Morning came quicker for the warriors than it ever had before. With the officers packed and ready for departure they all lined up and awaited their leader, Sun Quan. Gan Ning was positioned behind Ling Tong in formation. He decided to ease the tension between the two of them by starting a conversation, but Ling Tong must have had the same idea, for it was him that spoke first.
"So, what do you think the land will look like? Have you traveled around that area on your ship before?"
Surprised Gan Ning looked at him momentarily before replying. "Yeah, it's okay if you like scenery and that kind of thing."
"Do you think we will run into any trouble?"
Gan Ning smirked. "That depends, what do you consider trouble?"
"I mean like Yuan Shao's army or the Yellow Turbans."
"I don't expect anyone to be there at all. The land is probably deserted. I don't even see why I have to come on this journey in the first place. It's all just a waste of my time."
With that Ling Tong shot him a look, but before he could say anything a call was heard announcing the arrival of the lord Sun Quan. Everyone stood at attention as the head of the Sun Family boarded with his white steed boarded the ship. With everyone now successfully aboard the ship set sail for the New World. No one knew what to expect but they were all very anxious to arrive.
The voyage lasted about a month until the day a solider shouted "land!" The excitement grew as the boat docked and they began heading to the shore. Lu Meng was the first to set foot on the New World.
"Perfect."
Everyone gazed upon it as far as they could see. It was covered with open fields of tall grass and trees. It was so different from their city like provinces they have back home. Ling Tong turned to Gan Ning.
"You were right. This land does have beautiful scenery."
Gan Ning nodded. He was more surprised than anyone of the land. He expected it to be beautiful but not like this. He had only assumed it would be like the others he had traveled to. This one was completely different. He had never seen anything like it before. It made him restless to get off the boat and explore it.
The dirt near the river was exact for setting up the camps. It was made clear by Lu Meng that the camps be made close to the boat so not to have anyone become lost or alienated. As the men settled and began to put up tents and shelters for the night, it was decided that patrolling the coast would take place tomorrow. When the camps were completed, it was night fall. All of the officers and troops gathered around the ship to hear a speech by Sun Quan. It stated that his land now officially belonged to Wu and from now on no other shall claim it. With that he placed a large flag in the ground of the New World firmly, the words Wu Territory written on it. Everyone clapped and cheered in celebration. When he finished Lu Meng approached Gan Ning.
"Gan Ning, I need you to go scout the area. Your knowledge from your pirate days shall come in useful here. I do not want any ambush attacks taking place tonight, the troops are exhausted from working all day. Do you think you will be fine on your own?"
"Yes sir." Gan Ning stated.
"Good, take note of the things you see and report back by morning. Be sure all the officers stay here to protect camp, understand?"
With a nod and a bow Gan Ning went to prepare himself. In no time he was ready and set out to explore the land. The land was so big and vast. He kept thinking of how nice it would do as a province. The soil was ideal for planting crops. Gan Ning kept pressing forward, deeper into the forest he seemed to go without any sign of inhabitance. Looking up at the sky he could see that it wasn't going to be daybreak for a few more hours.
As the time flew by with no signs of former ownership of the land he began to grow tired. This didn't stop him, however, being the free spirited man that he was he preceded on, taking in all of the lands glory. It wasn't long before he came to a river. Feeling quite thirsty and weary he bent down and cupped his hands into the water. Scooping the water into his mouth, he gulped it vigorously. Then wiping the sweat from his forehead he cooled himself down with water, splashing it on his face.
Suddenly he heard a noise behind him. He leapt to his feet, spun around and whipped out his sword. There was a loud rustle coming from a pair of bushes in front of him. He stood his ground, armed and ready. As the being stop out he lunged forward drawing his weapon but was countered back by a blocking strike.
"I thought your pirate skills were too good to let anyone sneak up on you?"
Gan Ning sneered and withdrew his sword. "So why are you following me Ling Tong?"
"I wanted to check out this land for myself, plus I don't think you can handle this mission all on your own if you let me trail you this whole time without noticing."
