Zhi could not help but gaze in astonishment at the great castle that towered before her. It was the largest building she had ever seen; in fact, it appeared to be many buildings connected by open breezeways and lavishly maintained garden courtyards. People of all trades bustled about diligently, pointedly ignoring her and the soldiers.
They entered the heavily guarded main gates and Zhi gasped at the beauty of the main causeway of the central courtyard; cherry trees in full blossom edged the path of crushed white gravel that sparkled in the spring sun. Pink petals dripped sumptuously from the trees. It was a profound moment when she realized that Nature could still provide such decadent beauty, disdainful of the land shrouded in the murky threat of war.
They dismounted, or rather, the soldiers dismounted and Zhi was dragged unceremoniously from her horse. The horses were handed off to young stable boys and Zhi was prodded into the castle.
The interiors were gracefully unadorned in a simple beauty that exuded tranquility. So despite her intention to remain vigilant, Zhi found herself calmed by the understated magnificence of the place.
The veritable maze of hallways eventually led to a small but tastefully decorated audience chamber. A low table stained black was set with porcelain dinnerware. A screen in one corner depicted cranes in flight and Zhi saw that the plates and mugs depicted a similar motif of water bird and stylized trees.
The lieutenant suddenly slipped a knife through the rope that bound her hands behind her back. Pain bloomed through the length of her arms as she brought them before her and massaged circulation back into them. Zhi had no time to form any other thought because he strode into the room from a different door.
She tensed as she watched him come into the room. He was of medium height and obviously a warrior for the casual and vigorous grace of his movements. He wore a neatly trimmed goatee that hugged his jaw and chin. It did not conceal the attractive shape of his face. The lines of middle-age only added character to a face that had very likely been almost pretty as a youth. For all his attractiveness Zhi could not stem the uneasiness that trickled into her mind, for even from across the room, his eyes radiated a cold, unwavering intelligence.
She abruptly found herself on a knee and winced as it cracked painfully on the chill marble floor. She turned and glared, for one of the soldiers had deftly planted stiff fingers into the back of her knee. An attempt to lunge at the offending man resulted in three points of steel ringing her throat. Teeth grinding, she turned back to face the newcomer striding with a warrior's grace towards them.
"You are to show proper respect when Lord Cao Cao enters," hissed the lieutenant. He and his soldiers dropped to a knee, knuckles of either hand pressing the floor on either side of their raised knees, pikes placed precisely along their right sides. They all bowed their heads.
"Now, now; there is no need for roughness. I am sure the Lady can be excused from formalities for the moment."
"Aye, my Lord," the lieutenant intoned. His voice was properly respectful, void of any emotion.
"You may go," Cao Cao said imperiously. "You have performed your duties well in keeping the lady unharmed, lieutenant."
The soldiers came to their feet and bowed, almost reverently. The lieutenant sliced through her bonds before they left silently, leaving Zhi alone with the General. She struggled to her feet, her right knee throbbing. She resisted the urge to tend to it and instead faced Cao Cao, struggling with fear and hate. Her heart pounded with the emotions. She absently rubbed her tingling wrists as life returned to them, wincing slightly.
"Please, seat yourself," Cao Cao urged politely, gesturing to the table. "We have much to discuss."
Zhi conjured up her courage.
"I have nothing to discuss with you," she said, noting with chagrin that her voice trembled a bit on her last word.
So much for my pathetic attempt at dignity, she thought.
Cao Cao's eyebrows rose slightly. Zhi braced herself as the neutrally pleasant voice steeled to match the cold hardness of his eyes.
"My, my," he murmured. His soft voice frightened her even more than a forceful tone would have.
"A little show of spirit. Usually a sign of courage, but in your case…" he paused to study her and Zhi became all too aware of her more than disheveled state.
"No, I think not." His voice became sharp. "Your intractability is more akin to that of an ignorant peasant, unused to dealing with his betters."
A fine trembling suffused her body, born of fear, rage, and humiliation. His words became more biting.
"I will tell you frankly then. That collar about your neck was created by my resident sorcerer. While wearing it, you will be rendered helpless, and as I am sure you are aware of by now, attempting to remove it or use your magic will result in most unpleasant circumstances. Its function is to prevent you from using your magic against us until you can be trusted."
