Picking your battles

Logar, Afghanistan;

Rakhatal, 11:05;

"Is it true about him?", one of the men outside Rong Xinghe's tent asked his companion, "Does Kefayat Zahir really scald you to death if you're no longer of use to him? That's barbaric, even for Satan!"

"That's what I've heard.", the other man shrugged, "But what else can you expect from someone sent by our Commander's teacher? Commander Fadhil himself is quite brutal when it comes to killing, so Mr. Zahir is likely no different."

"Don't even mention that, brother.", the first man shivered as he fished a box of cigarettes from his back pocket, "Once, I saw him mark a cross on one of his target's foreheads, and it felt like the blood in my veins froze. He revels in watching them cry, beg, and struggle before sealing their fate for good."

"Hey! Quiet down now. He's coming.", the other man whispered, straightening his back.