"So I let my guard down, I was too busy with the surroundings to notice my flank. It won't happen again."
"Your right it won't happen again, I will make sure of it. I'm coming with you."
Gan Ning was becoming inpatient. "No you're not, you need to get back to camp those were Lu Meng's orders."
"They have enough officers back at camp it won't matter if I am missing."
Gan Ning started to say something but was stopped as a beam of light pierced through the horizon as the sun began to rise.
"Well it looks like we need to head back anyway," said Gan Ning.
Both of them just looked at each other and started walking in the direction they had come. They stayed silent for most of the way. Ling Tong was still irritated with Gan Ning for being so stubborn. The sun had almost fully risen and they could see clearly where they were going now and it made retracing their steps a lot easier. Gan Ning could tell they had only barely made halfway back. At the rate they were going they wouldn't make it back until noon. They needed to pick up the pace.
Just as Gan Ning was about to command Ling Tong he froze. He may had been unaware of what was behind him while he was sightseeing but now that he was alert he knew they were being followed.
"Ling Tong take cover!" Gan Ning called to him as he hid in a nearby bush.
Ling Tong turned and looked but didn't notice anyone there.
"I think you are being paranoid, there is nothing out he-"
Just then a breath taking creature appeared before them. The creature resembled a large cat, a deep autumn color with black strips, emerged from behind the tall grass. It was unlike any other they'd seen before. The huge cat approached with caution, staring down Ling Tong and slowly crouching ready to pounce. Gan Ning scrutinized the situation unsure of what to do. He kept looking to Ling Tong expecting him to run, but he didn't. The animal was baring its fangs and claws now preparing for the attack. Gan Ning had to make a move.
Just as the cat leapt for Ling Tong, Gan Ning sprung out of the bushes. He collided with the feline causing it to barely miss Ling Tong by the graze of his arm, knocking him down. The cat quickly recovered and sprung around focusing its attention on Gan Ning now. Gan Ning with his blade held out, moved in front to defend Ling Tong. Ling Tong stood up slowly winching and grabbing his arm in pain.
"Get back to camp now!" Gan Ning ordered him.
Ling Tong stood firm.
"Go I said! You are no use here, besides you can't even fight with that wounded arm."
Ling Tong paused momentarily before realizing he was right and began headed back to camp with his hand pressed tightly on his wound to stop the blood. Gan Ning turned back to his opponent who was hesitant to make the first move this time.
"Nice kitty, you wanna play," He warned, keeping his sword raised. He was letting it know he wouldn't falter to use it if need be. The creature didn't seem to understand and began circling him snarling. As the animal crept closer, Gan Ning prepared himself to defend. Just as the huge cat was about to lunge forward, a voice cried out. "No!"
The voice was distant. Gradually footsteps could be heard coming closer toward them. Gan Ning looked in the direction of the sound, retaining his drawn sword and defense position. Swiftly from the tall grass a girl appeared. She ran between his sword and the creature holding her arms out protectively.
Surprised he stared at her. She was a young girl who looked different from him. He'd never seen someone with skin tanner than his before. She wore a shirt that came no lower than her mid-drift and seemed to be made from some kind of animal skin. Her skirt was made of the same material, and her shoes looked to be made from bark and hardened clay, mud, and stone. She also wore four bracelets, two on each arm. They seemed to be made out of feather and leather ribbon.
The girl stared back at Gan Ning, though she stood her ground and hid it well in her face, he could see the disbelief in her eyes. She had never seen a man like him either.
THANK YOU FOR ALL WHO ARE STILL READING THIS STORY. IT HAS BEEN SO LONG SINCE I UPDATED. I DO APOLOGIZE. I HAVE REWRITTEN THE FIRST CHAPTER AND CHANGES SOME THINGS (AS YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED) NOW THAT I HAVE FOUND SOME NEW INSPIRATION TO CONTINUE THIS STORY. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT AND THE REVIEWS! WILL BE UPDATING SOON...