118 Slow punt to Shuān Hé

Allowing the river to carry us forward, we needed to expend very little energy on the way to Shuān Hé.

Following the line of mountains on our left, we saw rich, fertile land, landscaped into tiers of green. Now and then, we saw the glistening of the water in the fields; paddy fields. People were dotted about, heads down, tending to the crops. 

It was hard to believe a war of such magnitude had been fought in the north, such a short distance away. So many lives had been lost. 

Further south, another type of war raged, but this one was against women and old folk. So many homes ruined and yet, here, the world seemed tranquil, untouched. 

"Almost surreal isn't it." Xin read my mind as usual.

"One part of the forest ignores the chaos of a kill in another, knowing as long as they get their fill, they won't come their way for a while." I looked at Xin, she smiled slightly, understanding my words.

"The kills have been fierce. In human terms, it's us who have kept this area safe."

I nodded. "As long as Twin Hammers does its job, this area will not know terror in the way others have."

I looked ahead, "On a lighter note, there seems to be a change in the current ahead which tells me we must be getting closer to a fork in the river."

Xin also looked out, "yes, you can see a change in the water. Is it my imagination or is this too soon for the fork at Shuān Hé?" I nodded in agreement.

"Seems there's more than one fork. Let's find a place to stop for the night and maybe walk up to see what it looks like. I do hope getting past it isn't too tricky, neither of us are that good with these poles."

"Tricky," was all she said. She was scanning the banks looking for a sensible stopping point. "Here! Here, look, the banks dip inwards. Let's see if we can get into that quieter area before we end up passing it."

Working with all our might we moved the poles to angle us ready to leave the central flow and move into the move torrid waters which swept past the banks. That was the idea, until we started it. We realised then, we were moving at some speed and the current had us locked into its grip.

"Will we make it? I'm glad I'm as fit as I am! I'd never be able to do this otherwise. How do the oarsmen do it?" Xin was working every part of herself until we suddenly popped out of the flow and began aiming at the bank. "Wow! Niao, slow the boat! Slow the boat! We're going to crash!" Xin began back stroking the pole but only managed to change the direction of travel. "No! No! No! Niao, push the pole, turn us again or we will over shoot!"

Working together, we fought the poles and the current. Slowly the boat inched its way toward the bank, bouncing off branches. stumps and shallows, only to free itself again and go spinning further downstream. "I feel sick!" was all Xin could utter as she panted for breath.

"Xin, now! pull with the pole! That's it! Pull on the pole, bring us closer again!" 

With that, I started to back pole as hard as I could, slowing the progress, holding the back of the boat out from the edge. "Now! Together! Pull the boat to shore!" We worked harder than we had worked in years. Every muscle and sinew strained to its maximum.

"I can't hold it much longer!" Xin yelled.

I poled as hard as I could, forcing the boat to shore and at the last minute pushed the pole deep into the mud and levered the boat forward. It lurched and beached itself so violently, Xin was thrown backwards into the bottom of the boat.

"You alright? Get up! Quick! I can't hold it much longer!"

Xin scrambled up from the boat and grabbing the pole thrust hers into the muddy bottom. "Pull!" she yelled and we both forced the boat up onto the mud bank.

Jumping out, Xin grabbed the ropes and quickly tied them to trees. The back of the boat was still attempting to join the flow and tossed one way and then the next. I stood, trying keep my balance with the pole still deep in the mud. "How are we going to fasten the back? Its leaping around like a stag!"

"Hang on! Hang on! Isn't there more rope in the boat?" She lept back into the boat and ran towards the store of items we had. Clutching some rope, with a triumphant smile, she held it aloft, "Yes, ooh, I can't.." She fell backwards again, landing on something. She winced but stood up, ran to the bucking rear and tied on. "Whatever you do, Niao, Don't let go! I'm going to get on shore and using the rope, pull the boat in. That tree," she pointed at one not far along the bank, "I'll wrap the rope around the tree and pull. When you can, jump off and give me a hand, okay?"

I managed a nod, I was too busy holding the pole and trying to stay on the boat myself. It was bucking and wafting about so violently, I was finding it hard to stay on top. "Hurry, Xin, I really can't hang on much longer!"

Xin ran to the tree pulling the rope as she went. The boat slowly started to turn in and as Xin wrapped the rope around the tree, using her weight as a lever, I jumped out and joined her. We tied off and collapsed where we stood.

