About one year later

By the time the morning fog had lifted, the capital of Wu was bustling with activity. Servants were running around, preparing for the arrival of their Lord Sun Jian. He had been away for several months now, inspecting his borders and reassuring his people that the kingdom was safe, and more importantly, normal. Anything out of the ordinary frightened the people more than anything, a topic that was often the butt of every joke between officers. Sun Ce in particular enjoyed this fear, often using it for one of his many pranks. No one, unfortunately, was safe from the wrath of the Little Conqueror.

While the servants hurried about their duties, the soldiers and officers were busy in the training yard. The clang of metal and the snap of wood intermixed with the sound of laughter and shouting as they went about their daily training routine. Often, the soldiers would try and show off to each other with their new moves and improved weapons. But today, the focus was on staying in shape, in case Sun Jian came back and ordered them to battle. Often, he would return from his trips with news of invasions or breaches in the borders, and his men would be gone for a month or so to patch up the problem. Common, but it was enough to keep the soldiers on their toes. Even those who never got to see that kind of action.

"Watch your back!" Sun Shang Xiang shouted as she lunged. Her opponent whipped around and braced for the attack. Sun Shang came down hard with her chakrams, but her opponent blocked them with her long blade. She pushed Sun Shang off of her to the ground, lifting the sword above her. Lady Sun opened her eyes to find the blade inches from her face, buried in the ground, and her opponent grinning above her. Sun Shang smiled as Li Tai offered her a hand and pulled her to her feet. She dusted herself of while Li removed her sword from the ground and sheathed it.

"How was that, Shang?" she asked, eagerly.

"Li, you got this thing down now." Sun Shang picked up one of her chakrams and inspected it. "You now know everything that I do, and in such a short amount of time. You're amazing!"

Li grinned. "They say it runs in the family."

"That it does." The girls turned to see Zhou Tai and Lu Meng standing nearby, watching them. Lu Meng grinned. "When you're related to one of the greatest warriors in the kingdom, is there really any doubt?"

"Meng, stop teasing," Li said, pushing his slightly. They all laughed. Sun Shang wiped a bead of sweat from her face.

"Well, I don't know about you, Li, but I'm beat. I say we head back inside and make ourselves more presentable for my father."

She nodded. "Sounds good." Zhou Tai and Lu Meng nodded, and the four headed back to the palace, eager for their lord to arrive home, safe and sound.

Li Tai was putting the finishing touches on her makeup when a knock came from her door. She motioned to one of the servants in her room, and she opened the door to reveal Zhou Tai, dressed and ready for Sun Jian's arrival. He came in, stopping a few paces from his sister, and waited for the other women to clear out and close the door. Once the coast was clear, he sat down next to her, staring at her for a minute. Li raised an eyebrow.

"Something on your mind, Zhou?" she asked. He gave her a slight grin.

"Li, have you given any thought to marriage?"

She startled for a moment, then smiled and went back to her makeup. "You really do get to the point, Zhou. As of now, no, I have not given it any thought. I have been focusing on my training." She put her brush down and looked him in the eye. "Why do you ask?"

Zhou Tai shrugged. "Just curious. You have, after all, been here for a year. It is a long time to be without a husband."

She smiled at him. "You sound like you're my father." She turned back to her reflection in the mirror. "Did someone ask for my hand? Is that why you're asking me?"

Slowly, he lifted his helmet off of his head. He only did that when he was with her, and only when he was absolutely serious. "I can see it in some of their eyes. All of them are my good friends. I would trust them with my life. All I ask is that you consider and make a decision." He put his helmet back on and turned to leave. Li grabbed his arm as he stood.

"Zhou, something else is on your mind. Please tell me what it is." He didn't look at her, but he could hear the pleading in her voice. He let out a sigh.

"I am getting worried, Li. I can't explain it, but I feel like something is going to happen soon. Something bad."

"And you want me situated in case something does happen and you aren't there."

Zhou nodded, words escaping him. Li rested a hand on his shoulder. "Okay. I'll look into it. Just try not to worry, brother. I am stronger than I appear."

"And that's why I did not speak of this until now," he said. She nodded, and watched as Zhou crossed her room in a few strides, leaving her by herself and alone with her new concerns.

Somewhere outside the capital

Several heads raised as a dark, robed figure strode across the room. A few murmurs scattered , but the figure said nothing as he stopped outside of another door. Unlike before, the man raised a fist and knocked twice before opening it and entering. As soon as the door was shut, the others in the room bowed their heads again and quickly went back to their meditations.

The man stopped in front of a large desk. The bigger, more menacing figure behind it stood, casting a shadow over the other man. He grinned in spite of it, refusing to move. The giant turned to the window behind him, folding his hands behind his back.

"How was the mission today, Cheng?" he asked. Cheng smiled.

"As expected. Li has now reached her full potential, but has been somewhat hardened in her training. We must wait until she is married before we can proceed."

The other man chuckled. "Are you prepared for the second part of this mission, Cheng? Remember that they are no longer seven years old. They are full grown now, and both possess remarkable skill, according to yourself."

He nodded. "I was prepared when I first separated them. I have worked hard for this moment, and I hope that - no, I know, that this mission will succeed."

"For both our sakes, I hope you are right," the man said. Slowly, he turned around. "By the way, Cheng, you never did tell me what you desired as payment for undertaking this mission for me. Name it now, and it will be yours."

Cheng didn't need to think about his response. "Li Tai. Nothing more, nothing less."

The other man nodded. "Done."

Li Tai did her best to look cheerful as Sun Jian's entourage rode up to the gates. The streets were filled with people cheering and welcoming him home. When they reached the courtyard, Sun Ce, Sun Quan, and Sun Shang Xiang all went to greet their father. Li stayed behind, positioned between her brother and Lu Meng. Although she knew she was protected between them, she felt weak and helpless for some reason. Her brother's concerns still lingered in her mind. Was there really a cause for concern? She hoped not. Yet, deep inside her mind, she knew his fears weren't unfounded. And she hated feeling incapable.

Sun Jian made his way up the stairs to the palace doors, where his officers were waiting for him. He stopped in front of each one, either shaking his hand or grasping his shoulder. He stopped finally at Li Tai, who gave him a bow. He gently touched her shoulder.

"I trust that you have done well without me, Lady Tai," he said, smiling.

"As well as I can do, My Lord," she responded. He let out a small laugh.

"That's good to here. Sun Shang told me that you have done well with your training. I am pleased to hear it." She smiled and bowed as he moved on. Lu Meng gently nudged her arm, and she looked up to see him winking at her. She gave him a smile as Sun Jian finished with the line, and everyone headed back inside to the feast prepared for them. Lu Meng offered Li an arm, which she gladly took, and they followed the others inside.

Hua Ling watched from her corner as the royal family and the other officers filed into the dining hall. She glanced at herself in the mirror to make sure her makeup was in place. Thank the gods that her duties allowed her access to Li Tai's makeup without her knowing. She adjusted herself slightly, then waited for the other servants to file in and help with the feast. She hoped that she was subtle enough to draw the younger women's attention without the older servants noticing first. She could count on them to spread stories, right on up the ladder to the men Li Tai was seated with. It had taken almost a whole year before she had finished her planning and had worked up the nerve to get this plan in motion. But now was the time. And she hoped that all her planning would pay off.