-I don't really have much to say about this chapter, it is a one-shot chapter. So enjoy!-
When Cai Xao awoke the next morning, Tai was gone. She arose from the bed and walked over to the tiny staircase, she walked up quietly one by one. The more she rose, the more she heard the voices that came from the next floor up.
"What do you mean, he's coming to get her this morning? Your not seriously saying he needs her that badly!" Tai's voice screamed from upstairs.
"Yes, I am!" Ban shouted back. "I know your upset, but its for the best..." he beckoned.
"I'm not letting her go up there alone, at least." She quietened down slightly. "I will go up with her."
"There is only one spot in the carriage, Tai... You would not be able to go with her."
Xao made the step she was on, creak. To show that she was awake and could hear everything that they were saying. Tai rushed back down the steps leading down to the ground floor.
"My lady, Xao!" She said, bleakly, the colour running from her face slowly. "I trust you had a good night." Xao nodded and smiled.
"It was a good night. I thank you for the use of the bed. I am ready to get to work on anything you need me to..." She started.
"Actually," she said, he brow creased with worry. "His lord, Dong Zhou is sending a cart for you this morning..." She said,obviously worried for the young girl's safety.
"Do not worry, my lady, I am a brave young woman, I am not creased with worry, like you are Lady Tai, I am truly grateful for your hospitality." her voice broke slightly. "I shall miss you for your kindness." A gentle sob erupted from her throat, tears streamed down her pale pink cheeks, as she hugged Tai close.
"I didn't think anything could make the fox cry..." She said sweetly. Xao looked up, surprised.
"Y...You know who I am?" She stuttered. So that's how she knew of my skills with horses and my agileness in battle, she thought to her self.
"Yes," She sighed. "I have heard of your tale. But you have been brave. And the master you will eventually find will value you for your braveness and skills on the battlefield. Unlike Dong Zhou who only wants you for his own personal need." She looked out of the window nearest to the front door. "I hear clacks, Fox of Zhang Zhou. The cart men from the castle, of his lord, Dong Zhuo is here. He will most probably have heard of you, keep it quiet, he will not know the fox's name trust me, he only knows of your title. He only thinks of you as a noblewoman from the west of china. I will tell my lord of you heading up to the castle. I bid you farewell, fox, may we meet again sometime in the future."
"I hope we meet again in the future too, my Lady. I trust you will keep in high spirits until that day comes?" She replied. "Now if Lord Zhuo's men are here I will head up to the castle and not keep him waiting."
"Yes I will keep in fine spirits until that day comes." She said, passionately, her eyes burning with tears that would eventually fall, but Cai didn't have enough time to wait for it to happen. She rushed down the steps and collected what little things she had, her arrow sack and the small necklace and sachet of gold she had robbed the day before, from the bandits that had attempted to kill her. To be honest it was a perfectly feeble attempt at murder compared to her murder by the masses. The people she had killed and the ones who she had stole from. All her lies, cheats and steals. She did not feel an inch bit guilty, but now... now was different, she thought of everyone of those people she had robbed thoughts and fears from, as she bounded up the creaky stairs, for the last time. Tai was outside telling them everything she had told Ban before he had asked her to dance for him.
"Maiden Xao!" A voice from behind her croaked. "I trust you will have a safe trip." He bowed with his hands together. It was sign of high respect but even still it was surprising coming from Ding Ban, the lord in charge of this shabby little house.
"Uh...Thanks..." She deliberated. He started bowing even lower. "Goodbye, Master Ding Ban." She whispered silently. He looked up and smiled his crooked smile, and in return she smiled her pretty smile back. Placing the small gold necklace over her small neck, she rushed outside and hugged Tai from the back. The cart men were looking slightly bored. She climbed aboard nimbly, being careful not to drag Tai into the cart with her like she wanted to. The men at the front, kicked off their horses and the cart started to move gently. She waved to Tai, the only one she knew of, that knew of her. Her story wasn't the best or brightest, but she was in the least, glad, that her name was spreading throughout the land.
They had arrived at the castle shortly before noon. She was greeted by two men, dressed in a deep violet, a colour she had always admired, but it looked sort of... bleak on them. She stared at their deeply saddened faces, they had plastered a small smile across their lips. They both gasped when they had seen the young mistress' face, she was so beautiful it made you want to cry.
"Nice to meet... hey! Get out of my way, Xiong, I saw her first!" They squabbled like little boys would do, as the first pushed himself to the front. "My name, my lady," he said, gazing deep into her eyes. He offered her his hand as he knelt down beside the carriage. "Is Gou Si. Nice to make your acquain..." He began, before Xao stepped onto his knee. His anger was pushed to the inside of him. He wouldn't let his anger spite the new maiden, otherwise Dong Zhuo would be after his head for assaulting such a pretty lady such as her.
