Tuyuhun: A Tale of Mulan

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Closing his eyes, Chuo said: ”No, sir. ”

”Stay on this side and if you live long enough, you may. ” Laughed Heba before taking a drink. Once he had finished, a grim look appeared on his countenance. ”We are the last of our kind, Hong. The Han considered us Xianbei group of the Five Barbarians and where are the rest of us five? The states of the Xiongnu such as their confederation is no more, their state Former Zhao has been dust for a century as has the Dis Cheng Han, Former Qin and Later Liang and the Jies Later Zhao and it was not so long ago that the Qiangs Later Qin fell. ”

”The Xiongnu state of Xia still stands. ” Commented Chuo. ”We Xianbei are not alone, we are not the last. ”

Heba did not answer. All cynicism or pessimism he had prevented him from speaking any further. He merely took another sip of his drink and stared Alun. Finding his voice again, he uttered: ”You will not see her long, boy. Na Alun there is marked for death. My old subordinate, her father, would not join me. For that I will send him her head later on in the campaign. ”

”Why not now? ” inquired the Young Tuyuhun, wishing to know why he was sparing Alun for now.

”I wish to settle something with my old commander General Tuyuhun first. ” Answered Heba. Upon hearing his paterfamilias appellation, Chuo rose an eyebrow while at the same tried to hide his concern. ”Know you of General Tuyuhun, Hong? ”

”What Xianbei of the Tuoba Wei Khanate does not know of General Tuyuhun? ” asked Chuo. ”What could you possibly have to settle with him? ”

Alas, General Heba answered not. He merely turned away and returned to his drink.