Anshi woke to the warmth of a soft body nestled against him, the scent of sandalwood rising from silken, blue-black hair. It had been so long since he enjoyed something like this, and he felt the closeness of love and commitment again. It was nice. But...

He groaned because he was late for rounds and if he did not get up and continue, keeping this union secret for a while would be impossible. It was to be a time for A'Qiang and Xiao Mian, and they had agreed to keep it secret for a while so the younger ones could have their special day of wonder and glory. They had worked hard to earn it. Tonight would be a private family dinner for the entire Lan group, and their approval of the wedding would be officially been given to the younger couple. They were already anxious now that all the Senior members were present, but they still had no idea if and when the subject would arise. Part of the fun was making the brats wait a little longer.

He kissed the tip of the small nose peeking out of the blankets, and she whispered,

"Dawn yet? "

"A little past." 

"I don't want to get up. Stay?"

"Nor do I. But I am scooting ahead, while Lan Zhan and Lan XiChen are meditating."

" I don't want to move," she smiled impishly. "Any way I can tempt you to stay?"

"A thousand ways." He grinned back. "But duty calls."

"I am resigning my post, then." She grumbled. "I want to sleep in with you every day."

"Resignation denied. Get about your business and start guarding your Chieftain. The least you can do, now that you got a major promotion last night. That way we have an excuse to be together all day now."

"Alright. But you owe me one tonight. NO, no! How about one at noon."

"Gods, Wife. You do like living on the edge!"

He left her ger, right after a few more kisses that were designed to distract him, and forced himself out into the real world, much against his own desires. He struggled manfully to adjust his gait; strutting like a victorious peacock was not his style, after all.

************

Han was up, his body unable to sleep late after years of service. He heard someone leave Sya Mu's yurt and he knew the footsteps as well as he knew his own. He heard Sya Mu leave soon after. Hers were lighter, almost a skip hidden within. He smiled to himself, but it was tinged with melancholy. He would stay for the festivities and until Gan Chono was on his feet and ready to fight by his brother's side, but he and his men would leave soon after. Han sensed that the relationship had been consummated, and he was truly happy for them. It was what was right, as Anshi and his time together had been. And he honestly loved Sya Mu almost as much as he did her husband. If he had never been maimed as a child, if he could have even imagined finding a woman to love, it would have been her. Han's bond with Sya Mu was equally unbreakable.

He sighed. Odd men out need to know when it is time to go. The pair would object, and mean it with all their hearts; he had no doubts that they loved him, as well. But this was Anshi's dream, his quest, and Han had known and accepted it from the beginning. He wanted them married as much as they did. 

Han worked hard for some minutes, until his Minister's facade, calm, respectful, and slightly benevolent, blanketed his inner turmoil, and he felt ready to merge with the awakening caravan.

************

Guardian Lan Gau Fang had found an out-of-the-way place to practice his swordplay, and one particular combat movement was annoying the hell out of him. The leap into the air was perfect. The twist to the left and its thrust were quite good. But the reverse to the right and the landing and the finishing thrust were awkward, and he kept ending up in the dirt. He wanted it to be as good as Lan Zhan's, although that seemed a ridiculous goal. He also wanted to impress his Chieftain. Ever since that night that Anshi had drafted the young, star-stuck man to guard him as he worked his frustrations out in the camel paddock, promoting him to prove a point to his angry General of the Guard, Gau Fang was his Chieftain's most fanatical protector. He dusted himself off and thrust himself upward again. He had the same result, and this time he remained where he was.

"Fuck it!"

A hand, strong and huge, grabbed the back of his collar and he was lifted and placed on his feet. A man, at least a foot taller than his 8th cousins, The Twin Jades, stood there. Black eyes as dark as the moonless sky, round and hypnotizing, stared at him. They were set in a handsome, regal face with a light brown complexion and his fell to his shoulders, in soft black curls. He was assessing the smaller man, who stood gaping at him, and his generous mouth smothered a smile. In an accent Gau Fang had never heard before, he spoke clearly in the Qian dialect.

"Your lunge is too forward. Narrow the space between your feet by a quarter step as you shift weight forward to lunge. Imagine your target to be two fists distance behind your opponent's abdomen. As it enters, twist the blade slightly up, cutting through the intestines and up toward the lungs. He may or may not die immediately. Don't give a shit. Unsheathe your blade from his belly, let him drop, and go for another target. Kill the next bastard before he guts you in turn."

Gau Fang took one look at the mass of muscle, the absolute beauty of the giant before him, and his voice sounded strangled. 

"Holiest of Holy, who the hell are you?"

"Damon. A Protector of Minister Han's. You?"

"Lan Gau Fang. A Guardian of Chieftain Anshi."

"He is lucky to have someone so young, yet so dedicated, one who works so hard on his own time." 

"I am 22. Not so young. You?"

"26."

"Where are you from?" 

Danon grinned at the beautiful boy's audacious curiosity. He was charmed however, he did not show it.

"The West, beyond the Great Sea, beyond the Kazakh region, beyond the desert cities A waem island in a deep blue sea."

"How did you end up here? You speak our language quite well."

"And you ask too many questions. If you keep that up, I will refuse to help train you to impress your Chieftain with that move. If you accomplish that, I may answer 5 more questions. So while you practice, think about them, and choose them wisely."

 Gau Fang answered eagerly. "And maybe I can help you with something in return!"

"You could help me speak your language better. Give me lessons."

"Deal." And two turned to business, with Gau Fang leaping, then hitting the hard ground one more time.

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