Anshi: The Lost Eagle of the Steppes

Earning A Place

Bolormaa and Xiao Mian set out as dawn broke, heading for a spot the older woman had scouted several days before. It was a quiet patch of ground, and they had three young sheep in tow. Newly weaned, and their inner lips freshly tattooed, they were being stubborn about leaving their mother's teats and the women decided to bring them along and tempt them with the tender grasses further away from the bullying of older lambs and adults. A large herding dog kept the youngsters under control, and the pace was slow since Bolormaa was heavy with child. Xiao Mian insisted on carrying both packs. Younger and not burdened as Bolormaa was, she could take the extra weight. It caused the stripes on her bagk to ache, but after a mile or so, she found herself able to settle into. Besides, she was Lan and nobody would ever be able to say she was less than that and bring some on the caravan. Her fathers had gone through hell at her age, she would prove herself worthy to follow them.

Xian Mian was also excited. The switch to Nar Arslan's household was a challenge. She had never had to shoulder the responsibility of organizing a family's needs, and herding a two-year-old boy was infinitely more complicated than the lambs running ahead of her today. Bolormaa, impressed by her new helper, was grateful that she did not have to tackle this project alone. Gleaning was difficult; spotting the supplies to gather and getting to them over rocks and hidden hazards was not something a woman in her condition could do easily.

The spot was steeper than the camp, and the terrain nestled in between higher foothills and a stream below. There was shade where herbs flourished and patches of bright sunlight that encouraged the sudden eruption of a wide variety of mushrooms on days that proved to be bright and hot after a mild rainfall. The lambs scampered freely but were contained to a certain range by Bolormaa's large dog, whom she controlled by whistles and hand signals.

Bolormaa did not have to do much to guide Xiao Mian. Her herb gathering, under the watchful eyes of her aunt, Dr. Yue Wen Qing back at Yunmeng, had been extensive. and she was in her element, as she sought them out. Bolormaa was very impressed by the girl's knowledge. If she did well during the period under her tutelage, she would be speaking to Chief Anshi regarding a change in the girl's status. She would make an excellent apprentice to Dr. Lan ZheJin. (His hands were full, with over 60 potential patients in the caravan.) One sack of edible mushrooms, another of wild scallions, six bunches of violets, and another six of calendula later and Bolormaa suggested a break. Her back was in pain, and she groaned as she sat down

"How bad is it?" Asked Xiao Mian.

"It comes and goes. I think I overdid it."

"Why don't you lay down and rest a while? Let the dog worry about the sheep. I'll watch him."

"What about your back?"

"It is fine. Not bad, really?" 

"You are tougher than you look, Girl!"  The younger woman glowed at the [raise.

Bolormaa took another cautious look around. "I think I will, Xiao Mian. Thank you." She stretched out on her side under a low-hanging willow and closed her eyes. Although she fell asleep immediately, it was fitful and she kept turning over, seeking a comfortable spot.

Xiao Mian was not used to idle moments anymore. Keeping her hands and mind busy had also kept her from brooding and wasting time in fanciful daydreaming. She had not turned her mind to Anshi for several days. She was very surprised when she gave him some thought this morning. Not only that, but she did not experience the usual lurch in her heart. For so long, that hard jolt of love and longing had accompanied the sight, even just the thought of him. She had given it full reign over decorum, empathy, and reason. It was calmer now. It was lacking the heat and passion that she was so used to feeling for him. She felt it, but it was a change that had been so quiet in coming that she had not even noticed it. She thought in the past, with girlish fervor, that if she ever lost him, she would die from sorrow. Now, she wondered how she had ever been that reckless and unthinking. To have put all around her so far in the background, that an unreturned love took precedence over everyone, Anshi included. She was deeply ashamed.