Xun shuffled slowly and silently around the room, holding his breath. He felt around with his feet, feeling for something he could use.
When his foot hit something he bent down and pressed his bound hands into it, inspecting it. One long stick stretched from the floor, up a few foot high to where a large section of wood rested on top. A table! Just what Xun needed.
He pressed his hands close, caressing the polished wood with his fingers, until he came to what he needed, the sharp corner.
He turned, pressing his face into the pointed wood and pulled his face down over it, trying to hook it under his blindfold. It was moving. He pressed closer, dragging his face along the sharp edge. It cut his face and he yelped quietly.
This isn't working…
No! Don't give up!
Have to be strong for Jiang Wei!
He tried again, working on the gag this time. He felt the table grasp at the cloth. It was going to work. He pressed hard, drawing blood on his lips. It was moving! After what seemed like an eternity of scratching at the old table, the gag left his mouth and was pushed down his chin. Xun took a deep breath, unhindered by the foul gag and with one more push, the cloth fell from his face and hung around his neck.
He was relieved.
Good progress. Well, one down…
---
Jiang Wei had had a long time to think now. He knew that all of Lu Xun's suffering was because of him. If it wasn't for him, Lu Xun would be back home, safe, with Zhou Yu. Yu probably wouldn't hate him either. They would be friends again, just like before Wei came along. If he had never come to Shu, Zhuge Liang wouldn't miss him, Huang Yue Ying would have her loving husband back, and Zhuge Zhan his father.
There was nothing left for it.
He sat up, wincing in pain at his damaged flank. He looked around. The first light of morning was shining through the windows. It was early. Zhang Liao lay fast asleep on the bed and Sima Yi was nowhere to be seen. Yi had left last night, knowing Jiang Wei was injured he did not think he needed to watch him. He was wrong.
Jiang Wei struggled to his feet, trying desperately not to make a sound. He didn't want to wake Zhang Liao.
Wei tiptoed out of the room, his side burning. He had to clasp a hand over his mouth to mask the cries of pain that inadvertently escaped him as he walked along. He passed the storeroom, where two guards stood watching Wei intently. There was no chance Wei could get inside, no matter how much he wanted to see Lu Xun.
He passed by, the guards keeping watch but not intervening. That was Sima Yi's job.
Wei walked along the corridor. All was silent. No one was awake yet, not even the serving maids. Only the soldiers that stood in attendance at some of the doors, but they took no notice of Wei.
He found the back door and pushed it open, the light stinging his eyes. The garden. All the way from the building up to the castle's inner wall grew thick rose bushes and mighty peach trees. He sighed. What a beautiful sight. He changed his course, heading for the stables. He pushed open the door, Zhang He's black steed giving him an acknowledging stare. Wei smiled, forgetting for a moment that it was just a beast. He turned to the wall, finding what he was looking for. He took a spare tether rope, heading back into the garden.
He found the peach collecting barrels all lined up against the wall, and pulled one along with him. He found a sturdy peach tree and stopped, pushing the barrel beneath the boughs. He stood up on the barrel, tying the rope into a noose and tying it tightly to the tree. He took another a look around the garden.
What a beautiful sight to die to.
---
Zhang He was dressing. He pulled his hair up into a ponytail and bound it tightly. It was going to be a beautiful day. The sun was already strong and it was still only dawn. No morning would be complete though, without a cup of tea and a look over the garden. The peaches were good this year, and the roses were in full bloom. The sight was breathtaking.
He walked over to the window, drawing back the elaborate fabric curtains and taking a deep breath, smelling all the sweet scents of a summer morning. He smiled to himself, surveying the fabulous colours all around, when he noticed something odd. Amongst the peach trees, someone was moving around. He took a closer look and recognised Jiang Wei.
Zhang He smiled to himself.
Couldn't resist the garden eh? Good choice!But his smile faded as he kept looking. Jiang Wei was standing on a barrel, tying a rope into the peach bough.
What is he doing?He watched as Jiang Wei tugged on the rope, making sure it was secure, and then slipped his head into the noose at the other end.
Zhang He fell back, swearing aloud as he suddenly realised what Wei was doing. He had to stop Wei, but there was no way He could get to him in time.
