Free To Live Chapter 2: To Challenge One's Fate
Diao Chan was waiting for Lu Bu as he entered the main room, or as he referred to it: “the throne room.” She took her place to the side of the throne, leaning upon huge cushions. The huge door swung open violently and the imposing warrior stomped in. Generals and advisors followed in solemnly. A soldier dragged in the prisoner by the ropes that bound her wrists. The woman’s piercing blue eyes took in the room and found hers. Time slowed to a standstill, as the prisoner’s eyes lingered on her. Diao Chan noticed something unreadable in the look the other woman gave her. Was it pity? Curiosity? Or was it something else? The woman returned her gaze back to Lu Bu and her smug look to her face.
The Almighty Lu Bu dropped into his chair like a petulant child. There was an uncomfortable silence as the large man shifted in his chair. He looked over at Diao Chan, who he noticed was looking intently at his prisoner.
Through gritted teeth he gave a gruff introduction: “This insolent wench is Zhen Ji. Wench of Cao Cao, this is my woman, Diao Chan.” Diao Chan lowered her head as the woman’s smug look faltered temporarily. Lu Bu scowled turned back to Zhen Ji. “You will be detained in my daughter’s room, since she is on her way to Yuan Shu to secure our alliance. Personally, I would throw you in the dungeon, but my advisors keep reminding me that you seem to be worth something to Cao Cao.” Diao Chan’s brain worked quickly trying to formulate a new plan. She had to proceed carefully.
“My lord Lu Bu,” she began meekly, seeking his attention.
“Yes, my songbird?” Lu Bu replied curiously. Her stomach lurched at the name.
“Might I be entrusted with the care of Lady Zhen? I would be able to ensure that her needs were met.” Diao Chan bowed as low as she could. 'I hope this works…'
Lu Bu snorted. Not usually a good sign. “Alright, since ‘you can meet her needs.’” She got up and left the room, with the soldier who was pulling the prisoner along.
As they walked down the hall, a group of armed women met them. Diao Chan’s personal bodyguard, Ji Jia, took over for the soldier holding Zhen Ji’s rope. Her bodyguard carried a war fan, which held mystical power. Her dress was red and sleeveless. Her shoulder-length brown hair was pulled into ponytail. Diao Chan nodded to her other guards to stand back and walked to Zhen Ji who tensed but kept eye contact. She then untied Zhen Ji’s wrists. The lady of Wei had a confused look on her face. The dancer just smiled and motioned for her to follow. This just confused the captive more as the female guards formed a protective box around them
“Aren’t I your captive?” Zhen Ji asked as they walked along. She turned to her ‘captor’ and studied her pretty face.
“Only in title, milady,” Diao Chan said trying to keep her expression calm, “you are a lady first and deserve some respect.” Her expression faltered when she noticed the numerous cuts on Zhen Ji’s dress. “My lady, you are hurt…”
“It’s nothing…” She tried to brush it off, but then Diao Chan was there running her hands along her skin checking for cuts. Tingles went down her spine at the contact. 'So gentle…'
“Nonsense, we must tend to these before they get infected and ruin this perfect skin.” Diao Chan blushed profusely as she realized she said that last part out loud. Zhen Ji merely smiled, as they continued into her quarters.
Ji Jia came in with a basin of water and some bandages. Zhen Ji sat on the bed and thanked the woman and asked the young woman her name. Diao Chan began to inspect the room to make sure it was suitable. When she looked back over at Zhen Ji, the other woman was removing the bloody dress. The dancer swiftly looked away.
“Is there something wrong, my little songbird?” Diao Chan blushed even more at the use of the nickname. For the first time, the nickname did not make her ill; it just made butterflies flutter about in her stomach. She heard Ji Jia’s familiar giggle. She looked over again and noticed Zhen Ji was whispering something into the brunette woman’s ear. Then, they both looked at Diao Chan and smiled. Diao Chan felt like she was missing out on something.
Another one of her bodyguards brought in a blue silk robe for the lady of Wei. Once she was bandaged, she put on the robe over the bandages and thanked the guards. Ji Jia pulled the other one outside, while grinning. That left them alone…and that made Diao Chan rather nervous. Zhen Ji slowly made her way over to the table that Diao Chan had settled next to. She sat down close to her and agonizingly crossed her legs under the short blue robe. Diao Chan gulped; Zhen Ji smirked.
“So…are you the one who struck Lu Bu?” Diao Chan asked, trying to focus on something other than the legs barely contained by the robe.
“Yes,” she said with a laugh, “Are you really his woman?” At this, the dancer rose to her feet and clenched her fists.
“I am not ‘his woman’ and I never will be!” She walked over and squeezed the bed post as if she could crush it. “I belong to no man!” She heard a slight rustle and suddenly she felt the woman general behind her. She turned around to regard the woman. She had a peculiar look in her aquamarine eyes. She inched closer and closer to Diao Chan’s face.
“How about a woman?” Before Diao Chan could react, Zhen Ji pushed her onto the bed and jumped on top of her. She closed the gap and kissed her gently on the lips. Diao Chan felt her heart stop and let go.
'She tastes so wonderful…like heaven.' She did not realize that she closed her eyes until they opened full of shock as the reality of the situation hit her. She managed to get out of the other woman’s grasp, almost regretfully. She got to her feet and began to pace. “We can’t do this! It is forbidden!”
