Song of the red swallow.

The territory skirmishes between Wei and Wu had been going on for a few weeks now and fatigue was beginning to get the better of Lu Xun. Today he was leader of the van against Wei. He donned his fighting robe, armour, hat and trusty blades and mounted his steed. He headed out to the front lines, yawning and stretching his arms. This had to end soon. From the looks of his men, they were as tired as he was. Zhou Yu rode beside him and after the normal formalities, he said, "Take it easy out there today Xun, we need you to come home in one piece!"

Lu Xun smiled. Although he appreciated the concern he resented the fact that everyone thought of him as their little brother. Lu Meng approached on his flank and gave him a swift salute, which he returned. Soon preparations were made and the drums beat to march.

It wasn't long before the great Wei banners rose on the horizon, proclaiming the name of Cao Cao and his other high-ranking officers. Where banners were seen so were people, a myriad armoured men standing, weapons ready waiting for the Wu army to approach.

Xun pulled his trusty blade from his side and pointed it towards the enemy. "Forward!" He proclaimed and all around him began to run. The Wei army too began their advance and soon it was unclear where friend ended and enemy began.

Xun rode as fast as he could through the frontlines, slashing at every man not wearing Wu colours, soon, the banner of Xiahou Yuan flashed into view and Xun prepared to meet him, but the officer was no where to be seen. Ambush. He reeled his horse around to retreat but it was too late, the enemy had him surrounded and isolated.

He prepared his weapons to fight but was struck a fierce blow on the back on the head and fell from his horse unconscious.

Xiahou Dun rode up to congratulate his brother.

"You got one!" Dun proclaimed.

"Bah, its just a little kid, I don't think he's dead either." Yuan said rolling the boy over and having a look at him.

"Hold up!" Dun said seeing the hat that lay on the floor a few feet away. He picked it up and inspected it. "This come from him?" Dun asked.

"I think so," Yuan said.

Dun laughed. "This is Wu's fledgling strategist Lu Xun! Cao Cao will jump for joy!"

"Really! Then I'll take his head now," Yuan said grabbing the boy's hair in one hand and drawing a sword.

"Stop! You know Cao Cao likes to deal with these things himself, if the boy is alive you'll have a higher reward!" Dun said.

"Have to be the smart one don't you!" Yuan said lowering the blade.

Xiahou Dun looked upon the fine steed Lu Xun had left behind. "Nice horse, take him!" He called to his men.

So Xun was bound and thrown on the back of Xiahou Yuan's horse, who quickly rode back to main camp to give Cao Cao the news.

Cao Cao was delighted. The boy was indeed alive but still unconscious so Cao ordered him be kept in a cell until that time when he awakened. Before the boy was taken away he removed the one blade still lodged in his belt. "Funny…" Cao Cao mused, "I thought he had two…" So Xiahou Yuan was congratulated and rewarded with fine silks and gold.

Xun awoke to the taste of blood in his mouth. He could feel the blood caked on his lips. He tried to move but he couldn't. His limbs were tightly bound. He plucked up the courage to try and open his eyes but all he saw were black walls and a haze of random colours, swirling into each other. He vomited.

"I think he's awake!" A voice called from somewhere outside and soon there was a grating sound of metal on metal where iron doors were being slid open.

"You awake?" A gruff voice muttered, closer to him now. He murmured and opened his eyes again. The haze was still there but he could see the man standing over him.

"He's awake! Lets get him to Cao Cao!" The man standing over him called. His legs were un-bound and he was roughly dragged to his feet. He scrunched up his eyes repeating in his mind "Don't be sick, don't be sick…" At first he was shaky but soon he found his feet again and was being taken upstairs. He was in a castle, the walls adorned with rich silks and tapestries. Soon he was led into a grand hall where at the end of the room sat, in a great throne, a man wearing elaborate dress. He was thrown before the man on his knees.

"So you finally woke up did you? How the mighty have fallen!" The man grinned.

Xun wasn't sure what was going on. His eyes wandered around the room to several men also in ceremonial dress.

