Old Friends (Quest) [Zhuge Liang]

[exiled]

His lord had wished to be personally present, but as usual things did not turn out as planned. It was another day, another dollar for Xu Shu, as he rode on his horse towards the Han Capital. His horse plodded on, hot but able to bare the difficult conditions as his master urged him on. Lord Cao Cao wished to improve his standing within the Han, his ambition knowing no limits, but tied down it was left to Xu Shu to make a good impression and hopefully extend his lord's power.

"Please! I beg of you!"

The words were exclaimed through the village he was currently passing through. A peasant, no more than 20 screamed for help and Xu Shu immediately halted his march.

"I am a busy man, but I see you are distressed. Pray do tell, if I can help, I will."

"It's those Yellow Turbans! They've come through here, took all our money, our food and our women! Please my Lord, you must help us!"

Flattered by the man calling him Lord, but no less shocked by the news, Xu Shu dismounted his horse, checking the surroundings, witnessing the now obvious destruction and desolation left by a marching army. He had seen it all before, but had never done anything about it, unable to as his forces lacked any power, or his abilities shackled for other reasons, yet this time he was determined to help however he could.

"How many of them were there? I have but 200 men, a parade at best in these times, I am sad to say my Lord Cao Cao left me ill equipped to be of much use against presumably a large force."

He was apprehensive, his abilities were undoubted to most, yet inside he had his doubts. He doubted he could first of all catch up with the enemy, secondly he doubted he had the forces to take out a yellow scarf army and thirdly the lay of the land was unfamiliar to him having only recently joined his lord in the central plains of China.

"A lot! They said they will be back and if we do not give them more money and food they will kill all us who survived. Please help us, do anything, do something!"

He was distressed and rightly so, a tear visible in the man's eye. Xu Shu knew something had happened to someone he loved, whether it was family, a friend or a certain someone who caught his eye. His mind told him to carry on, leave the village and do what he was meant to do, as his abilities were useless here and the situation far too dangerous, yet his heart made him stay.

"I can do what I can do, but my presence here could be more harmful than good. I can leave to get help, I am myself on my way to the Han capital as we speak and I am sure they will help in some way. Then again if you cannot pay them, which I assume you cannot, then either way you must stand and fight these cowards and with that i will also help you."

Perhaps this was to be his fate and a fitting one as well. He had always dreamt of reaching the heights he knew he could, he had visions in his sleep of great victories, ideas so far untried, but today he was potentially condemning those to death along with his self. After a short chat it was also revealed the enemy army would appear in three weeks, it brought some hope to Xu Shu, knowing it was time he needed and time he was thankful to have and work with.

His concentration left him as he heard the sound of marching, his troops shouted for Xu Shu to turn around and the glimpse of a marching army, much the same size as his own could be seen in the distance, the banners symbolising Liu Bei's forces.

"It can't be...?"

Xu Shu's eyes focused on one man and one man only - Zhuge Liang.

[Lu Xiang]

Zhuge Liang travelled in a small company, only a dozen of riders with him for personal defense reasons and speed. He had no intentions of putting down rebels or engaging in war. Sprinting as fast as he could go - aiming for the capital no doubt. He didn't reveal his true intentions. They approached the village, the people around looks deeply distressed; starved. restless and dying. They begged for him to help them, but he tried to ignore them. Reminding them he was nothing more then a humble advisor to Lord Liu Bei.

"Lord Liu Bei is a man of virtue! If you do not help us, then we will all surely die.."

They exclaimed trying to place guilt upon the man as he looked around, misery and burning hate around this people. Not a single child playing in the streets or a smile plucked upon their faces. Truly a scene of a grim nature. After scanning the ruins which impeached a city he snarled, something inside of him led his eyes infront where he met his old friend. Xu Shu. He waved his fan back and forth, trying to awake from this dream - but it wasn't a dream. What was such a man and such a good friend doing in a desolate town like this.

"Master Xu Shu; it has been too long. How unlawful that where are to meet once again in all places but here. None the less - it is grand to see you again. Bid me not ignorant, but why are you here?"

He said already presuming the basic details. No doubt this place had been attacked somehow; most likely by Yellow Scarves. The people required saviours.. but Kongming had no intentions of sticking around too long. He was in a rush, to the capital at least.

"It pains me to see such a place like this; is there nothing we can do?

