An Offering for the Brave [OPEN]

[Ma Chao]

The sun slowly dipped behind the horizon and the dark shadow of night started to blanket the land, but the torch flames from upon the walls of Jian An lit the way. At night the city was a magnificant sight for each home and business was illuminated. One could only imagine what Jian Ye or Luo Yang looked like.

Inside the government office, attendants worked tirelessly to prepare a banquet for the officers of Sun Ce's army. A large table was in the center of the audience hall and it was covered with all sorts of food as well as drink. The smell of fresh cooked game filled the air, but that was not the only delight. Fish, fruit, rice, and vegetables were offered as well and were arranged beautifully upon their respective plates. The chefs had tried their best to make a good impression as this was their first large gathering.

Sun Ce sat atop his small throne adorned in his full battle armor. The banquet was a gift to his officers and soldiers who would soon be fighting to the death in heated combat. An honorable lord would not just send men to the Nine Springs on an empty stomach!

Torches lined the interior of the hall and the light reflected nicely off of the gold tapestry. Red was the main color throughout and it was not that of Cheng's banners. If one did not know better, of Ce's situation with Yuan Shu, they would think that he was his own force. Maybe if Shu had been more watchful by sending envoys or a personal visit, he would have started to see the slow seperation. The outcome was inevitable and that was a clash between Shu and Ce, but that was far in the future; especially since just securing more aid from Cheng.

As such, it was also important to not only offier a good time but to show appreciation for recent achievements. Ulayne Umi, the blue haired mystic, had just joined Ce but was already entrusted with the task of envoy to Yuan Shu. Also, the creation of Ce's elite navy was due to her work. She had performed splendidly and would be rewarded for such efforts. Huang Gai had used his experience and skill to train the soldiers which would be invaluable in the coming battles. He also aided another new officer in an important task and saved the entire force by keeping Ce from the grips of death. Zhuge Jin was the other new officer, a man of great political skill and keen intellect, who aided Gai in preparing for the war with Liu Yong. Not only that, but he renovated the market with specific intentions to increase the knowledge base of Jian An. A bookstore, mostly of Jin's own collection, was set up and now the growing minds of the city had a place to expand their wisdom as well as debate or discuss with others. Truly, Ce was blessed with great men and women.

Ce thought about the talent under his command and it made his heart swell as well as his ego. Not only did he have the three previously mentioned officers, but he had secured the service of yet another just earlier in the day. Sun Yuan Ci was the man's name and though he was untested in battle or with domestic affairs, he seemed an able warrior. Yuan Ci would have his chance in the coming weeks as battle loomed overhead.

The doors to the audience hall were wide open for the guests. Other soldiers were welcome, but only if they were of high rank. The bulk of Ce's army would be treated to their own meals, but just not quite as lavish as the spread set before him.

[Sun Yuan Ci]

Sun Yuan Ci sat at his desk, reading over a letter that had just recently arrived. He skimmed the words, his brow perched high, his curiosity struck. The envoy was from Jingzhou, and should Sun Ce discover him, the young lord would likely put the messenger to death. Sun Jian fell to Huang Zu, general under Liu Biao, an imperial scion who now ruled over Jing.

Sun Ce, being the son of Sun Jian and taking part in the battle where his father lost his life, clearly had not forgiven the men of Jing for his father’s death. When Zhiyun so much as mentioned the man before, he could see the anguish and motivation of vengeance that gripped Sun Ce from within. He was a great soldier and a great leader, but he shared all too many similar faults as Sun Jian did, and such faults once led to a young death of an able commander. Zhiyun hoped the same would not be so for Bofu, whom he had taken a liking to.

Zhiyun finished reading the letter. It was from no lord of Jing, rather from an old friend. Po Ang, who once led Sun Yuan Ci into battle along with his brothers Sun T’sen and Sun Xiong, had been following the soldier’s exploits since their departure two years before. He arrived, and was seeking an audience with his sworn brother. Zhiyun allowed it, and told the messenger to allow Po Ang into his quarters.

The young warrior arrived shortly thereafter, and Zhiyun immediately noticed a change. His armor was larger. When they fought together, they wore a simple breastplate and helmet, but now he had a large assortment, and his armor was decorated. At his waist hung a sheathed sword, the hilt was a lion’s mouth and hung a golden tassel.

“Brother,” Spoke Po Ang, “It warms the heart to see you.”

