Lü Meng's concern that almost frightened Lu Xun, and though he knew nothing of Lady Wu's wedding surprise for him, he had a feeling it was more than just the thought of losing a general in battle that fueled it. He had woken up to hear the general's urgent shouts, seeing the calm, yet edged with rising panic, in his dark green eyes, like it was more than a soldier that he held in his hands. He wasn't just a soldier, at least not to him…
But, somehow, as Lu Xun gripped his bloody hands tighter around his friend's clothing, it seemed to calm Lü Meng even more, and though he spoke no words, Lu Xun tried to tell him that he was okay, that it was only a scratch.
Which it was not.
No, it wasn't fatal, but it was serious enough to where he was confined to bed for a few hours. The feathered pillows were what saved him more than the armor or himself losing balance in the fight, and even as he ran a tender hand over the bandages that kept his insides intact, he mentally thanked the old woman that had let him sleep in her barn a few nights ago… it had definitely saved his life.
He was not sure if he was able to battle anymore, and that thought was rather depressing. No, he did not like to fight, but now, thanks to his mistake, the army was short at least two fighters, and now was certainly not the time to have casualties. They needed all the strength and men they could get… and this definitely didn't help.
The other soldier that was crushed to proclaimed alright; it was more of the shock of the horse falling on him that was the injury, and he was ready to go in the morning after a meal and some sleep. Mentally, Lu Xun was thankful… at least by rushing into the plan a bit early he was able to save the man as thanks for his kind words earlier today.
Though now, by rushing into a situation he could not handle, here he was, injured and even more useless than before. Except now he KNEW it was his fault, and he sighed, resting an arm over his forehead and looking up at the star filled sky. Directly above him, he could see the three stars aligned vertically to one another, shining brightly, though not as bright as the ones circled around it. In spite of his slight depression, he smiled… it was something about those three stars that comforted him. As long as those three stars shined at night, he almost didn't fear the upcoming war, or death even.
Those beautiful stars were replaced by a pair of slit eyes, and Lu Xun was surprised he hadn't even heard his friend's footsteps as Lü Meng stood above him, staring down at him with that odd look of his. Lu Xun read three emotions that were visible: anger, disappointment, and concern most of all.
"Lord Lü Meng, I-"
"What you did today was foolish, and of ALL people, I would have expected YOU would have known your limits…" Lü Meng stated, his voice harsh, almost hurtful to Lu Xun's ears as he knelt down to check on Lu Xun's wound. The boy offered no resistance, as he continued, "What were you thinking? He could have killed you!"
Now, as shame rose in Lu Xun's eyes, the concerned general unbuttoned his shirt, looking at the bandages and grimacing at the sight of the dried blood. This was not what Lu Xun needed, as he tried to defend himself, "Sir… I was thinking for the best of Wu… I felt it was unfair to have the soldiers do the work while I sat about and did nothing. I wanted to help…"
"What you did was injure yourself, hindering our cause. Not what I call helping."
Rather Lü Meng meant to hurt Lu Xun or not wasn't obvious, but just by the way Lu Xun recoiled from the words alone, he knew how deep he struck. Stunned into silence, Lu Xun turned his gaze back towards the stars, as Lü Meng spoke softer now. "You're not a warrior, Lu Xun… you lack the physical strength."
"I… I know that, sir… but…"
"But what?"
Lu Xun kept his gazed fixed on those stars, trying oh so hard not to shed any tears. He felt weak and useless, something that he truly hated, especially in front of his friend. "But… I wanted to prove to you that… that I wasn't worthless on the battlefield, like everyone else proclaims me to be. I wanted to show you that I could help, and not be useless when another hand was needed… I wanted to be like you…"
The general's harsh eyes melted, as he asked, "Like me? Why would you want to be like me, Lu Xun? Do you doubt your own abilities enough to want to be someone else?"
"My abilities are nothing compared to yours… you and Zhou Yu are pillars compared to me."
"What makes you think that, then? Is it our experience behind us that makes you think of us as pillars?" Lü Meng asked, and he saw the boy's expression, and his face softened again, like a father talking to his son. "Lu Xun, yes, you do lack the experience that we have, but you can only correct that error by gaining the experience for yourself. What you did today was brave, though foolish, but you've learned something from it, did you not? Just now, you gained a little experience."
There was a hint of a smile on Lu Xun's face, but it was hardly noticeable due to the heaviness of his voice. "I guess… I just wanted to prove my strength to you, and by doing so I allowed myself to be injured by my own pride."
Lü Meng smiled, resting a gentle but firm hand on the boy's shoulder, to comfort him. When Lu Xun looked up at him with those wondrous, exotic golden eyes, it only deepened his smile. "At least you will live another day to make sure you don't make the same error again. You will be able to move, but I won't allow you on the battlefield… you'll do us more good by staying in the back and coming up with the strategies as we go along. Do you think you can handle it?"
