Zhou Yu stood in his ceremonial robes as his soldiers approached, announcing the arrival of the Wei commander Cao Cao and his escorts, Zhang He and Zhang Liao. Lu Xun shifted uncomfortably next to his master. His ceremonial robes were a hand-me-down and were far too big for him. He was trying to fold up the sleeves so he could see his fingers. He felt like a child.

"Zhou Yu I presume, I have heard much of your intelligence." Cao Cao made the first greeting.

"And I yours." This way please sirs," Zhou Yu said in his servile tone. He was looking forward to killing Jiang Wei to seal the Weiwu alliance.

Lu Xun stood back with Zhang Liao and Zhang He as their masters walked ahead.

Xun was nearly tripping over his robe and when he almost fell, Zhang He caught him and helped him up.

"Is good to see you again… Swallow." Zhang He smiled.

"Its good to see you both too. You look well." Xun said.

"Thanks to you. We never would have made it were it not for your orders." Zhang Liao smiled.

"We are still in your debt." Zhang He said.

"Well, if you want to repay that debt today then listen closely." Xun said.

The three machinated quietly as Cao Cao and Zhou Yu reached the centre of the camp where Jiang Wei stood bound.

Cao Cao could hardly believe it when he saw the young officer. Jiang Wei really was here; so then Wu did truly wish to ally with him against Liu Bei.

He walked up to the prisoner and rested one hand on the boy's neck. If he closed his hand now with enough force, he could crush the child's throat, effectively strangling Shu's future. Jiang Wei's expression remained unchanged but a single bead of sweat formed on his brow and slowly descended.

Xun looked up with dread in his heart. His mouth had become a grim flat line and he was biting back the urge to cry.

Zhou Yu smiled wide. Lord Cao Cao was going to make this fun he could tell.

Zhou was snapped back into reality when one of his soldiers rushed to his side and kneeled low.

"Master Zhou Yu, Shu troops are approaching quickly on all sides. We are surrounded!" The soldier called.

"What! How could this be?" Zhou Yu spat.

Cao Cao had heard the soldier and quickly lowered his hand.

"What? Shu is here?" Cao Cao spat.

Jiang sighed deeply under the gag, relief washing over him. Maybe they were going to save him after all!

Zhang Liao and Zhang He turned to Lu Xun, who nodded in affirmation. Liao rushed to Cao Cao's side and took his arm. "Sir! It's a trap, we must flee."

"Wushu have set us up!" Zhang He said, taking his lords other arm and escorting him to his horse.

"But what about Jiang Wei?" Cao Cao called, the two officers forcing him into the saddle.

"There is no time for that now! Flee!" Zhang He said mounting his horse and the three rode off to the north.

Lu Xun grinned warmly. The two Zhangs had played their parts perfectly.

Zhou Yu looked around dismayed. "How could my plan fail?" He lamented, looking around at his troops in disarray, fleeing in all directions. He laid eyes on his young apprentice, a satisfied grin on his face.

"You!" Zhou growled at Lu Xun. "You did this! You little traitor!" He snarled raising his hand to strike the boy, but he didn't flinch. He kept the same confident gaze as Jiang Wei. It was Zhuge Liang's gaze. Knowing his apprentice didn't fear him anymore; he had no power over him. Lu Xun just walked away laughing as Shu troops overran the base.

Jiang Wei peered through the dark and dust and saw three horsemen approach.

"There he is!" Zhao Yun's voice rang with joy.

"…Friend…" Wei Yan grumbled.

"I knew you were alive." Zhao Yun called, his face becoming visible through the gloom.

Jiang looked up at the figure in the centre, dismounting his horse and gliding over like a stork. His white fan shimmered in the moonlight. Jiang let out a muffled cry of joy to see Zhuge Liang's smiling face.

Zhuge's Joy was infinite. His apprentice was alive and well! He un-gagged and unbound the boy and Jiang fell into his arms, hugging him as a son to his father.

"It's alright now, you're safe." Zhuge whispered.

Jiang wanted to cry, but after all he had been through, it would be ridiculous to cry now.

"Withdraw, all units withdraw! We've got what we came for!" Zhuge called to his men and at that, all units turned and fled. Zhuge helped Jiang onto the back of his horse and two rode back together.

Jiang took one glance back at the camp he had been held in, and round a corner, near the hitching post, he could See Lu Xun standing, a smile on his face and waving goodbye. Jiang nodded. Next time he met Lu Xun, they would be enemies but Jiang and Swallow would always be friends.

---

Sun Quan stood by the remains that had once been his main camp. He shifted the dry dirt with his feet. The sun had risen, making it all clearer how much damage had been done. He turned to Zhou Yu and Lu Xun standing before him and met Zhou Yu with a contemptuous gaze.

"I'm sure you can understand my anger Zhou Yu, your plan almost caused our downfall. Your selfish actions brought us to the brink of disaster. Now, return your seal of office!" Sun Quan said holding out his hand.

Zhou growled and reluctantly handed over the gold and jade seal.

Sun Quan took the seal in hand and turned to Lu Xun. Xun swallowed hard but Sun Quan smiled and handed the seal to the young boy.

"I am sorry Lu Xun, from the start I should have listened to your plans, if I had this all could have been avoided. I hereby promote you to commander-in-chief."

Lu Xun smiled. Not only had he saved an innocent boy from a terrible fate, he had finally found his strength. He wasn't frightened of Zhou Yu anymore, and this made him shine. He muttered a silent Thank you to Jiang Wei. Wherever he was.

---

The triumphant party returned to the castle and Liu Bei greeted Jiang with a warm handshake. His legs were spent and Zhuge had to carry him to his room. The three officers cooed over him like doves. Jiang laughed. He enjoyed all the attention.

"So, what happened then" Zhao Yun asked.

"What…happen…?" Wei Yan grumbled.

Jiang Wei laughed. "I just got ambushed by Wu troops. I let my guard down, it was a stupid mistake…"

"What…. Next?" Wei Yan growled happily.

So, Jiang related the story, omitting Lu Xun's help. He didn't want to get the boy in trouble with his force. When he came to the part of biting Zhou Yu, Zhao Yun's face lit up with joy. Wei Yan let out a hearty laugh and Zhuge Liang couldn't help but be impressed.

"…And then you arrived." Jiang Wei finished.

Zhuge Ling stood up and turned his back on his apprentice, fanning himself.

"Jiang Wei…" He said, his voice low.

"Yes prime minister?" Jiang Wei said.

Zhuge turned to look at Jiang over his shoulder and smiled wide. "I am very impressed. You handled the situation very well. I think you are ready to succeed me." Zhuge Liang said.

"No prime minister, I can't." Jiang Wei said.

Zhuge's smile dropped and he turned around. "Why not?" He asked.

"I'm not ready to succeed you yet, I still have much to learn." Jiang smiled.

Zhuge smiled again. Jiang Wei was indeed a great man.

"I'll be ready someday, with a lot more training and when that day comes, I will lead Shu to victory in your name." Jiang Wei said.