Zhang He only saw three arrows whiz around him and one sink itself into his side before he realized what had happened. Turning about his gaze fell upon an ironclad warrior wielding one of the immense bows he had seen some of the Wu troops using. Bringing his claws to bear he faced the iron bound warrior with a steel glare. As such the young man returned his bow to his back and drew his long bastard sword as Sun Shang rolled away to safety. That was the second time he's saved my neck, she thought.

"How beautiful your armor is," Zhang He replied, "to bad it will be tarnished with your blood."

"My quest cannot be stopped by one that lives in comfort like you faithless," Galthmier spat, "come if you dare." Both squared off, sizing themselves up. Galthmier was aware this one was quick however was just as confident in his reflexes as this one would be. Gripping his sword two-handed, Galthmier braced his strength against the crossguard waiting for his opponent to make the first move. He did not have to wait long as Zhange He flipped bodily into the air and slashed downward hoping to catch the knight off guard.

To his surprise the young man barrel rolled backwards and tore upward, the sound of the blade singing through air near shrieking in terror. Zhange He barely saved himself as the vicious blade whisked up his solar plexus and sliced away the metal part of his armor barely nicking his chin. The talon-wielding warrior stumbled backward and by some odd luck managed to block the knights over head blow with a loud clang as both sword and talon met. The knight was strong despite his youth and with a heave forced away Zhang He's guard and let loose and stunning fist punch to the stomach. As Zhang belted over in pain Galthmeir braced back to slam the hilt of his sword against the back of Zhang He's head. He instead was dismayed to see the talon-wielding warrior grab his cuff of his boots and fling him off his feet. The knight hit the ground on his back hard with a thud as Zhang lept to his feet and slashed downward. Galthmeir responded by kicking out and landing a solid foot against his chin before his attack could connect. Blood shot from Zhangs mouth as one his teeth dislodged and fell to the ground in a sickening pile of saliva and his own life liquid.

Staggering from the blow, Galthmeir brought his sword to bear however did not realize that Zhang was prepared. Taking a long swipe to his head Zhang nimbly dodged and stabbed forward feeling his talons bite deep into the knights side. Galthmeir seethed in agony as he stopped and glared at his adversary with cold distain.

"All barbarians suffer the same fate," Zhang He replied with a malicious grin. Galthmeir responded by grabbing his arm and forced the talons deeper to protrude out his back. Zhang He gasped in surprise as the knight deposited an unknown blade from his bracer and slammed it into his chest.

"And all tyrants go to Hell," Galthmeir seethed as Zhange He stared at him in ghastly surprise. Backing away the taloned warrior staggered a bit, then began to laugh despite himself.

"Huh……that was……….beautiful," said he before he dropped his length upon the sod. Galthmeir dropped to his knees, Zhang He's weapon still deeply imbedded in his shoulder and Shang Xiang rushed to his side. He looked up at her through pain wretched eyes as she cupped his face.

"That's two you owe me princess," said the knight. Sun Shang Xiang smiled and laughed.

"We'll talk payment later," she said kissing him passionately.

"I had hoped that Cao Cao would've been more open to the idea of a truce," Sun Jian replied, "but neither he nor his bodyguard would give up. Huang Zhong…Wei Yan…the Kingdom of Wu owes you a sincere debt for having to take the life of a hero. The heralded, 'Hero of Chaos' is…sadly no more thanks to your heroic efforts."

"Think not of it," Huang Zhong replied, "it was only a matter of time before Cao Cao would set his eyes toward us as well."

"Yes I've told that Liu Bies son will be taking the title of King of Shu," Sun Jian replied, "is there a chance that some reconciliation is possible?"

"It's…possible," said the old man, "give it time though. The wound you inflicted was a bit deep"

"I've learned to come to regret my actions on behalf of the brothers," said Sun Jian, "As such I am ordering Guan Yu's remains and Blue Dragon be given a warriors burial and the most of the wealth of Wu will be entombed with him so the gods may see him fit to call them one of their own."

"What of the young warrior who aided you?" Huang Zhong asked. Sun Jian looked away sadly and took a breath through his nose.

"Gravely ill I'm afraid," said the King of Wu, "his battle with Zhang He left him grievously injured. My medics say he will not last for more than a few nights." Huang Zhong looked at his subordinate Wei Yan who simply shook his head no. The old man laughed and gave Sun Jian a lopsided smile.

"How about we make a bet Sun Jian," said the old man, "I bet you the Emperor's Seal that he will walk out of the Jian Ye gates on his own within 3 days time." Sun Jian stared and gave the old man a good chuckle.

