The Princess and Ming-huá

Chapter 12

Note: I have edited this chapter for those who have already read it. The two swords women who accompany Ming-huá and Aimee have had a name change and are now identical twins. Hope that does not confuse.

After the scream, there came the sound of pounding hooves. Both Ming-huá and Aimee looked in the direction of the rough track. Then, into the clearing, rode a Chinese woman on a grey horse. She rode holding the reins with one hand and wielding a sword in the other. Within an instant, she was followed by a troupe of some twenty other horse women, all wielding swords.

The two executioners fled, running toward the rest of their group but they were no match for the speed of the Chinese lady on the grey horse. She cut them down instantly. She then spun the horse around and galloped back to Ming-huá and Aimee. She rode behind the poles and slashed the bindings that secured both women. Then, turning again, she commanded her troupe to pursue Wang Zhi and his soldiers. They had already started to flee towards the jungle but, because of Wang Zhi's bulk, they were slow in moving. The swords women soon surrounded them and herded them back to the centre of the clearing.

This unexpected spectacle had taken Ming-huá and Aimee by surprise. Aimee had the presence of mind to dress herself but Ming-huá stood, half naked, watching the episode unfold.

Aimee came beside her and whispered,

"Ming-huá, you should dress yourself"

At that, Ming-huá looked down at her bare body and instantly realised that, so engrossed was she in all that was happening, she had forgotten to cover herself. As she dressed herself, she said to Aimee,

"Who are they? Who is the lady on the grey horse?"

"Oh, Ming-huá, don't you know? That is Tang Sai'er, the mystical rebel leader with supernatural powers. She leads the large rebellions against the Ming government and especially Wang Zhi."

Ming-huá watched in amazement. The woman rode grey horse, a large mare. Aimee continued,

"Tang Sai'er was pursued by the Emperor's men but she has never been caught. She took refuge in a Buddhist women's Monastery but escaped and has eluded her pursuers ever since. I guess she has been pursuing Wang Zhi all the way here. All her followers are young women dedicated to the cause."

Tang Sai'er turned her grey mare and slowly rode over to where Aimee and Ming-huá were standing. Aimee looked up at her and, putting her hands together, bowed her head toward Tang Sai'er. Ming-huá noticed this and followed suit. Tang Sai'er looked down at the two women and smiled, saying,

"That was close for you two. I knew Wang Zhi was here but only learnt this morning that his troops had captured you both. Wait here while I deal with Wang Zhi and his troops."

She turned and rode over to where her sword women had Wang Zhi and his soldiers surrounded. She spoke to them for a while before her sword women led Wang Zhi and his troops away into the jungle.

When finished speaking to them, she again returned to Ming-huá and Aimee, bringing with her four of her young sword women. Upon reaching Ming-huá and Aimee, she asked,

"Have you ridden a horse before?"

Both Ming-huá and Aimee shook their head, Aimee replying,

"No, never."

"Very well, but you will now learn. These two horses are well trained and quiet." She motioned toward the two closest horses ridden by two young women. "These two ladies will accompany the oxen cart and follow on after us. These two will accompany us. The remainder of my ladies will join us after they have dealt with Wang Zhi and his troops. We will ride on to where we are camped, a short distance back along the main road to Ledang Mountain."