Lady The priest struck the gong. The sound reverberated off the temple's vaulted domes, splendidwith brightly coloured carvings. The solitary note echoed back andforth, diminishing to a remembered tone, a ghost of sound. Mara knelt, the cold stones of the temple floor draining thewarmth from her. She shivered, though not from chill, then glancedslightly to the left, where another initiate knelt in a pose identical toher own, duplicating Mara's movements as she lifted the white headcovering of a novice of the Order of Lashima, Goddess of the InnerLight. Awkwardly posed with the linen draped like a tent above herhead, Mara impatiently awaited the moment when the headdresscould be lowered and tied. She had barely lifted the cloth andalready the thing dragged at her arms like stone weights! The gongsounded again. Reminded of the goddess's eternal presence, Marainwardly winced at her irreverent thoughts. Now, of all times, herattention must not stray. Silently she begged the goddess's forgiveness,pleading nerves - fatigue and excitement combined withapprehension. Mara prayed to the Lady to guide her to the innerpeace she so fervently desired. The gong chimed again, the third ring of twenty-two, twenty forthe gods, one for the Light of Heaven, and one for the imperfectchildren who now waited to join in the service of the Goddess ofWisdom of the Upper Heaven. At seventeen years of age, Maraprepared to renounce the temporal world, like the girl at her sidewho - in another nineteen chimings of the gong - would be countedher sister, though they had met only two weeks before. Mara considered her sister-to-be: Ura was a foul-tempered girlfrom a clanless but wealthy family in Lash Province while Mara wasfrom an ancient and powerful family, the Acoma. Ura's admissionto the temple was a public demonstration of family piety, orderedby her uncle, the self-styled family Lord, who sought admission intoany clan that would take his family. Mara had come close to defyingher father to join the order. When the girls had exchanged historiesat their first meeting, Ura had been incredulous, then almost angrythat the daughter of a powerful Lord should take eternal shelterbehind the walls of the order. Mara's heritage meant clan position,powerful allies, an array of well-positioned suitors, and an assuredgood marriage to a son of another powerful house. Her ownsacrifice, as Ura called it, was made so that later generations of girlsin her family would have those things Mara chose to renounce. Notfor the first time Mara wondered if Ura would make a good sister ofthe order. Then, again not for the first time, Mara questioned herown worthiness for the Sisterhood. The gong sounded, deep and rich. Mara closed her eyes amoment, begging for guidance and comfort. Why was she stillplagued with doubts? After eighteen more chimes, family, friends,and the familiar would be forever lost. All her past life would be putbehind, from earliest child's play to a noble daughter's concern overher family's role within the Game of the Council, that never-endingstruggle for dominance which ordered all Tsurani life. Ura wouldbecome her sister, no matter the differences in their heritage, forwithin the Order of Lashima none recognized personal honour orfamily name. There would remain only service to the goddess,through chastity and obedience. The gong rang again, the fifth stroke. Mara peeked up at the altaratop the dais. Framed beneath carved arches, six priests andpriestesses knelt before the statue of Lashima, her countenanceunveiled for the initiation. Dawn shone through the lances windowshigh in the domes, the palest glow reaching like fingers through thehalf-dark temple. The touch of sunrise seemed to caress thegoddess, softening the jewel-like ceremonial candles thatsurrounded her. How friendly the lady looked in morning's blush,Mara thought. The Lady of Wisdom gazed down with a half-smileon her chiselled lips, as if all under her care would be loved andprotected, finding inner peace. Mara prayed this would be true. Theonly priest not upon his knees again rang the gong. Metal caught thesunlight, a splendid burst of gold against the dark curtain thatshrouded the entrance to the inner temple. Then, as the dazzlingbrilliance faded, the gong rang again. Fifteen more times it would be struck. Mara bit her lip, certain thekind goddess would forgive a momentary lapse. Her thoughts werelike flashing lights from broken crystals, dancing about here andthere, never staying long in one place. I'm not very good material forthe Sisterhood, Mara confessed, staring up at the statue. Please havepatience with me, Lady of the Inner Light. Again she glanced at hercompanion; Ura remained still and quiet, eyes closed. Maradetermined to imitate her companion's behaviour outwardly, evenif she couldn't find the appropriate calm within. The gong sounded once more. Mara sought that hidden centre of her being, her wal, and stroveto put her mind at rest. For a few minutes she found herselfsuccessful. Then the beat of the gong snatched her back to thepresent. Mara shifted her weight slightly, rejecting irritation as shetried to ease her aching arms. She fought an urge to sigh. The innercalm taught by the sisters who had schooled her through hernovitiate again eluded her grasp, though she had laboured at theconvent for six months before being judged worthy of testing herein the Holy City by the priests of the High Temple. Again the gong was struck, as bold a call as the horn that hadsummoned the Acoma warriors into formation. How brave they allhad looked in their green enamelled armour, especially the officerswith their gallant plumes, on the day they left to fight with theWarlord's forces. Mara worried over the progress of the war uponthe barbarian world, where her father and brother fought. Toomany of the family's forces were committed there. The clan wassplit in its loyalty within the High Council, and since no singlefamily clearly dominated, blood politics bore down heavily uponthe Acoma. The families of the Hadama Clan were united in nameonly, and a betrayal of the Acoma by distant cousins who soughtMinwanabi favour was not outside the realm of possibility. HadMara a voice in her father's counsel, she would have urged aseparation from the War Party, even perhaps an alliance with the Blue Wheel Party, who feigned interest only in commerce while theyquietly worked to balk the power of the Warlord . . . Mara frowned. Again her mind had been beguiled by worldly concerns. She apologized to the goddess, then pushed awaythoughts of the world she was leaving behind. Mara peeked as the gong rang again. The stone features of thegoddess now seemed set in gentle rebuke; virtue began with theindividual, she reminded. Help would come only to those who trulysearched for enlightenment. Mara lowered her eyes. The gong reverberated and through the dying shiver of harmonicsanother sound intruded, a disturbance wholly out of place.Sandals scuffed upon stone in the antechamber, accompanied bythe dull clank of weapons and armour. Outside the curtain anattending priest challenged in a harsh whisper, 'Stop, warrior! Youmay not enter the inner temple now! It is forbidden!' Mara stiffened. A chilling prescience passed through her. Beneaththe shelter of the tented headcloth, she saw the priests upon the daisrise up in alarm. They turned to face the intruder, and the gongmissed its beat and fell silent. The High Father Superior moved purposefully towards thecurtain, his brow knotted in alarm. Mara shut her eyes tightly. Ifonly she could plunge the outside world into darkness as easily, thenno one would be able to find her. But the sound of footfalls ceased,replaced by the High Father Superior's voice. 'What cause have youfor this outrage, warrior! You violate a most holy rite.' A voice rang out. 'We seek the Lady of the Acoma!' The Lady of tHe Acoma. Like a cold knife plunged into the pit ofher stomach, the words cut through Mara's soul. That one sentenceforever changed her life. Her mind rebelled, screaming denial, butshe willed herself to remain calm. Never would she shame herancestors by a public display of grief. She controlled her voice as sheslowly rose to her feet. 'I am here, Keyoke.' As one, the priests and priestesses watched the High FatherSuperior cross to stand before Mara. The embroidered symbols onhis robes of office flashed fitfully as he beckoned to a priestess, whohastened to his side. Then he looked into Mara's eyes and read thecontained pain hidden there. 'Daughter, it is clear Our Mistress ofWisdom has ordained another path for you. Go with her love and inher grace, Lady of the Acoma.' He bowed slightly. Mara returned his bow, then surrendered her head covering tothe priestess. Oblivious to Ura's sigh of envy, she turned at last toface the bearer of those tidings which had changed her life. Just past the curtain, Keyoke, Force Commander of the Acoma,regarded his mistress with weary eyes. He was a battle-scarred oldwarrior, erect and proud despite forty years of loyal service. Hestood poised to step to the girl's side, provide a steadying arm,perhaps even shield her from public view should the strain provetoo much. Poor, ever-loyal Keyoke, Mara thought. This announcement hadnot come easily for him either. She would not disappoint him byshaming her family. Faced with tragedy, she maintained the mannerand dignity required of the Lady of a great house. Keyoke bowed as his mistress approached. Behind him stood thetall and taciturn Papewaio, his face as always an unreadable mask.The strongest warrior in the Acoma retinue, he served as bothcompanion and body servant to Keyoke. He bowed and held asidethe curtain for Mara as she swept past. Mara heard both fall into step, one on each side, Papewaio onepace behind, correct in form to the last detail. Without words sheled them from the inner temple, under the awning that covered thegarden court separating the inner and outer temples. They enteredthe outer temple, passing between giant sandstone columns thatrose to the ceiling. Down a long hall they marched, past magnificentfrescos depicting tales of the goddess Lashima. Desperatelyattempting to divert the pain that threatened to overwhelm her,Mara remembered the story each picture represented: how thegoddess outwitted Turakamu, the Red God, for the life of a child;how she stayed the wrath of Emperor Inchonlonganbula, saving thecity of Migran from obliteration; how she taught the first scholarthe secret of writing. Mara closed her eyes as they passed herfavourite: how, disguised as a crone, Lashima decided the issuebetween the farmer and his wife. Mara turned her eyes from theseimages, for they belonged to a life now denied her. All too soon she reached the outer doors. She paused a moment at the top of the worn marble stairs. The courtyard below held a halfcompany of guards in the bright green armour of the Acoma.Several showed freshly bandaged wounds, but all came to attentionand saluted, fist over heart, as their Lady came into view. Maraswallowed fear: if wounded soldiers stood escort duty, the fightingmust have been brutal indeed. Many brave warriors had died. Thatthe Acoma must show such a sign of weakness made Mara's cheeksburn with anger. Grateful for the temple robe that hid the shaking inher knees, she descended the steps. A litter awaited her at thebottom. A dozen slaves stood silently by until the Lady of theAcoma settled inside. Then Papewaio and Keyoke assumedposition, one on each side. On Keyoke's command, the slavesgrasped the poles and lifted the litter onto sweating shoulders.Veiled by the light, embroidered curtain on either side of the litter,Mara sat stiffly as the soldiers formed up before and after theirmistress. The litter swayed slightly as the slaves started towards the river,threading an efficient course through the throng who travelled thestreets of the Holy City. They moved past carts pulled by sluggish,six-legged needra and were passed in turn by running messengersand trotting porters with bundles held aloft on shoulder or head,hurrying their loads for clients who paid a premium for swiftdelivery. The noise and bustle of commerce beyond the gates jolted Maraafresh; within the shelter of the temple, the shock of Keyoke'sappearance had not fully registered. Now she battled to keep fromspilling tears upon the cushions of the litter as understandingoverwhelmed her. She wanted not to speak, as if silence could hidethe truth. But she was Tsurani, and an Acoma. Cowardice wouldnot change the past, nor forever stave off the future. She took abreath. Then, drawing aside the curtain so she could see Keyoke,she voiced what was never in doubt. 'They are both dead.' Keyoke nodded curtly, once. 'Your father and brother were bothordered into a useless assault against a barbarian fortification. Itwas murder.' His features remained impassive, but his voicebetrayed bitterness as he walked at a brisk pace beside his mistress. The litter jostled as the slaves avoided a wagon piled with jomachfruit. They turned down the street towards the landing by the riverwhile Mara regarded her clenched hands. With focused concentration,she willed her fingers to open and relax. After a long silenceshe said, 'Tell me what happened, Keyoke.' 'When the snows on the barbarian world melted we were orderedout, to stand against a possible barbarian assault.' armour creakedas the elderly warrior squared his shoulders, fighting off rememberedfatigue and loss, yet his voice stayed matter-of-fact. 'Soldiers from the barbarian cities of Zun and LaMut were alreadyin the field, earlier than expected. Our runners were dispatched tothe Warlord, camped in the valley in the mountains the barbarianscall the Grey Towers. In the Warlord's absence, his Subcommandergave the order for your father to assault the barbarian position.We -' Mara interrupted. 'This Subcommander, he is of the Minwanabi,is he not?' Keyoke's weathered face showed a hint of approval as if silentlysaying, you're keeping your wits despite grief. 'Yes. The nephew ofLord Jingu of the Minwanabi, his dead brother's only son, Tasaio.'Mara's eyes narrowed as he continued his narrative. 'We weregrossly outnumbered. You father knew this - we all knew it - butyour father kept honour. He followed orders without question. Weattacked. The Subcommander promised to support our right flank,but his troops never materialized. Instead of a coordinated chargewith ours, the Minwanabi warriors held their ground, as ifpreparing for counterattack. Tasaio ordered they should do so. 'But just as we were overwhelmed by a counterattack, supportarrived from the valley, elements of the forces under the banner ofOmechkel and Chimiriko. They had no hint of the betrayal andfought bravely to get us out from under the hooves of thebarbarian's horses. The Minwanabi attacked at this time, as if torepulse the counterattack. They arrived just as the barbariansretreated. To any who had not been there from the start, it wassimply a poor meeting with the barbarian enemy. But the Acomaknow it was Minwanabi treachery.' Mara's eyes narrowed, and her lips tightened; for an instantKeyoke's expression betrayed concern that the girl might shame herfather's memory by weeping before tradition permitted. Butinstead she spoke quietly, her voice controlled fury. 'So my Lord ofthe Minwanabi seized the moment and arranged for my father's death, despite our alliance within the War Party?' Keyoke straightened his helm. 'Indeed, my Lady. Jingu of theMinwanabi must have ordered Tasaio to change the Warlord'sinstrUctions. Jingu moves boldly; he would have earned Tasaio theWarlord's wrath and a dishonourable death had our army lost thatposition to the barbarians. But Almecho needs Minwanabi supportin the conquest, and while he is angry with Jingu's nephew, he keepssilent. Nothing was lost. To outward appearances, it was simply astandoff, no victor. But in the Game of the Council, the Minwanabitriumph over the Acoma.' For the first time in her life, Mara heard ahint of emotion in Keyoke's voice. Almost bitterly, he said,'Papewaio and I were spared by your father's command. Heordered us to remain apart with this small company - and chargedus to protect you should matters proceed as they have.' Forcing hisvoice back to its usual brisk tone, he added, 'My Lord Sezu knew heand your brother would likely not survive the day.' Mara sank back against the cushions, her stomach in knots. Herhead ached and she felt her chest tighten. She took a long, slowbreath and glanced out the opposite side of the litter, to Papewaio,who marched with a studied lack of expression. 'And what do yousay, my brave Pape?' she asked. 'How shall we answer this murdervisited upon our house?' Papewaio absently scratched at the scar on his jaw with his leftthumb, as he often did in times of stress. 'Your will, my Lady.' The manner of the First Strike Leader of the Acoma wasoutwardly easy, but Mara sensed he wished to be holding his spearand unsheathed sword. For a wild, angry instant Mara consideredimmediate vengeance. At her word, Papewaio would assault theMinwanabi lord in his own chamber, in the midst of his army.Although the warrior would count it an honour to die in the effort,she shunted away the foolish impulse. Neither Papewaio nor anyother wearing the Acoma green could get within a half day's marchof the Minwanabi lord. Besides, loyalty such as his was to bejealously guarded, never squandered. Removed from the scrutiny of the priests, Keyoke studied Maraclosely. She met his gaze and held it. She knew her expression wasgrim and her face drawn and chalky, but she also knew she hadborne up well under the news. Keyoke's gaze returned forward, ashe awaited his mistress's next question or command. A man's attention, even an old family retainer's, caused Mara totake stock of herself, without illusions, being neither critical norflattering. She was a fair-looking young woman, not pretty,especially when she wrinkled her brow in thought or frowned inworry. But her smile could make her striking - or so a boy had toldher once - and she possessed a certain appealing quality, a spiritedenergy, that made her almost vivacious at times. She was slender and lithe in movement, and that trim body had caught the eye ofmore than one son of a neighbouring house. Now one of those sonswould likely prove a necessary ally to stem the tide of politicalfortune that threatened to obliterate the Acoma. With her browneyes half-closed, she considered the awesome responsibility thrustupon her. She realized, with a sinking feeling, that the commoditiesof womankind - beauty, wit, charm, allure- must all now be put touse in the cause of the Acoma, along with whatever nativeintelligence the gods had granted her. She fought down the fear thather gifts were insufficient for the task; then, before she knew it, shewas recalling the faces of her father and brother. Grief rose upwithin her, but she forced it back deep. Sorrow must keep untillater. Softly Mara said, 'We have much to talk of, Keyoke, but nothere.' In the press of city traffic, enemies might walk on every side,spies, assassins, or informants in disguise. Mara closed her eyesagainst the terrors of imagination and the real world both. 'We shallspeak when only ears loyal to the Acoma may overhear.' Keyokegrunted acknowledgement. Mara silently thanked the gods that hehad been spared. He was a rock, and she would need such as he ather side. Exhausted, Mara settled back into the cushions. She must riseabove grief to ponder. Her father's most powerful enemy, LordJingu of the Minwanabi, had almost succeeded in gaining one of hislife's ambitions: the obliteration of the Acoma. The blood feudbetween the Acoma and Minwanabi had existed for generations,and while neither house had managed to gain the upper hand, fromtime to time one or the other had to struggle to protect itself. Butnow the Acoma had been gravely weakened, and the Minwanabiwere at the height of their power, rivalling even the Warlord'sfamily in strength. Jingu was already served by vassals, first amongthem the Lord of the Kehotara, whose power equalled that ofMara's father. And as the star of the Minwanabi rose higher, more would ally with him. For a long while Mara lay behind the fluttering curtains, to allappearances asleep. Her situation was bitterly clear. All thatremained between the Lord of the Minwanabi and his goal washerself, a young girl who had been but ten chimes from becoming asister of Lashima. That realization left a taste in her mouth like ash. Now, if she were to survive long enough to regain family honour,she must consider her resources and plot and plan, and enter theGame of the Council; and somehow she must find a way to thwartthe will of the Lord of one of the Five Great Families of the Empireof Tsuranuanni. Mara blinked and forced herself awake. She had dozed fitfully whilethe litter travelled the busy streets of Kentosani, the Holy City, hermind seeking relief from the stress of the day. Now the litter rockedgently as it was lowered to the docks. Mara peeked through the curtains, too numb to find pleasure inthe bustle of the throngs upon the dockside. When she had firstarrived in the Holy City, she had been enthralled by the multicoloureddiversity found in the crowd, with people from everycorner of the Empire upon every hand. The simple sight ofhousehold barges from cities up and down the river Gagajin haddelighted her. Bedecked with banners, they rocked at their mooringslike proudly plumed birds amid barnyard fowl as busycommercial barges and traders' boats scurried about them. Everything,the sights, the sounds, the smells, had been so different fromher father's estates - her estates now, she corrected herself. Torn bythat recognition, Mara hardly noticed the slaves who toiled in theglaring sun, their sweating, near-naked bodies dusted with grime asthey loaded bundled goods aboard the river barges. This time shedid not blush as she had when she had first passed this way in thecompany of the sisters of Lashima. Male nudity had been nothingnew to her; as a child she had played near the soldiers' commonswhile the men bathed and for years she had swam with her brotherand friends in the lake above the needra meadow. But seeing nakedmen after she had renounced the world of flesh seemed somehow tohave made a difference. Being commanded to look away by theattending sister of Lashima had made her want to peek all the more.That day she had to will herself not to stare at the lean, muscledbodies. But today the bodies of the slaves failed to fascinate, as did thecries of the beggars who called down the blessings of the gods onany who chose to share a coin with the less fortunate. Mara ignoredthe rivermen, who sauntered by with the swaggering gait of thosewho spent their lives upon the water, secretly contemptuous of land ., dwellers, their voices loud and edged with rough humour. Everythingseemed less colourful, less vivid, less captivating, as shelooked through eyes suddenly older, less given to seeing withwonder and awe. Now every sunlit facade cast a dark shadow. Andin those shadows enemies plotted. Mara left her litter quickly. Despite the white robe of a novice ofLashima, she bore herself with the dignity expected of the Lady ofthe Acoma. She kept her eyes forward as she moved towards thebarge that would take her downriver, to Sulan-Qu. Papewaiocleared a path for her, roughly shoving common workers aside.Other soldiers moved nearby, brightly coloured guardians whoconducted their masters from the barges to the city. Keyoke kept awary eye upon them as he hovered near Mara's side while theycrossed the dock. As her officers ushered her up the gangplank, Mara wished for adark, quiet place in which to confront her own sorrow. But theinstant she set foot upon the deck, the barge master hustled to meether. His short red and purple robe seemed jarringly bright after thesombre dress of the priests and sisters in the convent. Jade trinketsclinked on his wrists as he bowed obsequiously and offered hisillustrious passenger the finest accommodation his humble bargepermitted, a pile of cushions under a central canopy, hung round bygauzy curtains. Mara allowed the fawning to continue until she hadbeen seated, courtesy requiring such lest the man unduly lose face.Once settled, she let silence inform the barge master his presencewas no longer required. Finding an indifferent audience to hisbabble, the man let fall the thin curtain, leaving Mara a tiny bit ofprivacy at last. Keyoke and Papewaio sat opposite, while thehousehold guards surrounded the canopy, their usual alertnessunderscored by a grim note of battle-ready tension. Seeming to gaze at the swirling water, Mara said, 'Keyoke, whereis my father's . . . my own barge? And my maids?' The old warrior said, 'The Acoma barge is at the dock in SulanQu,my Lady. I judged a night encounter with soldiers of theMinwanabi or their allies less likely if we used a public barge. Thechance of surviving witnesses might help discourage assault by enemies disguised as bandits. And should difficulty visit us, I fearedyour maids might prove a hindrance.' Keyoke's eyes scanned thedocks while he spoke. 'This craft will tie up at night with otherbarges, so we will never be upon the river alone.' Mara nodded, letting her eyes close a long second. Softly she said,'Very well.' She had wished for privacy, something impossible tofind on this public barge, but Keyoke's concerns were well founded. Lord Jingu might sacrifice an entire company of soldiers todestroy the last of the Acoma, certain he could throw enough men atMara's guards to overwhelm them. But he would do so only if hecould assure himself of success, then feign ignorance of the actbefore the other Lords of the High Council. Everyone who playedthe Game of the Council would deduce who had authored suchslaughter, but the forms must always be observed. One escapedtraveller, one Minwanabi guard recognized, one chance remarkoverheard by a poleman on a nearby barge, and Jingu would beundone. To have his part in such a venal ambush revealed publiclywould lose him much prestige in the council, perhaps signalling toone of his 'loyal' allies that he was losing control. Then he couldhave as much to fear from his friends as from his enemies. Such wasthe nature of the Game of the Council. Keyoke's choice ofconveyance might prove as much a deterrent to treachery as ahundred more men-at-arms. The barge master's voice cut the air as he shouted for the slaves tocast off the dock lines. A thud and a bump, and suddenly the bargewas moving, swinging away from the dock into the sluggish swirl ofthe current. Mara lay back, judging it acceptable now to outwardlyrelax. Slaves poled the barge along, their thin, sun-browned bodiesmoving in time, coordinated by a simple chant. 'Keep her to the middle,' sang out the tillerman. 'Don't hit the shore,' answered the polemen. The chant settled into a rhythm, and the tillerman began to addsimple lyrics, all in tempo. 'I know an ugly woman!' he shouted. 'Don't hit the shore!' 'Her tongue cuts like a knife!' 'Don't hit the shore!' 'Got drunk one summer's evening!' 'Don't hit the shore!' 'And took her for my wife!' The silly song soothed Mara and she let her thoughts drift. Herfather had argued long and hotly against her taking vows. Now, when apologies were no longer possible, Mara bitterly regrettedhow close she had come to open defiance; her father had relentedonly because his love for his only daughter had been greater than hisdesire for a suitable political marriage. Their parting had beenstormy. Lord Sezu of the Acoma could be like a harulth - the giantpredator most feared by herdsmen and hunters - in full battle frenzywhen facing his enemies, but he had never been able to deny hisdaughter, no matter how unreasonable her demands. While neveras comfortable with her as he had been with her brother, still he hadindulged her all her life, and only her nurse, Nacoya, had taken firmrein over her childhood. Mara closed her eyes. The barge afforded a small measure ofsecurity, and she could now hide in the dark shelter of sleep; thoseoutside the curtains of this tiny pavilion would only think herfleeing the boredom of a lengthy river journey. But rest provedelusive as memories returned of the brother she had loved like thebreath in her lungs, Lanokota of the flashing dark eyes and readysmile for his adoring little sister. Lano who ran faster than thewarriors in his father's house, and who won in the summer games atSulan-Qu three years in a row, a feat unmatched since. Lano alwayshad time for Mara, even showing her how to wrestle - bringingdown her nurse Nacoya's wrath for involving a girl in such anunladylike pastime. And always Lano had a stupid joke - usuallydirty - to tell his little sister to make her laugh and blush. Had shenot chosen the contemplative life, Mara knew any suitor wouldhave been measured against her brother . . . Lano, whose merrylaughter would no more echo through the night as they sat in thehall sharing supper. Even their father, stern in all ways, would smile, unable to resist his son's infectious humour. While Mara hadrespected and admired her father, she had loved her brother, andnow grief came sweeping over her. Mara forced her emotions back. This was not the place; she mustnot mourn until later. Turning to the practical, she said to Keyoke,'Were my father's and brother's bodies recovered?' With a bitter note, Keyoke said, 'No, my Lady, they were not.' Mara bit her lip. There would be no ashes to inter in the sacredgrove. Instead she must choose a relic of her father's and brother's,one favourite possession of each, to bury beside the sacred natami therock that contained the Acoma family's soul - that their spirits could find their way back to Acoma ground, to find peace besidetheir ancestors until the Wheel of Life turned anew. Mara closed hereyes again, half from emotional fatigue, half to deny tears.Memories jarred her to consciousness as she unsuccessfully tried torest. Then, after some hours, the rocking of the barge, the singing ofthe tillerman, and the answering chant of the slaves becamefamiliar. Her mind and body fell into an answering rhythm and sherelaxed. The warmth of the day and the quietness of the river at lastconspired to lull Mara into a deep sleep. The barge docked at Sulan-Qu under the topaz light of daybreak.Mist rose in coils off the river, while shops and stalls by thewaterfront opened screened shutters in preparation for market.Keyoke acted swiftly to disembark Mara's litter while the streetswere still free of the choking press of commerce; soon carts andporters, shoppers and beggars would throng the commercialboulevards. In scant minutes the slaves were ready. Still clad in thewhite robes of Lashima's sisterhood - crumpled from six days' use Maraclimbed wearily into her litter. She settled back againstcushions stylized with her family's symbol, the shatra bird,embroidered into the material, and realized how much she dreadedher return home. She could not imagine the airy spaces of the greathouse empty of Lano's boisterous voice, or the floor mats in thestudy uncluttered with the scrolls left by her father when he weariedof reading reports. Mara smiled faintly, recalling her father'sdistaste for business, despite the fact he was skilled at it. Hepreferred matters of warfare, the games, and politics, but sheremembered his saying that everything required money, andcommerce must never be neglected. Mara allowed herself an almost audible sigh as the litter washoisted. She wished the curtains provided more privacy as sheendured the gazes of peasants and workers upon the streets at firstlight. From atop vegetable carts and behind booths where goodswere being arrayed, they watched the great lady and her retinuesweep by. Worn from constantly guarding her appearance, Maraendured the jostling trip through streets that quickly becamecrowded. She lapsed into brooding, outwardly alert, but inwardlyoblivious to the usually diverting panorama of the city. Screens on the galleries overhead were withdrawn as merchants displayed wares above the buyers. When haggling ended, the agreedprice was pulled up in baskets, then the goods lowered. Licensedprostitutes were still asleep, so every fifth or sixth gallery remainedshuttered. Mara smiled slightly, remembering the first time she had seen theladies of the Reed Life. The prostitutes showed themselves upon thegalleries as they had for generations, robes left in provocativedisarray as they fanned themselves in the ever present city heat. Allthe women had been beautiful, their faces painted with lovelycolours and their hair bound up in regal style. Even the skimpyrobes were of the costliest weave, with fine embroidery. Mara hadvoiced a six-year-old girl's delight at the image. She had thenannounced to all within earshot that when she grew up she wouldbe just like the ladies in the galleries. This was the only time in herlife she had seen her father rendered speechless. Lano had teased herabout the incident until the morning she left for the temple. Now hisplayful jibes would embarrass her no further. Saddened nearly to tears, Mara turned from memory. She soughtdiversion outside her litter, where clever hawkers sold wares fromwheelbarrows at corners, beggars accosted passersby with tales ofmisery, jugglers offered antics, and merchants presented rare,beautiful silk as they passed. But all failed to shield her mind from pain. The market fell behind and they left the city. Beyond the walls ofSulan-Qu, cultivated fields stretched towards a line of bluishmountains on the horizon; the Kyamaka range was not so rugged orso high as the great High Wall to the north, but the valleys remainedwild enough to shelter bandits and outlaws. The road to Mara's estates led through a swamp that resisted allattempts to drain it. Here her bearers muttered complaints as theywere plagued by insects. A word from Keyoke brought silence. Then the road passed through a stand of ngaggi trees, their largelower branches a green-blue canopy of shade. The travellers movedon into hillier lands, crossing over brightly painted bridges, as thestreams that fed the swamp continually interrupted every road builtby man. They came to a prayer gate, a brightly painted arch erected by some man of wealth as thanks to the gods for a blessing granted.As they passed under the arch, each traveller generated a silentprayer of thanks and received a small blessing in return. And as theprayer arch fell behind, mara considered she would need all thegrace the gods were willing to grant in the days to come, if theAcoma were to survive. The party left the highway, turning towards their final destination.Shatra birds foraged in the thyza paddies, eating insects and grubs,stooped over like old men. Because the flocks helped ensure a goodharvest, the silly-looking creatures were considered a sign of goodluck. So the Acoma had coUnted them, making the shatra symbolthe centrepiece of their houSe crest. Mara found no humour in thefamiliar sight of the shatra birds, with their stilt legs and evermoving pointed ears, finding instead deep apprehension, for thebirds and workers signalled she had reached Acoma lands. The bearers picked up stride. Oh, how Mara wished they wouldslacken pace, or turn around and carry her elsewhere. But herarrival had been noticed by the workers who gathered faggots in thewoodlands between the fieldS and the meadow near the great house.Some shouted or waved as they walked stooped under bundles ofwood loaded on their backS and secured with a strap across theirforeheads. There was warmth in their greeting, and despite thecause of her return they deServed more than aloofness from theirnew mistress. Mara pulled herself erect, smiling slightly and nodding. Aroundher spread her estates, last seen with the expectation she wouldnever return. The hedges, the trimmed fields, and the neatoutbuildings that housed the workers were unchanged. But then,she thought, her absence had been less than a year. The litter passed the needra meadows. The midday air was rentby the herds' plaintive lowing and the 'hut-hut-hut, cry of theherdsman as they waved goading sticks and moved the animalstowards the pens where theY would be examined for parasites.Mara regarded the cows aS they grazed, the sun making their greyhides look tawny. A few lifted blunt snouts as stocky bull calvesfeinted charges, then scampered away on six stumpy legs to shelterbehind their mothers. To Mara it seemed some asked when Lanowould return to play his wild tricks on the ill-tempered breedingbulls. The pain of her losses increased the closer she came to home.Mara put on a brave face as the litter bearers turned along the wide,tree-lined lane that led to the heart of the estate. Ahead lay the large central house, constructed of beams andpaper-thin screens, slid back to open the interior to any breezes inthe midday heat. Mara felt her breath catch. No dogs sprawledamong the akasi flowers, tongues lolling and tails wagging as theywaited for the Lord of the Acoma to return. In his absence they werealways kennelled; now that absence was permanent. Yet home,desolate and empty though it seemed without the presence of lovedones, meant privacy. Soon Mara could retire to the sacred grove andloose the sorrow she had pent up through seven weary days. As the litter and retinue passed a barracks house, the soldiers ofher home garrison fell into formation along her line of travel. Theirarmour was polished, their weapons and trappings faultlessly neat,yet beside Keyoke's and Papewaio's, OnlY one other officer's plumewas in evidence. Mara felt a chill stab at her heart and glanced atKeyoke. 'Why so few warriors, Force Commander? Where are theothers ?' Keyoke kept his eyes forward, ignoring the dust that clung to hislacquered armour and the sweat that dripped beneath his helm.Stiffly he said, 'Those who were capable returned, Lady.' Mara closed her eyes, unable to disguise her shock. Keyoke'ssimple statement indicated that almost two thousand soldiers haddied beside her father and brother. ManY of them had been retainerswith yearS of faithful service, some having stood guard at Mara'scrib side. Most had followed fathers and grandfathers into Acomaservice. Numbed and speechless, Mara cOunted those soldiers standing information and added their numbers to those who had travelled asbodyguards. Thirty-seven warriors remained in her service, a pitifulfraction of the garrison her father had once commanded. Of thetwenty-five hundred warriors to wear acoma green, five hundredwere dedicated to guarding outlying Acoma holdings in distantcities and provinces. Three hundred had already been lost beyond the rift in the war against the barbarian's before this last campaign.Now, where two thousand soldiers had served at the height ofAcoma power, the heart of the estate was protected by fewer thanfifty men. Mara shook her head in sOrrow. Many women besidesherself mourned losses beyond the rift. Despair filled her heart asshe realized the Acoma forces were too few to withstand anyassault' even an attack by bandits, should a bold band raid from themountains. But Mara also knew why Keyoke had placed the estateat risk to bring such a large portion - twenty-four out of thirtyseven ofthe surviving warriors to guard her. Any spies of theMinwanabi must not be allowed to discover just how weak theAcoma were. Hopelessness settled over her like a smotheringblanket. 'Why didn't you tell me sooner, Keyoke?' But only silenceanswered. By that Mara knew. Her faithful Force Commander hadfeared that such news might break her if delivered all at once. Andthat could not be permitted. Too many Acoma soldiers had died forher to simply give up to despair. If hopelessness overwhelmed her,their sacrifice in the name of Acoma honour became a mockery,their death a waste. Thrust headlong into the Game of the Council,Mara needed every shred of wit and cunning she possessed to avoidthe snares of intrigue that lay in wait for her inexperienced feet. Thetreachery visited upon her house would not end until, unschooledand alone, she had defeated the Lord of the Minwanabi and hisminions. The slaves halted in the dooryard. Mara drew a shaking breath.Head high, she forced herself to step from the litter and enter thescrolled arches of the portico that lined the perimeter of the house.Mara waited while Keyoke dismissed the litter and gave orders toher escort. Then, as the last soldier saluted, she turned and met thebow of the hadonra, her estate manager. The man was new to hispost, his squint-eyed countenance unfamiliar to Mara. But besidehim stood the tiny, wizened presence of Nacoya, the nurse who hadraised Mara from childhood. Other servants waited beyond. The impact of the change struck Mara once again. For the firsttime in her life, she could not fly into the comfort of the ancientwoman's arms. As Lady of the Acoma, she must nod formally andwalk past, leaving Nacoya and the hadonra to follow her up thewooden steps into the shady dimness of the great house. Today shemust bear up and pretend not to notice the painful reflection of herown sorrow in Nacoya's eyes. Mara bit her lip slightly, thenstopped herself. That nervous habit had brought Nacoya's scoldingon many occasions. Instead the girl took a breath, and entered thehouse of her father. The missing echoes of his footfalls upon thepolished wooden floor filled her with loneliness. 'Lady?' Mara halted, clenched hands hidden in the crumpled white of herrobe. 'What is it?' The hadonra spoke again. 'Welcome home, my Lady,' he addedin formal greeting. 'I am Jican, Lady.' Softly Mara said, 'What has become of Sotamu?' Jican glanced down. 'He wasted in grief, my Lady, following hisLord into death.' Mara could only nod once and resume her progress to herquarters. She was not surprised to learn that the old hadonra hadrefused to eat or drink after Lord Sezu's death. Since he was anelderly man, it must have taken only a few days for him to die.Absently she wondered who had presumed to appoint Jicanhadonra in his stead. As she turned to follow one of the large hallsthat flanked a central garden, Nacoya said, 'My Lady, your quartersare across the garden.' Mara barely managed another nod. Her personal belongingswould all have been moved to her father's suite, the largest in thebuilding. She moved woodenly, passing the length of the square gardenthat stood at the heart of every Tsurani great house. The carvedwooden grillework that enclosed the balcony walkways above, theflower beds, and the fountain under the trees in the courtyardseemed both familiar and inescapably strange after the stonearchitecture of the temples. Mara continued until she stood beforethe door to her father's quarters. Painted upon the screen was abattle scene, a legendary struggle won by the Acoma over another,long-forgotten, enemy. The hadonra, Jican, slid aside the door. Mara faltered a moment. The jolt of seeing her own belongings in her father's room nearly overcame her control, as if this room itselfhad somehow betrayed her. And with that odd distress came thememory: the last time she had stepped over this threshold had beenon the night she argued with her father. Though she was usually aneven-tempered and obedient child, that one time her temper hadmatched his. Mara moved woodenly forward. She stepped onto the slightlyraised dais, sank down onto the cushions, and waved away themaids who waited upon her needs. Keyoke, Nacoya, and Jican thenentered and bowed formally before her. Papewaio remained at thedoor, guarding the entrance from the garden. In hoarse tones Mara said, 'I wish to rest. The journey was tiring.Leave now.' The maids left the room at once, but the three retainersall hesitated. Mara said, 'What is it?' Nacoya answered, 'There is much to be done- much that maynot wait, Mara-anni.' The use of the diminutive of her name was intended in kindness,but to Mara it became a symbol of all she had lost. She bit her lip asthe hadonra said, 'My Lady, many things have gone neglected since. . . your father's death. Many decisions must be made soon.' Keyoke nodded. 'Lady, your upbringing is lacking for one whomust rule a great house. You must learn those things we taughtLanokota.' Miserable with memories of the rage she had exchanged with herfather the night before she had left, Mara was stung by the reminderthat her brother was no longer heir. Almost pleading, she said, 'Notnow. Not yet.' Nacoya said, 'Child, you must not fail your name. You -' Mara's voice rose, thick with emotions held too long in check. 'Isaid not yet! I have not observed a time of mourning! I will hear youafter I have been to the sacred grove.' The last was said with adraining away of anger, as if the little flash was all the energy shecould muster. 'Please,' she added softly. Ready to retire, Jican stepped back, absently plucking at hislivery. He glanced at Keyoke and Nacoya, yet both of them heldtheir ground. The Force Commander said, 'Lady, you must listen.Soon our enemies will move to destroy us. The Lord of theMinwanabi and the Lord of the Anasati both think House Acomadefeated. Neither should know you did not take final vows for a fewdays more, but we cannot be sure of that. Spies may already havecarried word that you have returned; if so, your enemies are evennow plotting to finish this house once and finally. Responsibilitiescannot be put off. You must master a great deal in a short time ifthere is to be any hope of survival for the Acoma. The name andhonour of your family are now in your hands.' Mara tilted her chin in a manner unchanged from her childhood.She whispered, 'Leave me alone.' Nacoya stepped to the dais. 'Child, listen to Keyoke. Our enemiesare made bold by our loss, and you've no time for self-indulgence.The education you once received to become the wife of some otherhousehold's son is inadequate for a Ruling Lady.' Mara's voice rose, tension making the blood sing in her ears. 'Idid not ask to be Ruling Lady!' Dangerously close to tears, she usedanger to keep from breaking. 'Until a week ago, I was to be a sisterof Lashima, all I wished for in this life! If the Acoma honour mustrely upon me for revenge against the Minwanabi, if I need counseland training, all will wait until I have visited the sacred grove anddone reverence to the memories of the slain!' Keyoke glanced at Nacoya, who nodded. The young Lady of theAcoma was near breaking, and must be deferred to, but the oldnurse was ready to deal with even that. She said, 'All is prepared foryou in the grove. I have presumed to choose your father'sceremonial sword to recall his spirit, and Lanokota's manhood robeto recall his.' Keyoke motioned to where the two objects lay atop arichly embroidered cushion. Seeing the sword her father wore at festivals and the robepresented to her brother during his ceremony of manhood wasmore than the exhausted, grief-stricken girl could bear. With tearsrising, she said, 'Leave me!' The three hesitated, though to disobey the Lady of the Acomawas to risk punishment even unto death. The hadonra was first toturn and quit his mistress's quarters. Keyoke followed, but asNacoya turned to go, she repeated, 'Child, all is ready in the grove.'Then slowly she slid the great door closed. Alone at last, Mara allowed the tears to stream down her cheeks.Yet she held her sobbing in check as she rose and picked up thecushion with the sword and robe upon it. The ceremony of mourning was a private thing; only familymight enter the contemplation glade. But under more normalcircumstances, a stately procession of servants and retainers wouldhave marched with surviving family members as far as the blockinghedge before the entrance. Instead a single figure emerged from therear door of her quarters. Mara carried the cushion gently, herwhite robe wrinkled and dirty where the hem dragged in the dust. Even deaf and blind she would have remembered the way. Herfeet knew the path, down to the last stone fisted into the gnarled ulotree root beside the ceremonial gate. The thick hedge that surroundedthe grove shielded it from observation. Only the Acomamight walk here, save a priest of Chochocan when consecrating thegrove or the gardener who tended the shrubs and flowers. Ablocking hedge faced the gate, preventing anyone outside frompeering within. Mara entered and hurried to the centre of the grove. There, amida sculptured collection of sweet-blossomed fruit trees, a tiny streamflowed through the sacred pool. The rippled surface reflected theblue-green of the sky through curtains of overhanging branches. Atwater's edge a large rock sat embedded in the soil, worn smooth byages of exposure to the elements; the shatra bird of the Acoma wasonce carved deeply on its surface, but now the crest was barelyvisible. This was the family's natami, the sacred rock that embodiedthe spirit of the Acoma. Should the day come when the Acoma wereforced to flee these lands, this one most revered possession would becarried away and all who bore the name would die protecting it. Forshould the natami fall into the hands of any other, the family wouldbe no more. Mara glanced at the far hedge. There three natamitaken by Acoma ancestors were interred under a slab, inverted sotheir carved crests would never see sunlight again. Mara's forebearshad obliterated three families in the Game of the Council. Now herown stood in peril of joining them. Next to the stone a hole had been dug, the damp soil piled to oneside. Mara placed the cushion with her father's sword and herbrother's robe within. With bare hands she pushed the earth backinto the hole, patting it down, unmindful as she soiled her whiterobe. Then she sat back on her heels, caught by the sudden compulsionto laugh. A strange, detached giddiness washed over her and she feltalarm. Despite this being the appointed place, tears and pain so longheld in check seemed unwilling to come. She took a breath and stifled the laughter. Her mind flashedimages and she felt hot flushes rush up her breasts, throat, andcheeks. The ceremony must continue, despite her strange feelings. Beside the pool rested a small vial, a faintly smoking brazier, atiny dagger, and a clean white gown. Mara lifted the vial andremoved the stopper. She poured fragrant oils upon the pool,sending momentary shimmers of fractured light across its surface.Softly she said, 'Rest, my father. Rest, my brother. Come to yourhome soil and sleep with our ancestors.' She laid the vial aside and with a jerk ripped open the bodice ofher robe. Despite the heat, chill bumps roughened her small breastsas the breeze struck suddenly exposed, damp skin. She reached upand again ripped her gown, as ancient traditions were followed.With the second tear she cried out, a halfhearted sound, little betterthan a whimper. Tradition demanded the show of loss before herancestors. Again she tore her robe, ripping it from her left shoulder so ithung half to her waist. But the shout that followed held more angerat her loss than sorrow. With her left hand she reached up and toreher gown from her right shoulder. This time her sob was fullthroatedas pain erupted from the pit of her stomach. Traditions whose origins were lost in time at last triggered arelease. All the torment she had held in check came forth, rushing upfrom her groin through her stomach and chest to issue from hermouth as a scream. The sound of a wounded animal rang in theglade as Mara gave full vent to her anger, revulsion, torment andloss. Shrieking with sorrow, nearly blinded with tears, she plunged herhand into the almost extinguished brazier. Ignoring the pain of thefew hot cinders there, she smeared the ashes across her breasts anddown her exposed stomach. This symbolized that her heart wasashes, and again sobs racked her body as her mind sought finalrelease from the horror left by the murder of her father, brother, andhundreds of loyal warriors. Her left hand shot out and grabbed dirtfrom beside the natami. She smeared the damp soil in her hair andstruck her head with her fist. She was one with Acoma soil, and tothat soil she would return, as would the spirits of the slain. Now she struck her thigh with her fist, chanting the words ofmourning, almost unintelligible through her crying. Rocking backand forth upon her knees, she wailed in sorrow. Then she seized the tiny metal dagger, a family heirloom ofimmense value, used only for this ceremony over the ages. She drewthe blade from its sheath and cut herself across the left arm, the hotpain a counterpoint to the sick ache in her chest. She held the small wound over the pool, letting drops of blood fallto mix with the water, as tradition dictated. Again she tore at herrobe, ripping all but a few tatters from her body. Naked but for aloincloth, she cast the rags away with a strangled cry. Pulling herhair, forcing pain to cleanse her grief, she chanted ancient words,calling her ancestors to witness her bereavement. Then she threwherself across the fresh soil over the place of interment and restedher head upon the family natami. With the ceremony now complete, Mara's grief flowed like thewater streaming from the pool, carrying her tears and blood to theriver, thence to the distant sea. As mourning eased away pain, theceremony would eventually cleanse her, but now was the momentof private grief when tears and weeping brought no shame. AndMara descended into grief as wave after wave of sorrow issued fromthe deepest reservoir within her soul. A sound intruded, a rustling of leaves as if someone movedthrough the tree branches above her. Caught up in grief, Marabarely noticed, even when a dark figure dropped to land next to her.Before she could open her eyes, powerful fingers yanked on her hair.Mara's head snapped back. Jolted by a terrible current of fear, shestruggled, half glimpsing a man in black robes behind her. Then ablow to the face stunned her. Her hair was released and a cord waspassed over her head. Instinctively she grabbed at it. Her fingerstangled in the loop that should have killed her in seconds, but as theman tightened the garrotte, her palm prevented the knot in thecentre from crushing her windpipe. Still she couldn't breathe. Herattempt to shout for aid was stifled. She tried to roll away, but herassailant jerked upon the cord and held her firmly in check. Awrestler's kick learned from her brother earned her a mockinghalf-laugh, half-grunt. Despite her skill, Mara was no match for theassassin. The cord tightened, cutting painfully into her hand and neck.Mara gasped for breath, but none came and her lungs burned.Struggling like a fish on a gill line, she felt the man haul her upright.Only her awkward grip on the cord kept her neck from breaking.Mara's ears sang from the pounding of her own blood within. Sheclawed helplessly with her free hand. Her fingers tangled in cloth.She yanked, but was too weak to overbalance the man. Through aroar like surf, she heard the man's laboured breathing as he liftedher off the ground. Then, defeated by lack of air, her spirit felldownwards into darkness. Evaluations Mara felt wetness upon her face. Through the confusion of returning senses, she realized Papewaiowas gently cradling her head in the crook of his arm as he moistenedher face with a damp rag. Mara opened her mouth to speak, but herthroat constricted. She coughed, then swallowed hard against theache of injured neck muscles. She blinked, and struggled to organizeher thoughts; but she knew only that her neck and throat hurtterribly and the sky above looked splendid beyond belief, its bluegreendepths appearing to fade into the infinite. Then she moved herright hand; pain shot across her palm, jolting her to full memory. Almost inaudibly she said, 'The assassin?' Papewaio inclined his head toward something sprawled by thereflecting pool. 'Dead.' Mara turned to look, ignoring the discomfort of her injuries. Thecorpse of the killer lay on one side, the fingers of one hand trailing inwater discoloured with blood. He was short, reed-thin, of almostdelicate build, and clad simply in a black robe and calf-lengthtrousers. His hood and veil had been pulled aside, revealing asmooth, boyish face marked by a blue tattoo upon his left cheek - ahamoi flower stylized to six concentric circles of wavy lines. Bothhands were dyed red to the wrists. Mara shuddered, still stingingfrom the violence of those hands upon her flesh. Papewaio helped her to her feet. He tossed away the rag, tornfrom her rent garment, and handed her the white robe intended forthe end of the ceremony. Mara clothed herself, ignoring the stainsher injured hands made upon the delicately embroidered material.At her nod, Papewaio escorted her from the glade. Mara followed the path, its familiarity no longer a comfort. Thecruel bite of the stranger's cord had forced her to recognize that her enemies could reach even to the heart of the Acoma estates. Thesecurity of her childhood was forever gone. The dark hedgessurrounding the glade now seemed a haven for assassins, and theshade beneath the wide limbs of the ulo tree carried a chill. Rubbingthe bruised and bloody flesh of her right hand, Mara restrained animpulse to bolt in panic. Though terrified like a thyza bird at theshadow of a golden killwing as it circles above, she stepped throughthe ceremonial gate with some vestige of the decorum expected ofthe Ruling Lady of a great house. Nacoya and Keyoke waited just outside, with the estate gardenerand two of his assistants. None spoke but Keyoke, who said only,'What?' Papewaio replied with grim brevity. 'As you thought. An assassinwaited. Hamoi tong.' Nacoya extended her arms, gathering Mara into hands that hadsoothed her hurts since childhood, yet for the first time Mara foundlittle reassurance. With a voice still croaking from her nearstrangulation, she said, 'Hamoi tong, Keyoke?' 'The Red Hands of the Flower Brotherhood, My Lady. Hiredmurderers of no clan, fanatics who believe to kill or be killed is to besanctified by Turakamu, that death is the only prayer the god willhear. When they accept a commission they vow to kill their victimsor die in the attempt.' He paused, while the gardener made aninstinctive sign of protection: the Red God was feared. With acynical note, Keyoke observed, 'Yet many in power understand thatthe Brotherhood will offer their unique prayer only when the tonghas been paid a rich fee.' His voice fell to almost a mutter as headded, 'And the Hamoi are very accommodating as to whose soulshall offer that prayer to Turakamu.' 'Why had I not been told of these before?' 'They are not part of the normal worship of Turakamu, mistress.It is not the sort of thing fathers speak of to daughters who are notheirs.' Nacoya's voice implied reprimand. Though it was now too late for recriminations, Mara said, 'Ibegin to see what you meant about needing to discuss many thingsright away.' Expecting to be led away, Mara began to turn towardher quarters. But the old woman held her; too shaken to question,Mara obeyed the cue to remain. Papewaio stepped away from the others, then dropped to oneknee in the grass. The shadow of the ceremonial gate darkened hisface, utterly hiding his expression as he drew his sword and reversedit, offering the weapon hilt first to Mara. 'Mistress, I beg leave totake my life with the blade.' For a long moment Mara stared uncomprehendingly. 'What areyou asking?' 'I have trespassed into the Acoma contemplation glade, myLady.' Overshadowed by the assassination attempt, the enormity ofPapewaio's act had not registered upon Mara until this instant. Hehad entered the glade to save her, despite the knowledge that such atransgression would earn him a death sentence without appeal. As Mara seemed unable to respond, Keyoke tried delicately toelaborate on Pape's appeal. 'You ordered Jican, Nacoya, and myselfnot to accompany you to the glade, Lady. Papewaio was notmentioned. He hid himself near the ceremonial gate; at the sound ofa struggle he sent the gardener to fetch us, then entered.' The Acoma Force Commander granted his companion a raredisplay of affection; for an instant the corners of his mouth turnedup, as if he acknowledged victory after a difficult battle. Then hishint of a smile vanished. 'Each one of us knew such an attempt uponyou was only a matter of time. It is unfortunate that the assassinchose this place; Pape knew the price of entering the glade.' Keyoke's message to Mara was clear: Papewaio had affrontedMara's ancestors by entering the glade, earning himself a deathsentence. But not to enter would have entailed a fate far worse. Had the last Acoma died, every man and woman Papewaio counted afriend would have become houseless persons, little better thanslaves or outlaws. No warrior could do other than Papewaio haddone; his life was pledged to Acoma honour. Keyoke was tellingMara that Pape had earned a warrior's death, upon the blade, forchoosing life for his mistress and all those he loved at the cost of hisown life. But the thought of the staunch warrior dying as a result ofher own naivete was too much for Mara. Reflexively she said, 'No.' Assuming this to mean he was denied the right to die withoutshame, Papewaio bent his head. Black hair veiled his eyes as heflipped his sword, neatly, with no tremor in his hands, and drove theblade into the earth at his Lady's feet. Openly regretful, thegardener signalled his two assistants. Carrying rope, they hurried forward to Papewaio's side. One began to bind Papewaio's handsbehind him while the other tossed a long coil of rope over a stouttree branch. For a moment Mara was without comprehension, then understandingstruck her: Papewaio was being readied for the meanestdeath, hanging, a form of execution reserved for criminals andslaves. Mara shook her head and raised her voice. 'Stop!' Everyone ceased moving. The assistant gardeners paused withtheir hands half-raised, looking first to the head gardener, then toNacoya and Keyoke, then to their mistress. They were clearlyreluctant to carry out this duty, and confusion over their Lady'swishes greatly increased their discomfort. Nacoya said, 'Child, it is the law.' Gripped by an urge to scream at them all, Mara shut her eyes. Thestress, her mourning, the assault, and now this rush to executePapewaio for an act caused by her irresponsible behaviour cameclose to overwhelming her. Careful not to burst into tears, Maraanswered firmly. 'No . . . I haven't decided.' She looked from face toimpassive face and added, 'You will all wait until I do. Pape, take upyour sword.' Her command was a blatant flouting of tradition; Papewaioobeyed in silence. To the gardener, who stood fidgeting uneasily,she said, 'Remove the assassin's body from the glade.' With asudden vicious urge to strike at something, she added, 'Strip it andhang it from a tree beside the road as a warning to any spies whomay be near. Then cleanse the natami and drain the pool; both havebeen defiled. When all is returned to order, send word to the priestsof Chochocan to come and reconsecrate the grove.' Though all watched with unsettled eyes, Mara turned her back.Nacoya roused first. With a sharp click of her tongue, she escortedher young mistress into the cool quiet of the house. Papewaio andKeyoke looked on with troubled thoughts, while the gardenerhurried off to obey his mistress's commands. The two assistant gardeners coiled the ropes, exchanging glances.The ill luck of the Acoma had not ended with the father and the son,so it seemed. Mara's reign as Lady of the Acoma might indeed provebrief, for her enemies would not rest while she learned the complexsubtleties of the Game of the Council. Still, the assistant gardenersseemed to silently agree, such matters were in the hands of the gods,and the humble in life were always carried along in the currents ofthe mighty as they rose and fell. None could say such a fate wascruel or unjust. It simply was. The moment the Lady of the Acoma reached the solitude of herquarters, Nacoya took charge. She directed servants who bustledwith subdued efficiency to make their mistress comfortable. Theyprepared a scented bath while Mara rested on cushions, absentlyfingering the finely embroidered shatra birds that symbolized herhouse. One who did not know her would have thought her stillnessthe result of trauma and grief; but Nacoya observed the focusedintensity of the girl's dark eyes and was not fooled. Tense, angry,and determined, Mara already strove to assess the far-reachingpolitical implications of the attack upon her person. She enduredthe ministrations of her maids without her usual restlessness, silentwhile the servants bathed her and dressed her wounds. A compressof herbs was bound around her bruised and lacerated right hand.Nacoya hovered anxiously by while Mara received a vigorous rubby two elderly women who had ministered to Lord Sezu in the samemanner. Their old fingers were surprisingly strong; knots ofmuscular tension were sought out and gradually kneaded away.Afterward, clothed in clean robes, Mara still felt tired, but theattentions of the old women had eased away nervous exhaustion. Nacoya brought chocha, steaming in a fine porcelain cup. Marasat before a low stone table and sipped the bitter drink, wincingslightly as the liquid aggravated her bruised throat. In the grove shehad been too shocked by the attack to feel much beyond a shortburst of panic and fear. Now she was surprised to discover herselftoo wrung out to register any sort of reaction. The slanting light ofafternoon brightened the paper screens over the windows, as it hadthroughout her girlhood. Far off, she could hear the whistles of theherdsmen in the needra meadows, and near at hand, Jican's voicereprimanding a house slave for clumsiness. Mara closed her eyes,almost able to imagine the soft scratch of the quill pen her father had used to draft instructions to distant subordinates; butMinwanabi treachery had ended such memories forever. ReluctantlyMara acknowledged the staid presence of Nacoya. The old nurse seated herself on the other side of the table. Hermovements were slow, her features careworn. The delicate seashellornaments that pinned her braided hair were fastened slightlycrooked, as reaching upwards to fix the pin correctly became moredifficult with age. Although only a servant, Nacoya was well versedin the arts and subtlety of the Game of the Council. She had servedat the right hand of Lord Sezu's lady for years, then raised hisdaughter after the wife's death in childbirth. The old nurse had beenlike a mother to Mara. Sharply aware that the old nurse was waitingfor some comment, the girl said, 'I have made some grave errors,Nacoya.' The nurse returned a curt nod. 'Yes, child. Had you granted timefor preparation, the gardener would have inspected the groveimmediately before you entered. He might have discovered theassassin, or been killed, but his disappearance would have alertedKeyoke, who could have had warriors surround the glade. Theassassin would have been forced to come out or starve to death.Had the Hamoi murderer fled the gardener's approach and beenlurking outside, your soldiers would have found his hiding place.'The nurse's hands tightened in her lap, and her tone turned harsh.'Indeed, your enemy expected you to make mistakes . . . as you did.' Mara accepted the reproof, her eyes following the lazy curls ofsteam that rose from her cup of chocha. 'But the one who sent thekiller erred as much as I.' 'True.' Nacoya squinted, forcing farsighted vision to focus moreclearly upon her mistress. 'He chose to deal the Acoma a tripledishonour by killing you in your family's sacred grove, and nothonourably with the blade, but by strangulation, as if you were acriminal or slave to die in shame!' Mara said, 'But as a woman -' 'You are Ruling Lady,' snapped Nacoya. Lacquered braceletsclashed as she thumped fists on her knee in a timeworn gesture ofdisapproval. 'From the moment you assumed supremacy in thishouse, child, you became as a man, with every right and privilege ofrulership. You wield the powers your father did as Lord of theAcoma. And for this reason, your death by the strangler's cordwould have visited as much shame on your family as if your fatheror brother had died in such fashion.' Mara bit her lip, nodded, and dared another sip of her chocha.'The third shame?' 'The Hamoi dog certainly intended to steal the Acoma natami,forever ending your family's name. Without clan or honour, yoursoldiers would have become grey warriors, outcasts living in thewilds. All of your servants would have finished their lives as slaves.'Nacoya ended in bitterness. 'Our Lord of the Minwanabi isarrogant.' Mara placed her chocha cup neatly in the centre of the table. 'Soyou think Jingu responsible?' 'The man is drunk with his own power. He stands second only tothe Warlord in the High Council now. Should fate remove Almechofrom his throne of white and gold, a Minwanabi successor wouldassuredly follow. The only other enemy of your father's who wouldwish your ruin is the Lord of the Anasati. But he is far too clever toattempt such a shameful assault- so badly done. Had he sent theHamoi murderer, his instructions would have been simple: yourdeath by any means. A poison dart would have struck from hiding,or a quick blade between the ribs, then quickly away to carry wordof your certain death.' Nacoya nodded with finality, as if discussion had confirmed herconvictions. 'No, our Lord of the Minwanabi may be the mostpowerful man in the High Council, but he is like an enraged harulth,smashing down trees to trample a gazer.' She raised spread fingers,framing the size of the timid little animal she had named. 'Heinherited his position from a powerful father, and he has strongallies. The Lord of the Minwanabi is cunning, not intelligent. 'The Lord of the Anasati is both cunning and intelligent, one to be feared.' Nacoya made a weaving motion with her hand. 'He slitherslike the relli in the swamp, silent, stealthy, and he strikes withoutwarning. This murder was marked as if the Minwanabi lord hadhanded the assassin a warrant for your death with his own familychop affixed to the bottom.' Nacoya's eyes narrowed in thought.That he knows you're back this quickly speaks well of his spies. Weassumed he would not find out you were Ruling Lady for a fewmore days. For the Hamoi to have been sent so soon shows he knewyou had not taken vows from the instant Keyoke led you from thetemple.' She shook her head in self-reproach. 'We should haveassumed as much.' Mara considered Nacoya's counsel, while her cup of chochacooled slowly on the table. Aware of her new responsibilities asnever before, she accepted that unpleasant subjects could no longerbe put off. Though dark hair curled girlishly around her cheeks, andthe robe with its ornate collar seemed too big for her, shestraightened with the resolve of a ruler. 'I may seem like a gazen tothe Lord of the Minwanabi, but now he has taught this eater offlowers to grow teeth for meat. Send for Keyoke and Papewaio.' Her command roused the runner, a small, sandal-clad slave boychosen for his fleetness; he sprang from his post by her doorway tocarry word. The warriors arrived with little delay; both hadanticipated her summons. Keyoke wore his ceremonial helm, thefeather plumes denoting his office brushing the lintel of thedoorway as he entered. Bare-headed, but nearly as tall, Papewaiofollowed his commander inside. He moved with the same grace andstrength that had enabled him to strike down a killer only hoursbefore; his manner betrayed not a single hint of concern over hisunresolved fate. Struck by his proud carriage, and his more thanusually impassive face, Mara felt the judgment she must completewas suddenly beyond her resources. Her distress was in no way evident as the warriors knelt formallybefore her table. The green plumes of Keyoke's helm trembled in theair, close enough for Mara to touch. She repressed a shiver andgestured for the men to sit. Her maidservant offered hot chochafrom the pot, but only Keyoke accepted. Papewaio shook his headonce, as though he trusted his bearing better than his voice. Mara said, 'I have erred. I will seek to avoid such error again-'She paused sharply, frowned, and made a nervous gesture that thesisters of Lashima had strived to eliminate. 