Respect and Honor (Cao Cao/Guan Yu)

[Simon]

Going up North


After walking with his brother in the newly-occupied Yong An after he had completed the soldiers' training and the Bandits had been repelled, they began to talk about the land and how far they had come since they first raised an army to repel the Yellow Turbans. Though they were just volunteers, Liu Bei, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu had contributed greatly to their demise and were recognised by many generals.

Now it was his task to meet with one of the generals, he and his brother had fought with, Lord Cao Cao, whose power was expanding throughout the central plains.

Riding on his horse, he approached the walls and was allowed in by the guards to enter Xu Chang. Once inside, he dismounted and walked up the steps towards the Palace, and turned to the guards, "I wish to speak with Lord Cao Cao. Please, allow me entrance"

[Cao Cao]

"L..Lord Guan Yu?" asked the guard, who immediately dropped to his knees.
"I apologize... but you are something of a legend my lord. Begging your pardon sire, but our Lord Cao Cao is currently on campaign in Wan, stamping out a traitor to the Han."

The guard stopped for a second, realizing that Guan Yu's allegiance may make him take offense to that statement, but he quickly continued.

"The Emperor and my master have spoken very fondly of you, Lord Guan Yu, and I am sure that if you are willing to make the trip, Cao Cao will speak with you at the battlefield. Or... if you message is not so urgent, you may take up residence here for the time being. I am certain that we can find rooms worthy of you, my lord. Either way, a messenger can be sent straight away to inform him, if you would like."

[Simon]

Guan Yu listened to what the guard had to say, and was about to comment on how he was seen as a legend, when the guard smartly moved on and spoke of Cao Cao whereabouts.

"In that case, I shall go directly to Lord Cao Cao. A messenger will prove very useful so my horse has time to rest", he answered. He had used his horse many times, back when Liu Bei first began recruiting for a volunteer army, but now the horse was getting old, but nevertheless, it was a grande horse and was fast.

He then waited for the guards' response.

[Cao Cao]

"Of course, Lord Guan Yu. A messenger will be sent immediately."

As Guan turned to leave, the guard quickly added, "Ummm... Sire, before you go... I umm... I have a.. umm.. a personal request. I hope you take no offense, of course... but I may never have this opportunistic again... and... and surely the fates would laugh if I made no move to make such an attempt.

That is to say... umm... Lord Guan Yu... May I please have the incredible honor to... to... to touch your beard, just once, and quickly, before you take your leave?" asked the guard, with stars in his eyes and a look of pure hope etched on his face.

[Simon]

Guan Yu was stopped when the guard asked to stroke his beard. He glanced down then with his own fingers stroked his beard, then looked back up, seeing the look on the guards' face and how he was staring up at him rather than keeping watch while on duty, "As tempting as it may be, you must also remember that the fates may also wish for you to exceed in your duties as a guard. You may someday be promoted, maybe as personal guards to your Lord. Cao Cao is a great man and that would certainly be a honorable position to be in....", he paused then turned round with a smile as he made haste to see to his horse. If there was one thing that needed stroking, it was his horse....