| These New and Old Encounters (Part 1)

There was one tent in Sung-Ho's camp that had been left deserted for days. Its occupant had returned the other evening, stamina drained from a daring incursion into Tang held territories. All he longed for were a couple of days of respite. A good bath, decently cooked food, plenty to drink and even some salacious entertainment were in the cards for the young commander. But to his exasperation, his detailed report was met with new orders. Behind his austere and recollected composure in front of General Sung-Ho, came a hoard of curse words, enough to last the general a life time.During the night, tiredness fused with annoyance to leave the commander tossing and turning in his sturdy campaign bed, well into the early hours of the morning. When he opened one eye for the tenth time, morning light already found its way inside with the wind moving the tent cover. Before completely opening his eyelids, he sighed in annoyance."Sweet, sweet, comfortable tent, they are sending me away again." He pressed his lips into a thin line. "To be an escort, no less, curse my fate. I, the youngest to be named commander out of the nine legions, and mighty General Sung-Ho has turned me into a guard and an escort."With resentment dripping from his voice, he turned face up, staring at the top layer of his tent. "And here I was, finally back to the lovely comforts of my tent," he sighed and looked around. Behind a washed-out screen stood the three-legged chair, a disheveled table with one leg shorter where his sword and bow rested, and an open chest holding tangled clothes; his armour was scattered in a corner and in need of polishing. He caressed with his gaze every item as if he was beholding a long-lost home. "After sleeping under the sky, after risking my neck to save the squad he might have sent to doom, can I enjoy myself for a couple of days? No. It's the next day and the next mission for me. And what am I good for this time around? Why nothing more than to be a spoiled girl's escort? Me! His bloody commander-in-chief! A mere escort!" He flung the quilt aside and jumped out of the bed.Grabbing his good morning towel from a chair that stood in place of a side table, he threw it with annoyance over his shoulder, hitting his back a little too hard. But it irritated him.He stopped over the basin of water on his improvised desk and stared down at his reflection. "A good general should consider his main commander's comfort, right? Or at least, a great general would need his main commander's council, but nooooo. To Great Sung-Ho, a commander-in-chief is as good as a common guard."He dipped his hands in the small basin, distorting his reflection. Then he splashed water on his face and continued to get ready for the day, his monologue ever-present. "Arrogant son of a… Let's see! When was the last time he showed me any consideration?"Shrugging his shoulders, putting on a fresh pair of pants and turning to look for his boots, his mouth would not stop moving. "Never, I tell you. And why would he show anyone consideration? Isn't he the all-mighty General Sung-Ho, all hail to the glorious hero?"He pursed his lips and pitched up his tone, mocking with words and gestures, "Mister <>."Shaking off his tunic tersely, he concluded hissing while pulling it over his head "hero my ass, I've done all your dirty work." But he paused mid-dressing, noticing he was no longer alone.General Sung-Ho's footman stood at the tent's entrance, his face bright red, his mouth pruned as he struggled to keep himself from laughing. He must have been there for a while, patiently waiting for him to finish his scoffing so he could pass on the message, "<> requires to see you at once." The footman stepped inside the tent, carrying the commander's morning meal alongside with the orders."Thank you for that message, lieutenant. Were you laughing at my joke at the general's expense just now?" The commander buckled his belt while pinning the man under a questioning stare. "That might be considered treason, you know - disregard for the highest in command."The lieutenant halted, his amused expression frozen on his face. He turned his gaze at him, disconcerted."Ah, you would make for an agreeable companion as we walk together to the execution block," the commander added with a complicit smile. The lieutenant tried hard to hide his, before placing the breakfast on the same stool, saluting and taking his leave.The young commander nodded satisfied; his tirade had found an agreeable spectator, which meant there might be some truth behind all of his angered words; he was indispensable to his general, who was too full of himself. The commander puffed his chest, proud. He bent to tie his boots so he could see to his day.Before heading out, his eyes caught the food tray and his annoyance returned. He barely had the time to ease his hunger and chew on an apple on his way to the general's command post. The main derisory conclusion he drew at