Two months. That was all it had been. Still, it felt like an eternity had passed since that night when she had agreed to marry him. Ma Chao had not been convinced that he would be able to wait so long. There was a hole in his heart that would not be filled until Xing was safe again. He could not walk past the stables or out into the villages without feeling that dull ache in his chest. He could not even look at poor Nightwind, who had been inconsolable after Xing's capture.
And yet, he had managed to wait without losing control. Zhang Rui and Ling Mao had somehow convinced him that this was the only way to save his beloved. But they had told him it would be a month. Now, his patience was beginning to wear thin. If the tracking parties could not find her, he would march into Wei territory and find out from someone else where she was. Surely someone must know.
He heard footsteps coming towards him, and both Ling Mao and Jiang Wei were soon standing on either side of him. "What is this?" Mao said with a grin. "The great Ma Chao is in contemplation?"
"I am not in the mood," he growled.
"Perhaps this will put you in a better mood." Jiang Wei held out a small scroll. "We received the final note today. It is time to bring your future wife home."
Chao snatched it from him and scanned it quickly. "When are we leaving? What's the plan? How many soldiers are we bringing? Curse you two, answer me!"
"Relax, my friend," Mao said.
Wei nodded. "Masters Zhuge Liang and Zhang Rui asked us to find you. Everyone else is in the great hall right now. I believe we leave tonight."
The three made their way back into the castle. Jiang Wei was right; all of the rebel leaders and Shu officers were gathered in the main hall. Liu Bei was seated on his throne, flanked by his sworn brothers, and the two strategists were in front of him with the map spread on a table. Both looked up as the three men entered. "Ah, so you have not marched off to Wei," Liang noted with sarcasm.
"What is the plan? Jiang Wei said we may be leaving tonight." Ma Chao tried not to show how anxious he was to go, and he knew he was failing. Focus, he told himself. Focus on the mission. It was something Xing had repeated to him many times over the course of her stay, when his mind wandered to other things.
"Our informant in Wei has told us of movement among the officers. Cao Pi has sent a large portion of his army north to deal with an unidentified threat. His holding in the forest, which we have finally infiltrated, is now very lightly guarded. We are now in a good position to bargain with him."
"How so?" asked Liu Bei. "We have held Cao Cao for two turnings of the moon. Surely by now, his son will no longer need him."
Rui shook his head. "He is young and capable, yes. But the spy tells us that he is preparing to make an announcement. Wei has believed his father to be ill all this time. Now the prince is prepared to tell the people Lord Cao Cao is dead and declare himself emperor. We must move now in order to stop this. If he makes this claim, our chance to get Lady Yang back safely will be lost. We would have to wait much longer before she was released."
Chao frowned. "What did your informant say about her condition?"
"Lady Yang is alive, although they did not say to what degree. It was suggested that we bring a significant force with us to help bring her home."
"It sounds like a ruse to me," Zhuge Liang said softly.
"At any other moment, I would agree," Rui said. "But our spy has given us valuable information that has proven to be true. My own meditations have told me that it is time to act. So we shall press forward with this mission."
At length, the two strategists laid out the plan for the other officers and leaders. By the time the sun had completely set, the courtyard was filled with both Shu and rebel soldiers. Ma Chao sat anxiously atop Storm Runner. To his right, Ling Mao and Man Zhu were readying their own steeds. Zhao Yun was on his left, looking grim. "I hope this works," he said.
Chao nodded. "As do I. So much is riding on the success of this mission." For himself, at least.
"This will work." Man Zhu hauled himself into the saddle of his horse. "The hardest part will be getting to Xing. After that, the path will be clear."
There were some cheers behind them, and they turned to see a rather large group of black and white clad soldiers entering the capital. Both Mao and Zhu gave a chilling shout to them in return. "By the gods, Zhang Rui wasted no time. He must have sent the call as soon as the final note was in our possession."
"Indeed, Mao," Zhu replied. "At least half of Jiang Si has turned up."
Zhang Rui immediately divided the fresh wave of soldiers into companies, sending one towards the foursome. All bowed low to them. "My lords, please accept our aid as your rescue the Lady Yang Xing. Wei will cower at our strength!"
Mao laughed. "You do us all a great honor, my friends."
The young man who had spoken before bowed again. "Through our lady, we are now aligned with Shu. It is we who carry the honor."
"You know about the engagement?" Zhao Yun asked, slightly baffled.
"Lord Zhang Rui has been keeping the provinces informed of all the progress here in Cheng Du. We were delighted to hear that Lady Yang had finally found the other half of her soul." He turned to Ma Chao. "We offer you the blessings of the provinces on your union. Just make sure to let her visit sometimes. It is her spirit that keeps our hopes alive."
Ma Chao bowed to them from his seat, shocked at their unwavering loyalty and understanding. "You have my word."
"Lord Ma Chao!" A little voice slowly wove its way through the crowd of soldiers until it was between Chao and Mao. It was Ren, the young stable boy who had taken care of the Shu horses while they were in Jiang Si. His grin covered most of his face. "I just wanted to wish you luck! Take good care of Storm Runner and bring Lady Yang home!"