Zhi began to form an idea as he spoke and was careful to keep her eyes neutral. Unfortunately, Cao Cao had obviously thought of her plan beforehand.
"If you successfully escape, it will slowly kill you within a predetermined amount of time."
With that devastating pronouncement, he seated himself at the table. Summoned through some means Zhi had failed to notice, servants began to enter the room, each carrying a platter of food or drink. She continued to stand before the General, stunned and unsure.
Cao Cao spoke, gesturing once again to the setting across the table from him. His voice and expression resumed their pleasant casts as he said,
"So, please, sit down. I will outline my offer to you."
And so, with no better objective to act upon, Zhi sat upon silk cushions across from him and listened as the General poured her tea.
"It is unfortunate," Cao Cao said a few moments later, after they had been served. Zhi fairly salivated and her jaw ached as she stared at the feast before her. Rice scented with jasmine, tender slices of meat and vegetables flavored with garlic, and citrus sauces were placed before her on the delicate porcelain.
Cao Cao sipped his tea and placed the mug before him, looking at her intently as he spoke.
"Zhang Jiao had the choice to wield your not so insignificant magic against the Allies. Yet he used you as a glorified sentry!" He laughed, an abrupt but sincerely amused sound. "With your trained magic at his disposal, he very well could have defeated us." Cao Cao shook his head. He seemed almost disappointed.
"Ignorant fool."
They ate in silence for a few moments. While Zhi was baffled by what exactly this conversation was leading to, the food was distracting. After a week of less than marching rations and an entire winter of hard bread and dried jerky, the culinary feast before her was overwhelming to her senses.
"However," Cao Cao continued abruptly, "I will not make the same mistake. I ask you to join me. Upon completion of basic military training, I will advance you immediately to the rank of Liutenant and place you within one of my elite guard units under either Dian Wei or Xu Zun. Sima Yi, my head sorcerer, will advance your training in the use of your magic and organize your intellectual studies.
"You will be treated well; paid and given quarters as befits a vital officer in my army, and offered opportunity for advancement should you prove your worth."
Zhi stopped wolfing her food and stared at him. The opportunity to serve as an officer in a powerful army such as his was rarely offered and a great honor. She was instantly suspicious. She swallowed a mouthful of food.
"Why do you offer me so much? I am a prisoner of war and fought against you."
Cao Cao smiled.
"I am willing to forgive much and offer a great deal for one with talents such as yours."
Zhi feigned ignorance. He couldn't know very much about her magic. But his sharp mind saw right through her act. His eyes narrowed for a moment in displeasure.
"Do not be coy with me, girl. My head sorcerer informs me that you are possessed of immense magical power could you but control your strength. I would not allow such a powerful weapon to fall into other hands with intentions… dissimilar to my own."
"What happens to me if I do not desire to be part of your army?"
A lazy smile curved his lips. His look was predatory and Zhi went cold to the marrow.
"As I just said, a powerful weapon cannot be allowed go free."
He scared her, as he had meant to, and Zhi could not hide her fear. Cao Cao's smile softened and he returned his attention to his food. She did the same, thinking furiously.
It seemed there was no way out of the situation. Zhi felt sickened, and a traitor to her brother as she considered the choices she had. Service in an army she had never had any intention of joining, or death granted by the mysterious necklace or Cao Cao's own executioner. It appeared as if the only way out of joining a Han army was through death.
However, Zhi was not one to take that path. As long as there was life, there was hope. She supposed that in time she could comprise plans to escape. But for the moment she could accept, throw herself into her duties, and gain the trust of the General and his officers. In the meantime, if she could learn to use her magic capably and gain some skills, so much the better. Bowing her head, Zhi whispered,
"Liang, forgive me."
Cao Cao looked up at her.
"What was that?"
"I accept your offer."
"Ah! Excellent. You will be much pleased with your decision." He snapped fingers briskly and Zhi watched a woman near her own age enter the room, head bowed demurely.
"Anli, please escort Lady Bai Zhi to the chambers prepared for her when she finishes her meal."
He stood and bowed his head to her.
