Author's Note: This is probably very irrelevant, but Wei Yan is my favorite character. I don't know why. He's just cool. And I'm also a major admirer of Zhou Tai. Katanas are the best. That's why I'm using these seemingly unimportant characters so much.

Chapter 3- Sun Quan's Decision

Spurred on by the frantic nature of Liu Bei's request, Wei Yan rode through the night like a madman, pausing for nothing in his quest to reach the Wu kingdom. The importance of this mission could not be underestimated. If Cao Cao were to find out about the alliance that Liu Bei was attempting to make, who knows what drastic thing he may resort to? As he rode on faster and faster, suddenly something stopped him.

It was a tall warrior with a very large, curved sword. He wore a unique helmet and had a certain aura of confidence that was apparent to Wei Yan. "Who are you?" the Shu officer asked, not taking his hand off his weapon.

The tall man put his hand on his own sword. "What do you think? I'm a guard for Lord Sun Jian. You seem to be a Shu officer. Have you come for my Lord's head?" he spoke very calmly. This was not the kind of man that Wei Yan wanted to cross, despite his own considerable power.

Wei Yan shook his head. "We're not at war with Wu. Need to see Sun Ce," he said in his incredibly deep voice. Wei Yan was really not the most articulate of the Shu officers when it came to words. He didn't speak much when he could help it, only really took the time to shout out orders to anyone serving under him. This had become an uncomfortable situation for the officer.

"I can tell you don't really want to talk to me," the officer said, taking his hand off the hilt of his sword, "So I guess I can take you to Sun Ce. But just to warn you, he's stronger than I am, and he's probably capable of killing any assassins like you that are thrown at him."

When Wei Yan nodded, the man spoke again, "I am Wu officer Zhou Tai. Good to meet you."

Just a little while later they were both riding across the countryside on their way to Sun Ce's flagship where he was apparently staying. As they rode, Zhou Tai told of his weapon. It was a katana, from Japan. Such weapons really were not commonplace in China (demonstrated by the fact that it takes the entire game in Kessen 2 to get katana troops.) But the warrior had pledged his life to Sun Jian.

Although not saying anything, Wei Yan actually liked this Zhou Tai. It was too bad he would eventually have to be killed. Wei Yan would never betray Liu Bei, and Liu Bei's plan consisted of destroying the Wu kingdom eventually. Otherwise, he would never be able to get the Mandate of Heaven. As always, Wei Yan would do what had to be done, kill who had to be killed, and just follow his orders.

Eventually they reached the edge of a large body of water where the ship he was after was anchored. Zhou Tai dismounted his horse and looked back. "Stay here. I'll get Sun Ce." And with that, the large man disappeared into the mist. Wei Yan took this time to get off his own horse. He was lucky he had run into Zhou Tai on the way to this place. If he had not, he might have had some trouble getting there. As it was, he could see archers up on a couple towers that had him in their sights in case he tried to attack or anything. No doubt he could kill them all, but at what cost?

This had been quite a day. What bothered Wei Yan about it was the fact that he was being sent out on this mission. He seemed the least likely for the job. He was basically the new guy, Zhuge Liang didn't even want him on as an officer for some reason, and the fact that he wasn't the best at talking. Then again, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were probably more likely to offend Sun Ce accidentally. They really weren't the best gentlemen in the kingdom.

As Wei Yan stood there, alert but not feeling threatened, Zhou Tai returned with Sun Ce, who was also accompanied by Sun Quan. Sun Ce was a much smaller man than Wei Yan, but it was obvious he had his share of hidden power. Also, his tonfas, though pretty large for their weapon type, were said to move at lightning speed when he utilized them. Sun Quan was somewhat taller than his brother, but he had the air of a nobleman about him. Also, he wore a robe and a really annoying rectangular-shaped hat.

"So," Sun Quan spoke, "Your business here is not to try to destroy us? How surprising."

"Lord Liu Bei sent me," explained Wei Yan, "here to get help."

Sun Ce stepped in front of his brother. "Help? Why would we give you help?"

Wei Yan was about to try to explain in as few words as possible when Zhou Tai helped him out by cutting in. "The Shu are not at war with us. We're supposed to be on good terms. I don't see why you can't band together."

Sun Quan looked quizzically at Wei Yan. "I fail to understand this," he said, "Your forces should be able to take on Cao Cao. Last time I checked, you actually had the advantage."

Wei Yan needed only speak two words to explain the hopelessness of the situation, "Lu Bu."

Sun Quan was exasperated. "What?! You can't mean that Lu Bu, the beast we fought at Hu Lao, has joined up at Cao Cao! Now I see. Liu Bei's morale must be dropping quite rapidly. Normally I'd say we couldn't trust Shu, but this threat has got to be eliminated. Wei has grown far too powerful for us to feel safe here anymore."

Sun Ce then spoke, "Whatever. You're too uptight, brother. I was going to help them anyway. It's not like I have anything to worry about."

Wei Yan listened to the young man in wonder. Even after all the battle and killing he had been through, he still sounded so innocent and ambitious. Kind of like a young Cao Cao. Well, the ambition anyway; it was unlikely that Cao Cao was even born innocent.

"Good," Wei Yan voiced.

"Wait!" Sun Quan exclaimed, "I might be overestimating the threat here, but I'm coming too. I can't just stand by and let this happen. And we're taking Gan Ning with us as well.

Sun Ce looked at his brother with a smirk. He certainly thought Sun Quan was going overboard with this. Why was there need to bring in such force as Gan Ning?

Zhou Tai gritted his teeth. "Please, my Lord, allow me to accompany you."

Sun Ce looked over in surprise. "Wow, this is really going to be overkill! There isn't going to be anything left of that punk, Lu Bu!"

Wei Yan smiled. These men were all great warriors, but Gan Ning was renowned as an excellent warrior. He was apparently a pirate that came to serve under Sun Jian through some mysterious circumstances. It occurred to Wei Yan that perhaps Sun Ce had beaten him in a duel to gain his help. Either way, this was far more than Liu Bei had been expecting of him. The Shu officer just hoped that Zhuge Liang would not be sore with these many Wu units on the battlefield. Wei Yan swore, sometimes that sorcerer can be crazy.