Lil' history fact:

Actually, according to the manga, Zuwa, himself was the leader of the 'savage' northern tribe, Kaska, or Kashga.

But, the Kaskians were actually a loosely affiliated, non-Indo-European tribal people of mountainous Pontic,Anatolia.

When the Kaskans were not raiding or serving as mercenaries, they raised pigs and wove linen, leaving scarcely any imprint on the permanent landscape.

They also contributed to the downfall of the Hittite Empire, near the collapse of the Bronze Age Era. C(1200)

Chapter 7 Horses Gone Wild

"Ah…this bed sure is uncomfortable..."thought Yu Ling who was much more used to silk stuffed blankets on a temperature centered king sized mattress. "Oba-san? I'll have my breakfast in my bedroom today." Said Yu Ling to no one. "If that is what you wish Miss Yu Ling, but I thought you might wanted to see off the princes before they begin the war." Lyes said to Yu Ling.

Yu Ling's POV

"What? Princes? War?" I said. Oh yeah, I am now in Ancient times, I thought with a smile. How interesting.

"Oh, is it? Well, then I better get up and send those princes off, come, Lyes." I said with a sudden lightened expression in comparison to the sleepy one just a few moments ago.

"Lady Yu Ling! Are you ready? Quick! We have to see them off! Get dressed!" shouted a voice that belonged to Shala, followed by Ryui and Hadi. In the short time I've been here, I have grown fond of these sisters, they were a friendly bunch, but, I could see they were agile, strong, and can handle swords as well. Qualities a modern women such as I would admire. Ryui and Shala, despite being identical twins, Shala was more openly forward and bright, while Ryui tends to just like to follow Ryui's example. But, Hadi, she was strong and independent, proving to be the elder sister she was, taking care of her three younger siblings. While, Tito on the other hand, he's a nice boy, reminds me of Du Bin Han's younger brother, Du Hong Kai, simply adorable.

"Sure! Wait! I still need to change! Wait, what should I wear? My Taekwondo uniform? Hmm..." I said.

"Of course not! Here! A nice flowy dress!" replied Ryui.

I can see the troops all lined out perfectly, facing south while I sit perched on the fences of the horse breeding area. Tito told me this plateau had the best view to the northern plain turned battleground.

This is really interesting, I'll be able to first-hand witness a battle, from a safe distance of course, and I can't wait to tell all about it to Aunt. I chuckled. She would simply die to hear that I met two Hittite princes and is about to witness one of the first battles that will be followed by the Hittite campaign against the Kaskas'. Perhaps, this is one going to be one of the most entertainments I'll ever experience in my lifetime, I thought as a grin spread across my face.

Hadi's POV

I don't know why, but Lady Yu Ling's expression is kind of unnerving. She seems fascinated by the war; her eyes have not wavered as she stared down below at the wasteland of a battlefield. I, instead, feel disheartened at the thought of the soldiers of Hatti Tribe and Hittite, fighting down there for us, lives lost. It took some time to find her, how did she know that the horse breeding area had the best view to the northern plain? I'll bet that Tito told her, sigh. She is the Prince's companion, so she should not be in such a dangerous area.

Hmm… they say she sprung from the sacred springs of Arinna. Arinna, huh?

'Mistress of the Hatti lands, the queen of heaven and earth with Teshub as her consort.'

"Lady Yu Ling, would you like to finally eat your breakfast?" I said to her, offering a drink and some fruits. She, surprised by my sudden approaching, said, "Huh? Oh, sure. Thank you. I was just looking at the battle down there…"

"May I ask why you are so preoccupied with the battle?" I said.

"Oh, was it that obvious?" she said with grin. "It's just…this is my first time being able to first-hand see a war. It's simply fascinating." She said with that unnerving smile again.

"Perhaps, Lady Yu Ling's country did not have wars?" I asked.

"Hmm…no, we still had them. But, less frequent, and I wouldn't have anything to do with it, at least…" she said, but this time her grin softened into something as if she remembered something painful.

"Well, then I'll leave you be, so you just continue to watch as much as you want." I said, exiting.

She didn't reply, just stared off down below.

