A day of Mourning (Ying Xiang)

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian took the seat and smiled, as he clapped his hands as servants came piling in, putting trays of food on the table and plates near each person round the table, before they stood back and leaned against the wall incase they were needed.

Sun Jian picked up his glass and tapped it so it sounded like a bell before standing up for his grand speech, "We gather here today to celebrate the victory that my son, our strategist and one of our high officials, earnt for us as they ensured the safety of the people while changing the hearts of the people that live here in Jian Ye. For those that do not know me well, at the age of seventeen, it was I, Sun Jian, that fought off a ship full of pirates who threatened our border using a mist tactic so it appeared I had a full army, when really I was by myself. Our common foe was the pirates and bandits, but now since the decay of the Han that the whole land is in turmoil and I could not sit around at home and do nothing. We have conquered Lu Jiang and Jian Ye without causing too much bloodshed. I do not like so much bloodshed which is why I ordered a diplomatic solution which was rejected. A shame really. But we must all remember all those that have lost their lives and their familites who continue to mourn their loss. Though the people of Jian Ye were our enemies, the city is now protected than ever before and with Wu now here, you have nothing to fear! So please, drink!".

As he took a sit down and took a breather, before taking some food, while planning his next speech. Sun Jing turned to him, "Brother, remember you can enjoy yourself aswell", then he raised his glass, "Everyone raise your glasses. To Wu! And Lord Sun Jian!"

[Ying Xiang]

After Zhou Yu told her that Liu Yang the man that was sitting in there table was the one that killed her father anger started to boil her blood and her eyes were starting to flame that she stared at him all during the time that Sun Jian was doing his speech. No one noticed but Liu Yang was holding his sword when he saw her look that she was giving him. The two guards that were with him did not notice until he was holding his sword they grab there spear confuse on what was going to happen.

The speech was finish and the people started to eat but she was not eating she got up slowly and grabs her father weapon from her back and looks toward Liu Yang. The guards were going in front of him seeing that she was going to attack. Both the guards were around her now and the Wu guards looked at Sun Jian to know what to do. She started to fight against both of the guards. The guards were both swinging at her and she was reflecting the blows like her father used to do it. The first blow was going toward her legs which she jumped on the spear then kicked the guard in the head while doing a somersault land on her two feet while the first guard falls down uncontious.

The second guard was swinging maddly at the girl which reflected the swings quickly as her father weapon was made for that sort of agility. When the guard was getting out of breath she took her weapon and smashes a blow to his head with the metal blow that was all for the second guard that fell backwards on the chair and breaking it on the landing seeing blood comming out of his head but he was not dead at this moment anyways who said she was not going to finish him off before the end of the day is he gets back up.

Liu Yang was backing toward the corner the fear that was in the eyes was obvious. She lowered her weapon and shoke her head thinking that he was not worth it. Yang then decided to say the words that re regreted. "Just like your father you can injured people but never kill them since it is not in you."

Xiang took his hand and the sword that Yang dropped and cuts his fingers off then does the other hand. The blood was flying the way she used the weapon was tamed by anger that was destroying her inside. Then she cut his right hand off which made Yang cry out for her and also cry in pain. She then cut his right arm and the movement of the weapon was to fast that the guards could not even take a step towards them before that all that was left of Yang was his body and the top half of her knees since she cut off the rest. The blood was falling out like a river that made the floor goar red. She then threw the blade that stabed the man in the stomach.

"Compare to you Liu Yang atleast my father had one thing you ever had the courage and the bravery to fight like a man instead cower in the corner like the rat you are."

