Deceiver: Foreigner #11 (4 page)
Read Deceiver: Foreigner #11 Online
Authors: C. J. Cherryh
He stopped. “Aiji-ma,” he murmured and, beside Banichi, Jago, the aiji’s guard, and Cenedi, the chief of Ilisidi’s guard, he took a place along the wall, beside a tall porcelain figurine of the recent century.
Tabini-aiji, meanwhile, settled for a casual stance by the fireplace, in which only a trace of fire burned above the embers. “Well,” he said, elbow on the mantel, “honored grandmother. A new province? Or is it two? War with the Marid? When shall we declare it? Do tell me.”
“We have no need to declare it,” Ilisidi snapped.
“They
did. Sit down, grandson! We have a stiff neck this morning.”
“They
did. Sit down, grandson! We have a stiff neck this morning.”
“We shall be reasonably brief,” Tabini said, not sitting down, “since we are assured rumors of your ill health are exaggerated . . .”
“Entirely.”
“So—having set in motion this interesting chain of events on the coast, will you now fly off and resume your affairs in the East? Or have you quite done with matters in this province?”
“Oh, we are not yet satisfied, grandson.
We
do not
leave
a situation to ferment for five decades!”
We
do not
leave
a situation to ferment for five decades!”
“You tried to push this establishment of the Edi lordship on my grandfather!
And
my father!”
And
my father!”
“Their half-measures produced this situation!” Ilisidi snapped. “If they had listened to us in the first place, we would not
have
the difficulties that now present themselves!”
have
the difficulties that now present themselves!”
“Ah, so you
have
taken account of the difficulties . . . which are, of course, the same local difficulties that presented themselves in my grandfather’s lifetime: a little smuggling, occasional piracy, and a thorough desire to see the aishidi’tat broken apart! The Edi program is not that different from the aims of the Marid!”
have
taken account of the difficulties . . . which are, of course, the same local difficulties that presented themselves in my grandfather’s lifetime: a little smuggling, occasional piracy, and a thorough desire to see the aishidi’tat broken apart! The Edi program is not that different from the aims of the Marid!”
“Your grandfather was wrong then, he is
still
wrong, and I am right about the Edi, grandson! And if you will use good sense we shall come out of this with the arrangement we should have had fifty-three years ago.”
still
wrong, and I am right about the Edi, grandson! And if you will use good sense we shall come out of this with the arrangement we should have had fifty-three years ago.”
“Ha!” Tabini gave a shove at the mantel. “This is no venue in which to debate the matter, honored grandmother. Say that
our
regime owes responsibility to
all
districts of the aishidi’tat. Say that we are determined to maintain the balance of powers within the aishidi’tat, and as usual,
you
have set a finger on the scales. You came here to see to my son, who has been reckless. But do you restrain his career? No! First you send him and the paidhi off to a meeting with Southern agents and a fool! Did you intend that? I think not! So do not pretend you are infallible!”
our
regime owes responsibility to
all
districts of the aishidi’tat. Say that we are determined to maintain the balance of powers within the aishidi’tat, and as usual,
you
have set a finger on the scales. You came here to see to my son, who has been reckless. But do you restrain his career? No! First you send him and the paidhi off to a meeting with Southern agents and a fool! Did you intend that? I think not! So do not pretend you are infallible!”
Ilisidi’s jaw set.
“Whose
advisors made excuses for Baiji the fool when he failed to come to court this last session?
Whose
advisors, when we contacted your office regarding him
before
we thus dispatched the paidhi-aiji and my great-grandson, assured us there was
no
security problem in Kajiminda?”
“Whose
advisors made excuses for Baiji the fool when he failed to come to court this last session?
Whose
advisors, when we contacted your office regarding him
before
we thus dispatched the paidhi-aiji and my great-grandson, assured us there was
no
security problem in Kajiminda?”
It was the first Bren had known that Ilisidi had phoned the capital before sending her great-grandson on that ill-starred visit. It made him feel not quite so bad about walking into the trap himself . . . since the dowager’s accesses were highest level, and outside the capital, and his were not.