'No,' said Mara, 'I mustdo better than that, for at the temple I learned that my impatiencesometimes undoes my judgment. Keyoke, between us there must bea hand signal, to be used in times when my life, or the Acomaexistence, may be threatened in ways I may not understand. Thenperhaps the folly of this day's events may never be repeated.' Keyoke nodded, his scarred face impassive, but his mannersuggesting approval. After a moment of thought, he ran the knuckleof his index finger along an old scar that creased his jaw. 'Lady,would you recognize this gesture as such a warning, even in acrowded or public place?' Mara nearly smiled. Keyoke had chosen a nervous habit ofPapewaio's, his only outward sign of tension. Keyoke neverfidgeted; through danger or stress, and even in battle, she supposed, her Force Commander never lost control. If he scratched a scar inher presence, she would notice, and hopefully take heed. 'Verygood. So be it, Keyoke.' A strained silence developed as Mara shifted her regard to theother warrior before her. 'My brave Pape, had I not erred in oneinstance, I would now be dead and all our holdings and retainers leftwithout a mistress.' Wishing the moment of judgment could bedelayed, the girl added, 'Had I but said let none follow me to thegrove . . .' Her sentence trailed off, unfinished. All knew that hercommand would have been obeyed to the letter' duty would havecompelled Papewaio to remain in the manor, leaving his mistress tofate's choices. Mara said, 'Now one of my most valued retainers must forfeit hislife for loyal and honourable service to his house.' 'Such is the law,' Keyoke observed, revealing no hint of sorrow oranger. Relieved that Mara had the strength to do her duty, hisplumes of office stilled above his immobile features. Mara sighed. 'I expect there is no other way.' 'None, child,' said Nacoya. 'You must specify the manner andtime of Pape's death. You may allow him to fall upon his ownsword, though, granting him a warrior's honour, to die by theblade. He deserves that, at least, mistress.' Mara's dark eyes flashed; angry at having to waste such astalwart servant, she knitted her brows in thought. Nothing wassaid for a time, then, abruptly, she announced, 'I think not.' Keyoke seemed on the verge of speaking, then simply nodded,while Papewaio rubbed his jaw with one thumb, his familiar sign ofdistress. Shaken by the gesture, Mara continued quickly. 'My sentence is this: loyal Pape, that you will die is certain. But I shalldecide the place and circumstance of that death in my own time.Until then you shall serve as you always have. Around your headwear the black rag of the condemned, that all may know I havepronounced death upon you.' Papewaio nodded once. 'Your will, mistress.' Mara added, 'And should fate cause my death before yours, youmay fall upon your own blade . . . or seek to visit revenge upon mymurderer, as you see fit.' She was certain which course Pape wouldchoose. Now, until she selected the time and manner of execution,Papewaio would remain in her service. Mara regarded her three most loyal followers, half-fearful herunorthodox judgment might be challenged. But duty and customdemanded unquestioned obedience, and no one met her glance.Hoping she had acted with honour, Mara said, 'Go now, and freelyattend your duties.' Keyoke and Papewaio rose at once. They bowed with stiffbackedformality, turned, and departed. Old and slow ofmovement, Nacoya performed her obeisance with less grace. Shestraightened, a hint of approval on her wizened face. 'That was welldone, daughter of Sezu,' she whispered. 'You save Pape's honourand preserve a most loyal servant. He will wear the black rag ofshame as if it were a badge of honour.' Then, as if embarrassed byher boldness, the old nurse left hastily. The house servant who hovered by the door had to speak twicebefore Mara noticed her. 'As my mistress needs?' Wrung out by the emotions and tensions of the afternoon, theLady of the Acoma looked up. By the expectant look on theservant's face, she realized the afternoon had passed. Blue shadowsdappled the door screens, lending a moody, sombre air to thedecorative paintings of huntsmen. Longing for the simplicity of hergirlhood, Mara decided to forego the formality of the evening meal.Tomorrow was soon enough to face the fact that she must sit in herfather's place at the head of the table. She said to the maidservant,'Let the evening breezes in, then withdraw.' The servant hastened to obey her wishes and slid open the largeouter screens that faced the west. The orange sun hung low, kissingthe purple edge of the horizon. Red-gold light burnished themarshes where the shatra birds flocked at eventide. Even as Marawatched, the ungainly creatures exploded into flight. Withinminutes the sky was covered with silhouettes of grace and elegance,whirling across clouds fired with scarlet and pink, and indigo beforethe approach of night. No man understood the reason for thissplendid group dance upon the wing, but the sight was majestic.Though Mara had watched the display a thousand times throughgirlhood, the birds still took her breath away. She did not notice thetiptoe departure of the maidservant but for the better part of anhour sat absorbed as flocks numbering in the thousands gathered towheel and turn, bank and glide, while the light slowly faded. Thebirds landed as the sun vanished. In the silvery twilight they gathered in the marshes, clustered tightly to baffle predators whilethey slept. House servants returned in the warm, sweet hour of nightfall,bringing oil for the lamps and hot herb tea. But exhaustion hadovertaken Mara at last. They found her asleep amid her cushions,lulled by the familiar sounds of herders driving the needra intoshelter. In the distance the sad song of a kitchen slave kneadingthyza bread for the morning meal was a soft counterpoint to thefaint calls of Keyoke's sentries as they patrolled the grounds toensure the safety of Acoma's newest Lady. , Accustomed to temple discipline, Mara awoke early. She blinked, atfirst confused by her surroundings; then the rich coverlet thrownover her sleeping mat reminded her: she lay in her father's chamberas Ruling Lady of the Acoma. Rested, but still aching from thebruises left by the Minwanabi assassin, she rolled on her side.Luxuriant strands of hair caught in her lashes; impatiently shepushed them away. Dawn brightened the screens that faced east. The whistle of aherder driving needra to pasture cut through daybreak's chorus ofbird calls. Made restless by memories, Mara arose. Her maids did not hear her stir. Barefoot, and appreciative of thesolitude, the girl crossed the chamber and slipped the catch on thescreen. She slid it aside with the barest of squeaks. Cool air caressedher skin between the loose folds of her robe. Mara drew in the scentof dew, and moist earth, and the delicate perfume of akasi flowers.Mist rose off the marshlands, rendering the trees and hedges intones of charcoal, and there the lone silhouette of a herdsmandriving the slow-moving needra. The soldier at his post in the dooryard turned about on his beat, and realized the girl who stood in the white shift and sleep-tangledhair was his ruling mistress. He bowed gravely. Mara noddedabsently as he returned to his duty. The girl regarded the wideexpanse of her family estates, in a morning as yet unmarred by thenoise and bustle of the day. Shortly all who worked upon the estatewould be busy about their tasks, and for only a few minutes longerwould Mara have this serene glimpse of what was now hers toprotect. Her brows knitted in concern as she realized how much shehad to learn to manage these holdings. At present she didn't evenknow the extent of her inheritance. She knew vaguely that she hadproperties in other provinces, but she had no knowledge of theirdisposition and worth. Her father had disliked the details offarming and stock breeding, and while he had overseen his assetsand his people's well-being with wisdom, his conversations withMara had always been turned to matters of his liking, and of alighter nature. When the maid called softly from the doorway of the chamber,Mara shut the screen. 'I shall dress and breakfast at once,' sheinstructed. 'Then I will see this new hadonra, Jican, in the study.' The maid bowed and hastened to the wardrobe, while Marashook the tangles from her hair. Denied the comfort of servants inthe temple, Mara reached automatically for her brush. 'My Lady, don't I please you?' The young maid's bearingrevealed distress. Mara frowned, annoyed by her thoughtless lapse. 'You please mewell enough.' She surrendered the hairbrush and sat still as theserving girl began to tend her hair. As the maid worked, Maraconceded to herself that her decision to see Jican was as much toavoid Nacoya as to learn more of her estates. The old nurse had anatural tendency to be grumpy in the early morning. And beyondher normal ill temper, Nacoya would have volumes to say to theyoung girl on her responsibilities as Ruling Lady. Mara sighed, and the maid paused, waiting for some indicationfrom her Lady if there was a problem. When Mara said nothing, thegirl continued, tentatively, as if fearing her Lady's disapproval.Mara mulled over questions for Jican, knowing that eventually shewould have to contend with Nacoya's scolding manner. Again shesighed, much as she had when facing one of Nacoya's punishmentsfor some girlish prank, and again the maid halted to see if hermistress was displeased. After a momentary pause, the girl resumedarranging her mistress's hair, and Mara became caught up in thequestions of estate management. Later, dressed and groomed, Mara sat with her elbow propped in amound of cushions. Her lip was pinched between her teeth inconcentration as she reviewed the latest of a sizeable heap of scrolls.Small, sun-bronzed, and nervous as a thyza bird, the hadonra,Jican, looked over her shoulder. Presently he extended a tentativefinger. 'The profits are listed there, my Lady. As you note, they arerespectable.' 'I see that, Jican.' Mara laid the scroll on her knees as Nacoyaducked her head around the door. 'I am busy, Nacoya. I will see youshortly, perhaps at noon.' The old nurse shook her head, her hairpins as crooked as ever. 'Bymy lady's leave, it is now an hour past noon.' Mara raised her brows in surprise. She sympathized with herfather's impatience with the management of his far-flung holdings.The task was more involved than she had suspected. Yet, unlike herfather, she found the intricacies of finance fascinating. With a ruefulsmile at Nacoya's impatience, the Lady of the Acoma said, 'I losttrack of time. But Jican is nearly finished. You may wait if youwish.' Nacoya jerked her head in the negative. 'Too much to do, Lady.Send your runner for me when you are ready. But do not delay muchlonger. Decisions must be made, and tomorrow is too late toconsider them.' The nurse departed. Mara heard her pause to mutter to Keyoke,standing guard in the hallway beyond. Then, drawn back to Jicanand her lesson in commerce, Mara reached for another scroll. Thistime she commented on the balance, without the hadonra's needingto prompt. 'We may lack warriors, Jican, but we are strong inproperty, perhaps even prosperous.' 'It is not difficult, mistress. Sotamu left clear records of the yearshe served your father. I but follow his example. Thyza crops havebeen bountiful for three years, while the hwaet blight in the plains provinces has driven high the prices of all grain - thyza, ryge, maze,even milat. With hwaet scarce, only a lazy manager carts his thyzato Sulan-Qu and sells it there. It takes only a little more effort to dealwith a factor from a consortium of grain shippers in the City of thePlains.' The small man sighed in discomfort. 'My Lady, I mean nodisrespect to any of your lofty class, but I have known manypowerful lords to dislike the details of business. Yet at the same timethey refuse their hadonras and factors the authority to actindependently. Therefore we have traded with large houses and avoided the merchants of the city whenever we might. This has leftus large profits more often than not.' The hadonra paused, hands spread diffidently before him. Then,encouraged by the fact that Mara did not interrupt, he went on.'And the breeders ... they are a mystery. Again I mean nodisrespect, but the lords of the north seem especially shortsightedconcerning choice of breeding bulls.' More at ease, the little manshrugged in perplexity. 'A bull that is ill-tempered and difficult tomanage, but that is heavily muscled and paws the ground in fiercedisplay, or with a large'- he lowered his eyes in embarrassment 'ah, male member sells better than a fat one that will breed goodmeat animals, or a docile one that begets solid draught stock. Soanimals a cannier man might have castrated or slaughtered bringprime prices, while the best remain here, and people wonder at thequality of our herds. They say "How can the Acoma meat taste sogood, when they keep such weak bulls?" I do not understand suchthinking.' Mara smiled slightly, the first relaxed expression she had shownsince leaving the temple. 'Those noble lords seek animals that reflectupon their own virility. I have no such need. And as I have no desireto be mistaken for any of my breeding stock, you may continue toselect which cows and bulls to sell without regard for how theirtraits match up to mine.' Jican's eyes opened wide for an instantbefore he realized the girl was making a joke. He laughed slightlywith her. Mara added, 'You have done well.' The man smiled his thanks, as if a great weight had been liftedfrom him. Plainly he enjoyed the responsibilities of his new officeand had feared his new mistress might remove him. He was doublypleased to discover not only that he would continue as hadonra, butthat Lady Mara recognized his worth. But Mara had inherited her father's instinct for governance, evenif it was only just beginning to emerge, and knew she had acompetent, perhaps even gifted, estate manager beside her. 'Yourdiligence in business brings honour to the Acoma as much as oursoldiers' bravery,' she finished. 'You may leave now, and attendyour duties.' The hadonra bowed from a kneeling position until his foreheadtouched the floor, an obeisance more abject than required from aman in his position. 'I bask in the sunlight of my mistress's praise.'Jican rose and departed as a house servant came forward togather the scrolls from the floor. Nacoya hurried through thedoorway as the hadonra passed by. More servants followed at herheels with trays of refreshments, and with a sigh, Mara wished heroverly abundant domestic staff could be transformed into soldiers. Nacoya bowed, then sat before Mara had a chance to grant herleave. Over the soft clink of the serving ware and the bustle ofservants setting down trays, she said, 'Does my Lady think sheshould work all morning and take no meals?' Her old, dark eyesturned critical. 'You've lost weight since you left for the temple.Some men might think you scrawny.' Still preoccupied with her discussion with Jican, Mara spoke asthough she had not heard. 'I have undertaken to learn of my estatesand properties. You chose with care in selecting this Jican, Nacoya.Though I remember Sotamu with affection, this man seems a masterof commerce.' Nacoya's manner softened. 'I presumed much, mistress, butdecisiveness was necessary at the time.' 'You did well.' Mara regarded the array of food, the odour offresh thyza bread wakening her awareness of hunger. She reachedfor a slice, frowned, then added, 'And I'm not scrawny. Our mealsat the temple were not so plain as you think.' She took a bite,chewing thoughtfully. She regarded her indomitable nurse. 'Now,what must we do?' Nacoya pursed her lips, a sure sign that she broached what sheguessed to be a difficult subject. 'We must move quickly tostrengthen your house, Lady. Without blood family, you make atempting target for many. Even those with no prior cause for strifewith the Acoma might look upon your holdings with an enviousand ambitious eye. Land and herds might not tempt a minor lord tomove against your father, but against a young girl with no training?There is a hand behind every curtain," ' she quoted. ' "And a knife in every hand," ' finished Mara. She set her breadaside. 'I understand, Nacoya. I have thought that we must send forrecruits.' Nacoya shook her head with such sharpness that her precariouslypinned hair threatened to come loose. 'That is a difficult anddangerous proposition to attempt at this time.' 'Why?' Mara had forgotten the food in her annoyance. 'I justreviewed assets with Jican. The Acoma have more than enoughwealth to support twenty-five hundred soldiers. We even haveenough to pay recruiting fees.' But Nacoya had not been referring to the fact a new master mustindemnify the former master for each recruit's training. Gently shereminded, 'Too many have died, Mara-anni. The family ties thatremain are too few to master.' Tsurani tradition required that only arelative of a soldier already serving could join a household'sgarrison. As eldest sons tended to assume the same loyalties as theirfathers, such recruits were further limited to second or later sons.Bearing these facts in mind, Nacoya added, 'With the heavyrecruiting your father undertook prior to the invasion of thebarbarian world, most of the able men have already been called.Any you found now would be young and unseasoned. The Lord ofthe Minwanabi will act before such as those would prove anybenefit.' 'I have given that some thought.' Mara reached under the writingtable before her and removed a case, delicately carved of costlyhardwoods. 'I sent to the Guild of Porters this morning. Therepresentative who arrives will be told to give this into the hand ofthe Lord of the Minwanabi, under bond and without message.'Grim now, Mara handed the box to Nacoya. Nacoya opened the finely crafted catch and raised an eyebrow atwhat rested within. A single red cord, darkened with blood fromMara's hand, lay coiled next to a shatra feather. Closing the box asthough it contained a scarlet dhast, the most venomous of serpents,Nacoya said, 'You openly announce blood feud with HouseMinwanabi.' 'I only acknowledge a feud begun ages ago!' Mara shot back, themurder of her father and brother too near yet for temperance. 'I amonly telling Jingu that another generation of Acoma stands ready tooppose him.' Embarrassed suddenly by her emotions, the girl staredat the food tray. 'Mother of my heart, I am inexperienced in theGame of the Council, but I remember many nights when fatherdiscussed with Lano those things he plotted, teaching a son eachmove, and the reason for it. His daughter listened as well.' Nacoya set the box aside and nodded. Mara looked up, sweatinglightly in the heat, but composed. 'Our enemy the Minwanabi willthink this represents something more subtle than it does. He will seek to parry whatever move he thinks we plot, giving us the chanceto plan. All I can do now is hope to gain us time.' Nacoya was silent, then said, 'Daughter of my heart, yourboldness is admirable, yet while this gesture may gain you a day, aweek, even more, in the end the Lord of the Minwanabi will move toobliterate all things Acoma.' The old nurse leaned forward,insistent. 'You must find allies, and for that, only one courseremains open to you. You must marry. Quickly.' Mara shot erect so abruptly that her knee banged the leg of thewriting table. 'No!' A strained silence developed, while a dislodgedparchment floated in her soup dish. Nacoya brusquely disregarded her mistress's temper. 'You haveno other choice, child. As Ruling Lady you must seek out a consortfrom among the younger sons of certain houses in the Empire. Amarriage with a son of the Shinzawai, the Tukareg, or theChochapan would gain an alliance with a house able to protect us.'She fell silent a moment, then said, 'For as long as any could. Still,time might tip the balance.' Mara's cheeks flushed, and her eyes widened. 'I've never seen anyof the boys you have named. I will not wed a stranger!' Nacoya stood. 'You speak now from anger, and your heart rulesyour mind. Had you never entered the temple, your husband wouldhave been selected from those found acceptable by your father oryour brother after him. As Lady of the Acoma, you must do as muchfor the sake of your house. I leave you to think upon this.' The nurse wrapped old fingers around the box to be delivered bythe Porters' Guild to the Lord of the Minwanabi. She bowed stifflyand left. Mara sat in silent rage, eyes fixed unseeing upon the soakedparchment, which slowly sank in the depths of the soup bowl. The thought of marriage evoked nameless fears, rooted somehow in hergrief. She shivered, though the day was hot, and snapped her fingersfor servants to remove the food trays. She would rest, andcontemplate alone upon what her aged nurse had instructed. Upon Keyoke's recommendation, Mara remained within the estatehouse throughout the afternoon. Although she would havepreferred to continue her review of the Acoma holdings by litter, herwarriors were too depleted; a retinue would be needed to ensure her safety in the open, leaving fewer guards available for routinepatrols. Too conscientious to remain idle, the girl studied documents,to acquire further familiarity with the more distant assets ofher family. She called for a light meal. The shadows lengthened, andthe heat of the afternoon settled into stillness. In the course of her reading, the Lady of the Acoma had come tounderstand a subtle but important fact of Tsurani life, oneemphasized often by her father but only now appreciated: honourand tradition were but two walls of a great house; power andwealth comprised the other two. And of the four, it was the latterpair that kept the roof from collapsing. Mara clenched her fistagainst the handle of the scroll. If somehow she could keep thoseenemies who sought her death at bay, until she could muster thestrength to enter the Game of the Council, then . . . She abandonedthe thought unfinished. Keeping the Lords of the Minwanabi andAnasati at bay was the problem at hand. Vengeance was a uselessdream unless she could secure her family's survival. Deep in thought, Mara did not hear Nacoya call softly from thedoorway. 'Mistress?'the nurse repeated. Mara glanced up, startled, and motioned the old nurse inside. Shewaited, preoccupied and aloof, while the old woman bowed, thenknelt before her. 'Lady, I have thought upon our talk this afternoon, and I beg yourtolerance as I advise.' Mara's eyes narrowed. She had no desire to resume their earlierdiscussion of marriage, but the lingering ache of the assassin'sbruises reminded her of the need for prudence. She laid her scrollsaside and gestured for Nacoya to continue. 'As Ruling Lady of theAcoma, your status would not change with marriage. A husbandmight sit at your right hand, but he would have no voice in housematters, save that which you permit. He -' Mara waved her hand. 'These things I know.' The old nurse settled more comfortably upon the mat before hermistress. 'Your forgiveness, Lady. When I spoke earlier, I hadforgotten that to a maiden of Lashima the concerns of the worldbeyond the temple walls would fade from mind. Matters betweenboys and girls, the meetings with the sons of noble houses, thekissing and the touching games - these things were denied you thepast year and more. The thought of men. ..' Unnerved by the growing intensity of Mara's stillness, Nacoya faltered, but forciblyfinished. 'Forgive an old woman's rambling. You were a maiden andstill are.' That statement caused Mara to blush. During her time at thetemple, she had been instructed to put things of the flesh aside.Nacoya's concern that the girl might be unable to deal with thisquestion was unfounded, for within Mara the struggle to forget hadbeen difficult. She had often caught herself daydreaming of boys shehad known during childhood. Mara rubbed nervously at the bandage that covered her injuredpalm. 'Mother of my heart, I am still a maiden. But I understandwhat is between a man and a woman.' Abruptly, as if piqued, sheformed a circle with thumb and forefinger of her left hand andinserted her right forefinger with a thrusting motion. Herdsmen,farmers, and soldiers used such a mime to indicate fornication.While not obscene - sex was an unselfconscious fact of Tsurani life- her gesture was common and ill became the Lady of a great house. Too wise to rise to such provocation, Nacoya said,'Mistress, Iknow you played with your brother among soldiers and herdsmen. Iknow you have seen the bulls mount the cows. And more.' Giventhe close proximity of Tsurani living, many times over the yearsMara and her brother had been within earshot of passion, oroccasionally had blundered upon an encounter between slaves orservants. She shrugged, as if the matter were of little account. 'Child, you understand what passes between men and women,here.' The nurse raised a forefinger to her own head. Then shepointed to her heart. 'But you do not understand here,' and shepointed toward her groin, 'or here. I may be old, but I remember. 'Mara-anni, a Ruling Lady is also a warrior. You must masteryour body. Pain must be conquered.' The nurse grew reflective with remembrance. 'And at times passion is more pain than any swordwound.' Low sunlight through the screen underscored the firmnessof her features as she focused once more upon Mara. 'Until youlearn your own body, and master its every need, you are vulnerable.Your strengths, or your weaknesses, are those of House Acoma. Ahandsome man who whispers sweetly in your ears, whose touchrouses fire in your loins, might destroy you as easily as the Hamoitong.' Mara flushed deeply, her eyes ablaze. 'What are you suggesting?''A Ruling Lady must be *ee of doubt,' Nacoya said. 'After yourmother's death, Lord Sezu took steps to ensure that the desires ofthe flesh would not tempt him to act foolishly. Lust for the daughterof the wrong house could have destroyed the Acoma as surely as ifhe had lost a battle. 'While you were at the temple, he had women of the Reed Lifebrought to this house -' 'Nacoya, he had such women stay here when I was younger. Iremember.' Mare drew breath impatiently and, by the heavy scentof akasi, realized that slaves were trimming the gardens beyond thescreens. But the cloying air seemingly had no effect upon Nacoya. 'LordSezu did not always act for himself, Mara-anni. Sometimes thewomen came for Lanokota, that he might learn the ways of manand woman, and not fall prey to the ambitions of wily daughtersand their fathers' plots.' The idea of her brother with such women unexpectedly offendedMara; yet the proximity of slaves forced her to maintain propriety.'So, again I say what do you suggest?' 'I will send for a man of the Reed Life, one skilled in -' 'No!' Mara cut her off. 'I will not hear this!' Nacoya ignored her mistress. '- ways of pleasure. He canteach -' 'I said no, Nacoya!' '-all you need to know, that soft touches and sweet wordswhispered in the dark will not beguile you.' Mara verged upon outright rage. 'I command you: say no more!' Nacoya bit back her next words. The two women locked eyes andfor a long, silent minute neither moved. At last the old nurse bowedher head until her forehead touched the mats upon which she knelt,a slave's sign of supplication. 'I am ashamed. I have given offence tomy mistress.' 'Go! Leave me!' The old woman rose, the rustle of her clothing and her stiff oldback reflecting disapproval as she departed. Mara waved away theservant who appeared to inquire after her needs. Alone, surroundedby the mannered and beautifully calligraphed scrolls that honourablymasked what actually constituted a cruel and deadly mesh of intrigue, Mara attempted to sort out the confusion created byNacoya's suggestion. She could put no name to the fear that rose upto engulf her. Holding herself, Mara sobbed silently. Bereft of her brother'scomfort, surrounded by conspiracy, threat, and the unseen presenceof enemies, the Lady of the Acoma bent her head, while tears soakedthe bandage on her hand, stinging the scabs underneath. A bell chimed faintly. Mara recognized the signal for the slaves togather at their quarters for the evening meal. The workers whoattended the akasi gardens rose and set aside their tools, whilebehind thin paper screens their mistress pushed aside her scrolls.She daubed at tear-swollen eyes, and softly called for servants toopen the study and let in the outdoor air. She rose then, feeling empty and wrung out; but the firm set hadreturned to her mouth. Thoughtfully biting her lip, the girl restedagainst the polished frame of the screen. Another solution besidesmarriage must exist. She pondered, but saw no answer, while thesun lowered, heavy and gold, in the western sky. Heat haze hungover the distant fields, and overhead the green-blue bowl of the skywas empty of birds. Akasi leaves pruned by the workers wilted uponthe white stone walk, adding fragrance to the sleepy silence aroundthe estate house. Mara yawned, worn out from grief and worry. Suddenly she heard shouts. Shocked alert, she straightened.Running figures sped along the road towards the guards' barracks.Aware such disturbance must bode bad tidings, the girl turned fromthe screen, just as a serving girl rushed into the study. A warrior strode at her heels, dusty, sweating, and breathing hardfrom what amounted to a long run in battle armour. He bowed hishead in respect. 'Mistress, by your leave.' Mara felt a knot of cold tighten her stomach. Already it begins,she thought to herself. Yet her tearstained face showed poise as shesaid, 'Speak.' The soldier slapped his fist over his heart in salute. 'Mistress, theForce Commander sends word: outlaws have raided the herd.' 'Send for my litter. Quickly!' 'Your will, mistress.' The maidservant who had preceded thesoldier ducked through the doorway at a run. To the warrior, Mara said, 'Assemble an escort.' The man bowed and departed. Mara unwrapped the light, shortrobe Tsurani noblewomen preferred to wear in the privacy of theirhomes. She tossed the garment into the waiting hands of oneattendant, while another rushed forward with a travelling robe,longer and more modest in cut. Adding a light scarf to hide theunhealed marks on her neck, Mara stepped outside. Her litter bearers waited silently, stripped to loincloths andsweating in the heat. Four warriors waited with them, hastilyfastening helmets and adjusting weapons at their belts. The soldiersent to inform Mara deferentially offered his hand and aided hismistress into the cushioned seat. Then he signalled bearers andescort. The litter swayed and jolted forward as the bearers compliedwith the need for haste and hurried towards the outer pastures. The journey ended far sooner than Mara expected, miles insidethe borders of the estate. This was a discouraging sign, since banditswould never dare to raid the inner fields if the patrols had been up tostrength. With a motion made brisk by outrage, the girl whiskedaside gauze curtains. 'What has passed here?' Keyoke turned away from two soldiers who were studying theground for tracks that might indicate the numbers and strengthof the renegades. If he noticed her tearstained face, his own leatheryfeatures showed no reaction. Imposing in his lacquer armour, hisplumed helm dangling by its strap from his belt, he gesturedtowards a line of broken fencing, which slaves in loinclothslaboured to repair. 'Outlaws, my Lady. Ten, or perhaps a dozen.They killed a herd boy, smashed through the fence, and drove offsome needra.' 'How many?' Mara gestured, and the Force Commander helpedher from the litter. Grass felt strange under her sandals after templeconfinement and months of echoing stone floors; also unexpectedwere the smells of rich earth and khala vines, which twined the fencerows. Mara pushed aside her momentary distraction and greetedJican's presence with a frown the image of her father's whendomestic affairs went amiss. Though the hadonra had had little contact with the former Lordof the Acoma, that look was legend. Sweating, fingers clenchednervously to his tally slate, he bowed. 'Lady, at most you have lostthree or four cows. I can report for certain when the strays arerounded up.' Mara raised her voice over the bawl of agitated animals as herders whistled, their long steering sticks and hide whips singingthrough the air as they drove their charges to a secure corral.'Strays?' Cross with Jican's diffidence, Keyoke answered, his tone bettersuited to the battlefield on the barbarian world than the trampledearth of a needra meadow. 'The beasts in this pasture were due forbreeding. The smell of blood startled them into stampede, whichalerted the herders.' He paused, eyes raking the distant line of thewoods. The tautness in his manner sharpened Mara's concern. 'Whattroubles you, Keyoke? Surely not the loss of a few cows, or onemurdered slave?' 'No, Lady.' Eyes still on the woods, the old soldier shook hishead. 'I regret the ruin of good property, but no, the cows and theboy are the lesser problem.' He paused while an overseer shouted;the team of slaves bent tO raise a new post, while the ForceCommander related the worst. 'We have been vigilant since theHamoi dog sought your life, mistress. These were no petty thieves.They struck, and departed, during daylight, which speaks ofadvance planning and a thorough knowledge of patrols.' Mara felt fear like a sliver of ice. Carefully steady, she said, 'Spies?'The Lord of the Anasati would not be above staging a false raid by'bandits' if he wished to gauge the strength of the Acoma forces. Keyoke fingered his sword. 'I think not, mistress.' He qualifiedthis with his usual almost uncanny perception. 'Minwanabi is neverso subtle, and the Anasati have no outposts far enough south tohave organized an attack so swiftly. No, this seems the work ofsoldiers, masterless ones surely.' 'Grey warriors?' Mara's frown deepened as she considered therough, clanless men who often banded together in the mountains.With the Acoma so severely undermanned, such as these under theguidance of a shrewd commander might prove as menacing as anyplot by enemies. Keyoke slapped dust from his cuffs and again regarded the hills,deepening now under shadow of dusk. 'With my Lady's permission,I would send out scouts. If grey warriors were responsible for thisraid, they sought only to fill their bellies. There will be smoke, andcook fires; or if there are not, we know that word of our weaknesstravels swiftly to enemy ears.' He did not mention counterattack. As guardedly subtle asNacoya was not, his silence on the subject informed Mara that anopen show of force might precipitate disaster. Acoma warriors weretoo few, even to drive out an enclave of needra thieves. How far theAcoma have fallen, Mara thought; but she gave the formal gestureof acquiescence. Keyoke hastened to command his soldiers. Thelitter bearers straightened in readiness, anxious for a swift return tothe dinners they had left cooling on the tables at quarters'; but theLady was not ready to depart. While she knew Nacoya would havescolded her for lingering where her presence was not required, theurgent need for new fighting men seemed the root of immediatethreat. Still resisting the idea of marriage as the only solution, shewaved Keyoke back to her side. He bowed, his face shadowed in twilight. 'Night comes, mistress.If you wish counsel, let me walk as your escort, for your safetymight be in jeopardy after dark.' Warmed by the same qualities Lord Sezu had prized in his ForceCommander, Mara smiled. She permitted the old warrior to settleher into the litter, then addressed the problem at hand. 'Have youbegun recruiting more warriors?' Keyoke ordered the litter bearers forward, then matched his pacewith theirs. 'My Lady, two of the men have contacted cousins indistant cities, asking for younger sons to be sent to your service. In aweek or two, I will permit one or two more to do the same. Muchmore than that and every barracks from Ambolina to Dustari willknow the Acoma lack strength.' Lights bloomed in the shadows as the workers at the fence litlanterns to continue their labour. As the Lady's litter turnedtowards the estate house, one man, then another, then more begantentatively to sing. Mindful that their security relied upon herjudgment, Mara said, 'Should we buy contracts?' Keyoke halted. 'Mercenaries? Common caravan guards?' In astride he closed the distance the bearers had opened. 'Impossible.They wouldn't be dependable. Men who have no blood vows to theAcoma natami would be worse than useless. They owe you nohonour. Against the enemies of your father, you need warriors whowill obey without hesitation, even die at your order. Show me a manwho will die for pay, and I'll swear to service. No, Lady, a househires mercenaries only for simple tasks, like guarding warehouses, or patrolling against common thieves. And that is done only to freewarriors for more honourable duty.' 'Then we need mercenaries,' Mara said. 'If only to keep greywarriors from growing fat on our needra.' Keyoke unhooked his helm, fingering the plumes in the growingdark. 'My Lady, in better times, yes. But not now. Half the men youhired would likely be spies. Though I am loath to yield honour tomasterless men, we must wait, and replenish our ranks slowly.' 'And die.' Unreconciled to the fact that Nacoya's suggestion ofmarriage seemed more and more inevitable, Mara set her teeth inbitterness. Startled by her mood, one he had never known in the girl beforeKeyoke stopped the litter bearers. 'My Lady?' 'How long before my Lord of the Minwanabi learns of the extentof the damage done us by his treachery?' Mara lifted her head, herface a pale oval between the white fall of the curtains. 'Sooner orlater one of his spies will discover the heart of our house is weak, myown estates stripped of all but a handful of healthy warriors as wemaintain the illusion of sufficiency. Our distant holdings arestripped bare, held by a ruse - old men and untrained boys paradingin armour. We live like gazen, holding our breath and hoping theharulth will not trample us! But that hope is false. Any day now ouract will be discovered. Then the Lords who seek our ruin will strikewith brute force.' Keyoke set his helm on his head, fingers slowly and deliberatelyfastening the strap beneath his chin. 'Your soldiers will diedefending you, my Lady.' 'My point, Keyoke.' Once started, Mara could not stifle thehopeless, trapped feelings that welled up within her. 'They will alldie. As will you and Pape, and even old Nacoya. Then the enemieswho murdered my father and brother will take my head and theAcoma natami to the Lord of the Minwanabi and . . . the Acoma will be no more.' The old soldier lowered his hands in silence. He could not refutehis mistress's word or offer her any sort of comfort. Gently heordered the bearers forward, towards the estate house, and lights,and the solace of beauty and art that was the heart of Acomaheritage. The litter rocked as the slaves stepped from the rough meadowonto the raked gravel path. Shamed by her outburst, Mara loosedthe ties, and gauze curtains fluttered down, enclosing her from view.Sensitive to the possibility she might be weeping, Keyoke walkedwith his head turned correctly forward. Survival with honourseemed an unattainable hope since the death of Lord Sezu and hisson. Yet for the sake of the mistress whose life he guarded, heresisted the belief held by the warriors who still lived: that the gods'displeasure rested upon this house, and the Acoma fortune wasirretrievably on the wane. Mara spoke, jarring the Force Commander from thought with anunexpected tone of resolve. 'Keyoke, were I to die, and you surviveme, what then?' Keyoke gestured backward, towards the hills where the raidershad retired with their booty. 'Without your leave to take my ownlife, I would be as those, mistress. A wanderer, masterless and alone,without purpose and identity, a grey warrior with no house colourto wear.' Mara pushed a hand through the curtain, forming a small crackto peer through. 'The bandits are all like this?' 'Some. Others are petty criminals, some thieves and robbers, afew murderers, but many are soldiers who have lived longer thantheir masters.' The litter drew near the dooryard of the estate house, whereNacoya awaited with a small flock of servants. Mara pressed onquickly. 'Honourable men, Keyoke?' The Force Commander regarded his mistress with no hint ofreproof. 'A soldier without a house can have no honour, mistress.Before their masters fell? I assume grey warriors were good menonce, but to outlive one's master is a mark of the gods' displeasure.' The litter swept into the dooryard, and the bearers settled it to theground with a barely perceptible bump. Mara pushed aside thecurtains and accepted Keyoke's assistance. 'Force Commander,come to my quarters tonight, after your scouts return from the hills.I have a plan to discuss while the rest of the household sleeps.' 'As you will, mistress.' Keyoke bowed, fist pressed to his heart informal salute. But as servants rushed forward with lanterns, Marathought she caught a hint of approval on the warrior's scarred face. Mara's meeting with Keyoke extended deep into the night. Thestars glinted like ice. Kelewan's moon showed a notched, coppergoldprofile at the zenith by the time the old warrior gathered up thehelmet that rested by his knee. 'My Lady, your plan is dangerouslybold. But, as a man does not expect aggression from the gazen, itmay work.' 'It must work!' Mara straightened in the darkness. 'Else our pridewill be much diminished. Asking security in exchange for marriagegains no honour, but only rewards those who plotted treacheryagainst us. Our house would no longer be a major player in theGame of the Council, and the spirits of my ancestors would beunsettled. No, on this I think my father would say, "Safe is notalways best." ' Keyoke buckled his helm with the care he might have usedpreparing for battle. 'As my Lady wills. But I don't envy the task ofexplaining what you propose to Nacoya.' He bowed, rose, andstrode to the outer screen. He slipped the catch and stepped out. Moonlight drenched theflower beds in gilt. Silhouetted against their brightness, the ForceCommander's shoulders seemed straighter, his carriage the slightestbit less strained. With relief, Mara perceived that Keyoke welcomeda warrior's solution to Acoma troubles. He had agreed to risk herplan rather than see her bind the family through marriage to themercy of a stronger house. She unlinked sweating fingers, afraid andexhilarated at the same time. 'I'll marry on my terms, or not at all,' she murmured to the night.Then she lay back on her cushions. Sleep came reluctantly.Memories of Lano tangled with thoughts of young, boastful sons ofgreat houses, one of whom she must eventually choose as suitor. Morning dawned hot. With a dry wind blowing from the south,moisture from the rainy season remained only in sheltered hollows,and the herders drove needra to pasture amid ochre clouds of dust.Mara broke her fast in the inner courtyard garden, beneath thegenerous shade of the trees. The trickle of water from an ornamentalfountain soothed her where she sat, dressed in a highcollaredrobe of saffron. She seemed even younger than herseventeen years, her eyes too bright and her face shadowed withsleeplessness. Yet her voice, when she summoned Nacoya, was crispwith authority. The old nurse arrived grouchy, as was usual for her in themorning. Mara's summons had reached her while dressing, for herhair was hastily bound back, and her lips pressed thin withannoyance. She bowed briskly and said, 'As my mistress wishes?' The Lady of the Acoma gestured permission to sit. Nacoyadeclined; her knees pained her, and the hour was too early to arguewith a headstrong girl whose stubbornness might lead the honourof her ancestors to ruin. Mara smiled sweetly at her former nurse. 'Nacoya, I havereconsidered your advice and seen wisdom in marriage to thwartour enemies' plots. I ask that you prepare me a list of suitors whomyou consider eligible, for I shall need guidance to choose a propermate. Go now. I shall speak with you on the matter in due time.' Nacoya blinked, obviously startled by this change of heart. Thenher eyes narrowed. Surely such compliance masked some otherintent, yet Tsurani ethics forbade a servant the right to question.Suspicious in the extreme, but unable to evade her dismissal, the oldnurse bowed. 'Your will, mistress, and may Lashima's wisdomguide you.' She shuffled out, muttering under her breath. Mara sippedchocha, the image of the titled Lady. Then, after an appropriateinterval, she called softly to her runner. 'Send for Keyoke,Papewaio, and Jican.' The two warriors arrived before her cup was empty, Keyoke inhis battle armour, resplendently polished; Papewaio also wasarmed for action, the black headband of the condemned tied asneatly as the sash from which hung his sword. As Nacoya hadguessed, he carried himself like a man awarded an honour token forbravery. His expression was otherwise unchanged. In her entire lifethere were few things as constant as Papewaio, thought Mara. She nodded to the servant with the chocha pot, and this time Papeaccepted a mug of the steaming drink. Keyoke sipped his chocha without removing his helm, sure signhe was pondering strategy. 'All is ready, mistress. Pape oversawdispensation of weapons and armour, and Strike Leader Tasidooversees the drill. So long as no fighting occurs, your warriorsshould give a convincing appearance.' 'Well enough.' Too nervous to finish her chocha, Mara laidsweating hands in her lap. 'All we need now is Jican, that the baitmay be prepared.' The hadonra reached the garden at that moment. He bowed,breathless and sweating, as he had come in haste. His clothing wasdusty, and he still carried the needra tally he had been marking asthe herds were driven to pasture. 'My apologies, mistress, for mysoiled appearance. By your own command, the herders andslaves' 'I know, Jican,' Mara cut in. 'Your honour is no less, and yourdevotion to duty is admirable. Now, have we crops and goods in thestore sheds to mount a trading caravan?' Startled by the praise and a wholly unexpected shift of topic, thehadonra squared his shoulders. 'We have six wagonloads of thyzaof poor quality that were held back to fatten the needra, though theones not bearing can do well enough without. The last calves wereweaned two days ago. We have some hides suitable to be sold to theharness makers.' Jican shifted his weight, careful to hide hispuzzlement. 'The caravan would be very small. Neither the grainnor the goods would realize significant profit.' He bowed deferentially. 'My mistress would do better to wait until the marketableproduce comes in season.' Mara ignored the suggestion. 'I want a small caravan prepared.' 'Yes, mistress.' The hadonra's fingers whitened on the edge of thetally slate. 'I shall send word to our agent in Sulan-Qu -' 'No, Jican.' Turning brusquely, Mara rose and crossed to the rimof the fountain. She extended her hand, letting water spill like jewels through her fingers. 'I wish this caravan to travel to Holan-Qu.' Jican directed a startled glance at Keyoke, but saw no hint ofdisapproval on the Force Commander's lined face. Nervous, nearlypleading, he urged, 'Mistress, I obey your desire, but your goodsshould still be sent to Sulan-Qu, then downriver and on from Jamarby ship.' 'No.' Droplets dashed across marble tile as Mara closed her fist. 'Iwish the wagons to travel overland.' Again Jican glanced at Keyoke; but the Force Commander andhis bodyguard stood like sun-cured ulo wood, facing correctlyforward. Struggling to master his agitation, the hadonra of theAcoma appealed to his mistress. 'Lady, the mountain road isdangerous. Bandits lurk in the woods in good number, and we lackenough warriors to drive them out. To guard such a caravan wouldleave this estate unprotected. I must advise against it.' With a girlish smile, Mara swung away from the fountain. 'Butthe caravan shall not strip our defences. Papewaio will head acompany of hand-picked men. A dozen of our better soldiers shouldbe sufficient to keep the bandits away. They've raided our herds andwill not need food, and wagons without large numbers of guardsobviously carry goods of little value.' Jican bowed, his narrow face immobile. 'Then we would be wiseto send no guards at all.' His manner concealed sharp disbelief; hedared the dishonour of his mistress's displeasure to dissuade herfrom folly. 'No.' Mara wrapped dripping fingers in the rich folds of her robe.'I require an honour guard.' Jican's face twisted with shock that vanished almost instantly.That his mistress intended to go along on this venture indicated thatsorrow had stripped her of wits. 'Go now, Jican,' said Mara. 'Attend to my commands.' The hadonra peered sideways at Keyoke, as if certain the Lady'sdemand would provoke protest. But the old Force Commanderonly shrugged slightly, as if to say, what is to be done? Jican lingered, though honour forbade him to object. A stern lookfrom Mara restored his humility. He bowed swiftly and departed,his shoulders drooping. Yesterday the Lady of the Acoma haddeemed his judgment worthy of praise; now she seemed bereft ofthe instincts Lashima gave to a needra. The servants in attendance kept proper silence, and Keyokemoved no muscle beneath the nodding plumes of his helm. OnlyPapewaio met his mistress's eye. The creases at the corners of hismouth deepened slightly. For a moment he seemed about to smile,though all else about his manner remained formal and unchanged. Innovations Dust swirled. The brisk breeze did nothing to cut the heat, and stinging gritmade the needra snort. Wooden wheels squealed as the threewagons comprising Mara's caravan grated over the gravel road.Slowly they climbed into the foothills, leaving behind the flatlands. . . and the borders of the Acoma estates. Brightly lacquered greenspokes caught the sunlight, seeming to wink as they turned, thenslowed as rocks impeded their progress. The drovers yippedencouragement to the needra, who rolled shaggy-lashed eyes andtried to balk as pasture and shed fell behind. The slaves carryingMara's litter moved steadily, until rougher terrain forced them toslow to avoid jostling their mistress. For reasons the slaves couldnot imagine, their usually considerate Lady was ordering a mankillingpace, determined to see the caravan through the high passesbefore nightfall. Mara sat stiffly. The trees that shaded the edges of the trailoffered ready concealment, thick boles and tangled brush castingshadows, deep enough to hide soldiers. And the wagons were asevere disadvantage. The keenest ear could hear no rustle of foliageover the needra's bawl and the grinding creak of wheels, and thesharpest eye became hampered by the ever present dust. Even thebattle-hardened soldiers appeared on edge. The sun climbed slowly towards noon. Heat shimmer dancedover the valley left behind, and scaly, long-tailed ketso scurried intohiding as the caravan rumbled past the rocks where they basked.The lead wagons, then the litter, breasted the crest of a rise. Keyokesignalled a halt. The bearers lowered the litter in the shade of anOutcrop, giving silent prayers of thanks, but the drovers and thewarriors maintained position under Papewaio's vigilant eyes. Ahead, a steep-sided ravine cut the east-facing slopes of theKyamaka Mountains. The road plunged steeply downward, foldedinto switchback curves, then straightened to slice across a hollowwith a spring. Keyoke bowed before Mara's litter and indicated a dell to oneside of the hollow, where no trees grew and the earth was beatenand hard. 'Mistress, the scouts sent out after the raid found warmashes and the remains of a butchered needra in that place. Theyreport tracks, and evidence of habitation, but the thieves themselveshave moved on. No doubt they keep moving their base.' Mara regarded the ravine, shading her eyes against the afternoonglare with her hand. She wore robes of exceptional richness, withembroidered birds on the cuffs, and a waistband woven ofiridescent plumes. A scarf of spun silk covered the welts on her neck,and her wrists clinked with bracelets of jade, polished by thenonhuman cho-ja to transparent thinness. While her dress wasfrivolous and girlish, her manner was intently serious. 'Do youexpect an attack?' 'I don't know.' Keyoke's gaze swept the ravine again, as if byforce of concentration he could discern any bandits lying hidden.'But we must prepare ourselves for any turn of fate. And we mustact as if enemies observe every movement.' 'Continue on, then,' said Mara. 'Have the foot slave broach awater flask. The soldiers and litter bearers may refresh themselvesas we march. Then, when we reach the spring, we can make a showof stopping for drink and so seem more vulnerable than we are.' Keyoke saluted. 'Your will, mistress. I will wait here for thosewho follow. Papewaio will assume command of the caravan.' thenwith a surprising show of concern in his eyes, he added softly, 'Bewary, my Lady. The risks to your person are great.' Mara held steady under his gaze. 'No more than my father wouldtake. I am his daughter.' The Force Commander returned one of his rare and brief smilesand turned from the litter. With a minimum of disruption, he sawMara's orders carried out. The water-bearer hustled through theranks with his flasks clanking from the harness he wore, dispensingdrinks to the soldiers with a speed gained only by years ofcampaigning. Then Keyoke signalled, and Papewaio gave thecommand to move out. Needra drivers shouted, wheels creaked, and dust rose in clouds. The wagons rolled forward to the crest,then over to begin their ponderous descent to the ravine. Only atrained scout would have noted that one less soldier left the campthan had entered. Mara appeared dignified and serene, but her small painted fantrembled between nervous fingers. She started almost imperceptiblyeach time the litter moved as one of her bearers shifted grip to sipfrom the flask carried by the water-bearer. Mara closed her eyes,inwardly pleading Lashima's favour. The road beyond the crest was rutted and treacherous with loosestone. Men and animals were forced to step with care, eyes upon thepath. Time and again the gravel would turn underfoot and pebbleswould bounce and rattle downslope, to slash with a clatter throughthe treetops. Jostled as her slaves fought the uncertain terrain, Maracaught herself holding her breath. She bit her lip and forced herselfnot to look back or show any sign that her caravan was not upon anordinary journey. Keyoke had not mentioned that the Acomasoldiers who followed could not cross this ridge without beingobserved; they would have to circle round by way of the wood.Until they regained their position a short distance behind, Mara'scaravan was as vulnerable as a jigahen in the courtyard as the cookapproaches with his chopping knife. At the floor of the ravine the wood seemed denser: damp soilcovered with blackferns spread between huge boles of pynon trees,their shaggy aromatic bark interlaced with vines. The slaves whocarried the litter breathed deeply, grateful for the cooler forest. Yetto Mara the air seemed dead after the capricious breezes of theheights. Or perhaps it was simply tension that made the stillnessoppressive? The click as she flicked open her fan caused severalwarriors to turn sharply. Here even bare rock was mantled with leaf mould, and footfalls became deadened to silence. Creaking wagon sounds weresmothered by walls of vines and tree trunks; this forest gave backnothing. Papewaio faced forward, his eyes continually scanning thedarkness on either side. His hand never strayed from the intricatehide lacings that bound the hilt of his sword. Watching him, Marathought upon her father, who had died knowing allies had betrayedhim. She wondered what had become of his sword, a work of artwith its carved hilts and jewelled sheath. The shatra bird of theAcoma had been worked in enamel on the pommel, and the bladefashioned in the jessami method, three hundred needra hide strips,each scraped to paper thinness, then cleverly and painstakinglylaminated - for even a needle-point bubble of air would render ituseless - to a metal hardness with an edge unmatched save for thelegendary steel swords of the ancients. Perhaps some barbarianwarlord wore the sword as a trophy now . . . perhaps he would bean honourable man, if a barbarian was capable of being such. Maraforced away such morbid thoughts. Feeling smothered by theoppressive stillness and the dark foliage overhead, she clenched herhands until her delicate wood fan threatened to snap. 'Lady, I ask leave to permit the men a chance to rest and replenishthe flasks,' said Papewaio. Mara started, nodded, and raked back the damp hair that clungto her temples. The caravan had reached the spring withoutincident. Ponderous wheels ground to a halt; warriors arrayedthemselves in defensive positions, while the foot slave and several ofthe drovers hastened to them with moist cloths and a meal of thyzabiscuit and dried fruit. Other men attended to the needra, while thebearers lowered Mara's litter with stifled grunts of relief. They thenstood patiently awaiting their turn to rinse their faces at the spring. Papewaio returned from the lines of warriors and knelt before hismistress. 'Would my Lady care to leave the litter and walk about?' Mara extended her hand, her full sleeve trailing nearly to theground. The dagger concealed by the garment dragged at her wrist,an unfamiliar lump she carried awkwardly. She had wrestled withLanokota as a child, to Nacoya's continual dismay, but weaponshad never attracted her. Keyoke had insisted she bring the knife,though the hastily shortened straps had been fashioned for a largerarm and the hilt felt clumsy in her hand. Overheated, and suddenlyuncertain, she permitted Papewaio to help her to her feet. The ground before the spring was pocked by the prints of menand animals that had baked hard in the sun after the rainy season.While Papewaio drew a dipper of water, his mistress jabbed theearth with her sandal and wondered how many of the marks hadbeen made by stock stolen from Acoma pastures. Once she hadoverheard a trader describe how certain clans in the north notchedthe hooves of their livestock, to assist trackers in recovering stolen beasts. But until now the Acoma had commanded the loyalty ofenough warriors to make such precautions unnecessary. Papewaio raised a dripping container of water. 'My Lady?' Roused from reflection, Mara sipped, then wet her fingers andsprinkled water upon her cheeks and neck. Noon was well past, andslanting sunlight carved the soldiers into forms of glare andshadow. The wood beyond lay still, as if every living thing sleptthrough the afternoon heat. Mara shivered, suddenly chilled as thewater cooled her skin. If bandits had lain waiting in ambush, surelythey should have attacked by now; an unpleasant alternative causedher to look at her Strike Leader in alarm. 'Pape, what if the grey warriors have circled behind us andattacked the Acoma estates while we travelled upon the road?' The warrior set the crockery dipper on a nearby stone. Thefastenings of his armour squeaked as he shrugged, palms turnedskywards to indicate that plans succeeded only at the whim of fate.'If bandits attack your estates, all honour is lost, Lady, for the bestof your warriors have been committed here.' He glanced at thewoods, while his hand fell casually to the hilt of his sword. 'But Ithink it unlikely. I have told the men to be ready. The day's heatlessens, but no leafhoppers sing within the wood.' Suddenly a birdhooted loudly overhead. 'And when the karkak cries, danger isnear.' A shout erupted from the trees at the clearing's edge. Mara feltstrong hands thrust her backwards into the litter. Her braceletssnagged the silken hangings as she flung out a hand to break her fall.Awkwardly tumbled against the cushions, she jerked the materialaside and saw Papewaio whirl to defend her, his sword gliding fromits scabbard. Overturned by his foot, the dipper spun and shatteredagainst a stone. Fragments pelted Mara's ankles as the swords ofher warriors hissed from their sheaths to meet the attack of theoutlaws who charged from cover. Through the closing ranks of her defenders, Mara glimpsed aband of men with drawn weapons running towards the wagons.Despite being dirty, thin, and raggedly clad, the raiders advanced inwell-organized ranks. The ravine echoed with shouts as they stroveto break the line of defenders. Fine cloth crumpled between Mara'shands. Her warriors were many times outnumbered. Aware thather father and brother had faced worse battles than this on the%sword. Papewaio's voice prevailed over the confusion, his officer'splume readily visible through the press; at his signal, the battlehardenedwarriors of the Acoma gave way with almost mechanicaldiscipline. The attack faltered. With no honour to be gained from retreat,the usual Tsurani tactic was to charge, not assume a defensiveposture; the sight of wagons being abandoned warned the ruffiansto caution. Enclosed by the green-armoured backs of her escort,Mara heard a high-pitched shout. Feet slapped earth as theattackers checked. Except for the unarmed drivers, and the cringingpresence of the water-bearer, the wagons had been abandonedwithout dispute; seemingly the warriors had withdrawn to defendthe more valuable treasure. Slowly, warily, the bandits approached. Between the bodies ofher defenders, Mara saw lacquered wagons gleam as an enemyforce numbering five times greater than her escort closed in a halfcircle around the spring. The trickle of water was overlaid by the creak of armour and thefast, nervous breathing of tense men. Papewaio held position byMara's litter, a chiselled statue with drawn sword. For a long; tenseminute, movement seemed suspended. Then a man behind enemylines barked an order; two bandits advanced and sliced the tiesbinding the cloth that covered the wagons. Mara felt sweat springalong her spine as eager hands bared Acoma goods to the sunlight.Now came the most difficult moment, since for a time her warriorsmust hold their line regardless of insult or provocation. Only if theoutlaws threatened Mara would the Acoma soldiers answer. The bandits quickly realized then that no counterattack would beforthcoming. With shouts of exultation, they hefted bags of thyzafrom the wagon; others edged closer to the Acoma guard, curious tosee what treasure would merit such protection. As they neared,Mara caught glimpses of grimy knuckles, tattered cloth, and a crudeand mismatched accumulation of weapons. Yet the manner inwhich the blades were held indicated training and skill, and ruthlessneed. These were men desperate enough to kill and die for a wagonweight of poor quality thyza. A shout of unmistakable authority cut through the jubilation ofthe men beside the wagon. 'Wait! Let that be!' Falling silent, the bandits turned from their booty, some with sacks of grain stillclutched to their breast. 'Let us see what else fortune has brought us this day.' A slender,bearded man who was obviously the commander of the band brokethrough the ranks of his underlings and strode boldly towards thewarriors guarding Mara. He paused midway between the lines,sword at the ready and a cocky sureness to his manner that causedPapewaio to draw himself up. 'Steady, Pape,'Mara whispered, more to reassure herself than torestrain her Strike Leader. Stifled in the confines of her litter, shewatched the bandit make a disparaging gesture with his sword. 'What's this? Why should men with swords and armour and thehonour of a great house not fight?' The bandit commander shiftedhis weight, betraying underlying uneasiness. No Tsurani warrior hehad known had ever hesitated to attack, even die, since the highestaccolade a fighter could earn was to perish in battle. Another stepbrought him near enough to catch sight of Mara's litter. No longerpuzzled, he craned his neck, then cried, 'A woman!' Mara's hands tightened in her lap. Head high, her pale faceexpressionless, she watched the bandit leader break into a widegrin. As if a dozen warriors standing ready to dispute his conquestwere no deterrent, he spun to face his companions. 'A fine day, men.A caravan, and a captive, and not a man's blood spilled to the RedGod!' Interested, the nearer outlaws dropped sacks of thyza andcrowded together, weapons aggressively angled towards the Acomalines. Their commander turned in Mara's direction and shouted,'Lady, I trust your father or husband is loving and rich, or if notloving, then at least rich. For you are now our hostage.' Mara jerked aside the curtain of the litter. She acceptedPapewaio's hand and rose, saying, 'Your conclusion may bepremature, bandit.' Her poise caused the outlaw leader a stab of uncertainty; hestepped back, daunted by her confidence. But the armed companyat his back lost none of their eagerness, and more men drifted fromthe woods to observe the exchange. Looking past the shoulders of her guards at the slender man,Mara demanded, 'What is your name?' Regaining his bantering manner, the bandit leader leaned on his sword, 'Lujan, Lady.' He still showed deference to one obviouslynoble. 'Since I am destined to be your host for a time, may I enquirewhom I have the honour of addressing?' Several outlaws laughed at their leader's mock display ofmanners. Mara's escort stiffened with affront, but the girl herselfremained calm. 'I am Mara, Lady of the Acoma.' Conflicting expressions played across Lujan's face: surprise,amusement, concern, then at last consideration; he lifted his swordand gestured delicately with the point. 'Then you are withouthusband or father, Lady of the Acoma. You must negotiate yourown ransom.' Even as he spoke, his eyes played across thewoodlands behind Papewaio and Mara, for her confident stanceand the smallness of her retinue suggested something out of place.Ruling Ladies of great houses did not place themselves at riskwithout reason. Something in his posture caused alarm in his men,nearly a hundred and fifty of them, as well as Mara could estimate.Their nervousness grew as she watched; some cast about for signs oftrouble, while others seemed on the point of charging Papewaio'sposition without order. As if the situation were not about to turn from dangerous todeadly, Mara smiled and fingered her bracelets. 'My ForceCommander said I might be annoyed by an unkempt lot like you.'Her voice became peevish. 'I despise him when he's right. Now I'llnever hear the end of his pattering!' At this some of the outlawsburst into laughter. Papewaio showed no reaction to this unlikely description ofKeyoke. He relaxed slightly, aware that his mistress sought to lessentension and avoid an imminent conflict. Mara looked at the bandit chieftain, outwardly defiant butsecretly attempting to gauge his mood. He insolently levelled hisweapon in her direction. 'How convenient for us you failed to takeyour adviser's suggestion seriously. In future you would be welladvised to heed such counsel . . . if you have the opportunity.' Several of the Acoma soldiers tensed at the implied threat.Surreptitiously Mara touched Papewaio's back to reassure him,then said girlishly, 'Why would I not have the opportunity?' With a display of mock regret, Lujan lowered his sword.'Because, Lady, if our negotiations prove unsatisfactory, you will bein no position to hear your Force Commander again.' His eyes darted, seeking possible trouble; everything about this raid wasaskew. 'What do you mean!' Mara stamped her foot as she spoke,ignoring the dangerous attitude the bandit's threat roused in herescort. 'I mean that while I'm not certain how much value you place onyour own freedom, I do know what price you'll fetch on the slaveblocks at Migran.' Lujan jumped back a half step, sword poised, asAcoma guards barely restrained themselves from answering suchinsult with attack. Sure of retaliation, the bandits raised weaponsand crouched. Lujan scanned the clearing furiously as both sides stood on thebrink of combat. Yet no change came. A gleam of understandingentered the outlaw's eyes. 'You plot something, pretty mistress?'The words were half question, half statement. Unexpectedly amused by the man's impudence, Mara saw thatthe outlaw's brash and provocative comments were intended to testher mettle in turn. She realized how closely she had come tounderestimating this Lujan. That such a clever man could go towaste! she thought. Striving to buy time, she shrugged like a spoiledchild. Lujan stepped boldly forward and, reaching through the line ofher guards, fingered the scarf at her neck with a rough and dirtyhand. Reaction followed instantaneously. Lujan felt sudden pressureagainst his wrist. Looking down, he saw Papewaio's sword a hairsbreadthaway from severing his hand. The outlaw's head jerked upso his eyes were level with the Strike Leader's. In flat tones Papewaiosaid, 'There is a limit.' Lujan's fingers unclenched slowly, freeing Mara's scarf. He smiled nervously, adroitly withdrawing his hand, then steppedaway from Mara's guard. His manner now turned suspicious andhostile, for under normal circumstances to touch a Lady in such away would have cost his life. 'There is some deception here, Lady.What game is this?' He gripped his sword tightly, and his menshuffled forward, awaiting only his order to attack. Suddenly aware that Mara and her officer were closely observingthe rocks above the clearing, the bandit chieftain swore. 'No RulingLady would travel with so few warriors! Aie, I am a fool!'He started forward, and his men tensed to charge, when Marashouted, 'Keyoke!' An arrow sped through the air to strike the ground between theoutlaw leader's legs. He pulled up short, as if reaching the end of atether. Teetering for an instant on his toes, he awkwardly stumbledback a pace. A voice rang out from above. 'One step closer to mymistress, and you're a dead man!' Lujan spun towards the voice,and high above Keyoke pointed a drawn sword at the banditchieftain. The Force Commander nodded grimly, and an archerfired a signal arrow over the ridge of the ravine. It rose with awhistling scream, cutting through his shout as he called to hissubcommanders. 'Ansami! Mesai !' Other shouts answered from the woods. Flanked from the rear,outlaws whirled to catch glimpses of polished armour between thetrees, the tall plumes of an officer's helm at the fore. Uncertain howlarge a force had been pitched against him, the bandit chieftainreacted instantaneously. In desperation, he whirled and yelled hiscommand to charge the guard around Mara's litter. A second shout from Keyoke jerked his offensive short. 