[Zhou Yu]

Zhou Yu sensed what was going threw her mind as she stood up, yet he did not make any attempt to restrain her. The man who was indirectly responsible for her father’s death sat near her and he could not deny her the right of vengeance. Perhaps it had been short sited to bring them together, and then again he did not care much for Liu Yao’s well being only for her’s. He was more worried that in her condition she might hurt herself she was not exactly in top shape. She was probably only being kept going by the level of adrenalin her body would be producing to keep her going long enough to achieve her goals. He could see some Wu guards move to intercept her. He raised a hand to indicate they should not interfere, from the look on her face it was lucky for them they did not. Few things were as terrify as a women enraged. This was personal and it seemed better to let it play out. It was quite possible Sun Jian was going to have the man executed anyway.

He stood up only when she had disarmed the guards and turned her attention to Liu Yao. If the man just kept his mouth shut he might walk away from this. Of course he wasn’t that smart, stupid fool. He walked up behind her as she started to cut into him. Not to stop her, he had no right to but because he did not see her walking away from this either. He watched only for the moment her strength gave out, as she dropped the sword he saw it had come. He stepped behind her and put his arms around her as her strength gave out. He simply took her in his arms to support her weight. As far as he was concerned Liu Yao had got what was coming to him. Zhu Huan helped him by picking up Liu Yaos blade and dropping on the floor by the man an easy temptation for him to finish himself off. He thought it would be a bit much to carry on the banquet after that. Instead he carried her to a side room where she could recover. Zhu Huan would bring some food encase she was still hungry.

[Sun Jian]

As Sun Jian had begun to eat his meal peacefully, he heard shoutings across the room which caused him to look up, but already he saw Ying Xiang attack Liu Yao, which was understood, however as the new ruler of Jian Ye, he had to think carefully for what he had to do, as he waved his hands to send the guards to try and stop, but it was too late.

Seeing Sun Jian in deep thoughts and Sun Jing awaiting orders, Wei Huan stood as he began to march down towards Liu Yao, before addressing everyone else, "This is an example for us all, how this chaos has affected each and every one of us. Why we need a strong leader like Sun Jian to unite the land, so no more blood needs to be shed. This is why Sun Jian asked his son to try and persuade Liu Yao to surrender. Liu Yao was weak! A weak-minded fool! If he had surrendered, no blood would of been shed and we would not have lost great officers who will forever be remembered. Liu Yao's arrogance and indecision has brought this to himself. He will be remembered as a fool who would not think of the people he served", he pointed to Sun Jian, "Ever since the age of 17, Lord Sun has fought for Jiangdong without owning a single piece of land, unlike I who was forced to live as a Bandit. But surely you all see, what damage can be done, and that the only way we can all live in peace is under one leadership - under the rule of Sun Jian!", as he raised his glass and gulped it all in one go.

Sun Jian looked back up and smiled, as he stood up, "Today is a day of Mourning! But also a day to realise what is at stake and how precious life is if you don't use it properly", he then continued but talked directly to old supporters of Liu Yao, "Life must go on. To achieve our goal in uniting Jiangdong and bringing peace to the land, we must move on. Even if it takes a whole lifetime, I shall not rest till the chaos is over.....Now, you are all dismissed. Wei Huan, escort our guests to the guest house where food shall be prepared there as we look to the future", clapping his hands once more so the servants took away the food.

Sun Jing smiled then nodded to the officers who instantly turned to leave with him behind, while Wei Huan smiled at Sun Jian and at Ying Xiang, before leading the officials away, until only Sun Jian remained, who entered the side chamber to see if everything is alright.

[Zhou Yu]

Zhou Yu lay her down on a low couch, perhaps this had been before been one of Liu Yao’s personal rooms quite ironic really. Now it served to restore the girl who had just about killed him. Why was he even thinking about that? He knew why, he was worried and his mind was trying to distract itself from the real problem. He knew that she had been weak before it even started but now? No he knew she was strong even if she did not. She just needed a while to recover. He turned and saw Sun Jian enter the room.

