The city of Xiapi was the last remaining city of the warlord Lu Bu. In a desperate attempt for an alliance with Yuan Shu, another warlord to the south, Lu Bu agreeded to sending his daughter Lu Lingqi to him. Originally, he wanted to strapped her to him and ride out, but his officers and advisors agrued against it, so he relunctantly sent her out with a small force. He ordered his military advisor, Gao Shun to prepare the escort while he go talk to his daughter.Gao Shun order for a small handful of soldiers to gather near the south gate. He had summoned his son to the south gate as well.

"Father, did you summon me?" a voice called out from behind Gao Shun. He turns to see a young man wearing armor.

"Gao Xing, good, you've arrived." Gao Shun said as he patted Gao Xing's shoulder. "You have come to the age fifteen where you can serve our lord now. I have a mission I need you to complete at all costs."

Yes, Father." Gao Xing replied, as he bowed to accept his first order.

"I need you to escort our lord's daughter to Yuan Shu's forces in Shouchun." Gao Shun continued. "You MUST protect her at all costs."

"I will Father." Gao Xing replied, still keeping his head down.

Gao Shun stared at his son for a moment without saying a word. He placed his hands on Gao Xing's shoulder once more and left it there. Gao Xing looked up at his father confusingly.

"Is something wrong Father?" Gao Xing asks, worried with how his father was acting. His father usually showed a stoic expression and never express himself.

"Nothing." Gao Shun said as he smiled, something that Gao Xing had rarely seen his father do. "Have you been maintaining your armor? What about your weapons?"

"Yes Father, I have. I checked them just before coming here." Gao Xing replied. He pulls out his sword that was hoisted on his waist to show his father.

"Good. The worst thing that can happen in battle is your weapon breaking. You must remember to properly maintain them." Gao Shun replied, nodding with approval for the state of his son's sword. "One more thing. Here." Gao Shun motions for one of his men to bring over a horse. "This horse is for you. Her name is Yinglong. Treat her well."

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Gao Xing was estactic. His father rarely spoiled him, and was usually strict. He could not believe his good fortune of recieving a horse as his first gift from his father.

"Yes Father. I will." Gao Xing shouted in excitment. He reached out to pet the horses head. He then notice hagging on the saddle was a spear. He looked at it and was about to ask about it when his father spoke first.

"That spear is also a gift. A sword is good, but a spear is far better when fighting in battle as it has a much longer range." Gao Shun said as he walked over to pick up the spear and handed it over to Gao Xing. "I didn't think we would be at war before I got to teach you how to properly use on, but I know you will manage. Make sure to pratice with it whenever you have time to get used to it."

Gao Xing nodded and grabs the spear from his father. Dispite how it looked, it was fairly light and easy to carry. He turns to give a few thrusts in front of him into the air to test it. Seems easy enough to him. He then notice another man approaching them, wearing an officer's armor. He stood up straight.

"Master Zhang Liao!" Gao Xing called out. He then bowed to show respect to the officer.

"Gao Xing. Are you preparing for battle?" Zhang Liao asked.

"Yes. I am to be escorting our lord's daughter to Yuan Shu's forces." Gao Xing replied.

"Oh ho. So you are finally old enough that Master Gao Shun can send you out to carry out orders now?" Zhang Liao asked. He patted Gao Xing's shoulder and smiled. "You must prove yourself here Gao Xing."

"I will Master Zhang Liao." Gao Xing replied confidently.

"It is good to be confident, but you must remember to never underestimate your enemies." Zhang Liao warned. "For it would be too late to react when they are more than you had thought them to be."

"I will remember that Master Zhang Liao." Gao Xing replied meekly.

Zhang Liao laughed, and then walked over to Gao Shun to greet him. Gao Shun looked over to his son and called out.

"Go check your men. Make sure they are prepare. Afterwards go check the provisions for the trip."

"Yes Father." Gao Xing replied and hurried over to Yinglong, and pulled her away towards the gathering of soldiers.

"Are you worried Master Gao Shun?" Zhang Liao asked while watching Gao Xing run off.

"What father wouldn't worry for their son's first battle." Gao Shun replied as watching Gao Xing.

"What is there to worry about. Have you not make him read Sun Tzu's Art of War and Wu Qi's Wuzi?" Zhang Liao asked.

"I have. But knowing it and executing it are two different things Master Zhang Liao." Gao Shun replied. "It will be his first time leading men in battle. Scrolls can't teach about emotions on the battlefield."

"That is true. But I believe he may have talent. And his marital powess is good for someone so young." Zhang Liao replied.

The two remained quiet for a moment and watched as Gao Xing addressed his men. Zhang Liao taps Gao Shun on the shoulder, and motions for them to head back and walked back the way he came. Gao Shun followed. He peeked back once more at his son, and then walked away.