The sun has nearly set, Ying Yue and her troop were nowhere near their destination for the night, seeing her worn out men, she knew they all needed some rest. Drenched in sweat herself, holding tightly to her horse reins, she turns to her men and calls it a night.
"Men! We will set out camp here tonight! Get some rest and set out your tents! We will have dinner ready in two hours. Until then clean up, but don't lower your guards!"
Ying Yues tent was set up first by her men. As she was about to leave to wash herself by a nearby stream she saw earlier, Ying Yue heard some unusual noises. She couldn't make out to what and where the noises were coming from. Ying Yue rushes out of her tent to find Bolin. Drenched in sweat and wearing only the under clothes of her armor, Ying Yue quickly scans the base and finds Bolin by the cooks.
"Bolin! "
"Ah! Ying Yue? What wrong?!"
Seeing Ying Yue look so frantic Bolin knew something was wrong. Ying Yue ran out in a hurry with her sword only, she forgot she left her armor back inside the tent. Trying to calm herself, Ying Yue finally answers Bolin.
"Bolin, something's not right. Listen....do you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"Listen to the ground Bolin, It sounds like horse are still running, but all our men are here or on foot. There's at got to be at least eight thousand men from the sounds."
Bolin places himself on the ground to listen for noises. After a moment of silence, Bolin rushes back up and looks at Ying Yue. They both knew something wasn't right. Ying Yue quiets her troops and tells them to prepare for battle.
"Men! Listen up! You have thirty seconds to prepare for an ambush! There's not a moment to lose! Gather your swords now!"
Hearing Ying Yue's speech, all her men rushed to gather their swords and armor. Ying Yue was going around telling her men who were away gathering wood for the fire to notice she didn't have her armor on. Bolin noticed that Ying Yue still didn't have her armor on.
"Ying Yue! Where's your armor?! You need it! We don't know what and who the enemies are!"
Ying Yue took one quick glance at herself and realized she really didn't have her general armor on. Her tent wasn't the closest one either. She had to make a run for it.
"Dammit! I have to run back for it!"
Just as Bolin and Ying Yue were talking, an enemy arrow shot and hit one of their men. Ying Yue and Bolin ready's their sword and fights off the flying fire arrows that were burning their tents.
"Men! Help the wounded! Bolin, I need you to cover me!"
"Got it Ying Yue!"
After the arrows stopped, Ying Yue and her troops were greeted by the nomad's tribe general; Hong Chen. Ying Yue in shocked that the leader himself would be coming, unaware and unprepared for it. Ying Yue holds her sword tightly, as if her life depended on it. Ying Yue finally breaks the silence.
"Well, to what do we owe the honor of being greeted by you Hong Chen?"
"General Ying Yue Yang, return to your capital. Go warn your stupid emperor that Hong Chen is coming to take his head."
"Bah! Surely you jest, you did me and my troops a favor by coming to us. Thanks for that, you even saved us a few days."
Ying Yue and her Troops were six days away from reaching the northern border. Yet it looks like Hong Chen got tired of waiting and came to them. Ying Yue knew Hong Chen was not someone to be taken lightly. A muscular man, twice the age of Ying Yue, also twice the size of Ying Yue, sharp eyes, and a tall build, he also wore a battle scar proudly on his right cheek. Hong Chen was known to had taken over some lands from the other kingdoms and has won many wars. The nomads revered him as if he was a god reincarnated.
Hong Chen glances back and forth at Ying Yue and smirks at her, in disbelief that the great general of the Xin kingdom is some weak looking women. Hong Cheng breaks out into a laughter.
"Ha Ha Ha, has the Xin kingdom fallen so low that they would make a weak looking woman their imperial general? Why don't you quit being a general and come be one of my concubines? I must say I find you rather easy on the eyes."
Bolin and Ying Yue's troops were ready to kill Hong Chen for openly mocking their kingdom and general. Ying Yue holds out her hand to stop Bolin from charging in. Ying Yue knew this was a tactic of Hong Chen, to rile up her men and make them lose their focus. Ying Yue was indeed frail looking, No different from other noble women. Aside from her skills, Ying Yue was thin, had sharp eyes, with long black hair, and thin arms, yet her strength could rival any man on the battlefield.
"That's enough out of you Hong Chen, what are you really after?"
Hong Chen smirking from ear to ear, still locking eyes with Ying Yue.
"You know what we want, I'd rather avoid any more bloodshed if possible."
"Hong Chen, you forced your way into Xin and raided towns for anything! What makes you think you haven't spilled enough blood already?!"
"I only did what was necessary for my people to survive. No different from what you're doing! Heh, general Ying Yue I've heard of your great victories. Only such a woman is fit to be by my side."
Hong Chens eyes were now filled with excitement. Ying Yue knew there was no point in talking to Hong Chen, nothing would get through. Ying Yue removes her arm that was held against Bolin's chest. She takes a glance at her troops and signals them that it's time for battle.
