Ma Chao was leaning against the crumbling railing, looking out into the night sky. Despite the decayed surroundings of Jiang Si, he felt humbled and peaceful. If there weren't other serious threats to Shu at the moment, he would seriously consider spending the remainder of his days here. After all, he used to live in the neighboring province of Jiang Tong. He would be welcomed here. He belonged Cao Cao still lingered out there, somewhere. The man responsible for the death of his father could not be allowed to roar freely throughout China. Ma Chao could feel his hands gripping the bar he was standing behind, his head filled with images of his father dead, his face at peace but not his spirit. Somehow, someway, Cao Cao would bleed at his feet.

"Ma Chao, what are you doing out here so late?" He turned to see Lord Liu Bei yawning as he moved to stand next to him.

"Just thinking." There was silence for a moment. "My Lord, when are we planning on leaving for Cheng Du?"

"Well, we have been here for the five days of celebration. Perhaps tomorrow or the next day, depending on how soon the army can prepare to depart for home."

Ma Chao nodded. Then a crazy idea came to him. "My lord, what do you think of these leaders of Jiang?"

"I like them very much," Liu Bei answered. "Not only are they fascinating to talk to, but the relationship that they have with their people is astounding. I feel like I am in some sort of utopia here in Jiang Si, despite the ruins that surround us. I wish the rest of the world could feel like this."

"I understand what you mean." He paused for a moment. "Have you considered asking them to join with Shu, my lord?"

Liu Bei turned to look at his trusted officer. "The idea was brought up when we fought with them as a member of the Allied Forces. I was under the impression at the time that they wished for nothing more than to return home. I doubt that they will want to pack up and move again so soon. Why do you ask?"

"I'm not sure. We've spent five days feasting together. We've fought twice together. I feel a strong bond with these leaders, and I am sure they feel the same bond with us. Perhaps it would not hurt to ask for their allegiance again."

"I suppose not," Liu Bei answered. "I guess I could speak to Zhuge Liang about it and see what he thinks." He stood and yawned as he stretched again. "Try and get some sleep, Ma Chao. It's been a long day and you deserve the rest." The officer nodded as his leader retired back into the ruins of the castle. He wasn't sure why he had requested the alliance with Jiang again. He knew, deep down, what their feelings were. Hadn't he felt those same things when he was one of these leaders? Yet he had given it all up for a cause when no one thought he could be persuaded. Loyalty was a funny thing. It burned like fire in one's heart with fury and passion, yet could quickly change for another person. Maybe these flames in their hearts could turn to Shu and burn for the cause of justice…one day…

Across the building, another leaned against the fallen wall of the castle. Yang Xing was a little sore from the fighting and the night ride. Recovering from her back had been harder this time, probably because it had happened twice in such a short span of time. Usually she had a week or more to recover from attacks. Perhaps that had just been because Zhang Jiao was so far away for most of the curse. She shuddered as she remembered the attack despite years of it fading in her memory.

Xing sputtered as the blood of a Yellow Turban warrior sprayed into her eyes and down her throat. The fear was gone now, but her small size made it hard for her to move around and escape the blood that was raining through the air. Two more soldiers jumped in front of her, but she stabbed them in the sides as she ran through them. She needed to find her father and brothers before she was trampled by the crowd.

Something grabbed her ankle and she whipped around, ready to destroy whatever was clutching her. But Xing immediately dropped her rapier when she realized it was her youngest brother, Yu. "Xing," he hissed as she came closer. She knew he was dying, but hot tears still formed behind her eyes. "You must….leave….we cannot beat…..magic….." He sputtered, coughed, and Yu was gone. Xing sniffled and rubbed her eyes to make the tears leave. His death would not be in vain. She swore it upon her life.

Picking her sword and shield up again, she charged into the battle once more. She cried out for Yu, whose body was now food for the worms. She cried out for her other brothers, Bao and Rui, who she knew in her heart shared his fate. She cried out for her mother and sisters, who would run and run but would not make it unless the Turbans were stopped here and now. And, as she came into a clearing, she cried out for her father.

Zhang Jiao and Yang Shui were locked in a battle and it was not going well for the Jiang leader. With each blow his strength left him, and the black magician merely laughed as his opponent was dying before his eyes. Xing gripped her weapon tightly and charged at the pair. Before Jiao knew what was happening, she had swung with all her might at his back. He screamed in pain as her rapier cut through his back. But Xing didn't even have time to raise her sword again when he lifted his hands at her and shouted a curse. She flew backwards into the ground. The cry of her father has he was cut down filled the clearing, and the tears that Xing had been holding began to flow freely. Soon they were tears of pain, for the black magician had made is way over and began a string of curses. There was an explosion, and he was thrown back before the final words could be said.

The retreat horn was sounded, and soon the field was quiet. Xing lay on her stomach. She had no strength to move. She desperately tried to hang on to thoughts of her mother and sisters. But her back began to burn, and blood flowed freely from it as her mother's scream echoed through her head….

"Xing, what is it?" Her eyes shot open as Man Zhu knelt beside her. "You were crying. Are you hurt?"

She shook her head. "No, thank you, Zhu. I was just recalling a painful memory."

"The day you were cursed?" She nodded. "Zhang Rui told me the story of how they found you near death after that. We all regret that it happened. But we're relieved that it's made you stronger. These people love you despite your curse."

"I know, and I love them for their loyalty. But I'm still concerned."

"About?"

She let out a heavy sigh. "My back is still marked. I thought it would fade with the Yellow Turbans, but it hasn't. I'm starting to wonder if I will always have this to warn me of danger." Man Zhu still looked confused. "Well, think about it. When I first suffered from the curse, it was because Zhang Jiao was always near. As we learned magic, it faded a little bit. When we fought with him alongside the Allied Forces, he was near but the pain was not intense. Then, after his death, I go into two fits because his followers had attacked Shu. Maybe there's more to this curse than I thought."

