Promoted To A Central Guard.

What are you doing?! Commander Adu asked as Arash rolled over and placed his head on her chest.

In my hair, he answered. Look at it, something that can save our lives.

Commander Adu looked at his hair and saw a small weapon.

A small dagger? She asked.

Take it out!

How can I take it out with my hands tied?

Use your teeth, hurry!

Commander Adu used her tooth after hesitating for a while, to dig out the small dagger from his hair. Just as she was doing that, Arash's head was close to her neck and he observed it.

No Adams apple? He thought to himself. She is a woman?

 Back at Mezhou city, the reinforcements have been prepared and were now rushing their way down to the food store of the enemy. The spy and staff Cyrus was on the lead.

 With the help of the small dagger, Arash and commander Adu were able to cut the ropes used in bounding them. They watched from spaces in the door of the room to see if there were patrolling soldiers outside so could burn the rations before leaving. After safety was confirmed, they set the rations on fire and left. Immediately they plunged into the woods, they saw the reinforcements who arrived not long ago. They were waiting in hiding, looking for the best opportunity to save the commander but it turned out she and Arash could escape on their own.

Sorry we are late, Cyrus apologized. Are you okay?

I'm fine, she answered.

How did you get out of danger?

Arash saved me, this is the second time he did it. 

We should also thank the commander, we not only escaped, we also burned the provisions of the enemy, Arash explained.

It's dangerous here, let's go back, Cyrus suggested.

Okay, they agreed and left for Mezhou city. 

 At dawn, the rations commander ordered his men to quickly put out any fire that was still burning on the provisions. As the soldiers where doing this, the general commander in charge of the army came to inspect the provisions.

Greetings general, the rations commander saluted. I have checked, no casualties. Only some fake provisions were burned.

Okay, that's good. You did a good job, the general commander complimented him. Clean up the mess and we will continue our military activities.

 Commander Adu and her entourage had returned to Mezhou city and they faced questioning for their non permitted military operation the past day.

Commander Sima! Have you realized your mistake? Marshall Sima asked in a harsh tone.

Yes I have realized my mistake, she replied.

You carried out military operations on the enemy without permission and almost became their captive. Have you forgotten I am the Marshal?!

No, marshal.

Marshall please calm down. Although the commander made an impulsive decision and mistake, they succeeded in cutting off the enemy's rations, Cyrus said in her defence. Besides, there were no casualties. 

You don't need to defend him, I know what happened, marshal Sima stated. Commander Sima, you carry a heavy load and run 6 miles as punishment. If you make the same mistake again, you will be punished more severely. 

Yes, marshal, she answered.

Who is Arash? He asked.

Here I am, marshall! He identified. 

You were promoted last time for what you did concerning the refugees, you have achieved another merit . You are a good soldier and I hereby promote you to central guard, you will work under general funk.

Arash bowed his head and thought for a while before speaking;

Thank you marshal but I will have to decline this reward.

Haa? Arash are you insane? His colleague asked him.

Why do you say so? Marshall Sima asked.

My wrong analysis put the commander in danger.

Be frank, marshal Sima said. 

I just want to stay loyal to the commander. Besides, there are too many talents working for general Funk, I'm afraid I won't be able to stand out from the rest, Arash replied.

Hmm, that's quite true. Okay, I hereby promote you to centurion. But you must remember, you shall stay loyal to the commander. 

Don't worry, marshal! He said and bowed his head in thanks. He looked at commander Sima and winked at her. 

Outside, on top of the city walls, commander Sima and her father, marshal Sima were taking a walk. Marshall Sima made sure he cautioned her.

If you make a mistake again, I will send you home, the Marshal threatened.

I'm sorry. I know I was wrong, she apologized. 

You know you are wrong? I think you are bold. Normally a general can take actions when the situation is urgent. But an outpost battalion is only three miles away from Mezhou city and yet you didn't even report it.

Ah ya! I have realized my mistake, it won't happen again, she apologized in a childish tone. 

Really?

Yes.

Let me ask you, did you weigh the pros and cons before taking the provisions?

There were not many provisions and it was not well guarded as it was in a deserted place. I thought it was an easy operation, so I decided to do it. 

But have you ever thought if it was a trap?

No. We didn't have anything useful for them , why would they set a trap for us?

You may be their target. You are an important person, marshal Sima stated.

But the rations commander didn't know me, he didn't recognize me. That was the reason Arash was able to get us out of danger.

Marshall Sima nodded. Maybe, he thought. 

Oh! Arash is a smart guy. With his help and loyalty to you and also that of Cyrus, you will be safe and I won't have to worry that much.

Arash's origin are still unclear, Adlin replied. But he's a good guy. 

Adlin, this time it is a small mistake, but I hope you have learnt your lesson. Let me ask you, do you think those provisions will have a great impact on the war?

The provisions were too small to have any impact on the war, she replied. 

So, you know those provisions don't matter, but it will be a waste of you did nothing. You see, war is like a game of chess. If you want all your moves to be perfect, the result may not be as you expected, so you will have to sacrifice somethings to achieve the final success. Do you understand?

Yes.

Hmm, that's good. Go on with your activities.

Yes, take care, she replied.

After she walked away, marshal Sima gestured for a guard to come up.

Marshall! The guard saluted.

Investigate Arash for me, the Marshal said.

Yes marshal, the guard answered and left for his duty.