"Please excuse me, Lady. Anli will attend to you. I will have a dispatch sent when you are to be summoned to join your training platoon. Expect it within the week. Sima Yi will visit with you early this evening to discuss the details of your assignments and your duties in the meantime."
He left Zhi sitting alone in the great castle to finish the delicious meal. The handmaid, Anli, waited patiently as she finished her meal, and then with a graceful bow, escorted her away from the Crane Room.
Anli led Zhi to a suite of rooms already exquisitely furnished. A small sitting chamber preceded a larger bedroom which led to a balcony overlooking one of the lavish courtyard gardens. From the railing, Zhi could see brightly colored fish darting about in a small pond below. An enormous wisteria grew radiant lavender blossoms on lush vines that trailed extravagantly into the water. Brightly colored songbirds splashed in various birdbaths scattered about. Zhi inhaled deeply of the subtle fragrance of the wisteria. She thought wryly that it would not be extremely difficult to like it here.
Then Anli ushered her into the large space within the bedroom where steaming buckets of water were being poured into a good sized washing tub by younger girls.
Zhi eyed the bath water with delight and grinned at Anli, who smiled back. Soft towels were laid on a stool within reach of the tub. A bright blue silk gown was laid across the bed, which was by far the biggest she had ever slept in. Anli left the room and Zhi was left alone to bathe.
She discarded her clothes, stiff with grime and ragged at knees and hems, with some disgust into a grubby pile and practically dove into the bath water.
Bliss.
Zhi sank into the tub of warm, almost hot, washing water and sighed in contentment. She scrubbed resolutely at her grimy body and ducked under the water to wet and lather her hair. Some time later, with a full stomach and the warm water lulling her, her body finally relaxed into lethargy.
She must have dozed for a moment, for a soft knock startled her.
"Lady Bai?"
"Uh, one minute!" she called, lunging out of the water and wrapping her hair and body with the soft toweling.
I don't think I will ever become used to a handmaid, she thought. Will I ever have a private moment after this?
"Please, Anli," Zhi said, as the hand maid entered the room, "I am no lady; you do not need to refer to me as such. Please, call me Zhi."
"Lord Cao Cao has insisted, my lady," Anli murmured, eyes downcast.
Zhi snorted with disgust.
"The General will not know what you call me in private," she said, and was rewarded with a small, mischievous smile. Zhi liked the way her eyes lit up impishly and smiled back at her, thinking,
Maybe we will get along better than I originally thought.
"That is true, isn't it," Anli said thoughtfully. Her eyes became serious again.
"Lord Sima Yi is expecting to meet with you in his chambers."
"Now?" Zhi asked.
"At your earliest convenience," Anli replied.
"I suppose that does mean now," Zhi sighed. "What do I wear?"
In no time, Anli had her properly dressed and her hair pinned up tightly. Unused to it, Zhi poked and prodded at the pins holding her hair, trying to ease them into some semblance of comfort. Anli smirked at her and Zhi left off her tugging. She nodded in approval at the soft gown that hugged her body. The bright blue silk was embroidered with delicate flowers stitched with silver thread. Zhi had never owned anything so beautiful and could not help but feel unsuitable in it. It was ludicrous to see a farmer's daughter dressed as a fine lady. She had no doubt that Liang would have been rolling on the floor with laughter to see her in it.
"Shall we go then?" Anli asked quietly. Zhi started badly.
"Um, ye-, yes." Concentrating to banish the mental image of her laughing brother, she squeezed her eyes tightly shut to rid them of the telltale burning of tears. They would not help her.
Once more she was led through the maze of corridors and outside. By the light, it was already late afternoon. Zhi and Anli passed through a quiet circular courtyard whose walls were covered in some sort of climbing ivy. The stone pathway we walked upon ran along the walls. Within the circle of wall, greenery and stone, pristine white sand had been raked with meticulous care. No other ornamentation marred the austere simplicity of the courtyard.
They entered the castle once again on the other side of the courtyard, where Anli halted before the first door and knocked softly. A voice Zhi recalled from her fever delirium bade them enter. Anli bowed to her.
"I am not permitted to go into the magic user's quarters. He will send for me when you are finished," she whispered, squeezing Zhi's hand.
She stared after Anli's departing form in consternation, and then with a deep breath, entered the sorcerer's chambers.