A/N: Woo, longest chapter yet!

Shuwazi: I really, truly appreciate the time you've taken already to give me feedback, so don't let my expectations worry you! Feedback is hard to come by, much less good feedback like you've provided. I hope I haven't moved too fast with this piece. It is hard to find the right pace going with stories, because you want to include good detail and interesting dialogue, and have your characters/conflicts develop naturally, but at the same time you don't want to overburden your reader with unnecessary information--it's a tough call, and is a big reason why writing is so challenging!

Anyway, I hope more readers can find time to drop a few words if they like or dislike this story, and what made them stop reading if they did. Thanks in advance! Now let's get on with it!


Nearly one hundred thousand is what Sun Quan mustered--he certainly was not taking any chances on this campaign to the North. Ling Tong rode his horse at a slow cantor beside rows of his fellow soldiers. Their forces seemed to stretch from horizon to horizon along the road. Ling Tong watched the foot soldiers march with wavering discipline, their backs appearing to warp and ripple in the summer heat.

Morale should get better, Ling Tong thought.

Morale did improve greatly when their forces arrived Wan castle. They had seized it from Wei with little resistance. The troops were happy to have a chance to rest and rehydrate, and it was a good fortification to set up headquarters. However, before the assault on He Fei castle--the final bastion of defense for the city--the Wu forces were forced to camp until scouts could report back on Wei's defensive set up.

"We want to make this campaign quick, and therefore need a plan. A good plan comes from good information, which is why we have to wait, I'm sorry," Lu Meng had said. "Perhaps use the time to look over the terrain since this is a new area to many of you, or go train with your men. Just be ready to report at any time."

Ling Tong decided to take him up on the first part of his advice. Lu Meng let him borrow one of his tents set up outside the castle as well as a map of the region. He didn't usually have the mind or the interest in such a thing, but right now he figured it couldn't hurt to be prepared. He blamed it on pre-battle jitters.

Lu Meng had gone on a non-specific errand, and Ling Tong him to his study. Ling Tong enjoyed the peace as he looked over topography lines, and smiled when he heard distant clashes and battle cries of sparring matches. The sounds were a familiar soundtrack in his life, and strangely, the sounds comforted him--he was happy to know the men were staying energetic and busy with managing their own pre-battle anxiety.

"Knock, knock!" a voice called. Ling Tong recognized the source and instantly and shut his eyes tight, wishing he could turn invisible. Gan Ning entered, pushing aside the tent flaps with a hand and peered around.

"Oh, you're here? Where's the old man?" Gan Ning asked.

"He's with Sun Quan," Ling Tong said, feeling a tinge guilty about lying. He figured it was a small price to pay.

"Nah, that's okay, I'd prefer to talk to you anyway," Gan Ning said, unsheathing a dagger to spin in his hand while he talked. "Just keep your distance."

Ling Tong looked up at him from the map, but didn't bother lifting his head. "What do you want?" he asked.

"I'm bored," Gan Ning said. "What is that? A map of He Fei? You turnin' into Lu Xun all of a sudden?"

"Just for today. I get bored, too, you know."

"Too bad, I was hopin' your balls had dropped."

Ling Tong rolled his eyes and went back to studying Hei Fei's terrain. He wasn't going to let whatever the idiot was saying get to him anymore. He froze completely when Gan Ning's dagger smacked into the wood of the table, embedded between two plateaus on the map.

"I mean it," Gan Ning said, approaching the table to yank out the dagger. "Everyone else around here ain't got a real pair. I think they just humor me. But you," He pointed his dagger toward him. "You genuinely hate my guts."

"Oh, was it that obvious?" Ling Tong spat. Why the hell hasn't he left yet?

"Which makes you my perfect training partner!" Gan Ning shouted, roughly grabbing Ling Tong and yanking him from his seat. After a couple steps, Ling Tong shook him off.

"I can walk just fine, idiot. And I haven't even agreed. You're too pushy," Ling Tong said, turning to go back to reading.

"Now that's something. You aren't going ballistic on me. I'm spooked."

"Then leave. Then we'll both feel better," Ling Tong said, sitting back down.

"I'll tell Lu Meng that you aren't playing nice," Gan Ning said, exaggerating by drawing a line with his finger across his throat.

