He said, quietly, thinking— stall. Consult with Algini. And: Damn it, his bodyguard has told him what Algini is. Possibly more than I know on that issue. “One will do one’s best, and no, aiji-ma, one does not set out to fail—but let me think on this. Grant me half an hour to arrange my information.”

A hesitation. Then, to his vast relief: “Granted.” And not to his relief: “But I shall stay here.”

11

« ^ »

It was hard to get up and be bright in the morning, but when one had just scored a number of good marks with mani, one had to keep performing for a while or see the score dive below previous low levels. Cajeiri had learned that fact aboard the ship. Mani was suspicious of sudden changes.

And after doing an adult’s job and getting Barb-daja back— well, he had not personally gotten Barb-daja back, but at least things had turned out well, involving being able to talk to her and translate for nand’ Toby, so at least the glow of success settled on him—he figured he had to continue on good behavior.

For a start, he had to put on his better clothes for breakfast with mani. It was the first such breakfast he had attended in days, but he figured to invite himself, knowing the hour mani would be up.

So he dressed, with Jegari’s help, and heard from Jegari that Veijico had been very polite to both him and his sister. She had expressed her hopes to fit in and just gone straight to bed last night, which was good, too.

If he could just stay awake this morning, and bring mani into a good moodc

But then came a knock at the bedroom door, which was a warning, and a moment later Antaro put her head in. “Nandi! The bus is coming back. They say Lord Geigi is aboard, but nand’ Bren is still not! Veijico-nadi has gone out into the hall trying to find out.”

Right at breakfast. And from Targai, over in Maschi territory and near the Marid. Cenedi had immediately sent the bus back to be near Tanaja, ready there if nand’ Bren needed it in a hurry. But apparently it had turned right around again and brought back Lord Geigi instead.

So something this morning was not going well.

“We shall be at the door,” Cajeiri said. That was where the news would be, that was certain, news about the situation that was surrounding Najida and threatening all of them; and Cajeiri did not intend to be left ignorant again.

***

It was not a simple matter, to call Tabini-aiji, personally, in the first place. From a phone in the heart of Tanaja, it took the local operator talking to security and then to the Bujavid operators in Shejidan, then operators talking to Tabini-aiji’s majordomo and his bodyguards.

It involved also Tano and Jago coming out from the rear of the suite and taking station with Banichi and Algini, all of his guard now visible and engaged, and doing their part to verify for this and that person, yes, it was the paidhi-aiji himself, yes, he was calling from Tanaja, under Lord Machigi’s auspices, and he wished to speak to the aiji personally.

And doubtless the delay in getting to Tabini both let Tabini have a cup of tea or two and let Tabini’s office set up and trace the call to be sure it was coming from where it said it wasc

from all the persons apt to be listening in, it was a wonder if one side could hear the other.

Bet that Tabini’s bodyguards would get every bit of information they could at the other end.

They would also note every tap along the way, from here to Senji and God knew where—

that went without saying.

But once they had Tabini’s senior bodyguard on the line, Banichi talked to him personally, said several words of no sense whatsoever, and then handed the phone on to Bren.

During all of this Machigi sat and had tea—Tano’s management—by the fireside.

Machigi had run out of tea by the time they got through to Tabini.

And Machigi sat listening while Bren took the phone, standing right next to him.

“Aiji-ma?”

“ Paidhi-aiji. One finds you, we hear, in uncommon circumstances.”

“Aiji-ma, Lord Machigi has invoked the ancient rule of negotiation. At this moment one must inform you I represent him.”

“ Has he, now?” Tabini asked, and there was absolutely no need to warn Tabini every word was going to Machigi, in one way or another. “ Advise him we expect your return in due course, in good health.”

“One is honored by your expression, aiji-ma. Lord Machigi has expressed interest in the gesture the aiji-dowager has made in sending me here.”

“ We are aware of these gestures and her opinion.”

Thatshortened the list of items he had to cover.

“Aiji-ma, there is a complication. May one explain further?”

“ Explain.” Cold. Quite disturbingly cold. Tabini wanted information, but there was no ready belief on the other side. And conveying the situation—

“Understand that I have dismissed your force, which I brought here from Targai—”

“ We have had the report.”

Probably an expert and detailed report—including one from Cenedi.

“There has developed, suddenly, a strong threat to Lord Machigi from within the Marid. You will surely know.”

“ We would have an idea, indeed, nand’ paidhi.”

“Lord Machigi would be gratified by your recognition of negotiations now in progress, aiji-ma.” A breath. “He is beside me as I speak. If you have any message for him, I will deliver it.”

“ Are you under duress, paidhi?”

“No. I am not, aiji-ma. I say again, I am willingly representing Lord Machigi.”

A pause. “ Your safe return is a condition of the negotiations proceeding. You may tell him that.”

“Tabini-aiji says—”

“One has heard,” Machigi said, frowning. The phone, though quiet, was amply loud enough, one guessed, for Machigi’s hearing. Machigi snapped his fingers. “The problem.”

“Lord Machigi says—”

“ Let Guild talk to Guild.”

Thatwas an actual offer—that his bodyguard could talk to Tabini’s. That was major. Bren looked at Machigi. And Machigi nodded, scarcely perceptibly.

“Lord Machigi agrees to that, aiji-ma.”

“ Good,” Tabini said, and abruptly hung up.

Click.

“He has—”

“We are aware,” Machigi said, grim-faced. A moment later he said, “Let Guild pursue it.”

“Aiji-ma.” With respect. Machigi had agreed to Tabini’s proposition. Guild channels would exchange information, with coded assurances, and inform the lords on either side. “And you may be sure my bodyguard will talk to yours.”

Machigi got up, headed for the door.

And stopped.

“I am posting a guard on this door,” Machigi said. “They will be myservants, myguards closest to you.”

Increased security-—considering the situation? Or was it diminished trust?

“Aiji-ma.” Bren gave a slight bow of appreciation. Machigi nodded shortly, gathered his guard, and left.

Bren gave a long, slow exhalation, then, as the door shut.

He hadn’t had tea. He hadn’t had breakfast. His stomach was upset—matching Machigi’s, he was quite sure.

He glanced at his bodyguard. Their expressions—impassive until that door shut, he was sure—had relaxed into grim concern.

Algini threw a look at Banichi, Banichi looked at Algini and nodded.

Algini immediately went over to the table and got a pad of paper and a pen from among the neatly stacked writing supplies and maps. He sat down, rapidly wrote, the whole room focused on him, then laid down the pen, rose, and brought it to Bren’s hand.

It said,

Nandi:

Machigi’s bodyguard believes, consequent to the exposure of a renegade base last night, that a plot is now in operation to assassinate Lord Machigi. He is, with three elderly exceptions, the last of the Ardami bloodline. Two of them, my information states, are fools incapable of governing— but very apt to be figureheads.