This chapter has been edited and re-post. Don't care? Skip it.
I do not own any of the DW characters; they belong to Koei or whoever. I do own the OC and some minor characters that might pop up.
From across the room I watched as some of the soldiers moved to a table that had been set up. On one end there were stacks of small bowl like dishes, in the middle was a man delving out water from a bucket to the men that picked up the bowls. The men would drink their water and placed the bowls back on the other side of the bucket.
I slowly moved some of the rice around in my mouth as I watched the scene. Finally, I made my move. With a mental sigh, I clumped the rice in my mouth into a stiff ball and gave it a hard swallow. Instantly I gagged and began to cough. Each racking hack sent fire from my side but it got the point across. Zhang He began to clap hard on my back to attempt to dislodge to food that was chocking me. Soon it went down hard and I grimaced in pain. I looked up to Zhang Liao with a sheepish smile; his brows knitted together in concern. I felt Zhang He sit back down in his chair but his eyes were still on me.
With a new scratch in my voice and a phony look of innocence on my face I spoke, "Would be alright if I got a drink?" I nodded my head in the direction of the water table to clarify where I intended to go. Zhang Liao glanced over his shoulder then back to me; I noted the hesitation in his actions before he slowly nodded to me. I whispered my thanks to him and, with help from Zhang He, stood. Carefully I made my way over to the water; scanning the room for the next phase of my plan.
I could not help the grin that came to my face as I spotted a young man being tormented at the next table over for bringing his sword to dinner. Glancing down between the men, I passed; I saw the weapon, in its sheath, hanging out in the aisle. Could this be any easier? I quietly moved to the end of the water line. I watched the scene with the young swordsman and the others around him as I slowly made my way to the water my throat demanded for so harshly. My plot forming fully before my turn in line, I took my bowl and got my water. Standing to the side of the table, I sip from the dish as I waited for my moment. I gulped down the last few drops as a very large man came to the end of the line. I time my moves with his. Bumping in to him, I acted flustered at my mistake and profusely apologized. I managed to get myself turned around enough to be heading back via the aisle with the swordsman.
I walked as close as I could to seated men as I could without drawing attention. As I neared, my unsuspecting victim readied myself; reaching his back, I kicked the sword and faked my fall to land perfectly on the back of the man next to him. He, in turn, flung his half-eaten meal across the table; hitting the man directly across from him square in the face. That man, so surprised by the sudden rice attack, jumped and slapped the men that sat on each side of him. Quickly the bickering began, the men blaming the other, but none of them blaming me. I stood there trying to apologize to the men, who brushed me off; telling me it was not my fault. Soon their voices began to rise and I pretended to be afraid. I held my hands in front of myself and backed away enough to bump into one of the men sitting at the table across the aisle. He turned to see what was going on and quickly stood to 'defend' me from the others. It was not long, most of the men were yelling, and punches began to fly.
I scurried back to the table I had been sitting at with Zhang He and Zhang Liao; arriving just as they were standing to go calm their men down. As the two of them moved toward the now brawling soldiers, I backed up to the open wall. I stood there watching as nearly every man in the camp, were either fighting one another running to join the fight, or vainly trying to stop it. With one final grin at the situation, I slipped out the opening and sprinted with all I had to the tree line. It was just after dark and I was on my way to the river. Right on track…
I do not know how long I had run before I could no longer stand the searing pain that erupted from my side. Slowing to a walk, I kept going while I tried to pull myself together. I could hear water rushing near me. I could also still hear the yelling coming from the camp behind me; the fight was still going strong. This again made me smile as I tramped through the woods toward the sound of water. A little too soon I was out of hearing distance of the camp; the river had to be very close.
A sudden, short drop and icy chill on my legs let me know that I had found the river all right. I reached down and felt the flow with my hand; turning to my right I started downstream. Moving to the bank, I tried to keep from falling into the water again.
It felt like I was walking for hours before I heard a sound other than the river, or my own footsteps. Fast pace hoof beats coming near me. Looking around I spotted a tree that looked easy to climb and shot up it as fast as I could. I made it about eight feet in the air before I found a good branch to sit on. I tried to pant silently; finally, I began to feel the extent of the pain coming from my ribs. I bit my lip to keep quiet. From my perch I saw several men on horseback come to the river edge; one of them held a torch. They were purple clad men. My distraction must have broken up and Zhang Liao must have noticed my disappearance.
The men searched near the river for a few more minutes before the turned and headed up stream. I placed my hand on my side I cringed at the jolt of pain but tried to shake it out of my mind. I had to keep going; carefully I slipped out of my leafy hiding place and moved to continue to head down stream. I let out a silent prayer that this was as far downstream as they would look for me. However, I could not help but to have my doubts it would be. I would have to be more cautious from now on. I moved at a slower pace so that I could hear my surroundings better.
