Anshi: The Lost Eagle of the Steppes

Men Talking While Eagle Hunting

The four from Cloud Recesses rode out together after Anshi gave a command to his Princess. "Tuulai alj bolokhgui."

The eagle glared at him and he repeated the command. He smoothed her indignant feathers, and he fed her a tiny sweetmeat, then she settled on his pommel for the ride.

What did you say to her?" asked Wei Ying. "She seems pretty upset."

Anshi smiled slyly. "I told her 'Do not kill rabbit.' Thought it might be too much for your constitutions."

Lan XiChen said, "You must not change your traditions to spare us."

"Not changing traditions. Changing the main course. I have developed a taste for water deer. They are in abundance here." His eyes twinkled merrily as he saw Lan XiChen blanch.

Anshi continued in a more serious vein. "We never waste a ride. The eagles accompany us and fill our stew pots." Lan XiChen glanced at Lan Ge Ban ahead of them with his Dragon on his pommel.

Anshi continued. "Yes, even the Lan soldiers all partake. No food is wasted. But we also have Dawa Tuya who cooks all the vegetables we gather or purchase at markets we find along the way. And rice is plentiful."

Wei Ying looked gleeful. "Meat. It has been a while!"

Lan Zhan just shook his head. His Wei Ying indulged his culinary cravings whenever they left Cloud Recesses. He fully expected his mate to go crazy this month.

"And A'Qiang and Xiao Mian have their own eagles as well."

"They hunt?"

"They do. They have adapted well. And they are talented."

Lan Zhan looked seriously at his brother. "Do you think she and A'Qiang would do well here?"

Anshi nodded. "Yes. Both are young and the adventure appeals to them. It has been hard. A'Qiang killed in order to save her life. It was difficult for him, as any first kill in battle is. Do they not say that the first kill is the one you will always remember? But then there is give and take in its most basic form on the Steppes. If he had not and was killed instead, we would have lost Xiao Mian, Boloramaa, and Little Mouse. All the heroic striving of Xiao Mian to bring Little Mouse into the world would have been for nothing. She, in turn, was on the verge of giving her own life to save the others. They are stronger for it all."

"Mhn. Stronger does not necessarily mean wiser."

"You are worried about her changed affections?"

"Yes."

"I was too. But what is unrequited love? I see it as a rehearsal for the real thing. It prepares the heart. I have not seen her waver toward A'Qiang and her truer nature has returned. She does not manipulate any longer, although she still digs her heels in harder than most. I feel the attachment is sincere."

"But they are so young." They all heard the fatherly tremor in Lan Zhan's voice.

"How old were you when you first felt feelings for Wei Ying? And you did not have the advantage of knowing one another for most of your lives, as they have."

At this point they stopped by a small waterfall to let the horses drink, Lan Zhan was still visibly upset and Wei Ying tethered his horse to his husband's and hopped on Lan Zhan's mount, snuggling in front. Anshi smothered a grin. Wei Ying could teach Xiao Mian a thing or two about adorable manipulation. He saw his hero melt at once and they almost became one before your eyes. Lan XiChen met Anshi's amused glance.

Well done!

The ride was perfect that day, with clear skies and a gentle fall breeze. The colors were changing a little as they gained altitude The forest became thicker and the further up you could hear the whistle calls, barks, and yips from a large pack of dholes.