He questioned, they had not enough supplies to spare, nor enough man power to assist repairs. He let out a sigh before dismounting his horse to meet Xu Shu with a gracious bow and to take a rest for riding and to indulge in his presence.

[exiled]

He was amazed, stunned even. The usually imperturbable Xu Shu had hit a roadblock, his mind vying to reclaim its rightful place of power and speak to his old friend, yet before he could the fine words of Zhuge Liang spoke and his voice brought back fine memories of old times gone by. Was it not for Xu Shu's fine ability to shake away shock, he might not have even responded to the man's questions.

"Unlawful indeed. It has been quite some time old friend and were it not for this situation we find outselves in, I would invite you for a drink and a catchup, however things are not so fine for me to speak such words."

He realised he had not answered either of Kongming's questions, a slight blush escaped to his face, already inside he felt the sad realisation that his friend and fellow student had already bested him in one thing. He did his best once more to strug off his personal emotions and reply to what he should already have.

"The rebels have attacked this once peaceful village, pillaging and taking the women as they saw fit. I have pledged myself to aid in their endevours and an approximate 3 weeks they have before the rebels return for more loot. Unfortunate times we find ourselves in, yet of course the rules of engagement do not fall kindly on myself, however surely with your assistance a solution may well find itself present. Time is but one of the advantages we have in our hands and your fine expertise can only be a boon under these circumstances.

Xu Shu felt the need to help these people and a deep fire burnt within him to repay the cowardise shown that day by defeating and humiliating the rebel forces and sending them back to their creator.

"So what say you Kongming? Will the Dragon ride with me once more?"

It was a chance encounter and one the village so desperately needed. The chances were good if the two great thinkers could once again work together, but Shu noted Liang's body language and knew the man was certainly in a rush for whatever reason. Shu's brows perked up in curiosity, especially when thinking of why he was so far from his homeland.

"Why in such a rush, friend?"

[Lu Xiang]

Zhuge Liang looked around, breathing in slightly and fanning himself. Listening to his good friends words; remaining calm and as cool as the center of an iceburg. Something he had always remained to do, refusing to pitched into feelings of anger or anything that would obstruct his goals.

"Hmm, how troublesome..."

He exclaimed stroking his chin; to allow such a deed to commit would go against his lords virtues, yet to go against his lords duties would also be worthy of execution. He stroked his beard once more. Three weeks would be long enough for his guards to get to Luoyang and back. He issued them the order to move; delivering the message alone to capital. Deciding his heart was here; with Xu Shu and these people.

"The situation here is dire, the food is scarve - morale doesn't exist and this city lacks men of strength. I have yet to find a battle to challenge my own wits; but perhaps I will find satisfaction in working alongside my loyal and most appeciated of friends."

He laughed, bowing at least deciding the work around here would be needed to be set in motion immediately. After all the bandits wouldn't know that not only one great strategist stood behind these walls but now two. From different paths they had turned after being students under Master Sima Hui. They would both put their differences aside; reunited once again combining their knowledge of war.

"Master Xu Shu, I was heading towards the capital to inform the Emperor of Liu Bei's requirement for assistance with the people who flock to him. But I see here; clearly the reasons why the people flood to south. With these rebels running loose like beasts - the people have no choice but to flee to the safer lands of the South."

He respectfully answered before walking a little down the mudstained pathway. Three weeks is all they had.

"If you accept my services Master Xu Shu; seeing as you were here before I and acknowledge me. Then I will stay and assist you with the breaking of this attack. Three weeks is a good time to prepare. Though outnumbered, no doubt we will win."

Kongming laughed, glad to be returned to the side of his childhood friend.. but eager to draw arms beside him and prove his worth at last to someone who appreciated the art of war. There was alot to be considered behind a blade. Outnumbered, this would be like a canvas for Zhuge Liang. He was not an arrogant man; but he took pride in his work.

"I would ask of you to summon the men to arms; every man willing to fight should be put to labour. Building defences, preparing arms. Whatever is necessary. I will evacuate the women and children to a safer place. At the moment they are a drain upon our resources and will be a weakness if we keep them here."

Zhuge Liang said, they needed a work force and army. This would provide one. Clearly out the the women and children too young to fight would give them space and relieve them of took many people sapping supplies. The troops would be well fed this way.