He started to smile. "Are you waving the white flag?" "Not so fast. I'm saying we can take things slow. ~ Jeaniene Frost

After learning that General Yarzar had perished, Commander Maung ran back to their headquarters. Trying to keep his tears from falling, he wiped his face with one swipe and looked up toward the sky.

I know he is in heaven now, so may the General live in peace!

Maung kissed the palm of his hand and quickly raised it up for a brief second to honor his mentor's legacy.

Making decisions on leading a troop wasn't as easy as he thought, since he wasn't quite prepared. Yet, there's a first time for everything, so Maung ordered the men to head up to their tent. Once they got in, he took a white flag out of his compartment. He planned to pin it in a portion of an open field that lay barren, since he knew the Burmese men were hiding there.

Maung certainly wasn't planning to be the leader of a Siamese battalion so soon, but knew he had to keep his promise to keep the team in order. But as time was ticking away, he had to promptly act upon his decision. The idea of seeing another episode of body ligaments being torn apart made him shiver.

Thus, the significance of a white flag came to his mind as he remembered that it was a highly recognized protective sign of truce. And that was what he aimed to do; hoping that the opponents would follow.

However, he knew that it would be quite a risk going out there, as he could be struck by the enemy at any second. Thus, Maung's hair bun loosened under his helmet as he shook. He knew that he might look like a fool once his deed would be done, but his mind was set before another bomb would hit them. It was a do or die operation!

The other men in Maung's troop surrounded him as they were curious on what their new leader had in plan.

"Commander, what do you want us to do? I was ready to aim my weapon in the air when I was nudged to stop. Do you think that it is a good idea to hold that flag out there?" a soldier asked satirically.

That infantryman's name was Chai, a competitive man who badly wanted to be the next soldier in command. In the beginning, the lad often competed against Maung for that title and tried to coax General Yarzor any way that he could. But now that the General was shot, Chai had to suck up to his nemesis despite his complaints.

"Don't worry Chai. I know what I'm doing. Men, I have no other choice, but to cease fire. I'm risking my life to keep all of you safe. What we don't need now is another casualty!"

Maung had an inkling on why Chai spoke sarcastically. Thinking that his comrade believed that he didn't know what he was doing was not entirely wrong, but Maung had his mind up. With sweat building up on his forehead, while he gritted his teeth, he motioned his men to stay put in their hideout.

~~~~

Stepping out from his tent, Commander Maung ran out to the field with the flag and yelled as loud as he could. His aim was to signal a sign of peace to the Burmese Army, hoping that they too would cease fire for a brief time.

"Halt Burma! Show yourselves! I bring you a peace offering. We need to focus on our fallen men or this battle will not end peacefully!"

Maung hoped his last minute ruse worked. Hoping that they would receive medical help soon, he waited for their reply.

On the Burmese side, General Faisol placed his hands behind his back and marched to and fro. Scratching his bald head under his helmet, he pondered why a white flag was flown.

Have they admitted defeat? Is Ayutthaya finally ours?

He wasn't happy that the enemy had ceased fire. That was too easy, thinking that they must have some ulterior motive behind their sleeves, he hesitated on what his next tactic would be.

Guilt struck him. If he didn't answer the Commander's wishes soon, his men might think he might be indecisive. That wouldn't look good on his portfolio.

Munching on a stick in between his teeth, he smirked. Going inside his tent intended for his troop, he asked one one of the guardsmen how one of their injured soldiers was.

"Thiha, how is Khin? Is he getting any better?"

The snooty general didn't have any regard in calling his men by their military titles since he felt that since he was their superior, they shouldn't earn any respect.

Turning his head to meet the eyes of the General, Thiha scowled.

"I'm afraid he is not, Sir. Khin needs more medical attention and we don't have access to that. The other injured men further down need medical aid as well, and there are only three of us guards assisting them. Sir, Champo, Lwin and I are tired!"

General Faisol took a deeper look at Thiha's facial expression and pondered in his mind if sending Khin to an infirmary would help. However, that medical tent was within the enemy's side.

Faisol sighed.

How convenient, that the commander raised a white flag. Maybe, ceasing fire for now won't be so bad. It will help us get our injured men better help than what my lazy guardsmen have to offer.

Lowering his face into his hands, the General nodded. He figured that since they were losing men by the second in this battle, he agreed to stop firing at Siam for the time being.

"Don't worry Thiha, we will cease fire for now and get Khin help. I know in Siam, they have a medical infirmary set up. Why we don't have one is beyond me. Those scum balls! How they left us Burmese out!"
- - - -
Breathing heavily, Khin woke up as his wounds from the blast had somewhat healed. He tried to stand up from his bed, but his back gave out. Falling back into his cot, Khin cried!

He remembered what his father told him before he entered the force. "Stiffen up boy! Grown men don't cry!" And that was why he forced himself to hide the sniffles inside, despite the pain he endured