Thanks for the review, it's a welcome boost to my self-esteem. :-)
Sorry this chapter is short, but Zhuge Liang is relatively annoying and I'd rather rush our heroes back into battle.....

Chapter 11

The Courting of Zhuge Liang

"Why do we need a strategist again?" Zhang Fei queried as he sat on the ground.

"If that's what Lord Lei Bei wants, then we should support him." Guan Yu sighed; he himself was a little hurt by Bei's insistence.

"We've done fine so far." Fei sneered.

"We haven't been at war with Cao Cao." Zhao Yun was toying with his spear.

"Thanks to me and my conscience." Cal kicked a rock.

"He would have been after us whether you screwed that up or not." Fei observed. "He's going to be hunting us now."

"Cao Cao always seemed bothered by Lui Bei. He seeks to eliminate him before he can become more of a problem." Cal sighed.

"So we should be acquiring real officers, not strategists." Guan Yu crossed his arms.

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"Yes, Lord Lui Bei, I will join you." Zhuge Liang stood up and straightened his robe. "As will my wife, Yue Ying."

"I am greatly honored, Master Liang." Lui Bei smiled excitedly; it was all coming together now.

"I would like to meet your officers. The earlier we are introduced, the easier it will be for all of us." Liang began to make his way for the door, before the Shu leader could answer.

"Of course."

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"How long is this really going to take?" Cal huffed and scratched her back with a stick.

"Strategists seem to believe the world will stop just for them." Guan Yu lean up against a tree in disgust.

The door opened and Zhuge Liang stepped out into the sun. He shielded his eyes with his war fan and stepped outside. He looked at the small group before him and could instantly see the discord growing.

Lui Bei followed the man almost instantly. "Master Liang, these are my officers. My sworn brothers: Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. My trusted spear, Zhao Yun and my Roman Legionnaire, Quinirius Calpurnia."

Liang looked around, "Is that all?"

"They each are worth at least three of Wei's generals."

"That is wishful thinking at best." Liang fanned himself. "Good thing you have me now."

"How dare you insult these men like that you son of a…" Cal's words were lost into Yun's hand.

"Don't mind her." Yun smiled trying to pass it off as nothing.

Cockily Liang walked past Fei and Yu to stare at the girl. "And what exactly are you doing with these respected warriors?"

Yun lifted his hand from her mouth and waited. This was going to be bad.

"Taking offense at your disrespectful tone." She tossed her back scratching stick across the small dirt road.

Liang fanned himself angrily. "What do you know of respect?"

Lui Bei maneuvered himself between the two. "Please, we are one army now. Let us not bicker needlessly amongst ourselves for such a minor misunderstanding."

"What exactly does your name mean? Such an odd name deserves an explanation."

"Quirinus is a small time war god and also the deity form of Romulus who founded Rome."

"How regal. Well I'm sure there is some use for you."

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"If that bastard flicks that fan in my direction the wrong way I'll be planting it in his pretentious pasty little ass." Cal watched Lui Bei walk away with his new acquisition.

"I'll hold him down for you." Yu grinned with the thought

"Why do we need him?" Fei asked

"We have to be supportive, if only for our lord's sake." Yun plead.

"Let him have his airs." Fei smiled, "If his strategies fail we'll be executing him."

"Finally an execution Cal won't try and prevent." Yu looked down at her.

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"Please sit and enjoy my wife's cooking." Liang sat down at the head of the table, causing the disgruntled officers to shoot each other looks.

"You continue to honor us, Master Liang." Lui Bei was good at kissing ass.

"What are those?" Cal peered at small red seeded balls on a plate.

"Sesame rice balls." Yue Ying smiled, "And here is the lo mein."

"Eat the rice ball." Yu told his little friend. "If you thought you liked cashew chicken, you won't stop telling the world about those."

"Wow. This is the best thing I have ever tasted!"

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"Have you always had that weapon?" Cal asked the quietly reflective Yue Ying

"My scythe, yes. I grew up a farmer's daughter; it was something I grew up using. I altered it a little and it became the perfect weapon."

"Interesting."

"How did you end up so far from home?" she asked politely

"Well I used to have a rather nasty little job and it got me in a little bit of hot water."

Ying smiled, "Oh, what did you do for a living?"

"I killed people." Cal answered.

"Ah. As in executions?"

"Well yes, I suppose you can say that. Just very secret unpublicized executions."

"Oh." Ying suddenly understood. "They let women do that?"

"It's best that the deed is done by the person you least expect." Cal looked around, more rice patties.

"Did your parents raise you to be in that field?"

"No, actually. My parents were killed by barbarians when I was young. I was picked up by the local Roman patrols after they chased off the raiders. There was nothing left of the village, just charred remains. I hid in a creek bed and saw everything and that's what made me immune to suffering and bloodshed. It also enabled me to understand a new emotion called hate. The commander of the detachment was Octavian Galleus, or Galleus Octavian to you. He took me in and started to train me for this idea had. The beginnings of a small group of assassins that the army controlled. These specialists, as he called them, would be used to eliminate enemy commanders, retract information and create overall havoc if needed. Then someone a little higher up the ranks got wind of his idea and he was promoted. He returned to Rome to train and command a 'specialist' unit. Eventually we were doing everyone's dirty work. He even named me, since I was too young to remember my actual name. Quinirius so that I would be blessed by the God himself and Calpurnia after the wife of Julius Caesar."

"Caesar?"

"Rome's greatest emperor." Cal felt the presence of another person long before she saw him. "We're being followed."

"Yes. Don't worry it's just Pang Tong." She looked away unconcerned. "I would like to hear more about Rome, I have heard a lot from the traders. Is it true about those magnificent buildings that hold thousands?"

"Tens of thousands. Pang who?" Cal turned and looked back into the forest.

"Pang Tong, he's Liang's classmate. He's a bit weird but a very fun man to be around. Isn't that right Tong?"

A giggle erupted from the woods and birds scattered. "You are too kind my lady."

As the man came out of the woods, Cal felt little relief. He was camouflaged very well and it was hard to pick him up against the background of the forest. But then he giggled some more and approached them. Suddenly she couldn't help but laugh, "What the hell are you?"

"A bit more knowledgeable about you then you are of me."

"Fantastic a riddler." She shook her head.