Lu Xun rolled over. His captor had rushed off as soon as he had hurt Jiang Wei.

I hope he is alright…

It wasn't a bad wound on his back, it stung viciously, but the weapon was shallowly spiked, the surface of his skin was probably shredded beyond recognition, but nothing worse.

He sighed quietly. The hit on Jiang Wei had been much worse. Sima Yi obviously hadn't wanted to hurt Wei, that much was certain after Wei passed out. Sima Yi was on the verge of tears when he called Zhang He in to help carry the boy.

What exactly was going on? Sima Yi seemed to care about Jiang Wei, like a father would care for his son, yet he still wanted to hurt Wei. Surely if Yi truly admired Wei, he would never want to hurt him…. Just like if Zhou Yu had liked Xun, he would have been nicer…

People change.

Nothing could be taken at face value anymore.

Zhou Yu had changed overnight, once he had cared about Lu Xun, looked after him like a big brother. Once he even saved him from Cao Cao, a moment Xun would never forget. While Xun was away, Yu had campaigned tirelessly to find him…

Those days are gone.

Now Yu wouldn't hesitate to strike Xun. When Yu had found out about his friendship with Jiang Wei, he had been beaten so mercilessly that he had broken ribs.

Ever since Zhou Yu met Zhuge Liang, that's when it started…

And that's when Xun realised. When Sima Yi tortured him, he didn't see Sima Yi.

He saw Zhou Yu.

Perhaps, deep down Yi knew that Wei would never join him by choice, no matter how much he wanted to be friends with the boy, so he concocted this scheme. Jiang Wei's strong loyalty, perhaps his most impressive feature, would become his downfall.

It was sick.

Deep down, Yi didn't care if Wei hated him or not, he just wanted to maintain his wicked façade.

Perhaps that was it.

Yi wanted an apprentice and couldn't handle the fact Zhuge Liang had one of the best.

One of the best… Xun could feel the flies crawl along his bloody back.

Xun lamented, he could not believe he had been so weak. He couldn't believe he had… wet himself. Jiang Wei needed him to be strong, and he ruined it.

I'm sorry Jiang Wei; I promise I'll be strong next time.

As you were for me…

The flies were congregating in large numbers, walking all over his back, and stealing nutrients from his blood.

Vile parasites!

---

Wei didn't remember fainting, but he must have done because suddenly he was outside in the corridor, being cradled by Sima Yi and Zhang He.

"He's awake! Its alright Wei, we are going to find the doctor for you, you'll be fine." Zhang He said, still holding the boy tightly.

"Take him to Zhang Liao's room." Yi's voice called.

Wei's eyes wouldn't open properly. He let his head flop onto one side, listening.

"What the hell did you do to him?" Zhang He growled.

"It was an accident, stupid kid jumped in the way!" Yi spluttered.

But Yi's words faded fast in Jiang Wei's ears. He suddenly lost all hearing, replaced by a high-pitched buzzing sound. He scrunched up his eyes tightly.

Can't hold it in.

He didn't even have time to move, retching on Sima Yi's robes. There was very little food left in his stomach so Wei spat up a thick black liquid.

His hearing returned to Sima Yi cursing.

They got him to Zhang Liao's room and Zhang He lay him gently down on the floor as Sima Yi stood cursing about his dirty robes.

"Has my room become a hospital?" Liao asked.

"No jokes Liao, he is hurt!" Zhang He muttered.

Liao fell silent.

Wei retched again, nothing coming up. Zhang He quickly got him a bucket and Wei hung his head over the side, coughing dryly.

"Now, lets see to that wound shall we?" Zhang He said, pulling Wei's robes down over his shoulders.

Wei resisted but was preoccupied, so Zhang He managed to peel the robes down to his waist, showing the wound.

"There it is, Sima Yi, I need a bucket of water and a clean cloth." Zhang He said.

He leaned close to the cut, picking out shreds of dark cloth matted into the skin.

Yi soon returned with the bucket and it was gratefully accepted, He taking hold of the cloth, dampening it and using it to clean the wound.

Wei had finished retching, his stomach still doing back flips, but lay down now, wincing as the cloth brushed his wound. He relaxed. It wasn't hurting half as much as it was earlier.

Zhang He smiled. "There, see, a lot of fuss over nothing! It's just a surface wound, lot of blood but not much damage, You may have a bruised rib there too, but nothing a lot of bed rest won't cure."

