Every bone in Galthmeirs body ached, even his jar was sore. It was as if his new friends decided it better to beat him senseless than kill him. Fortunately for him the man called Zhuge Liang had seen to it personally that he was well taken care of even though he was a foreign man. As a precaution though Zhuge had told him to relinquish his weapons if not for their safety but his own as well. Galthmeir understood and handed over his bastard sword and gear along with his prized possession, his composite longbow Maeve. He had grudgingly given it to the man and asked him that it be well taken care of. Maeve had been at his side since he first pledged his allegiance to Arthur. However for that point in time Galthmeir slept and for once in what seemed like an eternity and he slept well.
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"I've never seen a bow like this before," Huang Zhong proclaimed, "it's definitely something different than what I'm used to seeing." The old man eyed the weapon with an appraising eye and was for the first time in his long life very impressed. The bow was crafted in what seemed like three different types of wood, with a metallic crossguard protecting the shaft. The twine was strong and as much a Huang Zhong tried he could not fully pull back the string, it was that tight-strung. The entire bow itself was taller than he was and the arrows were a marvel of their own. Metallic heads with a three-bladed point that seemed ideal for piercing armor. Huang Zhong couldn't help but be awed.
"Foreign people are not welcome in these lands," Ma Chao replied, "if he had gone through Wei more than likely they would have killed him on the spot."
"He is here in search of a holy relic," Zhuge Liang thus stated, "as such we must honor him."
"Why?" Ma Chao asked, "he's a barbarian from cruel lands."
"A never ending torch of light in an expanding darkness," Zhuge replied, "Galthmeir is on a quest for truth, not conquest. I've learned more about the western people than you all have and even among their most barbaric people a noble heart on a quest is honored and treated with respect. For the time he is here I will expect all to treat him with the same dignigty as you have given me."
"Whom are you talking of?" said a female voice from behind.
"A young man from the western lands my wife," Zhuge replied without turning to her, "it would honor me if you would see to his injuries and help him get well. The moment he is able to walk again he most likely will leave."
"Of course my husband," Yue Ying replied half-heartedly, "I'll see to his nursing."
"I thank you Yue," Zhuge replied.
Galthmeir had objected to lieing down. The medics begged him lay still but he would hear none of it. Instead he sat crosslegged and let them tend to his injuries. He had nearly scolded them when they tried to take his armor. It was like a part of him, he could not just leave it in anothers hands, besides he wouldn't be staying long anyways. As they left he surveyed the odd room with intripidation that lay within the confines of the castle. Decorative ornaments were cast among the walls and strange paintings depicting sword drawn warriors were scattered among the ceiling. The so-called bed was upon the floor as Galthmeir took to undressing his armor and removing his chainmail shirt that did little to protect his arm against the arrows. Casting the shirt aside he surveyed the medics skill with healing with and impressionable hand. They were surely good at what they did. Something told him it might have been from years of combat perhaps.
"You shouldn't mess with the dressings," said a young female voice. Galthmeir looked up to see and young woman with a crown like headress, long flowing gown and what seemed like a healers kit in her hand. Galthmeir took to his feet immediately and bowed before her, though weak he may have felt.
"My lady," he replied respectfully, "how may I serve you?"
"It is I who serve you right now," she said, "I'm Yue Ying, Zhuge Liangs wife. He asked me to see that your injuries were attended to."
"Of course my lady," Galthmeir said, then stopped in surprised, "wait you are speaking in my tongue!"
"Yes my husband taught me your language a few years ago," Yue replied, "namely he said that I may need it for such an occasion like this."
"He is indeed a wise man," said Galthmeir, "him a Merlin would have much in common."
"Mer…Merlin," Yue tried to echo, "that's a strange name."
"So is Yue…Yue Ying," he returned with a smile, "alien tongues are hard no matter the place.'
"I'm sure that yours must be equally odd." Yue Ying replied gliding forward and kneeling beside him.
"No where near as exotic and lovely as yours my lady," he said, returning to his crosslegged position, "my name is Galthmeir, Son of MacMaghn."
"Galthmeir doesn't sound odd," she said, "more like nobility."
"It is true that I am the son of a Cheiftain of Dublin," he replied, "but I left that part of my life long ago."
"Why?" Yue Ying asked. Galthmeir sighed and looked afar.
"I found something more important than some kings rule," he said, "I found the light."
"The light?" she asked perplexed. Galthmeir smiled cryptically.