“And you as well,” Zhiyun responded, smiling wide and reaching out to salute his sworn brother. “It is good to see you’ve done well.”

He remarked about the clear military position Po Ang was in. He had surely been doing well, though Sun Yuan Ci heard very little of him since he left years before.

“Yes,” Spoke Po Ang, “I have come to speak with you about this. Your brothers and I have done many deeds since you left, and fought in numerous battles, many alongside the Imperial Protector Liu Biao. He has given me the title General of the Vanguard, and with your brothers as m vassals, we’ve accomplished much to better the Han and serve Lord Liu Biao.

“Which is why I am here,” Po Ang said, turning his back and taking a few steps out to a balcony that cropped over the city of Jian An. “Sun Ce is an enemy of Jingzhou, and I have heard you will help him in battle against Liu Yong.”

Po Ang turned again, speaking now with a much more hostile voice to his sworn brother.

“Sun Ce will never conquer Jiang Dong, and should he be blessed by the heavens so much as to take Jian Ye even, his will shall never overcome those of the north. The Southlands will never come into his hand.”

Zhiyun’s brow hung low, and he stared deeply at Po Ang, anguish within him.

“I come to offer you rank beside me again. Your brothers look forward to your return. But to aid Sun Ce, my enemy, is to turn on your oldest of friends.”

Po Ang reached out and gave Sun Yuan Ci a note, within it explaining Zhiyun could accept the role of He Who Guards the South, and given a seal of office awarded by Liu Biao. Po Ang handed it over and took leave, pleading for Zhiyun to strongly consider accepting such a generous offer. Riches and power would be his, but Sun Yuan Ci was unsure of the nature of Liu Biao, and so he hesitated.

Regardless, his duty for now was to prepare for the upcoming battle. His armor was laid across his room, and Sun Yuan Ci stripped down from his common clothes.

He reached for his battle robe and tied it tightly around his waist. He strapped his breastplate to his chest and fastened his boots. He placed his pauldrons fixed firmly to his shoulders and tied his belt, which also sheathed the Black-Hilt Blade, to his waist. Taking his helmet, he held it between his left arm and body, and with his right hand he gripped his spear and made way to the banquet, leaving the seal from Liu Biao at his desk.

Zhiyun, flanked by his captains, entered the banquet without making any noticeable entrance. He saw Sun Ce sitting at the head of the table, wrapped like a warrior in armor, and he sat at the end of the table, beneath the most common of ministers. It was very pleasing to see Bofu celebrate the occasion and give feast to those who were about to fight and die for him. It was a noble and honorable gesture, and Zhiyun’s respect for the man only waxed.

[Cheng Pu (Demou)]

Demou had roused himself earlier in the morning, he woke to the playful screams of his children, his wife's heavy sighs. She felt that in their age, their children should have been older, so what? He took a young wife and she had the burden of caring for their young ones. It is not Demou's fault he was too busy fighting wars on behalf of people who could care less what the outcome was twenty or thirty years down the road. Though he had always felt the robust and blistering pace of war to be invigorating, he had settled down in recent times a more paradisaical life. Of course, what one man considered to be paradise and to be hellish life varied from man to man, but Cheng Pu was happy.

It had been only a short time since Sun Ce had traded the imperial seal, that jade ingot made in the likeness of the dragon for soldiers from the rather psychotic and despotic Yuan Shu. Thankfully Cheng Pu knew that true leadership rested in the hands of the people that followed, and thus he had advised, most astutely to the young Ce to be rid of its presence. It brought on a lust that only caused anguish in the hearts of the many. Cheng, the state founded by Yuan Shu after his horrendous loss of the city to Zhang Xiu was proof to that claim.

In such a short time, Demou thought it nearly impossible for one man to make so few friends, and yet so many enemies. Even Sun Ce, the man Yuan Shu had deputed to crush eastern Wu and assimilate it into his fledgling 'empire', hated the man with a passion. Sun Ce did not like to comment on such matters, especially before prying eyes and open ears. Demou was one such man Bofu felt he could take into confidence on such matters, what with him acting as the guardian of the young lad during such a troubling time. It was only a few years later, a few scant years since the death of Sun Jian that Bofu had risen to the helm of the distinguished Sun clan. True, they had many enemies, especially amongst the retainers of Liu Biao, especially in one man, Huang Zu.

And for Yuan Shu to be so callous and request his son to forfeit claim to the imperial seal that was rightfully recovered by Sun Jian, and that being a sign from heaven as to it's own intentions for the land, was just too much. Little know it, Bofu would've slain the fool there on the spot had not Demou handled the situation so deftly.

