"Maid." Zhou Yu cried hoarsely. "Yes master Zhou Yu?" The serving girl asked.
"Please, summon lord Lu Xun, I wish to speak to him." Yu said, wincing as he ran his hand over his freshly bandaged wound. The new bandages weren't doing much for his injury; blood had already seeped through them.
"At once my lord." She bowed, cupping a hand over her fist in a respectful gesture.
She left and he sat back, trying to forget the pain. It wasn't so much the wound anymore; it was the terrible feeling of loss.
Lu Xun's trust…He shifted over, staring blankly at the wall. He didn't know if the boy would accept his invitation.
The sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor, some muffled talking, then Lu Xun's bitter tone.
"You asked to see me … sir." Xun growled.
Yu turned around, his bloody bandages adhering to the bedclothes. He looked over into the dark eyes of his young, once-apprentice.
"Ah, Lu Xun…" Yu sighed, pulling his hand free of the covers and gesturing to the boy. "Come, come here." Yu said.
Xun turned up his nose.
Something had changed, there was no fear anymore, he was past the fear, just a defiant hatred. The man had hurt him, tortured him, tormented his every waking moment, now lay before him, weak, vulnerable, hurt…. And somehow, Xun liked it that way.
He smirked walking close to his once master, looking down on the man with uncaring eyes.
Not too close now…Something in the back of Xun's mind still kept him at a close distance.
"Lu Xun, I hear Sun Quan left you with command of the castle…" Yu sighed, smiling.
"And?" Xun spat venomously.
Yu drew his hand back, seeing the way Xun eyed it so. It put him in mind of that day, when he had struck the young Shu Han strategist, and the boy had bitten him. He still bore the scar. This moment reminded him, the way Xun's gaze remained intently upon his ex-master, yet not on his face. For some reason, Xun wouldn't make eye contact.
"I just wanted to congratulate you. For Sun Quan to realise your potential…" Yu sighed.
Xun's gaze sharpened. "What are you saying?" He growled.
"I, I'm just saying how proud of you I am…" Yu sighed,
Xun's brow crinkled, his jaw moved as if he were clenching his teeth tightly. His hands curved into fists, shivering as the muscles tensed.
Zhou Yu could see the eruption before it came; the way the boy's eyes darted to the ground.
"So, you think you are better than me?" Xun snapped, suddenly breaking his own unspoken rule. His eyes clasped onto Yu's, fire burning in his pupils. Xun was too close now, he shot his hands forward and took a handful of Yu's robe, clenching it tightly in his fist and pulling the man close.
Yu could smell the boy's breath.
"Is THAT what you think?" Xun snarled, shouting now.
"No Xun, I was just saying…"
"Hold your tongue wretch! I know your type!" Xun cut Yu off, letting go of his robes so the man slumped back into bed. "You think you are better than me? Then you can look after the castle! Lets see how well you fare!" Xun growled, rushing out of the room, knocking scrolls from the table as he left. They fell and sprawled on the floor.
"Xun, XUN! WAIT!" Yu shouted, he reached over to try to follow, but his wound re-opened, his strength failed him, and he passed out, slumping to the ground. His forequarters hit the floor, while his legs remained on the couch. So there he lay, blood seeping from his wound.
---
Zhuge Liang paced up and down Jiang Wei's tent. He was foolish.
Not foolish, stupid.
He mentally beat himself. How could he let Zhang He come between them, it was probably his plan all along.
Jiang Wei would come back. And when he did, he would tell him how sorry he was and beg forgiveness.
When the chattering of soldiers arose outside the tent, Liang realised a crowd was gathering.
Jiang Wei.
He rushed outside, fighting through the sea of onlookers but when he saw no Jiang Wei, his heart sank.
Zhao Yun approached, clutching his flank.
"So, Zhang He escaped." Liang sighed.
Yun leaned on his spear, panting for breath. "He had help." Yun coughed.
Liang's eyes left their usual, unemotional state and were shot with terror.
"No!" Liang gasped.
Yun nodded, seeing how much it pained his lord.
"No… NO!" Liang Shouted, his eyes prickling with tears.
"Master Zhuge Liang…" Yun said.
Liang Quickly pulled his white fan up to his face and turned his back. No one would know. Zhuge Liang doesn't cry.
---
Zhang He stood as still as he could, watching the smoke grey creatures stalk in the undergrowth. They were very close. He could see the tactile whiskers sprouting from their eyebrows, the way their breath left hews of white in front of their long snouts, and those twisted, toothy grins…
A quiet whine of terror escaped Wei, his chalk-white brow peppered with sweat.
"Ready your trident…" He whispered.
There was no response.
He turned and looked at the boy.
"Jiang Wei, ready your weapon!" He whispered again.
Wei's expression didn't change, he didn't acknowledge He's words, or even realise he was being spoken to.
He had never seen anyone quite so afraid.
Wei was muttering now, incoherent babble involuntarily escaping him.
"Keep quiet." He whispered, attempting to get through to whatever rational part of Wei remained in his terrified state.
"Nonodon'tnonononononodontgetmenopleasedon'tnonono" Wei jabbered.