'Dacoya!Hunzai! Advance! Prepare to fire!' The skyline above the ridge suddenly became notched with thesilhouettes of a hundred helms, punctuated by the curved horns ofbows. A racket erupted, as if several hundred men advancedthrough the woods that surrounded the clearing. The bandit chieftain gestured, and his men stumbled to a halt.Caught at an uncomfortable disadvantage, he scanned the sides ofthe ravine in a belated attempt to assess his odds of recovery. Onlyone senior officer stood in clear sight; he had called the names offour Strike Leaders. Eyes narrowed against sun glare, Lujanreviewed the deployment of his own men. The situation was next toimpossible. Mara had abandoned her girlish airs. Without even a glance ather bodyguard for direction, she said, 'Lujan, order your men to puttheir weapons down.' 'Has reason fled?' Soundly outflanked, and caught in a bottleneckedposition, the outlaw leader straightened with a defiantsmile. 'Lady, I salute your plan to rid your estates of peskyneighbours, but even now, I must point out, your person is still atrisk. We are trapped, but you could still die with us.' Even in the face of overwhelming odds, this man sought to wrest circumstance to hisadvantage. 'Perhaps we could come to some sort of accommodation,'he quickly observed. His voice reflected a roguish banterand desperate bluff, but never a trace of fear. 'Perhaps if you let usdepart in peace . . .' Mara inclined her head. 'You misjudge us.' Her jade braceletsclinked in the stillness as she placed a hand on Papewaio's arm,moving him slightly aside. Then she stepped past him and herguards, confronting the bandit chief face to face. 'As Ruling Lady ofthe Acoma, I have placed myself at risk so that we might speak.' Lujan glanced at the ridgetop. Perspiration glistened on hisforehead, which he blotted on his tattered and dirty sleeve. 'I amlistening, Lady.' Her guards like statues at her back, Mara caught the ruffian'sgaze and held it. 'First you must put down your weapons.' The man returned a bitter laugh. 'I may not be a giftedcommander, my Lady, but I am not an idiot. If I am to greet the RedGod this day, still I will not surrender myself and my companions tobe hung for stealing some cows and grain.' 'Though you have stolen from the Acoma, and killed a slave boy,I have not gone to this trouble simply to see you hang, Lujan.' Though Mara's words rang sincere, the outlaws were reluctant tobelieve; weapons shifted among their ranks, and eyes darted fromthe threatening force on the ridge to the smaller band of soldierswho guarded the girl. As tension intensified, Lujan said, 'Lady, ifyou have a point to make, I suggest you speak quickly, else we mayfind a number of us dying, you and I first among them.' Without orders, and with no deference for rank, Papewaio closedthe distance between himself and his mistress. Gently but firmly hemoved Mara back and interposed himself between the Ruling Ladyand the bandit leader. Mara allowed the familiarity without comment. 'I will guaranteeyou this: surrender to me and listen to my proposal. If you wish toleave when I have done speaking with you and your men, then youwill be free to depart. So long as you never again raid Acoma lands, Iwill not trouble you. On this you have my word.' Uncomfortably aware that archers even now trained theirweapons upon his person, Lujan regarded his men. To the last,miserable rank, they were undernourished, some scrawny to the verge of ill health. Most carried only a single weapon, a badly madesword or knife; few wore adequate clothing, much less armour. Itwould be a poor contest if it came to a fight against Mara'simpeccably turned-out guard. The bandit leader glanced from faceto scruffy face, meeting the eyes of men who had been hiscompanions through difficult times. Most indicated with a nod theywould follow his lead. Lujan turned back to Mara with a slight sigh and reversed hissword. 'Lady, I have no house to call upon, but what shred ofpersonal honour I call my own is now in your hands.' Hesurrendered his blade to Papewaio. Weaponless and entirelydependent upon her goodwill, he bowed with stiff irony andcommended his following to accept his example. The sun beat down on the green lacquered armour of the Acomaand the ragged shoulders of the bandit company. Only birds brokethe silence, and the trickle of the spring, as men studied the girl inher fine robes and jewellery. At last one bandit stepped forth andsurrendered his knife; he was followed by another with a scarredleg, and another, until in a wave the company gave over theirweapons. Blades tumbled from loosened fingers, to fall with aclatter at the feet of the Acoma warriors. Shortly not an outlawremained who carried arms. When the men of her retinue had collected the swords, Marastepped forward. The bandits parted to let her past, wary of her,and of the bared blade Papewaio still carried at her shoulder. Whileon duty, the First Strike Leader of the Acoma had a manner even thebravest man would not lightly challenge. The most reckless of theoutlaws maintained their distance, even when the warrior turnedhis back to lift Mara to the tailboard of the nearest wagon. Looking down on the ragged company, the Lady of the Acomasaid, 'Is this all of your men, Lujan?' The fact that she had issued no order to relax the stance of herarchers caused the bandit leader to reply with honesty. 'Most arehere. Fifty more maintain our camp in the forest or forage nearby.Another dozen keep watch on the various roads.' Perched atop the thyza sacks, Mara hastily calculated. 'Youcommand perhaps twelve dozen here. How many of these weresoldiers? Let them answer for themselves.' Of the band clustered around the rear of the wagon, close to sixty raised their hands. Mara smiled encouragement and said, 'Fromwhat houses?' Proud to be asked of their former heritage, they shouted,'Saydano!' 'Almach!' 'Raimara!' and other houses known to Mara,most of which had been destroyed in Almecho's rise to the office ofWarlord, just before Ichindar's succession to the throne of theEmpire. As the clamour died down, Lujan added, 'I was once StrikeLeader of the Kotai, Lady.' Mara arranged her sleeves and sat; her frown grew pensive.'What of the rest of you?' A man stepped forward. Burly despite the evident ravages ofhunger, he bowed. 'Mistress, I was a farmer from the Kotai estatesto the west of Migran. When my master died, I fled, and followedthis man.' He pointed respectfully to Lujan. 'He has cared well forhis own over the years, though ours has been a life of wandering andhardship.' Mara gestured to the fringes of the company. 'Criminals?' Lujan answered for the rest. 'Men without masters, Lady. Somewere free farmers who lost their land for taxes. Others were guiltyof misdemeanour. Many are grey warriors. But murderers, thieves,and men without principle are given no welcome in my camp.' Heindicated the surrounding woods. 'Oh, there are murderers around,have no doubt. Your patrols have grown lax over the last fewmonths, and the wilds provide safe haven. But in my band we haveonly honest outlaws.' He laughed weakly at his own jest, adding, 'Ifthere be such.' He sobered and regarded Mara keenly. 'Now, willthe Lady tell us why she concerns herself with the fate of suchunfortunates as we?' Mara gave him a smile that hinted at irony, and signalled toKeyoke. The Force Commander called for his troops to relax theirbattle-ready stance. As the archers on the ridge arose from cover, not even the sun's glare could hide the fact that they were notwarriors at all, but boys and old farmhands and slaves, deceptivelyclad in bits of armour or green-dyed cloth. What had seemed anarmy was now revealed for what it was: a single company ofsoldiers who numbered less than half as many as the outlaws,accompanied by workers and children from the Acoma estates. A mutter of chagrin arose from the outlaws, and Lujan shook hishead with a look of surprise and awe. 'Mistress, what have youwrought?' 'A possibility, Lujan . . . for all of us.' Afternoon cast long shadows across the grass by the spring wherethe needra grazed, their tails switching insects. Perched atop thewagon, Mara regarded the ragged band of outlaws who sat on theground at the fringes of the forest eagerly finishing the meat, fruit,and thyza bread her cooks had distributed among them. Althoughthe meal was better than many had seen in months, the Lady of theAcoma observed a pervasive discomfort among the men. To betaken in battle was to become a slave, that was an incontrovertibleway of life. The fact that Acoma honour guaranteed their status asfree men, and the generous hospitality that had fed them, earned aguarded if tenuous trust. Yet this strange young Ruling Lady hadnot spoken of why she had contrived this odd meeting, and theoutlaws remained suspicious. Mara studied the men and found them much like the soldiers,workers, and slaves of her estate. Yet one quality seemed absent;had these men stood dressed in nobles' robes, still she would haveknown them for outcasts. As the last crumbs of the meal wereconsumed, she knew the time had come to speak her offer. With Papewaio and Keyoke stationed by the wagon at her side,the girl drew a resolute breath and raised her voice. 'You outlaws, Iam Mara, Lady of the Acoma. You have stolen from me, and forthat are in my debt. To discharge that obligation honourably, I askthat you listen to my words.' Seated in the front ranks, Lujan set aside his wine cup andanswered. 'The Lady of the Acoma is gracious to concern herselfwith the honour of outlaws. All in my company are pleased to agreeto this.' Mara searched the face of the bandit chief, seeking any sign ofmockery; instead she found interest, curiosity, and sly humour. Shefound herself liking this man. 'You here are counted outcasts formany reasons, so I have been told. All are considered markedunkindly by fate.' The man with the scarred leg called out inagreement, and others shifted position, leaning raptly forward.Satisfied she had their attention, Mara added, 'For some of you,misfortune came because you outlived the masters you served.' A man with bark wristbands shouted, 'And so we are dishonoured!' Another echoed him. 'And so we have no honour!' Mara raised her hand for silence. 'Honour is in doing one's duty.If a man is sent to guard a distant holding and his master diesbeyond his capacity to defend him, is he without honour? If awarrior is wounded in battle and lies unconscious while his masterdies, is it his fault that he lives and his master does not?' Maralowered her arm with a brisk clash of bracelets, her tone changed tocommand. 'All who were servants, farmers, and workers, raise yourhand.' A dozen or so men complied without hesitation. The othersshifted uncertainly, eyes flicking from the Lady to their comrades asthey waited to see what she proposed. 'I have need of workers.' Mara made an encompassing gestureand smiled. 'I will allow you to take service with my hadonra.' Order vanished. All the bandits began speaking at once, frommutters to shouts, for the Lady's offer was one unprecedentedwithin the Empire. Keyoke waved his sword for silence, even as anemboldened farmer leaped to his feet. 'When the Lord of theMinwanabi slew my master, I ran away. But the law says I am slaveto the conquering Lord.' Mara's voice cut clearly over the confusion. 'The law says no suchthing!' Stillness fell, and all eyes turned towards her. Poised, angry,yet seeming beautiful in her rich robes to men who had knownmonths or even years of deprivation in the wilderness, she resumedwith firm encouragement. 'Tradition says a worker is a spoil of war.The conqueror decides who is more valued as a free man, and who isto be a slave. The Minwanabi are my enemies, so if you are a spoil ofwar, then I will decide your status. You are free.' The silence at this point became oppressive, charged like theshimmer of heat waves above sun-baked rock. Men shifted restlessly, troubled by the upset of order as they knew it, for socialsubtleties dictated every walk of Tsurani life. To change thefundamental was to sanction dishonour and risk the unbinding of acivilization that had continued unbroken for centuries. Mara sensed the confusion among the men; glancing first to thefarmers, whose faces wore transparent expressions of hope, then tothe most sceptical and hardened of the grey warriors, she borrowedfrom the philosophies learned at Lashima's temple. 'The traditionwe live by is like the river that springs from the mountain lands andflows always to the sea. No man may turn that current uphill. To trywould defy natural law. Like the Acoma, many of you have knownmisfortune. Like the Acoma, I ask you to join in turning the courseof tradition, even as storms sometimes cause a river to carve a newbed.' The girl paused, eyes veiled by her lashes as she stared down ather hands. This moment was critical, for if even one outlaw criedout in opposition to what she had said, she would lose control. Thesilence weighed upon her unbearably. Then, without a word,Papewaio calmly removed his helm; the black scarf of thecondemned upon his brow lay bare for all to see. Lujan exclaimed in astonishment, startled as the rest to find aman condemned to death standing in a position of honour in theretinue of a great Lady. Proud of Pape's loyalty, and the gesture hehad made to show that shame could be other than traditiondictated, Mara smiled and laid light fingers on the shoulder of herStrike Leader. 'This man serves me with pride. Will others amongyou not do the same?' To the farmer displaced by the Minwanabishe said, 'If the Lord who vanquished your master wishes anotherfarmer, then let him come for you.' with a nod towards Keyoke andher warriors, she added, 'The Minwanabi will have to fight to takeyou. And upon my estate you shall be a free man.' The farmer sprang forward with wild cry of joy. 'You offer yourhonour?' 'You have my honour,' answered Mara, and Keyoke bowed toaffirm his loyalty to her command. The farmer knelt where he stood, and offered crossed wrists toMara in the time-honoured gesture of fealty. 'Lady, I am your man.Your honour is my honour.' With those words the farmerannounced to all that he would die as readily as any of her warriorsto defend the Acoma name. Mara nodded formally, and Papewaio left her side. He wendedhis way through the bandit company until he stood before thefarmer. By ancient ritual, he placed a cord about the man's wrists,then removed the mock bonds, showing that the man who mighthave been kept as slave was instead accepted as a free man. Excitedtalk broke out as a dozen other men crowded around. They knelt in a circle around Papewaio, eager to accept Mara's offer and the hopeof a new life. Keyoke detailed a warrior to gather the newly sworn workerstogether; Acoma guards would accompany them back to the estate,where they would be assigned housing and field work by Jican. The remaining company of bandits watched with the hope of thedesperate as Mara spoke again. 'You who were outlawed, whatwere your crimes?' A short man, pale with sickness, called hoarsely. 'I spoke ill of apriest, Lady.' 'I kept grain back from the tax collector for my hungry children,'cried another. The list of petty misdemeanours continued until Mara hadascertained the truth of Lujan's claim that thieves and murderersfound no sanctuary within his company. To the condemned shesaid, 'Leave as you will, or take service as free men. As Ruling Ladyof the Acoma, I offer you pardon within the borders of my lands.'Although imperial amnesty was beyond the authority of any RulingLord or Lady, Mara knew no minister of the imperial governmentwould likely raise objections over the fate of a lowly, next-tonamelessfield hand - especially if he had never heard of such anamnesty. The pardoned men grinned at the cleverness of the Lady andhurried to Papewaio to swear service. They knelt gladly. As Acomaworkers they might face threat from Mara's enemies, but danger inservice to a great house was preferable to their bitter existence asoutlaws. The shadows of afternoon lengthened beneath the trees; goldenlight scattered through where the branches were thinnest. Maralooked at the depleted ranks of the outlaw band, and her gazesettled at last upon Lujan. 'You soldiers without masters, listencarefully.' She paused, waiting while the jubilant talk of the newlysworn workers dwindled down the road. Delicate next toPapewaio's muscled fitness, Mara challenged the gaze of theroughest and most unkempt among Lujan's followers. 'I offer athing no warrior in the history of the Empire has known: a secondbeginning. Who among you will return to my estate, to shape anewhis honour . . . by kneeling outside the sacred grove and offeringoath to the natami of the Acoma?' Silence descended upon the glade, and for a moment it seemedthat no man dared to breathe. Then pandemonium erupted. Menshouted questions and were shouted down in turn by others whoclaimed to know answers. Dirty hands jabbed the air to emphasizepoints of law, and feet stamped earth as excited men jumped to theirfeet and surged towards Mara's wagon. Papewaio stopped the rush with drawn sword, and, hurryingfrom the wagons, Keyoke shouted a command. Silence fell; slowly the bandits settled. Quiet once more, theywaited for their leader to speak. Respectful of Papewaio's vigilance, Lujan bowed carefully beforethe girl who threatened to upset the life he had known pastrecovery. 'Lady, your words are ... astonishing ... generousbeyond imagining. But we have no masters to free us of our formerservice.' Something akin to defiance flickered in his eyes. Mara noticed and strove to understand. Though roguish, evenhandsome beneath his grime, the outlaw bore himself in the mannerof a man threatened; and suddenly the girl knew why. These mensimply owned no sense of purpose, living from day to day, withouthope. If she could make them take fate back into their own handsand swear loyalty to the Acoma, she would gain warriors ofinestimable value. But she had to make them believe once more. 'You have no service,' she said gently to Lujan. 'But we gave oath . . .' His voice fell to barely above a whisper.'No offer like this has been made before. We . . . Who among us canknow what is honourable?' Lujan seemed half pleading, as if hewished Mara to dictate what was right; and the rest of the companylooked to their chieftain for guidance. Suddenly feeling every inch the unseasoned seventeen-year-oldnovice of Lashima, Mara turned to Keyoke for support. The oldwarrior did not fail her. Though he was as discomforted as Lujan bythis abuse of tradition, his voice remained calm. 'A soldier must diein the service of his master, or be dishonoured, so it is held. Yet, asmy Lady points out, if fate decrees otherwise, no man is fit to arguewith the gods. If the gods do not wish you to serve the Acoma, theirdispleasure will certainly be visited upon that house. My Ladyassumes that risk, in her own behalf, and yours. With or without thefavour of heaven, all of us will die. But the bold among you willchance misfortune,' and he paused for a long moment beforeadding, 'and die as soldiers.' Lujan rubbed his wrists, unconvinced. To anger the gods was toinvite utter ruination. At least as an outlaw the miserable existencehe would endure for life might expiate his failure to die with hismaster, perhaps earning his soul a higher station when it was nextbound to the Wheel of Life. As the bandits reflected the nervousness of their leader, eachplainly divided within himself, Papewaio scratched his scar and saidthoughtfully, 'I am Papewaio, First Strike Leader of the Acoma. Iwas born to service with this house, but my father and grandfathercounted kin with cousins serving the Shinzawai, the Wedewayo, theAnasati . . .' He paused and, when no man spoke, added the namesof several more houses Lujan stood frozen, his eyes half-closed, as behind him a man calledout. 'My father served the house of Wedewayo, where I lived before Itook service with the Lord of the Serak. His name was Almaki.' Papewaio nodded, thinking quickly. 'Was this the Almaki whowas cousin to Papendaio, who was my father?' The man shook his head in disappointment. 'No, but I knew him.He was called Little Almaki, as my father was Big Almaki. I hadother cousins of my father serving there, though.' Papewaio beckoned the man from the ranks, and out of Mara'shearing, they spoke quietly for several minutes. After an animatedinterval the bandit broke into a broad grin, and the Strike Leaderturned to his mistress with a deferential bow. 'My Lady, this isToram. His uncle was cousin to a man who married a woman whowas sister to the woman who married my father's nephew. He is mycousin, and worthy of service to the Acoma.' Mara hid a smile behind her sleeve. Pape and the obviously clever Toram had seized upon a simple fact of Tsurani culture. Second andthird sons of soldiers by tradition were free to take service withhouses other than those in which they were born. By treating thisgrey warrior as if he were a youth, Papewaio had circumventedLujan's question of honour entirely. When Mara had recovered herdecorum, she said simply, 'Pape, call your cousin into our service, ifhe is willing.' Papewaio caught Toram's shoulder in brotherly fashion.Cousin, you are called to serve the Acoma.' The man raised his chin with newfound pride and crisplyannounced his acceptance. 'I will come!' His words touched off a rush among the outlaws, as mencrowded around the dozen Acoma soldiers and began exchangingthe names of relations. Again Mara fought down a smile. AnyTsurani of noble birth, or any soldier, knew his bloodlines backseveral generations, as well as cousins, aunts, and uncles, most ofwhom he knew by name only. When two Tsurani met for the firsttime, an elaborate inquiry after the health of relatives began, untilhistories were exchanged and the two strangers knew who stoodhigher upon the social ladder. It was almost impossible that, aftersufficient conversation, some tenuous relationship would not bediscovered, allowing the grey warriors to be called to service. Mara allowed Papewaio to offer his hand so she might step downfrom the wagon. Bandits gathered in knots around differentsoldiers, happy voices shouting out questions and answers asrelationships were determined. Lujan shook his head in wonder andfaced Mara, his eyes alight with poorly masked emotions. 'MyLady, your ruse to capture us was masterful and . . . alone wouldhave made me proud to serve you. This . . .' His hand waved at themilling, excited men. 'This is beyond understanding.' Nearlyovercome by his feelings, he turned away a moment, swallowedhard, then looked back at Mara, his face again a proper Tsuranimask, though his eyes were shining. 'I do not know if . . . it is right,but I will take service gladly, and I will make Acoma honour mine.My life will be yours as you will, my Lady. And should my life beshort, it will be a good life, to again wear house colour.' Hestraightened, all trace of his rakishness put aside. He studied Marafor a long moment, his eyes locked with hers. The words he spokethen impressed her ever afterward with their sincerity. 'I hope fatespares me death for many years, mistress, that I may stay near yourside. For I think you play the Game of the Council.' Then with anear loss of self-control, moisture gleamed in his eyes and his facesplit in a grin. 'And I think the Empire will never be the same for it.' Mara stood silent, while Lujan bowed and moved away tocompare relations with the Acoma soldiers and find common kin,no matter how distant the tie. Then, with Keyoke's permission, hesent runners to camp to call the rest of his following to the spring.The latecomers arrived in varying states of disbelief. But when theysaw the lady seated upon the thyza wagon as though she held courtin the pillared shade of her estate hall, their scepticism lost impetus. Convinced in the end by the exuberance of comrades already swornto Acoma service, they recited lists of cousins and in-laws until they,too, had regained the honour of house service. Afternoon passed, the trees above the rim of the ravine stripingthe clearing with lengthened shadows. The heat lessened and thelate breezes bore a woodsy scent, as the branches above the caravanrustled restlessly. Satisfied with the events of the day, Mara watcheda flock of gaguin birds swoop down to feed upon insects blownalong by the breeze. As they finished their meal and sped raucouslyoff to the south, she realized how tired and hungry she was. As though thinking in concert with her, Keyoke paused byMara's side. 'Lady, we must leave directly if we are to reach yourestate by nightfall.' Mara nodded, longing now for soft cushions in place of roughbags of thyza. Weary as she was of the stares of hungry men, theprivacy of her litter seemed suddenly inviting. Loudly enough forthe men to hear, she called, 'Let us be away, then, ForceCommander. There are Acoma soldiers here who would like a bath,a hot meal, and rest in a barracks where the fog won't dampen theirblankets.' Even Mara could not keep her eyes free of moisture at the shoutof unalloyed joy that sprang from the lips of the bandits. Men whoso recently had stood ready to fight against her now were eager todefend her. Silently the girl gave thanks to Lashima. This firstvictory had come easily; but against the strength of the Minwanabi,and the scheming cleverness of the Anasati, in the future her successwould come with difficulty, if at all. Jostled back against the cushions as her slaves raised her litter,Mara felt limp. She allowed herself a deep sigh of relief. All thedoubt and fear suppressed through armed confrontation andnegotiation with the bandits surfaced behind the privacy of hercurtains. Until now she had not dared admit how frightened she hadbeen. Her body quivered with unexpected chills. Aware that dampness would mar the fine silk of her gown, she sniffed andsuppressed a maddening urge to weep. Lano had ridiculed heremotional outbursts as a child, teasing her about not being Tsurani- though women were not expected to hold themselves in check theway men did. Remembering his laughing banter and the fact that she had neverseen her father betray any uncertainty, any doubts or fears, sheclosed her eyes, immersing herself in an exercise to calm herself. Thevoice of the teaching sister who had schooled her at the temple ofLashima seemed to answer within her mind: learn the nature of self,accept all aspects of self, then the mastery can begin. Denial of self isdenial of all. Mara sniffed again. Now her nose dripped also. Pushing hersleeves out of harm's way, she silently admitted the truth. She hadbeen terrified, most so at the moment she had thought the banditsmight be attacking her estates while she futilely searched the hillsfor them. Again Mara scolded herself: this is not how a Ruling Lady acts!Then she understood the root of her feelings: she didn't know how aRuling Lady was expected to act. Lacking any schooling ingovernance, she was a temple girl thrust into the deadliest contest inthe Empire. Mara reviewed an early lesson from her father: doubts could onlycripple one's ability to act decisively; and in the Game of theCouncil, to hesitate was to die. To avoid dwelling on weakness, Mara peered through a crack inthe curtains at the newly recruited Acoma retainers. Despite soiledclothing, haggard faces, arms like sticks, and eyes of frightenedanimals, these men were soldiers, yet now Mara recognized aquality in them she had failed to see before: these outlaws, even theroguish Lujan, had been just as frightened as she. Mara found thatperplexing, until she reconsidered the ambush from their perspective.Despite being outnumbered, the Acoma warriors were allbattle-tested soldiers, properly armed and fit. Some of these greywarriors hadn't seen a decent meal in a year. And their weaponswere an odd assortment of discarded, stolen, or crudely fashionedswords and knives. Only a few had anything like a shield and nonewore body armour. No, thought Mara, many of those sad,desperate men must have expected some of their unfortunatebrotherhood to die this day. And each would have wondered if he'dbe among that number. The men marched unaware of their mistress's observation. Theirfaces revealed a play of other emotions, among them hope and thefear of false hope. Mara sank back upon the cushions, absently focusing on the colourful design of the litter's tapestry covering. Howhad she suddenly come to see all these things in these men's faces?Could her fear have triggered some perceptiveness she had notunderstood within herself? Then, as if her brother, Lanokota, satbeside her, memory of his presence filled her mind. If she closed hereyes she could hear him whisper, 'You are growing up, little sister.' Suddenly Mara could no longer contain her tears. Now herweeping did not arise from sorrow but from a jubilant upwellingsimilar to the joy she had known when Lano had last won thesummer games in Sulan-Qu. On that day Mara and her father hadcheered like peasants from the stands, for a time unconcerned withthe mores of social status and decorum; only now her emotionsswept her tenfold more powerfully. She had won. She had tasted her first victory in the Game of theCouncil, and the experience whetted her wits, left her yearning forsomething more and greater. For the first time in life she understoodwhy the great Lords strove, and even died, for the chance to gain inhonour. Smiling through the tracks of tears, she allowed the motion of thelitter to relax her body. No one she faced across the invisible gamingtable of Tsurani politics would know of this move, at least notdirectly and not for some time. But where Minwanabi treachery hadreduced the Acoma home garrison to fifty soldiers, she nowcommanded the loyalty of better than two hundred. Since greywarriors were scattered in hideouts the breadth of the Empire, shecould employ these men to recruit more. Should she gain butanother week from her sending the box with the feather and cord tothe Lord of the Minwanabi, then she might have five hundred ormore soldiers to offset his next threat. Mara felt joyous. She knewvictory! And two voices arose from memory. On one hand theteaching sister said, 'Child, be wary of the lure of power andtriumph, for all such things are transitory.' But Lano's impetuousvoice urged her to appreciate her accomplishments. 'Enjoy victorywhile you can, Mara-anni. Enjoy it while you can.' Mara lay back, tired enough to set her mind at rest. As her slaves bore her homeward through the deepening shadows of sundown,she smiled slightly in the privacy of her litter. While she knew thather situation was still almost hopeless, she was going to take Lano'sadvice. Life must be savoured while it lasted. The wagon wheels creaked and turned and the needra snorted,while the dust of tramping men turned the air ochre and gold.Sunset faded slowly to twilight as Mara's unlikely caravan with itsill-assorted company of men-at-arms made its way down the roadto the Acoma estate. The torches by the main door of the estate house lit a courtyardthrown into confusion. The earlier arrival of the formerly masterlessworkers and farmers had busied Jican and his staff to theexclusion of all else, as meals and quarters and jobs were meted outto all. When Mara's caravan returned on the edge of nightfall withLujan's ragged, underfed warriors, the hadonra threw his hands inthe air and begged the gods for an end to an impossible day's work.Hungry himself, and by now resigned to a tongue-lashing from hiswife for missing his children's bedtime, Jican dispatched word tothe cooks to prepare yet another cauldron of thyza, and to cut coldmeat and fruit. Then, shorter than most of his charges and having tomake up the difference by being tirelessly energetic, the hadonrabegan the task of taking names and tallying which men neededclothing, and which sandals. While Keyoke began the task.ofsorting the newcomers into companies, Jican and his assistantsassembled a team of slaves to sweep out an empty barracks andfetch blankets for sleeping mats. Without formal instructions fromanyone, Lujan took on the role of officer, reassuring or bullyingwhere necessary to help get his company settled. Into this chaos of milling men and needra wagons sailed Nacoya,her hairpins askew in her agitation. She gave Lujan's raffishcompany a brisk glance and homed in at once on Mara's litter.Weaving a determined path through the press, she arrived just asPapewaio assisted his Lady from the cushions to her feet. Stiff fromsitting and dazzled by the torchlight, Mara observed that silentmoment when her Strike Leader surrendered her care to Nacoya.The invisible line between the domains of bodyguard and nurse layapproximately where the stone walk from the main doors of thehouse touched the roadway. Nacoya accompanied her mistress back to her quarters, one stepbehind her shoulder as was proper. Once through the door, the oldnurse gestured for the maids to withdraw. Then, her expressionobscured by the wavering shadows cast by the oil lamps, she slid thescreen firmly closed. As Mara paused to remove the layers of bracelets and jewelleryshe had worn to seem frivolous throughout her ruse, the nurseaddressed her with flint in her voice. 'What is this sudden return?And who are all those ragged men?' Mara tossed a brooch and jade necklace into a coffer with arattle. After tension, and danger, and the intoxicating euphoria ofsuccess, the nurse's peremptory manner set her teeth on edge;keeping firm rein on herself, she twisted off her rings one by one andrelated in detail the plan she had executed to replenish the Acomagarrison. As the last ornament fell with a click into the pile, Nacoya's voicerose. 'You dared stake the future of the Acoma on so ill-conceived aplan? Girl, do you know what you risked?' Mara turned to faceNacoya and found the nurse's face reddened and her handsclenched. 'Had one of those bandits struck a blow, your men wouldhave died defending you! And for what? So that a scant dozenwarriors would remain to defend the empty shell of this house whenthe Minwanabi came? Who would have defended the natami? NotKeyoke or Papewaio. They would have died!' Near-hysterical withanger, the old woman shook. 'You could have been used by everyone of them! You could have been killed!' Nacoya's voice rose in pitch as if she was unable to contain heranger. 'Instead of this . . . reckless adventure . . . you . . . you shouldhave been deciding upon an appropriate marriage.' Reaching out,Nacoya grabbed Mara's arms and began to shake her, as if she werestill a child. 'If you continue in your headstrong foolishness, you'llfind your prospects limited to the son of some wealthy fertilizermerchant looking to buy a name for his family, while cut-throatsand needra thieves guard your estate!' 'Enough!' Startled by the hardness of her own voice, Marapushed the old woman away; and the sharpness of her manner cutthrough Nacoya's tirade as a scythe cuts through grass. The oldwoman bit off her protests. Then, as she seemed on the verge ofspeaking again, Mara said, 'Enough, Nacoya.' Her tone was lowand deadly, barely masking her anger. Mara faced her old nurse. She stepped forward until scant inches separated them and said, 'I am the Lady of the Acoma.' Thestatement reflected little of the ire of the moment before; softeningfaintly, Mara studied the face of the woman who had raised herfrom childhood. Earnestly she said, 'Mother of my heart, of all whoserve me, you are most loved.' Then her eyes narrowed and firereturned to her words. 'But never forget for an instant you serve me.Touch me like that, address me in such a manner again, Nacoya-ever andI will have you beaten like a kitchen slave. Do youunderstand?' Nacoya wavered an instant and slowly bowed her ancient head.Wisps of loosened hair fluttered at the nape of her neck as she stifflyknelt before Mara until both old knees rested upon the floor. 'I begmy mistress's forgiveness.' After an instant, Mara bent forward and put her arms aroundNacoya's shoulders. 'Oldest and dearest companion, fate haschanged our roles. Only days ago I was a novitiate in the temple andyou were my teacher and mother. Now I must rule over you, even asmy father did. You serve me best by sharing your great wisdom. Butin the end I alone must choose which path to follow.' Hugging the trembling old woman close, Mara added, 'Andshould you doubt, remember that I was not captured by bandits.Pape and Keyoke didn't die. I chose well. My plans succeeded, andnow we gain back some of what was lost.' Nacoya was silent, then whispered, 'You were right. Mara released the old woman and clapped her hands twice.Maids hurried in to tend their mistress while the old nurse rose fromthe floor. Shaking still from her reprimand, Nacoya said, 'Lady,have I permission to withdraw?' Mara lifted her chin as a maidservant began unfastening thecollar of her robe. 'Yes, old one, but attend me after I bathe. Wehave much to discuss. I have given much thought to what you'veadvised. The time has come for me to make arrangements formarriage.' Nacoya's dark eyes opened wide. On the heels of Mara's suddenwilfulness, this concession came as a total surprise. 'Your will, myLady,' she said. She bowed and departed, leaving the maids to theirwork. In the dimness of the corridor the old woman straightenedher spine with relief. At last Mara had come to accept her role asRuling Lady. And while the vehemence of Mara's rebuke had stungsharply, the release of responsibility for a child who must managethe honour of her ancestors brought a sense of profound satisfaction.The old nurse nodded to herself. If prudence was not among Mara's virtues, the girl at least had inherited her father'sastonishing boldness and courage. An hour later the Lady of the Acoma rose from her bathing tub.Two maids wrapped her glistening body in towels while anotherrestored the screens that partitioned the wooden tub from the rest ofthe sleeping quarters. Like all Tsurani great houses, the number andsize of rooms were strictly a function of where and how screens anddoors were placed. By sliding another screen door, Mara's sleepingchamber could be reached from the study without leaving thecentral apartments. The air was still hot. Mara chose the lightest of her silk robes,barely covering mid-thigh and almost transparent, with no heavyembroidery. The day had tired her greatly, and she wished forsimplicity and relaxation. Later, in the cooler hours of late evening,she would don a longer, heavier outer robe. But in the presence ofher maids, and Nacoya, Mara could enjoy the immodest butcomfortable lounging robe. At her Lady's command a maid pulled aside a screen that openedonto a small section of the inner court garden, always available toMara for reflection and contemplation. While a dozen servantscould hurry on errands through the central courtyard of the house,the clever placement of screening shrubs and dwarf trees provided acranny of green where their passing would not intrude. Nacoya appeared as Mara seated herself before the opening.Silent, and showing signs of nervous exhaustion, the girl motionedfor the nurse to sit opposite her. Then she waited. 'Mistress, I have brought a list of suitable alliances,' Nacoyaopened. Mara continued to stare out the door, her only movement a slightturning of her head as the maidservant in attendance combed outher long, damp hair. Presuming permission to continue, Nacoyaunrolled the parchment between her wrinkled hands. 'Mistress, ifwe are to survive the plots of the Minwanabi and the Anasati, wemust choose our alliance with care. We have three choices, I think.We can ally ourselves with an old and honoured name whoseinfluence has gone into decline. Or we can choose a husband froma family newly powerful and wealthy, but seeking honour,tradition, and political alliance. Or we might seek a family that would ally because your family's name would add to some ambitionof their own in the Great Game.' Nacoya paused to allow Mara the chance to reply. But the youngwoman continued to stare into the gloom of the garden, the faintestof frowns creasing her brow. The maid finished with the combing;she bundled Mara's hair into a neat knot, bowed, and withdrew. Nacoya waited. When Mara still made no move, she cleared herthroat, then opened the scroll with well-concealed exasperation andsaid, 'I have ruled out those families who are powerful but lacktradition. You would be better served by a marriage to a son of ahouse that in turn has powerful allies. As this means possibleentanglements with the allies of the Minwanabi and, especially, theAnasati, there are few truly acceptable houses.' She looked again atMara, but the Lady of the Acoma seemed to be listening solely to thecalls of the insects that wakened into song after sundown. As servants made rounds to trim the lamps, Nacoya saw that thefrown had deepened upon Mara's face.The old nurse straightenedthe parchment with a purposeful motion. 'Of all those likely to beinterested, the best choices would be . . .' Mara suddenly spoke. 'Nacoya. If the Minwanabi are the singlemost powerful house in the Empire, which house is the mostpowerfully politically connected?' Nacoya pushed her list into her lap. 'The Anasati, withoutquestion. If the Lord of the Anasati did not exist, this list would befive times as long. That man has forged alliances with more thanhalf the powerful Lords in the Empire.' Mara nodded, her eyes fixed upon the air as if it held somethingonly she could see. 'I have decided.' Nacoya leaned expectantly forward, suddenly afraid. Mara hadnot even taken the list, let alone looked at the names Nacoya haddictated to the scribe. Mara turned and focused her gaze keenlyupon Nacoya's face. 'I shall marry a son of the Lord of the Anasati.' 4 Gambits The gong was struck. The harmonics of its sound reverberated through the breadth ofthe great hall of the Anasati. Hung with ancient war banners, therOom was thick with the smell of old waxed wood and generationsOf intrigue. The vaulted tiled roof hid shadows so deep the place wassOmbre even with candles lit. The hall itself swallowed echoes, tothe point where the assembled courtiers and retainers, seated andWaiting, seemed barely moving statues who made no sound. At the head of a long, carpeted centre aisle, upon an imposingdaiS, sat the Lord of the Anasati in his formal robes of office.Beneath the tiered weight of his ceremonial headdress, perspirationglossed his forehead; his bone-thin features showed no trace ofdiscomfort, though his attire was stifling in the heat of midday. Adozen sashes of scarlet and yellow restricted his breathing, while thebows that flared out like starched wings behind him bound hisshoulders; each time he moved, servants were obliged to rush to hisside and adjust them. In one hand he held a large carved wand, itsorigins lost in time, sign of his supremacy as Ruling Lord. Across hisknees rested the ancient steel sword of the Anasati - a relic second inimportance only to the family natami - handed down from father tosOn since the days of the golden bridge and the Escape, when thenations first came to Kelewan. Now its weight bore down cruelly onold knees, an inconvenience he must endure along with all the othertrappings of office while waiting for the upstart Acoma girl toarrive. The room was a veritable oven, for tradition dictated that allthe screens must remain closed until the formal entry of the suitor. Tecuma, Lord of the Anasati, inclined his head slightly, and hisFirst Adviser, Chumaka, hurried to his side. 'How long?' the Lordwhispered impatiently. 'Quite soon, master.' The loyal counsellor bobbed like a nervousrodent and elaborated. 'The gong has rung thrice, as Mara's litterreached the outer gate, while it entered the main house, and now asit passes through the gate to the courtyard. The fourth chime willsound when she is admitted to your august presence, Lord.' Irked by stillness when he longed for music, the Lord of theAnasati said, 'Have you given thought to what I asked?' 'Of course, my Lord. Your wish is my desire. I have conceived ofseveral appropriate insults to answer the Acoma bitch's presumption.'The adviser licked his lips and added, 'To ask for yourson Jiro as consort . . . well, that would be brilliant' - the Lord ofthe Anasati shot his adviser a curious look, which caused his ritualgown to list left. Servants flocked to him and fussed until it wasproperly adjusted once again. Chumaka continued his comment'Brilliant, if it had even the remotest hope of success. A marriagewith any of your sons would bind you to the Acoma in an alliance.Not only would that deplete your resources to protect them, butthen the witch could turn her full attentions to the Lord of theMinwanabi.' The Lord of the Anasati curled his lips with thinly disguiseddistaste for the man just named. 'I'd marry her myself if I thoughtshe had even the remotest possibility of defeating that jaguna in theGame of the Council.' He frowned at mention of the foul-smellingcarrion eater; then his knuckles tightened on his wand as he thoughtaloud, 'But what does she hope to gain? She must know I wouldnever allow her to take Jiro as consort. The Acoma is the only familyolder than mine, after the Five Great Families. If it falls, and by somechance one of the Five Greats falls . . .' Chumaka finished the often repeated wish of his Lord. '. . . thenthe Anasati becomes one of the Five Greats.' Tecuma nodded. 'And someday one of my descendants might riseto be Warlord.' He cast a glance to the left, where his three sonswaited upon a slightly lower dais. Closest to his father sat Halesko, heir to the Anasati mantle.Beside him was Jiro, the most clever and able of the three, alreadylikely to marry any one of a dozen great Lords' daughters, perhapseven a child of the Emperor's, bringing the Anasati anotherpowerful political tie. Next to him slouched Buntokapi, intentlypicking dirt from under his thumbnail. Studying the lumpish visage of his youngest, the Lord of theAnasati whispered to Chumaka, 'You don't suppose by some act ofprovidence she'd take Bunto, do you?' The counsellor's thin eyebrows rose. 'Our intelligence indicatesshe may be a bright girl, if unseasoned, but for her to ask for Buntoas consort would . . . show a little more cleverness than I'd expect,Lord.' 'Cleverness? In asking for Bunto as consort?' Tecuma twistedaround in disbelief, causing his bows to droop and a second flurry offussing from his servants. 'Are you bereft of your senses?' Regarding the stolid third son, the counsellor said, 'You might betempted to say yes.' With a look close to open regret, the Lord of the Anasati sighed. 'Iwould have to say no, I suppose, wouldn't I?' The First Adviser clicked his tongue through his teeth. 'EvenBunto would bring her too much political power. Consider, if theMinwanabi dog accidentally killed Bunto while obliterating theAcoma . . . don't forget the mess he made by sending that Hamoiassassin.' The Lord of the Anasati nodded. 'Yes, I'd be forced to see hisfamily suffer vengeance. It's a shame Minwanabi bungled Mara'sassassination, but I guess that was to be expected: the man's worsethan a jaguna; he has the subtlety of a needra bull in a breeding pen.'Tecuma shifted in an attempt to find a more comfortable position,and his bows teetered. As servants began their approach, he froze,keeping his costume in place. 'I didn't mind humbling her father Sezuwas certainly eager to get the best of me whenever he could.But that was certainly within the rules of the game. This business ofblood feuds...' He shook his head, and the heavy headdressslipped almost beyond his ability to prevent its fall. Chumakareached out and gently steadied it while Tecuma continued. 'Andgoing to all this trouble to humiliate his brat seems a waste of time.' Looking around the hot chamber, he said, 'Gods, all thesemusicians, and not one note of entertainment.' Fussy with detail to the point of being pedantic, Chumaka said,'They must remain ready to play the formal entrance music, Lord.' The Lord of the Anasati sighed in exasperation, his frustrationonly partly due to the droning of his counsellor. 'I was enjoying thatseries of new compositions the musicians had prepared this month. . Now the entire day is wasted. Perhaps they could play something untilMara arrives?' Chumaka shook his head slightly as perspiration rolled over the bulbof his nose. 'Lord, any breach of etiquette and the Lady of the Acomagains from the insult.' Though by nature more patient than his master,even he wondered why the girl's retinue was taking so long to crossthe central court. To the nearest servant he whispered, 'Find outwhat's causing the delay.' The man bowed and slipped unobtrusively through a side door. Hereturned to the First Adviser within moments with his report. 'TheLady of the Acoma sits before the doors, master.' Short-tempered at last, Chumaka whispered, 'Then why doesn'tsomeone ring the gong and admit her?' The servant glanced uncomfortably at the main entrance, guardedstill by the costumed forms of the ceremonial door openers. With ahelpless gesture he whispered 'She complained of the heat and orderedscented damp towels and cool drinks brought for herself and herretinue so they could all refresh themselves before their appearance,master.' Chumaka considered the Anasati court, all of whom had been sittingfor over an hour in the sweltering heat of midday in a closed room.Inwardly he reconsidered his estimation of Mara. Her tardiness couldbe a clever manipulation, calculated to goad an opponent to pettyanger, gaining her an advantage. Tecuma said, 'Well, how long can it take to drink a cup of water?' The servant said, 'My Lord, the Lady's request caught us bysurprise. It's taken time to fetch drink for so large a retinue.' The Lord of the Anasati exchanged glances with his First Adviser.'Just how large is her retinue?' asked Chumaka. The servant reddened; uneducated, he could not count reliably pasttwenty. Still, he did his best to answer. 'She brought five personalmaids, and an old woman of some rank. I saw two officers withplumed helms.' 'Which means no fewer than fifty warriors.' Tecuma leanedtowards his First Adviser and spoke so low and quickly he almosthissed. 'I thought you had informed me that her entire home garrisonhad been reduced to fewer than fifty warriors.' Chumaka blinked. 'My Lord, our spy in the Minwanabi householdindicated that the battle which killed Sezu and his son also obliteratedthe main strength of the Acoma.' The servant looked uncomfortable at being within earshot of thisconversation, but Chumaka ignored that fact. Louder he said, 'Thenwould the Lady of the Acoma dare bring her entire remaining forcewith her?' Obviously wishing to be elsewhere, the servant answered, 'Sir, thehadonra said she brought more. To our shame'- seeing the Lord of theAnasati tense at the suggestion that this lack of preparation threwdishonour on his house, the servant quickly amended his report -'theshame of your poor servants, of course, my Lord - she was obliged toleave another one hundred warriors in camp outside the gates of myLord's estates, as we had no ready accommodations for them.' To the servant's profound relief, Chumaka waved him away, whilethe Lord of the Anasati's mood shifted from umbrage at a servant'spossible slight of honour to alarm at the implication of what he had justbeen told. 'The Acoma Force Commander' - his hand moved in a slightcircle as he searched his memory for the name - 'Keyoke, is aseasoned campaigner, and no fool. If Mara brings a hundred and fiftywarriors with her, we must assume that twice that number remain toguard her main estates. Sezu's reserve garrison must have been farlarger than we judged.' His eyes reflected growing irritation, thennarrowed with a hint of suspicion. 'our spy is either in the employ ofthe Minwanabi or incompetent. Since you were the one who convincedme to accept one not born of this house into so sensitive a position oftrust, I charge you with responsibility for making enquiries. If we arebetrayed, we must know at once.' The heat and the discomfort werebad enough, but Tecuma recalled the expense and difficulty he hadendured to place that spy in the Minwanabi lord's house. His eyesfixed on his First Adviser. 'Clearly I see you may have steered us to abad course.' Chumaka cleared his throat. He made a show of cooling himselfwith a decorative fan, to hide his lips from any who might read them.'My Lord, please don't judge hastily. That agent has served usdependably in the past and is remarkably well placed.' He pausedobsequiously and licked his teeth. 'Far more likely our Lady Mara hasfound a way to mislead the Minwanabi lord, which would explain whyour agent provided bad intelligence. I will dispatch another agent. Hewill return with verification of what I have surmised, or news that atraitor is dead.' Tecuma subsided, like an irritable killwing slowly allowingruffled feathers to return to quiescence. At that moment the fourthgong rang at last. Servants stationed inside the hall slowly openedthe doors to the court, while Chumaka intoned the ancient ritual ofgreeting a suitor. 'We welcome one to our house, like light andwind, warmth and rain, a bringer of life into our hall.' The wordswere an ancient formality, reflecting nothing of the true Anasatifeelings towards the Acoma. In the Game of the Council the formsmust always be observed. A light breeze stirred the hangings. TheLord of the Anasati almost audibly sighed in relief. Chumaka spokelouder, so his master's slight lapse of manners would be masked.'Enter, suitor, and tell us your desire. We offer drink and food,warmth and comfort.' Chumaka smiled inwardly at the last. Noone needed or desired additional warmth this day, and Mara wouldcertainly find little comfort before the Anasati lord. He turned hisattention to those entering the hall. Timed to the beat of a single drum, grey-robed bearers enteredthrough the door furthest from the Lord's dais. The flat, open litterthey carried was piled high with cushions; upon these Mara satmotionless. The musicians struck up the entrance song of the suitor.While the irritatingly simple melody repeated itself, the Anasaticourt studied this slight girl carried at the head of an impressivelygarbed retinue, a girl who wore the mantle of one of the proudestnames in the Empire. Like the Lord who was her host, she wasdressed in a fashion dictated by tradition, dark hair bound up highand held with shell- and gem-decorated pins, her face seeminglyperched on a stiff, beaded collar. Her formal gown beneath wasstarched into pleats, with large bows of Acoma green, and floorlengthsleeves. Yet for all her makeup and heavy, embroideredclothing, the girl looked unruffled by the pomp or the heat.On Mara's left, but one pace behind, walked Nacoya, nowwearing the mantle of Acoma First Adviser. On Mara's rightmarched three officers, armour gleaming brightly from new lacquerand fresh polish. Their helms were bedecked with magnificent newplumes. With them came a command of fifty warriors. Equallysplendid in newly polished armour, they marched on either side ofMara's litter. The soldiers paused in neat array at the foot of the dais, a splashof green amid the scarlet and yellow of the Anasati. One officerremained with the soldiers while the other two accompaniedMara's litter up three steps to the dais. There the slaves set theirburden down, and two rulers confronted each other, one a cord thin, irritated man and the other a slight girl who bargained for hervery survival. Chumaka continued his formal greetings. 'The Anasati bidwelcome to our most exalted guest, the Lady of the Acoma.'Nacoya replied as tradition dictated. 'The Acoma give thanks toour most excellent host, the Lord of the Anasati.' Despite her age,the old woman bore up well under the weight of the formal costumeand the heat. Her voice was clear, as if she had been born to the roleof First Adviser rather than nurse. Now that formal greetings were exchanged, Tecuma pressed onto the point of the meeting. 'We have your petition before us, Ladyof the Acoma.' A hush fell over the waiting courtiers, for Tecuma'swords offered a slight insult; to name the marriage proposal apetition implied that Mara's social rank was inferior, and shewithin his power to reward or punish. But the girl upon the ceremonial litter answered without amoment's hesitation. She chose a tone and phrase commonlyemployed when filling an order with a merchant. 'I am pleased youhave no difficulty in meeting our requirements, Lord Tecuma.'The Lord of the Anasati straightened slightly. This girl had witsand was unfazed by her welcome. Still, the day was long and hot,and the sooner this ridiculous matter was put behind, the sooner hecould take to a cool pool, perhaps with some music while he bathed.Yet even with an avowed enemy the amenities must be observed. Hemotioned impatiently with his wand of office. Chumaka responded with an unctuous smile and a barelyperceptible bow. 'What, then, does the Lady of the Acomapropose?' Had Mara's father lived, Sezu would have conductednegotiations for his son's or daughter's hand. But as Ruling Lady,she must contract all marriages within her house, even her own,from employing the marriage brokers who initiated the contact, tothe formal meeting with the Lord of the Anasati.Nacoya bowed, so shallow a movement that the returned insultwas apparent. 'The Lady of the Acoma seeks 'A husband,' interrupted Mara. A stir rippled across the room, quickly stilled to a state of keenattention. All had expected to hear this presumptuous Acoma rulerrequest a consort, one who by law would not share in her rule.,A husband?' Chumaka raised his brows, openly curious at thisturn of events. Evidently this proposal surprised the Acoma FirstAdviser as well, for the old woman shot a glance of astonishment atthe girl for an instant before regaining her formal composure.Chumaka could almost see where this unexpected turn might lead,but not quite, causing him the discomfort of an unreachable itch.Mara responded in her own behalf, her voice sounding small inthe spacious hall of the Anasati. 'I am too young for this weightyresponsibility, my Lord. I was to have been a sister of Lashima scantmoments before this terrible honour was thrust upon me. Myignorance must not become a danger to the Acoma. With fullknowledge of what I do, I seek a son of the Anasati to return withme. When we are wed, he shall be Ruling Lord of the Acoma.'The Lord of the Anasati was caught speechless. Of all possiblerequests, this one had not been anticipated. For in one breath thisgirl not only had removed herself from power, but had alsoeffectively given over control of her family to the Anasati, whonumbered among her father's oldest political enemies. So unexpectedwas this request, a chorus of whispers broke out amongthose assembled in the hall. Quickly recovering his poise, the Lordof the Anasati silenced his courtiers with a sharp glance and thebarest wave of his ceremonial wand. He stared hard at the face of this girl who had come to seek thehand of one of his sons, then said bluntly, 'You seek to cast yourhonour to my house, Lady. May I know why?' The Anasati courtiers waited motionless for the reply. The onlymovement in the room was a sudden, sparkling reflection as sunlightthrough the doorway caught on gem-decorated costumes. Ignoringthe dazzle, Mara lowered her eyes as if ashamed. 'My position is weak,Lord Tecuma. The Acoma lands are still strong and rich, but I am onlya girl, with few resources. If my house is to become a lesser power, thenat least I may choose allies. My father's greatest enemy was the Lord ofthe Minwanabi. This is no secret. That he and you are presently atpeace is only a matter of the moment. Sooner or later you must clash.'Her small hands clenched in her lap, and her voice rose with resolve. 'Iwould ally with anyone who might one day crush the man responsiblefor my father's death!' The First Adviser to the Lord of the Anasati turned so none in thehall could see his face - it was a given that at least one of the Acomaguards would prove to be a spy who could read lips. He whispered into the ear of the Lord Tecuma, 'I don't believe a word of this, myLord., Lord Tecuma inclined his head and answered through clenchedteeth. 'I don't either. Yet if this girl takes jiro as Lord of the Acoma, Igain a great house as a lifetime ally, my son rises to a rank above anyI could hope for, and she's right: sooner or later we shall have tohave a final accounting with jingu of the Minwanabi. And if wedestroy the Minwanabi, a son of mine will be Lord of one of the FiveGreat Families.' Chumaka shook his head in the barest motion of resignation. HisLord would be thinking that someday descendants of his in twohouses might contend for the office of the Warlord. Tecumacontinued his reasoning. 'Besides, she will be but the wife of theRuling Lord. Her husband will dictate Acoma policy. No,Chumaka, whatever Mara may plot, this is too good an opportunityto pass by. I do not think this girl clever enough to outwit usonce jiro rules the Acoma.' , Tecuma glanced at his three sons and found jiro studying Marawith interest. By the intensity of his expression, the second sonfound both the rank and the girl intriguing; a sensible youngster, he.should welcome the marriage. Presently the boy sought his father'sgaze and nodded yes. jiro's expression was a little too avid and hisnod too emphatic for Tecuma's liking. The boy knew power was ahairsbreadth from his grasp and was openly coveting it. Tecuma'almost sighed; jiro was young and would learn. Still, there was adiscordant note in all this the old man didn't like. For an instant heconsidered sending the girl away, leaving her to the not too tendermercies of the Minwanabi. Ambition prevented him. For his son toreach a heretofore unreachable rank, combined with the pleasure ofseeing the daughter of an old enemy brought firmly, and finally, to.,heel, overturned his last vestige of doubt. Motioning his hoveringcounsellor aside, the Lord of the Anasati turned to face Mara andsaid,'You have chosen wisely, daughter.'By naming her'daughter,'he irrevocably sealed his acceptance of her offer of marriage before witnesses. 'Whom do you seek to wed?' Nacoya barely concealed her outrage, the vigorous twitch of herfan being less to cool her face than to hide the angry shaking of herhand at this betrayal. Mara smiled. Looking nothing so much as achild whose parents had banished dreams of demons in the night,she allowed two officers to aid her in rising. According to tradition,she must now pick the bridegroom. Tecuma of the Anasati had nomisgivings as his future daughter-in-law stepped from her litter. Hedisregarded the sudden agitation of his First Adviser as the girlmoved towards jiro, mincing steps being all her voluminousceremonial costume would allow. Light caught in her jewelledheaddress as she passed before cushions upon which the three sonssat in full court raiment. Halesko and Buntokapi watched theirbrother jiro with different expressions, Halesko's being somethingclose to pride, while the youngest showed open indifference.Mara completed the formal bow of a girl to her betrothed andstepped forward. Without hesitation her hand fell upon theshoulder of the Anasati's third son and she said, 'Buntokapi of theAnasati, will you come and be Lord of the Acoma?'Chumaka muttered, 'I knew it! just as she stepped from the litter,I knew it would be Bunto.' He turned his attention to Nacoya, whostill hid behind her fan, but whose eyes had changed from showingrage to showing nothing. Chumaka felt a sudden stab of uncertainty.Could they all have so grossly underestimated this girl?Recovering his poise, he returned his attention to his Lord.In the Lord's place of honour, perched above the silent, stunnedranks of the Anasati court, Tecuma sat at a loss. His bullneckedthird son rose and stepped awkwardly to Mara's side, a smile ofsmug self-congratulation on his face. The Lord of the Anasatiurgently motioned for Chumaka to attend him and, as the FirstAdviser did so, whispered into his ear. 'What is this? Why Bunto, ofall my sons?' Chumaka kept his voice low. 'She seeks a husband she cancontrol.' Tecuma frowned with stormy displeasure. 'I must stop her.''Lord, you cannot. The ritual has gone too far. If you recant yourformal acceptance, you must kill the Lady and all her warriors hereand now. I must remind you,'he added, looking as though his collarhad suddenly grown too tight as he surveyed the fifty Acoma guardsonly a half-dozen steps away, 'your own soldiers stand outside thisbuilding. Even if you survived such a bloodletting - which seemsunlikely - you will forfeit all honour.' The last remark stung, for Tecuma recognized the truth. Even ifhe ended Mara's existence now, he would have no moral positionleft; his word within the council would be meaningless, and hisconsiderable power wasted to nothing. Flushed with ire, he whispered waspishly, 'If only that idiot Minwanabi had killed thebitch last month!' Then, as Mara glanced with apparent innocencein his direction, he forced himself to regroup. 'We must turn hercleverness against her and seize the advantage, Chumaka. jiro is stillfree to make a strong alliance, and Bunto . . .'His voice fell silently.'I have never thought he would amount to much. Now he will beLord of a great house. A malleable husband this girl may havegained, but she is an inexperienced virgin from Lashima's order.Buntokapi shall become her overlord, the Ruler of the Acoma, andhe is my son. For the honour of the Anasati, he will do as I require.'Chumaka watched the unlikely couple return across the dais. Hedid his utmost to mask his own displeasure as Buntokapi bent hisbandy legs and settled awkwardly beside Mara on the Acoma litter.Already his blunt and bored expression had changed to one nonepresent in the hall had ever seen; the boy's lips curled with a pridethat bordered upon arrogance. Something long dormant inBuntokapi was now awake, that same desire for power which jirohad shown but a moment before. Only for Buntokapi this was nodream but a thing now in his grasp. From the set of his eyes and thesudden self-assurance in his smile, he would clearly die before he letthat power escape him. To Tecuma the First Adviser whispered, 'Ihope you are right, my Lord.' Looking rumpled under the elaborate layers of his costume, theRuling Lord of the Anasati did not acknowledge the comment. Yetall through the formalities, as Mara's retainers completed thebetrothal ritual and left the hall, Chumaka watched the bows on theback of his master's elaborate robes quiver with outrage. TheAnasati First Adviser knew that even if the killwing was wrapped instifling cloth, it was no less deadly. Nacoya fought against fatigue. Age and tension had made the dayimpossibly long. The lengthy, strenuous journey, added to the heatof the great hall and the shock of Mara's unexpected behaviour, hadbrought the old nurse to the limit of her strength. Yet she wasTsurani, and Acoma, as well as acting First Adviser; she would becarried from this hall unconscious before she would shame herhouse by asking permission to retire. The traditional betrothal feast was sumptuous, as befitted acelebration for an Anasati son. Yet this occasion was oddlyrestrained, with no one quite sure what was really being celebrated.Mara had been quiet through the early part of the feast, sayingnothing of consequence to anyone. Her officers, Keyoke, Papewaio,and Tasido, sat stiffly formal, imbibing little or no sd wine. At least,thought Nacoya, the evening breeze had come up. Now the greathall was only warm, not roasting as it had been throughout the day.Attention centred upon the table where the Acoma sat. Everyguest in the house was an Anasati retainer or ally, and all attemptedto discern the implications of Mara's choice of husband. To alloutward appearances the Acoma girl had traded control of herhouse for guarantees of security, a move none would applaud, butone not entirely lacking in honour. While the Acoma would beAnasati clients for many years to come, in the future a young Acomalord might arise and seize his own part in the Game of the Council,forging new alliances; meanwhile, the Acoma name gained theprotection it needed to continue. But for this generation of Acomaretainers, Mara's betrothal was a bitter admission of weakness.Chilly despite the summer heat, Nacoya pulled a fringed shawl overher shoulders. She glanced to the head table and studied Tecuma. The Lord ofthe Anasati also showed reserve throughout the feast, his conversationsombre for a man who had just achieved an undreamed-ofcoup over an old rival. Though gaining the Acoma lordship forBuntokapi represented great advancement in the Game of theCouncil, he seemed as concerned as Nacoya about this marriage,but for different reasons. His son was an unknown.Nacoya shifted her attention. Buntokapi seemed the onlycelebrant who truly enjoyed himself; after a drunken hour ofrepeatedly telling his brothers that they were no better than he, hehad shouted across the table to jiro that now a second son wouldhave to bow to a third son whenever they met. From the pained andfrozen smile on his older sibling's face, those occasions wouldclearly be few. As evening wore on, Buntokapi had subsided to loudmuttering into his plate, nearly immobile from drinking si wineduring dinner and acamel brandy after. Nacoya shook her head slightly. jiro had looked long and hard atMara after his brother's first pronouncement of superiority; asdinner progressed, it was clear the girl had acquired another enemy.That afternoon, jiro might have thought he was to be Lord of theAcoma for only a moment, but that brief presumption had been enough for him to feel betrayed, to feel that Buntokapi wore amantle rightfully his. That jiro was frustrated by nothing more thanunrealized expectations of his own making meant nothing. Heblamed Mara. When Tecuma had sent servants to bring theceremonial sd wine to the guests, jiro had barely touched his cup tohis lips. He had left the first moment he could without insult.Nacoya wearily forced her attentions back to the head table.Tecuma looked at Buntokapi a long, hard moment, then spokequietly to Mara, who glanced at her future husband and nodded heragreement. Buntokapi blinked, trying hard to follow the exchange,but obviously too drunk to comprehend. Tecuma spoke toChumaka, who motioned towards a pair of servants. As the coolingevening air allowed Nacoya to catch her breath, two stout servantscarried the future Lord of the Acoma off to bed. Mara waited anappropriate moment, then begged her leave. Tecuma noddedbrusquely and the entire company rose in salute to the bride-to-be.The musicians who had played throughout the evening struck upthe appropriate tune while Mara bade the guests good night. As shestood with the rest of the Acoma retainers, Nacoya found Chumakaapproaching. 'You're leaving soon?' he inquired. Nacoya nodded. 'Tomorrow. My Lady wishes to return at onceto our estates so that she may begin preparations for the weddingand the arrival of the new Lord.' Chumaka spread his hands as if to indicate this was no problem.'I shall have a scribe work throughout the night. The betrothaldocuments will be ready to sign before you depart.' He made as if toturn away, then said something unusually frank. 'I hope for the sakeof all of us this young Lady of yours hasn't made a mistake.'Taken off guard by this, Nacoya chose not to comment directly.Instead she said, 'I can only hope the gods see fit to bless this union.'Chumaka smiled. 