"It's to complicated to get into," he said, "and my time here is limited to devulge the tale. Perhaps another day my lady if you'll permit it."
"Of course," she said as she took a glance at his dressings. She couldn't help but be mesmerized by him. All that she could think of at the time was, my what a handsome boy! He wasn't muscular but he was strong and well built. His eyes were an eerie amber color that she had never seen before and she could tell he was extremely young, sixteen or seventeen at the most. Such a young man sent on a perilous quest that he probably would not survive…it was a shame really.
"So they are not leaving Jing," said Liu Bei, "even with past events Sun Jian is still stubborn."
"Him and you are much alike my lord," Zhao Yun prompted, "except that…well."
"Brother," Zhang Fei announced, "this is the perfect time to get our revenge against Wu for Guan Yu's death. Why are you even thinking about this?"
"Because I know Sun Jian," Liu Bei returned, "he'll have something up his sleave."
"As would all warlords be," Zhuge Liang then said, announcing his presence, "expect no less."
"Even so we greatly outnumber them," Ma Chao answered. Zhuge Liang raised a hand to silence him.
"Great numbers do not win a battle," said the strategist, "look at Chi Bi. Cao Cao had a massive force at his call and still he lost."
"Only by Zhuge Liangs knowledge of the wind did we achieve victory," Liu Bei replied. Just then Yue Ying emerged inside the hall and took a seat next to husband.
"How is our strange guest?" asked the Shu king.
"Resting at the moment," she replied, "he said as soon as his injuries heal he will be leaving."
"That I have no doubt," Zhuge Liang replied, "but perhaps we can indulge something to him first before he leaves."
"Like what?" Liu Bei asked. Zhuge looked to his lord with a small smile.
"He may very well be the one that turns the tide…though forgotten he maybe," said he.
He had thanked Huang Zhong for offering him a horse to journey by. Galthmeir was surprised that the old man that had once sought to kill him now was a good friend. They shared a common interest: archery. Before leaving the old man insisted that Galthmeir show him how to make the bow he had. Reluctant to delay his quest any further the knight had asked if he could wait then remembered that even given a good nights rest he was still winded. Perhaps Huang Zhong could show him a few techniques and vice-versa.
"My bow has a good range," said the old man, "and a good piercing of armor however I think your's might fair better."
"In range possibly yes," said Galthmeir. Huang Zhong shook his head a smiled.
"It's amazing how you have learned our language so quickly," said he. Galthmeir laughed and turned a sideways glass to Huang.
"My lady Yue Ying showed me some misplaced words and such," Galthmeir said, "she is indeed a wise woman. Her beauty could belittle even that of my Queen…though misplaced her faith maybe."
"That's Zhuge Liangs wife so be careful young one," Huang Zhong prompted. Galthmeir looked at him confusion then chuckled.
"My quest is fair to important to daudle on that," said the knight, "besides I'm an outlander. What could she possibly see in me?"
"Don't be hard on yourself young one," Huang replied, "its not healthy. Now then are going to show me how to craft this bow or will I have to beat it out of you."
Galthmeir threw up his hands and surrendered.
"Alright old man, alright," said the knight with a grin, "first do you have the wood I requested?"
"Right here," said Huang motioning to some flat pieces of sycamore lieing at his feet.
"Good," said the knight, "I'll be making a composite bow for you. It won't be as good as Maeve mind you but at least it will grant you more range."
"And you do the same for our troops as well?" Huang asked. Galthmeir nodded his.
"Of course," he replied, "you helped me when I was in need. I must repay the debt."
"I was hoping you would say that," said a voice from behind. Galthmeir and Huang Zhong turned to see Zhuge Liang, white-feathered fan at his breast as always. Huang Zhong bowed while Galthmeir saluted.
"Lord," Galthmeir began, "what did you mean you hoped those words be mine?"
"You wish to repay a debt correct?" Zhuge asked.
"Of course worthy lord," Galthmeir answered, "as a knight it is my duty."
"Then perhaps you can help us then," Zhuge Liang prompted, "help us to restore the Han." Galthmeir pursed his lips in indecision. He could not leave, they had aided him and he owed then a life debt for saving his own. The knight thus nodded his head.
"My quest is important, however my honor tells me to remain. This Han…I will fight
for," Galthmeir replied as he thus strode forward, drew his bastard sword and offered it to
Zhuge, "my sword is yours command."