This little book has made it's way across the ocean, braved the storm and fought it's way all here to this beach with me. Tucked inside my pocket I was able to keep it vaguely dry and luckily I was able to borrow a chipped pen from Master Zhuge Liang. And now I have settled myself by the waterfront to write about our first day here. I have never been one for keeping a journal, I've never had the time nor the energy to write about my adventures, but now stranded in this unknown place, I feel it is necessary to keep track of my life, to make sure that I can keep count of the days we spend here. Also after lighting the fire I had hardly anything to do.
I was washed up here on the beach after our boat was torn apart by the storm, after getting my head together, I set off into the forest and quickly discovered Master Liang, Lady Ying, Ma Chao and Huang Zhong. We made our way to the beach and decided to create a small makeshift base. Pulling some leaves from the trees and using some old logs stuck in the sand me and Chao were able to erect a small, delicate tent whilst Ying and Liang headed off to look for others. Fei was next in arriving crashing through the bushes with a depressed Ping at his side. After many happy greetings a shout from the forest caused Chao and Fei to hurry off. They returned with a badly injured Yan held between them. Whilst Ying and Liang hurried off to get Lord Zhao Yun I examined Yan's wound. A long, sharp splinter had embedded itself in Yan's stomach and he didn't look too good. Master Zhuge Liang lived up to his name and performed an impromptu surgery on Yan, which amazed everyone at the camp. Then Liang, Chao, Yun and Zhong headed off into the forest to look for medicinal herbs. For some reason I cannot fathom I was not even asked to come with them and was left back at camp, I put myself to good use, however, and quickly gathered a formidable supply of firewood. That night we feasted on boars slaughtered by the great Ma Chao. With our bellies full of fresh food, we lay down to sleep.
Day 2- 23/06/00
Something happened last night but I do not know what. For some reason Ying and Liang are no loner talking and Ying took her meal in the tent with Yan. The Prime minister's marriage is clearly not an easy one. However we did have some good news today, Ying discovered a freshwater river nearby, so now we will be able to quench our thirst. Things are looking up for us; clearly the heavens are smiling down upon us.
Day 3- 24/06/00
Ping is missing. Fei and the others decided to go look for food (without asking me! Again!) Ping asked if he could go with them but it seems they turned him down. Looking angry he stormed off into the forest. The sun has set now and he is still gone. Fei is insane with worry. He feels Ping is his responsibility as he is Yu's son. Feeling guilty Fei has sprinted off into the forest and abandoned his food, very unlike him!
Day 4- 25/06/00
They're still missing and everyone is worried. With two officers missing Ying has been trying to hurry up Yan's recovery so he can help around camp, apparently she is now on speaking terms with Liang, although they stick to pleasantries and the conversation always feels a bit forced. The boar meat is running low and it's about time someone went and caught another one. In fact with Fei gone it is…a…pe…rfect…oppor…tunity…
Jiang Wei scratched into the paper with the dry nib. He sighed as he realised his ink supply was well and truly out. He collapsed onto his back on the sand and, turning his head, watched as Ying attempted to pull Yan once more to his feet. Yan's injury was healing, slowly, and the whole camp had been looking forward to the time when Yan would walk out of the tent his old self. Ying had on many occasions tried to coax him out of bed but it seemed his strength had completely deserted him and he merely fell to the floor every time.
Wei shook his head and began to stare out across the sea to the horizon. So much water separated them from the rest of the world, Wei felt so very isolated.
So far Wei had kept the fire burning all through the day and night with whatever firewood he could drag back to camp. He hoped that maybe, someone, somewhere would spot the fire and come to pick them up. But no one had yet, and they'd been stranded for almost four days. "What a waste of time!" Wei thought, "I didn't join Shu to relax on the beach. I joined to fight for honour and valour and the people," He thought, "I joined to redeem himself."
Rising to his feet, Wei grabbed his trident and began to poke angrily at the fire causing it to spark and sizzle.
"You'd think you were attacking Cao Cao," Yun called jokingly from behind Wei. Wei smiled and swung his trident playfully at Yun who batted it out of the way with Ping's sword.
"So. Still can't find your weapon?" Wei noticed.
"No." Yun said angrily, "It doesn't matter"
"What do you want?" Wei asked after Yun seemed to linger for longer than normal
"Well, we're going hunting and we were wondering if you wanted to come."
Wei sighed and rolled his eyes, secretly cheering in his head.
"I guess I can come," he drawled, "Who else is gonna come?"
"Well Zhong's up for it. But I'd rather not ask the Mighty lord Ma Chao." Yun replied, parading his dislike for Chao.
"Come on. If we don't catch a boar tonight I think I'll starve!"
Yun bent low to examine the scored tree. Long slices of it and had been scratched out and Yun was certain it had been done by something's tusks. Zhong held his bow at the ready an arrow held in place. His eyes darted around the undergrowth, scanning for signs of the wild beasts. Wei swung his trident absent-mindedly whilst peering around the clearing. Every now and then he would stoop low and grab a piece of firewood for later. Wei found it hard to concentrate on discovering boars. He couldn't stop thinking about his conversation two days ago and what he had done that morning. It seemed to him they should be spending more time on finding a way off the island, but Zhong had long since grown tired of his arguments for escaping. Apparently the island way of life had already struck a root in the old man's heart and he no longer had ears for escape plans. Yun was also not talking. All he could think about was the fact that Chao had already caught a boar for the whole camp; he had to catch a bigger one.