'Of course, as do we all. Until the morning,then?' Nacoya nodded and departed, signalling for the two remainingAcoma retainers to accompany her. As an Anasati servant guidedher to her quarters, she thought upon Chumaka's unexpectedwords and wondered if he wasn't right. dust rolled under the feet of marching warriors as the Acomaretinue moved slowly to rejoin the balance of their soldiers, whowaited in the camp by the bridge that marked the border of theanasati estates. Nacoya had been quiet since she joined Mara on thecushions of the large palanquin. Whatever the Ruling Ladyplanned, she kept her own counsel, and Nacoya chose not to askany questions. Even though she was acting as First Adviser, shecould not guide unless asked; but an old nurse could let her doubtsbe heard. Conjuring up images of Buntokapi's crudities at the feastthe night before, Nacoya spoke sourly to her charge. 'I hope you cancontrol him, mistress.' Roused from deep thought, Mara's eyes focused. 'What? Oh,Bunto. He's like a needra bull smelling the cows in season, Nacoya.All his brains are between his legs. I think he is exactly the man togain us what we need.' Nacoya muttered under her breath. Once the shock of Mara'schoice of Buntokapi had worn off, the old nurse had come to sense alarger plan. Mara was not simply giving up her family's control tothe Anasati in exchange for preserving the Acoma name. Since theruse with the bandits in the hills, the girl confided only those thingsshe felt Nacoya needed to know. Almost overnight, it seemed, thesheltered temple innocent had shown she was no longer a child.While Nacoya had doubts, even fears, concerning the girl'sstubborn naivete about men, Mara had forcefully demonstratedshe was an aggressive player of the Game of the Council.Nacoya reviewed the strengths and weaknesses, patterns andpowers of the players in the light of her mistress's new commitment.And what she had observed in Buntokapi made her convinced thather beloved Mara might have underestimated him. There wassomething about the Anasati's third son, something dangerous thatNacoya could put no name to. Dreading how her well-orderedhouse would fare under such a Ruling Lord, she was drawn fromher musing by Mara's voice. 'I wonder what's amiss?'Nacoya parted the curtains. Squinting against the brilliance ofthe afternoon sunlight, she saw Acoma soldiers arrayed along theroad where they had camped. But none stood ready to march;instead they faced each other in two groups, with some distancebetween. Softly Nacoya said, 'Trouble, I'm afraid.'Mara ordered her own escort to halt. Pulling aside the gauzyhanging cloth, she approved Keyoke's request to investigate.With a speed that belied his age, the Force Commander left thehead of the procession and hurried into the midst of milling Acomasoldiers. Both groups descended upon him, several men trying tospeak simultaneously. Keyoke ordered silence, and instantly allvoices ceased. After two orderly questions he called back to Mara,'Some difficulty arose while we were gone, mistress. I'll have thestory for you in a moment.' Heat shimmers danced in the air above the roadway. Keyokeasked questions, received quick replies. and soon had three menstand out. He briskly marched these before their mistress'spalanquin. Even beneath dirt, and shining runnels of sweat, Maracould see the marks of a fight upon their faces.'This is Selmon. my Lady.' Keyoke pointed to a man with a torntunic and knuckles that still bled. 'I know.' Mara's expression was obscured by the deep shade ofthe curtains. 'One of the newcomers.' She used the term 'newcomers'for all who had recently been grey warriors. 'With onlythree officers, you left him in command as acting Patrol Leader.'Keyoke appeared pleased that Mara was conversant with hismanagement of the soldiers, but his attention never strayed fromthe three soldiers. 'Selmon seemed able enough, but perhaps I waswrong.' Mara studied the other two men. One, Zataki, she had known foryears; as a boy, he had played with Lanokota and herself. Mararemembered he had a temper, and ventured a guess as to what theproblem was. 'Zataki. Selmon gave you an order and you refused.Zataki lifted his chin. 'My Lady, this Selmon ordered us to standthe first watch while he and his companions rested and ate after thelong day's march.' Mara regarded the third combatant. 'You are ... Kartachaltaka,another newcomer. You took exception to Zataki's refusal toobey.' Now Kartachaltaka stiffened his spine. 'My Lady, he and theothers act superior to us and put the least desirable duties upon uswhenever they may.' Mara returned her attention to Selmon. 'You took this one'sside?' Keyoke hastened to answer. 'No, my Lady. He simply sought tointervene and stop the scuffle. He acted appropriately.'Mara rose from her cushions. Without awaiting Keyoke's help,she stepped from her palanquin and faced the two men who hadfought. 'On your knees!' she commanded. Though a full headshorter than either man, the slight girl in pale yellow robes andsandals left no doubt she was the ultimate authority of the Acoma.Armour rattled as both men instantly fell into postures ofsubmission. 'Attend me!' Mara cried to the other soldiers. 'All ofyou.' Keyoke shouted, 'Form ranks I' The entire retinue lined up facingMara within seconds, the two soldiers on their knees with theirbacks towards the comrades. To Keyoke, Mara said,'What is fit punishment for such as these?'Keyoke spoke without regret. 'Mistress, these men must behanged, now.' Mara's head jerked as she met Keyoke's eyes. Shehad not expected the judgment to he so harsh. The ForceCommander deliberately scratched his jaw with his thumb.Warned by Keyoke's gesture that serious consequences couldcome of her decision, Mara regarded Papewaio, who looked on, hisface an unreadable mask. Then, almost imperceptibly, he noddedonce, indicating his full agreement with Keyoke's verdict.Mara felt something go cold inside. She knew that if she did notact at once and without equivocation a breach might be fashionedbetween those who had served for years and those newly come toAcoma service. Steeling herself, Mara addressed the soldiers. Hervoice held barely controlled anger. 'There are no favoured men inthis garrison! There are no longer any "newcomers". There are nolonger any "old guard". There is no one wearing Acoma green butAcoma soldiers. Each of you swore an oath to obey and to give yourlives in service to House Acoma.' She walked purposefully along the ranks, looked into one roughface after another, until she had locked eyes with each man. 'Someof you I have known since childhood. Others have been with us onlya matter of weeks, but each of you bears equal responsibility to I05 wear Acoma green with honour. I have just promised to give thatname to another, to ensure that the Acoma will continue to live, andmore than live ... someday flourish!'Now her voice rose to a shout,her fury clearly revealed to each soldier present. 'Whoever dishonourshimself while wearing Acoma green dishonours theAcoma'- her voice dropped to a soft, deadly sound -'dishonoursme.'While the men held their formations, their eyes shifted uneasily as they saw Mara turn suddenly to confront the two combatants.Looking down, she spoke to Zataki. 'You were given a lawful orderby an officer placed over you by your Force Commander. You hadno other choice but to obey!' The man fell forward, pushing his forehead into the acrid dust ofthe road. He uttered no words in his own defence as his mistressturned to Kartachaltaka and said,'And you struck a brother soldierwhile on duty!' He duplicated Zataki's gesture of abject obedienceto his mistress. Bracelets chimed on her wrists; wrought of costlymetal, these were the betrothal gift of the Lord of the Anasati, andthat such wealth should be worn as personal adornment remindedthe kneeling men of their station. They grovelled in the sun,sweating, as their mistress addressed their Force Commander.'These two men are guilty of betraying Acoma honour. Hang them.'Keyoke instantly detailed soldiers to carry out the execution. Forjust an instant, Mara could read something in the two condemnedmen's eyes: a flicker of fear. Not a fear of death, for either warriorwould have gladly embraced death without hesitation; it was fear ofbeing condemned to the shameful death of a slave: hanging. Withthe loss of a warrior's honour, each knew his next turn of the Wheelof Life would be at a lower station, a servant, perhaps even a slave.Then the proper Tsurani mask was returned. Only by bearing upproperly in the face of this meanest of all deaths could either manhope for any mercy when next his spirit was tied to the Wheel.Mara stood motionless before her litter, a statue of iron selfcontrol,as soldiers marched the condemned to a large tree withmassive branches. The two men were quickly stripped of theirarmour and their hands were tied behind their backs. Withoutceremony or final prayer, ropes were fashioned into nooses andthrown over the tree limbs. The nooses were placed around the twomen5 s necks and the signal given. A half-dozen soldiers pulled hardupon each rope, seeking to snap the men's necks and give them a I06 Daughter of the Empire mercifully quick death. Zataki's neck broke with an audible crackand he kicked once, quivered a moment, then hung motionless.Kartachaltaka's death was more painful, as he strangled slowly,kicking and swinging, but in the end he, too, hung motionless likebitter fruit from the tree. Mara's voice was flat as she said, 'Keyoke, home.'Abruptly, the sun seemed too bright. Overcome by the killing shehad commanded to be done, Mara caught the edge of the palanquincanopy, steadying herself without betraying weakness to hersoldiers. She motioned one of her slave boys, who brought her afruit-sweetened drink of water. She sipped it slowly, striving toregain her composure, while Keyoke ordered the men formed intoranks for the march home. Nacoya had kept her own counsel in the shelter of the litter, butas Mara stood motionless, she said, 'Mistress?'Mara handed her empty cup to the slave. 'I'm coming, Nacoya.We must be off. There is a great deal to be done in the month beforethe wedding.' Without further words she climbed back into thelitter. As her bearers reached down to resume their burden, shesettled into the cushions beside Nacoya and her pensive silencereturned. Keyoke gave the order to march, and her soldiers fell intoranks before, after, and on both sides of the palanquin, to outwardappearances a single group once again. Mara began to tremble, her eyes wide and distant. Withoutwords Nacoya slipped her arm around the girl's shoulders. Thetremors continued as the Acoma retinue began its march, untilMara quivered so violently Nacoya had to gather the shaking girl inher arms. Silently the very young Lady of the Acoma turned her faceinto her nurse's shoulder and smothered her sobs. As they approached the borders of her estate, Mara considered thedifficulties she faced. She had only spoken in passing to Keyoke andNacoya since ordering the execution of the two soldiers. Maraknew that the conflict between the former grey warriors and thesurvivors of her father's garrison should have been anticipated.Blaming herself for failing to do so, Mara pulled aside her littercurtain and called for her Force Commander. As he arrived at herside she said, 'Keyoke, why did Selmon order the older soldiers tostand first watch, rather than a mix of old and new?' Gambits I07 If he was surprised by his mistress's question, he showed no sign.'Lady, Selmon erred by trying not to antagonize the older soldiers.He thought that by serving first duty they'd have an uninterruptedrest from meal to morning watch, and they'd appreciate it. Zatakiwas a young hothead, and had any of us been here'- he motioned to himself, Papewaio, and Tasido, the three officers who had accompaniedMara into the Anasati estate house - 'none of that wouldhave occurred.' He paused as he considered his next statement. 'ButSelmon did not do poorly. The conflict bordered upon open fightingbetween factions, yet he managed to restrain all but the two whowere punished.' Mara nodded. 'When we are home, promote Selmon to PatrolLeader. Our forces have grown to the point where we need moreofficers.' Then Mara made one of the swift, unhesitating decisions thatwere earning her the respect of those who served her. 'Promote twoof our best men in our old guard as well. Choose the very best of ourfamily's oldest soldiers, perhaps Miaka, and make him a StrikeLeader. Bring one of the new men up as well. That rascal Lujan wasa Strike Leader with the Kotai. If you can't think of anyone moreable, give the rank to him.' Keyoke shrugged, offering no better candidate among thenewcomers. Mara conceded her satisfaction at this, then added, 'I'llhave these cadres and alliances quickly broken; there will be nofavourites.' Keyoke nodded slightly, his leathery face showing thebarest suggestion of a smile, as close as he ever came to openlyexpressing approval. Almost to herself, Mara added, 'Soon I'll needmen at my side who will obey without hesitation. I cannot affordanything that interferes with my plans.' Clearly she was occupied with the responsibilities of rulership.Keyoke hurried his pace back to the head of the column, consideringhow much like her father the girl was becoming. As Mara's litter moved through the Acoma needra meadows, shefelt optimistic for the first time since leaving Lashima's temple. Herthoughts churned. She would discuss her ideas with no one, not even Nacoya or Keyoke. For those notions were turning into plots,the beginnings of a master plan that led beyond simple survival intoan ambition that turned her mind giddy. I08 Daughter of the Empire Over time, Mara expected that her planning would have to beamended to deal with change: unanticipated shifts of power andalliances within the Game of the Council. In many ways, resolvecame before means and method; she had years of learning beforewhat she inwardly called her grand scheme could reach fruition. Butmarriage to Buntokapi was the first small step. Since leaving theAnasati lands, she had discovered hope, and the powerful allure ofnew dreams. By the time the palanquin swayed up the walk towards the greathouse, practical matters eclipsed her dreaming. Lights blazed in thegloom of twilight, more than ordinary events might warrant. Intheir glow, Mara saw perhaps eighty men gathered outside thekitchen, many eating from bowls. Lujan walked among them,speaking and making expansive gestures with his hands. As herduty retinue approached, a few of the strangers set their meal asideand stood. The rest continued eating, though all looked nervous.Mara glanced to see Nacoya, but the old woman was asleep,lulled by the heat and the rocking of the litter through theafternoon. As the palanquin settled to the ground, Lujan hurriedover, bowing politely as Keyoke assisted Mara out. Before she couldask, the former bandit chieftain said, 'Mistress, these are all worthymen, at least worthy as I am likely to measure such things. All wouldgladly enter your service.' 'Soldiers?' Instantly interested, Keyoke released his hold uponMara's hand. Lujan doffed his helmet, the reflection of the lanterns like sparksin his deepset eyes. 'Only a few, unfortunately, Force Commander.But the others are armourers, fowlers, cordwainers, wheelwrights.and other skilled craftsmen, as well as two farmers.'Mara said, 'Good, I'm running low on land to assign to newfarmers. Now, how many soldiers?' 'Thirty-three.' Lujan stepped aside with a grace more suited to adancer than a warrior. He assisted the newly awakened Nacoyafrom the palanquin. But his attention remained focused on hismistress. Mara calculated. 'That will swell our main garrison to over threehundred. Our position is no longer helpless, only desperate.''We need more soldiers,'Nacoya concluded tartly. She shuffled pastto enter the great house, sleepiness making her more cross than usual. Lujan tossed his helm lightly from his right hand to his left.'Mistress, getting more men will prove difficult. We have called inevery grey warrior within reasonable distance of your borders. For more, we shall have to leave these lands and travel.''But you know where to look for such,' stated Mara, her eyeslocked upon the hands that toyed still with the helmet.Lujan returned a rakish smile. 'Mistress, I suffer from a shortageof humility, I know, but I have lived in every bandits' stand fromhere to Ambolina since the fall of the House of Kotai. I know whereto look.' 'How much time do you need?' A wicked gleam lit his eye. 'How many men do you wish torecruit, Lady?' 'One thousand; two would be better.' 'Aie, mistress, a thousand would take three, four months.' Thehelmet stilled as Lujan grew thoughtful. 'If I could take some trustedmen with me, perhaps I could shorten that to six weeks. Twothousand ... ?' Mara's bracelets chimed as she gestured impatiently. 'You willhave three weeks. The recruits must be returned here, sworn tooath, and integrated into our force inside a month.'Lujan's smile turned to a grimace. 'My Lady, for you I would facea horde of Than raiders without weapons, but what you demand isa miracle.' Evening shadow hid Mara's flush, but she showed uncharacteristicanimation as she signalled for Papewaio. The moment herStrike Leader completed his bow, she said, 'Find some good men forLujan.'Then she regarded the former outlaw appraisingly. 'Choosefrom both old and new soldiers. Perhaps some time on the trailtogether will convince them they have more in common than not.'Then she added, 'Any you think might become troublemakers.'Lujan seemed unruffled by the proposition. 'Troublemakers arenothing new to me, my Lady.' His grin broadened. 'Before I rose tobecome an officer, I dare say I was something of a troublemakermyself.' 'I daresay you were,' commented Keyoke. Motionless in thedarkness, he had all but been forgotten. The former bandit leaderstarted slightly and immediately became more restrained.'You must travel as fast and as far as possible for twelve days,Lujan,' instructed Mara.' Gather as many reliable men as you can.Then return here. If you can't find me two thousand, find me twohundred, and if you can't find two hundred, find me twenty, butmake them good warriors.' Lujan nodded, then bowed with afaultless propriety that earned a return smile from Mara. 'Nowshow me the ones you've found for me tonight.'Lujan escorted Mara and Keyoke to where the poorly dressedmen were sitting. All stood as soon as the Lady of the Acomaapproached, and several knelt. To those who had known thehardships of outlawry, she seemed an imperial princess in her jewelsand fine clothes. The roughest among them listened respectfully asMara repeated the offer she had made to Lujan and his followersupon the trail in the mountains; and like three other bands sincethen, almost sixty skilled workmen rose to accept quarters andassignments from jican. Mara smiled to see the light in herhadonra's eyes as he contemplated how he could turn theirhandiwork to a rich profit; and armourers would be needed if Lujansuccessfully recruited her hoped-for new warriors. The crowdthinned, and some of the confusion abated as the workers followedjican. Of the others who remained, Lujan said, 'My Lady, these arethirty-three well-seasoned warriors who would swear before theAcoma natami.' 'You've explained everything to them?' 'I daresay as well as anyone could, except yourself, of course.' AsKeyoke snorted disapproval, Mara looked to see if the formeroutlaw chieftain was mocking; he wasn't, at least not openly.Aware, suddenly, of the strange pull this man seemed to exert onher, she recognized in him the same sly wit she had loved in herbrother, Lanokota. His teasing caused her to flush slightly. Quicklyshe wiped her forehead as if the heat were making her perspire. Thisman was not her kin, or even a Lord equal in rank to her; unsurehow to respond after months of isolation in the temple, she turnedfirmly to the task at hand. All the men were fit if undernourished,and they seemed eager, except for two who sat slightly apart. One ofthose exchanged glances with Lujan. 'You know this man?' asked Mara. Lujan laughed. 'Indeed, mistress. This is Saric, my cousin, whoserved with the Lord of the Tuscai. Before he left the Kotai estates,he was my closest companion.' Looking to nettle Lujan in return for her earlier embarrassment,Mara said, 'Is he an able soldier?' Lujan grinned and his cousin returned a nearly identical broadsmile. 'My Lady, he is as able a soldier as I.''Well then, that solves a problem.' Mara tapped the helm that stilldangled from Lujan's wrist, called a soldier's pot, for its utter lack of unadornment. 'I was going to ask you to give that to him andassume one with an officer's plume. Keyoke had orders to promoteyou to Strike Leader, but as you are going to be away for threeweeks, he might as well promote your cousin in your stead.'His grin still in place, Lujan said, 'Well, almost as able as I, Lady.'Slightly more serious, he added, 'With your consent, I'll take himwith me. I mean no disrespect for any other soldier here, but there isno man I would rather have at my side with a sword.'Then his toneturned light again. 'Besides, we might as well keep the partycomposed exclusively of troublemakers.' Mara couldn't resist. For the first time since Lano's death thefrown eased entirely from her face, lantern light revealing asurprisingly lovely smile. 'Then you had best collect your plumefrom Keyoke, Strike Leader.'To the newcomer she said, 'Welcome,Saric.' The man bowed his head. 'Mistress, your honour is my honour.With the gods' favour I shall die a warrior - not too soon, I hope andin the service of beauty such as yours, a happy one.'With a lift of her brows, Mara glanced at both men. 'It seemsflattery runs in your family, as well as a certain casual attitudetowards rank.' Then she indicated the other man who had beensitting with Saric. He wore plain clothes and simple hide sandals.His hair was trimmed in nondescript fashion, not the close cut of awarrior, the fashionable ringlets of a merchant, or the ragged shagof a worker. 'Who is this?' The man arose while Saric said, 'This is Arakasi, Lady. He alsowas in my Lord's employ, though he was not a soldier.' Theman was of medium build and regular features. But hismanner had neither the proud bearing of a warrior nor thedeference of a worker. Suddenly uncertain, Mara said, 'Then whydid you not stand forward with the craftsmen and workers?'Arakasi's dark eyes flickered slightly, perhaps in amusement, buthis face remained expressionless. Then he changed. Though hehardly moved, his demeanour changed; suddenly he seemed thealoof, self-possesssed scholar. With that, Mara noticed what sheshould have seen at once: his skin was in no way weathered as a fieldworker's would have been. His hands had some toughness, but nothick pads of callus left by toil with tools or weapons. 'Lady, I amnot a farmer.' Something put Keyoke on his guard, for he moved withoutthought to interpose himself between his mistress and the stranger.'If you are not a farmer or soldier, what are you, a merchant, sailor,a tradesman, a priest?' Barely acknowledging Keyoke's intervention, Arakasi said,'Lady, in my time I have been all of those. Once I guested with yourfather in the guise of a priest of Hantukama. I have taken theidentities of a soldier, a merchant, a slave master, a whoremonger, ariverman, even a sailor and a beggar.' Which explained some things, thought Mara, but not all. 'Towhom were you loyal?' Arakasi bowed startlingly, with the grace and practised ease of anoble born. 'I was servant to the Lord of the Tuscai, before theMinwanabi dogs killed him in battle. I was his Spy Master.'Mara's eyes widened despite her attempt at self-control. 'His SpyMaster?', The man straightened, his smile devoid of humour. 'Yes,mistress. For one reason above all should you wish me in yourservice: my late Lord of the Tuscai spent the best part of his fortunebuilding a network of informants, a network I oversaw, with agentsin every city in the Empire and spies within many great houses.' Hisvoice dropped, a strange mix of reluctance and pride. 'Thatnetwork is still in place.' Suddenly, sharply, Keyoke scratched his chin with his thumb.Mara cleared her throat, with a keen look at Arakasi, whoseaspect seemed to shift from moment to moment. 'Such things arebest not discussed in the open.' She glanced about. 'I still have thedust of travel upon me, and have had no pause for refreshment sincemidday. Attend me in my chambers in an hour's time. Until thenPapewaio will see to your needs.' Arakasi bowed and joined Papewaio, who gestured for the SpyMaster to follow him to the bathhouse near the barracks.Left with Keyoke and the presence of thirty-three masterlesswarriors, Mara remained caught up in thought. After a silentinterval she mused softly, 'The Spy Master of the Tuscai.' ToKeyoke she said, 'Father always said the Lord of the Tuscai knewmore than was righteous in the eyes of the gods. Men joked that hehad a magician with a crystal locked away in a vault under his study. Do you suppose this Arakasi was the reason?'Keyoke offered no direct opinion but said, 'Be cautious of him,mistress. A man who spies uses honesty least of all. You were rightto send him away with Pape.' 'Loyal Keyoke,' said Mara with affection in her voice. She tiltedher head in the torchlight, indicating the ragged group of men whoawaited her command. 'Do you suppose you can swear this lot toservice by the natami, and still have time for a bath and dinner?''I must.' The Force Commander returned a rare, wry shrug.'Though how I've lived to be this old while burdened with so muchwork, only the gods know.'Before Mara could respond, he shouteda command, and like the trained soldiers they were, the scruffy mencrowding the courtyard mustered at the voice of authority. Bargain Evening gave way to night. Soft lights burned in Mara's chamber. The outer screens had beenopened to admit the breeze and the lamplight flickered and danced.The Lady of the Acoma sent away her servants, ordering one tohave chocha brought. Alone with Nacoya a moment before theothers appeared, Mara stripped off the ostentatious bracelets givenher by the Anasati lord. She peeled off her dirty travelling robe, anddabbed a damp cloth over her body; a full bath would have to waituntil after her meeting with Arakasi. Nacoya remained silent while Mara refreshed herself, but hereyes never left her young mistress. Neither of them spoke. Thereproach Mara saw in those old eyes told all: the girl wasinexperienced and foolish, perhaps even dangerously so, in matchingherself with Buntokapi. He might appear slow-witted, but hewas a powerful warrior, and though barely two years older thanshe, he had been reared in the Game of the Council while Mara hadsheltered in the temple of Lashima. As Mara wrapped a delicate saffron-coloured robe about herself,the servant returned with the chocha. She motioned permission,and the slave placed his large tray in the centre of the low table, thendeparted. Mara nodded to Nacoya, indicating that the old womanshould prepare cups and napkins. Her two officers and the stranger arrived punctually upon thehour. Mara studied the newcomer keenly as he bowed and seatedhimself between Keyoke and Papewaio. Arakasi's style was impeccablycorrect, his manner a match for the clothing he now wore inplace of his beggar's rags. Mara suddenly realized she had seen histasselled scarlet shirt before; the garment was Papewaio's, hisfavourite, worn on feast days only. Mara considered the significanceof his loan to Arakasi. In the hour that had passed since theirmeeting in the courtyard, the former Spy Master of the Tuscai musthave impressed the Acoma First Strike Leader very favourably.That was a strong recommendation, for, like her father before her,Mara placed strong trust in Papewaio's instincts about people.Bolstered by that confidence, she asked, 'Has Lujan spoken ofwhat we do here?' Arakasi nodded. 'He's off to find more grey warriors to takeservice.' He paused, then added, 'But each time you recruit, yougreatly increase the chance spies might infiltrate. Soon you cannottrust any who come here.' 'You might be such an agent,' interrupted Nacoya. 'Old mother, I have nothing to gain by lying.' Arakasi tookcharge of the chocha pot, usurping Nacoya's role as server withflawless ease. Deferentially he filled Mara's cup, then Nacoya's,Keyoke's, and Papewaio's before his own. 'Were I a spy for anotherhouse, I would simply have enlisted and sent word of your desperatesituation back to my master. Then the assassins would come,probably in the next band of recruits. Your suspicions then wouldbecome entirely academic, as you would be murdered along withyour mistress.' He put down the pot. 'And if I didn't see anopportunity here for myself and my agents, I would have played afarmer, slipped away in the dark, and never troubled any of youagain.' Mara nodded. 'Your logic is difficult to fault. Now tell us whatwe need to know of you.' The stranger answered frankly. 'I have been employed for overtwenty years, to establish and oversee a network of spies spanningthe Empire. It now rivals any in the land, including the Warlord's. Ieven have agents working for other Spy Masters, one who isdormant, never having been employed, harboured against a day ofgreat need -' At this, Keyoke leaned forward. 'The obliteration of your housewas not a great enough need?' Arakasi took Keyoke's rudeness in stride. 'No agent of minecould have aided my master, or prevented his final fate. Especiallynot the one I mentioned. He works within the Imperial Chancellery,on the staff of the Warlord.' Even Keyoke couldn't hide his astonishment. The Spy Mastercontinued. 'My master was a man of vision but limited wealth. Soextensive was his commitment to gathering intelligence, he wasunable to use it to good effect. Perhaps if I had not been soambitious in my requirements . . . ' Arakasi set down his chochacup with barely a click. 'Had the Minwanabi not grown fearful ofmy Lord's ability to anticipate their every move, today the Tuscaimight have been among the most powerful families in the Empire.'He sighed in regret. 'But "might have been is but ashes upon thewind", as they say. The attack was -Simple and straightforward. Mylord's warriors were overwhelmed by brute strength. I have sincelearned that my agents do little good if their information cannot beacted upon.' Keyoke had barely touched his cup of chocha. His eyes glintedthrough rising steam as he said, 'So where are your agents today?'Without hesitation, Arakasi faced Mara. 'Lady, I will not revealwho they are. If I offend, I ask pardon. I still owe much to those whoonce served my master, and will not expose them to additionaldanger. If you take us into service, we shall require the sameconcessions that were made by my Lord of the Tuscai.'Mara acknowledged Keyoke's warning glance with a half nod.'Those being?'she prompted, and waited keenly for Arakasi's reply.'I will oversee my couriers and contacts, and I alone will know thenames of the agents, and how to reach them; you will be told onlywhere they serve.' Keyoke set his chocha cup down forcefully, as near as he had evercome to displaying anger. 'These are unreasonable requirements!''Force Commander,' said Arakasi, 'I do not wish to be difficult. Imay not have served my master as well as I wished, but I protectthose who worked so diligently on his behalf - in ways as dangerousto them as battle to a soldier. A spy dies in shame by the rope. Mypeople risk both life and honour for a master they will not betray. Iensure that no matter what may happen, their master cannot betraythem.' Confronted by uncertain expressions, he nodded and qualifiedhis statement. 'When the Minwanabi crushed the Tuscai, theyinterrogated my master . . . ' Shifting dark eyes to Mara, hesoftened his voice. 'There is no reason to relate details. I know ofthese things only because one of my people was left for dead andmanaged to observe for a while before escaping. jingu's torturerwas efficient. My master could not have withheld any information, despite being a courageous man. Lady, judge fairly: if you wish myservices, and the services of those who worked for me, then you willhave to take us on faith.' 'And if I don't?' Arakasi stilled, his hands in plain view to banish any impressionof threat. Slowly he turned his palms upward, a sign of resignation.'Then I shall return to the hills.' Mara cocked her head slightly. Here, at last, the man showed amoment of genuine feeling. To wear house colours again was moreimportant to him than he cared to admit. Concerned lest she causehim embarrassment, Mara asked simply, 'Then what?'Arakasi shrugged. 'My lady, I have worked in many guises toprotect my identity. I can fix a wagon, play the flute, scribe, and dosums. I am also a talented beggar, if the truth be known. I willmanage, have no doubt.' Keyoke fixed him with a penetrating look. 'I think you could gaina position and live comfortably at will. So then what were you doingin the woods with outlaws?' Arakasi shrugged, as if distrust of his motives was of noconsequence. 'I keep in touch with Saric and others of the Tuscai. Ioften traded in the cities on their behalf, using my wits and talents.And through them I met Lujan and his band. I had just reachedSaric's camp when Lujan's call came. I thought I'd come along andsee what this odd business was.' With his head inclined towardsMara, he added, 'I must say I admire the way you bend tradition tosuit your needs, Lady.' Mara answered, 'Only as needed, Arakasi, and never broken.'She looked at the man for a moment. 'Still, you've not said why youhaven't abandoned your network. I would think it safer if you allsimply faded into the roles you portrayed when your master diedand lived out your lives.' Arakasi smiled. 'Safer, undoubtedly; even the infrequent contactsI've maintained over the last four years put some of my people atrisk. But for our honour, we keep the network alive.' He paused,then said, 'Our reasons are part of my requirements to take servicewith you. And you shall hear them only if you choose to reach anagreement.' About to speak, Keyoke then gave a simple shake of his head; noone should presume to bargain with the Ruler of the Acoma in thisfashion. Mara glanced at Nacoya, who was thoughtfully followingthe conversation, then at Papewaio, who nodded once, lendingArakasi his silent endorsement. Mara took a breath. 'I think I see the wisdom in your requirements,Spy Master. But what would become of your networkshould mishap befall you?' 'My agents have means of routinely checking upon one another.Should a needra pause to sit upon the spot where I nap, thus endingmy career, another agent would make himself known to you withinone month's time.' Arakasi sobered. 'He would give you proof thatcould not be counterfeited, and you could trust him as you wouldme.' Mara nodded. 'Trust, though, that is the difficulty. Either of uswould be a fool to relinquish caution too quickly.''Of course.' A slight breeze caused the flames to gutter in the lamps, and for aninstant the chamber swam with shadows. Nacoya made anunthinking gesture against disaster and the gods' displeasure. ButMara was too absorbed to worry over superstition. 'If I agree toyour terms, will you take service?' Arakasi bowed slightly from the waist, a gesture he accomplishedwith grace. 'I wish to serve a house as much as any soldier, mistress,but there is one thing more. We keep the network intact for reasonsof honour. After the House of Tuscai fell, I and those who workedwith me made a vow. We will not take service if we must break thatVow.' 'What is the vow?' Arakasi looked directly at Mara, and his eyes reflected fanaticpassion, unmasked by any attempt at guile. In even tones he said,'Vengeance upon the Lord of the Minwanabi.' 'I see.'Mara settled back against her cushions, hoping the passionin her own heart was not so easily read. 'We share an enemy, itseems.' Arakasi nodded. 'For now. I know the Acoma and theMinwanabi are in contention, but the tides of politics oftenchange -' Mara held up her hand, silencing him. 'The Acoma have a bloodfeud with the Minwanabi.' Arakasi stilled and regarded the worn heel of the sandal tuckedunder his knee. So profound was his silence that all in the chamberfelt chilled. Here was a man of seemingly limitless patience, like thetree-lord serpent, who would blend with a branch, unseen, tirelesslywaiting for prey to pass by, then strike with unexpected fury. When at last Arakasi stirred, Mara observed that the strain of thisinterview had begun to wear at his control. Despite his talents andtraining, the Spy Master had the same conflicting emotions as thoseragged soldiers and servants who had come to her: he might gain asecond beginning, only to become masterless once again. Yet hisvoice reflected no turmoil as he said, 'If you will have us, I and minewill swear loyalty to the Acoma.' Mara nodded. Arakasi's face suddenly became animated. 'Then, my mistress, letus begin, for an advantage may be gained if you act quickly. Beforecoming to the hills, I spent time in the north, with a friend in theHouse of Inrodaka. It is common gossip among the workers therethat to the west, near the woodland borders of their Lord's estates, acho-ja hive has spawned a new queen.' 'No word has been sent?' asked Mara, instantly interested.Arakasi gestured in the negative. 'The Lord of the Inrodaka is aquiet man with few guests and even fewer sojourns abroad. But timeis short. The fruit harvesters soon will carry word to the river. Thenews will then race the breadth of the Empire, but for now you arethe only Ruling Lady or Lord to know that a new queen of the cho'jawill soon be seeking a home. She will have at least three hundredwarriors to serve her,' and with a glint of humour he added, 'and ifyou win her loyalty, you can be certain none of them will be spies.'Mara stood. 'If this is true, we must leave before morning.'Gaining a cho-ja hive for her estates would be a gift from the gods.Alien the cho-ja might be, but they made fierce and loyal allies. Thenew queen might begin her nest with three hundred soldiers, eacheasily the match for two Tsurani, but over the years the numbermight grow to several thousand; and as Arakasi pointed out, noneof them could be agents for enemy houses. To Keyoke, Mara said,'Have trailbreakers ready within the hour. We will start our journeyto this hive at dawn.' As the Force Commander departed, shereturned her attention to Arakasi. 'You will accompany us.Papewaio will arrange for servants and see that your needs are met.' Mara signalled an end to the meeting. As her advisers rose todepart, Nacoya touched Arakasi's sleeve. 'The girl knows nothingof the cho-ja. How will she negotiate?' Effortlessly courteous, Arakasi took the old woman's hand andushered her to the doorway as if she were some treasured great-aunt. 'The sending of a new queen occurs so rarely, no one can beprepared to negotiate. The Lady of the Acoma must simplyaccommodate to whatever the new queen requests.'As the pair disappeared into the corridor, Mara could barelycontain her excitement. All thoughts of her forthcoming weddingwere eclipsed by this news; to have a hive upon one's estate wasmore than an honour and a source of military power. For beyondbeing superior warriors, cho-ja were miners, able to find preciousmetals and gems buried deep within the earth, from which theirartisans wrought jewellery of surpassing delicacy. The insectoidaliens also held the secret of making silk, the cool, soft fabric mostprized by those who lived in the ever present heat of the Empire.Wars had been fought to control the silk trade, until imperial edictallowed for neither guild nor noble to monopolize it. Now any lordwho could gain silk could trade it. Cho-ja products were valuable, and their requirements simple:grain and items fashioned of hide; for these reasons families wouldkill to gain a hive upon their estates. And among all the hives knownin the Empire, the cho-ja sent forth a new queen less often than oncein a human lifetime. But Mara would need to convince the new queen to migrate toAcoma lands. If she failed, representatives of other houses wouldfollow, until the queen received an offer that pleased her. And asArakasi had observed, what would strike the fancy of a creature asalien as a cho-ja remained a mystery. Lujan and his company left for the hills to search for recruits, all butunnoticed amid the bustle of servants gathering supplies for theescort who would depart to bargain for the new cho-ja queen.Mara left her quarters well before dawn. The herders had not yetstirred to drive the needra to the meadows, and the mists hung stillover grasses shiny with dew. Cloaked in dark cloth against thedamp, she waited before an unadorned litter with jican at her side.His tally slate was written over with notes, and he held his styluspoised while Mara dictated last-minute instructions.Suddenly she bit her lip in agitation. 'Gods, the excitement almostmade me forget!' jican raised his brows. 'Mistress?' 'Wedding invitations.' Mara shook her head in frustration. 'Nacoya will direct you to the proper ritual verses. She will knoweven better than I who must be invited and who may be ignored. Besure to ask her on my behalf to oversee all requirements I haveforgotten.' jican questioned as he jotted hurried notes. 'What about thesummer stock sale, mistress? Animals to be auctioned must beregistered with the Breeders' Guild in advance.''You've chosen well so far,' Mara said, aware she had run out oftime. 'I trust your judgment.' Keyoke arrived with a chosen troop ofwarriors, and Papewaio and Arakasi already waited, talking, ashort distance away. The men assembled with the silent efficiency of veterans, andsoon the last one took his place. Keyoke approached, wearing thedark, serviceable armour suitable for unobtrusive travel in thewilds. His officer's helm carried only a single short plume, and hisornate ceremonial sword had been replaced with the one hepreferred to use in battle. Stopping before Mara, Keyoke bowed. 'Mistress, the men areready. Your bearers stand with the supplies, and the trailbreakersare already on their way. We may depart at your word.'Mara dismissed jican with a wish for prosperity and fair trading.Then she entered her litter and reclined upon the cushions. 'Tell themen to march,' she ordered. As the half-naked bearers bent to shoulder her weight, she knewthe swift thrill of fear. This was no formal state visit to another Lordbut a bold move to steal an advantage on every other player in theGame of the Council; that boldness carried risks. As the partyswung around a small hillock, Mara watched her estate house fallbehind. She wondered if she would return to see it again. Guided by Arakasi, the Acoma retinue hurried secretly alongbackcountry trails. Each day Mara observed growing signs of strainin the soldiers' behaviour. Tsurani soldiers would never losediscipline in the presence of their Ruling Lord or Lady, but onprevious marches she had listened to quiet conversation, banter andjokes about the campfires. Now the men kept strict silence, brokenonly at need and then in whispers. Their usually animated faceswere now set in the expressionless masks of Tsurani warriors.On the third day they waited in hiding until nightfall, then movedout in darkness, munching thyza bread and needra jerky as theyhurried to avoid detection. The next daybreak they marched deepinto the territory of a neighbouring lord, several times coming closeto patrols of soldiers from the estate. Keyoke kept his men close byand avoided all contact. Even a minor lord might seize the chance tostrike at trespassers if he thought his men could obliterate Mara andher fifty guards. If any other lord knew of the queen-spawning,there was not just a chance of attack along the way, but certainty.Mara rode in a state of fatigue, unable to rest, not only because ofthe constant travelling and fear, but from the thrill of anticipationas well. Gaining this new hive would do more to preserve Acomasurvival than any dozen clever plots in the High Council.Four more days passed, in exhausting succession. The companysnatched sleep at odd hours, for nights were spent avoiding patrols,or wading through exposed expanses of meadow or thyza paddiesalong the banks of the many tributaries to the river Gagajin. At suchtimes slaves brought up the rear, setting the disturbed seedlingsstraight to hide all traces of their passage. At dawn on the ninth day,Mara sat upon bare earth like a soldier and ate cheese and journeybiscuit. She called Keyoke and Arakasi to come sit with her.Both declined to share her food, as they had eaten the same coldrations earlier. She studied their faces, one lined, leathery, familiar,and as constant as the sunrise, and the other seeming little morethan an illusion, a mask to fit whatever persona the momentrequired. 'We have crossed three estates, each one of them wellguarded. Yet no patrol has sounded the alarm. Am I to believe in theextraordinary skills of my guide and my Force Commander, or is italways this easy for armed soldiers to invade the estates of theEmpire?' 'A pertinent question, mistress.' Arakasi regarded her with whatseemed the beginning of respect. 'One does not need a network ofspies to know Keyoke is accounted a superior officer. Hisexperience is respected throughout the Empire.'Keyoke inclined his head towards the Spy Master at thecompliment. 'We could not have managed so well without theguidance Arakasi has given us. His knowledge of the backcountry isimpressive, a thing the Acoma will value in times to come.'Mara acknowledged this tacit acceptance of Arakasi. The SpyMaster sat with the keen expression of a soldier, an attitude thatnow seemed his natural manner. The man's ability to appear what he wished slightly unnerved Mara. 'Tell me honestly,' she said,'would you find it this easy to lead an armed company across thelands of the Acoma?' Arakasi laughed, an unexpected sound in a humourless camp.'Mistress, assuredly not. Keyoke is widely admired for hisknowledge of warcraft. He knows the dangers of regularlyscheduled, unvarying patrols. He is prudent, and cunning, evenwhen his command is small.' With a look of respect at the ForceCommander, he added, 'Especially when his command is small. It isdifficult for one man to trespass upon Acoma lands, let alone a forcein strength.' Keyoke seized upon a discrepancy. 'You said "difficult", not"impossible".' Arakasi inclined his head in agreement. 'True.'Mara said, 'Lujan's grey warriors seemed to take our needra withsmall difficulty.' Arakasi couldn't avoid a grin. 'Again true, but he had anadvantage: I told him when and where to strike.'Keyoke became dangerously still. 'It seems we have something todiscuss.'He gestured, indicating his desire to withdraw.'My Lady?'Mara withheld her consent. 'Is there any estate in the Empire sowell guarded that no stranger or outlaw could slip through?''Only one,' said Arakasi, apparently unconcerned with Keyoke'sire. 'The estate of the Lord of the Dachindo, far to the east.'Mara smiled, as if she had won a small victory. 'Now indeed,Keyoke, you and Arakasi have something to discuss.' She watchedas the two men rose and moved apart, conferring quietly, headsclose together in the misty grey dawn. As much as Keyoke mighttake umbrage at the implied shortcomings in his defence of theestate, Mara knew wisdom would prevail. He would relish anyinformation the Spy Master could offer to better his protection ofhis mistress. Confident that by the time of her wedding theDachindo would no longer be the only estate impenetrable totrespassers, she sent a slave for her comb. In the last minutes beforethe company started off down the trail, she applied herself to theongoing frustration of trying to work the knots from her long hairwithout benefit of a maid. The day grew hot. The soldiers marched uncomplaining, through agradually changing landscape. The lowland plains with theirpatchwork of paddies and meadows gave way to forested hillscrowned with rocks. The trees became old and wild, veiled inflowering vines and thorn. Yet the more difficult the terrain, themore the spirits of the men rose. They had made good time, and assunlight fell slanting across the trail, the travellers reached the farborder of the Inrodaka estates. Arakasi asked for a halt. While thesoldiers changed from field armour to lacquered and polished dressarmour, he said, 'We must leave this trail and cut across this ridge toanother over there.' He waved at a notch in the woodlands, barelymore than a path, that led upward into denser forest.Keyoke paused in his changing, his plumed helm half unpacked.'I thought cho-ja built hives in meadows or valleys.'Arakasi wiped sweat from his forehead. The light was fadingquickly and he seemed concerned that they reach their destinationbefore nightfall. 'Mostly that's true; at least, I've never heard of ahive that's not situated in the open.' He pointed up the trail.'Further on, the woods thin. There's a meadowed valley about athousand feet higher up. That's the place we seek.'Mara overheard. 'So this old hive is not on Inrodaka lands?''No, but there is some sort of treaty nevertheless.' Arakasigestured to the north, where the forest grew wild and thick. 'Theselands were once part of a larger estate, who knows how many yearsago. When that Lord, whoever he was, fell, his holdings weredivided among the conquerors, the Inrodaka among them. Thisarea was left unclaimed. It's not very good land. The timber's rich,but too difficult to log out, and there are only two or three meadowsfor herds, all without trails to lowland pastures. Still, the cho-jaaccept the Inrodaka as their landlords without making an issue of it.Who knows how they think.' Directing the lead soldiers up the trail,he said, 'From here we must be cautious but restrained. We may bechallenged by cho-ja soldiers. We must not fight. With a new queenin the hive, even the seasoned warriors will be very tense andaggressive. They may feint attack, so let no man draw sword, elsewe'll all be slaughtered.' mara consulted Keyoke, then approved the Spy Master's order.Arrayed in brilliant Acoma green, they began their climb. The trailcut sharply upward, angling between jagged outcrops of rock.Travel by litter became impossible, and even on foot Keyoke had to help Mara with the more difficult ascents. These were no switchbacktrails cut for humans, but paths fit only for kumi, the six-leggedmountain goat of Kelewan; and for the agile cho-ja. Thebearers fared worst of all, sweating and grunting under their loads,while others hauled the empty litter along by main force.The sun shone hot on the backs of the soldiers. Strange mountainbirds took flight from the trees at their approach, and thicketsteemed with game. Fascinated by sights utterly new and strange,Mara never thought to complain of sore feet. just after midday, a shout arose from the lead patrol. Keyokecaught Mara's arm and hurried her to the head of the trail, where adozen cho-ja soldiers stood with spears across their upper torsos, atthe ready but not menacing. Shiny black, with six jointed limbs andbodies segmented like those of insects, they all looked identical toMara, as if struck from the mould of a guild craftsman. Sheregarded the aliens and felt utterly at a loss.'These are old hive warriors,' Keyoke observed. 'They will notattack us unless we give them cause.' Keyoke's words helped steady her. She waited, tense as herescort, while her Force Commander advanced and saluted, hisupraised arm bent at the elbow, palm forward. 'Honour to yourhive.' The nearest cho-ja spoke in a surprisingly intelligible voice.'Honour to your house, men of the Acoma. Who speaks? The hivemust be informed of your presence.' 'I am Keyoke, Force Commander of the Acoma.' The lead cho-ja returned the salute. As he moved, Mara saw howhis body was segmented, a larger rear thorax with four threejointedlegs and a smaller upper thorax, roughly comparable to aman's torso, with two almost human arms. His flesh was encased inchitin, and each forearm possessed a natural ridge that appeared assharp as a sword edge. Upon his head he wore a helm of obviousTsurani manufacture. The face within was oval, with largemultifaceted eyes above two slits where a nose should be. The cho-ja'sjaw and mouth were surprisingly human in appearance, thoughhis voice was singsong and high-pitched. 'I am lxal't, Force Leaderof the Second Command of hive Kait'lk.' 'Now I remember.' Keyoke relaxed fractionally, as if in thepresence of an old acquaintance. 'You served during the invasion ofthe Thuril Highlands.' That explained how this cho-ja recognizedAcoma colours. He motioned Mara to his side. 'This is our Lady ofthe Acoma. She has come to negotiate with your new queen.'Eyes like faceted metal flickered briefly over the girl at Keyoke'sside. Then the cho-ja executed a fair imitation of a human bow.'Welcome, Lady. Your arrival is timely. The new warriors arerestless. This hatching is abundant and we are crowded. You maypass, and may your gods bless this bargaining.'The cho-ja moved nimbly aside and allowed the Tsurani party tocontinue up the trail. Mara was curious about the unexpectedexpertise of her Force Commander. 'Keyoke, I didn't know youunderstood the cho-ja.' 'I know their soldiers, as much as any man can. I served withsome. many years ago - when your grandfather led many houses inbattle against the Eastern Confederation.' If the old campaigner felthis years, he did not show them, ascending the difficult trail withhardly a sign of exertion. 'The cho-ja seemed to welcome us with good grace.''Mistress, those were old, disciplined soldiers upon the ridge,'Arakasi cautioned. 'Keyoke was correct in addressing their officer.But from now until we reach the hive we must be wary. Many youngwarriors have been hatched to protect the new queen as she travels.These will be undisciplined and aggressive - quick to provoke toviolence until the young queen is safely within the earth of her newhive.' Keyoke cleared a thorn branch from the path. 'You speak as onewho knows the cho-ja, Arakasi,' he said. The Spy Master avoided the branch as it swung. 'No man knowsthe cho-j a. But I once hid from Minwanabi assassins for a week in acho-j a hive. I learned something of them. It is my nature to ask manyquestions about things I do not understand when the opportunitypresents itself.' Mara was intrigued. Even when the ground became suitable for Bargain I27 travel by litter once again, she remained afoot. 'Tell me of the choja,then, Arakasi. What are they like?' 'The older ones are as ordered as the seasons, Lady. The youngare unpredictable. They are hatched in a crache. A dozen lesserfemales, called rirari, do nothing but lay eggs.'The term was archaic Tsurani, meaning a second-level queen, or duchess. 'But the eggs areinfertile. The queen swallows them whole and passes them througha chamber in her body which fertilizes them, and more.''More?' asked Mara. 'By some cho-ja means, as the queen is being serviced by abreeding male, she determines the sex and function of each egg, orleaves it sterile. At least, this is what I have been told.''They can choose these things?' wondered Mara. 'Tell me more.''Male cho-ja are roughly divided into three groups: the breeders,the workers, and soldiers. The workers are either clever or strong,artisans or beasts of burden, depending on what the hive needs. Thesoldiers are both strong and clever. The breeders are stupid, butthey have only one task, to mate with the queen.'Arakasi glanced aside and saw that Mara still listened raptly. Afew of the nearest soldiers paid heed to the Spy Master as well.'Once the queen takes residence in the royal chamber, she nevermoves. Workers constantly feed her, while she is passed eggs by therirari and serviced by the breeding males. Each one mates with herfor hours at a time, until near exhaustion, when he is replaced byanother. You will see when we are presented to the old queen.''Fascinating.' Mara paused, a little breathless, for the trail hadgrown steep once again. 'What of the young?' 'There is much I do not know of the females,' Arakasi admitted.'But as immature cho-ja, all males are free to play and grow, muchlike human children - except that one day these young cho-ja aresporting about like needra calves and the next they awake, knowingtheir time to serve has begun. Only when a new queen is born are thesoldiers hatched and hastened to.maturity. This makes for anaggressive, unpredictable warrior, I'm afraid. They are quick toanger, and only the new queen can command them to instantobedience.' Arakasi fell silent, for the trail crested a small rise, to cut sharplydownwards into a valley tucked like a fold between hills. Throughthe arched boughs of a matched pair of ulo trees, they saw a sun I28 Daughter of the Empire warmed meadow. The grass grew emerald, too meticulouslyclipped to be natural. Arakasi pointed. 'The hive lies ahead, beyond those trees.'Keyoke commanded the soldiers to smarten up their columns.The company started forward in battle-ready array, with their Ladyprotected in their midst. As her escort reached the edge of the ulo trees, Mara's heartquickened with excitement. Through the raised shafts of thewarriors' spears she glimpsed the far end of the meadow, where avast mound rose, ancient in that small trees had taken root andflourished upon it. An entrance was visible on one side, archesshored up with delicately carved stonework. On the beaten paththat led inward, hundreds of cho-ja hurried to and from the hive,upon what errands only they knew. Mara paused and commanded slaves to bring her litter. She mighthave been too excited to ride upon the ridge, but she would meet thecho-ja queens as Lady of a great house. As the bearers shoulderedthe litter poles once more, Keyoke and Arakasi marched at her side.Then all stood at readiness. One of the soldiers raised a battle hornto his lips and blew an announcement call. Then the ForceCommander of the Acoma ordered Mara's escort to step brisklyfrom the shadow of the woods into sunlight. Nothing changed at first. The cho-j a workers hustled about theirtasks much as before, until the humans reached the valley floor.Then suddenly a dozen figures emerged from behind the right sideof the hive. They raced forward like a herd of needra panicked bylightning, feet pounding upon the sod. 'Warriors,' Arakasi said.'Hold the men steady: this rush is probably a feint.' Sweatingslightly under his armour, Keyoke signalled the men. None readiedweapons, though many might have questioned the prudence of theorder, for the cho-ja bore down at a furious gallop. Closer theycame, until the Acoma soldiers could see the sunlight gleam on therazor-sharp edges of their fore-arms. Then, when they were closeenough to strike, the cho-ja veered off at the last second. With asound like human laughter they ran off towards the hive.Mara watched them go with a shuddering sigh of relief. 'They areso swift. How did we ever manage to subdue them?'Arakasi wiped his brow and returned an indulgent smile. 'Wenever did, Lady. Humans settled land the cho-j a never wanted, until A Bargain I29 the queens found their hives surrounded. By then it was easier for both sides to make treaties than to fight. It takes skilled soldiers toface a force of cho-ja and survive. When aroused, they are efficientkillers.' As the retinue continued steadily towards the mound, more andmore cho-ja appeared. Soon hundreds passed on every side, somewith baskets strapped to their thoraxes, others wearing belts slungwith tools. Aroused to curiosity by such industry, Mara peeredthrough the curtain of her litter. 'Arakasi, is this hive of normalsize?' 'A little larger than most, mistress, but not remarkably so.''How many cho-ja live within?' Without hesitation, Arakasi replied, 'Twenty, twenty-fivethousand.' Mara was stunned. Before her lay a city in the wilderness. 'Howmany will travel with the new queen?' 'I don't know. In the past, I think the hives would split when9 4 population pressure became too much. Arakasi shrugged. Nowthere is little apparent logic in the decision to birth a new queen.For, despite their breeding continuously, the cho-ja control thehive's numbers. Perhaps the old queen must reproduce herself eachgeneration. Perhaps it is chance that brings a new queen. I do notknow.' Close at hand the mound seemed a symmetrical, steep-sided hill.The soldiers tightened formation, for the roadway becamecrowded. Here the grass had worn away to fine dust continuallystirred by busy feet. Several times Mara's party was approached bybands of young cho-ja. They pointed and stared with metallic eyesand chirped lively phrases in their own tongue, but the adults paidthe visitors little heed. A band of workers scuttled past, carryingbundles of wood large enough to require five humans to lift, yet onecho-ja worker was sufficient for the task. Then a band of young warriors came racing towards Mara'sparty. Workers scattered from their path, bundles swaying, andjaws clacking a strange signal of dismay. Within a matter ofmoments the Tsurani found themselves surrounded. Keyoke calleda halt. Dust swirled, and spear butts struck the earth in the formalstance of soldiers at rest, though the cho-ja appeared ready to fight.None was armed or helmeted in the manner of the guards upon the I30 % Daughter of the Empire ridge. But with their powerful, naturally armoured bodies andrazor-sharp forearm ridges, they would still make fearsomeopponents. Arakasi remained in position by the litter as Keyoke hastenedforward. The Force Commander had barely reached the head of thecolumn when a cho-ja charged. With the uncanny ability of his raceto go from frenetic movement to absolute stillness, he halted scantinches before Keyoke, then stood there trembling, as if eager tofight. Yet when the cho-ja made no further provocative moves,Keyoke bowed with cautious courtesy. 'We are of the Acoma,' heannounced. 'My Lady of the Acoma wishes to speak with yourqueen.' The cho-ja warrior remained motionless while the constanttraffic of workers flowed by on either side. Tense and silent, theAcoma soldiers awaited any hint of threat to their mistress, whileArakasi advised Keyoke. 'I don't think these warriors understandTsurani. This one here is barely mature. We may be forced to defendourselves.' Controlled but urgent, the Spy Master lowered his voice.'If the one in front attacks, the others may come to aid him. If weprovoke him, they certainly will. Strike only at those who attackfirst, for some who come may be seeking to aid us.'Keyoke returned a fractional nod. His hand lightly gripped hissword hilt, Mara saw. Yet he made no move to draw, even when thecreature twitched his head to get a better view of the brightlyarmoured fighter. Long, tense moments dragged by; then another,larger, cho-ja arrived. Mara waited, edgy as her escort, as thenewcomer pushed through the press of young warriors. It paused atthe side of the one who confronted Keyoke, and shouted whatmight have been a command in a high-pitched clicking language.Several of the surrounding youngsters dipped their forelimbs andhurried away, but more stayed, including the one who blocked thetrail. Without warning, the larger cho-ja reached out and seized theyoungster around the middle of the upper body. He locked his limbsin an immovable grip, and for a moment the two cho-ja strainedagainst each other, grunting with effort as their chitin gratedtogether. The first cho-ja tottered; pulled off balance, he fell to theground, where he thrashed for an instant in panic. The elder placeda leg atop the younger cho-ja, holding him down for a moment, thenstepped back, allowing the younger to scramble to his knees. The Bargain I3I instant he regained his footing, he spun and ran away, and the lastof the young warriors fled with him. The remaining cho-ja clicked apologetically and saluted.'Honours to your house, humans.'Keyoke returned the salute as thecho-ja said. 'That young one was unused to the sight of humans. He was ready to attack, and the others would have followed him had Inot thrown him down.' Softly, but so that all could hear, Arakasi said, 'Cho-ja are mostvulnerable when on the ground. They are extraordinarily agile, andterrified of losing their footing.' 'That is true,' agreed the cho-ja. 'When I pulled the youngsterover and held him down, he knew I was his better and he would notstand against me. I am Ratark'l, a soldier of the Kait'lk.' He bowedin a very human fashion, then motioned for them to follow. 'I do notknow your colours, humans, but I can see you are not of theInrodaka. His men wear the colour that can't be seen, which youhumans call red.' 'We are of the Acoma.'Keyoke indicated Mara's litter and added,'This is my mistress, the Lady of the Acoma. She has travelled far tomeet with your queen.' The cho-ja spun around and seemed agitated. 'My knowledge ofyour language seems now to be inadequate. I know of your Lords.What is a Lady?' Keyoke responded with an imitation of a cho-ja gesture ofrespect. 'She is our ruler.' The cho-ja almost reared. His eyes glittered as, with a deferencenot shown before, he bent his head towards the litter where Mararode hidden from sight. 'Ruler! Never have we seen one of yourqueens, human. I shall hurry to my Queen and tell of your arrival.'The cho-ja spun abruptly and darted between the press ofcommerce towards the hive entrance. Somewhat disoriented by thebrevity of its manners, Keyoke turned to Arakasi. 'What do youmake of that?' Arakasi shrugged and indicated that the party should resume theapproach to the hive. 'I suppose the home garrison has never seen aTsurani woman before. Only traders and envoys of the Lord of theInrodaka come here. It's quite possible that this may be the first timein memory that a Ruling Lady has come to deal with a hive queen.The novelty may prove interesting.' Keyoke halted the march. 'Dangerous?' Arakasi considered. 'Probably not, though with the youngwarriors as nervous to be moving to a new hive as they are, I can'tsay for certain. Still, I've never heard of a cho-ja harming a guest.For the moment I expect we are safe.' Mara spoke from inside the litter. 'I don't care about the risk,Keyoke. If we don't gain an alliance with the new queen . .Keyoke glanced at his mistress. Like Nacoya, he knew Maraplotted and planned and took counsel from no one. But unlike thenurse, he simply accepted the fact. The Force Commander noddedhis plumed head and resumed the approach to the hive. When thesoldiers reached the entrance, an honour guard stepped from thearched entrance to meet them, a pair of cho-ja warriors wearingplumed and crested helms styled after those of Tsurani officers.Although no order was spoke, instantly the stream of cho-j a bearingburdens and messages rerouted their comings and goings throughsmaller openings on either side of the main entrance. The Acomaretinue halted before the honour guard. As the dust swirled andsettled, the cho-ja in the lead bowed from the joint of his twothoraxes. 'I am Lax'l, Force Commander of hive Kait'lk.'Keyoke bowed also. 'I am Keyoke, Force Commander of theAcoma. Honours to your hive.' 'Honours to your house, Keyoke of the Acoma.' Keyoke motioned towards the litter. 'Within rests Mara, RulingLady of the Acoma.' At once attentive, Lax'l said, 'One of our warriors announced ahuman queen has come to call. Is she the one?'Before Keyoke could answer, Arakasi said, 'She is young but willbe mother to Acoma lords.' All the cho-Ja in the honour guard made a sudden keening cry. Allactivity around the entrance halted. For a moment no one moved,human or cho-Ja. Then the cho-ja Force Commander bowed low,like a needra kneeling; moments later, all the other cho-ja in sight,even the ones bearing burdens, did likewise. Over the shufflingsound as they rose and continued with their errands, Lax'l said, 'Wewelcome the human queen to hive Kait'lk. Our Queen shall beinformed of your arrival without delay. We would also tell her thereason for your coming, if you will permit.' 'I permit,' said Mara promptly. Since delay seemed inevitable she Bargain I33 allowed the bearers to lower her litter to the ground, though sheremained hidden behind the gauze curtains. 'Inform your queenthat we come requesting the honour of bargaining for the newqueen's hive to be built upon Acoma land.' At this the cho-ja cocked his head; one forelimb lifted inastonishment. 'News travels swiftly through the Empire. The youngQueen is barely more than a hatchling, not ready as yet to ventureabove ground.' Mara bit her lip; time now was critical, with the wedding date setand her estate left vulnerable by her absence. Nacoya and jicanwere competent, but they could not prevent the inevitable reportsby enemy spies that she was off on a secret errand. Each day she wasabsent increased the risk of attack against a garrison still dangerouslyundermanned. Prompted by impulse and a driving, intuitiveambition, Mara whipped aside the curtains. 'Force Commander ofthe cho-ja,' she said, before Arakasi or Keyoke could counselotherwise. 'If the new queen cannot meet with me outside, I willcome to her, should your ruler permit.' Arakasi stiffened, startled, and Keyoke froze with his hand halfraisedto rub his chin. The request was presumptuous; neither manguessed how the cho-ja might react. For a moment each warriorheld his breath, while the cho-ja stood trembling in the samemanner as the young warrior who had been poised to attack themonly a short while before. But Lax'l proved uncertain rather than angry. 'Lady Queen, nohuman has asked such a thing in our memory. Wait here, and I shallenquire.' He whirled and scuttled into the hive.Slowly Keyoke lowered his arm. 'That was a dangerous move,mistress. If the queen should receive your request with displeasure,your warriors are outnumbered two hundred to one.''And yet the cho-ja officer did not act affronted,' Arakasi pointedout, 'merely astonished.' He shook his head with what might havebeen admiration. Nevertheless, Keyoke kept his soldiers on guard. With weaponsnear to hand, all waited for the cho-ja commander's return.Lax'l scuttled abruptly from the dark beyond the entrance. Hebowed low, the polished dome of his head segment almost brushingthe dust. 