125 Intimidation by design

Commander Zhang was true to his word, and groups of Mu soldiers were being unceremoniously brought through the pass and left in the hands of the Twin Hammers troops. He had kept their arms as agreed; he would make money from these items, something Commander Zhang both needed and desired.

Second Master came across from his meeting, to oversee the first delivery. "Place the men in the holding area and let them settle. Give them food, water, and bedding. The tents are erected ready. You are in charge of the securing of these men."

"Sir!" to a man, all stood to attention and acknowledged his request.

The Mu soldiers were civily show to their area and given their basic requirements. They looked on confused and stunned by the proceedings. One minute they had been in charge, the next, prisoners by the very people they had been attempting to kill. What made it worse was, they were being treated well.

One of the men, his anger boiling over, flew at a Twin Hammers man, grabbing him by the throat. Within a split second, the man had been reduced to kneeling on the ground with his hands held in a vice like grip.

"No," was all the captor said.

The man flailed, trying hard to continue his attack, but he was helpless. He wasn't hit or kicked, just held. He didn't understand it. His own strength started to wane but his captor continued to hold fast. 

Again, a one word comment came from his captor, "Finished?"

There was nothing he could do, this man's grip was like iron. He nodded and the captor lifted him up with one hand. He was back on his feet as if he was no more than a rag. Walking back to the main group of Mu soldiers, he was handed over to those who were giving out the provisions. "This man will require his rations now he has calmed down."

 "Sir." 

Unwittingly, the man had run into Hao Yang. 

Hao Yang turned to the Twin Hammer troops, "Training will commense in half an incense. I will expect all Twin Swords to be ready to begin. Two bars each."

"Sir.' Once more that decisive response.

The Mu soldier was begining to think he had probably jumped an officer and he was still smarting at how easily he had been taken down. 'These men are far superior to what I'd imagined. Far more capable than my superiors had led me to believe.' It would only be a matter of time before they all got wind of just how fierce and how well disciplined the Twin Hammers really were.

I ran through the woods to a clearing I knew well. Looking around I found fresh deer tracks and following the scent. It lead me to a stag and his harem. I raised my catapult and fired. It took down one of the does. Running out to gift her the final blow, she flailed about trying to run, but found she couldn't follow her pack. They had left her. With a well practiced swipe of the blade, I disbatched her. 

Removing the entrails, I left them for the small animals of the forest to feast upon and then jointing the doe into relatively large pieces, I began to spread them around the clearing. Then I called. It was a call I'd not made for some time and I really didn't know how it would be taken, but the call was made and a distant response was given.

I left.

It was all I could do on the initial greeting.

Xin carried on trailing the women. The men were incredibly cruel and whipped the hands or arms which strayed outside the cage,  whipping the cage just to hear them scream. Xin could feel her temper beginning to boil but there was nothing she could do. Just follow and watch. Who was the leader amongst these men? Who was the weakest link? What sort of lock was it on the cage and who had the key? Its all she could do to hold herself from running out and killing, but she knew it would be to no avail.

Training commenced. The men were in their ranks, with Bǎo, Hao Yang, and the seargents of the Twin Swords creating a front row. There was nothing to distinguish these men from the rest, but the ranks paid attention to their presence; to be training with your bosses was intimidating in the best of times, in front of the Mu soldiers, more so. Some of the ranks looked at one another shrugging shoulders as to what was happening.

The training Marshal arrived, climbing onto the podium which had been created on the back of a cart. All troops faced front and waited.

The Mu soldiers turned as well and watched.

"Collect your bars..." the men immediately took a bar into each hand, "complete the exercise to the beat of the drum. Begin!"

On queue, the drum beat began, a steady rhythm which was known so well by these men. Without thinking, the ranks began their training exercise. The bars were twice the weight of the swords and longer than most, so they were hard to wield, but they had perfected the technique of raising, thrusting, spinning and jabbing in an almost zen like state. With every move there was a loud, "Ha!" as they exhailed their breath. The thuds on the floor as the bars hit the ground with the downward strike made many watching, jump. The combination of the drum and the men, the sounds and the actions was awe inspiring. The Mu soldiers looked on, mesmerised. It was nothing like their training.

The bar training continued for some time but the way the bars were moving showed no signs of flagging. To a man, the bars continued to move in this trance like dance pulling the onlookers into scene, oblivious to everyone and everything around. The drum beats, the hard strikes to the ground, then men's shout......

"Complete." The bars placed on the ground, each man stood to attention as if they hadn't yet begun. No heavy breathing, no sweating, just a training ground of men ready to complete their next exercise. 

Onlookers were jolted back to reality. What had they just watched? What were they just pulled into? 

"Stamina training run, commence." The men turned to the left and prepared to leave. They had a run to complete in a certain length of time. The men set off in a jog.

