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Post by Cao Cao on Jul 29, 2008 8:14:14 GMT -5
The sun was burning brightly over the city of Xu Chang. Few clouds masked the sky, and only the lightest of breezes swept the streets of this magnificent city. Standing high in the centre of the sky, as if watching over the entire country with its golden rays, the sun was a powerful symbol of an eventful day. Workers on the fields would take full advantage of the blessing, toiling the fields vigorously. Market traders would open up shop to all kinds of visitors and patrons, the fine weather making this a day worth enjoying. Untainted, perfect beams of light cascaded down the sides of the main palace, making it glisten beautifully, as if it was a bastion made of water. Hugging its side intensely were the barracks of Xu Chang, and now the sunlight would focus upon the many soldiers under their gruelling training regime.
There were many subsections of the barracks, all guarded by one large encircling wall. The sections were broken into the skill level of each soldier, and in these sections, areas of training for each preferred weapon. The 4 sections, each for ruffians, militia, veterans, and elites, were placed in the 4 corners of the enclave, join together by the sleeping quarters of each soldier. In the very centre of the barracks was a small, bare arena, with various weapons held within racks acting as the outline for the fighting space. A few dozen wooden dummies stood on the eastern side of the arena, just outside of its outlines, with a few soldiers currently training upon them. This area was perhaps the must active of the barracks, the soldiers constantly practicing their one on one combat in these chaotic times. The resounding ring of metal clashing against metal mixed with the dull thud of wood crashing against wood, as hundreds of soldiers continued their practice.
Walking through the archway of the entrance to barracks, Cao Cao was followed by a small entourage of sycophants and servants, and also by his newly acquired prize, Sun Shang Xiang. Today he was dressed in a lighter version of his regal armour, the same shared by the veterans of his army, save the large streaks of gold lining each metallic panel. At his side was a double edged long sword, sheathed away in a deep purple scabbard, also lined with various golden, floral patterns. A long flowing deep blue cape draped down from Cao Cao’s shoulders, lightly scraping the pummelled dirt below, and kicking up small specs of dust in his wake. He wore no helm, his hair bundled together in a tight knot at the back of his head, much like the rest of the fighters here today.
His entourage consisted of half a dozen men dressed in indistinguishable robes, with unoriginal smiles plastered across their wily faces. They came only to serve Cao Cao’s every whim, hoping to earn the treat of a compliment from their lord, like the obedient dogs they were. Mengde did not care of their presence however, his appearance at the barracks today was for another of his companioning - Sun Shang Xiang.
Having now reached the small arena, nodding at various of his loyal soldiers in the process, Cao Cao turned back to his small group, looking in particular to the former Wu princess. Grinning slyly, he let his intentions be known.
“We’re out here today for some personal training, a test of your skills.” At this point the various sycophants began to stare around at each other, fear striking across their faces; they may have been dogs, but they lacked a serious bite to their barking. One man even began to tremble, his legs buckling, before finally collapsing in a heap on the floor, the various other servants staring down at the fainted man with fearful empathy. Mengde could only raise an eyebrow, and tilt his head.
“You incompetent fools wont be touching a blade! I’d sooner have you impale yourselves then think you could step into this arena! I’m having the Tigress fight here today, I wish to see a few more of her skills..” Cao smirked to himself, thinking back slightly to the day before, where he indeed received a demonstration of her passion and fire. Today it would be vented in a different fashion.
“Get yourself a weapon, and then I’ll pick a soldier for you to train with.”
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Post by Sun Shang Xiang on Jul 29, 2008 8:32:32 GMT -5
It was a hot day, the sun shon brightly and Cao Cao had an escort of people as they walked towards the Barracks in Xu Chang. Xiang was there too of course, but she had no idea why she was told to come, she suspected it was to show him she could fight, but she could always be wrong.
They came to a halt inside the barracks, and the former Wu Princess stopped, looking around and figuring out how it was organised. She could see the differing skill levels in the four corners. She was quickly told she was going to fight, and she laughed a little as one man fainted, thinking Cao Cao meant him.
She nodded and moved to grab a wooden sword from a rack, in which time she heard Cao Cao order someone to fight her. She heard footsteps behind her as she picked up the sword, he was heading for her a little too quickly and getting dangerously close... she had an idea what he was going to do, Cao Cao probably ordered him to test her properly. She immediatly ducked and the wooden sword of her opponent swung through mid air, it would have hit her in the face, but Cao Cao must have known she would avoid it.