"Again, you have my word." Ren bowed low to him and took a step back. Another young boy was behind him, one that Chao recognized. Teng put a hand on the smaller boy's shoulder and nodded to him. In that moment, a lifetime of understanding passed between the soldiers of Shu and of the provinces. The two boys, born into different worlds and leading different lives, shared a common goal to regain that which was taken from them. They did not know each other, but still they understood each other. Ma Chao realized, in that moment, why the rebels had no problems with letting Xing go. She would forever be the link between them. Like the two boys, she would have no problems fitting in, for she had already been accepted despite her oddities. There would be no ill will between Shu and Jiang, if the children were any indication.
Ren hurried back towards the castle with some of the others who would not be fighting. Teng, with help from Zhu, pulled himself into the saddle behind the rebel leader. He said nothing. Silence settled over the courtyard as everyone focused on their missions. After a moment, Zhang Rui and Zhuge Liang lead their horses towards the northern entrance to begin the march. Liu Bei raised his hands in salute to the soldiers as they headed towards their destination. Ma Chao saw in his face a glimmer of hope. He looked at his lord and nodded, receiving one in return. He would bring Xing home to Shu.
Cao Pi closed his eyes as he leaned back. There was no one else with him, save a few guards by the door and one behind the throne. Most of the castle was asleep, but his dreams were restless and he had been unable to join the others in slumber. It was the eve of his announcement. He should have been able to drift off peacefully. Instead, he was tormented.
In his hands was a letter from Sima Yi. The strategist had given it to him before retiring himself, something about an unrest that had settled over Shu. The news brought him little comfort. Their spies had been feeding him similar information for months now. Cheng Du was harboring the rest of the rebel leaders, but nothing had been done. A few of them had returned home a week ago. It was a good sign. Perhaps their alliance was crumbling as they found themselves unable to save their beloved Xing. A smile touched the corner of his mouth.
He wasn't quite sure what forced him to open his eyes. A quick scan of the room showed that no one else had entered. The guards' faces were unchanged. Still, something was not right. He waited a moment before standing up from his seat. "You," he said, pointing to one of the guards by the door. "Check outside and make sure nothing is happening."
The man bowed and left without a word. A moment later, he returned. "All is quiet, Lord Cao Pi."
The prince nodded and sat back down, still unnerved. Was he becoming jumpy over the slightest thing now? Perhaps he should return to his chamber and talk with Zhen Ji. She always had a way of calming him. Or maybe he would slip down into the cells. A bout with his favorite prisoner might make him feel better…
"My Lord!" There was a knock at the door, and the guards quickly opened it to reveal one of Wei's spies. "There is an unknown person approaching. Actually, there are three of them. They appear to be alone, but they are demanding to see you. Shall I let them in?"
"I want them searched for weapons before they enter." His uncomfortable feelings had returned. Three lone travelers at this hour? Something was wrong. But he would not be a coward, not now. Maybe he would kill them on the spot, or throw them into an empty cell. His temper was almost as famous as his father's. Even strangers should know that a late night visit was not in their best interest.
Seven soldiers accompanied the three travelers into the throne room. Two were heavily cloaked and bent over, likely old men who wanted shelter for the night before disappearing in the morning. He had encountered those like them before. The third, however, was a young boy. He could not have been older than ten. He carried himself well despite his appearance. Cao Pi noted a brightly colored cloth tied around his belt with amusement.
The boy bowed to Pi. "My lord, I have traveled from the Province of Jiang Si with a request for you. The rebel leaders wish to trade prisoners and call a truce."
"Truce? A truce for what? I have not attacked the provinces. They have nothing to bargain with."
"With all do respect, my lord, you have and they do."
Pi smirked. "Oh? I suppose you are also going to tell me that you are one of the rebel leaders and that your hooded friends are your guards."
"Something like that."
The boy's smile made the prince uneasy, but he refused to show him that. "Enlighten me."
"The attack on Shu was felt all the way in the provinces. You captured one of our leaders and have held her for two months now. We, in turn, have found your father. He will be returned unarmed if you will do the same."
Cao Pi laughed. Was this really happening? Who did this boy think he was? "See this child to the gates and do not let him or his friends in again. I grow weary of his babbling."
The guards took two steps before the doors flew open. An instant later, they were in a heap on the floor. Cao Pi recognized Zhao Yun among the small group, and the other two looked to be rebel leaders. The skirmish had brought more guards to the door, but the prince held up a hand to stop them from killing the intruders. "Impressive. But not enough."
"Good, because we're not done." One of the hooded men threw back his cloak. Ma Chao growled at the young man in front of him. "Give me back my fiancée, you mongrel."
"Fiancée? Oh, you mean the rebel that I captured. She is a member of the Jiang Provinces, last I checked. Not a member of Shu." Pi refused to let them see that he was unnerved by this situation. How had the soldiers missed the famed officer through his hood? How had the other three been able to infiltrate the base? And who was under the other hood?
