Resurgence

by C. J. Cherryh

  “Have you a grudge against them?”

  “I do not plan one. If they are agreeable with my neighbors, then I would take Lord Tatiseigi’s advice—as their nearest neighbor.”

  “You lean on him.”

  “He has experience and I do not. I admire him. And I trust him.”

  “Your trust would not be misplaced,” Bren said.

  It was a satisfying meeting. It was far from certain that Nomari had the background to do all a clan lord might need to do—he could say that of himself, in managing Najida and relations with the Edi folk—but no lord could manage without a good staff and the willingness to listen to them. His own—was protection, advice, and uncommon good sense: they kept the books balanced, the supplies adequate, the staff fed, and helped a human lord keep current with what he needed to know regarding Najida and its neighbors as well as the goings-on in the Bujavid.

  Nomari had been handed a first-rate bodyguard—reporting to the Guild, no question; and avowed himself willing to take advice. It was not a bad beginning . . . granted nothing turned up from his past. And granted he could navigate Ajuri itself, long under a malign influence, and stay alive without becoming part of the problems. He did not envy the young man the learning of what there was to learn inside those walls.

  “First impression of that young man,” he said to Tano, who came in when Nomari had left, “is favorable. The question remains whether he can govern a clan that has persistently killed its lords.”

  “Not an enviable position,” Tano said, then touched his ear, listening to something. “Nandi,” he said then. “The Red Train has just come onto the plateau.”

  “Is there any word yet out of Koperna?”

  “Not as yet,” Tano said. “But we shall know something soon.”

  The Red Train had not been using either conventional communications or even Guild communications, considering the nature of the enemy, and the doubtful character of the passenger. There were a hundred other questions pending: notably how fast might Dojisigi learn that Bregani had left Koperna at the dowager’s request for a meeting; and how much they knew about the dowager’s presence here, not to mention the presence of Lord Machigi.

  They had, overall, moved fast in sending the train down to Senjin immediately after their arrival, but the train was not faster than a phone call down the tenuous physical line that ran beside the tracks—and as for security, the Messengers’ Guild itself—the antiquity of the Guild being evident in the name of the phone service—had been known for occasional corruption long before the problems in the Assassins’ Guild had begun—long before there were phone lines, radio, or telegraph. Nobody trusted the phone system to stay out of an intrigue.

  Had the dowager herself arranged a phone outage between Hasjuran and points south? Possibly. It would make sense, to forestall the passing of a warning, and an outage in this region would probably not be at all unusual. But there were other means of communication—and was there a phone link between the Senjin capital and the Dojisigin that the dowager could not reach? It would be remarkable only if there were not a multitude of them.

  The question was, had Bregani boarded sensibly, quickly, quietly, as requested—and without phoning Tiajo? The Red Train was known to use the route over to Targai and Najida on its coastal run, so the simple fact of its arrival in Koperna would be news, but not a clear statement of its intent. But the Dojisigi would soon know something, no matter how discreet the boarding, and would certainly be interested when they learned the train had immediately turned around to go back up the grade.

  So Bregani was aboard. That much they knew. The dowager would be informed as quickly as he had been that the train was on the plateau and would be gathering speed. And it was not for the paidhi-aiji to tell their security to pass word to Machigi and Nomari that they were about to deal with Lord Bregani.

  Cup of tea? They were apt to be awash in tea as Bregani joined them, but it was an attractive idea, a calmative before what looked to be a long evening.

  He called Narani and Jeladi, and passed them the news, and the request.

  * * *

  • • •

  “See me,” was Father’s message, from his office.

  Cajeiri wore his best day coat, ready to discuss the ongoing situation with Boji, if Father wanted his opinion—and very much hoping that solution was not going to come apart.

  “One hears,” Father said, “that there was a phone call.”

  Cajeiri’s breath stopped a moment, as if he had missed a step on the stairs. “Yes, Honored Father.”

  Father seemed amused. “It was monitored, as one might expect. But security confessed itself a little at a loss.”

