Hiya people! Well, Not much to say. So on to business.

Mrs.SleepingDragon: Yay! You finally got a username, and I am JUST as much a Zhuge fan as you! Il est mien. If I did that right, it should be 'he's mine' in French but leave me alone if it's not I'm only in French one! Also thanks for adding me to favorite author/ story. I added you to my favorite author list! Thanks.

Guan: Yes, a catfight, of course. Well, um,uh thanks. Hmmm yah it is a bit jumpy like all my chappys are! Sigh oh well.

Shadowwolf5889: LOL! That is unbelievable! I really could care less if Zhen Ji does, but I think Aven Yu hates her, well that's obvious.

Zhuge: WOW! Even YOU could see that? I'm growing ever amazed!

ARGGGGGGGGGHHHHH I have control over this story! I can kill you off if I want to.

Zhuge: Oh yeah? I'll tell everyone what happens in the story! Covers Zhuge's mouth

SHHHHHHH! Wow that was amazingly pointless! And stupid must I say?

Chapter10- On Wiley Traps and Deadly Ambushes.

I hadn't been particularly happy over missing the end of Chi Bi, but I had asked Zhuge Liang many times, and his countless recollections on my behalf cheered my spirit. Now, 9 months I had know him, and already so much to tell.

We were stationed a bit back from Luo Castle and Zhuge Liang remained as reinforcements. Pang Tong had borrowed Hex Mark steed for the expedition and was stationed at Luo Feng Po, a pass near our camp. I was assigned in the main base, formally instructed to head toward the location where Master Liang would appear. Then, follow any orders he had for me there. I was to occupy myself with soldiers, while Zhao Yun was sent to the upper northern pass to siege the castle from there. Zhuge Liang and I would break through the south, Pang Tong from the center. The guards proved less than difficult, and I was bored. It seemed like forever before Master Liang finally arrived.

The past three months were filled with endless preparation for the campaign on the Riverlands. Days were long, Zhen Ji, however, was never tired with her incessant flirtations with the more attractive men of our camp. I was glad to be gone from her even if it was for war. The return to her after these campaigns caused me to frown. Eventually, we would be rid of her, hopefully soon.

"Greetings, Prime Minister." He dismounted and we walked toward the center of the small island.

"Salutations, my lady." He took my hand, bowed low, and kissed it. I smiled.

"You have a plan. I can see it in your eyes."

"When don't I? I know more than you think." I swallowed hard.

"That is impossible."

"Perhaps. Come, I have a special job for you." He led me toward the bridge directly in front of me. "Cross the bridge and hide. When you see Zhang Ren and I appear, cross back to this side and burn the bridge, then join the fight."

"Of course." We parted at the shrubs across the bridge of which we spoke. He walked beyond my sight, around a corner, but I peeked where I could hear effectively. He waited as Liu Zhang opened the gate at their castle. Zhang Ren charged out. Not the best idea. One thing I had learned from Zhuge Liang is when to wait and when to strike. I had ffound out from watching him in battle and, in strategy games (in which he succeeded at causing any challenges toward him to cease from coming,) at least one thing.

"Is there no one brave enough to challenge me?" He acted as if he completely disregarded Zhang Ren. Using yet again the anger-rousing trick.

"Zhuge Liang will fall by my blade!" Master Liang slowly but surely caused Zhang Ren to follow him just before the bridge. "Is the renowned strategist a coward?"

"Impressive Zhang Ren," I could hear the sarcasm in his voice, "I yield for now." He ran over the bridge, I had never seen him go that quickly. It was working.

"Stop! You can't escape!" Finally, the both of them had crossed the bridge and I soon had the former burning in flames. I made my way toward Master Liang, but by the time I had gotten there our men were taking Zhang Ren to Liu Bei. There were no more guards in the area.

"Hey! You didn't save any for me?"

"My apologies, Lady Yu." We slowly walked to Luo Castle, where I recognized some of the others. I had never noticed that Pang Tong was not among who I had seen. We saw Zhao Yun inside of the castle.

Defeating enemies right and left, we destroyed all the commanders, which seemed to be few for the strategic importance of that point. Liu Zhang retreated back to Cheng Du, but he had plenty of time to strengthen his forces. Jing Province was our next target. We all met back at our main base ready for the celebrations. But no one was happy; no wine was brought. Instead, everyone around Liu Bei had bowed their heads. And I saw small tears fall from our lord's eyes. We ran to him.

"What's happened?" Master Liang knew before Liu Bei's words left his mouth.

"Master Pang Tong has died." He spoke before Xuande had to. My gaze shifted from him back to Liu Bei. His face confirmed the words. Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei were sent to recover Pang Tong's body. They returned saying that it could not be retrieved from the boulders.

We held the funeral service there among the fallen rocks.

Somehow, the Hex Mark had escaped before Pang Tong's fate was sealed. I stroked its hair and found myself as sullen as the rest. I was amazed at its survival and my mind drifted to the time when the horse had saved Liu Bei's life. It was always said to have a curse, it had not time to strike Liu Bei, Pang Tong had been the unlucky victim of superstitious rabble-rousing. It was most unfortunate.

Tong's death affected Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang the most. The Prime Minister had known The Young Phoenix since early in his days of being a recluse in Nanyang. Now, his life had fallen and we mourned him there a long time.

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Next chapter: Probably, as it says something with the Jingzhou battles.