The drums changed to a different rhythm as the swordsman wheeled out of sight and into the woods.

As they left the arena a second group of men arrived. This was a smaller unit. They picked up the bars and completed the same task as the previous group had done only they did it with faster movements as reflected by the faster tempo. These men were different; there was something very menacing about them too. There was no "Ha!" just an absolute silence. They landed on the ground and there was little if any sound. The steely look in their eyes showed the killer's intent, no zen hypnotic state for these men, just absolute alertness to everything around. Many of the Mu troops had seen them in the past and had learned to fear them, now they watched, mesmerised as they began their training. It was relentless.

Bars work complete, these men were given the command, "handstand exercise, begin," and to a man they took the position, holding themselves upright, perfectly balanced.

 "One arm exercise, right arm, begin!"

The Mu troops watched as these men began. 

Lifting one arm off the floor and balancing on the other, they moved their lower body sideways and back again, first one way then the other. They did the splits and using the momentum of their own twisting, threw themselves upward, only to land back on one arm once more. This they repeated until it became time to swap arms and, by command, did so in unison. Next they continued their strength training by using both hands and moving to airborne planks, single leg raises, splits....the variations were extensive and yet these men completed it as if it were nothing, just a stroll in the fields.

"Complete. Return to your feet and begin next exercise."

On queue, each man took the stance the monks had taught them and began the Tai Chi movements. Blocks were brought out and men in each row were invited to smash them with just the force of their chi. It was indeed an intimidating sight.

By this time, the swordsmen were returning and the second group moved forward to accomodate them behind. The swordsmen immediately began the same exercise,  practising the Tai Chi with precision. As the second group completed their movements, they left for their run and the first group took up the training ground once more.

On completion they were dismissed. One of the Mu men, called one of the swordsmen over.

"Who were that second group?"

The swordsman, laughed, "Not a group to be messed with. That's the Twin Blades, a ruthless group of mercenaries." He laughed, "even we defer to them. You met the two women fighters? Major scary!" Hao Yang left laughing, yes, the intimidation had begun in earnest.

Training was a daily event. So too was the arrival of more Mu soldiers.

It travelled around the Mu to watch the training. The new arrivals who had been rocky at first, realised quite quickly, life would be very different under the Twin Hammers and a great deal more controlled. 

It was well over a week before they saw the podium come out without the Training Marshal.

A man in full armour, and wearing the cape of commander, followed the podium. Once it was stationary he climbed on board.

He was a big man with a broadness across his chest adding to his presence. Second Master turned to face the Mu soldiers.

"Gentlemen,  we are almost ready to go home but first, I wish to lay down some rules. This will make your journey all the easier and with minimal fuss." He surveyed the men. Some were listening, others, arms folded, turned away in protest. "Let me reiterate,  this will be beneficial to you in the long run. If you chose not to listen and comply, fine, you will be brought to my smithy where I will hot press shackles on your arms and ankles and you will wear them all the way home. I have plenty of metal and chain, and a fire capable of making many things. If you continue to cause trouble, there are branding irons as well as tongue extractors." Second Master looked along the rows of prisoners, " I want to be perfectly clear, if you cooperate, so will we. You decide not to cooperate...." he paused and surveyed the men once more, "that is your choice." Again he paused. Looking about he could see small pockets of resistance building. "As a point of information, all hot shackling, branding or any other punishment will be carried out in public. My men have already experienced my unwavering code of justice and punishment and will follow that code to the letter. You still have to learn. If it's by example, so be it." With that, Second Master  climbed down off the podium and singling out those Mu soldiers he had noted during his speech, he asked for them to be brought forward and forced onto their knees. The rest of the Mu soldiers watched, not knowing what to expect next. 

"You have been singled out gentleman because you showed a lack of respect as I was speaking. Do you wish to pass comment?"

Anger, distain, resentment, all boiled over and they attempted to lunge at Second Master. With just two swipes of his arm, five of the men went flying. The other three bowed their heads and remained silent. " If you wish to live, never, ever, cross me again. Attendants, take these five men away for shackling, and you three, stand up! Do you wish to comment?" Second Master was angry. The attendant closest to him, winced, the look begging the remaining three men to cooperate. 

"Sir, sorry, our mistake."

"It was indeed your mistake. Defy me again and you will know just how strict I am, do I make myself clear?"

"Sir, yes, Sir!"

"I did not hear you!" Second Master was shouting by this stage, " what did you say!"

All three stood to attention and barked their responses again, "Sir, yes, Sir!"

"Return these three to their ranks." Turning on his heels, he was heard to bellow, " bring me those five men now, I am in need of some work in the smithy. Light the fire, we have work to do."

The hammering from the smithy could be heard late into the evening. The screams of the men rang out for all to hear.