“My lord, I apologise for the mess if I had known I would have avoided it. It seems I wasn’t thinking quite clearly.” Zhou Yu said wincing knowing that Sun Jian would not be happy and quite rightly so. No one should execute his guests without his say so. Still he wasn’t worried about that, he just wanted her to be ok. Ah why was his mind racing like this he needed to calm himself as well? He pulled up a chair next to her and pulled out his flute. He blew a gentle soothing tune expanding it slowly and playing better and better as he went along and his mind calmed like a strong wind abating to calm a sea. With his free hand he reached out and took her hand. He could only hope she would be ok.

[Ying Xiang]

Xiang was starting to feel weak and she knew she did not do the right thing taking revenge for her father. She tries to lift her head seeing lord Sun Jian was there and infront of him was the one that own her heart and soul. She slowly sat up on the sofa while shivering from the cold she felt inside of this room and also from the fear on what Sun Jian was going to do with her. She got up slowly almost falling down but got the balance enough to stand up and place her left hand on Zhou Yu shoulder. She then took a knee next to him and lower her head trying not to look at the great tiger of Jiang Dong himself Sun Jian.

"I am in fault here my lord if you have to do something please do it to me and not to Zhou Yu he did not do anything wrong."

Her father weapon was on the ground next to her right hand she just placed it there for a sign of respect to the lord himself and trying not to cry infront of this men since she knows that fear was a big weakness on the officers of Wu. She looked at the window seeing her self executed just in the other side in her mind. The words were coming in her head she was so hungry that she was at the point of starving to her death in either way she will either die now or eat the whole buffet herself alone.

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian still kept his stern face without showing much emotion, so they wouldn't be able to tell if he was pleased or angry, though he was pleased with the speech that Wei Huan and himself was able to pull off to end the banquet on a much more lighter note, but now it was time to decide what actions he needed to take.

He took a deep breath, then took a moment to think of what to say, before lifting his head up and walked over to the window, seeing the officials and Wei Huan infront, before turning to them, "You once told me Zhou Yu that in order to gain people's respect, I must show strength and fear, which is done by having strict punishments for crimes or failure which should be implemented immediately. Your words", before stopping to allow them to speak, while he gathered his thoughts again.

[Zhou Yu]

“....My lord.” Zhou Yu said stunned at how things had suddenly changed and run out of control. Part of him wanted to draw a blade and protect her from the wrath of his lord. While the part of him that was loyal to his friends and nation could not allow that and demanded he stood aside. It was an impossible situation. In this situation it left him only one real option that allowed love and honour to co exist. He looked from Ying Xiang to his lord, tears beginning to fall from his eyes. He had planned to do so much more. He drew his blade then fell to his knees before his lord. He held up offering it to Sun Jian on the palms of his hands. He held his head down exposing his neck.

“My lord I cannot sit by a watch such a thing but neither can I act to prevent it. I ask instead that you allow me to serve this punishment. I offer you my blade, take it and act quickly I beg you.” Zhou Yu said unable to face his love. For his action was in a way cowardly as he would not have to live without her. Yet it was the only action he saw possible. He was trapped between when he knew was right and what his heart knew was destined for him.

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian stood still and listened to Zhou Yu's cries and pleads before offering himself, raising his sword towards him. Taking a short breath so it didn't look like he was hesitating, he took the sword and raised it, admiring the sword, before looking down to them both and bellowed, "What I need to be a strong ruler, is strength and fear, and to punish those who disrupt the law! Therefore...", as he raised his blade higher, ready to swing it, before dropping it onto a table behind him, then dropping himself down so he was to their height.

His eyes now with tears, as his voice returned to a calm and caring tone as he looked at them both and gasped, "...how...can I..hesitate?", before taking a deep breath and adding, "There is more to being a leader than enforcing law, but making sure his officers, his officials and his people respect him. I began my journey in hopes to quell the chaos and bring peace to the land, where people can live in peace and happiness and where families and couples can live together without fear of a war approaching. Back there, you demonstrated Ying Xiang to everyone including me, how close bonds are, and what we aim to achieve, to get rid of corrupt men like Liu Yao who think of themselves as others". He then turned to Zhou Yu, laying his hands on his shoulders, "You have alot more to achieve Zhou Yu. Your words are much wiser than mine, and though I have the strength of a tiger, as we both know, that the mind is much more powerful, and in my mind now, we need people like Ying Xiang to demonstrate to us all what we want to achieve. If I am considered weak, then so be it, but as long as I have the dedication of my officers and the respect of my people, then that would be the person I'd rather be!"

