Post by Li Wang on Apr 20, 2011 4:01:06 GMT
Just after the conquest of Wu District
Four years. Four years since Li had been torn asunder.
Agony...
Loss...
Despair...
Yuàn-líng had lost a part of himself that day. No longer would the Wraith and Nightstalker go hand-in-hand through the adventures of the night.
Rage...
Loathing...
Conviction...
The face of the aggressor had been etched into his mind as the body fell. Four years later, the face had been slashed and separated from the body.
Vengeance...
Satisfaction...
Fulfillment...
In Yuàn-líng's right hand was clutched the head of Chen Wu. In his left, the man's face and scalp. The face was held by the hair, the head by the jaw. Before him stood his cousin's grave. After deserting the army of Jian Ye, Li Wang had come back to bury his dead cousin.
Here lies Dailai Ba, born 179, died 195. He died thousands of li from home whilst attempting to liberate men from the constant menace of the Shanyue. May men follow his example and one day liberate the Empire from this chaos.
Li laid the head and face on opposite sides of the tombstone as offerings to the dead man's soul. As he did so, he could feel his sense of purpose for the last three years leave him. Tears began to flow as he called his dead cousin's name. It was not long before Dailai Zangzhuo, his friend and Dailai Ba's paternal cousin, joined him. They must have wailed for hours before they rose to leave.
Cousin, I know I failed you when I took you on that mission. It was foolish to bring you along on that kind of mission. I ask that you forgive me, if you can find it in your heart to do so, though I understand if you cannot. But know that my entire life since then has been devoted to slaying your killer, and now I shall devote it to ending the chaos that grips this land... watch over me, cousin. Li murmured as he wandered away to his horse. His friend Huangfu Liang and the rest of his escort sat waiting for him, ready to offer sympathy. In the meantime, Dailai Zangzhuo was whispering his final goodbye.
Ba, I know we did not get along very well when we were children. Yet whenever there was trouble you were there for me, and I tried to be for you. I only wish I could have been there for you four years ago. Goodbye, Ba.
Wang and Zhangzhuo were a long time in weeping, but soon they were mounted on their horses and heading north towards Jian Ye. It was to be the last time either man would return to mourn.