16 War

"Master,  an edict from the Emperor." He bowed his head and held the scroll out in front of him.
First Master took it and read the contents.
"We've a list here gentlemen," and looking in my direction' "lady." I nodded. 
He started calling out the list; swords, blades, armour, shields, pikes, lances, the list was endless. "Time to get busy then gentlemen, " and with that, work was martitioned off, swords stayed with the Masters, armour and shields fell to the women and the pike and lances to the apprentices.
I voluteered to work the armour; my skills with skins and pelts would come in handy here. I settled with the ladies from the village and we began to produce the parts as quickly as we could. I suggested a design change which had longer leg guards for behind the knees, explaining how myself and Xin had felled quite a few men in less than ten minutes with a small knife. They were left crippled, unable to fight or walk ever again. I was asked about other vulnerable places and with the changes I suggested, the armour was made for the foot soldiers and the mounted battalions. Horses were fitted out differently too, making them less easy to hit with arrows but no less agile. We re-designed hilts so they could snap the opposition's blade with a simple twist of the wrist and added simple pike guards to protect the men as they stepped forward into the advancing army.
Each night, Alpha and I would slowly make our way back to camp. I would check traps on the way and using a bow and arrow I'd taken from the forge, I shot a monkjack deer which I skinned. Both Alpha and I enjoyed the venison. 
We'd not seen Xin for over a week.
I'd received word from one of the apprentices that she was working for one of the milliner's houses and would be making the garments for the men to wear when they went to war. Seems we were both embroiled in this.
I wondered where she was staying and hoped she would come and at least see us at some point. I'd grown used to her company and it seemed strange not to have her about.
The day had drawn to a close and Xin hadn't returned so I lowered the oil skin over Alpha and myself and settled into the skins which had become our bed. 
Alpha was already sleeping; I felt her labored breathing and her heart occassonally missing a beat. She was not long for this world. I would bury her deep.



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