"Anything you ask me to, Lord Lü Meng…" Lu Xun said with a light smile, a bit confused when the general gave his light brown hair a gentle stroke, to remove the bangs from his eyes, as if he wanted a better look at them. Seeing his lopsided smile, Lu Xun asked, "Sir?"
"Just… admiring your eyes." Lü Meng admitted, taking his hand away, but continuing to look at them. "Haven't you ever wondered about them?"
The boy shrugged, "I never really noticed them…"
Raising an eyebrow, the general asked, "Hereditary?"
"No… not really…" Lu Xun was obviously uncomfortable with the question, and he feared telling Lü Meng about his own eyes. Being the perspective man that he was, Lü Meng only nodded, allowing the topic to drop suddenly as Lu Xun asked a few questions of his own. "Sir, do you think Gan Ning can complete his task?"
Even as he said this, they could not see the hint of smoke rising in the star-filled sky in the distance, and if they had, they would have known of the success of their friend. However, as his dark green eyes caught sight of the smoke, a smile crept upon Lü Meng's bold features, "We shall see by dawn. But for now, rest… I'll stand guard tonight, so sleep easy, alright?"
All Lu Xun did was nod, giving an inaudible sigh and looking towards the three vertical stars once more before drifting off into sleep. Just as long as those stars and his friends were there, he felt safe and secure…
~*~*~*~
Gan Ning couldn't think of a time before that very moment that he ever had to rely on his old pirate instincts as much as he did now, and the former pirate moved with such stealth that was almost unheard of in Wu even. He wore his bells, but they too were as silent as the night, making him practically invisible to his foes and twice as deadly.
Sneaking past the guards seemed to be the hardest task until it came to the boats, and he continued with his stealth mission, hoping that his small task unit could keep what little guards that were aware occupied. Now, though his pants were wet from the short time he spent wading, the Pirate of the Silken Sails scaled the boat that was obviously Hua Seung's flagship, sword in mouth and bow and arrow around his chest. He was ready to pull this stunt off.
If there was anyone for the job, it was definitely Gan Ning of the Bells. Many men in China knew him from his daring night raid against Wei, causing a massive amount of damage with only a hundred men and not losing a single casualty, and because of this act, he was feared and known. This was nothing compared to that night, Gan Ning thought with a smile, wondering why it seemed so easy.
Hua Seung was never really known for his 'profound' intelligence, Gan Ning mused, as he dangled off of the bow, waiting for the guard that was stationed there to walk a bit of distance away from him. He had a feeling that these guards were to be more of a challenge then any sort of 'strategy' that Seung used himself…
The guard heard a splash, and, not wanting to be caught off guard, he looked over the edge, only to feel the hilt of the sword before the brush of wind against his face. He was unconscious before he even hit the water, and Gan Ning took the opportunity to haul his dangling ass towards another location as thundering footsteps indicated more guards to see what had caused the commotion. Five all together… no problem!
Now, with their attention elsewhere, Gan Ning pulled himself onto the deck, using such speed and silence to work his way towards the rudder; the guards never knew he was there. He almost laughed! This was way too easy.
'Lü Meng worries too much… the silly goose!'
It was a wonder how a man clad in bells could sneak through a boat in the dead of night, and if he had told his story to anyone else, they probably wouldn't have believed him. That wasn't important, he thought, as he found himself exactly where he wanted to be. Oddly enough, the rudder was left unattended, and now the pirate's ego began to catch up with him, as he lurked towards the nearest barrel to hide behind.
This was a bit TOO easy…
'I didn't see Sei Rong in the welcoming committee… perhaps he has a trap set for me.'
He wouldn't have doubted that for a second, and he pondered where the crippled old man was right now. Having his sword at the ready, he risked sneaking towards the rudder, keeping his bells and his footsteps silent to his own ear, and once he got there, he held his breath, certainly not wanting to draw attention to himself now. He reached over the edge of the flagship, using one hand to feel for the right spot and the other to hold his sword, and he grinned, finding the perfect spot and leaning over the side, now using his sword to carve at the rudder as silently as he could.
It was definitely times like this that he was glad he was a pirate… for one thing he was great at was sabotage. He silently laughed at the thought… the minute Sei Rong saw the other boats set alight, he would most definitely move this one, but to no avail. The only thing that would await him was the reef and the sharp rocks…
Now, lifting up his leg and grabbing the dagger that was on his boot, Gan Ning made a quick movement, driving it as deep as he possibly could into the rudder, testing it a bit and grinning even deeper when the rudder would not move. This boat had a one way course… to the bottom of the sea!
"What are you men doing?"
He stopped, looking up at the direction of that oddly familiar voice. He instantly knew who it was: Sei Rong!
"I think someone fell over sir."
'My queue to go…' Gan Ning thought, setting his sword in his belt and now roping his bow quickly. He could see the flashing light from at least three other boats, nodding and grabbing a single arrow. Now… all he needed was a fire, and no sooner had he thought of this did he spot the small lamp, grinning from ear to ear.
