129 A call

 They settled down to wait. It had been a while since the unit had been together, and each one was excited by the prospect of working once more.

Quietly, they talked about some of the things they had done together, softly laughing about the games they would play so as to keep fit.

The women looked on nervously. They were still silent. Some sobbed, some comforted those who were close to breaking down, whilst Zi continued to comfort the two children.

They heard a strange noise, it was like a strangled cat almost, but it pierced the air and made them jump.

"Down!" Three ordered, his voice lowered and his eyes vigilant. The remaining Blades turned themselves outwards, knives at the ready, protecting the women, should anything come their way.

"What was that?" one of the women asked, almost in tears.

"That's Alpha, she's warned us there's trouble between her and us."

There was silence then. A woman went to speak but was stopped instantly by one of the Blades. The little boy fidgeted, "I need a wee," he moaned quietly. Zi looked at him, turned him away from the women and quietly said, "wee here, we're not moving." He was reluctant at first, but eventually he gave way to the need and relieved himself. Turning back, tears of embarrassment stung his cheeks. 

"It's okay little one, we've had to do just the same when we've been in situations like this." The Blade member didn't take his eyes off the area of scrub land he was watching, but his voice was gentle and the boy sat back down. He snuggled into Zi, who cuddled both the children.

Then they heard it, a soft, long moan. A howl of a wolf calling to its pack, "come, I need assistance." A distant series of howls went up, three or four had responded.

"She's calling the wolves. It must be serious."

"Shall some of us head out?"

"No. If she wants us, she'll call you know that. Listen carefully, let's see if we can work out what's going on."

I was making good headway, following the river course back towards the top of the lake, when I heard and smelled the presence of a group of men. I instinctively dropped to the floor and creeping forward, followed the scent of stale body odour and alcohol.

Drawing closer to the source, I began to hear them, a group of at least four or five men. They'd settled down to some food and drink and were making merry. There were two women tied to a tree. 'Dessert, I presume'. Flash backs reminded me of how I was abused and looking at the women the abuse had been going on for a while. There were bruises around their faces where they had been hit and finger impressions on their necks where they had been partially strangled. 'I hate men like this, they really deserve to die..... slowly, very slowly'.

They'd no idea I was close, so turning back, I placed more distance between them and me and called, "Down!" I hoped Xin and the men heard because I wasn't going to repeat it.

"What was that?" One of the men was a bit jumpy and seemed ready to investigate.

"Aah, sit down, its nothing, just some animal or other. What's wrong with you? You've been really on edge these last few days. Get a grip for goodness sake. Here. Come on. Take this. It'll warm your heart, and maybe you can have some dessert later, aye ladies?" There was laughter, then nothing. They hadn't taken any bait at the moment, but I knew they would very soon.

Standing up in the thicket, I tipped my head back and cupping my hands around my mouth, let out a long mournful howl.

"What was that? There's something there!" He was agitated again, but I was busy. If he was stupid enough to come near where I was, he'd be dead before he realised I'd killed him. I called again, but this time added I had food but needed help to catch it. I waited, praying the night feeds I had been leaving in the clearing had reached a few of the old pack and maybe Alpha's cubs.

Then I heard it, three distinct howls drifted on the breeze. "We're here. We hear. We come."

I howled again at the prospect of reuniting with them. They called and growled as they ran, their sounds getting closer and closer.

"I'm getting out of here..."
"you're going nowhere! Get the women. Bring them here! Get the swords, I'll kill anything that gets near us!"

'Over my dead body, you will,' I thought to myself.

" I hear three replies, they seem ecstatic." Five was concentrating on watching his patch and listening for Alpha. He missed her company, she had kept him sane during those early days when all they did was hunt and kill. He heard her voice in his head, 'think of the river and flow with it. Let your actions flow like the water and your knives, cut like ice. Complete the kill then move on as the river does. Flow with your actions, don't dwell on the outcomes.' She was a wise teacher.

"You not heard about Old Alpha's cubs? They must be adults now. If its them, those men have a problem coming their way. Stay still ladies, you'll be fine, no wolf will eat you today, not whilst you're  with Alpha. She's seen off mountain lions for us in the past." Two smiled. He'd heard the story from Băo and remembered seeing a woman being carried in by General Chen, blood dripping from her torso, with extensive injuries to her back, shoulders and forearms. It never ceased to amaze him how she survived, but she did. He shook his head, 'some warrior that woman, I'd hate to be her enemy'.

Such noise, such commotion. I was almost knocked to the ground by their exuberance. Leaning into a bush, I was dwarfed by them as they stood on their hind legs to lick my face, to growl and snap at me. It was wonderful to see them, but we had work to do.

Silently walking towards where I had last seen the men, I was aware one of them was missing, 'where has scared one gone?' I wondered.

"Get back here! You're not going anywhere..."

"I'm leaving," the man sobbed, "I'm scared, I'm off."

"You try to leave and I'll kill you!" The one issuing the orders was getting both angry and aggressive in equal measure, "do you hear me? You stay here and guard the women, we'll go out and see what's got you so jumpy."

The scared one started to argue but when the pointy bit of the sword was shoved into his throat, he stopped talking and nodded. I laughed to myself, this is like taking candy from a baby. Pointing to the bossy one, I touched one of the wolves on the shoulder; It moved off, shadowing him. The next wolf obediently came to my side, growling his desire to go. I stopped him, pointed at the next man and sent him off. Two men down, one wolf and myself left.

"Well, good evening," I said as I stepped out of the undergrowth, "having a party? How interesting. Okay for me and my dog to join you?" I sauntered forward with the wolf dog in tow, teeth bared, growling softly. I watch the really nervous one who had wet himself by this time, urine trickling down his trousers. I looked at him as I continued to walk towards him, "Don't mind the dog, he's more interested in your friend, aren't you, my pretty boy?" I gave a gentle, but important grunt and the dog stepped forward to the other man, who watched the dog closely, sword in front of him. The wolf wasn't fooled, he'd attack the arm which held the sword, just as he had been trained.

I walked closer to my target, "You look flustered, let me ease your stress," and with that, two knives came across his throat and red ribbons of blood ran to meet his pee. For a few seconds he stood in astonishment, then collapsed in a heap. I turned my arm and propelled a blade at the other man. As the blade struck, the wolf attacked, ripping his throat out.

"Sorry ladies if I startled you, but we are here to rescue you and remove vermin from Chen Province. I do hate vermin don't you?" I grinned as I heard the sounds of the other two men falling to the floor, their screams piercing the night air. One of the women fainted. I think the whole process was a bit too much for her. The other just stared, frozen to the spot. "Sorry, I am so rude, let me introduce myself, my name is Alpha, and these are three of my cubs. Nice to meet you." It was at this point she also collapsed, joining the other lady, who was still out cold on the floor.

I shook my head,'no stamina these women, no stamina'. Turning, I let out a long, loud call. The three dogs joined in. We heard replies. It wouldn't be long before these men became dinner for the pack.