Chapter 27: A Phoenix from the Ashes
A month later, Baidicheng
Flora sat in the courtyard of Liu Bei's castle, her eyes friendly and inviting. Seven Chinese toddlers had accosted her, demanding that she stop and play with them. She lowered herself and let them flock around her, their curious and pudgy hands stroking at her fair hair, their young eyes fascinated and their voices eager. Several simply stared at her, gazing at her unusual silver eyes and her rare, pale complexion. She did not mind. They were adorable little angels, and she did her best to entertain them despite her exhaustion.
It was a welcome distraction from the affairs that she was supposed to be attending to.
Miria had been commissioned to forge a new alliance with Wu, even after a battle that had cut short the lives of so many on both sides. It was what Yue Ying and her husband had commanded, and Flora should have accompanied her as an envoy to Wu alongside Lord Zhuge Liang. But she did not. She was far too fatigued… in both her physical and mental faculties. Why, she was not sure. Perhaps it was her exchange with Cynthia that left her so worn out? No, it couldn't be. Perhaps it was the understanding that Yue Ying was grieving the loss of so many of her loyal men?
Either way… she kneaded her head, sighing. "I am weak," she murmured to herself. She raised her face to glimpse a drowsy and fatigued Zhao Yun approaching her. "You said you would join me half an hour ago," she chastised informally.
"Forgive me," said Zhao Yun, rubbing his sharp forehead as if to mirror her. "Lord Liu Bei has fallen ill again, but he should recover soon enough. The loss of so many of our men and leaders had taken a toll on his health for several weeks now."
"I can hear his coughing even out here…" she looked down at the smiling faces of the toddlers, their laughter and giggling music to her ears, especially after the tragedy at Yi Ling. "Most of our army is destroyed, and the King himself lies bedridden. Where do we go from here, Master Zilong? Where can we all go from here?"
Zhao Yun did his best to smile as he put a hand on her shoulder. "Our Lord, as courageous as he was, was also blinded by grief. He hadn't been prepared for the deadly attack by the Pyrotroopers and the Yoma. And that Wu general, Zhou Tai… " He paused. "Even I felt a twinge of fear when I looked into his yellow eyes. So you met him before, at Chi Bi. But regardless of what happened to make him into such a… killing machine, the next step for us is to renew the alliance with Wu. We must. We have no choice. If we pig-headedly cling to our old enmity on part of their betrayal at Fan Castle, Wei will no longer be threatened at all. Cao Cao will crush both Shu and Wu if we continue to mindlessly fight each other." He looked at her. "That's why Lady Miria was sent to Jianye, to devise a peace deal with Sun Quan."
Flora lowered her gaze, looking down at a squealing boy and cupping his happy face in her hands. "Will they assent? Do you think they will assent?"
He went on one knee, looking into her large eyes. "I'm afraid I don't know. That's when Lady Miria's charisma and leadership must shine." He took her hand, and the children watched them awkwardly. "Well, it doesn't matter either way. I will protect you with my life regardless, Lady Flora. That is my sincere desire. We are fellow warriors, after all."
"Master Zilong, I thank you… for coming to our aid when we believed all was lost," she replied gladly. "You are truly a beacon of hope in this dark, war-torn nation." She turned away avoiding his innocent, dark brown eyes. "Yet I wonder, noble soldier… have you ever thought of the possibility… that we may have become more than fellow warriors since Yi Ling?" she whispered.
His answer sent tingles through her spine.
"Yes."
*
Jianye
Miria stood beside Zhuge Liang in the court of Wu, surrounded by scowling officials and standing before Sun Quan's throne. The King's young and serious face was stern as she and Zhuge Liang bowed before him before laying out a new alliance plan between the two Kingdoms. Although the complete victory at Yi Ling had been enough to assuage his anger, his heart stirred with suspicion at Zhuge Liang's propositions. He did not attempt to hide it. After all, unless he agreed, they still remained at war – enemy states, competing for territory, military superiority, and political authority. Meanwhile, Cynthia stood beside Zhou Tai, staring at Miria as Zhuge Liang concluded his oratory. A hundred different emotions flooded through her mind as she watched the woman who was to be her leader during the Northern Expedition on the Continent. What did she think of their current quandary? Did she sincerely feel repentant of what she had done to Zhou Tai? Or had it been a mere front to cover for what she was doing now – to forge a new alliance with Wu despite Liu Bei's hatred for Sun Quan?
She could not be sure.
"It was Jingzhou that drove me to sever my friendship with Liu Bei, that thief," declared the Lord of Jiangdong, glaring down at Zhuge Liang. "But it was Liu Bei who took the step of outright invasion. Despite my overtures of peace, he would not even accept a truce, and forced me to confront his army at Yi Ling." His eyes flashed. "So, you still haven't answered my most pressing question, Shu diplomats: just why should I accept an aggressor's offer of an alliance? Don't think that I didn't lose precious men and officers, too! Consider my victory Wu's revenge for their deaths."