Tabini retorted: “Things on this coast were under surveillance!”
“Ha!”
“And quiet, until you came here! We cannot solve every problem in the aishidi’tat in one legislative session. We have important measures coming before the hasdrawad and the tashrid!”
“While the Farai camp in a sensitive area of the Bujavid and attempt to take the whole west coast! How would the paidhi’s
assassination
affect your session? One would consider that a certain embarrassment!”
assassination
affect your session? One would consider that a certain embarrassment!”
“So now,” Tabini retorted, “after meeting with a hostile clan on your own, you present me a new province and an unsettled condition, not just in two estates, but on the entire coast! Gods less fortunate, woman! We do not want a war with the Marid at this juncture!”
“When better? What will provoke you, if not this situation? When are your enemies to judge the aiji
will
act?”
will
act?”
“When he pleases.
Whenever
he pleases, woman, and do not push me.” A small silence descended. One could not be sure of Ilisidi’s expression, but it was probably smug. Tabini’s was a scowl.
Whenever
he pleases, woman, and do not push me.” A small silence descended. One could not be sure of Ilisidi’s expression, but it was probably smug. Tabini’s was a scowl.
“So you singlehandedly removed Baiji’s titles,” Tabini said quietly.
“Do you wish to restore them?” Ilisidi asked sweetly. “You can, of course. He would not be the only fool in the legislature. He might even show up for court this year. In gratitude to you, of course.”
Tabini scowled back. “The fool’s distinguished uncle is on his way back from the space station.” A glance toward Bren. “Lord Geigi will land in Shejidan on the fourteenth and fly directly here.”
That was tomorrow. Bren had not heard. And where in hell were they going to put Geigi, with Geigi’s estate swarming with Tabini’s agents?
“Well,” Ilisidi said.
“That
will be a pleasant visit. Another reason for us to remain. We long to see Geigi.”
“That
will be a pleasant visit. Another reason for us to remain. We long to see Geigi.”
“Have you other adventures in mind for my son?” Tabini asked, sharp turn of subject; and not. “Or shall I take him back to his mother? His great-uncle has arrived, and is highly agitated. He is threatening to come here.”
God, Bren thought.
Tatiseigi.
The old man, central clan lord of the prickliest sort and by no means an asset in negotiating with the west coast Edi, had arrived in the capital. Lord Tatiseigi, who would have been beyond upset to discover his great-nephew was not in the capital to meet him, now had to be told his great-nephew had nearly been killed while in the paidhi’s care.
Tatiseigi.
The old man, central clan lord of the prickliest sort and by no means an asset in negotiating with the west coast Edi, had arrived in the capital. Lord Tatiseigi, who would have been beyond upset to discover his great-nephew was not in the capital to meet him, now had to be told his great-nephew had nearly been killed while in the paidhi’s care.
Upset? Oh, yes, Tatiseigi would be somewhat upset.
“You will simply have to keep Tatiseigi in the capital with you,” Ilisidi said to Tabini with a casually dismissive wave. “As for the boy, we have need of him.”
“Need of him!”
“It is useful,” Ilisidi said, “for him to attend these events.”
“It is
useful
for him to stay alive!” Tabini retorted.
useful
for him to stay alive!” Tabini retorted.
“You have sent your two guards to watch over him,” Ilisidi retorted. “These two
children!”
children!”
Everybody under thirty was a child in Ilisidi’s reckoning. The two children in question were twentyish and reputed, Bren’s own bodyguard informed him, to be quite good in the Guild, if notoriously arrogant.
“They may at least keep up with him.” Tabini struck his fist against the stonework. “If you take responsibility for my son, honored grandmother, you know what you are taking on.”
“None better,” Ilisidi said, and added: “At least
we
know where he is.”
we
know where he is.”
The aiji’s own guard had lost the boy. Repeatedly. It was a remark calculated to draw fire.
