Anshi arched an eyebrow at his mothers. Yenay avoided the silent query and Qinyang gave a shrug that said, 'It's in your hands, Son!' He narrowed a side glance at her, which she ignored as she tended to dinner.

He turned his back to the devious twosome and introduced himself.

"I am Anshi Dilnur, Chieftain of the Lost Eagle Tribe, son of Daniyar, Chieftain of the Great Eagle Tribe, deceased, and his wife, Rakhat, also deceased."

"I am Dawa Tuya, daughter of Enkh-Bataar Chieftain of the Red Yak Tribe and his wife, Galmaar Hargal. I have heard of your father's Tribe; who has not? And of you, from way back in the past. Rumors of your demise have been exaggerated, I see. The emerald-eyed child with the heavenly voice; we were all saddened when we heard of the slaughter of your family. (We must take the time to go over tribal history together. Several people in my Tribe inter-married with the Great Eagle Tribe in the past).  I married soon after the news and relocated to Yunmeng with my husband. He was not a member of any tribe. He died of pox a few years ago, and I just stayed. Then I met Qinyang and heard my first recent tales of you.'

"Have you ever heard if any of my tribe survived?"

"No, I have not. My family disapproved of my marriage and I never went back. All messages from them were returned and so. after a while, I sent no more of my own. Tell me, why do you go under a new banner?"

"I felt, that if anyone survived, it would be disrespectful to show up under my father's name and banner. Disrupting what they may have salvaged and rebuilt is not something I will ever do, and as the youngest son, any of my brothers would have claimed before me. I will never bring disorder to something that I have not earned. I am a stranger to them now, and a former slave. Such a person may not be welcomed or accepted after living the lowest life and status there can be in our world."

"You seem to place a tribe's honor highly in your priorities. I like this about you, Anshi, Son of Daniyar. It takes a very special kind of courage to carve a fresh life out of despair and subjugation. Not many could resist the temptation to reach out to reclaim what was stolen from them."

"I have enough fortune and a new family that cares for me. I only seek any of my family who survived. To let them know I lived through that day. To live in harmony as I get to know them again. They appear in my memory with decreasing frequency and I fear I may lose even those with time. Even if they all perished, I hope just being there, crossing from Steppe to Steppe, will revive those memories, so I can pass them down if I choose a wife and have children of my own one day."

Dawa Tuya studied him closely. She was a good judge of character, and he met her gaze frankly, open to anything she sought from him. She liked what she saw. This young man had been gathered in by the most renowned cultivating clan in this world and had been the greatest weapon brought to bear on Meng Shi and her army, at enormous cost to himself. She had been seeking a new purpose of her own in life and this caravan, led by a man of caliber and strength seemed the answer to her prayers.

"I think Daniyar would have been very proud of you. And honored to be your father."

Anshi bowed his head for a moment and gathered control. Her words pierced him in a sharp and fundamental way. This was a nod of approval coming from someone of his lost culture. He was touched and a bit overwhelmed.

'Why do you wish to join me?'

She smiled. "A chance to work with a legend, recently found to be still alive? Irresistible. But I also feel, that a man with the yearning to seek his roots, no matter the outcome, no matter if he finds acceptance of rejection well, who would not also want to join in and help him attain it? Besides, I am a great field cook. Have your eagles...You DO have eagles, do you not? Good...Have your eagles fly. I can cook anything they bring me and make it fit for a king's table."

Anshi leaned back and gauged what he saw before him. She looked strong and able. Her cooking was delicious. She seemed fearless, and she had little to lose.

"Dawa Tuya, you have a job, at least you will if the meal measures up to the taste I just had. Please stay and eat."

She held out her hand and he shook it. Her handshake was firm and confident. And her food was hearty and filling. She had a lot to offer, and he was a sponge, ready to absorb it. A perfect fit.

I will arrive tomorrow, early. Can you have someone meet me at the mess tent? I would like to run a quick inventory, then prepare dinner. For?"

"40 men twenty of which are from the Steppes and who have wives, 18 children, belonging to these families, ranging from 3 to 16 years old. Even the youngest has been raised to help while traveling, The soldiers have been training alongside the tribal people, learning camp skills, herding, and hunting. Their diets are now used to meat and milk foods and drink. Nothing special for me or the soldiers We eat what we all eat. We have had a year to learn about one another, to begin to form a cohesive unit, and to respect each other's traditions and anyone who does not wish to continue at any point is welcome to leave. We are The Lost Eagle Tribe and will remain so."

Dawa Tuya laughed, a deep, rich sound that warmed the kitchen. "I like you already, young Leader."

After dinner, she sat a while and listened to the tale of a young boy who survived the impossible and the Guardian who saved him twice, once as a surrogate mother, and later as she found her child again. Yenay sat in the background, quiet as usual, her copper eyes melting with love and pride in her Emerald Boy who had completed her need for family.

This parting was breaking her heart. Her need to protect Anshi was a driving force yet she knew he required this break to grow and settle his mind. She was no longer going to be able to shelter him, and a part of her was terrified, as much for his safety as for how he would be received. Rejection might destroy him, and no mother could bear that thought, much less a Guardian like Yenay. At least, she felt better knowing this motherly presence would fill in some basic needs as a nurturer and advisor. Combined with the carefully picked Captains, Lan Ge Ban and Lan Sya Mu, young Doctor Lan Zhe Jin, and others, she was feeling confident he would be surrounded by those he could rely on. Besides, each Captain was fully aware that they would not be forgiven by her if they did not keep her updated weekly if all progressed normally. She had also promised to relieve them of their heads if an emergency occurred, and she was not called to his side. They hoped it was only the empty promise of a nervous mother, but neither Ge Ban nor Sya Mu wanted to cross any line laid down by the Iron Lady regarding her son. She made sure to express this to Dawa Tuya as well when she was first introduced to her.

Anshi knew enough of Yenays plans from the whispered conversation he had overheard. It warmed his heart because he knew the guilt she unfairly shouldered over his misfortunes. She had done all she could for him, and he expected the same this time, even suffering the agony of letting him fly away, unfettered and free when all she wanted to do was shelter him. If it made her feel better to have them report back to her, he was fine with that. He loved her too much to deny her that bit of comfort.

He turned his emerald gaze to his Yenay, the mother of his heart, and smiled reassuringly, and she smiled back, cloaking her fear and sadness. Anshi saw through it all, allowing her to keep the facade of bravery as her shield. She would need it, until the day of parting.