Muted tap, from Ilisidi's cane.

"We also support Lord Geigi's offer."

More comment in the room, people perhaps asking themselves the same question. And two more taps of the cane.

"Cenedi," Ilisidi said sharply, and Cenedi walked from behind her chair to the midst of the gathering.

"A word from the Guild that protects the aiji-dowager," Cenedi said, "and from others of the Assassins' Guild involved here at Najida, regarding our intent and purpose. We will bring armed force where necessary to protect the lords of the aishidi'tat. We will not not move against forces that may be defending Edi territories. We count such forces as allied to the lord of Kajiminda according to a treaty approved by the aishidi'tat. Our Guild supports Lord Geigi's decision to rely on local force, and will cooperate." move against forces that may be defending Edi territories. We count such forces as allied to the lord of Kajiminda according to a treaty approved by the aishidi'tat. Our Guild supports Lord Geigi's decision to rely on local force, and will cooperate."

Technical, but that was major, even speaking only for Guild presently in the area. The Assassins' Guild had historically taken a very dim view of militias and irregulars... and Ilsidi's chief of security promised cooperation with the Edi.

"Nadiin," Cenedi said then, and four more Guild walked to mid-room: Geigi's, from the station. "Nand' Geigi's bodyguard."

A little bow from Haiji, the senior of that association. "We are here with with our lord. We will work with Edi staff and with Guild here at Najida. Cooperation with the people of the region is our lord's standing order." our lord. We will work with Edi staff and with Guild here at Najida. Cooperation with the people of the region is our lord's standing order."

With which, with quiet precision, the five Guildsmen separated and went back to their places, leaving a little buzz of talk behind them.

"We invite the Edi to choose a building site," Geigi said. "Anything is negotiable. We are at a point of felicitous change. Baji-naji, there will be adjustments and perfection of our understandings, but let us establish that there will be an Edi seat in this district, whether or not the lordship is declared this year or the next. You will begin to make it inevitable, and having having a place to which communications may come and from which statements are understood to be official-the aishidi'tat understands such things as important. To what degree you use this place for your purposes, or in what way you use it, or how you sanctify it-that will be a place to which communications may come and from which statements are understood to be official-the aishidi'tat understands such things as important. To what degree you use this place for your purposes, or in what way you use it, or how you sanctify it-that will be Edi Edi business." business."

There had been a lukewarm response up to that last sentence. But Geigi, whose whole business on the station was maintaining a smooth interface between atevi and humans, and making things work, had just delivered something that did matter, deeply, with that last how you sanctify it how you sanctify it. Old Aeiso rocked to and fro and finally slapped her stout hands together, twice and a third time.

Feet stamped. Faces remained impassive, but the racket had to be heard throughout the house; and it went on until Aieso got up and wrapped her shawls about her.

"Will it be agreed?" she asked, and at a low mutter from her people, she nodded, folded her arms tightly and looked at Geigi and at Ilisidi, and straight at Bren. "Kajiminda will be under our protection, the same as Najida, and our hunters range as far as Separti Township and report to us. Guild are welcome under the direction of our allies Lord Geigi and Lord Bren and the Grandmother of the Ragi."

That was a damned major concession, and rated an inclination of lordly heads.

"Najida hopes to be a good neighbor, nandi," Bren said.

"So with Kajiminda," Geigi said.

"The Grandmother of Najida knows our disposition," Ilisidi said, and Aieso nodded, rocking her whole body.

"So. We will walk," Aieso said, "we shall go walking seaward of the brook on Kajiminda, Maschi lord, and see if there is a spot the foremothers favor."

"Indeed," Geigi said. Bren only remotely construed what Aieso intended, but one recalled the monuments of the Edi on the island of Mospheira, the monoliths incised with primitive, slit-eyed, slit-mouthed faces and the hint of folded arms: the Grandmother Stones, left behind-one could only imagine the trauma. Such stones stood on an isle to the north, in Gan territory. Ragi atevi, inveterate tourists, who would undergo amazing hardship to view something historic or scenic, were not welcome there, and, in turn, pretended no such stones existed. They were not not on the official maps. on the official maps.

