127 As developments unfold

The men moored up, unpacking their camp from the boat and pulling the craft into the shrubbery. Their actions were automatic, seamlessly working as a unit; setting up canvas covers, bedding, cooking fires and food store.

"Do you think Alpha and One are close?" Three asked.

"Possibly, but lets play it by ear to start with. Scout out the area and orientate ourselves." Five looked on, preparing the fire pit.

It was Two who spoke next. He was the leader of this small unit until the two women arrived and then he would take a back seat and allow their intel to take over. "I recognise this area as one of the training grounds Alpha would bring us to. I think most of us are Alpha trained?" They all nodded save one, "no, I was trained by One, but I think she used the same areas."

"Good, then we scout out, reorientate ourselves, make sure there are no unwants in the area and then return here. Okay?"

They all nodded and split of into three sets of twos. As they prepared to leave, Two stopped them, "From no on, no names, only our numbers, agreed? Use your call signs if there is any trouble but stay silent otherwise."

All nodded and went off in three different directions.

"Xin, how does the wolf dog look?" 

Xin was administering first aid to the wolf and feeding it some some medicinal soup she had just brewed and cooled.

"I think he's throught the worst of it but he still has some way to go. I'd like you to make up a cold broth with that liver over there. Its a soft texture and once mashed down, will be easy for him to lap up. Add the rice. We must get his strength up, he's been starved for some time and these wounds could fester." She hadn't stopped working as she spoke, so her voice carried that soft, soothing edge to it, animals and humans alike responded to.

Niao mashed up the liver and added all of the left over rice. It was blood rich but the rice made it less, well, livery. 

"Will this do?"

Xin nodded and lifting the dog's head,  the dog pushed itself up, onto its front legs. Smelling the evil looking broth as it foamed in the bowl, he buried his nose in it and within seconds lapped the whole lot up.

"Now we have to hope it wasn't too rich and he doesn't bring it all up again. Did you use up all that left over rice?" I nodded. "Good, it should dilute it enough." She lowered his head and front end back down and the dog rapidly fell into sleep once more.

"The more he does that, the greater the chance he will recover. What shall we call him?" Xin looked at me, those big eyes of hers filled with so many emotions it had become almost impossible to tell what she was thinking. 

"Not sure yet, we'll have to see how he develops once recovered, then we'll see his personality. I hope he's not the timid type, it won't help us much if he is."I looked at Xin, "I'm starving, can we feed ourselves now?"

The meeting had been going on for some time. All the heads of units, as well as the senior heads of provinces were in attendance. Second Master, now seen by everyone as the Commander, was speaking, "Gentlemen. We have dispatched the unit most closely linked with the two ladies and they should reach their destination within a couple of days. I would imagine they would be in the reaches above Suàng Yóu Lake by now. They will scout out the area first, clear it of vermin and then head out to find the two women." He looked around and everyone nodded. He waited for any comments, but none came so he continued. "We have a big job on our hands as we have two roles, namely, escorting the Mu back to their own province and the eradication of their people from lands they should not be occupying." 

He turned to the map and pointing to the river which cut the area in two, he continued. "The river, so I am informed, is at its quietest now, so getting across from Shipao to Liú Province should be relatively easy. The Governor of Shipao," Second Master nodded in his direction, "has offered to increase the number of ferry boats at the crossing so as to ship most of the Mu across at his point. I am loathed to do this in one, however. Too many men in one place. It could start trouble especially as they get nearer home. Comments, gentlemen."

"I agree with the Commander," Governor Liú picked up the discussion first. Pointing to the map, he outlined the swamp ground not far from the ferry crossing and how these are perfect areas for people to disappear, only to reappear and cause mischief. He suggested a split of the Mu. 