It drew, at least, a furious scowl from Tabini. And Tabini’s guard had to be wincing inside.
“Do not be overconfident, woman,” Tabini muttered ominously. “Nobody has been faultless in overseeing this inventive child.”
“The boy is remarkably prudent,” Ilisidi said, “where the danger is clear to him.”
“He is a year short of felicitous nine, and mostly at home in the corridors of a spaceship! A number of dangers in the world do not seem clear to him!”
“He has comprehended the ones in this locality,” Ilisidi said smoothly, “even the ones emanating from the Marid, and he will now employ his cleverness in good directions. It is
useful
for the heir to form associations in this uneasy district.”
useful
for the heir to form associations in this uneasy district.”
“And to observe his great-grandmother meddling in affairs that do not remotely concern the East?”
“Affairs that
do
concern the East,” Ilisidi shot back, “since we have in mind an excellent solution for Baiji the fool: a marriage, heirs for the Maschi that Baiji will
not
have a hand in rearing!”
do
concern the East,” Ilisidi shot back, “since we have in mind an excellent solution for Baiji the fool: a marriage, heirs for the Maschi that Baiji will
not
have a hand in rearing!”
“Oh, do you?”
“We do, and we shelter a hope that the intelligence and industry of his uncle’s line reside somewhere in his heredity, though neither has manifested in Baiji himself. We are busy mopping up the untidiness in this province for you, grandson of mine, we are dealing with matters we shall
never
remind you are precisely those matters we argued should have been settled in your grandfather’s time! And we have found excellent prospects for a settled peace in this district
while
discomfiting the highly inconvenient Marid! So we shall oh, so gladly hear your expressions of filial
gratitude
for our good offices!”
never
remind you are precisely those matters we argued should have been settled in your grandfather’s time! And we have found excellent prospects for a settled peace in this district
while
discomfiting the highly inconvenient Marid! So we shall oh, so gladly hear your expressions of filial
gratitude
for our good offices!”
“Gods less fortunate!
Your interference goes too far, and you have recklessly involved my son in all of it!”
Your interference goes too far, and you have recklessly involved my son in all of it!”
“Interference, dare you say? Involved your son?
Who
lost track of my great-grandson in the halls of the Bujavid?”
Who
lost track of my great-grandson in the halls of the Bujavid?”
“While
you
distracted the staff!”
you
distracted the staff!”
“Oh, a far reach, that! Who allowed my great-grandson
and the paidhi-aiji
to enter a district rife with Marid plots, without advising them or apprehending the danger?”
and the paidhi-aiji
to enter a district rife with Marid plots, without advising them or apprehending the danger?”
“Yours was not doing so well in that, woman!”
“Your staff,” Ilisidi said, “has been remiss!”
“So why did
you
not dissuade the paidhi-aiji from his venture to this coast, your own intelligence of course being faultless?”
you
not dissuade the paidhi-aiji from his venture to this coast, your own intelligence of course being faultless?”
“No one informed
me
of the paidhi’s intentions to visit this peninsula in the first place!”
me
of the paidhi’s intentions to visit this peninsula in the first place!”
“Then where, honored grandmother,
was
the attention of your staff, since you knew full well Tatiseigi would request the paidhi-aiji to vacate
his
premises on his return to the capital? Where
else
would the paidhi go but his residence on the coast? And if you were in receipt of such remarkable intelligence regarding instability on this coast, why did you not inform
my
staff, who might have informed the paidhi’s bodyguard in some timely fashion so he would not be here? Why did you not say to him, ‘Nand’ paidhi, do not call on the young fool next door. He is overrun with Marid agents.’ No, you did not know. You had no idea, no more than we did!”
was
the attention of your staff, since you knew full well Tatiseigi would request the paidhi-aiji to vacate
his
premises on his return to the capital? Where
else
would the paidhi go but his residence on the coast? And if you were in receipt of such remarkable intelligence regarding instability on this coast, why did you not inform
my
staff, who might have informed the paidhi’s bodyguard in some timely fashion so he would not be here? Why did you not say to him, ‘Nand’ paidhi, do not call on the young fool next door. He is overrun with Marid agents.’ No, you did not know. You had no idea, no more than we did!”