She quickly followed up, turning around and punching the man in the nose with a speedy jab, enough for his eyes to water, not enough to break it. She smiled, he would be dead in a real fight and she expected Cao Cao to pick a much harder opponent, the soldier conceded defeat and walked off, leaving SSX waiting by herself for a harder challenge... she just hoped Cao Cao chose his best swordsmen now...
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Post by Cao Cao on Jul 29, 2008 8:48:06 GMT -5
Sun Shang Xiang followed her orders swiftly and without utterance. Her deft movements, and keenness to fight stunned Mengde slightly, who had turned to face the arena, and watch the fight, expecting a gruelling battle of skill and strength. His sycophants lightly waddled up to surround their lord, watching the fight also, yet keeping their heads low, as if they were puppies scolded by their master. The fainted servant was still on the floor, motionless, dust now collecting on his body. Cao gave no second thought to the man - he could always find another. Teasing the hilt of his sword with his fingertips, curling around it delicately, and caressing it, Mengde awaited the first move.
Instantly it came, the first soldier was only part of the militia, but the finest in his group. His moves were swift and give little time for Xiang to prepare, yet the feisty young woman floored the poor man with a powerful punch straight to his nose. Collapsing, his eyes spewing forth water, the soldier cried out in pain, grasping at his face in agony. His call brought the attention of many other soldiers to the arena, and when news came that it was a woman at the centre of this carnage, even more men arrived with their own filthy voyeuristic desires.
Mengde’s eyes widened as the first soldier was dispatched in an instant. He let out a soft chuckle, and gave the young princess a slight applause, the sycophants quickly jumping in line with the kudos. His grin was wicked, and one of delight, admiring the girl’s skill; it all only acted as further enticement to make her fight a harder opponent. Flicking his arm out into the air, and pointing to another soldier, this time a veteran, Cao Cao barked his will.
“Very good Xiang! You, soldier, give her a real challenge!” The man in question nodded dutifully, swiftly picking up a wooden bladed spear, and rushing onto the battleground. Gripping the weapon tightly, his knees bent and heels dug into the ground, he slowly encroached upon Xiang’s position. When in range, he lunged towards the girl, sweeping the wooden pole fiercely at her legs, from his left to right, wishing to take her down to the floor. Cao Cao witnessed the fight with glee, and knew in the back of his mind that such an attack would again fail against his latest prize.
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Post by Sun Shang Xiang on Jul 29, 2008 9:05:14 GMT -5
Finally a stronger opponent was coming towards her by the orders of Cao Cao who had just applauded her first victory. She was with keen interested as the man came towards her with a spear... this posed a slightly different challenge, she wasn't too sure what to do, so she backstepped a couple of times, giving her those few extra seconds to decide.
The man attempted a sort of backhanded slash towards her legs, attempting to trip her over, but she was one step ahead as her back bent forward, and her sword slashed out from left to right to try and block to attack, it wouldn't keep it still, but would give her the time she needed for her movement as she also moved forward to in close with the spear user. Quickly stopping her block she would try and slash right to left towards the man's open chest or arm, whichever got in her way first.
It was his arm that got the pain of being struck with the wooden weapon and he yelped in pain and dropped his spear. The momentum took her past him, she noticed the weapon dropped and did not follow up with a finishing move, that challenge had been overcome. Her brows raised as she looked over to Cao Cao, she looked untroubled and seemed to want a much greater challenged, she wanted to feel the challenge of taking on his greatest warrior here, not some common soldiers who would fall quickly 1 on 1.
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Post by Cao Cao on Jul 29, 2008 9:21:57 GMT -5
Watching this next fight, Cao had anticipated it to last longer, if only slightly. But again he was delightfully surprised to find that his soldier was dispatched easily by the feisty Sun Shang Xiang. Again she had the look of boredom about her, that she was craving a real challenge from her new lord. Briefly he locked his eyes on hers, seeing the fiery passion inside, and the desire to better herself, and be strong. Perhaps this was due to the absence of her father and her brothers, she felt now more than ever that she needed to prove herself. Wu, in Cao Cao’s eyes, was no longer a concern, for he had the greatest leverage of all above them - their royalty.
