Jiang Wei tugged against the ropes round his wrists. They were raw now and he was beginning to loose the feeling in his fingers. Zhou Yu had been especially merciless when binding him this time. There had been erected in the centre of the camp a large pole to which he had been bound in a standing position hand and foot. Zhou Yu had tied him there himself, but not before getting Lu Xun to gag him so he couldn't bite.

He tugged again; glancing over his shoulder, he could see that the tips of his fingers were turning white.

Lu Xun approached carrying a beast-hide canteen. And stood in front of Jiang looking sad. He Set the canteen between his knees and untied the rope in Jiang's mouth. Jiang coughed. He was Sure Zhou had put something untoward on the rope. Xun sighed and picked up the canteen, uncorking it and putting it to Jiang's lips.

"You have to take a drink now…" Xun said softly. Jiang opened his mouth and took a gulp.

Xun's eyes were welling up with tears. "You said Wei Yan came to see you, he could still have time to get help and save you." Xun said, trying to smile but he couldn't.

"It doesn't matter. If I am to die here I will. There is no avoiding fate." Jiang said. He was trying to act strong but seeing the tears in Xun's eyes only made it harder.

Zhou Yu approached with a cocky smile lining his face.

"Lu Xun! Why are you giving that cur water? He is to die, you're just wasting it!" He growled.

"Yes he is to die, so why must he suffer of thirst?" Xun cried.

Zhou's grin widened and he raised his bandaged hand. The dressings were saturated with fresh red blood. The wound still hadn't stopped bleeding.

"That dog still carries my flesh, my blood! And I will retrieve it myself!" Zhou Yu growled, turning to Jiang Wei he continued. "Did you hear that, boy?"

But Zhou Yu was dissatisfied, as the fear he wanted to see so much in the boy's face was not there. A calm emotionless gaze replaced it. Zhou's brow furrowed and he produced the whip once more, striking the bound boy's face but this time, Jiang wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of retaliation. He just stayed unchanged.

Zhou growled and took his leave, bidding Lu Xun gag the prisoner.

Xun picked up the rope again. "I'm sorry…" He said.

"You won't always have to follow his orders you know. Soon, very soon you will have a chance to show the world your name, your power. You won't stand in that man's shadow much longer." Jiang smiled.

Xun smiled, Jiang Wei believed in him. It caused his heart to bleed to have to watch the man he so respected, no, his friend suffer so. He replaced the gag and took a respectful bow, then left Jiang alone.

---

Early evening was drawing in and Zhuge Liang's men had only reached Wu's borders. The men were tired and Zhuge's illness was getting the better of him.

"Sir, I know you are ill, we should rest and…" Zhao Yun said but Zhuge silenced him.

"If we rest then we may not get there in time. I have looked upon the skies and they have told me that something will happen in Wu tonight, and I believe if we do not get there in time, we will all feel the consequences." Zhuge said.

Zhao Yun smiled. His master's determination inspired him. He turned to his troops and called out to them. "Come on men! We can do this. For Jiang Wei!" He raised his spear and all men followed, raising theirs and calling "For Jiang Wei!"

Zhao's loyalty was heart-warming and Zhuge found new strength welling within him. Not the dread that they may not make it in time, but the confidence that they would.

---

It was night and Cao Cao drew upon outskirts of the camp with his two escorts.

"Does it look alright?" Zhang He whined, messing with his ponytail, flinging it right and left.

"Yes it looks fine now will you stop fussing." Zhang Liao growled.

"Yes it looks 'fine' but this is the mighty Wu Empire we are seeing, not just some casual acquaintance we are dropping in on, I simply have to look by best!" Zhang He muttered.

"You wouldn't have to worry about your hair if you just wore a hat." Zhang Liao grunted.

"I don't like hats!" Zhang He said.

"Oh here we go again with the hat prejudice!" Zhang Liao said.

"Will you two stop bickering? How do you think the great Cao Cao is going to look before Sun Quan if his two escorts are fighting over hair accessories!" Cao Cao spat impatiently.

"Yes sir" The two said together and were silent, but they still made faces at each other behind Cao Cao's back.