“Clearly you are troubled, paidhi.”
“I cannot advise without knowledge. And that is my office. I ask your patience, aiji-ma, while I try to understand the politics which may be forming around the Reunioner issue. One does not wish to be caught unaware, and far less—to be advising you amiss.”
“Or advising the Guild amiss.”
“That, as well, aiji-ma. One would wish them to be informed—in the best way. If I and my aishid can help, understanding that the Guild advisors will be going up, I would wish, for one thing, your appointment to go with them, and mediate for them, and advise them.”
“Did you mention the new Guild office to the Presidenta?”
“No, aiji-ma. I did not. I shall, however, bring it up at an appropriate moment—with your permission.”
“Tillington,” Tabini said.
“Yes, aiji-ma. I have advised the Presidenta. I have urged action.”
“You believe the Presidenta will replace Tillington. He has the power to do this.”
“Aiji-ma, he has the power to call him home, and to send a representative to fill the office until there can be a legislative approval. And I have urged him to do it rapidly, before the aishidi’tat need take any notice of Tillington’s existence. I have not had his answer yet. But I hope you and he can work to relieve this situation in a good way.”
Tabini gave him that flat, expressionless stare that could unnerve councilors and make lords reconsider.
“Will such provocations cease if you bring these people down to Mospheira?”
“One cannot promise that, aiji-ma, but one expects cooperation from Tillington’s replacement to improve matters.”
Tabini nodded. “Do not believe my grandmother lacks resources. It would be well to deal with this in utmost urgency. And do not waste your talents in lengthy politics with this man. I have other uses for you.”
God. He knows.
“Aiji-ma. One is grateful for your patience.”
“Depose this troublesome human, paidhi. Observe the situation up there. Report to us.”
“With all my energy, aiji-ma.”
“If you are going up there,” Tabini said, “one does foresee my son asking to go.”
One did, indeed, foresee that, with no trouble at all. “I would discourage it,” he said. “I cannot predict events up there. And I shall need all my resources, and all my attention, centered on dealing with this man. I do not expect resistance, but there will be tension. I would urge against it, aiji-ma.”
“So would I, for reasons here,” Tabini said. “My son’s first actions after his Investiture are under close scrutiny. It satisfied public curiosity for his young guests to attend him here, as applicants for his favor. For him to go to the station to visit at this stage—is quite the opposite implication. He should never be seen to attend them.”
“One entirely understands the difference,” he said. “And I think, aiji-ma, that if you explain to the young gentleman in that way, he will understand.”
“You have great confidence in my son.”
“I think, without any flattery, aiji-ma, that your son has deserved my confidence. He will not be happy at being left behind. But he will understand, if you explain it to him.”
“He will not be happy,” Tabini agreed, “but this is likely the best decision. Of course my son could not possibly choose three young associates from Mospheira itself. Preserve these young people, paidhi. Keep them out of politics. That is a policy matter. I have signed it, I have set my seal on it. I trust that document is being conveyed to the ship-aijiin. That is absolute.”
“Am I to encourage your son in his hope for another visit here?”
A moment’s silence. “Oh, I think we are ultimately doomed to that event, paidhi. Not only do we have my son on his best behavior—we have my grandmother and Lord Tatiseigi on theirs. Together.” Tabini drew a deep breath. “One finds it frightening. Where do you look to settle these children—if they are agreed someday to land?”
He had in no wise gotten to that question, in his thinking. Or he had, but only in the vaguest way. “As to where—I have no idea. I cannot think it would be good to have them settle on this side of the strait. They cannot be separated from their parents.”
“No,” Tabini said. “It would not be good at this stage. But we have a decision to make. We must either take these three away from him soon, and permanently assign them residency on the station—or allow them and all their influences from now on, such as those influences may eventually be. If these children descend to live across the straits—shall we foster this association freely? Their connections may endanger them there. That is foreseeable.”
“It is, aiji-ma. One confesses it.”
“We shall have to protect them, on whatever side of the strait they settle. We shall have to see to their protection, lifelong.”
“One foresees that, aiji-ma.”
“Thus far their influence has seen my son become compliant and polite and patient. We have to wonder whether the mental strain of obedience is warping his character.”
Levity again. But quite serious, couching a world-affecting question.
“Do they wish this association, paidhi? Do these children remotely see what association with my son will cost them?”
“I do not know. I think they have some notion. And I cannot predict what pressure human politics may put on them or on their parents. Nor can I predict how strong this association may remain over time. They have a great deal of growing to do.”
“We cannot predict either, paidhi. My son has yet to reach that stage when he believes he understands all philosophy and reason. Baji-naji, my grandmother has set some sense into him. But, baji-naji, we shall not be in charge of him forever, either. We can only set the course.”
“I would agree, aiji-ma.”
“So,” Tabini said, “go up there. Shake this tree and see what falls out of its branches. Investigate the children as well. But I charge you—report, paidhi! No more of this secrecy. The Guild is approved to go up there. I could have stalled that. I might yet, if you do not wish to take the time.”
“If they can observe the several matters at hand, aiji-ma, if they can observe, and learn how things are done, and why things are done as they are regarding humans, it may be a better education than any explanation can provide. I by no means ask to know their secrets, but if they will hear why things are done as well as what is done—it would become an asset up there.”
“I shall have that understanding with them,” Tabini said, “and I shall receive their reports and compare them to yours. Be sure, when I do so, it is the Guild I shall be testing.”
8
A solitary lunch was rare. Bren’s aishid was about their own business. Banichi and Algini were downstairs in the Bujavid, in conference with representatives from the Guild on matters which no longer—thank God—involved the paidhi-aiji. Decisions ricocheted from Guild Headquarters to the aiji’s office, but not to the paidhi’s personal attention. The Guild was in the process of choosing its on-station observation team—and while the paidhi-aiji was interested in the outcome, it was not his choice.
The Guild was consulting the few Guild members who had experience in space, both about the physical demands of the flight up, and the nature of life on the station. That was why they asked Banichi and Cenedi—who would also tell them that mental flexibility would be an asset; and that assassination was not an option outside the atevi section, and would be dimly viewed within it. The Guild served as peacemakers as well as peacekeepers and security, and that would be their desired function, as well as information-gathering and communication.