"Impressive. Two hours and not a sound out of her. Screams, whimpers, gasps…nothing."

"Did you really expect anything from that rabble?"

"Even a sharp retort would have been nice. I know she has them in spades."

"She would not waste them on you. That much I know."

"Will you stay and keep an eye on her?"

"Your wish is mine, my lord."

There was the sound of a door opening, and then silence. She had no idea where she was, only that she was in Wei territory and that it was still dark outside. Mi had been separated from her shortly after the path they had been on ended. There had been a rush of pain, a blindfold, and then darkness. Then, more pain. She couldn't remember exactly what had happened. But judging from the conversation she just heard, she had kept her silence. Good, her training had paid off.

She listened for a few more moments, calculating what to do. She knew there was at least one other person nearby, but nothing more than that. Xing decided to take a chance and open her eyes. A few torches were lit to provide light, and a single moon beam streamed in from a tiny window. Her head was pounding and her hands were bound in front of her, but she would move most of her body freely. There was no sign of Mi. There was, however, another woman near the door.

"You are awake." Xing watched her carefully as she crossed the room, a bowl and towel in hand. "Can you sit up?" Her voice was calm but her eyes were dark.

"Where is Lady Mi?" the rebel leader asked. She pushed herself up with her shoulder. A wave of pain ran through her arm; it was broken.

The woman nodded and held the bowl up for Xing to drink from. "She is on her way back to Shu."

"Unharmed, I hope." Xing handed the bowl back, hiding her confusion.

"Yes, and unguarded. Your Shu and rebel forces should intercept her soon." She took the towel and dipped it in the remaining water. Xing let her wipe her face. The clean water was soon red with blood. "I did not think," the woman said as she worked, "that my first encounter with the famed Lady Yang Xing would involve me washing her wounds."

"Somehow, I don't think you're supposed to be here."

"No, My husband believes that you are not to be trusted. But then again, neither am I." There was a twinkle in the woman's eyes.

Xing jerked her eyes towards her companion's face. "Husband?"

"Lord Cao Pi."

"Ah, that would make you the equally famed Lady Zhen Ji." She held back a wince as the princess dabbed at an open wound on her forehead. "Known for beauty as opposed to magic."

Zhen Ji smiled. "True. But we share some other traits as well. Both of us are quick with our tongues and quicker with our weapons. Cunning and deadliness overpower all else."

Xing nodded and adjusted herself so she was more comfortable. Her back was on fire. Had she fallen into a fit while she was here? "Why did you come here, Lady Zhen?"

"To try and see what my husband sees in you."

That got her attention. "What?"

"Cao Pi has been trying to conceal his obsession with you for months now. You fascinate him. Not in a romantic sense, of course; that is why he keeps me around. But I truly believe that he sees some of himself in you. Yet you surpass him in many ways. That makes him jealous."

"Then he is jealous of an animal."

Zhen Ji set the bowl aside. "That is true. But he finds it difficult to curb his desire nonetheless."

The rebel leader sighed. "I knew his intentions weren't good. But the depths of this obsession frighten me." She looked up into Ji's dark eyes. "Understand," she said in a deep, menacing tone, "that I do not harbor any feelings for your husband."

"Now I can hear the leader in you. And I know your feelings are for another man,"

"Did I say something under torture?"

"No. You were completely silent, as I expected. I merely have to listen and I hear all I want to know."

Xing put her hands in her lap, unsure of what to make of the Lady Zhen. "You are here for more than just observation."

"Cao Pi is intent on keeping you here, convincing you to remain in Wei." She moved closer until the two women were inches away from each other. Zhen Ji had a faint smell of jasmine about her. "On the surface, it is a good idea. You are dangerous, Lady Yang. Jiang remains untouched which only adds to the threat. But, as you already said, you are an animal. To let you live among us would be akin to letting a wild tiger wander the streets."

"What makes you think I would not be the same in Shu?"

"That is Shu's problem to deal with. Besides, you would be amazed how much love can tame even the most ferocious of beasts."

"Believe me," said Xing, barely above a whisper, "I know."

"Good." Zhen Ji grinned and stood, taking a few steps back. "I have done my part. The rest is up to you."

Xing frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I merely wanted to make sure that I read you correctly. You do not want to stay here, and you would be a fool to let my husband convince you otherwise. But let me warn you before I go. Cao Pi is not a man who gives up easily. He will try and break you, and there is no picking yourself back up once he's done that. You need to make sure that your will and resolve are stronger than his."

"I am not afraid of the pain."

"Perhaps not. But everyone has a breaking point. And he will find it." Ji turned to leave but stopped just before the door. "I would worry more about the strength of your friends. They will try and come for you, but they will not find you. How long will they search before they give up?"

