{"id":11930,"date":"2015-06-16T06:59:30","date_gmt":"2015-06-16T12:59:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/riwaslibrary.com\/story\/?p=11930"},"modified":"2016-02-06T18:01:07","modified_gmt":"2016-02-07T01:01:07","slug":"the-crossing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/riwaslibrary.com\/story\/?p=11930","title":{"rendered":"The Crossing"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Crossing<\/span><\/p>\n

This is just a story, inspired by a conversation between my friend and I.\u00a0 It is not historically based.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We knew the risk.<\/p>\n

It was a brook of no more than thirty lengths. But the opposite bank was covered with reeds reaching human height, an ideal place for setting up an ambush.<\/p>\n

But we had no choice.<\/p>\n

The uprising had failed; the main army routed.\u00a0 Our original force of five hundred female warriors was now reduced to less than two hundred. And the imperial army was in hot pursuit.<\/p>\n

If we could cross this brook – Long Xi – then we could break into small groups among the reeds and head for the mountains beyond.\u00a0 Then it would not be such an easy task for the imperial forces to bag us. But could we really ford the crossing that easily?<\/p>\n

Of course, we could go upstream instead.\u00a0 There would be a safer crossing fifty li from here.\u00a0 But\u2026<\/p>\n

I swept a glance across the faces of my sisters-in-arms. Many of them were wounded. If we could not retire them to safer ground for treatment, they might not survive even if we could successfully evade our pursuers.<\/p>\n

\u201cHan Li, what should we do?\u201d Li Lin asked me. We were both leaders of this rebel group and nobody pulled rank. Yet all pressure was now upon my shoulders.<\/p>\n

If I chose wrongly, we could be wiped out here.\u00a0But if I could not make up my mind or choose to go for the other crossing, I could end up leading them towards the gates of Hell.<\/p>\n

I looked at Li Lin, and yet again at the hundred odd pairs of eyes seeking an assurance from me.\u00a0 I saw fear, doubts and an eagerness to survive.\u00a0I knew there would be parents and children waiting for their safe return.<\/p>\n

I looked at the brook; the water ran serenely.\u00a0All seemed so peaceful. Of course experience told me that whatever looked too safe probably held the greatest of dangers.<\/p>\n

\u201cHan Li?\u201d<\/p>\n

But the columns of dust kicked up by the imperial troops were nearing.\u00a0There was no time to send a forward party to see if there was indeed a trap waiting for us. It was either now or never, and I gave her my decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe no longer have any choice.\u00a0 We have to make the leap, whatever the consequence.\u00a0 Line them up for the crossing!\u201d<\/p>\n

The hundred odd women on horseback formed into two ranks. I drew out my sabre and made a forward sweep, leading them into the shallow water. We were nearly half across, everything seemed so quiet. But I knew the danger was not yet past us.<\/p>\n

The Art of War by Sun Zi taught us: the best way to meet an enemy was when they were half-way across a river. We were nearly half-way across\u2026<\/p>\n

And the enemy had also read the Art of War\u2026<\/p>\n

My brother taught me that some time ago. Was he still alive? At the battle of the South Plain, our forces were decimated. And my brother lost contact with me in the confusion that followed. Perhaps there would be a miracle that\u2026<\/p>\n

Half-way across\u2026<\/p>\n

Suddenly a pack of water-birds took flight. \u201cAmbush!\u201d I shouted the warning. Then arrows began to fly like lotuses.<\/p>\n

\u201cArgh\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYak!\u201d The cries of agony rose and fell.<\/p>\n

My comrades dropped from their saddles, hitting the water and sending up splashes.\u00a0 Frightened horses lost their sense of direction and ran amuck, dragging those who were unfortunate enough with their feet still entangled with their stirrups into the tall reeds.\u00a0 Cries of horror rose, and then were silenced.<\/p>\n

To pull back was no longer an option. The only way was to charge forward, hoping to hack a way through to security. I used my sabre to beat off rains of arrows.\u00a0Li Lin used her seven-foot lance to protect herself from the missiles.<\/p>\n

We finally made it to the shore.\u00a0But Imperial troops holding long spears and halberds rushed toward us.\u00a0 I used my sabre to parry off a halberd.<\/p>\n

I twisted my body so that two thrusting spears narrowly missed my breasts. Then I turned around and made a sweep with my weapon, sending the head of an officer flying eight feet off ground. His headless body collapsed in a curtain of crimson. But there were plenty of others who took his place.<\/p>\n

Li Lin and I fought fiercely, the battle-dress on us dyed red.\u00a0 At the same time, many of our sisters died at the hands of our foes\u2026<\/p>\n

Chen Jiao was cut into halves. Lin Yue fell with a groan when a spear was buried into her chest; her beautiful head was immediately cut off. Cheng Yuet-e rode straight into the reeds, only to let out a cry of despair which was immediately followed by the flight of her head back toward us.<\/p>\n

Many of the mounts of our sisters were shot out from underneath them or were simply pulled down by our foes with hooked halberds.\u00a0Some of them were able to jump off their saddles, continuing to fight on foot until they were cut down.\u00a0 Some did not even have that chance.\u00a0 Pinned helplessly under whining horses, many were simply slaughtered.<\/p>\n

\u201cLi Lin!\u201d I shouted. \u201cTake them to safety!\u00a0 I will serve as your rear-guard!\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course I knew what \u201crear-guard\u201d meant: certain death.\u00a0 But it was I who had made the decision to ford the crossing and had led them to this predicament.\u00a0 I could not just fend for myself and leave them to fate\u2019s mercy.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d she cried out in my direction. \u201cWe go together!\u201d It was a reply I could not accept.<\/p>\n