"If we take the sick and injured as well as the shackled, through the Liú Province, they are less likely to cause trouble. If the shackled cause more trouble,  then eradication in public will begin, I have no qualms about that. At the same time it will give us a chance to ferret out the trouble makers who are hiding in that region. I have heard they have been spotted on the other side of the river at Dangin which is in the heart of the swamplands. If they have learned their way around there, they will be hard to flush out." He looked around the room. Everyone was engrossed in the map and what he was saying. 

He continued, "We know from the scouts, the Mu are heavily entrenched in Shuān Hé and surrounding district. This gives them access to the second branch of the river which leads to Chen Province and direct access to Chenxi. I supect this is how they have been getting into Chen land so easily."

Second Master looked at him, "So who would you suggest to act as escort and ...." he paused as he hunted for the most fitting word.

"Exterminator? " Governor Liú continued with a rye smile, "We will need a good contingency of each of the units with a heavy emphasis on Liú men who are familiar with this part of the province. The bulk of the army can then play baby sitter stroke jailer for the rest and travel the longer route, through Shipao Province and down into Chen borderlands . As long as we have a good supply of physicians, we will be fine. You take the heavy duty men, the Twin Hammers themselves as I supect they will intimidate the Mu soldiers nicely. With archers, swords, hammers and of course the majority of Blades, you should have a successful campaign."

The conversation turned to logistics. Bǎo moved to centre stage and orchestrated a set of strategies which would give them the edge on both fronts. Hao then offered the house keeping element; wagons, medicine, food, as well as behind the scenes actors, the attendants, cooks, stablehands, drivers and so on.

"How long do we need to get organised gentlemen?" Second Master looked toward Bǎo and his brother Hao.

"Two weeks?" Bǎo looked at Hao, who shook his head.

"I'll need three to get all the provisions for the men and the horses. We also have the wagons of ashes which need to be shipped and I will suggest they go with the sick and injured." 

The room nodded in agreement, but stayed silent. 

"I also want to make certain we can set up the hearth at each camp stop for both teams. This will give opportunities for arms repairs, wagon fixing, livestock shoeing and hoof trimming, and of course, internment proceedures. I will need a consulting team from each section to help me with these arrangements." He looked worriedly at his brother, "we may end up needing four weeks, it depends upon how quickly we can get all the provisions together and in the correct proportions for each group." His mind was already whiring, planning, listing, absent mindedly looking around for pen and parchment. "If it's alright by all of you gentlemen, I really need to get organising." Hao bowed to the group, "I will leave first," and with that he vacated the tent.

The six returned to the camp, all silent. It was obvious from the looks on some of their faces, they had spotted something.

"So, what is there to report?" Two was already at the cooking fire preparing tea, arranging drinking cups for everyone.

"We've come across tracks and heavy ones. Looks like there is something being transported but its unclear as to what. No traces left."

Another pair agreed. They'd noticed tracks, fresh ones close to the Shipao border. There was a pinch in the river at this point and it was possible they were driving the wagon or wagons across here.

"You've heard of the probable human trafficking haven't you?" Two looked up as he handed the tea out. "Do you think the tracks could be related to this?"

Three and Four looked at one another, "Sir, once darkness begins to fall may I suggest an exploration? Follow the tracks and see what there is?"

"Agreed." Two had already decided on this course of action. He was glad the team agreed. This, as far as he was concerned, took priority over vermin extermination at present.

After a light meal, the men prepared to leave. This time it was in two groups of three. That age old system Niao was famous for and had proved beneficial time and time again.

Retracing their steps, they found the tracks and followed.

The moon was on the wane. It gave sufficient light to track. They followed in silence until they heard voices. The stench of fear reached their nostrils. Whatever it was, they had stumbled across it.

Dropping down, they approached with utmost caution. Five noticed horses and warned the others. It was a quiet call which went unnoticed by those seated around a roaring fire, but it was enough for the Blades, trained in hearing the slightest sound and reading the smallest movement.

Two grinned to himself, 'we might be exterminating vermin tonight after all.' Then he gave the commands and the six Blades moved into position for a silent attack.