“An interesting analysis, paidhi.”
“Accurate, I think. It would also be accurate to say that the Marid has long had a quarrel with the aishidi’tat, from its formation, a quarrel regarding the balance of powers in the association. The dowager believes there is a way around this situation with honor.”
“Enlighten us.”
“One is certain you see it, nandi, but I shall declare it: association of the entire Marid with Ilisidi of Malguri, an association to be, so far as the Marid, under your leadership.”
He had actually surprised Machigi, and Machigi let him see it. That was both good and bad.
“A pleasant notion,” Machigi said, “but your own man’chi is to Tabini of the Ragi.”
“My longtime association is to the aiji-dowager as well, and one might recall, nandi, the aiji’s cooperation with his grandmother in providing that force now sitting on the bus, and her providing it to me. What she has done is not done in the dark.” ”
“So, also with his knowledge, she has made a grab for Maschi territory and taken the Edi in as well.”
“Neither with his foreknowledge, but with his tolerance, nandi. She has made good on old debts, dating back many decades, even before her grandson’s birth, but she has not made any hostile move against Tanaja, nor does she wish to do so, having no territorial interest in doing so. This is one advantage, allow me to suggest, of forming outside associations that do notrun into the troubled old territory of the central clans. The dowager’s lands are distant and, so far as Tanaja is concerned, untrammeled by old debts, except the two obligations on which she has already stood firm. If you should accept her invitation to become her associate, nandi, you may expect similar firmness of alliance, which can cast many old disputes into an entirely different framework of negotiation. Her grandson values her for this quality, and, one may say, respects her alliances.”
A lengthy silence, then a drawled: “You have an extraordinary forwardness of address, paidhi-aiji.”
“You also have that reputation, nandi, as a man who does not cling blindly to precedent. The dowager values this quality, and suggests it should not be wasted.” He saw that look of thought. It was not the time to lose it. “The plain fact is, I amhere, nandi, meeting with you in confidence, and accurately relaying the dowager’s objectives, which are favorable to a negotiation at this point, thus preventing Guild action from destabilizing the Marid. That is the bottom line.”
“What is her offer?” Machigi asked bluntly.
“Alliance,” Bren said with equal bluntness. “Association. New times, new thinking, horizons not limited to this earth.”
“Access,” Machigi said, “to the orbiting station.”
“That willhappen, nandi,” Bren said. “One has no doubt of it, granted association exists.”
“You do not ask further into your own associate’s whereabouts or welfare.”
“A personal matter. I am here in an official capacity.”
“Indeed,” Machigi said, leaning back in his chair. “Yet you represent the aiji in Shejidan.”
“By courtesy, I represent only his grandmother, who doeshowever, hold independent association in the East.”
Machigi looked to the side, to one of his bodyguard, and back again, eye to eye and steadily. “ Independenceis an interesting position to hold.”
“Propose it, nandi. Independence of the district within the aishidi’tat. One does not say it will be rejected. But,” he added sharply, “in order to claim such a position for the Marid, you need an authority equal to the dowager’s authority over the East.”
“She was challenged as recently as this fall.”
“With notable lack of success, nandi. And the East is both hers, and an independent district, with its native rights and prerogatives intact.”
Another lengthy silence. “Have you dined, paidhi-aiji?”
“I have not, nandi.”
Machigi snapped his fingers. Servants moved into view. “The paidhi-aiji and his aishid will have the guest suite tonight. His company on the bus may be housed in the east wing with whatever equipment they choose to offload.”
Crisis. Bren gave a deep nod. “A courtesy much appreciated, nandi, but the bus is self-contained, and my company on the bus is prepared to attend their own needs. One hopes, as negotiations proceed, I shall have other instructions from the aiji-dowager, for their comfort, but for right now, despite your generous gesture, my indications from the dowager suggest my request would not be honored. They are, once we quit the bus, much more under her direct command.”
A little steel flicked through that glance. “It is blocking the drive, nand’ paidhi. Our suggestion is simple expediency.”
“If you request the bus moved somewhat, I am sure we can comply with that very quickly, nandi.”
“Let it stay,” Machigi said with a wave of his hand. “But where is this trust, nand’ paidhi? This offer of association?”
“I have yet to convey your reply to the dowager, nandi. Everything comes from her. When she wishes my company to stand down and leave the bus, it will stand down. But as for myself and my aishid, we are extremely appreciative of the hospitality of your household.”
Machigi gave a dark little laugh and stood up. “Follow my servants, and join us in the dining room in an hour. Your aishid may attend your baggage.”
“Delighted,” Bren said, stood, and bowed in turn. In fact he was delighted—delighted there hadn’t been a shootout. Delighted Machigi hadn’t pulled that trigger. Delighted Machigi had sounded as intelligent—though also as dangerous—as reports said he was.
And that bit about attending the baggage—no lord in his right mind would have his belongings taken off that bus, put into the hands of servants of a hostile house, and taken into his room. Two of his staff would handle it all the way from the bus to the rooms, while Machigi’s staff watched with equal care to be sure that clothes were allthat came into the house.
The servants gestured the way to the side door. Banichi and Jago went with him, Tano and Algini split themselves off to attend the matter of the baggage, and Bren walked just behind the two servants who led the way—a short distance, he was glad to see, and up only a single flight of stairs. He knew where the front door and the bus were from here, at least.
But that was notthe knowledge that was going to get them out of this.
The servants opened the doors to a magnificent suite, mostly in sea-green and gold, with pale furniture, and led the way through to a fine bedroom, even with its own bath, an uncommon amenity.
“Very fine, nadiin,” he pronounced it.
“Would you care for a fire lit in the sitting-room, nandi?” one asked. “It will grow chill before morning.”
“Please do,” he said, and looked at Banichi and Jago, just a questioning glance to know their opinion of the arrangements.
Banichi simply nodded. No question every room was bugged to more and less degrees, right down to the bath. He didn’t need a word on that score. He simply sat down in a comfortable chair, rested his booted feet carefully on the footstool, and waited, while Banichi and Jago went into that statuelike quiet of their profession, just watching the servants at work.
The fire came to life. And other servants came in, carrying a modest amount of luggage, with Tano and Algini in close attendance.