One week later. . .
Tian Shui region
Jiang Wei clutched fiercely to his cloak that offered him little protection against the icy winds. Its direction darting raindrops upon his already gleaming face that dripped endlessly with cold water droplets.
He stole another quick glance over to the gatekeeper who resided high above in the watchtower overhead. Only from the faint glow from the single lantern did he manage to identify the soldier through the impenetrable darkness. His chestnut eyes squinted, his vision obscured by the constant pellets of rain that persistently blinded them. Raising a trembling hand just above his brow to shield his eyes, he awaited the man's response.
To his bitter disappointment, he saw the guard simply shake his head, wearing the same anxious expression tinged with slight frustration.
Jiang Wei uttered a curse beneath his breath that showed visibly before him in the freezing air. The muddied ground beneath him squished noisily as he shifted, forcing himself to find a comfortable position to wait awhile longer. Unfortunately, he found himself unable to as the storm continued to abuse him harshly.
"Such unfortunate weather. .where in the world did it come from?" He whispered aloud as he examined the dark mass that engulfed the sky. Streaks of lightening repeatedly slashed through the clouds with unforgiving ferocity, casting his surroundings in an eerie glow. His surroundings appeared as an illusion in its light, only to be swallowed back into the black nothingness afterwards.
"Milord!" The cry came out weak against the thunderous roar the sky unleashed.
Jiang Wei turned his head and saw the approaching soldier racing towards him, stumbling slightly as his boots easily disturbed the soft ground.
"Yes?" Jiang Wei replied anxiously, stepping from what little cover the archway above gave him. The youth rested himself on one knee, kicking up bits of mud that sprayed over the soaked general as he bowed low. "Sir, reports from both east and west gates still claim they have seen no sign of our lord's carriage anywhere."
Wei frowned, the hope his lord had taken a different route now obliterated. The worry he had disregarded before now deepened with a weight that crushed upon his chest, making it difficult to breathe. "How long ago was this?"
"Just recently sir."
Jiang Wei folded his arms outside the warmth of his cloak, the weather's unpleasantness forgotten as his mind raced in wild apprehension.
Only a week ago, Lord Ma Zhun had been summoned to the capitol by the Wei emperor. With the Wu kingdom having taken victory at Chi Bi, and Lord Liu Bei rumored to soon invade the territories of Shu, tension had risen dramatically over the Wei army. Notice had been sent out to all regional lords to assemble at the Wei capitol for further deliberation on their next course of action–Lord Ma Zun being among them.
Once receiving Lord Cao Cao's letter, Ma Zhun immediately left for Xu Chang castle. In his haste, he had greatly surprised Jiang Wei by leaving him in charge to govern until his return. Though capable to handle such a responsibility, Wei still looked upon the decision as rushed and lacking in good judgement; there were other generals better suited for the job, but at the time Lord Ma Zhun appeared distracted.
The urgency of the letter reflected in his lord's eyes before his departure, spawning a deep uncertainty within Wei's own heart as he watched from afar. While the reason for his lord's sudden anxiety remained unknown, an ominous presence seemed to have shrouded over his lord's traveling party.
However, the young strategist simply dismissed these feelings for nervousness–assuming command during his lord's temporary absence had never happened to him before.
A troubled expression overcame Wei's face as he began thinking of every possibility for his lord's delay.
Word of their lord's safe arrival reached them by messenger, along with a personal letter that included the council's latest orders to be carried out. Going over the note multiple times, Wei had completely memorized the words by heart.
Trouble. Strengthen your borders and keep careful watch. Prepare an army to head west. Do not stir up any commotion and beware of scouts. Furthermore, send men to start patrolling the villages.
I leave as of next week to return back to Tian Shui.
His brows creased further in concentration, biting harder on his lower lip. The feeling of uneasiness proved difficult to shake as his mind lingered on the matter.
His lord's arrival was now nearly six days overdue–no contact, nothing to say whether he would return or not.
The potential threat that assassins working for the opposing kingdoms always remained. Though Jiang Wei took this into consideration–assigning elite bodyguards with their lord on his journey to ensure safe passage. The possibility that Lord Ma Zun strayed from his intended path in this storm seemed reasonable enough. But still. . .
