117 A few pleasant weeks

Following a very emotional night, new bonds had been forged. The four of us spent more and more time together,  lying in pairs under the stars until rain forced us into the sleeping hut.

Bǎo was the first to notice our activities. "When are you two leaving?"

Xin laughed, "can't keep anything from you can we. We're leaving the end of the week and heading back to Chenxi. There's lots to do and many more women like us, barren and feeling useless. We want to give them purpose and value, that way we too will gain purpose and value in Chenxi's eyes."

"We'll miss you." Bǎo looked protectively at Xin, "are you two sure about this?"

"We've talked long and hard," Xin looked over at me and I nodded. " We'll take a half cart to the next town, sell that and buy a punt. That way we can take medicinal plants and herbs as well as other things we'll need to get started."

"I'll take a few hammers and other tools for a makeshift forge so I can start repairing and producing things we need. We'll have Mu fighters to contend with but that's okay," I looked at Xin, and smiled, "it's time we had some fun with them."

Hao shuddered. He'd walked into that place where Niao had 'played' with those men and it was not a pretty sight. 'The wrath of a mountain cat,' he thought to himself.

"So," Hao continued out loud, "anything you need from us?"

"If there is, "Xin piped up, " I'll let you know. Niao travels light, it's me who's taking all the stuff."

That week passed quickly and before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye, at least for now. 

Plans had been made and Hàorán had promised to scout out the area and report back. He would act as our go-between and let both Bǎo and Hao know if we needed anything.

After painful goodbyes, we took our leave. As we walked through the gates of Shipao for one last time, we suspected it would be a very long time before we would walk back through them again.

We arrived in Dangin a few days later. This was another town built onto the waterfront. Here, the produce focused more on grains and fruit. The smells in the market reminded us of old Chenxi, the freshly baked breads, cooking noodles and roasting meats. Sweet stands of sugared almonds and roasted nuts, added to the kaleidoscope of scents and perfumes. Xin's eyes lit up and she danced around, fluttering from one stall to the next like a drunken butterfly.  

We were spotted by the locals who stared at our unfamiliar dress. They had no idea who we were and were immediately wary of us.

Quietly, I walked to a stall holder who seemed more amicable. "Sir, I was wondering if you could point us in the direction of a boat seller. We need to get ourselves and these goods," I pointed at the content of the cart, whilst watching the mule's hungry, greedy eyes, " down stream to Chenxi."

The man balked at me. "Chenxi? Are you mad? It's overrun by Mu and they're doing dreadful things to the women."

"Sir, we know, that's why we must go back. We are members of Twin Blades?" I looked at him, hoping the name would ring a bell, "and being women, we know we can do more good there at the moment."

As I spoke, a little light started to ignite in his brain. Pointing at me,  he looked, then went to say something, then stopped, then smiled, then spoke. "Are you two the legendary ladies? The two fighters who single- handedly fought off an army?"

"Well, not an army, but yes, we are those two women, yes, why? Have you heard of us?"

"My dear, you are heroes in these parts. Come, come, what do you need and I will help you arrange it." He looked up and turning to the crowds, "listen up everybody, these are the two women from Twin Blades! The ones we hear stories about. They're here, in Dangin!"

The crowds looked at us. Beaten up, scarred and dressed in warrior style clothing, they suddenly had a different attitude towards us. Stall holders came over offering us whatever we wanted. Free food, free cloth, "listen my lovely, if there's anything you need from us, let us know. We will give you a Dangin seal which will be recognised. We all have one. Stops the wretched Mu from getting inside our town." She turned to the crowds, "listen everyone, they are our heroes. They've kept us safe. Who's with them?"

Cheers went up. Within moments of our arrival we had been elevated to celebrity status. Xin looked over, "this could be useful in the future. Trade links?" I nodded. 

That night we ate our fill. We sat with many of the townsfolk in the central square and retold stories of our encounters and bloody adventures. Children gathered around, fascinated by our tales, whilst the girls looked on, enthralled but fearful. Who were these wild women?

Our work in some ways had already begun. Building bridges, opening minds.

We stayed in Dangin longer than either of us anticipated but we enjoyed the people, and made friends with many of them.

"Do they know we are always open to help those people is Shipao? They're only a couple of days sailing up the river after all?"

This was their generosity. They understood the ways of conflict and had been spared the advancing Mu army by dint of almost insurpassable mountains. We too had taken, effectively, what was the long way round, skirting the mountains in Shipao province and crossing numerous small rivers to get to the Zhang Pass. What had taken weeks by 'road', took us two days by water.

Now the long sail would begin, from here to the major fork in the waters where it lead through Liú Province and onto Mu Province. As yet, we didn't now whether Liú land was friendly or not, but our hosts suggested they were neutral.

"Your next major stop will be Shuān He. It sits on the fork between the two rivers You want to go left and follow that fork. They know the Mu tribe only too well and have suffered considerably over the years through incursions and attempts to overthrow the Governor there. If you go left and stop at the second set of jetties, they will lead toward the Governor's House. His aides are usually there, so show the seal of Dangin and it will guarantee you an audience." The seller looked at us with the care of an uncle, "now remember, you are always welcome here in Dangin. We send you off with loving in our hearts and fair weather coming your way."

With that, the jetty load of people, waved us goodbye. Xin had tears in her eyes." Going to miss them." Turning to me, "anyway," she wiped her eyes, "we will stop each night and make camp?"

I nodded and held back my tears. Yes, I too, was going to miss Dangin.