Red Tiger

Straightening her armour, the young woman checked herself in the mirror. Her hair was still in a mess, but it was considered to be fine. Well, as fine as it could be. She tied her sword to her side, and grabbed her helmet from the table, holding it under one arm as she stepped out of her room.

The smell of freshly steamed buns wafted to her nose, and she let it guide her towards the officer's mess hall. The officer's mess hall was slightly better than the soldier's mess hall, with cleaner floors, more organized tables, and more familiar faces. She sat down at a table, where two more female officers sat, enjoying their meal, a huge stack of meat buns in the middle.

"Xu Yen, you're late."

One of the female officers turned to her, with both hands holding onto a meat bun each. Xu Yen smirked, grabbing one bun for herself, and taking a bite out of it. It's hot and delicious contents rolling about her mouth. Heaven for her.

"I had a messenger come by my room this morning."

Xu Yen sipped her tea to wash down whatever refused to go down her throat.

"Oh? From your lover?"

The other female officer giggled, to which Xu Yen smiled.

"No, not my lover. Besides, i don't have such a relationship like that with him."

"Yeah right. It's so obvious."

"Whatever. Anyway, i'm needed later. Lord Sun has required my presence in the campaign later."

"Hmm, against Shu, right?"

Xu Yen nodded, stuffing her mouth with another bun.

"Well, Lord Sun does favour you, since you're his-"

"General Li!"

A young soldier in full gear ran up to Xu Yen, kneeling down before her. Xu Yen drained her cup of tea, and turned to him.

"Speak."

"Lord Sun has ordered the troops to move out immediately, and you're unit is to move out as well."

Xu Yen narrowed her eyes at the news. Something was wrong. Standing up, Xu Yen turned to go, but stopped, grabbed two more buns, one in her mouth, and rushed out of the mess hall, with the messenger following behind her. She hurried past the halls to the main courtyard, where the generals for this campaign were gathered. Putting on her helmet, Xu Yen ran over to the side of a certain tall man, and went down on one knee before him.

"Lord Sun, i have arrived as per your orders."

The man looked at her, with an eyebrow raised, before laughing hysterically. Xu Yen did not move a muscle, since she was used to it.

"Xu Yen! You never fail to make me laugh."

He patted her on the shoulder, and helped her up. Some of the other generals laughed as well, making her face flush with embarrassment.

"Lord Sun-"

"How many times must you call me that?"

"It is only appropriate during such times to follow strict regulations."

She countered his argument, only to have her stern face crack a smile.

"Fine, seriously, i don't know why you're even in charge."

"That's more like it, now come on, we need to go. Shu is on the move earlier than expected. Are you ready, Xu Yen?"

She only smiled.

"Ready as i'll ever be, da ge."