Chapter 28: Autumn Flower
From Flora's perspective, there was much to celebrate. For the meantime, she had attained a well-earned respite with which to spend away from the fields of battle, and with Wu and Shu at peace, it seemed foolish not to enjoy the tranquillity before war with Wei erupted once again. The silver-eyed warriors currently stationed in China were now, thanks to the renewed alliance, reunited – at least for the most part. While Flora had not forgotten Galatea and her honour-bound service to Wei, was it not enough for now that the duties of Cynthia, Jean, Tabitha and Yuma were aligned with hers?
Therefore, she was not in the mood to refuse a handsome young man like Zhao Yun when he invited her to a date. At least, a date was what she assumed to be his agenda – what other business would a red-blooded, virile warrior have with her beyond that of a professional military relationship? And how long had it been since she had actually agreed to such a personal, intimate request? But something… compelled her to consent, when Zhao Yun had bowed before her and requested the pleasure of her company. "We have a day off-duty," he had said elatedly. "Would you like to spend it with me?"
At first, she had hesitated, not because she did not fancy his company, but because she feared he would be bored to tears. What did she have to offer? She was no scholar, nor was she an entertainer of the feminine delights. But Zhao Yun did not mind, bless him. He simply assured her that it would be a day well spent.
*
She waited in the guest hall, where four musicians had set up their instruments, chatting quietly and affably amongst themselves. Zhao Yun had apparently obtained permission from Liu Bei for them to perform – a rare privilege. But Zhao Yun was the champion of Shu, and revered amongst both commoner and noble for his daring feats against Cao Cao's legions. Therefore, it was natural for him to wield some position of influence in Chengdu. She felt rather flattered that he would exercise his authority just for the sake of entertaining her.
He arrived slightly later than expected; although it was evident he had prepared himself meticulously for their meeting. He kept his ponytail, although he had removed his characteristic silver armour, settling for a more mature, gentlemanly, more subdued outfit of a nobleman. His changpao was a gentle blue and grey; he resembled the perfect scholar – or at least, a scholar who was also a formidable warrior. But she had not held back, either. On the wise counsel of Yue Ying, she had chosen a flowing, stately gown, a clear azure and flowing across her curves, artfully teasing and tasteful, at once hugging and hiding her body's assets. She had crossed her legs, allowing her dress to fall past her thighs, revealing her attractive, sandalled legs. He could not help looking startled. It was as if he had seen a celestial deva – in this case, a woman from the Continent, from a strange culture that he still knew so little about. His voice was a simple murmur as she rose from her chair. "You… look beautiful." He offered a curious smile as she slowly curtsied before him. "What is that, milady? A custom from your homeland?"
"Yes," smiled Flora, "and I must let you know before anything else: you cut a most striking figure, Zilong – an arresting, inspiring figure that surely is the fruit of many years of struggle and tribulation."
The young man blushed. "Surely I'm not worthy of such extolment."
"What will it be today, Master Zhao?" asked one of the musicians – a performer of the stringed guqin, the most prestigious instrument in all the land. At his side were two players of the dizi, or the transverse flute, and a master of the two-stringed fiddle.
"It's up to Lady Flora," replied Zhao Yun. "Does she wish to choose a piece, or would you rather…"
She thought for several seconds. A mischievous possibility popped into her mind, and she decided to catch him off-guard. "Dance," she decided, "let us dance."
He blinked inquisitively at her. "Let me teach you how we dance. It is something that I learned, not too long ago on the Continent," she suggested. This will certainly keep him entertained. She smiled up at him. "Tell them now," she whispered. "Have them play their masterpiece for us. Whichever piece will do. "
Zhao Yun smiled and complied, waving for the musicians to start. The guqin began to resonate a foundational, ambient harmony across the hall, and after several breaks, the dizi players joined in, providing a delightful rhapsody to which the couple could waltz. The hall was brightened in tone and mood as the beautiful song became absorbed into the background. Satisfied, he turned back to her, nodding. To her amusement, he bowed in a rather inappropriate warrior's salutation. "Lady Flora… show me how they do it in your homeland. I wish to learn from you."