I cut another two enemies down. But this time I got a slash at my back which, though not fatal, hurt so much.
\n\u201cTake\u2014them—away!\u201d I cried out in a hoarse voice. Li Lin finally followed my words and led a dozen or more riders into the thick reeds.<\/p>\n

I turned my hose around and rode to the bank. I was able to cut down three more along the way, rescuing four encircled sisters from imminent death. \u201cGo!\u201d I pointed with my sabre towards the bloodied path opened up by Li-Lin. \u201cFollow that direction!\u201d They went, but only three.\u00a0 The fourth was killed by a stray arrow that sank into her left breast.<\/p>\n

\u201cHan Li, run!\u201d I heard Li Lin calling to me from the depths of the reeds. I wanted to flee but it was no longer possible. There were now three shafts buried deep into my horse.<\/p>\n

She had been my loyal companion for years.\u00a0 Now she would run no longer.\u00a0 She gave a whinnying sound as her two front legs buckled, and\u00a0I was thrown off my saddle.<\/p>\n

Being still agile, I made a roll and cut off the feet of three imperial soldiers eager to get my head. My horse still lived, but she could no longer stand up.\u00a0 There were tears in her eyes as though apologizing for not being able to carry me off to safety.<\/p>\n

I picked up another sabre from the ground, and with both blades I hacked my way through.\u00a0Anyone crossing my path ended up a corpse.\u00a0But I knew this could not last.\u00a0Sooner of later my strength would be spent as they had men to spare.<\/p>\n

I went near my horse. I had made up my mind that even if I were to be killed, I would not abandon her. But there were more and more soldiers rushing up, throwing a ring around us.<\/p>\n

My two sabres brushed away menacing spears and halberds repeatedly. Still, the better part of my armor was tilted off me, and the red dudou underneath was now visible. How many mouths were now watering for the body shielded by that piece of undergarment?<\/p>\n

I knew I should destroy my face so as to remove their carnal lust.\u00a0But I could not.\u00a0I was not afraid to die, but I still did not want to die with a disfigured face, or a face with a cut off nose.\u00a0Let them have their way!\u00a0In any case, I would be a beautiful corpse by the time they had their lust satiated.<\/p>\n

My arms were getting more and more tired.\u00a0And they closed in gradually as my strength was spent.\u00a0 Should I kill myself?\u00a0 Or should I try to bring down more with me, even just one more\u2026?<\/p>\n

As I was deliberating, the sabre held by my left hand was struck away.\u00a0 I bit my lower lip and cut the one who send my weapon flying into halves. But this was the end.\u00a0 Immediately, my other sabre broke under the cut of a halberd and strong hands grasped my arms\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cKill me!\u201d I told them defiantly.<\/p>\n

They laughed and started to remove my garb; the breasts under the red dudou were heaving. Suddenly a rider rushed out from the reeds.\u00a0The unwary soldiers were cut down mercilessly.<\/p>\n

It was Li Lin\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy have you returned?\u201d I shouted at her as she dismounted from her horse which too was staggering under multiple wounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo save you or to die with you!\u201d But there was no way she could save me. Her strength was spent as well, and the lance in her hands dipped limply.<\/p>\n

There were dead bodies everywhere: soldiers mixed with our comrades.\u00a0Some women were still decently dressed; others were half-naked or stark nude.\u00a0They were lying in heaps on the banks or floated in the river now dyed by their blood.<\/p>\n

We were quickly captured.\u00a0I witnessed Li Lin\u2019s armor being stripped away, as was mine.\u00a0 Her dudou was of apple-green color.<\/p>\n

Among the hideous laughs of our captors, we were gang-raped. \u201cAum\u2026\u201d Both of us refused to give them the satisfaction of moaning out loud. Soon our vaginas, mouths, breasts and bellies were covered by semen from different men.<\/p>\n

A question was asked what was to be done with us. A soldier replied, \u201cThe commander gave the order that these two women are to be beheaded on the spot!\u201d So we were forced to kneel side by side.<\/p>\n

Our long hair was untied to be held by strong hands, exposing our necks. \u201cHow many got away?\u201d I asked quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cEighteen,\u201d Li Lin answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust eighteen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2026\u201d And that was the last word she ever uttered\u2026<\/p>\n

A sweeping sound, and then I saw her head fly with a crimson rainbow of blood behind it.\u00a0It landed on the ground and rolled for a short distance before stopping. Her eyes were still wide open as if there was something more she wanted to say but had no chance to finish.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will meet you again in the next life,\u201d I murmured to the severed head. Her eyes slowly closed as though in acknowledgement. Then I felt a sharp cold at the nape of my neck.<\/p>\n

And then nothing of this world was of any consequence to us anymore\u2026<\/p>\n

(End)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With the Imperial army in hot pursuit she must decide whether to ford the river at that point or take the remnants of her fighting force upstream to a safer crossing. But will there even be time to choose? Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[96,90],"tags":[79],"class_list":["post-11930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-guest-author","category-hitomistories","tag-beheading"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/riwaslibrary.com\/story\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11930","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/riwaslibrary.com\/story\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/riwaslibrary.com\/story\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/riwaslibrary.com\/story\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/riwaslibrary.com\/story\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11930"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/riwaslibrary.com\/story\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11930\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11933,"href":"https:\/\/riwaslibrary.com\/story\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11930\/revisions\/11933"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/riwaslibrary.com\/story\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11930"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/riwaslibrary.com\/story\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11930"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/riwaslibrary.com\/story\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11930"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}