A Brilliant Star

[Ayden (Retired)]

The fork in the road ahead was one that would change her life forever. One road, a road less traveled, would take her on a path of family disrespect and disobedience. Of pain and of suffering, of selfish nature...but all for love. That path would take her to Xi Liang, the land of the Golden Horde. The other path she could take, would be the one of loyalty and family. A pledge to those who cared about her, those who raised her and those who treasured her. She was stuck, there was no possible resolution here, she would lose something. There was a gamble if she took both.

If she went to Xi Liang, she would wait for her love Ma Chao, hoping that he would return alive. However, if she took this, she would detach herself from her Shu Loyalties forever. She would detach herself from her family, her father and brother and uncles. If she did return to Shu however, she would face unimaginable shame and most likely punishment. The looks she would receive from her father and Lord Liu Bei would be unbearable. How could she even hope to look her family in the eye. She was a disloyal servant who ignored orders and the duties of a family.

Slowly, her steed turned around, she faced the road on which her and her troops had just taken. She could see the hill that she had crossed from Qi Ning Pass. She prayed that Ma Chao survive this battle, she longed to fight alongside him once more. "Which path would you want me to take?" She knew the answer, the answer was simply to go back to Shu. Ma Chao cared for Liu Bei's reputation and cared for the honour and values that Xing Cai, the lioness, held.

[Mr Jiang Wei]

"Lord Jiang Wei, we have reports of a force approaching from the north."

It had to happen when he was in the middle of bolstering a support structure that would allow them to finish the segment of wall that had occupied the labor of the day. Jiang Wei quickly beckoned over the luckless messenger and switched places with him. The man gripped the rope hastily and worked to keep it taught while Jiang Wei composed himself.

"All men to their positions, Archers at the ready!" he bellowed to the sentries on the wall as he retrieved his sword and rushed towards the stairs leading up onto the parapet. The archer captains and their salutes received only a token return from him as Wei joined his soldiers in scanning the road north for signs of an approaching quandary.

They did not have to wait long. Sure enough, there was a billowing cloud of dust from the approaching force.

"Archers make ready to fire if they display hostility!"

"My lord, we may wish to hold our fire."

Jiang Wei turned and gave the archer commander a wall-eyed stare.

"Would you care to repeat that Commander?"

The older man nodded and pointed out at the approaching army.

"Xing Cai is at the head of that army."

Looking out, Wei strained his eyes towards the approaching army and what he saw squeezed his heart as though it were caught between two hands and then summarily plunged it down into his stomach. Xing Cai did indeed ride at the head of the army but the dread that he felt was not so much with regard to her force...even though from the looks of them they were quite formidable. No, what caused him such discomfort was the precariousness of the situation with regard to Xing Cai herself.

Jiang Wei was silent for a few beats as he let that thought mull about in his head. His words of kindness in Han Zhong were about to come back to challenge him. I promised her I would not judge her... but after all that has happened, what can I do?

"Have the archers continue their preparations and form the infantry up on our side of the gate. I will speak to her from here."

The way the head of the older man snapped around, it was as though Jiang Wei had suggested they all fall upon their own swords or take turns jumping from the walls to see who would survive.

"Ahh, Lord Jiang Wei, I was under the impression that we did not fire upon our own."

"Normally you would be right, but we have no way of telling where she stands at the moment."

"Forgive me my lord, but I just do not see what the concern is. She is the daughter of Zhang Fei, surely she is simply returning to us because she knew it was the right thing to do."

I hope to the gods you are right Commander, my thoughts are jaded enough as it is.

"I remember well her heritage Commander, but the sad truth is that I do not have the luxury of such assumptions. If Xing Cai can demonstrate that she is trustworthy, I will be more then willing to allow her passage into Shu, but not before."

His logic was hard to argue with, even though the Commander seemed like he wanted to. Jiang Wei could not blame him; the idea of raising a sword against an ally, against a person such as Xing Cai seemed almost criminal.