"Well, I'm afraid you and I will not be able to meet an agreement tonight Hong Chen."
"Heh, I'm afraid not general Ying Yue."
With a smirk on his face, Hong Chen signals his men. Ying Yue also signals her men, and before long both troops were at each other. Bolin was fighting Hong Chens lieutenant Kang. He was someone who had been Hong Chens right hand man from the moment he became the general of the nomads. Smaller in frame compared to Bolin, but that allowed him to be fast and swift in his fighting. Meanwhile, Ying Yue went head on with Hong Chen. He turned out to be a formidable opponent, but Ying Yue knew how to use his weight against him.
Throughout the night, swords could be heard clashing, soldiers screaming in pain, and horses running among the chaos. What felt like an eternity was finally coming to an end. Hong Chen was still adamant about adding Ying Yue as a concubine.
"Ying Yue, it's still not too late to agree on being one of my concubines. If you agree, I'll let you live, I'll even let your men go home."
" Surely you jest Hong Chen, I'd rather die."
Ying Yue knew Hong Chen would kill off her men regardless of what she says. Needless to say, Ying Yue fought like she had never before. She couldn't afford to lose. She was the strongest one and the only one with a chance against Hong Chen. If she loses, all her men would be executed. Hong Chen was notorious for not keeping hostages. Gritting her teeth, she pushes Hong Chen back, and sends him falling to the ground. Hong Chen hops back on his feet. With amusement on his face, he stares back at Ying Yue.
"Oho...that's the first time anyone ever sent me flying."
"Well you have more coming, so I hope you're ready."
Sweating from all the movement and fighting Ying Yue was reaching her limit. She took one look at Hong Chen and knew he too was near his limit. Ying Yue was frustrated from not being able to land a move hard enough to bring Hong Chen to his knees, Meanwhile, Hong Chen was determined to make Ying Yue his concubine and wanted to avoid landing a fatal blow that could kill her. With that sort of mindset Ying Yue knew Hong Chen was not aiming to kill her, therefore she had the upper hand. Ying Yue was ready to kill Hong Chen, using any method she could think of. Ying Yue readies herself into position, saying one last word to Hong Chen.
"Don't you think it's about time we end this?"
"I agree, Ying Yue Yang."
Running towards each other Ying Yue takes out a poison dagger from a sachet she had tied around her waist. Using her sword as a diversion she turns and stabs Hong Chen on his left side with the dagger. Hong Chen grunts in pain and stabs Ying Yue with his sword. Ying Yue suffered a blow to her left shoulder, barely missing her lungs. The poison kicks in and Hong Chen falls to the ground. Ying Yue bleeding profusely, pressures her wound to stop the bleeding. Both generals were now gasping in pain. Barely able to move at all, meanwhile Bolin and Kang were fighting nearby. They spot their fallen general, nodding to each other to cease their fight. They both made their way to their generals. Hong Chen, grunting in pain weakly speaks to Ying Yue.
"My oh my, I let my guard. It's a shame I can't take you back with me."
"I wouldn't be talking if I was you. The poison should have kicked in already. Soon you won't be able to even talk. Better use this time to find an antidote if you want to live."
Ying Yue was fading in and out of consciousness from the blood lost. She could barely keep her eyes open at this point. Bolin grabbing onto Ying Yue and supporting her as he kneeled down behind her. Hong Chen stops grinning, and with a serious tone, looks at Ying Yue and tells her of what's to come.
"It's coming....the curse is back after five hundred years of peace."
"What? What's coming?"
"The legend. You Xin people don't believe in these things, but whether you do or not is not my concern. Two of the three conditions have been met. It's only a matter of time before sacrifices need to be made. You Xin people reside near the entrance and so it's your duty to handle it."
"What? What are you talking about?! What entrance?!"
Ying Yue heart was racing at this point. What she feared the most was happening, the same thing that happened five hundred years ago is coming. It was no legend, but a curse. Ying Yue knew the real story to it since she was a child. The royal family has lied to the people of Xin for centuries, calling it a legend when it's not. Hong Chen notices Ying Yues reaction and weakly laughs.
"Heh, from how you're reacting general Ying Yue. Seems like you know what I'm talking about."
"Don't kid yourself! I don't know what you're talking about!"
Ying Yue clenching her hands into a fist, sweaty and bloody from fighting. She glares straight at Hong Chen. Hong Chen breaks into a small smile.
"The five-hundred-year-old legend. Xin resides on the entrance, hence why the kingdom of Xin has prospered for so many years, but every good thing must come to an end. Today is my lost, we will be returning back to the mountains. Do well to take care of your wound Ying Yue, I will come back for you one day."