3,000 soldiers for a single jade ingot, and a suicide note written to the tunes of screaming soldiers and pitched combat. Yuan Shu knew not what or whom would be coming for him, he and his 'able' retainers, the bulk of which was Ji Ling alone, had so many enemies now. It would be impossible for them to look through the smokescreen of their woe. One of their own making.

Demou had received the messenger and the invitation, and after delivering his reply by way of the same courier, he made ready to go to Jian'an. He arrived in the evening, presumably when the festivities would begin. As he entered the banquet hall, he noted Bofu and opened his arms. Adorned in his golden silk robes, he hoped he was not out of place, though he felt so mistaken in wearing them. Sun Ce was in full battle regalia.

"My dear friend, how have you been? It's been too long, and I thank you for the banquet."

[Li Wang]

Li Wang walked his horse the moderate distance from the gate to the government office, the tension from the journey fading to be replaced with the anxiety at meeting the young Lord Sun. He was confident he'd be accepted into the fold, but nevertheless he worried that he might not fit in. Wang banished those thoughts as he tied his horse to a post near the office.
After a short stride, Wang knocked once on the door, not wishing to alarm any bureaucrats by walking in armed.
Do I smell a... feast? He certainly had to commend the young Lord's style of leadership if indeed it was a feast that had Wang's mouth watering. He could taste his anxiety leaving him.

[Boydie]

Gai had prepared himself in full battle armor which he had shined personally to meet his own high expectation. He was looking forward to a good meal after training with the troop's with Sun Ce.

The great General could smell a feast in progress as he walking down the hall of the government office when he seen an unfamiliar face peaking around the door to the grand hall, Gai caught the shine of his blade has he entered...

The General of the Vanguard panicked has the intruder entered armed. Gai sprinted down the hall and booted the door open with an almighty thump! It caused quite a scene has Gai grasped the man with his bulky hand's, pulling him tight in Gai's enormous arm, has the other arm disarmed him of his blade. The veteran held the blade close to the intruder's neck. Gai roared:

“State your business intruder!”

[Li Wang]

Wang barely suppressed a yelp as the bulky arms nearly crushed him; he could tell the general was older, but he'd bounded the length of the hall in 3 seconds flat! And the door was all but disintegrated!

Pe- Peace! He managed to wheeze out against the crushing embrace. I wish o- only to join the young Lord Su- Sun! His face began to redden in shame; he had not meant to cause a scene, but he'd managed to do just that by peeking around the door.

Despite all this, Wang could feel his excitement growing; so many capable warriors and administrators in one room!

Please, General, if you could loosen your grip? I promise I won't attack. This as his face began to lose color. Even if I had the desire to I can already see it would be a futile effort with such fine warriors as yourself gathered here. He managed to wheeze-chuckle. I wish only to join myself and my blades to your company. I have mastered the art of the sword, and wish to use my abilities to unite the land beneath the Lord Sun.[/b][/color]

[Ma Chao]

Sun Ce was enjoying a cup of wine when he noticed Sun Yuan Ci enter the audience hall. The last time they had talked the two had agreed upon fighting together against Liu Yong. Whether or not Zhiyun would actually join Wu was currently unknown. At least they could count on another skilled warrior to aid in the coming combat.

Bofu lifted his cup in the air and nodded, offering a greeting to Zhiyun. He then drank the remaining wine and immediately an attendant poured a refill.

It was then, as he took another sip, that Bofu recognized a most familiar voice. Without even seeing the man, a large smile spread across the young leader’s face and he instantly got to his feet. The speaker was Cheng Pu and it lifted Bofu’s heart that he had finally arrived. Many things were weighing heavy on his mind as of late and one of them was whether Demou would continue to fight by his side. Bofu now had some talented strategists and politicians, but nothing could replace the skill and experience possessed by those such as Huang Gai as well as Cheng Pu. With them both, by his side, the young leader felt invicible.

“Demou! It has indeed been too long and there is no need for thanks. For all you have done it is I that should be thanking you.”

Bofu immediately gestured for Demou to take a seat of honor alongside him. The other would be reserved for Gongfu when he arrived.

“Keep the wine flowing like the currents of the Great River” the young lord exclaimed, ordering his attendants to make sure everyone’s cups were constantly filled.