One of the rebels snorted. A young man, with hair the color of the sun, pointed his sword straight at the prince. "Lady Yang is of both Shu and Jiang. We are here to see her home. Bring her out and we will trade prisoners."
"I see no one with which to trade."
The other leader took two steps and ripped the hood off of the other man. Pi paled as his father swayed a bit, a livid purple bruise along his left cheek. He was clearly unhappy. "There's our prisoner," the leader barked.
Cao Pi sat down and grinned. "So, you have brought my father to me alive. But why should I give up your precious Xing? I am more than capable of ruling Wei by myself. You will have to do better than that. Besides, she came with me willingly. Perhaps she does not want to return to Shu or the provinces."
"Enough!" Chao gripped Cao Cao's shoulder and tightened his hold, bringing the man to his knees. "Xing would never go anywhere with you unless it was for another person. Lord Liu Bei's wife attested to that. Bring out my future bride."
"The only future she has is with me. Go ahead and kill my father. I have no use for him."
"You will when we release him," the boy said. "Yes, we have no intention of killing him. When your people discover that he is alive, do you think they will continue to support you? Your own head will be removed from your shoulders before you realize it."
The other guards were whispering to themselves. Cao Pi looked from the smug face of the boy to the hardened ones of the Shu and rebel officers. His father looked too distraught to know what was going on. Ma Chao's face was filled with fury, one that would have him dead on the floor before he could blink. The prince was backed into a corner.
Pi motioned to the guard behind him. "Bring up the prisoner. We'll see if they want her after they get a good look at her." The guard grinned and disappeared.
"What sort of question is that?" Ma Chao spat. "Do you really think we plan on leaving her here?"
"Only you will be able to make that decision. There is not much left of her to take home." The intruders all paled significantly.
A moment later, the guard reappeared. In his hands was the bleeding, broken body of Xing. He unceremoniously dropped her on the flood in front of Cao Pi before taking up his position again. The two rebel leaders cried out but did not move. Pi noticed the young boy holding up a hand to Ma Chao to make sure he did not bolt. "As I said," replied Cao Pi, "there is not much left to take home."
"I will sever your head from your body where you sit!" the older of the leaders shouted.
"If you killed her, I swear to the gods…" Ma Chao faltered, his anger getting the better of him.
Xing stirred. She tried to lift her head, but the pain was too great. Pi couldn't help his grin of satisfaction. There was no way she would survive the trip back to Cheng Du in the state she was in. "Qui? Chao?" Her voice cracked.
"Xing!" Ma Chao took a step forward, but Pi held up his hand.
"My father, first."
Chao yanked the Wei leader up from the ground and pulled back his arm to shove him forward. Before he could make contact, Xing's voice filled the chamber. "Chao! Stop."
The room fell silent. "Why?"
"Be the better man. You have had your revenge…you have proven yourself…stronger. Let him go…" She faltered and coughed, sending blood across the floor.
He grabbed Cao Cao's shoulder again, but pulled him back to hiss into his ear, "Be grateful someone outside of your kingdom cares about your sorry hide." He pushed him forward without sending him to the ground. One of the guards quickly helped him out of the room.
Cao Pi remained unmoving. "Take your filthy whore and get out of my sight. You have five minutes before I send my army out after you."
Chao and the younger leader moved forward and gently picked Xing up off of the ground. Her hair was askew, and most of her skin was bruised or cut. The rope around her wrists had cut deep into her flesh. One of her arms was bandaged as if it had been broken. Despite her injuries, she was able to walk with support from the men.
Before they reached the door, Ma Chao turned back to Cao Pi. "Four minutes," the prince said.
"Be warned, Pi. If you ever touch her again, I will make sure it is the last beautiful thing you remember." They turned and walked out of the room, leaving a very annoyed looking Cao Pi behind.
The path back down to the gate was crawling with Wei soldiers, but most of them hurried out of the way as the group carried Xing to freedom. Many of them were unaware that the famed rebel leader was a prisoner there, and it seemed that even fewer knew of her injuries. Added to that, two more rebel leaders and two of the most feared officers of Shu were guarding her. It was enough to make most of the men nervous.
At the gate, however, one soldier moved to stand in front of them. Ma Chao made to say something to the man, but Xing placed a hand across his arm. "I know him," she whispered. "He stood watch outside of my cell."
The soldier bowed. "I am sorry that you had to endure so much, my lady."
"You saved my life once. I owe you all the gratitude I can muster."
"No, Lady Yang. It is we who owe you gratitude. You stood up to Cao Pi for her. For that, she asked me to give you this." He held out a small pouch, which Pang Qui took. "A safe journey to you, and much luck in your future."
"Thank you," she said. He bowed again, and they walked through the gate. As it shut loudly behind them, Xing fell into a deathlike slumber. The last thing she saw was a rather odd mix of green, white and black rushing towards her with many arms stretched out.
A/N: One more chapter and epilogue to go...