The archers stood ready, one thousand of them spread across the wall with five hundred on either side of the closed gates. Behind those gates, the infantry stood at the ready, prepared to sally forth and bring the battle to the other side should there be a need for melee.

For his own part, Jiang Wei had his bow but did not intend to use it... at least not yet.

[Ayden (Retired)]

"Are they arming their bows?" Xing Cai's eyes drifted over the the gate as the unmistakable noise of arrows being placed against the string of wooden bows reached her ears. Her eyes widened, Shu had turned on her. Or had she turned on them? No, she shook her head, she was reading far too much into this. Shu would never fire upon one of its own. For now, she still had the claim of having the blood of Zhang Fei in her, and that held her to Shu. She was stuck with them, no matter what she wanted.


"Jiang Wei, are you going to fire on me?" She yelled to the young prodigy of Shu who stood atop the gate. She had her own army with her, and was prepared to fight to defend herself. But what would pin her the most would be the fact that the one person from Shu she felt she could actually speak to, would be prepared to turn on her and give a order that would eliminate her. However, she knew what Jiang Wei was like, his duty came before all things personal. That was why those two could never be together.

Truth be told, she wanted nothing more than turn her back on Shu right now and ride to the land of Xi Liang. But the command that her lover gave her was ringing like a churchbell in her head. She had to respect his command to return back to her own home kingdom. It was the honourable thing to do. The Lioness belonged in the kingdom of Shu, but at the same time, she belonged at the side of The Lion Ma Chao. What would she decide?

[kongming]

Sitting in his interm house drawing structures and other developments for the Shu army he overheard some bustle and hustle about a force heading here. A young solider rushed over to his house and burst in

‘’My Lord, Xing Cai is here!!!’’

He kept work on his scrolls that were to be sent towards Liu Bei in Cheng Du and he sighed and slowly got up and walked towards his door. There were men from Jiang Wei’s unit rushing back and forward through out the gate and the small village, all getting ready for an attack it seemed.

Equipping himself with the tornado staff he walked out into the street and towards the gate. With his back arched and looking out towards the gate which got closer with every step. Finally approaching the gate he walked up the stairs and was halfway up when he overheard Miss Xing Cai’s voice.

Jiang Wei had taken up position at the very center of the gate headway and his archers seem to be lined up with him, their focus dead on sight of the former ladies home. He walked out of sight into a shrouded area covered by trees and missing blocks.Perfect place for an ambush.

He would wait and see the response from both sides they might of known he was there but the chances were pretty slim. Lying on the unfinished gate area seeing how this turn of events would play out.

[Mr Jiang Wei]

At least she started with a question... and a reasonable one at that. Wei turned to his commander and shook his head slightly before returning his eyes to his addresser.

"That depends upon who is approaching these gates," he called back, appraising her force quickly before turning his attention back to her.

"As of this moment I have no orders with regard to armies approaching the sovereignty of Shu... but considering that Master Zhang Fei rode by with a heavy heart, I believe I can assume you bear us no malice...at least for the moment."

It had to be hard for her, but her caution tore at Jiang Wei almost, he imagined, as much as his adherence to duty did to her. Truth be told Jiang Wei wanted nothing more then to run down the ramparts and offer her an embrace, welcome her back to her home and escort her to her family back in Cheng Du for a celebration a la prodigal son. Unfortunately the world was not quite that kind; it was not hard to see based on how she had confided in him that Xing Cai would not think well of him for having to play the role that he was forced to play.

His men remained at the ready but none of them would raise a bow until ordered to; inexperienced as they were, they at least understood the value of timing that he had drilled into them. Of course, most of them probably did not want to be in this position either...

The air was thick upon the walls of Ba Shui gate as Jiang Wei evaluated the situation. Finally, his face fell and when he looked down at her again...Jiang Wei hoped that Xing Cai could see the relief in his features...and the sadness.

