130 New faces, old friends

"Hear that? She's had a few returns on the call out. Its serious or she'd deal with it herself."

"Should we go...." before he could continue a hand went out from Two, "No! I've said, is she wants us, she'll call us. Until then, she told us to get down and be vigilant."

They couldn't make out what was happening, it was clearly too far away, but after a short period of time, they heard two pearcing screams floating on the air. 

One of the Blades grinned, "sounds painful."

The attack was clearly underway and knowing her it would be over quickly. She never wasted time killing. She did indeed follow her edict of flowing like water but stinging like ice. One minute you were standing there watching this mild mannered lady approach, you'd think to yourself, 'this is going to be a push over', then a deluge of ice water would decend and in that instant, all you saw were the eyes of a mountain cat laughing, as you felt the warmth of your blood, flowing, from a deep wound in your neck. 

One of the women sobbed, working herself up into an hysterical frenzy. "What is this woman? She'll kill us all, she's dangerous. She runs with wolves and kills people..."One of the other women slapped her hard across the face and she stopped moaning, immediately recoiling into a tight, trembling bundle.

"Don't be so stupid, now shut up," the woman hissed through gritted teeth, "and do as you we're told if you want to stay alive! Carry on getting hysterical like that, and so help me, I'll kill you myself!"  Scanning the remaining women, she glared, her eyes giving the clear warning, ' any of you get into this state and I'll slap you too!'

Two grinned, whoever this woman was, she was fierce enough to be of use to them, if she wanted to be trained.

 Quietly, he spoke to her, "you have family?" She shook her head. "What are you going to do when this is all over?" She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head again. 

"Fancy training with us?" 

She stared with amazement, and pointing to herself, said, "Me?" 

Two nodded. "I think Alpha would like you. You've got something. I don't know what it is, but there's a similarity between you and Xin which could be developed, if you wanted. But only if you wanted." He paused and looked at her perplexed face, "I warn you, its hard work and the life is very basic. No fancy dresses, warm bathtubs or fancy restaurants, just eat what you catch, sleep under the stars and keep the world safe from vermin."

She stared at him. 

"I'll think about it." 

She returned to her seat, glaring at the twittering women, the tearful few and the one she had just admonished. She wasn't going to get killed because these women were acting like children. She glanced at the real children and laughed, 'they're quieter and better behaved than all this bunch of clucking chickens.'

A couple of other women looked up, clearly mulling things over in their heads. For all of these women, marriage was out of the question, so apart from brothels, ale houses and being maids in big houses, what future did they have? In many cases, returning home was also out of the question, especially if there was a brother. They could work the land, but they would have no rights, no status and remain beneath their brother's wife, who could make things tough for them.

Another sound floated on the breeze, the sound of a group of wolves calling in the remainder of the pack. "Its over, its feeding time. Won't be long before she'll arrive. Stand down Blades, she'll give the all clear in..." just as he was about to finish, the sound of a mother cat calling to its cubs was clearly heard in the breeze, "its all clear, you can come out now."

The women looked at one another, some scared, others intrigued. The power of this woman over these men, they couldn't understand. She called again, "where are you?" The men replied almost in unison, "here, here." A chorus of mountain cat calls went to and fro, then silence. 

The men got up and started preparing the fire for tea.

Mama cat always wanted tea.

Damping down their fire, I picked over their supplies and taking what would be of use to us, spread the remainder onto the ground. The alcohol, I emptied out, 'drunk ants,' I grinned at the thought, 'beetles walking with legs up, bees buzzing drunkenly on the ground' Clearing the fire pit, I gathered their food bowls and trivets and wrapping them into bundles for the women, handed them over, "They'll be of use to you, no need to waste anything. Come, I'll take you to meet the Blades, they're close by," and with that, I headed off in the direction of the initial call.

Calling again, "where are you?" I received a reply and followed the direction given. Looking back, the two women seemed rooted to the spot, unwilling to follow. "You coming? Or would you rather stay there? Your choice, but I would suggest sticking with me." With that, I set off. It was their choice. I'd rescued them but their decisions depended upon them not me. 

"Alpha!" the chorus went up from the six men and they danced around her like puppy dogs finally being reunited with their mother. Each wanted to hug her, waiting their turn in a well established pecking order. 

The women watched in stunned silence.

In front of them was a small woman of medium build. Her face, heavily scarred, and covered with patches of blood, she resembled a young boy with her blackened leather arm bands, a thick neck band, a tight, leather top and soft, and almost chamoise leather trousers. On her feet were a pair of leather boots, held in place by thick ties. Her hair was also tied like a young boy, cascading down her back, where it flowed like silk, covering her to the base of her spine. 