That
brought a small instant of quiet.
brought a small instant of quiet.
A standstill. Bren drew very small breaths, wanting not to become involved, far less to become the centerpiece of that debate.
In point of fact, one had in the past been able to rely on the aiji’s being well-informed on every district, and one would have expected his proposal to go to the coast to have met an immediate advisory of local problems. But information since Tabini’s return to power was
not
wholly reliable, and there were small pockets of resentment in the aishidi’tat, where the brief accession of a Padi Valley Kadigidi to the aijinate had unsettled certain issues long dormant.
not
wholly reliable, and there were small pockets of resentment in the aishidi’tat, where the brief accession of a Padi Valley Kadigidi to the aijinate had unsettled certain issues long dormant.
In point of fact, second, it was incumbent on
anybody
apt to be a target of assassination not to make assumptions and not to rely blindly on old associations. He had certainly assumed he was safe, when he had divided his bodyguard—Algini had been nursing a sprained left hand that day; but now Jago had stitches and Banichi had scrapes and bruises to match, thanks to his judgment. His domestic staff had hinted of difficulty, but not been forward enough and had not managed to mention that the neighboring staff had left the premises months ago. That had been the epitaph of more than one lord of the aishidi’tat: domestic staff refusing to meddle in what they considered the Guild would know; and worse, with the Edi disinclination to discuss Edi matters with outsiders.
anybody
apt to be a target of assassination not to make assumptions and not to rely blindly on old associations. He had certainly assumed he was safe, when he had divided his bodyguard—Algini had been nursing a sprained left hand that day; but now Jago had stitches and Banichi had scrapes and bruises to match, thanks to his judgment. His domestic staff had hinted of difficulty, but not been forward enough and had not managed to mention that the neighboring staff had left the premises months ago. That had been the epitaph of more than one lord of the aishidi’tat: domestic staff refusing to meddle in what they considered the Guild would know; and worse, with the Edi disinclination to discuss Edi matters with outsiders.
But the ones who would take this fingerpointing most to heart were precisely their respective bodyguards, his and Tabini’s, and the dowager’s, who no longer had ready recourse to what had been an excellent and constant fact-gathering organization, before the coup had totally fractured the network, and that lay at the heart of the problem. They were reconstituting it as fast as they could, but speed was no asset in establishing trusted sources.
So in
two
destructions of records, one when Tabini’s staff had fled the Bujavid in the face of the coup, and one when the usurper Murini’s allies had attempted to cover their tracks when Tabini retook the capital, there were now distressing gaps of knowledge in some hitherto reliable places: Baiji’s flirtation with the Marid was a case in point. No one would ever have expected treason in staunch Geigi’s house—he certainly hadn’t—but there it was. The aiji’s forces had now taken possession of that estate and turned up new problems clear down in Separti Township.
two
destructions of records, one when Tabini’s staff had fled the Bujavid in the face of the coup, and one when the usurper Murini’s allies had attempted to cover their tracks when Tabini retook the capital, there were now distressing gaps of knowledge in some hitherto reliable places: Baiji’s flirtation with the Marid was a case in point. No one would ever have expected treason in staunch Geigi’s house—he certainly hadn’t—but there it was. The aiji’s forces had now taken possession of that estate and turned up new problems clear down in Separti Township.
The aiji-dowager, meanwhile, had not accepted the assignment of blame for bad intelligence. The cane thumped against the unoffending carpet and she levered herself to her feet, standing chest-high to her formidable grandson and scowling.
“We are perfectly settled here,” Ilisidi said, “in possession now of the intelligence we need. So you may go your way and let us manage matters.”
“Impossible woman!” Tabini flung up his hands and turned to leave. “I shall go reason with my son.”
“You will not take him! His presence here is to his benefit—and yours!”
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