“How—armed?”
“The ordinary. Indeed, Bren-ji, we have even thought of Jase-aiji’s weapons. But we cannot set that precedent, and there are too many innocent people in the way. We shall have our legal sidearms. Cenedi will have no more nor less than that. And his is the more dangerous task: Assignments will know what happened in Kadagidi territory . . . and if we are unlucky, Assignments and his allies in Council may know that we have been in contact with the opposition. Assignments will be particularly unhappy to see us—and Council may set up protection and issue orders to stop us at the doors. If we are lucky, they will become busy watching us and not watch Cenedi. We shall have no idea how things stand as we go in. We shall need speed, we shall need precise coordination with our other units—and all this without any recourse to Guild communications. We shall need the front doors opened, and, ideally, that second door opened and held open. Both are our problems. The aiji-dowager cannot do this. For one thing—their refusal of her would connect with a political history in the legislature that does not suit us. For another—you can move faster than she can. You are as recognizable as she is. And you are willing to take cover. We are not so certain about the dowager.”
Grim joke. But he didn’t have the right reflexes. He couldn’t react quickly enough, nor in the right direction. He was a liability under fire. He’d proven that often enough.
Worse, they would instinctively try to protect him.
“I fear being a risk to you, Jago-ji. I am entirely willing, but I fear moving in the wrong direction. And I absolutely do not want to put you at risk protecting me.”
“There are things you can learn. That you must learn, to do this with us. And you will definitely be wearing the vest.”
Bullets hurt. God, they hurt. But that was nowhere in any important calculations. “Then advise me what I need to do, Jago-ji. Tell me what I need to do.”
“Moving with us is important. We can coordinate very precisely without communications, given a known distance and a precise rate of movement. We do not wish to look as if we are counting—but we will be counting. You will practice that with me.”
He nodded. He knew how that worked. “Yes.”
And the rest—he would do. The stakes were that high. And it was going to be a very, very narrow window they had if they hoped to act fast enough to get at those records.
Were there people who could step into the breach and deal with the political situation if he and his aishid were shot down in a hallway?
Tabini and Geigi could.
His own brother, Toby, would connect with the Guild in exile, and with Tabini.
And never discount Ilisidi. Keeping her alive and safe was a priority, especially if anything happened to them. The plan could not entail putting her at risk.
“We are far from pleased to ask this, Bren-ji. It will be an extreme risk, and our priorities in this, you are right, cannot be to protect you. Of all units that could get in, we are the youngest, and our field skills, unlike some of the senior Guild, have not rusted.”
“Baji-naji, Jago-ji. Our instincts in such a situation are occasionally at odds. We discovered that on a hillside in Malguri, and I apologize that I have not in the least reformed, though I know more than I did. I confess I am far happier to go in there with you than to send you in there without me. I know your feelings are quite the opposite. I can only say I have gotten cannier over the years.”
“You cannot go armed, this time, Bren-ji. There will be detectors.”
“But you can.”
“We, certainly. But you, and the documents you bring to the Council, must represent the aiji, on some matter that can be proven, even if we cannot file them, to be completely within the aiji’s rights—and completely apart from the Kadagidi matter. There is our proof of Council misdeed, do you understand? That is our issue.”
“Indeed.” He drew in a breath. And let it out again. “Well. Well, I shall wear the vest without a complaint on this outing. And I shall stay with you, Jago-ji. When shall we do this?”
“This evening,” she said. “When the Guild Council meets.”
This evening.
God. He was not mentally ready for this.
But he had to be, evidently. He had to be, to do the things that needed doing. Anything else—gave their enemies time to figure them out, or for something essential to leak, and for lives to be lost. Or the whole effort to be lost.
Tonight it was, then.
“Is Banichi going?” he asked.
“He has pills for infection, pills for pain, and a stimulant which he may be taking in excess. He has to be there—he promised the exiled Guild he would be. And,” she added, “he is added firepower.”
He understood it. He far from liked that part of it. But he understood what it was to have a member of a team down: it was like an arch missing a keystone.
“He has Algini for backup,” she said. “He and Algini both know the senior units on sight, as Tano and I do not. And the plan does make sense. What more we need—you, Bren-ji, can get a document from Tabini-aiji, something with conspicuous seals and an abundance of ribbons, on a matter we might reasonably bring before the Guild.”
“I shall get it,” he said.
This evening, he thought. Damn.
He needed to have his valets set his court dress in good order for reasons not to do with the impending holiday. And he needed to write a few letters he hoped Narani would never have to send.
Then there was Jase.
He had to talk to Jase.
• • •
“We have a difficult day planned,” was how he began, with Jase, alone, and with the inevitable pot of tea between them. But human-fashion, and because time was short, tea and discussion of business were simultaneous. “We’re going into the Guild offices tonight to get our target. We’re figuring how to get through the doors.”
“We.”
“My aishid. And I. Politically—you should not be involved in this. You should not be in the least involved.”
“Damn, Bren.”
That was of curious comfort, that human expression. Toby would say just about that if Toby were here. He was very glad Toby was not.
“What can I do?” Jase asked.
