Grassy Hill

[Emperor Ling]

A large grassy hill that sits in a Clearing surrounded by a Forest.

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian, who was feeling quite bored dealing with the trivial affairs of his district, decided that he needed a break. Refusing a host of guards, Sun Jian decided to go out for a horse ride quite alone. Riding his steed, White Glory, Sun Jian galloped across the countryside, enjoying the breeze blowing in his face and the sound of the beating hooves beneath him. Today was a good day for a ride indeed.

Coming upon a hill, Sun Jian rode to the top, seeing below him for some distance. Here he beheld a great river, flowing on and on, never stopping. He fondly remembered his pirate hunts in the past. He was a man of combat, a warrior who's life was lived on the battlefield. True, Sun Jian sought to end conflict, and he detested the sufferings of war. But as a warrior, his true home was on the battlefield. It was ironic, but what could be done?

[Krull]

With a slight yawn Gan Ning looked up from the text which lay open upon the desk before him, only to slowly stand and proceed to slowly stretch. How long had he sat within his personal chambers reading these texts? Minutes had long since melted into hours... and hours had passed as if each was a year. And yet... it brought a slight sense of satisfaction, even now as he glanced upon the candle which lay nearby, only a small stump remaining where once a proud candle of bee wax had stood.

His men thought him a fool to lodge himself up within his quarters, reading those countless scripts in endless numbers, when even they was lucky to be able to read just a few characters.

"What will this bring you Ning? Riches? Money? Fame? Never will it bring you that! You should know by now it is action which brings you success; it wasn't by reading you've gathered this fleet. It was by being who you are!" they had cried over these recent weeks... and yet all it took was the slight jingle of those bells to silence them, as they knew without even looking Ning's hand had grasped the handle of his Dao, and if need be would silence those who continued to defy him.

Yet... was his men right and himself turned into the fool? Did these books give wisdom and in turn took the reader's wisdom? Perhaps...

Or perhaps it made them all the more intelligent and wiser. But what if it did? Would he find his renown and success growing all the more? Would his simple raids upon wharfs and merchant junks expand into calculated raids upon villages? Would these raids turn into invasions? Would instead of being the King of the Chang Jiang he become King of the Civilized World.

It was likely the thoughts of a Dreamer...
It was likely the thoughts of a Tyrant...
It was likely the thoughts of a Emperor
It was likely the thoughts of a Demon...

With a slight sigh Gan Ning slowly returned to his chair and once more began to read the text...



BANG
BANG
BANG

Within surprise Ning shot up from his chair, in the process sending his chair reeling and to clatter upon the wooden floor of his ship... "What do ya want?" a rather flustered Gan Ning would say, only to set the chair upright.

"Sir, a messenger from the Mako says they've seen a man up ahead and looks like a easy mark. Apparently he has a horse, even if the man has nothing else of value that should bring us a few coins."

From within the cabin footsteps could be heard, and moments later the door was slide aside into it's compartment, revealing a half naked Gan Ning to the soldier. "Tell the Mako to anchor up ahead and show no arms, have a messenger relay that their Master wishes to speak to them, and keep my name unmentioned" he would softly coo towards the soldier, only to receive a slight bow from the soldier who would then turn and depart.

With a slight grin upon his face Gan Ning quickly turned upon his heel and once more departed into the chambers of his room to dress and arm himself.

[Sun Jian]

As he gazed upon the river, Sun Jian spotted a strange vessel approached. The crew seemed a motley lot, and did not seem to be an honest bunch. At this Sun Jian smiled. It seemed as if destiny had brought him this opportunity! He had been thinking of the old days, and here comes a pirate vessel before his very eyes.

Suddenly, he heard a loud banging sound. It had come from the ship. At this Sun Jian laughed out loud. It seemed that the vessel's crew had spotted him, and were informing their master. No doubt they thought him an easy mark. Deciding to save them some trouble, Sun Jian drew his sword and spurred his horse onward, galloping down the hill. When he reached the riverbank, he bade his horse to leap onto the boat, where a bunch of very startled pirates gaped at him.


"I am Sun Jian, Tiger of the Jiang Dong and Prefect of Jian Ye! You lot of pirates will not find me an easy target!"

[Guo Jia]

Chaos, a reign of hell has spread among the Middle Kingdom. Pirates, bandits, and brigades raid the land; the emperor is a puppet and the government is ran by tyrants and villains; and the lords of the land were in conquest, not caring for the Han nor people, just to quench their endless ambition. Lords, from petty beginnings to men who have been honored and glorified for years took up the call for a new leader. The kingdoms of Yan, Bai Ling, Wu, and Shu were similiar yet different in many aspects.

