Anshi: The Lost Eagle of the Steppes

Making An Entrance

The two teens caused a stir the moment they entered the compound. A'Qiang was quietly handsome, deferential, and courtly. Xiao Mian was elegant, fresh, and charming in the violet silk, swept up hair, and flirty umbrella. The crowd milling about hushed for enough of a moment, as her fathers turned around, gaping at this stranger of a daughter. Lan Zhan and Wei Ying were totally unprepared for this and there was not a damned thing they could do about it. Now everybody in Yunmeng, Gusu, and Cloud Recesses would know that a new and marriable young woman could soon be accepting suitors.

Wei Ying did not know whether to glow with pride or weep with worry. Lan Zhan just glowered and gripped Bichen's hilt in warning. His dour look was enough to scare off the most timid of those showing a quick interest. His hand on his sword was even more effective and people, especially the single men, withdrew for the moment, and became more discreet in their interest. Both fathers wanted to wring her clever, slender neck.

Lan Zhan turned his attention to Chang A'Qiang and murmured intensely. "You allowed her to come, dressed in this outfit?"

A'Qiang, surprisingly, stood his ground. "You said to bring her. You did not specify a dress code. Besides, I think she looks beautiful."

Xiao Mian shot A'Qiang a grateful look and he smiled in delight. Lan Zhan gave up in exasperation. Brat of a girl. Lovesick puppy.

"Will deal with you at home, young lady. A'Qiang, look forward to a discussion with your mothers about this matter."

A'Qiang suddenly looked less sure of himself. His mother Qinyang would absolutely have something in store for him and his mother Yenay would back her all the way.

"Yes, Sect Leader Lan Zhan." A'Qiang sounded justifiably worried..

"There is little we can do about this now without ruining the day for Anshi. Remember your place in this family, daughter. Your manners need to be exemplary today. Do not embarrass him or yourself further. Are we understood?" Wei Ying was also looking sternly at her. This was a switch. He usually tried to mollify Lan Zhan but he looked almost as scary as her other father.

She forced herself to look contrite.

"I am sorry. I just wanted to look grown up today. I thought the color was pretty and did not pay more attention to how mature it was." She allowed a few tears to fall and A'Qiang, his face sympathetic and protective, hand her a handkerchief.

"You judgement was poor. Have A'Qiang escort you to Qinyang and Yenay. They are in the tent behind us and will help you correct this look as much as possible. No arguments." The two fathers were unmoving.

"Yes, Sirs."

Qinyang and Yenay were equally angry. They ordered A'Qiang from the tent and turned their attention to the defiant girl.

"What were you thinking, Child?" demanded Qinyang.

"I am NOT a child. When will you all realize it? I want you all to start treating me as a woman!"

"Then stop acting like a petulant brat and realize that this behavior is no way to prove your womanhood. Now stand still and allow us to alter this ridiculous look before you are allowed to return.

She walked around Xiao Mian, observing, and found herself admitting the girl was definitely shaped enough to carry the look off. Yet, it was too inappropriate for her age. The over-lying tunic was removed and Qinyang slipped her own light pink tunic embroidered with rosebuds over the. longer violet under-tunic, then slipped the tighter, more formfitting one over the outfit she, herself was wearing. She also handed the girl her light pink umbrella. Then she loosened her sleek hair, pulling tendrils around the face to soften the effect.

"Better. You look like a young woman, not someone in their twenties. From now on, all clothing will be approved by an adult before you leave the house. You are the niece of the Lan Sect Master and the daughter of the Lan Sect leader. Your other father is the Yiling Patriarch. You are also the daughter of a great warrior woman. How do you think Mian Mian would have reacted today? You will do them appropriate honor from now on."

Xiao Mian blushed beet red.

"Now, reflect on yourself for a few minutes, then return. We will speak with our son and he will come soon to escort you back to the family."

The two Aunts left her alone.

Their words stung. She stood there angry and humiliated. And even more determined. Looking around the tent, she noticed a small flap left untied, walked to it cautiously, and peeped outside. Just as she hoped, no one was around. She smiled to herself, left the tent, and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Anshi stood alone in another small tent, He was perusing several maps and others were rolled up, labeled, and stacked neatly, ready to be handed out to the leaders of the caravan. The final route had been checked, rechecked and approved. The newest General in the Lan forces, Lan Ge Ban, and Caotain Lan Sya Mu, and the leaders of the nomads,  Nar Arslan and his wife, Bolormaa, had already affirmed the packing of everything from yurts to pigeons. Dawa Tuya and her crew of three had all food and gear ready to go.

But right now, he was trying to fight a strong feeling of sadness and loss. What would it be like to no longer be sheltered by the mist-laden peaks of Cloud Recesses? It had become his fortress against despair. It had replaced hopelessness with purpose; fear of daily life with courage; taken a youth riddled with self-disgust and rebuilt him into a confident man. He was embraced by The Lans and Wei Ying and the Chang women, selflessly nurtured and respected. He loved them as much as he had loved his father and brothers. Leaving them, possibly never seeing them again, was hard. But he had no choice. The winds and rolling grasses of the Steppes and the ghosts he had been torn away from, were calling to him and it was time to seek them out. His journey and his fate could not be decided until all of the puzzle pieces were reassembled and he reconciled with his past. Anshi heard a slight noise and knew who it was before he raised his head. He looked up and smiled slightly at his adoptive sister.

She stood still and gazed back as he approached and bent to hug her. But it was brief, devoid of passion. Just as correct and affectionate as the hugs she had seen Lan Xi Cheng give to Qinyang. Or Wen Ning, when saying hello to Aunty Qing.

"I am glad you came to see me off."

"I... I wanted to tell you I am sorry. You probably can't forgive me, but that's okay. I hate myself for saying those awful things to you several months ago."

"There is nothing to forgive, Little Sister. I caused a lot of pain to you and you spoke through sadness and anger. I just want you to have a good, full life and be happy.

" But how can I? I still..."

"That is not a word you may use like that towards me, in that fashion. Your feelings cannot be returned by me. You must allow someone who adores you, the chance to win them. They are too valuable and must go to the right person. That is not me."

She began to sniffle and he kissed her forehead.

"I am leaving and I will send A'Qiang in soon to escort you to our family. Alright?"

She nodded wordlessly. After he left she wandered aimlessly around, trying to dry her tears and as she walked by the table she noticed the maps. She opened one and stared. Then rolled it tightly back up, and slipped into her sleeve. Suddenly her face was radiant again and when Lan A'Qiang entered, she was calm and strangely happy He was relieved but also just a bit worried. Xiao Mian was way tto happy than she should have been. She came over and took his arm.

"Come my friend. Let's join the others and make this the best leave-taking thrown by the Lans that anyone has ever seen:" With a tinkling laugh, she led him toward the merry-making across the training field.

'"