"Who fell over? Is that what all this ruckus is about?" He heard Sei Rong say, as he tip-toed to the lamp to dip his powdered arrow into. The crippled old man was too preoccupied to notice him, yet he was tense, as if waiting for something to happen. "Find out who it is and help him up then… I don't like this land, not at all."
Just as he said this, Gan Ning got his fire, and Sei Rong spun around at the sound of the bells and the new light source, but it was too late. The arrow flung into the air, a single streak of light that could be seen from every single boat in the bay. Sei Rong shouted, only catching the red eyes of the pirate before seeing his blade, "INTRUDER!"
He was far too slow to stop him, and the crippled man found himself on his back, the dazzling curved sword of Gan Ning's Leviathan slicing away at the guards. As he rose, the blade was upon him, but it did not strike him down, but instead paused right above his nose. There, he stared up at Gan Ning's face, seeing the bright, fearsome eyes of his enemy and seeing the slight hesitation in them. What… was he waiting for?
Sei Rong heard the shout from another boat, someone crying the words 'FIRE', but he dared not move, in fear of that blade thundering down.
Finally, as the flames began to spread behind him, Sei Rong found his voice, speaking to the silent man before him. "Gan Ning… after so many years, you've finally showed yourself again."
"It's a surprise to even see you alive, you old fool." Gan Ning's voice was so deathly serious, and Sei Rong could not move. He could not tremble from its power or even succumb to his own fear; that was how strong that voice was. And now once did that weapon move or waver, his grip amazing. Now, a small smile crept on Gan Ning's face, as he spoke softly, "After what he's done to you, you still bow before his ways. After the way he's crippled you, stole your ship, you can't find the strength to free yourself from his trap?"
The old man winced, remembering the memories well, but he showed no anger towards Gan Ning… only towards his captain and himself. "Yes. I've done what I've done, and you've done what you've done. We're in two words now, Gan Ning, and as much as I hate it, that is how it must be for me. And what of your world? Do you feel justified being there?"
"Without a doubt…"
As the flames to his back began to brighten, Sei Rong nodded, closing his eyes and preparing to accept his fate. Better this than to return to Hua Seung with failure. "So be it then… I am at least glad that someone was saved from his grasps. Do what you wish, then."
But that blade never came, and he was surprised to hear a laugh rise from his foe, opening his eyes to see him already halfway to the edge of the boat. Gan Ning's last words were full of mirth, and he wondered as he shouted back to him, "I'd rather not dirty my sword, you old fool! Escape while you can… I'll show you mercy this time, but don't you DARE let this slip out to Lü Meng!"
And, without another word, he leapt over the edge and was gone. Now, Sei Rong released a breath, wondering how he even found the strength to stand as a soldier rushed up to him. Why did Gan Ning spare him? He sighed, as the soldier brought him back to reality. "Lord Sei, the fleet's on fire! We must move the flagship now if we wish to save it!"
And what a harsh reality to return to! Sei Rong spun around to face the flaming mess, and he merely fainted from the sight that Cao Cao had once faced earlier at Red Cliffs. There was nothing but flames, and to think…this was once Hua Seung's infamous Million Man Armada! And in one night, reduced to flaming splinters. Yet, this boat was salvageable.
"Get it as far away from the flames before the wind can pick up! Move!"
No one dared question that order, and Sei Rong braced himself as the men began to frantically lift the anchor. How could he allow this to happen? Just moments before he was looking through his scrolls, trying to gather as much information on the kingdom of Wu as possible. He knew nothing of their fire attack at Red Cliffs, nor of the foundation of this land or the others that were formed around it. He cursed himself, and he cursed Hua Seung. He should have had more time!
"Sir, the rudder… it won't respond!" the soldier cried, once again pulling him out of his thoughts and into the harsh reality. Now the boat was moving, but he could clearly see that the flagship did respond the way they wanted it to. He nearly panicked, as the soldier cried out, "We're heading for the rocks… what should we do, sir?!"
Curse the Pirate of the Silken Sails! Oh, if Sei Rong had the time, he would have let out a string of curses, even write a poem about it, however, seeing the rocks coming at them at an amazing speed was enough to make him shout, "Abandon ship! NOW!"
Who exactly grabbed him and threw him over the edge was a mystery, but once in the water, he could hear the loud crash of the flagship smashing into the rocks. He surfaced to see the sight, wading frantically to keep his head above water to see wood and splinters fly about here and there. It wasn't just the chill of the water that made him tremble… but it was the single fact that Gan Ning had sabotaged his captain's entire navy, and it was his fault.
"The captain will surely have my head for this!"
Those were the only words he could mutter, as the demolished flagship began to sink to the bottom of the bay. Tonight, the victory was to Wu, and he only wondered now, how Hua Seung was doing, and how he would handle finding his beautiful armada in ruins. This certainly changed the game for them, and from where he sat on his horse, following the Wei army that was slowly beginning to mobilize, Sima Yi noticed that the three vertical stars, the one vital to China at this very moment, were acting up. One was steady, one was dim, but the middle one shone the brightest of all. He sighed, "Odd…"
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.
