"Where did that barbarian settle those two people of unknown origin?" The bearded man sat in his tent. As a soldier helped him out of his heavy armor, he bared his chest and sat bare-chested, with a basin full of clear water set before him.
The messenger bent at the waist to reply.
"Yes, the Young General arranged it personally."
The bearded man asked, "Did he say anything?"
The messenger said, "The Young General said it was quieter over there. Even if the enemy launched a night raid, the two honored guests wouldn't be disturbed. It's safe."
The bearded man suddenly scoffed.
With contempt, he said, "A barbarian's a barbarian. He does whatever he pleases and has no sense of the bigger picture. Other than brute strength, what else has he got?"
The messenger was one of the bearded man's personal soldiers.
He went along with him. "The general is absolutely right. The Young General really was acting recklessly this time. Should we inform..."
The bearded man raised a hand to stop him.
"No need. The old bastard has favored that bastard child for ages. Even if we tell him, I'll be the one getting scolded in the end. Leave it alone. If something happens, that'll be a perfect chance for the old man to see what his precious darling really is."
The messenger pressed his lips together and lowered his head.
The "old bastard" the general spoke of was none other than his own biological father, the very man who had given the barbarian youth all manner of privileges without a second thought. But the messenger was the bearded man's personal soldier, not the old general's.
He could only hear such disrespectful names in private and forget them immediately. He wouldn't dare let a single word slip, or his