Anshi: The Lost Eagle of the Steppes

Little Brother's Treat

    The proprietor nearly fainted with joy when the bell on his door chimed and Four Brothers strode in. Tall, handsome... so monied! He had provided Anshi with all of the clothing for his escort of Guardians and soldiers. Every yard of fabric, trim and stitching done by women in the northrn tribes and fully authentic.Two cold weather and two spring outfits each, detailed in the steppe regions style to fit the seasons and to blend in, (most desirable for hunting and defense)with the local terrain in the grassland, Twowo sets of winter boots each and less warm pairs for summer climates. Fur gloves to the elbows and effective wind covers for the face during the fiercest winds. All 50 men and women in his party would not want for any clothing thanks to the young man's foresight.

"No person in my caravan will suffer the biting winters as we travel. I know from someone banished there, what they are like when you are unprotected and survival is doubtful. They will not suffer as she did." The old shop keeper knew Lady Chang Yeney's story and he was stunned that her son had been so affected that his attention extended to the comfort of his troops, down to the finest detail. Anshi was determined the each volunteer would lack for little, . all due to his deep love and respect for his adoptive mother.

Proprietor Wong had also put him in touch with the proper craftsmen to design the many yurts for living quarters and attached tented corrals for stock shelters during the winter. Hearty enought for three seasons, most of the animals would still be vunerable in the dead of winter and would
stay sheltered nearby, Newborns would spend thier youngest weeks within the family yurts during that figid time, precious lives that would later feed the travelers. Storage yurts would be provides for the animals' winter feed and cats would be kept in each to minimize loss to rodents.

And now his favorite client was back with the two who had first brought him by years ago. Plus the Lan Sect Master himself. His reputation and good fortune was made with this group. He pulled out a sign and placed it on the door.

"Closed to private party. Please Return Tomorrow." The word would spread like wildfife once again.Yes. Wong's was the place to go in Yunmeng!

He bustled about, removing coats, seating them and pouring tea.

"Chieftan Anshi, it has been a while. The yurts should be delivered soon. I have them sending several men that are looking for guide work and they will also teach all of your people how to set up each type of yurt and shelter."

"My thanks. You and your contacts have been invaluable. "

"i've been meaning to ask. Have you gentlemen found the brigands that attacked you when you first arrived."

Wei Ying's eyes widened. It was one of the lies he had told the Proprietor the first day they brought Anshi here, coming back to haunt him . Lan Zhan shot him an 'I told you so' narrow glance. Anshi grinned and held up a hand before Wei Ying could dig his hole any deeper.

"As a matter of fact, we did track them down." The others stared at Anshi in disbelief as he glibbly continued.

"Information told us to head north to a small village and so the 4 of us made our way there. It was the darkest of moonless nights when we arrived and we gave no quarter. Well, three of us did. Poor Master Wei was clobbered in the head just as the battle started and knock completely out and  lost his memory of the entire experience, We had to protect him and fight the entire band ourselves.."

Wing Ying sputtered helplessly, eyes glaring at Anshi, while Xi Chen and Lan Zhan hid their grins behind their elegant white sleeves.

"You will pay for this one, Little Brother," he hissed.

"There, there Master Wei, no need to feel embarrased. I dared say most of us have been bested in a fight at one time or another. Thank the Gods you have such valiant Brothers to stand by you."

Anshi walked behind Wei and whispered,'How did I do? I leaned from the best trickster in these parts!"

Wei nodded, challange accepted. "Then stand back and be prepared to bow to a master, Kid!"

Wei gathered himself together and turned his brightest smile on the chuckling brothers.

"Yes, Proprietor Wong! You have no idea how desperately I long to pay my debt back to them...in full."

Lan Zhan said, dryly, " I am sure that Anshi considereds all debts settled after today."

Wei Ying turned his charm fully on the Proprietor. "As you know, we have been generously invited to your magnificent shop because the kind Chieftan wants to outfit us all for clothing suitable for a visit to his homeland in the Northern Steppes. Would you happen to have a full-length, softly felted coat in black and red. I would love to have the embroidery in the highest quality silver thread and the trim in that rare black fox fur with matching knee-length boots. Then an appropriate set of clothes underneath."

He turned and caught Anshi just as he blanched at this first request. In the background, Lan Zhan and Xi Chen passed a twist of chestnuts between them and began to watch the action. This was going to be fun.

Wei Ying grabbed another coat, a lovely golden dun color, trimmed in a rich bitter-sweet clocolate fur.

"Mink, as I live a breathe and just the shade to enhance Xi Chen's delicious eyes! He will need a pair of boots trimmed to match, as well!"

He returned once more to the rack and after a long while, spotted another coat. He stood in awe. A dark forest green stood out, trimmed in the palest of gold lynx fur. It was delicately embroidered in fine gold thread, and pale topaz beads glowed throughout the exquisite needlework His mouth dropped and he removed it with almost a reverant touch. He glided across to his mate and stood gazing at him. His eyes had slipped into a bright, glittering silver.

"Wei Ying. It is much too..."

"Stand up..."

"Wei..."

"Stand up."

When Wei spoke like this, brooking no opposition, Lan Zhan rose and allowed his husband to dress him in the coat. Silence settled on the shop. For the first time in his life, with the exception of his red wedding clothes, Lan Zhan was wearing something other than his Lan Whites. The green and gold brought out shades of green, mixed with hazel and deeper golds from the depths of the pale topaz eyes.  His ebony hair shone deeply and the pale ivory skin turned a golden tone as well. He looked as if he stepped down from heaven it's self. Wei gracefully lifted the coat's hood and framed Lan Zhan's face with gilt-colored fur. They might as well have been the only two people in the room at that moment.

'My Gods," thought Anshi. 'We have just seen these two fall even more madly in love with one another. As if that could even have been possible.I will take this picture away with me as I travel, nestled deep in my mind. This is the kind of love I wish to find someday. My heros, who fit together so perfectly... they will guide me as I wander, a stranger in my own homeland."

He broke the mesmerized quiet and walked over to a smiling Xi Chen and held out his hand."Fork it over, Lan Sect Master. I told you Wei would go for control, with just the right needling! And I told you exactly the coats he would choose for the three of you. Three gold taels, if you please!"