It was late evening as Zhuge Liang stood looking over the battlements. Where was Jiang Wei? He sighed, resting his elbows on the revetments and cradling his heavy head in his hands. He was so stressed since the battle at Chi Bi, he had worked so well alongside Zhou Yu, and he had hoped the two forces could form a permanent alliance against Cao Cao, but Zhou Yu had double crossed him and sent assassins against him. He sighed deeply. A Wushu land would indeed be a great and prosperous one, the land would be free, but Sun Quan was too selfish to share his victory with Liu Bei and Zhou Yu was just a psychopath. Where was Jiang Wei? He was probably sharing his victory with the local girls, a little singing, some dancing while Jiang watched with a glass of whine, then another glass, and another and he was probably up there now, himself dancing and singing, falling over a bit and telling them all about the time he wrestled a tiger with his bare hands. He Laughed. The thought was so preposterous it amused him.
"Zhuge Liang!" A voice yelled.
Zhao Yun suddenly calling him snapped Zhuge back into reality.
Zhuge stood up, clearing his throat and trying to act professionally.
"Yes, what is it?" He muttered.
"One of the guards from Tian Shui is here, he wishes to speak with you." Zhao said.
"Bring him here." Zhuge Liang said. As Zhao left he burst out laughing. The thought of Jiang Wei collapsed over the barman, telling him how beautiful he was, rolling around in his mind. But his laughter was suddenly checked when Zhao Yun and the solemn soldier approached, a bloodied trident in hand. His smile shattered and he took the pole arm form the soldier, examining it. There was blood on the blade, supposedly from the bandits, but for there to be so much blood on the handle…it was still wet…
"Where…" Zhuge Liang Spat but the soldier shook his head.
"We haven't found him yet sir." The soldier sighed.
Zhuge stood silently, mouth a gape. After a few moments of silence, his hand released its grip and the trident clattered noisily to the floor, splashing blood drops up his robe. He fell to his knees, blood dripping from the side of his mouth. Zhao Yun Was soon to his side and caught him, bringing Zhuge's arm up over his shoulder so he wouldn't fall.
"Sir! Are you ok?" Zhao Yun gasped.
Zhuge brought his free hand, clenched into to a tight ball up to his chest.
"There… no one… to teach…no one…carry on" Zhuge Cried buy Zhao Yun hushed him and had the soldiers help him to his quarters.
---
Zhou Yu was still pacing up and down angrily like a tiger in a cage when Lu Meng and Gan Ning came over the horizon on horseback. His mouth, for hours frozen in a frustrated pout suddenly sprung into a maniacal grin, like a wolf spotting an injured deer. Lu Xun was starting to get worried. He had only once before seen that grin cross Zhou Yu's face once before, and the results didn't bare thinking about. He shivered at the thought.
"Lord Zhou Yu we have returned." Gan Ning said dismounting.
"Yes I can see that but did you…" As Zhou Yu said this Lu Meng dismounted, revealing the boy draped over the back of the horse.
Zhou's eyes lit up like black fire and he hurried over as Gan and Meng pulled the boy off the horse and knelt him before their lord. Zhou Yu couldn't help but laugh. The same defiant eyes glaring up at him as when he had first met Zhuge Liang. This boy was definitely Zhuge Liang's apprentice.
"Why is there so much blood? I said not to hurt him too much!" Zhou Yu growled.
"Most of it is mine." Gan Stropped rubbing his arm.
Lu Xun shuffled to Zhou's side, looking down at the man kneeling before him. He wasn't much older that Xun with a youthful face. Xun was overcome with pity and had to look away so Zhou didn't see.
Zhou bent down and loosened the gag.
"Careful sir, he's a biter!" Gan Ning growled. Lu Meng sniggered under his breath.
Zhou Yu pulled the rope away and Jiang Wei shut his mouth tightly. Having a rope in his mouth for the past three hours hadn't left the best taste.
"So, this is Zhuge Liang's Child prodigy?" Zhou Yu grinned.
Jiang smiled, readjusted his jaw and spat in Zhou's face. A mixture of saliva and blood dripped down Zhou's face.
That got rid of his smirk!
Zhou ran one hand across his face, shivering with anger and Jiang Wei still just silently smiled.
"Yes, I think we understand each other." Zhou Yu Growled turning to Lu Meng and Gan Ning. "Tie him to the hitching post. Don't bother feeding him." Zhou said wiping the remainder of the spit out of his eyebrows.
"But sir, you said to keep him alive!" Lu Meng called.
"One day without food isn't going to kill him." Zhou said, laughing.
---
Zhang He was dancing in his quarters, twirling one hand towards the sky and raising his knee when Zhang Liao walked in and dumped an armful of heavy wooden scrolls on the table, shocking He and unbalancing him.
"Why do you always have to disturb me right when I'm in the middle of something!" Zhang He cried, rebalancing and continuing his steps.
"Will you stop that and get over here, Cao Cao's battle orders are here." Zhang Liao grinned.
"I don't know why you think it matters to me, I can't read remember?" Zhang He smiled, waltzing like a dancing girl.
Zhang Liao laughed. Zhang He always put him at ease.
"Come, come, I'll discuss them with you." Liao said.
He stopped and pouted like a child. The two burst into laughter.
"I'll draw you some pictures too if you like!" Liao laughed.
"Stop being so patronising! I don't make fun of your hat" Zhang He said 'slight of handing' a rose out of nowhere.
"What's wrong with my hat?" Zhang Liao said rubbing the soft blue veil that ran down the back of his neck.
"Well… blue." He said.
"What's wrong with Blue?" Liao asked.
"Its not you're colour, what about a nice red?"" He grinned.
"You calling me Wu?" Liao growled playfully.
"Oh no, of course not, a lowly officer like me, defected from Yuan Shao could never stand up to you're glory, oh sir!" He said bowing.
"Ok I get it I'll get a new hat" Liao said.
"No, really don't, I like your hat." He said twirling.
"Then why did you slander it so?" Liao said.
"Just making conversation." He said