Wei was a lot calmer; it was just the sight of so much blood that had panicked him before. He was fine now, except for the burning pain in his side as Zhang He cleaned it gently. He washed the rag in the bucket; the once clean water now tainted red.

"You sure he'll be fine?" Yi muttered.

"Oh Yi, did I hear some concern there?" Zhang Liao laughed.

"None of your mouth!" Yi muttered quietly.

Zhang He bound Wei's wound tightly.

"There, that's all done. Is there anything I can get you to make you feel better?" Zhang He asked.

"Wine…" Wei muttered.

---

Zhuge Liang was studying quietly when a soldier announced Ling Tong's return.

Liang acknowledged and bade the soldier bring him in.

Tong walked in, the casual smile on his face and handed Liang the letter his master had written.

Liang took the letter and looked at Tong confused.

"What is this?" Liang Asked.

"Open it and you'll find out. It's a surprise!" Tong whispered playfully.

Liang kept his expression blank, tearing open the letter and reading it silently.

"Dear Zhuge Liang.

Do not think that I am crawling to you as a last resort. That is not the case. I would invade Cao Wei myself; if I did not think that this matter concerned you as much as it does me. As I'm sure Ling Tong has told you that my fine apprentice Lu Xun is missing and we believe him to be in the hands of Cao Wei in their strong hold in the north. It has a come to my attention that your apprentice, Jiang Wei, too is absent.

It is well known between the two of us that our apprentices are good friends. The absence of the two is suspicious. It has also come to my attention that Jiang Wei returned to your camp in the attire of a Cao Wei officer. Now I do not believe that your apprentice would defect from you. The bonds of loyalty the two of you share seemed unbreakable. And I believe they still are. Somehow, I believe that Sima Yi is using a ploy to hold your apprentice against his will. A ploy that involves Lu Xun.

If you too think that this is the case then send a small force to join with mine. I will personally lead my army against Cao Wei to retrieve both of our lost allies. This will, naturally entail an alliance between us, and I will not bring any harm upon you, lest I be struck down.

I hope we can put aside our differences to help our lost men.

Thank you.

Zhou Yu."

Zhuge Liang read the letter with amazement. He wasn't sure whether or not to trust Yu, as the man had pulled his fair share of cruel plots in his time. But this involved Lu Xun.

And Jiang Wei…

"So, what is your answer?" Tong asked.

Liang looked down. He pondered. Zhou Yu could be leading him into danger.

But Jiang Wei could already be in danger.

He brought his hand up to his face in deep thought.

---

Lu Xun lay quietly. The blood had dried now but he could still feel those filthy little bugs on his body.

I'll have my revenge…

When the door eased open slowly, he tensed, listening to every sound.

Heavy footsteps echoed closer, then a shuffling as someone knelt before him.

Xun could smell medicine. It was his mystery benefactor.

I hope he's brought more food.

He felt the gentle hands on his face remove his gag and wipe the blood off his lips. He felt the cold touch of china on his lip. It was a cup.

"Drink this." His benefactor mumbled, trying, and managing to mask his voice.

Xun opened his mouth; the man tipped the cup and poured the liquid into his mouth. It was honey water. Xun was parched and relieved to have something so sweet to drink.

Xun quickly finished the drink, feeling much better for. He felt the hands on his face again as his benefactor went to replace the gag, but Xun cried out quietly.

"Please, please can I have some food?" He pleaded quietly.

Xun's wish was denied and the gag was replaced. He sighed deeply

"Jiang Wei needs you to be strong…" The man's muffled voice whispered.

Xun heard the rustling as the man shifted, kneeling by Xun's feet. Xun felt his legs lifted up as the man loosened the ropes on his feet.

"I'm going to give you an advantage, but don't use it yet. You'll need to keep it. Use it when the opportunity is right." The man whispered low. He let go of Xun and walked towards the door. He stopped.

"Good luck" He whispered.

Then the door creaked shut and he was gone.

Xun wriggled his legs. The ropes were loose now and he could easily slip out. What good would it do? He could stand but he couldn't see anything, or feel anything for that matter with his hands still bound.

What advantage did giving him the ability to walk do if he couldn't walk out of the room?

Then he thought about what the man had said.

Jiang Wei needs you to be strong

Xun thought for a second about the words, and then thought deeply.

What would Jiang Wei do in this situation?

---

Jiang Wei was awoken from his deep slumber when someone stepped over him. He opened his eyes slowly to see Zhang Liao stealthily sneaking back into bed.

Jiang Wei was confused. The man was bedridden with injury, what did he get out of bed for?