But Billy could not accept Bayal's decision, even after being tactfully persuaded by Timur. He became furious and stormed into Bayal's tent.
"Do you, General, want to be seen as a coward, ridiculed by the citizens of North Country and dishonored by the aristocrats?" Billy retorted angrily.
But Bayal didn't get angry, he calmly looked at Billy and said, "If their lives are at stake, what does ridicule matter?"
Hitting his fist on the armrest of his chair, Billy was seething with rage.
He and Bayal had different beliefs. In Billy's view, it was an honor for the soldiers to serve the North Country, a part they were of. What did the lives of common people matter? There would always be new soldiers to replace the dead.
"Bayal, you should know that the situation we're in is not something you can just walk away from." Billy lowered his voice, trying to suppress his anger, trying hard to convince Bayal to stay.