Just like that, Hong Chen was carried off with the help of his troops. In the blink of a flash they slowly disappeared from sight. Ying Yue waited until the enemies were out of sight and then passes out from the blood lost. Bolin frantically carries Ying Yue to her tent to receive treatment for her wound. Ying Yue was barely consciousness and losing too much blood.
"Ying Yue! Hang on! The doctor is almost here!"
"Ughhh be quiet Bolin, I'm not dead. I'm trying to preserve my energy."
Bolin with teared filled eyes, smiled at Ying Yue's remarks.
"Hah If you can still lecture me, I guess you'll be fine."
Bolin refused to let go of Ying Yues hand until the local doctor made it to the camp site. Bolin was second in Command, since Ying Yue was unable to complete her task, Bolin took it upon himself to carry out the cleaning. Corpse of friends and foes were burned. Bolin wrote the name of every fallen soldiers, just as Ying Yue would've done and kept it in his journal. Bolin runs back inside Ying Yue's tent after she received treatment to get an update from the doctor.
"Doctor! How is she?"
"Sigh. She will live if she makes it past tonight. The wound will leave a scar, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do about that."
Ying Yue was in pain; she had never really sustained an injury before so her body was not healing the way she wanted it to. Still slightly bleeding and sweating profusely, Ying Yue can only try to bear the pain and hope the night passes quick. While dozing off, something Ying Yue had forgotten happened again. In the middle of a beautiful hill top. A man with beautiful red hair was calling her. He smiles to her in her dream as if he knew her. Yet Ying Yue knows she has never seen such a man. It had also been years since Ying Yue last dreamt of this mysterious figure. So why now? Why is it happening again?
Day breaks and Ying Yue finally wakes up. The wound was deeper than she had thought. Every movement caused her to be in pain, Bolin was standing guard outside of her camp all night to make sure she was still breathing. Ying Yue weakly calls for Bolin.
"Bolin."
"Ying Yue! You're awake! How do you feel?"
"Terrible, ugh. I can barely move my left shoulder. Hey Bolin, you remember when I used to tell you of my dreams? Well, I dreamt of him again."
"What? The red head man? Really? We are in the middle of a war and you dream of a man Ying Yue."
"No! It's not like that. I felt like he was calling me, but I couldn't hear what he was saying."
"It's just a dream Ying Yue, Don't think about it too much, you're wounded."
Thinking to herself and about what Bolin said. Ying Yue tried to forget the dream. Maybe she was hallucinating since she was wounded. Bolin had brought Yin Yue a change of clothes as hers was soiled in blood.
"Here, change into this. I will wait outside your tent."
With that Bolin leaves Ying Yue alone. The only part that was horrible about war is Ying Yue was always alone. She had no girl friends or no maids to help her when she needed it the most. Yet Ying Yue knew she wasn't like any other noble. She mustered up her strength and got up; dressed herself and slowly walked out of her tent.
"Bolin our journey is not over. Prepare to leave, we need to reach the northern border in five days."
"What are you talking about? You can't travel in your condition! You've been unconscious for two whole days. I've written a letter to the emperor; he has ordered you to return to Xin. I will continue to the northern borders."
"What? Bolin you...why didn't you consult with me first?!"
"I know you Ying Yue! You would never let an injury stop you! Ying Yue, I couldn't do anything! I watched you bleed and I watched you slowly die! I was afraid you were going to die for real this time!"
Ying Yue, couldn't bring herself to be mad at Bolin. Seeing him grovel at her feet in tears, no one could be mad at such a scene. With a deep sigh, Ying Yue closes her eyes to calm herself. She knew she couldn't go against what the emperor has ordered. After calming herself she finally speaks again.
"Alright, you win. I will return to the capital. You will lead the troop to the northern borders, and stay there as a precaution. We don't know for sure if Hong Chen and his men have really retreated or not."
With a smile on his face, Bolin stands up and accepts his new task given to him by Ying Yue.
"Thank you, Ying Yue."
"Prepare a horse for me, I will take two men with me back to the capital. The rest will travel with you to the northern borders."
"Very well."
Bolin clasps his hands into a fist to bid Ying Yue farewell and leaves Ying Yue alone. Ying Yue heads back inside her tent and lays down to ease her pain. Lost in thought she remembers what Hong Chen was saying before. Ying Yue knew who she had to talk to once she got back to Xin. Bolin comes back and informs Ying Yue her horse and carriage is ready. Since Ying Yue is wounded, Bolin refuses to let her ride a horse.
"What's the carriage for Bolin?"
"It's for you, you're wounded and the doctor said to avoid having you do anything that may require too much movement. I got it from a town nearby yesterday. It'll help transport you to Xin. There's food and water inside as well. It should last you to Xin, since you are going by horse. You should reach Xin in seven days. "
"Bolin, you really are too much. I guess this is where we part. Please be careful when you reach the northern border."
"You too Ying Yue, take care of yourself till I return."
Ying Yue rides away in the carriage, and Bolin walks back to camp. Each going their own ways.