Toby, he thought, would ask that, too.
To that, he had an answer. “This. Guard the aiji. Guard Ilisidi. Guard Tatiseigi and the children with your weapons. With everything you’ve got. If you’re attacked here, get a message to Geigi. Ask for help, tell him everything we know, and very likely at that point you’ll be paidhi-aiji.”
Jase took a deep breath. “You’re not taking stupid chances, are you?”
“I have no intention of it. But my aishid is going in, for reasons they explained, so it’s down to me. I’m the only official who’s in any degree expendable. I can get through a certain door that needs to be opened, that otherwise would cost lives. My credentials can do it. And if the people in charge try to stop me—we’ve got all the legal grounds we need for what happens next. Which will either go as we hope—or not. Say that having you for backup and knowing they can’t strike at our backs, so to speak, will make me a lot happier this evening. If the aiji and his household are safe—they can’t win.”
“Whatever I can do—yes. No question. But understand—if things blow up down here, I’m under orders from Sabin to get myself and the kids back to the spaceport.”
“Exactly what we want you to do. And take Tabini-aiji, the aiji-dowager, and Lord Tatiseigi with you.”
“Are they going to agree to that?”
“I’m going to arrange it at least with Tabini, and I hope he can move the other two. In whatever happens—these are the people to trust.” He held up three fingers. “Those three.” A fourth. “Geigi.” The thumb. “My brother Toby. Any Guild working for the three. Or for Geigi. My brother’s partner Barb: she understands
security and secrecy, she’s loyal to him and she’d carry a message, but she’s a bit scattered.”
“Understood.”
“If you come under threat, don’t waste time wondering if you should go. Go. Take everyone you can, the aiji, the aiji-dowager, Cajeiri, the guests, and anyone they insist on taking, and get down to the train station. That’s the most direct route. There’s a danger of someone blocking the tracks, but agents of ours are going to take control of the Transportation office in the Bujavid and try to keep that track clear for you. If at any point you are blocked, stay with the train, defend your position, and trust the dowager’s people to identify anybody showing up with alternative transport. However you can, get everybody to the spaceport, shut the gates and trust no one from the outside of that fence. If for some reason you can’t reach the spaceport—get to the Taibeni and the Atageini or the dowager’s fortress in Malguri as a place to stay: but those are survival scenarios. The goal is, as soon as possible, get everybody up onto the station, link up with Lord Geigi, and sort it all out from there. Do not let the dowager or the aiji convince you to stand and fight. If you need another paidhi, consider my brother Toby. Clans that can help you: Dur, for sea transport; Taibeni, for hiding; and Atageini, for political fights. Beyond that—you do the planning.”
“You’re not to get yourself killed, Bren. I really want you to avoid that.”
“I really intend to.”
Jase drew a deep breath. “Understood. I’ll do it, Bren. Me, Kaplan, and Polano—we’ll do what we have to. Any help we can give you. I know Geigi’s the same.”
“This one, this one is something worth the risk. We’re going in to rescue the law. The Assassins’ Guild is the law, and it’s had something wrong in its gut for a long, long time.”
“Can you fix it?” Jase asked. Outsider’s question, clear and cold and honest, and for just one beat of his heart Bren asked that question of himself.
Then he thought of his bodyguard.
“Yes,” he said. “Yes, we can fix it. There’s enough of us.”
“Four of you,” Jase objected, then, atevi-fashion: “Five.”
“A little more than that. I don’t know all the plan. They’re still working it out. But we’re going in to open those doors all the way to the inner halls and pose a serious problem to people who deserve it. And we’ll fix it.”
“Rely on me,” Jase said. “Concentrate on yourself. Here will get taken care of.”
• • •
There were, after that, letters and authorizations to write. In case.
To Cajeiri he wrote: Place yourself and your guests inside Jase-aiji’s protection and obey his orders without question. He will be protecting those of you in the Bujavid. I am going into this with good hope of success, but should you be reading this letter, something untoward has happened, there is a threat to you and your guests, and your great-grandmother and your father and Jase-aiji will protect you and Lord Tatiseigi by wise actions. You are an excellent young gentleman. Apply yourself to become an excellent and wise aiji, when that day comes. I am glad to take this action for your long life and success.
To Toby: Brother, if you’ve gotten this letter, things have gone wrong on the mainland and very likely I’m not on the scene any longer. Contact Geigi. Don’t come to the mainland until you’re sure it’s safe, and until Geigi and Jase agree it’s a good idea. If things I arranged went well, Tabini and the aiji-dowager and the heir will be on the station in safety. If not, they will be in places you can guess. Get into communication with them. Tell the President to avoid any provocation of the mainland and consult closely with Lord Geigi. Do what you can to keep the world safe. I love you, brother. And I rely on you. You don’t have the command of the language I do, but you’ve got the understanding. I’ve told Jase that when he has to pass the torch, you’re it. Trust Ilisidi, trust Geigi, trust Tatiseigi, Dur, and you know the rest of the names. Take good care of Cajeiri. He’s the future. You and Barb—stay safe as you can.
