Anshi: The Lost Eagle of the Steppes

Flying To Rescue

Xiao Mian marveled at the perfect little beauty in her hands. She laid her, with great reverence, on Bolormaa's chest and watched as the mother counted each tiny finger and toe, traced the delicate, translucent ears, and smiled into bright black eyes as they tried to focus on the proud face above her. She laid back and cradled the baby, urging the rosebud mouth to take her first sip of mother's milk. She fastened on greedily and Bolormaa looked at Xiao Mian with tears in her eyes.

"Thank you, Sister. Thank you. She came early but is strong and beautiful. I would have lost her if I had been here alone. You saved our lives."

Xiao Mian shook her head. "No, you and the child were the strong ones. To face this, with the danger around us...You were awe-inspiring."

She adjusted Bolormaa's clothing and ran a finger across the child's incredibly soft cheek.

"Will the two of you be alright? I would like s breath of fresh air, a short walk to stretch my legs?"

'Perhaps a place to have a good cry?' She thought to herself.

"Yes. I think I can handle it from here." Her gaze returned to her daughter, totally engrossed in getting to know her. Xiao Mian walked quietly away, giving the two the privacy they needed.

The first thing she was aware of was the sunlight warming her chilled body. She moved downhill a little, luxuriating in its glow. She had no idea that the tears of release had started, but the intense rush was suddenly upon her. Fear, tension, the crushing responsibility, the terror that her inexperience could have caused the deaths of not one, but two human beings. The euphoria of being successful, of defeating the very real threat of losing a patient, was this what she could expect as a doctor? This fluctuation, this seesaw of emotions? It seemed almost too much, yet headily addictive. her crying slowed and she wiped her nose on an already filthy sleeve. She chuckled ruefully to herself as she imagined having to explain to Anshi that she had ruined one of the sets of clothes she had been allowed.

"That's better. A pretty lady should not be crying in the middle of a nice day like today."

A deep bass voice interrupted her thoughts and a suddenly frightened Xiao Mian leaped to her feet. A strange man stood in front of her. He had spoken in overly honeyed tones, but his eyes stole the sun's warmth from her bones. They were dead, flat, and devoid of any emotion. No, no, that was wrong. They were expressive, but the message in them was dark and chilling. She involuntarily took a step backward.

He kept the helpful smile on his face, but a look, appreciating her heightened sense of apprehension, crept into those unclean eyes and she knew a different type of trouble had just crossed her path. She cursed herself for allowing her guard to slip. And her sword was back in the cave.

"Thank the gods! I lost my way and need to find my way home!"

He grinned in mock sympathy. "I would love to help you, Lady. I am at your disposal."

I am so glad." She looked around quickly. The stream. She could swim and he was wearing leather armor..."I left my cloak down by the water. I would like to fetch it."

"Of course. Let me go with you and help you find it. Perhaps you could wash up a bit before we leave. Your family would be shocked and how messy you have gotten. "

She turned to head down.

"However. Shouldn't you call the other shepherdess to join us?"

Xiao Mian froze, and the blood drained from her face.

"I have no idea what you mean."

"Good try, but I have been looking for you two all day. Has she delivered her pup by now? Given the condition of your dress, I would say she has."

Xiao Mian turned around slowly. "She does not need to be a part of this discussion. With what you have in mind, she would not add to your idea of fun."

"Perhaps not, but you will."

Her heart began to pound. So this is how the day would end? This man would take her in the weeds by the river and then kill her? Would he then leave and slit the throats of Bolormaa and the little one at her breast? Maybe he would succeed with her, but delay, delay even for an hour, might bring help that could save the lives in the cave above. Whatever she had to endure, it would be worth the price. If they could survive and be brought safely home to Nar Arslan, it would, indeed, be worth it.

She met his eyes with ones as cold as his own. "If I agree, if I give myself with no objection, will you spare their lives?"

He grabbed her shoulders possesively "You are surprising! Not squeamish at the thought?"

She shrugged his hands off and he leered at her. "Of course I am. But..."

There was a movement directly behind the raider. She never moved her eyes from the man, but in a flash, she recognized Qiang as he rose around six feet behind her assailant. Her expression never changed as she concentrated on the man. "But if it saves their lives, you may do what you want with me. " Her numb mouth could barely utter the repulsive promise and she cringed inside as she realized that Qiang must have heard her make the shameless, initial offer. After all the steps back to salvaging her respect in his eyes, it was now in tatters at this bastard's hand. She bowed her head and began to walk toward the stream. She knew her cousin would strike at any second and she made certain the man's attention was strictly on her so she smoothly began to lower her outer tunic as if to expose a slender shoulder. 

The man licked his lips and said, "When we get down there, be sure to wash thoroughly. You are quite disgusting right now." She whirled around in horror at his words.

And Lan Qiang, his face set in a cold and killing fury, brought his sword down between the thick neck and arm. At the same moment, a screech came from the sky and Nar Arslan's eagle plummeted from the sky, talons spread and digging into the screaming man's eyes. Xiao Mian stood rigid in the sun staring, staring as her knees began to buckle and Qiang ran and grabbed her tightly around her small waist.

"Mian. My Mian!" Her head was pressed against his chest and she could hear his pounding heart.

"I am sorry. So sorry." He could barely hear her broken whisper.

"My Mian. You have nothing to be sorry about. I should have been here sooner."

"Shamed. Shamed."

He lifted her head and smiled into her stricken eyes. "There is no reason, you little hero. You did what you had to do to save two souls. There is no shame." He bent down and in his desperation, he kissed her, gently. " You are the bravest girl in the world." Then he held her as she burst into tears.

When Anshi rode up with Nar Arslan and Lan Ge Ban, they were still holding one another tightly and the eagle had finished with the brigand's eyes and started with his honeyed tongue. A frantic Nar Arslan went in search of his wife and child after Qiang pointed to the cave above then the besotted boy quickly returned his attention to the crying girl in his arms. Lan Ge Ban bent to gather the satiated eagle from the kill.

Anshi remained seated on his warhorse, as a Chieftan should, his relief at seeing his loved ones safe was enormous. But Anshi, brother and cousin, smiled down at the couple before him, his heart full at the sight of them in each other's arms. His messages, sent tonight, would bring surprising and happy news for two waiting pairs of parents in Cloud Recesses.

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