Protector

“To Tirnamardi,Great-uncle?”

“We have made arrangements with your great-grandmother, considering this madness with the shuttle schedule and the inconvenience of having these guests in residence in the Bujavid. We have ampleroom.”

And Kadagidi clan next door. And a feud with Ajuri, not that far to the north.

“Yes!”the young rascal cried. “Oh, yes!”

“Well, well,” Tatiseigi said. “You shall, then!” He turned a glance toward Bren. “These young people do not speak Ragi, do they?”

“It is not likely they do, beyond a few words, nandi.”

“Well, then, nand’ paidhi, so the aiji-dowager said, and you will surely attend,” Tatiseigi said. And added, whimsically, “I do trust your aishid will notblow up another of my bedrooms!”

“Assuredly not, nandi!”

Oh, the man was in a good mood. But he could not be taking possession of Cajeiri and taking him off to his apartment, however short the walk—he had promised Tabini to take the boy into hiskeeping, and that was what was authorized. Tano and Algini had an unobstructed view, where they were standing, and he passed an emergency hand-signal that non-Guild were not supposed to use.

“The aiji-dowager is on her way, nandi,” Tano said immediately.

“Indeed,” Bren said. “Lord Tatiseigi, will you like a pot of tea, and to wait for the dowager?”

“We have had tea enough at the legislative reception,” Tatiseigi said, not budging, “but so, well, we shall wait. Will you need to send for riding clothes, nephew?”

“No, Great-uncle. I have everything with me.”

“Who has seen to your wardrobe, young man? Has your father’s staff?”

“I have servants,now, Great-uncle! I have my ownstaff.”

“With you?”

“Indeed, Great-uncle, I have two servants and my bodyguard.”

“Well, well,” Tatiseigi said. “Servants, indeed! Have you a warm coat? Formal clothing as well?”

“One had thought we might go to Najida, Great-uncle, or Malguri, so I have everything in my baggage.”

“Exemplary foresight,” Tatiseigi said. “Exemplary! Well. Well.” They were standing with enough Guild in attendance for a small war, with Tatiseigi’s bodyguards outside and Cajeiri’s four and Banichi and Jago now in the foyer, and Tatiseigi in the doorway itself so that Narani had not been able to close it.

But they were about to acquire a fourth set of bodyguards. Bren heard the sounds of another approach to the door, men’s footsteps, and the light tap of Ilisidi’s cane on the stone flooring of the hall.

He was not the only one hearing it. “Mani is coming,” Cajeiri said, and indeed, Tatiseigi’s bodyguard moved out of the way in advance of that oncoming presence.

Tap. Tap. Tap. At her own pace, Ilisidi appeared in the doorway.

“Well,” she said, resting hands on her cane. “Well, Great-grandson. Tati-ji. Nand’ paidhi. Are we holding a meeting in the hallway?”

“Mani, Great-uncle has said we shall go to Tirnamardi!”

“That we shall,” she said, both hands on her cane, with Cenedi and her guard behind her. “We shall go to the spaceport, gather up your young guests, and take them to enjoy a healthful sojourn in the country. Nand’ paidhi, we trust you can clear your schedule to go with us.”

Her idea. Or Cenedi’s. He recalled, again, that conversation in the bath. The business about positioning forces.

“I am in process of doing that right now, aiji-ma.”

“Well, well, we shall have a day or two to see the bill passed. You are packed, nand’ paidhi?”

“I shall be, aiji-ma.”

“Tati-ji?”

“My staff will assure it,” Tatiseigi said.

“Well, we all three will be busy. Lord Tatiseigi and I will speak for the bill in the tashrid tomorrow. We expect the paidhi-aiji will have a statement to read into the record.”

“I have it ready, aiji-ma.”

“Dur will present it. Tati-ji, we expect you at dinner this evening. We shall discuss our strategy over brandy. We would expect that the paidhi-aiji’s staff has prepared a dinner here, and that there might be sufficient for my grandson.”

That was to say, stay home. Take care of the boy and his staff. Keep him contained.

They were about to do something entirely outrageous and take the boy and his guests to a venue they knewhad security problems, and the person who most fiercely protected the boy was drivingthis insane venture, for reasons she was not going to explain right now. He understood that part clearly. And that yeswas all he couldsay.

“Easily, aiji-ma. Andwe shall see to the parid’ja.” Whatever her plans, the dowager needed to know that the creature had become part of the arrangement.

“The parid’ja,” Ilisidi echoed him in a little dismay. And to her great-grandson: “Was this arranged?”

Cajeiri put on a worried face. “My servants are with me, mani, and there would be no one in my father’s apartment to take care of him.”

Ilisidi drew a deep breath. “Well.” And cast a questioning look at Bren.

“Aiji-ma, one is certain we shall manage. Whether he will go with us . . .”

“May he, mani?” Cajeiri asked. “He has his cage, Great-grandmother! It is a very secure cage! It has rollers!”