Kuai Lin Springs

[Ling Tong]

Come and relax near the springs and let all your troubles fade away as you rest. Want somewhere to keep to yourself or another environment away from all that work. Come to the Kuai Lin Springs.

[Ling Tong]

Ling Tong arrives at the springs to take a rest from all the troubles of the world. As he walks upto the springs, he reflects into the past, of how he has been brought up and all that had happened, as he brings his hands into the water and splahes it onto his face.

[Yuan Shang]

"Sire, perhaps we should take a small rest, after all our journey has taken its tole on you.." A soft voice from the left, dressed in the robes of an official, the gentile spoken man had concern within his eyes for his master. "He's right, lets just take a few minutes to rethink what we're doing..most importantly, where we're going.." From the right came a far more hoarse voice in comparison to the official, also in difference this man was in full battle garb; while pointing towards an open space by the springs edge...

"..Urgh, you're right." Finally the being in the middle of these two men spoke out, a sigh of frustration could be heard from within the courteous voice that had subtle noble tones. Also, looking at the man it could be clear of his lineage, his face was quite striking of his father; the once influential Nobleman, Yuan Shao. It was rumoured that this faithful son had taken on the armour of his deceased patriarch, and this was true with the addition of his father's sword strapped to his waist. It was the favoured Yuan son, the youngest of the three sons, Yuan Shang. Known to have been travelling the regions of this land, trying to find a secure place to restart the life he once had and attempt to bring back the Yuan's former glory, in the honour of his father.

Dismounting his white thoroughbred, Shang approached the spring's edge and looked into it, staring at his reflection as the two men flanked his rear to wonder what their master could be thinking of. However, they both knew it was some form of conflict, just as his father..sometimes indecisive with his own destiny. "Sire, perhaps a delightful conversation with that stranger over there? I hear he is with one of the Wu Generals. Someone who may sympathise with your current state; as you know, friends are of the high importance right now." Once again the official was first to break the silence, whilst gesturing towards the man who had just splashed his face with the springs fresh water. With a nod in agreement, the amour clad warrior gestured too hoping that Yuan would take this golden opportunity to perhaps gain an ally..after all..he needed them, so did the official, the warrior and the rest of the followers Yuan had...

Giving himself a nod of confidence, Yuan slowly approached the man and gave him a gracious bow, courteous for a stranger. "Hello there dear stranger, I do not hope I am intruding your privacy... My name is, Yuan Shang." There was a hint of pride when the name 'Yuan' left his lips, though it was soon cut down in his own preventation of coming across arrogant, like his father was, that was replaced with the usual humble voice.

[Ling Tong]

As he pulled his face back after allowing the water to cleanse him, he turned round and saw a young man who announced himself as Yuan Shang. Gongji remembered what his father Ling Cao had told him, about the past history of the land and how chaos has emerged as a result. The name "Yuan" sparked his memory as one of the great leaders who put an end to Zhang Jiao's uprising.

He turned to face him, "I am Ling Tong of Wu, pleasure to meet you Yuan Shang", as he smiled and greeted him, aswell as his other two officers beside him. It was alwys nice to meet new people, while his officers, Lei Huo and Lin Xao were looking after things in Chai Sang, after being advised to take a rest and think about what plans he could put into action for the city.

[Yuan Shang]

Hearing the name, Shang had to wrack his memory of why this name was so familiar. As the official was about to whisper into his mind, he waved him to leave the two and along with Gong to enjoy the rest while they could. Fortunately if finally clicked to who it reminded him of, a being that his father mentioned while educating him on the men of worth that this land had. Smiling, another bow was in order for Ling Tong. "Son of General Ling?...Heh, seems as if we were given the same blow." Indeed true, however, Shang knew that he could not compare such a fate their father's had..after all, Ling Cao came to a much harsher end in battle, while his? He died of illness, surrounded by those who held him dear. A gentile sigh left his lips as he looked out to the spring. "Tell me Master Ling, do you serve Wu as your father did?.. My father always knew the Sun family would become powerful, ever since he met Lord Sun Jian."

