2 A Women To War

The commander and Colonel Bojan came to the gates an hour early to get settled before the princess come. His troups only about 500 were ready infront of the gates all in perfect lines. Two strong brown stallions were prepared for them. Though a bit odd to have carriage on men to take to the battlefield, the cornel has arranged it for the princess. The commander stared at the carrage(palanquin) outside the gates.

Commander:

Seriously,should my men carry this fancy carriage ( palanquin) to the battle fields. Should i take a women to war. A princess! Why should a princess enter the battle fields.

Footsteps of few people were heard from behind. Everyones attention was dragged to the way.

A lady. I would like to call a girl is stepping towards us in mens cloth with some armery on. So herecomes the so called princess with two other men who look like her personal guards towards us. The night was dark but her armary glistened from the torch his assistant was holding. Her face canbe seen with it . She has a majestic posture. Though she was wearing as a man her face shows her perfect gender. Her eyes looks like they are on fire. They glittered. She is fair. Looks different like she a mix of nationalities.average hight. She has a confident smile drawn all over her face. She looks attractive though . She was welcoming. She does look manly too. Then as if not seeing me may be, she focused her eyes right next to me and nods.

Seriously does Bojan know her. Colonel Bojan also nods back welcomingly. They must have introduced themselves in the afternoon at the gates when she arrived. Now she turns to me and smiles but in much a royal manner.

All of us bowed to the princess.

"Commander Ming Zeng salutes princess Huwan u wei,"the commander announced to the princess.

"Its an honour to join you commander and Thankyou for accepting me and my men."

Her voice finally spoke.

" Its my duty, princess."

" These two are my assistants. Good fighters. Theyll come with me. If you dont mind. Without any delay lets move."

she noted in a warm manner. Then one of her guards left us.

"Of course princess," commander gestured colonel Bojan to lead her to the carriage.

"Princess, a comfortable palanquin rests there for you. Please walk in."the colonel bowed and pointed towards the gates.

Now this is unexpected. Her face went pale as she looked at the fancy carriage as if seeing a nightmare. Then she slightly smiled warming her skin colour.

" Thank you colonel for concerning on my comforts but," her smiled spread across her face

But what?now whats she gonna say?even Bojan lifted his head with curiosity.

"I dont think a fancy comfotable carriage(palanquin) being carried by soldiers to the battlefield is proper ."

This time her smile was mocking and annoying. I truelly agree with what she says and im happy that she realizes it but,i cant stand her sarcastic tone. I know that i have gone through a lot and have lot of responsibilities and im supposed to be mature as the army commander of YUAN Empire, but im still 24 yrs old which is not a big deal and i cant stand this young ladie's sarcasm. Though she is the princess i would like her to be more polite.

Bojan looked a bit ashamed and i was getting red with temper. Now i can see that shes studying us.

" I'm sorry if i made you'll feel uncomfotable. I didnt mean to disgrace you, i know im a women and is the princess. Thankyou for all the concerns. But i think on horse would be more appropriate to the wargrounds and will be faster."

I felt my pressure go down. She truelly spoke with respect and humbleness. She trully is something. No wonder the empress trusted her. Why didnt i think it before. This women in armery should be capable of horse riding. Intresting. The commander smiled from the corner of his lips.

"What you say is true. My men will feel better in that way too princess. A horse will be readied immediately.

"No need commander. Cheng , i mean my assistant will bring him."

The way she is talking is different. She called her guard by name and whos 'him'?



Then a horse neighed from behind us. I turned around to see the most handsom stallion in the world. A black stallion. Now this should be 'him' she refered to. His mane was long and felt to his side and was pitch black. Powerful hind legs, strong chest, deep black eyes just like his owners. The princesse's. With pride he gallops towards the princess. He lowers his head to her. She is,i mean the princess is so wonderful.and attractive. Im not supposed to think so.but she is. She with great care combs his mane with her hands and leans her forehead on his. The black stallion neighs again with delight. This is a perfect sight. A fair women in black armery with a powerful black stallion standing in front of the huge palace gates in a pitch black night with a torch flaming by her side giving a bright orange flaming touch to the background.

Then she breaks the silence and turns to us.

" So lets move."

" yes princess."

She sprang on to the horse light as a feather. Intresting again. She took a strong grip on the horse. She is on her way.In seconds we joined her.

Commander turned towards the palace for his onelast look.

So this is it. The final move for our nation. I may not return but may the empire survive. May the emporer empress and the little crown prince survive. Let them fight back. I will not give up until the end. Empress F-Ann- Hwa thank you for keeping trust on me.

