There was no more thought involved. There were no further words exchanged. The small crowd that had gathered was forgotten. All that existed to San was her opponent. And he was charging.
This fight was not like their last one. The weapons were real, emotions were raw, and unspoken words were dangling dangerously between them. All San could do was raise her swords to catch Ba's spear inches away from her face. There was a spark as his blade tried to wedge itself between her own. With a quick twisting motion, she wrenched herself free and the battle began.
Lu Ba, unlike Shang Xiang, had no pattern to his attacks. He jabbed, swung and struck blows at random, expertly stringing attacks together that allowed little room for San to put him on the defensive. She jumped out of his way only to turn and find his spear flying towards her. Her swords would deflect the attack and she would try a swing of her own, only to meet air as he charged again.
But she was not Zhao Yun's daughter for nothing. San had learned many things from her father, including how to put enough distance between her and her enemy to formulate a quick attack. As Lu Ba drove the small blade into the ground next to her, she flipped backwards until she could see all of him in her line of vision. San quickly noticed that he had a firmer grip on the heavy end of the spear. He hasn't held his weapon in a long time and the balance is unfamiliar. Satisfied, she drove forward with an idea in mind.
Lu Ba went to swing with the long blade. Instead of defending, San dropped to one knee and ducked underneath the attack. Before he could recover and swing back, she reached up and grabbed the other end of the spear, careful not to cut her hands on the blade. She pushed it forward to catch him off guard and send him off balance. But true to form, he quickly regained his footing and jumped back to put distance between them again. Before she could commend herself on disarming him, she caught a glimpse of another blade in his hand.
He had slipped the small blade from the end of his spear to reveal a small sword, embedded in the wooden handle.
The fight resumed as San became more agitated and Ba became more determined. Neither of them was able to gain the upper hand as they attacked, deflected and attacked again. Bruises and cuts were beginning to form on their arms. The level of intensity had changed into something personal. Reputations were at stake. I am the daughter of the Dragon, San kept repeating to herself. I must make my presence known here. It no longer mattered that she was in Wu territory and that beating Lu Ba in a fair fight could be disastrous. I must do this for my family…for myself.
Lu Ba managed to slip his foot underneath San's legs and trip her, knocking the sword out of her right hand. A small grin began forming on his face. Instinct kicked in as she remembered his lessons. He moved to serve the defeating blow only to find his blade stopped by the sword in her left hand. "I've…been practicing," she grunted as she struggled to hold him back. "Impressed?"
"Very," he hissed back. "But you're not there…yet." He shoved her arm out of the way and, using her bent knee as leverage, flipped over her sword and landed behind her. She barely had enough time to stand and put her sword up before she felt his weapon strike her own. The clang was deafening. His hot breath stung her neck. "Impressed?" he shot back.
"Definitely," she said. Before he could react, she stepped to the right and broke the block. She waited until he had attempted another strike, just out of reach, and took two running steps. She nimbly vaulted over his body as his arm opened up from the swing and twisted around to meet him in mid air. This is it. I have to do it now.
Cool metal touched the back of her neck as her feet hit the ground. Lu Ba held his blade against the bare patch of skin, a perfect beheading strike. But there was no look of victory on his face. San's own sword was resting in the exact same place against his neck. A draw.
"Absolutely perfect." The voice startled both San and Ba, and they remembered that they had an audience. It had grown from the start of the fight. Lu Xun was standing at the front of the group, one arm around Sun Yi. His wife was clinging to him, unwilling to watch and unable to look away. Sun Ce had arrived, looking quite pale, supported by his wife and Zhou Yu. Xiao Qiao was holding her daughter's hand and staring at the pair. Shang Xiang was torn between shock and amazement. Off to the side stood Zhou Xun and Lu Meng with Li Tai between them.
Lu Ba quickly removed his blade and rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh, what's wrong?"
"That was perfect," Zhou Xun repeated. His voice was laced with awe. "I've not seen a fight this good since I last saw Taishi Ci fight with our lord Sun Ce." Ce chuckled a bit before wincing in pain. San wondered what was wrong. "The execution of attacks, the bravery in the face of danger, the way you two read each other…I would have given much to see your first battle back in Shu." He bowed to Lu Ba and then to San. "You are truly a daughter of the Dragon, Lady Zhao."
"Hmph. She wasn't that good." Zhou Ying's eyes gave her away despite her tone. They were the size of plates, and they weren't focused on Lu Ba.
"Daughter, check your tongue," Zhou Yu said. His tone was gentle in contrast to Ying's, but the authority was unmistakable.