Bofu had spared no expense on the banquet as he wanted to make sure his officers felt appreciated. After the others arrived, entertainment would be provided in the form of dancers, singers, and musicians.

“Tell me, Demou, how is your family? Well, I hope.”

Just as Cheng Pu was about to respond, a large commotion erupted near the entrance to the hall. To Bofu’s surprise, standing there was his elite Huang Gai with an unknown man in his grasp. The young fellow seemed to be on the brink of strangulation. Bofu quickly ordered Gongfu to stand down as the veteran had the situation in control as well as Li Wang’s weapon.

“Gongfu, please” he said, signaling for Gai to release the man.

Li Wang spoke of joining Wu and it now made sense why he was snooping around. The guards had let the man pass to meet with Ce so, other than the fact he was armed, he was fine to be there.

“Come, tell me your name.”

Bofu asked his veteran Demou for forgiveness as Li Wang had interrupted their conversation. However, Ce was not about to let a new warrior go especially when they needed the help.

[Lu Dun]

Lu Fei was beening showed the way to the banquet,he could smell the food when he come into the the Goverment Office. The guards showed him the door to the rooom. He bowed to them and walked in.

As soon as he wlked in he saw a familiar face in the room but couldn't remember who it was, maybe he was going the Sun family like him as well but his face looked pale, perhaps one of the great Wu generals got threatened by him and acted.

He saw a young man around his age drinking alittle bit of wine, He assumed this was Lord Sun Ce, he walked towards the end of the table and bowed as he began to speak. Hello, my name is Lu Fei and I have come from afar looking for a lord I can faithfully serve, on my travels I had heard of your name and heard of your feats, please allow me to serve you." He finished still bowing

[Li Wang]

Li Wang thanked the General as he was released and quickly unbuckled his sheath, then with a grin untied the sheath from around his back and placed that, sword still inside, in Huang Gai's arms with a grin. Then, he carefully strode to the base of the table to address Sun Ce.

"I am known as Li Wang, my Lord, and I hail from Jian Ye. Liu Yong, whilst being a good man, has not the capability to control the city through this chaos, whereas I believe you can control the entire nation. For this reason I offer you my service as a warrior and an officer, and I swear I shall serve you until all of China is unified under the Sun banner, if you'll have me."

At the end of his sentence he noticed another man being brought in, one he thought he recognized though for the life of him he could not place where from.

Wang banished the thought from his mind with an almost invisible shake of the head; it didn't matter if he recognized the man, because at the moment all he cared about was joining the Sun clan.

[Sun Yuan Ci]

Zhiyun sat at a commoners' table at the banquet, but as his eyes wandered from face to face, they came back upon Sun Ce. His arrival, though understated, did not elude the watchful eye of the benevolent magistrate and warlord, Bofu. Sun Ce was looking at him, remembering their past conversations, and Zhiyun could tell the young man was grateful for the notion of his aid.

Sun Ce raised his cup, nodding his head to greet the distant warrior. Sun Yuan Ci repeated the notion, taking a newly filled cup of wine and downing it along with the host of the banquet. He had seen Sun Ce twice now, and each time they shared in the consumption of wine. It seemed the young lord shared in one of Zhiyun's weaknesses.

Nevertheless, Sun Yuan Ci continued to drink and to feast. It had been a while since he had properly prepared food, his company was usually in camp, his food was hunted and killed hours before the meal was prepared, and simply roasted on an open fire. He had become acquainted with it, but it was nice to enjoy a proper feast. Also, he was embarrassed while drinking the wine. He was no rich man, and had to travel light with poor wine, which he had shared with Sun Ce the day before. Tonight, however, tasting the wine the lord had at his disposal at any hour of the day, he was put to shame. The wine of Jian An was much better than anything he'd had in at least a year.

While enjoying his meal, Zhiyun's eyes shot up to see Huang Gai, a noted warrior and vassal of Sun Jian, shoot across the hall and seize an intruder he had noticed from a long ways away. His vigilance was impressive. The intruder pledged loyalty toward Sun Ce, and only moments later another man of noticeable worth entered to pledge the same.

Zhiyun, finishing his meal and also finding himself quite drunk, aimed to retire, as the commotion in the banquet hall was getting too much for him at this time of night. However, as he looked over Sun Ce, standing above two more potential vassals, he couldn't help but think to himself: The Tiger of Jiang Dong. And he found himself excited to ride to battle on the morrow.