Smirking, Cao did not applaud this time, though the sycophants did, each servant nodding, impressed with the woman’s skill. The soldier in the middle of arena looked shocked, grasping his arm in pain, and staring down at his spear, which had tumbled down on the floor effortlessly. Sighing, he picked the weapon up with his good arm, and walked out of the arena, joining the growing ranks of spectators, who all had an excited buzz to their gossip.
Mengde scanned across the many new faces among the soldiers, few were now worthy to take on Xiang, and to test her. Then he saw the scarred faces of two of his elites, battle hardened soldiers who seemed far from impressed with the proceedings. Giving them a quick nod, Cao signalled his next wishes.
“One doesn’t seem to be enough for you, lady Xiang, let’s see how you handle these two.” A grin crossed Mengde’s lips, and soon spread to the two elites, who broke from the ranks of spectators to approach the weapon racks. One armed himself with a shield and a wooden sword, the other a shield and a short spear. Hopping onto the arena, and jogging on the spot momentarily to get their blood flowing, the two men assumed a fighting stance, side by side, shields guarding their bodies. Moving as a single unit, they rushed forward, their footsteps in synch, and as they came in range of Xiang, they split from each other, one jumping to the girls left, the other to her right. Both thrust their weapons forward simultaneously, aiming for the girls chest, and let out an energetic roar, hoping to give this warrior her first real test.
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Post by Sun Shang Xiang on Jul 29, 2008 9:34:09 GMT -5
Cao Cao stared at her in the eyes, she felt a buzz around the area as people watched her with interested, but more she got the buzz from being given the chance to prove herself, being in Wu only made her be shielded by her brother and father, it was always her and Quan who were left unable to reach their potential, but now she could.
Cao Cao scanned for a new challenger, and she was glad when he looked to the Elites, she knew she'd get a tough fight from one of those boys, but then she was shocked when he asked two to fight her. She gave Cao Cao a slightly shockced look, but shook it off and returned to looking at her challengers who grabbed their weapons and a shield each. They were obvious Elites as they orderly came forward, she saw their weapons were to the side of the shield, not ready to attack, so she decided it was the bes time to attack and moved towards them.
However disaster struck that idea she they suddenly parted and surrounded her, thankfully her momentum allowed her to avoid the blades as she fell to the ground. The crowd gasped in shock, seemingly expecting her to dispatch these two as quickly as the others, but it wasn't to be so as she got to her feet and backed away, it was then that she realised she had no weapon, dropping it clumsily when she fell...
Now this was a real fight, one she was at a serious disadvantage in... how would the two opponents act now? Would they be merciless and strike out again, or would they look to play with her, then again could Xiang pull out a few tricks here? She was skilled in martial arts after all, that fact should be known to Cao Cao who would probably still consider this fight evenly poised.
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Post by Cao Cao on Jul 29, 2008 9:55:43 GMT -5
The initial shocked look of Shang Xiang surprised Cao Cao once more, but again it was one of delight, and far more sinister than before as the elites stepped forward to give her a real challenge. He let out a smirk as the two soldiers raced towards her, before splitting off in a pincer attack, causing the young woman to fret and fall to the ground, her weapon tumbling away with it. Aside to the gasps, the loudest noise of all was the reverberating crash of the elite soldiers two wooden weapons, rattling as they crashed into each other due to Xiang’s makeshift dodge.
Wasting little time, the men leapt back into their former position, side by side, turning to face the beautiful young lady as an impenetrable fortress, ever encroaching upon her position. She had no weapon, and though she may have been skilled in hand to hand combat - Cao had first hand experience of this - she still would struggle against the skill of two soldiers working in perfect unison. Seeing the unfair disadvantage, and not wanting his prize to be bruised, Mengde slid his fingers tightly around the hilt of his sword, and swiftly unsheathed it, the ringing metal a music the entire crowd was accustomed with. As soon as the pristine blade hit fresh air and the golden sunlight, it was hurled through the air, towards the lady Xiang, ready for her to catch and use. Cao smirked and offered his advice.