Then he suddenly thought, there was one chance. He rushed across the room, tripping over himself and grabbed his bow and quiver from the wall. He shakily notched the arrow and ran back over to the window. Wei was still standing. Good.
Zhang He lined up, sweat peppering his brow. He was only going to get one shot.
No distractions, wait for the shot…He watched Wei, Wei was preparing to jump…
"Good morning Zhang He!" Sima Yi's voice chirped behind him.
Zhang He swore. "Quiet!" He barked, keeping his eyes on Wei.
"Zhang He, why have you got that bow?" Yi asked.
"QUIET!" Zhang He screamed, not taking his eyes off Wei for a second.
The barrel fell, and so did Wei, and Zhang He, knowing it was now or never, loosed the arrow.
Wei fell, but didn't stop, slumping to the ground, and Zhang He knew his hit was true. He had severed the rope.
"Zhang He, what did you hit?" Yi growled, frustrated by He's attitude. He walked over to the window and saw Jiang Wei in a heap on the ground in the garden. He fell back in surprise.
"ZHANG HE! WHAT DID YOU DO?" Sima Yi shouted, suddenly panicking. Yi dropped his fan and ran, heading to the garden. Zhang He followed.
---
Jiang Wei swore, coughing as the pain flushed afresh in his flank.
Stupid old rope.
Sima Yi quickly appeared over him, pulling him up.
Wei's eyes eased open slowly, seeing Zhang He standing close, bow in hand.
Not the rope… damn… I was saved….
"Jiang Wei!" Yi shouted, but seeing no wound wondered where He's arrow had struck. That's when Yi noticed the rope hanging around Wei's neck. Yi looked up, seeing it's fellow bound in the boughs of the peach tree. It took him a second to realise.
When the realisation suddenly hit Yi, he was furious.
"How dare you!" Yi shouted. It took every piece of restraint in him not to kill the boy there and then. "How dare you think that this would be the easy way out!" Yi spat.
Yi stood up and leant down, dragging Wei to his feet by his hair. Wei yelped, the wound in his side bleeding fresh.
"I'll show you the cost of your disobedience!" Yi snarled, dragging Wei along.
No, no, he'll hurt Lu Xun again and it's all my fault!Jiang Wei wept, his tears coming from somewhere between the pain in his side, and his failure to save Lu Xun.
Yi pulled him down the corridor and dropped him in front of the storeroom. Yi pushed aside the guards and flung the door open looking inside, but he saw no Lu Xun. Jiang Wei saw it too, Lu Xun was gone.
"What?" Yi spat, walking into the room.
Jiang Wei watched as a shadow shot from behind the door and kicked Sima Yi to the ground.
Yi fell; he had no idea what had just happened. Something had hit his legs, and was still hitting him.
Wei could see now, the bloodied figure of Lu Xun standing in the doorway, driving the heel of his boot into Yi's body. Xun must have hidden behind the door.
"I'll teach you, no one hits Lu Xun!" Xun snarled, his boot crashing down on Yi.
Jiang Wei looked around, the guards did not move, just stood staring blankly into space. One of the guards noticed Wei staring and him and grinned, producing gold coins from his pocket. Wei realised, someone had bribed the guards.
Wei pushed himself shakily to his feet watching Sima Yi battle against the onslaught of the young Strategist's boot.
Xun, turned to Wei, blood trickling down his face and screamed, "Run!"
"Not without You!" Wei cried.
Xun abandoned his victim and ran, Wei keeping to his side. They were both injured and slow, but persevered despite.
Sima Yi growled, trying to get to his feet. He swore. He had to go after them.
---
Xun and Wei got to the castle gate, finding no hindrance from the guards. Someone had bribed them all.
When they reached the gate, Zhang He jumped out, brandishing his claws and the two slowed to a halt in front of him.
Lu Xun's eyes widened and Jiang Wei swore.
Not one of the three moved for a few seconds, a wicked smile gracing Zhang He's face. He reached to the wall behind him, grasping Jiang Wei's trident.
"Were you two to fall here, I would never forgive myself." Zhang He said, standing aside and handing Wei his weapon.
