Authors notes: Hello again. Thx to those who have reviewed so far. It's all positive so far. Now this chapter is a bit more violent. Floggings are barbaric events. Ask anyone who's received one there all over the net. If you are offended by such things for whatever reason I advise you not to read.
Disclaimer: Quote the Raven…. I own only the plot.
Chapter 3
Shu's rescue
The guard walked back in and took Lu Xun down. He walked him out the cell and led him down the corridors of the Jian Ye's palace. Jian Ye, Capital of the kingdom of Wu. He thought he would spend his life here. Now that prospect was not so certain.
Da Qiao struggled against the chains as she was led into a court yard filled with Wu soldiers. They couldn't possibly execute Lu Xun could they? Or could they? Maybe. She prayed for a miracle. She would get one. Albeit not the one she hoped for. She nursed the bruise on her face as she was led to a stand with the entire Sun Family. Sun Jian had died that morning. Sun Ce had insisted they honour his last command. Why then were his relatives with the exception of Quan not in the slightest upset. For those who have read Romance of the Three Kingdoms you'll know that the last Wu emperor, Sun Hao was a tyrant. Maybe this was in the Sun families DNA. Who knows?
The guard threw Lu Xun into a room near the parade ground. He selected a large bullwhip. He then left the room. As he left the room and carried on to the parade ground he was yanked into a room by Sun Shang Xiang.
"And where are we going my love?" She grinned.
"Just to tell Ce that the prisoners ready." He replied kissing her neck.
"Well could I ask you a favour?"
"Anything for you."
"Flog the boy. But don't kill him."
"Of course." He grinned kissing her more, before leaving to the parade ground.
Where was Shang Xiang? Sun Ce thought angrily. He was glad he had spies watching her. He finished his memorial speech to his father when the guard approached him.
"The prisoner is ready my lord."
"Bring him out." Ce replied turning to the crowd.
"And now my lords we witness the punishment of a traitor to Wu!"
Lu Xun was led out. The parade ground was huge. At one end facing the royal box was a wooden post with chains. He could feel all eyes upon him as he was marched to the post. He shivered slightly, his body still not warmed by the morning sun. But the shivers turned to shivers of fear when he saw Da Qiao watching in chains. He saw Sun Shang Xiang enter the box behind her smiling at him. He wanted desperately to kill her for this.
The guard took his arms and chained them around the post. A blindfold was tied round his head blotting out any vision.
"Commence the punishment!" Cried Sun Ce.
The guard moved back around 10 feet. Xun could here the whip being uncoiled.
"20 Lashes!"
The guard swung the bullwhip and cracked it down upon Xun's back. It tore a strip of flesh off his back. He screamed as his body shook from the blow. Da Qiao could not watch. Each time she saw her lover receive a lash she felt it as well. After 10 Lu Xun's back was covered in blood, he stood in a pool of his own blood. Sun Shang Xiang knew that his only hope lay in the letter she sent to Liu Bei. But as the whips man prepared to what would seem like a killing blow something strange happened. In fact it happened so fast no one saw it. The guy looked down and saw a two pronged spear through his chest. Its holder tore it out and knocked him aside.
"I am the sword of justice!" Cried the figure. The Wu soldiers realising who it was charged Ma Chao. He swung his spear so fast many of them dint know what had hit them before it was too late. He killed all of them in a matter of seconds. The rest backed off. Guan Yu on Red Hare dived from the palace roof landing next to Lu Xun.
"Lord Lu Xun we are here to rescue you!" He cried. He cut him down and was loading him onto Red Hare when Sun Ce dived into him. They engaged in a ferocious duel, Sun Ce taking the upper hand until…
"ROAR BLUE DRAGON!"
Guan Yu smashed Ce into the stand. Jumping onto Red Hare he grabbed Da Qiao who had escaped her captors as well and handed her to Ma Chao standing tall on his glorious white steed. They charged through the parade ground cutting down any who stood in their way. They vaulted the gate. Killing the guards before rushing north…. To Wei!
Sun Ce picked himself up, bleeding from a gash to his arm. He looked at his dumbfounded officers.
"Well! Go after them!" He yelled. They scurried away as one of his spies approached him.
"My lord…"
"Not know!"
"It concerns what just happened! Please let us go somewhere private!"
They hurried to Ce's chamber.
"What is it!"
"Your sister has been in contact with the enemy. We intercepted the letter which was stolen from our courier. I have only got back!"
"I suspected she was involved. Get me the blacksmith and a cat O nine tails. I think my sister needs re-educating. Tell her to meet me at the blacksmiths." He smiled evilly.
"Yes milord!" The spy scuttled away. Sun Ce chuckled at what he had in mind. He went to the armoury to fetch the 'tools' he needed before going on to the blacksmiths. He entered the shop going to the underground workshop.
"Zang Ba! You set up for this?"
"Yes lord Sun. Ill close the shop up so only she comes in."
