House of Chen

 The battle in Chenxi had changed. Twin Hammers were advancing and the Mu garrison was emptying, like rats leaving a sinking ship.  As they ran, they were mown down by arrows firing from hidden vantage points they couldn't, in their panic, counter.  There was no escape.  Some threw themselves to the water ways, only to find swords, blades and more arrows, ready to cut off their retreat. There was little sound, just that quiet throng of bow strings, the slice of swords as they sliced the air, and screaming. Lots of screaming. Then the Arrows loaded their cross bows, lit their flaming bundles and raising the bows high, lofted them into the garrison itself. Their aim? To destroy the whole construction. What had been built to control and conquer was to be burned to the ground in a show of force that reminded them who was in charge. Men now fled, their clothing, their skin alight. The stench of burning flesh added to that of the garrison.   The body count grew....

It had been so long. Days, weeks, months and when she thought about it, it was almost five years since she had fled from her bed, fires raging, men screaming, women.... yes, women.  She looked around at all the 'fallen' women who through courage, determination and a large dose of spite, had remained alive.  She looked at the children, homeless, parent less. She wanted to cry, to shout out, 'woe is me', but it would achieve nothing.  Madam Min wiped her eyes and put on a smile. "Come on, children, let's see what the water gods have given us today." Children cheered as they ran and played tag around her. They were young and maliable, adapting to any situation as long as they had food in their bellies, warm places to sleep, and safety around them. The waters were different today. In fact, they'd been different for a few days now. Instead of bounty, there were just floating, bloated bodies of men who had drowned, or been drowned. "Come little ones, it...

 The ropes held. The first of the Hammers went over, sinking to their necks. Water swirled around them as the undertow got hold of their legs and tried to pull them under. The prisoners watched in horror as the soldiers fought to stay upright, clutching the ropes, holding each other up.  They watched as one of the men slipped, disappearing under the water, was swallowed by the currents. His comrades grabbed after him but couldn't keep themselves safe and reach him as he was tossed and pulled further downstream. "I can swim!' he yelled back, "I'll do my best to find the bank. Keep going! If I make it, I'll find you." That was the last thing he said before he was pulled further and further downstream. He was last seen turning onto his front, starting to swim with all his might towards the banks. "Keep going men we have to secure the lines and these are flimsy at best!" The men, adrenalin pumping through their whole beings, pulled themselves to the...

Madam Min sat on a packing case down at the water's edge. On her lap, she had the lid balancing carefully on her knees. A broken inkstone was on the right hand side of this makeshift desk, whilst a pile of assorted papers sat infront of her. She was making lists of all of the items that were washing up around them.  It was clear they had come from Chenxi itself,  and had probably been taken from the merchants stores. She catalogued according to the presumed source; milliners, tailors, jewellery, hardware. Eventually, this would return to Chenxi and kick start the town once more, at least she hoped it would. Min feverently hoped the owners had abandoned their properties before they had been looted. If not they, were most likely dead.  She shuddered at the thought.  She had already catalogued bottles and flagons taken from her own cellars. Glasses, although broken, we're boxed up and kept. The glass could go back and be reblown, hopefully. Ornaments and associated para...

 They saw the banners first, swirling and bouncing to the rhythm of the men as they loped along. Xin smiled at Bǎo, they had caused mischief and mayhem to the forces who occupy  their capital and now part of the Twin Hammers was coming. General Li proudly rode at the front, a smile radiating across his face as he caught sight of the mercinaries. Holding his hand up, the army came to a stop, and General Bǎo approached. "Good to see you. Good journey down? Lost many?" General Li shook his head, "We lost about fifty but they lost a batallion. We left them there for the carion feeders and a warning to any we missed, we mean business, we take no prisoners." He grinned. "Their discipline was poor, their training even less."  "So General," Bǎo responded as General Li dismounted, "Let's head to where we are camped out and speak there. How many are there of you in total, because our established base is only big enough for us?" "I've...

 Old man Chen's body was wrapped in a shroud. There would be no funeral procession, no pyre,  no rights of passage one would normally grant the dead. Second Master had specifically asked he be buried in wasteland where no one would mourn him - not that they would. "The grave diggers are here, Sir." an orderly bowed out of respect to the House Keeper.  "Send them in, the body is ready." Two men entered the room, looking around at its finery, cap in hand with a partial stoop in submission to the grandeur which surrounded them. "He is ready for you. You understand the instructions?"  They nodded, almost salivating at the riches this body might hold. "Here is your fee, now please, carry out the instructions as agreed."  They nodded greedily, and scooped up the old man quickly. "We will get this to our cart. Thank you for doing business with us." And with that, Old Man Chen began his final journey to some wasteland on the outskirts of Sh...