Every time Anshi approached Han and offered to help with preparations, he was turned away. It was done sweetly yet firmly and with kisses that promised things later in the soaking tub.

"My sweet, the answer is still no. I have done a hundred of these tedious ceremonies and I am an expert. But honestly, you are too much of a distraction. You make me want other things!"

He laid down the linens he was draping a table with and came to him with a cajoling smile on his beautiful face. "Kiss me and mean it, then go away and find something to do. Go to your camp and check on things there. "

Anshi bent down to claim his bribe, and he poured everything into it. Han had to fight to keep his knees from buckling and he gasped for breath.

"See...what I...mean. Shameless seducer! I cannot even think, with such temptation in the room with me. GO!"

Anshi grinned and strode over to check on the Caravan. He walked into the kitchen where Dawa Tuya and Maral were huddled in a corner whispering. Startled, they put distance between themselves as soon as he entered and both avoided eye contact.

"Is anything wrong?" He asked. Dawa Tuya shrugged and gave him an odd side glance. She replied in a rough voice.

"No Anshi, there isn't. Why do you ask?"

He was a bit shocked. She had never sounded so gruff with him before. Maral interrupted. "I will leave now. I have business to attend to."

"Uncle, has more been found out from the spies pigeons lately?"

"No. Nothing at all."

"Odd. A huge flurry for such a long time, then nothing."

"Anshi, you may check with Ge Ban if you have any doubts. Now if you will please allow me to go, I do have things to do regarding the Red Dear Leaping Tribe" He scowled and rushed away.

"Uncle?" He called after him. " Is he upset with me? I meant no offense."

"Anshi, isn't there enough to do over at the palace? The camp is running smoothly. "She turned her back to him abruptly.

He wandered to his yurt, very disturbed. Han he understood, his kisses were lovely and cute, but the almost rude and dismissive attitudes from his Aunt and Uncle were bothersome. They stung and made him nervous. He gathered his hunting gear and ordered his horse to be saddled, then requested that Ge Ban come to the tent.

"Good Morning, Chieftain Anshi! What brings you here?"

He felt relief wash over him. At least Ge Ban seemed normal and he exhaled; he had not realized how tense he had gotten this morning.

"Good Morning. Why is everyone so tense this morning?"

Ge Ban looked puzzled. "I hadn't noticed."

" Well, Uncle and Aunt are very edgy. Nearly bit my head off."

"Perhaps they fought? Siblings get contentious at times. It will blow over."

"Alright. Makes sense but let me know if it keeps up and I will speak with them."

"Gather Qiang, Sya Mu, and the usual. I want to hunt the day away. Seems like I am a useless appendage right now, where everyone is concerned. I will visit the Princess and get her outfitted. Have the others prepare their eagles as well. Also, provide horses for my palace bodyguards. They must accompany me everywhere now. Add them to the usual security team."

The Princess was angry. Ignored for a few days and not exercising, she turned her back and acted like he had not arrived. He had to whistle twice before she deigned to fly over and settle on his arm. He stroked her feathers and fed her a bit of sweetmeat before she finally relaxed and stopped glaring furiously at him.

Ge Ban returned and watched this display in amusement. "Kissing ass, I see!"

"Oh yes. She'll be better when she has a little exercise."

"So will you!"

"You are right. Palace life at best is so tedious and at worst, a dangerous place to live. One is lulled into complacence when all is well. You begin to lose your edge."

"Having love enter your life can do the same."

Anshi felt himself blush. "So true. But," he turned around to face his friend "Ge Ban, I have never felt this way about anyone in my life. It is so exhilarating yet terrifying. And then there is the knowledge that we will part soon. Spring is my favorite season and I am already loathing its approach.'

"My Chieftain. Take each day as it comes. It is a precious gift and I saw your faces when you arrived. You, so dazzled and proud. Minister Han looking as if he had found the world's greatest treasure. It warmed my heart."

"Is Lan Sy Mu alright? She seemed distracted yesterday."

Ge ban busied himself with his own bird. "Perhaps the sudden arrival threw her off. And playing the seduction game with a spy is not easy when your heart..."

He cut his words off and bit his tongue.

"Her heart? Is Sya Mu in love, involved with someone?"

"NO! No. it is unrequited. She is working through it. Sir, do not mention it. You know how private she is. She would be devastated if she thought anyone knew. She has such pride and I only guessed at it recently. She would resign if you even approached the subject."

" Of course, I won't. Sya Mu is as vital to me as you are. I would never want to hurt her. Now that I am aware, I will control my own displays a little more. Save it for the palace and private times. If the fool who can't see her value hurts her in any way, send him to me. I will deal with him immediately. I will not allow her to be hurt."

Ge Ban cringed inwardly at the inadvertent irony but mentally wiped his brow. Incident averted.

As they began to arrive at the aviary, he saw Anshi appraise the unwitting Sya Mu. He saw a slight bit of added kindness but nothing overly effusive or noticeable towards her and she, as always, mastered her own emotions with absolute control

He followed his chieftain out. If truth be told, he would rather be still on the road. This side trip was disconcerting for the older soldier. Too many changes, too quickly. Even Dawa Tuya had become somewhat secretive and elusive. Too many odd tensions arising. Frankly, spring could not come quickly enough for him.