Jiang Wei let out a weary sigh as he looked out towards the desolate road ahead of him, tracks of carriages and horses now gleaming surfaces of water that reflected the darkness above.
"Milord?" The voice startled Jiang Wei as he turned to see the young boy still kneeling, staring at him perplexedly with glowing orbs for eyes. Wei forced his lips into a faint smile, "You've done well. Please, go inside–you shouldn't be out here in this kind of weather."
A determination sparked in those wide and child-like eyes at the praise given. A delighted grin spread at the corners of the boy's mouth, moving on to his cheeks. The reaction lightened Jiang Wei's mood slightly, presuming the young soldier to be no more than twelve. So young. Seeing a child in the military service had grown common now although Jiang Wei found himself unable to accept children witnessing war's cruelty, no one deserved such nightmares.
"Thank you milord." The soldier said brightly, "But I shall continue to patrol the area until I receive any news." And he sprinted off before Jiang Wei could protest any further, disappearing into the shadows with the sloshing sounds of his footsteps fading away.
Strands of loose hair clung to Wei's cheeks as his once high ponytail of chestnut color became unkempt and soaked. The outer gates of Tian Shui creaked and groaned loudly as the winds pushed against their aged oak surface. The noises of the city resting behind the walls had quieted to a peaceful silence as the people retired. He rested against the massive doors, his cloak now completely drenched along with the rest of his miserable attire.
No news from either gates, not even a simple message?
Past the high branches of trees he recognized the lights from the nearby village. Hardly noticeable, they glimmered faintly as though struggling to keep a lit in this blackened terror that had engulfed everything.
Again he looked up towards the tower, the guard's position unchanged from the last time.
The man above shrugged, his head shaking from side to side. Jiang Wei looked back towards the swaying trees of the forest where the road led through. The gnawing tension that ached his muscles only further exhausted him as he laid his head against the door. Closing his eyes, he struggled to distract his mind from fretting over this anymore, allowing the raindrops to streak down his delicate face.
He needed to stay patient, a skill he never managed to hone well. But perhaps the reason for his anxiety was that he disliked staying out here in the cold and unearthly shadows that had now reached his position. Simply staring out at the void caused for all logic to slip away as a restless fear began clouding his senses. No matter how many times he reassured himself, the wave of despair washed all hope away.
Something had happened, something that kept their lord from returning. Something. . .awful.
An immediate scowl creased his features as he shook himself free from panic's grasp. Silently scolding himself, Jiang Wei's gaze dropped to his ice bitten fingers.
He was simply overreacting.
His lord's arrival becomes a few days late and already his imagination had betrayed him to think of the worst possible outcome.
Yet the apprehensiveness still lingered in the atmosphere, seeming to infect everyone.
Ever since the death of Zuo Ci–the curse he uttered before his death–people began to worry. Incidences and problems became more frequent as the days passed. More and more skepticism disappeared, replaced by an uncertain panic. Crops dying by lack of sunlight, animals disappearing without a trace, the storm's stubborn refusal to end, and the murders—
A chill more brutal than the surrounding temperature carried its way down his spine that numbed every existing nerve within his body.
Apparently the nearby village had fallen victim to reoccurring attacks.
Townsfolk who walked the streets at night were suddenly discovered the next morning, bodies mutilated into unidentifiable shreds, heads severed, and entrails scattered. Inspection of the bodies revealed one similarity–teeth marks, deep and vicious, were found on limbs that survived the worst of the assault. One witness who survived an encounter identified the murderers as a pack of stray dogs who wandered the surrounding forest. Rabid most likely.
The villagers believed otherwise, claiming that Zuo Ci sought revenge for his execution and was now punishing them for it. Afraid that their beliefs would lead them into hysteria, Jiang Wei heeded their wishes and posted soldiers on the streets–the attacks ceased since then.
Still, another part of him remained wary, waiting for who knows what might happen next. First this storm, news of murders, and now their lord suddenly missing. . .
Maybe a curse has fallen upon us–why else would all this ill fortune happen right after? The fact that Zuo Ci was deemed by all kingdoms to be a sorcerer with mysterious and unprecedented powers never escaped him.
Or perhaps it's just the paranoia of an inexperienced nineteen year old boy whose stress had finally caught up to him. Or maybe you're just tired.
