Into a likely trap. If it were his own aishid going—he would be beside himself. That it was Nawari, genial, competent Nawari, closest to Cenedi himself—Cenedi was likely no less worried, but he had sent his best. His closest associate, the closest thing to going in, himself—with high, high risk in the operation.
“There is,” Bren said, “another way into the Kadagidi house.”
They looked at him, both. And he recalled he had sworn to himself notto interfere with his bodyguard.
“You are notto contemplate it,” Jago said. “No, Bren-ji.”
“If access and Lord Aseida’s attention is what you want, nadiin-ji, Ican get it. We have the bus. We do not need to walk intothat house, but I certainly can call on their lord. Socially. Noisily. Lord Tatiseigi has a grievous complaint against Lord Aseida, the dowager has one, Jase has one, and I am perfectly willing to deliver it in person. If we can pose a distraction while, say, Nawari and his men take a careful look at the other access . . .”
Banichi said, “The risk would still be extraordinary.”
“The bus has armor.”
“In some areas,” Jago said.
“There is also Jase’s bodyguard. He is the other paidhi. Anotheroffended guest with his own complaint against Lord Aseida, and his bodyguard is formidable—and proof against our bullets. Kaplan and Polano cannot sit down in that armor, not in the bus seats. They have to stand where they stood on the way in. If the Kadagidi take alarm at that, and take a shot at the bus, even their armor-piercing rounds are not going to get through that armor. And afterthat—after an attack on us, we have the right to use any force we please. So, for that matter, does Jase, his ship, and Lord Geigi.”
There was a moment of silence.
“There are rather heavier weapons in their hands than armor-piercing rounds, Bren-ji,” Jago said. “And we may well meet them.”
“Is that more danger to us than a Shadow Guild campaign, violating every rule—while wehave to obey the law? I am not happy with the notion of explosives being brought to villages, and I am not willing to see people of the dowager’s man’chi and mine take every precaution to observe a law these people freely disregard in their attacks. The Kadagidi have a history of raising claims about theirrights. But we have them on failure to File, we have them in the two Dojisigi, who can give the lie to any claim of innocence Kadagidi clan wants to make. If they fire first, with them already under a ban, Tabini-aiji has justification to remove Aseida as lord, with any force it takes. The Shadow Guild has been constantly shifting targets, in this region and that, striking and departing, doing damage as they please. But Kadagidi is a fixed asset. We have them pinned down. And I do not intend to see anyof our people observing Guild rules while the other side breaks them. We have the dowager to protect, and these foreign guests to protect. Jase-aiji has every right to use the defenses hehas, and those run all the way to the station.”
There was a moment of silence, two guarded, worried looks. Then Banichi said: “And what will you answer if they accept a conference and Lord Aseida invites you and Jase inside?”
“I should then ask my aishid what I should answer, and I doubt you would advise that, in a household under the aiji’s ban.”
“They may simply bar the door,” Jago said.
“Frightening them is surely worth something. And meanwhile we have them pinned down, we can interdict anyone who comes outof that house, and Lord Geigi candrop something on their land, with a great deal of precision.”
“Bren-ji,” Banichi said, “your resolution never to advise your bodyguard is in serious breach.”
“Then advise me. I shall certainly hear advice. But I cannot lose you. And the dowager cannot lose Nawari. You—and Cenedi’s team— youhave more importance than I do, when it comes to a fight inside the Guild. You know the names and histories of these people. You have accesses nobody else does. You are notexpendable and I am, comparatively, in this part of the fight. If it requires a readjustment in your man’chi—make it. We cannot risk you, and I do not countenance Cenedi risking Nawari, either. He is doingthis because he needs you, and he is staying meticulously within the law—but I do not agree he should. We should go in there prepared to deal damage, and Jase and I should make the approach, because our status gives youthe right to take them on without a Filing on our side, if they compound their offense with one bullet headed our direction. If there is any legal question—any political question that follows this—then that is myexpertise, nadiin-ji, and I will defend this decision. I would look forward to dealing with anycounterclaim this old man in the Guild or his allies can make.”
There was a long silence. “We shall have to talk to Cenedi,” Banichi said, “and advise Tano and Algini. Not to mention the dowager herself. Speed in this is advisable. We do not know whennews from the south may reach Guild Headquarters. —Jago.”
“Yes,” Jago said, got up, and headed for the door.
Banichi also left. Theyhad things to arrange. Cenedi to consult.
He, meanwhile, had to talk to Jase—urgently.
• • •
“We have a problem,” was how he started the explanation, while Jase, roused from sleep, sat amid his bedclothes. Kaplan and Polano had opened the door, and stood in the little sitting-room, in their shorts.
He explained it. Jase raked a hand through his hair; then said: “We’re in. Can we get a pot of that strong tea in here?”
“Deal,” he said. “I’ve got a spare vest. Choice of colors, brown or green, and bulletproof. I’ll send it with the tea.”
“I’m not particular.” Jase raised his voice. “Kaplan. Polano. Full kit, hear it?”
“Aye, captain,” the answer came back, and Bren headed back through the sitting room, to get back next door and send Supani and Koharu in with the requisite items. Tea for three. One vest, proof against most bullets. He and Jase were about the same size.
The dowager could still countermand the operation, but while he was dispatching Supani and Koharu, Tano and Algini came in to gather up needed gear, and it was clear that that wasn’t happening.
“The aiji-dowager,” Algini said, “has sent for the bus.”