"It is on the orders of Lord Zhuge Liang that I accompanied him to request this alliance," said Miria smoothly. "And if I may speak personally… I harboured my own doubts about the brewing hostility between Shu and Wu even before the Battle of Yi Ling. Many in the Shu high command nurtured similar misgivings."
"And yet you still followed your King… to defeat!"
Zhuge Liang waved his fan almost dismissively. "That is irrelevant. We will follow Lord Liu Bei wherever he leads us, for that is the duty and honour of a filial Han. Surely your subjects would do the same. But you must understand that like us, you also face the threat of a two-front war… from the Awakened Beings as well as Cao Cao's armies. Their power is far greater than the strength that we can muster on our own. If we are to survive the coming storm, we must stand together.
"Therefore, it is for your people's protection that you must unite with us in a treaty of solidarity. As I have already expounded, the proof of our sincerity will be undeniable and transparent. The territories of Jing will not longer be contested; they will belong to you. The fertile heartland just below the Central Plains may be shared between us. Eventually, the northern China can also be split between us, should we cooperate adequately to form a united front. That is the only path to survival and to prosperity."
"But will I not achieve the same thing if I ally with Wei instead?"
Miria stepped forward. "You will only condemn your Kingdom to subservience. If you enter into service under Cao Cao, you may well be allied with the Wei state. But you must remember that he also holds the position of Imperial Chancellor, and can abuse his power in the Emperor's name as he pleases. The dukes will not obey you; they will kneel before him. In other words, you will be a puppet, a pawn in this game of war that he has been playing for so many years."
Sun Quan stared at her, mulling over her counsel. She met his eyes confidently. "Isn't the legacy of the Wu Kingdom worth more than such humiliation?" she continued. "Stand beside equals, and fight the demons roaming China alongside those who would treat you as a comrade rather than as a vassal. Together, we can resist Wei's aggression and combine our strength together to destroy the Awakened Beings that control the Yoma."
Sun Quan nodded, closing his eyes briefly.
Father… Brother… I have done nothing except what I thought was the best for our people. You've never met a silver-eyed woman before, have you? You never fought a beast as monstrous as those Awakened Beings, either. You two left me behind on my own with Shang Xiang to watch over this Kingdom… and now, I stand at a crossroads. To trust in rivals who almost struck down your legacy… or to throw myself to the mercy of that villain, Cao Cao.
I know you valued the streaks of independence in us, Father. But even your son must seek, or accept, allies and friends… especially when he's threatened on all sides.
He opened his eyes and stared at Miria. "I have to acknowledge… that I cannot let my father and brother's legacy die for the sake of an alliance… much less reduce myself to a puppet prince for the Imperial Chancellor. At this crucial point, I need to choose carefully, and realistically.
"I'd like you to restate your terms. Are you saying that we're to open up a two-front war with the Wei Kingdom, in order to overthrow Cao Cao and his armies? And that we'll share his empire after our victory?"
"Yes," said Zhuge Liang, waving his fan in satisfaction. "It will bring us one step closer to both your and our visions. It does not matter how long we must fight. We will return to our old entente, leaving our enmity and pain behind. We must walk the path to peace together."
Sun Quan paused, the hesitation in his eyes fading. "Peace for Wu's people. Peace for your people. And eventually… peace for Wei, too?"
"Peace for All Under Heaven," affirmed Zhuge Liang quietly.
Silence descended upon the court as Sun Quan slowly pondered his reply.
"It seems that your desire parallels my own," he finally said, nodding with newfound resolve. "I can only trust that someone of your calibre truly is genuine in his proposal." He stood, and raised his fist. "You've spoken well. If Liu Bei is willing to leave the past in the past, then I will do so too. Zhuge Liang! We were once allies. You helped to save the Wu Kingdom from Cao Cao at Chi Bi. It pained my heart to see you riding alongside your vengeful King at Yi Ling. But if I had a chance to change it all… then I would." He smiled. "And I think that chance has come today."
The Sleeping Dragon bowed before him. "This is all that Lady Miria and I can do. Our respects to the King of Wu, as we walk together to restore the dignity of this nation under Heaven."
"Very well," replied Sun Quan. "With your sincerity as your watchword, I will re-establish the alliance between us… the alliance that once served us so well against our common enemy. I'll join forces with Shu… and we'll resist Wei and the Awakened Beings together." He rose from his throne and swept a hand out to the officials that stood at the flanks of the royal chamber. "Ministers of Wu! Today I declare the Shu-Wu Alliance reinstated. Show Minister Zhuge to the guest chambers. We will be redrafting a treaty as expeditiously as possible."
Cynthia's eyes widened. Their onetime alliance… reinstated?
