166 Time to rejoin the fight

Niao and Hao had half dragged, half carried Yiran. It had been nearly two days without stopping except to pee and grab water. Yiran had cycled between fever and unconsciousness and both were keen to get her to Madam Min and the others as soon as possible.

Finding the pyres, and the men tending them, they were pointed in the right direction for the camp. Madam Min had run forward and taken Yiran to the first aid tent where women with some of the old remedies, started treating her. It was a few days before she recovered enough to open her eyes and register where she was.

Looking down, she noticed a small hand holding her little finger and chattering softly to no-one in particular. She clutched a ragged doll to her chest. Yiran could only presume she had been chattering for some time, because she got the feeling this was part way through the little girls conversation.

"so you see, I haven't got a Ma or a Pa. Do you have a Ma? I'd like a Ma. Some of my friends have one and they look at them in a special way." she paused for a moment, thinking things through, then she continued her stream of babble. " I've got a doll. Her name is Boo. I cuddle her when I sleep and she tells me things. Nice things.  Mummy's hold my friends hands and kiss them and hug them. I hug Boo. I kiss her. I wish she could kiss back." The girl looked up at Yiran, "I pretend she kisses me and hugs me. I wish I had a Ma that would kiss me."

The big, innocent eyes of a five year old looked at Yiran and the tears of a mother's loss began welling up once more.

"Oh, lady, I am sorry. Don't cry." She patted Yiran's hand with Boo. You can share Boo if you like." Getting up, she placed the doll next to Yiran's head. Then she paused again. "You can be my Ma if you want. I'd like that very much. Boo would too, wouldn't you Boo?  Would you like to be my Ma? I can't let you keep Boo, but you can share her if you like."

 

Niao and Hao sat by the fire pit and ate their fill. Both had washed in the river, talked to the men at the water's edge, caught some fish up stream and were now enjoying picking the bones clean.

"Do we know what is happening in Chenxi?" Hao asked.

"Not yet. We sent a scout out a few days ago but as yet, nothing. We were getting concerned something had happened to him, but didn't want to send anyone else just in case it was an ambush."  Min stared into the fire. She hid her concern. It had been more than a few days, more like a week, possibly two. Far too long really. She figured the worst, but still hoped for the best.

Hao turned to Niao, who was clearly thinking. "So, what do you suggest?"

"I think you should stay here until one of the Blades comes and says its safe to return. There are too many young children and I don't think they should be exposed to the possible carnage which awaits the troops. I know Xin has been busy there, so there will be some nasty sights to behold."

Min nodded and Niao continued. " We two need to get moving. I will leave Yiran with you if that's okay?" 

Min nodded. "Yes, that's fine. She's frail and needs round the clock care. There are plenty of people to distract her and I suspect the children will quickly gravitate in her direction. We have a large number of orphans keen to create a mother."

Niao laughed. "It's what Yiran needs right now. She's lost her two, maybe she can find a brood to take care of."

Min grinned, "its like that with most of these children. They've found a mother and they stick to them like glue." She paused. "So, when do you think you will move on to Chenxi?" 

"First light tomorrow. I'm not sure if we will be of any use in Chenxi, that fight maybe all over. If that's the case then I have unfinished business in Tangun. There are some mercenaries who think preying on women is an acceptable pass-time." She looked at Hao, "not acceptable." He nodded.

"I'll see where I can be of greatest use. If Chenxi would benefit from my input then I'll stay there, but if not," he looked at Niao, "then its Tangun."

"Right, you two, finish your food, get some sleep and hopefully you will stop by my sleeping pod before you leave?"

"If and when it's safe for you to return and start the task of rebuilding, I'll make sure a runner is sent here immediately."  

"Then I await your call."

With that Madam Min stood and retired to her sleeping pod, leaving Niao and Hao sitting by the fire, enjoying some peaceful time together.

"We've come a long way since that first encounter haven't we?"Niao commented.

Hao laughed, " I was young and naive. I thought, at seventeen, I knew it all, but you levelled me within the first night. I slept badly, my bed was poorly made and you didn't help one bit." He laughed. "You were a hard teacher."

Niao nodded and grinned as they recounted some of their early exploits, their stupidities and their growing up as people. Draining their tea cups, they banked up the fire and lay down for a warm night's sleep. 

This would be the last one for some time.