The Splendid

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Xinye.

The bushes crackled and swayed as they slowly made way for him. First came the head of the white horse, poking out through the small opening in the lush foliage of the forest. Then came the rest of the animal, and of course its tall rider; proudly sitting atop his mount, his long spear placed diagonally across his back through means of leather straps. The wind gently blew the many white strands of hair this way and that, but the man flinched not even once as the bundle passed in and out of his large and menacing helmet.

Pausing for only a short moment to drop down from his steed and walk over to the rapidly rushing stream beside him, Ma Chao bent down and used both hands to cup the cold, fresh water in them before bringing it up to his mouth. Hmm. Refreshing as always. Reaching back to his stallion, he unhooked a leather pouch from the saddle before dipping it deep into the water, then bringing it back up. Quite cold, and filled with the clear liquid now, Chao checked once to see if any unnecessary obstacles had joined in the flow.

Remounting his horse with the pouch now strapped back onto the saddle, Ma Chao had gone not too far before the large gates of Xin Ye came into view. Not an enormous city overall, but still, compare it to size of one man standing beneath it. Assuming there should be the city guard situated atop the walls, he shouted out with the voice of ten men put together:

"Tell Lord Liu Bei that Ma Chao of Xi Liang is here!"

[Lu Xiang]

Liu Bei was away, buisness. He was a charismatic man with a charismatic agenda. Zhuge Liang remained "home" at Xinye to tend to things for him. Building from what seemed a lost cause of a city into a grand flourishing empire. The people left with hope scattered around the city; coughing and spluttering. Their mettle for Xuande was amazing, so many came - maybe even too many. It was the fuel for the fire for Liu Bei - his people.

In came a servant; Liu Bei was absent so his second in command was summoned. Kongming. He arose from the prayer mat before bowing and returning his shoes to his feet and telling the servant to invite the man in. The company was humble. Xinye was a place of refuge not violence. Such things were rejected; a hostal of peace and tranquility. The servant dashed back to the return the message to the man to come inside.

Zhuge Liang himself was dressed as usual, a simple taoist robe; his green head dress and above all his grand design of a peacock fan. Not only were such peacock feathers rare but to wield such a thing was pure brilliance. He knelt down; upon a cushion a simple wooden table seperating him and the opposing cushion. Wondering who seeked an audience with his lord..

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There was a long moment of silence. Ma Chao awaited for a response, more than ready to shout to the guards once more, this time in more of a demanding tone. And it was then that the large doors swung wide open, making way for the lone rider to enter. Noticing the appearance of several more guards atop the walls to signal him in, Ma Chao nodded in silence as a response as he guided his horse to slowly lead him in at a well-paced trot, to be greeted by a single messenger come to inform him that Zhuge Liang, second-in-command, would see him instead.

Zhuge Liang. Kongming. Of course, who didn't know the man? Famous throughout the land for his brilliance and outstanding, unmatchable tactics and strategy, he had no equal, not even the best of Cao Cao's strategists... the latter whom Ma Chao considered fools for serving the vile bastard Mengde. But then, back to Zhuge Liang, Ma Chao had always wanted to and was more than ever looking forward to meeting with the man sometime soon, whether he was an interest in strategy or not. After all, he was one of the great men of the land.

Dismounting from his horse lightly and passing the reins on to a group of servants standing outside the palace to do whatever to the animal as they saw best, whether to groom and feed it at the stables, or just hold it there until Chao's return, Ma Chao strode into the courtyard toward the designated building that the messenger had informed him of. Kongming would be waiting there, and Chao would be honored by his presence. The servants immediately opened the door for him, and he stepped right through and into the chamber.

"You don't mind if I put my spear here?"

Pulling his weapon out, but in a non-hostile manner, of course, Ma Chao leaned it against the nearby wall before stepping forth to bow before Zhuge Liang.

"Greetings, sir. I am Ma Chao, styled Mengqi. I have heard many things about you; many good things."

[Lu Xiang]

"Master Ma Chao, it is grand to see you. How is your father? I have never hailed from the north personally but I've heard the riders of the north are fierce foes."

Zhuge Liang laughed, sipping upon his tea before offering the man a seat. Extending his arm and his robes as the pale flesh showed him where to sit.

"What brings you to the humble town of Xinye, Master Ma Chao?"

Zhuge Liang said, gently fanning himself with his great peacock fan - back and forth as his stray black hair flowed in the wind. A brisk smile upon his pale but well tamed face. He was a man of a gentle tone and a gentle lifestyle though he kept fit. He was healthy and well looked after; but refused to commit acts of violent or physical fighting.

"The journey has been long for you; may I offer you a drink? Tea maybe or sake? or some wine?"

He said summoning a servant to offer hard travelled young horse veteran a drink. No doubt like father like son; but Ma Chao would be a man to surpass his own father. Something very few would ever do.

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"My father? Well, he was situated elsewhere due to his occupation, but alas! The fiend Cao Cao has massacred many of my family there, and I do not know if Father is well or alive, seeing as I have not had even a chance to attack the vile villain once."

Ma Chao simply nodded in silence as he was directed to a seat on a pillow in front of Zhuge Liang, on the other side of the small table. Kneeling down on the floor, he sat in silence for a bit before he noticed that Zhuge Liang had been asking him another question. Of course, he would have to reveal his true intentions of being here, the most important of reasons that he was sitting before Kongming in Xinye.

