Commander Adu's First Trouble.

 It's commander Adu! They whispered to themselves and stood still till she arrived.

Greetings commander, Staff Cyrus, one of the old soldiers stand right next to Arash saluted.

Arash seemed carried away, he stood still looking commander Adu in the eye without shying away until his opponent greeted, then he managed to recollect himself.

Oh! Greetings commander, staff Cyrus, he saluted too.

What are you guys doing? Commander Adu asked.

Hmmm.... We... We...

One of Arash's opponents stammered, not knowing how he would tell the commander they were fighting. But Arash immediately helped him out.

We were just learning from each other, I was learning from them, Arash said while smiling and put his arm around his opponent's neck.

Adlin pretended she didn't know they were actually fighting.

In Mezhou city's Army, your capabilities speak volumes, do you understand? Commander Adu asked.

Yes commander! They chorused.

Whoever is capable can speak loudly. A newbie huh? She asked referring to Arash.

Yes, we are newcomers, he replied and pointed at his colleague who fell down earlier while working. My name is Arash. 

From now on you are the group leader of the newcomers, do something big with your guys. 

Me? Arash asked in a surprising tone, but she didn't answer and walked away.

You? The group leader? One of his opponents asked.

 As commander Adu walked away, Cyrus decided to know why she pretended not knowing they were fighting.

They were clearly fighting, they were lying. Why didn't you say it? Cyrus asked.

If he can't handle such a small thing, he is not a good soldier, Adlin answered. Similarly, if I handle such a small thing, I'm not a good commander.

 Arash and his opponents immediately turned colleagues. They kept mute and watched commander Adu walk away before speaking.

Thank you! One of them said and jammed his shoulder with Arash's own while smiling. 

It's nothing, Arash replied and patted his shoulder.

Good job, you didn't say anything, another said and shook hands with him.

You too, you didn't say anything, Arash replied. 

Not bad, group leader, another said. It's been only a few days. What did you do before? You don't look like a newcomer.

It's just luck, Arash replied. But I was a bandit before joining the army. 

 Infact they were all newcomers, it's just that the bullying trio came some days earlier before Arash's group. They picked up the loads and continued working and the others joined, since they were newcomers too. They now have a group leader. 

 Some days later, Commander Adu went on a front line inspection with the newcomers. They have been given a few trainings and have been equipped with military gear. She and Cyrus rode on horses while the other soldiers treaded on foot.

 As they inspected further to the front line away from Mezhou city, they came across some people who looked like refugees. In the group of refugees, some were old and some were young. Women and children were included. Commander Adu signaled for the inspection group to stop and the soldiers immediately formed a formation between both parties, protecting the commander.

Where are you people from? Commander Adu asked from within the formation.

We just escaped from the frontline, all we want is just to go home, an old man among them answered. We are all good people.

Yes we are all good people, they answered.

Dear folks, if you want to return home, you have to take a detour, commander Adu informed.

Ha? Take a detour? If we take a detour we would cross the mountain, but old and young people like us can't walk that long, a young man with a basket on his back explained.

Yes we can't walk that long! All of them repeated after him.

Please have mercy on us and let us pass, they said one after the other and began walking closer to the formation protecting the commander. But Commander Adu came down from her horse and walked up to them and Cyrus followed suit.

You all should calm down let me speak, Adlin said. I asked you to take a detour because of safety. I will send soldiers to accompany you and provide food for you.

We don't believe it! They shouted. You will kill people.

They immediately broke through the formation and started going on their way, pushing the soldiers aside. But Arash sensed something must be off, he monitored them vigilantly, but didn't find anything. The soldiers blocked the refugees path and stopped them from moving further.

 At this time in the crowd, someone brought out a dagger and quietly moved towards commander Adu and stabbed her in the abdomen before Arash could notice. Arash widened his eyes in shock and immediately intercepted the assassin and killed him. A second assassin attempted his luck but was killed by Cyrus this time. Both Cyrus and Arash stood side by side commander Adu, pointing their swords at the refugees daring any one to come forth. Commander Adu stood, placing her hand on her abdomen. 

Innocent people leave! Anyone who disobeys kill him! Arash commanded as the group leader of the newcomers. 

All the innocent people began running away to take the detour, only the remaining assassins stayed and faced them. At this time they have brought out their weapons and stayed in position for combat. 

Staff Cyrus, I'll protect the commander, Arash said.

Okay, Cyrus agreed. Leave them to me.

Arash held commander Adu's hand and stepped backwards and immediately the both sides clashed in combat. Arash put commander Adu onto her horse, climbed on after her and rode away, resting her head on his chest. Luckily, the assassin couldn't exert enough force that would reduce the effect of her armour and kill her. Her armour was capable of reducing the impact of the strike from those low level assassins, but not from a top master in martial arts. But she was injured after all. 

 At the battle, the assassins were all killed as they were just probably paid refugees from the opposition army. The soldiers under commander Adu didn't suffer any casualties.