She inched closer. "Firstly, take hold of my waist." She felt her side tingling in anticipation as she felt his warm, shy touch sending shivers through her back. "Now, take my hand," she said. She raised their united palms just below his shoulder height. They had assumed an intimate, classical position taught by traditionalists of the Isles for many centuries. In contrast, the music of Shu felt exotic, mysterious and glamorous to her, and as the two-stringed fiddle joined in the melody, and the flutes began to rise in passion and pitch, she commenced their waltz, stepping to her side, and then backwards. "Stride like this, Zilong. One-two. One-two," she instructed, and for the first few minutes, she led, gently guiding him along, their bodies closely touching, turning and stepping in harmony with each other's feet.
"I think I'm getting the hang of this," he smiled.
Her raised heels brushed by his shoe, and he shifted compliantly, doing his best to trace and imitate her movements. "This is how I should be moving," said Flora, pre-empting him. "But eventually, you must lead me, and your body's motions will differ slightly to my own." She nodded, prompting him to take up the lead. "You need only remember the basic footwork. We can proceed as unhurriedly as we need." He tentatively stepped to his left, taking her with him cautiously. Straining to remember Flora's initial pace, he slowed his tempo, stepping in the four directions as she had advised, so that their bodies swept across the pillared hall in tandem with the fiddle's rising pitch. "You learn quickly," she murmured, impressed.
"You are most graceful in this art," replied Zhao Yun in admiration. "Wherever did you learn such elegant talent?"
"On the Continent, I saved a nobleman from being murdered by a Yoma. It was he who taught me the basics of this art in gratitude." She blinked, and blushed. "But… please. Do not flatter me with such fancy words; I am anything but graceful or elegant or talented. It is enough for me that this feels…" Her hand's grip tightened as she held his shoulder. "To dance with you… it feels wonderful." They gazed into each other's eyes, lost in mutual, intensifying attraction. "It is your turn. Lead, Zilong," she urged, her voice encouraging. "Do not worry about your inexperience. Take me as far as you can. That is more than enough."
They twirled across the open chamber, the melodic rhapsody filtering out into the courtyard and to the forests beyond. She continued to whisper her support, as his feet grew accustomed to her movement. As they continued to ease into the harmony of the flutes, fiddle and guqin, he began to master the dance, his strong, trained body in complete concord with her lithe, slender form. The flutes and fiddle began to reach a crescendo, and the guqin master's hands quickened, his vivace sending the couple twirling into an ecstatic spin. Confidently – perhaps too confidently – he attempted to spin her, and she followed his lead, absolutely trustful of his ability as he hastily swept down, catching her after she had completed her stylish twirl. "I'm sorry if I startled you with that," he breathed. "It just felt… somehow natural to do it."
She could not tear her eyes off him even if she wanted. "You are adventurous, my Lord," she blurted, staring up at him. She blinked, and gasped at her own words. "I'm sorry. I should not call you my Lord just yet – I mean," she began to stutter, "It is not certain that we will – "
Zhao Yun placed a gentle finger to her stammering lips. "You never know," he whispered, his young voice delighted and hoarse as he observed her reddening cheeks. "The future is certainly too far away. But don't get the wrong idea. I would be honoured to live in one that is blessed by your presence."
"Oh, Zilong – "
He swept her up into another closed position, in preparation for another round, and they commenced a new revolution, twisting together. They spun and spun, their bodies coming together, and Zhao Yun prepared to spin her again –
Then, it all suddenly fell apart.
He had moved too quickly, too nervously. His foot became entangled with her lower leg, and he tripped, tumbling down and bringing her with him. He instinctively wrapped her within his arms, his body thudding painfully against the carpeted floor. She let out a concerned squeak and the music abruptly ceased as the musicians raised themselves from their stools. "Master Zhao! Are you injured?" they cried.
"Zilong, did I do something wrong?" asked an unhurt Flora anxiously.
Silence pervaded the air, but not for long. Having nothing to answer his musicians with, an embarrassed Zhao Yun suddenly let out a boyish chortle. "I'm sorry, gentlemen. I think I grew too overconfident. And milady, please forgive my clumsiness. I certainly need to train harder before I can have a second honour of dancing with you!" Snug in his embrace, Flora stared at his laughing face, his youthful and charming countenance, her heart beating faster and faster. As he shook with mirth, she could not resist tittering too. They chuckled and giggled quietly in each other's arms, lying helplessly on the floor, holding each other, as the world around them slipped away and only their other half remained.
