"I Can See for Miles" [Ning}

[Sun Renxian]

~~~~~

Let's get down to business 

To defeat the Huns. 

Did they send me daughters 

When I asked for sons?

~~~~~

Ever since her father had died Ren had never really made much effort to ride along the Chang Jiang river, it was something that she and her father would often do when she was growing up. 

She would often count down the days a till her father came to get her, it was one of the happiest memory’s she has of her father. She holds on to them like does life.

Quan had never let his sister just wonder around without someone he trusts to keep her safe, when she was child she would often drive the palace guards crazy. After all she knew all the ways in and out of the palace

At present she has arrived at the docks her intent was to board her ship and take a nice cruse down the river just like she had done with her father so long ago. But today she was under the care of Gan Ning, her father trusted him.

She smiled as she watched her guards load her command ship with wine and food, after all it was the least she could do, after all ning was kind of babysitting her. If anything was to happen to the Princess on his watch there would be hell to pay.

After the provisions where loaded she would step out of her carriage then joined shortly by her own guards. For today the Princess and Heir to the throne of Wu was under his care her brother trusted him and she trusted her brother as she as always done and always will.

Tagged: Gan Ning
Setting: Early Morning 

Made by Riley at THQ!

[Gan Ning]

It was early morning yet in the land of Eastern Wu. The Southlands always had a glitter about it that made Gan Ning call it home, though he was born in the mountains of Yi. The sea was his adoptive home - it took him in when he was wayward and because of it, he had found a cause. Serving his new lord Sun Quan for the past few years had shown him that he had made a good decision in lords this time around. His previous masters... Not so much, considering they were both dead now.

Xingba let loose a yawn that could wake a lion, still sleepy though he had been up for some time. His lord had given the former pirate a task, one that he would hope to fulfill with relative ease. It sounded simple enough - watch over his younger sister, the Princess of Wu. Gan Ning knew that she could be a troublemaker at times, but she was an adult and could look after herself physically anyways. Still, he knew he could not falter even the slightest in his task, lest his head find itself detached from his body. It was the price to pay for serving such a man.

Still, Gan Ning had no fear of penalty in his mind when he began his ride down to the docks, where the Princess' ship lay docked. Today, he wore something similar to his younger days; topless, but wearing loose pants and boots, sword sheathed at the hip. Though he thought this would be a peaceful day, anything could happen. He did not go anywhere without at least one weapon, a lesson he learned as a youth. Always be prepared.

It was not a long horse ride from his current residency, which was a small estate for stationed officers. Jian Ye had a mess for the officers to live in, who stayed and left too often to be given permanent estates in the city. It was a bit closer to the docks than the palace, giving Xingba plenty of time to let his horse take a slow trot rather than be in haste.

After a short while, the sea grew larger and larger in Gan Ning's vision, giving him butterflies. He loved the sea; its vastness, beauty, and how calm but temperamental it could be. He had lived his entire adult life around it and wanted to live much longer beside and on it. One ship in particular had plenty of ruckus around it, one of the grandest vessels in the port. He could tell by the flags that it was the Lady's ship. Gan Ning could only admire the impressive boat as he approached it. Only the best for the royal family, he supposed. One day, he'd have himself a massive flagship and a fleet, if he could prove himself. He'd rule the seas.

His daydreams broke from a neigh by his horse. Xingba had arrived at his destination. He gave an audible laugh and quickly jumped off of the horse, patting it on the head and handing it to a stable boy nearby to take care of. It wasn't his problem at the moment. His problem now was...

Standing not too far from him. Lady Sun was getting out of her carriage and being escorted by her guards. Her focus was on the progress of the ship, and what was being loaded onto it. It sure seemed like a lot for a short cruise, but Ning paid it little mind. Not one for formalities beyond names, Gan Ning rapidly approached Sun Ren and waved at her.

"Hey, Princess!" the large man, over ten years her senior but still looking young, exclaimed. "Going for a little cruise aren't we?" Xingba laughed as his every muscle on his torso was further exposed to the sun, being more out in the open now, his tanned skin absorbing the heat for the solid muscles underneath. Gan Ning loved the sun and open air almost as much as the sea. Today was going to be a good day, he thought, awaiting her response.

[Sun Renxian]

~~~~~

You're the saddest bunch I ever met 

But you can bet before we're through 

Mister, I'll make a man 

Out of you. 

~~~~~

Now unlike her brother Ren did not really force any one to use equate it was more optional but for Ning, well he was unique to say the most but she enjoyed seeing officers being themselves around her.