“Use it well!” By now the soldiers had worked their way back onto her position, snarling as a fierce foe would, and prepared their next assault. They cared not about her now deadly weapon, their shields were thick enough to defend against it; the same could not be said of their wooden instruments. Regardless, the men had no fear in their hearts. The soldier on the right, Xiang’s left, stepped forward, ahead of his partner, and raised his shield up to cover both his head and body. With this brief protection, he charged hard and fast directly into the girl, using his body as a juggernaut to attempt to smash into her. Meanwhile, the other soldier hopped to his left slightly, and paced forwards, thrusting his spear out into the side of his opponent, who would now have hopefully been pushed back by the initial attack.
Again these men acted as a perfect unit - they would soon crumble if one were taken down. The lady Xiang was in trouble, this was certain, but her nimble body, fiery passion, and brutish skill would hopefully prove to Cao Cao that she could overcome these odds.
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Post by Sun Shang Xiang on Jul 29, 2008 10:12:49 GMT -5
A glimmer shon into Xiang's eyes and the sound of metal on metal rung in her ears. She looked to her side to see her Lord unsheathing his sword and finally throwing it towards the Wu Princess who managed to just about catch it by its handle. She nodded in a mixture of thanks and respect and turned back to the new challenge as the two men once again attacked in unison.
She saw one weakness, her eyes lit up at the one slight advantage she could use that required all her agility and reaction speed. She waited until the last second before she would be hit by the swordman's shield and leapt to her left to avoid both men's attacks, but then came her own attack as she swung her sword backhanded towards the neck of the swordman's leg.
Whether it hit or not was up to her own calculations, as she was landed she couldn't quite see if it hit or not. She hit the ground pretty hard, a gasp audible from her mouth as the full weight of her landed hit her body, her lungs suddenly being released of its air. She felt herself suddenly winded as she once more had to pull herself up off the ground, a lot harder this time as she panted in short breaths, her body reacting from the impact by almost panicking and trying to get back as much oxygen as possible.
She did not panic however and instead clutched her stomach area with her free hand and tried to focus on the two men. Her eyes struggled to focus from the pain she was feeling but she would quickly see the outcome of her attack... and what the two men would do next.
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Post by Cao Cao on Jul 29, 2008 10:34:04 GMT -5
The battle was full underway now, the elite soldiers had a task set before them, and would not stop until they had proved themselves better than the lady Xiang. For them it was no longer a case of being obedient to their lord, but rather, keeping their own pride, and not to have been beaten by such a petite young woman. Their double strike failed once again, and a second booming of wood on wood echoed into the air, as the second elite soldier’s spear crashed fiercely into the others shield. It sent a shockwave through his arm, trembling all the way through his body, to which he grunted, shrugging off the initial blow. This was not the attack he had to be wary of however..
Shang Xiang’s leap to safety was followed up by a deadly slice to the back of this soldiers leg, and was propelled further by the cheering roars of the gathered crowd, who’s gasps and awe’s continues to be the impetus for adrenaline pumping into the veins of all the warriors here today. Swiftly the man made his move, swinging his wooden sword down to his side in an attempt to block in the incoming swing. The two weapons connected in a flash, but the brittle wood could not even dare to think it could be equals with the sword of a hero; the blade crashed through the soldiers wooden weapon, though the force of the slice was taken out by this initial blow. Nonetheless, it travelled onward, and the tip of the incredibly sharpened blade lightly sliced the soldiers leg, drawing and tasting first blood here today.
Groaning, the sharp pain added to the man’s anguish, and his fervour to fight. He threw aside the broken stub of a sword, and then rushed forward, ahead of his partner, to attempt to body slam the young woman with his shield once more. The other grunted in dismay, seeing their unit broken by anger, and quickly raced forward, again to the right side of Xiang, and this time swung his spear horizontally towards the back of her legs, hoping to trip the woman up much like before.
One soldier was charging at her from the front, and the other launched a devious attack swinging at her from the back: Sun Shang Xiang was now fully being tested, and Cao Mengde could only grin as the brutish fight continued.
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Post by Sun Shang Xiang on Jul 29, 2008 12:51:01 GMT -5
The soldiers were heading for her again, the first one was far ahead of the other. He seemed angry at Xiang for what she did, but she noticed he didn't have a weapon, the discarded weapon lying behind him on the floor, broken in two. He wasn't too far away from her, and in her daze she reacted later than she might have liked as the man attempted to slam into her with his shield.
