It had come down to it. Galthmeir knew his time was short in the hands of these so-called, "heroes." This Tiger of Jiang Dong did little to impress him other than the fact he was a murderer. His fate was sealed and he knew it. He was prepared…as was his soul. The young girl named Sun Shang Xiang seemed smitten with him. It mattered none. In the end it all didn't matter. All that was…was God nothing more to Galthmeir. These people would one day go before the Holy Father and He would judge whether their actions just or the will of a tyrant. It was His place to judge His children.

The lonely cell gave a low echo in the calm, his guards wary on their prisoner. He knew he could take them easily and escape yet the knight held his hand. They were simply doing as they were told. He could not attack them for that. His thoughts turned more to prayer as his need of his faiths embrace gave him comfort in the cold damp state of being. Meditation and solace, he had spent the early half of his youth in solitude and silence. Unwilling to explore the world about. He had all he needed with God…now…God was all he had left him. It was enough even if his life was forfeit. With his faith intact life had little meaning. Hearing a voice down the hall, Galthmeir looked up through the bars to see an older man with a strange headdress. No doubt it was his lordship Sun Jian.

"My men tell me of your unique prowess with the bow," said he. Galthmeir remained silent and turned his attention back to his meditation.

"I find it amazing that every man you fell you didn't kill," said the Wu lord, "even those you shot didn't have life threatening injuries…just subdued them." Still the knight said nothing.

"I…I have to commend you on that," Sun Jian replied, "not many show mercy in this day and age."

"A trait you seem to lack Lord," finally the knight proclaimed. Sun Jian was taken aback by his sudden insult yet held his anger.

"If by that you mean Guan Yu's execution," said the Wu king, "I'm afraid the God of War gave us little choice."

"There is no god of war," Galthmeir shot back, "there is only one God…and you are not him nor Guan Yu. Do with me what you will great king of Wu…but you hold no power over my soul…only God does."

"This god you speak of," said Sun Jian, "does he have a name?"

"None that would concern you," Galthmeir replied coldly. The Wu lord sighed tiredly through his teeth and glared at him.

"I don't understand this resentment you have of me when you don't even know me," he seethed.

"Unfortunately for you I understand enough," returned the knight, "God curses the man that comes between brothers. Though I fear Liu Bies health is deteriorating it is still clear that most of his illness is on your part not another. He sought vengeance for his dead brother…in that a good man will die of grief. I hope you are happy with yourself."

"Guan Yu gave us little choice," Sun Jian said. Galthmeir laughed and shook his head.

"Your daughter said the same thing," Galthmeir replied, "even she found her words false…will you do the same?" Sun Jian seemed taken aback by his comment.

"How did you know Sun Shang Xiang is my daughter?" he asked. At that Galthmeir turned away and lay upon the cot in his cell.

"Nothing more I will say to you great Wu lord," said the knight, "I await my death. If you've any honor at all make it merciful." With that last word Sun Jian backed away from the cell door, stood a moment in hesitation, then turned and left the room. Of course he understood he might be bitter. This foreign man pledged his loyalty to a lord that was now in retreat and dying from illness. Why he would be bitter to him alone was still a mystery to the King of Wu.

"The Jing Province is in hand," Lu Xun said with exuberance, "as great as Shu's army was we still gained the upper hand."

"We should continue the pursuit and make sure Liu Bie can't muster another attack," Lu Meng prompted. Sun Jian held up a hand in dismissal.

"No…let him be," said the Wu lord, "this feud has gone on long enough. We should focus instead on Wei. With Sima Yi at the reins I see an invasion from the north is imminent."

"I must agree," Lu Xun commended, "we still have some 3/4th of our troops still from the battle. We can use them to reinforce our main offence for an invasion campaign of Wei."

"Hey Lu Xun we still got that prisoner," said Gan Ning, "the weird guy in metal."

"He…awaits his execution," Sun Jian replied, "when there is none."

"Lord what do you mean?" Lu Xun asked.

"He has a unique ability," said the Wu lord, "Sun Shang Xiang herself said she has never seen such an archer of his talent. I'm hoping to gain his allegiance."