She may be a princess of Wu but she found the change refreshing, she was always around officials and they bored her half to death with their constant bricking

She had brought way to many supplies with her but she wanted to make a day of it so to speak, and she heard that Ning liked wine, she had made sure she had loaded some, it was her way of saying thank you for babysitting.

She just wanted to feel the wind on her skin and maybe even see her father’s spirit reflected in the waves well one could hope in reality he was in the ground.

Not that she would ever stop believing that he was watching her grow. She nodded to Ning as he spoke saying. “"Hey, Princess!" Going for a little cruise aren't we? She giggled a little at his comment.

“That’s the plan general I have took the liberty of loading supplies most of it is wine and food, looks like you’re my escort you know the seas better than me. And it gives me time to try out my new command vessel.”

Tagged: Gan Ning
Setting: Early Morning

Made by Riley at THQ!

[Gan Ning]

Xingba's eyes lit up as the heard the mention of wine and food. The Princess sure knew how to get him on her good side, though her relation to his lord, not to mention her beauty and rambunctious personality, assured she pretty much always had to be. He also grinned at her jab at his naval skills. It was true, he was tuned into the sweet music of the sea. Gan Ning knew how to sail almost any vessel; it just took some figuring to get the specifics of where each important part of the specific boat was. Anybody could take a boat on a simple cruise down the Jiang Dong, though.

"You're too kind, milady," Gan Ning began with a chuckle. "Even if your brother had not asked me here today, I'd still enjoy being on the river. Your presence is a bonus, not a hindrance, I would think; not to mention your boat is better than mine." The last comment he said with a hearty laugh, hoping she'd appreciate his humor.

Glancing back over at the preparations on the boat and docks, it seemed as though the workers were just loading up the last of the boxes. That was their cue to get on, the former pirate supposed, so he glanced back at Lady Sun. He would lead her to the loading plank of the ship, stepping aside to allow her through.

Ever the gentleman, Ning stated with a grin on his face, "Ladies first, Princess." Xingba would allow her to pass and whatever guards were required to stay with her through, then follow suit, sneaking a peak into one of the leftover crates on the docks. Sure enough, he saw jugs of something, and that would be wine, if Sun Ren was correct. Ah, today will be a fine one indeed, Gan Ning thought to himself.

[Sun Renxian]

~~~~~

Tranquil as a forest 

But on fire within. 

Once you find your center 

You are sure to win. 

~~~~~

You're too kind, milady," Gan Ning Even if your brother had not asked me here today, I'd still enjoy being on the river. Your presence is a bonus, not a hindrance, I would think; not to mention your boat is better than mine.

She would giggle again she found him amusing, and could see why her brother had told her to watch out for his witty humour and charms. But she was not about to let that get in the way of having fun on her new command boat.

“Well I am a princess after all, how would it look if we were heading into combat and the moment I give an order my boat springs a leak? I’ll talk to my brother to see if we can’t get you some better ships.”

She nodded as she began to walk onto the ship followed by about six guards, they had happened to be her most trusted. They had been with her though every single battle she had ever fought up to this point.

Once she was on board she would pause for a moment to look around it, her brother really did go all out on her boat makes the other ones look bad, she would have to talk to her brother about the rest of the fleet.

“Well you have to hand it to my brother general he sure knows how to make a boat stand out not that I’m complaing but it does kind of standout don’t you think.” She giggled and looked to him with a smile,

“Well what are you waiting for let’s get going shall we daylight won’t last for ever.” She had never been this happy to have her own boat, it felt good really good.

Tagged: Gan Ning
Setting: Early Morning

Made by Riley at THQ!

[Gan Ning]

Gan Ning could only stand and smile as she giggled in reactions to his own witty comments. His devilish charm was working, to say the least. She made a fair point - the leaders should have the best ships in battle, though by the looks of it, this ship wasn't going to stand up to too many wars. If it did, it would be getting a facelift to repair all the damages it would take. It was a mighty fine vessel, though, better than any he'd ever been on, save for the Wu flagship. His own ship was not too shabby, but it wasn't that great, either. Despite the years he had put into the service of his lord, Xingba had not proven his worth yet. Perhaps the Princess' input would help expedite the process of getting him recognized. He had played but a small role in Chi Bi and the subsequent battles.

He would have to focus on the task at hand. Xingba listened to the Princess talk as she looked over the ship carefully and oversaw its final preparations. Then she eagerly hurried him to take the helm of the ship. Hopefully she was not going to be the captain of this ship, if she didn't already know how to sail. Luckily for the both of them, the crew seemed very able and already had the masts set up to be quickly let out when they got a bit away from shore. Gan Ning looked up at the flags, flying downriver, and grinned, turning back to the Princess as he grabbed the helm of the vessel.