A blush formed on his cheeks, giving a faint crimson to their paleness as humility seared him. A strategist never allowed himself to think this way, declining to such idiocy only assured failure. Logic and reason brought him this far; he refused to let himself to fall prey to mere superstitions, or by allowing the deceased to frighten him.
The beating sounds of boots against wood caused him to look up to see the light extinguished in the tower above, the gatekeeper descending the ladder.
Jiang Wei immediately rushed over to the man who reached ground level, "Gao Lang why have you abandoned your post?"
The soldier spun around into a low bow, hands placed before them in their usual respective manner, "Forgive me, but I cannot see how Lord Ma Zun would endure such weather."
"We must wait awhile longer." Jiang Wei insisted although feeling the enthusiasm behind his words lost–washed away by the rain.
Lang gave an attempted smile, failing miserably, "Perhaps tomorrow milord."
"There's still enough reasonable time left–please I implore you!" The young lord persisted.
"With all due respect sir, you know as well as I do that no one could possibly travel in this storm."
Jiang Wei bit his lip to keep from protesting further, sensing the bitter truth behind the words. A sympathizing look from the guard did little to help, "You should get inside milord, please retire for the night. You look exhausted."
And he did. Sleep unmistakably lingered heavily upon his eyelids, making them lower halfway over his red eyes. The weight of his body had increased due to fatigue and loss of strength with every second remaining out there, his body beyond freezing as his pruned and wet skin lost all senses of feeling.
Wei reluctantly nodded, the warmth of his own bed suddenly overpowering all thoughts, "Very well. We shall resume our posts tomorrow, maybe then this storm will end."
Managing to place one foot before the other, his hand reached for his faithful trident that he rested against the wall of the gate, its two end blades shining brilliantly in the lightening. He followed slowly behind the guard, stopping once to look back at the road, hoping by some fate of luck to see a carriage approaching in the distance–
Instead that boy came running out of the thick shrubbery that bordered the dirt road. The frantic waving of his arms appeared panic–confirmed by the terrified and shocked expression on his pale face. Jiang Wei froze, placing a firm grip on the Lang's shoulder, who turned to him questionably, wondering why he had stopped him.
"Look." Jiang Wei instructed firmly, pointing over to the faint silhouette of the boy who lowered his hands upon noticing he'd captured their attention. Their gazes never left the boy as he beckoned them to follow with the wild motions of his arms, soon after disappearing into the thick darkness where the road led into.
Jiang Wei blinked, unable to move, silently wondering whether he had actually seen the boy at all. Or had he finally succumbed to the affects of fatigue? Another bolt of lightening later and the boy reappeared again. This time, Wei heard his name called out in a distant cry just before the thunder engulfed the words.
Needing no exchange of words, the two men raced after him. Their boots splashed over the wet earth; their frantic beating matched that of their own rapid breaths. Reaching where they had seen him disappear, their eyes frantically scanned over the trees and thick vegetation that dominated the forest.
"Where did he go?" The gatekeeper wheezed out as he clutched his side painfully.
And then Jiang Wei caught sight of the small silhouette standing further down the road, his tension mounting as he noticed the boy standing eerily still. The two men shared a glance with one another, nodding silently before proceeding forward. Wei moved over slowly, his weapon gripped close as warnings went off in his mind–the fact that whatever frightened the child still might be lurking nearby.
Approaching the boy cautiously, he could identify the wild panic in his pupils as they moved around wildly. The boy remained still, unaware of his presence as he breathed short, quick breaths.
He tentatively place a hand on the child's shoulder, receiving a jump as the boy let out a startled gasp and looked his direction; his eyes widened with fright. Wei lowered himself to the boy's level, crouching on the balls of his feet, "Soldier? What's the matter?"
As if shook from his previous trance, the boy suddenly spoke, words escaping him in a mad rush as he blurted, "IwaswalkingdowntheroadwhenIheardthisnoiseand—"
"It's all right, calm down." Jiang Wei comforted as hewatched the boy taking in gulps of air. "Now, explain to me slowly this time."
"It's Lord Ma Zun sir! I heard a noise and when I looked it was him!"
Wei's brows creased, "I'm afraid I don't understand."