Li Tai finally broke the tension and walked up to the two warriors. She looked her son over for any major injuries and, finding none, focused her attention on San. One cut along her shoulder seemed to concern Lady Lu. "This needs to be looked over, San," she said softly. "It does not look deep, but it needs to be cleaned up."
"I'll be fine."
"I will have hot water drawn for you, and then I want this to be checked after you've bathed," Li Tai said, ignoring San's protest. She turned to her son. "You need to be cleaned up as well."
Ba crossed his arms and stared at her. "I was actually planning on looking like this the whole day, mother."
Lu Meng laughed and San jumped. She hadn't expected him to smile, let alone laugh. "I am glad that your time in Shu has not changed you much, Ba. Your mother is right; you need to wash." His smile faded a little. "And we need to have a discussion later."
"About what?"
"You know what it is about." Lu Meng's eyes suddenly went cold. San felt a shiver run up her spine.
Li Tai took San's hands in her own. "San, I have a letter for you from Shu. It arrived after you left with Lady Sun this morning. Before you ask, no one has opened it, so I cannot say what it is about." San nodded. All she could do was let Lady Lu lead her away with the crowd still watching. She was shaking a little from the fight and Lu Meng's words.
Something warm touched her shoulder, and she turned to see Ba's hand holding her back. "San, I need to speak with you later," he said, still breathless from the fight.
His mother cut in before she could say anything. "After supper would be a good time, I think. Tonight will be a welcome banquet for Sun Yi and Zhou Ying. They will be the center of attention for most of the evening." San nodded in agreement before Li hauled her away again. Ba tore his eyes away and turned back to the crowd. San could see the frustration in his posture. "Do not worry, San," Li said as they walked away from the field. "I promise you will have the time you need to speak with my son."
"Lady Lu, I don't think there is enough time in the world to say what I need to say."
Li Tai brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes and smiled at San. "I once thought the same thing. But you have earned the right to speak from the heart without the tigers breathing down your neck. I will give you the time. You must come up with the courage."
News of the fight had spread by the time Zhao San had bathed, changed and been checked by one of the doctors. Both of her guards had congratulated her on a good bout. Sun Yi had even knocked on her door to thank San for allowing her to watch the fight. All of the servants gawked as they came in and out of her room, whispering to themselves just loud enough for her to hear. She wished that they would all go away. The constant chattering was making it hard to think about what she needed to do later.
The letter was sitting on her bed, unopened just as Li Tai had promised. There were two pieces of paper, one written by Jiang Wei and another that lacked a name. She decided to read Wei's letter first.
I hope this reaches you swiftly and safely. Lu Xun's messenger seems trustworthy enough, but I will keep it brief all the same. The Wu strategists share my urgency in finalizing this negotiation. That is where the agreement ends. Despite my best efforts, we have been unable to reach a compromise that will unite our kingdoms without causing an uproar. As you have heard by now, I am sure, I had hoped for an arranged marriage of some kind. The names I have offered are suitable. However, Lu Xun tells me that these suggestions have disrupted his own plans.
You know as well as I that I care nothing for what he has decided. He has promised an answer in three days and I need you to hold him to that promise. Encourage him to rethink what he has already decided upon. You can be a persuasive young woman, San. I have seen the way in which you negotiate with your parents and your friends, and I have faith in you. Do not forget who you are and what you are capable of. And remember, no matter what your decision is in the end, you have my support and that of your father.
Jiang Wei's letter contained nothing more than she expected from him. As a friend of the Zhao family, he had always tried to keep the best interest of others in mind when he worked out his plans and strategies. At the same time, she could still see the need to come to an agreement in his voice, despite the level of comfort he wanted to maintain for her. There was urgency and a hint of uncertainty. So much of this was riding on San's shoulders. They were getting tired from holding all the weight.
San, I am not sure how long I will be able to write before I fall into grief. Your presence here in Cheng Du is greatly missed. I have found your mother sitting under her favorite tree every day since your departure, praying to the gods for your safe return. The twins have taken to sulking. Both of your friends miss you greatly. But their pain is nothing compared to my own, for having a daughter taken from me is among the worst kinds of suffering.
I wish in my heart that I could use all of my paper to tell you how much I love you and cannot wait for you to return home. But things are not well here. I know that Jiang Wei has informed you of the contents of my last letter to him, and it grieves me to give you more to consider as you wait for Wu's decision. Liu Chan has convinced his father to rethink the betrothal, despite arguments from our family and those of his sworn brother, Zhang Fei. The choice will be waiting for you when you return. As a part of the agreement, Liu Chan has requested the removal of Lu Meng's son from servitude.