To Tabini: One regrets very much, aiji-ma, that I was not able to come back. Rely on Jase-aiji and on Lord Geigi. I have arranged everything to get you and your household to safety and for you to accomplish the defeat of your enemies, the restoration of the Guilds, and the preservation of the aishidi’tat with as little loss of life as possible. I have absolute confidence in your leadership of the aishidi’tat, and I say freely that you have been the great leader that I have hoped for.
God, he hoped that letter never had to be delivered while he was living. Tabini’s ego was large enough.
Rely on my brother-of-the-same-parents, Toby. Rely on all the ship-aijiin, who view you as a very valuable and trustworthy ally; and especially rely on Jase-aiji—he is a good ally, a human who will not change sides, and an authority with great power in the heavens. Do not, however, trust Yolanda-paidhi: she has changed.
Believe that you have earned the confidence and good will of humans and atevi alike. Rely on your grandmother and on her allies. She has always favored you and your son above all other answers for the world.
To Ilisidi:
If you are reading this at least my own part of it has not gone well. I am therefore doubly glad and honored to have replaced you in this venture, and regret only missing the actions you will take next, which I hope will be initially down the paths to safety and power that I have spent these last hours securing for you.
Rely on Jase-aiji, on Geigi, on Lord Tatiseigi, my brother Toby, and know that I have watched over you in these last hours. Thank you for many actions which you know and which I will not mention. If any of my aishid survive, take them to your service, as I also hope you will look favorably on my staff on station and my major domo and my senior staff once you return to the world.
To you and to your great-grandson I leave my estate at Najida, and I also put Najida Peninsula and its people in your care.
To Geigi:
I have undertaken a mission against enemies of the aiji. Please take care of those closest to me, guard those I would guard, and remember me as someone who wished atevi and humans to live in peace. I have every confidence you will find a path between the ship-aijiin and the Mospheirans, between humans and atevi, and from the old ways into the new. I have complete confidence in your management of affairs in the heavens. I believe you will bring about a good solution, and I only regret that I must leave you with so much yet to do.
To Tatiseigi:
I am honored by the generous hospitality you have shown me over many years. I am particularly honored by your acts of trust and support for me personally despite our differences of degree and birth. With every year I have understood more and more why the aiji-dowager favors you so highly, and I have every confidence in her recommendations. I have asked her to care for my staff, and hope that you may assist her with that matter, as I hope you will look favorably on my people. Go with her and keep her safe. Trust Jase-aiji. He will not understand every custom, but he will do everything for your protection.
To Narani himself:
Accept my deep gratitude for your extraordinary service, your courage, and your inventiveness. I have asked the aiji-dowager to make provision for you and for senior staff, and I have bequeathed Najida to her and to her great-grandson, where you also may have a place should you wish it. I ask you see to the disposition of my clerical staff, and to the execution of my more detailed will, which you will find in the back center of my desk, under my seal. No one could have a more faithful manager than you have been, here and on the station.
It was a somewhat depressing set of notes to have to write, but curiously—it left him feeling he wanted his favorite dessert as lunch today, just in case; and he felt an amazing lack of stress about the idea of not having breakfast the next morning. He usually conducted his affairs in a tangled mess of this obligation and that, with overlapping scheduling, priorities jostling each other and changing by the hour—and he
usually managed most of them.
But—regarding tomorrow—he discovered not one thing that he really had to do. The peripheral objectives were, for once in his career, all bundled up and handled fairly neatly.
Oh, he had things he wanted to do, or should do—he always had; but there was absolutely nothing weighing on his shoulders as impending catastrophe if he didn’t. The people he’d written the notes to would handle everything as well as it could be handled.
Protection? Safety? He was going to be with the people who made him feel safe, come what might.
It was, contrarily, their guild he was trying to rescue, and for once he could help them.
They were, meanwhile, setting things up with all the skill and professional ability anyone could ask.
He was certainly not going into the situation planning his own demise—but there was satisfaction in the plan. Any strike at him would give Tabini and their allies plenty of moral righteousness, and the absolute right to send heads rolling, politically speaking—or literally. The assassination of his messenger to the Assassins’ Guild would also justify Tabini taking to the skies and settling matters from orbit.
Disband two clans of the aishidi’tat, the Kadagidi and the Ajuri? That could certainly be the outcome, given the documentation and the witnesses the aiji-dowager now had in hand.
And in a time of major upheaval and a threat to the Guild system itself—and with Ilisidi stirring up her own factions to vengeance—Tabini might just take out two clans that had been a perpetual thorn in his side, at the same time he brought in the two tribal peoples.
The paidhi-aiji’s demise under such circumstances would, politically, unify several factions, not that he was the favorite of several of them—but that the whole concept of the Assassins’ Guild, enforcers of the law and keepers of the peace, violating its own rules to strike at a court official with the aiji’s document in hand would not sit at all well with the Conservatives, the very people who were usually most opposed to the paidhi-aiji’s programs. His enemies among the Conservatives were not wicked, unprincipled people—they just happened to be absolutely wrong about certain things. They would far rather support the rights of a dead paidhi than the live one who had so often upset the world.
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