One thought of those stones, in territory where no outsider was welcome.

One gathered the old woman would, indeed, go hiking about the peninsula, likely with a contingent of her people-testing Geigi, among other things. Maybe establishing lookouts and arrangements of their own, for future defense.

It would be a far walk for the old woman. And a hard one. By the placement of such statues, the Edi favored difficult places.

"Najida would lend the bus for transport," Bren said, "should you wish, nandi."

That won a soft chuckle from Aieso, who seemed in increasing good humor, even brimming delight. "The old truck will suffice us, Najida-lord. But mostly we shall walk." And to Ilisidi: "Grandmother of the Ragi, speak to your grandson and advise him what we have agreed. Advise him when we walk in Kajiminda, we will assure our own safety."

Ilisidi nodded. "We wish you well, Grandmother of the Edi."

Aieso gathered her shawl about her. Her company stood up, and Bren did, and so did Geigi and Cajeiri. There were bows on both sides, a second nod from Ilisidi, who accepted Cenedi's arm to rise, slowly, using her cane, and the visitors quietly followed Aieso out, leaving a room full of slightly disordered chairs and a portentous silence.

God, Bren thought, done was done. The Edi were going to pick out a building site on what amounted to their half of Kajiminda Peninsula, and one could figure, up on the north coast, their fellow exiles from Mospheira, the Gan, were going to start making their own demands on the aishidi'tat for full recognition and, one hoped, membership in the aishidi'tat-that point was one on which he intended to work hard. point was one on which he intended to work hard.

Well, well, the aishidi'tat was still suffering aftershocks from the earthquake of Tabini-aiji's fall and his triumphant, popularly driven return, and in some ways that popular mandate was still empowering the regime to fix things.

It was an old, old wound, the two exiled atevi peoples from Mospheira, essentially being the west coast of the aishidi'tat, yet being governed by other, continental, clans-while coming under perpetual assault from their old enemies in the Marid- Well, things were going to change, if change didn't kill them all.

Certain interests were going to have a howling fit.

"Well done, Geigi-ji," Ilisidi said. "Bravely done."

Geigi gave a small, dry laugh. "Now we have only to inform Maschi clan," he said, "that I have given away half the peninsula."

"Let Maschi Clan be very careful," Ilisidi muttered ominously. "We will speak to them, Geigi-ji, should the Guild of Maschi clan at Targai want more information."

"Aiji-ma," Geigi said quietly. Ilisidi was taking actions in which her grandson had not been consulted... actions that could shake a quarter of the continent.

But then, her grandson had left her here. With With his heir. Tabini was just about on Ilisidi's scale when it came to forcing his way on the world. his heir. Tabini was just about on Ilisidi's scale when it came to forcing his way on the world.

Bren had personally dreaded the upcoming legislative session, and his own part in it-which involved the proliferation of cell phones. Now he was less sure they were even going to get around to debating cell phones, once the matter on the west coast hit the floor.

And Lord Geigi said: '"Sidi-ji, I must deal with Maschi clan, and and the Guild that serve there. One owes one's clan that, at least, amid the honors Ragi clan has given. I must be the one to deliver this news." the Guild that serve there. One owes one's clan that, at least, amid the honors Ragi clan has given. I must be the one to deliver this news."

"Then do it by phone!" Ilisidi snapped-an earthquake of a statement from one of the most conservative, traditional forces in the aishidi'tat.

Geigi shook his head. "'Sidi-ji, you know I cannot. I must tell him. I must tell him soon. That was the price of so advising the Grandmother-and one knows Pairuti will not be pleased with me."

"If he is wise, he will be pleased!" Ilisidi said. "Or you will take take the clan, Geigi-ji. We the clan, Geigi-ji. We need need the vote!" the vote!"

"Aiji-ma," Geigi began to protest.

"The Marid will take him," Ilisidi said, "or we do. Pairuti is a weak stick. This arrangement cannot lean on his good behavior."