She had become his half, and he hers. "You can fight off the armies of Wei and fearsome Yoma, yet you slip and stumble on your own waltz partner," she sighed amusedly, cupping his face in her delicate hands. "You are a curious one, Zilong."
Filled with desire, unable to hide his longing any longer, he drew even closer, his lips pressing onto hers. She momentarily held her breath as he initiated their first ever kiss, and to the embarrassment of the musicians, she returned his daring. The kiss… her eyes widened, before closing again. It was, simply put, amazing. The couple moaned quietly on the ground, shifting to hold each other tighter as their lips united in passion. And as the instrumentalists hurriedly moved on to their next performance, Flora and Zhao Yun's dance was momentarily, just fleetingly, forgotten, as they breathed in the other, absorbed, enchanted, fascinated.
"Lady Flora," he whispered. "This might seem rushed… but I must confess that you fill me with nothing but inspiration to greater heights."
"I can only say the same of you, my Lord," she replied quietly.
They remained spellbound for the remainder of their first waltz together, lost in wide ponds of silver and chestnut.
*
Tired but extremely satisfied, they spent dinner together, in a humble teahouse amidst the streets of Chengdu. They talked and laughed and reflected on the bizarre circumstances that had brought them together, he a champion of the Shu Han cause, and she a former member of a now dying institute that created half-women, half-beasts to sustain its unfathomable machinations. Their conversation was shy, and not so many words were exchanged. His eyes wandered across her finery uncontrollably, whilst she remained staring, wide-eyed, at his gentility, his handsome, shining eyes, and the lean chest and shoulders that his nobleman's garb only just contained. Their meals were largely forgotten as they reached for each other across the circular wooden table, their hands touching and clasping. Without any pretext, or even a warning, she felt her heart falling, falling deeper and deeper into his eyes.
To dine with this knight of Shu, this champion of the Han, underneath the autumn moon… it was more than she could have ever hoped for. It was as if her assignment in China had become, if only for one magical night, a wonderful celebration. No demons, no Yoma. No Awakened Beings, no civil war between three mighty Kingdoms. There was only she and he, enjoying a light evening meal of fish, vegetables and rice.
"Miss Flora!" came a sudden, familiar voice, interrupting the quiet, enamoured couple.
Flora almost jumped as she looked up into Cynthia's happy eyes. Beside the Rising Dragon General stood Zhou Tai, although he had awkwardly chosen to remain in his black armour. He looked out of place in a civilian environs indeed, in contrast to Cynthia's beautiful, flowing crimson dress. "Miss Cynthia," replied Flora, "what a pleasant surprise to see you in Chengdu. May I ask why you have departed from Jiangdong to join us here?"
"We're here to assist in the Southern Expedition, of course! It's not just us – Miss Jean, Miss Tabitha, and Miss Yuma have all arrived too. Where they went for dinner, I don't know," she added. "But Tai's taking me out tonight. We've been dawdling aimlessly in the streets for a while now. This teahouse looked good, so we decided to try it." She giggled. "Is… is Master Zilong also – "
"Indeed I am," offered Zhao Yun, smiling. "Tonight is my first date with Lady Flora."
Cynthia suddenly blushed, as if realizing she had walked in on an intensely private appointment. "Well… we won't disturb you, then," she said bashfully, clutching at the arm of her lover. "Maybe we can meet at the festival markets later." And with that, the couple hurried off to find a table of their own. Zhou Tai turned his head and nodded silently in recognition, before disappearing with Cynthia into the throng of merrymakers and restaurant patrons.
"First… first date, is it?" whispered Flora, turning her attention back to Zhao Yun. His company was a blessing she never believed could be bestowed upon her. But tonight, she was proved wrong. It seemed that even silver-eyed warriors possessed a chance for true happiness.
Love was truly a phoenix that could never die. No matter how many times it was killed or betrayed, its flame would reignite, stronger and brighter than ever.
*
They had reunited with Cynthia and Zhou Tai after dinner, and the two couples departed for the markets together, buying sweets and celebrating their new formal alliance with lanterns and firecrackers. Radiant in her red dress, Cynthia clung to Zhou Tai's arm whilst Zhao Yun and the azure-garbed Flora held hands, browsing the boutiques and stalls that lined the lively streets. Zhao Yun had presented Flora with a beautiful scarf bought from one of the merchants. Flora sighed in awe and hugged her gift to her chest. "Thank you… this is beyond me… my Lord."
