Anshi: The Lost Eagle of the Steppes

Recalling

As the rest of the camp began to open and welcome Anshi's Uncle and various relatives, Anshi and the older man sat in his yurt, sipping a warmed rice liquor and working the day's knots and tensions from their muscles. Each man was hesitant. Anshi had asked for total privacy before anything relating to the massacre was spoken about. He wanted the information told systematically, clinically, and where no one was around that the Chieftain did not know one hundred percent. Who knew if there were people involved who could overhear? The initial meeting had stripped their emotions bare and they had become a little awkward, unsure of how to approach one another. How do you break down barriers that must be ripped away? Anshi wanted the story from beginning to end, chronologically laid out from his Uncle's point of view. It was the only way for him to handle it.

Anshi hummed a bit as he poured the golden liquid into bowls and offered one with a reverent bow to his Uncle. Now that they were on his turf, and he felt more settled and secure among his Lan Family and his caravan, he was relaxing more, and the humming was an automatic way to aid the adjustment. His Uncle closed his eyes and listened and a tear escaped. He quickly wiped it away. He knew what was about to happen; he could sense it was time and that Anshi was preparing himself for what would be a necessary conversation. He was nervous, waiting for this moment, and took a long draft of liquor. Anshi stepped outside and issued orders for privacy to Lan Sya Mu, who nodded quietly.

"No one will pass, Leader Anshi. Is it time? Are you ready?"

He raised a hand to his forehead, and she saw a slight tremor. She wanted to soothe him in some way but chose, as a soldier, to do her best to obey with no show of emotion.

"You will do well, Sir."

He smiled tightly. "I hope you are right and thank you."

She nodded, facing stoically to the front, and felt her heart twist in secret love and pity. Tonight was needed, but tonight would also be a dark one. She would protect him in whatever ways she could allow herself.

He returned and Maral waited until Anshi settled across from him. He saw him start to speak then closed his lips, unsure of where to start. The usually assured demeanor was fading and he could see only a lost and injured nephew, one he had adored as a child.

"Anshi. May I choose a spot to begin? I will lay it out as you want. No skipping ahead. Just as it happened. Is that what you want?"

Anshi looked mutely at the older man, gratefully, fearfully.

' I remember that we had been waiting for your caravan to arrive and it was late. Much later than expected. Your father, my younger and most independent brother was never late and as hours grew into the next day I gathered a band of my best warriors and sent a call out to a group of soldiers we had a treaty with, headed by a General you knew well at Cloud Recesses, later. General Hu Ming."

"Ming?"

"Yes. We had an agreement. When we were in her general area, she would add protection if we needed her. We provided work as local guides and added manpower if she needed it. A mutual relationship that benefited us both. We searched frantically along the Spice Road and the areas surrounding it. We were growing beyond concern when early one morning, we saw the vultures. There were many and they darkened the sky. My heart sank and I was filled with terror at the sight."

He paused, noting how pale Anshi had become, sweat beading his brow. His green eyes had dulled from emerald to the dark green of a night-time forest. He reached over and gripped his nephew's shoulder.

"Let me know when to continue."

Anshi's bloodless lips twisted grimly and squeezed Maral's hand. "Go on. This must be done. I knew what coming here and seeking these answers would cost me. I am prepared."