Everything after his brothers had arrived was a blur for Gan Chono. He was heavily medicated at once, and Physician Lan was careful about anything he prescribed. He had no idea of the poisons that had been given over the years. So he depended on acupuncture as well, opening meridians and improving a natural flow to flush anything unnatural from his patient's body and mind. This took time. It was the man's mental state that concerned him the most. He was depressed, and all normal interaction lacked spontaneity. Casual conversation was nearly impossible. 

So, what have you been up to since you left home at 15?

Oh, the usual. Family slaughtered or taken. Isolated in a filthy yurt. Muted so I could not speak. Beatings by a revenge-driven monster every couple of months. And you?

So, quiet and unnerved by normal, he remained withdrawn and remote. Anshi, Chinua, and Davaajav had some success, but they were the only ones. He had never really known his Aunt, Dawa Tuya. And Uncle Maral was a mythic legend that he had met only once or twice. So, other than his brothers, there was no one he could trust.

Then Anshi had an inspiration. He sent a butterfly to Cloud Recesses, explained what he needed, and waited.

The answer came in person in less than a week. A lone flyer arrived. Dusty, wearing worn leather armor, the soldier disembarked and was instantly embraced by Anshi, who inhaled the scent of sandalwood, gazed into a pair of molten copper eyes, and heaved a sigh in enormous relief.

"Where is my Gan Chono?" General Lan Chang Yenay spoke quietly as her adopted son held her tightly. 

"Asleep in the infirmary."  

"And the other children? My Chinua and my Davaajav? "

"Chinua is resting as well. His health has been fragile since the Killing Night. Davaajav is watching  over Gan Chono. One of us is always present,  as well as Aasem."

"Aasem...Aasem...sounds famil...OH! That child with the dimples that dogged Gan Chono's heels."

"Without his help, we never would have found him."

"Loyal through it all. It sounds like him, from what I remember."

"Yes."

"And Lan Sya Mu? I must see my future daughter!"

" She is on patrol but will return in a few sticks. And...,"

"And...?"

"And another is here as well. Han has been helping."

She came to an abrupt halt and raised an eyebrow. "Your Minister Han??? Anshi, what on earth is going on?"

He stopped as well. "I am not honestly sure. The three of us have yet to talk..."

"Don't you think you'd better?"

"It's been a busy week.  And we are getting along well... Damn it, let's get some tea. My legs are tired, and I need to relax a moment. My head has been spinning for a week now." 

"I have no doubt. You sound like a juggler in a traveling show."

He gave a sharp bark of laughter. "So like you to hit the nail right on the head, Mom Yenay."

As they sipped their tea, and he made sure her favorite steamed buns were on hand, she fixed him with a warm, but no-nonsense gaze. 

"He is not doing well, Mother of my heart. He speaks little and will not open up. Any details we get are from Aasem and relating it to us is as hard for Tazy as it is to hear. So, we know some of it. But he does not trust anyone new, and he has a huge reserve, even with the three of us. He may even feel doubtful about us at times."

Yenay swallowed hard. She had always worried about Gan Chono. Even though he had embraced the lot given to him by the Clan Chieftain, striving to be the perfect soldier, he was at the same time, kind, empathetic, and determined to make himself into the one that everybody could count upon. His loyalty once given was the recipient's for life. It would have to be only the deepest betrayal for him to let that loyalty go. It was difficult to hear of his half-brother's despicable actions and pitiless treatment. She wished Shuurga were before her. She would have loved gutting him and leaving him screaming in the dirt. Even Anshi quailed as he saw the fires swirling in her eyes.

"I can see that. He was completely deceived by someone he once loved. If one brother could do that, so could the others. It will be hard for you to resurrect that trust when someone else has already broken it for you. Isolation for that long, it hardens you. In the dark winters further north, as I wandered alone before I found safety in the Great Eagle Tribe, and ...after that night,...I changed mightily. I froze deep inside, and I did not trust again for a long time. You know how it was for you, enslaved as you were. And his imprisonment lasted five years longer.

And men, they refuse to show all the depths of their damaged souls and minds, especially to other men. You were right to call on me. I knew him in the happier times. I am a woman and therefore he may feel safer, speaking with me."

"That is my hope.  You fought and nearly gave your all to save us.  You found me at the slave auction and freed me. Likewise, you healed me."

"You healed yourself. I simply mothered you. That is what I will offer all my boys now. Let me bathe, then change. I will be ready to see him as soon as he wakes up. Then you must give us a long time."

 Gan Chono woke gradually, feeling warm for the first time in years. It was so pleasant that he lay still on purpose, soaking it in.

"No need to fake sleep, like a green lacewing, dearest Chono..." A warm and slightly amused woman's voice startled him and his eyes flew open. He was even more confused when he saw her standing over him, one hand holding his wrist and the other hovering over his core.

"Stay calm. The energy I am imparting is strong. It strengthens the core, brings order to a disordered mind and provides protection to wounded souls. I am very good at what I do, Gentle Wolf."

She raised her head, and he fell into copper eyes he had not seen since the Killling Night. 

"Yenay. Auntie Yenay?"

"Yes, lovely man. I heard you might like to see me."

"Anshi. "

"Of course. He is worried. And like you, he is a gifted Chieftain. Now, quiet. Let me finish." He obeyed and let the surging energy replenish his system. 

"I am not a Chieftain"

"IWe will discuss that matter later. Now, I will do this every day while I am here, until you are more yourself. I will also try some sessions with Chinua."

"How long will it take?"

"As long as it does. I never know. Why? Is there somewhere you need to go in a hurry and in your condition? There. Do you feel a bit better?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"It is my honor, my child. You have sacrificed a lot to aid the Great Eagle Tribe."

He turned his head away from her in shame and did not respond.

She ran fingers through sweat-damp hair, stroking his head, as she had done years before.

"Listen to me. Hear every word. I felt the same way, as I recovered from my wounds from that night. I watched your father fall. I had already shoved Davaajav under a pile of rugs, and saw Chinua buried under a burning beam. Then Tarkhan and Batbayan were hacked to death at your father's feet and still, you fought on trying to save others. I heard Anshi crying and I hid him in a chest. And it was then, after I lay wounded, I watched you strive to keep upright. Your people ran to you and took you away, injured badly. I was rescued later by General Ming and healed for nearly a year. And the only hopeful thing I carried away that black night was the memories of a valiant teen soldier, giving it his all."

Yenay heard the sobs as he shook his head in denial. She walked around the bed and kneeled in front of him. She began to wipe away his tears. When he tried to turn from her again, she held his face firmly. 

"I am a General in my own right. The military has been my career. Soldier, listen to me. I have never seen a soldier fight like that at such a young age, in my life. If I had you under my command, I would give you the highest commendation possible. 

But I was also a mother of sorts to you and the others. I still am to this day. So I will speak to you as a mother. I am proud of you, Wolf of Light and Loyalty. Prouder than anyone could be." She stroked his head some more. 

"Gan Chono, raise up a bit, will you? I am aging some and need to sit."  He struggled partially up, tears flowing, and as soon as she sat, she guided his head to her lap. 

"Now cry, my boy. It is a General's order and a mother's plea. Cry as long as you need. I am here for as long as that takes, as well."

And she stroked his head until he fell back into a natural sleep.