71 Second Master

Hàorán walked me into the room annexed to the Forge. Second Master was sitting at the table eating a bowl of noodles.He looked up and saw the two of us. 
His eyes filled with concern when he saw me, and putting down his chopsticks, opened his arms wide, "come here little one." 
I dropped my bundle and ran to him. The little girl in me needed a cuddle and to be told it was all alright, then I could be level headed again. I was finding people all too much. I wanted to go home to the surrounding forests, to get out of the stifling atmosphere of the town.
He looked over my head, "Hàorán, good to see you. What news do you have?" He continued to cuddle me as he spoke.
"There's much to discuss," Hàorán said, "but first I think we'd better concentrate on this little one here, she was badly shaken up when I came across her just now." 
Second Master lifted my head, "so, little one, I think I need to know, what happened? What do you need me to do?"
I told him what I'd seen whilst out and about, what I'd noted at the fort the other end of the gorge. I told him of people leaving in family groups heading for the border. I told him of the strange rock formations in the gorge and how you could hide a full detachment of archers up there. How easy an ambush would be and my gut instincts of what might happen to Chen's men.
Hàorán listened as I spoke, "I must admit, I've noticed similar things," he said. "The enemy does have strong detachments of archers and they are well equipped. With men positioned either side of the gorge, they could take out two hundred men in no time, they'd be sitting ducks."
"How can I help?" Second Master replied.
" Do you think talking with your father might help?" I queried. " If he thought he would lose face by having ten of his detachments annihilated..." I thought again, " if he realised he would have to explain his tactic of sending these men without getting the scouts to inform him of the situation....."
Second Master laughed, " explain his incompetence? It'd kill him. Nice idea." He looked at his noodles solidifying in the bowl, " tell you what, I'll cook up some fresh noodles for the three of us and then you curl up on your skins and get some rest," he stroked my hair the same way he did his daughter's, " and Hàorán, you and I can go and pay my father a visit."
Hàorán nodded, "good plan."


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