21 Grouchy Underling (1/2)

ฅ/ᐠ｡ᆽ｡ᐟ \

Knackered, Mina was curled on the ground close to the fire with her head resting on two paws and her eyes shut. But when she heard approaching footsteps, she snapped out of her relaxed state and became more attuned to her surroundings.

When she detected a familiar scent and heard Barca's gentle voice, Mina immediately started to melt back to her sleepy stance until she heard what the man had to say.

”The cat doesn't feel comfortable on your horse. You should be more considerate.”

'Barca! In my next cat life, I'll choose you as my human,' Mina thought while feigning sleep.

”Luca is not comfortable with the cat. You should also consider his feelings,” the man continued. The general grunted in reply. Undeterred by the other man's silence, Barca continued in a voice tinged with frustration.

”Jad, sometimes, it's easier to get a reply out of a cat than getting you to talk about things.”

Mina smiled secretly. The general would be the perfect example of a human icicle.

”Were you teasing Luca earlier?”

”No,” the general answered firmly.

Mina's eyes were closed but she could imagine Barca's satisfied smile after finally getting the general to reply to his monologue.

”We need to keep the invaders out of our borders and we lack people. What we lack for resources, we could make up for strategy.”

”This could backfire.”

”The emperor wants to fortify Artha. Enemies would consider a more peaceful means if our reputation precedes us.”

”The emperor should see the brilliance of this plan but his ministers are superstitious. They may ask the emperor to burn you at the stake.”

Mina shifted her focus towards the two men and saw the general nodded slowly acknowledging the possibility.

”Perhaps you have too much faith on the emperor's decisiveness,” Barca continued.

”I fought beside him in several battles, and I am still alive.”

Barca patted the general's back and replied in a tone filled with regret. ”I'm beginning to detest all this fighting. Each victory leaves me less proud than the one before it.” Turning to face the general, he voiced his concerns in a firm tone.

”To create something from nothing, the illusion of a formidable army. It is a brilliant strategy but it is an unnecessary risk.”

The two men continued the discussion as they retreated to another location. Mina was becoming more curious about the general and she was about to trail after the man when a small squeak caught her attention.

Mina detected Tarou close to the trees. She quickly made her way towards the mouse who lurked in the shadows almost blending in with the scenery.

”They know about us,” the mouse voiced in a hushed squeaked. Mina could only stay at the mouse in confusion.

”The man who smells of lemongrass. He knows,” the mouse continued in the same cryptic tone.

”Barca?”

”Yes, that man and your human.” Tarou looked around before whispering.

”They know about our relationship.”