Yu Ling's POV

This pear taste bad. It's all bland. I prefer the Chinese pear, ya li. Tastes better; it's got a taste of sourness that I'm quite fond off.

Hmm… Why do I feel so uneasy?

Besides, judging from last night, the two princes seem to be holding off on something from me, I wonder what it might be. Sometimes I see a suspicious look when they peer at me.

Nah. I'm over thinking too much. This place has nothing to do with me. I'm just a visitor.

I look down to see the battlefield, wait!

The counter formations that the Kaskas have are too timed, as if they know exactly what the Hittites are going to do next for every move!

This is bad; Prince Kail is going to come out soon! I can see another set of Kaskan troops laying in waiting, as if they're going to ambush! Prince Zannanza's forces are almost getting smothered, since they were taken in by the Kaska's counter attacks.

But, what can I do? I look around, hmm…horse breeding grounds. I've ridden horses before during summer breaks at the East Mansion…

"You, yes you, the one tending the horses." I said aloud to the startled man.

"Uh...me? Yes, Lady Yu Ling?" the man replied back.

"Which of these horses are more, hmm…healthy, sturdy, and ready?" I asked.

"Healthy? Sturdy? Um…if you're talking about healthy, then these horses here are prized war horses." He said with pride, showing a special coup just for a few particular horses.

"Very well, I would like to take a look at them if I may." I said.

"-Oh. Yes. Of course." He said as he opened the fences. I walked inside, stood close to one of them that looked as if he led the pack, alpha if I may. I whispered something close to the horse's ear.

Sadon's POV (The horse breeder guy)

What does Lady Yu Ling want? I understand she is the Prince's companion. But, her actions are quite…odd. Before eating her breakfast, she came down here to breeding grounds only to sit herself on the posts of the fence and silently watch the battlefield below. Then, after eating her breakfast that Hadi had brought down, she suddenly comes over here to take a look at the horses?

I open the fenced post to let her in. She slowly walks towards the horses, whispering to one of them. Then she just walks out of the fenced area. Just as I was going to close the gates, she said, "No. Don't close them…yet."

"But, Miss, they must be locked in case they accidentally stray off! These are prized war horses as well! Very precious!" I exclaimed wondering as to why she does not want the gates to be locked.

"Precious war horses, eh? Well, let's see their worth! Fweet!" she whistled with her fingers placed in her mouth suddenly.

NEIGH! KADOMPL KADOMPL! (fail action sounds)

The horses all ran out of the fence! They all ran out, heading towards the edge of the cliff, towards the battlefield! With 2C, my favourite horse, leading them!

They galloped down the hill towards the battlefield in a downwards pointing triangle! Incredible! I turn around to see the girl, she has stopped whistling.

"Number 378. Three Kingdoms. In need of diversion, one shall race down the center of top." I heard her say something, but I couldn't understand it. *AU.(Yu Ling actually said this in Mandarin. It comes from one of the many stories of the Three Kingdom.)

Prince Kail's POV

Damn. Why? The Kaskas' have ambushed my troops, they were waiting for us! Someone has leaked information to them! Damn.

I turn around to see Zannanza's troops almost falling down; they were being smothered as well! Damn. Damn it all!

Prince Zannanza's POV

Why? Brother Kail's troops were ambushed! We have been betrayed! Someone has leaked information! I turn to Brother Kail's troops; I can see him in the distance, a strained look on his face. Curses! This war is falling all too quickly into the Kaska's favour!

End of POV

KALUMPD KALUMPD!

A gust of dust filled the air, behind the dust, angry roars.

Suddenly, the whole battlefield was lost for words, surprised by the sudden attack from above.

"Whaa! It's an ambush from the rear! Ahh! They're coming this way!" the Kaska soldiers shouted.

"What. Is that? How? Who?" thought Prince Kail and Zannanza.

"Your Highness, the Kaska troops have been thrown in disarray. They are all scattered about."Said Kikkuri, the royal horse breeder and aid of Prince Mursili Kail.

"Ah, yes." Kail replied as he turned around. "What are you waiting for troops?! Attack!" Prince Kail shouted to his army.

