Anshi: The Lost Eagle of the Steppes

A Family Reunion Always Has A Twist

Anshi sat on a pillow between his mother and Lan Zhan. Yenay was still clutching his hand, as if to ascertain if he was real or not, her copper eyes never leaving his face. Qinyang reached over to hold each of their hands. Yenay had been on edge for months and his reaching Qian had only increased her anxiety as her son entered the lion's den, the source of all his nightmares. She had agonized over her decision to allow him to attempt this alone, without her strong arm, ready and at his side. Qinyang had supported any decision she might have made, but her desperation to protect him from more harm had been exhausting.

Now that she watched him, she found herself relaxing. The interplay between him and the High Minister was helping. Hints had reached them in Cloud Recesses about a change in their relationship and to a mother, it was obvious. Han was sitting separately, allowing the family to reunite and there was something like longing on his handsome face. Han was so happy as he observed his lover holding his mothers' hands. However, it only enhanced the emptiness left after his own mother had been locked away and her suicide when he was banished to the palace. He missed her, his only port in the storm. Yenay did not know the reason, but she knew what young and bereft men looked like, and she motioned to Qinyang to move down a cushion as she glanced at the High Minister. Qinyang followed her glance and nodded.

Yenay spoke softly. "Minister Han? Please, join us. You are part of this family now. We have heard of your great kindness to our son and would have you by our sides."

Han glanced at Anshi, who smiled. He walked over and Yenay seamlessly moved down a cushion, leaving hers to Han. When he hesitated, she patted the pillow. "Please."

His eyes filled and he wiped at them furiously as he sat. He felt his Anshi's arm go around him and he hid his face in the offered shoulder for a few moments as he gathered himself. He wiped his eyes one more time and apologized for his loss of control. It had been a very stressful morning and this calm acceptance from people who should have hated him, in his opinion, was unexpected.

There was the sound of running in the corridor and the door flew open. Standing hand and hand there were A'Qiang and Xiao Mian. The adults rose and, despite their excitement, the pair remembered duty above it all. They fell to their knees. Xiao Mian spoke first, abjectly and full of regret, her head hanging in shame.

"Fathers, Aunties, I beg your forgiveness. This daughter is woefully unworthy of receiving it but I beg it anyway. My transgressions and my betrayal of the trust you showed me were unpardonable and I deserve your complete repudiation for that. But I dare to beg your forgiveness despite their enormity. I am so sorry for my actions and the disgrace and pain they caused. Please forgive Lan A'Qiang. He is guiltless and he only left to protect me, endangering himself as well."

A'Qiang interrupted quickly. "I am responsible for my actions. I was the elder. I knew I should have messaged immediately but my decision to not expose Xiao Mian won over the correct one to notify you as soon as I knew her plans. My negligence could have gotten both of us killed. I am unforgivable in this matter."

Lan Zhan stared down at them. "Rise."

They remained on their knees. "I said to rise. "

They stumbled to their feet, heads still bent.

"Chieftain Anshi kept us appraised. The disruption, and the inconvenience you have caused. The heartache and betrayal were hard to deal with. It touched many. The wounds were deep. "

He backed away and he conferred under a Quiet Spell with the other parents and Lan XiChen. The young people rejoined hands, trembling as they waited.

He returned to confront them "We are your parents. Of course, we forgive. The punishment at Anshi's hands will suffice. He feels that your sacrifices and contributions to the caravan mitigate further punishment. We love you and accept you back to Cloud Recesses."

The two looked at one another.

"We thank you with all of our hearts. May we ask two requests?"

"We will listen."

Xiao stepped forward. "I will ask the first one. Sect Master Lan Xi Chen, A'Qiang, and I would like to ask your formal permission to stay with the caravan. We hated it at first. Well, I did, A'Qiang did well from the start. But I have grown to love it as well. I am studying hard with the Doctor here and he is willing to continue to teach me and supervise my examinations. I have a real knack for battle wounds and ladies' issues. A'Qiang excels at eagle hunting and horse breaking and he is learning negotiation skills and battle tactics. He will be a fine soldier here one day."

Everyone was struck dumb and Lan XiChen rose to tower above them. "This is sudden. We just arrived. We have not even had a chance to settle in and you ask us a very heavy thing. We... need to talk about this later. I think we can do this over the next several days but this is most startling."

Wei Ying sprang up. "We have just been reunited and now you say you will not leave with us?"

"No Baba, Not what I said at all. We will obey your decision on this. We just love life here. The freedom, the vast spaces, and the wandering through lands are different and exciting. And the people. Aunties, you are known for raising young people, educating them, teaching them skills, and also setting them free. We do not insist, but we do ask."

Lan XiChen then said, "I am afraid to ask...but the other request?"

Lan Xiao Mian nudged A'Qiang with an 'It's your turn to kick the ball.' attitude.

His face was pale to the lips and he stuttered. "I want...ummmm...I mean...it's like this...."

Wei Ying interrupted. "Well? Speak up, you are as nervous as Lan Zhan the day he asked to..." He came to a dead stop.

A'Qiang, wiping flop-sweat from his brow, made a noise, not unlike a high note from Wei Ying's flute, and shouted. "I would like to formally ask permission to ask for Lan Xiao Mian's hand in marriage. We...we.... wish to be betrothed and married as soon as possible...Please...And thank you...Oh, please! I beg of you to allow us to marry. We have been in love for ages..."

"Three months is ages???" Demanded the silver-eyed father before them as Lan Zhan moved forward toward him as well.

"It is ages when you are on the damned open road!!!" Quavered the overly strained young man. "I love her, she loves me. In caravan life, what else matters?"

Lan Zhan lowered his voice, beyond baritone. His eyes narrowed. Both were not good signs. "What matters, children is that we, as your parents, will decide!

1. If you are mature and responsible enough.

2. If you have earned the right to take on the responsibility

3. Whether or not this is a serious entanglement or another flighty decision from both of you.

Or, is there a more urgent reason for this union?"

Xiao Mian's eyes widened in horror and A''Qiang cried out, "NO! We are both chaste!" He blushed deeply. "I mean, we have not even gotten close. I mean, holding hands...hugging...some...kissing, maybe..."

Lan XiChen stepped in to smooth the ruffled feathers. "We will be here a month. We will render a decision before we leave. Let us drop the matter for a few days. Rest assured we will consider your plea with the utmost gravity and sincerity. agreed?"

Before the young lovers left, sheepish and subdued, A'Qiang to turned to speak but changed his mind when Lan Zhan stepped forward with a golden glare and a subtle tracing of Bichen's hilt with his index finger. The sword began to glow with its silver-white light, ever so slightly. The two fled for the camp.

Wei Ying asked his husband. "Lan Zhan. Did you enjoy yourself just now?"

Lan Zhan whirled around and grinned.

"I have reached a long-held goal. Finally managed to scare manure out of an ardent suitor for my daughter's hand. Now, where were we?"