"Look!" Called an excited Wei.
Yun's head snapped up and he looked in the direction Wei was pointing. However all Yun could see was the endless jungle spreading out in front of them. Zhong wiped the sweat from his brow and said irritably, "What the hell are you pointing at?"
Wei stared at them incredulously clearly unable to believe they couldn't see what he could. "Goji berries!" he cried ecstatic. Yun sighed and Zhong hid his face in his hands.
"What? Goji berries are great for stemming your appetite!"
"Yes. But we are here for a boar!" Yun growled
"Maybe we should have left you back at camp." Muttered Zhong.
Wei gave Zhong a look that could kill and then stalked off calling back angrily, "well I'm gonna collect some!"
"Well?" Sima Yi snarled, "Have you done it yet?"
Wei looked down at the ground, unable to stare into Yi's hate-filled eyes.
"No." Wei mumbled.
"Why the hell not!" Yi screeched.
"I can't do it. They would cast me out." Wei whimpered, "Please, I want to leave Wei."
Yi drew a dagger and held it to Wei's throat, chuckling demonically. "As soon as you do what is asked of you, you can leave!"
Returning the dagger to his pocket, Yi's eyes darted once more around the clearing.
Wei breathed in heavily, all he wanted to do was attack Yi, to hurt Yi, but he knew he couldn't if he did then he would have the whole of Cao Cao's army after him.
Wei sighed and then half-heartedly replied, "I will do as you ask my master. But once I am done, you must leave me alone."
Wei managed to muster a defiant look at Yi's cold cruel eyes before turning on his heel and marching off in the opposite direction, his hand in his pocket firmly grasping the vial he had been given.
Yun groaned as Wei moved to yet another bush of little dried berries. But Wei ignored him, still thinking his conversation with Sima Yi only two days ago. The others, he believed, had no idea that Yi was also on the island, but Wei had not intention of telling them. A strange hissing brought Wei swiftly out of his thoughts. Yun gulped and brandished his sword while Zhong pulled his bowstring taut. Wei held his spear tight, preparing for anything, except for the strange voice.
"Wei!" It screeched echoing around the clearing. Wei shook his head in disbelief, Yun and Zhong looked at him questioningly. "Have you done as I asked?" The voice sounded as if it came from all directions, and all three pairs of eyes darted between the trees.
"Yes. I have done it." Wei replied receiving strange stares from Zhong and Yun. "Excellent. You are now expendable." Wei gasped as the last cruel syllables echoed across the clearing. And then an arrow flew from between the trees catching Wei unawares. Yun and Zhong began to run towards him but the voice called out, "If you take one more step towards him, you too shall die." Cursing loudly Yun and Zhong stopped and watched as Wei fell to his knees. Blood oozing from the wound in his chest, gasping for breath, Wei's eyes looked up to the heavens.
"Yun, Zhong," He rasped, "You…have to…watch out…it's…"
With one last breath his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he collapsed, blood seeping out onto the forest floor.
Liang watched as Yun and Chao lowered Wei's body into the hole they had dug just two hours before. All six generals left at the camp had come to pay their last respects. Even Yan, leaning heavily on Ying's shoulder, had come to say goodbye. Wei looked strangely peaceful for someone who had had an arrow shoved through their heart.
"Wei was a brilliant tactician and a loyal general. Though he may not have served Shu for a very long time, I'm sure he touched every one of you in his short stay." Liang allowed himself one last look at his trusted tactician before turning his back and returning to the fire. "Hmm. Another presence has made itself known on this island." Though Liang. This new development may require my most brilliant strategies."
Ying, tears streaming down her face dropped a flower upon Wei's chest and whispered, "may the Heavens smile upon you." Yan merely nodded sadly and he and Ying limped off. With one last defeated sigh Yun began to heap the earth back over Wei. Chao pushed the last mound of earth over Wei and grimaced, he had hoped being stranded on this island would at least keep them from harm for a while but evidently not. This new crisis would require the great Ma Chao's skill and cunning.
Once Yun had finished with Wei's grave he noticed Zhong sitting away from the camp all alone. Saying a small prayer Yun hurried away from the grave and settled himself beside Zhong.
"Still pretty shook up huh?" Yun asked, concerned. Zhong remained silent. "I know no one could have expected this." Zhong looked down at the ground and did not make a sound. "But even though it's sad for Wei…" at this Zhong interrupted Yun with a chuckle.
"You think I'm worried about Wei?" Zhong asked bemused, "Hell, he's the lucky one. Because now the rest of us know someone's out there and that someone wants to kill us. No Yun, I'm not concerned for Wei's safety, at the moment I'm more concerned about ours."
God this chapter took me AGES!
I'm sorry about killing off Wei! WAHHH!
Sometimes writing is just so hard!
Anyway if anyone is still reading this
Could you please, please read and review!