'Our Queen is honoured that you are willing to visit theheart of the hive to see her daughter. She will allow you to enter with I34 % Daughter of the Empire one officer, five soldiers, and as many workers as you need. Lady ofthe Acoma, come at once, for my Queen waits to greet you withinthe great chamber.' Mara signalled through the hangings and a somewhat bemusedKeyoke chose Arakasi and four others to follow Lax'l. Then theForce Commander ordered the remaining guards to take their easewhile their mistress was absent. In short order, Mara, her pickedattendants, and her guards entered the hillside, immediatelyengulfed by the gloom of the tunnel. Mara's first impression was of moist, earth odours, and ofanother scent intermingled, a nutty, spicy smell that could only bethe cho-ja. The large arch they passed under was faced withcarvings of surpassing delicacy, decorated with precious inlays ofmetal and gems. Mara imagined jican's exclamations of delightshould the Acoma estate gain craftsmen capable of such work. Thenthe shadows deepened as the tunnel sloped downwards, out of thedirect light of the entrance. Behind gauzy curtains, Mara wasvirtually blind until her eyes adjusted to the darkness. The cho-jaForce Commander scuttled ahead with the quickness characteristicof his race. The humans walked briskly to keep up, the panting ofthe slaves strangely amplified as they bore the litter down a mazelikearray of ramps. The tunnels had been hewed out of the ground, thenbraced with some strange compound that set into the hardness ofstone. Sounds echoed easily off this substance, lending an eeriequality to the creak of armour and weaponry. Deeper the partymarched, through curves that undulated apparently withoutpattern. Odd globes of light had been placed at junctions, causingintersections to be islands of illumination between long stretches ofgloom. Mara studied the globes, amazed to find they containedneither oil nor flame. She wondered how such a glow might befashioned, even as her litter was jostled by a constant press of cho-jaintent upon hive business. Most turned to regard the humans amoment before continuing on. As the third intersection disappeared behind, Mara pondered thedifferent cho-ja in her view. Warriors seemed uniformly powerful,with huge lower thorax, broad shoulders on the upper body, and aheight half again as tall as the tallest Tsurani. The workers werenoticeably shorter and stockier, more placid in their demeanour.But she had seen others, more aoe than the workers, yet less Bargain I35 formidable than the warriors. When she asked Arakasi about these,he answered, 'Artisans, mistress.' The way steepened as they descended into the hive. Intersectionsbecame more frequent and the cho-ja scent thickened in the air. Intime the passage widened, opening out into a large cavern hung with many light globes. Mara pushed the curtains of her litter wideand stared in surprise and wonder. Clinging to the ceiling of eachtunnel into the chamber were small cho-ja, about the size of ahuman child of five. Transparent wings upon their backs beatfuriously, the movement a blur in the dim light. Each creatureseemed to rest for a minute or two, then resume the beating for anequal amount of time. The constant changing caused the air to humwith almost musical shifts in rhythm. Arakasi noticed Mara'samazement and explained. 'These must be worker females.''I thought you said you knew only of the males,' commentedMara. 'I've never seen these before,' he acknowledged. 'But only thefemales have wings.' Lax'l revealed unexpectedly keen hearing as he glanced back atMara and her escort. 'Your adviser is correct, Lady Queen. Theseyou see above are sterile females; they are nearly mindless and liveonly to move the air through the deep tunnels and chambers. Itwould grow difficult to breathe down here if not for their labour.'He guided the Acoma party swiftly across the cavern, turned abend, and entered a low passage, which quickly became a rampheading downward. The slaves carrying Mara's litter struggled forbreath. Mara considered calling an early shift change; but thetunnel suddenly opened out into what could only be the Queen'schamber. The cho-ja Queen was immense, at least thirty feet long from herhead to the end of her second thorax. Dark, almost polished black,she lay upon a raised mound of earth, and from the witheredappearance of her legs Mara realized she never moved from thatlocation. Fine hangings draped portions of her anatomy, andbetween them her workers darted, preening her enormous body,attending diligently to her every comfort and need. High above her,and mounted back upon her thorax, a stocky male perched, hissoldierlike body surmounted by the small head of a worker. Herocked over the Queen with a rhythmic motion. Arakasi inclined his I36 Daugbter of the Empire head and said, 'A breeding male, my Lady. One is always withQueen.' A dozen cho-)a males were arrayed before her, some wcrested helms and others without visible ornament; all awaitedarrival of the Acoma party in polite silence. On either side ofchamber, smaller versions of the Queen lay upon their stomachand attendants bustled about each of them. Arakasi pointed thout to Mara and murmured, 'Rirari, I expect, the lesser queens vlay the eggs.' Lax'l indicated that they should wait, then scuttled forward va loud series of clicks. A hush fell over the chamber, thoughworkers still attended to their tasks. The bearers placed Malitter upon the earth, and with Keyoke's assistance she stepforth. No longer hidden by gauze hangings, she felt small, andlost, in a chamber at least four times the size of the grand hall ofAnasati; up close, the size of the Queen was overpowerMaintaining her poise with an effort of will, Mara stood while aslave from her retinue slipped a jewelled overrobe overshoulders. She strove not to quail as the alien Queen stared intentlyat her. The dark, faceted eyes reflected no expression. Nendured with an outward show of calm, though her knees began totremble as her attendant stepped back. Then the cho-ja Queen.spoke in a voice surprisingly slight and delicate to be issuing from soennormous a form. 'You are the human Queen?' Mara bowed slightly, the jewels on her sleeves flashing in thelight. 'I am Mara, Ruling Lady of the Acoma. We have no queeryou do, but I rule my house in the same manner as you would 3hive.' The Queen made a sound. Hchitintin features remainedmobile, but her manner suggested amusement, and her outburstseemed akin to human laughter. 'I didn't expect your kind to breed like us, Mara of the Acomahave been told of your odd matings. I am very old. But airhumans I have heard only of Ruling Lords. How is it that youcommand, and the men who accompany you do not?'Mara explained that only when no male heirs remained witnoble family did a female come to power. The Queen listened,when Mara finished, said, 'You humans are so alien. Wewonder what makes you strive so. But I distract myself. TheQueen, my daughter, is anxious to meet a human queen, particularly one who ventures below ground in deference to the customsof our kind.' Now the old Queen sang out in a loud, piping whistle, and a pairof cho-ja workers came forward. Between them they ushered a cho-ja smaller than any the human party had encountered so far.mara looked a long moment before she understood. 'This is the newQueen?' 'Such was I once, long ago. She will grow and within a matter ofweeks she will be big enough to rule; a few months after, she willstart reproduction.' The young Queen regarded Mara, circling her to get a betterlook. She seemed to move with a grace not seen in any cho-ja before,her steps fluid, even lithe; she showed none of the rapid movementMara had observed in the workers and soldiers. But even as shespoke in the clicking tongue of her kind, bright, faceted eyes neverleft Mara. The cho-ja matriarch said,'Our young are born knowingour language, as they are taught while they grow within the egg sack.Your tongue they must learn after they hatch. My daughter will beunable to speak with you for some time yet to come.'The young Queen's scrutiny made Mara's skin prickle selfconsciously;yet she held still and waited. Presently the youngQueen finished her inspection and fell silent. The old Queenanswered rapidly and then translated in Tsurani. 'She said you areall alien-looking - frightening.' To Mara she added, 'Though youare less frightening than the males.' Mara bowed slightly to the new Queen. 'Please tell her I think sheis lovely.' The remark was not empty flattery; although the youngQueen would someday grow to be the monstrous equal of hermother, at present she was delicately formed and pleasing toobserve. Unlike the blue-tinged males, she was a deep maroon incolour and possessed a quality that Mara could only call feminine.The old Queen interpreted and the new Queen trilled, seeminglyin pleasure. Mara went on. 'We come seeking a treaty. We wouldwelcome this new Queen and her followers to build a hive on ourland. We would like to begin negotiations as soon as possible.'The old Queen answered, 'I do not understand. The negotiationshave begun.' Mara felt a stab of concern. The finality of the event came toosuddenly for her to cope, for she had banked upon the counsel of I38 A Daughter of the Empire Arakasi. She strove politely to buy time. 'I am weary from days oftravel. Might I have leave to rest a day before we speak of thesematters?' The old Queen repeated the request and followed with the youngQueen's answer. 'My daughter Queen says she will hear what youbid, now.' Mara looked at Arakasi, who whispered, 'If you leave, you mayoffend her and lose any chance to speak to her again.'Suddenly Mara felt worn. The excitement of reaching the hivehad buoyed her for the last hour, but now she felt ready to collapse.The stress of dealing with the young Queen combined with thekilling pace of the last week made her mind seem fog-clouded. Still,there seemed no choice but to go on. Mara signalled for a cushionfrom her litter to be placed upon the floor. She seated herself asformally as she could manage and opened negotiations. 'Whatwould your daughter wish to come live upon Acoma lands?'The young Queen crouched cho-ja fashion, by lowering her fourlegs in a squat while maintaining an erect upper torso, arms crossedin very human fashion. She fixed large eyes upon Mara and spoke.The old Queen translated. 'My daughter wishes to know if the earthof your estates is wet or dry.' Mara answered without hesitation. 'Both. The Acoma lands arewide and rich, from water-flooded thyza paddies to high forests. Wehave meadowlands which rise up into hills not unlike those thatsurround this hive.' The young Queen listened to her mother's interpretation, thenresponded. 'My daughter Queen would settle her following nearclean water, but not where the ground is too wet. She asks also thatthe place be away from the forest, as the old root systems makedigging the upper tunnels difficult. The first chamber must be dugquickly, for she would not risk staying above ground any longerthan necessary.' Mara conferred with Keyoke. 'We could give her the lowerneedra meadow to the west of the river. Slaves can then clear newland for the herd to the east.' When the Force Commander noddedagreement, Mara said,'Tell your daughter that we offer a low hill ofland, surrounded by open meadow, within a short march to fresh,clear water. But the land is located above the higher of the twobanks of the river and stays dry, even during the heavy rains.' Bargain I39 The old Queen and the young engaged in discussion. The cho-jalanguage of clicks and whistles seemed more efficient than humanwords; or else the aliens exchanged information in ways thatsupplemented language. Mara waited, inwardly nervous.Suddenly a strident whistle echoed through the hive's great chamber. Mara's retinue stiffened in alarm, and the old Queen'sconversation with her daughter ceased abruptly. Fearful thedisturbance might herald alarm, Keyoke gripped his sword hilt.But Arakasi seized the Force Commander's upper arm andwhispered urgently, 'Pull steel this close to two queens and we alldie instantly.' The older Queen showed no sign of alarm, but themales near her had all risen to a half crouch, a battle posture thatreadied them to explode into a charge. Half-raised forearmsquivered slightly as razor-sharp chitin ridges were angled towardsKeyoke. The old Force Commander had seen cho-ja at war; thesewere a hairsbreadth away from attack. He released his sword and atonce the warriors before the old Queen subsided into theirsquatting position. The old Queen made no comment. Arakasireleased a pent-up breath and offered slight reassurance. 'Shoulddanger arise, those warriors will protect us as well as their Queen.'Keyoke nodded at the logic of this, but he still stepped closer to hisLady. On the dais, the old Queen clicked and twitched a forelimb; andin response to her command, Lax'l rose from his place at her feetand scuttled off. Watching him, Mara wondered whether she could ever adjust tothe speed at which the cho-ja moved at need. As messengers, theywould be unparalleled, and that prompted remembrance of achildhood rhyme recited by Nacoya that ended, '. . . the cho-ja arethe first with news and early-season fruit.' Phrased as nonsense, andtreated by humans as entertainment for youngsters, Mara ponderednow whether the jingle held some element of truth.Lax'l returned before she could pursue the idea with inquiry. Heexchanged rapid whistles and clicks with his matriarch; and the oldQueen's next words banished all musings upon nursery tales fromMara's thoughts. 'Lady Queen of the Acoma,' the ruling cho-j a said, 'word arrivesthat a Lord of your kind has travelled to the hive to bargain againstYou for the new Queen's favour.' Ceremony Mara stiffened. Dismay, disappointment, and anger welled up within her all atonce; then fear prevailed over all else. Somehow, someone hadrelayed word of the cho-ja Queen's hatching. If the news had spread indiscriminately across the countryside,more than one family might be travelling to the hive in the hill. Theone waiting above would be only the first of many. Yet this boded illeven if the news had not been widely dispersed, for then the Lord ofthe Inrodaka might have invited some special friend to be first toseek the new Queen's hive. He would most certainly not be pleasedto discover trespassers upon his land to steal a march upon his ally.With or without the young Queen's approval, Mara now facedreturning across the lands of a hostile Lord aware of her presence.Even more frightening, some agent of the Minwanabi might havelearned of Mara's errand and sent an informant back to his master.Perhaps Jingu himself waited above to communicate with the youngQueen. Careful to hide her distress from the Queens, Mara took a deepbreath. Her throat felt as dry as sand, even as she reminded herselfof a teaching mother's lesson: 'Fear is the little death, daughter. Itkills in tiny pieces.' With the appearance of calm, Mara looked to the old Queen.'Honoured ruler,' she said, 'be advised that I am most determined towin the loyalty of this new hive. Acoma lands are rich and wide, andanother Lord of the Empire is unlikely to better the terms I canoffer.' On the dais, the old Queen huffed through her nose slits, thecho-ja equivalent of laughter. 'Loyalty? Lady Ruler of the Acoma,that is a concept not shared by my kind. Workers, warriors, Rirari, Ceremony I I4I all do as is their nature, for without the hive there is nothing. Aqueen is the sole arbiter of a hive, and we make our trade contractsfor the best terms we may. Always we serve the highest bidder,'Mara sat speechless at this revelation. By chance the Queen haddisclosed a thing no Tsurani in the Empire had guessed. Tsuranisociety had always believed the cho-ja were above certain humanfailings. Now what was believed to be an unassailable sense ofhonour was revealed as the crassest sort of service mongering.These cho-ja were nothing more than a race of merchants. Theirlegendary loyalty was open to sale to the highest bidder, andperhaps subject to renegotiation should the cho-ja receive a betteroffer from a rival Lord. One of the underpinnings of the Empire'spower structure was far more vulnerable than* anyone knew, fornever before had anyone thought to test cho-Ja loyalty by contacting the hive upon another lord's lands. Through her dismay, Marasaw advantage: so long as no other ruler in the Empire guessed thetruth, she might use such knowledge for her own gain - providedshe survived the next hour. 'Keyoke.' Mara leaned across her cushions and motioned theForce Commander closer. 'These warriors who came with us mustbe sworn to absolute silence.' With her face kept carefully blank,she added, 'The slaves must not be permitted to reveal what we havejust heard.' Nothing more would be said, but the old warrior knewshe had just pronounced death sentence upon eight men. He in turnwhispered something to Arakasi and, his expression unreadable,the Spy Master nodded once, indicating he affirmed the decision.Mara straightened. To the old Queen she said, 'Then we shallbargain.' Excited by the prospect, the old Queen trilled her pleasure. 'I shallinform the other human Lord that he has a competing offer.'The Queen then issued commands to waiting cho-ja workers.These were of the smaller, more intelligent artisan class. Marawaited with the appearance of patience as they scuttled away. Otherworkers entered the chamber, clearly establishing a relay ofmessengers, since the newly arrived Lord preferred to negotiatefrom the surface, in the traditional Tsurani manner. Mara resolvedto extract what advantage she could from that circumstance.The first message arrived from above, and after clickingcommunication with the courier and the young Queen, the hive I42 Daughter of the Empire matriarch inclined her head towards Mara. 'Your rival Lord alsopossesses fine meadowlands that are dry year round, near to goodwater, and free of tree roots. He says as well that his soil is sandyand easy to tunnel.' She paused and conferred with her daughterQueen, then added, 'Lady of the Acoma, my hatchling wishes toknow if you care to improve your offer.' Mara resisted an impulse to twist her fingers in the fringes of hercushion. 'Kindly relate to your daughter that sandy soil may be easyto dig, but it also leaches water and tends to collapse easily.'Enjoying herself, the old Queen responded with her odd laugh.'We know, Lady of the Acoma. We find it entertaining that a humanwould presume to know more of tunnelling than a cho-ja. Still,sandy soil presents no difficult problem for us.'Mara thought quickly. 'You are the finest miners in the world, yetI will provide slaves to help with the digging so that your daughter'swait upon the surface is short. One hundred of my warriors willsafeguard the site, and my own pavilion will shade her from the sununtil her chambers are ready underground.' Mara swallowed hard.'In addition, each day she remains above ground she shall havetwenty baskets of fruits and thyza harvested from my fields, that herworkers may remain full of industry with no need to forage.'The old Queen clicked her translation and the young Queenreplied. A moment later a messenger scuttled up the passagetowards the surface. Perspiring lightly in the spicy warmth, Maramanaged not to fidget. Negotiations might proceed very slowly, shethought, but the messenger returned unexpectedly fast.When the new terms had been related to her daughter, the oldQueen translated for Mara. 'Should any tunnels collapse, your rivalsays he offers a suite of rooms in his estate house to the Queen andher chosen attendants, until her own quarters may be rebuilt.'Something in the Queen's voice lent Mara an insight. Despite herfluent Tsurani, the Queen was an alien being with alien needs. Fewcommon values overlapped; by repeating the rival offer, the cho-jaruler might not be indicating her preference but instead inciting thehuman rulers to bid each other up as high as possible. Mara stroveto be as shrewd as possible. 'That is silly. What reason would yourdaughter have to wish to reside in a Tsurani house? My pavilionwould be more comfortable.' The old Queen answered without hesitation. 'This is true. But he Ceremony I43 also offers a hundredweight in jade and an equal weight in finemetal to endow my daughter's craft workers.' Mara shivered slightly under her thin robes. The items just namedamounted to a fortune. Her rival above was most determined, toraise his stakes so high this soon. Cleverness alone would not suffice, and Mara imagined jican wringing his hands as she debatedthe wealth the Acoma would pledge as a counter-offer.Mara's voice was unsteady as she spoke. 'Honourable Queen, tellyour daughter that Tsurani estate houses are suitable to workersand soldiers only, not queens. Far better, tunnels that nevercollapse. Say also that metals and jade are useless without tools towork them; so then, what would the cho-ja wish: gems and metalswhich they can find more easily than any human miner, or toolswhich can work such into things of beauty and value, to be traded tohumans for whatever the cho-ja truly wish to possess? I will matchthe other Lord's offer in value, but with things cho-j a do not fashionfor themselves: tools, and needra hide of equal worth, and resin-workedwoods.' She paused, then added, 'Also weapons andarmour for her warriors.' ,A generous offer,' observed the old Queen. Her eyes glitteredbrightly while she translated, as if she enjoyed the striving betweenhuman rulers. The exchange was punctuated by excited trills.Strained and tired, Mara closed her eyes. The Acoma resourcesstood in danger of depletion, and the pledge she had just made reliedheavily on the craftsmen brought in by Lujan, armourers andweapons makers whose work had yet to be evaluated. And the choja would be insulted by inferior work, perhaps even moved towrath. The messenger returned quickly. He exchanged rapid clicks withthe Queen matriarch, and the daughter Queen broke into a series ofloud trills. Mara dreaded the translation; surely the outburst from thedaughter Queen signified a magnanimous concession from the rivalLord. The old Queen finished with the messenger. Still as a statue ofobsidian, she said, 'Lady Ruler, the Lord above ground hasinformed us that he recognizes Acoma colours upon the warriorswho wait by the hive entrance. He says he knows of your resources I44 . Daughter of the Empire and claims further that you cannot possibly meet the terms you havejust named.' Mara's eyes narrowed before the glittering gaze of the Queen.'His words are untrue.' She paused, contained a sharp, dangerousanger, and arose from her cushion. 'This Lord speaks fromignorance.' Indifferent to Mara's ire, the Queen said, 'I do not understand.'Mara strove to control her fury. 'Do the cho-ja know the detailsof every hive, the workings, the goings-on?' The Queen flicked her forearms in perplexity. 'Whatever transpiresin a hive is known to all queens.' She paused a long minute,then chittered softly to the young Queen. To Mara she added,'Clearly your human ways differ from ours.' Mara licked her lips and tasted sweat. Strain must not drive her toact rashly. Deep below ground, with only six warriors standingbetween herself and the most rigorous of hive defences, a singlemistimed gesture might prove fatal. 'I am Ruling Lady of theAcoma,' Mara said carefully. 'I say that no house in the Empiredares to presume to know the extent of my resources! This rivalLord bargains without honour and his charge is an insult to myhouse.' She stepped forward, fear masked by the proud bearing ofher ancestors, and faced the young Queen directly. 'Lady of thecho-ja, I negotiate in good faith. Know that, as an Acoma, I hold myword more important than my life.' The wait as her words were translated threatened to break her,yet Mara endured, hands clenched hard together. The young Queenstudied the human visitor with keen curiosity, while the old Queengave instructions to her messengers. Mara's challenge to her unseenrival above ground broached matters of honour, and a bloodlettingmight result that could carry even into the hive. Fighting an onset ofpanic, Mara cursed inwardly. Not knowing the identity of her rivalplaced her at a severe disadvantage. A faint scrape sounded in the passage as the next messengerwhisked into view. The old Queen heard him, then spoke. 'LadyRuler, the Lord above concedes his words were spoken in anger.Perhaps you might have armourers who can fulfil the obligation youhave promised, but he says all the Empire knows that his wealth isgreater than that of the Acoma. For the young Queen he will better Ceremony I45 any and all offers the Lady Mara cares to make, if my daughter willchoose his land for her new hive.' jade bracelets clashed against silence as Mara stiffened. 'Whoboasts his wealth is superior to mine?' 'The Lord of the Ekamchi,' answered the Queen.Mara looked askance at Arakasi, for the name was only vaguely familiar. The Spy Master left his place among her retinue andwhispered swiftly, 'Inrodaka's closest friend. He has some wealth, alittle more than your own, I think. His army is small, though heprobably has an escort with him that outnumbers us. I rememberhim as a fat man, with no personal history of warcraft and mostlikely little courage.' Mara nodded. The speed with which the Lord of the Ekamchihad retracted his claim to know Acoma resources seemed toindicate the hesitancy of a man unsure of himself. Relying onArakasi's implicit advice, Mara said, 'Advantage shifts away fromus the longer we wait. I think I need to be bold.'The Spy Master flashed a quick smile as he bowed and returned tohis place. Making her voice ring with a confidence she did not feel,Mara addressed the young Queen. 'Daughter Queen of the cho-j a, Isay now the Acoma will match any bid set forth by this arrogantbraggart who stands above us. All material goods he offers I willequal in kind for your hive. I also promise that sweet-smellingblossoms will be delivered each day of the spring, that thosepleasures of life above ground will not be forgotten by you as youcare for your subjects. I will have hangings of pretty colours madeby our finest weavers, so your quarters will always be pleasant, andthese hangings shall be replaced each season, that you not tire ofyour surroundings. And I will come, and sit, and discuss with youthe affairs of the Empire, so you may grow in understanding ofhuman affairs. I beg that you now choose which estate you will haveas home for your new hive.' Silence fell. The attendant workers seemed to tense slightly as theQueen matriarch began her translation, each click and whistlestarkly emphasized. Mara listened with the breath stopped in herthroat, while at her sides Keyoke and Arakasi exchanged grimsignals of readiness. Their mistress had made a bold request, and noman knew how the alien cho-ja might respond. The two queens conferred. Tense, aching with pressure, Mara felt I46 - Daughter of the Empire I the minutes stretched like the strings of a gikoto tightened past pitchby an overanxious musician. Every shred of self-control she hadlearned at the temple came into play as she endured cruel suspense.The faces of her retainers surrounded her, from the familiar, linedvisage of Keyoke, to each of her soldiers, to the enigmaticcountenance of Arakasi. Chills pricked her skin as she wonderedwhat fate would befall should the cho-ja Queen decide against theAcoma; if the bargain went to the Lord of the Ekamchi, she wouldhave enemies waiting above. Any advantage she had gained byentering the hive would be lost; her boldness ultimately might bringher death, since no man knew what guest customs the alien raceobserved. Then, without warning, the old Queen's faceted eyes swivelledtowards the humans. Mara stood motionless as judgment waspronounced. 'The Queen daughter has chosen. She says she willbring her hive to the estate of Mara of the Acoma.'Lax'l gestured. The messenger sped off up the passage for the lasttime, with word of defeat for the Lord of the Ekamchi. Keyoke andArakasi exchanged small smiles of relief, while Mara brieflycovered her face with both hands to smother a laugh of triumph.Her instinct had proven correct. Now the Acoma would gain a rareand precious advantage for years to come. With her fatigue swept away by excitement and curiosity, Marasaid, 'If I may ask, why did your daughter finally choose Acomalands, when the offers were so close?' The queens exchanged remarks, then the elder said, 'Mydaughter likes you. You called her pretty.' 'That's something most men would never have thought,' Arakasimused, 'that even queens of the cho-j a are not immune to flattery.''Indeed,' observed Keyoke. The old Queen inclined the polished dome of her head towardsMara. 'And we both count it a great courtesy that you would comebelow ground to negotiate rather than use messengers, for you arethe first of your race to do so.' Arakasi almost chuckled aloud. He said to Keyoke, 'Simplybecause most lords would not set foot within another's housewithout first being invited to enter. It seems Tsurani civility is cho-jarudeness.' The Force Commander seemed less amused. 'Swords may yet Ceremony I47 determine the outcome of this encounter,' he reminded the SpyMaster, with a jerk of his thumb indicating the less than friendlyforces waiting above. Mara did not comment on her retainer's remarks, but insteadlooked up at the old Queen. 'I have been led to understand that theyoung Queen's retinue will be scant.' The old Queen motioned with a forelimb. 'This is true, patron ofmy daughter's hive. I have birthed three hundred warriors, twohundred of which have been matured at fast rate to accompany her,the other hundred to follow when they have grown. I will allow hertwo Rirari, two breeding males, and seven hundred workers.'Mara pondered this. The presence of the cho-ja on the Acomaestate would prove a hindrance to any but the boldest enemy, for noone else was likely to know the cho-ja warriors were young anddifficult to control. 'In the normal course of things, how long do youjudge before a new hive is able to begin commerce?'The old Queen twitched her jaws, as if divining Mara's intent. 'Inthe normal course of things, two to three years.'Fatigue returned in numbing waves. Mara's mind drifted, and sheforced herself to apply something said earlier by the old Queen. 'Iwould like to bid for additional workers and warriors to be sentwith your daughter.' Careful to conceal her exhaustion, Marastepped steadily back to her litter. She entered, and motioned to aslave to hold the curtains back to keep an unobstructed view of thetwo queens. Settled upon her cushions - and hoping she didn'tappear too wilted - Mara said, 'I would talk terms.''That is wise,' answered the Queen. 'The young warriors arefractious; older, more experienced soldiers will be needed to bringthem quickly to order at the new hive.' Mara's heart leaped in pleasure; she had understood the oldQueen's comments on the nature of the cho-ja. Behind her, Keyokemurmured his astonishment. 'They barter their own!'The old Queen showed keener hearing than expected by saying,'Only the hive matters, Force Commander. And I am the hive.Those I sell will serve your Lady as they would me. She will be theirnew Queen.' Mara said, 'I wish only that your daughter have a stronger hive,as soon as possible. I buy workers and warriors as a gift for her.'The old Queen nodded. 'That is generous. I will keep that in mindas I set my price.' I48 Daughter of the Empire Mara took a moment to consult her advisers. Then, making sureher shoulders didn't droop, she spoke to the Queen. 'I have need fortwenty of your warriors, Majesty. I would also ask for artisans.'Keyoke straightened in surprise. 'I thought we came for warriors,my Lady?' Mara assumed a faraway look, as she often had lately; as theAcoma position stabilized, she strove to plan for the future; moreand more, she kept her own counsel. But an old and valued adviserdeserved an explanation. 'Since my betrothal to the Anasati son,our position is safe for the present. This young Queen can breedmore warriors, in time. But their most valued skill is not inborn, Ithink. What I want is silk makers.' The Queen matriarch reared up as high as her immobile rearsegment allowed. 'For the makers of silk to be given over to youwould cost greatly.' Mara returned a half bow, that her boldness might not offend.'What price?' The Queen waved her forelegs for a long moment. 'A hundredbags of thyza for each worker.' 'Agreed,' said Mara without hesitation. 'I require five suchworkers.' But the old Queen clicked scoldingly at Mara's haste. 'You mustalso give one thousand swords, one thousand helmets, and onethousand shields, to be shipped upon your arrival home.'Mara frowned. Since Jican was a competent manager, she hadfinances to buy what was not on hand in the warehouse. 'Agreed.'The bargain was hard, but fair; in time a flourishing silk tradewould repay the expenditure many times over. Anxious now todeliver her news to Jican and Nacoya, Mara said, 'When will theQueen depart?' The matriarch conferred with her daughter, then answered, 'Notuntil the autumn.' Mara inclined her head in a gesture of respect. 'Then I will leaveat dawn and set about fulfilling our obligation to you. My workerswill see that the needra are moved and the meadow is clipped andmade ready, that the Queen your daughter will be welcome uponher arrival.' The Queen matriarch signalled dismissal. 'Go, then, Mara of the Ceremony I49 Acoma. May your gods grant you prosperity and honour, for youhave dealt graciously with our kind.' Mara spoke through a profound feeling of relief. 'And may yourhive continue to grow in prosperity and honour.' Lax'l stepped forward to guide the humans to the surface, and theQueen's bright eyes turned away, absorbed once more with hivematters and the complex decisions of breeding. Able to give in toexhaustion, and shaking slightly from hours of sustained stress,Mara sank back into the cushions of her litter. She gestured, and hercompany moved to depart. During her ride towards the surface, shefelt like laughing aloud, then like crying. Seeds now sown mightsomeday bring forth rich fruit, for she had won the means to expandupon jican's already impressive financial base. The silk trade in thesouth was not yet an established industry. Northern silk varied inquality and availability. Mara did not know how to convince thisyoung Queen to turn silk production into the major speciality of herhive, but she would endeavour to find a means. Produced near themajor southern markets, Acoma silk might someday come todominate the trade. Then, as her bearers bore her along the dark, richly scentedtunnels of the cho-ja hive, her euphoria dimmed. Barely two weeksremained for the elaborate preparations that a wedding of two greathouses entailed. Although the past night's efforts might add to theAcoma wealth, soon that wealth must be turned over to another,the son of one of her most bitter enemies. Mara brooded in theprivacy of her litter; of her acts since the death of her father andbrother, her marriage to Buntokapi posed the greatest risk of all.The last intersection fell behind, yet the tunnel did not darken.Through the thin curtains of her litter, Mara saw the arches of theentrance of the hive, with daylight shining brightly between.Negotiations with the cho-ja queens had lasted throughout thenight. The girl's eyes ached as they adjusted to the increased light,and her head swam with weariness. Content to lie back and dozewhile Keyoke marshalled his escort and readied the slaves andwarriors for the long march home, she did not recognize troubleuntil her litter shuddered to a halt, followed by the hiss of weaponsbeing drawn. Alarmed, Mara sat up. She reached to draw open the curtains,just as a stranger's voice rang out in anger. I50 - Daughter of the Empire 'You! Thief! Prepare to answer for your crimes!' Chilled awake by fear and anger, Mara whipped the gauze aside.Keyoke and the Acoma warriors waited with drawn swords, readyto defend. Beyond them stood the white-haired Lord of theInrodaka, red-faced, tousled, and furious from a night spent in theopen. Swiftly Mara took stock of his retinue. She counted a fullcompany of soldiers, two hundred at the least, and not all of themwore Inrodaka red. Fully half were armoured in the purple andyellow of the Ekamchi. The old Lord thrust his jaw forward and pointed his decorativefamily sword. 'Lady of the Acoma! How dare you trespass uponInrodaka lands! Your audacity oversteps your strength, to the griefand shame of your name. For stealing the daughter Queen's hiveyou shall be made to pay dearly.' Mara met the accusation with a cool look of contempt. 'Yourwords are without much thought, and of less honour.' She glancedat the fat man at Inrodaka's side, assuming him to be the Lord of theEkamchi. 'The lands surrounding this hive are unclaimed - haveyour hadonra check the archives in Kentosani, if you doubt me. Andthe cho-ja are no man's slaves. They choose with whom theybargain. And to call one who bargains in good faith a thief is aninsult demanding apology!' Both Lords regarded the Acoma ruler. She might seem a younggirl taken by a fit of pique, but in the face of the armed and ablecompany waiting on her word to extract such apology, both menlost some of their fury. Still, they remained uncowed by Mara'sunexpected boldness. The Lord of the Inrodaka spluttered inindignation and his companion shook a pudgy fist. The unmannerlydisplays might have been comic except for the glowering rows ofwarriors and weapons behind them. 'You have slighted me, caused me to break faith with a trustedally,' Inrodaka raged. Yet he seemed more inclined to speak thanfight. 'I had promised the Ekamchi exclusive rights to bargain withthe daughter Queen, and by treachery you Acoma became privy tomy secrets!' Now Mara understood. The man suspected the Acoma of havingan agent in his household. Arakasi had spent several weeks as aguest of the Inrodaka; if anyone recognized him, a fight might Ceremony I5I result. Mara chanced a surreptitious glance that ended in a blink ofconfusion. The Spy Master had disappeared. Another searchingglance, a little more careful, revealed his presence among thesoldiers, but even there she had trouble picking him out. At one withthe others in Acoma ranks, he stood poised for trouble, but his helm hung slightly lower over the bridge of his nose, and his chin wasthrust forward, making his jaw seem squarer than usual. Very likelyhe would remain unnoticed. Relieved by this, Mara sought to avoidconflict. 'My Lord, I take no responsibility for causing a break in apledge beyond your right to promise. The cho-ja keep their owncounsel. As for being privy to your secrets, "the cho-ja are the firstwith news and early-season fruit." If you but ask, they'll tell youthat one hive knows the affairs of all others. Whether or not yourworkers, servants, or slaves set foot off your land, the news wasaccessible in all parts of the Empire. I was simply the first to act. Youcould not prevent me, my Lord. And in the last, since when must theAcoma nursemaid the honour of the Inrodaka?' The Lord of the Inrodaka bristled. His ally, the Lord of theEkamchi, looked as if he would just as soon be done with the wholeaffair and go elsewhere. Yet honour prevented his withdrawal asInrodaka said, 'For that, you presumptuous girl, you will not leavemy lands alive.' Mara met this threat in proud and stony silence. She must notcapitulate, for such cowardice would shame the bones of herancestors. Though her heart leaped in fear, she saw her men wereready, showing no sign of concern for the odds against them. Shenodded once to Keyoke. The Force Commander signalled the warriors of the Acoma toraise weapons while, like imperfect reflections in a mirror, Inrodakaand Ekamchi commanders ordered their own men to the ready.Through the rattle of blades and the creak of armour, Mara felther pulsebeat quicken. She tried one last time to negotiate. 'We haveno desire for strife, especially as we have done nothing for which weneed to defend ourselves.' Inrodaka's reply rang crisp on the morning air. 'You will notleave without a fight.' A heartbeat away from precipitating bloodshed, Mara held theirate old man's gaze, while whispering furiously to Keyoke. 'Darewe count on our alliance with the young Queen?' I52 - Daughter of the Empire Keyoke kept his eyes upon the opposing forces. 'Lady, the oldQueen rules this hive, and her alliance is with the Inrodaka. Whoknows how her warriors will react if the young Queen's ally isthreatened?' Gripping his sword tightly, he said, 'I doubt there hasever been such a confrontation in the long history of the Empire.'As he spoke, a full hundred old, experienced cho-ja warriorsmarched from the hive entrance. Black carapaces and razorforelimbs gleamed in the sunlight as they interposed themselvesbetween the opposing lines of humans. Dozens more scurried fromthe earth, even as Lax'l moved a half-dozen paces closer to the twofuming lords and said, 'The Acoma and their ruler are our Queen'sguests and the Inrodaka lord her ally. None shall bring strife to herhive. If both armies quit the field, no blood need be shed.'Incensed, the Lord of the Inrodaka jerked his chin upward. 'Butyour hive has been in service to my house for three generations!''Allied,' repeated Lax'l. His eyes glinted with something Marathought might be anger, though his voice was calm. 'As the Lady ofthe Acoma said, the cho-ja are no man's slaves. Leave at once.'As ifto drive home the point, another command of cho-ja scurriedaround from behind the hive to take position behind the forces ofthe Inrodaka and the Ekamchi. A similar force was appearingbehind Mara's soldiers. Inrodaka glanced to either side, where another two hundredcho-ja warriors approached with their limbs angled forward tocharge. His rage faltered, even before he turned to discover LordEkamchi already signalling his forces to retire. Mara observed thatInrodaka was as relieved as not to be forced to depart. Hisreputation had long been that of a man who avoided conflict, andhis display had probably been for the benefit of his ally rather thanfrom any true sense of outrage. Weakness overwhelmed the Lady of the Acoma as sleeplessnights and tension overcame her staunch will. She allowed herself tofall back into her pillows as Lax'l span to face Keyoke. 'ForceCommander, my company will escort you to the limit of theInrodaka boundaries with a full hundred warriors.'Keyoke signalled and, over the sound of men returning swords tosheaths, said, 'Are you among the twenty who will join the newhive?' 'I am.' Lax'l made an odd facial expression, perhaps the cho-ja Ceremony I53 equivalent of a smile. 'Since you undertook great expense to ensurethe safety of her daughter, the old Queen has given you the best ofher soldiers. Another will assume my post here, and I will be the newhive's Force Commander.' Then as if in afterthought, he said, 'I believe the Lady of the Acoma has won what you Tsurani would call the old Queen'saffection.' Tired to the core of her bones, Mara still managed a half bow ofappreciation. 'You are not needed by the young Queen?'The cho-ja Force Commander gestured in the negative with hisforelimbs. 'The young Queen is most vulnerable when growing, soeven our presence would not mitigate the young warriors'aggression - as it should not. Once within our new hive, we shallteach them what they must know to become good warriors.'As the Inrodaka and Ekamchi forces retreated over a rise andvanished from sight, Keyoke mustered the men for the long marchhome. When the last soldier was in place, he looked at his mistress.'My Lady?' Mara indicated they should depart, but requested Arakasi walkbeside her litter. He arrived looking drawn and dusty, like the rest ofthe men, except for the glint of victory in his eyes. Warmed by hispride of accomplishment, Mara spoke softly as the column movedout. 'You have been better than your word, Arakasi. Not only haveyou shown the value of your advice, but your wisdom has benefitedthe Acoma well. How long will you need to reactivate yournetwork?' The Spy Master's satisfaction spread across his face until heshowed a genuine smile. He bowed slightly to his new mistress. 'Ayear, Lady, if I encounter no difficulties.' 'If there are difficulties?' 'A year, a year and a half.' then added, 'More, if you require.' Mara glanced to either side, assuring herself that no menmarched close enough to overhear. 'When we make camp tonight, Iwant you to leave and begin seeking out your agents. Return to ourestates in a year. Should you have need to reach me, our signal willbe the phrase "the young Queen's silk makers." Do you understand?' Arakasi returned the hint of a nod, the gesture concealed behind The Spy Master paused significantly, I54 % Daughter of the Empire an adjustment to the strap of his helm. 'If I do not return and swearupon the Acoma natami, I am not bound to the bidding of the Ladyof the Acoma until I am ready to do so.' Then he added pointedly,'Or the bidding of the Lord of the Acoma.' 'You understand.' Mara closed her eyes and reined back strongemotion. The gods were kind that this man should be perceptiveenough to divine her intentions regarding her husband-to-be.Arakasi qualified softly. 'Buntokapi might not share ourenthusiasm for our vow, Lady.' Mara nodded, chilled by relief that this man was an ally and notan enemy. If Jingu of the Minwanabi should ever secure the talentsof a man like Arakasi ... but fatigue could not be permitted to fanthe embers of unfounded fears. With an effort, the Lady focused onthe present. 'When you have returned, we shall see how things are.If all has progressed as I hope, we may then moved forward with ourplans for Jingu of the Minwanabi.' Arakasi inclined his head slightly towards Mara's litter. 'In myheart I have sworn loyalty to you, my Lady. I pray the gods grant methe opportunity to make a more formal oath before the Acomacontemplation glade someday.' He glanced around at the heavymatted greenery of the forest. 'This seems as good a place as any toleave. May the gods protect you, Lady of the Acoma.'Mara thanked him and fell silent as Arakasi turned and fadedaway into the woods. Keyoke glanced back and saw him go. If theForce Commander wondered at this sudden departure, he saidnothing, but simply returned his attention to his warriors and thedangers of the march home. Mara lay back, Arakasi's last wordsturning over and over in her mind. She added a prayer that his wishwould come to pass; for if he lived and did not swear before thenatami, either she would be dead, or Buntokapi would be firmly inplace as Lord of the Acoma, and beyond her power to control. The maids waited upon their mistress. Seated upon cushions in thechamber she still considered her father's, Mara opened her eyes andsaid. 'I am ready.' But in her heart she knew she was not prepared for her marriageto the third son of the Anasati, and never would be. With her handsclenched nervously together, she endured as her maids began thetorturous process of combing out her hair and binding it withthreads and ribbons into the traditional bride's headdress. Thehands of the women worked gently, but Mara could not settle. Thetwist and the tug as each lock was secured made her want to squirmlike a child. As always, Nacoya seemed to read her mind. 'Mistress, the eye of every guest will be upon you this day, and your person mustembody the pride of Acoma heritage.' Mara closed her eyes as if to hide. Confusion arose like an ache inthe pit of her stomach. The pride of Acoma heritage had enmeshedher in circumstances that carried her deeper and deeper intonightmare; each time she countered a threat, another took its place.She wondered again whether she had acted wisely in selectingBuntokapi as husband. He might be influenced more easily than hiswell-regarded brother jiro, but he also might prove more stubborn.If he could not be controlled, her plans for the resurgence of Acomapre-eminence could never be achieved. Not for the first time, Marastilled such idle speculations: the choice was made. Buntokapiwould be Lord of the Acoma. Then she silently amended that: for atime. 'Will the Lady turn her head?' Mara obeyed, startled by thewarmth of the maid's hand upon her cheek. Her own fingers wereicy as she considered Buntokapi and how she would deal with him.The man who would take her father's place as Lord of the Acomahad none of Lord Sezu's wisdom or intelligence, nor had he any ofLano's grace, or charm,,or irresistible humour. In the few formaloccasions Mara had observed Buntokapi since his arrival for thewedding, he had seemed a brute of a man, slow to understandsubtlety and obvious in his passions. Her breath caught, and sheforestalled a shudder. He was only a man, she reminded herself; andthough her preparation for temple service had caused her to knowless of men than most girls her age, she must use her wits and bodyto control him. For the great Game of the Council, she wouldmanage the part of wife without love, even as had countless womenof great houses before her. Tense with her own resolve, Mara endured the ministrations ofthe hairdressers while the bustle and shouts through the thin paperof the screens indicated that servants prepared the great hall for theceremony. Outside, needra bawled, and wagons rolled, laden withbunting and streamers. The garrison troops stood arrayed in I56 ~ Daughter of the Empire brightly polished full armour, their weapons wrapped with strips ofwhite cloth to signify the joy of their mistress's coming union.Guests and their retinues crowded the roadway, their litters andliveried servants a sea of colour against the baked grass of the fields.Slaves and workers had been granted the day off for the festivities,and their laughter and singing reached Mara where she sat, chilledand alone with her dread. The maids smoothed the last ribbon and patted the last gleamingtresses into place. Beneath coiled loops of black hair, Mara seemeda figure of porcelain, her lashes and brows as fine as a templepainter's masterpiece. 'Daughter of my heart, you have neverlooked so lovely,' observed Nacoya. Mara smiled mechanically and rose, while dressers slipped thesimple white robe from her body and dusted her lightly with apowder to keep her dry during the long ceremony. Others readiedthe heavy embroidered silk gown reserved for Acoma brides. As thewrinkled old hands of the women smoothed the undergarment overher hips and flat stomach, Mara bit her lip; come nightfall, thehands of Buntokapi would touch her body anywhere he pleased.Without volition she broke into a light sweat.'The day grows warm,' muttered Nacoya. A knowing gleam lither eye as she added a little extra powder where Mara would needit. 'Kasra, fetch your mistress a cool drink of sii wine. She looks pale,and the excitement of the wedding is not yet begun.'Mara drew an angry breath. 'Nacoya, I am able to manage wellenough without wine.' She paused, frustrated, as her womenhooked the laces at her waist and lower chest, temporarilyconstricting her breath. 'Besides, I'm sure Bunto will drink enoughfor both of us.' Nacoya bowed with irritating formality. 'A slight flush to yourface becomes you, Lady. But husbands don't care for perspiration.'Mara chose to ignore Nacoya's cross words. She knew the old nursewas worried for the child she loved above all others.Outside, the busy sounds told Mara that her householdscrambled to finish the last-minute tasks. The august of the Empireand a nearly overwhelming list of invited guests would gather in thegreat hall, seated according to rank. Since those of highest rankwould be shown to their cushions last, the arrangement of theguests became a complex and lengthy affair that began well before Ceremony I57 dawn. Tsurani weddings occurred during the morning, for tocomplete so important a union in the waning part of the day wasbelieved to bring ill luck to the couple. This required guests of modest rank to present themselves at the Acoma estate beforedawn, some as early as four hours before sunrise. Musicians andservants with refreshments would entertain those seated first, whilethe priests of Chochocan sanctified the Acoma house. By now theywould be donning their high robes of office, while out of sight a redpriest of Turakamu would slaughter the needra calf.The maids lifted the overrobe, with its sleeves sewn with shatrabirds worked in rare gold. Mara gratefully turned her back. Asattendants arranged her bows, she was spared the sight of Nacoyachecking each last detail of the costume. The old nurse had been onedge since Mara chose to grant Buntokapi power over the Acoma.That Mara had done so with long-range hopes in mind did nothingto comfort Nacoya, what with Anasati warriors encamped in thebarracks, and one of the Acoma's most vigorous enemies living instyle in the best guest chambers in the house. And with his brassyvoice and artless manners, Buntokapi offered no reassurance to aservant who would shortly be subject to his every whim. And sheherself would also, Mara remembered with discomfort. She tried toimagine being in bed with the bullnecked boy without shuddering,but could not. Cued by a servant's touch, Mara sat while the jewelledceremonial sandals were laced onto her feet. Other maids pressedshell combs set with emeralds into her headdress. Restive as theneedra calf being perfumed for sacrifice - so that Turakamu wouldturn his attentions away from those at the wedding - the girl calledfor a minstrel to play in her chambers. If she must endure throughthe tedium of dressing, at least music might keep her fromexhausting herself with thought. If fate brought her trouble throughthis marriage to Buntokapi, she would find out soon enough. Themusician was led in blindfolded; no man might look upon the brideuntil she began her procession to the wedding. He sat and pickedout a soothing melody on his gikoto, the five-string instrument thatwas the mainstay of Tsurani composition. When the last laces and buttons had been fastened, and the finalstring of pearls looped to her cuffs, Mara arose from her cushions.Blindfolded slaves bearing her ceremonial litter were led into the I I58 % Daughter of the Empire I chamber, and Mara climbed into the open palanquin crafted solelyfor Acoma weddings. The frame was wound with flowers and koivines for luck, and the bearers wore garlands in their hair. As theylifted the litter to their shoulders, Nacoya stepped between themand lightly kissed Mara on the forehead. 'You look lovely, my Lady- as pretty as your own mother on the morning she wed Lord Sezu. Iknow she would have been proud to see you, were she alive this day.May you find the same joy in marriage as she, and be blessed withchildren to carry on the Acoma name.' Mara nodded absently. As serving women stepped forward tolead her bearers through the screen, the minstrel she had summonedfaltered in his singing and awkwardly fell silent. With a frown, thegirl berated herself for carelessness. She had done the musician adiscourtesy by leaving him without praise. As the litter moved fromthe chamber into the first empty connecting hall, Mara quicklydispatched Nacoya to give the man a token, some small gift torestore his pride. Then, wrapping her fingers tightly together to hidetheir shaking, she resolved to be more alert. A great house did notthrive if its mistress concerned herself with large matters only. Mostoften the ability to handle the petty details of life comprised anattitude that allowed one to discover the path to greatness; or soLord Sezu had admonished when Lano had neglected his artisansfor extra drill with the warriors. Mara felt a strange detachment. The distant bustle of preparationsand the arrival of guests lent a ghostly aspect to the corridorsemptied for the passage of her litter. Wherever she looked she sawno one, yet the presence of people filled the air. In isolation shereached the main corridor and moved out of the estate house, intothe small garden set aside for meditation. There Mara would passan hour alone in contemplation, as she prepared to leave hergirlhood and accept the role of woman and wife. Acoma guards inelaborate ceremonial armour stood watch around the garden, toprotect, and to ensure the Lady would suffer no interruption.Unlike the bearers, they wore no blindfolds, but rather stood facingthe walls, straining their hearing to the limit, alert, but not temptingill luck by gazing upon the bride. Mara turned her mind away from the coming ceremony, seekinginstead to find a moment of calm, some hint of the serenity she hadknown in the temple. She settled gracefully to the ground, adjusting Ceremony I59 her gown as she settled on the cushions left for her. Bathed in the pale gold of early morning, she watched the play of water over therim of the fountain. Droplets formed and fell, each separate in itsbeauty until it shattered with a splash into the pool beneath. I amlike those droplets, thought the girl. Her efforts throughout lifewould, in the end, blend with the lasting honour of the Acoma; andwhether she knew happiness or misery as the wife of Buntokapiwould not matter at all when her days ended, so long as the sacrednatami remained in the glade. And so long as the Acoma wereaccorded their rightful place in the sun, unshadowed by any otherhouse. Bending her head in the dew-bright stillness, Mara prayedearnestly to Lashima, not for the lost days of her girlhood, or for thepeace she had desired in temple service. She asked instead for thestrength to accept the enemy of her father as husband, that thename Acoma might rise once again in the Game of the Council. I Wedding Nacoya bowed deeply. 'My Lady, it is time.' Mara opened her eyes, feeling too warm for the hour. The cool ofearly morning had barely begun to fade, and already her robesconstricted her body. She looked to where Nacoya stood, justbefore the flower-bedecked litter. Only a moment longer, Marathought. Yet she dared not delay. This marriage would be difficultenough without risking the bad omen of having the weddingincomplete by noon. Mara rose without aid and re-entered thelitter. She gestured readiness, and Nacoya voiced a command. Theslaves removed their blindfolds, for now the bridal processionwould begin. The guards surrounding the garden turned as one andsaluted their mistress as the bearers lifted her litter and began theirjourney to the ceremonial dais. The slaves' bare feet made no sound as they carried Mara into thetiled hall of the estate house. Keyoke and Papewaio waited at theentrance and let the litter pass before they fell in behind, followingat a watchful distance. Servants lined the doorways along the hall,strewing flowers to bring their mistress joy and health in childbearing.Between the doorways stood her warriors, an addedfervour in each man as they saluted her passage. Several could notkeep moisture from their eyes. This woman was more to them thantheir Lady; to those who had been grey warriors, she was the giverof a new life, against any expectation. Mara might give over theirloyalty to Buntokapi, but she would always have their love.The bearers halted outside the closed doors of the ceremonial hallwhile two maidens dedicated to the service of Chochocan pinnedcoloured veils to Mara's headdress. Into her hands they pressed awreath wound of ribbons, shatra feathers, and thyza reed, to signify Wedding I6I the interdependence of spirit and flesh, of earth and sky, and thesacred union of husband and wife. Mara held the circlet lightly,afraid her damp palms might mar the silk ribbons. The brown-and-white-barred plumes of the shatra betrayed her trembling asfour elegantly garbed maidens closed around her litter. They wereall daughters of Acoma allies, friends Mara had known in girlhood.While their fathers might keep their distance politically, for this oneday they were again her dear friends. Their warm smiles as thenuptial procession formed could not ease Mara's apprehension. Shemight enter the great hall as the Ruling Lady of the Acoma, but shewould leave as the wife of Buntokapi, a woman like all otherwomen who were not heirs, an adornment to further the honourand comfort of her Lord. After a short ceremony before the natami in the sacred glade, she would own no rank, except through thegrace of her husband. Keyoke and Papewaio grasped the wooden door rings and pulled,and silently the painted panels slid wide. A gong sounded.Musicians played reed pipes and flutes, and her bearers startedforward. Mara blinked, fighting tears. She held her head highbeneath her veils as she was carried before the eyes of the greatestdignitaries and families in the Empire. The ceremony which wouldjoin her fate to that of Buntokapi of the Anasati was now beyondthe power of any man to prevent. Through the coloured veils the assembled guests appeared asshadows to Mara. The wood walls and floors smelled of fresh waxand resins, blending with the fragrance of flowers as the slaves boreher up the stairs of a fringed dais built in two layers. They set herlitter down upon the lower level and withdrew, leaving her at thefeet of the High Priest of Chochocan and three acolytes, while hermaiden attendants seated themselves on cushions beside the stair.Dizzied by the heat and the nearly overpowering smoke from thepriest's censer, Mara fought to catch her breath. Though she couldnot see beyond the priests' dais, she knew that by tradition]Buntokapi had entered the hall simultaneously from the oppositeside, on a litter adorned with paper decorations that symbolizedarms and armour. By now he sat level with her on the priests' righthand. His robes would be as rich and elaborate as her own and his face hidden by the massive plumed mask fashioned expressly forweddings by some long-distant Anasati forebear. I62 Daughter of the Empire The High Priest raised his arms, palms turned towards the sky,and intoned the opening lines. 'In the beginning, there was nothingbut power in the minds of the gods. In the beginning, they formedwith their powers darkness and light, fire and air, land and sea, andlastly man and woman. In the beginning, the separate bodies of manand woman re-created the unity of the gods' thought from whichthey were created, and so were children begotten between them, toglorify the power of the gods. This day, as in the beginning, we aregathered to affirm the unity of the gods' will, through the earthlybodies of this young man and woman.' The priest lowered his hands. A gong chimed, and boy chanterssang a phrase describing the dark and the light of creation. Then,with the squeak of sandals and the rustle of silks, brocades, beads,and jewelled feathers, the assembled guests rose to their feet.The priest resumed his incantation, and Mara fought the urge toreach beneath her veils and scratch her nose. The pomp and theformality of the ceremony made her recall an incident from herearly girlhood, when she and Lano had come home from a statewedding similar to the one she sat through now. As children, theyhad played bride and groom, Mara seated on the sun-baked boardsof a thyza wagon, her hair decked out in akasi flowers. Lano hadworn a marriage mask of mud-baked clay and feathers, and thetpriest' had been an aged slave the children had badgered intowearing a blanket for the occasion. Sadly Mara tightened herfingers; the ceremonial wreath in her hands was real this time, not achild's imitation braided of grasses and vines. Were Lanokota aliveto be here, he would have teased and toasted her happiness. ButMara knew that inwardly he would have been weeping.The priest intoned another passage, and the gong rang. Theguests reseated themselves upon cushions, while the acolyte on thedais lit incense candles. Heavy scent filled the hall as the high Priestrecited the virtues of the First Wife. As he finished each - chastity,obedience, mannerliness, cleanliness, and fecundity - Mara bowedand touched her forehead to the floor. And, as she straightened, apurple-robed acolyte with dyed feet and hands removed one of herveils, white for chastity, blue for obedience, rose for mannerliness,until only a thin green veil for Acoma honour remained.The gauzy fabric still itched, but at least Mara could see hersurroundings. The Anasati sat to the groom's side of the dais, just as Wedding I63 the Acoma retinue sat behind Mara's. Before the dais the guestswere arrayed by rank. Brightest shone the white and gold raiment ofthe Warlord, who sat closest to the ceremony, his wife beside him in scarlet brocade sewn with turquoise plumes. In the midst of the riotof colours worn by the guests, two figures in stark black robes stoodforth like nightwings resting in a flower garden. Two Great Onesfrom the Assembly of Magicians had accompanied Almecho to thewedding of his old friend's son. Next in rank should have been the Minwanabi, but jingu'spresence was excused without insult to the Anasati because of theblood feud between Minwanabi and Acoma. Only at a statefunction, such as the Emperor's coronation or the Warlord'sbirthday, might both families be present without conflict.Behind the Warlord's retinue, Mara recognized the Lords of theKeda, the Tonmargu, and the Xacatecas; along with Almecho'sOaxatucan and the Minwanabi, they constituted the Five GreatFamilies, the most powerful in the Empire. In the next row sat theShinzawai lord, Kamatsu, with the face of Hokanu, his second son,turned handsomely in profile. Like the Acoma and the Anasati, theShinzawai were counted second in rank only to the Five GreatFamilies. Mara bit her lip, the leaves and feathers of her marriage wreathtrembling. Above her the High Priest droned on, now describing thevirtues of the First Husband while the acolytes draped necklaces ofbeads over the paper swords of Bunto's litter. Mara saw the red andwhite plumes of his marriage mask dip as he acknowledged eachquality as it was named, being honour, strength, wisdom, virility,and kindness. The gong chimed again. The priest led his acolytes in a prayer ofblessing. More quickly than Mara had believed possible, hermaiden attendants arose and helped her from her litter. Bunto arosealso, and with the priest and acolytes between them they steppeddown from the dais and bowed to the gathered guests. Then, in asmall procession that included Buntokapi's father, the Lord of theAnasati, and Nacoya, as the Acoma First Adviser, the priest and hisacolytes escorted bride and groom from the hall and across thecourtyard to the entrance of the sacred grove.There servants bent and removed the sandals of Mara andBuntokapi, that their feet might be in contact with the earth and the I64 % Daughter of the Empire ancestors of the Acoma as the Lady ceded her inherited rights ofrulership to her husband-to-be. By now the sun had risen highenough to warm the last dew from the ground. The baked warmthof the stone path felt unreal beneath Mara's soles, and the brightbirdsong from the ulo tree seemed the detail of a childhood dream.Yet Nacoya's grip upon her arm was quite firm, no daydream. Thepriest chanted another prayer, and suddenly she was walkingforward with Buntokapi, a jewelled doll beside the toweringplumage of his marriage mask. The priest bowed to his god, andleaving his acolytes, and the Lord, and the Acoma Chief Adviser, hefollowed the couple into the glade. Rigidly adhering to her role, Mara dared not look back; if theritual had permitted, she would have seen Nacoya's tears.The procession passed the old ulo's comfortable shade and insunlight wended through the flowering shrubs, low gates, andcurved bridges that led to the Acoma natami. Woodenly Mararetraced the steps she had taken not so many weeks earlier, whenshe had carried the relics to mourn her father and brother. She didnot think of them now, lest their shades disapprove of her weddingto an enemy to secure their heritage. Neither did she look at the manat her side, whose shuffling step betrayed his unfamiliarity with thepath, and whose breath wheezed faintly behind the bright red-and-gold-painted features of the marriage mask. The eyes of thecaricature stared ahead in frozen solemnity, while the eyes of theman darted back and forth, taking in the details of what soon wouldbe rightfully his as Lord of the Acoma. A chime rang faintly, signalling the couple to meditate in silence.Mara and her bridegroom bowed to the godhead painted on theceremonial gate, and stopped beneath at the edge of the pool. Notrace of the assassin's presence remained to defile the grassy verge,but a canopy erected by the priests of Chochocan shaded the ancientface of the natami. After a session of prayer and meditation, thechime rang again. The priest stepped forward and placed his handson the shoulders of the bride and groom. He blessed the couple,sprinkled them lightly with water drawn from the pool, thenpaused, silent, while the vows were spoken. Mara forced herself to calm, though never had the exerciselearned from the sisters of Lashima come with such difficulty. In avoice of hammered firmness, she spoke the words that renounced Wedding I65 her inherited birthright of Ruling Lady of the Acoma. Sweating butsteady, she held fast, while the priest tore away the green veil andburned it in the brazier by the pool. He wet his finger, touched thewarm ash, and traced symbols upon Bunto's palms and feet. ThenMara knelt and kissed the natami. She remained with her head pressed to the earth that held the bones of her ancestors, while Buntokapi ofthe Anasati swore to dedicate his life, his honour, and his eternal spiritto the Name Acoma. Then he knelt beside Mara, who finalized theritual in a voice that seemed to belong to a stranger.'Here rest the spirits of Lanokota, my brother; Lord Sezu, mynatural father; Lady Oskiro, my natural mother: may they stand aswitness to my words. Here lies the dust of my grandfathers, Kasruand Bektomachan, and my grandmothers, Damaki and Chenio:may they stand as witness to my deed.' She drew breath andmanaged not to falter as she recited the long list of ancestors back tothe Patriarch of the Acoma, Anchindiro, a common soldier whobattled Lord Tiro of the Keda for five days in a duel before winningthe hand of his daughter and the title of Lord for himself, thusplacing his family second only to the Five Great Families of theEmpire. Even Buntokapi nodded with respect, for despite hisfather's formidable power, the Anasati line did not go as far back inhistory as the Acoma. Sweat slid down Mara's collar. With fingersthat miraculously did not shake, she plucked a flower from herwreath and laid it before the natami, symbolizing the return of herflesh to clay. The chime sounded, a mournful note. The priest intoned anotherprayer, and Bunto spoke the ritual phrases that bound himirrevocably to the Name and the honour of the Acoma. Then Marahanded him the ceremonial knife, and he nicked his flesh so theblood flowed, beading in dusty drops upon the soil. In ties ofhonour more binding than flesh, of previous kinship, more bindingthan the memory of the gods themselves, Buntokapi assumedLordship of the Acoma. The priest removed the red and goldmarriage mask of the Anasati; and the third son of an Acoma enemybowed and kissed the natami. Mara glanced sideways and saw herbridegroom's lips curl into an arrogant smile. Then his featureswere eclipsed as the High Priest of Chochocan slipped the greenmarriage mask of the Acoma onto the new Lord's shoulders.Mara could not remember getting up. The procession back to the I66 % Daugbter of the Empire entrance of the glade passed in a blur, a dream set in time tobirdsong. Servants awaited to wash her soiled feet and replace herjewelled sandals. She endured while the Anasati lord bowedformally to his host, the new Lord of the Acoma, and she did not cryas Nacoya took her place one pace behind Buntokapi's shoulder.Dazzled by the flash of sunlight on the priest's robe, she followedinto the main hall, to complete the formal portion of the marriage ceremony. The hall had grown warm. Great ladies fluttered fans of paintedfeathers, and the musicians who had entertained them wipedsweaty fingerprints from their instruments, as attendants helpedbride and groom into their litters, then raised them to the levelwhere the High Priest and his acolytes presided. Garbed now in anoverrobe sewn with precious sequins of silver, gold and copper, theHigh Priest invoked the ever present eye of Chochocan, the GoodGod. The gong chimed as he crossed his arms over his chest, and aboy and girl mounted the dais, each carrying a cage woven of reeds.Within perched a male and a female kiri bird, their white-and-black-barred wingtips dyed the green of the Acoma. The priest blessed the birds, and acolytes accepted the cages.Then, lifting the ivory ceremonial wand from the pocket in hissleeve, the priest invoked his god for a blessing upon the marriage ofBuntokapi and Mara. The hall grew hushed and fans stilled in thehands of the ladies. From the lowliest of landed nobles, to the gemcrustedpresence of the Warlord, all craned their necks to see as thepriest tapped the cages with his wand. Reeds parted under his ministrations, leaving the birds free to fly,together in joy as in well-omened unions, or separately, to the woeof the couple on the litters, for much stock was placed inChochocan's favour. Nacoya closed her eyes, her old hands clenched around an amuletshe held under her chin. Bunto looked on with his expressionhidden behind the luridly painted marriage mask; but his bridestared off, unseeing, into the distance, as if the ritual in the grovehad drained her of interest. The gong chimed, and servants slid wide the paper screensenclosing the hall. 