White Riders

[Zhou Yu]

(just a stright forward rp thread for anyone that wants to come meet me in Bei Ping)

The wind swept across the tops of the hills blowing down a cold breeze from the north. It carried the hopes of the north the will and determination of a hard people down to the cultured south. It spoke of war of conquest and bloodshed; it carried the pride of the Gongsun. In a time when the imperial courts tattered dignity was hanging by a thread the land needed hero’s like never before. Weather Gongsun Zan was such a man or just another who would stab them in the back and take power from himself was yet to be seen.

Gongsun Zan lord of the Gongsun clan crashed through the tree line a smile torn across his face as he crouched low over the back of his horse. He was laughing the hunt was on, although who was predator and who was prey had yet to be seen. Things were not always as they appeared on the surface. Behind him 3 black shapes came on at great speed their paws making little sound as they bounded across the snow behind him. Their teeth like daggers there white pelts thick and bristling like a line of thrones, there claws blooded by their last kill. The wolves came on behind him seeking another meal of man and horse flesh.

Gongsun Zan pulled his horse around and raised his hunting spear leaning low in the saddle and holding his weapon with both hands. He guided his horse almost with his thought as it seemed to read his intentions more than his movements. The beasts mean to kill him and eat him but he intended the same for these beasts. Survival of the fittest was all the north knew and these wolves like the Yellow turban had an exaggerated sense of their own importance. Numbers were not always everything.

“You eat my people, now i will eat you.” Gongsun Zan yelled charging head on towards the beasts. His spear flashing in the dawn sun like a jaded lance. It was a time of justice and retribution.

[Cheng Mao]

Cheng Mao had come to meet the lord of his homeland, Gongsun Zan, but the master of the white riders was not in the city. He left a while ago to hunt beasts in the woods. Mao returned to his men, who were waiting a respectable distance from the city.
"Alright, listen up everyone! I Will take a small company to find lord Gongsun Zan. The rest of you wait here."
Mao chose 20 of his finest horsemen to accompany him into the woods.

They were riding through the forest for a short while, when snarls and whines of a canine sound erupted from a nearby hillside, after a man had shouted:
"You eat my people, now I will eat you."
Mao rode in lead position to the area where the sound originated. What a sight to behold! There was Gongsun Zan in all his might, and three wolves lay dead at his feet.

Mao quickly dismounted, bowing to the bloodied figure in front of him, and saying: "My Lord! You are a mighty hunter. I am Cheng Mao, coming to your aid as your loyal servant in these troubled times. "

[Zhou Yu]

Gongsun Zan left his spear standing in the body of the last wolf. They had been powerful creatures strong and fast but no match for a mounted warrior of the white riders. His armour was splayed with their blood, he would have to clean it off once he got back to Bei Ping. He was the white rider after all not the red rider. Now if he just just bring the beast bodies back with him he could serve the giant wolves as a feast and mount them on his wall too. These thick pelts were good for keeping warm in winter. He just did not see how he alone could carry 3 of them even with his horse White star. The answer to this riddle soon came as he heard the sound of riders. He assumed they must be some of his men, few of the Yellow turbans had horses after all, while he was the lord of horses.

“Ah your just in time to help my carry the spoils of the day back to Bei Ping. This beast will pray on the locals no more.” Gongsun Zan said kicking one of the dead wolves as he watched some twenty rider’s approached. They born his clan colours he knew they must be with his white riders. Good he was glad to be meet by more of his brave warriors.

“Greeting Cheng Mao, if you have come to find me then i would by happy for you to join my White Riders. Our enemy the Yellow Turban are many doubtless you will have a chance to earn honour and glory against them soon.” Gonsun Zan said stepping over threw the deep snow and pulling the man to his feet. Gongsun Zan cared little for such traditions as bowing to a man’s lord it proved nothing and his pride did not demand it. He only cared for what a man could do and what he would do. By coming out here to find him Cheng Mao had proven already that he was a brave man.

[Cheng Mao]

Cheng Mao was silent for a moment, considering the straightforward manner in which Gongsun Zan acted.

"Thank you, my lord. We will take your prize to the fires and then let us talk war." Mao ordered several men to get the huge wolves on the back of their horses, and they rode out of the forests toward the city gates. Halfway there, Mao sent out a horsemen to collect the rest of the troops.

