The river mist clings to my robes as I stand at the water's edge with Liu Bei. The Yangtze stretches before us, vast and imposing, its surface shimmering with reflected moonlight. Behind us, the camp is quiet, most already asleep, but we remain awake, caught in the gravity of what comes next.

"You shouldn't go," Liu Bei says again, his voice low but carrying over the gentle lapping of water against the shore. "Not alone."

"I won't be alone," I respond, though I know that's not what concerns him. "鲁肃 will accompany me."

He turns to face me fully, and in the moonlight, I can see the conflict in his eyes. "It's not safe. Sun Quan's court is full of those who would see our alliance fail."

"Then I shall make them see reason," I say, matching his serious tone. "I've studied their strengths and weaknesses. I know how to persuade them."

Liu Bei reaches into his sleeve and pulls out a dagger, its hilt worn smooth from years of handling. He presses it into my hand, his fingers lingering around mine a moment longer than necessary.

"Take this," he says, his voice dropping to almost a whisper. "For protection. Keep it close, perhaps... under your pillow."

I can't help but smile at the impracticality. "Under my pillow? It would only give me a headache."

But I close my fingers around the hilt, feeling the warmth of his lingering touch. The weight of the weapon is solid in my hand, a tangible connection to him that will cross the great river with me.