A Wolf Stirred to Action

[Kigera]

With haste, two riders of Di descent rode hard for the camp of Kigera Katasa. News of Cao Cao's ambitious march on Wan had already spread like wildfire and they had to make sure their own lord was properly informed.

"What's the password?" The two were asked upon arriving at the camp entrance. A fellow brethren of Di had posed the question and although their shared lineage was obvious, code of conduct overrided such things. Kigera was known to put any to the lash who didn't follow correct protocols.

"For peace tomorrow, destroy today." One of the riders answered and immediately one of the guards stepped out of the way to allow the two into the camp. They wasted no time in heading for their master's tent and once there, they found Hu Ren standing outside of it conversing with a old man. Hu Ren was their master's right hand man and chief advisor. He was also a frightening man if one disturbed him when he was busy.

Needless to say, they decided until after he was done speaking with the old man to approach him.

"Chief Advisor Hu, we bring urgent news for Master Katasa. He needs to this hear this immediately!" One of the riders said in a loud voice which seemed to displease Hu Ren.

"Keep your damn voices down." The Chief Advisor told them with a nasty hiss. He took a step towards them and motioned for them to come close. The two riders looked at each other with a look of fear but they followed his orders regardless.

"Now quietly, what is it that you wish you to tell Master Katasa?"
What the three of them hadn't noticed at the time, was the quiet opening of a tent flap.

"As we speak, Cao Cao's army is engaging Zhang Xiu. This is the opportunity Master Katasa has been waiting for! Oh sorry..."
Hu Ren frowned at the man's inability to whisper but his words caused him even more distress. This was definitely not the time for his master to be hearing this. Absolutely not.

"I forbid you to tell the master anything. Or anybody else. Is that understood?" Hu Ren finally said after deep though.

"But.." One of the riders started to protest but a quick glare from Ren scared him into silence. The two riders nervously bowed and departed the advisor's presence with a haste.

"Well that wasn't nice." A voice from behind Ren said, causing the man to jump. He turned around to find a man supporting himself with a cane, standing in the doorway of the tent. The upper part of his robe had fallen to his waist revealing a bandaged stomach, the bandages themselves covered in blood. The grin on the man's face, caused Ren's jaw to flex and his hands to shake with rage.

"You can't be serious Kigera!? Are you mad?! Look at your condition!"

Kigera laughed at Ren's words but nonetheless took a look at his bandaged body. His concern wasn't unfounded. His wounds had yet to recover from the last battle he had been apart in, and the strenuous activity from all that fighting had triggered his "attacks" as well. The reference he used for when his body would shut down and he'd be hit with a succession of seizures as well as coughs that caused him to spit out blood.

"I won't let this sickness dictate how my life will be. I will do what I please and when I please. " He then said to Ren, his eyes very serious.

"Heavens you're a moron! The doctor hasn't even been gone for a few minutes and you're already contemplating riding back into battle?! You've been bedridden for days, give your body a rest!" Hu Ren said in a no nonsense tone. Kigera looked at him waywardly and then used his free hand to stroke his chin.

"Is that what you were thinking? That I'd join in their little squabble? Don't be foolish. What could be gained from such a thing? No, his advance has brought another idea into my head."

Kigera paused to look skyward and then he continued "Summon Lu Len and Bao Dun, we four have much to discuss."

[Kigera]

Encampment of Kigera Katasa

The four of them sat around the map table that was at the center of Kigera's tent. They were Hu Ren, Kigera's chief advisor and the man who commanded the Di Avengers when Kigera was ill(which was often). Second was Bao Dun, the head of the spy network and to whom the two riders bringing news of Cao Cao's attack, belonged to. Normally information was brought to him first and then if Bao Dun deemed it important enough, he would pass it along to Kigera. Of course, if it was of urgency, his spies had permission to report it the Hammer of Di himself.

Including Kigera himself, last but certainly not least, was Lu Len the "Lady of Death". Not only was she the strongest fighter in his camp but she also served as both his personal bodyguard and also as a troop commander during battles. Despite this, their relationship certainly wasn't one of trust.

"And that is the current state of the land." Bao Dun said as he finished his brief on what all his spies and informants had gathered. Kigera coughed as his hand went for a map marker and he placed it over Ye.

"If my father was still alive, he would council me to throw my lot in with Yuan Shao. His path is honorable, his lineage noble and his service to the Han impressive."

