A Stop On The Road Home

[Wei Yan]

Pride Falls Before Responsibility

It had been a few days since Wei Yan had left Xi Liang. He'd been going slow, knowing his companion, Lu Rai, had went ahead of him to ready the city. Honestly, he had a lot of thinking to do and would not be rushing, clogging his mind with nonsense, with war on the horizon. Heh... Horizon... Irony has befallen even my spear, thought the warrior as he looked down at his spear, Horizon, that was strapped to his horse.

Tian Shui had came into sight a while back, but the warrior was debating avoiding the city altogether as to be left to his thoughts, but another idea spurred in his head. Nudging his horse into a quick trot, the warrior made his way to the gates. He was instantly noticed as the Lord of Chang An, Wei Yan, Hero of the People, and for that was let inside the city. The warrior had no thought to go see the palace halls our council chambers, he wanted to speak with the locals.

A few commoners on the roads stopped and greeted him, and he obliged them thoroughly. The warrior was all smiles and hand shakes after dismounting his horse and leading it around the city. After awhile a stablemaster offered to take in his horse and re-shoe her, the warrior nodded his thanks and let his horse go. The people here were so giddy and cheery. War is coming to rip their naive innocence away... Ma Chao... Tyrannical Lordling, and still the thoughts poured even here amongst all these happy folk.

"Lord Wei Yan! Won't you come and tell us a tale about the battle with that fat cow, Dong Zhuo?" came a call from a random merchant man. The warrior just smiled and nodded, taking a moment to relive his battle with Lu Bu and then later fighting beside men like: Sun Liao, Ji-Huang Liang, and Xiahou Dun. Not many of the names got the reaction, but that didn't matter to the warrior, he held them on high. After what felt like only moments, the sun had gone from just barely rising to high in the sky, and Yan was ready to do what he set out to do in Tian Shui.

The warrior left the market, with all the people, with a smile on his face and a goodbye to every passing person. He had loved being around so many folks that just were trying to make an honest living. No politicians corrupting the masses. No diplomats spewing false promises. Most of all, no men trying to assassinate you or your character. Ugh... Somedays, the palace was not for him. It was much easier to just get lost in the market or the barracks. But, the time had come to do his duty and then finally make his way home to Chang An. So Wei Yan made his way to the barracks.

It was loud in the barracks. The noon-day sun was high and there was no sign of a lunch break for these men. Some of them looked dead on their feet, others were fresh. It seemed as though they moved as they pleased, just some were more determined than others. Needless to say, Wei Yan was always right at home in the barracks and had no problem walking in and out of drills. Speaking his mind to random warriors who would notice him and ask question. But, he'd came here for a purpose.

Carrying himself to the front of the drill grounds, Wei Yan climbed atop a set of boxes so all could see him. With a wide grin he presented himself, taking time to bow his head to the warriors before hand. An open palm with a punched in fist, that's all it ever was.

"Warriors of Tian Shui, I am Wei Yan of Chang An. You all seem to know me, sadly I don't know all of you as well. Though, that aside I have a grave favor to ask of you. Ma Chao and his Golden Horde-" the words came out in a spit of disgust, "have made it very clear that they will be riding to attack the kingdom of Glory in Chang An. I am not a man to ask things of people unless I am truly in need, but pride goes before the fall, so we must let pride fall first. If and when the Golden Horde comes I ask you to do whatever you can to weaken him. If that means guerilla warfare or just some random traps, hell even just stopping to stroke his ego so he is slowed for a bit would do me a grave favor. If I am to find out that one warrior of Tian Shui helps my cause, I promise to bring you a path to Glory! A path into the history books! Together we can stop this tyrannical lordling, Ma Chao, from overrunning and mis-using the people!"

Yan wasn't sure exactly how any man would react, honestly he woulnd't be surprised if Ma Chao had already gotten to them, but maybe, just maybe he'd get a lucky break. With that, the warrior dropped down from his box and awaited any response or questions the warriors of Tian Shui might have.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

((By the warriors I mean the City Garrison.))