Zhen Ji smiled and sat up on her elbows, looking every bit the seductive predator. She looked like she wasn’t convinced. She looked somewhat satisfied. She didn’t bother to straighten the rumpled robe as she got up and wrapped her arms around Diao Chan’s waist from behind. She gently whispered into the other woman’s ear: “Forget about the rules. They were made by men.” Diao Chan shivered and struggled half-heartedly. Something inside her admitted she didn’t want to leave the comfortable embrace. She felt safe for the first time in years.
“That may be true but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t follow them…” Diao Chan was struggling, although only mentally. She could feel the other woman’s breath on her ear. It made her heart pound.
“Forget about them. Follow your heart.” The woman finished with a feather-like kiss to the neck. Zhen Ji drew back and prepared to pounce again. Diao Chan dodged it this time with a graceful side step. Zhen Ji was turning around to make another attempt when something landed on top of her and pinned her arms to her sides.
“I want to live free. Free from men who want to use me for their selfish desires.” Diao Chan kept inching slowly towards her captive’s face. “I want to be able to love who I want.” She stopped just as their noses were touching. She stared into the aquamarine pools and gently stroked the other woman’s cheek. “I choose you, Zhen Ji of Wei.” She closed the gap and their lips met again. Their heart beats were swift and felt like thundering hooves. The world disappeared and they did not care to return.
Then, they heard a careful knock at the door and the squeak of it opening. The two women quickly tried to assume innocent postures, which was difficult considering they were both on the bed gasping for breath and their faces were flushed. It was Ji Jia. She didn’t look surprised, but had a smirk on reminiscent of the Wei general’s own.
“I apologize for the intrusion, My Ladies,” the guard began, but her smirk fell, “Lord Lu Bu requests your presence in his room.” Silence. She waited for a response. Diao Chan’s mind sped. At first, there was guilt for being caught, but it quickly went away at a look to the person next to her. Then, there was horror and disgust because she knew what he was planning: a ‘celebration’ of his victory. She would not give in to him, ever. She looked at the beautiful woman lying next to her and formulated a desperate plan. 'It’s now or never…'
“I have no intention of going to him.” She spat the last part out and her bodyguard’s eyes widened in shock at seeing her gentle master so upset. “Find another messenger to tell him that I’ll be on my way in a little while. Tell him I’m taking a bath or something else that would take a lot of time. Then, go retrieve Lady Zhen’s weapon. Gather the rest ofmy personalguard, quietly. We leave now.” Zhen Ji embraced her once again, as the young guard hurried out the door.
“A desperate plan…but I’m with you, now and forever.” She followed the dancer to her room and searched for some traveling clothes. Diao Chan found her maces and gave them a test swing. “Are we going to fight our way out? Or are you going to dance for me?”
Diao Chan shook her head at the obvious jest, she hadn't cleaned the maces since Hu Lao Gate.“We’re going to sneak out over the walls, if at all possible. I know a group of soldiers loyal to my father, who would be willing to help.” The woman warrior nodded as she struggled with the last button of one of Diao Chan’s dresses. It was a lovely violet dress that was split high on both sides for riding. She stretched and tested her mobility in the garment.
The red-clad guard returned a few moments later with the flute. She gave to Zhen Ji, who looked as if she was reunited with her best friend. She swung it and alternated it with kicks. She smiled satisfied.
Together, they made their way down the busy halls. No one was really paying attention to them, since they were busy dealing with a siege. No one would have reason to stop them. They neared the doors to the courtyard and Diao Chan was hoping Lu Bu was patient.
“Diao Chan!” A familiar voice roared from down the hall. The crowd parted and let him stomp down the hall to the three women. Diao Chan shoved Ji Jia towards the door and nodded for her to proceed. She turned to do the same the Zhen Ji, but the woman was already between Lu Bu and her, weapon ready. He yelled again. “What are you doing! Are you letting the wenchgo?”
“No, I’m going with her,” the dancer said in a less than confident tone. Her knees were knocking and her hands were shaking. 'What can I do?'
Lu Bu stood there frozen in shock and in rage. It didn’t last long as he gripped his halberd in both hands and swung at the two women. They both dove out of range. Zhen Ji'seyes met hers and they knew they couldn’t hope to beat him alone. His next swing threw Zhen Ji to the wall and Diao Chan watched in horror as he swung downward to cleave her in two. Miraculously, she dodged to the side and struck him on the side of the head. He grunted and pushed her to the ground. Blood flowed from his brow, but he didn’t look fazed. His rage was too strong.
Diao Chan slammed both of her maces into him with all she could muster. He backhanded her and sent her sliding past Zhen Ji. Their hands met and together they rose achingly to their feet. Their eyes met in a silent farewell as they steeled themselves for the next assault. The warrior roared again and charged impossibly fast. They both braced as they prepared to block the attack together.
But it never reached that far. It was blocked by a glaive. Behind it was Zhang Liao, one of the few men who could stand up to Lu Bu. Lu Bu was surprised yet again. Zhang Liao kicked the mighty warrior into a wall and ran off with the two women.
He turned to Diao Chan. “You’re thinking of leaving? Lu Bu will never be able to rule the land. However, Cao Cao might.” That last part he regarded to Zhen Ji who nodded with approval.
The last thing they heard as they descended the outer walls was an inhuman cry: “Traitors!”
End Chapter 2
Whoa, seduction and action in one chapter! To Zhen Ji and Diao Chan: "Down girl!"
Ji Jia is based off a real bodyguard I found on DW5. She's awesome and I wanted to put her in here. Who knows what else might happen. Review, please. Thank you.
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