Chapter 1: Flight from Chang'an

Lu Bu mounted Red Hare, the house that could run over four hundred and fifty kilometres a day. He shouted to Chen Gong, his chief adviser, "Get Lady Yan and my daughter to a hiding place. Take Zhang Liao with you, don't let anything happen to them." And with that he picked up his massive halberd and charged the rebels, he only had one thing one his mind. Images of Diao Chan in the hands of those rebels Li Jue and Gao Sui flickered through his mind. They hadn't gotten through the North Gate yet, he still had time, but he knew must protect Emperor Xian as well. As he thought this through there was a loud noise as the North Gate shattered into pieces from the rebel's rams. They poured in, Lu Bu had no choice now, he had to hold them back long enough for the main army to arrive. Lu Bu and Red Hare were fearless in battle, the sight of them would make rank and file soldiers flee in terror, but these rebels were driven by ruthless masters who forced them on to their deaths at Lu Bu's Halberd. The first wave charged towards Lu Bu, they were cut down in a matter of seconds.

Diao Chan was awakened by the sound of fighting in the streets, she ran into the street, chain whip in hand, to see what was happening. Citizens were running round in panic, no-one quite sure what to do. Diao Chan ran up to one and asked "Dear sir, what is happening here?", before he could reply a row of bright lights appeared in the night sky, as the landed on buildings the caught on fire. Diao Chan, not know what to do, ran to the Imperial Palace where her father was protecting the Emperor. The Palace Guard were on high alert to help fend off the rebel assault. "Halt, who goes there?", one guard shouted, blocking the entrance.

"Diao Chan, daughter of When Yun, the Imperial Advisor". The guard stood aside and saluted, shortly after the first arrows passed over head and killed the guard in front of Diao Chan, this image would stay in her mind for years to come. She continued to run through the palace until she found her father. "Daughter, you are safe! This is joyous news, but what of Lu Bu?"

"Father, I have not seen him, I was awakened by fighting in the streets and ran here after the first volley of flaming arrows." She wept, clinging to her father.

"Then it is possible he is fighting in the streets, he is a great warrior and knows no fear. I'm sure he will return soon and tell us of his great victory."

Lu Bu continued to fight vigorously, cutting through wave after wave of rebels. Lu Bu, was a gifted warrior, but unfortunately was not gifted in strategy or with intelligence and continued to fight, hoping for reinforcements without ringing the alarm bell to alert the city's defensive army to his position. Bu was beginning to feel the effects of fatigue and was beginning to flag when Zhang Liao rode in from behind the rebel force. Liao cut through the rebels and made it to Lu Bu as the bombards sounded alerting the city guard to the fight. Bu remounted Red Hare and headed towards the palace, where he met Wang Yun and Diao Chan waiting for him.

"My love, you have survived, you truly are a warrior to be feared." Diao Chan embraced him

"What is it like out there?" Wang Yun asked

"The rebels are through the North Gate and making their way here, they are demanding your head, sir" Lu Bu replied

"Well then, they can try and take it!" Wang Yun shouted, he then left informed the Emperor of the situation and equipped his armour.

Li Jue and Guo Sui halted their armies at the palace gates and entered alone. The Emperor stood beside Wang Yun with Lu Bu and Diao Chan behind.

"Why have you violated the scared area of heaven?" The Emperor demanded

"We seek the head of the one responsible for the death of our glorious leader, Dong Zhou. We will leave once we have had a duel to the death with Wang Yun." Guo Sui said.

Wang Yun drew his sword and after more than fifty exchanges was cut down. Guo Sui and Li Jue refused to leave the Imperial Ground and instead took the Emperor as their captive and forced Lu Bu and Diao Chan out of the city. Bu took Diao Chan on Red Hare and met with Zhang Liao and Chen Gong outside the city.

"Where do we go, now?" Bu asked.

"We will have to travel across the mountains to the cities and provinces under the control of Yuan Shu, a governor from a family that has been part of the nobility for four generations and are loyal to the Han, he will be sympathetic to our plight." Chen Gong replied.

"Then we travel to meet Yuan Shu"

Lu Bu led his friends towards the mountains and the uncertainties which would unfold before them.

End of Chapter 1