It takes a while before you are brought before a battered and bandaged Du Ping who, along with what's left of his garrison, give you a hearty thanks and a heartier welcome for your help.  He, too, gives Draken a suspicious look before focusing his attention on Shu Ruan.<br/><br/>"I had heard a rumor that you had been assigned to the Duke of Thunder for a time.  I regret to see the matter was not exaggerated.  Surely some fool over-reacted to an easily misunderstood event?  But here you are, most noble Rat, and with such excellent timing.  My loyal men and I owe you our survival this day."<br/><br/>For a longer moment, he seems to wrestle with the problem of whom to address next, a mere woman or the likes of Draken.  Chivalry wins out, and Fox gets the nod.<br/><br/>"As beautiful as you are puissant.  Please be welcome.  I regret that my lady wife is not present, or a more suitable entertainment could be provided.  As you are here, and presumably of the world of lakes and rivers, then a soldier's banquet will suffice?"  He doesn't sound convinced of this, but now Fox has some idea of why this guy is out here instead of somewhere more pleasant.<br/><br/>Finally, he forces himself to smile at Drakken.<br/><br/>"And your defeat of that scoundrel...extraordinary!  Which of the ten thousand schools did you invoke?  But I am remiss...Lord Drakken, please be welcome as our guest tonight."  Yeah, that didn't cost him any self-respect at all.