They would all expected her to dodge it again, but she didn't have the reactions right now and she resorted in using her strength. She brought her leg further out behind her and leant in as the shield struck her. The force was hard and made her move back, even after her best efforts, and then even more disaster as her legs were swept from under her. She held onto the shield which was still pressed again her as she fell back, whether the soldier could keep her up or whether he'd either lose the shield or fall flat on top of her was unknown.
What was certain was Xiang was in a very difficult position regardless and in very serious danger of losing the fight if she was kept on the ground this time...
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Post by Cao Cao on Jul 29, 2008 13:06:14 GMT -5
The first, enraged elite crashed straight into Sun Shang Xiang, the woman using all of her might to withstand the initial shock, and began a brutal game of pushing one another back. As the two struggles, the far more experienced soldier used his weight to press her back, until his partner swept her legs out from under her, at which point the soldier was also caught out by the spear wing, sent crashing forward, and landing atop Wu’s princess. As the two warriors were momentarily suspended in the air, shocked gasps filled the air from the spectators; even Mengde himself became startled with the proceedings, scowling slightly.
With only a shield between them, lady Xiang was saved from having the soldier atop her begin a relentless assault with his fists. The shock of all this weight crashing down onto the hardened dirt would wind them both, more so the nimble Xiang, and the elite certainly felt the effects. Grunting, with blood now seeping from his leg wound, he rolled off of her, losing his shield in the process to the tight grip the princess had on it. He stumbled away, panting for breath, quickly staggering to his feet, defenceless, staring across to his partner, and then back down to the floored Xiang.
The other elite quickly pulled back his spear, and primed himself for a second attack. One soldier was on her left side, the other on her right, both staring down to her body on the floor, awaiting a response. The crowd hushed silent, on the edge of anticipation, wanting to see the woman get up, and continue her rampage of success. Mengde himself stepped closer to the arena, his brows knitted together in a distraught frown. Get up woman..
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Post by Sun Shang Xiang on Jul 29, 2008 13:20:56 GMT -5
Xiang held onto the shield, making sure it covered her face as the elite on top her could be heard slamming his fists towards the direction of the Princess' head. Thankfully he got off giving her a moments breath to recover. She looked exhausted, battered and bruised. She coughed as she turned over onto her hands and knees, was she going to admit defeat? She sure didn't seem like she could carry on, the two Elite's probably already thinking the job was done, especially as once again in the heat of the struggle SSX had lost her sword, not behind her, the Princess no where close to getting it back.
"Ok.. I'm done..." She seemed to be giving up as she clawed at the floor, grunting in pain as she rose.
Thing took a sudden turn, she rose with the shield in her left hand, and in her right she threw a clump of dust and dirt towards the eyes of the weaponless Elite and span, rather elegantly, 360 degrees or more at first to repel the spear tip aimed towards her, and then span once more, bringing the shield up higher in an attempt to strike the man's head to send him unconscious and to the floor.
If that attack worked it would be easy to deal with the last man, she'd run at him, if he was still in pain from the dust, she'd slam the shield into his gut and then finally smash him over the top of his head, revenge for him trying to punch her to a bloody pulp. ...I'm done messing around..." The Tigeress hadn't been playing the injured puppy card? Oh yes she had, and did it expertly.
If all was finished and her aggressors were on the floor she'd slump to her knees in victory a smile on her face. She wasn't used to dueling, she never gotten the chance to do it, so without knowing and only guessing she could do it, Cao Cao had just send Xiang into her first ever duel... at least the first serious duel since she was a kid a while ago.
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Post by Cao Cao on Jul 29, 2008 13:47:32 GMT -5
The crowd’s whispers and stunned gossips grew louder as the lady Xiang admitted a defeat in this battle. The sycophants surrounding Cao Cao all mumbled to themselves, curious of how their lord would react, but none daring to ask, for fear of being thrown into the ring themselves. Mengde needed not respond, nor gossip, nor react at all, he would continue to stare into the middle of the arena, at the downtrodden, beaten and bruised princess, and await her next move.
Both Elite soldiers began to grin at their supposed victory, yet stayed wary enough to keep a watchful eye upon her. Perhaps this preparation was their downfall. The first guard was instantly blinded by a thick cloud of dust rushing into his eyes, the horrible sharp specs of stone burning into his vision, and shooting water out from the corners violently. He stumbled around, trying to find some sort of organisation, crying out in agony.