[Ryou Kin]

The faces were lost, confuse, and not understanding anything from Wei Yan. These....peasants have not seen wat in sometime. They live their lives as if no war takes place in their homeland. Yet, one man and some handful of others do know what is going in the heart of china. These men step forth, some hooded, some not. Others with pikes, sticks, and even a jar. They dropped all in their and surrounded Wei Yan.

Brown, dirty, smelly man breaks through the crowd that surrounds the lord of Chang An'. A hood cover most of his face, only his mouth, which drip of wine, could be seen of his face. A few hairs around his mouth and the shading on his cheeks. He walks around Wei Yan to truely see if that is what he truely is. His stance, look, feature, tone, voice, everything -- all seem to check out and he is who he speaks. The man rounds his last time and rises his hood off of his head.

"You are indeed Wei Yan. And sorry, you have came to the wrong place for help." The man closed his eyes and looked down. Thinking to give a story but wanted to show and tell the truth of things here. Figures of men that stood to surround Yan now goes around the city, hidden from all again or working once more to blend in. Yet, that one man stood there, never leaving. "Please, M' Leige -- lets take a walk and have a drink." The man offer his hand, in the direction in which was a rode that will lead to a pub at the end of it.

"Come. We will speak in private. By the way, the name is Gung Xunshui, people around here call me Xun-Xun." The man awaited Wei Yan to move on. The people around, in the barracks and such, all begin to just wonder what these two men were going to talk about. Though they know that they dont want the fight to come to their very doorsteps of their home. Much will be told from the man and...'other' things.

[Wei Yan]

The warrior looked over the seemingly drunk man and nodded a bit. He'd never been offended by a man who loved wine, hell, he loved wine! Though, indulging without reason seemed a bit odd, even when you came into the money to do so. Either way, Wei Yan made his way over to the man and extended a hand of welcome.

"Xun-Xun you say? Well, you know my name by now! Haha! Either way, I am Wei Yan. It's good to have met you, now let us take that walk." And with that, the Lord of Chang An made his way down the road with this peasent. The warrior didn't walk as he was better, nor did he act as if he was out of place with the man. He was raising a whole Kingdom for these people, the least he could do was give them the right to a talk and a walk, no matter how poor looking or drunk. This man could be worth his time if he was in the barracks.

"What is it you wish to speak of, Xun-Xun?" asked the warrior as politely as possible, but it was becoming well known that he was blunt and straight to the point since his trip to Xi Liang.

[Ryou Kin]

The walk was nor gay nor old looking. The man really Xun really tighten up everything. No hump back, no cracking legs, no grey hair. Younger by each step he took, and seem to act like he was a warrior himself. Both men walk down the streets of the city. Lively and peaceful it was, for now. Each passing step they took, someone cross the road ahead. Whether a child, young man, or a old women -- everything was perfect. Cheerful, happy, and no sight or feel of war. They continued through the road and near their destination.

"Do you see and feel how peaceful it is here? These people dont even know what war is. Their very hears are cut off of the things that are outside these walls." A kid ran into Xun, bumping his head into his knee. Xun kneel down on one knee and rubbed the kid head. He showed a smile and so did the kid. The child rose to his feet and gave out a luagh, and then a thank you. He turned and ran back over to the kids and continued to play, without any fear of danger.

Xun-Xun turned back to Yan and shown him a smile also. They moved onwards to the pub. "As you see Yan, they dont need war here, nor do they want it." Turning from the road, they approach the pub and walked in. Only a few glanced over and then a roar from the pub blasted, even the doors flenched a bit. Just because Wei Yan himself is in their city and in this very pub. Everyone gave out their comments to Yan but it died down when both men neared the table.

"Here, take a seat." Xun pulled out a chair for Yan. They were in the darkest corner of the pub, overlooking everything. After Wei Yan has taken his seat, Xun pulled up his own. A man, the bar keeper, came up to them and place a jug of wine with a couple of cups. "This is on the house. Thanks for all you have done against Dong Zhuo." The man left with a small bow and returned back to manage his pub. Xun luaghed and turned at Yan. "Your quite the man around here, but thats for any warrior that are going against Zhuo." His face quickly turned serious and his eyes looked tired but the man wasn't. "Now, why do Wei Yan bow so low, when he is a great warrior?"