"I have come to offer what meager skills that I have to Lord Liu Bei, to give my lifelong service to him. I truly hope that I will not be turned back, as I have heard the he is a very merciful man, and will accept any who come to him.

"And I'd like some tea please. Don't want to get drunk first meeting, do I?"

Receiving the cup of freshly poured warm tea, Ma Chao sipped on it before putting it down on the table before him.

[Lu Xiang]

Zhuge Liang laughed, passing the fan back and forth between the open spaces before his eyes; such a delicate being he was - yet such a fierce, cold and harsh man he could be. Deception.

"Cao Cao, a fiend or not is a man to be feared. It is no doubt of my mind that he will arise as one of the heroes during these times. I am sorry to hear of your family. If you would like I can try to find traces of your father or at least concur a report and lay your mind to rest?"

Zhuge Liang said sympathetically before bowing his head with firm honour before moving his fan around a little more, returning to movement.

"Master Liu Bei would be very glad to hear this news, but are you completely sure? The loss of a father; if he has suffered the same fate of your family would put you through alot of strife. I apologise but if you allow your emotions involvement; I don't believe the battlefield is for you. My lord."

Zhuge Liang stated firmly, revenge could make and break a person. Cao Cao was his sworn nemesis from now. It may lead him to do stupid and reckless things; something Zhuge Liang was against.

"Me and Liu Bei are very different, however he is my lord and I serve him with everything I have. What you have heard is completely correct and therefore I cannot refuse your assistance. Your blade and your skill will serve our cause well - if you are still willing. But there is merely one request I ask of you; please find some sort of closure for your family."

Zhuge Liang replied; not faltering for a moment from the gentle tone of his voice. He too had suffered from the death of his father, mother and uncle. It was tough; but life went on. The pages still turned in a burning book. Gone but never forgotten.

"Ha, a man of wits clearly. A sober mind; is a prepared mind. I can't say Master Zhang Fei would've rejected the alcoholic beverage however. I'm sure you will prove yourself as a Master amongst men. A toast? ....To you and your future. Master Ma Chao."

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"I deeply thank you for your offer, sir, but I must say. I wish to and intend to find my father and any possible remnants of the massacre myself, if I can. I have strong faith in my father that if he did survive, he will one day rise again in the lands of Xi Liang, safe from the reach of Cao Cao or any other man... at least, until he does rise."

How... heart-warming. Zhuge Liang was apparently one that either both truly and sympathetically understood and felt the same for him, or maybe he was simply holding a cool emotion within, with only his words to make it seem so. But whichever way that the mastermind was thinking, Ma Chao still felt reassurance and thankfulness in the man¡¯s consideration.

"I am most willing to serve Lord Liu Bei, and my determination will not be wavered. I do understand, however, that my recklessness that derives from my emotions of hate and rage has often placed me in deeply troublesome situations, and most likely will continue to do so for years to come if I continue to go this way.

"...I will try, sir. I am afraid that it is all that I can tell you now."

He took a long breath.

"A toast sounds fine, sir."

[Lu Xiang]

Zhuge Liang laughed, drinking from the fountain of toasts; nothing more then a cup of warm tea - but so much more than what met the eye.

"I have no doubts in you Master Ma Chao, just your heroic presence gives me a sense of protection. If there is anything I can do for you don't be afraid to ask. There is no limitations in these parts; Master Liu Bei treats everyone like his own, especially the men who serve him loyally. Master Guan Yu and Zhang Fei alone are his brothers and he respects them more then his own blood family."

Zhuge Liang brushed his fan back and forth. It was rare to find such closeness in times of hate and war. Fathers rejected sons who couldn't be what they wanted. Women were discarded, people slaughtered by the thousands.

"Follow your heart and more importantly your head.. Your blade shall do the rest - My lord. For now please do rest. No doubt you are drained emotionally and physically. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of Xinye; a sanctuary for all. War will come; and we shall be ready for Demon Cao."

Zhuge Liang said bowing his head; knowing Ma Chao would want to be the first on the battlefield against Mengde. But it would be rash to attack him now, with such a small force and a small footing. Zhuge Liang bowed his head once more.

"You will fit in perfectly here, I have heard of your great heart and your pious soul. Guan Yu will be very welcoming towards you and no doubt Liu Bei the same. I can't say Zhang Fei is very welcoming to anybody; but excuse his attitude - he is a heavy drinker."

Zhuge Liang laughed, brushing the air around his pale delicate face.

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Putting his cup of tea to his lips once more, Ma Chao drank the remnant of the liquid before setting it down. A servant began to pick up the pot to refill it, but he simply gestured with a small wave of his hand as a sign that he was full enough by now. He was tired, of course, from the long journey and from all those past yet recent defeats, but he wasn't in too much of a thirst for water, ha.

"I am indeed delighted that Lord Liu and Master Zhuge yourself are such generous and sympathetic people. I will not fail you, and I shall keep my promise firm. Thank you for your time and consideration. Now I believe I must take my leave and quickly settle down in what manner I can before the setting of the sun."

Rising from his seat before the table, Ma Chao bowed once more to Zhuge Liang before turning around, taking his spear, and once more proudly striding out of the room while he unconsciously slid his weapon back into its proper place on his back.