128 Frightened faces, nervous voices

The women didn't notice anything until they saw their captors falling backwards, and a red ribbon of blood flowing from their necks. Someone or something had come and killed them, just like that. One minute they were laughing and eating, the next, silent.

It was then they noticed a small group of men, all dressed in dark leather, carrying blood soaked small knives. They watched as these men moved around, making strange noises to each other. A language which scared the women. 

Were they savages? Were they going to kill the all the women? Would they rape them there and then...what?

The women, scared out of their wits, moved as far to the back of their liittle cage as they could. They whimpered in fear, daring not to speak.

Moments later, one of the men came over. He spoke.

"I'm sorry if we scared you and we mean you no harm. The opposite on fact. We want to return your freedom to you, but to do so, we need to know which of these..." he pointed at the men lying in their own blood, "these dogs has the keys."

One woman stammered, "Him," she pointed to the one lying a little further from the others, "he's in charge and tells, or rather told," she shuddered at the sight, "the others what to do." It was the first time she had seen a man being killed and with such precision. It frightened her.

Within moments the cage was opened and the women, although reluctant at first, started to step down out of the wagon.

"Thank you." It was the same woman who spoke again, the others were so terrified they remained where they stood, heads down, hands behind their backs. Many were crying in fear, others clung to another, hoping it could stop whatever fate was coming their way.

The two young children were traumatised and crouched down on the ground. One of the Blades went over to them and crouched in the same way. "I have a little girl at home," He said in a quiet and re-assuring voice, "her name is Mian Mi and she is probably the same age as you. She's very cute and is always chasing something. She likes playing with a ball and when I left home, she was learning to read and write." He shuffled a bit closer, "can you read or write yet?" 

The little boy shook his head but remained silent. The little girl raised her head just a little bit so she could see the man's face that was speaking. Her eyes were wide, but filled with the terrors she, at her age, should never have to see. 

"Is your Ma with you?" the girl shook her head. "Is she at home?" She shook her head again and started to cry.

"Ma and Pa, dead," she wailed.

Five looked up. "Any of you ladies willing to look after these two for now? Seems they've been expected to see things they never should at any age."

"I will." It was the woman who was willing to speak who had stepped forward again. "My name is Zi. You are?"

"We are members of a unit of the Twin Hammers Army. We are one unit from Twin Blades, a mercinary group who trained under a woman we call Alpha." Five stopped for moment and looked around. "Honestly, we are the good guys," he looked at the women again, "I can understand your complete distrust of us, but I promise you, we are soldiers from Chenxi and we are home to rid our land of the Mu." Again, he looked around, "The bulk of the army are clearing the lands of Mu fighters and are making their way down from the Province of Shipao. There are men from four different provinces and they are all fighting against the Mu and the Zhang."

Two walked over and placing his hand on Five's arm, he signalled to step back.

"I am known as Two. None of us use our names so no-one can implicate our families, nor can they know who our families are. I have the number two because I am in command until such time as we find and then reach the two ladies who run this unit. What I propose is, we take you back to where we are camped. There are few facilities there, but you will be safe. I'm afraid you'll be sleeping on the ground but the fire will be warm. I'm sure we can rustle up food for all of you." He turned to the men. "Four, Five, go hunting, get what you can and prepare it for the fire." They nodded and left. "Three, Seven, go back, prepare hot water, the fire and sleeping arrangements for our guests. Sort the skins for the children, they can sleep there, under the canvas." Again, they nodded and silently left.

"Come on then everyone, let's make out way back to the camp and hopefully this will be the first night of your restored freedom."

I looked over at Xin. She was quietly dozing, with the head of the wolf dog in her lap. Since she had treated him, his attachment to her was strengthening day by day. I coud see she would have a wolf running at her heels from now on.

I shifted in my seat and looked out into the night. It was one of those typical summer nights, where the sky was clear and the moon reflected light onto the earh below. It was always magical to me. Illusions appeared in the moonlight that wouldn't make sense in the day. Trees became creatures, leaves, small rodents, or birds flapping one wing as they lay on the ground, mimicking death. Stoking the fire once more, the dog wolf opened an eye at the noise. It was a lazy move, but enough to check. I smiled, "good boy," I crooned. He bobbed his head up a few times, acknowledging my comment, then he closed his eyes once more, having established all was well.

I stared into the fire and watched the sparks rise. Little wips of flame rose into the air, looking like fire fairies, flying off for their own rebirth of smoke and ash. I thought of all the men we had witnessed, burning on the funeral pyres, and how they had spat and smoked, as the earthly remains were consumed by the hungry fires.

My mind was wandering and it wasn't too long before it settled on that wagon of women. I wondered where they were heading and pondered the idea of a crossing somewhere near Tangun, but where? We'd not followed the wagon tracks all the way; they could go up to that pinch point not far from the border. I shook my head. I needed some tea, and reaching for the pot, I heard Hao in my mind, laughing and joking at how much tea I drank now I'd discovered it. I grinned, and a tear welled up in my eyes. I really missed his company.

Pouring some tea, I let the sweet smell enter my nostrils and thought back to quieter times in Shipao, when all I did was train the men. Happy days.

Yes, happy days.

I settled myself back and watched the night once more. Daylight would be breaking soon. There were already signs of light increasing on the horizon.

As daylight broke, the women started waking. Shaking each, other, it wasn't long before they were all sitting up and seeing the men for the first time. They had removed their leathers and sat in their soft undergarments. Their skin was dark and they all bore signs of combat. One had a slash across his face another, deep scars in his thigh. Looking around, it was clear these men had fought many battles.

"Please excuse our apparent lack of manners, but we are soldiers first, gentlemen second. I promise you, we are nothing but gentlemen when it comes to ladies, however, and we will always treat you with utmost respect." He turned to a small bundle, and taking out his washing gear, "we will make our way to the river and get cleaned up, then we will sort out breakfast for everyone. You are quite safe. I will make sure there is one of us standing on sentry duty at all times." He stood up, and as he was about to leave, he turned and continued, "If you ladies would like to wash after we return, I am sure you can use our wash gear until we can get some for you. Is that alright?"

The women stared and most nodded. Tears were still flowing but more in relief their ordeal was over. Seeing the men in daylight re-assured them. Their courteous behaviour added to their feeling of security.

The morning activities continued without any dramas. Some of the women stepped forward and helped with the descaling and gutting of the fish, while others sorted the vegetables and added them to the pots. Food was made and consumed, gear was packed and prepared for leaving. All was ready, but the boat?

They would have to pray it was safe and come back for it once Alpha was found.

Two went to the river's edge and made a call. He knew it would carry along the river and he also knew Alpha always camped near water. 

He waited. 

No reply.

He called again.

In the distance, he heard a familiar cry. It was Sister!

He called again, telling them of the women.

She answered and told them to stay put, she would come to them. 

Then Alpha butted in. No, she would come, saying Sister had a wolf patient to deal with.

Two laughed, 'they've already adopted a wolf, encouragable.' 

Returning to the camp, he looked at the men. Some had heard snippets.

"They've got a wolf?"

"Yep, seems that way."

"A wolf!" one woman almost passed out in shock, "no! a wolf! But they're deadly."

Three grinned. "By the time Alpha and Sister have trained it, it will be their unwavering shadow. They had one before, but she died of old age I was told."

"So, did I get this right? We stay still and Alpha is coming to find us?" Five looked a bit puzzled. Had he heard it right?

Two nodded. "We might as well make a small fire and break out the tea, you know what Alpha is like."

There was laughter amongst the men. They wondered how the women would respond to Alpha. Let's face it, she was far from a conventional female.