[Wei Yan]

It was settling. The scenery was lovely, the people were peaceful, it was Chang An with a different name. Never had Wei Yan felt so at home in a place he did not call his own. Not only that, but the man he'd been walking with slowing turned from drunken wanderer to rather well-made man. The warrior just smiled and returned his fair share of nods, waves, bows, and greetings.

"Bow so low? Oh no, Xun-Xun, I am not bowing low. These are my roots. We are all brought into this world the same way, and we all put on our pants one leg at a time. It is not lowering myself to standards, it's raising up other people to their potential. If this simple warrior can become a ruler, what's to say a merchant can't become a diplomat, or a farmer a general?" spoke the warrior, his voice slightly faint as he was still soaking in all that was around him. With that though, he patted Xun-Xun on the shoulder.

"Though that being said, Ignorance is not a bliss I wish upon anyone. I know now what you mean about these people knowing nothing of war, and that is fine, but Ma Chao is not a man to take pity on them. If they know nothing, that only makes them an easier target. Opening someone's eyes to reality is never a bad thing. Some of us take it better than others. Survival is what makes us who we are." Now though, Wei Yan was focused on his words. His tone was strong, but respectful. He spoke standing upright and ready.

Heavens... This Ma Chao will not be the end of peace in the north. He'll break upon us like the tide, and then peace will be re-brought to the north. I know this to be very true, the thought was almost all that was on Wei Yan's mind as he awaited any response.

[Ryou Kin]

Wei Yan just did not understand anything that was going on behind the stage. Xun rose up from his seat showing no emotion in his eyes. His right arm sweep across his chest and his hand grip the cloak that covers him off of his body. A tear. A sword sticks out from his back, out from his hip. The eyes seems to change to a warrior look. He took out a small string and tied his hair into a pony tail and step to the side of the table. The eyes of Xun-Xun lokced into Yan's and he places both hands on the table, leaning on it also.

"My name is not Xun-Xun. It's Fhi Shung. I am with the Blood Bandits. We have our ways to keep our lord's ears open for everything." His voice rose more and more, all so Yan will know he was serious. No one else in the room knew though. Too loud. "We know about Ma Chao and your aid...not gonna get it here." He lifted off of the table and moved back to his seat. Now he leans back on the chair, as if he owns all the power right now.

For all Wei Yan know, he could have a group of men outside the city to steal Chang An's glorious leader. Is Fhi such a man though? "Listen! Your not going to get help from this city. I been around here too long. The only reason they might join you is if they are put into danger and need a leader." He no longer cared if Yan knew who he was, it will be the only and last help he will ever get in his life. Fhu got up from his seat and started to move out of the pub, only to stop. "We, the Blood Bandits, will help you against Ma Chao. Seems he has forgotten things in the past." Those were his last words and nothing more.

Fhi left the pub, leaving Wei Yan on his own. He did not care about the man anymore. Just heading home is his focus now. He will take the quickest way to his leige and watching his back in silence. If he know someone is following him then another man will just give Ryou the word.

[Wei Yan]

Decieved... I have been decieved again. First the woman of Shu, now a simple commoner. Though, one has answered my call to aid... Maybe this war will not play out so harshly as I had thought...

Wei Yan's mind was full of thoughts as he listend to Fhi Shung, formerly Xun-Xun. It seemed as though this Tian Shui could have been a home of these Blood Bandits. It didnt matter, Bandit or Kingdom, they were riding to the aid of the just side. That abberation of justice, Ma Chao, would remember the day he went against Wei Yan's morals.

"Proclaimed me to be an assassinator... Taught the daughter of my friend's brother to hate me and all like me... Bah! This lordling will rememeber the name of Wei Yan for all time!" thought the Lord of Glory out loud, his heart now pounding as he made his way out of the small tavern. People would stop and say their hello's, but they were cut short by the brisk walking of the warrior.

As Wei Yan retrieved his horse, a Glory runner came screaming into the city atop a horse. "My lord! My lord! Ma Chao's army mobilizes! You are needed in Chang An! We must hurry!"

The runner was nearly frantic, but upon reaching the warrior he had calmed a bit, only in his tone. Wei Yan just nodded his understanding, as usual, and mounted his horse. "Then we make much haste."

With that, Wei Yan and the runner of Glory left Tian Shui.