The latter of his statement caused Len to snort with laughter as she picked up a marker herself and slammed it down over Xin Ye.

"You might as well behead me now if you wish to follow that fool of a lord. His incompetence would only lead us to our deaths anyway. No, if you're looking for a man of noble lineage or righteousness or any of that other justice non-sense, then Liu Bei would be the better choice.

He's just as much a fool as Yuan Shao but at least he's Liu. And lets face it, the man certainly is a lucky bast*rd isn't he?"

Both Bao Dun and Kigera laughed but Hu Ren only shook his head and sighed.

It wouldn't kill you to act a little feminine every once in a while you know?

His words caused Len's hands to pull out a dagger which she threw at him with a alarming speed, narrowly missing his face by a few inches.

Next time I won't miss. But as I was saying, Liu Bei is more suited for you Kigera. Such a naive man would be easy for you to take advantage of and rise through the ranks. Well, if he's as virtious as he claim that is.

[Kigera]

Kigera stared at the marker over Xin Ye and responded

Serving him would be too risky. Entirely too risky. Certainly more then I am willing to gamble. For one, he may not actually be a Liu. Two, a man who is led by virture will die a fool's death. I have no intentions of meeting such a fate.

Then we can assume serving Liu Bei is out of the picture? Hu Ren asked while picking up a marker. Kigera didn't answer the question, so Ren continued with what he was doing and placed the marker over Jian Ye.

Serving the Sun family will bring you the most glory. If there is one man who understands ambition and is willing to stake everything he has to achieve, it is certainly the eldest son of Sun Jian. Already he has managed to sneak independance away from that pitiful excuse of a ruler, Yuan Shu, and has formed a formidable army of his own.

Kigera grinned and asked Ambitious you say he is? So is Cao Cao and his army is more powerful and his lands vast. If ambition was my deciding factor, then surely I would serve him instead?

Hu Ren shook his head as he folded his arms.

Ambitious he may be but he strikes me as a man without honor or pride. He would betray his allies in a instance if something could be gained from it. Such a man you would never prosper or shine under. You would never gain his trust, never be one he could confide in. Therefore you would never be one of importance in his kingdom.

That is why Sun Ce is the better choice. He's a more balanced lord, trust me, he is by far the better choice.

Kigera nodded but once again didn't comment. He'd already known which lord he would serve ever since hearing news of Cao Cao's ruthless advance on Wan. The choice was so obvious.

Bao Dun, what are your thoughts? Kigera asked while staring at the map. He already knew what Bao Dun's answer would be but he still enjoyed hearing the man's opinions.

I agree with your father's choice. Yuan Shao. He is destined to be the lord of the central plains. His armies are vast, his officers skillful and his charisma can not be matched. He is the one you should serve and you should offer your services before they ever decided to push south. It will be a grand campaign for his men I promise you.

Kigera smiled at his words and pretended to go in deep thought for several minutes. Finally he rose to his feet and pointed to a spot on the map.

Before I die, my name will be remebered for all of history to remeber. In order for that to happen, I believe a great gamble must be placed. What better gamble then to serve the lord least likely to conquer the chaos?

[Kigera]

A smile formed on Lu Len's face as both Hu Ren and Bao Dun gasped with shock.

We shall seek out this Liu Bei and we shall aid him to the best of our abilities if he would have us. Kigera said as he folded his arms staring at the marker over Xin Ye.

I don't understand Kigera. How can Cao Cao marching on Wan possibly give you any reason for serving Liu Bei?

Hu Ren's question caused Kigera's eyes to shift to Lu Len; who took that as her sign to answer for him.

Simple. Yuan Shao's army may be the biggest. Liu Bei may have a imperial lineage and Sun Ce my be a star on the rise. But despite all of that, Cao Cao will prevail over them all. He is the most oppurtunistic and ruthless from the amongst the bunch after all. So let me ask you this? Which is a better way to gain fame? To serve the man would be king? Or to oppose him?

Kigera nodded his head approvingly to her words as his eyes moved back to the marker over Xin Ye.

Liu Bei is our man. If he is as virtuious as he claims, then he will come to blows with Cao Cao eventually. When that day happens, it shall be the Katasa to lead Liu Bei's armies into war against him. Could any fate be better?

Kigera and his band of Di Ronin depart Wan