178 The ending of and Era [part 2]

 The sweep began as expected. The Blades took up positions to the west and to the north of the town, whilst the entire army moved like a tide over the town. 
They went door to door, knocking until a frightened face appeared at a chink in their barricade. People had fled the safety of their compounds, carrying their valuables or their children Some were shouting at servants, trying to keep up. Chaos was milling all around the soldiers and they calmly continued their work. 
Civilians ran from one place to another, shouting and screaming. Some people, in their haste, had set their own places on fire; carelessly unattended fires, knocked over lamps, fire sticks still lit, lying against the fabric of a dress or shawl. The smell of burning filled the nostrils, it was getting out of control.
"Make sure the doors are checked over there!" one sergeant yelled at his troops
"All clear in these streets, Sir!"
"Move on!" he barked and as a swarm, unhurried and unbothered by the panic which surrounded them, they continued their slow and methodical rhythm, knocking, pushing open/breaking down locked doors, pulling out people, leaving nowhere unturned.
Meanwhile, the Archers stood, bows at the ready, watching for anyone fleeing in the wrong direction. "Stop! Do not continue! We will shoot to kill if you run!" The warnings were heard and most listened, but some, whether in panic or out of guilt, took their chances and were mowed down in a shower of arrows. Others behind, seeing this, stopped and turned, dropping to the floor in submission.
"This way!" they were herded into the direction of the southerly flank of the town where a corral had been established. People were scared and looked at the Twin Hammers, ready to bolt, like unbroken horses wanting their freedom. Were these men friend or foe? Were they going to kill them, or release them? Were they any different from the Mu? Some gave a backward glance at their town, those innocents, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, watched it burn. 
Hysteria had reared it's ugly head.
Then it happened.
"Sir," it was one of the Blades, coming back along the track at full speed. "Its a trap, Sir, someone told the Mu our plans and they are heading up this way." He looked at Băo, "all of them, the whole of their army."
"Get back to command," he pointed to where Second Master had been standing. "Tell him immediately. Tell him, I am calling the Blades and we will start a forward movement. We will cut off their flanks and reduce their effectiveness. He must defend this area and advance forward to drive them back across their own border." Băo looked at the people and shook his head, "we've pushed them here, we have to protect them. Go!" And with that, he took off, shedding his robes of office and assuming his status as a Blade.
Calling out, he pulled them all in. "Return to this voice, now, it is urgent."
Calls were heard coming from various standpoints and then a rush of people arriving at top speed.
"What's wrong?"
"They know. The Mu know of our plans, so we adapt. Xin, take your pack north and cut back toward the border. Cut an escape route. Take another pack with you. " She nodded and left as instructed. 
"Niao, you take your pack, plus one other, and work the shoreline. Again cut off their escape, especially by water. Any coming up river, sink them." Niao nodded, and gathering her two broods together, they took off at speed towards the river. "How many of you can swim?" She looked around as she jogged. Most could. "That's a relief because we are going to be very wet most of the time." With that she too disappeared from sight.
Băo looked around, " My pack, plus, yes, you all come with me. We are going to play Tag with the advancing forces. Let's see how many we can notch up before anyone notices their numbers are being systematically reduced." 
Second Master heard the news and sighed. He had dreaded this happening and his worst fears were being realised. "So, what did General Băo have to say?"
The soldier relayed everything and Second Master nodded. Okay, find my Sergeant at Arms and get the heads of units to me as soon as possible. We change tack slightly." He walked into the tent and put on his thickest armour plates, emblazoned with the Hammer, and, picking up his broad sword, he felt its familiar weight in his hands. "Here we go old friend. Keep me safe. We push together, and we push right into Mu territory and all the way to Mudon. We will walk into the old man's villa and state a few truths he needs to accept. Turning to the entrance he saw his Sergeant. "Good, let's go to this meeting. It is time we took these dogs out once and for all."

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