Just keep on running.

Zhang He darted thorough the forest, dodging trees and leaping fallen branches. He knew he was being followed. He ran as fast as he could into the shadows, the thunder of hoof beats coming ever closer behind him.

Keep running keep running.

He turned and took a look behind him, seeing the white beast flash between the trees.

He swore, turning back to the road and pushing on with every ounce of strength. If the horseman caught up with him, there was no way to protect himself. His claws were back at the Shu Han camp, and his hands were still shackled together.

He pushed on, his brow dripping with sweat. His head throbbed from the blow and the hoof beats grew louder.

Stop slowing he'll catch you!

He took another look back; the rider was close now and clear through the trees.

Zhao Yun.

He silently cursed.

So, this is how it will end?

His eyes met Yun's, his determined gaze intent on his target, and he tripped.

He plummeted to the ground, flicking up fallen leaves and turned in time to see Yun set his spear to strike.

He flipped over onto his back, holding his hands up to protect his face, and the spear made contact. But when there was no pain, Zhang He realised, the tip of Yun's spear had hit the links of the chain, not Zhang He, and thus the spear was tangled.

Yun tried to pull away but Zhang He took the opportunity, wrapping the chain quickly and tightly around the spearhead so it was immobilised.

Yun grunted, trying to pull back his pole arm, but He held tightly, keeping the spear trapped inches away from his face.

Yun whipped his horse forward and the beast ran. The horse dragged along Zhang He, unable to let go of the spear he was holding.

He turned, trying desperately to get a foothold. And soon His feet hit a tree root and He rammed both feet into it.

The horse's path was checked, being pulled aside by the parasite on his owner's spear. It dashed around in a near circle until Yun had to let go of his pole arm of fall off.

Perfect.

Yun tried to control his horse as He untangled the spear and took it in hand. Yun managed to regain command of his horse and turned him round, only to see his bound opponent now holding his own spear against him. Yun cursed, knowing of He's proficiency with a spear.

He tried to get a good grip but with his hands still bound it would be difficult.

Yun turned his horse and fled.

Coward.

Zhang He pursued, running after the man, but when Yun turned around bow in hand, He checked his path.

It didn't matter that He had the spear; Yun was still going to win.

Zhang He yielded to death, closing his eyes and waiting for the arrow to hit, but when Yun cried out in pain, he opened his eyes.

All he saw was a flash of red and Yun was thrown off his horse to the ground.

What was this?

"Take the horse!" A familiar voice yelled, and he swivelled to see Jiang Wei mounted on a red horse, holding his trident the wrong way round.

Zhang He nodded and rushed forward, Yun didn't have time to get up as Zhang He mounted his horse and rode away.

"Jiang Wei? …" Yun muttered. And then swore. He had betrayed them for Zhang He.

Yun ran his hand over his side, where Jiang Wei had struck him, and found no blood. A blunt strike, Wei only wanted to disable him for a time, not kill him.

Yun pushed himself up, his ribs aching. He had taken Yun's horse and the main camp was a long way back, by the time he got back and gathered help, the two fugitives would already be to Cao Wei territory.

He cursed angrily, wiling his body to resist the pain. For a spur of the moment escape, it was well thought out.

---

Sun Quan's eyes glanced over the text, every symbol filling his heart with more dread. One of his men had captured a messenger from Sima Yi. They were orders to continue to strengthen the garrison at He Fei. Which could only mean one thing.

"What does it say my lord?" Xun asked. Zhou Yu being indisposed, Xun took position at Quan's side.

Quan sighed deeply.

"It looks like Cao Cao is going to try and attack us from He Fei." Quan muttered.

Xun was more than a little surprised. He thought they were still allied with Cao Wei.

"Are we not still in alliance?" Xun asked.

Quan rubbed the palm of his hand across his face to hide the forming sweat on his forehead.

"I thought so too, but it seems Cao Cao has other ideas." Quan shivered at the thought.

"What can we do?" Xun asked.

"We need to move, make our main camp north to defend the region." Quan said.

"But we cannot abandon this position, here we evade attack from Shu Han, if we move surely Liu Bei will take this land, and we cannot risk that." Xun sighed.

"Normally, I would ask Zhou Yu to lead the campaign north, but since he is hurt, I'll have to go myself." Quan sighed.

