After seeing her father, commander Adu went on to carry out her punishment. She bound three heavy logs of wood together with a long and strong rope and pulled it while running. She pulled it only inside the army camp while staff Cyrus and Arash followed closely from a distance to watch her. As she ran through the camp pulling the load, the soldiers all came out from their sheds and watched her, but she didn't care. Cyrus and Arash were unsatisfied with it.
What are you looking at? Cyrus shouted at the soldiers.
The soldiers kept their faces down when they heard him but still whispered to one another, discussing the commander's punishment.
Staff Cyrus, that's enough, Arash said. The Marshal didn't order others to watch him, it's okay if he doesn't run six miles.
Those are the Marshal's orders, no one is allowed to disobey it, Cyrus said.
Okay. I will talk to the commander, I will ask him to stop, Arash said and wanted to go meet commander Adu but was stopped by Cyrus.
Where are you going? Cyrus asked. The commander said no one is allowed to talk to him until he is done with running.
Arash took a deep breath and sighed.
Okay. Let him run. What a stubborn girl she is.
Cyrus opened his eyes in shock after hearing the statement. He grabbed Arash by the neck and threw him on a pile of sacks.
Arash, you know it?
What are you talking about? Arash asked.
He sighed, got Cyrus's hand off him and got up.
Staff cyrus, he said and placed his hand on his shoulder. You are still young. When you start hanging out with women, you will get it, Arash said while tapping his chest.
Cyrus waved off his hands, almost fuming.
Arash, I'm a straightforward man. I will be honest. You are a smart guy with sharp eyes and a good heart. But that you are smart doesn't mean you can see everything. You have many merits and a good heart, so please always do good things.
Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, Arash said and started walking away.
You dare not!
Hearing this, Arash stopped and looked at Cyrus with a cunning look in his eyes.
Not necessarily, Arash replied and dashed away.
You...! The words got stuck in Cyrus's throat as Arash had already walked away.
At night in the camp, the soldiers where preparing to go to bed, some were having their bathes while Arash's friends were busy discussing about him in their tent. He came to see them while they were doing that and overheard them.
Are you talking about me? He asked.
Oh there you are! One said.
You have forsaken us since you got promoted, the other said. What? Are the barracks for centurions not comfortable?
Hmmm, you can say so, Arash replied. I am not used to staying alone. The mat is soft and the mattress is very comfortable, he said and shrugged.
Oh look at him showing off, one said and sneered.
Let's go take a bath, guys.
Okay, they agreed.
They pulled Arash along and went to bath. After reaching the camps bath sites, they were amazed to see commander Adu in one of the bath kiosks.
Oh! Commander, you too are taking a bath? One said. Hey you guys, go along and bath together. I will bath together with the commander.
He wanted to move but Arash immediately stopped him.
No! You guys bath together. I will bath with the commander, Arash said and moved towards Adlin's bathing kiosk.
What is even wrong with you? They asked. You always want everything and you seem to get it!
Arash walked into the kiosk with his back to commander Adu and closed the door. He stood by it and looked outside. Seeing this, Adlin immediately put on her clothes, she had been in shock the whole time. She thought she must be discovered today.
Hey, Arash why are you not removing your clothes? One of his friends asked.
Hey go on and bath, it's none of your business. Can't I wash my clothes and body at the same time if I want? He asked in a serious tone.
After her inner clothes were on, she turned to Arash and fastened his hands at his back.
I swear, I didn't see anything. I have been having my back to you all the while.
What do you mean? She asked.
I didn't see anything, I swear!
Hey Arash, what are you doing? His friends asked again.
Adlin squeezed his hands tightly so that he screamed.
Hey nothing, nothing! He said and gave his friends a cocky smile.
You know it? She asked and Arash smiled.
Put on your clothes quickly, I will distract them.
Arash ran out of the kiosk and into the one with his friends. He held their necks and dipped them into the bath tubs.
You guys should bath to the death! He said playfully and soon enough, Adlin ran out of the kiosk, back to her tent.
How did he find out? She asked herself and drank a cup of water to calm down. Did he see it when I was bathing? No! I had my back to him all the time, I'm pretty sure he didn't see anything. Then how did he.....? Forget it I will ask him personally.
The next day, when the soldiers where having breakfast, Arash took his share and went to a corner. He was purposely hiding, he didn't want Adlin to see him and ask him anything.
Where is Arash?
He heard the question and looked back to see the other soldiers pointing to his direction. Adlin immediately walked towards him. Seeing her coming, he pretended like he didn't know and hid his face, eating his food like that was all he cared about.
How did you find out? Commander Adu asked him without calling his name.
He pretended like he didn't hear and said "commander? Come and eat".
Adlin was dissatisfied and held by the neck of his cloth. She held his back against the wall and looked him straight in the eyes.
How did you find out?! She asked again with a very mean tone.
I saw it myself, he answered.