"Order the men to stand down," he commanded, a lump rising in his throat that he was forced to swallow against as he returned his bow to its place on his back. The archers lowered their bows and stepped back from the edge of the wall and Jiang Wei caught a note of relief in the eyes of the commander.

"Xing Cai, I would speak to you in person at the gate. I ask that it only be you. I do not believe you to be an enemy... I, I want to understand, to finish our conversation."

It was a very uncharacteristic offer on his part, but Jiang Wei intended to honor his word. No matter how treacherous an enemy could be, a true leader of Shu understood that such methods were a sign of weakness and worked to purge them from his calculations. Truth be told he did not expect Xing Cai to want to raise her hand against him... but then even the "Prodigy of Shu" could make mistakes.

[Ayden (Retired)]

The silence swept through the air, riding on the wind as it carried literally nothing across the fields. There was something pinnacle about this moment, something so important and yet so secretive. It was the ultimate testimony to the values and honors of the human race. It symbolized beliefs and emotion, testing faiths and joys. So many ridiculously sentimental things that this writer could go on about forever and not ever truly comprehend or make sense of it at all. It was something for the elders to discuss at their tea ceremony.

"It will only be me. Though, I will bring my weapon Jiang Wei. I have a slight idea of what your orders would be." Xing Cai called out as he suggested a meeting. Turning back to her men, she nodded to them, givin the order to remain in their positions, but be ready for conflict if need be. She could see in their faces that they did not want to raise their blades against their comrades. Shu was still their home. Sighing, she decided these troops needed to see their families and not be tied up in Xing Cai's dramas.

"Jiang Wei, please open the gate and let my men through. They must return to their families. This is my problem, they should not have to suffer. I will wait here and we will discuss what needs to be discussed. I told my father that I would only listen to you, so let it be you that does the talking." She waited for the gates to be opened. She knew Jiang Wei would uphold the virtue of Shu and allow the innocent soldiers to return to their families. After all, Xing Cai had promised them she would not let them suffer for her actions.

[Mr Jiang Wei]

Even as the pragmatic side of him bristled in protest of her request, in his heart, Jiang Wei was glad to see that her time among the battle had, at least, not lessened her compassion.

"I will make the arrangements, Xing Cai, and then meet you," he called back to her. Turning, Jiang Wei watched as his commander fell into step with him. The older man seemed naturally more content after the point of conflict had passed.

"So we are letting them through?"

Jiang Wei nodded as they began to descend the steps leading to the ground.

"Just as I have not received orders to battle her, I have not received orders to restrain her motions. That said, I will not allow us to be unprepared. I will meet with her, just we two as I have promised, but the gates will close and should I die, it is your duty to ensure that this gate does not fall."

"Yes my lord, but what about her troops? Once they are inside, they will be able to run free."

Nodding, Jiang Wei gestured to his forehead.

"It has not been unanticipated."

************************************************

The gates opened, and the thousands of soldiers under the command of Jiang Wei presented themselves and then stepped aside, allowing the returning soldiers to be on their way. Jiang Wei stood by with his archer commander as he nodded graciously to those that turned to acknowledge him.

I only hope that this trust is not misplaced.

Of course, there were soldiers of his that were not present and so long as there was no reason for them to appear, they would remain where they were. Rumors abounded of horrible slander being spoken, and so long as the walls remained unfinished, Jiang Wei had no intention of allowing his vigilance to lax.

When all was said and done, he made his way over to the young woman that had rode at the head of their exodus from the fields of war. As she had not disarmed herself, he still carried his spear, but as a show of good faith, he planted it in the ground and took a couple of steps away from it.

Appraising her with a calm stare, Jiang Wei was glad to see that she bore no injuries... or rather, no external injuries.

"Xing Cai, before we begin to speak, allow me to tell you that I am glad to see you unharmed. If nothing else comes of this exchange, please know that I have prayed for your safe return every day that you have been gone."

It sounded sappy, but the best part about telling the truth was that even if the recipient refused to believe it at first, words of truth spoken from the heart often acted as ripples in the pond. They did not make the splash that the stone did, but they persisted far longer.

