“They wish to see the aiji dowager,” Banichi repeated, as if to be sure he had heard that right.
“The gran” Kaplan said. “The lady.”
And indeed, from the intersection, from their own section, in fact, a small party had opened the doors: a party of atevi, black-clad and glittering with silver of their Guild, had set out toward them, a smallish ateva in the center of it all, walking with her cane.
“That’s her, isn’t it?” Andresson said. “That’s the old woman with them.”
“They intend no disrespect,” Jase said quickly. “It’s like saying, the aiji.The old woman. The grandmother. Tabini sending her… that’s the ultimate negotiator. The old women don’t get into anything until it’s over.”
It was what Jase had always told him. Women were the peacemakers, the ones immune from quarrels, the ones who didn’t fight.
They’d never in their lives met Tabini’s grandmother.
But somehow he thought ‘Sidi-ji would take a very smug delight in the respects of humans.
Among atevi, too, it was the aijiin who came out to gather up the pieces, the survivors, and paste an association back together by their mere presence. When they were there, the fighting had stopped.
It wasn’t necessary they speak the same language, when the results were acceptable on both sides.
Chapter 28
I had a message from Tabini, his mother had written him, amid a surreal stack of messages some of which advertised skiing vacations on Mt. Thomas, and investments in real estate.
He’s quite worried about you. I assured him you were fine.
Barb is awake and asking about you. I told her you were on the space station and she told me not to make jokes like that, but then I told her it isn’t a joke, unfortunately.
The guards are everywhere. They won’t let me in the lounge to watch television so I get no news at all, but they did drive me home, which is the first sleep I’ve gotten with all that’s going on, and I cleaned your room. I found one of your cufflinks. I think it’s probably an expensive one. I’ll keep it for you.
I still haven’t had a call from Toby but I did get a card from the kids, which, would you believe, your security people had to give to me? They’re going through my mail. I don’t know but what Toby’s called and they won’t let him talk to me. I think it’s completely unnecessary. What do they think? That my sons are the problem?
Barb says you should hurry and get back. Paul hasn’t even come to see her. She’s talking about a divorce, finally, which I think is a good idea and long overdue.
It was the first of three letters, all similar. The dam had broken. Cl had sent him all the backed-up mail.
He had numerous communications from various committee members and members of the hasdrawad and the tashrid awaiting his attention… one official letter, too, from the Mospheiran State Department, saying in essence that various personal matters were secured. That was a relief. There was no reasonable threat aimed at his family.
And there was a message from Toby, that said, shortly and simply,
From somewhere off the coast. Curious to think you’re floating over our heads while we’re floating down here. We lie on the deck and watch the clouds and we remind ourselves the world is pretty special.
So are you, brother. We both think so.
Gratifying. A relief to know they were safe. A little bit of jealousy to know they were enjoying themselves. He could see them. In this place of machine-fabricated corridors, he could see that blue sky and feel the pitch of the waves under him.
He and his mission weren’t coming home when the shuttle came down again. Neither, to his slight dismay, was the dowager, who had, in fact, invited up the Astronomer Emeritus, who expected to see stars and nebulae for his pains.
That viewing had to be arranged.
The whole damned court was clamoring to have a view of the heavens… and of their station, while Mospheira was completely wound up in the released archive, and suing one another over broadcast rights.
He let Bindanda slip his coat onto his arms, shrugged it into place and shut down the computer before he fussed with the lace. He missed that cufflink, half of his favorite set, that didn’t muss the pressed lace getting it in.
Formal tea with the dowager, with the paidhiin collectively, andtheir families, which necessarily involved an acting captain.
He had extreme reservations about this event, but hoped for the best.
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