I began to become over nervous, every breeze that caused the leaves rustle had me holding my breath and making for a hiding place. As I continued, I began thinking about the voice. Why was I listening to it? What if this was only a trick by Zhang Liao? Stopping mid-step I lingered on that thought. What was I doing? What happened to me? Why was I doing any of this? I should be home; with father; with Rascal, with Bay. Oh Bay; he would have made at least this bit easier.
A familiar sound came to me, fast pace hoof beasts. Not again. Looking around to find a place to hide I noticed a flash of light a short ways behind me. I stopped and stared at it; it was so welcoming. It was as if it was calling me to it. I moved to take a step closer when I heard the distinct sound of a whinny. My eyes widened in shock. From the light came the most beautiful sight I had in days. In all of his glory, my noble white steed came at me in full gallop.
"Bay!" I barley choked out, "Oh Bay, thank goodness." He stopped and stood tall before me. Showing off his formable size for his breed, I could not help but giggle at his posturing for me. I gently rubbed his muzzle before moving to his side. I felt sick when the realization hit me then; I could not mount him. He was a Quarter Horse but oddly tall for one. Which made him difficult to mount under normal circumstances but with my injured side, there was no way I could without some kind of step. I scanned the area and spotted a large fallen tree. I gestured to Bay to follow me as I went to trunk.
"I don't know how you got here buddy; but I sure am glad you are." He nickered in response. After a moment, I chose the best option for climbing on to the tree then I beckoned Bay closer. Obeying me perfectly he came to stand right next to me. I eased myself on to his back and took a hold of his mane. This was not the first time I had rode him bareback but this one was going to hurt. With the clicking of my tongue and the soft prod of my feet, he started into a walk heading down stream. After a few minutes, I urged him into a canter.
We moved at a good click but I could sense the dawn approaching so I pushed Bay to a trot. Each jolt made me want to scream and I felt him tense under me. The cold sickly felling that I was being trailed hit me like being slapped with a wet rag. I kept looking over my shoulder for my pursuer but I could not see one. I could no longer take the bouncing of the trot so I pulled Bay to a stop so I could rest for a moment. I could feel him ripple in nervous tension beneath me. I leaned forward to rub his neck in comfort when I heard a whistle in the air followed but the thick thump of the arrow hitting the tree behind us.
Bay needed no prompting from me at all; he blasted in to a full gallop. He moved with the true grace of his breed as he weaved in and out of the trees at full speed. I could hear the ones who pursued us; we were beginning to lose them in the grace of Bay's movements. Another thunk of an arrow hitting a tree made me remember they had long-range weapons. As we flew along the river, I noticed the trees begin to thin out. All I could do was work with Bay's movements as he moved and leapt over a log into a large clearing.
I let out a strangled grunt when Bay landed and came to a nearly instant halt. Looking up I saw two horses standing maybe ten feet in front of us. Slowly raising my glaze to their backs I want to scream when upon the one to my right sat Sun Shang Xiang. I opened my mouth to warn her of my pursuers when I heard them near the log. I turned sharply to see an entire row of archers stand from behind the log and fire at the riders.
A hand reached out and grabbed my arm; urging me forward. I did ask it demanded and gave Bay a quick prod to which he responded in a return to the full gallop before I could rein him back. Behind us, I could hear the clash of metal that had broken out. Looking to my right, I saw Sun Shang Xiang pushing her mount to keep up with Bay; to my left was the older man doing the same with his.
I almost did not hear my friend's cry for me to slow down. I roughly pulled Bay's mane to get him to slow. Once he had, I reached forward and rubbed his neck, apologizing for my harshness. Sun Shang Xiang caught up to Bay and I a moment later. She dismounted and came to Bay's side reaching out for me to take her hand. I leaned down to take her hand but I missed and could not catch myself; landing in a crumpled heap beneath my spooked and sweat drenched horse. I just wanted to lay there but Sun Shang Xiang and her male friend prompted me to get up and pulled me to a tent set up nearby.
Once we entered the dwelling, they laid me down on the mat that served as the bed. I could hear her speaking to me however; I could not make out the words she used. I could tell she was afraid by the look in her eyes. She looked as though she was near tears; moving like lightning, she stooped down and grasped me in a tight hug. I do not know if I was too tired to stop it or if I was comfortable enough to let it out, but the cry that came from me made her jump back. I felt myself apologize to her and laid my hand on my injured side.
She moved my hand and shirt to look. Her eyes grew wide horror flashing through them. I tried to sit up but she forced me back down holding her finger in my face. I could not understand her words but her face was clear she was threatening me for some reason. I was too tired to fight so I laid there as she moved of the exit. I watched her slip out of flaps through the heaviest eyelids I can ever recall having. I fought it for as long as I could but the bliss of darkness slipped over me as Sun Shang Xiang returned with another person following her.
PS- Please R&R the reviews would help me greatly in writing, I would like to know what you think of the story so far.
Thanks
-Alwayshappytohelp