Zhang He sighed, trotting along before his captor. "Where are we going?" He asked.
"You'll find out when we get there." Jiang Wei said, the trident wavered from its target. It seemed that He understood the price of disobedience.
Huang Zhong walked past them but turned when he saw Zhang He.
"Why is he not with the other prisoners?" Zhong asked Wei.
Wei smiled. "It seems that Zhang He and I have an understanding."
Zhong nodded, not wishing to read too far into it. He would have struck the prisoner that instant, to avenge his bow, but with Jiang Wei in attendance it didn't seem a realistic prospect.
Zhong went on his way and Wei motioned his captive along.
Soon they met with Xing Cai on the road.
"Oh, Cai!" Wei called.
The girl turned to see him, eyes sparkling with joy. "Oh, Hi Jiang Wei!" She giggled.
Wei pulled his weapon away from his prisoner and set it at his side casually to talk to Cai.
"I just wanted to thank you." Wei smiled.
"For what?" Cai asked.
"Stop being so modest! You saved me, I just wanted to say thanks." Wei grinned.
"Oh, ok." Cai blushed.
There was silence for a few seconds until Guan Ping's boisterous call pierced the air.
"Cai!" He called rushing to her side and taking her arm. "We have to go see your father now." Ping said, shooting a defensive gaze at Jiang Wei.
"Oh, ok, later Wei!" Cai giggled and Ping pulled her away, glaring at Wei as he left.
Wei stopped for a few seconds, looking down at the floor.
"Little lady trouble?" Zhang He grinned.
"Its nothing!" Wei barked.
"Ok," Wei smiled, taking his position in front of Wei again.
Wei's curiosity finally got the better of him. He turned to He.
"Why did you attack me?" Wei asked.
"Hmm?" Zhang He hummed.
"In the battle, why did you attack me? Was it because Zhang Liao got hurt?" Wei asked.
He sighed. "Yes."
"Why?" Wei asked.
"Zhang Liao is my best friend… and I lost a friend before in battle, I remember how much it hurts. I just couldn't bare the thought of losing another." He sighed.
"I see…" Wei sighed. He knew what it was like to lose someone close.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you." He sighed.
"Don't worry, no harm done." Wei smiled.
They walked along until they reached a tent on the far side of the camp, near to Liu Bei's.
"Who resides here?" He asked.
Wei ignored him and called out to the resident.
Zhao Yun, dressed in light casual robed, quickly answered him.
"Ah, Jiang Wei," Yun said, and Zhang He's posture suddenly changed.
From where Wei stood he could see the hairs on the back of He's neck stand on end, like an angry beast.
"You'd best come in." Yun said, pulling aside the canvas door of his tent to let the two pass. Zhang He kept his machinating gaze intently focused on the warrior, breathing heavily now as he was.
"I was told you know of Zhuge Liang's apparent dislike for our prisoner." Wei said.
Yun nodded, motioning that Wei take a seat at the table, but Wei did not.
"Yes, I know of the reason." Yun sighed, looking over at Zhang He.
"Then what is it?" Wei asked.
"At the battle of Chang Ban, he confronted me and tried to kill our lord's child." Yun muttered.
Wei was shocked. Zhang He, do harm to a child?
"You want tea?" Yun asked, turning away to attempt to change the subject.
"Yes…" Wei sighed looking down at the floor.
Yun went over to his bedside table, where a fresh pot of tea sat, but as he turned to take the pot, he was attacked from behind.
Wei looked up in time to see Zhang He run behind Yun and throw his bound hands over the head of his target. Before Yun knew what had happened, the chain securing Zhang He's hands together was pulled around his neck, choking him.
Zhang He spat abuse: "I'll kill you!" He growled between expletives.
"Zhang He stop!" Wei shouted, standing up.
Yun rammed his elbows hard as he could into the chest of his attacker, but He laughed, holding tighter. Yun clawed at his assailant's face, desperately kicking and flailing to release himself from He's grasp, but the man was much stronger than he looked.
"Stop!" Let him go now!" Wei snapped, taking his trident in hand.
"Never! I'll have vengeance…" He snarled.
"Kill him!" Yun spluttered,
Wei hesitated, watching the terror form in Yun's eyes and the maniacal gaze of Zhang He intent on his target.
This wasn't Zhang He anymore.
He picked up his trident and spun it around, jabbing the blunt end into He's flank. When He flinched, Wei continued to barrage him with hits in the side.
"Kill him!" Yun gasped, his eyes flickering shut.
Wei took a deep breath and swung the blunt hilt into He's head, knocking him cleanly unconscious.
He fell to the floor, pulling his victim down with him. Wei quickly rushed to Yun's side, freeing him from He's grasp and trying to awaken him.
To Wei's great relief, Yun's eyes soon eased open.
"Yun! You're alright!" Wei called joyfully.
Yun sat up, coughing a little and looking over at his attacker lying sprawled on the floor.
"Why didn't you kill him?" Yun spat.
"I…" Wei said, but couldn't think of a reason to back up his actions.
"He could have killed me!" Yun growled.
"I'm sorry…" Wei muttered.
"Will you for once think about what you are doing? You're going to get someone killed!" Yun snarled.
Wei fell silent, remaining kneeled on the floor as Yun stood up and paced across the tent.
"Get him out of here then!" Yun growled.
Wei stood up and pulled the unconscious man into his arms.
"I'm sorry…" Wei sighed, but Yun didn't reply; only pointed to the door.
---
Zhang Liao opened his eyes slowly. It was morning now. He stretched his arms, his shoulder still burned, but it wasn't as bas as yesterday. He was sure now that the arrow hadn't been poisoned.
Liao looked around and saw that Xu Huang was still fast asleep at his bedside.
What a friend.
He shifted up into a sit, pulling the covers off his body. He shuffled over to the bedside, shakily standing up. He had more strength now. He got his balance and grinned.
Liao looked over at his sleeping friend, Huang didn't stir, his head rested on Liao's bedside table. Liao smiled, taking his light covers from his bed in hand, and draping them around his friend's shoulders. And when Huang made no stir, Liao knew that the man was very tired.
He took a few shaky steps forward, regaining his composure. He felt dirty.
Only one way to resolve that little problem.
He took hold of his robes and tugged them over his body, and quietly left the room.
---
Jiang Wei sat with his face buried in his hands. He sighed deeply. Zhang He had tried to kill Liu Chan, he had tried to Kill Zhao Yun… He had tried to kill…
"Jiang Wei." Zhuge's monotonous voice called. Wei put his hands down and looked at his master, who had appeared at the door of the tent.
"Prime minister… I…" Wei sighed.
"I warned you about him, and you did not listen." Liang muttered.
"It was just a misunderstanding, I'm sure I can…" Wei said but was abruptly silenced.
"You obviously can't handle this. I will take over from here." Liang said.
Wei's expression suddenly changed.
"No! I can handle it!" He pleaded but Liang's gaze remained unwavering.
"I'm going to have him executed Jiang Wei. Nothing you can say will change my mind." Liang said. He turned to look at Zhang He, who was still unconscious in the corner. "Bring him to me the second he awakens."
"But, master Zh…"
"The SECOND he awakens!" Liang muttered turning to leave the room, but in mid stride he stopped, swivelling his body round to look at his apprentice. "And get your hands bandaged, the wounds will get worse if you don't clean them." Liang said, before leaving the tent.
Wei slumped to his knees. He wanted to cry. He had never seen his master so angry, and it pained him. Why was he so angry? Why didn't he stop Huang Yue Ying? Zhang He… did you really try to hurt Liu Chan?