"Pushy AND a tattle-tale. What are you, five-years-old?"

"Funny. Just come on."

"And if there is an 'accident' that leaves you mortally injured?" Ling Tong said, feigning concern.

Gan Ning laughed. "Like hell they would believe that," he said. He had a point, Ling Tong thought. Damn. He sighed. A spar did sound more exciting than looking at some squiggles on paper.

"My halberd's at my tent. I'll meet you in a couple of minutes," Ling Tong said, not entirely sure what had come over him that let Gan Ning have his way. Was it Sun Quan's words? He was starting to spook himself.

"Alright!" Gan Ning said happily, darting out of the tent. Yep, he's five-years-old, Ling Tong thought, unaware that he, too, had been smiling.


Ling Tong had to admit--practice with Gan Ning had been simultaneously most satisfying and the most exhausting 'training' of his military life. He had the skill and luck to keep Gan Ning occupied with the business end of his halberd, and therefore away from his short-range daggers. When the his partner managed to break through, however--which he did about half of the time every set of blows--Ling Tong fought for his life as he deflected his partner's lightning strikes with the handle of his weapon.

During such a bout, Ling Tong finally seized an opportunity to hook one of Gan Ning's arms, pull him through, then strike him on his back with the blunt side of his weapon. Gan Ning stumbled forward, but when he steadied, he laughed, straightening himself and scratching his lip.

"Not bad," Gan Ning said, turning around. "I'm wonderin' why they don't put you at the front. You and me would tear 'em up."

"Front lines aren't everything," Ling Tong said, spearing the ground with his weapon so he could remove his gloves. "Someone's gotta protect Sun Quan in case you screw up."

"Heh. You'll get bored sittin' back there, 'cause I don't screw up."

"Don't get too overconfident. It could put us all in danger out there, you know."

"You really think Yue Jin's got a trap set up for us?"

Ling Tong paused at the sudden question, unable to guess what was going through Gan Ning's mind. "I do," he then said.

Gan Ning appeared what Ling Tong nearly guessed as thoughtful, but his partner revealed little else of a reaction. "C'mon, let's take a break." he then said, sheathing his daggers. Ling Tong nodded, willing to let the conversation go for the sake of cooling off. He wiped his sweat-slicked brow with a wrist, then hoisted his halberd out of the ground to carry with him as he walked with Gan Ning to the fresh water basins. Inspecting his weapon, Ling Tong said, "No one has ever scratched Flying Nimbus like you have."

"You're flying what?" Gan Ning asked, giving a look of genuine confusion.

"Flying Nimbus," Ling Tong reiterated. "Take it easy next time, or I'll be using it to spear you with a repair bill."

"You askin' me to go easy? Fat chance, you wimp!" Gan Ning said. "And just what the heck is a Flyin' Nimbus?"

"A nimbus is a type of cloud. Like the ones hanging over the horizion there," Ling Tong said, pointing.

"I don't find those very intimidating. That name the best you can do?"

"Well, I forgot my Flaming Dragon Skull-splitter Axe at home," Ling Tong joked.

Gan Ning burst out laughing. "You know, Tong," Gan Ning began, slapping Ling Tong on the shoulder, "despite your unbecoming tendency to go into blind homicidal rages," he then continued, twirling a dagger between the fingers of his other hand. "I like you. You ain't a stuffy old goody-two-shoes like Zhou Yu and the old man are. And you ain't a kid like Lu Xun, nor all quiet like that Zhou Tai. You got spunk, and that's always interestin'."

"If you say so," Ling Tong said. They reached the water basin, and each ladled themselves a cool drink and doused themselves liberally. Ling Tong thought more about what Gan Ning had just admitted to him. Meanwhile, he watched the water run over Gan Ning's body, letting the water lead his scrutinizing gaze. There was nothing scrawny or svelte about the man--he carried a full, burly physique that belied an uncanny quickness and grace. He had a mild tan and an unblemished complexion, save for his tattoos that crumpled with his muscles over half his torso. He was unaware that he had been shamelessly staring when Gan Ning cleared his throat, garnering his attention. Blushing, Ling Tong distracted himself with the ladle and took another sip of water, having felt his throat go dry again.