The tall and stoic Zhou Tai glanced at his King and friend, and smiled to himself. Sun Quan was a serious individual that lacked the sense of humour the deceased Sun Ce radiated so effortlessly. He constantly pounced at any opportunity to prove himself a worthy member of the Sun family, despite the fact that his subjects had already universally acknowledged his ability and talent. Deep down, his impulse to bring pride to his people shone through his muscled body like nuggets of gold.
Miria blinked in surprise as Cynthia hurried down from the dais and embraced her without warning, sobbing quietly in apology. "Hostilities are now behind us, Number Six," whispered the Rising Dragon General. "I'm so happy. Now I can finally say to you: welcome to Wu." Miria smiled faintly in return, patting Cynthia gingerly on her back, whispering for her to pull herself together as Sun Quan cleared his throat to speak again.
"I would like to tell you something before you go, Minister Zhuge and Lady Miria. I haven't forgotten why the silver-eyed warriors were dispatched to our nation in the first place. Several weeks ago, two more sailed into the ports of southern China, seeking to reinforce us after Luciela's appearance at Fan Castle. Of course, if we're to be allies, I shouldn't hide their presence from you. They look inexperienced, but full of potential." He gestured outwards. "I thought I might introduce them to you, but you may already know them from your time on the Continent."
Miria turned around the noise of tinkling greaves. Sun Quan's new warriors had arrived in the Throneroom. Her eyes widened at the sight of a ponytailed young lady, and a longhaired girl with a single, slender fringe draping across her face. Sun Quan's intuition was correct: they were indeed double-digit Claymores, and therefore inexperienced, but she had to agree with him that they did not resemble weaklings in the least.
"Tabitha? And Yuma!"
"Lady Miria," nodded Tabitha, her eyes meeting her senior's. "The honour is mine. I had hoped we would not have been forced to disband after the Northern Expedition's cancellation. But I see we've all been reassigned to deal with a far more dire threat."
"These two will be serving under Cynthia and Admiral Zhou," smiled Sun Quan. "They are honoured guests from a foreign land, so I hope they don't hesitate to ask for handmaidens or servants."
Yuma blushed as the uniformed Claymores bowed in respect. "Of… of course not."
Miria smiled. Jean, Cynthia, Tabitha and Yuma have come to protect the people of Wu, whilst Kongming has recruited Flora, Clare, Helen, Deneve and myself. I hate to admit it, but this is quite a capable strikeforce. She spoke again. "Lord Sun. Given that Shu and Wu now fight side-by-side, the silver-eyed warriors of both Kingdoms would do well to serve as a united front against the Yoma."
"Yes," said Sun Quan, "excellent idea! You would make a fantastic battalion together."
*
"You are an eloquent stateswoman indeed, Lady Miria," praised Zhuge Liang, bowing before her outside the palace courtyard. He fanned himself, as if he was fed up of standing before the Wu high officials. "I believe their King was convinced only because you supported me. The price of leaving Jing in Sun Quan's hands is more than worthwhile, if we can prevent a repeat of Yi Ling. The strategy you have formulated with me will ensure our two states will be on equal footing against Wei while we deal with the Yoma separately."
Miria allowed herself a short sigh. That hadn't been so difficult – at least, in the presence of all those officials. It was nevertheless tiring; to speak like a leader when she wasn't sure she was worthy to be one. "It's the least I could do. After all, we all did advise Xuande against his campaign of vengeance."
"Our Lord is naïve at times, but I would far prefer his world to that of Cao Wei's design," said Zhuge Liang. "And so despite his mistakes, his shortcomings, and even those weaknesses that threaten his very humanity – I still stand by him, wholly devoted to his dream of a rejuvenated Han Dynasty." He bowed before her again. "I trust that you will continue to lend your most valued services to Shu, along with your sworn vow to protect our people from the Yoma."
Miria nodded, pleased. "I'll do what I can, Kongming."
"Now, one thing remains to be done while Wu mobilizes against Wei," mused Zhuge Liang quietly. "And that is to pacify southern China… and rid it of Luciela's presence." His gentle eyes turned to look at the blue sky. "If we can defeat that Awakened Being once and for all, we may be able to partially solve the mystery of her kind's presence in China." He rubbed his nose in a rare display of exhaustion. "I have an inkling that she will not give up simply because she lost Fancheng to Wu. Yet each time she comes, we will push her back – until I can solve the mystery of my constant visions. Those visions of that brown-haired lass, and her blond companion."
"Priscilla, and Isley," confirmed Miria darkly. "Their very presence is wounding China."
"We must move quickly. The generals of Wei surely know of what happened at Yi Ling now. We must pre-empt them. But at the same time, the Awakened Beings could take advantage of our current weakness and launch an unmitigated attack with impunity. We have no choice but to ensure that a disaster like that never transpires."
Miria nodded. "The southern expedition it shall be, then," she said, "and our target shall be Luciela herself."