  Following the conversation, he realized. They mixed ship-speak and Ragi and now even a word or two in kyo.

  “One did not intend it,” he said, mind racing on strategy and whether he had gone into territory he should not. He had weakened. He had answered questions. He had said things—possibly—that he ought not.

  “And how are they?”

  “They are very glad and very grateful to be safe, Honored Father.”

  “And how are they situated?”

  “In a very nice place. With security. Nand’ Bren and Banichi-nadi laid it out. All of it.”

  “So we understand,” Father said, seeming easy with it all, but that could be misleading.

  “Did I do wrong?” Cajeiri asked. With Father, it was a good idea not to avoid a question. “I thought if they were calling, it was cleared.”

  “It was cleared,” Father said, “and secured. But you should not assume.”

  “One regrets.”

  “Their calls are screened on both ends, as are yours. You did discuss matters of some sensitivity.”

  “Only what was on the news, Honored Father. One—”

  That word again. Assumed.

  “I used my judgment, Honored Father. It may have been in error.”

  “Well,” Father said. “We do not always trust the news services to be completely discreet. They were uncommonly involved in the disturbance at Tirnamardi, and reported some things that could have cost lives. In point of fact, they may have cost your great-aunt her life—or at least some few days of it.”

  That was something he had not suspected.

  “And let the Shadow Guild reach the records, Honored Father?”

  Father looked at him, eyebrow lifted, mani’s own look. “Cleverness, son of mine? Is that your thought?”

  “It was what everybody was worried about. The Guild went right away to searching the records. I would, too. If I were in charge.”

  Father nodded slowly. “Then indeed I did not produce a fool. And how, with this same mature good sense, do you assess the arrangements in Port Jackson? Are your young associates content, are they safe, and were they adversely affected by the disturbance at their arrival?”

  The shooting of the Presidenta.

  “They are glad to be safe, they are glad to be here, and they are sorry about the attack on the Presidenta, but they are not worried. I talked with them a long time. I wanted to be sure they were safe and I wanted to know what they were really thinking. I wanted to be sure I understood.”

  “And you are satisfied.”

  “I am. I had to tell them something, Honored Father, about how I was, so they would tell me how they were. I was truly, truly careful. If I have let something escape I should not have, I am very sorry. But I thought I was doing a proper thing. And my associates are careful about what I say, and so is Kate-nandi and the other people nand’ Bren put in charge.”

  Father gazed at him a moment, then nodded. “Well thought, then, son of mine. You took a chance. And you gained something. Do consider, however, that you may know enough to be dangerous and too little about the risks.”

  “Was this one of those sort, Honored Father?”

 
“By all you say, I do not think so. I know you will ask me how soon they can visit. And I shall put that off a time, and I wonder how soon Tirnamardi will be a safe place for any of you; but—that may be worked out. Najida remains a possibility. But they need time to settle. They are human. You cannot make them otherwise. They are here, the paidhi informs us, first to learn about Mospheira, and form an attachment there They are the precursors of their settlement—they have that duty on their shoulders, to form a good opinion around them. But—” Father added, “it is not necessary for all of them to land before you may host these young people in some appropriate place. It is also politic for Mospheira to see their association on this side of the strait as good and powerful, and to view these young people as an asset they must treat with respect.”

  “They also know to keep my secrets,” he said. “Aboard the ship, they did. And here, too, they will.”

  “Had you secrets, son of mine?”

  “Where we went. What we talked about. They were stupid secrets. I was younger then.”

  “That you were. But now your secrets are heavier, and could create misunderstandings.”

  “One does understand,” he said, and that was the truth. “I shall tell them to be careful.”

  “Do,” Father said. “But tell them that the time will not be too long before we consider a visit, granted things stay quiet.”

  21

  The train approached the station. Word was clear that Lord Bregani was aboard, and the dowager, from her car, sent word that there would be a formal dinner in the Red Car, once they had the whole train reassembled.