'Let this marriage be blessed in the sight ofheaven,' intoned the priest. The acolytes tipped the cages, jostling the birds from their Wedding I67 perches. The female chirped angrily and flapped her wings, whilethe male leaped to the air and circled above the assembly, thenswooped down towards his mate. He attempted to land on theperch next to the female, but she puffed up and flapped her wings in fury, pecking him unmercifully. The male retreated, thenapproached, but the female shot into flight, her dyed wingtips agreen blur across shadow. With a loud cry she sped for freedom,and vanished, a flash of pale feathers in sunlight. The male birdgripped tightly to the vacated perch. His feathers fluffed and heshook his beak in annoyance. As the chamber stilled with waitingsilence, he preened his tail and hopped to the top of the cage, wherehe relieved himself. After a strained minute passed, the High Priestmotioned with his finger, a small but noticeably irritated gesture.An embarrassed acolyte shooed the male bird off. All eyes watchedas he circled lazily, then landed in the flower bed just beyond theopen screen door and began to peck for grubs. Brocades and feathers shifted like a wave across the assembly.The High Priest cleared his throat, his wand drooping in onewrinkled hand. At length, with a glance at the stiff-backed Bunto,he said, 'Praise the goodness of Chochocan, and heed his lesson.Under his guidance, may this couple find mercy, understanding, andforgiveness.' Again he cleared his throat. 'The omen shows us thatmarriage requires diplomacy, for as man and wife, this Lord andLady must ever strive for unity. Such is the will of the gods.'A stiff interval followed as acolytes and guests waited for thepriest to continue. Eventually it became evident that he would notsay more, and the gong chimed. An attendant removed Buntokapi'smarriage mask. He faced Mara, who seemed dazed, except that hereyes were narrowed slightly and the faintest of frowns marred theline of her brows. 'Exchange the wreaths,' prompted the priest, as if he seemedworried the couple might forget. Bunto bent his head, and Mara pressed the somewhat wiltedceremonial circlet over his dark hair. It slipped somewhat as hestraightened, and she smelled wine on his breath as he leaned closeto crown her in turn. Mara's frown deepened; during her hour of contemplation,custom demanded that the groom share a ritual sip of wine with hisbachelor friends, to bring them fortune, and wives of their own. Yet 0 I68 Daughter of the Empire it seemed that Bunto and his companions had emptied theceremonial flagon, and possibly one or two more. Annoyed at hisindiscretion, Mara barely heard the priest pronounce them man andwife for the duration of their mortal lives. She did not even realizethe formal portion of the ceremony had ended until the guests beganloudly to cheer and throw luck charms of elaborately folded paperin a colourful blizzard over bride and groom. Mara managed a mechanical smile. Now came the time wheneach guest presented the wedding tribute, in the form of a work ofart, recitation, or musical composition. Some of these would beelaborate and expensive affairs patronized by the great Lords andpolitically powerful of the Empire. Rumour held that the Warlordhad imported an entire theatrical company, complete withcostumes and stage. But his presentation would not occur for daysto come, since the lowest in rank would perform first.Picking a paper charm out of his shirtfront, Buntokapi sparedhimself the tedium of the first acts, pleading the need to relievehimself and don more comfortable clothing. By tradition he couldnot bed his bride until the last of the guests had offered tribute; andthe heavy marriage robes hid enough of her that staring at slave girlsoffered better pastime. Mara nodded courteously at her Lord. 'I shall stay here, myhusband, that the least of our guests may know of Acoma gratitudefor their presentations.' Buntokapi sniffed, believing she avoided him deliberately. Hewould see to her later; meantime a feast waited, with fine music anddrink, and the chance to see his brothers bow to him for the firsttime, as he was now Lord of the Acoma. Smiling under his crookedmarriage wreath, Buntokapi clapped his hands for his slaves tocarry him from the hall. Mara remained, despite the fact that most of her wedding guestsfollowed her Lord's example. The sun climbed towards noon, andalready heat haze shimmered over the distant acres of the needrafields. The highest-ranking guests retired to their quarters and sentservants for cool drinks and a change of clothes. Then, like brightlycoloured birds, they emerged to feast on flavoured ices, chilledJomach fruit, and sd wine, until the cooler comfort of evening.But in the airless confines of the hall the lowest-ranking stayed Wedding I69 stiffly in their seats, while hired performers or a talented family member acted, sang or recited a tribute to the married Acomacouple. At smaller weddings the bride and groom might watch thefirst few performances out of courtesy; but at the greatest housestruly spectacular events occurred later in the roster, and couplesmost often left the first day's efforts for the amusement of their off-dutyservants. Yet Mara lingered through the first round of performers, ajuggler more successful as a comedian, two singers, a stage conjurer- whose magic was all of the sleight-of-hand variety - and a poetwhose own patron snored loudly throughout his recitation. Sheapplauded each act politely, and if she did not offer the accolade oftossing one of the flowers from her litter, she remained politelyattentive until the intermission. The performers to follow waitedstiffly, certain she would leave for the feasting. Yet, instead of litterbearers, she called for maids to bring her a tray of light food anddrink. The guests murmured in surprise. The fat Sulan-Qu merchant in the first row blushed and hidbehind the fan of his wife. Even in dreams he had never dared thinkthe Lady of the Acoma would be present to watch his flute-playingson perform. The boy had a terrible ear, but his mother beamedwith pride. Mara remained, sipping chilled jomach juice, upon thedais. She nodded graciously when the young flautist bowed andfled, nearly tripping in his haste to clear the way for the next act.Mara smiled at the embarrassed father and his wife, and realizedthat despite the tedium of enduring such music, should she everneed a favour from that merchant, it was hers for the asking.Through mimes, a man with trained dogs, a singing liendi bird,and two more poets, the great lady showed no restlessness. Sheawarded the second of the poets a flower, deftly thrown into his hat.And the painter who followed made her laugh at his comicaldrawings of needra bulls charging a warrior. When in the secondintermission she called maidservants to remove her outer robe, thatshe might be more comfortable in the noon heat, the lowliest guestsmurmured that this Lady was generously disposed beyond any theyhad known in the Empire. The performers sensed her interest andbreathed new life into their offerings. And as servants dispatched bythe Lady began to dispense refreshments, along with tokens ofgratitude for those guests whose tribute had been heard, some of the I70 Daughter of the Empire stiffness melted from the gathering. As the wine took effect, thebolder tongues whispered that the Lady was very fine and deservingof the honour of her ancestors. Mara overheard such remarks and smiled gently. As the thirdintermission began, she bade her maids unbind the constrictingcoils of her headdress and comb her long hair freely down her back.While the marriage wreath wilted by her knee, she sat back to hearthe next round of performances, and the next, to the joy of all whoacted for her pleasure. As afternoon wore on, the hall grew hotter;and other guests drifted in to see what held the Lady of the Acomaenthralled. At sunset the groom put in an appearance, his step slightlyunsteady and his voice too loud. Buntokapi mounted the dais,waving a flagon of sd wine, and demanded to know why his wifedallied so long in the hall; the Warlord and others of the Acomaguests were feasting, and wasn't she avoiding him by sitting gapingat common minstrels and officials of low rank?Mara bowed her head in submissive silence, then looked up intoher husband's eyes. He smelled of drink and sweat. She managed asmile anyway. 'My Lord, Camichiro, the poet, will read next, andwhile his work is too new for fame, his patron the Lord of theTeshiro has a reputation for recognizing genius. Why not stay, andcelebrate the introduction of a coming talent?'Bunto straightened, arms crossed, unmindful of the dribble fromthe flagon that marred his left cuff. Faced by the serene innocence ofa wife whose clothing prevented any view of what lay underneath,and outflanked by the beaming pride of Camichiro and LordTeshiro, he grunted. To contradict his wife's praise would beextremely bad form. Sober enough to disengage before compromisinghis obligations as host, Buntokapi bowed in return andsnapped, 'I shall have time for poetry later. Others of your guestshave begun a game of chiro, and I have placed bets on the winners.'The Lord of the Acoma retired from the hall. His Lady calledservants to bring another round of wine to the performers; and byremaining against the preference of her bridegroom, she earned theadmiration of her least-important guests. Loudest in her praise werethe merchant and his awkward flautist son, followed closely by thegushy, painted wife of the poet Camichiro. Among the commons of k Wedding I7I Sulan-Qu, it was no secret that she was the lover of Lord Teshiro,and that her saucy charms alone had earned the family's patronage.Sunset came, and the shatra birds flew. The gathering of themarriage tribute adjourned until the next day, while the cooks produced exotic dishes decorated with paper symbols for luck.Lanterns were lit, and musicians played, and at nightfall acrobatsjuggled sticks of fire. Mara sat at her husband's side until he clappedfor slave girls to begin a veil dance. At that time, exhausted, theLady of the Acoma retired to a special ceremonial hut of paintedpaper, where she undressed and bathed, and lay a long time withoutsleeping. The morning dawned dusty and dry, with no hint of a breeze.Servants had laboured through the night to prepare for a fresh day'sfestivities, and the akasi flowers sparkled, freshly watered bygardeners who now wore smocks and cut vegetables for the cooks.Mara arose and, hearing her husband's groans through the thinscreen that divided the wedding hut, presumed correctly that he hada hangover. She dispatched the prettiest of her slave girls to attendhim; then she called for chocha for herself. While the cool of themorning still lingered, she took a walk about the grounds. Soon thecho-ja Queen and her hive mates would be arriving on Acomalands. Defences would no longer be critical. That thought eased hersomewhat; with jican competent to manage the family assets, andthe estate itself secure, she could pitch all her resources into dealingwith the Lord she had married. Memory visited, of a woman'shigh-pitched laughter, and Bunto's voice, querulously demanding,before he drifted into snores near to dawn. Frowning, a firmer set toher mouth, Mara prayed to Lashima for strength.She looked up from meditation in time to see a retainer with abanner leading a small procession into the great hall. The secondday of the marriage tribute was about to begin, and against allprecedent Mara dispatched servants to attend to her litter. Shewould watch the performers to the very last; and though no guest ofequal or superior rank was scheduled to present tribute until lateafternoon, she would see that no earlier performance went unrewarded.With Buntokapi a Ruling Lord, the Acoma would needall the goodwill she could inspire. I72 Daughter of the Empire Wind came the afternoon of the following day; cloud shadowsraced over the needra meadows, and the sky to the east threatenedrain. Yet despite the risk of dampened finery, the Acoma guests satin the open, watching the closing act. To the astonishment of all in attendance, the Warlord had paidfrom his personal treasury for a performance by the Imperial JojanTheatre. jojan was the formal theatre enjoyed by the nobility, as thecommoners preferred to watch the more raucous and ribald Segumitheatre troupes that toured the countryside. But the Imperial jojanwere the finest actors in the realm, being the training ground for theImperial Shalo-tobaku troupe, who performed only for theEmperor and his immediate family. The performance was LordTedero and the Sagunian, one of the ten classic sobatu, literallygrand high style,' the ancient opera form. Luxuriating in the coolness of the breeze, and enjoying everymoment she could delay joining her husband in the marriage bed,Mara tried to concentrate on the coming finale. The actors weresuperlative, handling their lines with aplomb despite the breeze thattwisted the plumes of their costumes awry. A shame that the scriptthey performed was so overwritten, thought the Lady of the Acoma,whose taste did not run to sobatu, preferring as she did Grand D6;and the trappings of the travelling stage were gaudy, even toTsurani eyes. Then, at the height of the opera, when Lord Tedero entered thecave to free ancient Neshka from the clutches of the dreadedsagunian, two black-robed figures entered the hall. The presence ofthe Great Ones alone would have marked this a special occasion,but the two magicians cast illusions. Rather than the traditionalpaper sagunjan, inside of which a singer and several stagehandswalked the stage, an illusion of startling appearance was cast. Asagunjan, twelve feet at the shoulder, all golden scales andbreathing red flames, emerged from the doorway painted toresemble the cave. A wonderful baritone voice erupted from theterrible fangs, and though all in the hall knew the singer walkedalone, none could see him. Even Mara was transported by the sight,all her worries banished. Then Tedero's sword fell, and the illusionof the sagunjan faded to a mist, then to nothing. Traditionally, thesobatu ended with a formal bow by the cast to polite applause; yetthe climax of this opera raised a loud cheer and furious beating of Wedding I73 hands, more common to street theatre. As all watched, theWarlord's expression melted into a rare smile as he basked in thereflected glory brought by his theatre troupe and his magicianfriends. Mara sighed faintly, sorry when the performers finishedtheir final bow. As the sequined curtains swished closed, or tried to, for the breeze by then had stiffened into gusts, she resigned herselfto the inevitable. 'Now, wife,' said Buntokapi in her ear. 'The timehas come for us to retire.' Mara stiffened reflexively, the appropriate smile frozen like painton her face. 'Your will, my husband.' But a blind man would have sensed her reluctance. Buntokapilaughed. With a shout of drunken triumph, he raised her into his arms.The guests cheered. Mindful of the thoughtless strength in thearms that held her, Mara tried to calm her racing heart.'She wouldendure, had to endure, for the continuance of the Acoma name. Shenestled her face into the sweat-damp fabric of her husband's collarand permitted him to bear her from the dais. Paper fertility charmsthrown by the crowd showered them both as he carried her from thecrowd of well-wishers and down the path to the brightly paintedstructure of the marriage hut. Keyoke and Papewaio stood as honour guards at the end of thepath. Buntokapi passed them by like common servants and steppedacross the threshold into the silvery half-light of sky shiningthrough walls constructed of reed paper and lath. The servant andthe maid in attendance within bowed low as their master andmistress appeared. Buntokapi set Mara upon her feet. At his halfgruntedsyllable, the maid rose and slid the screen entrance closed.The manservant settled motionless in a corner, awaiting hisLordship's pleasure. The hut had been rearranged during the day; the screen dividingthe quarters of husband and wife had been removed, replaced by awide sleeping mat covered with sheets of fine silk against the eastwall, for dawn symbolized beginnings. In the centre of the floor layan array of sitting cushions, and a low, bare table. Mara took ashaky step forward and settled upon the cushions before the table.She kept her eyes downcast as Bunto sat across from her.'Send for the priest of Chochocan,' demanded the Lord of theAcoma. His gaze fixed upon Mara, fevered and intense, as theservant leaped from the corner to obey. I74 % Daughter of the Empire The priest entered alone, carrying a tray upon which sat adecanter of golden tura wine, two goblets of crystal, and a candle ina jewelled ceramic stand. He raised the tray skyward, intoning ablessing, and set it on the table between husband and wife. Witheyes that seemed to hold misgiving, he glanced at both, the Ladywith hands that trembled beyond control, and the young Lordwhose impatience was tangible. Then, with resignation, he lit thecandle. 'Let Chochocan's wisdom enlighten you.' He traced asymbol in chalk around the candle stand and lifted the wine inblessing. He filled the two goblets and set them opposite bride andgroom. 'May the blessing of Chochocan fill your hearts.'He scribedmore symbols in chalk around each goblet and the half-emptydecanter. 'Drink, children of the gods, and know each other as yourmasters in heaven have ordained.' The priest bowed in benedictionand, with near to visible relief, left the marriage hut.Buntokapi waved his hand, and the servants retired. The paperscreen clicked shut, leaving him alone with his bride in a shelter thatquivered in the gusts of rising wind. He turned dark eyes to Mara. 'At last, my wife, you are mine.' Helifted his goblet too quickly, and wine splashed, obliterating one ofthe symbols. 'Look at me, my Lady. The priest would prefer if wedrank together.' A gust slammed the screens. rattling the paper against the frames.Mara started, then seemed to take hold of herself. She reached outand lifted her own goblet. 'To our marriage, Buntokapi.'She took a small sip while her Lord drained his wine to the dregs.He then emptied the remains of the decanter into his glass andfinished that also. The first drops of rain spattered heavily againstthe oiled-cloth ceiling of the marriage hut as he set glass anddecanter down. 'Wife, fetch me more wine.p Mara set her goblet on the table, within the chalk markingsscribed by the priest. Thunder growled in the distance, and the windended, replaced by a tumultuous downpour. 'Your will, myhusband,' she said softly, then lifted her head to call for a servant.Bunto surged forward. The table rocked, spilling the wine with asplash of liquid and glass. Her call became a cry as the heavy fist ofher husband slammed her face. Wedding I75 She fell back, dazed, among the cushions, and the falling raindrummed like the blood in her ears. Her head swam, and painclouded her senses. Shocked unthinkingly to rage, still Mararetained her Acoma pride. She lay breathing heavily as her husband's shadow fell across her. Leaning forward so his form obliterated the light behind him, hepointed at Mara. 'I said you do it.' His voice was low and filled withmenace. 'Understand me, woman. If I ask you for wine, you willfetch it. You will never again give that task, or any Other, into thebands of a servant without my permission. If I ask anything of you,Lady, you will do it.' He sat back again, his brutish features emphasized in the halflight. 'You think I'm stupid.' His tone reflected long-hiddenresentment. 'You all think I'm stupid, my brothers, my father, andnow you. Well, I'm not. With Halesko and, especially, jiro around,it was easy to look stupid.' With a dark and bitter laugh he added,'But I don't have to look stupid anymore, beh! You have marriedinto a new order. I am Lord of the Acoma. Never forget that,woman. Now fetch me more wine!' Mara closed her eyes. In a voice forced to steadiness she said,'Yes, my husband.' 'Get up!' Bunto nudged her with his toe. Resisting the urge to touch her swollen, reddened cheek, Maraobeyed. Her head was bowed in the perfect image of wifelysubmission, but her dark eyes flashed with something very differentas she bowed at Buntokapi's feet. Then, even more controlled thanshe had been when she renounced her rights as Ruler of the Acoma,she arose and fetched wine from a chest near the door.Buntokapi watched her right the table, then retrieve and refill hisglass. Young, and lost in his anticipation as he watched the rise andfall of Mara's breasts beneath the flimsy fabric of her day robe, hedid not see the hate in her eyes as he drank. And by the time the winewas finished and his goblet thrown aside, he closed sweaty handsupon that maddening obstruction of silk. He pushed his new wifedown into the cushions, too far gone in drink and lust to care.Mara endured his hands upon her naked flesh. She did not fighthim, and she did not cry out. With a courage equal to any her fatherand brother had shown on the barbarian battlefield on Midkemia,she accomplished what came after without tears, though Bunto's I76 Daughter of the Empire eagerness caused her pain. For long hours she lay upon crumpled,sweaty sheets, listening to the drumming rain and the rasp of herhusband's snores. Young and aching and bruised, she thought uponher mother and her nurse, Nacoya; and she wondered if their firstnight with a man had been different. Then, turning on her side awayfrom the enemy she had married, she closed her eyes. Sleep did notcome. But if her pride had suffered sorely, her Acoma honour wasintact. She had not cried out, even once. Morning dawned strangely silent. The wedding guests had departed,the Lord of the Anasati and Nacoya bidding farewell on behalf of thenewlyweds. Servants cracked the screens of the wedding hut, andfresh, rain-washed air wafted inside, carrying the calls of the herdersdriving the stock to the far meadows to graze. Mara inhaled the scentof wet earth and flowers and imagined the brightness of the gardenswith the layer of summer dust washed off. By nature she was an earlyriser, but tradition dictated she must not be up before her husband onthe morning after the marriage was consummated. Now, more thanever, the inactivity chafed, left her too much time to think, with nodiversion from the various aches in her body. She fretted and fidgeted,while Bunto drowsed on, oblivious. The sun rose, and the marriage hut grew stuffy. Mara called aservant to slide the screens all the way open, and as noon sunlightsliced across the coarse features of her husband, he groaned.Straight-faced, Mara watched him turn in to the pillows, mutteringa sharp command to draw screens and curtains. Before the shadowsof the drapes fell, she saw his complexion turn greenish and sweatbead the skin of his neck and wrists. Sweetly, knowing he had the grandsire of all hangovers, she said,'My husband, are you indisposed?' Bunto moaned and sent her for chocha. Sweating herself frommemory of his abuses, Mara rose and fetched a steaming pot. Shepressed a hot cup into her Lord's shaking hand. As it had beenbrewing all morning, it was probably too strong to be considereddrinkable, but Buntokapi sucked the cup dry. 'You're a small thing,'he observed, comparing his large-knuckled hand to her slight one.Then, sulky from his headache, he reached out and pinched herstill-swollen nipple. Mara managed not to flinch, barely. Shaking the hair over her Wedding I77 shoulders so its loose warmth covered her breasts, she said, 'MyLord wishes?' 'More chocha, woman.' As if embarrassed by his clumsiness, hewatched her fill his cup. 'Ah, I feel like a needra herd has stopped todeposit their night soil in my mouth.' He made a face and spat. 'You will attend me while I dress and then you will call servants to bringthyza bread and jomach.' . "Yes, husband,' said Mara. 'And after?' Longingly she thought ofthe cool shadows of her father's study, and Nacoya.'Don't bother me, wife.' Bunto rose, tenderly nursing his head.He stretched, naked before her, the knobs of his knees only inchesfrom her nose. 'You will oversee the affairs of the house, but onlywhen I have done with your services.' The shadows of the drapes hid Mara's shudder. Heartsick at therole she must live, she braced herself to endure; but drink andexcessive feasting had blunted her husband's desire. He abandonedhis empty cup on the bedclothes and called for his robe.Mara brought the garment and helped to slip the silk sleeves overarms that were stocky and thick with hair. Then she sat at tediouslength while servants brought water for her Lord's bath. After shehad sponged his great back until the water cooled in the tub, hepermitted his Lady to dress. Servants brought bread and fruit, butonly she might serve him. Watching him shovel jomach into hismouth, juice dripping down his chin, she wondered how the shrewdLord of the Anasati had come by such a son. Then, looking beyondhis coarse manners into his secretive eyes, she realized with a chill ofpurest panic that he watched her as carefully in return; like apredator. Mara realized his insistence that he wasn't stupid mightbe no boast. A sinking feeling hit her. If Buntokapi was simplycunning, like the Lord of the Minwanabi, there would be ways tomanage him. But if he was also intelligent ... The thought left hercold. 'You are very clever,' Buntokapi said at last. He caressed herwrist with a sticky finger, almost dotingly possessive.'My qualities pale beside my Lord's,' whispered Mara. She kissedhis knuckles, to distract his thinking. 'You don't eat,' he observed. 'You only ponder. I dislike that in awoman.' I78 - Daughter of the Empire Mara cut a slice of thyza bread and cradled it in her palms. 'Withmy Lord's permission?' Buntokapi grinned as she nibbled a bite; the bread seemedtasteless on her tongue, but she chewed and swallowed to spite him.Quickly bored with watching her discomfort, the son of the Lord ofthe Anasati called for musicians. Mara closed her eyes. She needed Nacoya, so badly she achedinside. Yet as mistress of the Ruling Lord she could do nothing butawait his pleasure as he called for ballads and argued with the singerover nuances in the fourth stanza. The day warmed, and with closeddrapes the marriage hut became stifling. Mara endured, and fetchedwine when her husband tired of the music. She combed his hair andlaced his sandals. Then, at his bidding, she danced until the hairdampened at her temples and her bruised face stung with exertion.just when it seemed her Lord would while away the entire daywithin the marriage hut, he rose and bellowed for the servants toprepare his litter. He would pass the time until evening in thebarracks reviewing the numbers and training of the Acomawarriors, he announced. Mara wished Lashima's patience upon Keyoke. Wilted from heatand strain, she followed her husband from the hut into the blindingsun of afternoon. In her discomfort she had forgotten the waitinghonour guard, and so her bruised cheek was uncovered as sheappeared before Papewaio and Keyoke. Years of the harshesttraining enabled them to see such a mark of shame withoutexpression. But the stolid hand of Keyoke tightened upon his spearhaft until the knuckles shone white, and Papewaio's toes clenchedon the soles of his sandals. Had any man save the Ruling Lord putsuch marks upon their Mara-anni he would have died before hecompleted another step. Mara stepped into a day as bright andclean as the gods could make it; but as she walked past her formerretainers, she felt their anger like black shadows at her back.The marriage hut was burning before she reached the estatehouse. By tradition, the building was set aflame to honour thesacred passage of woman to wife and man to husband. After tossingthe ritual torch over the threshold, Keyoke turned silently towardsthe guards' quarters, to await the orders of his Lord. Papewaio'sexpression remained like chipped stone. With an intensity fierce forits stillness, he watched the paper and lath, with its array of soiled Wedding I79 cushions and tangled sheets, explode into flame. Never had he beenhappier to see something burn; for in watching the violence of thefire he could almost forget the bruise on Mara's face. Nacoya was not in the study. With an unpleasant jolt, Mara remembered that here also marriage changed the order she hadknown. The master's study was now the province of Buntokapi, asLord of the Acoma. Hereafter no aspect of the household she hadknown would be the same. jican would tally his accounts in thewing assigned to the scribes, as before, but she could no longerreceive him. Feeling weary despite her seventeen years, Mara retiredto the shade beneath the ulo in her private garden. She did not sit butleaned against the smooth bark of the tree while the runner she haddispatched hastened to fetch Nacoya. The wait seemed to last interminably, and the fall of water fromthe fountain did not soothe. When Nacoya appeared at last,breathless, her hair fallen crooked against its pins, Mara could onlystare at her in a silence of pent-up misery. 'Mistress?' The nurse stepped hesitantly forward. Her breathcaught as she saw the bruise on Mara's cheek. Without words theold woman raised her arms. The next instant the Lady of the Acomawas only a frightened girl weeping in her embrace.Nacoya stroked Mara's shoulders as sob after sob convulsed her.'Mara-anni, daughter of my heart,' she murmured. 'I see he was notgentle, this Lord you have married.' For an interval the fountain's mournful fall filled the glade. Then,sooner than Nacoya expected, Mara straightened up. In a surprisinglysteady voice she said, 'He is Lord, this man I have married. But theAcoma name will outlive him.' She sniffed, touched the bruise on herface, and directed a look of wounding appeal to her former nurse.'And, mother of my heart, until I conceive, I must find strength to livewith things my father and brother would weep to know.'Nacoya patted the cushions beneath the ulo, encouraging Marato sit. Her old hands made the girl comfortable, while a servantbrought a basin of chilled water and soft cloths. While Mara layback on the cushions, Nacoya bathed her face. Then she combed thetangles from her glossy black hair, as she had when the Lady hadbeen a child; and as she worked, she spoke, very softly, into hermistress's ear. I80 Daughter of the Empire 'Mara-anni, last night brought you no joy, this I know. Butunderstand in your heart that the man you have wed is young, asimpetuous as a needra bull at the time of its third spring. Do notjudge all men by the experience of only one.'She paused. Unspokenbetween them was the fact that Mara had disregarded advice, andrather than educating herself to awareness of men through a gentleencounter with one hired from the Reed Life, she had beenheadstrong. Nacoya dabbed chill water over her mistress's bruises.The price of that stubbornness had been cruelly extracted.Mara sighed and opened swollen eyes. To her nurse she directed alook that held painful uncertainty but no regret. Nacoya laid clothand basin aside and nodded with reflective approval. This girl mightbe young, and small, and battered, but she owned the toughness ofher father, Lord Sezu, when it came to matters of family. She wouldendure, and the Acoma name would continue. Mara tugged at her day robe and winced slightly as the clothabraded sore nipples. 'Mother of my heart, the ways of men arestrange to me. I am much in need of advice.' Nacoya returned a smile that held more craft than pleasure. Herhead cocked to one side, and after a moment of thought she pulledthe pins from her hair and carefully began binding it afresh.Watching the ordinary, even familiar movements of the nurse'swrinkled hands, Mara relaxed slightly. Day always came afternight, no matter how dark the clouds that covered the moon. Shelistened as Nacoya began to speak, quite softly, that only she couldhear. 'Child, the Empire is vast, and many are the lords and masterswhose ambitions turn their hearts hard with cruelty. Haplessservants often suffer beneath the rule of such men. But from suchadversity wisdom springs. The servants have learned, as you shall,that the codes of honour can be two-edged as a weapon. Every wordhas two meanings, and every action, multiple consequences.Without compromising loyalty or honour, a servant can make thelife of a cruel overlord a living hell.' Mara regarded the leaves of the ulo, dark, serrated patternsnotching small windows of sky. 'Like you and Keyoke and jican,the day Papewaio rescued me from the Hamoi tong,' she murmureddreamily. To answer would border upon treason. Stony-faced and silent, Wedding I8I Nacoya only bowed. Then she said, 'I will summon the midwife foryou, Lady. She owns the wisdom of the earth and will tell you howto conceive with all possible speed. Then your Lord need nottrouble your sleep with his lust, and the Acoma name will besecured by an heir.' Mara straightened upon her cushions. 'Thank you, Nacoya.' Shepatted the old woman's hand and rose. But before she turned to go,the nurse looked deep into the girl's eyes. She saw there the sameI pain, and a measure of fear; but also she saw the bright spark ofcalculation she had come to know since Lord Sezu's death. Shebowed then, swiftly, to hide an upwelling surge of emotion; and asshe watched Mara walk with a straight back to her quarters,Nacoya blinked and wept. The ashes of the marriage hut cooled and dispersed in the wind, anddust rose, for the weather turned hot and dry. The days lengthened,until the summer had passed its peak. Needra were slaughtered for the feast of Chochocan, and thefreemen dressed in their best for the ritual blessing of the fields,while priests burned paper effigies to symbolize sacrifice forbountiful harvests. Buntokapi remained sober for the ceremony,largely because Mara had the servants add water to his wine. If thecompany of her loud-voiced husband wore upon her, no strainshowed in her bearing. Only her personal maids knew that thehollowness around her eyes was hidden by makeup, and that theclothing on her slender body sometimes concealed bruises.The teachings of the sisters of Lashima sustained her spirit. Shetook comfort from the counsel of her midwife and learned to spareherself some of the discomfort when her husband called her to hisbed. Sometime between the midsummer feast and the next fullmoon, Kelesha, goddess of brides, blessed her, for she conceived.Buntokapi's ignorance of women served well, as he accepted thenews they could no longer join as man and wife until after thebaby's birth. With a minimum of grumbling he let her move into thequarters that had once been her mother's. The rooms were quiet,and surrounded by gardens; Buntokapi's loud voice did not carrythere, which was well, because she fell ill several hours eachmorning and slept odd times of the day. The midwife smiled widely and rubbed sweet oil over Mara's r, belly and breasts to soften the skin as she swelled with child. 'Youcarry a son, my Lady, I swear by the bones of my mother.'Mara did not smile back. Denied a part in Buntokapi's decisions,and shamed by the way he treated some of the servants, the Lady ofthe house seemed to retreat within herself. But her resignation wasonly on the surface. Daily she spoke with Nacoya, who gathered thegossip of the servants. While out in her litter to enjoy the fresh earlyautumn air, Mara questioned Papewaio until he mockinglycomplained he had no air left to answer. But as she adjusted to thesubmissive role of wife, no detail of Acoma affairs missed her grasp.Tired of the massage, Mara rose from the mat. A servant handedher a light robe, which Mara donned, fastening it about a bellybeginning to round. She sighed as she considered the baby's fatherand the changes his rule had wrought in the estate. Buntokapicommanded the respect of the warriors through brutish displays ofstrength, and an occasional turn of cleverness that kept them waryto a man. By suddenly deciding to have battle practice or grabbingwhichever soldiers were in sight to accompany him to the citywithout regard to what duty they had previously been assigned, hereduced the garrison to shambles on a regular basis. His habit ofrearranging standing orders had Keyoke running ragged tocompensate. jican spent increasingly long hours in the outermostneedra fields with his tally slate. Mara knew the hadonra wellenough to interpret his growing dislike of the new Lord. Clearly,Buntokapi had little head for matters of commerce. Like many sonsof powerful Lords, he thought wealth was inexhaustible, readilyavailable for his every need. At mid-autumn the needra herders took to the roads, and curtainsof dust hung on the air as the previous year's calves were driven tofeedlots, and thence to slaughter. The spring calves were gelded orset aside for brood or driven to the high meadows to grow. Marafelt the passing of time like a child awaiting her adulthoodcelebration, each day dragging interminably. The inactivity lifted when the cho-ja arrived. The hive camewithout warning; one day the east meadow left open for them layempty, and the next, workers bustled about in energetic enterprise.Dirt piles arose along the fence line. That the message from theQueen came addressed to Mara nettled Buntokapi. In the midst of I82 - Daughter of the Empire Wedding I83 his tirade he realized these cho-ja had come from the hive on theLord of the Inrodaka's estate. He guessed Mara's bargain for theirloyalty must have taken place between the petition for marriage and the wedding, for his eyes narrowed in a manner his Lady hadlearned to dread. 'You are more clever than even my father guessed, wife.' Then,with a glance at Mara's middle, he smiled without humour. 'Butyour days of travelling in haste and secrecy are over. Now I amruling Lord, the cho-ja are mine to command.' But as Mara had been primary negotiator for the Acoma, theQueen addressed only her until the new Lord would take time torenegotiate in his own behalf. But activities with the warriorsseemed always to take precedence. If the young wife spentincreasing time in the freshly dug chambers of the Queen drinkingchocha and gossiping, Buntokapi barely noticed, engrossed as hewas in betting on bouts of wrestling in Sulan-Qu. For this Mara wasgrateful, for her discussions with the young Queen offered relieffrom the boredom of home life. Gradually she was learning theways of an alien race. In counterbalance to Buntokapi's blunders,the relationship she cemented now might add wealth to the Acomafor years to come. Returning above ground, to holdings that now were Buntokapi's,Mara realized she had come to enjoy ruling. Reduced to thesecondary role of woman and wife, she chafed, and counted thedays until winter. After the spring rains fell, her child would beborn, and the Acoma would have an heir. Until then she must wait;and the waiting came hard. Mara touched her belly, feeling for the life within. If the child wasmale, and healthy, then would her husband have cause to beware,for in the Game of the Council even the most mighty could bevulnerable. Mara had made vows to the spirits of her father andbrother, and she would not rest until vengeance was complete. A Heir The baby kicked. For a moment Mara's eyes opened wide. Then she relaxed, laidaside the parchments she had been reviewing, and patted herrounded middle, smiling slightly. Her child was nearly due. She feltas cumbersome as a needra cow, though Nacoya still insisted shehad not gained the weight she should. Mara shifted upon her mat ina vain effort to find a more comfortable position. She prayed to thegoddess of fertility that the old midwife's efforts before conceptionhad ensured a son. Let it be a boy child, so that she would not haveto encourage attention from her husband to gain an heir for theAcoma. The baby kicked again, vigorously, and Mara gasped. She wavedaway the solicitous maid who hovered nearby, and reached for theparchments. Already this child within her seemed restless, as if hecould force his way into life with his tiny feet and fists. He, Marathought, and a smile touched her lips. He would indeed be a son, tokick so hard in the womb; and he would lead her house to greatness.He would be Lord of the Acoma. A shout from outside broke Mara's reverie. She nodded, and theserving maid quickly opened the screen, letting in a hot breeze,strong with the dry smell of dust from the fields. Mara snatched, buttoo late, and the parchments listing jican's success in marketing thefirst cho-ja goods scudded across the floor. She murmured a mildimprecation, but not for the reports, which her runner bent togather. Across the clipped lawn beyond the screen marched a partyof warriors, with Buntokapi boisterously leading. His hair wasspiked with sweat and his tunic frayed, a casualty she could haveexpected from the rigours of a week-long hunt. And as usual hewould visit her chambers after cleaning his weapons but before Heir I85 taking time to bathe. Mara sighed. The days had been quiet with herLord gone. Now she prepared herself for confusion.As the hunters drew nearer, Mara gestured. Two maidservantsbent and helped her awkwardly to her feet. Misa, the prettier one,had damp palms already; Mara sympathized. Her husband'spresence often made the girls jumpy, since he might drag any one ofthem off to his bedchamber. At least her pregnancy had freed her ofthat odious responsibility. With a flash of malice, Mara made amental note to ask jican to buy ugly slaves the next time Bunto senthim to the auctions for girls. The hunters reached the gravel path. The jingle of their gearseemed louder as their manner and voices became more subdued inthe presence of their mistress. Yet their excitement remained high, with Buntokapi not in the least restrained. He smelled of the woods.Mara saw dried bloodstains on his sleeves. He waved in herdirection, then pointed over his shoulder, like an artist unveiling amasterpiece. The slaves who trailed him carried a long pole, fromwhich hung a matted bundle of brindled orange-and-grey fur. Marastepped away from the support of her maids as she recognized thewhite-masked eyes and fanged muzzle of a sarcat. The deadlynocturnal predator ranged in the rain forests southwest of theestate. Fearfully swift, the creature was a powerful killer, a terror toherders because domestic needra made easy prey and sarcats had nofear of humans. Then Mara noticed an arrow marked with theLord's green stripes pierced through the creature's shoulder, justbehind the massive jaws. By the shaft's position she guessedBuntokapi had stood in the path of the beast's charge, then droppedit with a single bowshot. The feat was impressive. Despite his otherqualities, Buntokapi had displayed great courage and formidableskill with a bow. Looking from his kill to his broadly smiling face, for a momentMara could almost forget that the man was utterly lacking insensitivity. He disliked poetry, unless it was ribald. His taste inmusic ran to the common - low minstrels and folk tunes - with nopatience for the elegance of Grand Da theatre or opera. Hisappreciation of art was nonexistent unless the subject was erotic.Yet in the hunt he excelled, and not for the first time Mara regrettedthat Tecuma had been too busy with Halesko and jiro to train this,his third, son. As much as she despised Buntokapi upon occasion, he had much raw potential. Had he been instructed in the manners andpropriety befitting one born to the Anasati name, he might havebecome a man of substance. But her regret lasted only untilBuntokapi reached the estate house. He swaggered mightily, a little drunk from tanlo berry wineimbibed along the route home. Stinking of campfires, sweat, andwhatever he had eaten for breakfast, he leaned upon the doorpost tohis quarters and waved to his slaves, who deposited the sarcat'scorpse at Mara's feet. 'Leave us,' he commanded his guard.As his warriors departed, he stood erect with his fists on his hipsand shouted, 'There, what do you think, my wife, heh? That is somebeast, is it not?' Mara inclined her head, politely concealing revulsion. The killstank as badly as the hunter, with buzzing insects clustered on theeyes and limp tongue, while carcass and pole dirtied the newlywaxed floor. Anxious to be rid of it, and the man as well, sheattempted flattery. 'My Lord shows great courage and skill indefeating such a beast. Herdsmen to the south will sing your praises,Bunto.' Her husband grinned drunkenly. 'What do I care for the praise ofstinking herdsmen, heh? I say to you the head will look splendidmounted over the writing desk where that faded banner hangsnow., Mara bit back instinctive protest lest she invite Buntokapi's rageupon herself. Though that banner was one of the oldest Acomavictory relics and had graced the study of the Lord of the Acoma forcenturies, Buntokapi had no care for tradition. He changed thingsas he liked, most often in perverse malice to establish beyond doubtthat he was Ruling Lord. Mara felt an unexpected stab of sadness,that desperation should have driven her to such a marriage.'Wife!' Buntokapi snapped, breaking Mara from reflection. Shebowed submissively, though pregnancy made her awkward.'I wish this sarcat's head stuffed and mounted over my desk in mystudy. See to it! I must go bathe.' Then, straightening as anafterthought struck him, he peered into the gloom of the roombehind and stabbed a pointing finger at Misa. 'You, girl, comealong. I need someone to wash my back, and my attendant is ill.'The pretty maid left her mistress's side. All knew her duties wouldbe more personal than merely soaping down her master's back. She I86 - Daughter of the Empire Heir I87 departed in resignation as Buntokapi spun around and strode off,leaving his kill oozing upon the threshold, over a day dead andalready turning putrid. Mara fought a moment of nausea. Then,with a poise as fragile as fine china, she called the small boy whoserved as runner away from the corner where he cowered. Buntokapi had a tendency to cuff him for simply being in the way.'Kedo, fetch two slaves from the kitchens to carry this off to thebutcher's shed. Tell the assistant who prepares trophies he mustready the head. When it is completed, have him deliver it to myLord's study to hang where he indicated.' Here Mara quelledanother of the little sorrows that seemed a daily part of life since hermarriage. To her remaining maid she said, 'Juna, go and carefullyfold the banner over the desk and bring it to me. I will ensure it issafely kept.' The runner departed with a patter of sandals, and the maidfollowed. Mara pushed a trailing strand of hair behind one ear andreturned to her documents. Let Buntokapi sport with the maids andhunt and play at being a warrior; his obsessions kept him occupied,and that was to the good. That, and the confinement of pregnancy,furthered her opportunity to study the documents of commerce thatcame each day. Within the limits Buntokapi allowed, Maracontinued to manage the affairs of the Acoma. And she learned.Every day she understood more about what truly brought a houseto greatness. Thinking aloud, she said, 'I wonder if we have recentmaps?' 'Mistress?' said her remaining attendant. Mara only stared fiercely at an indeterminate point between herparchments and the matted muzzle of the sarcat. The next time herLord went hunting, or into Sulan-Qu to visit the gambling houses orthe women of the Reed Life, she would search her father's cabinetsfor maps. Then, catching herself short, she reminded herself that thecabinets were not her father's anymore but the province of ahusband who was her enemy. Wine splashed, sticky red on the linens, as the horn flask thrown byBuntokapi bounced and clattered through the cutlery. He blinkedonce, as if amazed at his own strength, but his anger did not fade.'Woman, cease plaguing me!' The power of his voice made the flames in the lamps tremble. me?' Mara concealed a grimace. Buntokapi's uncritical appraisalstemmed from the fact that one of the musicians was the buxomdaughter of the other; the tight-stretched fabric of her robe, and theexpanse of flesh left bare by the short hem and open collar,undoubtedly seemed to add allure to their poor singing. Butmanagement of the estate must continue, and with acerbity Maralifted the scroll she had brought out of the path of spilled wine.'My Lord, these decisions cannot wait 'They will wait if I say they will wait!' Buntokapi's shout causedthe servant who appeared with rags and basin to scurry about hiscleanup. 'Now be silent, wife.' Mara sat obediently at his side while the servant finished wipingup the spill and hurried away. Red-faced, Buntokapi waved at themusicians to resume and tried furiously to concentrate on the songthe girl had been singing. But the soft, unmoving grace of Mara'spresence unnerved him, as few things could. After a moment,nettled, he said, 'Oh, what is it?' The musicians faltered and started uncertainly into the laststanza; Mara silently handed Buntokapi a scroll, and as her gownshifted, he saw that she carried six more. He quickly glanced at thefirst and said, 'These are household budgets and accounts. Whybother me with them?' He glared at his wife, unmindful that hismusicians desperately wished his leave to fall silent. Lacking that,they straggled raggedly into a chorus. 'This is your estate, my husband,' said Mara flatly. 'None mayspend a cinti of your wealth without your permission. Some of themerchants in Sulan-Qu send polite, but emphatic, requests forpayment.' Buntokapi scratched his groin while scowling over the tallies.'Wife!' The musicians ended their lay, and he suddenly foundhimself shouting into stillness. 'We have funds to pay these?' Heglanced about, as if startled by his own shouting.'Of course, husband.' Lowering his voice, he said, 'Then pay them.' His expressiondarkened. 'And why must you bring these to me? Where is jican?' I88 , Daugbter of the Empire Mara sat quietly before her husband, who had only moments beforebeen singing clumsily along with a pair of minstrels. 'Can't you see Iam enjoying this performance? Aren't you always after me to readpoetry and listen to music? How can I listen if you constantly nag at Heir I89 Mara gestured to the scrolls. 'You ordered him not to addressthese things to you, husband. He obeys, but avoiding him cannotresolve these matters.' Buntokapi's irritation turned to anger. 'So then my wife mustpester me like a clerk! And I suppose I'll have to give my approvaleach time something needs to be done, heh?' 'It is your estate,' Mara repeated. She watched, coiled withtension, as she waited for an opening to suggest that he turn themanagement of the house over to her. But instead he sighed with a mildness she had never seen. 'That istrue. I must put up with these inconveniences, I expect.' His eyesstrayed to the buxom vielle player, then swung back to focus uponMara's thickened middle. The contrast inspired. 'Now, you musttake care not to become overtired, wife. Go to bed. If I must studyscrolls, I shall keep these musicians playing for my amusement untillate.' 'Husband, I -' Mara stopped, abruptly aware she had made amisjudgment as Buntokapi surged to his feet. He caught hershoulders and dragged her roughly upright. Her hands droppedinstinctively to cradle her middle, to protect the unborn life growingthere. The gesture forestalled her husband's violence but did notstay his fury. The musicians looked on in frozen discomfort as Buntokapi'sfingers tightened, painfully twisting the flesh of her shoulders.'Wife, I warned you. I am not stupid! These accounts shall be seento, but at my pleasure.' His rage seemed to swell, to feed upon itself,until it became a tangible thing shadowing the atmosphere of theroom. The moonlight seemed to darken beyond the screens, and themusicians set aside their instruments, cowering. Mara bit her lip,frozen in the grasp of her husband like the gazen before the relli. Heshook her, that she should know the power of his strength. 'Hearme, wife. You shall go to bed. And if you ever think to cross my will,even once, I shall send you away!' His fingers released, and Mara all but fell to her knees as a stab offear shot through her. She hid the emotion behind a bow lowenough to have been a slave girl's, and pressed her forehead to afloor still sticky with wine. 'I pray my husband's forgiveness.' Thewords were fervently sincere; if Buntokapi saw fit to exercise his I90 Daughter of the Empire rights as the Ruling Lord of a troublesome wife, and she were sentfrom the estates to an apartment with a pension and twomaidservants, the affairs of the Acoma would pass forever from herinfluence. Her father's proud family would become what this coarseman chose, with no hope of escaping Anasati vassalage. Afraid totremble, afraid even to breathe, Mara waited motionless, her face amask to hide the terror in her heart. She had hoped to boreBuntokapi with expenditures he did not understand, encourage himto grant her control and freedom to put some plans in motion.Instead, she had nearly precipitated disaster.Buntokapi regarded her bent back with distaste until the promiseof what lay beneath the robes of the vielle player distracted him.Bored now in truth, and annoyed by the pile of scrolls awaitinghis attention, he shoved his wife with his toe. 'To bed now, wife.'Mara rose awkwardly, relief eclipsed by an anger at herself. Herpushing her husband had been partly due to pique, that she and theaffairs of the Acoma could be of less consequence than the jigglingbust of a minstrel girl. But the results of her loss of control hadalmost set the future of the Acoma in the hands of a brute and anenemy. Hereafter caution would be necessary, extreme cleverness,and no small amount of luck. With a panicky feeling, she wished forthe counsel of Nacoya; but the old woman was long asleep, andnow as never before, Mara dared not disobey the direct orders ofher Lord by sending a servant to waken her. Frustrated, and moreuncertain than ever before in her life, Mara smoothed her wrinkledrobe straight over her shoulders. She left the room with the beatencarriage of the chastised and subservient wife. But as the musicbegan raucously behind her, and Buntokapi's eyes fastened oncemore on the cleft bosom of the vielle player, her mind turned andturned again. She would endure; somehow she would find a way toexploit her husband's weaknesses, even his overpowering lust. Ifshe did not, all was lost. 'Wife?' Buntokapi scratched himself, frowning over a piece ofparchment upon his writing desk. 'Yes, Bunto?' Mara concentrated on her needlework, partlybecause needle and thread took on a life of their own in her grasp forevertangling into knots - but mostly because she must seem theimage of meekness and obedience. Since the incident with the Heir I9I musicians and the household accounts, Buntokapi had watched hercritically for the smallest sign of disobedience; and, as the slave girlswhispered in corners, often he saw things as his mood of themoment demanded. Mara stabbed her needle through a robe for herunborn child, though the quality of the work at best could be called poor. No heir of the Acoma would wear such a rag. But ifBuntokapi thought sewing an appropriate pastime for his pregnantwife, she must play along with at least a semblance of enthusiasm.The Lord of the Acoma shifted knobby knees beneath the desk. 'Iam answering my father's letter. Listen to this: "Dear Father: Areyou well? I have won all my wrestling matches at the soldiers' bathat Sulan-Qu. I am well. Mara is well." ' He looked at her with a rareexpression of concentration on his face. 'You are well, aren't you?What should I say next?' Barely masking irritation, Mara said, 'Why don't you ask if yourbrothers are well?' Oblivious to sarcasm, Buntokapi nodded, his expression showingapproval. 'Master!' The shout from outside almost caused Mara to prick her finger.She set the precious metal needle out of harm's way, whileBuntokapi moved with startling speed to the door. The caller criedout again, urgently, and without waiting for servants Buntokapipushed open the screen to reveal a sweating, dust-covered soldier.'What is it?' demanded Buntokapi, instantly less irritated, forconcerns of arms and war were easier for him than those matters ofthe pen. The warrior bowed with extreme haste, and Mara noticed thathis sandals were laced tight; he had run for some distance to deliverthis message. Her posed role of submission forgotten, she listened asthe soldier caught his wind and spoke. 'Strike Leader Lujan sendsword of a large force of bandits moving over the road from HolanQu.He is holding at the small spring below the pass, to harass themif they attempt to push through, for he thinks they are staging toraid us.' Buntokapi took brisk charge. 'How many are there?' And with apresence of mind and consideration he had never shown to hishousehold staff, he gestured, allowing the tired runner to sit.Mara murmured for a servant to bring the man water, while he I92 " Daughter of the Empire sank to a crouch and qualified. 'A very large force, master. Perhapsas many as six companies. Almost certainly they are grey warriors.'Bunto shook his head. 'So many? They could prove dangerous.'He turned to Mara. 'I must leave you now, my wife. Be fearless. Iwill return.' 'Chochocan guard your spirit,' Mara said in ritual, and bowedher head as a wife should before her Lord. But not even appearancescould make her shrink from the dangers of the affair at hand. AsBuntokapi strode briskly through the screen, she peeked throughher lashes at the dust-covered messenger, who bowed in turn to hismaster. He was young, but scarred and experienced in battle. Mararemembered his name, jigai, once a well-regarded member ofLujan's band. His eyes were hard, unreadable, as he raised his headto accept the water brought by the maidservant. Mara hid a stab ofuncertainty. How would this man and his fellows feel about facingmen who but for chance might have been comrades rather than foe?None of the newcomers had yet faced an Acoma enemy in battle;that their first encounter should pitch them against grey warriorsraised anxieties dangerous to contemplate. She watched in frustration as Acoma soldiers hurried past thegreat house to fall into formation, each commanded by a PatrolLeader, who in turn took orders from their Strike Leaders, all underthe certain direction of Keyoke. To the right of his plumes stoodPapewaio, who as First Strike Leader would take charge should theForce Commander fall in battle. Mara could not but admire, for theAcoma soldiers acted in every way like Tsurani warriors. Thosewho had been outlaws blended indistinguishably into those whohad been born in service. Her doubts lessened slightly. Thanks tothe security afforded by the cho-ja Queen's warriors, only Tasido'scompany need remain to guard the estate. Absently Mara consideredthe benefits of recruiting more cousins to the Acoma colourssoon. With more warriors, the command could be split, withPapewaio and another elevated to the rank of Force Leader, givingthe Acoma two garrisons ... A loud shout killed her thoughts.Buntokapi strode into view, his trailing servants busily buckling hisarmour about his stolid body. As her Lord took his place at the headof the column, Mara reminded herself: this was not her army toorder about. Not anymore. Her thoughts turned in upon themselves. Heir I93 The last men fell into position, hurried by the voice of Buntokapi.Fully armoured, and bearing a tasselled scabbard with his favouritesword for battle, the usually lumbering Lord of the Acoma was atypical Tsurani warrior: stocky, tough, with legs able to carry himfor miles at a steady run, and enough stamina remaining to fight an enemy. Sullen and brutish in peacetime, Buntokapi was trained forwar. Briskly he relayed his orders. Mara listened from the open door of her quarters, proud of thespectacle in the marshalling yard. Then the baby kicked. She wincedat the force of his unborn feet. By the time his tantrum ceased, theAcoma garrison had dashed from the estate, four hundred individuals,green armour glinting in sunlight as they rushed towardsthat very same ravine where Mara had sprung the trap that hadbrought Lujan and his outlaws into service. Silently she prayed that this confrontation by the quiet, ripplingspring would resolve as favourably for the Acoma as that first onehad. Nacoya appeared unbidden to attend her mistress's comforts.Her old ears had not missed the commotion, and in typical fashionshe brought scraps of gossip from the soldiers, things the young wifehankered to know but no longer had means to obtain. After she hadsent a servant for chilled fruit and urged Mara back to her cushions,the two women settled in to wait. It was barely midmorning,thought Mara, glancing at the cho-ja timepiece upon the table herhusband had been writing upon less than a quarter hour before.Swiftly she calculated. The early morning patrol must have spottedthe bandits' advanced scouts and located their main body enteringthe high pass. Working out times and locations from the bits ofnews brought by Nacoya, Mara smiled slightly. The discussion shehad precipitated between Arakasi and Keyoke on the journey to thecho-ja hive had yielded results. Among other items, the Spy Masterhad mentioned need for a predawn sweep of the area to the west ofthe estate, for ruffians could easily infiltrate the mountains,avoiding Acoma patrols under cover of darkness, then go to groundduring the daylight hours. The midnight departure of Lujan's patrolensured that men were high enough in the hills above the Acomaestates by dawn so that signs of outlaw activity were swiftlydetected. And the wily former bandit knew every likely hiding placebetween the Acoma boundaries and Holan-Qu. I94 % Daughter-of the Empire Tired, suddenly, for her pregnancy was trying, Mara nibbledsweet fruit slices, while the sound of Acoma soldiers marching inhaste towards the hills carried through the morning air. The cho-jaclock ticked softly, and the tramping grew faint, then fainter, untilMara could barely tell if the sound was still heard or only imagined.At noon Nacoya poured herb tea and ordered some toasted breadand sweet berry paste brought, with fruit and kai sung - a steamingbowl of thyza with tiny pieces of river fish, vegetables, and nuts.Anxious to please, the head cook brought the dishes before hermistress, but Mara could only absently pick at her meal.Aware now that Mara's preoccupation had little to do withlassitude, Nacoya said, 'Lady, do not fear. Your Lord Buntokapiwill return unharmed.' Mara frowned. 'He must.' And in an unguarded moment,Nacoya saw a hint of anger and determination behind her formercharge's mask of calm. 'If he dies now, all goes for naught . . . .'Instincts aroused, Nacoya sought the girl's eyes; and Mara lookedquickly away. Certain now that something was being consideredhere beyond her understanding, but shrewd enough to guess itsbent, the old woman sat back upon her heels. Age lent her patience.If the young Lady of the Acoma chose to plot alone, then so be it.This most dangerous of plans might perish before fruition if shared,even with one loved and trusted. Nacoya observed, yet revealednothing of the fear that twisted her old heart. She understood. Shewas Tsurani. And under the master's roof, the word of the masterwas as law. Buntokapi motioned his company of soldiers to a halt and slitted hiseyes against the glare as two Acoma soldiers approached at a run,their armour silhouetted against a sun sliced in half by the horizon.Winded, dusty, but proud despite fatigue, the men saluted, and thenearer one delivered his report. 'Lord, the bandits camp in the lowerdell, beyond the crest where Strike Leader Lujan waits. He thinksthey will move before dawn.' Buntokapi turned without hesitation to Keyoke. 'We rest here.Send two fresh men to summon Lujan.' The Force Commander relayed the Lord's order, then relaxed thecolumns from duty. The men fell out, removing helms and sitting atthe roadside, but making no fires to reveal their presence to the raiders Heir I95 Buntokapi unbuckled his own helm with an audible sigh. Whilefunctional, it was also heavy, and ornamented after the Tsuranifashion of reflecting the deeds of a man's life. Recently added wasthe band of sarcat-hide trim around the edge, to complement theflowing tail of zarbi hair that hung from the crest. Such trophies looked grand on parade, but to the young Lord's chagrin hediscovered every added ounce became onerous after a day-longmarch. He eased the armour from his head and raked his dark hairup into spikes with his knuckles. Then he squatted, leaning back against a smooth outcropping bythe side of the trail where his officers attended him. 'Keyoke, what isthis dell the men speak of?' The Force Commander crouched and scribed a crude map in thedust with his dagger point. 'Like this, Lord. The trail from HolanQunarrows at a small crest, enters a narrow clearing - the dell nextto a spring, just before rising to another crest, then falling tothis trail, about six miles above here.' He gave facts withoutmentioning the ambush the Lady had sprung to bring Lujan and hismen into Acoma service. 'Good place for a trap,' Buntokapi muttered. He scratched at aninsect bite. Keyoke said nothing. He waited, patient in a manner only Maramight have understood, while his master loosened his sword beltand stretched. 'Still, we must wait for Lujan's report. Wake mewhen he arrives.' Buntokapi folded his arms behind his head andclosed his eyes. With a look of veiled exasperation, Papewaio rose. Keyokefollowed him saying, 'I will post sentries, Lord.'Buntokapi grunted approval and the two officers left their Lordto slumber. Within the hour a shout from the sentry heralded StrikeLeader Lujan's arrival in camp. Buntokapi started awake without being called. He sat up,scratching a fresh collection of insect bites, as the dusty Lujan camebefore him and saluted. The former outlaw had run for six milesand yet showed little outward signs of exhaustion, other than beingshort of breath. Keyoke and Papewaio joined him as Buntokapigrabbed his helm, jammed it over his tangled head, and pointedcryptically at the scratches in the dirt. 'Show me.'Lujan hunkered down and with his own dagger added details to I96 Daughter of the Empire the little map Keyoke had drawn. 'Six companies of fifty men havecome over three different routes to this dell, my Lord. Theymarched here, here, and here.' Buntokapi stopped with his hand poised over the reddening weltson his leg. 'They did not come up to the higher vale, the one with thesmall lake?' 'No, Lord.' Lujan hesitated. Buntokapi gestured impatiently in the gathering dark. 'Well,what? Speak.' 'There is something here that ... is not right.'Buntokapi scratched his stomach, lifting his breastplate with histhumb. 'They don't move like bandits, heh?' Lujan smiled slightly. 'No, more like trained soldiers, to my eye.''Grey warriors?' Buntokapi got heavily to his feet.'Perhaps,' said Keyoke. 'Ha!' Buntokapi's tone turned bitter. 'Minwanabi, or my motherbore a stone-headed pup.' To the senior officers with him he said,'Before I wed I knew of the feud between Jingu and the Acoma. Andmy father recently warned me to expect a sudden strike.' Hefrowned. 'I swear he knew this attack was coming.' Buntokapipaused significantly, but did not share whatever else he concludedupon the matter. His voice took on a sullen note. 'Lord Jingu thinkshis men the best in the Empire and your Lord a stupid bull. And heseems to have grown cocky enough to risk my father's ire. Yet he isnot so strong or so arrogant that he dares to show his true colours,heh? We shall show him he is wrong on the first two counts.' Hebarked a rude laugh. 'And right on the last.' He looked at Keyoke. 'Ithink you have a plan already, heh, Force Commander?'Keyoke's lined face remained expressionless as he set his daggerto the lines representing the place where the trail narrowed this sideof the vale. 'We could hold them here with little trouble, I judge, myLord.' Buntokapi fingered the tassels of his scabbard. 'Better we let themcome into the vale, send a company behind them, and trap them there.'In the rapidly falling light, Keyoke studied the drawing, recallingeach detail of the land remembered from his last patrol. Quietly heventured his opinion. 'If we sneak a company along the ridge above,we can have it in place by dawn. The bandits then could not retreat,and a quick sortie into the dell from this side might rout them.' Heir I97 'Good, but I think we do not charge.' Frowning intently now,Buntokapi qualified. 'We sit quiet, like frightened little birds, heh?They will go past us, deep into the little clearing, and we will leap upand rain arrows and rocks upon them, until they break.' Lujan nodded in appreciation. 'Still, they will break out.'Buntokapi rubbed his jaw with a stubby thumb as he consideredeverything laid out before him. 'No, you see,' he said at last, 'weshall strike just before they reach the second crest, so they think thatthey have been engaged by our advance patrol. But most of our menwill lie in wait to the rear.' He grinned with vicious anticipation.'The bandits will think the bulk of the Acoma garrison in front ofthem, defending the borders of the estate. They will run back theway they came, through our arrows, onto our shields and swords.'He paused and added, 'Papewaio, you will go with Lujan to theother end of the vale, with'- he quickly calculated -'all but fifty ofthe best archers. Keyoke will take twenty archers and stationhimself at the high ridge pass, just out of sight.' His anticipationgrew ugly. 'Keyoke, when the bandits come, have the men yell warcries and strike their armour and dance to send up dust, so theenemy will think you an army. If they still advance, shoot themdown.' The matter decided, Buntokapi shouldered his bow. 