And yet, the men, towering over her, with their wide shoulders, thick waists, muscular arms and legs, treated her with such respect and loyalty, picking her up and spinning her round, hugging her, looking at her, inspecting her for new wounds, fresh blood.

"Put me down you lot," she laughed and she playfully slapped the arm of the one holding her, "I need to get washed and then meet these ladies. Oh, I brought another two. They were going to be dessert for a group of idiots." She smiled with a look of satisfaction, "you know me, that wasn't going to happen. The men are now dessert themselves and the wolves are more than happy with their unexpected delivery." She grinned and the women stared, scared, in awe, silent.

"Okay, I'm off to the river. What's for dinner? I brought some bits and pieces the men so kindly donated to us, but, I'm starving.....and where's my.."

"Tea!" they chorused and fell about laughing.

It was refreshing to dip into the water and clean off the stench of those men. It was clear they had been living rough for some time and had just happened across the two women. I lowered my head under the water and let the cold numb my thoughts; too many things rattled around in my brain, I wanted to find that peace. Dropping down under the water, I swam out from the bank and into the race. It picked me up and carried me further down stream towards Xin's camp. 

Pulling out, I leisurely swam back to the spot where my clothes were hanging. The exercise did me good and with every stroke of my arms, and every beat from my legs, the thoughts and woes which dogged me these days, finally stilled. Sinking under the water once more, I looked about for fresh water mussels. There were large beds of them in this region, it was well known for them, and I was keen to add something to the evening meal. A few fish swam past but not having my net, they would have to live for another day. Surfacing, my wash bag bulged with mussels and my wash cloth was wrapped around some fresh water greens which also grew in abundance here.

'What is, is, and what will be, will, I cannot change that. All I can do is make the best decisions with the information I have at the time whether, with hind sight, it was the best way forward or not.' I shrugged my shoulders and let all the thoughts slip off me as the water droplets returned to the river.

Sitting back in the stillness of the pond, I combed my hair and thought about what was facing us. 

We had women who would require protection, we had a mission to complete and there were eight of us in total. It seemed, in this moment, to be an insurmountable set of barriers. Barriers that were higher than any we had contended with to date. Were we good enough? Was I good enough?

Swilling more water over my face, I crossed those thoughts out of my mind. I didn't have the luxury of self doubt and I couldn't allow that to surface. Only Xin knew of this, her and Hao and he wasn't here to listen to my fears. I continued combing, until I heard one of the men coming down to the water's edge. "Your tea." He placed it on the rock next to me and went to leave, not wishing to pry on my bathing.

"Wait," I wrapped myself in the muslin cloth and sat on the rock by my tea, gratefully taking a sip, "Five, tell me about the women. Have any of them any idea what they anticipate doing? Do they have family? Places to go? Do you know?'

Averting his eyes, he sat facing away from me, giving me space to complete my bathing. I had introduced this into our general routine. One would bathe, a second would remain on alert. The fact I was female never entered their minds and if it did it was well buried. They all knew I was Hao's woman and none would touch me.

"We've not had them in our charge long enough to find out much. Some seem to have family up in the northern region of Chen but most seem to be alone. I think some came from Chenxi itself,  but I'm not sure on that."

"You can turn round now, all done. Thanks." Five turned and looked at me, "What do you think we should do with the women? They can't stay with us, we can't baby sit them, we'd never get our job done."

"Don't know. I think we need to sit and talk with them and find out as much as we can, then make decisions." I patted Five on his arm, "Thanks, I've always valued your loyalty and support. I'm glad we are able to work together again." Five smiled and we made our way back to the camp. Lovely smells came from the various fires, and the women chattered as they tended the heat, stirring the pots and generally going about kitchen duties.

I tapped Five's arm, "well, they do have their uses and this is something to consider, but first, let's catch up," I spoke louder so all could hear, "time we all caught up. Come on, what's the latest gossip from Shipao? When's the army on the move? What's happening to the army of vermin?" The Blades members looked up at me and smiled, "Good to have you back. Lots to tell, but first, it looks like our guests have created a wonderful feast for all of us and most importantly, Alpha, another tea."

I slung my catch down next to some of the women who seemed to be in charge and gratefully took another tea.

"Just give me the pot!" I laughed. It was good to be back with them. I hoped Xin was okay.

"Tomorrow we head back to where Xin is camped, I'm not prepared to leave her alone for long."
Five looked concerned, "Can I go and keep her company tonight?" 

Three looked over, "I'll go, after all, I'm the one she trained."

I looked at Two. He nodded.

"Okay, have some food, then get going. Its about a cat call away. Follow the river's edge and she's just up on the bank. if you leave after having something to eat, you should be there before the sun goes down. Cat call, she's a wolf with her and the pack isn't that far away."

"Understood."