"Princess, we're in luck. You picked a fine day to set sail, it looks like the wind will be with us today." They had already set out a plan of travel, just to go downriver and back, though how far was not specified. A one-day cruise was many times shorter than a multi-day trip. She had not really said, but his orders were to stick with her and watch over her; keep her safe. He was doing just that was going to have a blast doing so.

Seeing everything ready, Gan Ning called out to the crew, "Alright! We're casting off! Cut the lines and get us out to sea!" The crew would quickly go to work, untying the chains keeping them docked and getting a massive push off the dock, seeing the boat in a low motion down river. Once they had attained a distance from the shore and docks, Ning yelled out again to the crew to raise the masts.

It took but a few moments for the prepared crew, who had already loosened and readied the ship for unleashing the masts. They were a thing of beauty when they were allowed to roam free. First the main mast raised, then the jibes. The ship kicked a little as the wind filled the sails and carried the ship, much faster now, down the Jiang Dong. Gan Ning let out a boisterous laugh and gripped the helm, turning it a bit to shift the rudders slightly to and fro. The feeling of the wind rushing against his bare torso was a bit chilling at first, but became soothing afterwards.

"Ah, Princess! I just love the open water. Your ship is magnificent, indeed. I could get used to this..." Xingba muttered out the last comment, though it was audible enough for Sun Ren to hear. He turned to her, knowing that the ship was right and all he had to do really was hold onto the helm and keep it straight.

"So, what made you decide you wanted to sail today? It couldn't be just to get some fresh air, there's plenty of that in the forests and meadows. I've never known you for the sea type, Princess." Xingba pushed a few questions her way, trying to strike up a conversation. If they were going to spend a whole day together, then he'd get the most out of it. The former pirate had not spoken to her too much before and wanted to get to know her. This was just the first step in that process.

[Sun Renxian]

~~~~~

You're a spineless, pale pathetic lot 

And you haven't got a clue. 

Somehow I'll make a man 

Out of you

~~~~~

Her father was the one that had always done the steering on their day trips as she called them, but most times Ren was too glued to the sights and sounds that one could hear and see.  She knew that Ning really had no idea why he was pulled away from his duties to babysit a princess, but it was an order from her brother and no loyal officer would ever refuse it.  

It was only a matter of time before the question would be asked, and she would never lie to someone who was tasked with her safety. She was the next in line to rule Wu so she had to stay alive no matter the cost. She simply ran to the front of the ship as it began to move, she did the same thing when she was a kid, it would scare her father to the point where he thought she might fall in. 

Ah, Princess! I just love the open water. Your ship is magnificent, indeed. I could get used to this...” she was still in talking distance of him so they could both hear each other the waves themselves remained calm.“Well if you like it then I will ask if you can take over my travel arrangements by sea from now on if you would like, my brother trusts you enough to put me in your care so why should I not ? 

"So, what made you decide you wanted to sail today? It couldn't be just to get some fresh air, there's plenty of that in the forests and meadows. I've never known you for the sea type, Princess.The question she knew he would ask why she was there, she had no reason to lie to him so she would tell him the truth. She knew they would have to bond so why not make the first move.  

“My father… took me out when I was a child we use to sail up and down the river and tell me stories about my grandparents and some of the old legends that have been passed down about this river. i do not have much to remind me of my father, but this is one of the memoirs i hold most dear to me.

Tagged: Gan Ning
Setting: Early Morning
Words: 410

Made by Riley at THQ!

[Gan Ning]

Gan Ning could still clearly hear the princess as she walked forward on the deck, bringing herself to near the front of the boat. Though the view was amazing from where he was at the helm, it still had to be even better there. Xingba was the captain of the ship at the moment, though, so he would not move. When she mentioned trusting him enough to pilot her vessel more often, his eyes lit up and a grin spread across his face. Sailing this beast would be amazing! And it drove masterfully, cutting through the relatively calm water with ease. There were few other boats passing them, though none as massive as the Princess', and there was just a smooth wind; nothing to create much chop. Not that it mattered. This beast could chew a storm up and spit it back out, the former pirate would bet.

Stuttering a bit in surprise, Xingba managed to get out, "Y-you would let me have that honor? I would love to. Thank you." And then came her next question. She had paused, then began to tell him about how her father did what Ning was doing now, though obviously she would have been much, much younger - a child. She was ripe in her very early twenties, while the Wu officer was 35 - though he would never let you believe his age started with a 3 - but Sun Jian had died a long time ago. The man responsible, Huang Zu, had met his demise at the hand of Sun Quan, shortly after Gan Ning had deserted the man to serve Wu.

