Shuwazi: Thank you for taking the time to review, and especially for including good criticism. I have to be honest and say I'm not 100 sure how original I am going to be with this story, since my intention is to share my romanticized version of how their relationship developed. I say that and realize that I might be giving too much away...but I hope my account will satisfy those who want to see the tale more fleshed out. And speaking of fleshed out, I'll try a bit harder to include more feeling/personality as well!
In the meantime, enjoy this next installment!
A peach-colored dawn stretched across the Yangtze. The sun revealed the pollution of violence that muddied its waters with oil and blood, and its banks were gradually becoming cluttered with a mess of broken sails and charred lumber. Down river, however, the Wu forces had caught a case of optimism from the destruction. They had bloodied the nose of a giant, and their sound triumph convinced them that anything was possible, no matter how slim the odds. After they had buried their dead and tended their wounded, they began to break camp with greater efficiency than ever before, eager to go home and celebrate.
Not afflicted with high spirits, however, was Zhou Yu. He closed a fist in his hand and kneeled in front of Sun Quan as the son of the Tiger exited his tent to greet him and ask what his business was.
"One thing I couldn't take care of, Sire," Zhou Yu said to Sun Quan that morning, "was Zhuge Liang. He disappeared before my assassins could find him."
"Quite alright, Zhou Yu," Sun Quan told him. "We'll concern ourselves with him another day. Please, rise, and don't humble yourself so. You have done a magnificent service to the land, I daresay one that will go down in legend. I ought to be the one bowing to you."
Ling Tong, being within earshot as he helped his troops tie up their supplies, mentally agreed with Sun Quan's assessment, but knew he was too sober to get caught up in the victory itself. He must have understood that with so many loose ends left untied--Cao Cao's escape, Zhuge Liang--that the fighting was going to be far from finished, and therefore they must all start looking even further ahead. One thing Ling Tong's father reminded him of, however, was that you can never plan too far ahead. Ling Tong smiled, knowing his father must have been pleased with the way things turned out at Red Cliffs anyway.
Out of the corners of his eyes, Ling Tong recognized the particular form and gait of one who strolledpast behind him. He thought his nostrils had caught his scent, too. His stomach turned and his heart raced. That smug swagger was starting to make him sick, too, he thought. Gan Ning had some nerve. He nodded to the major he was assisting and pursued to give the feathered bastard a piece of his mind. He wasn't about to let Gan Ning's taste of fame go to his head.
"Hey you there," Ling Tong called to him. "Just because you did so well last night doesn't mean you can just strut around like you own the place and-" he was cut short when a handful of low-ranking soldiers rushed past him to gather around Gan Ning, shouting their praises and swearing oaths of loyalty. Gan Ning had turned around at the sound of Ling Tong's voice, but his attention shifted instantly away to smile at the commotion.
"Just stick with me, and you'll never know the meaning of defeat!" Gan Ning declared, punching a fist into his palm to emphasize. The handful of troops was gradually becoming a mob of them. A big, happy, cheering mob of fans.
"Yeah, he's still a bit rough around the edges," Ling Tong heard Lu Meng say beside him, "but just look how he inspires the men. He inspires a few hundred to work like a few thousand. That's the kind of leader we need if we're going to be up against the likes of Cao Cao, or Zhuge Liang for that matter."
Ling Tong could only huff and scratch behind his ear in response, neither wanting to confirm nor deny Lu Meng's wisdom, especially with the evidence so blatant in front of them.
"We're heading back to Jing immediately. We're gonna be celebrating. Why don't you join us this time?" Lu Meng said.
"We'll see," Ling Tong said, throwing a smile over his shoulder at him. "You know me."
"Indeed. Be seeing you."
Lu Meng left Ling Tong to take a final gander at Gan Ning's remarkable popularity. Ling Tong then went to carry on with his work, failing to notice that Gan Ning had split the crowd and made a beeline for him. "You were saying?" he said loudly to Ling Tong's back, causing him to drop his work and whip around surprised.
Ling Tong then curled up his nose and said, "Do you pirates even know what a bath is?"
Gan Ning burst out laughing. "Nope, I'm 'fraid not. I'm so sorry, does that bother you?" Gan Ning said, stepping closer and fixing his eyes on Ling Tong's. His pungence became overwhelming.
"Yeah. It makes you even more damn irritating. And repulsive," Ling Tong said, not backing down, but feeling increasingly uncomfortable with the barbarian's proximity as much as his malodorous aura. Gan Ning smiled.
"So you say," he said from his throat. He pulled his head back to take in Ling Tong's face. He chuckled and winked at him. "So you say." Gan Ning stepped back and turned around. "Guess I'll go wash up."
Ling Tong knew he had a retort to sling as Gan Ning walked away. The fluid from his throat had disappeared, however, and that strangely, the air around him began to feel very cold.