The last chapter was rather painful for me to write, I shall admit, but I'm rather pleased. Except with its ending... it seemed a bit rushed, you know what I mean? Anyway, now, to make up for the lack of Gan Ning in the last chapter! Yes, I know, sezzy pirate man cannot be denied his air time! Oh, and since I love them so much, some Huang Zhong and Wei Yan moments too, to make Nat happy!
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Chapter Seven: Only Lonely Soldier
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"I just don't get it, Wei Yan! If there really IS a million men scourging the seas, then why the heck are WE sitting here doing border duty?" Huang Zhong was well known for his quick temper and his eagerness to fight, and sometimes it was hard to believe that he was well into his sixties, as ones so old were wise and patient. Not Huang Zhong, though... for most of his life he's been like this, and Wei Yan could only vouch for that fact. Now was no different, "Alliance or no alliance, we're not accomplishing ANYTHING by just sitting here on our asses and lolling about!"
Wei Yan didn't seem too eager to even carry on a conversation, much less anything else. Looking at his friend, the elder was slightly worried, as he carried on the conversation for himself. "Practically cowardice if you ask ME... what's with that Zhuge Liang anyway? He'd seem content to sit around until the enemy kills themselves from the suspense!"
And the warrior next to him merely nodded, and though many would have confused him for a simpleton, Huang Zhong knew something was on his mind. Many people looked at his companion as if he was no more than a juggernaut, only meant to go out and battle, but the elder knew a lot more about him. He practically started a fight with the Tiger General leader Guan Yu when the man let a word slip about Wei Yan... he got a black eye for that! Still, the pain was short, and the veteran felt it was worth it. If they knew HALF of what Wei Yan been through, then they would have left him alone about his faults.
Though, as many times as Huang Zhong stood up for his friend, he wondered if the boy would ever fend for himself. He KNEW he could, however, he figured that Wei Yan KNEW that's what some of them were waiting for... for the moment he lost his temper, he'd be nothing more than a disembodied head for even daring to disobey orders or pick a fight with another general...
That didn't seem fair at all to Huang Zhong, but he tried not to let it show. Even though he was a Tiger General, he didn't need to be border lining his own execution for insubordination as well.
Finally, Huang Zhong asked, as the two men led their small forces through the flatlands. "What's bothering you, boy? You have spoken a word until we left Cheng Du!"
The look Wei Yan gave to him was rather amusing, as he laughed, "Now I KNOW you're not the talkative type, but you're not the type to sit there and brood, especially at a chance at battle. Now, before I BEAT it out of you, tell me what's on your mind. You know I would..."
After giving him another disgruntled look, Wei Yan finally said something, his low voice strung by a few pauses every now an then. "New force... don't like..."
"Well, I don't think ANYONE particularly likes them... I mean, who would if all they're here for is to conquer?"
That gave him another look, and Wei Yan continued. "Too... big. Other forces... they not last long."
"No, I really don't think they would, if you ask me," Huang Zhong commented, scratching the back of his neck and gazing upwards at the sun, as if to ponder the situation to himself. What Wei Yan had stated was definitely true, and though he knew nothing of the situation of the stars that Sima Yi had prophesized the night before, he knew from the sick feeling in his gut that one kingdom alone would not be able to defeat this force. A mere three thousand men? He almost laughed, if it wasn't pathetic. "That Zhuge Liang... what's the deal with the Jing Province anyway? With a brain like his, you'd think he'd come up with a way that BOTH sides would be happy, eh?"
That made Wei Yan smirked, "Not so smart..."
And Huang Zhong joined in, laughing and slapping his knee. "Better not let anyone ELSE hear that, boy, or the two of us will be staring towards the east with our heads on a pike! You be careful where you say that, you hear? I rather die in battle than like that!"
In their fit of laughter, they did not realize there was a slight commotion going on behind them, and it took a shout from one of their soldiers before either of the two turned around. "Sir, there's someone approaching us from the rear!"
They both came to a halt, and it was Huang Zhong who turned about first, his wrinkled face morphing into a rather terrified look for Wei Yan to see. Whoever was coming, it was only so obvious that Huang Zhong did NOT wished to see them, and he spat, as the woman gave a shout. "Just wait one damn minute, you two!"
The minute that voice reached Wei Yan's ears, the man cringed, but when Huang Zhong flashed him a look, he slammed his mouth shut, not daring to utter a word as Huang Zhong turned away, muttering below his breath. "Why her? Why, oh WHY did it have to be her?"