Xun smiled. "Thank you Zhang He!"
"Just go, before Sima Yi comes!" Zhang He said.
Wei nodded and the two fled into the woods.
Not long after, Sima Yi rushed out, his robes dirty and disorderly. He grunted at Zhang He, running as fast as he could to pursue the two strategists into the woods.
Zhang He smiled. His work was done here. As long as they could evade Yi, they would be safe.
Zhang He's mood was suddenly crushed when a soldier ran to him, panting.
"Lord Zhang He, an army is approaching! They are already at the gates!" the soldier spluttered.
"Whose army?" Zhang He asked.
"They bear the banners of both Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu sir!" The soldier panted.
Zhang He smiled. So, the forces had come for them after all, seems I was a good thing he had stopped Jiang Wei from ending it, if he had, he would never have seen how much his force cared for him.
Zhang He readied his claws as the armies breeched the gates and in rushed the soldiers.
---
Xun ran, his hands still bound, alongside his friend. The fatigue was showing in Wei, he slowed, his injury getting the better of him.
"You can't slow Wei, we have to keep running!" Xun cried to Wei.
"I'm … I'm trying…" Wei muttered, his eyes fluttering between open and shut.
Xun could see the pain on Wei's face. This was far too much for him and Xun knew it, but they had to keep going, who knew how close behind Sima Yi was.
---
Zhang He cut down another peon, watching the stream of soldiers pour through the gate and overrun the castle. When out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of Zhao Yun.
The hairs on the back of He's neck stood up and he turned around, watching Yun gallop close. He suddenly jumped, taking hold of Yun's spear and pulling him off his horse. Yun slid from the saddle, twisting his spear in hand and engaged He. He slashed wildly with his claws, pushing Yun back. Yun stabbed, and He evaded, but Yun pulled the shaft around, smashing it into He's chest so that the whole shaft bent. He was winded, but pushed on, slashing at his opponent. The battle raged for what seemed like an eternity, before Zhang He gained the advantage and Yun's weapon was flung away. Zhang He stood over him, the wicked smile again twisting on his face and raised his claws for a final strike. "For Gao Lan!" He muttered.
But He hesitated, the strike he so wanted, that one strike that would end all the nightmares and avenge his friend, and his arms would not move.
"Get it over with!" Yun shouted.
And Zhang He's battle stance fell. He turned around, picking up Yun's flung spear and setting it in hand.
"You will not find Jiang Wei here, he and the Young Sun Wu strategist have fled into the woods with Sima Yi in pursuit. You had best hurry, the boys are injured." He said, tossing the spear to his rival and turning his back, walking casually away.
Some things are more important than revenge…Yun stood up and Zhang He was already gone. He looked around, and then rushed off to find Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu.
---
Jiang Wei stumbled, falling down to his knees, but still trying to carry on. His wound was bleeding profusely and his vision was nearly gone. Lu Xun rushed to his side, but there was nothing he could do to help with his hands still bound.
Jiang Wei tried to get to his feet but his body resisted and he fell to the ground.
"Jiang Wei! Please get up!" Xun begged.
"I can't… I'm… I'm sorry Xun…" Wei sighed, coughing blood.
"Shh, its ok, its alright, you'll be alright." Xun said kneeling down beside Wei.
"Its… its all my fault…" Wei cried quietly.
"What are you saying, it's not your fault!" Xun sighed.
"No, it is. If I wasn't here, Sima Yi would never have wanted to capture you." Wei sobbed.
"Don't be so crazy! If anything it's my fault! If I hadn't just let him take me, he wouldn't have anything to bribe you with and you'd be home by now!" Xun said.
Wei smiled. "We're as bad as each other."
Then a wicked laugh rose behind them. Xun fell deathly still.
"Touching, really touching!" Sima Yi's cruel laugh rose high.
"Damn you Sima Yi!" Jiang Wei spat, blood tricking out of his mouth.
But Yi's laugh was soon checked as another arose, the chatter of the beasts of the forest. The wolves were howling.
Wei hardly noticed them, his eyelids heavy he couldn't move. Xun looked around eyes wide. They were all around them, great grey beasts emerging from the trees.
