Anshi: The Lost Eagle of the Steppes

Search for Identity

Anshi rushed blindly through the crush of bodies as they whirled, attacking with flashing blades. Screaming echoed throughout the peaceful encampment as children fled the nameless enemies that swarmed, as their parents fought the intruders who relentlessly slashed at anything that moved. He dodged a black-clad form that melded into darkness and strained his eyes to peer through the bloody carnage. Seeking his father, his older brothers, his Yenay, the mother of his heart. It was hard for the child to see or hear and he called out desperately for them all. Finally, he spotted his eldest brother Arsen, strong, eighteen, and fearless as he blocked the enemy from his already bleeding father. He moved towards him and felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up into cold copper eyes and recognized Yenay, already wounded as she pulled him to a chest, opened the top, and said, "Emerald, Stay put. We will try to end this. Do not move"

He huddled inside and peered through a crack. He watched in horror as Arsen fell, mortally injured and his 2nd Brother took his place, fighting with all of his strength. He watched as one by one, all were cut down, his Yenay dropping last as a vicious blade went straight through the body. He struggled out, running to her side.

"Yenay. Yenay."

She was fading quickly and she struggled to speak. "Run. Run." Then her eyes closed. "I love you my little Emerald." As he bent to shake her body, he was grabbed from behind. A mouth pressed against his ear and a voice so thick and filled with hate that it was unrecognizable to the boy who was so overcome by panic that he began to wet himself. It whispered viciously.

"He never looked at anyone the same after you were born. The sun rose and set in his little Singer. Do you have any idea how much I hate you and your precious voice?"

Suddenly a cruel face appeared from the front.

The voice hissed. "Take him. I this he is exactly what your Master is looking for."

The man that filled Anshi's vision, wrenched him out of his faceless tormentor's arms and he was thrown over a huge, filthy shoulder. He shouted desperately, "Yenay, Help me. Help me" The last thing he screamed, the thing that echoed for more than a decade was, "Please find me!"

Anshi woke covered in sweat. He had not had the dream in years. He sat as tremors shook him, down to his core. He began to breathe slowly, trying to calm his racing heart. Why, why would it choose this time to return? He was so close to the beginning of his quest, seeking answers to long-buried questions. And that voice. He could not recall hearing that voice before in any of his dreams. It was familiar, but long ago terror and decades had muffled it, distorted it enough to keep him from conjuring a face that matched.

He got up and paced until he calmed. It was just natural anxiety. He was certain that the sudden re-occurrence was just a coincidence as the time approached for him to leave Cloud Recesses and his new family. Only that and nothing more. Although logic told him there was either nothing or very little to return to, he had to go and see it for himself. Then perhaps, his future would be clear for him.

Dawn was approaching as he sighed heavily and prepared to leave his yurt, to begin his solitary rounds that started and ended his days. He was the last to bed and the first to rise, making sure all was still secure. That guards were alert. That nothing lurked in the shadows

.

Later that day Anshi, no longer a callow youth, strong and fully muscled, bronzed from the high mountain sun of Cloud Recesses, was in the air, flying above Yunmeng. The city was crowded as its travelers and tourists jammed the narrow streets, and he preferred not to find himself in any tight corners where he felt hemmed in or trapped. Two years had passed since Meng Shi had attempted to annihilate the Sects and destroy those he loved. The pain she had caused had not yet faded.