"Are you listening boy!" The man spat.

A soldier entered through the doors behind them and went up to man at the throne and said. "Master Cao Cao, The Wu forces are retreating!"

"Very good, you are dismissed." Cao Cao said.

"Master Cao Cao…" Xun repeated.

"What?" Cao mused, looking down at the boy kneeling before him.

Xun knew that Cao Cao was very important, but he couldn't remember why.

"… Do I… do I work for you?" He asked.

Cao looked shocked and stood up. "What trickery is this?" He spat.

Lu Xun shifted awkwardly. He looked around for something, anything to remind him. "Am I a soldier?" He asked.

Cao was shocked. He fell back into his chair not quite sure what to think.

An officer from the crowd bowed low and said, "If I may sir,"

"You may," Cao Cao answered.

"The boy took a pretty good hit to the head, he probably doesn't remember." The officer continued.

All eyes turned back to the boy, who was still looking around quite oblivious to the situation.

"Hey, kid" Cao called.

Xun turned and looked up at him.

"What is you're name?" Cao asked.

Xun looked confused. "I'm sorry master Cao Cao, I don't remember…"

All officers began chattering amongst themselves, is it true? Can he really not remember who he is? Is this just another one of Wu's tricks?

"Enough!" Cao commanded. He looked down at the boy's red robe, tapering at the ends into two points, like a swallow's tail.

"Don't you remember? You're name is Red swallow, you're a serving boy here." Cao Cao said.

"What are you doing?" Xiahou Dun whispered to Cao Cao.

"If he can't remember we can keep him out of the way, Wu looses their strategist and we get to extract his information when we need it." Cao whispered.

"Then why not say he is a soldier?"

"And risk battle reminding him who he really is? Fate has given us gold Xiahou Dun, Do not ask for silver!" Cao whispered back.

The haze had come back in Xun's eyes and he could feel himself slipping back out of consciousness. He had to end this audience quickly.

"I'm sorry for my Impertinence master Cao Cao, Please remind me of how I may resume my duties and I will do so with haste." Xun said. He didn't remember being Red swallow, but he didn't remember being anything so this seemed as plausible as anything else, plus why would anyone lie to him?

"You're not going to serve my men looking like that! You're a mess!" Cao Cao laughed. He turned to an officer standing beside him and said, "Take him to the serving girls and have them clean him up," He then came close and whispered, "and tell them to act as though they have known this boy all their lives!"

The officer nodded and glided over to Xun. This man put Xun in mind of a prancing horse. His hair was in a tight ponytail that hung well below his shoulders, he wore a robe in striking purple adorned with butterflies embroidered in gold and he walked as though in a graceful dance.

He knelt down beside Xun and helped him up, untying the ropes round his hands and leading him out of the room.

"Don't worry Swallow, the girls will clean you up and you'll be right as rain!" The man sang.

"Do I… know the girls?" Xun asked.

"Oh, you've known them ever since you started working here, just wait, I'm sure you'll remember them when you see them!" He trilled.

"What is you're name sir?" Xun asked.

The man smiled. "I'm Zhang He."

Xun nodded but his pace soon slowed, the haze was now full, so much so that he could no longer see lord Zhang He's face. He fell on His knees and vomited. Zhang He quickly rushed to his side and tried to help him up but he was unconscious.

Zhang He shook his head. "That poor little boy," He muttered, sweeping him up into his arms. "Don't worry, I'll try and make it easier for you…" He said.

He Carried Xun the rest of the way to the servant's quarters and informed the girl's of Cao Cao's scheme. They agreed that they would not let on and began to work on making the boy respectable again. Zhang He walked away down the corridor. He brushed past a man on the way, who turned and said, "He with the girls now?"

Zhang He nodded. "It's sad, that poor boy, he has no idea where he is and here we are lying to him! I feel terrible but what can we do."

The man nodded. "We are bound by honour to obey our masters wishes…" The man said and continued off down the corridor. Zhang He sighed and continued on his path.