The Tiger General (On Hold Due To Lack of Good Sources)

Chapter 2

Author's Note:

Yay! Lu Bu is in this chapter! I'm a bit sad i can't keep him for multiple chapters, but I have to cover 35+ years of Yan's life...aw... oh well. Oh, Lu Bu's death sentence is way exaggerated, just a note.

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“It’s a rabbit,” Yun Zi offered it up to Yan, who sat astride Desheng awaiting the call to move out; “it’ll bring you good luck. Put it over your heart and it will defend you always.”

Zhou Yan took the medium sized rabbit and did as Yun Zi had said. Its smooth surface felt refreshing against his skin and he smiled, “I cannot thank you enough, Yun Zi. You really didn’t need to do this, though…”

“Nonsense!” She waved it off dismissively, “I’ll go to great pains for a friend. Besides, I want you to be safe, no matter what, so that you can visit me again after this is all over and done with.” She smiled bashfully and looked away from him, how could she have attracted the attention of such a literate and brave man just by knocking him off a wall by accident? The thought had always danced playfully in her mind.

Before he could respond, the order was given to move out. Reluctantly, Zhou Yan waved goodbye to Yun Zi and edged his horse onward. The roads grew increasingly barren; only dirt, unappealing as could be, surrounded the army on either side. It gave a sense of unending loneliness to all of the army, but they refused to allow their morale to fall. Xiahou Yuan fell in pace with Yan, “So, how you feeling, boy?”

“As good as one can be surrounded by miles of nothing, nothing, and even more nothing,” Zhou Yan sighed heavily and motioned to the barren landscape, “It’s quite… what’s the word?”

“Depressing?”

“Yes, that’s it! It is truly, utterly, madly depressing,” Zhou Yan remarked with false cheeriness.

Xiahou Yuan laughed, “Man, do I wish I was as full of life as you! Personally, I just want to end this stupid war and go home!”

“Don’t we all?” another officer joined in.

 “Tell me about it!”

“I’ve got a son on the way; I’m going to miss it!”

Before long, the entire army was abuzz with conversation of every topic imaginable: home, family, food, women, et cetera. Turning to Xiahou Yuan, Zhou Yan asked, “So, what exactly are we doing now?”

“Hm? Oh, we’re meeting up with Liu Bei’s men,” Xiahou Yuan replied, “We plan to engage the enemy with combined forces here soon; that, boy, is where the real fun begins!”

“I’d simply love to say that makes me ecstatic… sadly I don’t think I’m able to think of any reason why it should…”

“Well kid, I think that’s for the best. The only thing war is good for is adrenaline rushes and killing; neither of which are good in high amounts,” Xiahou Yuan nodded in agreement.

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The army had marched for hours and the newcomers were growing weary. Those lucky enough to have horses were spared the fatigue, yet they wondered if they would reach the ally camp soon, for their horses had gone all day without food. Fatigued warhorses and men were not what one wanted in an ambush if one arose, so Cao did his best to keep his men moving at a quick pace, yet slow enough not to tire quickly. They seemed to be making no progress, however, and Cao called the army to a halt. The men dismounted and all heaved sighs of relief, wiping their sweat stained brows and sitting to rest their weary legs. Yan and Ying dismounted stiffly, Yan more stiffly than Ying and he almost fell over, leaning on his horse for support. Ying laughed at him as he tried to regain his balance, “Oh, shut up, will you?” Yan snapped.