59 It's time

Hao Yang didn't get back until early the next morning. The bundle on his back was huge.

"I've brought gifts," dropping the heavy load onto the ground and stretching his back. "Yí Rán sends her love and black clothing for the men, plus my brother formed sets of arm protectors for each of you," handing them to the three sleepy men and then turning to Xin Yi, "we thought these looked very much you." He grinned and handed over a pair of dark brown arm bands mottled in black and red. The straps were similar, thick and strong.

She looked them over and offered one to her arm, "they're gorgeous." Skipping around like a child she beamed at him, " can't wait to thank them in person."

Silently, he handed me my arm guards, "yours, I think," he said whispered, and smiled.

"Next," Hao Yang announced, "six, three quarter blades as promised. That's why I was later than expected. The forge was running so he altered some blades. Oh, yes, a few more sets of killing blades for the men and I brought skins for me. I noted everyone else had theirs?" He looked around and saw nodding in unison. " um, have I forgotten anything?" He rummaged around and found some vials of antiseptic oil, powder and bandage material. Handing them to me, "thought these would be useful and we need to prevent that arm turning septic." 

I smiled with deep gratitude. How could you not love this gentle giant. 

The men looked to Hao Yang awaiting orders, "go get washed and dressed. Out here, staying clean is important. Any cuts or grazes can turn nasty so check yourself over each day and if anything gets inflamed tell us."

They nodded and quickly vanished.

"We're a long way behind the train. We need to move out and catch up."

I agreed. Thinking of the time we'd spent here and the speed with which the train was moving, we were a good days worth of fast paced walking behind.

"Let's break camp after something to eat then start the walk. These guys haven't done this before, so we need to assign one to each of us, that way we're responsible for one, other than ourselves if we have to separate. I just pray they keep up." In my mind I saw us being placed in danger by a slower individual. I shuddered. This is dangerous territory and I don't mean people. Whilst the men were getting organised, I talked my fears over with the other two.

Xin Yi made a sensible suggestion. "If by taking one person, we train them into our ways as we move out, teach them our speed, our moves, our commands, if trouble comes, they're at least primed."

We agreed.

The men returned and we discussed it with them. They were apprehensive but could see the merit in the idea.

Wáng Bǎo was assigned to me. 

Well, it was more choosing the one you'd feel safer with I think and Wáng Bǎo chose me.

The other two, Huáng Bó and Huáng Fù, a set of twins, went to Xin Yi and Hao Yang. I'm not sure who was more scared, each looking at their new partners with extreme trepidation.

"So, we've decided to run as pairs and meet up at the end of each day. We'll teach you as much as we can and give you time to acclimatise to your new weapons. We'll also mock fight with you so as to give you practise in such enclosed settings,"

Xin Yi tapped my arm, " for safety sake, let's do all mock fight practice with wood, it's less painful and less noise too."

"I agree," Hao Yang interjected, "being hit by a lump of wood is painful enough," he grinned, " but doesn't caused too many cuts." His grin became wider, and looking at me, " my pride certainly took a bashing from you. Good luck, Bǎo, she's an amazing fighter."

All three balked. I could read their minds, 'what have we let ourselves...'

"Fear of the unknown is the worst state to be in, so let's move out. Lesson one, watch us and learn. Eventually, I expect you all to do this automatically."

We broke camp, swept, cleared and removed all visible traces of our occupation, then, gathering our bundles and doing one final check, we collected our partners and set out, each taking a slightly different route.

Bǎo followed closely, he was agile and quick over rough terrain. I turned and smiled, "Let's take up the pace a bit, we've a long way to go today."

"OK. You lead, ma'am, I follow."

I stopped and he collided with me, backing off and holding his head down in submission. The man was scared of me? Or is this his training? Taught to follow, not to lead? This needed to go. I needed to trust him in difficult times and had to trust he'd step up if needed, not wait for orders.

"My name is Niao, please, there's no rank here."

"Yes, ma'am, I mean Niao." The words stung in his throat, it was going against etiquette, everything he'd been taught. "I'll try, but.."

"It's okay, but remember, in this world we're the equals, the bears, the tigers, the wolves, these are our bosses."

Bǎo looked embarrassed. I patted his arm, "honestly, in your world I feel just like you and I rely on Hao Yang to keep me safe. Don't fret, just try, okay?"

He nodded, and we set off again, this time at a comfortable jog.

I had three aims; get distance under our belt, stretch my legs, and look for a suitable stop, if the others don't find it first. 

This was a private competition. I grinned, who'd be the winner?