Lu Xun couldn't stop shivering, looking down into the shining black eyes of the stag. He could see why Zhang Liao had been so happy with the kill, it was a magnificent eighteen pointer and could probably fit Xun's entire body into it's chest alone. Started to make Xun wonder how Liao managed to get it home. Xiahou Dun's kill paled in comparison. It was a twelve pointer and was lying on the table on the other side of the room. One of the serving girls was beginning to prepare it. Xun watched carefully for a while. After the first cut the girl turned around and said,

"Its alright Swallow, if you don't remember how to prepare a deer I'll show you! This is the one for Master Cao Cao right?"

He nodded shakily.

"Come over, I'll show you how its done." She said walking over to Xiahou Dun's stag. "No, get your knife and make the first cut here, then score the limbs…"

As she explained she was cutting into the flesh to show him. With every cut, Xun twitched, although he had to admit as disgusting as the sight was, it was making him hungry.

…And then just put then good meat in the store and throw the bad mat to the dogs. You get all that?"

"I think so," Xun nodded

"Then you try." She said handing Xun the bloodied knife. He swallowed hard and made the first cut.

"Its just cutting meat, its just meat, its just meat…" He repeated over and over in his head. "That is some tasty looking meat…"

The nausea subsided in an instant as he imagined all the things you could make from such fine meat, A fabulous pie, meat buns that would stop any marching soldier in their tracks or even just served as is…

"You did it!" The girl cooed happily.

Xun had hardly noticed but he had already skinned the beast and sorted the meat. Now all that was left was preparing the skull and antlers for Master Cao Cao.

He looked down at the head and the shivers began again, those big black eyes…

"Swallow, I can see the skull had been worrying you, I'll take off the flesh for you ok? Then all you have to do is wash it. It'll be our little secret ok?" The girl smiled.

He was very grateful. He couldn't thank her enough. So, free from his task for a while, his first act was to run to the storeroom to get the biggest meat bun he could find and savour it. Yes, it was a foul sight, yes it was nauseating, but it still made him hungry.

A Little while later the girl came into the storeroom, cradling the massive antlers in her arms. "Your turn!"

He finished the bun, rolled up his sleeves and took the skull from her. That's all it was now, just a skull, covered in blood. No accusing eyes to stare at him. He was relieved and thanked her.

"Now if that's for Master Cao Cao it needs to be very clean." The girl said pointing to a brush and a tub of water. "Enjoy!" She cooed leaving the room.

He walked over, blood dripping through his fingers, and lowered the skull into the water. The antlers cleared the surface by nearly three foot. He grabbed the brush and got to work. The water was soon tainted red but the skull was coming up whiter with every brush. It took him nearly an hour but he was pleased with his work. The skull was white as snow and fit for any lord's wall. The serving girl had left out some towels with which he dried the skull thoroughly and tried to remember the best way to master Cao Cao's quarters

Master Cao Cao? He was not Xun's Master!

He shook away the thoughts, rolled his sleeves back down and headed down the hallway. The doorways were nearly too small for antlers and he Xun had to walk sideways. He got to the tower and the guards stood aside, examining the antlers ad Xun passed.

As Xun arrived Cao Cao was just leaving.

"What is this?" Cao Cao smiled, looking at the magnificent antlers. "A gift?"

"From lord Zhang Liao, Master Cao Cao." Xun said.

"Fine work Swallow, I will thank him in person, go put it in my quarters." Cao ordered, leaving the room.

This was more than Xun could ever have hoped for, alone in Cao Cao's room! He could find the last piece of the puzzle without being discovered!

He walked inside and placed the antlers on the table and looked around the finely decorated room. Somewhere there had to be something that was his…

He hurried around the room, examining every article he saw, but there was nothing, until a small ornate box half pushed under the elaborate bed caught his eye.

He shifted out the box, it was lighter than he expected, and opened it. Inside was a slender blade, the handle decorated with jewels and carved in the shape of wings.

Suddenly, his head pounded, he tried to get up but swooned and was unconscious on the floor of Cao Cao's private quarters.

Memories…

"Zhou Yu! You know you didn't have to do anything special for me, it's just another day!" Lu Xun said laughing.

"Nonsense! It's a special occasion and it warrants a special gift!" Zhou Yu said, handing a wooden box to Lu Xun, The lid carved with eagles in flight.

Xun lifted the lid to see the two beautiful blades gleaming at him in the light.

"They're…" Xun nearly cried. "Beautiful!"

"I thought you'd like them, Happy birthday Lu Xun!" Zhou Yu said…

He awoke suddenly. He was Lu Xun, strategist of Wu and apprentice to Zhou Yu. He had been leading the Van in the territory skirmished between Wei and Wu. He remembered everything. He looked around and remembered where he was. He had to get out quickly. He took the blade and tucked it up under the sleeve of his robe. Hopefully no one would notice.

He casually walked out of the room and passed the guards, who just nodded at him. He nodded back and carried on his way. As soon as he was out of sight he started to sprint, He couldn't go to Zhang Liao Because Cao Cao was there so he headed to Zhang He instead.

As expected Zhang He was in his quarters writing up scrolls. He jumped when Lu Xun came barging in holding a blade.

"Oh! Swallow! You startled me!" Zhang He said putting his hand to his heart.

"My name is Lu Xun!" He Grinned.

The smile on Zhang He's face spread wide and he jumped up. "You remembered! Do you remember everything now?" Zhang He asked.

Xun nodded.

"Well, here is the test," Zhang He said Raising his arm and showing Xun a straight scar just above his elbow.

Xun bit his lip. He remembered. In one of the battles about two months ago, before Wu had pushed Wei back, he had shot a fire arrow at Zhang He. It had grazed his arm but left no real damage. It was the most disappointing arrow he had ever fired. He was hoping to kill the target.

"…Oops." Xun said rubbing the back of his neck.

"Its ok, you were following orders!" Zhang He said knocking off Xun's hat and ruffling up his hair.

Xun laughed. Being the enemy suddenly didn't seem so bad anymore.

"You really do remember everything then if you remember that!" Zhang He laughed.

As if on queue, Zhang Liao appeared at the door, yawning loudly.

"Swallow, Where've you been? I've been calling for tea for a half hour and they said you weren't back yet!" Liao laughed.

Xun stuck out his tongue. "I don't have to listen to you anymore!" He grinned playfully. "I've remembered who I am!"

Liao smiled and opened his arms. Xun ran to him and hugged him. "Thanks for everything…" Xun said, burying his face in Liao's robes.

"Don't thank us yet, we've still got to get you home!" Liao said.

Xun looked up. "How?" he asked.

Zhang He Tossed Xun the scroll he had been writing.

"You're the strategist…" Zhang He smiled.

Xun unrolled the scroll to see it was a map of the area around the castle. It showed all the gates and passes on the way to the Wu territory.

Xun grinned. "Luckily, I do have a plan…"