The General Craves Some Meat

The city of Gai Wei filled in with travellers, coming from different villages, as they mingled around some carrying heavy loads on their backs. The locals do their daily routines. Creaking sounds of carts are heard, as they pass through inns and markets of the city. It was a time of festivities so it was normal to see the city fully packed. Lanterns hang freely as the cold breeze touched them one after the other. Children ran around as they chased after the orange and hot anvil lanterns floating in the air. Young misses of the rich families wandered around looking for dresses for the night. Some took interest in hair accessories. The young men were at a close distance trying their chances with these beautiful ladies. Some men on horsebacks moved as fast as they could while shouting for the masses to disperse so that they could pass through. They wore shiny armour which was tainted with blood, carrying bows and arrows on their backs. Their swords were suspended at their sides. They

At Cheng Manor (at night) Two silhouettes could be seen from outside the main house. Two bodies hugging as if comforting one another. The candlelight reflected the couple's shadow on the windows. Cheng Xiao Shi was crying in her husband's arms. The Buddha had once again let her down. She had spent months praying to conceive another child. She could not believe Cheng Min to be her last. The child is too ill-mannered. She sometimes wonders why she was so different from her other children, Cheng Yan and Cheng Sun. Cheng Min had left home a few months ago and now she has returned. Xiao Shi thought her child would come back as a better person, but now she has become much worse. In the afternoon Cheng Min had arrived with Cheng Sun in time for lunch. They had joined in. The meal started peacefully as the family ate quietly but when she had asked Cheng Min's whereabouts from the period she left home. The little devil had reawakened as she rebuffed all her questions and left the meal.

... On the camp Yiding mountain where the cold ruled over the huge domain. Some tents were set up in a dome shape except one which was quite bigger than the other tents, and it was slightly on the top ground. All were pure white signalling the enemies or the ordinary people to stay away. A couple of red flags which were made of thin silk, flattered in the freezing air. Showing off the head of an eagle drawn in black at its center. The army had been staying at this mountain for a fortnight, waking and training, doing the same routine over and over again. The soldiers sparred with wooden swords, some enhanced their archery at the training ground. No one sat doing nothing, some of the new recruits were helping out with cleaning and wiping the weapons which were dirtied in previous battle. Some were cooking meals and fetching water at the river which was a few meters away and some also carried the wooden containers in both hands. Of which each carried two buckets per each person.

"Gege, hurry up or we will be late." Cheng Min called out to Cheng Yan who at the moment was taking so long to get some silver and gold pieces from his room to spend on the road. Cheng Min had planned to travel with him after knowing that he was not staying for long. At first, he had refused, telling her that it would be dangerous, he even tried to instil some terrifying images in her head but to vain. His sweet little sister managed to convince him telling him that it was enough that he was there. Of course, the infatuated brother was very glad to know that she depended on him and trusted him with her life. He carelessly gave his word before realizing what he had done in one of those moments. He walked out of his house still feeling worried. "Will you be okay? There are bandits on the way and we will be spending nights outside." "Yes I know but still you shouldn't go back on your word. You agreed so now let's go." She cut him off before he could say anything on the matter. They go

While sitting in a cold dark room, Cheng Yan looked through the bars that was restricting his freedom. He wanted to check if the guards were still on their shift. When he found no one he rose quietly not wanting to disturb his little sister's sleep. After checking to see that she was sleeping comfortably, he turned away and took a few steps toward the small window where some moonlight was entering through. He whistled softly for a couple of times and stopped as if he was waiting for something to appear. In a while, he heard flapping sounds as if something was approaching him. A white pigeon landed on the window seal, on it's leg there was a small pouch where he put on a letter he had written during the day. He was fortunate because he always travelled around with paper and ink which he would hide somewhere in his clothes. He was also lucky because when the guards searched him they didn't find it on him. After successfully putting the small piece of paper on the bird, Cheng Yan spoke