Crouching Dragon: The Journey of Zhuge Liang sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne

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“…Here he comes,” Zhang Fei grumbled as Liu Bei and Kongming rode across the bridge to meet with Liu Bei’s entourage.
“…Yunchang, Yide,” Liu bei hailed; “I have good news! …Master Zhuge has agreed, at long last, to assist us in our grand endeavour!”
“…Whoopee,” Zhang Fei grunted as he eyed Kongming with contempt.
“I am honoured to be in your presence, both of you,” Kongming said with a toothy grin; he bowed slightly to the two generals, who made slight and insincere bows in response.
“With Master Crouching Dragon in our midst, victory is within reach, at last…!” Liu Bei announced cheerfully.
Really…? Where…?” Zhang Fei asked mockingly, as he looked about him.
“…Yide,” Liu Bei scolded.
“It is fine,” Kongming insisted as he looked at Zhang Fei and continued to smile. “I am sure that we will get along just fine.”
Zhang Fei harrumphed and rode away, toward the city; Guan Yu eyed Kongming with sinister intent, and followed Zhang Fei; the soldiers - exempting Liu Bei’s cavalry bodyguards - followed the two generals.
“I should like it very much if you would join us on our return to Fan,” Liu Bei said with cheer. “You can meet my inner circle properly, and then, one day soon, we can travel to see Liu Biao…”

Yueying stood at the doorway of her cottage home and watched - with her husband’s brother, Jun - as Kongming rode away with Liu Bei’s army. The farewells had been brief, awkward and yet warm, and not at all sad.
“…I wonder when he’ll come back,” Jun said numbly.
Yueying walked away from the door and went to the living quarters, where she stared at one of the few writings that Kongming had left, and smiled silently. It read,

“As a wise bird picks a sturdy branch
On which to safely stand,

So a wise man picks a worthy lord
With whom he’ll save the land.”

Yueying walked to Kongming’s qin, sat in front of it, closed her eyes, and strummed the strings with grace and skill. Jun watched with tears in his eyes as Yueying played a song that was mournful, reflective, and yet full of hope for the future.
“I didn’t know you could play,” Jun said weakly.
“…Neither does my husband,” Yueying revealed. “…Sometimes, things are best left unsaid in troubled times. All that matters is what must be known.”
“And what must be known…?” Jun asked.
“If a wise man has truly found his worthy lord,” Yueying replied. “…Has he, I wonder…? …I suppose only time will tell…”

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