King of the Hill (Guan Yu, Zhu Ran)

[Li Wang]

It had been a grand week for Dailai Zhangba; two pirate vessels had been sunk and now he'd captured Guan Yu! His master was sure to be pleased with him.

Zhangba found himself silently pacing up and down the ship's deck beneath the starry sky; it had been two whole days since the capture and neither Guan Yu nor Zhu Ran had tried to make trouble. Yes, Guan Yu had given his word not to but why hadn't Zhu Ra-

"Trouble sleeping, Admiral?"

Zhangba's train of thought was broken as he spun, drawing his blade as he did so. The ivory handle shone in the moonlight, a brilliant contrast to his mud-brown skin.

"What the fuck!? I could have just killed you right there! Don't sneak up on a man when he's thinking, dammit! Zhangba didn't quite yell, but his tone conveyed his anger well enough. Still, he wouldn't have actually killed his comrade, regardless if he'd given Guan Yu and Zhu Ran both free run of the ship. Guan Yu at least had promised no escape attempt...

Zhangba was in the middle of a tribal battle. He was back in the jungles of Nanzhong, where his furs served little more purpose that to keep him modest. His spear was coated in blood, and his shield would probably need a new lining when next he got the chance. His side was winning, as evidenced by the burning huts. Zhangba could smell the burning flesh, taste the ash in the air; it would not be long now before the battle was over. Still, what villagers were left were offering resistance, so it was Zhangba's job to help cut them down.

Hey! Over here! We got a live one!

No! Please!

Zhangba's head turned towards the sound; nobody in Nanzhong begged on the battlefield. Not even a woman about to be raped. Curiosity overwhelmed him; he found himself drawn towards the pleading woman.

When he reached the source of the sound, however, something was wro-

"Admiral?

Zhangba silently swore; he could not let his past distract him right now.

"I'm fine, Captain. Tell 'masters' Guan and Zhu to meet me in my quarters; I wish to speak with them.

Zhangba was brusque and to the point, and without another word left to the Captains quarters (normally occupied by the captain except when an admiral was on board) to await Guan and Zhu.

The Captain was left confused, but nonetheless he faithfully went to seek out Masters Guan and Zhu.

[Guan Yu]

No escape attempt was promised, until Guan Yu's life was threatened. It was a fair promise; and both men had agreed terms. A day had past since Zhu Ran's and Guan Yu's capture - neither of them showed any attempt to escape. They however both had bonded through the mistreatment of the pirate-lord. What was once a clash, was now a unity. Though the pirate, did have numbers.. numbers were meaningless.

The both of them were watched by a few scurvy looking vagabonds, equipped with blades that look like they'd shatter at the touch of a feather. Guan Yu sighed, glancing at Zhu Ran across the room; who seemed a little worse for wear after his poor collision. Guan Yu had sparingly saved his life.. to some extent. God knows why; but he felt inclined to.

A loud banging was heard from outside the door before one of the guards stood up to answer it. Clearly distracted Guan Yu launched across a note which he had carved into a piece of wood which laid abruptly upon the floor. With a gentle tap upon the floor, the note landed at the toes of the young advisor; before Guan Yu simply looked away.

"My lord wishes to speak with you both."

The man stated, Guan Yu nodded. Lifting himself upon from the cold, hard, damp floor and brushing himself off. Still equipped with his blade, through sheer spokemanship.

"Your lord is very demanding! Lord Zhu Ran requires rest; and I much the same. If he will not settle for no speech, then I shall go. But allow Master Zhu Ran peace!"

Guan Yu announced, the poor man was covered in scars. Forcing him to move and then present himself to the captain of the ship wasn't only dishonourable but also endangering his life. Dailai had promised that Zhu Ran would be spared.

"Lead the way!"

Guan Yu announced, on the understanding that the captain of the ship was stubborn. He would barter Zhu Ran's rest; in exchange for his own presence.