Wei Yan could not answer his question, and he remained silent as Lady Sun rode between them, riding upon her husband's gray horse that she had obviously 'borrowed' from the stables. There was something about Sun Shang Xiang that neither of the two liked, and, as a matter of fact, not many men of Shu liked her at all. She was a beautiful woman, but she was more manly than her husband and over half of the soldiers there, even Zhao Yun! And her temper was something to combat his own, something that Huang Zhong didn't particularly like in a woman. However, he said nothing to the battleaxe until she addressed him first, "General, what's going on? Why aren't our forces going to war?!"
"Oh, it seems our lord's wife seems a bit eager for battle as well, eh?" Huang Zhong joked, trying to keep a smile on his face to lighten the mood. Their feelings for one another were mutual, as neither particularly cared for one another. However, he tried to remain respectful, not wanting to waste anymore time with her, "That's a good question, though. Might want to ask the Prime Minister about that; he seems to be running the country better than our lord anyway."
Wei Yan could only nod with agreement, but it didn't satisfy the woman, as she lingered there still. "I already asked Zhuge Liang, and he told me not to worry about it! The nerve of them telling me to not worry about my family's wellbeing! It's like telling my husband not to worry about his own brothers!"
For that, he could actually sympathize with her without damaging his own ego, and he sighed, trying to avoid eye contact with her as much as possible. He noticed Wei Yan's gaze was elsewhere, too, but he said nothing, making a note of it as he replied to the woman. "Well, I'm simply a general at war, meant only for obeying orders that my lord gives me. We have no say so elsewhere, and neither do you."
This seemed to insult Sun Shang Xiang slightly, but she was determined, "I don't know the exact details, but I was told that only three thousand men were stationed down there for the defense; do you know the commanding generals?"
"Uh, if my memory recalls correctly, it was the generals Lü Meng, Gan Ning, and that young one… don't know him though."
"The young one… oh, I know him." Sun Shang Xiang replied, making an odd face as she pictured him in her head. Yes, she did know him for a little while, but he seemed too distant from her to truly care. All she knew was that her mother was eager for her to marry him before she was married to Liu Bei. She turned back to Huang Zhong, "Look, general, I know it's not a lot to you, but even though I am in Shu, I still do care about my homeland too. I still have family there, and friends, too. Do you think that, if there was any way, you could-"
"Disobey my lord's orders and help them?" Huang Zhong took the words right out of her mouth, and he gave a rather cocky grin, as she nodded. "Well… you're a woman. You don't know what becomes of a man once he disobeys his commander's orders, even for the right reasons. What you're asking is for me and my junior officer here to put our necks on the line for people we don't even know and could very well be our enemies after this is all over."
He tried to sound sympathetic; Wei Yan could see the pity in his eyes, however, this didn't settle too well with the wife of Liu Bei. Her eyes seemed to flash red, and her face, once beautiful, had twisted into that of a demon almost, one that struck fear into Wei Yan even! And that voice! "What do you MEAN enemies?! We have an alliance, don't we?! Why do you think I was MARRIED?!"
This was definitely not what Huang Zhong had in mind, as he did not wish to anger the crazy woman even further. He was about to say something, but she continued, her shouts heard throughout the flatlands. "Wu is being attacked by a million man army, and you guys hesitate to go into battle because you're afraid that Wu's going to TURN on you? Over what? A silly province? It's a bunch of land; you mean to tell me that some land is worth a lot more than people's lives?"
"Not easy…" Wei Yan stated, finally speaking up when Huang Zhong couldn't, and she finally acknowledged him as she looked at him. "You know nothing."
"And neither do you!"
Now Huang Zhong seemed to look agitated, not wanting any insults to go flying. He never struck a lady before, and he didn't want to start that habit now. "Now, now, Lady Sun; no need to get all worked up. I can only obey orders; Wei Yan too. Why don't you bring this up with your husband? In fact, why don't you tackle the Prime Minister and beat some sense into HIM while you're at it? Complaining to us won't help…"
She glared at him, and it was reasons like now that he was SO glad he never married. She spoke bitterly, as if disgusted with them. "A bunch of fine generals you are… a Tiger General afraid to stick his neck out for anything but himself, and his caveman son that'll stand around when others die. It's a wonder how anyone becomes a general nowadays…"
Huang Zhong never realized how much those words affected him until she left, and the army had come to a complete stop as they watched her disappear back towards Cheng Du, leaving nothing but dust to settle and an echo of her insults. It was only so obvious that both men were insulted just by the look on their faces, and both men were deathly silent.
The veteran looked to his junior officer, seeing the life sparkle in his eyes, as he finally uttered a few bold words, "Had every maiden be like that, I think I have no regrets on staying single for the rest of MY life, eh?"
And Wei Yan couldn't have said it better himself, as all he did was spat in her general direction and turned his gaze eastward, somehow eager to get on with his border duties.
