Anshi arrived an hour before the sunset.

Sya Mu was seated at her desk, going over a list of the next day's chores, too many to mention, and she looked up, startled as he burst through the opening, out of breath and eyes wide in excitement.

As he paused for air, she rose quickly, hand on her sword's hilt. 

"Chieftain. What is it? I'll call the Guardians..."

"No...No... Give me a minute..Nothing like that... And don't call me Chieftain in private...that's...that's an order..."

"Yes, Chieftain..." She stopped abruptly as he shot her a stern glance. "Alright. What do I call you?"

"Boyfriend...?"

She choked then glared at him.

"Cheeky and rude...How much did you drink?"

"None...at a monastery all day. Alright...call me Anshi... when we are alone. You do it if you scold me... so do it all the time." He bent double and breathed deeply. Once he got his lungs full, and the panting under control, he faced her.

"A banquet. We need a banquet as soon as possible..."

"Dawa Tuya has already selected the camel and yak needed. We assumed a feast would be called for."

"You are amazing."

"Sit, Chief...Anshi. I have tea brewed. Why did you not stay the night?"

"It is forbidden to strangers. And I needed to tell you what happened today."

"I hope your meeting with your Gege went well. "

She grew concerned as he raised his head, and then saw a tear run down his cheek.

"Geges. Geges. Davaajav was there too. Two brothers, Sya Mu. Two out of the three."

She placed the tea before him and moved to his side. " That is wonderful news! How did your Uncle Maral react when you told him?"

A shake of his head. 

"You haven't told him yet??? You have to go to him!"

A whisper. "I don't know why, but I wanted to tell you first."

"Oh...!"

His eyes met hers and there was that light there, the one from that morning. "I had to tell you first. It seemed ...right."

She felt a rush of heat and he grinned.

"I have made you blush again."

"Chieftain..."

"No Anshi?... Am I Chieftain to you? Good, then listen. As your Chieftain, here are my orders before I go to speak with Uncle..."He took a deep breath and plunged in before she could interrupt.

"First: You will drop this Husband Hunt immediately. It is disruptive. 

Secondly: See to extra security, my brother Chinua is partially blind, so see to unobstructed walkways;  any dangerous areas must be eliminated or changed. Have an extra pallet placed in my yurt, Davaajav has come with me. This sect is very strict, so he will share quarters with me.

Thirdly: Start on all of this tomorrow. I am irritated that you are working on your day off. So my third order is to resume your routine. Discard the armor. Relax as usual. 

Then walk about this evening. With me. I will have dinner served in my yurt. A quiet meal away from the mess tent. I will not give up our evenings no matter what happens. Walk out with me and no one else."

He turned and left before she could say a word. Sya Mu sat there, stunned. Then she panicked. She dashed to Dawa Tuya and Ge Ban's yurt.

Dawa Tuya dropped the ladle she was holding, and it made a resounding plop as it hit the stew.

"Sya Mu? What on earth?" The girl was pale and shaking. 

" I...I need help..."

"Of course, what is it? You look awful."

"NO! I can't...I cannot look awful tonight!"

"Slow down and explain!"

"He...The Chieftain...No, Anshi...He'll kill me if I call him Chieftain again in private. It's an order..."

Now it was beginning to make sense to Dawa Tuya and she smothered a smile. 

"I have to...He wants me to have dinner ...IN HIS YURT ALONE...I need to... I cannot look awful tonight...WHAT DO I DO, TUYA???"

First, I am going to tame your tension with a calming tea. Then you will bathe privately in your yurt. Wash your hair first and allow it to dry. By that time, I will bring reinforcements. Lan Xiao Mian will assist us. "

"But she liked him once. Is it proper?"

"She is insane for A'Qiang and as your cousin she would never forgive us if we did not seek her help. Do you wish to wear your traditional clothing or ours? "

"What do you suggest?"

"Yours. If it gets towards commitment, honor his culture. But that will not come until later. Now scoot. And use lots of oils and sandalwood. I want you glowing."

She waited a moment, then tore over to the yurt that Lan Xiao Mian shared with Nar Arslan and Bolormaa. They had just finished their meal as she asked for admittance. 

"I am sorry to interrupt, But may I ask for some immediate assistance from you ladies?"

They rose, concern in their eyes. "Of course! What is wrong?"

"Actually, we need to help Sya Mu."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing wrong. In fact, it could be very right. But this must stay among all of us, you too, Nar Arslan."

He answered, "Of course. Does this have anything to do with Chieftain Anshi? I know he was to meet his brother today. Did all go well?"

"Yes, but it is another matter. Anshi has asked Sya Mu to dinner tonight. Private. Away from the mess hall. She will not be wearing her armor, or uniform, tonight."

Both of the other women squealed in excitement. "You mean?"

"Yes, I will need your help. This is a project that cannot go wrong."

Xiao Mian asked, "That slow learner is finally taking a first step?"

"I believe he is."

"Thank the gods!"

Nar Arslan laughed and nodded to his wife. "This place has gotten exciting all of a sudden. Go! Gussy her up and make her irresistible. I pity the losers in the Husband Hunt, but they never really stood a chance when it came to her! "

As the women left, his eyes grew thoughtful and speculative. 

When they arrived, they found Sya Mu wrapped in a robe and sitting in front of the stove, drying her hair. She slumped a little in relief.

"Thank you all!"

Dawa Tuya grinned. "They would not have missed this for the world. Now, ladies. Let's begin."

"We only have little time left."

"Ridiculous., He will wait as long as we deem necessary. Imagine giving a lady so little notice. He can wait hungrily for food and love, and he better not complain. You are not his Guardian tonight; you are Lady Lan Sya Mu, and he will treat you as such. I have sent word to A'Qiang to join us quickly and the four of us will properly escort you as chaperones and will wait in the anteroom as tradition requires. There will be no exceptions, whether he bellows or begs. Bolormaa, can you tackle hands and feet? I will finish your hair. While Xaio Mian waits to do your make-up, she will choose a dress. Do you have a few we can look at?"

"Some. " She nodded at a large trunk in the corner. "A couple in there."

They watched as Xiao Mian opened the lid and they gasped. It was filled to the brim with brocades and silks and finely woven kinds of cotton. They sparkled in the lamplight, glowing like gems.

Her cousin whirled around and screamed. "Lan Sya Mu, what other secrets have you been keeping?"

'