Anshi: The Lost Eagle of the Steppes

Shedding the Past

Within the two days allotted by the Queen, the first hour was spared for the treaty. A tweak here and tweak there and it was sent to the Dowager Queen for her approval. A note was sent back.

"I hope peace has been obtained and the Minister and the Envoy are resting well. "

"Her Majesty's wisdom has helped seal a happy relationship between two countries." Han wrote back.

"We will have the formal signing next week. In the meantime, rest, and tend to duties. Show Chieftain Anshi about the White Lilac Palace and reacquaint him with the layout of this place. He is more familiar with the Crown Prince's residence and the main palace. "

They read the missives and Anshi looked puzzled.

"She is letting me know that she hopes our relationship is mended and, in that case, to show you how she gets about privately. There have been times when she and I need absolute secrecy to speak with one another. They are also ways that are escape routes in case the city is routed, and the Royal Family needs to escape." Han explained.

" I need that in case I have to get to my people quickly."

"Exactly. And the spies our mutual enemies have in play do not seem to know of them yet. My men will quietly dispatch them if they stumble across that information. If I am right and the increase in spying has to do with your reemergence and your new tribe, you may be the one in greater danger. Someone wants to know your every move right now."

"I suppose we should emerge from this nest of yours. I need to check in at camp. Please come?

"I need to visit with my staff first then I can join you here. We will take the route below that reaches the Northern Gate. "

"But, can we do all that after a hot bath?"

"Of course. There is a soaking bath near your quarters. What does my wandering man have in mind?"

"Discussions Deep, exploratory discussions. "

"I am all ears." And tongue swiftly tickled an earlobe.

A husky chuckle sent shivers down Han's spine.

"And mouth. I am good with it as you remember." The same tongue answered that as well.

"Neck. Neck, please! After all, I stick mine out for you all of the time...OH YES! Gods! I love you! I love you, My Singer."

Anshi stared at the huge tub, perfectly heated, soothing oil, floated on the surface along with rose petals. Attendants had been dismissed and Han's guards stood watch. Now, this he could get used to!

They let their robes drop and stepped into the welcoming water. He had no idea that muscles could ache like this just from lovemaking. It was an ache he was more than willing to endure. Han nestled in the crook of his arm, cupping the scented water in his hand and slowly letting drip down Anshi's strong chest. It was calm and peaceful and they sank into it, allowing only the moment to exist. Them. Only them. Not another soul mattered but them.

After a few minutes, Han rose and grabbed a cloth and a bottle of bathing oil. H positioned Anshi with his back toward him. Using a porcelain cup he poured water over the thick dark auburn hair then worked the cleansing oil in. Anshi groaned. He literally could not remember then anyone had done that for him. Perhaps his mother? His Yenay when times had been happier, and she had become his surrogate mother? He tilted his head back as Han massaged his scalp then rinsed and applied some argan oil to the tresses. He felt a wide-toothed comb slowly running through the mass and painlessly working out the tangles. After that, when the hair was parted and moved over the shoulders to the front, he felt gentle kisses along the scars left by the prince eons ago. He stiffened.

"Don't do that." Whispered Han. "I love you. They are you. They are beautiful because I know them intimately." He poured oil into his hands and began to massage it into the thin white scar tissue, kneading them with his fingertips. "I want to, I will, care for you while I can and you must let me do it, It is something I always wanted to but could not. Let me..."

Anshi whirled around and his lips crashed into Han's, strong hands holding the minister's head. He pulled away just as quicklym his emerald eyes sparking, boring into the steel ones staring back at him. "You need not ask. I am yours and you may on one condition."

"Anything you ask."

"That I may do the same. Ease your pain and love you enough for a lifetime. "

"Condition accepted." Han's head was spinning, his voice breathless. Anshi smiled. He liked his Minister like this. Shaken, compliant, wanting, out of his element. And Han liked it too, the handing over of control. The one not making every blasted decision. Only his and his lovers need to be met. It was freeing and the lifetime of heaviness that always anchored him to the ground and kept his back bent as all eunuchs were trained to do, was lifting. His reality was shifting so constantly, he was having trouble accepting it as real. So he leaned into Anshi and let him guide the way this time. Following was a relief and a pleasure for once.

"We will continue this discussion later after you visit your staff and we come back from camp. If we cross this line further, we may stay in here all day and scandalize all of Qian."

"I know. But I don't want to leave."

"Was that a whine I just heard? Did the High Minister of Qian just whine?"

"Ah, see what you have reduced me to? All your fault!"

Anshi's peals of laughter filled the room. "My Han, you are too full of surprises." He lightly smacked the Minister's behind and sighed. "Let's attend to duty and look forward to tonight."

He hauled himself out of the bath and Han just sat back and enjoyed the view.