143 Mother!

 Within an hour of the call-outs, a small figure was seen climbing out of the water. She wore her usual skins with her boots and bundle over her head. She let out a low cat call to her kittens.

"Mother!" The air shifted and men silently rose from their bedrolls, heading towards the water's edge, each calling gently to their mother.

The majority of the men stayed still, not really understanding the weight of the arrival. They watched as each of the Blades had stood and started to call in a kitten voice, so different from their normal behaviour... it was as if they had returned to childhood and were going to find someone important from way back when. 

Then they saw her. This diminuative little figure surrounded by sixteen burley men, all deferencially treating her like royalty.

Hao had heard her but stayed still. He didn't believe. He daren't believe, but he hoped. Then he saw her. He didn't know whether to laugh, cry or be sick, but the intensity of the emotion which rose in him was enough to render him unconscious. He vaguely remembered passing out. He vaguely remembered being given something soothing to drink, but he slept. For the first time in months, he actually slept.

 

Once Hao had been settled back in the sleeping area, Zŭmò checked in with Niao. There was much to discuss; the women who had been with them for some time now, the lack of people on the marshes, the snakes, crossing into the fields, still no Mu. Then Zŭmò recanted his clearances as well as his concerns over Hao's deteriorating health.

Next came future plans. 

What were they going to do with the women? Where would they base themselves so close to enemy lines? How would they approach Chenxi? Would it be wise to investigate whether Second Master's wife was anywhere around the forge? Was the forge still there? Did it function or had it been trashed?

The night past quickly and questions, answers, strategies and ideas continued to be banded about even when daylight had fully established itself.

It was agreed that a small group of men would go and collect the boats from the landing points of Zŭmò and Bao as they were only a day's paddling upstream. Once they had the boats they would ferry the women to the place closest to Orchid Market. This could then become a useful centre form dropping off injured or found women. As some of the women now had rudimentary knowledge of wound dressing, snake bites and similar, they could be left to deall with that aspect. Hao could use it as a base from which to operate, planning strategic hits based upon intelligence gathered. Keeping a small group of fifteen men, he could operate too keep the roads clear of trouble. 

Lotus Lake would become the second base. Closer to the action, it afforded easy access in and out of Chenxi town. The Blades would become agitators, stirring up trouble and killing a few guards here and there. Arrows and Blades could be more blatant and attack lightweight areas, killing as many as possible with the aim of irritating the Mu soldiers and causing panic among its citizens.

Niao reckoned there would be some loyal ones who's intel could prove useful. It was agree to rely only on those who they could verify, but be merciless if that informant proved to be loyal to the Mu.

Niao concluded hitting Mu trade at the warfs would be very useful, so she selected a pack of Blades who were familiar with water based warfare. It would give them insight as to what it was they were trading and then cut off the sources further down the line.

Before Hao woke, most plans had been formulated and some had already been put in action; the boat crews had departed before dawn, a runner had already entered the water to go and tell Bao and the others what was happpening, food was being prepared and the buzz in the camp was one of excitement and high expectations.

Mother was back and she was going to lead her youngsters into the final battle. 

Niao took two bowls of congee and headed toward the sleeping Hao. Nudging him gently, she said, "Wake up sleepy head. Its breakfast and mother's home." She smiled as he stretched and opening his eyes, he registered her presence. It hadn't just been a wishful dream. Tears of joy welled up in his eyes as he lifted himself up and wrapped his arms around her.

"Oh, mother, how I have missed you."

"Here, take your congee, its time to begin the big push and then we can go home."

He looked into her eyes and smiled. Yes, the final push and then, home.