There were once four great leaders who were at war with one another. A cease fire was called so that the leaders could treat with one another.
The first was known as the red. He was aggressive and prone to anger. His forces were disciplined and strong and in a straight battle he was most often the victor. In his most recent battle, his forces quickly rushed the field before his enemy was fully organized. He won quickly, and much of his enemy's force was destroyed.
The second was known as the blue. He was noble and honorable, always acting with dignity. His forces were beyond reproach. They committed no dishonorable act, lest they be punished by their own leader. When one of his soldiers followed the example of the reds in pillaging a conquered town, the man lost his head for attempting to force himself on a woman. She and her family where henceforth guaranteed protection, and recompensed with all the soldiers property. The forces of the blue were often gladly welcomed into even the cities they conquered, for they were just, and kept peace and order.
The third was known as the yellow. He was always patient and hesitated to act with violence against his enemies when it could be avoided. It was he who most recently lost a battle to the red, and who called for this conference. Always willing to treat, and avoid conflict when possible. His forces disliked combat and he had the smallest army. He was often defeated, but remained strong due to wide support of those who no longer wished to continue fighting. In a battle not long ago, he faced a much larger force and attempted to leave every opportunity to make a peaceful resolution. His enemy would not have it and was already on the field of battle before the yellow had so much as departed for it. When he arrived, he knew already his enemy's position and array. His forces came up behind his enemy, and was victorious having taken them by surprise, as they grew impatient and lax.
The fourth was known as the green. Little was known of him, but that he rarely fought and never seemed to lose. His men were silent as the trees, and were neither humble nor proud.
After several days of discussion, mainly led by the yellow, the red began to grow impatient and felt the yellow was just buying time for his forces torecuperatee. In a fit he stormed out. The yellow and the blue continued to talk a bit while the green sat in silence, drinking his tea.
The red returned, bursting through the door, drew his sword and before the yellow could do more then turn around, the red had cut off his head. In response the blue quickly rose. Due to the injustice of attacking an opposing leader during an agreed upon cease fire to broker a truce, the blue responded to the red with his own sword. The two fought long and hard, as they were evenly matched. Thrusts were parried and the hall rang with the sound of steel.
The green continued to sip his tea.
The red knocked the blue back, and seemed to get the upper hand. A thrust landed and penetrated the blue near his side, below his ribs. The blue thrust his sword upward, right through the heart of the red. The red fell over dead as the blue withdrew his sword, then dropped it. The blue then pulled the red's sword from his own abdomen. He applied pressure with his hand but it was too late. The blue knew he likely had damage to his organs. In pain and bleeding to death, he sat back against a post. The blue died. The green finished his tea.
The green rose and on leaving, his servant began to question him.
"My lord, why did you sit there while battle raged all around?"
"Our enemies have destroyed one another." Replied the green. "We have won the war without fighting a battle."
The green went on to be a great and wise ruler over all the lands, until the end of his days.
