"What if I become your enemy?" Aike asked with a smile.
"If that's what you choose," Winters took a deep breath and said calmly, "I will accept it."
Aike laughed heartily and punched Winters in the chest, "I won't wish you victory, just hope you return safely."
Xial led over the black horse Winters was accustomed to riding. Winters took the reins and mounted the horse, "Certainly."
With that, he nodded, gently spurred the horse, and headed towards the gate of the officers' lodging quarter.
As he left the gate, he looked back and saw Anna's figure in the second-floor window of his cozy little house.
Winters couldn't bring himself to say goodbye. He gazed at Anna, silently telling his beloved, "Wait for my return."
He didn't know if Anna understood what he was conveying, and with a turn, he rode away.
Anna stood by the window for a long time. After a while, she watched as Winters' silhouette disappeared into the night, and whispered tearfully:
"Alright."
...