  That meant the engine had to turn about and link them all up just as they had started out, with the engine facing the descent to Koperna. It was part of the promise—that Bregani had a safe conduct up here, and that after the conference they would again uncouple that section and the engine would make the run back down.

  The operation took some maneuvering, which, without windows, they knew only as a great deal of puffing from the engine and, finally, a jolt as the forward section rejoined them.

  There was quiet and stability, then. If it was to be a formal dinner, it would be formal dress, and no sparing the details—a diplomatic dinner, and afterward, probably into the depth of night, there might be serious talk. That meant a decent rest beforehand, no excess of drink during or after, even in the brandy service . . . and Bren was prepared for the negotiations. He knew the likely questions and he knew the things the dowager would want to achieve in any understanding with Senjin, the best outcome being acceptance of Machigi’s proposal for a protected rail link through Senjin territory.

  If that resulted, it was bound to upset Tiajo. The key questions were—whether Bregani preferred to be bypassed for what could become a lucrative matter, once the sea trade from the East did start; and if he did accept it, how far Tiajo’s handlers would let her go in retaliation.

  It was possible that Bregani had already discovered that Machigi was part of the equation, and that he was here because he intended to refuse and wanted that information to pass to Tiajo. Spying was the natural state of affairs in the Marid. And double-crosses were frequent. But—Bregani of all people should know that Tiajo was unpredictible, and that his life then hung on whether the Shadow Guild who really ran the province saw anything in the proposal useful to them—in, for instance, a way to cause problems, acquire information, and access targets.

  There were moments, however, when Tiajo’s tantrums flew wide and far.

  Narani was helping Bren dress, with Jeladi’s help. Definitely the bulletproof vest. He had no quarrel with that precaution tonight, and he tried not to think about Ilisidi’s fragility. He stood still, thinking such thoughts as what he could do, what protection he could possibly offer, while Jeladi adjusted his queue and ribbon.

  Tano came from the car forward, a Guild station, in some haste. Banichi and Jago had quietly moved in that direction, so it was no surprise that the other half of his aishid came back. But Tano’s arrival, solo, was straight to him, with purpose.

  “Nandi,” Tano said. “We have a more complicated situation than anticipated. Bregani has brought his wife and daughter, and four security—his wife’s Farai security.”

  That was not what they had planned.

  That had a very different tone. Like—moving vulnerable relatives to safety.

  “Worry is,” Tano said, “that his absence, however brief, may invite trouble. Our understanding is that Bregani put his cousin in charge of the house at Koperna, and had his wife’s family—a brother and contract wife and two children relocated to that facility under guard.”

  “We may have started something,” Bren said. “The dowager is being informed?”

  “At this moment,” Tano said.

  The Farai were a clan resident within Senjin, relegated to a mere sub-clan status, but never resigned to their lot, and always quick to seize any route to power. Bregani’s wife was Farai, and in the absence of Bregani and his heir, that clan might well move in. That was the first worry.

  But that left the Farai clan lord the unhappy prospect of explaining things to Tiajo, over in the Dojisigin, and that might dampen his enthusiasm.

  “Information is incomplete,” Tano said. “But Bregani has left orders sealing Senjin’s border from all sides.”

  Against the Dojisigin and the Taisigin. Senjin was vulnerable to the Taisigin by land and sea, and to the Dojisigin primarily by sea, though they shared a broad and occasionally marshy plain and hunting range. Senjin had small villages up and down the coast, and the harbor at Lusi’ei all exposed to mischief arriving by ship.

  The dowager had requested Bregani’s quiet, even secret attendance for a conference. The man had instead evacuated his household and apparently appointed a successor.

  “Is this cousin then holding place for him?” Bren asked. “Does he have actual authority in Bregani’s absence?”

  “There is no information, Bren-ji,” Tano said. “Lord Bregani did not hesitate when the dowager’s message reached him. That is what we hear. Why this is, or how the dowager’s invitation intersected some local situation, we do not yet know.”

  “Consult with Cenedi. Do what you need to do, Tano-ji. Is Algini still in the command center?”