He looked back at the wolves; Wei's voice seemed to draw them closer, following the sounds of weakness to their prey. There was a whole hunting pack, about six adult males close and countless more young and females hiding just out of view.
"Wei, can you hear me? You need to be quiet, they come to your voice, they think you are food." He whispered.
"Nonodon'tnonononononodontgetmenopleasedon'tnonono" Wei jabbered.
He slowly moved over grasping Wei's pole arm with one hand and clasping the other over the boy's mouth.
Wei's eyes widened but he didn't resist.
He pulled the boy close, shielding him with his arm. Wei's breath was warm on his hand.
He twisted the trident in his hand, focusing his gaze on the beast he believed to be the alpha.
"Ok wolves, let's see if I can't take a few of you out." He muttered.
Before you get me…The wolves stopped moving, the alpha taking his place at the head of the pack.
He took a step forward, keeping Wei as far behind him as possible.
I will not let it end this way for him; he still has a chance if I can hold them off.
He twisted the trident again, lining up the point with the alpha's face.
Wei cried suddenly and He turned to see that a beta was dashing up on their flank.
He barely had time to act, pushing Wei back and ramming the blade into to attacker. The forks pierced the wolf's face and it was dead, but another took to a sprint. He stabbed again, this time skewering the beast in the flank. He spun, using the corpse as a bludgeon to fend off another attacker.
Wei cried again, grasping tightly onto Zhang He's arm.
Zhang He turned, but not in time, he tried to pull the trident free but the jaws clasped over his arm, razor sharp fangs tearing his skin and crushing his bone.
He pushed Wei further back.
Wei's warm tears dripped down over He's fingers, he forgot for a second about the pain.
They won't get you, I'll protect you.
Just as Zhang He seemed to surrender, letting the pain numb him, the wolf biting him let go and flopped to the floor.
He looked down, seeing blood gush from the beast's eye, and an arrow lay embedded in its skull.
He was puzzled; he turned around to see Sima Yi standing in the clearing, arrow notched in his bow.
"Zhang He, Jiang Wei, get behind me!" Yi shouted, letting fly another arrow into a beta.
Zhang He nodded, pulling Wei with him and shuffling to Yi's side. The Alpha took to a sprint and leapt at He, but Yi let fly and hit the beast in the shoulder. It slumped to the ground, whimpering.
The other wolves looked at the alpha, laying in an ever radiating pool of blood, then at Sima Yi, then took flight into the forest, letting out lamenting cries.
Yi fired after them, an arrow disappearing into the darkness.
After a few minutes, the cries had completely vanished and the forest was silent again, but for Jiang Wei's heavy breaths, Zhang He's whimpers of pain and the clink of chains still hanging from He's wrists. Seeing the wolves were gone, He finally took has hand off the boy's mouth.
"Zhang He, are you alright?" Yi asked, tearing a strip of purple cloth from his robe and tying it tightly around He's wounded arm.
"I think it looks worse than it is, I'll be alright." He sighed.
Wei watched in awe as the man bound his friend's wound.
Sima Yi. Enemy. Cruel, vicious, ruthless.
But of everything, he had just saved Wei's life.
"There, that should do it." Yi said, standing back to admire his work. The ribbons around his wrists were stained with Zhang He's blood.
Wei watched the ribbons flicker in the wind, when they moved and came close, Yi's hands resting on Wei's shoulders.
"Jiang Wei, are you alright?" Yi asked, his voice full of concern. Wei looked up into the man's dark eyes, and there was no evil.
"I…. I'm fine… you… you saved me." Wei stuttered. The colour was slowly returning to his cheeks.
"Don't worry about it, you'd better head off home, your master will be looking for you. Thank you for bringing Zhang He home." Yi said, turning his back and walking away. Zhang He took his position up by his master's side, walking along with him.
"Wait!" Wei called, rushing after the two.
Yi turned, one eyebrow rose slightly.
"Oh, what is it Jiang Wei?" YI asked.
Such kindness…
"Let me come with you!" Wei begged.
Yi looked shocked.
"You want to come with me?" Yi gasped.
"Please let me, I'll swear my allegiance to you." Wei said, rushing up to Yi and wrapping his hands around the man's waist, burying his face in Yi's robes.
Yi gasped, then laughed, putting his hand on Wei's head and running his fingers through the boy's hair. "Swear your allegiance? When faced with such an offer how can I refuse?" Yi laughed.
Wei felt the hand brush through his hair and there was that feeling again, the same one as when he was held captive at Cao Wei, when Yi was there, he felt safe, content.
"I'm home." Wei sighed.
---
Lu Xun rushed into his room, anger burning on his face.
Curse that Zhou Yu!
Zhou Yu didn't think he could do it, so, Yu would have to do it himself. Xun wanted to see just how well Yu would fare when Xun wasn't helping.
He heard breathing behind him and stopped his subliminal rant. Someone had followed him. He turned around but just as his guest came into view they shifted behind him, one hand covering his mouth and the other arm curling around his neck.
His eyes suddenly widened as his assailant's arm closed tightly across his throat, cutting off his airways.
