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165 A dead man doesn't fight back

  Lui Xian sat quietly in his tent. His orderly had delivered some communiques from Tangun and from the forces in Chenxi. He had also just been handed a document from Shipao. Sipping his tea, he took in the logistics of what was happening where. New reparations division heading to Chenxi, the bulk of the forces who had freed Chenxi, heading this way, three packs of Blades already on their way, and now information which surprised him. Commander Zhang, that insufferable, arrogant leader, had finally softened and was in talks with the leaders in Shipao Province. It seems Second Master had laid some plans in place which forced his hand and now he was attempting to save face. Lui Xian smiled. Events were beginning to unravel and soon, men would be able to go home. He thought wistfully of home. A villa deep in the farming lands of Liú, surrounded by gardens of the enclave he controlled. The rice growing on the hillsides and the wines..... His mouth watered and he longed to taste that swe...
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164 Engage

  General Lui Xian sat and waited. They had intercepted many Mu troops as they travelled up from the borderlands, allowing none to return and alert the barracks of their numbers or their position. He waited for the scouts to return from Chenxi. He needed to know whether it would be safe for him to move forward and attack Tangun or to wait it out a little longer.  He had been made aware of Second Master's decisions and the suspected burning of Chenxi; what he needed now was news as to whether there were any troops who could come and help in this final battle. He had only enough to support the transfer of the dead, dying and wounded. It only needed a small number.  He had completed that task.  He had lost some of his troops to the battles which had raged across the marshlands and weeding the enemy out of these enclaves had proved harder and more costly than they had realised. He needed back up badly. General Lui Xian poured himself another green tea and looked over the...
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163 Moving out

  Madam Min sat in her make shift room watching the smoke rising into the sky. She knew what this meant; the day had come and they would be able to return. She looked around at all the inventory, 'there's enough to begin. Enough to repair hope.' she sniffed back tears she didn't realise she had been holding. She thought back to the bustle of the main street, the tavern at night and the customers who came every day to eat, drink and socialise. She thought of the men who, after work, would settle outside and play Go, arguing over who would pay for the next round. It was then she cried. Silent tears streamed down her face and pooled in her cleavage. Deep sobs racked her whole body.  Two of the little 'ones ran in, " Auntie, auntie, don't cry. Why are you crying? Auntie we have been good. Do you want something, Auntie?" The littlest one, barley two years old sat on the ground and began to wail. She didn't know why but she wailed anyway. If Auntie was c...
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162 And the fires burned

The barracks burned bright, and flames rose into the sky. Smoke, black and acrid, rose in plumes above Chenxi . It was visible for miles, and it was registered by most of the Twin Hammers . Second Master was one of those. He watched as he contemplated their next move. "Chenxi has fallen. We move forward." "Sir, what do we do with these men? They are not Chen ." The second in command, an older Hammer who had brought the group this far, looked at his superior. "Assemble the men immediately. Two camps. Those who wishes to return and those who will form the reparations division." Second Master continued looking toward home. ' Yiran , are you still alive? Do we still have children? Please the gods, let her be alive at least.' Little did he know, his prayers had already been answered and his wife waited, still in silent shock, somewhere in the mountains with the two people he could still call family. He came back to the present and waited for the men to...
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161 Final push to freedom

 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....
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160 New wind blows

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...
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159 Exhaustion

 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...
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