"It was nothing," laughed Zhao Yun, rubbing his nose. He suddenly winked at Zhou Tai. Taking the hint, the Wu admiral surreptitiously turned to a store vendor and purchased a pink sash while the Rising Dragon General was distracted.
"Cynthia," he growled gruffly, turning back around.
Her squeals of appreciation were worth the rather exorbitant price.
They bought dessert – it consisted of fresh fruit and dumplings, and everyone shared in each other's portions. "Flora, try mine… it's got a truly delectable texture about it," chuckled Zhao Yun, offering a large part of his dumpling to her.
His generosity did not go unnoticed. "Tai! Let me have yours," laughed Cynthia in competition, nibbling persistently and playfully at his gauntleted fingers. He merely smiled and handed his helping over to her. In silence, he also extended a piece of peach to Flora, who exchanged with Cynthia a slice of watermelon for a cut of orange.
Never had the warriors of China and the Continent experienced such peace together. The happiness of the present moment had been laid bare before them: their double date, their friendship and laughter… and their recreation by the moonlight. Their festivity matched those of the children, lovers and families that buzzed around them with their new toys and clothes. It was an enchanted night, a night of magic.
After much merrymaking, they wandered out of the bazaar to chatter by the lakes, Cynthia giggling girlishly whilst Zhao Yun joined in her giddy amusement in good-spirited fun. The quiet Zhou Tai could only share a doting, amused grin with the shy Flora. "Indeed… it feels far better to share sweets and light banter rather than cross blades," whispered the wavy-haired beauty, soothing down her dress. The autumn lantern that hung above the sky looked awesomely beautiful, as if it possessed a particular lustre that she had never noticed before. And the lake… it shimmered with a splendour that could not be described.
It is as if I can never feel lonely again…
"What did you say, Miss Flora?" asked Cynthia, nibbling at a piece of Zhou Tai's candy.
Flora started. "Oh… nothing important."
*
It felt rather heart-rending, returning home after the night had passed so quickly, like a blink on the horizon of eternal Heaven. They would see each other very soon, so their farewells were optimistic. Cynthia and Zhou Tai had returned to their inn while Flora and Zhao Yun withdrew to the barracks outside Chengdu. She had enjoyed his company… very much so, and her heart was tugging longingly as he stood outside her tent. "What a night," he quipped. "To think Master Zhou and Lady Cynthia would dine at my favourite teahouse, too. Surely, it was a stroke of good luck to meet with them again at the festival. I don't think I've spent this much since my brother's wedding.
"And they will be coming with us on the Southern Expedition, too." His eyes became thoughtful. "So it's true. That Wu and Shu will pour the power of the silver-eyed warriors together to bring down Luciela."
Flora glanced at him, before hastily looking away. "Yes," she agreed, clutching the scarf he had bought her. "But I…"
She had danced with him, and kissed him too. But did she feel so shy now? Why could she hardly speak?
Hold me now. Hold me now.
He smiled, dipping down and pressing himself gently on her lips. It was another tentative kiss, one that did not seek to impose upon her hospitality. "Thank you," he murmured, his hands finding her waist. They came together, and his voice grew quieter. "Thank you for teaching me so much. You have given me more than I could ever offer you today. I trust… you enjoyed it as much as I did?"
She felt her fingers pressing against his breastplate. "It was so much more. I was captivated beyond words. Thank you for taking me with you." She closed her eyes, leaning against his chest. "I wish to hesitate no longer. I don't want to hide from a man anymore. I wish to… hide within you."
Hold my once-frozen heart, now that it is melting for you.
"We have all the time in the world for more." He hugged her soft body. "I will always be here. As long as we're off-duty, I will be coming to you. Worry not."
"Yet even on the field of battlefield, I see you in my dreams," she mumbled.
He smiled. "Good night, Flora," he whispered, kissing her again. He reluctantly released her, and bowed before her one last time, before turning away to stroll back to his quarters in Liu Bei's residence.
She gazed at his retreating form wistfully.
My first date…
My first date… with my Lord.
Her heart was thumping loudly, and she could not sleep. She remained like that for the rest of the late night and early morning, unable to think of anything else except his smile, his strong hands, and his delicious lips.