'The archerswill take cover on the rim above the bandits, the better to rain deathdown among them. It is wisest if I oversee this company.' Keyokenodded agreement, recalling the practice bouts in the yard beforethe barracks. Buntokapi might be slow with a blade, but with a bowhe was a demon. Excited now, Buntokapi delivered his last orders toPapewaio to ensure no bandit would slip through the line.Grim beneath the shadow of his helm, Keyoke admired theaudaciousness of the plan. Buntokapi expected a victory; and withthe bold twists the young Lord of the Acoma had added, the banditforce might indeed be doomed. Crouched upon the ridge, Buntokapi waved to the archer concealedacross the dell. But the men moving below did not see his signal, forearly morning mist whitened the dell like a blanket, obscuringanything more than a dozen yards away. The sun barely reddenedthe rocky rim of the eastern peaks, and the haze would not burn offfor several hours. The invaders were only beginning to stir; here a I98 L Daughter of the Empire I man squatted in cover to relieve himself, while others washed at thespring, beat dust from their blankets, or gathered dry wood to makefires for tea. Few yet wore armour. If scouts were posted, they wereindistinguishable from the warriors rubbing sleep from their eyes.Amused by the general lack of preparation, Buntokapi laughedquietly, picked his target - the squatting man - and let fly. Hisarrow thudded into flesh, and battle at last was joined.The first victim fell with a strangled cry. Instantly every Acomaarcher loosed their bows from the ridges. Thirty raiders were struckdown before a man among them could react. Then the banditcompany erupted like a hive. Blankets fluttered abandoned andcooking pots rolled into fires as the men under attack broke forcover. Buntokapi chuckled viciously and let fly another arrow. Itstruck his target in the groin, and he fell, writhing, and tripped afleeing companion. Too many men were crowded together in toosmall an area, and their panic made the slaughter easy. Before theircommanders could restore order, another twenty were struckdown. Voices shouted commands in the clearing. Acoma archerspicked their targets with increasing difficulty as the raiders went toground, using fallen trees, large rocks, or even shallow depressionsfor cover. Yet still the arrows found targets.An officer's shouted orders caused the raiders to break towardsthe Acoma borders. Buntokapi's exultation turned savage. Probablythe ruffian in command thought he had encountered a patrolwhose intent was to drive his men back into the hills. Those banditswho managed to regroup and obey reached the shadow of thesecond ridge, only to be stopped by shouts and the squeak ofarmour. Five men in the van fell with arrows bristling from them asKeyoke's archers entered the fray. The soldiers in the lead jostled toa disorganized halt. Another dozen went down before the rearguard understood their predicament and an officer ordered aretreat. Sunlight touched the mist, dyeing the fringes red as the originalthirty archers continued their murderous fire from the ridge.Hampered, and dying by the moment, the invaders pulled backthrough the narrow defile. An elated Buntokapi guessed a full thirdof their number lay dead or wounded. He kept up his rapidshooting, and calculated that another third would be down beforehis retreating victims encountered the Acoma soldiers who waited Heir I99 to their rear. Yet well before he ran short of targets, Buntokapiexhausted his supply of arrows. Frustrated at his inability to kill, hegrabbed a large rock and sighted upon a man lying just behind an outcropping of stone. He reared back and hurled the stone,rewarded by a cry of pain from below. Heated with the lust ofbattle, he sought more rocks. Other bowmen out of arrows soon joined in, and now a hail ofstones descended upon the raiders. From the cast, dust rose alongthe trail, accompanied by the sound of men shouting, Keyoke andhis band lending the appearance that their 'army' charged to attack.Several of the raiders sprang to their feet in alarm, while the morepanic-stricken spearheaded a general break to the west. Buntokapisent his last stone whistling downwards. Afire with the anticipationof glory and victory, he drew his sword and shouted, 'Acoma!'The men in his company followed his reckless charge down thesteep sides of the dell. Stones loosened under their feet, rattlingdown with their hurtling bodies. Clammy mist enfolded them asthey reached the floor of the clearing, and the rout was on. Nearlytwo hundred raiders lay dead or dying upon the ground, while tothe west the survivors rushed upon the waiting shields, spears, andswords of the men under Papewaio and Lujan. Buntokapi hurried along, his short legs pumping furiously as heraced to reach the battle before the last enemy was slain. Heencountered a desperate-looking man in a simple robe. The swordand plain round shield he carried reminded Buntokapi of his ownshield, abandoned somewhere in the rocks above in the excitement.He cursed himself for carelessness, but still charged the raider,crying, 'Acoma! Acoma!' in almost boyish glee.The raider braced himself for swordplay, but Buntokapi beat theraised blade away. He hurled himself into the shield, dependingupon strength and bulk rather than risking facing a swordsmanwho might have superior skill. The man stumbled, and Buntokapiraised his sword, bearing down in a two-handed slash that smashedthe man's shield and broke the arm beneath. The raider fell backwith a cry. Buntokapi beat away a feeble attempt at a thrust. Grinningmadly, he stabbed and his opponent died with a gurgling cry. TheLord of the Acoma cleared his blade and rushed after Acomabowmen who had followed his impetuous charge into the dell. 200 % Daughter of the Empire From the west the sounds of battle raged. Winded, eager, andexulting in his strength and prowess, Buntokapi breasted the smallpass through the rocks. The mist was thinning, a sheet of goldthrough which armour and bloody swords glinted against shadowygreenery. The flight of the raiders had broken upon a waiting massof Acoma soldiers. Papewaio had stationed kneeling shield men,with bowmen behind and spearmen beside. Not one raider intwenty had reached their lines, and even as Buntokapi poundeddown to join them, he saw those last enemies die on the points of thelong spears. The surrounding wood fell suddenly, eerily still. As hepicked his way around grotesquely sprawled corpses and heard, forthe first time, the moans of the wounded and dying, Buntokapi'sexcitement did not fade. He glanced over the carnage his plan hadwrought, and spied the plume of an officer. Papewaio stood with folded arms, overseeing the binding of asoldier's wound. Buntokapi shouldered his way through the bystanders. 'Well?''My Lord.' With barely a glance away from the injured man,Papewaio saluted with his sword. 'They hesitated when they sawour lines - that was their mistake. Had they continued their charge,our losses would have been worse.' The man on the ground groanedas the bandage tightened over his wound. 'Not so taut,' snappedPapewaio, seemingly forgetting the waiting presence of his Lord.But Buntokapi was too elated from victory to mind the lapse.Leaning on his bloodied sword, he said, 'How many casualties?'Papewaio looked up, his attention focused for the first time. 'I donot know yet, but few. Here, the Force Commander approaches.'He turned with swift instructions for the care of his woundedwarrior, then fell into step with the Lord of the Acoma.Lujan joined them as they met Keyoke, dusty from his efforts inthe clearing, and his plumes beaded with mist. The officersconsolidated their information with a minimum of words, andBuntokapi's heart swelled with pride. He struck a playful blow toKeyoke's shoulder. 'See, they broke and we slaughtered the dogs,just as I said. Ha!' He frowned, but not with displeasure. 'Anyprisoners?' 'I think about thirty, my Lord,' Lujan said, his voice queerly flatafter the animated tones of his master. 'Some will live long enoughto become slaves. Who their officers were I cannot tell, since none I Heir 20I wore helms of office.' He gave a thoughtful pause. 'Nor housecolours.' 'Bah!' Buntokapi spat. 'These are Minwanabi's dogs.' 'At least one was.' Lujan pointed to a man who lay dead nottwenty feet distant. 'That was a man I knew'- he caught himself justshort of revealing his odd origin -'before I first took house colours.He is the elder brother of a boyhood friend, and he took service withthe Kehotara.' 'Minwanabi's favourite pet!' Buntokapi waved his fouled swordas if the presence of a soldier of jingu's vassal proved his contention.Lujan stepped out of range of the gesture, smiling slightly. 'Hewas a bad man. He might have turned outlaw.' Buntokapi shook his blade in Lujan's face, any humour clearlybeyond him. 'This was no outlaw raid! That dog lover jingu thinksthe Acoma soft, and ruled by a woman. Well, he now knows hefaced a man.' He spun around, brandishing his weapon in the air. 'Iwill send a runner to Sulan-Qu to buy a few rounds in the taverns bythe docks. jingu will know within a day I have tweaked his nose.'Buntokapi brought his sword whistling downward. He stared atthe drying blood, and after a moment of deliberation thrust theweapon into its tasselled sheath. A slave could polish it later. Withan enthusiasm not shared by his officers, he said, 'We shall sort thisout at home. I am dirty and hungry. We leave now!' And he beganabruptly to march, leaving Keyoke and Papewaio and Lujan toorganize the men, fix litters for the wounded, and hustle thecompanies on the road to the estate. The Lord of the Acoma wishedto be home before dinner, and his company of battle-fatiguedsoldiers concerned him little. They could rest once they were back intheir barracks. As men rushed to form ranks, Papewaio looked at his ForceCommander. Eyes met for a moment and both men shared athought. This bullish man, barely more than a boy, was dangerous.As they parted to attend their duties, both prayed silently for LadyMara. Hours passed, and the shadows shortened. The sun climbed to thezenith while the needra herders returned from the meadows for thenoon meal, and servants and slaves went about their chores as if nodisaster were possible. Mara rested, attempting to read, but her 202 Daughter of the Empire ~ j mind refused to concentrate on the convoluted organization oflands and businesses owned by the dozens of major Lords andhundreds of minor ones in the Empire. One night, a month before,she had thought she recognized a pattern in the way one estate'sdistant holdings were placed, then after hours of further studydecided the perception had been an illusion. But such pursuits hadgiven rise to another thought: where a family's holdings lay, eventhose that appeared insignificant, could prove as important as anyother fact in the nuances of the Game of the Council.Mara pondered this new angle through the heat of the afternoon.Sundown came and went, and in the cooler air of evening she sat toa long and silent meal. The servants were subdued, which wasunusual in the absence of their Lord. Feeling her pregnancy like aweight, Mara retired early to sleep. Her dreams were troubled.Several times in the night she started awake, her heart pounding andher ears straining for sounds of returning men; but instead ofmarching feet and the creak of armour, the night stillness held onlythe soft lowing of needra cows and the chirp of night insects. Shehad no clue how her husband and Keyoke fared against the raidersin the mountains, except that the peace of the estate remainedunbroken. just before the dawn she fell into a deep and oppressivesleep. She woke with sun on her face, having opened the screen in herrestlessness during the night. Her morning maid had forgotten toclose it, and the heat already made her sweat. Mara raised herselfupon her pillows and suddenly felt ill. Without waiting to call for aservant, she hurried to the chamber for night soil and was sick to herstomach. The morning maid heard her distress and ran to attend herwith cool cloths. Then she saw her mistress back to her mats andhastened to fetch Nacoya. Mara stopped her at the door. 'Nacoya has worries enoughwithout adding more,' she snapped and gestured grumpily at theopen screen. The maid closed it hastily, but the shade did not help.Mara lay back, pale and sweating. Throughout the day she fretted,unable to concentrate upon the matters of commerce that had neverbefore failed to hold her interest. Noon came, and the men did notreturn. Mara began to worry. Had Buntokapi fallen to a raider'ssword? Had the battle been won? The wait exhausted her, cloakingher mind in shadows of doubt. Beyond the screen the sun crawled Heir 203 across the zenith, and Nacoya arrived with the midday meal.Grateful her illness had passed, Mara managed to cat a little fruitand some sweet cakes. After her meal the Lady of the Acoma lay down to rest throughthe afternoon heat. Sleep eluded her. As the shadows of the leaveselongated slowly across the screens, she listened to the soundsoutside diminish as the free workers retired to their huts. The slaveswere not permitted this midday break, but whenever possible thework performed from midday to the fourth hour of the afternoonwas the least strenuous of the day. The waiting bore down like a thousand stones; even the cooks inthe kitchen were cross. Distantly Mara heard a servant scolding aslave for some chore improperly done in the scullery. Impatientwith the stillness, she rose, and when Nacoya appeared to inquireafter her needs, Mara returned a snappish reply. The room fellsilent. Later she refused the entertainment of musicians or poetry.Nacoya rose then and sought duties elsewhere. Then, as the shadows slanted purple across the hills, the sound ofthe returning soldiers reached the estate house. Mara held herbreath and recognized voices raised in song. Something inside herbroke. Tears of relief wet her face, for if the enemy had triumphedthey would have come with battle cries as they assaulted theremaining soldiers of the estate. Had Buntokapi been killed or theAcoma driven back from the attack, the warriors would havereturned in silence. Instead, the lusty ring of voices through the lateafternoon heat heralded a victory for the Acoma.Mara rose and motioned for servants to open the door to themarshalling yard. Tired, but no longer tense, she waited with onehand on the doorframe while the Acoma companies marched intoview, their bright green armour muted by a layer of dust. Theofficers' plumes drooped from fatigue, but the men marched in evenstep and their song filled the air. The words might be ragged, for tomany the verses were new; still, this was an Acoma victory. Oldsoldiers and former bandits alike sang with joy, for battle had knitthem solidly together. The accomplishment was sweet after the griefthat had visited this house scarcely one year before.Buntokapi came straight to his wife and bowed slightly, aformality Mara found surprising. 'My wife, we have beenvictorious.' 204 Daughter of the Empire 'I am so very pleased, my husband.' That her reply was genuinestartled him in return. Her pregnancy seemed to be taxing her, forshe did not look well. Strangely abashed, Buntokapi qualified. 'Minwanabi andKehotara dogs garbed as grey warriors sought to marshal along thetrail above our lands. They intended to strike us at first light, as alllay asleep.' Mara nodded. That was how she would have planned such a raid.'Were there many, my Lord?' Buntokapi dragged his helm off by one strap and tossed it to awaiting servant. He scratched vigorously at his wet, matted hairwith both hands, his lips parted in satisfaction. 'Aie, it is good to getthat off.' Peering up at his wife in the doorway, he said, 'What?Many?' His expression turned thoughtful. 'A great deal more than Iwould have expected. . .' He shouted over his shoulder to Lujan,who was attending to the dispersal of the men with Keyoke. 'StrikeLeader, how many finally attacked?' The reply floated cheerfully over the bedlam in the yard. 'Threehundred, my Lord.' Mara repressed a shudder. She laid a hand on her middle, wherethe baby moved. 'Three hundred killed or captured,' Buntokapi reiteratedproudly. Then, struck as if by an afterthought, he shouted againacross the yard. 'Lujan, how many of our men?''Three dead, three dying, and another five seriously wounded.'The reply was only slightly less exuberant, by which Marainterpreted that Lujan's recruits had fought well.Buntokapi grinned at his Lady. 'How do you like that, my wife?We waited in hiding above them, rained arrows and rocks upontheir heads, then drove them against our shields and swords. Yourfather could not have done better, heh?' 'No, my husband.' The admission was grudging, but true.Buntokapi had not wasted the years he trained as a soldier. And fora fleeting instant her usual disdain and revulsion were replaced bypride for her husband's actions on behalf of the Acoma.Lujan crossed the yard, accompanied by a soldier named Sheng.The rigours of the day had left the Strike Leader's jaunty gallantryundaunted, and he grinned a greeting to his Lady before bowing Heir 205 and interrupting the boasting of his master. 'Lord, this man hassomething important to say.' Granted leave to speak, the soldier saluted. 'Master, one of theprisoners is a cousin of mine, well known to me. He is the son of my father's brother's wife's sister. He is not a grey warrior. He tookservice with the Minwanabi.' Mara stiffened slightly, her indrawn breath overshadowed byBuntokapi's loud response. 'Ha! I told you. Bring the dog forth.'Movement swirled through the yard, and a burly guard steppedinto view. He pushed a man with both hands tied behind his back,and threw him down before Buntokapi's feet. 'You are of the Minwanabi?' The prisoner refused to answer. Forgetting the presence of hiswife, Buntokapi kicked him in the head. Despite her hatred of theMinwanabi, Mara winced. Again Buntokapi's studded sandalraked the man's face, and he rolled, splitting blood. 'You are of theMinwanabi?' repeated Buntokapi. But the man would admit nothing. Loyal, Mara thought throughher sickness; she expected as much. jingu would hardly send weakmen on such a risky venture, for all his standing and his honourrested on not being held responsible. Yet the truth could not entirelybe concealed. Another Acoma soldier approached with a storysimilar to the first: several other grey warriors were recognizablyMinwanabi, or members of the house of jingu's vassals, theKehotara. Buntokapi kicked the man on the ground several moretimes, but he gained no more than a glare of venomous hatred.Bored finally, Buntokapi said, 'This fool offends Acoma soil. Hanghim.' He raised bright eyes to Keyoke. 'Hang all of them. We have noneed of slaves, and dogs make poor workers. String them up alongthe roadside and have a sign proclaim that this fate awaits any whotrespass on Acoma lands. Then let the patrol leaders go to the city.Have them buy wine in the taverns and drink to the men of theAcoma who have bested the Minwanabi.' Stiff-faced, Keyoke said nothing. Buntokapi visited a terribleinsult upon the Minwanabi Lord by publicly hanging his soldiers.Prisoners of war were either killed honourably, with a sword, orkept as slaves. Only when the feuds grew old and bitter did a manaffront a foe in this way. To boast of such a deed in public was to 206 % Daughter of the Empire invite a more bitter retaliation, until the alliance with the Anasatiwould not be sufficient to shield them. Mara realized the stakes. Ifjingu grew incensed enough, the next raid might be not threehundred men dressed as grey warriors, but three thousandarmoured soldiers in Minwanabi orange and black descending likeinsects upon Acoma land. Mara saw Keyoke scrape his chin with histhumb and knew his concern matched her own. She must try todissuade her husband. 'My Lord.' Mara touched Buntokapi's damp sleeve. 'These wereonly soldiers doing the duty of their master.'A feral look entered Buntokapi's eyes, startling for its cleverness.'These?'The calmness of his voice was new, the more chilling in thatit was genuine. 'Why, these are but grey warriors, bandits and outlaws,my wife. You heard me ask this one if he was of theMinwanabi, didn't you? Had he answered, I would have killed himhonourably with my own sword. But he is only a criminal, fit forhanging, heh!' He smiled then, widely, and shouted to the men inthe yard, 'Let my orders stand.' The Acoma soldiers hastened to bring rope, and the prisonerswere herded down the gravel path that led to the trees at the side ofthe Imperial Highway. A craftsman would fashion the sign to maketheir shame public, and by sundown the last of them would hang.Those soldiers not involved dispersed to the barracks. Buntokapistepped into the estate house without removing his sandals, and hisstudded soles raised splinters from the fine wood as he spun andshouted for servants. Making a mental note to ask for a slave toresand and polish the floors, Mara returned to her cushions. Herhusband did not dismiss her when his attendants arrived, so she wascompelled to remain while servants removed his outer armour.Stretching heavy shoulders as his breastplate was lifted from him,the Lord of the Acoma said, 'This Minwanabi lord is a fool. Hethinks to outrage my father by killing me, then turning his attentionsupon you, my wife, a simple woman. He did not know what asoldier he faced, heh! How fortunate that you chose me instead ofJiro. My brother is clever, but he is not a warrior.' Again that ferallight entered Buntokapi's eyes, and Mara saw something beyondmere cunning. She was forced to agree with Buntokapi's remark ontheir wedding night. This man she had married was not stupid.Quietly Mara tried to temper his bullish mood. 'The Acoma wereindeed fortunate to be led by a soldier today, my Lord.' Heir 207 Buntokapi puffed up at the praise. He turned away, handing thelast piece of armour to his attendant. He regarded his stained knuckles and suddenly acknowledged the fatigue of the last twodays. 'I will take a long bath, my wife, then I will join you for ourevening meal. I will not go to the city. The gods do not love toomuch pride, and perhaps it is best not to mock jingu more than Ialready have.' He stepped to the screen, letting the soft breeze of evening dry hissweat. Mara regarded him, silent. His stocky body and bandy legsmade a comic silhouette against the yellow sky of evening, but thesight only made her feel chilled. When Buntokapi departed, shestared at the filthy pile of clothing and sandals he had left in a heapon the floor. Her thoughts turned very dark, and she did not hearNacoya enter and bow by her elbow. The old woman whispered,her voice a near-silent hiss. 'If you are going to kill him, do it soon,Lady. He is far more clever than you thought.'Mara only nodded. Inwardly she counted the hours. Not until herbaby was born. Not until then. 'Mara!' The shout reverberated through the house. The Lady of theAcoma rose with the aid of her maids. She was halfway to the doorof her quarters when the door slid open and Buntokapi entered, hisface red with temper. Her bow was immediate. 'Yes, Bunto.' He lifted a meaty hand and shook a sheaf of papers, each sheetcovered with tiny rows of numbers. 'What are these? I found thempiled on my desk when I awoke.' Stamping past, he looked theimage of an enraged needra bull, a likeness heightened by hisbloodshot eyes, the legacy of entertaining some friends the nightbefore. Several young soldiers, second and third sons of families loyal tothe Anasati, had stopped to visit on their way to the City of thePlains. They had talked for long hours, for their houses musteredgarrisons for a spring campaign against the barbarians on the worldof Midkemia, on the other side of the magical rift. The war wasentering its third year, and tales of riches lured a number ofpolitically neutral houses to join the Alliance for War. Such shiftscaused the War Party and the conservative Imperial Party to be in 208 Daughter of the Empire contention for dominance of the High Council. The Lord of theMinwanabi was a stalwart in the War Party, headed by theWarlord, and the Lord of the Anasati was the central figure in theImperial Party, a position of high resti because it was limited toblood relations of the Emperor. p ge With none of the propriety of his imperial cousins, Buntokapitossed the papers in a shower over his wife. 'What am I supposed todo with all these things?' l~ -~"t-hlv tallies 'Husband, they are the of the house, the quarterlybudget and reports from your factors and inventories of farholdings'- she lowered her eyes to see what else lay scattered abouther ankles -'and a projection of needra hide demand for the nextyear.' 'But what am I supposed to do with them?' Buntokapi threw uphis hands in exasperation. As third son he had been expected tobecome a career warrior, much like Keyoke and Papewaio, ormarry the daughter of some rich merchant seeking alliance with a]powerful house. Now that he had exceeded his father's mostextreme ambitions, his preparation for ruling a great house wasnonexistent. ^ccihie and Mara squatted5 since pregnancy maae uen ng -F 5with perfect patience began to gather the scattered parchments.'You are to read these reports. Approve, disapprove or amend them, then send them back to the appropriate member of yourhousehold staff, Bunto.' 'What about jican?' and.' Again she waited for an opportunity'He'll advise you, husb off his shoulders, but he only said, 'Veryto take some responsibility to my study.' Withoutwell. After I've eaten, have the hadonra come another word he snatched the papers from the hand of his wife andleft. Mara beckoned to her runner. 'Find jican.' The hadonra appeared breathless from his summons. He hadink-stains on his hands. and from that Mara knew her runner hadfound him in the scribes' wing, on the far side of the house. When hehad completed his bow, Mara said. 'My Lord asks your counsel,jican. on the many business issues facing the Acoma. Please attendhim after he has bathed and eaten.' The hadonra dabbed at a blackened knuckle, barely able to Heir 209 contain his distaste for dealing with the plodding Buntokapi. 'I see, Lady.' im with bland hurno Mara watched h ur. 'My Lord is new tomatters of commerce, jican. Perhaps it would be best if you dealtwith each issue slowly and in detail.' jican's expression did not change, but his eyes seemed to light.'Yes, mistress.' Now Mara returned a veiled smile. 'Take as much time as youneed. I think you'll find sufficient topics to discuss for the entireevening, and perhaps into the night.' 'Of course, mistress.' jican's enthusiasm brightened. 'I will giveorders not to be disturbed while Lord Buntokapi needs my aid.' The hadonra had always been quick-witted. Mara rejoiced in hisattributes, yet she showed no trace of her feelings. 'That is good,jican. Since my Lord is showing an interest in household matters,take along any documents you think he might need to study.'In a voice of smothered delight, jican said, 'Yes, mistress.''That is all.' Mara waved in dismissal, then stood thoughtfully, racking her mind for other matters that needed to be called to herhusband's attention. Yet as she plotted. she feared. The path she had chosen was perilous; no law and no person could protect her ifshe stepped wrongly. The sunlight upon the painted screen suddenly seemed very dear. Mara closed her eyes and recited theteachings of the sisters of Lashima to herself for what seemed a verylong time. Mara winced at the sound of Buntokapi's huge hand striking flesh.Another slave would sport a bruised cheek or black eye in the morning. Braced for the inevitable onslaught, she was unsurprisedwhen the screen to her quarters slid open with no knock in warning.Even when he was was not angry. Buntokapi seldom employed thecourtesy her rank normally entitled. 'Mara,' he began, his fury near the point of explosion; and Maracursed inwardly as he strode in, his battle sandals carving up thefloors for the second time that week. Fortunately, the slaves whorepaired the damage lacked the right to complain.Buntokapi stopped, sweating under his heavy armour. 'I havespent days with these important business matters jican claims I must personally attend to! I go out to drill my soldiers for the first 2I0 Daughter of the Empire time in a week, and when I am tired from the sun, the first thing Ifind is more ... of these!' He threw down a heavy sheaf ofdocuments. 'I grow bored! Who oversaw all this before I camehere?' Modestly Mara lowered her eyes. 'I did, husband.'Buntokapi's anger dissolved into astonishment. 'You did?''Before I asked for you in marriage, I was Ruling Lady.' Maraspoke lightly, as if the matter were of small importance. 'Therunning of the estate was my duty, as it is now yours.',Aie!' Buntokapi's frustration was palpable. 'Must I overseeevery tiny detail?' He yanked off his helm and shouted forassistance. A servant appeared at the door. 'Bring a robe,'Buntokapi commanded. 'I'll not stand in this armour anothermoment. Mara, help me.' Mara rose awkwardly and came to her husband, who stood witharms held out straight. Touching him as little as possible, for he wasdirty, she unfastened the buckles that held the breast and backplates together. 'You may, if you choose, delegate some of thesetasks. jican is capable of taking care of the daily operations of theestates. I can give him the benefits of my opinion if you're too busy.'Buntokapi shrugged the lacquered plates off over his head andsighed in relief. Unaccustomed to lifting, Mara struggled with theweight, until her husband reached one-handed and tossed the heavyarmour to the floor. He tugged the light gambeson over hisshoulders, and spoke through a muffling layer of cloth. 'No. I wantyou looking after our son.' 'Or daughter,' Mara shot back, nettled that a wife might do abody servant's chores but not tally accounts. She knelt andunbuckled the green leather greaves from her husband's hairycalves. 'Bah, it will be a boy. If not, we shall have to try again, heh?' Heleered down at her. Mara showed none of her revulsion, but untied the cross-garteredsandals, which were as crusted with filth as the broad feet theyprotected. 'As my Lord wills.' Buntokapi peeled away his short robe. Nude except for aloincloth, he unselfconsciously reached under it to scratch his groin.'Still, I will allow jican to make decisions about the business mattershe has been in charge of since your father's death.' The servant Heir 2II arrived with the dean robe, and the Lord of the Acoma quicklydonned it without calling for a bath. 'The hadonra is competent.And he can still come to me for important decisions. Now I plan tospend some time in Sulan-Qu. Several of my friends are -'He paused, puzzled, as Mara suddenly clutched at the cloth of her dayrobe. She had been having mild contractions all morning, butthis was strong, and her face drained of colour. At last her time hadcome. 'Bunto!' the usual violent-tempered man was suddenly both delightedand alarmed. 'Is it time!' 'I think so.' She smiled calmly. 'Send for the midwife.' Solicitous for the first time in his life, Buntokapi was furiouslypatting Mara's hand to the point of inflicting bruises when themidwife came, followed in an instant by Nacoya. The two of themchased him away with a briskness no husband in the Empire couldwithstand. Buntokapi left like a whipped dog, looking over hisshoulder as he disappeared through the screen.The next hour he spent pacing in his study as he waited for his sonto be born. As the second hour dragged on, he sent for wine andsomething to eat. Evening faded into night, still without word fromthe birth chamber. An impatient man who had no outlet for hisconcern, he drank and ate, then drank again. After the supper hourhe sent for musicians, and when their playing failed to soothe hisnerves, he called for the hot bath he had neglected that afternoon.In a rare mood of respect, he decided to forgo the company of agirl. Bed play seemed inappropriate while his wife was giving birthto his heir, but a man could not be expected to sit waiting with nocomforts. Buntokapi bellowed for the runner to fetch a large jug ofacamel brandy. This he would not surrender, even when servantspulled the screens away and filled his tub with steaming water. Theywaited with soap and towels. Buntokapi stripped off his robes andpatted his expanding girth. He grunted to himself about needing topractise with the sword and bow more, to keep fit, as he slid his bulkinto the water. A weaker man would have winced, but Buntokapisimply sat down. He took a brandy cup from a servant's hand anddrained it in one long pull. The servants worked with diffident care. None of them wanted a 2I2 Daughter of the Empire beating for letting suds inadvertently spill in to the open cup andsour the brandy. Bunto sloshed back in his bath. He absently hummed a tune whilethe servants soaped his body. As their hands kneaded his tautmuscles and the heat drew him into a sleepy, amorous mood, heluxuriated in the bath, and soon he drifted into a doze.Then the air was cut by a scream. Bunto bolted upright in the tub,overturning his brandy and splashing the servants with soapywater. Heart pounding, he groped about for a weapon, halfexpecting to see the servants running for safety while armoured menanswered the alarm. Instead all was quiet. He looked to themusicians, who awaited his order to play, but as his mouth openedto speak, another scream rent the stillness. Then he knew. Mara, slender, girlish Mara, was giving birth tohis son. Another scream sounded, and the pain in it was like nothingBuntokapi had heard in his short life. Men wounded in battle madeloud, angry cries, and the moans of the wounded were low andpitiable. But this sound ... this reflected the agony of onetormented by the Red God himself. Buntokapi reached for his brandy. Dark fury crossed his facewhen he found the cup missing. A servant retrieved it quickly fromthe door, filled it, and placed it in his master's hands. AfterBuntokapi drained it he said, 'Go see that nothing is amiss with mywife.' The servant ran off and Buntokapi nodded to another servant fora refill. Long moments passed while the sounds of Mara's tormentfilled the night. Shortly the servant returned and said, 'Master.Nacoya says it is a difficult birth.' Buntokapi nodded and drank again, feeling the numbing warmthof the brandy rise up from his stomach. The scream came again,followed by a low sob. Exasperated, the Lord of the Acoma shoutedover the noise, 'Play something lively and loud.'The musicians struck up a march tune. Buntokapi emptied thebrandy. Irritated as Mara's cries cut through the music, he tossedaway the cup and motioned for the jug. He set the jug to his lips andtook a large gulp. His head began to swim. The screams seemed to come at him likea swarming foe, unwilling to be blocked by a shield. Buntokapidrank until his senses grew muddled. A happy glow suffused his Heir 2I3 vision and he sat with a stupid smile on his face until the waterbegan to cool. The master still showed no signs of arising, andworried servants scurried to heat more water. More brandy was brought, and after a time Buntokapi, Lord ofthe Acoma, could barely hear the music, let alone the unrelentingscreams of his tiny wife as she struggled to bear his child. In time, dawn silvered the screens to his chamber. Exhausted from asleepless night, Nacoya slid open the study door and peeked in. HerLord lay back sleeping in the cool water of the tub, his great mouthopen and snoring. An empty jug of brandy rolled on the floor belowhis flaccid hand. Three musicians slept over their instruments, andthe bath servants stood like battle-beaten soldiers, the towelshanging crumpled from their hands. Nacoya snapped the screenshut, disgust on her wrinkled face. How grateful she was that LordSezu was not alive to know that the successor to his title, Buntokapi,Lord of the Acoma, lay in such condition when his wife hadlaboured long to bear him a healthy son and heir. ,L Snare A shout rang out. 'Mara!' Buntokapi's anger rent the morning quiet like the challenge of aneedra bull. Mara winced. She glanced instinctively at the crib nearher side. Little Ayaki still slept, undisturbed by his father's bellow.His eyes were tightly closed, and his stocky limbs half tangled in hiscovers. After two months of Buntokapi's roars, the infant couldsleep through a thunderstorm. Mara sighed. The boy was hisfather's son, thick of body and with a big head that had made hismother wish for death when he had been born. The difficult labourhad drained Mara in a way she would not have thought possiblebefore. While but eighteen years of age, she felt like an old woman,tired all the time. And the first sight of her son had saddened her. Shehad secretly hoped for a lithe, handsome child, such as her brotherLano must have been as a baby. Instead Buntokapi had given her ared-faced, round-headed little brute, with a visage wrinkled like atiny old man's. From the first moment he filled his lungs with air, hehad a shout to rival his father's; already he affected the same scowl.Still, as Ayaki lay asleep, Mara could not feel other than love forhim. He is my son as well, she thought, and the blood of hisgrandfather is in him. The traits he has inherited from his Anasatiheritage will be trained out of him and those from the Acoma will benurtured. He will not be like his father. 'Mara!' Buntokapi's irritable shout sounded very near at hand,and the next instant the screen to the boy's nursery slammed back.'Here you are, woman. I've been all over the house looking for you.'Buntokapi entered with a frown like a storm cloud.Mara bowed with serenity, only too glad to lay her embroideryaside. 'I have been with our son,, husband.' Snare 2I5 Buntokapi's expression eased. He went to the crib where the boylay, restless now from his father's loud entrance. Buntokapi reacheddown, and for a moment Mara feared he would ruffle the boy'sblack hair, as he did his hounds'. But instead his meaty hand gentlystraightened the cover that lay twisted between the tiny legs. Thegesture caused Mara an instant's affection towards Buntokapi, butshe banished such sentiment at once. Though he wore the Acomamantle, Buntokapi was a son of the Anasati, a house second only tothe Minwanabi in despite for things Acoma. This Mara knew in herheart. And soon the time would come for change.Exaggerating her whisper - Ayaki was a sound sleeper - she said,'What do you desire, husband?' 'I must go to Sulan-Qu ... ah, on business.' Buntokapi straightened from the crib with studied lack of enthusiasm. 'I will not bereturning this night, and perhaps tomorrow as well.'Mara bowed in acquiescence, not missing the haste in herhusband's tread as he departed through the screen. She needed noincongruities to guess that there was no business for her husband toconduct in Sulan-Qu. During the past two months his interest inbusiness had waned, until it bordered on open neglect.As Jican resumed control of the Acoma management, he kept hisLady well informed. Buntokapi still played hob with Keyoke'sadministration of the warriors: which men were assigned and towhat post. Having barely reached the point where she couldinfluence a few small household matters, Mara could do nothingabout that, at least not yet. She stared at her embroidery in distaste, glad that in Buntokapi'sabsence she need not keep that up for the sake of appearances. Moreand more she needed time to think and plan for the future. Herhusband's suspicious nature had partially played into her hands.Aware in his plodding way that Mara's talent for commerceovershadowed his, Buntokapi had confined himself to seeing thathis wife did not gain control of his household. Never did he realizethat she had managed the garrison as adroitly before their marriage.As a result, he never thought to question other strange practicesaround the estate, such as Papewaio's wearing a black headcloth.And despite his interests in warcraft, Buntokapi never becamefamiliar with the men. Their heritage held no interest for him;otherwise he would have discovered that grey warriors had come to I 2I6 Daughter of the Empire wear Acoma green. Certainly he lacked the imagination to embracesuch changes in tradition, Mara thought, then caught herself,sharply. Even in thoughts she must not be careless. Too often he hadshown he was more than a simple warrior. Still, the man had no subtlety. Hearing his booming laugh in themustering yard as he gathered the warriors for his escort, Marawondered what prompted his clumsy effort at subversion. Boredommight be taking him to Sulan-Qu in the heat of high noon, to bathewith other soldiers and exchange stories, and perhaps to wrestle orgamble ... or to sport with a woman of the Reed Life.Buntokapi had returned to Mara's bed soon after childbirth, butnow that the Acoma had a living heir, she had no reason to play thedutiful wife. Buntokapi's clutching, slobbering embrace revoltedher, and she had lain still, sharing none of his passion. The first nighthe seemed not to notice, but on the second he became angry. Thethird night he complained bitterly of her lack of enthusiasm and thefourth night he beat her, then slept with one of her maids. Since thenshe had met his advances with no response at all, and at the last hehad fallen to ignoring her. But now Buntokapi set off for the city for the third time in tendays, and Mara was intrigued about the reason. She called Misa toopen the screen, and the moment her husband's litter and his smallescort of warriors jogged smartly down the lane to the ImperialHighway, she sent her runner for Nacoya. The old woman answered her summons tardily, but there seemedno lack of respect in her bow. 'My mistress requires?''What takes our Lord Bunto into the city so much of late?' askedMara. 'What gossip do the servants tell?' Nacoya glanced significantly at Misa, who awaited her mistress'swishes by the screen. Warned that the nurse's answer might be bestnot shared with servants, Mara sent her maid to fetch the noonmeal. As Misa hurried off, Nacoya sighed. 'As you would expect.Your husband has taken an apartment in the city so he may visit awoman.' Mara sat back. 'Good. We must encourage him to stay in the cityas much as possible.' Nacoya brightened with curiosity. 'Daughter of my heart, I knowsome things have passed, never to be regained, but I am still the onlymother you have known. Will you not tell me what you are planning?' Snare 2I7 Mara was tempted. But her scheme to regain control of her house bordered on treason to her Lord. Although Nacoya had alreadydeduced Mara's intent to dispose of Buntokapi, the plan was toorisky to confide. 'That is all, old mother,' Mara said firmly.I The nurse hesitated, then nodded, bowed, and departed, leavingMara staring at the baby, who had begun to stir in his crib. ButAyaki's well-being was far from her thoughts. That her Lord had awoman in the city might provide exactly the opportunity Mararequired. Hoping the gods were looking after her at long last, shehad begun to ponder the options of this new development whenAyaki's healthy wail spoiled thought. Mara lifted the fussy baby toher breast and winced as the little boy bit hard upon her nipple.'Ow!' she said in surprise. 'You are your father's son, no doubt.'The baby quieted as he began to suck, and Misa returned with atray. Mara ate the food without interest, her mind busy with a planmore risky than anything her old nurse might have guessed. Thestakes were high. One misjudgment, and she would lose all chanceof regaining the title of Ruling Lady; indeed, if she failed, the sacredhonour of her ancestors might be shamed past hope of expiation. r Mara poured a cup of chocha and sat back upon her heels as Gijan,son of Lord Detsu of the Kamaiota, nodded politely. His gestureconcealed biting impatience, but even his critical nature could notfault the young wife's hospitality. She had seen him comfortable inthe finest cushions, brought him refreshment, and sent immediateword to her husband that an old friend had arrived unexpectedlyand was waiting to greet him. Gijan lounged back, admiring the rings on his hands. His nailswere clean to the point of fussiness and his jewellery ostentatious,but the rest of his dress showed restraint. 'And where might LordBuntokapi be?' 'On some matter of business in the city, I expect.' Mara displayednone of the pique a young, pretty wife might feel at a husband'sabsence. Aware that Buntokapi's guest held her under closestscrutiny, she fluttered one hand offhandedly. 'You know thesethings are beyond me, Gijan, though I must say he spends a greatdeal of time away from home.' Gijan's eyes narrowed, his self-absorbed admiration of his jadenow an obvious act. Mara sipped her chocha, certain now that this i I 2I8 % Daughter of the Empire guest had come to spy for the Anasati. No doubt Lord Tecumawished information on how his third son fared as Lord of theAcoma. He had sent a handsome messenger, perhaps hoping thecontrast to Buntokapi would entice a young wife to speak freely.After the barest interval the young noble said, 'Is that rascalneglecting his affairs, then?' 'Oh no, Gijan.'To avoid giving her father-in-law an excuse to pryfurther into Acoma affairs, Mara qualified expansively. 'If anything,Lord Buntokapi is too rigorous in his attention to details. Hespends long hours at his desk.' Lord Gijan's polished faqade broke before incredulity. 'Bunto?'Aware he might have betrayed his appraisal of the new Lord of theAcoma, he closed his gaping mouth and added, 'Of course. Buntowas always a diligent fellow.' Mara smothered a smile. Both of them lied outrageously, andeach knew it; but a guest might not question the word of a hostwithout raising the thorniest implications of honour.With the topic of Buntokapi's management effectively closed, themorning wore on in polite conversation. Mara sent for thyza breadand fish, which slowed Gijan's effort at interrogation until at lasther runner returned from town. Stripped to his loincloth, andbreathless from the road, he dropped to his knees before Mara.'Mistress, I bring word from the Lord of the Acoma.'Pleasantly Mara said, 'What does my husband wish?'The slave had barely washed his feet clean of dust beforepresenting himself; gasping still from his journey, he said, 'My LordBuntokapi says he is most apologetic for being absent when his dearfriend Gijan of the Kamaiota calls. He is presently unable to returnto the estate and wishes for Gijan to join him in Sulan-Qu.'Gij an nodded to the exhausted slave boy. 'Tell my servant to havemy litter prepared.' Then he smiled at Mara. 'If my Lady has noobjection?' Mara returned the smile, as if his presumption inordering her runner was only another right of a man in the presenceof a mere wife. How different it had been when she had been RulingLady. And things would be different again, soon; this she vowed asshe ordered her maid to remove the food tray. Then, all lightnessand grace, she saw Gijan to the door of the estate house.While waiting in the hallway for the visitor's escort to assemble,she dismissed her runner and inwardly acknowledged relief. She Snare 2I9 had feared that Buntokapi might be returning. Though the journeyto the city from the estates took two hours on foot, a messagerunner could make it there and back in half that time. By litter,Gijan would not reach Sulan-Qu until nearly sundown. No doubtGijan also loved gambling, so Buntokapi would hardly subject hisboyhood friend to a return trip after dark. Dice and cards andbetting would keep them both in the city for the night, which was asmall blessing from the gods. Already Mara had begun to treasurehis absence, but this was a freedom she dared not love too much lestimpatience prove her downfall. Gijan bowed formally in farewell. 'I shall give your husbandcompliments on your hospitality when I greet him, Lady Mara.' Hesmiled at her, suddenly charming, and Mara realized this youngman was wondering if she was another neglected woman ready fora romance. Formal and distant, she showed him briskly to the screen. She didnot need to waste time fending off the advances of amorous youngersons. What Bunto had shown her of lovemaking had convinced hershe needed little from men. If ever she came to desire the company ofa lover, he would be nothing like this silly, vain nobleman who tookhis leave to join Bunto in a night of gambling, wine, and prostitutes.As the litter departed, Mara heard a loud wail from the nursery.'Men,' she muttered under her breath, and hurried to attend herson. The boy needed changing. Preoccupied, Mara gave him over toNacoya, who had not lost her knack for dealing with infants. As theold woman began a game with the child involving his fingers andtoes, Mara considered what Buntokapi's reaction to Gijan's visitwould likely be. The following afternoon, it seemed she had read his mind. Wearinghis wrestling cloth, and gleaming still with the oil and sweat of hisexercise, Buntokapi scratched the mat of hair on his chest. 'Whensomeone calls and I am in the city, do not waste so much timesending messages, wife. Simply send them along to my town house.'Mara bounced Ayaki one more time on her knee, her eyebrowsraised in inquiry. 'Town house?' As if the matter were of small account Buntokapi answered over his son's shriek of pleasure, 'I have moved to larger quarters inSulan-Qu.' He gave no reason, but Mara knew he had established 220 % Daughter of the Empire the apartment to meet with his mistress, a woman named Teani. Asfar back as Mara could remember, Lord Sezu had never felt the needto take a town house. Though the practice was common enoughamong other lords whose estates were remotely located, no matterhow late business kept Sezu in the city he always returned home tosleep under the same roof as his family. If Mara was generous in herassessment, Buntokapi was barely more than a boy, only two yearsolder than she, and with none of her level-headed nature. While shehad sat next to her brother, hearing the lessons on governance herfather gave, Bunto had been a neglected, lonely boy who had spenttime off by himself brooding, or in the rough company of soldiers.Her own coldness did not upset him but encouraged a return to hisformer habits of finding the pleasures he understood. Still, Marahad not selected this husband because she wanted someone strongmindedand resolute, like her father. Now her plans demanded thatshe encourage his self-indulgent, bad-tempered nature, though thecourse would be dangerous in the extreme. Ayaki gave a last, deafening squeal and grabbed her beads. Pryinghis grip from her throat, Mara pretended indifference to herhusband's indulgence. 'Whatever my Lord requires.'Bunto returned one of his rare smiles, and ducking a swipe ofAyaki's tiny fist, Mara wondered briefly on the mistress, Teani.What sort of woman would infatuate a brute like her husband? ButBuntokapi's pleased expression vanished as, with faultless timing,jican appeared with a dozen scrolls in hand. 'My Lord, by the graceof the gods, you are back fortuitously. I have some papers dealingwith matters of your distant holdings that need your immediateapproval.' With a beleaguered cry, Bunto said, 'Fortuitous! I must return tothe city tonight.' He stalked from Mara's presence without so muchas a good-bye, but his wife seemed not to care. Her eyes were fixedon the rosy face of her son as, drooling, he tried with fierceconcentration to stuff her amber beads in his mouth. 'Yourappetites might kill you one day,' she warned mildly; but whethershe referred to her husband or his offspring only the gods mightguess. After rescuing her jewellery, Mara smiled. The mistress,Teani, had wrapped another twist into the fabric of ideas evolvedsince the day the grey warriors had sworn service. The hour had Snare 22I come to begin Buntokapi's education on what it really took toconduct the business of the Acoma. Alone in the cool shadow of the nursery, Mara consulted the wax tally started in secret during the last month. No one would interrupther. Nacoya was out with Ayaki, and the slave who changed thecovers in the crib could not read. Reflectively Mara chewed the endof her stylus. Each day Buntokapi visited his town house, she hadsent at least one servant or jican with some minor document to sign.From their dozens of reports, she had patiently pieced together thefact that her husband lived a very patterned existence. When inSulan-Qu, Buntokapi arose at midmorning, but never later than thethird hour after sunrise. He would then walk to a public trainingarena where mercenary guards and warriors whose masters werestaying in the city gathered to practise at arms. Buntokapi preferredwrestling and archery to sword work, but with a diligence that hadsurprised Gijan he now practised all three. His technique with theblade improved steadily, but he still chose the company of commonsoldiers over that of the other lords who occasionally availedthemselves of the facilities. Midday saw him bathed and changedand on the way to his town house; for about two hours thereafter heremained receptive to any work sent from the estates by Mara. Hismistress, Teani, was rarely out of bed before mid-afternoon, and histolerance for business fled the instant she awoke. With a charm thateven the oldest messenger had described with admiration, shewould lure Buntokapi to her bed until barely enough time remainedto rise and dress for dinner. Then the couple would attend thetheatre to see comedies, the taverns to listen to minstrels, or thegambling houses, though Teani had no wealth except what came toher as gifts. She derived a perverse pleasure from encouraging herparamour to bet, and if he lost, rumour held that her eyes sparkledall the more brightly. Mara frowned. Many servants had beencursed and cuffed to glean this information - the last runner to carrya document to Lord Buntokapi had been severely beaten - but inthis matter a slave boy was of little consequence. Worse might comeif the man she had married continued to wear the Lord's mantle.An enraged yell from Ayaki echoed down the corridor beyond thescreen, followed by Nacoya's chiding voice. If the child had soiledhimself, the nursery would shortly become the site of a minor 222 Daughter of the Empire commotion. Ayaki battled like a young harulth whenever anyonetried to change him. Sighing with indulgence mixed with exasperation,Mara concealed the wax slate beneath an old parchment mapand resumed her study of the Empire. The border lines and theestates on this rendition were slightly out of date, having beendrawn up when she was a little girl. But the dyes were still bright andmost of the holdings of the major Lords of the Empire were clearlymarked. Since Buntokapi detested everything to do with words onpaper, he would never miss this one document from his study. Theonly use he had for a map was to find which lands were open forhunting. As Ayaki's wails drew nearer, Mara noticed an interesting fact atthe outset: the Lord of the Zalteca, a minor neighbour who had avery prosperous trade in pottery, used a strip of land between hisown estates and the Imperial Highway that appeared to be theproperty of the Lord of the Kano, who lived far to the east near thecity of Ontoset. Mara found this indefinably amusing. If otherfamilies exercised such usurpation of property rights, that knowledgemight later prove useful. She would ask Arakasi about it whenhe returned, and that thought sparked realization: only a weekremained before she and Buntokapi celebrated their first weddinganniversary. The Spy Master might return to the estate at anymoment. Apprehension gripped Mara, even as Nacoya entered with Ayakiscreaming in her arms. 'Your son would make a fine substitute for aguli,' said the old woman, referring to the hairy, troll-like creaturesof children's tales; they scared their victims to death with hideousscreams. Mara only nodded. Wondering whether her mistress had gonedeaf, Nacoya called the slave away from freshening the crib to helpmanage the Acoma heir, who yelled until his face was red, and madeeveryone's ears sore. Eventually Mara arose. She bent over her babyand jingled her beads to amuse him. As Ayaki's wails changed tolaughter in another of his mercurial shifts of mood, her thoughtscontinued. Somehow she must prevent Arakasi from coming underBuntokapi's control. Her bull of a husband would only waste thatinformation network or, worse, make it available for his father'suse, which would place far too dangerous a power in the hands of I Snare 223 the Lord of the Anasati. Necessity made Mara bold. She must prepare for Arakasi's arrival with no further delay, so that hisloyalty should remain hers alone. Inwardly reviewing her husband'sschedule of activities, Mara spoke briskly to the slave who labouredover the kicking, naked legs of her son. 'Call for jican.'Nacoya raised her eyebrows. 'To the nursery?' she said, startled,but her mistress ignored the liberty. 'The matter will not wait.' Without further fuss, Mara relievedthe slave of the damp cloths and began to cleanse her infant's soiledbottom. jican arrived, any puzzlement he felt well concealed. He boweddeeply as his mistress tied a clean loincloth around her son. 'Havewe some documents that would be appropriate for my Lordhusband's review?' Barely able to contain his distaste at the mention of the Lord ofthe Acoma, jican said, 'My Lady, there are always documents thatare appropriate for the Lord of the house to review.' He bowed,shamed at how close to insult his words came in their implicationthat Buntokapi neglected his responsibilities. Mara sensed herhadonra's discomfort as she lifted Ayaki onto her shoulder.In a tone sweet as red-bee honey, she said, 'Then I think it wouldbe fitting to send a scribe to my husband's town house at three hoursafter noon.' Jican stifled open curiosity. 'If you think that is wise, mistress,then it shall be done.' Mara dismissed him and saw that Nacoya, too, regarded her witha shrewd glint in her eyes. 'You are deaf, mother of my heart,' theLady of the Acoma said softly. 'And business matters are neverconducted in the nursery.' The nurse bowed promptly, guessing something of her mistress'sintentions; but the full extent of those plans would have terrified theold woman beyond measure. As I am terrified, Mara thought, andsilently wondered whether the Goddess of Wisdom would hear theprayers of a wife who knowingly provoked a husband alreadyrenowned for his bad temper. Buntokapi raised his head from rumpled, sweat-damp pillows. Thescreens were drawn closed, but even the decorations painted inscarlet, maroon, and ochre could not entirely block out the 224 . Daughter of the Empire afternoon sun in the garden beyond. A golden glow suffused thechamber, lending warm highlights to tangled sheets and to thesleeping form of his mistress, Teani. The Lord of the Acomaregarded the rounded length of her thigh, his thick lips bent into asmile. This was a woman, he thought. Naked, she took his breathaway, as Mara's slenderness never had. He had felt passion for hiswife when he had first wed; but having tasted the delights of Teani'stalents, he now realized that his feelings for Mara arose from desireto dominate the daughter of a great family - and to rectify his ownlimited experience with women prior to becoming a Lord. Once hehad a son, he had tried to do a husband's duty, but Mara lay like acorpse, and what man could stay interested in a woman who offeredno sport? Mara's strange intellectual passions, her love of poetry, and herfascination with the cho-ja Queen's hive grave Buntokapi a generalheadache. His mistress was another matter. In silent appreciation,he studied Teani's long legs. A fold in the sheets hid her hips andback, but masses of red-gold hair, rare in the Empire, tumbled downshoulders like fine porcelain. Teani's face was turned away, butBuntokapi imagined her perfection: the full, sensuous mouth thatcould tease him until he was crazy, and the straight nose, highcheekbones, and eyes almost amber in colour that broughtadmiring stares from every man when she clung to his arm. Herpowers of attraction lent force to the manhood of Buntokapi, andjust watching her slow breathing aroused him. With a leer hepressed a hand beneath the sheets to seek her firm, round breast.Someone chose that instant to knock at the door.Buntokapi's questing fingers balled into a fist. 'Who is it!' Hisirritable bellow caused Teani to half spin, half sit up, in sleepydisarray. 'Huh?' she said, blinking. A toss of her head dislodged a river ofloosened hair and the light shone warm on her breasts. Buntokapilicked his lips. A servant's muffled voice called from beyond the screen. 'Master,a messenger from your hadonra brings documents for you to see.)Buntokapi considered rising for a moment, but Teani leveredherself up on her elbows, and her nipples jutted across his line ofsight. The ache in his groin intensified. His movement changed to ahalf-roll that placed his head between those inviting pillows of flesh. Snare 225 ...e sheets fell away. He ran tickling fingers down Teani's exposedstomach and she giggled. That decided Buntokapi. Surrendering tolust, he shouted, 'Tell him to come back tomorrow!'The servant hesitated from the other side of the screen door.Timidly he said, 'Master, you've told him to come back three days in a row now.' Shifting expertly under his hands, Teani whispered in Buntokapi's ear and then nipped at the lobe. 'Tell him to come back in themorning!' shouted Buntokapi. Then he remembered he had towrestle a Strike Leader of the Tuscalora in the morning. 'No, tellhim to come at noon and bring his documents then. Now leave me!'Buntokapi waited, stiff with annoyance, until he heard theservant hurry away. Sighing at the tremendous responsibilities ofhis office, he decided he was entitled to his pleasures; otherwise thework load would grind him to a nub. As the ultimate favourite of hispleasures had begun to bite his shoulder, he thought it time to bediverted. With a half laugh, half grunt, the Lord of the Acomapulled his concubine to him. Late the following morning, Buntokapi marched through the streetsof Sulan-Qu, feeling full of himself. He had easily defeated theTuscalora Strike Leader and had won a fair amount of money aswell, thirty centuries, which, while trivial to him now that he wasRuling Lord, still was a nice amount to have clinking in one's purse.Accompanied by his escort, two young Acoma guards who sharedhis passion for wrestling, he left the congestion of the main streetsand rounded the corner to his town house. His mood darkened atonce, for his hadonra sat on the stoop, the two servants with himburdened with leather carriers stuffed to capacity with parchments.Dust arose in small puffs as Buntokapi stamped to a stop. 'Whatnow, jican?' The little hadonra scrambled to his feet and bowed with adeference that somehow always annoyed. 'You instructed mymessenger to see you at noon, Lord. As I had other business in town,I thought I would personally bring these papers here.'Buntokapi sucked air through his teeth and recalled somewhatbelatedly the words he had uttered through the screen in the courseof his afternoon frolic with Teani. He scowled at his patienthadonra, then waved to the slaves who carried the sheaves ofdocuments. 'Very well, bring them inside.' 226 - Daughter of the Empire Soon the writing tables, two food trays, and nearly everyavailable area of flooring were tiered with stacks of parchments.Buntokapi laboured through page after page until his eyes stungfrom squinting at tiny columns of figures, or lists and lists ofinventory. His leg developed a cramp, which he kneaded with hisknuckles. The cushions compressed and grew damp with his ownsweat, and finally his foot went to sleep. Exasperated, Buntokapiheaved himself to his feet and noticed the sunlight had traversed thelength of the garden. The afternoon had almost fled.Indefatigable, jican handed him another document. Buntokapiforced watering eyes to focus. 'What is this?''As it says, Lord.' jican tapped gently on the title script with onefinger. 'Estimates on needra droppings?' Buntokapi jabbed the paperangrily in the air. 'By all the gods of heaven, what foolishness isthis!' jican remained unfazed by his Lord's wrath. 'No foolishness,master. Each season we must estimate the weight of the dung, tojudge whether we have a shortage of fertilizer for the thyza paddiesand need to import, or excess to sell to the farm broker.'Buntokapi scratched his head. just then the screen leading to thebedchamber slid open. Teani stood in the doorway, inadequatelywrapped in a robe sewn with scarlet birds of passion. The tips of herbreasts pressed clearly through the cloth, and her hair tumbledsensuously over a shoulder artfully left bare. 'Bunto, how muchlonger are you going to be? Should I dress for the theatre?'The open seduction in her smile left a staring jican scarlet to theroots of his hair. Teani blew him a teasing kiss, more in sarcasmthan fun; and frustration pricked Buntokapi to jealous rage. 'Nolonger!'he roared to his hadonra. 'Take this list of needra dung, andyour tallies of hides ruined by mould and mildew, and the estimateson repairing the aqueduct to the upper meadows, and reports listingdamages from the warehouse fire in Yankora, and give every one ofthem to my wife. Henceforth you will not,come here unless I callyou. Is that dear?' jican's flush drained to a yellowed, trembling pallor. 'Yes,master, but -' 'There are no buts!' Buntokapi chopped the air with his hand.'These matters can be discussed with my wife. When I ask you, give Snare 227 me a summation of what you have been doing. From now on, if anyAcoma servant appears here with a document without my havingasked to read it, I'll have his head over the door! Is thatunderstood?' The list of needra dung estimates pressed protectively to his chest, jican bowed very low. 'Yes, master. All matters of the Acoma are tobe given over to the Lady Mara and reports prepared at yourrequest. No servant is to bring a document to your attention unlessyou ask for it.' Buntokapi blinked, as if unsure that this was exactly what heintended. Exploiting his confusion, Teani picked that moment toopen the front of her robe and fan cool air across her body. She worenothing underneath. In the sweet rush of blood to his groin,Buntokapi lost all interest in clarifying his point. With an impatientwave of his hand he dismissed jican, then trod across crackling pilesof parchments to sweep his mistress into his arms.jican gathered the creased tallies with near-frantic haste. Still, asthe couple in the doorway retired into the shadows of thebedchamber, he saw his parchments stacked straight and thecarrying cases neatly tied before he turned their heavy burden overto his servants. As he walked out through the main door of the townhouse, where an escort of Acoma soldiers waited to accompany himhome, he heard Buntokapi laugh. To the long-suffering servants itwas unclear who, at that moment, was the happier man. The estate settled sleepily into the routines of midsummer. Themaids no longer sported bruises in the mornings; Keyoke'ssubordinates lost their harried look; and jican's whistling as hereturned from the needra meadows to take up his pens andparchment once again became a reliable way to tell time. Awarethat this calm was an illusion, the temporary result of her husband'slong absences, Mara fought the tendency to grow complacent.Though the arrangement was fortunate, the courtesan Teani couldnot be depended upon to divert Buntokapi indefinitely. Other stepsmust be taken, each more dangerous than the last. On her way toher chambers, Mara heard a squeal of baby laughter.She smiled indulgently to herself. Ayaki was growing like a weed,strong and quick to smile now that he had begun to sit up. Hekicked his stumpy legs as if impatient to be walking, and Mara I I 228 % Daughter of the Empire wondered whether, when that time came, old Nacoya would be upto handling him. Mentally she made note to find the nurse a youngerassistant, so that the boisterous child would not try her ancientbones too much. That thought in mind, Mara entered the doors toher chamber, then froze, her foot raised between one step and thenext. Motionless in the shadow sat a man, his dusty, ragged tunicdyed with the symbols of a mendicant priest of the order ofSularmina, Shield of the Weak. But how he had eluded Keyoke'sdefences, and the comings and goings of the servants, to gain theprivacy of her quarters, was utterly confounding. Mara drew breathto shout an alarm. The priest forestalled her as, in a voice undeniably familiar, hesaid, 'Greetings, mistress. I have no wish to disturb your peace.Should I leave?' 'Arakasi!' The rapid beat of Mara's heart slowed, and she smiled.'Stay, please, and welcome back. Your appearance, as always,surprised me. Have the gods favoured your endeavours?'The Spy Master stretched, taking the liberty to unwind the cordsthat secured his head covering. As the cloth slid into his lap, hesmiled back. 'I was successful, Lady. The entire network has beenrevived, and I have much information to convey to your husband.'Mara blinked. Her joy deflated, and her hands tightened at hersides. 'My husband?' Reading the small signs of tension in her stance, Arakasi spokecarefully. 'Yes. News of your wedding and the birth of your sonreached me in my travels. I will swear fealty to the Acoma natami, if your agreement with me is honourable. Then I must reveal all to myLord of the Acoma.' Mara had anticipated this. Despite her planning on the matter,the reality of Arakasi's loyalties caused a prickle of deepestapprehension. All her hopes might come to nothing. If her husbanddid not blunder like a needra bull through the subtleties of the Gameof the Council, and see the Acoma set upon by intrigue and powerhungryLords whose secrets had been indiscreetly used, he mightturn the Spy Master's talents over to his father. Then her enemiesthe Anasati would become strong enough that no family couldstand safely against them. Mara tried desperately to act as if the ' matter were casual. Now that the time was upon her, the stakesseemed frighteningly high. Snare 229 She glanced quickly at the cho-ja clock on the writing desk andsaw the time was still early, only three hours since dawn. Her mind spun in calculation. 'I think you should rest,' she said to Arakasi.'Take the time until noon to relax and bathe, and after the noonmeal I will attend the ceremony to swear your fealty to the Acomanatami. Then you must go to Sulan-Qu and introduce yourself tomy Lord Buntokapi.' Arakasi regarded her shrewdly, his fingers creasing the priest'smantle over and over in his lap. 'You may dine with me here,' Mara added, and she smiled in thesweet way he remembered. Marriage, then, had changed nothing of her spirit. Arakasi roseand bowed in a manner utterly at odds with his dress. 