บท 3: Riro and the furious five escapes from home.
At the cantonment in Wong Su, fortified with sacks of sand and pebbles stood a tent at the rear of the open field, the dwelling of General Fo. General Fo was sitting on an embroidered chair while Bomra sat close-up to him on a stool.
"Soon, Wong Su would be going to war against Za Ming's invincible, an army before whom the stoutest of hearts among my soldiers cowers before," he said while holding Bomra hands.
"You my daughter and a young woman, I think should be exempted, you have shown great bravery beyond your age by going to war against the barbarians, I think it's best you return home now to your mother." Fo said with a hazy tone.
"Dad, I know that I belong here among the ranks of Wong Su soldiers, returning home won't save me either – You know that, right?"
"Da-ad! I know you are scared of me being hurt; I promise that I would be fine." She said while standing and rubbing Fo's shoulder.
"Ok! Promise me you would?"
"Dad, I promise." Bomra retorted while hugging and kissing Fo playfully on the cheek. With that, she saluted Fo, and left the room.
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Fara is seen seating on his throne discussing with Kara when General Fo entered.
"Greetings my king and my queen!" he said bowing down.
"Come on, save the pleasantries, my friend." Fara said in protest.
"You sent for me, my king?"
"Yes!" replied Fara. At that instant Kara robbed the hands of Fara while looking into his eyes solemnly as she left the two men.
"Extend my greetings to Woo!" she said as she walked past Fo.
"Yes, my queen!"
"So – My friend, any news?"
"Yes, Za Ming's invincible won't be attacking through Lang Bridge this time, our sources says they would be attacking through the west." Fo paused.
"The wilderness of Gol?" Fara reasoned.
"That's odd!"
"Yes, but we won't be taking any chances, so I stationed some men at the base of Gol and at the shore of river Lang." Fo said while pushing chess pieces along the map depicting the regions.
Both men stared at the maps for sometime in solitude. Then Fara spoke up;
"I have told Riro the truth," Fara said while looking into the eyes of Fo wearingly.
"And he would be departing Wong Su, in a fortnight,"
Fo just exhaled and touched the shoulders of fara.
"I pray that the god's guide him safely to Wu when he departs."
Fo and Fara stared at each other for some time and then continued discussing about the plan using the map on the table.
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At the palace, sounds of clasped swords and shouts of exertion were held from a court, with opened top.
There Kara and Woo were engaging in a Wu Shu contest. Both women seemed equally matched, as the contest wore on, they both disarmed one another's weapon; which was stuck to a column in the court. Then a hand to hand combat ensued, with Kara using the ancient Shadow-less kick move to defeat Woo. After that, the women went to clean-up themselves.
"You know, you never lost any of your old tricks?" Woo said shyly while hitting Kara on her buttocks.
"And you too, still hold on to the notion that the best offense is defense. You never change girl!" Kara laughed while trying to turn on the tap.
"You know soon, Wong Su would be going to war and we won't be able to help." She said while wiping her face with a towel.
"Still holding on to our girlish dreams of fighting in battle? Come on, we are mothers now and there is nothing we can do except pray for our soldiers to be victorious this time, at least our girl is not taking the same path as we did." Woo said as both women giggled.
"She is such a brave girl!"
"Riro's attention is not easy to come by you know?" Woo said as she winked at Kara.
"Oh, you noticed too, those two are one of a kind lovebird." Kara said as she brushed her long blonde hairs off her face.
Both women continued chattering as their voices faded away in the tone of harp and flute played by the palace minstrel.
***********************************************
The furious five was in the woods having fun with an unusual game, in which two contestant eyes would be closed as they are asked to climb a big tree with slippery trunk. It was the turn of Koala and Lee.
Both ran to the tree and started trying various techniques to climb but after little success slipped back to the base with laughter and cheering from Egret, Bomra and Donnie.
At that instant Riro walked in; he joined in the fun. This time Koala became primed at climbing. As he was going up the tree with Lee hearing the cheers and shout of "Koala!" he become frustrated and removed his blindfold only to see Koala on the penultimate branch, so he picked a pebble and threw it at Koala; which hit him on the head and made him to lose balance and he slipped back to the base with all roaring with laughter. Koala stood up and rushed towards Lee and was held back by Riro.
"He is a cheat!" Koala protested.
"I know." Riro responded with a grin."
"Guys, I have something to tell you!"
"Ok! What is it?" Bomra inquired as she patted Koala on his back.
"I would be leaving Wong Su in a fortnight,"
"Why?" resounded by the furious five.
Riro narrated the reason behind his decisions to the furious five.
"You mean you want to back out now?" asked Bomra rather pissed off.
"And also, going through the mountain of death and doom is a suicide mission." retorted Egret.
Riro was unable to give any response to their questions as he stood.
"So guys, are you coming with me?"
The group was silent, with all looking at Riro rather perplexed. So Lee Wong spoke up;
"Sorry Riro, I am staying at Wong Su."
"Same."
"Same."
"Same."
Bomra walked up to Riro, held his hand and said;
"I wish I could come, but I am staying at Wong Su – good luck!" she said as herself and the others left Riro in the woods.
****************************************
At the central cantonment in Wong Su, at an open field, Riro is seen practicing the wonder paw move of ancient Tai-chi. With leaves rustling and swirls of air maneuvered in his palm, he was about smashing a punching bag, when he saw the furious five coming through the improvised doorway of sacks and pebbles.
"Hi," Bomra waved at him.
"Hello!" this time he unties the swaddling around his palm and sat on a hip high sack.
"Haven't seen you around for four days, so how are you doing?"
"Cool, just practicing for my big day."
"You know you can't take on the barbarians alone?"
"At least I would try, that is my only chance at seeing Wu,"
"Riro! You know this is suicide?" Lee said while peering into Riro's eyes.
At this moment Riro was done packing up his things and he strapped his bag on his shoulders and was about leaving.
"Hey! Riro we won't stand by and watch you take on this mission alone, so we have decided to come and tell you that we are in." said Egret.
"Remember we fight together – we die together!" shouted Donnie.
Then Riro laughed and hugged each one of them. Last was Bomra, who brushed him aside, Riro started chasing her while the others laughed and chased along.
*************************************************
At midnight, Riro is seen waiting underneath an oak tree. He was getting nervous when he heard footsteps close by;
"Who is there?" he inquired while pulling out his knife.
"It's us!" echoed in unison.
He saw Egret, Koala, Lee and Donnie emerging from the bush.
"Where is Bomra?" he inquired as he darted his eyes around them.
"She is coming. Wanted to take care of some things first." replied Egret.
"Like Mummy's permission?" inquired Donnie.
Others burst out laughing, excluding Egret who feigned no sign of remorse.
About some minutes later, as Riro was about explaining the plan of the mission, Bomra arrived.
"Sorry guys! I am here now." She said in a cheerful manner.
"You brought it?" Riro asked.
"Yes, of course," Bomra pulled a scroll out of her bag and opened it, Riro and all circled round the map and Riro continued with the drill as the others listened. The sound of their voices faded with the melodious whistles of the night.
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