Today, they would battle Wu. Sima Zhao would be leading Jia Chong, Wen Yang, and Zhong Hui into battle. The general couldn't help but worry about his advisor, however. The raven-head hadn't seemed fit for battle last night. He wasn't so sure about today. He had a bad feeling about it.
"Ah, my lord, may I talk to you?"
Speak of the devil and he shall come…
"Yes, of course, Jia. What is it?" Zhao turned to face his friend.
"Please, forget that last night ever happened. It's really nothing. Don't let it trouble you." The advisor looked at Zhao airily, looking almost bored per usual.
"…Respectfully, I can't just forget about it. But, I mean, I won't stop you from fighting." The Sima shrugged and stretched. "Do whatever you want, Jia. I don't care. Just, you know, try to be careful?"
"Of course, my lord. I always attempt to be careful, at the very least." Jia smiled and bowed his head before heading to his room to prepare for battle.
"My lord, I can't seem to find Zhong Hui anywhere!"
Zhao sighes and glanced at the person telling him this news. "Wen Yang, it's nice to see you awake and on time for battle. What about Zhong Hui?"
Wen Yang laughed nervously. "I am improving on my lateness, my lord. As for Zhong Hui, I honestly can't say that I know. I can't seem to find him anywhere. He shrugged. "Oh, and, you have a letter." He handed Zhao a folded paper, smiling faintly, "From your father."
"Thank you." Zhao cautiously opened the letter, reading it through. "Well, Zhong Hui rebelled. Father took care of it. I'm guessing that's why you were unable to find him."
Yang looked rather unsurprised. "I kind of figured that, honestly. He never was the type to be ruled over. Of course, it's a shame that we lost such a talented officer."
"In other words, he's an asshole. But, agreed. Who will fight in his stead, now, though?" The Sima sighed deeply.
"We'll just get Xiahou Ba to do it, I suppose." The knight shrugged. "He's generally at least slightly agreeable."
"True. It's decided then. Ba will assist us."
"What am I helping you guys with?" The said Xiahou piped up from behind them, smiling pleasantly.
"Zhong Hui rebelled, so…you're helping us today," Yan replied, sighing. "Shall we go now, then?"
"We have to wait for Jia," Zhao pointed out. "Have some patience, Yang." He chuckled quietly.
"Quite sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen. I'm ready to go now." Jia was now standing behind them, a bemused smirk on his face.
Yang turned around and swallowed, averting his eyes. "It's good to see you. Time to go now?"
Zhao nodded. "Yeah, now we should probably go."
And so…the odd bunch made their way to the battlefield. A laid back ruler, a cold-blooded advisor, a prideful knight, and an almost-traitor…they made quite the interesting group.
The battle was fairly easy. After all, this was just Wu. Nothing special any more, of course. Zhao scanned the surrounding battlefield. Yang was catapulting enemies away from him with his javelin, looking rather unimpressed. Ba was laughing, per usual, gleefully slashing through any soldiers that came near him.
Chong was…
Wait, where was Jia Chong?
"Damnit…" Zhao frowned. "Don't tell me…he went to fight Ding Feng already…?!"
"I won't let you anywhere near our lord!" Lianshi growled, glaring at her opponent, Jia Chong, vehemently.
Chong met her gaze evenly, raising an eyebrow. "Ah…I really hate to fight a woman and hurt her. It makes me feel so guilty in the morning."
"What a shame. I can't say that I really give a damn, considering that I'll probably kill you," the woman ground her teeth in frustration. "You bastard." She drew her crossbow and fired an arrow that whizzed past Chong's cheek, making a thin cut.
"Tut tut…make every arrow count, miss," Chong smirked, brandishing his throwing axes. Lianshi flinched, but her expression hardened.
"Just a warning." She drew another arrow, firing it quickly. The advisor dodged it easily, dashing forward and slashing along her shoulder. She bit back a cry of pain, firing another arrow.
Chong dodged it again, looking vaguely amused. "You seem to be running out of arrows, miss. What then?"
"Shut up, you dog." She spat, firing yet another arrow, which the raven skillfully evaded. "Just sit still!"
"I'm afraid I can't. I'm still needed in the battle. At least, for now," the advisor replied.
The woman scowled at him, loosing her final arrow. It missed him by a few inches this time, proving that her wound was starting to take its toll.
Chong advanced forward, raising his axes. He threw them both, making an 'X' on her torso. She cried out softly, falling back. The raven moved forward, kneeling in front of her. "I'm sorry," he said softly. "It's a shame things had to end this way. And we were doing so well together…"
Lianshi looked up at him for a few moments. She pulled an arrow from her boot and stabbed him in the chest with it before going limp, a small, accomplished smile on her face.
Chong's eyes widened in surprise and pain, but he smirked. Blood dribbled down his chin. "Oh…clever. But I'm…afraid I must go on, for now." He stood up straight, grimacing and making his way towards Ding Feng's chambers.