this point was that army life was not a good one unless you were the big and mighty General.Reaching his destination, he pushed aside the red cloth without announcing his presence or waiting to be invited in. "You wanted to see me, General Sung-Ho?" and the commander bowed.When he lifted his head, the light entering the tent caressed the silhouette of a woman. She had her back to him. At least her form was pleasing, he thought in passing. But as she slowly turned her head, he locked eyes with her. By the gods, he would have recognized those eyes anytime, anywhere."Soo-Ah? It can't be."Soo-Ah was stunned. The young man's resonant, deep voice and his mature face were not ringing any bells. But the way he looked at her, a mischievous licker in those amber eyes remained unforgettable. She inaudibly uttered, "Jung-In?"But the young commander was not waiting for an invitation, nor observing proper conduit in this case. He motioned forward and picked her up to spin her around, laughing out loud, ignoring the great general and his own lacking manners and unceremonious reverence."By the gods, how are you here? Look at you! How I wanted to see you and now this. I heard you were up north with Old Master, but I never knew how to reach you. How is the Old Master, where is he?" And as if the world around him had a shape again he turned and looked around, but found no one else.Soo-Ah's happiness soon turned to sadness as she slowly slid down from Jung-In's arms, her eyes downcast and teary. "Grandfather is dead, Jung-In. He died as General Sung-Ho came to take over his troops.""Dead?" Jung-In felt his stomach tied in knots and the need to take a breath before he was barely able to mutter, "May-may he finds his honored place by the side of the ancestors." All of her words slowly started to make sense. Watching Soo-Ah's shaking lips he hugged her tenderly. "The Old Master was the general who died in that cowardly assault, wasn't he? How I wished I knew this. I would have been there." He threw a resentful looked towards General Sung-Ho.Sung-Ho silently dismissed his commander's reproach and tapped the surface of his desk. He looked impatient to have their little reunion chat brought to an end. "Since you two already know each other..." he intervened, after waiting long enough."Ah, yes, General Sung-Ho," quickly answered Soo-Ah, wiping the bitter tears that began to form in her eyes. "This is my childhood friend, the one I mentioned, Jung-In. We grew up together."Despite the shocking news about his Old Master, Jung-In beamed from ear to ear, his eyes kept on Soo-Ah. "I can't believe you remember. I was sure you had forgotten all about me."Sung-Ho intervened again to put an end to the enthusiastic glances exchanged between these two. "Lady Soo-Ah, Commander Jung-In is my trusted right hand. I've pointed him to escort you to my home in the capital. You two are set to leave at noon."Sung-Ho waited for a reaction from his commander but Jung-In could not peel the smile off his face, while his gaze remained on Soo-Ah's. Until the general addressed him directly, to get his attention."Commander! Introductions are not needed so make sure you prepare for the road ahead. I would like a word with Lady Soo-Ah."The young man tried to regain his composure. "Yes, General," he saluted briefly, "I will take care of the final arrangements." He turned to Soo-Ah. "I guess I will see you later. We'll have plenty of time to talk," he said with a reassuring shoulder grip, before exiting the general's tent.Passing in haste through the camp, Jung-In overheard some words that caught his attention and made him slow down. A group of soldiers were talking, laughing mentioning a name. Jung-In perched his ears and listened with intent."Soo-Yun, Soo-Ah, whatever the name, what matters is what's under the dress and how she left his tent. I am telling you our general knows his business. You could hear her moans. They were like honey to my ears," one soldier said."Sly indeed our general. He has a good eye. I got a good look at her through the tent slit." mentioned another.All men snickered."Quite the looker for my poor thirsty eyes. She sure is a wet dream," concluded the third soldier."And she must have had a very satisfying wet dream as well.""Yeah, she's back in his tent again this morning. For seconds," they all started laughing but stopped as soon as they saw Jung-In's presence towering over them."Commander!" they saluted with respect, adjusting their voices, stiffening their stances and their loose mouths."What are you? Old crones?" Jung-In spat at them. "I suggest you stop gossiping and treat the general and his guest with more regard. You bring shame to your unit.""Yes, Commander! Please forgive us, Commander!" they all spoke in unison.Before they could end their apology, Jung-In had already returned to his affairs, mumbling to himself. "All this time living and fighting together, and they still show no respect for the line of command. Such lowlifes."