The sounds of horses neighing and soldiers moving inside and outside the military camp could be heard from a distance. As Chinua and Hye approached the Eastern Military Camp, they noticed a large number of soldiers gathered outside, likely because the size of the small camp was unable to accommodate them all.
Hye looked at Chinua and said, a touch of weariness in his voice, "With so many people, I guess some of these soldiers will have to sleep outside tonight."
Chinua didn't look at Hye. Instead, she focused on the soldiers standing outside the military camp, waiting for orders. Her expression was serious. "This isn't a lot of soldiers," Chinua said. "Let's go check and see where the rest of the soldiers are."
Chinua rode her horse forward towards the entrance where Khunbish and Khenbish were already standing, waiting for her. She dismounted immediately when she reached the entrance and handed the leashes to Khunbish.
"Where is he?" Chinua asked, her voice direct.
Khunbish said, bowing slightly, "His Highness is waiting for you in his tent."
Chinua turned to Hye and said, her gaze steady, "You go talk to Captain Haitao about us leaving tomorrow morning. I'm going to talk to the Crown Prince and leave him with some instructions. I'll come to you after I finish talking with him."
Chinua entered the front gate and walked to the right, heading towards the tent that Bastsaikhan would occupy until her return from the Northeast. When she arrived at the tent, she pushed the door curtain aside and entered. She saw Bastsaikhan at the table with his two personal guards standing beside him.
"Welcome to the East Military Camp," Chinua said with a smile as she made her way to Bastsaikhan. Her tone was warm. "How was your journey?" She sat down across from him.
The two guards standing beside Bastsaikhan gently bowed their heads to Chinua and left the tent, leaving Chinua and Bastsaikhan inside.
Bastsaikhan smiled and said, his voice a little soft, "Although it was a short journey, we did have difficulty traveling down the pebbled road." He poured a cup of water and pushed it towards Chinua. "How have you been?"
Chinua said with a smile, picking up the cup with her rough hand, "Pretty good."
Bastsaikhan watched Chinua's hand pick up the cup from the table. He felt guilty that the person who should have been stationed here from the first place was him, but due to his disability, Chinua had to guard this military camp instead.
"The soldiers outside the camp," Chinua said, her expression turning more formal. "Are they soldiers who were supposed to go with me to the Northeast?"
Bastsaikhan shook his head and said, clearly, "They are not your soldiers. They are my soldiers who will be patrolling this military camp until your return." He looked at Chinua, his gaze serious. "Your soldiers are ready and waiting for you in Ntsua-Ntu City. This time, the royal father wants Nue-Li City permanently. That means the territory you need to conquer will be beyond Nue-Li City."
Chinua said, a note of surprise in her voice, "You mean we will have to conquer the border of Zoaging?"
Bastsaikhan nodded and said, "That's right. Only if we reach the Zoaging border can we be certain that the Ginmiao will not have an opportunity to take Nue-Li City back." He sighed, a heavy sound. "That means this will be a long fight for you and your soldiers."
Chinua asked, her tone pragmatic, "What is the royal father's timeframe?"
Bastsaikhan said, hesitantly, "The royal father was hoping before winter."
Chinua said, her voice firm, "The timeframe is too short. It depends if Mother Nature will be on our side or not. Weather is something that is unpredictable." She made eye contact with Bastsaikhan. Her gaze was steady. "What are my troop numbers?"
"You'll find ten thousand strong prepared for you in Ntsua-Ntu City," Bastsaikhan informed Chinua, meeting her gaze. "They are all volunteers, willing to serve under your command."
Chinua let out a small, self-deprecating laugh. "I imagine few would wish to serve under a female general," she remarked.
"Father anticipated this," Bastsaikhan explained. "He extended the offer for soldiers to volunteer to accompany you, and these courageous individuals readily did so."
Hearing that the number of troops was so large, Chinua understood that this time Batukhan wanted to claim Nue-Li City permanently. "It seems that the royal father has decided to never let Nue-Li City fall back to the Ginmiao," she said, picking up the cup and taking a sip. "Chief Behrouz and his men will also be here with you. I already spoke with Behrouz. If you need help, do not hesitate to seek help from Salran Hill. I suggest you take the time to befriend Cheif Behrouz; his reputation is not as bad as others mentioned."