The decision on his life is yours. If you return home with him, you know the consequence he faces. The likelihood of an alliance with Wu may also crumble. If you return without him, your life will forfeit to the Liu family and you will be a bride within a week.
Your mother and I have discussed the issue and we are leaving everything in your hands. Your life is your own, daughter, and you may do with it what you choose. No matter what happens, never forget who you are and how much you are treasured. And never forget how much you mean to me.
If San hadn't been so exhausted from the bout with Ba, she would have broken down in tears. The letter was clearly her father's writing. A part of her was overjoyed that he had taken the time to write to her and tell her how much he loved her. All of her life, she had wanted to impress him more than anything. She wanted to become a legend like him, to have her name spoken with fear and awe by every person in China. This journey, a test of her strength and resolve, was threatening to destroy her dream. She missed Zhao Yun's advice and comfort.
The other part of her was appalled by the contents of his letter. If she returned home now, Liu Bei would force her into a marriage with his son, likely killing Lu Ba in the process. If she didn't return, she would be considered a traitor to her kingdom and her people. All she wanted to do was go home. Even that option was complicated right now.
She was so lost in thought that she missed Lady Sun knocking on the door. The princess let herself in to find the young girl staring into space, a letter in hand. "San, what's wrong?" She rushed over to the girl's side and gently removed the letter. She set it aside without reading it. "Has a new complication arisen?"
"I have nowhere left to go," San said. Her voice was devoid of emotion.
San found herself enveloped in Shang Xiang's arms as the woman embraced her. The tears that had threatened to spill now came freely. "There, there, San. It is okay. Tell me what is wrong."
She tried to keep her voice steady as she explained the contents of her father's letter. "I'm at a crossroads," she said. "If I return home, I forfeit any destiny I had hoped to fulfill as a warrior. Chan would never let me go into battle again and Zhang Shao would be torn between loyalty to me and to his sister. Liu Bei's own relationship to his sworn brother could be in jeopardy. If I bring Ba with me, Chan will kill him."
"You know that you could stay here, San," said Shang Xiang.
"And betray my people? I could never do that, Lady Sun. Besides, there are members of your court that would sooner see me dead than a member of Wu."
There was silence as the princess held her friend and let the tears finish. While San dried her eyes, Shang Xiang took a bowl of cool water from one of the tables and began wiping the girl's face. "It is a hard decision, to choose between duty and heart. It can make you stronger or break you completely. And no matter which one you choose, you will always be torn."
"Why did you choose duty?" San asked.
The princess stopped wiping and cast her eyes down. "It was the most difficult choice I have ever made, San. I had an idea that my family only allowed my marriage to Liu Bei because they had a darker purpose in mind. I never expected my father and brothers to make the demand that they did. I could have said no to them. I could have refused to take Liu Chan. Or I could have gone to visit them myself, without bringing harm to my husband and his people. But my bond with my family is strong, and that is what overtook me in the end. I gave up my heart but was welcomed home as a hero for my attempt." A single tear fell from Lady Sun's eye as she stared at the ground.
"Do you miss him?" San ventured, hoping that the princess would not take any offence to her question.
She smiled sadly. "Every day. I try not to think of what my life could have been because it only brings me sadness. But I cannot deny my feelings for Liu Bei. He was the one person who truly listened to me, who tried to understand what it was like to be in my position. He was kind to me and patient. When he laughed with me…I've never heard him laugh like that with anyone else. He was my soul mate. That is why I have never remarried."
"He still misses you, you know. Every spring, when the flowers begin to bloom, he takes a walk in the garden without any guards or attendants. My father says he is still grieving over you. I think he still loves you."
"It is hard, knowing that you have hurt the person you love the most. I see so much happiness around me and wish that I could have it for myself."
"So why don't you write Liu Bei a letter? Or visit him when most of his officers and soldiers are away? I'm sure he would welcome it."
Shang Xiang shook her head. "I am not ready to make that leap yet, San. And, despite the terrible loss I have endured, I still believe that I made the right decision. I could never have fit in with the people of Shu. I am, and will always be, a daughter of the tiger."
Her words hit San hard. "Do you think I should return home?"
"I think you should talk to Lu Ba before you make your decision. You would be welcomed here in Wu eventually. But I understand the bond you have with your family. You should be allowed more than three days to make a decision, but I have faith in your ability to weigh all options. Remember that you have my support in whatever you decide to do. Now, we must put on a brave face for supper tonight. Do you think you can stand to be in the tiger's den once more?"
A/N: Thanks to everyone who read and enjoyed the last chapter. I hope this one was entertaining as well. And don't forget to leave a review if you like this story!