Anshi: The Lost Eagle of the Steppes

Boiling Point

Anshi was brooding, shut up in his room, trying to rest. He found himself reflecting on his last conversation with Han. He did not regret any one of his visceral words. His anger, simmering for decades was rising to the surface here and every word was true and from the gut. Yet he found himself drawn to the window, staring at the relentlessly pacing figure in the opposite window across the courtyard. Did the man never stop? Did he never rest? How did he in turn, stand this fucking, fetid place?

A knock on his door broke his reverie. Anshi answered and the Lady Shen stood on the threshold. She bowed low and he returned the bow respectfully.

"How may I help you, Lady Shen?" He was not expecting the Dowager Queen's old nurse to be there.

She spoke directly. "Her Majesty wishes to speak with you in her chambers." He looked a little shocked and she hastened to add. "Don't be dull, young man! I will be present at all times. You need not worry. She likes to get to know all of the envoys who visit. She is a very attentive Guardian of our realm."

"I will be honored of course.'

He checked his hair in the bronze mirror and smoothed his Lan whites and blues and joined the lady in the hall. They headed back to the older area that was used for private receptions. It had not changed much, rich and opulent yet tasteful.

The young Queen sat still, beautiful and regal. Tall for a woman, hair as dark and shining as obsidian. The eyes were a rich, dark caramel. Her scent was tantalizing, a rich mix of jasmine, rose, amber, and lilac, something he had missed in the larger hall before. She seduced and she never had to shoot a side glance to do it. How many ambassadors and dignitaries had been lured into deals with this woman by that fragrance alone? Yet he was certain none had their fantasies fulfilled. She still had a living husband, the mad, Former Crown Prince and any hint of infidelity would mean her head. This Queen would never lose power in such a silly pursuit. He bowed in deepest respect, and she smiled simply at him.

"Please sit Chieftain Anshi. And no formalities please; I feel as though I know you. After all, High Minister Han has always sung praises of your talent, as a singer, a warrior, and a statesman. He has followed you for a long time. "

"In my childhood and my later adult years. We were not near one another in between."

"I was made aware by Minister Han. I cannot express my sorrow at how you were maltreated at my husband's hands. I can never settle that debt in its entirety, and I am deeply ashamed."

"Your Majesty has done more than enough. The gifts you have bestowed over the years have been more than needed, especially from a ruler who had nothing to do with the situation."

"You are gracious and magnanimous. I am especially delighted that my son has taken a liking to you! I know your schedule is busy but I would appreciate you spending time with him. You intrigue him. By the way, I do have another request."

"Anything, Your Majesty."

"Do you play Go?"

"I do."

"As does every master warrior, eh?"

He smiled. "Yes."

"Then indulge me with a game, please."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Lady Shen gestured to a small, exquisite game table inlaid with ivory and exotic woods. There were two boxes containing chess pieces at either end; the stones were cabochon green and white jade. They began to lay out their men, conversing lightly.

"How did you learn to play chess?"

"It was among the lessons imparted by High Minister when he was my trainer here."

"Was he a good trainer?"

"Yes. Very thorough and very strict. He demanded perfection and was driven to train me as swiftly as possible. The Crown Prince was ill and I had duties that needed to be learned quickly and precisely. He was effective."

"The two of you did not grow close?"

"No. He was very cold and rigid. So, I was not given that opportunity."

"That is a shame. Did you ever play Go when there was spare time?"

"Never. I had duties around the clock. And the only time after I was taught to play, that I even saw a board was when...when..." Anshi's voice faltered a bit and his eyes closed momentarily.

Himself, a small terrified boy, known as Jalgiz, cowered in the corner of an opulent bedroom, stalked by a raging Crown Prince, out of his mind from an overpowering migraine.

Kowtowing abjectly. Begging.

"Please, Bountiful Prince, tell me what I did wrong? Tell me so I will not do it again."

The rod in the Crown Prince's hand descended. The steak of fire spread across a thIn back. Once, Twice. Then the calm, icy voice cut through the room...

"Your Highness. It is time for your tea and our game of Go. Leave the little urchin alone." Eunuch Han stood there, acting as if Jalgiz was non-existent at the moment. "Your Highness, let us play a game, please?"

He drew the prince away and set up the go board, motioning Jalgiz to stay quiet. The tearful child watched as he sat the prince down with his back towards Jalgiz and he saw something confusing. Han did not throw the game as usual. He beat the prince handily and the prince began to turn his rage onto his Chief Eunuch, beating him with the same rod. At that point, Han motioned the child from the room and took on the beating in silence. Jalgiz ran away, long and fast. And suddenly Anshi remembered more times when the same scenario happened.

He shook himself out of his reverie, visibly upset. "I am sorry, Your Majesty. I was woolgathering for a moment."

"I am sorry, I did not mean to bring up any bad memories."

"Of course not, Your Majesty."

"Let us call it a day. I would love to play again while you visit."

"As you wish."

"Oh, and one other thing. The times you did see the High Minister carry in that Go Board, was there a common denominator that ties them together?"

She smiled and waited.

He looked at her. "I was in trouble each time." He had been maneuvered and he bowed with a rueful grin. "Your Majesty is a wise and clever woman."

"Chieftain Anshi. I have no idea of what you are speaking about."

"Of course not, Your Majesty. I will retire now. And thank you. It has been a pleasant visit."

"I prefer my visits to be illuminating for both me and my guests."

"You are usually successful, I imagine."

"Most often." And Lady Shen led him back to his rooms.

Anshi was shaken. The regression had happened unexpectedly, and he realized that the sweet young Queen was a master at stimulating a response when she wanted. A very talented woman.

He sat on the bed and placed his head in his hands. When had that pattern started between him, the Crown Prince, and Eunuch Han?

From the beginning. Yes, from the first time onward until the merciless whipping at the end; it was the one time that Han had failed to appear and save him. Why did he, the older boy do it? Why has he insinuated himself between them? He was now remembering many such occurrences. Why?

He walked to the window and looked across again. The figure paced. Damn him. The pacing infuriated Anshi to the point of madness. Yes, damn it, he would make that idiot stop tonight if it was the last thing he did today.

He stuck his head out and called for assistance. A young page appeared. "Yes, Master Anshi"

"Please go to High Minister Han's room. Tell him I need to speak to him alone in the courtyard, if possible."

Yes, Sir."