[Ma Chao]

Huang Gai removed his mammoth arm from around Li Wang's neck and, while the young warrior gathered himself, another one walked in. It seemed Sun Ce's banquet was going better than he had anticipated. To share in the moment with his current officers, enjoying food and drink, was good enough, but then to have two more added to the fold was beyond imagine. It was also good to see that Gai had not lost much in his step and his eyes were as keen as ever. The veteran could move toward his honorary seat beside his lord or mingle with the others.

Lu Fei was the second warrior to enter and he introduced himself before offering service to Ce. He claimed to have heared stories of the famed Sun family and their exploits. His words were well spoken and he seemed of solid build. Ce looked the man over and shook his head in agreement to the offer.

"Lu Fei, you have made a wise decision."

Ce grabbed a cup from the large table and poured Fei a drink of wine. He passed the cup to the new recruit and took a drink of his own. Attendants and officials around the hall started to clap as well as offer kind words to Fei.

It was then that Li Wang moved forward and stated his purpose. Heads from around the room all turned to focus on the current conversation in which Liu Yong's name was brought up. Wang stated that he was from Jian Ye which was the target of Ce's coming assault. One could easily think that Wang could be a spy from the enemy city, sent by Liu Yong himself.

"Interesting" the young leader said, looking Wang over carefully.

"Tell me, Li Wang, how does the city of Jian Ye compare to that of Jian An?"

Ce was curious as to how Liu Yong was as a ruler and what the people thought of him. Also, he was quite curious as to what the people of Jian Ye thought of him. Although some of Ce's staff were now wondering whether Wang was a spy, it was rare to have someone who was within Jian Ye so recently. They could grill Wang on what he knew about any weaknesses with the city itself, with its ruler, or with its people.

[Li Wang]

Well, just looking at it on paper, my Lord, Jian Ye is about twice the size of Jian An; should the impending battle come down merely to sheer numbers, Jian Ye certainly would have a clear chance to win. Li Wang started off slightly sarcastically; war never came down to just numbers. He went on to how Jian Ye was prosperous, but how Jian An was much more so in relation to its own size. How Liu Yong was an effective administrator but how there were only a couple of noteworthy warriors in the city.

One of these is Taishi Ci, whom I would certainly say is in the league of General Huang here. The other, Yu Fan, is in the employ of Wang Lang, who, along with Yan Baihu, have banded together with Liu Yong for mutual defense. I do not mean to boast when I say this, but I discovered this whilst snooping around in the palace. Wang smiled; it had been a rather interesting trip to Jian Ye's palace.

From there, Wang moved on to how the people felt about Liu Yong; he was greatly loved for his part in Jian Ye's growth. Wang suspected, however, that that was subject to change once his newly established relationship with the White Tiger Yan was revealed. He mentioned how the people of the city felt about Sun Ce; they believed him to be Yuan Shu's subordinate, a puppet of the false emperor. Only a few saw what Wang did, that Sun Ce would be the superior of the two in a very short while.

As he neared the end of his report, he turned to Lu Fei. And now I remember where I know you from! You were passed out drunk in the stable across from my brothel in Jian Ye!

[Cheng Pu (Demou)]

Demou acknowledged his lord's gracious reply with a kind hug and a firm handshake, a great grin perching upon his features like a majestic eagle. He was grateful to see how the son of the late Tiger had prepared himself for battle. It seemed that even without their great friends and servants like Zhou Yu and Han Dang they would easily win the battle by the strength of their bonds alone.

When the newcomers made their entrances Demou had taken his seat, and as Li Wang gave his report, he listened with rapt attention. It quickly began to shape up, Jiangdong would remain out of their reach until eastern Wu had fallen. If Wang Lang and Yan Baihu had committed to the defense of Jian Ye, it would require some kind of miracle or intervention on behalf of the Cheng to save them from their increased numbers.

He rose to speak out on the matter: "My dear friend," he spoke aside to Bofu, "If the three eastern Wu despots have banded together, it may require the intervention of our... friend, Yuan Shu, to crack their lines and take the rabble to the sea."

He then spoke out aloud to the group that had congregated here, "Generals, my liege has no need of diplomacy with the eastern Wu alliance. They will be dispatched shortly. The only concerns I have are when and if we make the march to Jian'ye, should be if our lord comes under direct fire."

