April moved quickly into May as the sun began to warm the Steppes and new life began. It was a busy time as they traveled West, aiming for the Temple by the end of the month. The young animals , having been born the last few months before they left Qian, were plentiful and were the center of attention. Everyone of them was vital, precious and useful. Training them was a part of everyone's life and all, from the eldest person to the youngest child was involved in maintaining their most important source of life on the Spice Trail, the herds. Travel was slow, but steady. 

Anshi had gradually come to terms with his loss and while Han was often on his mind, sharp and sweet memories always appearing and stopping him momentarily in his tracks, he was also training himself to control these sad intrusions and plow ahead. He would not have traded anyone of them despite the pain, and the beauty of their relationship was now becoming the more dominant memories to surface first. They no longer paralyzed, him in sadness; instead, through Davaajav's long-distance guidance, the care of his core family and friends and his own sheer-will, he was slowly emerging into a calm and steady place of existence. 

Except for the new and interesting conundrum of his Personal Guardian, Sya Mu.

The woman was breaking bad.

He watched her now, puzzled and curious about the sudden change in her personality. She was still dedicated, absolutely loyal and fierce in approach and defense, but this sudden urge of hers to find a mate and begin a family had taken him by surprise. It was, well frankly, a little unsettling. He was too used to being the only thing she had seemed devoted to and while he wanted her to be happy, he was not too comfortable watching her start on this new path. He decided to make certain, that any man that caught her eye would need to pass his own tests of approval. So, every day that was her day free from duty, her woman's day, they would meet at the end of one of the mess tables; he always dressed in a nice tunic and she wore her woman's attire and they had breakfast. 

And the subject would always be Sya Mu's List Of Available Men; always in flux, with new potential favorites to add to the growing line-up.  After all, she was novice at this herself and the weeding out of the lesser men was vital to a precise and organized leader like this Lan Guardian, nothing but the best for her. He would sit and listen as she pointed out potential men to be cut from the herd and assessed. True to his word, Anshi agreed to discuss these matters with her. And true to her agenda, she was going the see to it that he did.

Anshi's inner circle found it fascinating. They knew Sya Mu well enough to know she was in earnest. Of course, her love for Anshi was deep, but she was also serious about this course of action. She was tired of waiting and she wanted more. Why not cast a net and see what managed to get entangled? And if her biggest desire still managed to elude her, she was serious about finding someone to love her the way she needed to be loved. A father for sweet children, someone to curl up net to on the Trail's chilly nights. Soft breathing mixing with her own. She was tired of walking this road alone and if Anshi refused to see her before him, ready to be his, she would not waste more time wishing for what could not be. She would always be his Guardian, he would always own a part of her heart but someone else would win her as wife; someone else would have the rest of her life...If Anshi wasn't very, very careful.

This morning they were discussing the merits of several men.

"Now, I make sure to vet them first of course. I am well aware that my taking a mate means they must be as loyal to you as I am myself. I would never put you at risk.  So, I am making that a high priority on my list of requirements."

He took a sip of tea. "Thank you. That eases my mind. To be placed first on your list of requirements."

"I did not say it was first. Picking someone easy to look at is number one. I have no wish to watch someone over breakfast that could put me off my food!"

"Gods you are frank!"

"Have you ever known me not to be? Then there must be a a likeness of minds. Devotion to duty, hearth and clan is another. You come in about there."

"Well, thank you!"

"You are welcome."

They both dug in, eating with gusto. As they chowed down, a tall, Lan with blue-black hair and amber eyes passed their table. Well-muscled, he walked by with assurance, paused to glance at Sya Mu, liking her more feminine attire, and gave her a smile. Anshi sat a little straighter and wiped a bit of congee from his chin.

"Now that one, that soldier needs to go one the list." Sya Mu murmured.

"Why?"

"We have spoken once or twice. Being Lan, we have much in common. He is devoted to duty and clan. We grew up going to training together. And I do like the Lan look at times, dark, dark hair those eyes. He actually reminds me of Lan Zhan some. He's not as bossy though, which is a good thing."

Anshi looked at her in astonishment. "Do all women assess..."

"Look you up and down? Wonder things about you men? Of course.  Do you have no idea of what goes on in our heads and hearts?  Do you think that we just sit with downcast eyes and hold no secret dreams and emotions about others? We usually don't have too much, if any say, in picking a mate, but being here, on the road, yes, it is important to find the best man suitable. One who can fit us well. It is a tight and austere existence, and a compatible husband would be the one to choose."

 "I had no idea."

"Of course not. Men walk around secure in knowledge that the wife they or their families choose, must accept what is dealt to them. I am a lucky woman in that respect. As a soldier, I can decide my own fate more easily.

That Lan appeals to me. He has a sense of humor. He cares about his career; He even sings nicely. Not as well as you, of course, but it is a pleasant and warm voice. He is a strong contender. There is also a Nomad that has shown some interest."

Anshi choked on a steamed bun.

"One of the Nomads?"

"Umhummm. He is a bit raw around the edges, but he seems to be kind and considerate. I am finding that this tendency of cultures to meet up on this Spice Road, and inter-marry, has produced some very lovely people. He has lighter hair and the most interesting blue eyes. A bronzer complexion than the Lan-jade fairness. He is very calm and serious, and his love of the Steppes is appealing. He is gentle with the animals and the children. He would be an excellent father, I think. See, over there at the far table, second from the left? That's him there."

"You have not wasted any time" Anshi looked surprised and a little taken aback.

" They just top the list. I am not getting any younger, Chieftain and I am ready to settle down."

Anshi watched as she looked longer at the two men she had just pointed out and he found he was not as hungry as when he first sat down. He stood and excused himself with a bow.

"Well, work is calling me! Please enjoy the rest of your day off. I will meet up with you this evening at the horse corral. There is a mare about to foal. She is a little late and I want to check on her later. I would like your assessment."

"Certainly. I will see you after supper."

As he stalked off, hands behind his back, Sya Mu hid a smile behind her cup as she knocked back the rest of her tea.