fever and remedy.

      “Use what you still have,” he suggested. Of course, Han Dang was no strategist, but he knew well of making use of what he did have. For him, that was strength and unbending allegiance. That was what made him of use. “—Take what is yours, my lord. Your father didn’t leave you empty-handed.” The seasoned warrior bowed his head at the mention of the late Sun Jian. His passing had been a tragic one, and something that Yigong frequently beat himself up over knowing full well that he could have done something to prevent it. If he’d only listened to that gnawing, gut instinct—

     "Han Dang, you're a genius!" Sun Ce quickly back inside his quarters, pushed through whatever destruction he made and lo and behold, there it was: The Imperial Seal. His father found it in Luoyang, and he held onto it. Before he died, he gave it to Sun Ce who simply put it away at first because all it did was remind him of his father's passing and how Ce himself believed that none of them were ready to pick up where his father left off. As much as Ce liked to go off on his own and do things his way, part of him always respected his father even if Sun Jian's actions didn't rest well with him. Ce spent these several grueling years under Yuan Shu, and now he was eying the jade dragon he paid little attention to. He snatched it up, headed back outside to Han Dang and held it out.

      "This is it," he said, "this is what we're gonna use to get our freedom and get back to Wujun."

DW MASTERLIST — ACTIVE CHARACTERS

      He was cautious at first, tentative even, but prepared enough to be hit with something in the other’s state of frustration and possible state of temporary amnesia. It happened frequently enough that Han Dang began to expect it, regardless of how familiar Sun Jian’s children might have been with him. Wentai never forgot, but those outside of his immediate family never cared enough to remember his name, let alone who he was.

      “Lord Sun Ce,” he called out, voice hushed due to the tightening of his throat. The general cleared it then as a hand reached back to rub the pads of his fingers against his hairline near the base of his head before taking another breath—enough to call out to draw the impatient conqueror’s attention again:

      “If I may,” he began as his hand dropped, palm presented before him to insist that he did not mean to invoke any offense if his interjection was not to the other’s liking. Yigong wanted to advise the young warlord with the best intentions; through virtues of patience and self-strength, but he felt himself pausing, recognizing the anxious fire within him despite the prevalent irritation, and it reminded him greatly of Sun Jian. As a result, initial proposition changed before it even left his mouth:

      The man agreed that, yes, they were idle for much too long. Yuan Shu would only bring them so much safety, and the House of Sun would go absolutely nowhere. This couldn't be what Han Dang wanted either. Ce had to consider all of his options, even if he was sure that his brother and sister would happily follow whatever Ce said was going to happen. The most appealing option overall had been one location: Wujun. 

    Wujun was the land of his forefathers, and if Ce was going to lead the House of Sun, he wanted to begin from there. It was only natural...and he would need everyone's help, from Han Dang to his sister. Ce would lead the charge but everyone would do their part, and they'd be home where they belonged. But first...

The Meaning of War

Morning Bath!!