Maria, god of misfortune by Leandra A. (little bear else holmelund minarik txt) 📕

During these turbulent times what do you think is the most effective way to win a war? That is to end it with less bloodshed as possible.

This has become the most important piece to win a war that is full of deceit, betrayals and lies...

In the middle of the night inside a camp base, you can see the soldiers chattering and drinking to their hearts content. Loud noises and laughter can be heard on the whole place, It was as if they already won the war that is yet to happen next morning.

In the center placed their general's tent and you can see soldiers and even women coming in and out from it. Inside was General Han and other captains who are sitting and enjoying the feast that was prepared for them.

"General Han it is now a sure win for us! The other group has been reported to have less than 10,000 soldiers compared to our 40,000 strong men" said by one of his men who then offer to pour him his glass with the wine bottle he is holding.

"Hahaha...what do you expect from that small country of Hellas?"  The general's laughter can be heard on the whole place as he accept the offered wine and then raise his hand to make a toast for victory they can already see - "I guess we can relax tonight and enjoy the feast before the fight tomorrow! " He shouted and then called for another set of food and wine to be given for all of his men. 

By tomorrow morning these men from the Kingdom of Arias are set to invade and enter the war with the small country of Hellas with only few men and soldiers they are expected to see.

"Sir, please enjoy this little entertainment we have prepared for you", said by his men who then offered him for their enjoyment a dancing troupe that they brought in.

Two women began dancing in the tune of the music played by a man whose body and face are fully covered in a black cloak. Although everyone seems enjoying the show, the general wasn't paying attention to it and seems to find them a bore so he demanded that they gave him a more entertaining show. 

The man covered in black cloak, who is playing the instrument, stand up and removes the cloak. And to their surprise a beautiful woman dress in red appeared.

"General I apologized if you find our show lacking..." said by the woman in red dress who seem confident and not afraid with the general,  "I humbly ask your permission to present a sword dance if your good officer will let me get the sword that they confiscate, although we already explained that its only for show"

"Hmm...swords dance? Alright let her get the swords! " The idea seems to interest him and so he ordered his men to get her swords let her use it for her to be able to start her dance now.

"And before you begin may I ask for your name young lady?"

"It is Maria at your service..." The woman in red dress then bows down and unsheathe the swords.

"let me present to you this dance depicting the death of the god of war..."

She begins with a poem depicting the life and death of the god of war, Lu Bu and then followed by her dancing while swinging the swords. The way her body moves like a fluid as she bend her back with ease - and glide the swords blade -- It was beautiful and deadly.

The lustful eyes of every man inside follows her every movement and can't help but be awe in her beauty. Her skin is so white and pure that the falling snow will be envy and her face is so beautiful that nobody notice the precious jewels that she wears.

The steps of her dance are becoming faster that they can barely follow her sword movement and to their surprise as she throws one of the swords up - then at the same time scattered Rose petals, she run towards the general and stab his chest with the sword. 

The other two women start stabbing the other high ranking officer inside the pub as well and then they fled out of the scene immediately. Leaving behind a bloody hell scene, no can think one can accomplish inside a camp with Forty thousand men on it.

Because of the incident it cause disarray with the army since all the general and most of the higher rank official was killed by the assassin so the next day they decided to retreat from the battlefield.

News about what happened that night circulated among the other states and they all can't believe that the undefeated general that caused fear to other states in one night was killed by a woman.

However when they heard that on the scene scattered rose petals where seen, which is the same things found on the scene with other high ranking officials and general that were assassinated as well, all doubts about the news were cleared. They all know that If it's a work done by the assassin who goes by the name Maria, whose methods include leaving behind on the scene scattered Rose petals, killing a general inside an army of 40,000 men is near possible.

Maria's gender were not yet determined since witnesses gave different stories about her but one thing is for sure she possess strength and skill that rivals those of a general and a beauty a kin to a goddess.

The Kingdom of Hellas was also rejoicing because of the incident and was glad that this all ended without even the need of shedding one blood of their people. Inside the king of Hellas audience room, the king and queen called upon the people and all the general who are supposed to enter and sacrificed their lives for the kingdom to give their appreciation.

In the front of the king, the two of most prominent men in their kingdom was kneeling and presenting their self in front of him.