"Ah no offence Sun Jian but this guy seems more willing to slit your throat than help you," Gan Ning replied. While the others seemed aghast by the pirates lack of respect Sun Jian actually found it refreshing. Being called, "Lord" all the time was starting to gnaw at him.

"I'm aware of that Gan Ning," said Sun Jian, "still a man of his talent would be a great boon for a campaign against Wei. My daughter said herself he was a force of a man."

"Speaking of which," Lu Meng began, "where is Lady Sun?" Sun Jian had not noticed that until he saw the vacant seat next to him and it didn't take him long to realize where the young girl might be.

What were theses feelings going through her mind? She knew Liu Bie and thought he was handsome but this Galthmeir was different. Who was he? Where did he come from? Why was he here? That and she had to admit he was a handsome young man but that's not what troubled her. What he had spoken before…it had got to her mainly because he had a point. She never agreed with the assault on Guan Yu thus starting the bitter blood between Shu and Wu. If not she tried to talk Lu Xun out of it, saying attacking Liu Bies brother would open a pandoras box. The young strategist wouldn't listen for he was a bit of sexist. A woman devises strategy…absurb! That's why she didn't like him much but at least he wasn't Gan Ning. That man was everything Lu Xun wasn't along with her father.

Approaching the cells of the palace, she began to wonder what to say to him. No first words would work at this point this wasn't a date. Perhaps he would listen to Sun Jians offer to join the ranks of his army as an elite archer. No doubt he would choose death instead. Sun Shang Xiang sensed that determination and pride in the young man. Finding his cell she peered inside and discovered him laying on his cot, his hands clasped over his chest. He seemed not to notice her.

"What?" he asked. She blinked in surprise then shook her head.

"My father Sun Jian was impressed with you," she replied, "he would like your cooperation."

"Cooperation?" Galthmeir echoed, then laughed, "I'll sooner gouge out my eyes with a rusty dagger first."

"Why do you hate him so?" Sun Shang Xiang asked. Galthmeir remained quiet, then got to his feet and approached her, his breath making her senses tingle as he sighed tiredly.

"I don't hate him," he said, "I just don't understand him. How could he willingly end a mans life when it is not his place to judge? Only God can." She couldn't speak. His words spoke volumes.

"You could be executed," she said. Galthmeir nodded in agreement.

"My soul is prepared," he replied, "I'm not afraid to die."

"You don't have to die," she pleaded, "would it be so great a sin as to help Sun Jian fulfill his dream?"

"His dream," he began, "is not for the good of the people or you. His dream is conquest so he is no more different than Cao Cao other than appearance is. Tell me Sun Shang Xiang, why does he seek to rule? Is it for His glory or for his own."

"How…how did you know my name?" she asked in bewilderment. He said nothing and returned to lay in his make-shift bed.

"I await my death," he replied, "nothing more I will say to you."

She remained standing at his cell, just staring at him. So different from other men she knew. Liu Bie was charismatic, Lu Xun was young and idealistic. Galthmeir…mysterious, enigmatic, young, fearless and incredibly handsome. As much as she wanted to break open his cell and let him go she was divided by the fact that she was loyal to Sun Jian, but what perplexed her was his odd faith in this God with no name. She had never heard of this God before and she had done a great deal of traveling in her time. His voice was a beacon that she could not shun away.

She didn't even notice her father suddenly appear beside her. Looking up Sun Jian approached her and nodded. Sun Shang Xiang looked away, breathing lightly through crimson of face. The Wu lord only shook his head.

"I thought I might find you here," he replied, "talking with the mystery archer hmm?"

"Yes my lord," she replied. Sun Jian peered into the cell to see Galthmeir was asleep.

"He chooses death over allegiance," he replied, "I must admire his courage."

"Father," she began, "not again. Don't kill him just because he refused to offer you service."

"I don't intend to," Sun Jian replied, "Guan Yu's death has weighed heavily upon me as well. It was Lu Meng's idea and not mine. I had hoped Guan Yu would have had a change of heart but by then it was already to late."