At that time, Lu Meng had appeared. "There you boys are," he said. Ling Tong and Gan Ning greeted him, and he then said, "Our scouts have reported in. Sun Quan is summoning us to his quarters in the castle, and wants to begin before the sun sets." The sun was on its descent when Lu Meng had alerted them, and was just about to graze the horizon when the head officers were finally all assembled in Sun Quan's presence. Sun Quan had summoned Lu Meng, Gan Ning, and Ling Tong, as well as stalwarts Zhu Zhi and Pan Zhang. A map of He Fei had also been laid on a table for them to reference.

"Your news?" Sun Quan said.

The messenger clasped a fist in his palm and nodded. "Sir! Our scouts have reported that Yue Jin is camped at the river, just before the Xiao Shi Bridge. They also estimate their numbers to be 7,000 troops at best."

Sun Quan kept his face straight, but could not conceal his elation in his eyes. "Pathetic!" he said. "We'll slaughter them."

Lu Meng spoke up. "Sir," he said. "It is said that Zhang Liao also prowls He Fei. He is one of Wei's fiercest generals. He and his cavalry are not to be underestimated if they are here, even with the odds in our favor."

"So I've also heard. But what other option will he think he has other than to retreat when he sees our numbers?" Sun Quan said.

"True," Lu Meng continued. "It is also very possible that he is in Han Zhong assisting Cao Cao right now. Yue Jin, however, is also capable in his own right. Wei is likely aware of our movements by now as well, and will be sending him reinforcements."

"Then there is no time to waste. We must strike immediately!" Sun Quan said.

"Leave that to us!" Gan Ning said. "Lu Meng and I will work everything out."

"Indeed. Based on the report, I believe a pincer will best take care of Yue Jin. I will lead a direct assault from here," Lu Meng said, pointing to a mark on the map northwest of Wan Castle, "while Gan Ning can use the river to attack from the other side of the bridge. We will literally crush them, should we time it right. It will be quick and painless, and quicker we can eliminate Yue Jin and begin our siege on He Fei Castle, the better. Just keep your head cool out there, Gan Ning."

"Anything you say," Gan Ning replied, reclining against a tent post.

Meanwhile, as Ling Tong listened to Lu Meng's strategizing spill from his lips, his mind had encountered a puzzle concerning the information. He was well aware that he lacked the gifts of Lu Meng and Lu Xun, and so his eyes searched the map for an answer he thought he may have missed. His patience with his own ability grew thin, however, and finally said, "Is that where he is really camped?"

The other officers were all ears toward the sudden input from Ling Tong. The messenger, realizing he was being addressed, jumped and nodded vigorously.

"There's something wrong here, or there is something I'm not getting. If they know we're coming, then I doubt he would pitch camp in such an vulnerable spot." Ling Tong turned to the messenger. "Did anything about his camp look...off? Or unusual?"

"I-I-I'm not sure," the messenger sputtered.

"I suspect it's phony, or Yue Jin has something clever in mind," Ling Tong said.

"Unlikely," Lu Meng said. "There is nothing strategically unsound about where they are. Xiao Shi is a vital chokepoint, and will certainly try to use that to their advantage against our superior numbers, if for nothing else but to hold us off until reinforcements come."

"Don't get too worried, Lu Xun lite," Gan Ning said. "I'm only gonna need a couple small junks and about a hundred or so to come along." He looked at Ling Tong. "Ling Tong can look after the rest of my men 'till I get back."

"And just what am I gonna do with three hundred extra troops?" Ling Tong said, annoyed.

Gan Ning smiled. "Try to keep 'em entertained," he said.

"Alright," Sun Quan said. "Hop to it. We need to move quickly," Sun Quan said. "Ling Tong and I will bring up our men when you've succeeded in trapping Yue Jin. Pan Zhang, Zhu Zhi, ready our men."

"Sir!" they acknowledged. Everyone else nodded their assent, except for Ling Tong, who had lingering misgivings. The plan seemed too simple to him, especially if Zhang Liao was lurking and was as fearsome as his reputation boasted. As the generals dispersed from the tent, Ling Tong resolved not to allow Sun Quan out of his sight once the battle commenced.