Adlin opened her eyes in shock.
Saw... Saw what? She stammered. When? She asked.
It was an accident, believe me, Arash answered.
When?! She asked again.
The night we planned to take their provisions and were imprisoned in the same room.
Hearing this, Adlin released his neck from her hand and checked herself well to see if there was a place she didn't disguise well and he found it.
I didn't see clearly, he said.
And then what? She asked him seriously.
And... Then? Nothing else, he replied with his hands wide open. I didn't see clearly, so it was an accident.
You have seen and known something you shouldn't have and now you are telling you know. How should I punish you?
Hmmm, commander, Arash said after a thought. You see this thing is known to the two of us. Others can never know about it.
Because you have saved me many times, I will trust you this time, Adlin said.
She got up and patted his shoulder.
Thank you for what you did yesterday, she added and walked away.
Hey! You are welcome, he shouted and caught up with her. There's something I don't understand. You are a girl, this is a battlefield and besides, your identity. This doesn't make sense.
I don't know, she replied. Maybe it's because of my father. Since I was little, I always loved reading war books. I never wanted to spend my life doing any needle work and serving my husband or child. Besides, as the daughter of the Marshall, I have to take the responsibility to protect my country.
Arash sighed deeply and looked at her.
What's wrong? She asked him. Do you think it's ridiculous?
No, I understand. Your identity brings you restrictions and a sense of responsibility, he said with a serious expression on his face.
So serious, this is not like you, she complimented.
Arash smiled and said "I know little about your thoughts. Just think about it. If I was born into a family like yours and had all the skills I have now, I would have been the most versatile man in the world."
Hmm! This is what Arash would say, Adlin said and Arash laughed heartily. Now that you know who I am, can we still be good bros?
Of course. Or...
He brought his mouth to her ears and whispered.
You want us to be good sisters?
Enough, she said shyly. Now as my good bro, can you help me with a favour?
What favour? He asked.
In a kitchen in the camp, Adlin and Arash where in the kitchen looking at some food ingredients. Arash stood beside her eating a huge cucumber.
Commander, what are you doing? Arash asked, mumbling over the his cucumber filled mouth.
Today is Cyrus's birthday, I want to give him a surprise, Adlin replied.
Okay, he said. Let me go look for a cook.
He turned to walk out but Adlin drew him back.
What are you doing? If you invite a cook, then it wouldn't be a surprise.
So what do you plan to do? Arash asked looking confused but Adlin didn't reply. Okay, you plan to cook for him?
Yes, she answered. But... I... Don't know how to cook, that's why I asked you here. So that you could help me out.
Arash almost spat out the cucumber in his mouth.
What? I should teach you?
Adlin nodded and Arash's eyes widened in dismay.
Me? I don't know how to cook either.
You said you were a versatile man, she reminded him. So you should know how to cook. You bandits don't cook for yourselves?
We... We bandits are a group of rude men. When we have a meal, we just drink some wine and eat meat. Sometimes, we just have a quick dish.
A quick dish? What is it? Adlin asked.
You... Take this, this and that and all of them, throw them into the pot and cook them, he suggested as he pointed at the ingredients one after the other.
Adlin thought for a while and nodded. That seems like a good idea, she said.
She gestured at him to start doing what he suggested but he gave a weak expression.
I don't know how to do it. But I know how to cut vegetables.
Ok then, stop eating and start doing it. Hurry!
Arash washed all the vegetables, took a chopping board with and with a knife, he sliced all the vegetables and other ingredients. He put all of them together in a bowl and handed it over to Adlin.
Cook them now, he said.
Okay. You can go now.
Haa? I won't get anything? He asked.
No, today isn't your birthday.
Uh-huh? Okay then wish staff Cyrus a happy birthday for me.
Okay, I will, Adlin agreed.
He tried reaching out to the bowl of ingredients to take some raw vegetables and eat but hit his hand away. He ended up taking a piece that fell on the table when he was slicing them and left.
Adlin lit the fire, put a pan on it and poured some oil. When she put the food ingredients, it made the normal frying shrill noise but it scared her away that she hugged a pillar, almost screaming. Later on when it steadied, she came back around and stirred it, adding some salt. She looked like a novice in the kitchen.
After Adlin was done cooking, she dished the meal out and served it to Cyrus in his tent. Cyrus kept staring at it in disbelief, he knows she doesn't know how to cook and has never cooked.
Adlin, you cooked it? Cyrus asked.
Yes. Try it out.
He picked up the chopsticks and shoved a piece of the vegetables in his mouth and was delighted. He hummed and nodded as he shove more food into his mouth quickly.
Is it good? Adlin asked.
Yes! It good.
Let me taste and see.
She took a piece with the chopsticks and put in her mouth but spat out immediately.
Don't you think it's a little salty? She asked with a bitter face.
No.
Why?
This is the best meal I have had since I came to this camp.
Adlin sighed and shook her head.
Happy birthday Cyrus.
He immediately stopped eating and had a very gentle expression. He blinked and continued eating.
You always remembered it? He asked.
Of course, she replied. Here, cheers!
They both raised their wine cups and clinked them. They downed the contents and there was silence for sometime.
You have been in the Sima family for ten years, Adlin began. When you came to our family, you only knew your name. You didn't know where you came from, no family or relatives and you didn't know your birthday too. So my father decided, the day he took you in to be your birthday.