Bastsaikhan smiled and said, "I will." His tone was sincere.
Chinua said, rising to her feet, "My soldiers and I will leave tomorrow. I want them to enjoy today with their families."
Bastsaikhan said, a hint of sadness in his voice, "What about you? You will not spend today with your family?"
Chinua looked down at Bastsaikhan and said with a smile, her voice gentle, "How about you get that dinner ready, and after I finish giving orders to my soldiers, I will come back and have dinner with you."
Bastsaikhan smiled and said, "Alright." He watched Chinua walk out of his tent.
As Chinua made her way to her tent, she noticed that many of the soldiers remaining inside the camp were soldiers that Bastsaikhan had brought with him. She sighed and continued towards her tent. When she got inside, she saw that waiting for her were Hye, Khunbish, Khenbish, and Dystan.
"Why are you guys here?" Chinua asked, her tone surprised. "I gave the order to spend time with your loved ones." She looked at Khunbish, raising an eyebrow. "You don't want to spend this night with Noor?"
Khunbish said, his voice steady, "Chinua has always taught us not to give false hope to those you are not sincere to."
Chinua chuckled and sighed happily, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Chief Behrouz cannot be angry at me. I've tried." She looked at Dystan, her eyes twinkling. "How about you?"
Dystan chuckled, looked at Chinua, and said, dryly, "You are kidding, right? Besides you, who else will consider me as part of the family?"
Hye said, smiling slightly, "The others had left the camp to go spend tonight with their families. Even Khawn..."
Chinua shook her head with a smile and said, her voice warm with affection, "Khenbish, go bring the Crown Prince here. We will have dinner here, together, all of us, as a big family."
(Zhi's Family Dinners)
Sitting around the table inside Zhi's home, Wan and Yingzi walked from the kitchen into the living room, bringing two trays full of dishes to the table. Bo slowly placed the dishes on the table and then Wan and Yingzi placed the two empty trays on the floor.
Siqi looked at the dishes on the table and said with a smile, his eyes bright, "Grandmother, these are all my favorite dishes."
Wan picked up her chopsticks, picked up a piece of fried tofu, and placed it in Siqi's bowl. Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Then you must eat more," she said, replacing her tears with a smile. "When you are in the military camp up North, it's not the same as here, where you can come home, eat, then go back to patrolling."
Bo nodded and said with a smile, his voice gentle, "This is your first time, so you must listen to your father, alright?"
Although Siqi was young, his maturity was that of an adult. He looked at his grandparents earnestly. "Grandfather and Grandmother, you don't have to worry about me. I will be mindful of my safety. I will listen to father, Chinua, and the others," he said, quickly picking up two chicken drumsticks and putting them in Bo and Wan's bowls.
Zhi said, trying to lighten the mood, "Let's not talk about heading to the Northeast Military Camp tonight. Let's talk about other things." He turned to Yingzi, a playful glint in his eye. "Since Siqi and I will not be home, take good care of your grandparents and pay less attention to the boy next door." He chuckled and continued eating.
"Father," Yingzi said, her cheeks flushing red, "I was only helping him from time to time, feeding their chickens."
"When we come back, let's build a better and bigger house," Zhi said, his tone hopeful.
Bo said, nodding, "Good idea... in a few years, Siqi will get married, and sharing the same room with Yingzi will not be a good idea."
Wan said with a smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners, "We have enough savings. When you return, let's expand our house."
The family sitting at the table began laughing and continued eating. Zhi looked at Yingzi and his elder parents. Although his heartache for leaving them behind, this is what he must do to continue giving them a safe place to live.
(Naskh and Jeet's Farewell)
The cries of children could be heard from outside Naskh's home, as his two wives were busy going back and forth between the kitchen and the living room.
"Don't cry," Jeet said, softly, consoling Odsar his niece whom he was holding on his lap. His voice was gentle. "When Uncle returns, he will bring you a lot of candies from the North. Candies that you haven't tried before."