"That said, allow me to again ask you the question that I did upon your arrival: What do you approach as? I have been given your word that your soldiers wish to return home and see their families and I will honor that, but I would be amiss if I did not at least ask you what your own intentions were."

It had seemed like forever since last they spoke in Han Zhong and no doubt Xing Cai would have some difficulty facing her family should she choose to proceed, but Jiang Wei did not want her to feel like she had to return to Liu Bei alone.

I want to honor the promise I have made to you, Xing Cai. I cannot imagine at the storm of emotions raging within you now, but I do want to help you weather them as best I can.

[Ayden (Retired)]

(OOC, I'm in a fairly deep mood right now...just rewatched the ending to FFX, so forgive me if this is emotional)

There was not much else she could bear, her spirit was breaking. Her eyes followed the soldiers under her command as they marched through the gate, many of them turning and bowing to Xing Cai for her compassion. Despite having disobeyed Shu, she was still loved by her men. She carried the virtue that was a typical trait of the Shu Empire and it's ruler Lord Liu Bei.

Her eyes returned to the front. All she saw though was Jiang Wei, she couldn't see his troops simply because she didn't want to. Her mind was controlling her sight, she just wanted to be alone with someone, and tell them how she felt. To literally fall onto someone's shoulder. She didn't have the pure structure and concrete like soul that her father had, she was a emotional girl who needed nothing but understanding and compassion.

"Jiang Wei..." She mumbled in a almost pleading tone as she slowly removed herself off her maple stallion. Her hand slowly grazed down as it seemed to place something golden in one of the pouches. It was a piece of Golden Horde battle colours. She had made sure she had something to hold on to, to remind her to stay faithful to Ma Chao. Her hand then moved to her weapons, but she did not pick them up. The fork and shield lay lying across the top of the stallion. Turning slowly, the pain clearly visible in her eyes. As Jiang Wei neared closer, she literally broke.

In a cry of anguish, she ran forward into Jiang Wei's arms. She needed comfort now, she had truly realized the concequence of her actions. Shu's name had been tarnished, her father's love was spat on and the man she loved was out fighting a war that would most likely cause his death. "I'm so sorry!" She muffled, it was all the words she could form. The tears began to swell up in her eyes as she pressed her head against the armoured chest of the prodigy of Shu. Right now, she just needed someone to truly understand the storm she was caught in. The sea is rough, and so to the boat shakes and is tossed about across the waves. Her boat will soon be overturned lest it not be saved.

[Mr Jiang Wei]

(Hey, not a problem man, one of my favorite FF games anyway, so I know where you are coming from.)

Perhaps storm was not so bad an analogy after all... more like a typhoon now that I think about it.

Of course, sarcastic quips were the last thing on his mind. For all the talk that could be levied against him with regard to his zealous pursuit of formality and duty, Jiang Wei had not forgotten what it meant to be a young man, had not forgotten what it meant to be caring and compassionate. To speak as he did of the virtues of compassion and understanding and then not to practice them would have marked him as a foul individual indeed.

Watching her break down as she had was both harrowing and painful. Xing Cai, daughter of Zhang Fei and one of the true spirits of fire to be found in the land, now she clung to him as though to find purchase. To feel her shudder as she did, to hear the tears begin to taint her face; it tore at his heart and Jiang Wei would have wept himself, but the notion that he had to be strong in the face of such a situation won over. Furthermore, the odds were that his tears would do nothing for Xing Cai, whereas his strength might help anchor her.

Of course, he could have thought of the politics, could have thought about the challenges his kingdom would face in the future. Shu was subject to so many rumors these days, truly the times ahead would test the kingdom to its limits.

But none of that mattered now: what mattered was that Xing Cai was home.

Holding her as close as he could despite his armor, Jiang Wei cursed at the protective gear and the distance it put between them, minute as it was. He held her firmly in one arm while the other's hand cradled her head.