He hadn't checked the room. He was so angry with Zhou Yu he had fallen right into the enemy's trap.
He kicked and flailed as hard as he could but whoever grasped him was strong, and soon he had no strength left.
Xun choked, coughing and spluttering as his vision slowly faded to black.
---
Wei clutched Yi's robe's tightly as the entered the walls of Cao Wei's castle.
"They will all stare at me." Wei muttered.
Yu laughed ruffling the boy's hair.
"Stop being so silly! They won't stare at you!" Yi laughed.
They entered through the main doors. It was dark outside now, the castle illuminated with torches and candles.
"First things first!" Yi said leading the two others up the stairs of the castle. After a short walk they reached a small room, the doorway covered by a heavy curtain.
Yi pulled back the curtain, looking in to the room.
"Zhang Liao, there is someone here to see you." Yi grinned.
"Hmm?" Liao's voice mumbled from inside the room.
Yi turned and motioned Zhang He into the room.
Wei could just see Liao through the small space between the canvas and the wall. When He entered, Liao's face lit up with joy and he began to cry.
"Zhang He! You are alright!" Liao sobbed, not caring for his tears.
"Oh Liao, you are safe!" He wept. The two flew into each others arms in a friendly embrace.
Wei watched the touching scene for a while until Sima Yi turned and started to walk down the corridor.
Wei quickly followed.
"It's late and you've had a rough day, you should sleep." Yi said, turning to look at the young boy.
Wei nodded. "Where should I sleep?" He asked.
"We don't have any spare rooms at the moment, if you don't mind sharing with me until I find you something more permanent…" Yi said.
Wei looked at his feet, embarrassed at the thought of sharing a room with another man. "I guess it'll be alright…" Wei said.
"Good boy!" Yi laughed giving Wei a friendly pat on the back.
They reached Yi's room and he ushered Wei inside, showing him to the couch.
"You can sleep here, I won't join you for a while though, I have some things I need to check out." Yi said.
"Thanks," Wei sighed, looking at the exquisite looking couch. Yi was right; he did need a good sleep. "Oh, I don't have a night robe…" Wei sighed.
Yi laughed, walking to the far side of the room and opening a wooden box. Inside lay exquisite robes of blue and purple silk.
"Here, have one of mine." Yi said, tossing the robe to the boy. He turned to take his leave but his path was checked. He turned and looked at Wei, then walked over and took Wei's hand, examining it.
"What are you doing?" Wei cried, suddenly frightened.
"You're hurt." Yi sighes, running his fingers along the straight cuts on Wei's hands.
"Its nothing." Wei said pulling his hand away, blushing.
"Its not nothing! Someone hurt you!" Yi said. He turned again and walked to the far side of the room, digging deeper into the box and pulling out bandages.
Yi walked back over and took Wei's hand, carefully wrapping the white dressings around his bloody hands.
Wei relaxed, watching Yi work.
AfterYi finished, he stood back and patted Wei's shoulder.
"There, keep those on untill morning, it should help" Yi said turning to take his leave.
Wei smiled as the man left. He had been so kind to him, despite everything.
He quickly changed; leaving his clothes neatly folded in the corner and got into bed. His head hit the pillow. It smelled nice. It was soft…
Soon he was fast asleep.
---
"Have you found him yet?" Yu asked.
The maid shook her head. "Not yet."
Yu sighed deeply. It wasn't at all like Xun to run away, something must have happened to him.
---
And suddenly everything went black. Wei was terrified. He turned to seek comfort from his father, but he wasn't there.
And then the sound that made Wei's heart sink deep in his chest.
A wolf's howl.
Wei suddenly took to a sprint, no longer caring for his safety, he just wanted to find his father and get out. But the howling got louder.
Running in horror, he tripped, plummeting blindly into the darkness and slid along the leafy ground.
Wei struggled to get to his feet but when he looked up, he saw the beast in front of him. A great white wolf stood before him, bared fangs.
But this was no normal wolf.
As the great beast got close, Wei could see it's eyes, and they were not the eyes of a wolf.
They were Zhuge Liang's eyes.
The white beast stood it's ground, it's lips curling up over It's teeth, showing it's fangs.
Wei was then suddenly aware of another sound behind him. He spun around to see a second, equally large wolf behind him. It's fur was as back as jet with fangs as white as snow.
Those eyes.
Sima Yi's eyes.
The black wolf growled, walking close. Wei took a step back, forgetting for a moment about the white, but then the White lunged forward, standing between Wei and the black wolf.
The black stalked sideways, It's gaze intently focused on it's prey. Jiang Wei.
The white wolf stood before Wei, shielding him from the Black, and when the black jumped, the two clashed violently.
"Run, the black wolf means to do you harm!" Qiong's voice echoed in Wei's head.
---
Wei woke up in a cold sweat. He pulled the covers tightly over his sides and shivered.
He looked over and there was Sima Yi fast asleep next to him.
The black wolf…
Wei kicked himself internally.
Zhuge Liang…
Wei started to cry, for he feared he had made a terrible mistake…
---
To be continued...
In part 2: Silver thorn