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Post by Guan Yu on Aug 13, 2011 3:51:23 GMT
The guards of the palace looked on in awe as they saw the beast arrive. With thundering hooves, the mighty mount that is known as the Red Hare found its way to the palace courtyard. In times past, the guards would shake in their boots at the sight of the creature, knowing who would be atop the beast. In this day, the men of Shu would feel at ease with the sight of the horse. The beast now carries one of the most loyal officers to the Shu banner and the sworn brother of the precious King of Shu: Guan Yu.
Master Guan dismounted the horse slowly, the aches of the years starting to wear on the man. The giant of a man grabbed his famed pole arm--The Blue Dragon--and grabbed the reigns of the Red Hare and led it to a stable. He looked to the soldiers tending the stables, his eyes gazing into their souls with an unnerving sternness. "Where is my brother, our master, Liu Bei." Despite his age, the warriors voice was as bombastic as it was in the days of his youth. The men looked to the beautiful bearded one and bowed slightly before reporting that their lord had yet to be seen from his quarters.
Yunchang nodded to the men, returning a small bow, and turned to head towards the palace's main audience hall. The large mand moved through the halls with slow, proud stride, using his weapon much like a walking stick. As he passed by the ornamented halls, the general sighed as he felt a wave of relaxation wash over him, something that was rare and much needed for him.
The eyes of Guan Yu looked over the throne that belonged to the King of Shu and a sigh left the giant's lips. His grip on his mighty blade loosened and his eyes closed. I suppose I could wait here for my brother. Just in case he wishes me to guard Xiangyang once more.... if he gives me the chance to redeem myself. The general's thoughts visited his mind briefly as he waited.
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Post by Zhuge Liang on Aug 21, 2011 3:16:28 GMT
From a darkened threshold at the side of the throne a man in magnificent white robes emerged, he was none other than Zhuge Kongming, the Prime Minister of Shu. Kongming held Guan Yu in high regards, for Guan Yu was the general who had almost single-handedly fought off the tide that was Xu Huang, Lu Xun and Lu Meng at Fancheng. Amongst other deeds, Guan Yu certainly was deserving of the respect he garnered from the other officers in Shu. Even the likes of Ma Chao, Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong could still stand to learn a thing or two from the sworn brother of Liu Bei.
Perhaps that was why, that out of the few people that Zhuge Kongming did not secretly despise, Guan Yu was the foremost that earned his respect. Still--Guan Yu was loyal only to Liu Bei and his kin, and, through his devices, Zhuge Liang had distanced Liu Bei from Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, actions that angered the sworn brothers of Liu Bei. Zhuge Liang cared little for their protests, and Liu Bei fell right into his hands.
A small palpable smirk apparent across his face, Zhuge Liang stepped into the light, his left hand placed behind his back and in his right, a feather fan--cooling his face with an artificial breeze. He was smirking because Guan Yu was too late, too late to save his brother.
"My sincerest apologies Master Yunchang, you will not be able to see Lord Liu Bei today, he's fallen ill once more and has retreated to his private temple of solitude. He assured me that he wished to be alone." Zhuge Liang was close to Liu Bei, and with Wei Guozhi--the regent of Shu out of the picture, all that there was left to do was to get rid of Liu Bei. Kongming had tried unsuccessfully in the past to kill Liu Shan, he had even poisoned Liu Bei but a few months ago whilst away in Xin Ye.
Yet, Liu Bei lived, and Zhuge Liang was angered, he returned to Cheng Du once more, and in secret, he used a mild poison to sap Liu Bei's strength. It would not kill him... yet. But no doubt, Xuande's days were indeed numbered. Guan Yu, however, would not suspect the Prime Minister of such treachery. Zhuge Liang was not openly such a heathen, he only harbored his ambitions deep down in his hidden psyche.
"Yunchang, if there is something that you need answered, you can trust my counsel." Zhuge Liang was not decisively devious, and acted rather tame, hoping that the calm facade was enough to dissuade Guan Yu from questioning further.
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