"Good!" Chuckled Ce. He examined the branding irons having no remorse over what he was about to. Just like the way he murdered his father. This place was perfect for his little 'session' with Shang Xiang. The sound of footsteps distracted him from his thoughts.
"Ce why did I have to come here of all places!" She giggled. Without warning Zang Ba grabbed around the throat and hauled her to some manacles facing the wall.
"Ce what the hell is this!" She yelled as her hands were restrained.
"My gift to you. A reward for sending that letter to the enemy!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't lie!" It took several more minutes until she indicted herself.
"Well the truth comes out at last."
"I didn't want you to kill him!"
"Oh so you invited the enemy to kill my own soldiers instead!"
"No…." She trailed off unable to defend herself. Ce smiled.
"My good sister. I think its time you paid the price for your actions. Don't you? Therefore you'll know be a slave of my great kingdom. No longer of the Sun family."
"You….!" Shang Xiang spat in his face. He slapped her back. He walked behind her and ripped off her shirt and jacket. He placed a piece of wood in her mouth for her to bite on before he carried on. Then cruelly and methodically he whipped her. Each lash landed caused her to jerk as the whip tore the flesh from her back. And to make things just that extra 'special', he had the blacksmith brand her with a rune showing she was a slave. Each letter was done individually, first her shoulder. Her scream was muffled by the wood she bit down on. The blacksmiths last brand was to her breast. The pain overwhelmed her and mercifully she passed out only hearing the words of her brother.
"Now you know my true side, Shang Xiang." He whispered as he admired his handiwork. Her back was now covered in rivers of blood. Now only a miracle could save her too.
Liu Bei and Cao Cao watched as their two rescuers arrived in Luo Yang. Guan Yu carried a boy whose back had lines of red carved into it, while Ma Chao carried a girl of around the same age.
"Looks like our guests have arrived my friend." Liu Bei turned and walked to greet them.
At this point a little explanation is needed as to why all of Shu's officers have fled to Wei. At this point Shu wasn't really a kingdom. Liu Bei was really the leader of an army with no home. When Wu turned on them they fled to Wei. When Cao Cao heard of Wu's treachery he took Liu Bei in, and the two soon became good friends. They pledged to take down Wu or die trying.
"Brother!" Cried Guan Yu "The boy needs help! Quickly!" Ma Chao dismounted carrying Da Qiao who had fainted. He rushed her to the room that had been set aside for her. Placing her on the bed he poured some water on a cloth and tended to her.
"Please stay in this realm little one. Or I have risked my life to save you and your lover for nothing." He whispered kissing her gently on the forehead.
In a large chamber of the palace Guan Yu placed Lu Xun gently face down on a table. His skin crawled at the sight of the young strategists back.
"Poor boy."
Suddenly Sima Yi, Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu and Pang Tong swept in dressed in whit robes and carrying various pieces of medical equipment. They got to work right away as Xu Shu (Famous Shu office doesn't appear in games) applied vinegar to Xun's back. He went from half unconscious to screaming in agony. But eventually they sealed the cuts up. His back would have lines on it later on in life but they wouldn't be as bad as they could have been. Carried to his room he slept peacefully.
Upon waking he was treated to something he had long desired. Da Qiao. She leant down and kissed him gently on his lips.
"Am I dreaming?"
"No." was the simple reply. And with a smirk on his face he pulled her into bed, tickling her before they were locked together in a passionate embrace.
'Maybe things will be alright' thought Lu Xun. He stroked Da Qiao's face before they broke apart gasping for air.
"Oh Lu Xun! I thought they were gonna kill you!"
"Never in a million years Da." She ran her had over his back feeling the scars of three days before. She winced.
"Does it hurt Xun?"
"Not now you're here." He whispered before pushing her down and once again embracing her. The kiss was soft but as they lay there Da ran her tongue along his mouth seeking entrance. And entrance he most willingly gave as their tongues duelled for supremacy, a duel he won easily. So preoccupied was he that he didn't notice a host of Shu and Wei officers standing watching.
"Nice and awake Lord Lu Xun?"
They jumped apart at the voice and turned red when they realised that around 20 officers had been watching their little recreation activity.
"Yes.. I'm fine." He said, more than a little bemused.
"Well when you and Lady Qiao are ready your welcome to join for breakfast. Or you can continue to frolic around naked?" Stated Cao Cao. At this point the whole group started uncontrollable sniggers, Da Qiao's eyes widened in shock at Lu Xun's exposed body while the poor kid dived under his covers. He didn't come out till they were gone.
"Well…. You are sight for sore eyes like that Xun!"
"Shut up will ya." Xun fired back as he dressed in something that was similar to his robes of Wu. They had been moved their in secret along with his books weapon etc. Same for Da Qiao. Now he could spend some time with her. Hopefully
Author's notes: Well that was boring. Thx to those who have reviewed. Till next time adios!