Xing found herself alone, but her thoughts were restless. She trusted herself. Hadn't she been beaten within an inch of her life and remained silent? At least, she felt that way. Still, Zhen Ji's words rang true.

The rebels would gather and find some way to track her. But she knew that if they didn't find her, they would continue onward with their lives. It was something they had discussed when they first held council. If one of them was captured, no one was to pay the ransom and show the enemy weakness. One life was not worth an entire population. She knew they would honor that agreement.

Shu would be another matter. Liu Bei was a passionate man who would plow after Wei to right their wrong. Despite her past, the officers had warmed up to her and were protective of her. The people would also want her back. They had become fond of her, and she felt the same for them.

Ma Chao would ride into the heart of Wei and demand her back, if he hadn't done so already. He had an unmatched sense of justice. Even if they were not betrothed, he probably would have charged forward simply because it was his nature. He was in the most danger. Of everyone she knew and loved, he would be the one to find her or die trying.

Xing lay back down n the stone and closed her eyes. She hoped that the rebel leaders had found the clues before Liu Bei sounded the charge. If they read the signs correctly, they would be able to think of something. Even if they didn't find her, they would make sure Shu didn't do anything foolish.

In spite of herself, the thought of abandonment lay heavy on her heart as she drifted into a dreamless sleep.

The back of his hand stung, but it was nothing compared to what Cao Cao must have been feeling. He had been in Shu's possession for a few days now. Even though he was iron-clad in his refusal to give up any information, beating him up still held some enjoyment for Ma Chao. Lady Mi had been returned to them the day after the ambush - her lip bloody, her hands tied and her body shaking, but relatively unharmed.

Of course, she had been too scared to really give any information about Lady Yang's whereabouts. Earlier that morning, she had calmed enough to remember that they had continued along an unknown path for some time before the two women were separated. Cao Pi and some of his men had knocked Xing unconscious and blindfolded her before taking her away. Mi did not know where to. They had kept her on the horse and sent the animal back. While everyone was relieved that Lady Mi was alright, it did not quiet the unrest that had been brewing in Shu.

Cao Cao had been reduced to a whimpering heap on the floor, but it had not silenced his insults. "Oh, come down off your high horse, Chao," he spat. An angry welt had formed where Ma Chao had hit him before. "Even I do not hold worthless grudges. How many years has it been?"

"Enough. And I came down off of my horse just for you." The larger man picked up the Wei leader and pinned him against the stone wall. "I wonder what your son is doing now. Sitting on the throne? Plotting his first move as emperor? He does not seem to miss you that much."

Cao Cao did not answer, so Chao let him fall to the floor. His anger abated for the moment. Turning on his heels, he strode out of the prison and back into the castle of Cheng Du. Ling Mao was waiting for him. "Still nothing from him?"

"No. He fears me, for all his mumblings. That, ultimately, is what I want from him."

The rebel leader said nothing. He and the others of Jiang Si had rode into the capital earlier that morning. Zhuge Liang and Zhang Rui had confined themselves to one room, working out strategies and gathering information. Most of the others were on scouting missions. Cheng Du had never seen this much unrest before, not since they had first decided to make this place the center of Shu. Ma Chao should have been proud to be in the heart of it all. Instead, he felt only anger and worry.

"Still no word from the tracking party?"

Mao shook his head. "None. Man Zhu is good, but Deng Liao's help will make it impossible for Wei to hide from them. It has been so long since any of us has been seen as a hero…" He trailed off as he looked into his friend's eyes. "We will find her, Chao. I promise you."

"And what if you do not? I know the agreement you are all bound to."

"Yes, but we have magic and loyalty on our side. Wei believes that only Xing can track them, and so they let their victory blind them. The rest of us possess skill as well. Our team will not fail."

Chao grunted. "Do you think Xing will survive?"

"Yes." Mao sighed a little as they headed up the stairs that lead to Rui's chambers. "I have heard that Lord Cao Pi is ruthless and unbending. So is Lady Yang. It will be a difficult battle, probably the hardest one either will participate in. But I have faith in her abilities, and in her love for you. She will survive. It is the rest of us I worry about."

The young boy, Teng, was standing outside of Zhang Rui's door. His face lit up when he saw them. "Masters Zhang and Zhuge are waiting for you. Lord Zhang Quan has had some kind of vision."