"Its...its alright Xing Cai. Whats done is done and now all that matters is that you have come home and that you are safe. All that we- that I care about is that you are safe... "

For good measure he began to gently stroke her hair but resisted the urge to kiss the crown of her head. Time began to slow down, and Jiang Wei closed his eyes for a moment, willing himself to focus upon being as kind and strong as he could for her. He would never be Ma Chao, but maybe, for that moment, he might have a chance at being enough.

[Ayden (Retired)]

All she could do was rest her head against Jiang Wei's armour. Her mind was far too shaken and in the midst of a storm. The sea of her mind threw the boat across, ripping against its wooden plank. The pounding waters represented her fears, and the boat represented her hope. But she knew she had to be faithful, she believed that Ma Chao would survive this. She knew all about how they would most likely never be together, different loyalties, and with Menqi's reputation, he would most likely be exiled.

Slowly, through the tears, she began to confess to Jiang Wei what she had done. "I didn't even think...I just wanted to be at his side. And then I yelled at my father...I wore the Golden colours. I..I..." She couldn't keep going, she just needed someone to listen and literally not look upon her with shame. Jiang Wei was the only one who could actually listen and not judge, he was almost the only place she could turn to in order to regain her footing. Though this was the first time she had ever broken down. Love had pierced her armour and set alight a blaze of emotion inside the peaceful village of her soul. She never knew what it was like until now, and she realized how much it hurt to know that she might never see Ma Chao ever again.

"I keep telling myself he won't die...but..." She did not want to finish the sentence. She would never finish it. It would be like sealing her own unfaithfulness.

[Mr Jiang Wei]

Needed Something Somber

"You did what your heart told you. You honored the love you felt for him, there is nothing wrong with that," Wei replied, tilting her chin so that he could stare her straight in the eyes. "There is nothing wrong with that Xing Cai. Nothing that you have done could ever drive you away from you friends and family here..."

Forcing himself not to dwell upon the future, Jiang Wei let his hand fall from her face and rest on her shoulder as he held her as close as he could, willing his arms and words to comfort her. He was no good at such displays: no sutras or great works ever prepared one to address such matters of the heart.

It was also difficult to speak in such a way to a woman such as Xing Cai. She was a true example of the power of the heart: capable of great, almost unearthly loyalty to that which earned it but given to terrible bouts of uncertainty and pain when that which she held dear was threatened or broken.

"And believe me, Ma Chao will live. If he is half the man that you say he is, if he has half the fire in his soul that you claim he does, I do not believe that death will come to him."

Ma Chao...you must live, less you consign this wonderful woman to her grave.

[Ayden (Retired)]

Half the man...Xing Cai's head fell back into Jiang Wei's chest as the few seconds seemed like eternity to her. He was not a man, he was a lion, and by right Xing Cai would be at the lion's side, like Nala would be at Simba's. Such a thing could not be lost, the pride and fury of a lion. The lion inside Ma Chao was what Xing Cai found so unique, no other warrior she had ever encountered, or man for that mtter, had the same spirit as the Splendid warrior of Xi Liang. When he yells, his roar echoes through the land, proclaiming his pure ferocity to those who would be foolish enough to stand up to him.

But then she fell back into the negative thoughts, what if he died? He had no son to inherit his legacy. Xing Cai would want nothing more than conceive the son of a lion, but they never were given a moments time alone. And the idea of conceiving his child frightened Cai, but at the same time sparked something. She did desire him in both a emotional and physical way. Their kiss was almost painful for Xing Cai. It would be like giving a loaf of bread to a homeless man, only to take it away after he has had one bite.

She managed to regain her composure, the emotions that were shredding her insides were now out. She stood up straight, well, more supported than previously. She then looked into Jiang Wei's eyes, and she could see hidden, a desire for her, but that desire was like a tiny fire that Wei seemed to easily smother with his responsibilities. He was destined to be like that, a man whose profession came long before his desires.