Liu Bei, a man who was known throughout the land as a virtuous man is also seen as a weak, incompetent ruler. Relying on trust and honor of his peers. Guan Dan, a man who is trying out the villian role, is seen as a tyrant that tries to put fear into enemies and even allies to make his kingdom more secure. What way is that to rule? Yuan Shao, a honored man of the esteemed Yuan family; he is nothing more than a boastful fellow with the incompetence of a village whore who happens to miss half a brain. He is not even worthy to be discussed. And finally, Sun Jian, the Tiger General of Jiang Dong. A fierceless warrior who relies heavily on his own skills. He seeks talent yet does not utilize it to its full potential. He is a warrior; nothing more, nothing less.

Alas, the land looks bleak as to finding its true ruler. A man who was ruthless in times of war, yet virtuous to those who deserve it. A man who can quell the masses with both an iron fist and with compassion. There is no leader out at the time that is near this goal, so there is to be no change in this realm of chaos. Emperor Ling is a drunken fool, who cares more about treasures than his people. He needs to be taken care of before the land can ever achieve peace.

These were the thoughts of a ronin scholar, Fengxiao, a man who grew up in Yangzhai. He spent his days and nights wandering about the land, searching for what he believed is a true leader. But alas, this has not come to fruition. fengxiao rode his valiant steed, Black Angel, to a grassy hill and stabbed a wooden block into the ground. he proceeded to tie up Black Angel to the post and he sat down on the hill, reading and studying. Analyzing every situation, both in war and in politics.

[Krull]

bladedwind said:

As he gazed upon the river, Sun Jian spotted a strange vessel approached. The crew seemed a motley lot, and did not seem to be an honest bunch. At this Sun Jian smiled. It seemed as if destiny had brought him this opportunity! He had been thinking of the old days, and here comes a pirate vessel before his very eyes.

Suddenly, he heard a loud banging sound. It had come from the ship. At this Sun Jian laughed out loud. It seemed that the vessel's crew had spotted him, and were informing their master. No doubt they thought him an easy mark. Deciding to save them some trouble, Sun Jian drew his sword and spurred his horse onward, galloping down the hill. When he reached the riverbank, he bade his horse to leap onto the boat, where a bunch of very startled pirates gaped at him.


"I am Sun Jian, Tiger of the Jiang Dong and Prefect of Jian Ye! You lot of pirates will not find me an easy target!"

[Don't god mod my crew again and we'll get along fine mate. As well sorry for the delay; Classes, work, and a injury doesn't make well for simmin.


Perhaps this man was brave... perhaps this man was a fool... then again at times those are the same exact things.

The very man these pirates had chosen for their mark had decided to ride right into the hornet's nest, while at first the pirates reactions was a mixed array of shock, humor, and even some being startled...

And yet it was after a mere few seconds a almost ghastly laughter rose up from the chorus of shifting jingling bodies, and within a few more the chorus had grabbed their instruments.

Slowly though a rather large figure emerged from from the depths of the ship's hull, an open robe of claret pouring down his sides to his shins, and yet it only served to emphasize that iron breast plate and those bells of gold and silver, which sang out in their beautiful voices with even the slightest of movements, lay sewn into that soft white belt. "Lot of pirates?" the figure would softly coo, only to slowly allow his left hand to dip into the shadow of the doorway and grip his famed Ji. Quickly thrusting it before him, Gan Ning looked upon the man who had identified himself as Sun Jian. "I am Gan Ning! King of all the Chang Jiang River. Bow down now and pay respect for your insolence or be struck down." he would almost shout.

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian showed no fear when the pirates laughed at him and cajoled him. He knew he could slay this rabble easily enough, at least once he was dismounted anyway. No, these fools did not interest him: it was the leader that peaked his curiosity. This Gan Ning, claiming to be a King of the Chang Jiang river, seemed like a worthy foe. Nevertheless, Sun Jian laughed loudly at his demands to bow; Sun Jian bowed to no one.


"A King? You are nothing more then pirate scum. If you truly wish for my submission, the only way you'll get it is to prove yourself my better in combat!"

Sun Jian dismounted from his horse as he said this and pointed the sword at Gan Ning in challenge. Even he didn't know the outcome of the fight, but he knew one thing for certain: he was extremely excited.

[Krull]

With a slight chuckle Xingba looked upon the bold Sun Jian who dismounted his horse and pointed his sword within his direction, "Do you know what you've done?" Xingba would softly coo as allowing his Ji's tip point at Sun Jian's chest. "You've doomed yourself." he would softly coo as that left hand moved to as well grab the Ji's handle.

OOC: A duel I guess, you up to it?

[Sun Jian]

((OOC: Of course.))

"A warrior lives for battle, pirate. But I suppose that you already understand this."

[Xuande]

((DUEL COMMENCED! LOOK IN CURRENT ARENA BATTLES. WAGER ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE TAKEN ON THIS DUEL))