"And leave Zhou Yu in charge? But he is hurt!" Xun cried.

"No, I'll leave control with you." Quan said.

Xun fell silent. "Do you think I can handle it?"

"Xun, if I didn't believe in you, I wouldn't trust you now, would I? I'll be marching by tonight, help me prepare for my leave." Quan said.

Xun sighed. "Yes my lord."

---

The two had ridden in silence for a long time. There was no chance that they could have been pursued this time.

After a while, Jiang Wei gently pulled the reigns of his fiery steed and Hare slowed to a trot.

"So, why did you decide to come along?" He asked, breaking the silence.

Wei stopped his steed and dismounted, patting the mighty beast's shoulder.

"I thought you might get hurt, I had to come and keep you safe." Wei sighed.

"So you care?" He asked.

Wei nodded, running his fingers through the glowing mane of his steed. Zhang He also dismounted, finding it difficult without full use of his hands.

"We should continue on foot, horse tracks are easy to follow." Wei sighed, looking into Hare's dark eyes. He took the reigns of He's horse and bound them to Hare's saddle. Wei then whispered into the horse's ear, then patted it's hide. Hare gave a whinny and trotted back into the trees.

"What just happened?" He asked watching the red steed lead the other into the shadows.

"They are going back to camp." Wei said.

"How did you get the Hare to come?" Zhang He asked. He knew of the Horse's reputation from tales Liao had told him. The horse was a devil; no one could control him but his master.

"I asked him." Wei sighed.

Zhang He looked confused. "Alright that is just plain weird!"

"How so? Animals are much smarter than we give them credit for." Wei said, turning his back and continuing to walk. Zhang He stood in awe for a moment, and then ran to catch up.

"So, you coming with me to Cao Wei?" He asked.

Wei grunted. "I'm not sure yet…" Wei sighed. "I'll come with you as far as the end of the forest anyway, its not far now, less than a quarter day's walk."

"You can turn back now if you want, I'll be fine from here." He said.

"No, I want you to get home, so I'll make sure you do." Wei said.

The sky was darkening now, the trees casting eerie dark shadows dancing across the ground.

He muttered to himself, writhing his hands.

"Are you alright?" Wei asked.

"Just these damn bonds…" Zhang He muttered, scratching in futility at the chains.

Wei cursed himself quietly. He had been in such a hurry he hadn't retrieved He's claws, or the keys to his bonds. "I left the keys at camp…" Wei sighed.

"Oh... damn…" He muttered.

Wei thought for a second, looking around. He saw a rock in the undergrowth.

"I might still be able to help though…" Wei said, walking over to the rock. "Put your hands here" Wei said.

Zhang He bent down and stretched the chain over the rocks.

Wei drew his trident and lined up for a strike.

He's expression fell into one of shock. "I hope you know what you are doing!" He gasped.

"Actually, I'm new to this," Wei said.

"Don't use me as an alpha test!" He gasped.

"What do you want me to do?" Wei sighed.

"Well, can't you do a few practice runs when my hands are not in close proximity?" He pleaded.

"Would you like to remain bound or stop complaining and let me do it!" Wei laughed. He was more amused than frustrated.

"Just… just test your aim…" He asked.

"Look, my aim is fine, we might as well get this over with, I don't even know if this is going to work." Wei said.

"Be careful!" He said, closing his eyes tight.

"Stop complaining." Wei said drawing back his pole arm. "This better not break my trident…"

There was a clash of sparks as the trident hit the chains and the brick. Metal splintered, but they didn't break.

"Did it work?" He asked, his eyes adhered shut.

Wei pulled back and struck again, which answered He's question but they still wouldn't break.

"Stop, stop! You'll hurt me!" He cried.

Wei laughed. "Stop being such a girl!"

He drew back one more time, crushing the trident blade down again.

The chains split and Zhang He fell over.

"Got it!" Wei laughed.

He opened his eyes and looked at his hands. They weren't free, but it was a start.

"Thanks, I guess," He said, watching Wei giggle.

But Wei laughter soon stopped dead, his eyes widening with terror.

"Wei… what's wrong?" He asked.

Wei said nothing. His face had flushed white and he stayed still as a statue.

He turned around to see the undergrowth rustle.

"Wei, what is it?" He whispered.

And then He heard it, and his heart filled with dread.

A wolf's howl.