Before his partner could react, the swift and feisty young Xiang spun viciously out towards the second elite, smashing his short spear right from his grasp, and in a very elegant following move, pounded the mans face with the full weight of the wooden shield. It sent him reeling, blood and spit spewing forth through his mouth, as his entire body tumbled to the side, collapsing to the floor, under the delighted cheers of an uproarious crowd. The disorientated guard was next, and would not even witness his loss to this far wilier warrior, being knocked out cold by the dull thud of the shield smashing against his skull. Sun Shang Xiang had been the victor once more, and the crowd of soldiers let loose in a highly impressed applause. Mengde himself joined in on the celebration, stepping out into the middle of the arena, and speaking in a voice echoing with pride.
“I knew you would dispatch of the earlier soldiers, but I must commend you my dear, you had my heart racing in these final moments!” His grin was wide, his visage impressed, but above all, his stance was sincere. His cape lightly scuffed the dirt beneath him as he approached the young lady in the arena, his armour rattling very lightly in each footstep, overshadowed by the mumbling gossips and applause of the remaining spectators. The majority would stay around, awaiting for their lords next response, or even his next challenge.
“Only your father is a man that would be more proud of you than I am now, lady Xiang.” He nodded, though this time without as much sincerity, the very mention of Sun Jian being used to play into her trust and emotions. Keeping his gaze locked upon hers, he proceeded with his meaningful words. “How did you find the fight?”
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Post by Sun Shang Xiang on Jul 29, 2008 14:04:49 GMT -5
She got to her feet with more ease than most would have suspected, still unable to get the idea that she was injured and groggy out of their heads. To some extent they were right, she was obviously not in the best of states, some way through the fight she had managed to get her lip caught, and her clothes were quite dusty and cut a little on the back as could be expected from such a brawl. She was however much better than she made out previously.
That smile that seemed like a ray of sunshine of its own shon from her face at the mention of her Lord being proud of her, and that her father would be as well. As soon as he asked the question of how she found the fight, she'd surprise Cao Cao with the truth. "Not bad for my first, huh?" She grinned, the adrenaline still flowing as she felt pride in herself for doing so well in her first proper fight.
Was she the missing gem Wei had been needing to propel them into serious domination in the land of China, right now the answer had to be yes, she was a bright, youthful and beautiful prospect, strong, agile, fast and seductive... she would be a handful in battle, many of the troops in the Barracks could image her on the battlefield, with hords of enemies backing away from her being displeased in having to fight a woman such as Sun Shang Xiang.
"I couldn't have done it if you didn't have faith in my though my Lord." She moved closer to him, giving him a peck on the cheek in a respectful way then backing away, she did not wish to make him lose concentration here in public, and she knew she had the capability to do that if she stayed so enticingly close to him. She had a look of complete admiration for Cao Cao now, a complete turn around to the way she looked at him originally, it seemed her turning to Wei was complete.
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Post by Cao Cao on Jul 29, 2008 14:27:09 GMT -5
The two men on the floor began to groan as consciousness swept back into their minds, their very first thought being the pain that was delivered to them in agile, seductive, female form. Various soldiers walked onto the arena to drag the two men off to the infirmary, each one’s eyes closed shut, unable to move, their minds still spinning. Mengde seemed to ignore these men briefly, continuing to smile at his powerful princess. She had brought the appropriate spice to Wei’s army, an ambition for each man to better themselves, in order to keep up with the lady Xiang.
Receiving a light kiss from his princess, Cao smirked slightly, raising his armour clad hand up to lightly brush specs of dust away from the young girls beautiful visage. The tip of his thumb grazed softly across her beaten skin, lightly massaging the bruises and cuts, all supported by a delighted, slightly sinister smile from her lord. With the men slowly dispersing back to their barracks, Mengde spoke a little softer, no longer ending his booming, charismatic voice to carry his message.
“Lets get you back inside the palace, my lady, to treat these blemishes and wounds, and to tell your tale of cunning and skill to the rest of the servants.” He smirked at the last comment; he wanted to build up pride in the young girl, for it built self-esteem and strength, yet was careful to oversee that it would not turn to arrogance. Cao then stepped aside slightly, and motioned his arm out towards the exit, as if the traditional idiom “ladies first” were the words in their mind. He kept a keen smile upon his lips, ever watching his graceful princesses actions.
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