~*~*~*~
There was something about Lü Meng's concern that almost frightened Lu Xun, and though he knew nothing of Lady Wu's wedding surprise for him, he had a feeling it was more than just the thought of losing a general in battle that fueled it. He had woken up to hear the general's urgent shouts, seeing the calm, yet edged with rising panic, in his dark green eyes, like it was more than a soldier that he held in his hands. He wasn't just a soldier, at least not to him…
But, somehow, as Lu Xun gripped his bloody hands tighter around his friend's clothing, it seemed to calm Lü Meng even more, and though he spoke no words, Lu Xun tried to tell him that he was okay, that it was only a scratch.
Which it was not.
No, it wasn't fatal, but it was serious enough to where he was confined to bed for a few hours. The feathered pillows were what saved him more than the armor or himself losing balance in the fight, and even as he ran a tender hand over the bandages that kept his insides intact, he mentally thanked the old woman that had let him sleep in her barn a few nights ago… it had definitely saved his life.
He was not sure if he was able to battle anymore, and that thought was rather depressing. No, he did not like to fight, but now, thanks to his mistake, the army was short at least two fighters, and now was certainly not the time to have casualties. They needed all the strength and men they could get… and this definitely didn't help.
The other soldier that was crushed to proclaimed alright; it was more of the shock of the horse falling on him that was the injury, and he was ready to go in the morning after a meal and some sleep. Mentally, Lu Xun was thankful… at least by rushing into the plan a bit early he was able to save the man as thanks for his kind words earlier today.
Though now, by rushing into a situation he could not handle, here he was, injured and even more useless than before. Except now he KNEW it was his fault, and he sighed, resting an arm over his forehead and looking up at the star filled sky. Directly above him, he could see the three stars aligned vertically to one another, shining brightly, though not as bright as the ones circled around it. In spite of his slight depression, he smiled… it was something about those three stars that comforted him. As long as those three stars shined at night, he almost didn't fear the upcoming war, or death even.
Those beautiful stars were replaced by a pair of slit eyes, and Lu Xun was surprised he hadn't even heard his friend's footsteps as Lü Meng stood above him, staring down at him with that odd look of his. Lu Xun read three emotions that were visible: anger, disappointment, and concern most of all.
"Lord Lü Meng, I-"
"What you did today was foolish, and of ALL people, I would have expected YOU would have known your limits…" Lü Meng stated, his voice harsh, almost hurtful to Lu Xun's ears as he knelt down to check on Lu Xun's wound. The boy offered no resistance, as he continued, "What were you thinking? He could have killed you!"
Now, as shame rose in Lu Xun's eyes, the concerned general unbuttoned his shirt, looking at the bandages and grimacing at the sight of the dried blood. This was not what Lu Xun needed, as he tried to defend himself, "Sir… I was thinking for the best of Wu… I felt it was unfair to have the soldiers do the work while I sat about and did nothing. I wanted to help…"
"What you did was injure yourself, hindering our cause. Not what I call helping."
Rather Lü Meng meant to hurt Lu Xun or not wasn't obvious, but just by the way Lu Xun recoiled from the words alone, he knew how deep he struck. Stunned into silence, Lu Xun turned his gaze back towards the stars, as Lü Meng spoke softer now. "You're not a warrior, Lu Xun… you lack the physical strength."
"I… I know that, sir… but…"
"But what?"
Lu Xun kept his gazed fixed on those stars, trying oh so hard not to shed any tears. He felt weak and useless, something that he truly hated, especially in front of his friend. "But… I wanted to prove to you that… that I wasn't worthless on the battlefield, like everyone else proclaims me to be. I wanted to show you that I could help, and not be useless when another hand was needed… I wanted to be like you…"
The general's harsh eyes melted, as he asked, "Like me? Why would you want to be like me, Lu Xun? Do you doubt your own abilities enough to want to be someone else?"
"My abilities are nothing compared to yours… you and Zhou Yu are pillars compared to me."
"What makes you think that, then? Is it our experience behind us that makes you think of us as pillars?" Lü Meng asked, and he saw the boy's expression, and his face softened again, like a father talking to his son. "Lu Xun, yes, you do lack the experience that we have, but you can only correct that error by gaining the experience for yourself. What you did today was brave, though foolish, but you've learned something from it, did you not? Just now, you gained a little experience."
There was a hint of a smile on Lu Xun's face, but it was hardly noticeable due to the heaviness of his voice. "I guess… I just wanted to prove my strength to you, and by doing so I allowed myself to be injured by my own pride."
Lü Meng smiled, resting a gentle but firm hand on the boy's shoulder, to comfort him. When Lu Xun looked up at him with those wondrous, exotic golden eyes, it only deepened his smile. "At least you will live another day to make sure you don't make the same error again. You will be able to move, but I won't allow you on the battlefield… you'll do us more good by staying in the back and coming up with the strategies as we go along. Do you think you can handle it?"
"Anything you ask me to, Lord Lü Meng…" Lu Xun said with a light smile, a bit confused when the general gave his light brown hair a gentle stroke, to remove the bangs from his eyes, as if he wanted a better look at them. Seeing his lopsided smile, Lu Xun asked, "Sir?"