"What do you plan to do with Galthmeir?" she asked. Sun Jian cleared his throat and nodded.

"I will offer him his weight in gold for his allegiance," he replied, "if he still refuses I will send him on his way." She nodded and smiled.

"Thank you father," she said. Sun Jian smiled and bowed.

"I can see you have become smitten with him," he said with a chuckle, "understandable he's a handsome young boy." Sun Shang Xiangs face flushed deep red at his words.

"Father you're embarrassing me," she replied.

"A generous offer to say the least," said Sun Jian, "why not consider it?"

"Money, gold or other material differences mean nothing to me," Galthmeir said as he stood before the seated king of Wu, "only the Grail is all that matters. Keep your jewels, I want none of them."

"The Grail?" Sun Jian asked, "what is this Grail you talk of."

"The Cup of Christ," Galthmeir began, "would take to long to explain. Know only that I am a quest to find this holy relic. Those that bar my path are an agent of evil to me…and right now Lord Sun Jian…you are baring my path."

"If you are so adamant about this quest why stop it to help Shu?" asked the Wu lord. Galthmeir sighed through his nose and nodded.

"Liu Bie and his company saved my life," Galthmeir replied, "I owed them a debt which I have paid in full now in your custody. I sacrificed myself to your army so that Liu Bie could be free from capture."

"Which you did admirably," said Sun Jian as he got to his feet and approached the young man. Galthmeir stood his full height, which was no more than that of Wu lord.

"Listen," Sun Jian began, "I so much want your respect and allegiance. A man of your skill would be a great asset in our war with Wei."

"Such trivial exploits do not concern me," Galthmeir said, "I care only for the Grail not your occupation of Wei." At that Sun Shang Xiang entered the room and took a seat at the table nearest the two. Trying to focus on her meal she tried to pay little heed to the two debating men. Galthmeir couldn't help but peer over at her then quickly looked away. Sun Jian had noted his sideways glance of his daughter.

"Is that all you care about?" Sun Jian replied. Galthmeir remained silent at this. Even he had to admit Sun Shang Xiang was lovely and that her place in the grand scheme of things seemed somehow grander as if the hand of God had something to do with this. Indeed she sparked a feeling in him he thought died a long time ago. However his task was beyond her. He was treading a path that none could follow. For good or ill…he stood alone.

"And what if you're war with Wei fails what then?" Galthmeir said. Sun Jian sighed and returned to his seat.

"We will not fail," Sun Jian replied, "I heard you say before that I fight for the glory of the Sun Family. Not only for that but also for the people of this land that I have grown to love. Even people here in the capital speak highly of me because I'm a kindly ruler and care a great deal for my people. Is that not enough?"

"You care for your people?" Galthmeir asked. Sun Jian nodded solemnly.

"Why is it then you target Shu who should be an ally?" asked the knight. Sun Jian begged pardon and cleared his throat.

"Against Lu Xun's recommendations I have halted an transgressions against Shu and a peace treaty has been signed with Zhuge Liang," Sun Jian replied sadly, "It would grieve you to know the Lord Liu Bie is dead." Sun Shang Xiang lifted to her head to this then looked away sadly. Both men's eyes had turned to her and shared her sorrow.

"He succumbed to his illness," said the knight, "should have expected as much. With Shu's strength and morale given a deadly blow there is not a force in all this land to compete with Wei save your own Sun Jian."

"That's why I want your help," Sun Jian pleaded. Galthmeir mulled over the thought then looked to Sun Shang Xiang who in turn locked eyes with him. He thus thought of a plan.

"Very well Sun Jian," said the knight, "I wish to see this love the people have for you for myself. If is it true then I will assist you in liberating this land. I ask that Lady Sun Shang Xiang be my guide through Jian Ye for this." Upon hearing this Sun Shang Xiang was a bit taken aback by the comment, yet regained her feet and stood next to the knight.

"I will go with him lord," she said. Sun Jian gave a smile of approval and nodded.

"Very well," Sun Jian replied, "test the love of the people if you wish Galthmeir, and I'm

sure you will not be disappointed. I will await a positive response."