He paused for a moment to the effect that some concern was shown over the life of the young lord. A Tiger's cub though he may be, he was still somewhat reckless. Though he made no true intention of making his lord seem a simpleton, he was still as of yet untested in war. Being a sovereign in times of peace was one thing, but in times of war it required one truly fit for leadership. He did not want to see his lord's son die before being able to avenge the death of their elder Tiger. He would speak it private to Bofu later before the march.

"However, I do not expect any man among their coalition to be a match for him, or any of us for that matter. I have heard big talk, since our relations with Liu Yong have soured; Zhang Ying boasts he can hold the fortress of Mo Ling with a single regiment. Gentlemen, before we march, I must make it clear to you: That garrison must fall! Should Zhang Ying not die in battle, save him and send him back disgracefully to his masters, let them know our power, but also our mercy. For then, the people may be swayed to side with Sun! As for Taishi Ci, I have heard of his merit. He is a valiant warrior, most respectable, we should try to acquire his indispensable services as quickly as possible. We will undoubtedly have to clash another time against the eastern Wu alliance, but Yan Baihu and Wang Lang do not scare me. I have heard their names, and I feel nothing for them. Surely, if a man's name does not inspire something in another, he is clearly unfit for rule! The same goes for our lord's name of Sun, let us show the world the power of the Sun clan!"

[Lu Dun]

Lu Fei accepted the cup of wine his new lord handed him and took alittle sip. He looked around at the officers in the room when he heard that this man named Li Wang was in Jian Ye he knew he had heard of him before," My Lord, I am also from Jian Ye and can vouch for anything master Li Wang says. He said as he looked around for somewhere to seat.

He decided that the best place to sit was at the end of the table so he didn't disrespect any of the other generals. He sat down took another sip he looked around and he could reconginze some faces. There was Lord Cheng Pu and Lord Huang Gai both excellent warriors, Li Wang who was a also from Jian Ye, and some man who was sitting at the commoner's table.

He finished his cup and sat it aside from him. He was curious on how this young Leader conducted himself around his generals and advisors. So far how this man showed him such kindness he knew he made the right choice.

[Ma Chao]

Sun Ce listened to Li Wang's report and he was very impressed. The new warrior had not only just pledged his service, but he was already divulging information about the enemy. Such knowledge was crucial and was one of the first steps in planning out a strategy for war; know thy enemy.

Wang spoke of the numerical advantages for Jian Ye with concern to troops. Initial reports had estimated roughly 20 thousand troops for Jian Ye, but when Wang stated that Liu Yong had joined with Wang Lang and Yan Baihu, the number ballooned to 30 thousand or more.

The attendants that were just smiling and clapping, moments ago, were now emotionless. They stood there, wondering if their lord was marching to his death. However, the coming battle was not their concern and they had the state of Jian An to worry about. Their fears would be washed away though, after a tide of red washed over Jian Ye!

Ce continued to listen as Wang spoke of Liu Yong and the people that followed him. His look of interest slowly began to change into one of anger when Wang compared Taishi Ci to Huang Gai and then made mention of Ce being known as; 'a puppet to the false emperor'. The mix of his temper with that of wine served to fuel the burning fire within. He took his cup of wine and threw it against the wall. Then, he took his fists and smashed them on the table; sending food flying everywhere.

Yuan Shu was constantly hanging over his head and rightfully so. Ce was currently fighting under his banner, but he would change that when the opportunity presented itself. After some calming words from his officers, the young lord settled down and another cup of wine was poured for him.

It was then that his other elite, Cheng Pu, spoke up to address the gathering. A man of such respect and rank was shown the full attention of all present, including Ce. He too spoke of the eastern alliance and mentioned aid from Yuan Shu. Though the name sent urges to go into beast mode, Ce knew that Demou was away during a crucial and recent event.

"Demou, we have secured aid from Yuan Shu. Ulayne Umi was sent as an envoy and she performed splendidly, not only proving her worth to our force but also by impressing the Emperor."

All present could sense the comtempt for Shu in Ce's voice, but most knew their current position and situation with the Cheng kingdom. There was no other option then to seek their aid as to go against Liu Yong and his allies, alone, would be akin to suicide.

As Demou continued, he made a comment about Ce staying out of harm's way. Though it was with the best interest of his lord in mind, the odds of that happening were low. It would be a shame if the young tiger fell in combat, but he would have it no other way. A true warrior dies on the field of battle.

All listened to Demou speak of the eastern alliance and Ce growled slightly when Taishi Ci's name was brought up again. The speech slowly turned into a rally and soon all present in the hall cheered and drank when it was concluded.