"Just… admiring your eyes." Lü Meng admitted, taking his hand away, but continuing to look at them. "Haven't you ever wondered about them?"
The boy shrugged, "I never really noticed them…"
Raising an eyebrow, the general asked, "Hereditary?"
"No… not really…" Lu Xun was obviously uncomfortable with the question, and he feared telling Lü Meng about his own eyes. Being the perspective man that he was, Lü Meng only nodded, allowing the topic to drop suddenly as Lu Xun asked a few questions of his own. "Sir, do you think Gan Ning can complete his task?"
Even as he said this, they could not see the hint of smoke rising in the star-filled sky in the distance, and if they had, they would have known of the success of their friend. However, as his dark green eyes caught sight of the smoke, a smile crept upon Lü Meng's bold features, "We shall see by dawn. But for now, rest… I'll stand guard tonight, so sleep easy, alright?"
All Lu Xun did was nod, giving an inaudible sigh and looking towards the three vertical stars once more before drifting off into sleep. Just as long as those stars and his friends were there, he felt safe and secure…
~*~*~*~
Gan Ning couldn't think of a time before that very moment that he ever had to rely on his old pirate instincts as much as he did now, and the former pirate moved with such stealth that was almost unheard of in Wu even. He wore his bells, but they too were as silent as the night, making him practically invisible to his foes and twice as deadly.
Sneaking past the guards seemed to be the hardest task until it came to the boats, and he continued with his stealth mission, hoping that his small task unit could keep what little guards that were aware occupied. Now, though his pants were wet from the short time he spent wading, the Pirate of the Silken Sails scaled the boat that was obviously Hua Seung's flagship, sword in mouth and bow and arrow around his chest. He was ready to pull this stunt off.
If there was anyone for the job, it was definitely Gan Ning of the Bells. Many men in China knew him from his daring night raid against Wei, causing a massive amount of damage with only a hundred men and not losing a single casualty, and because of this act, he was feared and known. This was nothing compared to that night, Gan Ning thought with a smile, wondering why it seemed so easy.
Hua Seung was never really known for his 'profound' intelligence, Gan Ning mused, as he dangled off of the bow, waiting for the guard that was stationed there to walk a bit of distance away from him. He had a feeling that these guards were to be more of a challenge then any sort of 'strategy' that Seung used himself…
The guard heard a splash, and, not wanting to be caught off guard, he looked over the edge, only to feel the hilt of the sword before the brush of wind against his face. He was unconscious before he even hit the water, and Gan Ning took the opportunity to haul his dangling ass towards another location as thundering footsteps indicated more guards to see what had caused the commotion. Five all together… no problem!
Now, with their attention elsewhere, Gan Ning pulled himself onto the deck, using such speed and silence to work his way towards the rudder; the guards never knew he was there. He almost laughed! This was way too easy.
'Lü Meng worries too much… the silly goose!'
It was a wonder how a man clad in bells could sneak through a boat in the dead of night, and if he had told his story to anyone else, they probably wouldn't have believed him. That wasn't important, he thought, as he found himself exactly where he wanted to be. Oddly enough, the rudder was left unattended, and now the pirate's ego began to catch up with him, as he lurked towards the nearest barrel to hide behind.
This was a bit TOO easy…
'I didn't see Sei Rong in the welcoming committee… perhaps he has a trap set for me.'
He wouldn't have doubted that for a second, and he pondered where the crippled old man was right now. Having his sword at the ready, he risked sneaking towards the rudder, keeping his bells and his footsteps silent to his own ear, and once he got there, he held his breath, certainly not wanting to draw attention to himself now. He reached over the edge of the flagship, using one hand to feel for the right spot and the other to hold his sword, and he grinned, finding the perfect spot and leaning over the side, now using his sword to carve at the rudder as silently as he could.
It was definitely times like this that he was glad he was a pirate… for one thing he was great at was sabotage. He silently laughed at the thought… the minute Sei Rong saw the other boats set alight, he would most definitely move this one, but to no avail. The only thing that would await him was the reef and the sharp rocks…
Now, lifting up his leg and grabbing the dagger that was on his boot, Gan Ning made a quick movement, driving it as deep as he possibly could into the rudder, testing it a bit and grinning even deeper when the rudder would not move. This boat had a one way course… to the bottom of the sea!
"What are you men doing?"
He stopped, looking up at the direction of that oddly familiar voice. He instantly knew who it was: Sei Rong!
"I think someone fell over sir."
'My queue to go…' Gan Ning thought, setting his sword in his belt and now roping his bow quickly. He could see the flashing light from at least three other boats, nodding and grabbing a single arrow. Now… all he needed was a fire, and no sooner had he thought of this did he spot the small lamp, grinning from ear to ear.
"Who fell over? Is that what all this ruckus is about?" He heard Sei Rong say, as he tip-toed to the lamp to dip his powdered arrow into. The crippled old man was too preoccupied to notice him, yet he was tense, as if waiting for something to happen. "Find out who it is and help him up then… I don't like this land, not at all."
