Zhang Rui threw the remains of the trunk into a bag, slowly tying it together so as not to open on the trip. "You know we will all miss you greatly while you're gone, Xing. Who will keep Pang Qui in line when he is upset?"

Yang Xing leaned on her bed and laughed. "You always did a fair job. Besides, Zhu and I will be back before long."

"Yes, I know. Still, it makes us worry that you will find a new home in Cheng Du and forget the rest of us."

She frowned as she shouldered another bag. "Jiang Si is my home, Rui. I could never just forget about it. Besides, there is far too much work here that needs to be done. The entire capital must be rebuilt and the lands secured. That alone will bring me back." The two walked into the clearing where the rest of the Shu army was packing up their horses and readying for departure. "Zhu and I will be back as soon as Cheng Du is set to rights. Maybe we will even come back with supplies to help rebuild. Lord Liu Bei has already been generous to us."

"He has indeed." Man Zhu was nearby, making last minute preparations and checking his horse over. Nightwind was next to him, her saddle on and impatiently waiting to be off. Xing and Rui tied the two remaining packs to her back. Before she could mount her horse, however, Rui reached out and handed her a small bag. "This is for you, in case danger should visit you while in Shu." She peaked in side. Several bottles filled with healing herbs were wrapped in a small white cloth. "Man Zhu knows what to do, but in case you are alone, you have your own supply."

She smiled and hugged her old friend. "Thank you. Is there enough for someone else, though? This is a lot..."

"Oh, stop worrying about other people for a change." Pang Qui and Deng Liao had finished helping the Shu soldiers and were ready to see their comrades off. "There's enough in store," Qui said, "so everything should be fine."

Deng Liao offered her his hand, which she shook before embracing him. She did the same with Zhang Rui and Pang Qui. "I promise to be back as soon as Cheng Du has recovered. There is much left here for me."

"And we eagerly await your return," Liao said. "Come back stronger, wiser, and in one piece."

Zhu laughed from atop his horse. "We will, all three of them." Pang Qui helped Xing into her saddle, and stood with Huang Su and Zhang Quan to see their fellow leaders off.

Further down the line, Ling Mao was also seeing a friend off. Ma Chao shook his hand before climbing into his saddle as well. "I thank you for your companionship," he said to the Jiang leader. "It does me good to know that everything is right here."

Mao grinned and bowed. "It warms my heart to hear such praise. Perhaps you will come and visit again on a happier occasion. You've become somewhat of a legend here, and it gives the people pride to see you come through the gates." He looked down the line to see Xing and Zhu speaking to the other leaders. "I must go and wish my friends a safe journey. Make sure to look out for them in Shu."

"That I will. I will try to look after them as well as you have looked after Jiang." The two bowed and departed. The mass of Shu soldiers began to move through the capital gates as the crowd of Jiang rebels cheered them on, crying out for a safe trip and many thanks for their presence. Ma Chao heard several of them calling to him. He waved to the people, remembering Mao's words and grinning at them. A legend? He laughed. If only his father were here to see this one.

"Lord Ma Chao!" He looked to his side to see a young boy walking alongside his horse. In his hands was a tiny wooden sculpture. "I made it to look like your horse. Thank you for letting me see him." He strained his little legs to give it to the officer, but he was too small.

"Here, Ren. Let me help you." The little boy beamed as Yang Xing, who had dismounted, lifted him up into the air so he could give Ma Chao his horse. "You did a beautiful job with him. Storm Runner will love it."

"Thank you, Lady Yang! Come home soon!."

She smiled and gently kissed him on the head. "I will. Make sure everyone stays in line until I get back, Ren. I'm counting on you to keep the stable boys in shape." He nodded and bowed low before moving back. Xing got back on her horse and rode alongside Ma Chao until they were passed the gates. "Do you like it?"

"What?"

"The horse. Do you like it?"

"Oh." Ma Chao had been so distracted with Xing's behavior that he didn't get a good look at it. Every detail matched those of Storm Runner wonderfully, even down to the muscles on his belly. The color looked as if it was his own coat, and the eyes were both wild and playful. "Wow, this is beautiful."

"I told you." Xing laughed as he put it away. "Ren comes from your territory, although Ling Mao was already in power by the time he was born. He works in the stables, but he's got a creative streak in him. He spent hours staring at Storm Runner in order to get the details just right." She smiled and shook her head. "I'll miss him when I'm gone."

"It seems as though you'll miss everyone."

She nodded. "I will. These people have been through a lot with me. They trust me to lead them, even those who were under the leadership of my father long before I was born. I enjoy having a close relationship with them. It allows me to meet more of their needs and run the province more smoothly."

"What will you do once you return from Shu?" Ma Chao asked. "Will you combine the provinces?"

"It's a very likely scenario. Ever since the survivors gathered in Jiang Si, it's become more and more close-knit between the leaders and the people. Some clearly want to return to their provinces, but all have a place for mine in their hearts. I think we'll all become united, even if we live in different parts of Jiang. The first step is rebuilding Si. After that, only the gods know."

"I understand. It's like that in Shu as well. We are made up of many different cities, but we are all connected by the same alliance."

Xing grinned. "Then I think I'll learn much from this visit."

Ma Chao shifted in his saddle a little as Jiang Si disappeared behind them. "Why did you agree to travel with us, Lady Yang? If you don't mind my asking, of course. I know how important it was for you to return home."

She offered him a smile and a shrug. "It is still important to me. To be honest, I don't know what's drawn me to Shu. Man Zhu was the one who hatched the plan to visit, and something inside of me told me to go." She chuckled. "Isn't that strange? I can't even put a finger on it. Maybe I'm only going to learn. Or maybe something is going to happen that I'm meant to be a part of. Do you ever feel like that?"

"I have many times, Lady Yang. I felt it when I left my own province, in fact. I thought I would stay there forever, and suddenly I am one of Lord Liu Be's most trusted officers."

"Do you feel guilty about leaving Jiang behind?"

"Yes and no. I don't think I was fit to lead them with my energies focused on revenge. But I wish I had spent more time there after my father's death in case I turned myself around. I guess I didn't see myself as being a good leader for my people. I met Liu Bei and joined Shu. Since then, I've never looked back."

"Until we showed up."

Ma Chao shrugged. "I've always had my homeland tucked away inside me. But when the rebels of Jiang appeared, the memories resurfaced."

"Are we getting a touch emotional?" Zhao Yun joked as he pulled up along side the pair. "I did not think you had it in you, Chao."