The princess noted the humbleness of the commander. His loyalty towards the emperor and the nation. She sighed in great respect towards him and then left the grand palace behind. The commander bowed facing the palace and followed the princess.

The princess and i guided our horses in line in the front. While Bojan on horse and my fellow people on foot followed us behind.

We moved in silence for hours. Ive got lots of questions about her. Even the empress didnt reveal. This might not be the time for her quest. There are more important things right now. So i thought of breaking the silence.

Now here she breaks it. Im actually glad about it.

" Commander im sure that youve got lot to know about me."

She said without turning to me. Of course, but i didnt say it out loud.

"If you like you may ask cause if i start ill start to blabber everything wanted and unwanted stuff and i might sound annoying. So direct me through questions important to build somekind of knowledge which might advantage on working us together to face this battle. And please remember that im under your command in this warground."

She turned to me and with a warm smile she noded still keeping the same pace with her stallion. Now i was a bit uncomfortable. And thats weared. Icant remember i have ever become so.

"Uhmm,"i cleared my throat to begin with. "Princess, i'm first of all respect you for joining the battle field for our people. Im pretty sure that i did make sure that all our young men were joined to our army for the on.going fight with or without their willingness cause we need them. I know its harsh but no other option was left. But how did you manage to find 800 more. I even made men from goryeo for the war. 100 would be find on your count but 500. Im sorry ,but can you please explain."

She looked concerned. Then shaking her head out of it with a genuine smile she replied.

"True.500 is a bit impossible sir when it comes to chinese men living here. How to explain? Ok this is not the first time im here in china as you know but theres more to it. I lived here for about 4 years back for about two years thats when i found myself as the daughter of the chinese emporer and thats when father died. However while i lived here i made friends through many ways and we all joined in the trade market and after we thought of leaving to other countries for more development in it. We get to know more young people and so and so we found our people across countries . We even trained ourselves to face fights we came across the silk road. So that explaina why ive got late to come here. We had to collect ourselves. And it was hard to get help from Japan. Did that satisfy you sir?"

Wow. A bit impossible. By the way a treaty of friends? But theres more to it. She must have spoken the truth but did hide more. A lot more. And the princess is calling me sir. Never mind But there are more questions.

"That might satisfy me princess but how did you come across japanese empire. Trust them of whatever they are.we didnt have a wonderful history with them. And how come you get their help for such a simple favour?"

She smirked. Seriously whats so funny i said?

I frowned and she did see it.

"Im sorry, but i was just wandering why the two nations stand a bit stuborn on facing each other. And you explained it sir.

Both of youll relly in the past.the long gone things. I agree the past can explain things for the present. But they have a new emporer. New leader. New vision. And weve got too. Past cant always explain the present cause people change. And true they must have demanded something more. But im the emporers beloved sister.so...."

"Princess!what do you mean."

"Sorry again for all these new things. Im not talking about the chinese emporer. When i was all alone by myself it was the previous japanese emporer, who took care of me as his own daughter. So i found love from their family. Now thats a long story. Brother i mean the present japanese emporer wanted to help me. But since he is the emporer this is how it goes."

The commander paused his horse where he was in shock.

Now what is she speaking of???

The princess turned towards the commander. this time a bit unconfident.

"Thats the truth commander whether you believe me or not. My blood comes from the chinese royal family but i was raised for years by the japanese emporer. The story is too long. The rest doesnt matter right now. I told you all these cause you wanted to know it. And i didnt want to contribute to this war cause...i didnt want ... i hate wars....and... i cant let more lives get killed invain so here i am at war...."she sighed.

"Sir i guess we should proceed. My men will be there on time so we should be quick." She changed the topic.

But how is it possible.

"How shall i trust you?"

"I dont know commander. Its up to you. I just know that i can help,you need it and i want you to trust me on it. I dont have a special bond with my true brother. But i trust my brother who raised me!" her voice caught a bit of rage. "And i dont want my nation to fall. I dont want my people to die in a way they dont deserve. I dont want them to slave any other nation either. Though you trust me or not whether you accept me or not i will keep fighting for the innocent lives of my people."

Her words flamed up. I feel her.her eyes held her tears tight. She is loyal to our nation. Shes ready to sacrifice herself just like me. Sorry for hurting you princess. I respect you for who you are no matter what your history is. Empress i'll try my best to keep her safe insake of our nation.

She turned away and continued in her space even without looking back. Though anyone couldnt hear them they all were intrested on their sudden movements. Colonel Bojan came to the commander's side who was still stairing at the princess.