"It's possible. But you also know that no matter what happens with your back, we will always be there to pick you up and help you heal."

Yang Xing chuckled. "You and Ma Chao, apparently. I hope I didn't scare him too badly."

"He was definitely concerned when he carried you in. As was Liu Bei." Zhu faltered for a moment as he stared into the sky. Xing nudged him back and raised an eyebrow at him. "I know we pride ourselves on being the Rebels of Jiang. We don't align ourselves with anyone. But I must admit, I've grown quite fond of these Shu warriors. Especially Liu Bei. He reminds me of my father. He makes me want to be a better leader."

"You're not thinking of leaving us to join Shu, are you?" Xing felt concerned about her friend leaving.

He shook his head. "To join Shu? No. But I was considering a visit. I want to see how Liu Bei rules his people. I want to learn from him and his brothers, and his people. All who are under him praise him highly. I can't explain my feelings, but at the same time I can."

"It's alright, Zhu. I understand what you mean." They looked up into the sky for a few more moments, neither needing to say a word. Xing could tell from their first encounter that Man Zhu would go far. He was young at the time, but full of energy and vision. He strove to be the leader his father was, famed and loved. It didn't surprise her that he would want to visit other lands to learn and become better than his father. But he had become like her brother, and she would be sad to see him leave, even if only for a time. "Well," she said after a while, "I suppose you'll need a bodyguard for your trip to Shu."

His eyes lit up as he turned to her. "Really? You would travel with me all the way to Shu?"

She giggled. "It's only a few days from here. Besides, I don't want you getting any ideas about leaving us entirely." The two of them laughed and began to plan their trip. Yang Xing didn't know why her excitement was building with each new detail. Jiang Si was her home and always would be. At least, she hoped it would. Too many people were counting on that.

Cao Cao had been pacing for over an hour. He couldn't explain where he had picked up the habit. But when he couldn't think straight, he began to walk in circles. The pattern seemed to clear his mind so he could collect his thoughts. And tonight, they were on domination.

It was rare for him to not get his way. Not that he was spoiled by any means. But he had built a vast territory to the north and his power and influence was growing rapidly. Anything that he could not obtain, he simply took for himself. The one thing he had rarely failed in obtaining was officers. To this day, only the great Guan Yu had refused the title from Cao Cao, although he had visited him for a long while. Sure, he had been refused by others. But they had been disposed of years ago. No one said no to Cao Cao and lived. Except…

"Pacing again?" Cao Pi moved from the shadows to the moonlit throne room floor, but his father waved him off and continued his circling. "I've told you, it's not good for you."

"It calms me," the Wei leader shot back. "Unlike your constant nonsense about stopping. What do you want?"

"I was passing by on my way to bed and noticed the door open." Cao Pi smirked and moved to sit on his father's throne. Cao Cao was so absorbed in his thoughts that he said nothing. "What could possible occupy your mind at this hour? It's late. Only the guards are awake. If you're not tired, I can think of ten different women who could make you sleep quite well."

His father snapped out of his trance and glared at him. "I'm thinking of Lady Yang. And get out of my chair!"

"Temper, temper," his son said, slowly standing. "The Lady Yang Xing has become a distant memory for the rest of us. I wonder why you can't let her go." Cao Cao sat down, gripping the sides of his throne. "Perhaps it's because she tricked you. Or maybe because she rejected you in front of other people. I know how you hate rejection."

"I am going to reject your ascension to the throne after me if you don't stop," Cao Cao growled.

Cao Pi shrugged. "I still don't understand why she bothers you so. Let the rabble of Jiang rot in their ruins. You have more talented and loyal officers at your disposal."

"That is not the problem."

"Then what is it? I'm wide awake now."

He sighed and leaned his temple against his fist. "I am not well liked in Jiang. That's not what concerns me, though. I fear an uprising."

"From Jiang?"

"Exactly. They have enough influence to wage war against Wei. We would wipe them out eventually, but it would take too long and risk too many of our soldiers' lives. I had hoped that, in getting Lady Yang on our side, that thorn would be removed from our side. Now I fear that it has deepened. She, of all the leaders, is the most able to successfully campaign against us."

Cao Pi nodded. "It is a valid fear. But unnecessary. All they wanted to do after the battle was return home. They won't care enough about Wei to even consider fighting with us right now. If Jiang becomes too large and too much of a threat, then we extend the invite again. Or invade, if we choose. By that time, all eight leaders will be dust in the ground."

"We may not get that opportunity." A very tired Sima Yi entered silently through the open door, stopping just behind Cao Pi. A piece of paper was in his hand. "I just received this from our spies in Shu. Cheng Du has been recovered, and Liu Bei's party will be two leaders larger by the time he leaves the Provinces of Jiang."

Cao Cao stood. "Which two?"

"Lord Man Zhu and Lady Yang Xing."

"Did they give reasons?" Cao Cao felt the color drain from his face a little. If Shu and Jiang became allies, they could prove to be a formidable opponent. And that was not what Wei needed at the moment.

Sima Yi scanned over the note again. "Apparently it's just for a visit, although there is no telling how long it will last. The two leaders wish to help restore Cheng Du, but that is all the spies were able to glean from them." He rolled up the paper and grinned. "My Lord Cao Cao, I know how much this woman troubles you. Perhaps I could devise a plan for you that would eliminate her threat and give you an advantage over Shu."

"I'm listening."

"Not yet, I think," he answered. "It is late and we should all sleep on this new information. I promise that I will begin my work immediately tomorrow morning."