"Aiji-ma," Geigi said in despair.

"And you may advise him of that that by phone, if you take our advice! And summon him to Kajiminda!" by phone, if you take our advice! And summon him to Kajiminda!"

"One cannot, one cannot, aiji-ma, for my own honor, and Maschi honor, most of all, one cannot. I must give him a chance, with his dignity, for his honor, and mine."

"His honor!" Ilisidi said darkly, and leaned on her cane and frowned at him, and frowned at Bren, and then at nothing in particular. She drew herself up then, and the cane tapped softly, once, twice, three times, and her jaw set. "He surely knows that you are back on the earth, he surely knows that Kajiminda is in distress-oh, we cannot believe that he is under-informed, and where is any message from him? We see none." honor!" Ilisidi said darkly, and leaned on her cane and frowned at him, and frowned at Bren, and then at nothing in particular. She drew herself up then, and the cane tapped softly, once, twice, three times, and her jaw set. "He surely knows that you are back on the earth, he surely knows that Kajiminda is in distress-oh, we cannot believe that he is under-informed, and where is any message from him? We see none."

"There has been none, aiji-ma," Bren said.

"Well, if you must do it, Geigi-ji, prepare to do it in style. And nand' Bren will assist. He is a persuasive sort. Will you not assist, nand' paidhi?"

Bren bowed his head, said, "Aiji-ma," and thought to himself-Ilisidi had just gone secretive on them.

"The lord of Kajiminda must sit sit in Kajiminda again, nandiin-ji," Ilisidi said. "From in Kajiminda again, nandiin-ji," Ilisidi said. "From there there he most reasonably would depart to visit Maschi clan. Nand' paidhi, you have a bus." he most reasonably would depart to visit Maschi clan. Nand' paidhi, you have a bus."

"At nand' Geigi's service, and the aiji-dowager's, of course."

"We have some few things to arrange," Ilisidi said, flexing her fingers on the knob of her cane. "We have some calls to make, but, Geigi-ji, you you must simply rest and let us arrange them." must simply rest and let us arrange them."

"Aiji-ma," Geigi said with a little bow. "But I must send messages."

"One is certain they will be discreet, and wise. Nand' Bren will assist you, making any contacts you need."

"Without doubt, aiji-ma," Bren said, but was not certain she even heard him.

Ilisidi was already, in her mind, setting something in motion, and it was a fair guess that Geigi's honor would not like to know too much right now.

That, or Geigi had just made the requisite formal protest- for his honor's sake-before undertaking something his honor found difficult. He was was a Rational Determinist, a philosophy which relied less on Fortune and Chance, that baji-naji attitude of the traditionalists. In his beliefs, he could shove Fortune into motion; and he had just made his own proposal to the Grandmother of Najida, generous beyond anything reasonable. a Rational Determinist, a philosophy which relied less on Fortune and Chance, that baji-naji attitude of the traditionalists. In his beliefs, he could shove Fortune into motion; and he had just made his own proposal to the Grandmother of Najida, generous beyond anything reasonable.

And, what was more, one suffered more than a slight suspicion that Geigi had not at all surprised Ilisidi when he had done it.

9.

Lucasi and Veijico were not entirely happy. They had, of course, been listening at the door during mani's session with the Grandmother and Lord Geigi, but they had not been pleased with being relegated to the hall.

And they had had their heads together at least twice since they had gotten back to the suite. Cajeiri noted that fact. He had very good ears-too good, Great-grandmother often said- and he knew a good many of the Guild hand-signs he was not supposed to know, because Banichi and Jago had taught him, and so had Antaro and Jegari, whenever they learned them.

There was no sign for our seniors are out of their minds our seniors are out of their minds and there was none for and there was none for we are superior to all these people we are superior to all these people. But that was rather well communicated without their saying a thing.

"Luca-ji. Jico-ji," he said, in the process of shrugging on a light daycoat Jegari held for him. "Are we possibly discussing my great-grandmother's business?"