  “Yes,” Tano said. “With Banichi and Jago. Four non-Guild Farai bodyguards accompany this party, with weapons that the Guild aboard, due to protocol, have not examined thoroughly. Lord Bregani has agreed to keep all weapons out of the dowager’s presence, but there is some discussion among us about sealing the passageway of the rearmost baggage car and forcing Lord Bregani’s party to transit in the open to reach the dowager’s area. We have also considered leaving that segment uncoupled, which also forces an exposed transit to an entry of our choosing. This is under discussion and awaiting the dowager’s decision. We do not think she will agree.”

  “Go,” Bren said. “Of all things, I am safe where this car sits. I shall message Machigi and Nomari as I receive information. See if we can assure this lord’s good will while observing necessary precautions. Narani and Jeladi can be my couriers, and my protection, by turns.”

  “Yes,” Tano said. And left, quickly. It was a rare moment when all his aishid was engaged apart from him, but he had no uneasiness about his own safety, sandwiched as he was between the dowager’s domain and the car where, apparently, the urgent security conference was going on.

  He sat down at the table—with due care for his formal coat. He immediately opened his writing kit, took out a note paper and his pen and buzzed Narani and Jeladi—no delay in response there. They waited while he wrote.

  The first communication was to Machigi. Lord Bregani has arrived along with his wife and daughter, plus four security, and those are of his wife’s clan. In some urgency, if you know names and leanings of these individuals or other details which may be useful to know in negotiations, please commit them to
writing and send them to me by return message. I shall relay them on to the dowager. We wish to limit movement in the corridors temporarily as a safety measure, but be assured your protection is high in priority. Please stay in the safety of your own car for now. If you have a message or query you would like to send to Lord Bregani, likewise provide that and I can relay it on.

  To Nomari, he wrote somewhat the same, and added: Please stay close to your security. If in your acquaintance with Senjin you have either suspicion or reassurance regarding this move, such information will be most welcome. What is your opinion of the security of Senjin, internal and external, granted the evacuation of these specific persons, and why would Lord Bregani make particular moves to protect the Farai?

  He added a handwritten seal, there being no time to fire up the waxjack. Mine, by my hand, Bren paidhi-aiji.

  Then he took out another note paper and wrote: Lord Bregani, I am paidhi-aiji for the aiji-dowager, honored to serve as conduit for communications. Welcome. If there are concerns you would like me to relay to the dowager before our evening together, I shall do that gladly. If you have concerns you would like to urge other than verbally, please convey them to me. I am, nandi, your spokesman as well as the dowager’s, in the ancient rules of my office, and you may rely on me to argue honestly on your behalf.

  He gave all three missives to Narani to carry. There was no need to send to Ilisidi. She owned the internal communications, she had Cenedi to inform her, and she would be dispensing information at her own discretion.

  He had to sit and wait for answers to his notes, if answers could be had. He busied himself making a quick record of the messages he had just sent, to pass on to Ilisidi.

  The first response was Nomari’s. Jeladi brought it. Nand’ paidhi, if I can assist I will. I have no interpretation of events except that Lord Bregani is concerned for his household and wishes protection for them during his visit. That he should protect the Farai, in particular his wife’s immediate family, is in character. He values his wife, she values her family, and a threat to her family would be strong leverage on his actions. He does not trust Lord Machigi, but he knows the danger of Tiajo’s temper. He may believe that his own security, which is Talidi clan, is fatally compromised by the dowager’s approach. Talidi and Dojisigi are related through Cosadi, who brought the Shadow Guild into the region, and who are thus also related to Lord Tiajo. Lord Bregani might fear a security breach, and he will reasonably fear that this invitation from the dowager will give Tiajo the pretext to move against him. In my opinion he fears very much that his family might be taken hostage either by parties wishing to force his action against Tiajo or by Dojisigi agents, and he believes Koperna has no protection for them. That he moved Farai security in numbers into his home along with her family might well be his preferred security arrangement.