[Li Wang]

Wait here; my lord said he wished to speak with both of you. If your friend there is too incapacitated to go above decks, I'll bring the Ad- I mean the Captain below. The Captain bowed to Guan before retreating back out the door and heading above decks. It did not take him long to reach the Captain's Quarters.

Admiral, Guan Yu claims Zhu Ran is to injured to move. He says he will come, but to please allow Zhu Ran peace to rest.

Zhangba frowned; he'd bargained with Guan Yu once already to secure his surrender, now it appeared he'd have to do so merely to speak with him.

Fine. Come on. Zhangba strode out into the cool night air, made all the cooler by the mists thrown up by the Yangtze's current. He paused for a moment to savor the cool air before heading below decks to the ship's brig. The Captain knocked once before opening the door.

Zhangba surveyed the scene; the guards, all out of uniform as per his orders, were playing cards in a corner. Zhangba noticed with disdain that their swords would in all likelihood break if they attacked Guan Yu (though they might hurt Zhu Ran), but that was the point. Guan Yu would assuredly know that even if these men turned hostile, they were no threat to him. They were merely there to observe.

Zhu Ran looked to be in bad shape; there was a nasty looking gash across his forehead and his right arm was in a sling the ship's doctor had made. Zhangba couldn't tell for certain but he appeared to be unconscious.

Guan Yu, however, appeared to be more-or-less okay, as he should; he'd surrendered without a fight, whereas Zhu Ran had tried to run and smashed his ship into the rocks. His whole crew had died either on impact or in the Yangtze's unforgiving currents.

Hmpf. I suppose he is too injured to be walking around. Zhangba conceded. Sorry for the shitty accommodations. It's one thing to let you on deck in broad daylight, but in the dark... well, lets just say some of my men are easily spooked. Tomorrow night you guys can take the captain's quarters.

Zhangba was passively surveying the room as he spoke, and was quite disgusted by the brig's condition; sure, they were prisoners but they sure as hell weren't criminals. They deserved a clean room at the very least.

[Kyle]

Zhu Ran is too injured to make any actions of his own apparently; he's chilling below deck knocked out for the entirety of this thread, or whatever.

[Guan Yu]

Guan Yu nodded, the accomdation they had been placed in was teble; but no doubt he feared Guan Yu in the night. Funchang, smiled accordingly.

"Most gracious"

He claimed, clasping his hands. The night had rolled in, the chill of the air was the only real evidence. Guan Yu had no real sight of the moon down here.. or the night sky. It wound him up even more.

"So master.. what do you wish to discuss?"

Guan Yu questioned, noticing it had been so important for him to come on his own. With Zhu Ran knocked out pretty cold; it was only Guan Yu capable of talking.

=======================================

Several Miles Away

A small battalion of horsemen surrounded the shipwreck of the two demolished ships left upon the river. Amongst them, flew the green banner.

"My lord, we have located Lord Guan's ship!"

"...and? What is it? Is he aboard?"

"No my lord, everything has been removed, even Lord Guan!"

The young commander growled is a rage, before a shorter and younger man appeared from behind; reaching out for his shoulder.

"Brother, you know our father as much as I do. He is not dead; alas.. allow us to further ourselves up the river.. the tide runs against our fathers passage, it will only be a matter of time before we reach them."

Determination moved faster than a ship pounding against the tides. The commander looked at the man who called him brother, before turning to the river and signalling to ride forth; through morning, night and day.. they would find their father.

250 Light Calvary
Guan Ping
Guan Xing

[Li Wang]

Zhangba resisted the urge to backhand the man; he would not give him an excuse to attempt an escape. So he contented himself with a slight frown at the God of War's obvious sarcasm.

"There's no need to call me master, we're as good as equals here... well, other than you being my captive, of course. Please, call me either 'Admiral' or 'Zhangba'. For the first time, Zhangba was attempting cordiality and offered his hand to shake. Of course, he also used the opportunity to test the strength in Guan Yu's grip. It appeared his legendary strength had not diminished much in his old age, for Zhangba's muscular grip had been at the very least matched.