"Lead the way," Mao said kindly. Teng led them inside. Both strategists were hovering over a portion of the map, as they had been doing for many nights now. Pang Qui had his finger on something, arguing with his fellow leader. Zhang Quan was seated nearby, silent with a quivering lip. Huang Su, another of the leaders, was kneeling next to him, whispering something into his friend's ear. It was an odd gesture, in Chao's opinion. "Zhang Quan has difficulty with speech," Mao explained, catching his confusion. "Yet he sometimes has unsettling dreams. Su has always been gifted with more patience than the rest of us. He is always there to calm Quan down and help to interpret what he sees."

"Does anyone else question this kind of…closeness?"

Mao frowned. "Not anymore."

Rui looked up at the trio that had entered. "Good, you are here. Has Cao Cao said anything else?"

"No. The creativity of his insults is waning."

"Good. I believe he will not say anything because he does not know anything, but I understand the depths of your hatred. Just refrain from bruising him too badly. Cao Pi will be needing him back."

"Hence why he has sent the Wei army looking for his father," Qui said.

"Cao Pi knows that without his father, Wei will crumble." said Zhuge Liang. "He will eventually need him back. But his obsession with the Lady Yang is strong. He will not realize what he is doing to his kingdom until one side caves in."

"Have we heard anything new?" Ma Chao asked. His already-thin patience was almost gone. It was hard not to show how worried he was for Xing. He tried his hardest to remain strong, knowing that she would do the same. Perhaps he was beginning to have some faith that everyone else preached about.

Rui shook his head. "We have heard nothing from the tracking party. As they have sent no word, we can assume they have not found anything yet. Zhang Quan, however, has been struggling with his dreams. Su?"

"Last night, he dreamed of a room of stone," Huang Su began. "It was dark, and the taste of blood hung heavily in the air. There were three marks on the wall. Dashes, from the sound of it. Then, he saw someone asleep on the floor. Lady Yang was shivering, but her face remained alert. In a flash, he saw Cao Pi pacing in a large room. Over and over he would say, 'What does she see in him? What does she see in me?' There was a burning sensation, and his back felt like it was on fire. That is all he told me."

"Damn that man," Ma Chao hissed. "Does this mean she is alive? Where were these rooms?"

"He does not know," Huang Su said. "They do not sound like any rooms I have seen in Wei."

Zhuge Liang frowned, lines forming across his brow. "It is as I feared. Wei must have some stronghold in the woods beyond the path we know of. Unless the tracking party can figure out where it is, we will have no hope of finding them."

"At least we know she is fighting him." Mao smirked. "Three dashes on the wall. She has been keeping track of the days. It will keep her mind focused on something besides the pain."

"This changes things," Zhange Rui said softly.

All eyes were now on him. "How so?" Chao asked.

"I see a way to win this battle with Wei. Of course, it hinges on the success of the others, but it will also depend heavily on our own patience. And Xing's."

Pang Qui rubbed the back of his head. "Rui, you're speaking in riddles."

"Quan's dream has shown us many things. First, Xing is alive. Second, Cao Pi is still her captor. Third, he has subjected her to torture, which she is repelling nicely. Fourth, his obsession with her is strong. And finally, he will not let her go until he figures out a way to break her. Time is the only thing that will solve this problem."

Ma Chao felt his mouth go dry. For some reason, the old man's words chilled him. "What do you propose?"

Rui sat down slowly, his head in his hands. After a moment, he scanned the room and let his eyes fall on Chao. "When the tracking party finds where they are keeping her, we must not go after her. Not immediately. Gods, I hope she will forgive us."

"For what?"

"For abandoning her."

Ling Mao had to use all his power to keep Chao from charging forward. "Out of the question! We will not leave her to fend for herself with that animal in Wei!"

"Xing, too, is an animal."

"Silence!" Ma Chao's face was red with fury. "She is as human as the rest of us. Why does no one see that but me?"

Rui regarded the man with a hint of awe. "I see now why she fell for you, Lord Ma Chao. I promise you, on pain of death, that we will get her back. But we must make both Xing and Pi feel as though we have given up. No, she will not let him convince her to stay in Wei. I am certain of that. But if our hold on her decreases, so will his. The obsession will be fueled solely by her, not by our loyalty to her. His interest will fade. That is when we will make our move."

Chao slumped against his friend's arm. "How long will that take?" Mao asked.

"For our sake, let us hope it will be no longer than a month."

"One month," Chao said weakly. "You expect me to sit idly by while Cao Pi continues to beat her senseless and fill her ears with nonsense? I cannot do that."

"Ma Chao, in order to rescue your beloved, you must. Xing will never lose her faith in you, even if she loses it in the rest of us." The old man stood and placed both of his hands on the officer's shoulders. "You must be strong for her. Only then will you be able to save her."

And then, there was nothing Chao could do to change his mind.