126 A second boat

The Twin Blades were training using their bamboo poles. They gained height and agility when they used them, and being simple bamboo, were easily cut when needed. The monks lead the training, clearly showing their superiority. The soldiers, not to be outdone, were keen to prove they too could master the moves these well trained men had taught them. Each training session saw an improvement, each session created the elite force Niao had envisaged all those years ago.

Invariably, there was an audience whilst they trained. Many of the men from the swords and arrows would marvel at their acrobatic skills but their trades didn't accomodate nor necessitate these skills. 

The Mu watched too, amazed at their skills levels and intimidated by their lethal attack. They'd witnessed their cold heartedness, their smile as they rendered their opponents incapable of moving, their swift action of the blade as it took yet another life. 

They hunted like wild animals calling to one another in a language none but they understood. You'd hear an eerie call in the night and not know if it were animal or human, and if it was human, then.....

The ones they feared the most were those two women. 

There was something feral about the pair of them. They hunted like wolves, talked like wild cats. 

There were stories about wolf packs who followed the pair of them and greeted them as one of their own. 

This terrified the listener. 

To meet them, that smile, those eyes of death, was a dreaded encounter. If you got away with your life it would only mean you'd be hunted down, and taunted like a cat with a mouse. Like a mouse, you were either killed or died of fear itself.

A story had circulated the Mu camps about an incident in the woods where a group of soldiers had taken captive the younger of the two women. 

They were too cocky and got drunk. She called in her sister who unleashed a form of justice only a woman like her could. Then the husband went in. The screams, it seems, were heard for miles and the acrid smoke, was smelt and seen by many comrades, too scared to approach.

Not a good way to die. 

It sent out a firm message; mess with us and we will make a mess of you.

This message hadn't filtered south yet. The troops rampaging the Chen countryside thought they could do as they wished with impunity. They would discover to their cost, a pair of wildcats prowled the land.... if they hadn't started to already. 

Bǎo walked onto the training ground and six men peeled away from the training and went up to him. Standing to attention, one spoke.

"Sir. The two ladies are alone at the moment and we would like to join them. We are the six who have worked most closely with them in previous campaigns and would like to volunteer to take a boat down the river to join up with them. Then we can operate as a cell of eight as usual."

Bǎo considered their request and knowing their resolve would not be broken, agreed. He had been concerned since the news about selling women and children had reached his ears; this was a perfect solution. He was actually on his way to ask for volunteers to join Niao and Xin, so this was a perfect solution.

"Request granted and effective immediately. I was hoping to find a group who would be willing to support our two ladies and your request has come at an opportune time. I will arrange for a small craft to be purchased. The river is much quieter now, so you shouldn't find the journey too rough." He paused and thought for a moment, then continued, "there is one piece of information which has been brought to our attention. The Mu have begun a lucrative trade in women as slaves." A look of cold steel emanated from the eyes of the six standing in front of him. "The belief is, they are being taken to Tangun to a market there. Being on the border, it is over run with Mu soldiers and being so far south, is not getting the attention from the Liú Province that it requires.Be aware and wary."

"Sir!" a chorus of voices responded. "When do we leave, Sir"

"First light tomorrow. Push hard and get there as soon as you can but don't be reckless, you must all get there ready to work."

"Sir."

With that, the six wheeled towards the barracks to collect their basic belongings. Hunting knives, stones, flint and butchering knives, cleaning rag, muslin cloth, soap stone, personal bowls and cooking pots, the rest they could live without. Then gathering up their sleeping skins, they left the barracks and headed to Shipao ready to collect the boat and leave at first light.

It was almost high summer the nights were short, the river, quiet; they knew they could get some distance under their belts in a short space of time. Six men, two poling whilst the others rested, they could keep going for however long there was light. If there was a moon, then they didn't need to stop at all.

"Time to go gentlemen, do we have everything?"

With a nod of confirmation, the six left.

"What can we do? Those women. Those young girls." Xin had tears of rage in her eyes. She knew what lay ahead for these women, she'd been there and nearly died at the hands of slave traders when she was young. That's when she was bought by the men. She shuddered at the memory.

"You okay?" a reassuring arm came round Xin's shoulders.

"I'm alright. It's just the memories.." She looked at Niao. She always looked serene and yet some of the stories of abuse she told, were horrific. How did she do it?

" I don't think we can do much at present. Come on, let's get back. I have some fishing to do, some fish to give as offerings and some fish to go with whatever you forage for our supper today." Niao smiled, she knew what conflicts raged inside her sister's mind. She stilled the thoughts, rising above the myre and into the calm waters of the river. She would contemplate there, but not now, not at this moment.

"Where do you think they would have gone?" He looked ahead, "we were told to take the left each time, steer left."

"I suspect they will have headed for Suàng Yóu lake, it's on the right side of Chenxi to be out of the way, and a good distance from the border with Mu."

"So, we head there and call?"

" Yeh, it's our best bet. Who's got the best call for distance?"

"Him! You hear his call miles away and it's very distinctive, they'll recognise it straight away."

"You telling me my call isn't authentic!" He joshed as he posed. Everyone laughed, " No its not that. You'd drown out the rutting stag, you would!"

Laughter followed the boat as it steered left and then left again.

" Not far to go. One more left and were into the Straits."

"Time to stop and eat. Let's pull up here." With that they aimed at the bank just shy of where they two women had moored up not that long ago.

I went down to the river and collected some fresh fish. The ones in the nets had long died and were attracting an audience of crayfish, crabs and the like. I let the rotting fish go and collected some crayfish, then went fishing for real. Two nice ones for us and a hand for the offering in the clearing. 

Entering the water I got the distinct impression of human activity further upstream. It was probable. That wagon had to be aiming somewhere and the river was low and quiet at this time of year. Perhaps? I let the thought go. It would return with a plan once ready but at the moment it was no more than a thought.

Fish caught, I returned to the bank, collected the two large crayfish, selected two really nice fish and returned to camp.

"Here you go. Dinner."

Xin looked delighted. "Ooh, crayfish. Love it. I'll cook."

"Okay, I'm off to the clearing. Won't be long."

She didn't ask, all she said was, "okay" as she busily began descaling the two fish, then gutting them.

I went to the clearing. I called, then laid the fish around the area. A small sound came from under one of the bushes. Then a yelp. It sounded like an animal in pain. I went over.

Under the shrub was a young wolf male. He'd been fighting and lost. Now an outcast, he would be hounded until death. His eyes looked at me, both distrusting and fearful. Poor boy.

I turned my body sideways to reduce the threat level and looked down. Making the correct sounds of acquiescence, I let him smell me. He was so hungry, so much in pain.

I called out four cat calls to Xin, "come......wolf......skin......hurt" and waited. 

She came within moments, with a look of concern on her face. "How is he?" Bobbing down, she looked under the shrub, " oh poor lad. He's outcast, yes?"

I nodded.

" Then he comes home. I've medicines we can use and we have plenty of food. He's a useful addition to our pack of two." At this she grinned.

Carefully, we rolled him onto the skin and between us, we carried him back to the camp.