He looked up to the sky from the opened window beside him, seeing black or sometimes dark blue with stars glittered to accompany moon to shine and gave light to people beneath them. Months had passed, and seconds left every single minute. Times could not be repeated, as he could not return back to his birth town; or else he would endanger himself in either loyalty or his own life.

He closed his eyes and he reminded himself that he stood on the land under the banner of Shu, with personal pride that astounded everyone that he was hand-picked by the sleeping dragon himself because of his prowess that had been proved not just by the rumors spread through ears.

Back to reality, it was not the time to sleep. Not even a yawn came out from his throat or the dizziness to sign him to rest himself, as he was happy to have his stomach filled with fine-cooked dinner since minutes ago.

Strategy books were spread opened, white-feathered pens beside them. His tutor was out for a reason, leaving him all alone, again.

Lonesome filled him and silence surrounded him, before he heard some giggles and light yet friendly chatters were heard from outside the study room. The door was slightly gaped since the sleeping dragon was in a rush, as he expected someone to open it and accompany him with at least; a talk.

But the noise gradually faded away, never came back. They may be too busy with the chatters or they did not know he was there. None's fault, but it still made him sighed.

He might have expected everyone too much. No warriors that fight against another would be friend easily with someone who had been newly defected to them, especially when he was from their lord's enemy.

Or better yet, he knew that most of Shu officers rivaled themselves with his previous kingdom.

He deeply sighed after remembering that, closed the books and stood, seeing the scene behind wooden-framed window.

River sparkled by the lights from above it, yet he saw a figure fought against another. 'Why would Shu Han fights against each other? Unless…'

He then jumped out of the window as it was not fenced with anything, took his trident and approached the figures. He heard 2 men shouted some battle-cries, fought in full spirit.

He was somewhere behind a bush nearby them, still trying to adjust his eyes from the candle-lit room to the darker outdoor. He blinked several times, and was finally able to see what in front of him.

A man in blue and silver with his hair low-ponytailed behind fought someone with a shining helmet with white hair under black armor. They were familiar, especially the blue ones as he had ever met him when he was still serving under Cao Wei.

Once when the white haired man stopped to have more breath, he signed something to the other, stopping from fighting.

'Signaling to stop for a breath? Since when opponents would agree that...?'

He went approach them in curious, still holding his weapon in both grips. The men saw him approaching, and readied themselves if there was any offense from him. But they lowered their weapons down when the man in ponytail said so to the panting officer.

"What? Zhao Yun, who is he?" The man with helmet asked, observing the prodigy from up and down. The other stared at him with an annoyed look.

"He has been months joining us and you still don't know who he is?" He replied, and the other blinked for several times innocently with no answer given. He then shook his head in disbelief, while the Zhuge Liang's protégé stopped walking in front of him, listening to them. Zhao Yun then continued, "Jiang Wei, please introduce yourself to Ma Chao…"

Jiang Wei dismissed his eyes from having a contact to the older man to Ma Chao, "I am Jiang Wei from Tian Shui…"

"Ma Chao." He simply responded, and glanced at the trident Jiang Wei brought, "You're a warrior… How can't I see you before?"

'This is an annoyance…' "I think I spend my time on the room, study with prime minister…"

"Too much spending, for the exact…" Ma Chao playfully said, and stood. "Right… Since when do you know each other?"

"Battle of Tian Shui…" Both of the ponytailed spearmen answered at the same time, making Ma Chao raised an eyebrow,

"So… You were enemies and friends by a second?"

Jiang Wei stared at the ground after listening Ma Chao's respond, "About friends, I—"

"What's wrong?" Zhao Yun asked, put a palm on his shoulder. Jiang Wei startled and looked at the warriors whom seemed to be concerning,

"I… I didn't know that I've been friends with anyone… I'm sorry saying this…" Jiang Wei tilted his head down, and started to leave, "Excuse me, gentlemen…"

"Jiang Wei!" Zhao Yun stopped him, as he turned around, "We're friends… What made you said that?"

"But… We were enemies, yet lord Ma Chao did not know me…"

Ma Chao chuckled, "As long as you're in Shu, you're a friend…"

Jiang Wei smiled at his seniors, "Thank you…" The others glad and smiled at him, before their 6 feet headed them back to castle.

The night breeze shivered them lightly by every step they took; feeling the air that pushed the river flowed to the lower ground and ended up to the sea. The young man shook his head with a smile still appeared on his face, could not believe in what he had just heard after spending all of his time by loneliness, even when he was still accompanied by his mentor who chased after him desperately to succeed him for the later time.

"So… Why didn't you meet me after the battle, Jiang Wei?"

A groan was out from white-horse rider after the dragon of Chang Shan hit him on his back head, either trying to shut his mouth from saying other embarrassing question or to let their moment passed by the peace sound of outdoors, where crickets showed off their melodies and moon brightly showing them the way home.

"Oh, and Jiang Wei, I hope we'll have a match some time."

"Yes, my lord."

"Ma Chao! You're ruining the moment!"