The summer sun was glinting in the river and aon Chono watched his elder brothers, their faces shining,   laughing. Having bonded tightly since infancy; they worked in perfect cadence, and he felt honored that Tarkhan and Batbayan had told him to join them. He was so excited when he entered the current as one for the first time and was secretly puffed up by the expressions of hero-worship and envy the two littles, Anshi and Davaajav, had given him. Chinua was too lost in his latest book to care.

Though not as fully muscled as the other two, he was strong enough to hold his own with the heavy net. The heavier it was, the more fish to bring home to Yenay to fry for dinner. Her fish was a wonder, crispy on the outside, buttery and soft inside, and he felt his stomach rumble at the thought. 

They were all shirtless. Their ivory skin, tanning slowly in the heat, glowed, making the passing girls giggle, catching glimpses of them between modest fingers. The Dilnur brothers haunted the marital dreams of all the maidens. Perfect male specimens, they were gleaming and glorious because they were young and invincible.

Davaajav and Anshi sat on shore watching and absorbing every movement of their much older brothers, dreaming of the day they would have their turns at the net as manhood encroached.

Gan Chono hoped that he would excel today. Who knew? Perhaps he could then move up and begin sparring with real swords instead of the stupid wooden one he was still trying to perfect. But for today he was joyful just having this. He threw back his head into the dazzling light and found himself laughing, giddy and indestructible. It was then that he heard a roar, and saw a wall of water round the bend, rushing at them.

He glanced at his brothers, who shouted. "Head to the bank! CLIMB HIGH!". 

The three of them bolted, but Gan Chono felt himself grabbed from below by the heavy net. He struggled to free himsel; his cries for help were muffled from the roar of the water. He felt relief  as his brothers reached safety but it was followed by panic when he saw their horror as they realized he had not been right behind them. They turned back to enter the water, but within seconds, Gan Chono was nowhere to be seen.

He struggled those last few moments, holding on to one last lungful of air. The debris in the water tore his skin and he finally exhaled and felt the burn of water as it filled him and heard the gentle sounds of a calling river turn into screams from the demons of hell.

He was alone and so very. very tired

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

Something was calling him back. A man's voice, desperate and pleading.

"Brother. Please...We are here. Chono, can you here us? Physician Lan, do something!"

Then, more  strange voices, hands ripping his tunic open. Curses and outcries of anger. The back of a hand touching his forehead. Fingers feeling his wrists. Strangers' hands prodding along his rib cage causing his first sound in response, a low keening of agony. More barely held-back screams as the fingers firmly pressed at his back.

Another unknown voice. "No ruptures to spleen or kidneys. Meridians are horribly low. Severe dehydration and fever. Multiple abrasions and contusions. Three or more broken ribs. Massive bruising. Chieftain Anshi, your brother needs immediate attention at the medical yurt, but we need to stabilize him here."

"Do it."

Confused and terrified, he forced his eyes open, and they darted back and forth, from one unfamiliar face to another. Panic rose and he called out,

"Aasem? TAZY???"

He heard the one voice he knew answer, then saw the warm brown eyes come into view as the young man grabbed the shaking hands in his. Gan Chono whispered, "Make them leave. I do not want anyone seeing me like this."

"Your wish, Chieftain."

"Not Chieftain."

" My Chieftain."

" Brat."

"Bully. And it is good to hear you, back to yourself!"

 Gan Chono, asked, "Who are these people? Why do they know my name?" 

Aasem glanced at Physician Lan who shook his head slightly.

"They are the Lost Eagle Tribe. They heard two men, one injured needed help and came."

"I understand now. May I speak with their leader?"

"If you allow the physician to make certain you are safe to travel. That means take all medicines. Stay calm. Realize that you are not with enemies any longer."

He nodded his assent.,and the group pulled back and gave Physician Lan room to work, while Anshi looked on, out of Gan Chono's eyesight. Sya Mu was watching him closely, Han by her side.

"He is holding himself in tightly. He is doing it for Gan Chono's sake. This is a good step." They watched as Davaajav moved to be by Anshi's side. "He calms him quickly. Davaajav has been a god-send. Their bond is great, and I can only imagine what Anshi could have accomplished is he had not been taken as a child."

"He was practically feral by the time he arrived at the Palace. The one thing the Crown Prince did to slack his anger, was to insist he watch the man who brought him to the Prince, be put to death.  It worked, but revenge is something Anshi understands and seeks when it is warranted."

"He is simply more patient about it."

"He is uneasy with me."

"I knew he would be. He is awkward, unable to understand how his heart wants two people. I have reassured him that I feel no envy or jealousy. I am glad he had you and also happy that he has not tried to exorcise you from his heart.  I am proud that he holds you as dear as he holds me. I am equally proud that he wants me as wife and mother of his children."

" His heart is huge. To have chosen a eunuch as his first love took an audacity few would have willingly courted. I am equally as honored to have been his partner. I will remember what you have said when he and I speak together. "

Gan Chono drifted off and Anshi walked over and sat next to Aasem. "May I take over for a while? It....has ...has been a very long time. You have grown into a fine young man, Aasem."

Aasem gently transferred Gan Chono's hands into Anshi's. "He has been badly treated. He needs a long time to heal." 

"As we all do, my friend."

Anshi began to caress the hands that jerked and trembled with each new touch. As they settled into the Singer's hands, Anshi felt the gift begin to rise. So he listened then motioned Davaajav over to take on hand in his own. They sat in silence, contemplating the man on the ground between them and when the music came it was what was meant to and his song filled the sheltering cave

"As the strongest fought

 and shattered away

as the youngest huddled,

 and wept and prayed

In the black-red mire, 

in the thick of it all, 

The Loyal Wolf could hear

The lone, desperate call

He heard Father shout,

 as he lay injured and bleeding, 

He grabbed up his swords 

and ran blindly, unheeding

Seeking the sound of his sire

Followed the fatall death rattle

Sought the scent of his blood

 Into bleak, godless battle.

When all was thought lost, 

He gathered his pack

Melted into the darkness

Andhe  never looked back

But others bore grudges 

and took silver in pay

He was locked in the dark, 

Abused. tortured, betrayed

Yet his spirit withstood 

He slipped into the night.

To find freedom at last,

 In the next morning light.

Now three that remained.

 Have their third  brother  back . 

Our last missing piece

That will help mend our past.

We will heal and protect him 

Until he is ready to run

To breathe in his freedom

And bask in the sun."

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

When Gan Chono woke a few hours later, his fever was gone and he looked at his brothers as they held his hand.

"You two... Why did you call me back? I was almost free of this place."

"Please. Forgive us." Said Davaajav.

"We were selfish. " Said Anshi." However, we cannot do without our Loyal Wolf."