Anshi: The Lost Eagle of the Steppes

The Parents' Pronouncement

Lan XiChen called a meeting. The time was arriving for the Lan contingent to return to Cloud Recesses. He trusted Lan Sizhui to have the wintering completed for the enclave, The Night Hunting Lodge and his Manor, but he was missing his son and daughter with a passion.

A decision regarding the two requests of Cheng A'Qiang and Lan Xiao Mian needed to be handed down and the group's leave-taking prepared. The anxiety level of the young couple was at an all-time high, and their parents had made up their minds.

They all were edgy at the private breakfast, meticulously prepared by Dawa Tuya and after the table was cleared and tea poured for all, they sat uneasily on pillows, the youngsters peeking occasionally at their parents, trying to guess the outcome. It was impossible. Even Wein Ying looked inscrutable, which did nothing to reassure them.

Lan XiChen spoke first.

"I am here today, simply to mediate if needed. However, I sincerely hope, no expect, that everyone will be fair and polite to one another. I expect that I will not be called in."

Wei Ying cleared his throat. "We, your parents, have made this decision unanimously. We will not change our minds on any point. Lan Zhan has been elected as the spokesperson.  His word is ours."

A'Qiang gripped Xiao Mian's hand under the table, and she glanced at him, her large eyes already filled with worry, and they began to prepare for the worst.

Lan Zhan looked at them sternly.

"You are intelligent children, but we have great concerns. Rash impulses. Stubborn attitudes. We have been too indulgent. We know well, the losses you endured. The toll taken growing up with war. Expecting outbreaks in the future. It was what we knew as children as well."

He stopped to take a drink of tea. He was silent awhile as he gathered his thoughts. And as one would expect from the usually quiet Lan Zhan, he cut right to the chase.

"We have agreed that you may continue to travel with Anshi. You have thrived here. Grown up a great deal. It is a good place for you."

He heard sighs of relief from them both.

"As for the other matter. Marriage. This was a harder decision. Even we had to compromise. Right down the middle. We think a union would be a good one, but under one condition. We will consent as long as there is an engagement of one year." He saw them both gear up to object and he quickly interrupted. "This is non-negotiable. If you can overcome the trail of waiting for one year...still feel the same...we will rejoin the Caravan and have the wedding."

Xiao Mian whispered, her voice shaking."But, it can be dangerous here. What if something..."

"Then it would happen. Would it lessen the pain if you were married or not?" His voice drifted away.

Wei Ying looked at his husband and knew that years of separation and Inquiry were uppermost under his stoic face. It always hit Lan Zhan with keen and unutterable sadness. He interjected quickly.

"All four of us experienced long separation, the uncertainty if our soulmates even lived at all. Marriage would have made no difference. However, you two would have the advantage of at least being around each other. One we did not have at times. A year will pass quickly."

Lan Zhan looked at Wei Ying with gratitude.

Qinyang stepped in as well, sensing her brother's pain. As he protected her, she was always there to help him when needed.

"As Lan Zhan has said. We agree on this waiting period. If it is not met, we will refuse permission." She stared her young niece down. The Lan Alpha won as the girl nodded acceptance.

"We agree. We want to marry and a year is not forever."

Lan XiChen stood. "Good. Then as Sect Master, I will happily send announcements to Cloud Recess and preparations for a wedding will begin when we arrive home."

As the men left, pounding A'Qiang's back in congratulations, the three women were alone for a few moments. Lan Qinyang brought out a large package.

When Yenay and I were separated, as she struggled to leave the frozen North and I waited, not knowing if she would ever live to see me again, I had much time on my hands that final year. I found a way to pass the days. I thought this might help."

Xiao Mian cried out. "A present! I love presents!"

She tore off the paper and exposed two long lengths of red silk. One was a delicate shimmery bold and the other in a heavier male weight. There were a hundred skeins of bright silk and gold threads and sheaves of pins and needles. She looked up stunned, unable to speak, eyes filled with tears.

Yenay wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "She made our wedding robes during that time and had them ready when returned. Each stitch was done by hand and each one symbolized  her hope and belief in me. Perhaps, you would like to do the same for our A'Qiang? We are placing his heart in your hands, and it is a mighty responsibility, for it will be yours to protect for the rest of his life. Will you be able to? Protect it with your own life as we have always done?"

"Yes. I promise. I love him with every fiber of my being." And her hand ran lovingly over the man's silk, already seeing him bow before her three times.

She gathered the package up and flew from the room to share the good news with Dawa Tuya.

Qinyang and Yenay sat together, and Qinyang laid her head on Yenay's broad and steady shoulder. "They all grew up too fast, did they not?"

"Yes. They did. We did as well."

"I wonder if this world will ever get easier."

"Humans are weak. It will take a long, long while. All we can do is hope we do our best to make each generation just that little bit more compassionate. It will not happen in this lifetime or theirs, I am afraid. We can only protect them for so long."

Qinyang sighed. "Well, it looks like we will have a wedding in a year. And we will be grandmothers next."

"I am not ready for that. I still have all my teeth. You, however, I am sure I saw a gray hair this morning."

Qinyang grinned and flicked Yenay's forehead with a finger.

"Lunatic. You always make me laugh."

"I always will, my Soldier's Woman."