Odsar clenched Jeet's collar tightly, buried her face in his chest, and muttered through tears, "But... I want little uncle to stay..."
Sarnai placed the last two plates of dishes on the table. She went over and took Odsar from Jeet and held her. "Be a good girl," she said, her voice soothing. "Otherwise, little uncle won't bring candies for you." She looked at Naskh, a playful accusation in her eyes. "It's all your fault for pampering her too much."
Naskh said, pulling Odsar into a hug, "How could I not pamper her? She is my only daughter." He got up, took his daughter from Sarnai's arms, and gently kissed Sarnai on the forehead. He looked at his daughter. "Hey, my sweet princess, brave princesses don't cry. How could you be like Chinua if you're such a crybaby? Have you ever seen Chinua cry, huh?"
"I just don't want little uncle to go," Odsar softly sobbed into his shoulder.
Maral walked in and placed the last two dishes on the table. "Come eat," she said with a smile. Her tone was cheerful despite the somber mood. "Come on, boys, come sit in your seats."
Naskh looked at his three sons and said, his voice serious now, "Look, since your uncle and I will not be home, you three are the men of the house. Remember, if there is anything you need, go to Salran Hill to look for Chief Behrouz or Sister Noor, okay?"
The boys nodded at Naskh, their young faces serious.
Naskh smiled and said, trying for a lighter tone, "Okay, let's eat. It will be a long time before we get to sit down and have dinner together again."
The two brothers had never felt so scared before when leaving for battle. But since they call Pojin Village home and have established their families here, leaving this time felt scarier, as their hearts did not want to leave those they loved behind. But as men, this was something they must do to provide a better future for their families. Naskh and Jeet looked at each other, because they knew in their hearts that the outcome of any battle is uncertain, since swords and arrows have no eyes or ears.
(Khawn and Qinru's Farewell)
At the foot of Salran Hill, near the apple ranch, outside the small wooden house, Khawn and Qinru sat around a small campfire, grilling two fish and roasting some potatoes.
Watching the flame sway from side to side with the wind, Qinru stared at Khawn, who sat in silence, without speaking or looking at her. She knew that Khawn was a shy person, and if she did not start the conversation, Khawn would never start.
"I will wait for you," Qinru said, her voice soft but firm. For the first time, Khawn looked at her. She smiled. She stretched out her hand and held Khawn's right hand. Looking into his eyes, her gaze unwavering, she added, "No matter how long. As long as you return alive and breathing, I will marry you."
Khawn looked back at Qinru and said shyly, his voice low, "I will return alive and breathing. This I promise you." He leaned forward and gently kissed her forehead. "Wait for me," he added, his voice rough with emotion. "I refuse to die before I call you, my wife."
(Od's Farewell)
Looking out the window, Od smiled as he saw Khawn and Qinru holding each other by the creek. He turned around and saw Anu walk in with two boiled chickens.
"Father," Od said, walking away from the window. His tone was light. "There are only the two of us, why do you cook so much?"
Anu tore off a chicken drumstick and handed it to Od. He smiled and said, his eyes warm with affection, "I know... I know... but it will be a while before I see you again, so I want to cook the food you like best. Also, I already packed some good warm clothes for you. I also packed extra dried beef. You normally eat a lot, so you won't get hungry during your journey to the Northeast."
Od looked at his father, who was already in his late sixties, feeling bad about leaving him behind. "Father," he got up and knelt beside Anu. He kept his eyes on the floor, unable to face his father. His voice was thick with emotion. "Thank you for being both father and mother to me over the years. I regret that I haven't yet given you a grandson or granddaughter, but I swear, father, when I return, I will marry and give you grandchildren."
Gently patting Od's shoulder, Anu said, his voice trembling slightly, "I understand. As a man, it's your duty to protect our kingdom. Go in peace. Don't have to worry about me. I am still strong and can still care for myself. I will take this time to look for a good daughter-in-law, and when you return, I will throw you the biggest wedding Pojin has ever seen... Nah..." He wiped away Od's tears. "Quickly get up and eat; the food is getting cold."
Od moved forward and hugged Anu. He murmured, his voice muffled against his father's shoulder, "Thank you."