Exposed Identity

 There was an immediate uproar between the soldiers as they exchanged words;

Was I wrong in saying she could be or is a woman?

Yes that's an insult to the commander!

I was only thinking of stability in the army.

You must be stupid for thinking that way because it's causing only problems!

What did you say? Say it again, I will deal with you!

I will say it again! The soldiers continued bickering against each other.

If I'm wrong, chop off my head. Commander, please can you take off your clothes so that we will know if you are a man or a woman? Everyone calmed down when he was making the request but another uproar burst forth immediately he had finished asking.

Marshall Sima wanted to step forward and silence the soldiers but Adlin held him back, shaking her head as a gesture for him not to intervene.

"Everyone" Adlin spoke out. I'm a woman.

What? She admits it? The soldiers asked themselves.

"I told you, I wasn't wrong", a soldier who was hell bent sure she is a woman said. He must have probably been hired by general Funk to cause an uproar about the matter.

"My real name is Sima Adlin", She continued. I apologize on behalf of Staff Cyrus to the wounded soldiers. I chose to fight in place of my brother Sima Adu, who is sickly and weak. I disguised as a man and joined the army, it has nothing to do with my father.

She knelt down and raised her sword up with both hands as if offering something to a superior.

"I'm willing to give up my position and be punished" she said. 

Her father took the sword from her hand and stripped off her position as commander and locked up in a cell till the war was over.

"After the war is over, I will take her back to the capital city and ask his majesty for punishment, because I her father cannot be exempted from blame" Marshall Sima assured everyone. Someone, lock her up in a cell till the war is over.

 Adlin was immediately escorted away to the prison, leaving Cyrus and Arash with a heavy scowl on their faces.

 At night when Arash was off duty, he sat down at a secluded area in the camp, drinking. He was quite sad that Adlin was deposed, because all his plans and promotions in the army will later be in vain. Just as he was about to down a mouthful of wine, a kick hit the wine jar off his hand and it fell down, breaking to pieces.

"Is it you?" Cyrus asked in anger.

Arash was heavily irritated but he wouldn't fight Cyrus because he was just worried about the same person he was worried about. He threw the cork of the wine jar on the floor as he stood up and slammed his hands on his body.

What is it? Make it clear! Arash questioned.

Did you leak her identity?

Oh, come on! Use your brain for once, can you? What good would it bring for me?

Raising his fingers and counting, Arash continued.

"Promotion, wealth and recognition will all be in vain", he said and softly hit Cyrus on his chest. You think about it carefully, who will benefit the most from this matter.

Arash walked away furiously while Cyrus stood there for a while fuming in anger and thinking who was able to expose Adlin's identity.

 The soldiers had just finished their morning drills and were having breakfast. Arash's two friends sat at a table eating as they discussed about the identity of their commander.

I didn't expect our commander to be a woman, one said.

Yes. It was unexpected.

Arash! One screamed when he just realized something and it attracted the attention of other soldiers. He then remembered he was in public and calmed down before speaking in low tones. 

Don't you realize something?

What?

That kid! Arash knew about this long ago.

That's true, no wonder when we wanted to bath.....

Shhh! The other silenced him. Keep it to yourself and don't get Arash in trouble.

What do you think our commander will look like in women's clothing?

She must look beautiful. After all she is a general's daughter. She must have been taken good care of since little.

 In the prison cell, Adlin kept walking to and fro, wondering what could be happening at the barracks now. She just couldn't rest her mind even though she was well taken care of in the cell. She was afterall a general's daughter. After pacing for a while she sat down to calm her mind and then she heard a voice repeating exactly what she said at the moment she gave up her military position. Without seeing the person, she knew it was Arash, judging from the voice.

"Enough now, come out" she said.

You could recognize my voice right? Even though I tried to change it, Arash asked.

Ignoring the question, she asked "you sneaked out of the outpost battalion and came here, do you know the consequences of you are caught?" 

The soldiers at the outpost battalion are being dispatched, ready to march to war tomorrow. So you don't have to worry, he assured.

He brought out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped a few stains on her face. When she saw the handkerchief, she wanted to take it but he withdrew his hand.

Is this not mine?

Yes, but it's mine now. Don't think of taking it back.

Oh, she thought. It is really you, right?

Ha! Arash sighed. Cyrus suspects me, you too suspects me? What good would that do me?

Adlin nodded and said "you are right. I'm your boss, if I am exposed you won't gain any profits. Although you may not respect because I'm a woman, but you won't report me.

Is that what you think? He asked.

Of course. Otherwise what would I think?

I never meant to disrespect you, he stated. A woman and a man, both have hands and feet and can fight for themselves. Why can't a woman lead an army?

You think so too? She asked in a delighted tone.

Of course. If I were you I would boldly tell the emperor what I think, I wouldn't even be afraid.

Who is talking nonsense there? An approaching voice asked. 

Arash immediately looked and saw Marshall Sima coming.