This story centers around Cai Wengi of Kessen 2 however it is a blend of characterisations from Dynasty Warriors, Romance of Three Kingdoms (novel and game) and Kessen II.

Fair Trade

Chapter 1

Another One Bites The Dust

"You didn't kill him, did you?" Cai Yong looked at the pasty Cao Gun's body in the bed. He nervously tugged on the sleeves of his robe and looked to his daughter. What was this? Husband number four?

"No, he just…died." Cai Wengi sighed. This didn't look good for her. So far she had been very unlucky with marriage, but this had to be the most influential husband yet. Now he was dead as well. Her initial instinct had been to run to Zhang Liao but it would only make her look guilty. She resisted and went to her father for help, trying to keep her lover out of this. She looked up as her father-in-law burst into the room; he looked agitated and she knew that someone had woken him up.

"You woke me for this?" Cao Cao hissed and looked back at the trembling scribe.

"I asked him to, my lord." Cai Yong stepped forward and bowed. He heard the scamper of his assistant as the young lad ran away.

Cao Cao stepped up to the bed and looked at his son. He frowned distastefully. At least the idiot could have died with his mouth closed. "He's dead, what do you want me to do about it?"

"Well, being that he's your son…" Cai Yong hesitated.

"Dead son." Cao Cao shrugged and looked over at Cai Wengi. He scratched his chin. He might not be fully awake, but a genius's mind was always sharp and he had already found a way to capitalize on this tragedy. "My dear, allow me to console you while your father removes your late husband's body from your room."

Wengi wrapped her arm around her lord's and left the room with him. She felt like she owed him an explanation. "He died in his sleep…"

"Well Cao Jin was always a weakling." Cao Cao shrugged.

"He was Cao Gun." Wengi corrected him.

"Whatever." Cao Cao led her over to the balcony that overlooked the courtyard. "I know of your relationship with my general, Lady Cai."

Wengi bit her lip and grabbed his hand. "My lord, Liao is innocent. I…seduced him."

Cao Cao started to laugh and then cleared his throat as he noticed several servants giving him that startled, disgusted look. "My dear, Zhang Liao is anything but innocent and if Diao Chan couldn't seduce him…no one can. I appreciate the attempt to spare him however, that was not my point. I really couldn't care less about how Cao Jie died; the fact of the matter is that you are available again."

She thought better of correcting him again and looked up at his devious grin. "My lord?"

"You used to be engaged to Ma Chao, I do believe he was to be husband number one before I killed his father. Correct?"

"Yes." She nodded.

"Deliver him to me and I will arrange for you and Liao to be married." He smiled.

Wengi gulped. Could she do that? Sure she had walked away from Chao when revenge took him over, but….

"Zhang Liao loves you. I'm not going to let a friend and my best general marry a woman who still harbors some love for a man who is my sworn enemy. I've read your poetry, my dear, and it is very clear what you still feel." Cao Cao stroked his goatee.

"You want Ma Chao dead; you don't want to protect Liao…." She fired back.

"I want both. It's just convenient that these two overlap. Ma Chao for Zhang Liao, a fair trade." Cao Cao rubbed her arm compassionately. "Think that over while you grieve for Cao Gan."

Cai Yong panted and dabbed the sweat from his brow as he and his young apprentice tried in vain to roll the body of Cao Gen from the bed. "Try to roll him that way; I'm sure he'll bruise if he hits the ground."

"Let's get one of the strong generals to help, sir?" The apprentice plead.

Cai Wengi stepped back into the room. "Father…"

The elder Cai used the opportunity to get out of of his laborious task. "You shouldn't be in here, not now."

Wengi noticed the exasperated look on the apprentice's face as her father escorted her out the door. "What have you heard of Ma Chao recently?"

"My dear, you can't be thinking on the past. He is our enemy now. I'm sure Lord Cao will find a more….resilient husband for next time."

"Has he changed?" She ignored her father's redirection.

"Last I heard he was still consumed by his anger, a fact that was amplified by his recent loss of his wife and family. They were…chopped up and tossed over the gate at him." Yong grabbed her arm. "Why do you ask?"

"I think it best if I go home and grieve, get away from the turmoil here. I just was curious if he was there."

"Home." Yong nodded. "Yes, I think that might be a worthwhile journey. I can gather intelligence for our lord, to soothe over any ill will caused by his son's passing."

Wengi watched him go back to the room to try and dispose of the body. She looked around the quiet courtyard and wondered if she was capable of betraying a man she once loved. Perhaps part of her still loved him, even though she knew that man died with his father. Even as she contemplated her own will to carry out her mission, she felt bad for him. She began to cry out of frustration. The decision wasn't easy and she wanted to tell someone. More than anything she wanted to run to Liao and cry into his strong shoulder and have his scent envelop her and ease away her pain.

The funeral was very brief and Wengi did her best to compose a solemn poem to recite as a elegy. Cao Cao seemed pleased and seemed eager to talk with her. She wondered if he was simply anxious to know of her decision or simply trying to escape his son's mother.

"Needy little bitch." Cao Cao mumbled under his breath as he broke free of the woman who was trying to use her dead son to get closer to the man who fathered him. He pushed past several insignificant officers and to the young widow's side. He would occupy these fools and give her a chance to run to Zhang Liao later. "Have you made a decision?"

"I will be going home to grieve." She said simply. She noticed his eyes dance with amusement.

"I do recall that you used to be quite a spitfire, your sorcery earned you quite the reputation with the Qiang." He straightened the crown upon his head and smiled.

"Until I was captured by barbarians and forced to endure hell as a concubine." She looked away.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to conjure up bad memories." Cao Cao said solemnly. "However I know you were quite talented."

"Talent to got me in that position." She crossed her arms indignantly. "Must we dwell on this?"

"I'll keep these fools occupied. Go say goodbye to Liao." He paused as she looked at him curiously. "I hope you appreciate this."

She rested peacefully cradled in his arms. "I have to go or I'll cause trouble for you."

Zhang Liao ran his hands through her hair as she stroked his beard. "That argument is not winning me over."

"Liao, I don't think I'm worthy of you yet."

"Nonsense."

"No. I can't let go of my past." She closed her eyes. He didn't know about Chao and she herself wasn't too sure what seeing him again would do to her. Liao only knew what torture she had endured while being a captive, he wanted to protect her and make her feel safe. "I used to be a good fighter. I used to do more than wield a pen."

Liao stayed silent. He knew he had to let her go back and face her demons, his protection would only allow her to hide. He wanted her to stay, and it was selfish, but he had an uneasy feeling. She was a very unlucky woman. "How long will you stay?"

"Father wants to inspect the city, so it will be at least four or five months." She nuzzled into his neck. "I'll be fine."

"When you come home, I want to ask Cao Cao for permission to marry you."

"He knows I'm not worthy enough of you." She sighed. She had to prove her loyalty and devotion first. She hated keeping the secret, especially from him, but he'd never allow her to leave otherwise.

"Stop." Liao kissed her forehead. "I thought you were supposed to let go of your past."

"We'll see if I can't find the strength I had when I was young."