Yi's laugh resumed. "Do you see that? They are attracted by the smell of your blood!" Yi laughed.
Wei pushed his face into the grass crying.
Eaten by wolves, what an end.
Wei heard the growls as the beasts came close.
"I'll protect you Jiang Wei…" Xun said, using his body as a shield between the wolf and Wei.
Wei heard his friend, and the growls get ever closer and dared to look up.
He saw the beast close, and instantly recognised it. There was still dry blood matted into the fur on it's shoulder. It looked at Wei with deep dark eyes. It was the Alpha.
It's eyes met Wei's and it almost smiled, turning it's attention to Sima Yi.
The alpha growled, summoning the other wolves close. None touched Xun or Wei, but all turned to Yi.
Lu Xun looked at Jiang Wei, puzzled. "What happened?" He asked.
Wei laughed. "Animals are much smarter than we give them credit for!"
Yi took to a sprint, running into the depths of the woods, and the wolves followed him.
The two were alone, Wei silently bleeding into the grass, when a voice called.
"Lord Jiang Wei, Lord Lu Xun, are you alright?"
The two turned around to see Zhuge Liang, Zhao Yun and Zhou Yu coming towards them.
Jiang Wei's tears ran fresh.
They were saved.
Lu Xun too cried, it seems Zhou Yu did care about him after all.
---
Zhang He helped Sima Yi into bed. The wolves had bitten him a few times, but nothing too serious. Yi would be fine and as arrogant as ever in no time. Cao Cao had heard of the invasion of Shu Han and Sun Wu and was coming home. He would never leave Sima Yi in charge again.
"Thanks…" Yi muttered, pulling the covers up over his head, and Zhang He knew he had been dismissed.
He walked a few doors down until he came to Zhang Liao's room and hovered by the door. Liao had taken off the dressings and was stretching his arm.
"Looks fine to me!" Zhang He laughed.
"It feels much better," Liao said.
"In that case, do you want to come down to the blacksmith with me and get Wyvern sharpened?" He asked.
"Nah, I'm a little short on money at the moment." Zhang Liao smiled.
---
Jiang Wei lay in bed. His dirty bloody robes had been taken away and his wound dressed properly.
"Jiang Wei…" Zhuge Liang Said, walking to Wei's bedside.
Wei cried. "I'm so sorry Zhuge Liang… I should never have left." Wei sobbed holding out his arms.
Liang smiled. "Its alright Jiang Wei, we all make mistakes." Liang leaned forward wrapping his arms gently around the boy's waist. Jiang Wei hugged back, crying into Zhuge's robes. When Zhuge was there, he felt safe, content.
"I'm home." Wei sighed.
---
Zhou Yu lay alone in his quarters. The journey had exhausted him, his wound was bleeding again, and he felt ever so tired. At least he could save Lu Xun.
"Zhou Yu…" Xun's voice called.
Yu turned around to see the boy standing in the doorway.
"Oh… Lu Xun… Please come in." Zhou Yu coughed.
Xun walked close and knelt down at Yu's bedside, looking down at the older man.
"Oh Xun… could you ever forgive me… I've been an awful person…" Yu sighed.
Xun smiled.
"Its alright… I forgive you." Xun said.
"Really?" Yu spluttered.
Xun nodded. "The only thing that kept us apart was your hatred for Zhuge Liang, but for you to put aside your pride and join Liang to help me, that was the greatest thing you could ever do for me." Xun said.
"Oh… thank you…" Yu said stretching out his hand to Xun.
Xun took it and he was pulled close into a gentle embrace.
"Thank you… so…. much…." Yu said.
They hugged for a few minutes until Zhou Yu's grip fell loose.
"Zhou Yu?" Lu Xun said. But there was no reply. He let go, seeing Yu lay still in his bed.
"Zhou Yu?" Xun repeated. But there was no reply.
Xun started to cry.
"Zhou Yu, wake up Zhou Yu!" Xun cried.
Yu lay still and quiet.
And the tears fell, Xun fell upon Yu, clutching him close and weeping into his robes.
"Zhou Yu…" Xun cried one last time, but surrendered.
His friend was gone.