Just as he said this, Gan Ning got his fire, and Sei Rong spun around at the sound of the bells and the new light source, but it was too late. The arrow flung into the air, a single streak of light that could be seen from every single boat in the bay. Sei Rong shouted, only catching the red eyes of the pirate before seeing his blade, "INTRUDER!"
He was far too slow to stop him, and the crippled man found himself on his back, the dazzling curved sword of Gan Ning's Leviathan slicing away at the guards. As he rose, the blade was upon him, but it did not strike him down, but instead paused right above his nose. There, he stared up at Gan Ning's face, seeing the bright, fearsome eyes of his enemy and seeing the slight hesitation in them. What… was he waiting for?
Sei Rong heard the shout from another boat, someone crying the words 'FIRE', but he dared not move, in fear of that blade thundering down.
Finally, as the flames began to spread behind him, Sei Rong found his voice, speaking to the silent man before him. "Gan Ning… after so many years, you've finally showed yourself again."
"It's a surprise to even see you alive, you old fool." Gan Ning's voice was so deathly serious, and Sei Rong could not move. He could not tremble from its power or even succumb to his own fear; that was how strong that voice was. And now once did that weapon move or waver, his grip amazing. Now, a small smile crept on Gan Ning's face, as he spoke softly, "After what he's done to you, you still bow before his ways. After the way he's crippled you, stole your ship, you can't find the strength to free yourself from his trap?"
The old man winced, remembering the memories well, but he showed no anger towards Gan Ning… only towards his captain and himself. "Yes. I've done what I've done, and you've done what you've done. We're in two words now, Gan Ning, and as much as I hate it, that is how it must be for me. And what of your world? Do you feel justified being there?"
"Without a doubt…"
As the flames to his back began to brighten, Sei Rong nodded, closing his eyes and preparing to accept his fate. Better this than to return to Hua Seung with failure. "So be it then… I am at least glad that someone was saved from his grasps. Do what you wish, then."
But that blade never came, and he was surprised to hear a laugh rise from his foe, opening his eyes to see him already halfway to the edge of the boat. Gan Ning's last words were full of mirth, and he wondered as he shouted back to him, "I'd rather not dirty my sword, you old fool! Escape while you can… I'll show you mercy this time, but don't you DARE let this slip out to Lü Meng!"
And, without another word, he leapt over the edge and was gone. Now, Sei Rong released a breath, wondering how he even found the strength to stand as a soldier rushed up to him. Why did Gan Ning spare him? He sighed, as the soldier brought him back to reality. "Lord Sei, the fleet's on fire! We must move the flagship now if we wish to save it!"
And what a harsh reality to return to! Sei Rong spun around to face the flaming mess, and he merely fainted from the sight that Cao Cao had once faced earlier at Red Cliffs. There was nothing but flames, and to think…this was once Hua Seung's infamous Million Man Armada! And in one night, reduced to flaming splinters. Yet, this boat was salvageable.
"Get it as far away from the flames before the wind can pick up! Move!"
No one dared question that order, and Sei Rong braced himself as the men began to frantically lift the anchor. How could he allow this to happen? Just moments before he was looking through his scrolls, trying to gather as much information on the kingdom of Wu as possible. He knew nothing of their fire attack at Red Cliffs, nor of the foundation of this land or the others that were formed around it. He cursed himself, and he cursed Hua Seung. He should have had more time!
"Sir, the rudder… it won't respond!" the soldier cried, once again pulling him out of his thoughts and into the harsh reality. Now the boat was moving, but he could clearly see that the flagship did respond the way they wanted it to. He nearly panicked, as the soldier cried out, "We're heading for the rocks… what should we do, sir?!"
Curse the Pirate of the Silken Sails! Oh, if Sei Rong had the time, he would have let out a string of curses, even write a poem about it, however, seeing the rocks coming at them at an amazing speed was enough to make him shout, "Abandon ship! NOW!"
Who exactly grabbed him and threw him over the edge was a mystery, but once in the water, he could hear the loud crash of the flagship smashing into the rocks. He surfaced to see the sight, wading frantically to keep his head above water to see wood and splinters fly about here and there. It wasn't just the chill of the water that made him tremble… but it was the single fact that Gan Ning had sabotaged his captain's entire navy, and it was his fault.
"The captain will surely have my head for this!"
Those were the only words he could mutter, as the demolished flagship began to sink to the bottom of the bay. Tonight, the victory was to Wu, and he only wondered now, how Hua Seung was doing, and how he would handle finding his beautiful armada in ruins. This certainly changed the game for them, and from where he sat on his horse, following the Wei army that was slowly beginning to mobilize, Sima Yi noticed that the three vertical stars, the one vital to China at this very moment, were acting up. One was steady, one was dim, but the middle one shone the brightest of all. He sighed, "Odd…"