Anshi: The Lost Eagle of the Steppes

Spelling It Out

After he had eaten, Anshi called for Xiao Mian. She was led in by a distant and firm Lan Sya Mu who gripped the girl by the arm.

"Kneel." When the stubborn teen refused Sy Mu unceremoniously shoved her to her knees on the dirt floor. No cushion was offered.

"When you are told to kneel you will do so."

"He is my cousin and brother. I have never been required to do so."

"Show him respect or I will show you no mercy." Sya Mu spoke in a fierce, determined voice.

Anshi rose. He was imposing and intimidating. His voice was low and threatening. "You have foreited that right when you lied to your Sect, your family and your parents and inserted your unwelcome presence into my camp. While you are here, you will show me, as your Chieftain, all due respect or there will be consequences. You may speak but with absolute courtesy and only to my questions. Why are you here, uninvited? Why did you force me to send men, wasting valuable time and resources?"

Xiao Mian was suddenly very uneasy. She assessed the man before her. Yet she felt confident in her abilities to wheedle the old Anshi to the surface. With wide, hurt eyes she spoke.

"Anshi, I am sorry..."

"Address him by his proper title. Chieftain Anshi or Sir," snapped Sya Mu.

Xiao Mian sent the other woman a sharp side-glance which had no effect. They may be distant cousins, but this bitch was not going to cut her any slack.

"Chieftain Anshi, I am sorry. We did not get to speak privately for long before you left..."

He held up his hand and stopped her. "I deal in facts, not fantasy as Chieftain. We spoke privately at the bungalow for some time and I had hoped that, despite a loving but firm rejection, that would be the end of the matter. Instead, you returned the day of my departure to try again. You showed up at my tent and confessed once more. I turned you down again. Once more, I politely but definitely rebuffed you. This should have ended more approaches with any sensible, any other thoughtful woman of your rank."

Her eyes welled with tears. "I did not get to say all I needed to."

"You spoke plainly both times. I will not allow you to continue pleading for affections such as these. They are not returned. You show me no respect or even the basic ability to empathize with my feelings or wishes. I will say this once more and then I will no longer speak of this matter."

He walked over and stood directly above her." Xiao Mian. I have no wish or desire to be your husband. This will never change. Any mention of this again and I will be forced to end our relationship in all forms. Your harassment is embarrassing. I had hoped that your good breeding, your teachings from your mother, your fathers, could have prevented my harshness. I will give you ten minutes to compose your thoughts. You may need to vent your emotions, but I do not need to witness them. Sya Mu, give her a cushion to sit on but do not, under any circumstances, leave her alone. She is not to be trusted. If she becomes ill or throws a tantrum, ignore her. She is adept at playing games. She was ruthless when she deceived my mothers and her fathers."

.

She rose and threw the cushion at the door as he left. She was crying in frustration and grabbed an ink stone XXA from his desk. Before she could throw it her wrist was caught in an iron grip. Sya Mu spoke tersely. "Do not think of it. Throw cushions if you must, I will be most displeased it you damage something more valuable. We are very strict about waste here. That would earn you ten strikes with a bamboo cane. You are here, under our rules. They are harsh because this land, this life is harsh."

"I want to go back to Cloud Recesses!" She demanded.

'Too late. You came against all wishes. Your family does not want you back for at least three months. Chief Anshi is now in charge of you and Lan Chang Qiang. You will comply.'

She shouted back "I want to go home."

"I am your elder, Xiao Mian. I outrank you. I will not explain this to you again. Speak to me in that tone once more and I WILL slap your face. Am I understood? Speak like that to anyone here, even the smallest child, and I will slap your face. Understood?"

Xiao Mian took a step backward. She was stunned. Nobody had ever spoken to her like this in her entire life. Her cousin stood there, stone-faced and resolute. She knew her well enough to believe what she said.

Anshi entered the yurt again and saw the two staring at one another. He walked over and held out his hand for the ink stone.

'I am glad that Sya Mu convinced you otherwise. This could have brought a punishment that would have drawn you several days in the infirmary."

He walked to his desk and replaced the ink stone.

'Pick up your cushion. You may sit before me as I explain where you will begin your duties. Everyone works for their keep here. All are equal but duties are divided between men and women unless some show an aptitude in specific jobs. You, like Qiang, will begin today. You will be under the charge of Dawa Tuya and Sya Mu. They will train you in these duties and will report to me daily on your progress. Do not disobey them. You will start by learning the basics of yurt upkeep and caring for the milking animals. Everyone milks the animals here. Their milk is vital to our existence, as is the health of our animals which sustain the people here. They come first at all times. There will be gathering and gleaning duties as well. While this caravan is moving, we gather. When we stay in one area, we plant swiftly growing foods and herbs. Nothing is overlooked or wasted. Finally, you will learn to prepare the meals twice a day and fill food sacks for the men that leave for the day to hunt and scout the areas.

"Sya Mu. Take her back to your and Tuya's yurt. Dress her appropriately. Her day begins immediately."

"Chief Anshi. May I see A'Qiang?"

'No. Qiang, as he wishes to be called from now on, has begun his duties without complaint. He has asked me to tell you to leave him alone. He wishes to do well and refuses to be distracted.'

He left and she stood there stunned and very worried. Things did not work out, even close, to what she had hoped and now A'Qiang seemed to want to stay as far away from her as possible.

'Home, she thought sadly. 'I wish I were home.'