"I bring with me 200 fine horsemen, and gold to hire more, all at your disposal." At those words, the horsemen still with them nodded, slammed fists to their hearts and shouted agreeing words.
By then the other 180 horsemen caught up with the small group, and followed them in formation, the horses making the sound of thunder rolling over the snow.
When the group reached the gates, Mao called out to the guards:

"Open the gates for Gongsun Zan!"

[Zhou Yu]

"That sounds good to me Cheng Mao lead on." Gongsun Zan said as he whistled for his horse. It quickly trotted over and he vaulted into the saddle with a quickness that spoke of long days spent in the saddle. Between 20 riders they should be able to carry his prize kills without difficulty. He would have to honour the man with a drink at the least once they returned to the city.

Along the way he took a good look at Cheng Mao and his men. He watched careful the way they sat and the way they rode their horses. You could tell allot about a man from the way he treated his horse and they way he rode he thought. What he saw pleased him Cheng Mao’s men rode with the skill of any of his white riders.

“You and your men impress me Cheng Mao come and drink with me.” Gongsun Zan said as the city gate swung open before them. He was a plain speaking and honest man and he did not keep things back. This should not be confused of course with being stupid a thing he certainly was not. He led the way through the streets towards his manor near the centre of the city. It was a good time for a feast or celebration he thought the people could use something to cheer about.

[Cheng Mao]

During the feast, where the slain wolves were served as a special treat, Gongsun Zan and Cheng Mao spoke of events in their youths. They were born only a year apart in the same region, so many memories were the same, even though the 'viewpoint' was different.After the men had fulfilled their apatite, they started to speak of the current situation.

"I hear that you have been busy the last few weeks. A visit to the emperor, long may he live, and several military actions against smaller groups of rebels. When will the entire Han army go to war with the yellow beast that ravages the land as the wolves in our stomachs were ravaging the local villages? Also, I have refrained from spending all the gold I have gained on hiring units, in order to use that gold as you see fit, my lord. What type of unit does my company, or your army, need?"

[Zhou Yu]

Gongsun Zan drank deep of wine and eat the flesh of the predators that had meant to have him for their own feast. It made him feel strong as he meet some men friends and allies around the table. His own cavalrymen were mixing and socialising with Cheng Mao’s men at the lower tables. While they sat at the high table with some of Gongsun old friends and advisers the important people of Bei Ping.

“Yes indeed I feel almost like this is the first time in an age iv had a chance to sit down and let my horse rest. But in a time of such chaos and opportunity one cannot sit still. We must take the fight to the enemy before they arrive on our doorstep.” Gonsun Zan paused to arrange a toast to his honoured guests. Not that the men needed an excuse to drink. In times when the yellow turbans could attack any time it paid to live life to the fullest. He returned to his seat when the cheering had faded.

“I see you have a good force of Horsemen Cheng Mao. But horse alone cannot win this war, you should hire some swords and spearmen as well. Only when supported by infantry are our white riders at their best.” Gongsun Zan advised him. Several of his advisers at the table nodded in agreement for cavalry alone was not always useful.

[Cheng Mao]

"I will send word that we require more troops in the morrow, my lord. I will then, with your leave, take my troops and put down any troubles that arise in neighboring areas, as you have been doing. If, however I receive word from you, I will turn around instantly to come to your aid. "

Mao looked around to see how his men were fairing, and he noticed that they too were getting tired. They had traveled all day to get to the city before nightfall.

"Now, I think, my men and me would like to visit the world of dreams for a while. Unless you need me for anything else, we will ride out before noon tomorrow. One cannot remain inactive while the land is being torn apart, after all. "

Mao stood up, but waited to see if Gongsun Zan needed him for anything, but his men were already heading for their designated camps in and outside the city walls.

[Zhou Yu]

“That sounds like a good idea. Get some rest then paint the hills red with the blood of the rebels.” Gongsun Zan said tipping back his glass and finishing his own wine. The feast was coming to an end anyway and men began to steal off back to their tents or barracks. Today had been joyous but it would not last long with war working its way north like a cancer from the central plains.

“I can think of no action at the moment that would require your services Cheng Mao. So go and fight where you find the enemy. I will send you word when i march in force against them.” Gongsun Zan said clasping the man’s arm tightly as if trying to imbue him with his own will before turning away himself and going back to his own room.