"First off, I'd like to learn a little more about our mutual friend here. A gesture to Zhu Ran. "To be honest, I'm a newcomer on these waters, and to be meeting with the God of War, he's obviously somebody important. Zhangba leaned sideways against the wall here, crossing his arms across his chest as he did so. It was not intended as a masculine display; it was merely a comfortable stance to talk from.

========================================

A few leagues ahead

As is inevitable in a land crisscrossed with rivers, water was Wu's most expedient medium of travel. Therefore, it was no surprise to find sentry towers at strategic checkpoints along the Yangtze's course. One such checkpoint lay just a few leagues down river, and camped by that checkpoint was the personal army of Zhu Ran.

Anchored in the river were a quartet of archer junks, and on the banks camped about 700 soldiers and crew for the 4 Onagers currently sharing their camp. About an hour ago a report had arrived that Zhu Ran and Guan Yu both had been captured by a barbarian pirate, and in response the commander had ordered his men to stand ready to detain the pirate with all necesary force. Nobody would be passing through without being boarded and searched.

[Guan Yu]

The small band of riders had finally encountered a small vessel riding the waters; riding at their fastest pace. The leader halted, bracing the white flag; no emblem nor faction did it behold. He cursed, his father wouldn't be upon a neutral ship. However, before the man signalled the retreat, the younger man, praised to be his brother appeared.

"Alas brother, if my arrow strikes a lone man upon the ship; then our father is aboard."

"You would leave our father to chance?"

Recalled the older of the two generals, however he couldn't stop his brother. He drew his bow; thundering an arrow high as the crowd of riders watched in awe. From several hundred meters, the flying marksmen striked a single target; who flew over the edge of the boat and into the water.

"Then our father is onboard..."

The older brother praised his brother; truly the Heavens had granted him skill with the arts of marksmanship. The riders rallied chasing the boat across banks of the river, within the ranks; the demon horse - Red Hare.

Guan Yu

Guan Yu twitched, the mans hands were rough, cold and untreated. His breath was almost as attrocious as his attitude. He despised the man, but didn't allow it to show. The man rambled on about not knowing The God of War and other unimportant slander; which didn't interest Guan Yu and he simply did not reply..

However the most interesting of events occured; from the corner of his eye, a splash.. not that of a fish, or a rock but a body. Pounded against the ship. Man over-board perhaps? Surely not mutany? Guan Yu kept his eyes on the captain; keeping his blade fixed close.

"Alas General; it was nice to be in your company.. but you have broken my promise.. for you see these are the Rivers of the Southlands.. dangerous places for my kind... You intend to bring me harm - and for that my promise is also broken."

Guan Yu was not a dim man, just the smell of the water was different.. the enviroment changed and the basic navigation of the river was reasonably detected. Though his flag was white, his intentions were red.

"Your greed, arrogance and impatience.. clouds what good of a general you could be.."

And with that, The Great Guan Yu stroke down upon the wooden flooring with his guanduo blade, several times splintering into the floor as the water seaped in. Tearing through the weak, rotting flooring; as the spray through below. Within a matter of seconds a large rip within the floor of the ship was covered by the vast blue; as the ship began to capsize.

Guan Yu spun his blade back a forth, as the ship slowly dipped lower and lower; swaying left collectively gathering too much weight - as the old, untended to wood creaked. Guan Yu turned himself to a defensive position; though the captain had the numbers.. Guan Yu had the skill and the determination to escape. The ship was going nowhere but under..

[Storyteller]

This thread is finished.

I warned both sides that if I heard any more BS that I'd act.

Ultimately, this subplot was a half-arsed attempt to capture Guan Yu. It was drowned by god modding and meta-gaming by both participants. I'm sick of reading it. This thread blatantly breaks the rules of the site and won't be rewarded. Neither side gets a casus bell.

There was a right way to do this subplot, unfortunately that includes both sides actively talking to each other (I will never act as the 'middle-man' again), compromising, making up a cool plot and writing well. That didn't happen, and this shit shouldn't be posted on the site again.

Guan Yu successfully escapes to Shu.