"Commander, sir , are you alright? Is something wrong...... i think we can trust her. The princess! If thats the matter"

the commander felt like he do trust her ,but why does he?

"But why?"

The princess paced in the front while the two men on horse paced few metres behind her.

"I dont know a lot about her life story. I didnt know that she is a princess when i met her in the afternoon. But few years back when i was having duty in the rural villages, she was there. She was a child by that time. Yet She was a mother to everyone. A good person. Everyone respected no matter their age is. I dont know whether you sir can trust her here, but she is someone who ive seen as a true princess in heart."

Commander went deep in his thoughts still stairing at the manly women who is pacing along at their front.

"So she has being here for a long time?"

" she must have being but i wasnt there for long. But still in that time she treated me as for her elder brother and the other men too. Today in the afternoon i was shocked to recognize her as the princess. But i felt no wonder."

The commander gave a slight smile.

"Why sir? Dont you believe your humble supporter sir."

" No its just that i was wandering how she has changed you to such a seriouse character."

"Its the truth sir.....by the way,....i see someone else is stairing at her."

The colonel who was the only person who knew everything about the commander mocked.

The comander just then broke up from himself stairing still at the princess unaware, frowned.

" Be careful of your words!" He cut his words. The colonel kept his mouth shut still curious about his masters actions.

The commander paced faster back to the princess's side.from there on, the trip was silent.

Theres more to know about this young lady...Intresting.

In the front the huge mountains started to appear just like monsters waiting for the play which will be casted shedding red blood all around to please them.the princess stopped in the middle of the forest right in front of a huge mountain.

Everyone haulted. With great attention the commander looked around.

Where are the men she spoke about. I mean 500.

"Princess where are your men?."

she turned her horse towards us.

"Everyone remain calm please."

She then raised her arm high.

" Huwan u wei, has arrived .join me my allies." She spoke in a majestic posture. The dark wood ssurrounfing them put a touch of fear upon her image.

The trees rustled around us. Even the top branches.

Making everyone grip tight to their weapons, men with armery in camaflage clothes sprang from the trees.

"Remain calm." The commander ordered nodding at the princess. She nodded back.

In rows of 20 men appeared from the forest and formed lines with the commanders army in between.Though the commanders troup was shocked by their arrival they held themselves without panicing. everything formed neatly. Commander stared at their new troup which has doubled. All in lines blue and green. His smile uprised and bowed to the princess.

"Theyll be more at the camp. isn't it commander? "

"Yes princess. 500 more soldiers are waiting for our support at the top." He pointed to the top of the mountains.

" first of all I should praise that their blending in the woods were astonishing."

The princesse's smile appeared again. It is so genuine.we both kept stairing at each other agreeing.

Then one of the new commers with better armery, should be their commander came forward to the princess and kneeled.

"Leader huwan u wei , your friend Lee chengseng is here for your support."

"Please rise my friend."as he did the princess went closer and took grip of his hands.

"After a long time.Thank you for coming to support even at a short message."

Her movement was unexpected, but she was so pleased by meeting him.the other man smiles back. They are pleased with each other. Are they?.....stop it. Why should you care so much.

" uhm," i cleared my throat to break their contact.

The princess turned and smiled at me breaking her hand contact with the young man who seemed like at my age.

"Commander this is my friend Lee Chengseng. He'll be with us. Chengseng this is The Commander MinZeng of the chinese military."

I turned to Lee. He bowed.

"Its a great honour to support you sir."i nodded at him. The man sounded respectable .in a way cool. She smiled back at him.

"And Chengseng this is colonel Bojan. I want you to know him too."he nodded at Bojan. And Bojan nodded back in reply.

"So lets move."

The princess sounds excited.... Intresting. (Now why am i intrested.?cut that thought)

Some men brought along some horses around 50 with them as we started to ascend the mountains. Lee Chengseng came parallel with Bojan. I guess they are getting to each other while the princess and i went on in silence. I seriously want to apologise to her for the previous conversation.

We now could see from distant our camp with heavy guard around. We could here their cheers on our arrival. On the arrival of 1000 men for support.

The princess added, " Commander your men are strengthened because of their leader's, i mean your arrival sir." She smiled.

What shes saying is true. Its a great strength to have your commander by your side for the fight. This is hope.

They went in. Even the generals came forward to greet their young commander. All of them went inside the camp without any questioning or trouble. But with unstoppable stares towards the new princess. The women in mens armery.A women to war.