Anshi: The Lost Eagle of the Steppes

Vibrations

Anshi asked for a moment alone. The signing was in an hour, and he wanted a small amount of time to absorb and analyze his feelings. His most beloved brother...could it be? The others left him, and Han followed, after an understanding hug.

He returned to the desk and sat, observing the present on the desk. The gems glowed softly, and Anshi reached out, lifted the ring, and placed it on his right index finger. He liked the heavy but simple setting, and the sapphire was a peaceful stone, faceted and sparkling. He would wear it to his signing ceremony. He walked to his cushion, closed his eyes, and began to meditate, centering himself and beginning to sort his thoughts.

Then he noticed that the ring was no longer cold. It had begun to warm. Feeling at one with his finger, as if it belonged! As he sank deeper into calmness, he heard, no, felt, a gentle hum, a vibration on the verge of sound, low and soothing. A gentle touch, a brush of love.

'Brother? Emerald?'

'My Sapphire? You live?'

'I survived. I have ached for this moment. My little Singer!'

Anshi's face was suddenly wet with tears of joy. The was no mistaking the intense connection, the sudden rush of love so long absent from his life. His heart was suddenly swelling, like the leaves of a jade plant long deprived and finally receiving the magical drink of water it has been granted. He shivered as he felt it lurch to life as memories flooded swiftly and furiously through him.

'Davaajav... Davaajav.'

The vibration through the ring answered.

'I am here.'

'How?'

'That night... our mother's Sect had flown to help. They found me at the edge of the encampment, injured but alive. They searched for survivors s and all were being attended to. The rest... were dead. No sign of you. As they heard Uncle and his men arrive, they had to leave. It was obvious we had been betrayed, and they did not dare stay, not knowing who could be trusted. They took me back to her homeland and raised me. We all thought you were dead. Your mind had severed itself from it all. You simply shut it all away as you tried to survive. Even the best here could not sense you until you struck out on your journey to self-realization again.'

'All this time...'

'They had no choice. They are a cautious enclave here. Thinkers, seers, mystics. They wanted me safe at all costs. We are more our mother's spirit than our father's. We inherited her talents. They wanted the one that they managed to save, to stay protected.'

'Of course. Thanks to the Gods, they found you.'

'Emerald. I am sorry.'

'Why?'

'That you suffered as you did. That I also assumed you died. That I abandoned hope.'

'My life was what it was. And it led me to happiness and fulfillment. I no longer regret it.'

'There is no reason to blame yourself. I am so grateful that you lived and that you carry on our mother's legacy. It helped you find me once more.'

'Anshi, this time to speak is limited. Our family has no idea I can contact you, and I cannot do this long or often. I must go soon. Keep coming West. This is a step you must complete. When you reach a great and vast sea, camp. I will find you. We will meet, and I will guide you the rest of the way. Tell nobody, not a soul, that I live. Please.'

Anshi was desperate suddenly.

'I will not tell a soul. But do not leave me!'

'You may use this method if the situation is dire. Remember, we now know that the other lives. Until you reach the sea, we must remain strong, and patient. Can you?'

Anshi drew a deep breath. 'Now that I have you again, I can.'

"I love you, Little One. I always have.'

'I love you, Star Guide.'

And the hum died away.

Anshi stood slowly, his spirit suddenly calmer than it had been in years. His partner in star-gazing, his teller of fables and their mother's homeland legends, Davaajav, lived, and he felt more complete. He arranged his robes and walked serenely to the room reserved for the dignitaries. Han gazed at him, relieved at his centered appearance and recognizing a deeper sense of peace within his lover. His own heart eased, and he waited for a signal from the page outside the door.  He stood straight and tall and the people within the room, took their places as Han led the way. Lan XiChen followed with Lan Zhan at his side. Then Anshi fell in behind. The sea of white marched slowly behind the measured steps of the somber High Minister dressed in his dignified dark blue and the sight was thrilling. Wei Ying and Lan Qinyang were standing at the second table before the throne, with Yenay at their head. And seated in dazzling splendor were the Childe King on his throne and his Mother, demurely seated on a smaller throne to his right. Dressed in yellow and black, The Childe King looked larger than he was, his face a composed and emotionless mask. His mother, dressed in lilac purple and white, radiated pride and confidence in her son.

The grandeur was set to instill awe in all the ministers and guests invited, who bowed to the floor. The Minister, the Sect Master, Sect Leader, and their Envoy progressed to the front and bowed to the floor as well.

A few seconds passed, and then the clear voice of their young King rang out, clear as a bell.

"All may rise. Ministers, you may all be seated at your tables."

His grave brown eyes raked the room, commanding attention.

"I welcome the exalted visitors from the Gusu Lan Sect. Today is an auspicious day as our two peoples become allies and sworn friends. We will join hands, swearing to exchange commerce, knowledge, and mutual protection. What started as an uneasy alliance formed in desperate times will now cement us together as brothers."

He motioned to attendants who lifted an ornately gilded table and placed it in front of the throne.

"Will Sect Master Lan XiChen, Sect Leader Lan Zhan, and Envoy Anshi approach?"

They moved forward.

"High Minister Han, bring forward the treaties to be ratified."

Han approached with two exact copies on fine scrolls and unrolled them. Each Leader signed them and Anshi followed His signature was strong and decisive and the ring glowed softly on his finger. The King applied the Royal stamp to both. One scroll was handed to the court scribe and taken immediately to be placed in safety, while the other was handed to Lan XiChen.

Before the beginning of the celebration in the Great Hall, the King made one more pronouncement.

"Envoy Anshi. Step forward. "  Anshi half turned to Han, who nodded at him encouragingly.

"I am announcing that, because of his invaluable service over the last months to Qian and his valiant efforts to end the Meng reign of terror, I am bestowing honorary citizenship to Envoy Anshi. His valiant efforts to aid us, when all we deserved was scorn after his treatment by the deposed Crown Prince, proved he is worthy of all respect. If he accepts this small gesture, we will be proud to share him with Cloud Recesses and call him brother.

As Anshi bowed his acceptance in shocked surprise, Han raked the faces in the hall, seeking anyone looking less than pleased at the announcement, committing them to memory; a list of people that needed to be watched in the future. His was a long memory,, and he always had his Anshi's back. There would be little mercy if they refused to fall in line.