[Sun Quan]

Beyond a far tree arose a sleepy Zhang Di, his dusty and old figure scrounging up his robes round his body as he made his perilous journey out of the brush. Unbeknown to any else, Zhang Di had a flair for partying and not remembering what he'd done the last night, so it was no surprise to himself that he woke up in a place far from what he considered his 'norm'. As it was also no surprise that Ling Tong was resting in his general vicinity and he was not to judge that he was talking to a young Yuan Shang, as his still young hearing picked up.

A wonder, that the Yuan's still had enough pride to walk these lands. Maybe he sought to join Wu now? To 'avenge' his father? Or to beat his brothers to glory?

Still sleepy, the old teacher of Sun Quan's yawned and stretched firmly, his sound alerting everyone of his position. Down range a few guards who'd been searching all morning for him let out an equally loud sigh of relief. The old man was nothing short of a tiger. And you can never count out a tiger.

[red]"Greetings, General Ling and young Yuan Shang. I hope you do not mind an old fool like myself to use these springs as well."[/red] Zhang Di walked over to the side of the spring, got down upon his knees, drew a hand into the water and then began to rinse his face. He noted dutifully that the smell of last night was not pleasant.

Upon finishing, he gazed up at Yuan Shang then rose.

[Ling Tong]

Ling Tong nodded, as he listened to what Yuan Shang had to say. It was true, that both fathers had perished with only their sons to continue their legacy. "Wu, is more than a place to serve for me. It is more like a home. My father died for Wu, making my only family, the great officers of Jiang Dong and the great leader, Sun Quan. So to answer your question, if I serve Wu as my father did. In this respect, my whole life is in Wu". He paused, and smiled as his head looked down, remembering all his fellow officers and all the victories, and all that his father had told him about Sun Ce uniting Jiang Dong.

He looked back up and faced Yuan Shang, "Even with our fathers gone, we can still go on, and that is something to be proud of". After he finished, he heard one of Sun Quan's officers beind him by the name of Zhang Di, who he recognised in Jian Ye, before he left to Chai Sang, "Master Di. Welcome. Feel free to share the springs on this fine day", as a smile appeared on his face, as he saw the sun in the sky.

[Yuan Shang]

Listening to Ling's words brought a smile to Shang's expression, indeed having survived their fathers would make them proud...yet, he could not feel that without his father, his training was not yet complete, even at his age it seemed something was missing. He could tell that the loyalty to Wu ran through the blood of his family, indeed it wasn't uncommon but he felt some happiness in seeing that it carried on..however, what of Shang? He had not attempted to raise troops in the name of his father, to carry on the honour that the Yuan's once had. Lowering his head, the Yuan looked into the spring's water. "You're right Master Ling, however... I can not help but feel that I have let my father down."..

Another voice appeared as the two conversed, though the tone was much older than they were. Ling Tong seemed to know this man, another man of Wu no doubt? He also knew his name, no doubt because of his father..how Shang wished to be able to live up to the legacy that Yuan Shao left. Facing the aged man, Shang bowed to him in respect of his age, the tone softened to show that he knew the etiquette when addressing an elder. "Such would be an honour. Please excuse my ignorance...are you too an officer under Lord Sun aswell?"

[Ling Tong]

Gongji stared into the springs, "Like these spings, we go on day after day, and each day something different happens", then he looks over to some trees in the distance, "And like a fruit, it takes time for it to grow". He turns back to Yuan Shang, "You may feel like you have not done enough but you do have time to change that".

[Yuan Shang]

Shang snorted a little at Ling's words, of course he was right but it still did not remove the feeling of failure to his father. Not wishing to remain on this somewhat sombre subject, the young Yuan smiled to the fellow general. "You're right Master Ling..however..." Looking to the spring, another sigh left his lips. "How could I ever redeem the Yuans and the respect my father would have for me if he were alive?.. I have a mere unit of men, yes they're brave and loyal to me.. I can not compete with any forces that are within my father's former regions. After all, I have no desire to join Wei.. I can not come to become friends with my father's destroyer, even though they were once close friends."