Gan Ning would remember that day well. Sun Quan got his revenge on the man who slew his father. Something changed in him that day and he suspected that many others saw it as well as he did. He was still the fair man he was before, but it still took a lot out of him to order the officer's death. It was different killing a man outside of a battle than it was during - Ning knew that from experience.

Gan Ning let out an audible exasperation. He was hoping she wasn't trying to call him old by letting him be the one to sail her ship. He certainly was a little too young to have fathered her, anyways. Hopefully she meant it in a good way, because he knew the man was ferocious and just. One unafraid of his own ambition but would not sacrifice his morals for it; a terror on the battlefield - truly somebody to look up to.

"I'm sorry, Princess. I'll try to honor his memory. I know he was a great man and, judging by his kids, a great father. I guarantee you he is smiling now when he looks upon you in the Heavens. I'll tell you what - I don't know about legends of heroes past, but I do know that you can call upon me any time you need, my lady." Gan Ning then grew quiet as soon as he stopped, just keeping his rip on the helm and watching over the ship and the river around him. Then his eyes fell upon the beauty at the front of the ship, thinking of her response. He smiled. If she was not the lord's sister...

[Sun Renxian]

~~~~~

Time is racing toward us 

'til the Huns arrive. 

Heed my every order 

And you might survive. 

~~~~~

“Y-you would let me have that honor? I would love to. Thank you." She smiled once again as she looked back towards him, her boat needed an able captain she had no idea how it fight boat to boat.
 “General my flag ship requires an able captain one who knows how to fight and command on the open seas, sadly my father taught be how to fight on land and not on water.”

She simply turned her head back towards the bow of the ship as the wind would lightly blow her hair around a bit, she really was not one for worrying about her hair right now. She wanted to have fun for once.
 

"I'm sorry, Princess. I'll try to honour his memory. I know he was a great man and, judging by his kids, a great father. I guarantee you he is smiling now when he looks upon you in the Heavens.” She let his words sink in for just a moment be four speaking saying.


“You have no need to be sorry you were not part of Wu when my father passed away, so it is not like you could have prevented it, your right he was a great dad, I always felt safe when I was around him. she knew no one was to blame but she deep down she still wished the officers had seen the ambush ahead of time 

Tagged: Gan Ning
Setting: Mid Morning
Words: 410

Made by Riley at THQ!

[Gan Ning]

Gan Ning grinned as she talked about needing an able captain. Though he could not prove it much today, he thought himself a damn good sailor.

"Only the best for the Princess, even in boat captains," he said with a wink. And then she began to talk about her father, bringing his mood down. Talking about Sun Jian was depressing. Ning's smile faded quickly, trying to change the subject to improve their moods.

"Well, I hope you can grow to feel safe with me captaining your ship. I'll take you out like this anytime." They were truly blessed by what a wonderful day it was. A good, strong breeze carried the boat downstream but otherwise, the sky was mostly clear of overcast and the water was not very choppy at all. Just a nice swim down the Jiang Dong.

"So, how is it being Princess? I know I'd hate being cooped up and pampered. I love me a good sail down the sea or a fight too much. " He knew that she had relative free reign, but he had to say something to get her to stop talking about her father. Xingba didn't want that awkward, depressing conversation to keep going at all. Most of him just thought it was sad, but a little part of him said, Don't let her compare him to you.

[Sun Renxian]

Sun Ren You're unsuited for the rage of war  So pack up, go home you're through  How could I make a man  Out of you? -------------------------------- "Only the best for the Princess, even in boat captains," She smiled once again he was not as bad as others had told her, as for as ex pirates go he is one of the better ones that she has ever had the chance to meet. She would often get raided but that never ended well for the ones doing the raiding, she looked to him again and spoke saying. “Don’t be so modest general we are here to have fun are we not.” She said with a smile she was really starting to enjoy the ride, she had to stop talking about her father as it would often depress her and sometimes make others sick when she keeps brining the topic up "Well, I hope you can grow to feel safe with me captaining your ship. I'll take you out like this anytime.” “I might take you up on that general its safer then land at least in some respects anyhow. "So, how is it being Princess? I know I'd hate being cooped up and pampered. I love me a good sail down the sea or a fight too much.” “I refused to be one of them stay at home princess that plays house or dress up. It annoyed my mother but she only wants to keep my safe. Saying that i am the crown princess of Wu so when I’m out in the field chances are I have an army to keep me from harm.”