"We'll see Huang Zhong," said he, "we'll see"

It was both cruel and viscous. She had finally found someone she truly loved and he was going to die. It wasn't fair…she felt somewhat the same for Liu Bei but as much as Galthmeir. Shang loved him…there was no doubt. How could he leave her after pulling her from that bottomless pit of her own loneliness? And despite it all as she watched him…she saw no fear in his eyes as if he was prepared. Right now he was asleep as she sat next to him, tears cascading down her face. He heard her sobs and turned his head to her.

"Why do you cry?" he asked.

"B…because I'm going to lose you," said Shang, "I don't want you to die. I don't want it to end like this."

"End?" he said with a strange look, "no this isn't the end. Death is just a part of living…it's a path that God made us to take…one we all must take."

"But why you," she sobbed, "after you helped drag me from that void that was my heart you can't leave me now please…Galthmeir please." Galthmeir watched her tears run down her face and drip along the lip of the bed. Drawing up a hand he touched her cheek then cupped her chin to look at him.

"Do you have faith?" he asked. Shang was wordless…what faith in a god with no name? Could she…would she…would she open herself to this new ideal…yes…for him she would but only for him.

"I…I have faith in you," she replied. Galthmeir smiled and nodded.

"Pray with me then," said he, "pray with me…you may not know who you pray to…but in your heart you know it's for Him."

"Please make sure to give my best to Lord Liu Chan and my condolence's on his fathers death," Sun Jian replied as he walked with Huang Zhong and Wei Yan. The old man nodded.

"Of course," said he….then stopped as he looked at the gates of Jian Ye and smiled. Sun Jian looked at him, then to the gates to befall a site that made his heart sour. There stood Galthmeir, adorned in his armor with Sun Shang Xiang beside him. The knight turned and bowed respectfully to him as Sun Jian nodded his head in amazement. Huang Zhong grinned and looked at the King of Wu as the Tiger looked at him and shook his head.

"To question the young mans faith is a loosing battle," said Sun Jian, "I believe I owe you the Emperor's Seal." Huang Zhong shook his head laughed.

"Nah we don't need the crummy thing," Huang Zhong replied, "I wasn't just sent to aid you in your battle with Cao Cao but also to offer a…merge shall we say in light of Cao Cao's defeat. Shu wishes to have a long-standing friendship with Wu. Zhuge Liang will be arriving soon. He told me to let him know if the battle grows ill…it didn't…we won…for that we want a truce."

"I look forward to it," said the King of Wu as Huang Zhong bowed and departed. He thus turned his attention to the young couple, as it seemed they were getting prepared to leave. After all that he had done the forgotten knight was going on his long journey again only not alone…he would have his daughter to accompany him. Sun Jian felt a mixture of happiness and grief. He was loosing his little girl…but she was going with an honorable man. Approaching the two as they prepared their saddle harnesses, Galthmeir turned to Sun Jian and smiled.

"Seeing me off?" asked Galthmeir.

"In a sense yes," said Sun Jian, "you know there is a place for you here…I would be honored to call you my son-in-law." Galthmeir looked to Sun Shang Xiang as she looked at him with a sideways glance. It was true that he had grown to love this land…and its people, but he also knew that his loyalty to the quest was important.

"I cannot rest King of Wu," said the knight, "not until God commands me or until I find the Grail." Sun Jian nodded in acknowledgement. He admired the young man for his unbreakable courage despite overwhelming odds. No wonder his Sun Shang Xiang loved him…Sun Jian loved him to. Galthmeir faced the King of Wu, cupped his face in his hands and kissed him on the forehead.

"There is however no place I call home than here," said the knight, "you have given me reason…your daughter has given me reason. For that…we will return…you have my promise as a knight." Sun Jian nodded and smiled as Galthmeir helped Shang Xiang upon her horse as he did the same.

"Take care of my daughter knight," said Sun Jian. Sun Shang rode up beside Galthmeir as the knight peered at her then to him.

"She awoke something in me I thought died a long time ago Wu King," said the knight, "I will run through Hell's Fire before I give her up." Sun Jian laughed.

"That should be enough," he said with a chuckle, "good luck."

"We don't need luck father," said Sun Shang Xiang, "we have the Lord." She kissed her father goodbye as both brought their horses to bear rode off into the distant sun.

It had been 2 months since they had left. Sun Jian had been told that for many hours Sun Shang Xiang and Galthmeir prayed but did not know to which god. Sun Jian knew and the medics were amazed that Galthmeir recovered so quickly. The Overlord of the Wu Province, a separated land of the new Whan Republic in merger with Shu and Wu, worried of his daughter but knew that she rode the same path of destiny that her lover forged. She would find her own way…and the knight would lead her in loving arms. As he remembered what Galthmeir told him, "we must have faith…for it is all that is left us in the end…that and love."