Read Protector: Foreigner #14 for Free Online Page A

me. You have grown far beyond what subtlety Ajuri could ever have taught you. You have
qualities
I attribute to your Atageini blood. My grandson chose very well, and I freely admit it.”
    “Do you?” Damiri’s glance was steel-hard. “Your approval is some years late in coming.”
    “Whether or not we can ever be allies is questionable. But one would
prefer
alliance.”
    There was still the general buzz and motion of a crowded room about them. Their voices had remained low. Bren stood there with his heart racing, he, the diplomat, frozen in dismay, and not seeing a damned thing he could do to divert the train wreck. Tabini was the only recourse, and Tabini was not looking this way.
    “Alliance?” Damiri said stiffly. “Alliance with you, nandi, is dangerous for an Ajuri. What do
you
want that I can give? —Because I am well assured this is
not
an act of generosity.”
    “Peace,” Ilisidi said firmly. “Peace in my grandson’s household and my great-grandson’s life. Peace in which my great-grandson can
enjoy
having a sister.”
    “You have never called on me,” Damiri said. “Ever. Only on your grandson.”
    “You
have never invited me,” Ilisidi said sharply.
    “I
am
inviting you,” Damiri retorted in the exact same tone.
“Tomorrow,
morning tea.”
    “Perfectly acceptable,” Ilisidi snapped. The dowager, in fact, had
never
accepted invitations from those of inferior rank or junior years. Tonight she had solicited such invitations at dinner, and now as good as asked for another, far harder come by. The tones involved, hers and Damiri’s, were steel on steel.
    But that was the way of these two; and the lords of the aishidi’tat, when they made war or peace, did so for policy and in consideration of clan loyalties. A second try at harmony, in changed circumstances,
could
well work. Bren just held his breath and courted invisibility.
    “Our division is well-known,” Ilisidi said. “Come, leave the young gentleman to the paidhi’s very competent care and walk about with me. Let us lay these rumors of division and amaze your guests, who think they know us so well.”
    “Ha,” Damiri said, and off they went, a tall, young, and extremely pregnant woman side by side with a diminutive grandmother with a cane. They walked slowly, Atageini green and white and Ragi black and red, moving through the crowd, pausing to speak to this and that person.
    Bren cast a look at Tabini, who had stopped talking to Geigi and gazed at a Situation that was bound to have its final act sooner or later in private—likely with both women in his sitting room.
    Bren drew a deep breath then, and exchanged a look with Cajeiri. “Well, young gentleman?”
    “Do you think they really are making peace, nand’ Bren?”
    “They are both very smart,” Bren said. The show out there was the focus of Tabini’s attention, and Calrunaidi’s; and Tatiseigi’s, and Geigi’s. It was an Event. It was going to make the news, no question, like Damiri’s wearing Atageini colors—two pieces of news that would probably overshadow Geigi’s return to the station.
    That part would suit Geigi. A blowup between the dowager and the consort would not.
    “My great-grandmother wants something,” Cajeiri said.
    “One is very certain she does,” Bren said uncomfortably. “One only hopes they both want the same thing.”
    “I am on my own right now,” Cajeiri said, stolid-faced as any adult, then volunteered. “Not just for the party. My bodyguard is away at the Guild for days and days. Antaro and Jegari are getting certified.”
    “For weapons, nandi?”
    A nod. “I have two servants, now, all my own. And my tutor. I wish I could come stay with you, nandi. I am so bored. And the place is very quiet at night.”
    “When will your aishid be back?”
    “A day or so, they said.” A pause. “My father is too busy and my mother is very uncomfortable. And I
hope
I am going to get my party. Please see to it, nandi.”
    “One wishes one