"Sir!" Lang exclaimed, his voice near to a shrill as it faded in the air. Frowning, Wei stole a final glance at the boy whose gaze had dropped back down, once again oblivious to him.
Wei rushed over to Lang whose frightened eyes now carrired the same awed expression as the child's.
"Lang? What is it?" But the man gave no response. And as he followed the direction of where his eyes looked, he soon realized why.
"Oh god..." He whispered.
The overturned horse-drawn carriage lied at an angle on its curved rooftop. Its two overly sized wheels stuck out in the air; a creaking emanated from them as they spun wildly in the wind current. The wooden sides were splintered as well as painted with splatters of the blood that indicated a struggle.
Wei's heartbeat pulsed in his ears as his mind struggled to register the horrific scene. Bodies of soldiers lied strewn on the ground, most of their limbs gone—gnawed off and only bloodied stumps remaining. Their chewed faces appeared ghostly pale in the lightening glow, their mouths frozen in an attempted scream.
The sickly smell of rotting flesh stained the air and Jiang Wei struggled to control the strong impulse to suddenly vomit. His partner faired poorly as his gagging echoed in the air; the wet slap of stomach fluids splattering on the ground disturbed Wei's gut, the searing smell only added to his growing nausea.
He kneeled down to a large heap of flesh that clung to a bodily form in front of the carriage. Bits of hair and crushed bones also mixed in with the pile. Only by noticing the reins, did Jiang Wei's eyes manage to identify the deformed shape of the horse that had pulled the carriage.
Somehow forcing his gaze away from the gory scene, he moved over towards the trembling boy. Jiang Wei took him aside, kneeling down to his level.
"Listen to me," he said gently, "I want you to go back to Tian Shui castle, tell the guards at the door to send men over here. But don't tell anyone what you saw here, just say that I requested them."
"Uh-huh." The small voice quivered as the boy looked on the verge of tears.
Jiang Wei took his shoulders, "What's your name young man?"
"Pang Zhen." He replied weakly.
"Zhen?" Jiang Wei smiled, "Well Zhen, you've been very brave–perhaps the bravest of us all. You performed very well and I'm extremely proud of you. Now please let the adults handle this, tell the guards at the door to come here and then go home and rest."
The boy nodded, almost relieved by the order as he hurried off. A pang of guilt swept over Jiang Wei as he watched Zhen fleeing–the boy wasn't meant to see any of this.
He turned reluctantly back at the death scene before him, his mind reeling as they tried piecing together what had transpired here.
The clutch on his weapon had tightened as he clung desperately onto the only security he had. But seeing the corpses' weapons lying beside them, it wasn't enough.
This was no work of assassins or any human at all. . .whatever 'it' was, there were no traces that hinted towards an identity.
His heart suddenly leapt at a conclusion and he gripped his trident defensively with both hands.
What if it never left. What if it was waiting for them silently in the bushes, determining the perfect moment to jump them.
"SIR!"
Jiang Wei whirled around, seeing Lang standing behind the carriage. He walked over; ignoring the squishing noises made when his boots stepped over bloodied entrails, he made sure to carefully watch the shadows around him.
The soldier stood beside the flap that served as the door leading inside. Holding one end of the cloth open, Wei braved to look in–
–and saw a body crumbled on the ceiling, which now was the floor. "Lord Ma Zun!"
Blood had coated the walls of the small interior, the tight space trapping a putrid stench inside. His lord lied in pool of his own blood, arm resting against his chest–a large chunk of flesh gone. Jiang Wei's heart froze as he examined the bloodied gash, muscle and tissue visible as they hung from the ghastly wound.
Lord Ma Zun moaned slightly, a cold relief wiping over Jiang Wei as he found the ability to breathe again. He was alive.
"Lord Ma Zun can you hear me!"
The moaning continued. Jiang Wei immediately turned toward Lang who crouched beside him, "Bring me my horse! We need to get him to Tian Shui castle immediately!"
"Right away!"
Jiang Wei turned back to his lord, "Lord Ma Zun can you tell me what happened!"
Ma Zun's eyes opened weakly, his lips moving just barely, ". . .attack. . .didn't see . . .so many. . .killed. . .d-d-dogs!"
