Anshi: The Lost Eagle of the Steppes

Too Soon

Anshi knew, as soon as he woke up. He had kicked his top blanket off and there was no frosty exhale when he opened his eyes. He thought that the wind that roared from the West as they were asleep would mean another late-season storm. However, it had been a warm zephyr this time, He could hear the icicles melting even in the early light of full dawn. His heart sank, He rolled over and saw Han staring at the ceiling with his lips tightly compressed.

"My Dearest?"

Han rolled over to meet his gaze. "And so, it begins..."

"Perhaps not..."

"No, this is the beginning of our last days together." He smiled and leaned in for a kiss, drawing a steadying breath.. "Now, it will be a difficult day for us both. But we knew this was coming. No tears, no despair. Business as usual, right? The preparations for your travels will begin in earnest, and the Queen has a full schedule for me today."

Han's eyes were unnaturally bright, and the grin on his face was forced and did not ring true.

Even he realized it and tried to tone it down. Anshi slipped out of bed and embraced the Minister, and could feel tiny tremors as the man struggled despite his robust words.. He heard a sigh. Han knew Anshi could feel his true emotions, but he also knew his partner would honor his efforts and reflect them back

"I know we promised that when spring arrived, we would treat it as any other day. I fear I am going to fail miserably today. I must dress and go to her Majesty." He patted Anshi's chest gently. "You head to the encampment and see what your scouts are spotting above tree-line. We need to set your departure date as accurately as we can."

Han left the room, no lingering behind today. Anshi knew his man well and accepted that a day alone would be best at having the inevitable become real for them both. He made his own exit quickly. Watching Han's struggle was harder than feeling his own.

Lan Ge Ban and Nar Arslan were waiting, and he motioned them forward.

"It is a pleasant day, is it not?"

The two glanced at their Chieftain, surprised at the nonchalant tone. Lan Sya Mu was not fooled. His jaw was tense. He was struggling not to keep his hands clenched. She was concerned and watched him carefully.

"Arslan, have your scouts reported?"

"Yes, Chieftain."

"Well?"

"The winds last night blew in the first thaw. There was a minute amount of melt at the mountain tops. The rumbles of a few small avalanches were heard as melting layers on top loosened the snowpack. It has begun, Chieftain."

Anshi accepted what was stirring in his heart with a sense of finality, touched with quickly smothered panic. Business...keep focused on business.

"Have repairs been completed on tack, carts, and yurts?"

"Yes."

"Dry goods will need to be replenished. Start buying what we will need. We can buy staples as we hit settlements along the road. The Queen is sending the battalion along, at least until we find out more about the people behind the spies. They went deeper undercover as winter hit but double the message interceptors. As we stir, so will they. Are they still under surveillance?"

Lan Sya Mu responded. "The pigeon handler has kept me well-informed, but as most womanizers, is sniffing up my replacement's skirt already. She is a caravan girl who is more than willing to carry the next step further than I. Her family is devoted to you, and also likes the extra food allotments."

"Good. I need your talents here, and I was not comfortable watching you carry out this assignment. It was hard for you, and you were flawless, but enough is enough. I will not have you go further."

She bowed. Relieved at the command. Surprised at his comments. This winter had softened him. Han's influence, she thought. This morning was probably as difficult for Han as it was for Anshi. She hurt for them both.

"I will begin inspections today. Lan Sya Mu, please take notes as we go. Any lack needs to be filled. Nar Arslan, how long before we can...travel?"

Six to eight weeks, Chieftain."

His eyes dulled. "Time will fly now." And he dismissed them quickly.

Han was having a difficult day as well. He, the Dowager Queen, and the Childe King plowed through business, but all three were sober at heart. The looming departure had always been prevalent on their minds, but losing him soon was hard to accept. The Queen tried hard to seek a foundation of normalcy, but it was impossible. She was relieved when the afternoon started to darken, but even that was a reminder since the daylight was beginning to lengthen slightly. Han excused himself and walked to their rooms, only to find Anshi waiting, hours earlier than expected. He rushed the Minister , grabbing him in a stell embrance, seeking his mouth, attacking it with naked ferocity.

"I couldn't. I couldn't..."

Han whispered against the demanding lips, "I know." He reached up and tore Anshi's tunic open, anxious to get at the deep chest. He raked the ornament from the auburn hair, luxuriating in the thick waves as they fell down Anshi's back, digging his hands deeply in the thicket and pulling the head backward, attacking the strong throat, sucking and marking him. Branding his Adam's apple, down the vulnerable column. He pushed him down on the bed, ripping the rest of his clothes off, staring down at Anshi who lay aroused, mesmerized at the onslaught, waiting.

Han stood, in charge. and made Anshi wait in delicious agony, and he slowly disrobed. Made him wait as he took his time and neatly draped his clothes over a chair, wait as he turned back and holding the bottle of lilac-scented oil, tipped it above Anshi's tortured member and slowly dripped it down, coating him with it. Anshi groaned deeply ,and he bit down on his fist and closed his eyes.

"Don't. Open them now. I want to see those green eyes, Anshi." The thick lashes opened, and he stared back as his lover mounted him and lowered himself, inch by inch until Anshi was buried within, then he began to ride him in long, slow, ins and outs, eyes latched.

"You will remember every one of our nights together. Won't you?" It was a command, not a request.

Anshi nodded wordlessly, mutely.

"You will lock them away and no matter who you marry and bear your children with, you will not forget that we loved, deeply, intensely."

"You will call on me if you need my help."

Anshi whispered, "Yes."

"You will open your heart and love again."

There was silence as so Han stopped moving.

"Yes!"

"And most importantly, our final night. After we make our last love. After that final kiss, I will withdraw to my study and you must walk away. I will not be able to bear watching you leave these rooms."

Anshi nodded once more. "Yes, my Love." And a single tear rolled down his cheek.

Han responded by gently beginning, again, and did not stop as his lover cried out in ecstasy and desperate release. He collapsed, his anger at fate dissipating, and lay across Anshi's chest, exhausted and finally relaxed. They slept that way all night And woke up refreshed and ready to wait for spring's arrival.

And the heartless bitch did not allow them to wait long.

That night, they did not sleep. That morning, before dawn, after their last lovemaking, and after their final tears together were shed, Han did as he promised. He helped Anshi dress. He brushed the magnificent auburn tresses a final time. He looked long and deeply into the emerald eyes of his Singer and kissed those generous lips softly, lingeringly. The last words of love were exchanged. The hands gripping him in desperate sadness loosened and Han walked to his study, straight, and dignified, and closed the door.

"Look to the parapets above. I will watch you lead the caravan away."

Then there was silence and Anshi walked unwillingly away.