Green Dragon
They had marched for what seemed to be ages. Struggling to stay with her unit, the young woman gripped tightly onto her spear, her heart pounding fast. Her eyes nervously darted to her comrades, men who were at least a head taller than her. She really felt odd being the only woman in her unit, but she had little choice. Her brother needed the money for the medicine, and since it was a time of war, fighting was the best method to get money.
And there was something she hoped to gain in the process. She had initially dressed as a man to enlist, but her secret was quickly uncovered when she tried to take a bath at night. She was almost kicked out of the army, but she pleaded with her Lord to let her fight. Her Lord was a gentle and caring man, who seemed to understand, though he was rather reluctant.
It finally took the recommendation of a certain general that helped her remain within the army. The same general who rode atop of his steed before the men. A young, good-looking man with his dark hair tied into a tail, and his sharp features that had won many admiration of the ladies. His skill with the spear was also to be feared, and he had many admirers among the men for that.
She really is grateful to her general, since being on the frontlines would earn her the most money. Women were allowed into the military, though few actually signed up. The women who did sign up were mainly stationed as bodyguards, or for guard duty in some remote regions. They hardly saw action, or did any gruelling work. She would gladly go for that job, if only they were paid the same as soldiers who actually did fight.
"Xing Li?"
Startled, she fumbled with her spear, but managed to get her balance back. Looking up, she saw her commander had slowed his horse, and was riding beside her.
"I-i'm alright, General Zhao."
She bowed her head before him.
"I see. We've been marching for five hours, and we're reaching our destination. Make sure to stay alive."
"Yes sir. For our lord."
She humbly replied, to which her commander chuckled.
"Not for our lord. For yourself, and your own goals. Isn't all of this to help your brother?"
"Y-yes... I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. Ah, we're here."
Xing Li looked up, and saw the hand of a certain large man. General Guan Yu, who was leading the attack against Wu, was a large and frightening man. He was frightening the first time she saw him during the recruitment, and he was evenly scarier when she was brought forth to explain her hidden identity.
Guan Yu had called for the troops to halt, and there was a wave of relief among the men. Guan Yu was known to be a strict man in combat and in discipline, which may explain why they did not stop marching for so long. But Xing Li knew that they had no time to rest. Over the horizon, she could see the faint outline of people. People who wore the armour of Wu.
The flags of Wu being held strong and clearly above the troops who marched with unified movement and speed. The sound of their march was thunderous, and loud. Some of the soldiers around Xing Li were now showing clear signs of nervousness, and Xing Li could not blame them. Those troops of Wu may be shorter in stature compared to men from the North, but they were strong, and moved like a single body.
"Men! Hold strong! Together, we are invincible!"
Guan Yu thundered, his voice echoing across the great plains of Luo Sheng. It affected all of the men, including Xing Li, who suddenly felt all of her fears disappear into the winds.
"Heh, as usual, Yun Chang's speeches are very moving, though simple."
Xing Li's general, Zhao Yun smirked, twirling his spear into position.
"I don't know about being invincible, but if you constantly watch your back, you'll be fine."
Zhao Yun winked to Xing Li, before urging his steed back to the front. She gripped tightly onto her spear. Her first battle. Sweat trickled down her face. Her heart was racing. The battle was going to begin, but was she ready?
