Anshi: The Lost Eagle of the Steppes

Two Perspectives

Han grabbed the missive intended for Anshi. His mind was unsettled. What if the spies here intercepted this? A messenger by ground would be vulnerable and simply too slow. And this was too vital. Someone was risking a lot to gather information on the young Chieftain and Han was determined to nip it in the bud. He ordered the swift and, if need be, brutal interrogation of one spy, and another had quickly bitten and severed his own tongue. He strode back to the Dowager Queen's chambers and requested admittance. He was asked in; she sat calmly and motioned him closer. Before he could utter a word, she spoke.

"You mean to deliver this message in person, do you not?"

"If your Highness will allow me. "

"What are the reasons for this? If you go, what will be your intentions?"

"To add to his force with the men I have trained, and another small contingent of elite fighters. They stay prepared to go at a moment's notice. They have been since the day an alliance with Cloud Recesses was proposed."

"I will be without your guidance for at least a month. What will we do without your presence?"

"Then the country will still be guided by the one who has always, so wisely, guided it every day. I merely advise."

She smothered a smile. "You missed your calling! You should be peddling fake potions and phony talismans. I will send a formal proclamation to him declaring our commitment to Cloud Recesses as an ally and requesting he accept our aid until he arrives in Qian. The troops will be under his command. There must be no doubt of this in their minds and in his. When do you plan on leaving?"

"As soon as my bodyguards can be mustered."

"Are all trustworthy enough? Are they trained to fly to your satisfaction?"

"Yes, my Queen."

"Take 20 mn with you. The battalion will follow by ground and meet you at the coordinates Anshi can provide to assist in the safe passage of him and his people as they enter our territory."

"Han, I understand the desire you have, to right all past wrongs. If he continues to be recalcitrant regarding the personal side of your relationship, let it be and try again after you arrive. It may never happen. It may only, always, be an armed truce between the two of you. You are also a victim, and the ramifications of some of the harm done to you were even further reaching for you. Be kinder to yourself. You are like a brother to me, and I will not have you suffer. Am I clear?"

He looked at her with the usual doubt and self-recrimination.

"Yes, Your Highnes." He lied.

She inclined her head and accepted it, sad at heart.

Han ran to his rooms, ordering his Master of Chambers to pack several changes of clothing

for him, and then he sent a message to his chief bodyguard.

His heart was pounding. He knew he was reacting from the gut. Usually, he was careful to keep the walls erected around his heart but he could not this time. Not when someone out there was obviously tracking the Singer. During the times after the Meng Yao conflict, he found it harder to endure the distance that had become his dreary daily routine. Once he has seen Anshi again, despite the young Cheiftain's abhorrence, he wanted, ached for another time in which he could lose himself in those emerald eyes once more. Anshi was his reason for living. Anshi brought him pleasure that was overwhelmed by pain. He could not do without either.

**********

Anshi was about to retire, his mind still dwelling on the revelation that one of his closest advisors was also his Aunt. He was delighted. It explained his strong instinct of safety and confidence when he first met Dawa Tuya. And the last words of the night filled him with pride.

"Anshi," she said lovingly. "I have had this opportunity to find Maral but he is not my Chieftain. I love him, but my allegiance is yours. He is fully aware of this. You are my nephew, and you are my leader. Will you accept this renewal of my pledge to you?"

They had embraced and he retreated to his rooms to dress for the feast. He could hear the musicians tuning up their instruments and limbering up their fingers while the throat singers stretched their voices and vocal cords deep, deeper, almost as deep as the first level at hell's gate, raw yet controlled, like molten lava. The sound was mysterious and compelling and felt his core responding to it, opposites attracting. His own voice box trembled with the urge to respond. A grin crossed his face as he calmed the pull. He would soon join them to sing the night away., calling to the steppes with brethren for the first since long-lost memory. It was a reason for coming here and as primal as the soil he stood upon.

And then a butterfly arrived in colors he did not recognize, and the faint voice of High Minister Han floated from the midnight blue and snow-white insect.

Apologies. Must disturb interrupt your journey. Since spy activity was made known, one has been arrested here. Queen insists on sending me with details and a proclamation of assistance. Will arrive in two days by sword and with bodyguard contingent of 20. My men will see to my needs so no undue pressure is brought to your people. Will be as discreet as possible, and our upkeep will be recompensed to you. Urgent discussion required in person. Anshi cursed inwardly. This was his moment damn it! Old ghosts were not welcome... Bastard...However, one could not ignore the orders of the Queen doing the negotiations with Lan Xi Chen. He sent the butterfly back and the message was terse.

Understood. Arrival time noted.

**********

Han sighed. The response had already been a foregone conclusion and no amount of wishing was going to change that. Whatever Anshi needed in recompense for his past treatment was fully deserved. He had to endure. How many lifetimes beyond this would it take? As many as was necessary.

**********

Anshi regulated any thoughts of High Minister Han to the back of his mind. His shadow had no place at this celebration. His image was too disturbing, so he was banished it for tonight. He would deal with him when he arrived, and if the inference was correct, he would have an uncomfortably long month or so before their entrance into Qian, to learn to tolerate his presence.

He pulled on his most beautiful deel with the extra-long sleeves denoting his status and wealth, the green the one that reflected his eyes. He wrapped the gold silk scarf around his defined waist. Then he placed his felted toortsog with the footlong black silk tassel on his deep auburn hair and stepped out into the midst of joyous chaos. His heart was full tonight.