"-Yes!" they answered back. "You too! Get those damn Kaskas while they are still confused!" Prince Zannanza exclaimed to his troops as well. "Yes, sire!" they replied back.

"Unmanned horses running down into battle from above? That's a new tactic. But, who? They aren't strays, neither was it accidental." Thought Prince Zannanza and Kail in wonder.

ROAR OF HITTITE SOLDIERS ATTACK CRY

Confused, the Kaskas' were attacked by the Hittites. Suddenly, the turnabout of the war was dramatically changed, Hittite now held favor over it. They won. The battle was over. In just a day, the City of Arinna was reclaimed back to the Hittites.

"Good, it worked. I guess they are prized war horses." said Yu Ling with a satisfied grin planted on her face as she walked away, hearing the triumphed war cries from the Hittites below.

"-Who…What. Is this girl?" said Sadon, with a frightened look placed on his face as he watched the silhouette of Yu Ling's figure as she walked away.

At the nighttime banquet to celebrate the war

"Congratulations Your Highnesses! The City of Arinna is back to the Hittites!" said the overseer of the city as he bowed graciously.

"Yes! Congratulations!" roared the crowd attending the banquet.

"Your Highnesses, if I may say, but what a wonderful idea of yours to have unmanned horses attack from above! The advantage would easily be ours!" said a General of the Hatti tribes.

"I've been meaning to say, but, it wasn't me who thought of that idea." Prince Kail replied with an uneasy look.

"Oh! Then of course it would've been Prince Zannanza! Proving to be quite the General in Command I say?" chuckled the general as he turned to Zannanza.

"Nay, it was not of mine, either." Replied the prince with same look as his brother.

"Then, who?!" asked the general, now sober. "Umm…If I may, I know who did it." Stammered a voice from the shadows, It belonged to Sadon.

"Sigh, this is quite a bore." Yu Ling said, dressed in a fine, sleeveless dress, with an embroidered shawl draped over her bare shoulders. Her neck was inlaid with many jewels and necklaces. The twins said it was necessary to wear it to the banquet. Yu Ling didn't complain, never much cared for her dress.

"This wine, is certainly of good quality, but it's much rather too sweet." Said Yu Ling to herself as she worked the wine in her mouth, eyebrows furrowed at the sweetness of it. She wasn't much of a fan of sweetness you could say.

"Who is it? Who laid such a well thought tactic?" said both of the princes, almost jumping out of their chairs when they heard what the horse breeder said.

"-It-was…Lady Yu Ling." Said the man. All eyes were turned on Yu Ling all of a sudden. "Huh?" Yu Ling said in reply to the turned crowds.

"Is it true Yu Ling? You were the one that devised to have the horses be set?" asked a surprised Kail with a mix of awe.

Standing up, "Set off the horses? Oh, yes. Then that would be me. But, I never thought they would gallop down to the battlefield! Well, at least they served to be useful in your battle." Yu Ling said with a hand bowed reply.

"Oh, really? Just an accident? Alright…" replied Prince Zannanza with a hint of doubt as he eyed the bowed Yu Ling.

"Yes, Your Highnesses, a mere accident. Simply a foolish act on my behalf." Replied Yu Ling to the Princes.

"Oh! Is that so? Of course, then! Just an accident! There is no way a simple women could have thought of such a tactic!" the boozed General said laughingly.

"I don't believe her." Was all that both of the princes thought.

End of Chapter 7

Extra little tidbit.

"Miss Yu Ling! What was that weird hand bowing thing you did at the banquet!?" asked a curious Tito.

"Hah, it was just a simple gesture of respect, to bow with our hands placed in a half-fist to the respected one. It is how the people of my country show their respect." Said Yu Ling laughingly.

"Oh? I thought it was another one of your super cool hand combat moves!" said Tito, mimicking an upturned hand slicing the air diagonally.

So, tell me, what did you think about this chapter? :D

So, instead of going down to the battlefields on Aslan like Yuri, Yu Ling purposely set off the horses! :O

Please review~

Also, do you think I should actually just stay on the storyline of the manga? Or,,,?