That got their attention. Instantly. And he thought, If they lie to me, they will be in trouble If they lie to me, they will be in trouble.

Lucasi bowed slightly, a little more than a nod. "We were discussing the events in the house, yes, nandi."

"Do we form policy, nadiin-ji?"

A small silence. A slightly seditious silence. Seditious Seditious was one of Great-uncle's words. was one of Great-uncle's words. Conspiratorial Conspiratorial was another. was another.

"We do not," Lucasi said with a second bow.

Cajeiri wished he had a cane like Great-grandmother's. It would be very useful with manners like that.

"You are much too smooth," Cajeiri said. "Smoothness is just a little step from lying."

"We do not lie, nandi!"

"What is a lie?" he asked back-seguing right to one of Great-grandmother's little lectures.

"We do not lie."

"Answer me! What is a lie?"

A deep, annoyed breath. "A falsehood, nandi. And where have we uttered a falsehood?"

"You try to give me a false impression. That That is a lie. You talk in signs and you discuss my great-grandmother. That is is a lie. You talk in signs and you discuss my great-grandmother. That is stupid stupid, by itself! And lying to me does not improve it!"

A sullen bow in reply. "If you choose to regard it that way, nandi."

"Do you see a difference in it, nadiin? I I do not. You may be called upon to lie in my service. But never lie to me. Never lie to Antaro and Jegari. And never conceal your opinions from me! But be do not. You may be called upon to lie in my service. But never lie to me. Never lie to Antaro and Jegari. And never conceal your opinions from me! But be very very careful of my great-grandmother!" careful of my great-grandmother!"

They both looked as if they had a mouthful of something very unpleasant.

"Well?" he said. "Say it."

"We are concerned," Veijico said. "We are greatly concerned that your elders are making dangerous decisions. Your great-grandmother is aiji-dowager, but she is not not the aiji. We are bound to report to him." the aiji. We are bound to report to him."

"And I say you do not! Who do you think you are, nadiin? Higher than Cenedi? Higher than Banichi?"

"We report to the aiji, your father!"

"Regarding me! Regarding when I break one of nand' Bren's rules or get lost on the boat! But you do not make calls to my father about my great-grandmother, or you will be very sorry for it. You do not meddle! Do you hear me?"

"We hear," Lucasi said in a low voice, and not a shred of remorse was in evidence. "But we have an opinion, nandi."

"State it."

"These are foreigners," Veijico said after a moment of silence, "with their own man'chi."

"Who is a foreigner?" he asked. "Do we mean the Edi?" Deeper breath. "Or do we mean nand' Bren? Or do we mean nand' Geigi, who comes from the space station?" is a foreigner?" he asked. "Do we mean the Edi?" Deeper breath. "Or do we mean nand' Bren? Or do we mean nand' Geigi, who comes from the space station?"

Another silence. Then, from Lucasi: "We are concerned about the welfare of this house, nandi. Your great-grandmother is attempting to replace the lord of Maschi clan. This will upset the whole aishidi'tat. It affects every lord. It will not be popular."

"Maybe," he said. "But it may be smart, if Pairuti is a fool like Baiji, or if he has made bad bargains with the wrong people."

"And Lord Geigi and Lord Bren are considering going to the Maschi house! That is stupid, nandi!"

"We doubt it is."

"You are eight years old." are eight years old."

Oh, there there it was. Antaro and Jegari took in their breath. He saw their heads lift, and saw them both like wound springs, ready to say something. He signed no. it was. Antaro and Jegari took in their breath. He saw their heads lift, and saw them both like wound springs, ready to say something. He signed no.

And smiled, just like Great-grandmother. "Yes, I am at an infelicitous age," he said, not personally using the insulting and unlucky eight eight. "But I understand when not to touch things. You should learn it."

Two very rigid faces. "We were put here," Veijico said, "because we have a mature understanding, which you, young lord, do not yet-"

"You were put here," Cajeiri said, "because I make guards look bad and tutors quit. The only ones who can keep up with me are Antaro and Jegari. See if you can, if I get mad at you."