"In behalf of our countrymen I would like to congratulate you for winning this war for us my son Leone!" said by the queen who seems to be very proud and trying to show off her son to all.

"I know that leading only 10,000 men wherein some are not even from the military is already a great feat for you but you manage to do it. Forget about the rumors saying that the enemy retreated because of some woman killing the enemy general it's your gallant presence that made them retreat"

She then turn her head and look at General Shin who is kneeling down in front of the king, "Unlike some uncouth general who became scared just because the enemy has more men with them".

" I understand your anger but asking me to lead 10,000 civilians to their death is something I can't do unless I am out of my right mind..." The Crowd gasp on his suggestive answer, while giving off a strong and serious eyes that's looking straight at the queen.

"You!"  the queen then act as if she was about to faint and so her servants offered to give her support but she shrugged them off. 

" How dare you talk back at me, even if you are considered as the strongest general you crossed the line this time!" She pointed her finger to him, as if she was cursing him but the general won't even avert his eyes who was looking straight to her.

"After we let you become a general although you came from unknown family, you don't know shame do you?"

Although Hellas was a small city, it becomes popular because of its general who was at this era considered as the strongest. The neighboring countries surrounding Hellas would are reluctant to wage war against them if they learned that it was him who will lead their force.

However ever since the king became ill, internal conflict have been going around for quite some time thus a large country like Arias see this as an opportunity to conquer the city since they are interested on its red land that allows cultivation of any.

 General Shin refused the order to lead 10,000 men that were mostly civilians against 40,000 soldiers of Arias and insist that they should just offered them a bilateral agreement in terms of trading that Arias would like to impose since he doesn't see any problem with it.

The queen appealed to have him decapitated but her son Leone intervene and explained that killing the general will just please the enemies since he was still being considered as one of their biggest threat. As a punishment the king ordered the general to go back to his villa and stay there until further notice.

"You are really something, are you trying to get yourself killed?" General Leone whose hands are shaking with anger shouted at General Shin who was just idly sitting in his bed while enjoying a bottle of wine inside his room. 

The general move closer and snatch the bottle of wine he is drinking - then drink it for himself.

" Urg...If I did not intervene what do you think will happen to you?" He glares at him and then put down the bottle of wine in his table.

"Hahaha... I know that you will not be able to leave your friend alone", General Shin burst in laughter upon seeing the general  facial expression as he try to contain his anger." You really save me this time...Leone." He told him as he placed his hand on his shoulder and then snort a laugh again.

"But honestly I was surprise when I heard that you personally lead our hopeless army into that war Leone, It's good that the god of luck smiled upon you". General Shin taps his shoulder and then smirked at him.

"Don't play dumb with me!" General Leone shrugged off his hand away from his shoulder and glares at him.

"I know that you are the one who sent those assassins to kill the enemy general. Why won't you tell the king these in order to clear your name? Aren't you concerned that the people were calling you coward now?" He asked him and was waiting anxiously for his answer.

General Shin's facial expression changes into a more serious one and then look straight at him; " Who cares what will people say? What's important is we were able to prevent a meaningless bloodshed"

"But still the problem doesn't end here", General Shin sit down on his bed and clasp both of his hand together and then looks up to him - "Leone I know that even you don't want to negotiate with the country of Arias but still the king must realized that war is not the solution for everything!"

"Shin, I can't believe I am hearing these things from you... even if we are a small country why do you think we haven't been conquered yet?" General Leone sharply said. He can't believe that he will show such cowardice.

"It's because our country were born from heroes and holy knights! I was more disappointed that you need to ask some woman to help us!"

A week before the assassination General Shin went on the outskirts of Hellas to look for a person he believe will be able to help him greatly on the upcoming war.

" It's not usual for a young man and a little girl to be staying on this deserted place",  General Shin asked the young man who was sitting nonchalantly on the window of an abandoned house that seems to be old, wrenching and a diminishing lesser rumbles of stones coming to rest.

"I am sorry Sir, but we are orphans and doesn't have anywhere to go now" The young man answered him while looking straight into his eyes and gives him a fleeting smile.

A young man on his twenties and a little girl were camping inside a deserted house located at the heart of