It cocked its head to the side as if doing just that.
"There's no point in lying," Roger said. "Not with the Phaenur. I'll admit that was a pleasant change."
"Yet the Imperial Court is no place for a truly honest man," the Phaenur suggested.
"Maybe I can change that." Roger shrugged. "And if I can't, I have some truly dishonest advisers."
The Phaenur cocked its head to the side and then bobbed it.
"I sense that was a joke," it said. "Human and Phaenur concepts of humor are often at odds, alas."
"One thing I would be interested in," Roger noted, "to try to make the Court a more... honest place, is some Phaenur advisers. Not immediately, but soon after we retake the Palace."
"That could be arranged," Sreeetoth said, "but I strongly recommend that you contract with independent counselors. We like and trust the Empire, and you like and trust us. But having representatives of our government in your highest councils would be... awkward."
"I suppose." Roger sighed. "I'd like to do as much as possible in the open, though. The Court hasn't been a place for an honest man, and one way to change that might be to make sure that what's said in Court is honest. Among other things, it would place me in a position where I could work to my strengths, not my weaknesses. I've never understood the importance that's placed upon dishonesty in business and politics."
"I do," Despreaux said with a shrug. "I don't like it, but I understand it."
"Oh?" the Phaenur said. "There is a point to dishonesty?"
"Certainly. Even the Phaenurs and the Althari don't wear their thoughts on their sleeves. For example, Roger in command of the Empire will be a very restless neighbor. You have to know that. Surely there are others you'd prefer?"
"Well, yes," Sreeetoth admitted.
"But you don't bring it up, don't emphasize it. In it's own way, that's dishonest—or at least dissembling. And I have no doubt that you're capable of lying by omission, Mr. Minister." She looked directly into the Phaenur's eyes. "That there are things you have no intention of revealing, because to do so might evoke reactions which would run counter to the outcomes you're after."
"No doubt," Sreetoth conceded, bobbing its head respectfully at her. "And you are correct. Roger's personality, the style of rulership we anticipate out of him, will not be... restful under the best of circumstances."
It made a soft sound their toots interpreted as quiet laughter.
"That may not be so bad a thing, however," it continued. "His grandfather, for example, was quite soothing. Also an honest man, but surrounded by deceit and virtually unaware of it. His lack of competence precluded the Empire's becoming a threat to us, which was restful, yet it also created the preconditions for the crisis we all face today.
"Still, that does not mean a restless human ruler is necessarily in our best interests. Roger's mother, unlike her father, is a very deceitful person, but not at all, as you put it, restless. She was solely concentrated on the internal workings of the Empire and left us essentially alone. From our reports, it is unlikely she will continue very long as Empress. That will leave this... restless young man as Emperor. We could prefer someone less restless, but he is the best by far of the choices actually available to us."
"How badly has Mother been injured?" Roger asked angrily.
"Quite badly, unfortunately," the Phaenur replied. "Calm yourself, please. Your emotions are distressing in the extreme. It is why we have not brought up the full measure of damage before."
"I'll... try," Roger said, as calmly as he could, and inhaled deeply. Then he looked directly at his host. "How damaged?"
"The nature of the reports on her condition we have received—their very existence—means that maintaining security to protect our source is... difficult," Sreeetoth replied. "We have been able to clear only one specialist in human psychology and physiology to take a look at them, but she is among the best the Alliance can offer in her speciality, and I have read her analysis. It would appear that the... methods being used are likely to cause irreparable long-term damage. It will not kill her, but she will no longer be... at the top of her form. A form of senility is likely."
Roger closed his eyes, and one jaw muscle worked furiously.
"I apologize for my current... feelings," he said after a moment in a voice like hammered steel.
"They are quite bloody," Sreeetoth told him.
"We'll handle it," Despreaux said, laying a hand on his arm. "We'll handle it, Roger."
"Yes." Roger let out a long, hissing breath. "We'll handle it."
He touched the hand on his arm very lightly for just an instant, then returned his attention to Sreeetoth.
"Let's talk about something else. I love your house. You don't have neighbors?"
"Phaenurs tend to separate their dwellings," his host said. "It is quite impossible to fully shield one's feelings and thoughts. We learn, early on, to control them to a degree, but being in crowds is something like being at a large party for a human. All the thoughts of other Phaenurs are like a gabble of speech from dozens of people at once. All the emotions of others are like the constant roar of the sea."
"Must be interesting working in customs," Despreaux observed.
"It is one of the reasons so much of the direct contact work is handled by humans and Althari males," Sreeetoth agreed. "Alas, that has been somewhat less successful than we had hoped. Your reports on Caravazan penetration have caused a rather unpleasant stir, with some serious political and social implications."
"Why?" Roger asked. "I mean, you're an honest society, but everyone has a few bad apples."
"Humans have been a part of the Alphane Alliance since its inception," Sreeetoth explained. "But they have generally been—not a lower class, but something of the sort. Few of them reach the highest levels of Alphane government, which has not sat well with many of them. They know that Altharis and Phaenurs are simply more trustworthy than their own species, but that is not a pleasant admission for them, and whatever the cause, or whatever the justification, for their exclusion, the fact remains that they do not enjoy the full range of rights and opportunity available to Altharis or Phaenurs.
"Althari males, however, most definitely are a lower class. Althari females, until recently, considered them almost subsentient, useful only for breeding and as servants."
"Barefoot and... well, I guess not pregnant," Despreaux said dryly, and grimaced. "Great."
"It is humans who have pushed for more rights for Althari males, and over the last few generations they have attained most of those rights. But it was humans and Althari males, and a single Phaenur who was supposed to be keeping an eye on them, who were corrupted by the Saints. I have already seen the level of distrust of the males growing in the females who work with them, those who know of their betrayal. Such a betrayal on the part of a female Althari would be considered even worse, and might shake their world view... and their prejudices. But, alas, only males were involved. And humans."