[Suggested song for this chapter – Adagio For Strings, Peter Samuels]
Arughtai's Chief of Staff made his way uneasily through the enemy soldiers. He was flanked by two of their privates, carrying white flags.
"Where is Commander Bai?" he asked the enemy men as they passed.
They were met with angry looks and shrugs, and the occasional, "up the slope," with a gesture up the steep crevasse wall with the mountain looming over.
Finally, after climbing and scrambling ungracefully up the steep shale slope, he saw a small command tent with the Bai family crest flying on a flag at its peak. He used the scabbard of his sword to drag himself the final distance towards the tent.
"Let the Commander know I'm here to parley," he informed the guards at the entrance curtly.
One of the guards disappeared inside the tent.
Bai Li was reviewing a short message to keep the Emperor informed.
Your Majesty,