"Jiang Wei." She stopped, as she somewhat frequently seemed to do when she was speaking, but in fact she was hesitating to speak the words. "I don't think I can return to Shu. Not until I know of Ma Chao's fate. His people, they need a sign of hope. Xi Liang is probably in disarray." Stopping, she reminded herself of what she had seen at the Battle of Qi Ning Pass. The banners of Liu Chan, and she had heard the gossip of the soldiers. Shu was being portrayed as a treacherous nation. "Shu's name can't afford to be ruined by my actions any longer. I couldn't dare look my father or uncles in the eyes after my actions."

[Mr Jiang Wei]

Letting her go, Jiang Wei held her eyes for a long moment and then looked down at the flowers blooming alongside the road. Now she voiced concerns for the safety of her kingdom? At this late juncture they threatened to ring hollow in his ears, but Jiang Wei had promised to refrain from judgment of her. At least she was speaking truthfully; she was not ready to return.

"Shu...will survive this. To be treacherous is to imply that we promised to fight this meaningless battle in the first place when we did not. This whole war has been nothing but warriors ignoring their obligations as leaders. If you ask me, we need less warriors in the land and more people willing to follow their hearts. The people may be cowed by stories of prowess but slaying the enemy on some distant battlefield does not feed the hungry or provide for the needy."

Realizing he was in danger of becoming preachy, Jiang Wei looked back up at her again, a sad smile on his face.

"I would remind you that our people need you as well, but I know better."

It was hard not to snap, not to lash out at the situation, but for better or worse Jiang Wei understood that anger accomplished nothing; that there was a difference between simply being passionate and being compassionate. Liu Bei understood this, which was why Shu stood as the pillar of strength that it was.

"As I said before, what good is our name if we are unwilling to acknowledge such love? You believe your father and uncles to be so callous as to put their own reputations ahead of their concern for you, but nothing could be further from the truth. They have spoken of nothing but you since you left and well... you saw your father out there. He marched his army to Chang An and the Pass to do nothing else other then remind you that you were loved, that you were missed. Granted it was in his own way, but I would like to think that if anyone knows Zhang Fei, it would be Xing Cai."

Of course, if one wanted to look pragmatically from a diplomatic perspective, Zhang Fei had caused quite a bit of damage, but Jiang Wei was not interested in espousing lessons as though teaching a class. He was more interested in giving his friend some perspective.

"I am not saying that you will not receive harsh words, but each and every officer in this kingdom would brave the same odds for you... and foolishness or not, that says something.

Still," he continued, walking back over to his spear. "I have not voiced all that I have in order to try and return you to us. I have spoken so that while you ride back to Xi Liang or wherever it is that you intend to go, you no longer have to wonder about what we are thinking, about whether or not we are concerned."

Retrieving his spear Jiang Wei gave her the most sympathetic look he could muster, pouring his heart and soul into every aspect of his features. Then he saluted, bowing his head low as his fist found his hand and when he looked up at her, his features were bland and emotionless; almost as if he were regarding her for the first time.

"The gate is open my lady, if you wish to proceed into our kingdom it had best be now."

[Ayden (Retired)]

The gate lay ahead, and so did the fate of Xing Cai. It couldn't be her entire fate though, this was just one small measure of destiny. Looking at this moment in a sentimental way, one could think that making a decision now would be considered as being a man, too bad Xing Cai was a female and that this had nothing to do with masculinity or pride. This had to do with accepting the responsibilities of former actions.

She turned her head back to her stallion, it's gaze locked with hers. She could feel the beast's longing to reach home, and so too her rider. Sighing, she nodded once to the beast strangely before walking back towards her horse. She slowly brought herself up onto its powerful back, she then motioned it forward.

"I will go and meet with Lord Liu Bei, but I would rather have all three brothers in the council at once. That way I can proclaim everything I need to myself with them all hearing the same thing." The horse began to trot forward, slowly, ever so slowly, towards Cheng Du. However, as the slow trot maintained itself, she turned her head back to Jiang Wei. "Thank you."