Turning to look at Ling Tong, it seemed that there was some form of hope in Shang's eyes..a desire to rise up not only on his own but to restore the Yuans as they once were; the most dominant family outside the Imperial family, the right hand of the Imperial clan. "..I know that Shu may perhaps help, after all, it was my father who brought Lord Liu under his wing and gave him a secure home when he was on the run. On the other hand, I know there are possibly many officers in Shu who does not want a Yuan to rise up again; them seeing their family to take over our role." Shang did think of asking about Wu, yet, he could not bring himself to it..if Wei was not an option, neither was Shu..why would Wu allow him to join to become powerful once again, not to overthrow, but to simply redeem the influential glory of the past...

[Ling Tong]

Ling Tong nodded as Yuan Shang spoke about where he could belong. He himself was in Wu from his father and he joined Wu after the bandit Yan Baihu was gone. Neither of them knew how the other kingdoms were, but they did ally with Shu at Chi Bi and won the battle against the Mighty Wei.

"Where you decide to go to begin your journey to restore the honor of the Yuans is your choice", he began, as he admired his determination to restore his family's honor, "With Wei, it would be joining with the Devil. Shu, you've explained. Wu, would greatly accept officers like you. Infact, I cordially invite you to join me in Chai Sang where I have been assigned and for you to eat at my table and train with my troops. And if you decide to leave, it is your own choice".

He smiled a little as a brief memory of his father had popped back from his memory. It would be nice to have Yuan Shang around and to talk about thier fathers, "I remember when he told me of the Tyranny of Dong Zhuo, how the noble Yuan Shao took command and won. But of course, once Dong Zhuo was gone, there was Cao Cao to take over. Yuan Shao will be remembered as a nobleman, and you shall also be remembered as his son who cared about his family's honor and becoming a great officer to restore the name of Yuan".

He decided to stop talking as he turned to Yuan Shang to see what he would say.

[Yuan Shang]

Looking into the spring, the nobles son listened to all that Ling had to say and it made sense..he could not let everything flow into the past, forgiving the Caos would be as if he did not regard Yuan Shao as his father; something he could never do. Shang could see the sense in befriending Ling Tong, they were somewhat similar and also, had the same enemies. "To fight alongside you? Would be interesting, also, I have much to learn from the Wu soldiers; to learn the ways of naval combat. To turn northern combat onto the Caos, using a form of war that they would never fully fathom." Chuckling, Shang's spirits lifted and nodded to Ling Tong; Wu would be his knew home.

"But..what of the other Wu generals? Would they not have suspicion of me, having the desire to have the Yuans back where they were. Wont they believe that I want to take the reigns?" Looking back into the Spring, this was the main reason for his indesicions. "...no one will remember that the Yuans were always the right hand, never the body. We can lead men, but can not lead a nation." Laughing, he knew that his father would scold him for that even if it was the truth. Though he had his three guards and his men, he knew that perhaps Ling Tong could be one of the first friends of this new era for the Yuans..one that will not fall like the many others that have...

[Ling Tong]

Ling Tong smiled, now pleased to have someone by his side other than his two officers. And with someone who was similar to himself with the loss of thier fathers joining them together, it would be nice to have a friend.

He looked at Yuan Shang, "You worry too much. But to answer your question, both Shu and Wu despite Wei officers, so they would not worry about you. And would not fear you taking the reigns, as Wu's officers and its people work together, which helps us feel stronger as we have the ongoing support of our people".

[Yuan Shang]

Shang smiled at Ling's words, it perked his mood up and made the decision far more easier. As Ling came to an end, the noble's son began to nod his head; smiling at the new prospect ahead of him. "You speak a very persuasive point there Master Ling.." Sighing his attention turned back to the Spring, finally soaking in the feeling of being happy and the knowledge that today could be life-changing; the start for the new era of the Yuans. "I shall join Wu, for both the Sun family and the Yuan."

Smiling Shang let out a breath of relief, that finally he had found a home, with the added bonus of a friend. "So tell me Master Ling, what are the current affairs with Wu? Are they anticipating an attack from either Shu or Wei?" The nobles' son wanted to change the subject, talking about the future was a good thing for him, however, he did hope that his brothers did not join Wu; it would be fun to see if his training could surpass theres...