"Are you two ready yet?" Anshi called out.

"Yes" Answered Sya Mu.

"Nearly." Han's reply came, a little more cautiously, a touch of concern lying underneath his normally calm tones. He had been shocked and touched when Sya Mu suggested the change to their living quarters but was worried that she and Anshi needed more privacy. He also worried about the reaction of others if their co-habitation was discovered before it even had a chance to be solidified. His heightened sense of reserve was due to his former indoctrination by Court trainers steeped rigid protocol, propriety and dogma

"That is what Quiet spells are for." She stated firmly,  so both men agreed to her wish.

Anshi smiled. He had erected another pass way so that both of  the  "Leaders of the Guardian Regiments" could coordinate, swiftly, with him as needed. At least that is how it would seem to most in the camp. So far, only Yenay, Qinyang, The Twin Jades, Uncle Maral as well as Aunt Dawa Tuya and her husband, General Lan Ge Ban, were privy to the relationship.  The three of them were slowly sorting things out in their soul family.

 Family. 

The word suited them better than group, and it was surprising how natural the term seemed.  What roles they would settle into, they hoped, would evolve as organically as this decision had. It was too delicate a beginning to make public until they fully understood it themselves.

However, the welcoming celebration had been planned since all the participants' arrival and the alteration in the trio's lives was not a reason for changing the festivities. 

Gan Chono was noticeably more at ease since his talks with The Jades and especially since his little drunken spree with Lan XiChen. It seemed to have helped dissipate any awkwardness in camp over his captivity, and nobody walked on eggshells around him after that bit of silliness. Gan Chono was steadily coming out of the darkness that had permeated him, and the other thing that seemed to be helping was the closeness he was developing with Aseem. Where it would go was never a subject of conjecture. However, even the term baby steps could be construed as an overstatement. There was no indication that certain things could be discussed for quite some time.  Anything other than friendship was unimaginable for the stricken Chieftain. The heavy veil of abuse, memory, and self-imposed shame needed time to lift. 

The three soulmates left from their separate entrances and joined together. Han was dressed in dark blue ministerial robes. He had not had time to expand his own wardrobe and begin to discover a new style yet, although he was finding the idea more attractive each day.

. Sya Mu and  Anshi had dressed in soft white cotton tunics. He wore his formal Chieftain's cap and the felted sleeveless overcoat was embroidered with forest scenes of a doe grazing peacefully and a stag on watch, by her side.

 Sya Mu looked like an elegant Steppe Lady, fresh and lovely despite her sword belted around her waist. Ever the Captain of the Guardians. Ever at Anshi's side to protect him. Her coat had been purchased at the clothing store in Yunmeng before she had left. She liked it not only because she loved the shade of warm, golden cream, but because, she was Lan and it had sprigs of sandalwood leaves and berried entwined with lavender colored flowers along all the borders. She also knew that Anshi wore no other scent since he had become a Lan. It wasn't until she rummaged through her wardrobe yesterday and spotted it, that she realized that the lavender flowers were lilac sprigs in full bloom. She had been stunned. It had to have been Karma that day, all-seeing and infinitely wise Karma, that allowed her to find it.

Not knowing Han yet or aware that the lilac was his flower and his scent; not being loved by Anshi yet and languishing in the assumption he would never look her way; Sya Mu had been blissfully unaware if the import of her purchase. When the men saw her, their jaws dropped 

"I found it nearly two years ago, in Yunmeng." She whispered with a tremble in her voice. "I think it was meant to be!"

Speechless and equally shaken, Han reached over and kissed her hand, not even checking to see if anyone was looking. 

Not wishing to be out-done Anshi stated without shame, a wicked twinkle in his eye. "Before the night is out, I will certainly kiss that mouth of yours in front of the entire assembly!"

"Better guard the family jewels if you try, Anshi Dilnur! Kissing a hand is one thing. Kissing the mouth in public is beyond thick faced. Reprobate!" She retorted.

There was a snort of suppressed laughter from Han and Anshi turned his way

"Then again, it could be you, Minister."

"My knee is as lethal as your wife's,Chieftain. And I have not agreed to anything of the sort in this relationship."

"Neither of you is any fun!" Anshi grumbled, emerald eyes gleaming.

'Do A'Qiang and Xiao Mian have any Idea that permission will be given tonight?" Asked Sya Mu, who looked as excited as a child at a New Year's celebration. "This will be amazing.

" Are you certain one month will be enough time?" Han, ever the organizer, was quickly calculating in his head as he asked.

"With all the people milling about camp, I think we will have time to spare," Anshi replied.

At this point they were joined by Yenay and Qinyang. The women exclaimed in delight when they saw Sya Mu's coat.

"Where did you find something so divinely inspired?" Asked Yenay.

"In the establishment where the Lan boys took Anshi on that shopping spree. Months before the caravan left the city."

"Nothing could be more perfect" Qinyang stated. "It expresses this family of yours as if you had ordered it. The Fates knew already, did they not?"

"And who ae we to ignore them when they speak so eloquently." Sya Mu's eyes were soft when she looked at the two men, standing and pointing at the people below as they began to gather in anticipation. The mothers smiled as they heard her say, "I have never been happier in my life."