"But, even though like that we still need to come up with backup plan." Utara continued as his eyes turned colder when he saw the clogged river in the far away distance.

"You make arrangement here, and I will check our situation. Let's see what we could do." He gave an arrangement to Captain Hua before leaving.

***

The sun was almost set completely. Almost every corner of the fortress there were burning torch, illuminating every dark places.

Senja sat still with her back leaned to the pole. It had been 2 hours long since they tied her here. The cut on her neck felt sore. Fortunately, the cut wasn't very deep or else she would be death by now.

Based on what she heard and observed from the conversation of those soldiers who were passing by, she learned that this fortress was facing predicament from outside. They were being isolated and isn't able to asked for reinforcement. The most concerned thing now was the enemy seemed successfully cut their water supply.

"Boy…" Senja whistled to the young boy who was guarding her. He seems like a teenager with an awkward body language.

"I am not a boy." He said with pride.

"Then what is your name?"

"You don't need to know my name." He said with cute arrogant face that made Senja's lips curved slightly.

"I don't need your name too, I need water. I am really thirsty." She didn't lie with this. Her throat was really dry.

Senja could feel he was hesitant to give her water, so she probed. "You tied me. I couldn't go anywhere. I just want to drink. I am really thirsty." She said pitifully.

Finally the boy nodded and got a bottle near him. Very carefully he poured the water for her. After three big gulps Senja felt better.

"Boy, could you do me one more favor?"

"I am here to guard you, not to help you."

Senja ignored his rejection.

"Could you tie my hair? It's very uncomfortable."

The boy frozen when he heard her requested. After sometimes his pointed cheek turned red.

"You are so shameless! How could you casually ask a man to touch your hair? Don't even think about seducing me! You are still very young but surely has a guts"

Senja frowned. She didn't understand why she became shameless because merely asked him to tight her hair. Her hairs were seriously irritating and tickle.

But, afterwards she realized something. Is it how strict ancient cultural customs towards skin ship between different sex?! It's drove me crazy!

"I am not a young girl. I am way older then you, okay?"

"How come you are older than me? I bet you just 15 or 16 years old!"

Okey, it's totally nonsense. I would be glad to hear such a word in different situation, but right now I don't need such a compliment. I am already 23 years old, boy!

"Whatever, if you don't want to do it then don't!" Senja felt agitated for that small dispute.

She closed her eyes, considering her options. She could free herself from this lousy rope ages ago, deceived this young guard and sneaked outside. At least, escaping plan was always her forte. But, it wouldn't advantage her even if she could be free from this place. This place was isolated by the enemy. Even the well trained soldiers couldn't escape, not to mention she who didn't possessed the ability to have a combat.

So the escaping plan has a risk that too high.