"Thank-you for the step...kind sir." She said taking the other officer by the hands. He blushed a deep red.
"I...I...It was my pleasure..." He started before he realized he hadn't even asked the girl of her name.
"Cai Xao." She completed. "And your name is?" She asked.
"My name is Hua Xiong, loyal officer to Dong Zhou himself."he bragged.
"I'm glad such a noble officer is here to greet someone like me..." She said glumly.
"Really!" Guo Si Shouted.
She laughed. "Yes of course. It shows you care about such a new arrival into your castle. I thought the more... veteran officers, would be slightly jealous. But I guess new blood is not that bad here." Giggling loudly, she added, "Where can I get something to eat?" She questioned.
"I will take you to Lord Zhuo and then maybe then you can get something, my lady." Si returned.
They walked to the doors and Xao stepped inside. It was grand, she had to admit.
They must have been walking for ages, when they finally got to the doors of the room that contained Dong Zhuo. Her new master...
"Let her in!" Roared a strong voice, from behind the set of large and heavy looking doors. She shook terribly, but she swallowed her fears and walked forwards accompanied by Hua Xiong and Guo Si. Si was still upset about earlier, as he showed off a small scowl. Xiong however was still blushing slightly, showing of his rose red blush. The doors swung open just as they had stopped for them to open, Si stepped forward and pulled on her wrists as he walked forward, while Xiong swept himself behind her. She was, as much protected as two men who acted like children, could protect someone. The room was sleek and gleaming. There were maids and waiters bustling around the room carrying trays and dusters. In the center of the room, A girl stood and sang, her voice shattered the room. She twinkled as she moved. She had been showered in roses and lilacs. She bowed low and her flaming red hair fell of her back and over her shoulders, the dress she wore was a bright purple. Purple seemed to be the theme; If that was the case, she would be forced to change out of her worn out clothes and into the same colour. Around the bowing girl there were rows and rows of adequate tables, opposite from where she stood, a table made of fine cherry coloured wood, shone along with the beckoning sunshine. The cutlery sparkled with jewels and was plastered in gold. Xao was in awe at the amount of riches and classy dinnerware. In the center of the gold-struck table, sat a man also covered in jewels, clapping and whooping loudly, and shouting for the girl to, 'Take her clothes off.' Disgusting. He was oleaginous and potbellied compared to the other slender, well groomed officers next to him. Si hurried forward, and whispered something to him. He gestured for her to come forward. Again she shook. As she got closer he saw the hefty man, had a look of sheer delight on his ugly mug. Her shoes clicked slightly on the well polished floors every time she took a step forward. Hua Xiong held her shoulder tightly.
"Ah! So this is the young girl that Ban was talking about, what can you do?" He bellowed.
"well..." She began. She took a deep breath and counted to five. "I am very agile in battle, I love to hang around the stables and look after horses, I can fire roughly 20 to 40 arrows a minute, oh and I am...umm come from the houses of the west of China." She almost told a whole room of people, that she was the ruthless fox that Tai had said not to utter.
"Come closer," He spoke, "I want a good look at you!" Xao took a few steps forward until she was directly opposite him. He took her face in his hands lightly, he grazed her cheek with his rough hands. He turned her head from side to side, and from facing the direction of the neat floor and then to wooden boardings, where there were possibly rooms and hallways above.
"Gorgeous..." He said under his breath. "Absolutely Gorgeous." He let go of her face and stroked her softly across the cheek.
A man to the right of Dong Zhuo rose from his seat as Cai stepped back.
"My lord, she looks familiar, don't you think?" He pronounced. He stopped and thought about it, while Dong Zhuo stood up too.
"What do you mean, Lu Bu! Who do you think she is!" He barked. Lu Bu growled at him slightly.
"My lord, this is the famous Fox you've been searching for." Xao gasped. How did he know who I was? She questioned herself.
Dong Zhuo roared. "Take her as a prisoner. Question her! The fox has sticky fingers, she needs to be heavily guarded. I will be down to see you later...my sweet Fox, Cai Xao." Lu Bu smirked, Xao looked distraught. Lu Bu thought, She is definitely the renowned Fox of Zhang Zhou.
-Yay for another chapter done. Hope your enjoying reading it, because it takes forever for me to write. Please Review with any comments you do have. Or if you have anything else you want to say about any of my other stories, don't be afraid to PM me, I will gladly read any and all comments and messages you write on my stories or to my inbox. Remember every writer likes constructive criticism. Thanks for reading! : ) (also because I am paranoid your reviews shows me that someone is actually reading my stories.)-