He then stood up, and raised Zhou Yu's sword, "There is only one man worthy enough to carry this for the glory of Wu and our principles and dreams, and that is you Zhou Yu", as he laid it in his palm, same way that he did to him, then brought it down for him to retake, before turning back to Ying Xiang, "Not only your father's loss will be remembered today, but in years to come, your name shall also be remembered"


(OOC: Rushed last bit. Would add more but gtg soon)

[Ying Xiang]

The second she saw Zhou Yu offering his own life for her she frozzed. She could not move a inch her heart was bleeding from the second he offered. She loved the man and could not let him risk his life for her even if she has goal it was her own fault that she would of been executed but she did not know what to do. She had her right arm on her weapon to make sure that if he actually tried to kill him she could atleast stop him and killing either the man her father protected or make Jian realised that she does not want him to die for something that she caused. A tear fell of her face at the same moment that Zhou Yu tear fell.

When the sword was dropped from Sun Jian that dropped it making her notice that Sun Jian could not kill his strategist. He gave the sword back to Zhou Yu. After the words that Sun Jian said that she ignore she noticed that his back was turned to them so she went to Zhou Yu and making him fall on his back with a big hug that she was so happy both of them are alive that it was killing her seeing him at the other side of the blade. She kissed him in the lips with another tear that drop from her eyes and then felt some pain in her leg she looked and saw that she cut herself on the right knee when she hit Zhou Yu sword but she did not even care aslong she was with him now.

"Zhou Yu why did you offer your life for me? I could never forgive my self if he would of actualy killed you. Promise me you will not do anything that damn stupide again please I do not want you to be the next one that I love to be buried."

[Zhou Yu]

Zhou Yu only breathed again as Sun Jian lowered his own sword to the ground. He would not die here today then, good although he had been willing to he was not eager to rush to meet death particularly with such a love now in his life. If he had stopped to think about it for a moment he would have realised that Sun Jian would never slay him. Family and friendship was in some ways more important than anything else in Wu, it was why they would win in the end.

“My lord, truly you are the man I was destined to serve.” Zhou Yu said unable to work up his usual charm and easy manner in the nerve biting conclusion to his own offered sacrifice. His throat felt sore and his eyes stung but they were both alive and Liu Yao probably wasn’t. If that made her happy then it made him happy as well. He practically fell over backwards as she grabbed him from behind embracing him and showing the emotions that they both surly felt for each other. He kissed her deeply not caring for anything else at that moment. China could fall to Wei in that moment and he would not move to prevent it if he had her in his arms. He place one hand on the small of her back and the other near the back of her head as he drew her to him. He seemed to spin on the spot or perhaps it was just his mind as he lost himself in her love. It had been close for a moment but now things were alright again, perhaps better. It seemed to be an eternity before they would eventually draw apart.

“I could not sit by and watch you die, even if it means my own life is forfeit 100 times I would rather pay any price rather than lose you now. Still I intended to make it a policy of mine never to do something stupid ever again.” Zhou Yu said smiling to show he was joking. It was with her alone it seemed that he always played the fool. He noticed that her leg was bleeding. He kneeled down before her and used the sleeve of his robes to halt the bleeding. They were red after all anyway.

[Sun Jian]

Sun Jian smiled, then left them alone. He now had some other things to work out to ensure peace remains in Jian Ye.....

(OOC: Okay your on your own now. Sorry for my delay and for short post but couldn't think of anything else)