In a matter of moments, things can change.

A moment is a tiny thing , short, here at one point and gone in the next. Unnoticed in most cases, yet capable of shifting an entire vacuum into a universe.

Moments should never be underestimated.

The moment that Dawa Tuya and Gen Ban knew they were to be parents altered the lives of the camp. A baby on the way was a momentous thing. So was a wedding, even one with a hasty beginning. The camp erupted into action. Nar Arslan spent the morning drafting workers to begin setting up a party. After all, a wedding party was essential for a caravan. Any excuse for good music, dancing, and celebration was pounced on, and this was a double reason for people on the steppes to let loose of the mundane and have some fun. Balormaa gathered the women and the cooking began immediately. One should never waste a moment, either.

There was a brief lull as Dawa Tuya emerged from her yurt and at the same time Ge Ban left his. They approached each other in measured strides as he reached out and took her hand in his. She was veiled , elegantly dressed, and he wore his full formal uniform, gleaming sword by his side and pride written all over his face.

The couple entered Anshi's quarters and knelt before their Chieftain. The Emerald's eyes looked at them in exasperated fondness. 

"You two...You...This is hardly the usual way to start a marriage..."

Dawa Tuya spoke swiftly. "This is hardly the usual Caravan. It was created by you from scratch, and there has rarely been a usual day since we left Yunmeng. Yet it has worked, has it not?"

Sya Mu could not suppress a snort of laughter. "Oh, little piglet, you have something to say?" His eyes twinkled at his fiancée. 

"She does have a point. And don't call me piglet."

"Can't help it, it is too adorable when you snort like that!" They grinned and took a step toward one another.

"I won't be so adorable if the camp gets wind of that nickname. I will have to..."

"To what...?"

Ge Ban cleared his throat. "Eyes on the happy couple, please? I need to make this one an honest woman before my son is born."

Dawa Tuya added, "I would like very much to be married before I feel my daughter begin to quicken!"

Much later that night, after the festivities following the wedding died down, came the cry from their long-lost Gan Chono. Anshi and Davaajav were left in a frozen moment that was both exhilarating and infinitely disturbing. Chinua sat in his chambers, equally stunned. All agreed to keep this communication strictly among themselves. The thin line had been tenuous to begin with; he had not been able to speak. However, it had been enough for them to realize all was not well with him. All they could do was wait until their brother reached out again. The heavy silence was hard to bear. One thing was certain, the proposed meeting with Han would have to wait. 

Han and the Dowager Queen received the message from Anshi and Sya Mu several days later by pigeon. He looked concerned as he read it aloud.

"It is a good thing, that the brother is alive. I am sorry that they had to call this meeting off."

Han was more quiet than usual. When he spoke, he was under control, yet a bit wistful.

"It does not matter. I know why they wanted to meet with me. Word arrived a while ago that their relationship has deepened. I think they want to tell me news, in person."

The Queen assessed her Minister closely. He was calm, yet somewhat withdrawn. 

"And you?" 

He smiled brightly. "It is as I hoped. The only woman in the world for him is Lan Sya Mu. I am content for them."

"The two of you are soulmates. This is still alright with you?"

"They are soulmates as well."

"And you and Sya Mu?"

"We are also soul-mated, I believe. We all have soulmates that show up at different times in our lives, for many reasons. As lovers. Teachers. Familial bonds. Traumatic events that have never been resolved. The number can be very fluid. It is part of the process."

"And you  accept this with such resolve,"

He smiled wistfully. "I realized, long ago, that acceptance may be the most important lesson I have had to learn in this lifetime. Accepting fate, not bowing to it ; for the struggle against it is vital to the lesson. And if fate can be altered, the struggle to do that is necessary."

"Then please apply that attitude to this meeting, old friend, brother. I am about to alter your fate drastically tonight."

He stiffened, he was unaware of anything urgent, The deposed Prince was still confined and controlled. They health of her and the Childe King was good. There had not been an invasion.

The Queen handed him a scroll.

"You may read it in a moment. I will tell you what it contains." She stood and looked down at him, and oddly, her voice shook.

"Minister Han, The King, and I have arrived at a decision. We are giving you your freedom. You had already been given that when your status of slave was revoked by us years ago. But we have kept you bound to us through love, duty, and loyalty. Not fair weapons to someone who has willingly given us his all."

"No, Your Majesty. The Childe King is still young. He has not had his investiture. "

"He is brilliant and eerily mature. I will be his closest advisor. Minister Bai Xin is fully trained and almost your equal in diplomacy and deceit. You have trained him well. "

"Majesty. You both... this place...it is all I know. What if I refuse?"

"Then I will personally drag you to the gate, shove you out, and lock it!  And if I break a nail doing it, I will smack you soundly with my scepter."

She stood in front of him, eye to eye. "It is time. It is too late to expect a sole relationship with Anshi. He commits hard.  He has done that with Sya Mu. But you must see what is destined for the three of you, and you cannot do that here. I have already had monies sent to Cloud Recesses and Lan XiChen will watch over your retirement fund. It is even finer than Anshi's reward. Inside your scroll, we have given you the title of Universal Ambassador to Qian, and we may rely upon that from time to time. We are not absolutely altruistic after all, you see. And we will see you back here for the King's Investiture."

She waited until he seemed to absorb the news. "You may have exclusive use of the High Minister's Guardians. Take the entire regiment as your bodyguards. Their loyalty to you consumes them so I know you will be well protected. My men were well-trained beside them and will protect us here along with the Army."

"Seek your own destiny, my brother. It is time."

Moments. They come and go in an instant. But the changes can be extraordinary.