Jiang Wei gazed up at a faint sound, looking out through the barred window of the carriage–
–in time to see two glowing eyes in the darkness, staring directly at him. He jolted his head up as he uttered a surprised cry. Terror gripped his body as he heard a low and dangerous growl emanate from it's direction before disappearing into the shadows.
–Dogs, dogs that kill people, hunt them down, eat them. These aren't ordinary dogs–
A painful cry pierced the air as Ma Zun attempted to move, his face grimacing as he clutched his arm severly. Jiang Wei pressed his hand to his lord's chest, pushing him back gently. "Don't move, you need medical treatment."
". . .Jiang. . Wei?" Confusion lied writtenin his eyes as he squinted to make out the form of the young warrior.
"Yes sir, it's me! Now please stay with me! Help will come!" He reassured him, forcing his voice to remain calm.
And he hoped soon, fearful that the dogs might come back to finish what they had started.
-8 8 8-
Ma Zun slept peacefully on the mattress in the clinic's quarters. The physician wiped his red coated hands on the bloodied cloth; old and tired eyes never once left the ghastly wound now covered in bandaging.
"Luckily the infection wasn't too severe," the frail voice spoke, "but he's lost a lot of blood."
Jiang Wei nodded gloomily, his heart heavy as he stared at the helpless figure on the bed.
"You're lucky to have found him when you did," the physician's blue robes swayed softly on the carpet as he moved over to his patient, ". .might lucky."
Jiang Wei let out a weary sigh, feeling anything but satisfied by the remark. Rather he wished none of this ever happened.
The doctor turned to him, white brows furrowing as they looked over the young strategist. A puddle had formed underneath his mud-caked boots, water continuously dripping from his clothes and hair. A crimson liquid now glistened over the front of his armor and cotton sleeves from lifting his lord's bloodied body.
Staring at his appearance, the physician's lips curved into a weak smile as he spoke, "Young lord perhaps its best if you leave him in my care tonight. You've done all you could do. Right now you should get some sleep, you look tired."
Jiang Wei held back a retort as he stared off at the warm glow of the candles placed on the stone wall. Tired was an understatement.
"Thank you doctor." Jiang Wei said instead as he bowed and moved for the door.
"To think that animals had the ability to do such horrors," the doctor uttered as he speculated. Wei's hand froze on the doorknob, listening as the man continued, "never in my time have I heard of such an attack."
"Doctor," Wei whispered, "I trust you won't speak of this to the other men? If they should find out—"
"I stand by patient and doctor confidentiality milord. You have my word."
Jiang Wei managed a bow from his head, "I expect a report when I come back in the morning."
"I will be waiting then." The door creaked open as Jiang Wei stepped out into the darkened hallway, stealing one final glance back at his sleeping lord before shutting the door.
Letting out a trembling sigh, he leaned against the door, nearly collapsing in the process. The breath he held while in there came out quick and shallow as his mind finally came to accepting
the events in the last couple of hours. A dizzy fear engulfed him as he realized what had happened, what might have happened. . .
His head jerked up from the ground as he blinked away the fogginess that had settled in his swollen eyes. The distance to his room appeared too far as he forced a wobbly foot in front of the other.
He walked down carpeted path, ignoring the glances received by his men and servants who noticed the miserable state of his appearance, and the blood. Ascending a large staircase that led to the higher floors, his eyes saw only the grotesque scene of body parts lying on the ground, stained in their own blood, their insides no longer on the inside. . .
He staggered, a hand clenched on the banister in order to steady himself. Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply, forcing out the panic that had settled within him.
The worst had happened, move on.
But his body refused to stop shaking, he had seen more than enough. The thought of reliving the event in his dreams did little ease his torment as suddenly realized that he would be getting no sleep tonight. Nothing more can be done. Best let yourself get a few hours of sleep and start fresh tomorrow.
He nodded inwardly, somehow finding the strength to walk up four more flights of stairs towards the officer quarters.
In the morning he would check on Lord Ma Zun, and then beginthe investigation. He at least found peace in thinking that much ahead.
But by how events were unfolding, he didn't know what to think anymore.
Author Note: I apologize for the late update, I struggled with this chapter terribly. Hopefully, it turned out good. I'm so glad a lot of you liked it, thank you. Read and review.