The training camp in rural Qiaocheng had grown from shelter taken by the wooded creek to a village of tents in the nearby meadow. Its dwellings were set in even rows, neat as the racked weaponry stationed here and there. Cao Ren smiled, having expected no less from the man in charge. He had sent a simple note of contact about meeting up to discuss future plans. The response was a formal invitation penned with laborious dignity. Its words were plain, its calligraphy square, itself an achievement from a friend who had once cursed in frustration over the most basic glyphs.

When Du Gai pounded him on the shoulder in greeting, Ren playfully thumped him with the scroll. "You could have just paid me a visit."

"I thought you'd be proud of me."

"I already am."

"Even though I haven't given you the grand tour?"

"I like what I've seen so far. I doubt the rest will change my mind."

"Pleasant surprises only - I promise."

"Then I'd better be surprised."

"Come on." Gai smirked. "When's the last time I said something like that and didn't deliver?"

Ren thought of the times when his friend had delivered well beyond expectation, from their first gathering of soldiers to double crossing the bandits who had schemed to kill him. "Point taken."

Back in their days beside the river, Gai's clothing had mostly consisted of patches. He now wore modest robes with a pattern woven into the sash. His chin was smooth, with no trace of the scruff he had been growing when they last met. The spring in his step had mellowed into a level confidence. Yet Gai had the same crooked smile, the same sharp eyes gazing off into the distance. He had always set his sights beyond the horizon, even though ties to home prevented him from wandering far. Gai had jumped at the chance to run this settlement, to work with elite soldiers brought in from other camps. To lead as he could while continuing to care for his family.

Gai led the way past the usual groups taking their turns at weapon maintenance and sparring and archery practice. He paused by a circle of men sitting at makeshift desks with writing brushes in hand. They took down character after character dictated by a fellow who also checked their work with the same patience. Ren wondered who had taught the teacher so well, and the proud light in Gai's eyes answered the question before he had a chance to ask.

Another circle was gathered around a man who had never found his stride in combat. Fei Gong demonstrated suturing on one of the leather models he had devised for instructional purposes. His right hand worked with nimble fluidity. His left was not as able, struggling to keep the flap of his makeshift wound pinched shut.

Gai dropped his voice to a murmur. "That injury of his never healed. But he's a genius when it comes to fixing up others. If I didn't know better, I'd almost think he was a mystic."

Ren arched an amused brow. "Or a Yellow Turban?"

A snort. "Laugh all you want, but I've had a few men suspect that. One of them came up to me all white as the moon. I guess he'd never seen anyone get sewn up before."

Ren gave a nod, thinking that Gong's change of focus must have come as a relief. Gong had always shown a certain hesitance in sparring practice, a docility more suitable for the medic's tent than the field of battle. He now spoke with confidence as he explained his technique.

"So." Gai spread his arms. "What do you think?"

"Can't say I'm surprised. You've always done well at standing in for me."

"What can I tell you? I learned from the best."

A flush touched Ren's face. "I learned from all of you."

"Even Teng?"

"He had his sensible moments."

"Like when he finally decided to quit loafing around and go back to school?"

"Perhaps. But he did bring a few friends to us." One of those friends had been apprenticed to a master marksman. He had beaten Ren in an amicable competition, then shared some tips and teaching advice before moving on to his assigned settlement.

"True. One of those guys really helped me with the writing. He's off right now on a land survey." Gai's head turned toward the south as he continued speaking. "It's going to be perfect. Just like here, only better. And still close to home."

Gai's chin was held high, his gaze full of that old fire that had dimmed under the full realization that the militia's excursions would leave him behind. He had slipped off on infrequent occasion, leaving his small brothers to struggle with their farm chores until he could return for the brunt of the work. Yet his focus also slipped, even through his best efforts to keep a stoic face. Drills became sluggish, formations awkward, orders uninspired, and Gai spent his evenings looking back in the direction of home. Ren had once laid a hand on his shoulder and almost received a punch along with the testy insistence that nothing was wrong, he was merely tired, who could get a decent night's sleep on this rocky ground anyhow?

After the end of that trip, Ren had put Gai in charge of the operations back in Qiaocheng. Gai had found himself here once again, grounded and competent and moving forward in his own way. He belonged. Now Ren could only hope that belonging was more a question of heart than of geography.

"What if you made your home elsewhere?"

Gai cocked his head in puzzlement.

"How would you like to bring your family to Luoyang?"

Silence, awaiting an explanation.

"Cousin Cao Cao is raising an army. You're well aware of the corruption we fought in towns and villages. As I hear it, the same is happening in the capital."

Gai furrowed his brow. "So you want to gather us up and ship us off?"

"I want to lead you there."

"All of us?"

"That's my plan."

"Some plan." Gai shook his head. "What about this place? What about my neighbors? If we just pick up and leave, it's like we never helped to begin with."

"That's not true." Ren immediately regretted the retort, aware that Gai had a point. They knew how to keep order with their presence. No one had figured out how the same could be ensured in their absence.

"You damn well know it is. Why else did you start this up in the first place?"

"To make a difference, and you damn well know that too." Ren met Gai's narrowed eyes as he planned his next words. "We took up arms to fill a void that the Empire left behind. We've accomplished much without its sanction, but we can only go so far. Set the government in order, and our work is done. Let it rot, and we may as well be bailing out a leaky boat."

"So you're just going to let it sink in the meantime?"

"No." Ren paused, swallowing before he spoke. "I'm leaving it to you."

Gai began to respond. Ren held up a hand to silence him.

"It pains me to lose your leadership, but I see no other way. Yes, the Empire needs good men." Ren gripped Gai's shoulder. "Your home needs you more."

Gai's mouth was slack, his eyes wide and bright.

"I entrust Qiaocheng to you and your fellows. I only ask that you help me to gather more in their stead."

Several blinks. "That's all?"

"If you say so. I'll need significant numbers that can be easily trained to a reasonable standard of behavior."

"Still not a problem." Gai cracked his knuckles. "And you will be surprised this time around."

Ren grinned. "Then I'll try not to expect too much. I'd hate to ruin your fun."

Gai socked him, and they wandered off to share the wine that Ren had brought along.