"We haven't got to do that again have we, that nearly killed us!"

I was so tired and my arm muscles hurt so much, I could only muster a small hand gesture, then collapsed the arm to the floor. "If we have, Xin, heaven help us!"  I turned my head to look at her. Red faced and sweating I presumed I too, looked more like an oiled turkey cock. "If we can, let's see if we can use that lovely mud to get clean. But only if the flow allows us."

"We might be able to at the back of the boat?"

I patted her arm, "later! Much later! Maybe tomorrow. We're going to ache tomorrow."

"Let's stay here for a while. Maybe a couple of days."

I nodded. "I'm lying here for a while until I get my breath back and then I think it would be good to get the tea on, don't you?"

She nodded and turning her head to face the sky, she panted along relaxing and testing parts of herself she'd hit. "I've got bruises," was all she managed to say.

"You two ladies okay?"

I opened me eyes and looked up at a man staring down at me. I went to move but the muscles said no. If they had come to rob or murder, I was too tired to resist.

"We will be, Sir, as soon as we recover." I rolled up and sat looking at him. "Sorry to appear rude, but may I inquire as to who are you?" I looked past him, "and your young associate?"

"Sorry, Madam, my name is Liang and this is my son, Anan. We work the gardens behind you and saw you battling the waters. We came to see if you were okay and whether you needed any help." He looked about and continued, "but it seems to me you are doing fine. The boat is well tied and you have a good spot to camp. No-one will bother you here." He paused for a moment and then continued, "your dress is unknown to me. Where are you from? I presume you have come from the north?"

It was Xin's turn to speak. She had been silent until now. "Yes, we have travelled from Shipao and are heading back to Chen province. We were told this was the best was to travel, but after today, we're wondering if the speed was really worth the exhaustion." She paused as she brushed herself off and stood up. I stayed seated. I really had expended so much energy on that pole I was done for. "We are the two ladies from Twin Blades? You may have heard of us?"

The two men looked at one another and shook their heads.

"That's okay. It's nice to not be recognised. By the way, my name is Xin and this is my elder sworn sister, Niao. Nice to meet you."

Pleasantries were exchanged and we invited them for some tea. We hoped they could give us some idea of the river further downstream and how much further it was to  Shuān Hé.

Sipping tea and talking about the area, Liang told us about the problems they were hearing about further downstream. 

"Word has it the Mu Province took advantage of the weaker Chen Province and have taken over their land and territories. We seem to be fairly safe in this part of Shipao Province though, being cut off from the majority  of it, as we are, and bordering on Liú Province. Well they have gone in with a much bigger army and now the Mu are afraid of advancing."

"Sounds interesting. More tea?" Xin was plying them with a very good tea brand and getting the information we needed. Liang nodded and then continued. "Yes, word has it they have plundered the whole of Chen's land and laid ruin to much of the centre of Chenxi itself. I'd hate to be the men that have to come and see this." Liang looked from one to the other, then continued, "well, they went off to fight somewhere and left the place unguarded. Mu just walked in, it seems and had fun. Awful. Just awful." He stopped for a moment and thought, "I blame the old man Chen, he made so many enemies and the hatred between him and the old man in Mu Province got really intense when I was a young man. So bad we thought it would lead to war in the whole set of provinces around here, but it suddenly stopped. No idea why. Just like that. One day, all the troops went home and there has been an uneasy truce ever since."

He stopped and took a large sip from his cup, draining it of its contents. "Aaah, lovely. Well, ladies, thank you for the tea and the chat but I must get back, the wife will be wondering where we have got to. I'll end up being heavily scolded if I am too late back." He went to move and stopped. "Oh, yes, forgot to say. When you get to the fork down here push over to your left as hard as you can. The Shuān Hé fork is not far downstream from there, and you don't want to go right at that fork or you'll end up in Mu territory and they kill anything which moves on that river. Stick hard to your left and stay away from Shuān Hé, it's overrun at the moment and it's not safe to visit. Well, Anan, come on, mother will box my ears if I am any later than this. Take care ladies and stay safe. Remember, stick left, you'll be fine if you do," and with that he turned back up the hill with his son in tow.

"Useful to know." Xin said as the man retreated from sight.