'Your will,Lady.'And on silent feet he departed for the baths and the barracks.Events developed swiftly after that. Seated on cushions in thebreeze from the screen, Arakasi sipped the hot tea, made fromfragrant herbs and fruit tree blooms. Enjoying the quickness ofMara's wit, he talked of the state of the Empire. The Thuril war thathad ended years before had caused a loss of prestige for the Warlordand his War Party. The Blue Wheel Party and the Party for Progresshad combined to almost force a change in imperial policy, untildiscovery of the alien world of Midkemia, populated by barbariansand rich with metals beyond the dreams of the maddest poet. Scoutshad found metal lying about, obviously fashioned by intelligentbeings, then discarded, wealth enough to keep an estate running fora year. Few reports followed, for the Warlord's campaign againstthese barbarians had strangled all outgoing information. Since thedeath of her father and brother, Mara had lost all track of the warsbeyond the rift. Of late, only those who served the new Alliance forWar knew what was taking place in the barbarian world - orshared in the spoils. Arakasi's well-placed agents had access to such secrets. The warprogressed well for the Warlord, and even the most reluctantmembers of the Blue Wheel Party had now joined in the invasion ofMidkemia. Animated as he rarely was in his disguises, Arakasi gavea general outline to Mara, but he seemed reluctant to discuss detailswith anyone but the Lord of the Acoma. Mara for her part showed him nothing but the dutiful wife, untilthe tea was drunk to the dregs and even Arakasi's large appetite 230 Daughter of the Empire seemed satisfied. Her glance at the wall clock seemed casual enoughas she said, 'The day passes. Shall we swear you to our service, thatyou may go to my husband in Sulan-Qu?' Arakasi bowed and rose, his sharp eyes not missing the slighttremble in Mara's voice. He studied her eyes, reassured by the lookof resolve in their dark depths. The incident with the cho-ja queenshad instilled in him a deep respect for this woman. She had won histrust, and for that he stepped forward to swear his loyalty and hishonour to an unknown Lord. The ceremony was simple, and brief, the only oddity being thatArakasi swore on behalf of his agents also. Mara found it strange toconsider the Acoma had loyal retainers whose names were unknownto her, yet who might willingly give their lives for the honourof a master and mistress they had never met. The greatness ofArakasi's gift, and the fear that his sacrifice and his labours might bewasted, threatened to bring tears to her eyes. Briskly Mara turned tothe practical. 'Arakasi, when you visit my husband ... go in the guise of aservant. Tell him you are there to discuss the shipment of the needrahides to be sold to the tentmakers in jamar. He will then know if it issafe to talk. There are servants in the town house new to our service,so my Lord may be cautious. He will instruct you about what youshall do.' Arakasi bowed and left her side. As the light slanted goldenacross the lane leading to the Imperial Highway, Mara bit her lip inearnest hope. If she had timed things right, Arakasi's arrival shouldcoincide with the height of Buntokapi's passion in the arms ofTeani. Very likely the Spy Master would find a reception fardifferent from anything he expected - unless her husband was in anutterly uncharacteristic mood of tolerance. Worried, excited, andfrightened at the frail odds that supported her hopes, Mara put offthe poet she had called in to read. Instead she spent the afternoon inthe ironclad disciplines of meditation, for the beauty of his wordswould be wasted in her present frame of mind. Hours passed. The needra were driven in from their day pastures,and the shatra flew, heralding the approach of night. As the chiefassistant gardener lit the lamps in the dooryard, Arakasi returned,dustier than he had been that morning, and visibly footsore. Heentered Mara's presence as the maids laid out cushions for her Snare 23I comfort. Even in the unlit gloom of the chamber, the large red weltupon his cheek showed plainly. Silent, Mira dismissed her maids.She sent her runner after cold food, and a basin and cloth for lightwashing. Then she bade the Spy Master sit. The tap of the runner's sandals diminished down the hall. Alone with his mistress, Arakasi bowed formally. 'My Lady, your Lordlistened to my coded greeting, then erupted into a fury. He struckme and bellowed that any business I had was to be directed to jicanand you.' Mara endured his penetrating gaze without expression.She seemed coiled, waiting, and after an interval Arakasi continued.'There was a woman there, and he seemed ... preoccupied. In anyevent, your husband is a superb - actor. Or he wasn't acting at all.'Mara's expression remained innocent. 'Many of the duties of thishousehold my husband has given over to me. After all, I was RulingLady before he came here.' Arakasi was not fooled. ' "When the Game of the Council entersthe home, the wise servant does not play," ' he quoted. 'In honour, Imust do exactly as my Lord bids, and I will assume things are as theyseem until proven otherwise.' His stare turned cold then, even in theveiling of shadow of dusk. 'But I am loyal to the Acoma. My heart iswith you, Mara of the Acoma, because you gave me colours towear, but I am duty-bound to obey my lawful Lord. I will not betrayhim.' 'You say only what a loyal servant would be honour-bound tosay, Arakasi. I expected no less.'Mara smiled, unexpectedly pleasedby her Spy Master's warning. husband's wishes?' The slave arrived with the food tray. Gratefully choosing ajigabird pastry, Arakasi answered. 'In truth, I would have, if Ihadn't seen the woman he was. . . speaking with when I appeared.''What do you mean?' Mara waited, impatient, while he chewedand swallowed. 'Teani. I know her.' Arakasi qualified with no change in tone,'She is an agent of the Lord of the Minwanabi.'Mara felt a stab of cold pass through her. Still enough thatArakasi noticed her distress, she spoke after a long moment. 'Saynothing of this to anyone.' 'I hear, mistress.' Arakasi snatched the interval to eat in earnest.His travels had left him gaunt, and he had crossed many leagues 'Do you have any doubts about my 232 % Daughter of the Empire since dawn. Guilty because he also bore the painful marks ofBuntokapi's wrath, Mara allowed him to finish his meal beforeasking for his full report. After that, excitement made her forget his tiredness. As Arakasiunfolded the intrigue and the complexities of Empire politics inspare words, and a sprinkling of amusing anecdotes, she listenedwith shining eye. For this she had been born! As the evening grewold and the moon rose beyond the screen, pictures and patternsbegan to form in her mind. She interrupted with questions of herown, and the quickness of her deductions made Arakasi visibly shedhis weariness. At last he had a mistress who appreciated the nuancesof his work; henceforward her enthusiasm would sharpen his skills.As the men in his network saw the Acoma rise in power, their partwould engender a pride they had never known under the Lord of theTuscai. Slaves came to tend the lamps. As new light spilled across theplanes of the Spy Master's face, Mara noticed the changes inArakasi's manner. What a treasure this man was, his talents anhonour to House Acoma. Mara listened to his information longinto the night, torn inside by a frustration even his sharp perceptiondid not discern. Now, at long last, she had the tools she needed toenter the game and find a way to earn her father and brothervengeance against the Minwanabi. But no move could be made, andno bit of information acted upon, with Buntokapi in place as Lordof the Acoma. When at last Arakasi departed, Mara sat with eyesfixed sightlessly on the stripped bones of jigabirds scattered uponthe food tray. She brooded, and did not sleep until dawn. The guests arrived late the next morning. Red-eyed from lack ofsleep, Mara regarded the seven litters that wended their waytowards the estate house. The colours of the escort's armour wereknown to her, and not a cause for joy. With a sigh of resignation,Mara bade her maid bring her a proper robe for the greeting ofguests. That these were an intrusion to ruin a fine morning matterednot at all. The honour and hospitality of the Acoma must bemaintained. When the first litter reached the dooryard, Mara waswaiting to meet its occupant, three maids accompanying her.Nacoya came from another door and joined her lady as the firstguest rose from his cushions. i Snare 233 Mara bowed formally. 'My Lord Chipaka, what an honour.'The wizened old man blinked weak eyes and attempted toidentify who spoke. Since he was also hard of hearing, Mara'swords had escaped him as well. Edging closer to the young girlstanding nearest, he squinted and bellowed, 'I am Lord Chipaka of the jandawaio. My wife and my mother and my daughters havecome to visit your master and mistress, girl.'He had mistaken Mara for a servant. Barely able to contain heramusement, the Lady of the Acoma ignored the slight. Speakingdirectly into the elder's ear, she said, 'I am Mara, wife of LordBuntokapi, my Lord. To what do we owe this honour?'But the old man had shifted his attention to the frail and ancientwoman, looking to be near a hundred, who was being assisted asdelicately as a jewelled egg from the most ostentatious of the litters.Mara dispatched her maids to help, as a gesture of respect, for thebearers were filthy with dust from the road. The old womanreturned no thanks. Wizened and beaked like a featherless bird, shesimply squatted between the two servants who supported her.Three other women emerged from other litters behind, each ayounger replica of her grandmother, but equally waspish in thecalm of midmorning; they indulged in the most faddish of fashions.Gathering around the ancient woman, they at once began anattering chatter. Mara reined in her distaste, for already thisinvasion of her home had become an exercise in tolerance.The old man shuffled closer, smiling and patting her rump. Marahopped forward, blinking in shock and disgust. But the old manseemed oblivious to her discomfort. 'I was unable to attend yourmistress's wedding, girl. My estates near Yankora are far indeed,and Mother was ill.' He waved at the frail woman, who now staredblankly into space, while her granddaughters steadily cursed theinept handling of the servants who supported the ancient crone.Into this clutch of hen jigahens hobbled the woman from the lastlitter. She was gowned in embroidered sharsao cloth, and behindthe affected fluttering of her fan she sported a face of the samevintage as Lord Chipaka's. Mara decided she must be the Lady ofthe Jandawaio. The old man plucked insistently at the sleeve of the Lady of theAcoma. 'Since we happened to be passing north on our way to theHoly City, we had our barge put in at Sulan-Qu, and came to call 234 A Daughter of the Empire upon your Lord ... ah yes, that's his name. I'm an old friend of hisfather's, you know.' The old man winked knowingly at Mara. 'Mywife's a sound sleeper, don't you know. Come by later tonight, girl.'He attempted to pat Mara's arm in what was intended to be aseductive manner, but his hand was so palsied, he missed her wrist.A wicked gleam lit Mara's eyes. Though the Lord was tastelesslylascivious, and his breath stank of rotting teeth, she barelysmothered her delight. 'You wish to see the Lord of the Acoma?Then, my Lord, I am afraid you must return to the city, for my LordBuntokapi is now in residence at his town house.'The old man blinked, blank-faced. Obligingly Mara repeated hermessage at a shout. 'Oh. Why certainly. His town house.'The old man leered again atMara. Then he bobbed his head briskly and waved to his retinue.The women, still chattering, remained oblivious as their slavesgathered by the litters. The bearers who had been carrying the tinyold woman did an abrupt about-turn and headed their confused-lookingcharge back towards her cushions. Over her mumble ofcomplaint the old man cried, 'Go on. Go on now, Mother, we mustgo back to the city.' The girls and their mother, uniformly plain and loud, protestedbitterly at the idea of returning to their litters. They simpered anddelayed, hoping to cadge an invitation for refreshments from theLady of the Acoma, but the deaf Lord Chipaka paid no heed to theirnoise. As he seemed in haste to descend upon Lord Buntokapi,Mara decided not to impede his departure. When the matriarch andher brood were safely buttoned into their litters, she graciouslyoffered a messenger slave to guide the way to the town house, thatthe courtesy visit to her Lord suffer no more unnecessary delays.The Lord of the Jandawaio waved absently and shuffled to thelitter he shared with his mother. One hand upon the curtains, hepaused and said, 'And tell your mistress I am sorry to have missedher, girl.' Shaking her head slightly, Mara said, 'I will, my Lord.'The slaves bent, muscles shining with sweat as they hefted thelitter poles. As the procession traipsed back down the lane, Nacoyasaid, 'My Lady, Lord Bunto will be furious.' Mara watched the departing retinue with sharp calculation. If theancient matriarch of the jandawaio resented the jostling of anything Snare I 235 but a slow walk, Buntokapi's visitors would arrive within an hour after he had returned to Teani's bed. Fervently Mara murmured, 'Icertainly hope so, Nacoya.' She returned to her quarters, where her maps and documentsawaited further study. Nacoya stared after her in astonishment,wondering what possible motive would justify the young mistress'sinviting the wrath of that brute she had married. Three days later, ignoring the presence of Nacoya and the otherservants, Buntokapi stamped into Mara's quarters unannounced.At the sight of his dusty sandals, Mara winced reflexively. But thispair was for walking only, lacking the studs used in battle or on thepractice ground. 'You should never have allowed that old fool andhis clutch of jigahens to come to my town house,' the Lord of theAcoma opened. The timbre of his voice caused the maids to shrinkin the corners. Mara lowered her eyes, as much to hide her amusement atBuntokapi's calling the Lord of the jandawaio's women barnyardfowl as from any contrition. 'Is my husband displeased?'Buntokapi lowered himself to the mat before her with a sigh ofaggravation. 'Woman, that old fool was a friend of my grandfather's. He's damn near senile! Half the time he thinks my father ishis old boyhood pal, and that I am Tecuma of the Anasati. And hismother is worse, a near corpse he drags along wherever he goes.Gods, wife, she must be close to a century of years. And all she doesis stare, drool, and mess the mats upon which she's sitting. AndLord Chipaka talks to her all the time; all of them talk to her, thewife, the daughters, even the servants! She never answers, but theythink she does!' His voice rose as his recounting of the visit inflamedhis temper. 'Now, I want to know which brainless serving girl sentthem along to my town house! All Chipaka could remember wasshe had large breasts!' Mara stifled a smile, barely. The nearsighted Lord Chipaka mightperhaps have thought Mara's breasts large, since his nose hadhovered within inches of her chest as he spoke to her. Puzzled by hiswife's blush, and the suspicion that she laughed at him, Buntokapishouted until he shook the timbers of the doorframes. 'And hegroped my ... servant girl. Right before my eyes he reached out andhe ... pinched her!' 236 % Daughter of the Empire Too angry to contain himself, Buntokapi leaped to his feet. Heshook his fists in the air, ranting himself into a sweat. 'And theystayed for two days! For two days I had to give my quarters to thatold fool and his wife. My ... servant girl, Teani, had to takequarters in a hostelry nearby. The old lecher wouldn't keep hishands off her.' Mara sat up then and deliberately provoked him. 'Oh, Bunto,you should have let him bed the girl. She's only a servant, and if theold Lord was still capable after all these years, at least the diversionwould have kept him occupied.' Buntokapi's colour deepened. 'Not in my town house! If I canfind that stupid cow who sent jandawaio to me in Sulan-Qu, I'llpersonally strip the skin from her back.' Mara's reply sounded meek in contrast to her husband's bellow.'Bunto, you said, should anyone come to call, send them along toyou at your town house, not keep them waiting here. I'm sure jicaninformed all the servants and that any of them would have done the same.' Buntokapi paused in his pacing, one foot half-raised like a shatrabird's. The pose would have been funny were he not so coiled forviolence. 'Well, I made a mistake. From now onward, send no oneto my town house without my prior consent!' His thunderous shout roused Ayaki, who stirred in his pillows.Apparently preoccupied, Mara turned towards her baby. 'No one?'The interruption of his son inflamed Buntokapi still further. Hestormed about the room, his fist waving in the air. 'No one! If amember of the High Council calls, they can wait!'The baby began to wail. Mara's brow knitted slightly as she said,'But of course you don't mean your father?' 'Send that child off with a servant!' Buntokapi raged. He gesturedfuriously at Misa, who ran to take the infant from Mara's arms.Buntokapi kicked a pillow hard, sending it sailing into the fish poolin the garden beyond the screen. Then he resumed as if nointerruption had occurred. 'My father thinks I am stupid, and thatI'll do whatever he asks. He can go piss in the river! The Acoma arenot his to command!' Buntokapi paused, his face dark purple.'No, Idon't want him soiling my fish. Tell him to go downstream off mylands, then he can piss in the river!' Snare 237 Mara hid her hands in the fabric of her robe. 'But surely if theWarlord -' Buntokapi cut her off. 'If the Warlord himself arrives here, do notsend even him along to my town house! Is that understood!' Mararegarded her husband in shocked amazement. Bunto's rage redoubled. After being repressed for two days with the Lord of thejandawaio, his tantrum was impressive. 'Even Almecho can damnwell wait upon my pleasure. If he does not wish to wait here, he cansit in the needra pens, if he prefers. And if I don't get back the day hearrives, he can sleep in needra shit, for all I care, and you can tell himI said so.' Mara pressed her forehead to the floor, almost in the bow of aslave. 'Yes, my Lord.' The obeisance forestalled her husband, who longed to strike outwith his fists now that his anger had found a focus. 'And anotherthing. All these messages you keep sending. I want them stopped. Icome home enough to oversee the running of my holdings. I do notneed servants disturbing me throughout the day. Is that understood?' He bent swiftly, snatching his wife upright by the collar. Shereplied stiffly, her breathing hampered by his knuckles. 'You do notwish to be disturbed, and all messages are to stop.''Yes!' Bunto shouted into her face. 'When I am resting in town, Ido not wish to be disturbed for any reason. If you send a servant tome, I will kill him before he can tell me what you say. Is thatunderstood?' He shook her slightly. 'Yes, my Lord.' Mara struggled feebly, her slippers all but liftedclear of the floor. 'But there is this one matter here -'Buntokapi pushed her roughly backward, and she tumbled intothe cushions. 'Enough! I will hear nothing more.'Mara raised herself valiantly. 'But, husband -'Bunto lashed out with one foot, catching the hem of Mara'sgown. Cloth ripped, and she cowered, her hands protecting herface. He shouted, 'I said enough! I will not listen to another word!Have jican take care of any business. I am returning to townimmediately. Do not disturb me for anything!' With a last kick inMara's direction, he spun and stalked from her quarters. As hisfootsteps faded, distantly Ayaki could be heard crying.After the barest of prudent intervals, Nacoya rushed to her 238 % Daughter of the Empire mistress's side. Helping her upright, and shaking with fright, shesaid, 'Mistress, you said nothing to your husband about themessage from his father.' Mara rubbed the reddening bruise on her thigh. 'You saw,Nacoya. My Lord husband granted me no chance to relay hisfather's message.' Nacoya sat back on her heels. Grimly she nodded. 'Yes, that istrue, my Lady. My Lord Buntokapi did indeed not give you theopportunity to speak.' Mara straightened her torn robe, her eyes fixed significantly onthe ornamented scroll that had arrived that morning, announcingthe impending arrival of her father-in-law and his most augusttravelling companion, Almecho, the Warlord of Tsuranuanni.Then, her bruises forgotten beside the enormity of her husband'scommands, she smiled. I0 Warlord The servants hurried. As anxious as the rest of the household staff in the face of thecoming visit, Nacoya sought her mistress through hallwayscrowded with last-minute activity. Artists blotted brushes afterrefurbishing the screens, and slaves trooped to and from thekitchens with foods and drink especially imported to please thetastes of guests. Nacoya wove through the confusion, muttering.Her bones were too old to take kindly to haste. She dodged a bearercarrying an immense load of cushions and finally found her mistressin her private gardens. Mara sat beneath a j6 fruit tree, her sonasleep in a basket by her side, and her hands at rest in the fabric of ablanket she had been sewing with embroidered animals for Ayaki.By the work still left to be done, Nacoya judged the Lady had notminded her needlework for most of the afternoon. Not for the firsttime, the old nurse wondered what the girl might be planning; andas had become her habit since Buntokapi's assumption of thelordship, she bowed without asking. 'You bring word of our guests?' Mara stated softly.'Yes, mistress.' Nacoya looked closely, but found no sign ofnervousness in the young girl who reclined on the cushions. Herhair was brushed to a polished black sheen, tied neatly back, andpinned with jewels. Her dress was rich but not ostentatious, and theeyes she raised to Nacoya were shadowed obsidian, impossible toread. The old nurse resumed with asperity. 'The Anasati retinue hasreached the borders of Acoma lands. Your runner reports fourlitters, two dozen body servants, and two full companies ofwarriors, one under the Anasati banner, the other Imperial Whites. Six are officers worthy of private accommodations.' 240 Daughter of the Empire Mara folded the half-completed blanket with fussy care and laidit aside. 'I trust that jican has arranged everything?'Nacoya gestured acquiescence. 'He is a fine hadonra, Lady. Heloves his work and requires little supervision, a thing my Lordwould do well to appreciate, since he is so often absorbed with hisaffairs in town.' But Mara did not respond to the prompt. Instead of sharing, theLady of the Acoma excused her closest confidante. Then sheclapped briskly for her maidservant and asked that Ayaki bereturned to the care of his day nurse. Another servant fetched thejewelled overrobe that was proper attire for greeting guests of HighCouncil rank. Mara stood through the arranging and fastening, herface a secretive mask. By the time she was readied to meet theWarlord, Lord Almecho, and Tecuma, Lord of the Anasati, sheseemed a girl in the trappings of a great Lady; except that her eyesstayed hard as flint. Keyoke, jican, and Nacoya were on hand to greet the entourageupon arrival. Keyoke wore ceremonial armour, decorated withfluted scrollwork entirely unsuitable for battle, but handsome in theextreme. His formal trappings were completed by a plumed helmand tasselled sword, and Papewaio, his adjutant, stood in armour assplendid. Every man in the garrison not on sentry duty was properlyturned out to greet the guests, and the green lacquer of their armourshone in the late sunlight. To a man they held themselves proudly asthe first of the Imperial Guard marched between fence rows newlypainted and gardens planted afresh for the occasion. The litters inthe centre of the cortege approached the house, and Mara joined theheads of her household. She had watched state visitors arrive at herfather's household since she was a small child, and the routine wasfamiliar; but never before had her palms sweated through theformalities. The dooryard echoed with the tramp of feet as the first companyof warriors marched in; the Warlord's Imperial Whites led, since hiswas the senior rank. Keyoke stepped forward and bowed to theplumed officer in command. Then, with Mara's leave, he directedthe guest officers to quarters. An elite cadre of bodyguardsremained behind to attend upon their master. With a dry feeling inher mouth, Mara noticed that Lord Almecho retained six soldiers,the full complement to which his rank entitled him. Clearer than Warlord 24I words, the Warlord showed that his arrival was no honour to theAcoma but a favour to his ally the Anasati lord, Tecuma. With aslight motion of her hand, Mara signalled Papewaio to remain; his presence in ceremonial armour would return the impression thatshe acknowledged no weakness before those of superior rank; theAcoma would bear no slight. 'Mistress,' murmured Nacoya so that no other could hear,&please, in the name of the gods, go cautiously; boldness is adangerous choice for a lady in the absence of her Ruling Lord.''I'll remember,' whispered Mara, though her face showed no signshe had heard the warning at all. Then the other litters arrived, sparkling with precious metal. TheWarlord's bearers bore tasselled sashes, darkened with sweat anddust from the road. His servants wore beaded livery, and all werematched in height and colouring. Next came the scarlet and yellowof the Anasati standard, behind which marched Tecuma's honourguard; his servants also were decked out in costly array, for theLord of the Anasati, like many Tsurani, sought to outshine hisbetters with ostentatious displays of wealth. Mara considered the metal ornaments that tinkled and flashed onthe Anasati palanquin; if his slaves slipped and dropped the lot inthe river, her father-in-law's showy accoutrements would sink himlike a stone, she thought with grim amusement. But her faceremained impassive as her guests entered the dooryard, and theshade muted the splendour of jewelled trappings and red-and-yellow-lacquered trim. The bearers set the litters down and stepped smartly aside, whilebody servants rushed to draw the curtains and help their masters torise. Poised between her retainers, Mara observed the proper interval,allowing time for her guests to gain their feet, adjusting their clothingand dignity, before greeting her. Since the Warlord was a stocky man,and his attire included robes set about with sashes with elaboratebattle decorations, his servants were kept occupied for a long minute.Mara glimpsed the Lord of the Anasati craning his neck to see aroundthe confusion; and the absence of Buntokapi was met with an irritablefrown before protocol smoothed over his expression. Behind the fanTecuma fluttered before his chin, Mara guessed that he whisperedfuriously to his first Adviser, Chumaka. The hollow feeling in the pit ofher stomach intensified. 242 Daughter of the Empire 'Mistress, pay attention!' snapped Nacoya under her breath.Mara looked away from her late father's enemy and saw thatKaleska, the Warlord's First Adviser, had stepped forward to bowbefore her. 0 , She bowed in return. 'Welcome to the house of the Acoma.' TheWarlord stepped up behind him, surrounded by his soldiers andservants. Mechanically Mara recited the traditional greeting: 'Areyou well?' She went on, wishing joy and comfort to her guests; butas she exchanged courtesies, she sensed the puzzlement of LordAlmecho, who also had noticed the absence of the Lord of theAcoma. Mara gestured for servants to open the doors to the estatehouse. The Warlord exchanged glances with the Anasati lord; then,as if echoing his master's disquiet, the Anasati First Adviser,Chumaka, plucked nervously at his clothing. Mara bowed again and stepped back, permitting her guests to fileinto the comfort of her house. She stood meekly as they passed,except when Lord Tecuma whispered a furious query concerningBuntokapi's whereabouts. With calculated timing, she raised herwrist to adjust the brooch that pinned her robe; the jingle of her jadebracelets effectively foiled his question. And as the Warlord'sbooming voice demanded cold drinks from a waiting servant, notime could be snatched to ask again without causing notice.Looking hot, Tecuma followed his travelling companion into thewide hall. There Mara arranged for musicians to play while trays ofsliced fruit were provided for the refreshment of her guests.Once inside, Nacoya snagged Kaleska and Chumaka in aninvolved conversation concerning the state of disrepair in certain ofthe roads throughout the Empire, most notably those that causeddifficulty for Acoma trading. Mara made a show of making certainher servants fussed over the Warlord's comfort, and then managedartfully to appeal to the man's vanity so that he would explain theorigin of each decoration upon his sash. Since many had been wonin battle by his ancestors, and the newest had been wrested awayfrom a barbarian lord during a raid beyond the rift, the recountingtook no small amount of time. Reddened light fell through the screens. Finished with his firstgoblet of wine, Tecuma fumed in silence. The absence of his sonclearly embarrassed him, for the purpose of his visit was to have hisgrandson presented, a ritual tradition appointed to the Lord of the Warlord 243 house. Tecuma knew as well as Mara that the Warlord's conversationwas merely a gracious way to buy time, postponing commenton Buntokapi's absence, perhaps to spare an important ally theshame of making excuses. Almecho needed the support of theImperial Party in his Alliance for War, and anything that couldcause difficulty between his interests and the Anasati's was to bepolitically avoided. Each minute that passed placed the Anasatimore in the Warlord's debt for such kindness, as Chumaka was alsoaware. He masked irritation by eating, unmindful that the fruit hadbeen soaked in fine spirits and the servants had replenished the trayof fruit by his elbow three times in an hour. The Warlord's recitation lagged by sunset. Smiling, deliveringcompliments glib enough to make a fish blush, Mara clapped herhands. Servants rushed in and opened the screens, in time to displaythe splendour of the shatra birds' flight at the end of the day. Theirclear, fluting calls temporarily defeated conversation, and when atlast the phenomenon came to an end, more servants arrived toescort the guests to an elaborate ceremonial dinner. By now Mara'shospitality was plainly a desperate, stopgap diversion.'Where is my son?' Tecuma demanded through clenched teeth.His lips assumed a frozen smile as the Warlord glanced his way.Mara winked, as if to a conspirator. 'The main dish isBuntokapi's personal favourite, but it sours if it stands too long.The cooks have been at work all day for your pleasure, and thejigabirds and the needra are spiced with rare sauces. My mostgraceful maid, Merali, will show you your seat. She will bring abasin, if you need to wash.' Sweating, and infuriated by what he saw as girlish prattle, theLord of the Anasati permitted himself to be ushered in to dinner. Henoticed, with narrowed eyes, that the Warlord showed signs ofrestlessness; at that point he was glad Mara had gone to the troubleof bringing in priests to bless the repast, and that her musiciansplayed very well, if too loudly for protocol. He barely tasted what had been touted as Buntokapi's favouritedish. When Chumaka snatched time to query how long he intendedto be led on by such nonsense, he nearly choked on his meat. Maraset down her knife and signalled Nacoya, who in turn nodded to aservant in the doorway. The musicians struck up a wildly arythmicmelody, and female dancers dressed in little but beads and gauzewhirled into the space between the tables. 244 - Daughter of the Empire That their performance was brilliantly provocative could donothing to hide the fact that Buntokapi of the Acoma was nowherein evidence, though his father and the most august personage in theHigh Council presently bided their time at his dinner table.Lord Tecuma seized the moment when the dancers spun aboutand finished their finale. He heaved himself to his feet, almoststepping on his hems in haste, and bellowed over the last notes ofmusic, 'My Lady Mara, where is your husband, Buntokapi?'The musicians stopped their strings, but for one laggard vielle,which scraped an abandoned solo before its owner stilled his bow.Silence fell, and all eyes turned to Mara, who stared in turn at thedainties which her cooks had laboured to prepare, but which sheobviously had barely tasted. She said nothing; and the Warlord setdown his spoon with a clink. A hairsbreadth shy of discourtesy, she met her father-in-law'seyes. 'My Lord, forgive us both. I will explain everything, but suchwords will go more graciously after the servants have broughtwine.' 'No!' Almecho spread heavy hands before him upon the table.'Lady, this has gone on long enough! Your dinner is exquisitelyprepared and your dancers are talented, but we who visit yourhouse will not be treated as buffoons. You must send for your Lordand let him explain himself.' Mara's expression revealed nothing, but she turned dramaticallypale. Nacoya seemed openly shaken, and the Lord of the Anasatifelt sweat spring beneath his collar. 'Well, girl? Send for my son,that my grandson may be presented!' Mara's reply was phrased with perfect deference. 'Father of myhusband, forgive me, but I cannot do as you ask. Let my servantsbring wine, and in time my husband will explain himself.'The Warlord turned a dark expression on Mara. At first he hadtreated the delay in Buntokapi's appearance as something of a joke,indulging an old ally. But as the day had passed, the waiting and theheat had plainly worn away what patience he possessed. NowTecuma of the Anasati dared not take the girl's suggestion withoutsevere loss of face, for clearly her efforts suggested something wasamiss. To swallow her excuses would indicate weakness, a serioussetback before the pre-eminent member of the Imperial Council. IfBuntokapi was drunk, even to incapacity, that shame would be less Warlord 245 than the one incurred should he slight his father and his guests byhiding the fact behind his wife. Tecuma said, in deadly even tones, 'We are waiting.'Overtly nervous, but still ingenuous, Mara answered, 'Yes, fatherof my husband, that is true.' The silence that followed was ponderous. The musicians set down their instruments, and the dancers filedfrom the room. When it became painfully evident that the Lady ofthe Acoma intended no explanation, the Anasati lord was forcedonce more to intervene. As if he had to bite down to control his urge to shout, Tecumademanded, 'What do you mean, that is true?' Mara's discomfort intensified. Without meeting the eyes of herfather-in-law, she said, 'My husband wished for you to wait forhim.' The Warlord set down the after-dinner sweet he had beennibbling and looked confused, the result of the odd dialogue and thewine. 'Buntokapi wished us to wait for him? Then he knew hewould be late in greeting us?' Almecho sighed, as if a great weighthad been lifted from him. 'Then he sent word he would be late andyou were to entertain us until he arrived, is that it?''Not exactly, my Lord,' said Mara, her colour rising.Tecuma leaned forward. 'What exactly, then, did he say, Mara?'Like a gazen held pinned by a serpent, Mara began to tremble.'His exact words, father of my husband?' Tecuma thumped his hands upon the table, and the plates alljumped with a clink. 'Exactly!' Belatedly alerted to his master's tension, Chumaka sat blinkinglike a night bird caught in bright light. Even inebriated, he sensedsomething amiss. His instincts came to the fore. Levering himselfforward, he attempted to reach for his master's sleeve. Themanoeuvre overbalanced him; he caught himself short of a fall withan undignified whoosh of breath. 'My Lord -' Tecuma's eyes remained locked upon his daughter-in-law.The image of nervous innocence, Mara said, 'My Lord husbandsaid, "If the Warlord arrives, he can damn well wait upon mypleasure." ' Chumaka sank his fist to the wrist in embroidered pillows, frozenin the act of reaching for Tecuma's dangling sleeve. Helpless now to 246 Daughter of the Empire intervene, he watched Tecuma's face drain slowly of colour.Chumaka looked across a room that held no movement, andthrough the delicate steam rising from a dozen rare dishes heregarded the reaction of Almecho. The Warlord of all Tsuranuanni sat motionless, his still featuresdeepening to red. All his inclination towards tolerance vanished ashis eyes became burning coals of barely managed rage, and his replycut like sharpened flint. 'What else did my Lord of the Acoma say ofme?' Mara gestured helplessly, and directed a desperate glance atNacoya. 'My Lords, I ... I dare not speak. I beg that you wait formy husband, and let him answer for himself.' Straight, small, andpathetically fragile in her formal robes, the girl seemed lost in thecushions she sat upon. Hers was an image to evoke pity; except thatthe Game of the Council allowed none. As a maid with a basinhurried to her side to dab her forehead with a damp towel, theWarlord glared at Tecuma of the Anasati. 'Ask her the whereabouts of your son, Lord, for I require amessenger sent at once to summon him into our presence. If heintends insult, let him speak in my presence.'Mara dismissed her maid. She rallied with the formality of aTsurani warrior facing a death sentence, though such control taxedher visibly. 'My Lord, Buntokapi is in his town house in Sulan-Qu,but no messenger may go there, by his explicit command. He vowedto kill the next servant sent to trouble him.'The Warlord heaved to his feet. 'The Lord of the Acoma is inSulan-Qu? While we wait upon his pleasure? And what, will youtell us, does he expect us to do in the meantime? Speak, Lady, andleave nothing out!' Tecuma rose also, a serpent ready to strike. 'What nonsense isthis? Surely my son ... not even Bunto could be so rude.'The Warlord silenced him with a gesture. 'Let the Lady of theAcoma speak for her husband.' Mara bowed. Her eyes seemed too bright, the delicate shades ofher makeup harsh against her pallor. With stiff ceremony, sheformed a triangle with her thumbs and fingers, the ancient gesturewhich signified that honour must be compromised by the commandof a superior. All present in the room knew that her news wouldbring shame. The priests who had blessed the repast silently arose Warlord 247 and departed. The musicians and servants filed out after them, andsoon the chamber held only the guests, their advisers, and theWarlord's honour guard. Papewaio stood immobile as a temple icon behind the Lady of the Acoma's shoulder, and Nacoya, equallystill, waited by her side. Quietly Mara said, 'My tongue will notcompromise the honour of this house. My First Adviser was presentwhen Buntokapi delivered his orders. She will answer for him, andfor me.' She waved weakly towards Nacoya. The old woman arose, then bowed with extreme respect.Servants had helped her dress for this occasion, and for the first timeMara could recall, the pins that held her white hair were set straight.But the incongruous humour of that observation fled as the oldnurse spoke. 'My Lords, by my oath and honour, what the Ladysays is true. The Lord of the Acoma did say those words as sherepeated them.' Out of patience with delays, even ones of courtesy, the Warlordof Tsuranuanni focused his irritation upon Nacoya. 'I demand oncemore: what else did the Lord of the Acoma say?'Nacoya stared blankly ahead and answered in a voice that stayedlow and flat. 'My Lord Buntokapi said, "If he," meaning yourself,Lord Almecho, "does not wish to wait here, he can sit in the needrapens, if he prefers. And if I don't get back the day he arrives, he cansleep in needra shit, for all I care." ' The Warlord paused as if carved from stone, the sheer force of hisfury rendering him without volition. A long, torturous minutepassed before he spoke to Tecuma. 'Your son chooses a swiftdestruction.' Light trembled in the jewels on Almecho's collar andhis voice rumbled with menace. His tone rose to a shout as theenormity of his rage took flight. Like a scarlet-banded killwingclimbing high before swooping to impale its prey, he whirled to facethe father of the man who had insulted him. 'Your young upstartbegs to beget a legacy of ashes. I will call upon clan honour. TheOaxatucan will march and grind Acoma bones into the very groundthey walk upon. Then we shall salt the earth of their ancestors sothat nothing shall grow upon Acoma soil for the length of thememory of man!' Tecuma stared woodenly at the spread of congealing delicacies..The shatra crest painted upon the dishes seemed to mock him byrepetition, for Buntokapi's rash words, which he himself had forced ~ ~i .L 248 Daughter of the Empire the wife to repeat, had swept politics aside in an instant; nowmatters of honour lay at stake. Of all things, this unwritten code ofTsurani civilization could prove the most dangerous.Should Almecho call the Oaxatucan, his family, to battle on amatter of honour, all other families of the Omechan Clan would bebound to support that assault, just as all members of the HadamaClan were honour-bound to answer any call the Acoma made. Thissworn duty to give aid was the primary reason open declarations ofwar were avoided; most conflicts were conducted and resolvedwithin the framework of the Game of the Council. For as no otherdisruption could, open warfare between clans brought chaos to theEmpire - and stability within the Empire was the first duty of theGreat Ones. To begin a clan war was to invite the wrath of theAssembly of Magicians. Tecuma shut his eyes. The smell of meatsand sauces made him feel ill; in vain he reviewed the list ofpermissible responses, while Chumaka fumed helplessly by his side.Both of them knew Tecuma's options were nonexistent. Almechowas one of the few Lords in the Empire with both the power and theintemperate nature to touch off an open clan war. And by the moresof tradition, Tecuma and the other families of the Hospodar Clanwould be forced to stand aside and impartially observe the bloodywarfare; his own son and grandson would be obliterated and hewould be helpless to intercede. The wine sauces in the dishes suddenly seemed symbolic of thebloodshed that might soon be visited upon the house of the Acoma.For the sake of a son and his infant son, war must not be permittedto happen. Mastering his urge to shout, Tecuma spoke calmly. 'MyLord Almecho, remember the Alliance. Open clan warfare meansan end to your conquest on the barbarian world.' He paused to givethat concept time to register, then seized upon the next availableexpedient to divert the Warlord's wrath: the senior Subcommanderof the Warlord's invasion force upon the barbarian world wasnephew to the Lord of the Minwanabi, and should there be need toelect a new Warlord in the High Council, jingu of the Minwanabi'sclaim upon the succession would be strengthened, since theinvasion army was already under his family's command. 'TheMinwanabi especially would be pleased to see another upon thewhite and gold throne,' he reminded. Almecho's colour remained high, but his eyes lost their madness. Warlord 249 'Minwanabi!' he nearly spat. 'To keep that dung eater in his place, I would endure much. But I will have your son grovel for myforgiveness, Tecuma. I shall have him belly down and crawling through needra soil to beg at my feet for mercy.'Tecuma closed his eyes as if his head ached. Whatever had causedBunto to utter such a destructive instruction was thoughtlessness and not any overt attempt to bring ruination upon himself and hisfamily. Aching with shame and tension, he turned to Mara, whohad not moved since the moment Lord Almecho had uttered histhreats against her house. 'Mara, I do not care what ordersBuntokapi left concerning the sending of messengers. Send for yourlitter and bearers, and tell your husband that his father demands hisattendance here.' Night was falling behind the screens, but no servants dared enterto light lamps. In the half-dark of twilight, Mara stirred anddirected a look of open appeal at her father-in-law. Then, as if thegesture exhausted her, she nodded to Nacoya. The old woman said,'My Lord Tecuma, my master Buntokapi expressed himself uponthat possibility as well.' Tecuma felt his heart sink. 'What did he say?'Nacoya complied without drama. 'My Lord of the Acoma saidthat should you come and wish to see him, we were to tell you to gopiss in the river, but away from Acoma lands so that you don't soilhis fish.' There was a moment of utter silence; astonishment, anger, andnaked shock moulded Tecuma's thin features. Then the stillness was rent by the Warlord's explosive laughter. 'Don't soil the fish!Hay I like that.' Looking hard at the Anasati lord, Almecho said,'Tecuma, your son has insulted his own father. I think my need forsatisfaction will be answered. There is only one possible atonementfor Buntokapi.' Tecuma nodded stiffly, grateful that the deepening shadows hidhis grief. By insulting his own father in public, Buntokapi hadforever denied himself honour. Either he must expiate his shame bytaking his own life, or Tecuma must renounce all blood ties andprove his loyalty was ended by destroying the disinherited son andall his family and retainers. What had begun as a political strugglebetween Tecuma of the Anasati and Sezu of the Acoma, resolved bySezu's death, might now become a generational blood feud, one to r ! 250 % Daughter of the Empire match that which already existed between the Minwanabi and theAcoma. To separate the honour of the father from the transgressionsof the son, the Lord of the Anasati would be obliged to killnot only Buntokapi, but the newborn Acoma heir, the grandson hehad never seen, as well. The thought set him utterly at a loss forspeech. Aware of Tecuma's dilemma, Almecho spoke softly in the rapidlyfalling darkness. 'Either way, you lose your son. Better he takes thehonourable path and chooses to die at his own hand. I will forgivehis insults if he does, and will seek no further vengeance upon yourAcoma grandson. I would not see our alliance further strained,Tecuma.'No words remained to be said. Turning his back on Mara,Nacoya, and the Lord of the Anasati, the Warlord signalled to hishonour guard. The six white-clad soldiers snapped to attention,then wheeled and escorted their lord out of the great diningchamber. Stunned to immobility, Tecuma did not immediately react. Hestared unseeing at his half-eaten meal. It was Chumaka who brisklytook charge, sending a summons to the barracks to ready hiswarriors to march. Slaves fetched the Anasati litter, and lanternswithin the courtyard splashed the screens with brightness. Tecumastirred at last. His jaw was hard and his eyes bleak as he looked tothe Lady of the Acoma. 'I go to Sulan-Qu, wife of my son. And forthe sake of the grandson I have not seen, may the gods favourBuntokapi with courage in proportion to his foolishness.'He departed with a pride that hurt to watch. As he vanished intothe shadows of the hall, Mara's exhilaration evaporated before adeep chill of fear. She had set a clever trap; now the jaws wouldclose in whatever manner the gods decreed. Thinking of Bunto, bynow half-drunk and laughing on his way to his evening's amusementsin the gambling halls with Teani, Mara shivered and calledfor servants and light. Nacoya's face seemed ancient in the new light of the lamps. 'Youplay the Game of the Council for high stakes, my Lady.'This once,shedid not chide her charge for taking foolish risks, for Buntokapihad been no favourite among the Acoma retainers. The nurse wasTsurani enough to relish the discomfort of an enemy, though herown plight might be dire as a result. Mara herself felt no triumph. Shaken, worn thin with the stress of Warlord 25I month after month of manipulation, she relied on Papewaio's stolidpresence to steady her inner turmoil. 'Have the servants clear awaythis mess,' she said, as if the ceremonial plates and dishes had been brought out for an ordinary meal. Then, as if impelled by primalinstinct, she half ran to Ayaki's chambers to see that the boy sleptsafely on his mat. Sitting in the gloom by her baby, she saw in theshadowed features of her son the echo of the father, and for all thecauses Buntokapi had given her to hate, still she could not escape adeep, brooding melancholy. Mara waited in Buntokapi's quarters, passing a restless night in thechamber which once had been Lord Sezu's, but which now reflectedthe tastes and preferences of one who, by marriage to his daughter,had succeeded him. Now the continuance of the Acoma relied uponthis man's honour; for if Buntokapi remained true to the oath hehad sworn upon the Acoma natami, he would choose death by thesword and spare his house from retribution. Yet if the loyalty of hisheart remained with the Anasati, or if cowardice drove him fromhonour to mean-spirited vengeance, he might choose war and carryMara and his infant son to ruin along with him. Then would thenatami fall into the hands of Almecho, and the Acoma name beobliterated in shame. Mara rolled restlessly on her side and tossed tangled sheets aside.Grey light glimmered through the screens, and although the needraherders had not yet stirred to drive the herds to meadow, daybreakwas not far off. Without waiting for the assistance of her maids, Mararose and slipped on a day robe. She lifted Ayaki from his basket and,shushing his sleepy wail, hastened alone into the corridor.A large shadow moved, almost under her feet. Mara started back,her arms tight around her infant; then she recognized the worn,wrapped leather that covered the hilt of Papewaio's sword. He musthave spent the night seated outside her chambers.'Why are you not in the barracks, with Keyoke)' Marademanded, relief sharpening her tone. Papewaio bowed without offence. 'Keyoke suggested I stay byyour door, Lady. Rumours had reached the barracks, throughservants who overheard the Warlord's honour guard speakingamong themselves. The anger of the mighty is never to be takenlightly, and I accept the wisdom of such advice.' I 252 Daughter of the Empire Mara began a heated reply, but recalled the assassin and stoppedherself. Upon second consideration, she realized that Keyoke andPapewaio were trying to warn her, without breaking loyalty. Earlyon, they had recognized the possibility that Buntokapi might returnhome in a rage during the night. Had he done so, anger might havedriven him to violence against her, a shameful act but not out of thequestion for a man who was quick-tempered, and young, andaccustomed to wrestling and working out daily with arms. If suchhappened, and a warrior dared intercede between his mistress andhis sworn Lord, Papewaio's life would instantly have been forfeit,all of his honour surrendered at a stroke. Yet Pape wielded a fastsword, and his memory of events in the marriage hut had not faded;at the least move against Mara, the Lord Buntokapi would havedied between breaths. And no dishonour to the servant who haddone the deed could reverse the grip of the Red God.Mara smiled through her strain. 'You've earned the black ragonce already, Pape. But if you choose to tempt the wrath of the godsa second time, I will be in the contemplation glade throughout theday. Send my Lord there if he arrives home and does not arm theAcoma garrison for war.' Papewaio bowed, inwardly pleased by his mistress's tacit acceptanceof his guard. He shifted his post to the arched entry of thecontemplation glade and remained there as dawn gave way tosunrise and morning brightened over the rich holdings of theAcoma. The noon heat came and went in sultry stillness, much as it alwayshad. The sacred pool reflected a stone-bordered square of cloudlesssky and the trailing foliage of nearby shrubbery. Ayaki slept in hisbasket beneath the tree by the Acoma natami, unaware of thedangers that hedged his young life. Unable to match his ignorantpeace, Mara meditated and paced by turns. Even her templediscipline could not dispel recurrent thoughts of Buntokapi, inwhose hands lay the fate of all things Acoma. Since he was bornAnasati but sworn to uphold the honour of ancestors who had beenenemies of his father, there was no knowing where his true loyaltylay. Through Mara's own machinations, his affections had beengiven over to his concubine, Teani; and Keyoke, Nacoya, and jicanall detested him for his excesses. The estate house had been his Warlord 253 demesne and his dwelling, but his town house in Sulan-Qu was hishome. Biting her lip, Mara stopped by the natami, where not eventwo years past she had sworn over stewardship of her father's name.She had then laid an intricate snare, whose bindings were that oathand the Tsurani concept of honour. These were fragile foundations upon which to base hope; for all his shortcomings, Buntokapi wasno fool. The shadows swelled, and slanted, and the Ii birds began to singin the slightly cooler air of afternoon. Mara sat by the sacred pooland fingered a flower plucked from a nearby shrub. The petals werepale, delicate in the extreme; like her, they could be bruised andcrushed with a clench of the hand. The servants might believe shehad retired to the sacred glade to pray for deliverance from theshame brought upon her house by her husband. In fact, she hadgone there to escape the fear in their eyes, for if the Lord of theAcoma chose war, their fates also hung in the balance. Some mightdie fighting, and they would be the fortunate ones. Others mightlose all honour by hanging, and many would become slaves; a fewmight turn to the hills as outlaws and grey warriors. If the natamiwere stolen, all would know the gods' disfavour.The shadows lengthened, and the flower wilted in Mara's hand,poisoned by the salt of her own nervous sweat. Ayaki wakened inhis basket. At first content to bat his fat hands at the insects thatflitted to feed on the blossoms above his head, he later grew fussy.The time for his midday meal had long passed. Mara tossed thedead flower away and arose. She plucked a ripened fruit from one ofthe ornamental jomach trees and peeled it for her infant. The boyquieted as he chewed the sweet fibre. Only then did Mara hear thefootsteps approaching from behind. She did not turn around. With Papewaio on guard at the gate tothe glade, this would be no assassin. Priests of Chochocan did notenter unasked; gardeners did no work while master or mistress usedthe glade; and no other could enter without earning a sentence ofdeath. The only person living who could walk these paths at thishour with impunity was the Lord of the Acoma. The fact that he hadarrived home from his town house in Sulan-Qu without fanfare toldMara only one thing: he had seen his father, and his disgrace in theeyes of the Warlord and his insult to the house of his birth hadcaught up with him. I 254 Daughter of the Empire Mara eased the last bit of jomach into Ayaki's eager mouth.Aware that her hands were shaking, she made a show of blotting hersticky fingers just as Buntokapi reached the far side of the sacredpool. He stopped on the walk, his sandals showering a fine spray ofgravel into the water. Reflections shattered into a thousand fleeingripples, and the Ii birds fell silent in the branches overhead. 'Wife,you are like the pusk adder of the jungles, whose markings arepretty enough to be mistaken for a flower when it lies at rest. But itsstrike is swift and its bite is fatal.' Slowly Mara rose. She turned reluctantly, her fingers stained redwith jomach juice; and she looked upon the face of her husband.He had come from town at speed, without his litter of state, forhis broad features were whitened with a thin layer of dust from theroad. He wore a simple day robe, probably the same he had donnedwhen his father's knock had roused him from bed; this, too, wasfilmed with dust, which hid the wine stains that spoiled theembroidery on one cuff. Mara's gaze followed the knotted cords ofhis belt, the well-worn leather of his sword, and the slice of muscledchest revealed through the opened collar of his robe. She saw themarks of Teani's passion still visible on the skin over his collarbone,and the hard set of his lips. Lastly she looked into his eyes, whichshowed a mixture of thwarted anger, childlike confusion, andlonging. Unaware that in the eyes of her husband she was beautiful and, ina strange way, untouchable, Mara bowed. The- only words shecould think to utter felt wrong. Buntokapi stared at her with an intensity that hurt to witness.'And like the pusk adder, my wife, your venom stops the heart. Youplay the Game of the Council with masterful precision. How couldyou know which face I would wear, the Anasati, whose blood andbirth were mine, or the Acoma, whose honour I pledged to preservewith a vow?' Mara willed her rigid posture to relax. But her voice shook everso slightly as she said, 'The Acoma family is ancient in honour. NoLord of that name has ever lived in shame.' Buntokapi stepped sharply forward, his legs easily spanning thebreadth of the ceremonial pool. Towering over the slight form of hiswife, he bent and caught her wrists. 'I could change that, proud Warlord 255 woman. At a stroke, I could make the honour of your forebears asdust in the wind.' Forced to look into his angry eyes, to feel the strength of a man she had not cherished, Mara needed all her will to hold steady. Aminute passed heavy with threat. Then the darting play of theinsects that fed among the flowers inspired Ayaki to spontaneouslaughter. Buntokapi looked down and noticed the weals hishandling had left on Mara's flesh. He blinked in embarrassment andlet her go, and it seemed to her as she watched that something vitaldrained from him. Then he straightened, and a look that she hadnever known crossed his face. 'Perhaps I was wrong, the day we married,' said Buntokapi.'Perhaps I am indeed as stupid as you and my father and mybrothers believed. But for the sake of my son, I will die bravely as anAcoma.' Mara bent her head. Suddenly she had to fight to suppress tears.For one brief instant she had perceived the man her husband mighthave been had he been raise(] with the love and the care that had allfallen to his elder brothers. The Lord of the Anasati might havedone little to foster the potential of this, his third, son; but she hadplayed upon Buntokapi's inadequacies until she achieved the endshe had desired. Mara felt pain within; when she should feeltriumph, she instead knew grief. For in this one moment she sawthat Buntokapi's potential for greatness, now glimpsed like the hintof sunlight through clouds, should be wasted so soon in death.But the poignancy of the moment lasted only a second. Buntokapicaught her arm in the bruising grip of a warrior and pulled herroughly to his side. 'Come, wife. Fetch our son from his basket.Before the sun sets this day, you shall both see what it takes to dielike a Lord of the Acoma.' Unthinkingly Mara offered protest. 'Not the child! My Lord, he'stoo young to understand.' 'Silence!' Buntokapi pushed her roughly, and distressed by hisshout, Ayaki began to cry. Over the child's wails, the Lord of theAcoma said, 'I die for the honour of my son. It is right that he shouldremember. And you.' He paused, his lips curled in malice. 'Youshall witness what you have wrought. If you would engage in theGame of the Council, woman, you must know that the pieces youmanipulate are flesh and blood. For the future, if you continue, it isright that you should remember.' 256 Daughter of the Empire Mara picked up Ayaki, hiding her distress in concern for herchild. As Buntokapi's steps retreated from the grove, she paused,battling a strong urge to weep. She had thought she understood the stakesof her position when she grieved after the murder of herfather and brother. But now Buntokapi had shown her the scope ofher ignorance. Feeling humbled, and inexplicably dirtied, she heldAyaki closely. Her husband's command must be obeyed. Somehowshe must find the resilience to weather the final, bitter fruits of hervictory. If she did not, the Minwanabi waited with plans to ruin her,even as ruthlessly as she had plotted the downfall of Buntokapi tosecure herself immunity from Anasati treachery.The soldiers of the Acoma stood rigidly in a square, the plumes ofthe officers' ceremonial helms tugged by the gentle breeze thatsometimes blew before sundown. Within the formation waitedKeyoke, Papewaio, and another warrior sent by the Anasati to actas witness; and between them, clad in the red robes of ritual, boundwith a sash of Acoma green, Buntokapi lifted a sword that was alsored, and sharpened to the keenest edge Tsurani armourers couldfashion. Outside the square, but afforded a clear view by the slight rise ofground, Mara shifted Ayaki's warm weight to her other shoulder.She wished the proceedings were done with. Ayaki was wide awakeand playful, tangling small fists in her hair and gown, andexclaiming brightly over the warriors in their colourful lacqueredarmour. Like all things Tsurani, even death had an element ofceremony. Buntokapi stood statue-still in the centre of the square,the blade that awaited his end in his hands, while Keyoke recited thelist of the honours he had earned as Lord of the Acoma. The accountwas very short: one battle and a dozen wrestling matches. Maraswallowed stiffly, aware as never before how young her husbandreally was. Tsurani faces aged slowly, which made it easy to forgetthat Buntokapi was barely twenty, a scant two years older thanherself. Straight, still, every inch the warrior despite his bandy legs, heshowed no weakness in his bearing, but something about his eyesreflected the desperate determination needed to see this momentthrough. Mara swallowed again and gently pried Ayaki's fingers offthe lobe of her car. He shrieked with laughter, ready for more ofsuch play. Warlord 257 'Hush,' scolded Mara. In the square, Keyoke finished his speech. He bowed deeply andsaid, 'Go in honour, Lord of the Acoma. Let all men remember yourname without shame.' As he straightened, each warrior simultaneously removed his helm. The breeze pushed damp locks back from sweating faces;emotionless eyes watched the sword Buntokapi lifted above hishead. Mara swallowed again, her eyes stinging with salty tears. Shetried to think of Lano, sprawled and bloodied under the hooves ofbarbarian horses; but the sight of Buntokapi, standing in failingsunlight with his sword raised in final tribute to the gods of life, wasfar too real to put aside. Except for his crudeness in bed, and hisexplosive temper, he had not been an oppressive husband - hadMara used the same manipulations to mould him instead of destroyhim ... No, she commanded herself, there can be no regret. Shecalled upon the discipline she had learned in Lashima's temple andbanished such thoughts from her mind. Without expression shewatched Buntokapi turn the sword and set the blade point againsthis stomach. He offered no final words. But the eyes that met Mara's were darkwith irony and a strange admiration mixed with the triumph ofknowing she must live with this moment for all her living days.'Before the sun sets this day, you shall both see what it takes to dielike a Lord of the Acoma,' he had said to her in the grove. Mara'shands clenched reflexively in the folds of Ayaki's clothing asBuntokapi lowered his head. Large hands, clumsy on the body of awoman but capable in wrestling and war, closed on the red-lacedleather of the sword. Lowering sunlight gilded the sweat on hiswrists. Then his knuckles tightened. He took a swift, running stepand dived forward. The pommel of the weapon rammed cleanlyagainst the earth. The blade drove through his body. Hands and hiltstruck his breastbone, and he grunted, his body gone rigid withagony. He did not cry out. A sigh left his lips while the life bled swiftlythrough his fingers and mouth. As the spasms of his muscles slowed,and almost stopped, he turned his head. Lips caked with dust andblood framed a word that no man heard, and dead eyes stilled uponthe figure of the woman and child who stood on the hillock above. 258 % Daughter of the Empire Ayaki began to wail. Mara loosened hands that gripped hisyoung body too tight, and by the ache in her chest realized she hadstopped breathing. She drew a painful breath. Now, mercifully, shecould close her eyes. But the image of her husband's sprawled bodyseemed inscribed in the inside of her eyelids. She did not hearKeyoke pronounce the Lord of the Acoma dead, with all honour;instead, the phrases Buntokapi had spoken in the grove returned tohaunt her. 'If you would engage in the Game of the Council,woman, you must know that the pieces you manipulate are fleshand blood. For the future, if you continue, it is right that you shouldremember.' Confronted by a rising tide of implications, Mara didnot notice the men who replaced their helms upon their heads andbowed to the departed. Time and events seemed frozen upon themoment of Buntokapi's death, until Nacoya's wiry grip caught herelbow and steered her purposefully back towards the estate house.The old nurse did not speak, which was a mercy, though Ayaki criedfor what seemed a very long time. Once she had donned robes of mourning, Mara retired, not to herbedchamber, as Nacoya preferred, but to the west-facing room thathad been her father's study. There she watched the shatra birds flyacross a sky brilliant with sunset. But the crimson colours onlyreminded her of Buntokapi's robes, and of the bloodied sword thathad taken his life. As twilight fell, the servants lit the glass-shutteredlamps and closed the screens against the dew. Mara regarded thechamber that, as a child, she had considered to be the heart of herfather's financial empire; the sanctum was no longer the same. Thedesk lay piled with documents pertaining to Buntokapi's gamblingand betting exploits: most would be debts, as Mara knew from thewoebegone manner assumed by jican these past weeks. The screensbore new paintings, ones the late Lord had preferred to the huntingscenes Mara's great-grandfather had commissioned. These showedwrestlers and war scenes, and one, near the desk, showed a womanwith ruddy hair. Mara bit her lip in distaste. At first she had thought to restore thedecor to the one she had known when her father and Lano were stillliving. Now, with the dust of the barracks unwashed from her feet,and Buntokapi's suicide still stark in her mind, she decidedotherwise. Her childhood was behind her. Now, if the Acoma namewere to survive, she must accept changes in herself, for the Game of I Warlord 259 the Council elevated the strong, while the weak perished or fell intoignominious obscurity. A tentative knock sounded it the screen. Mara started, turned, and said, 'Enter.' jican hastened through the screen. For the first time in weeks, hecarried neither documents nor needra tallies; his hands were empty,and in agitation he bowed and touched his forehead to the floor atthe feet of the Lady of the Acoma. Startled, Mara said, 'Hadonra,please rise. I am in no way displeased with you or the way you havehandled your duties under the rule of my late husband.'But jican only trembled and bent lower, a figure of abject miseryhuddled on the fine tiles of the floor. 'Mistress, I beg forgiveness.''For what?' Puzzled and trying to set the servant at ease, Marastepped back and settled herself on the cushions where she and thehadonra had sustained many a lengthy discussion of estate financesin the past. 'Jican, please rise and speak plainly.'The hadonra raised his head but did not leave his knees. He didhis best to assume the proper Tsurani restraint, yet managed only tolook contrite. 'Mistress, I bring shame to the Acoma. Strive as Imight, I cannot -' He broke off and swallowed uncomfortably.''Lady, grant me mercy, for I cannot feel grief as I should for thedeath of the great Lord. He passed with honour and bravery anddeserves to be mourned. Yet, in honesty, I cannot feel other thanrelief.' Mara lowered her eyes, discomforted by the hadonra's distress.She picked at a tassel that had torn loose from the corner of onecushion, and reflected soberly that she felt no true grief forBuntokapi. But the shock of the realities of the stakes she hadmanipulated left her shaken, unbalanced, and confused. Herconscience might sting for her deed, but she felt none of the torturesof cultural loyalty displayed by the man before her. In an analyticalvein, she wondered whether this diminished her spirit.The hadonra shifted uncomfortably, and Mara realized she mustreact, if only to speak some words of comfort that she could notgenuinely believe. 'Jican, all know that you suffered great tribulationsunder the command of my late husband. He did notappreciate your virtues, and he did not heed the wisdom of youradvice. You served in perfect loyalty while Buntokapi was alive.Now he is your ruler no longer, and I say wear the red wristbands of i 260 % Daughter of the Empire mourning. Act in seemly fashion, for tradition must be honoured,but trust your heart. If you cannot mourn, then at least honourBuntokapi's memory.' jican bowed low, his nervous manner reflecting profound relief.A harder mistress, he knew, might have asked him to take his life.But with time he had come to appreciate that Mara saw more thanmost rulers when it came to interpreting the mores of culture. Andeven her most dedicated adversaries must admire the boldness withwhich she had dispatched the Anasati threat. Mara sat alone for long hours after her hadonra left. The feelingsin her heart were far more difficult to sort than those of her servant.She watched the lamps burn low, and pondered, and sometimesdozed. Dreams came to her, of Lanokota wearing red, and of herfather spitted on the points of barbarian weapons. Sometimes hisbody changed, became that of Buntokapi, and sometimes Lano layin the dust while Keyoke pronounced him dead with all honour. Atother times her mind was anguished by the sound of Ayaki's crying,which seemed to go on and on with no end. Towards dawn shewoke, sweating and chilled. The candles had burned out, andmoonlight streaked the screens, throwing silver-grey patterns onthe tile. Mara lay still and, through the debris of her emotions,analysed the one fact that mattered. She felt sorry for Buntokapi,but she did not regret her choices. Service within the temple ofLashima might once have preserved the peace and purity of spiritshe had known during girlhood; but having tasted power, and thethrill of the Game of the Council, she now knew she could nevergive them up. Breeze rustled the akasi bushes, wafting the soft scent of flowersover the smells of ink and parchment. Mara lay back against hercushions, her eyes half-closed. In solitude, she granted her husbandthe one parting tribute she could believe in: he had shown her amoment of greatness, that afternoon in the glade. His own fatherhad squandered that potential, and she had pandered to Buntokapi's faults, for her own selfish gain. Those things could not bechanged. But the future lay like a blank parchment. Mara couldensure that Ayaki was raised differently, that the courage andstrength of his father never soured into stubbornness. Once she hadvowed to train out of Ayaki anything of Bunto, and to fosterwhatever was Acoma. Now she knew that Ayaki had gifts from Warlord 26I Buntokapi that would be foolish to waste. By loving him, andnurturing him, and letting him develop his gifts, she could raise ason of the Acoma that would make even the Anasati proud; and that she vowed would be so. A II Renewal Mara listened to the water. The tiny stream that ran from the pool in the Acoma contemplationglade splashed softly as it rippled over rocks along its course. The windgusted through the tree branches, a fitful sound that matched Ayaki'sfussy mood. He looked on unsmiling as his mother raised the urncontaining his father's remains. The ceremony of mourning was toomuch for his young mind to encompass; he knew only that the breezechilled him, and his mother wouldn't let him crawl off to play.Mara experienced neither sorrow nor regret as she pouredBuntokapi's ashes into the hollow beneath the Acoma natami. Herhusband was dead, and the Lord of the Anasati mourned a son, evenif only a poorly loved third son. Tecuma's bitterness would bedoubled, for Buntokapi's end had been contrived by one beyondreach; as mother of the only Anasati grandson, Mara was exemptfrom reprisal. Yet the girl herself felt no victory. Wind gustedsharply, tearing at her robe. Mara shivered. She must never allowherself to regret. What had been done was past, and necessary; tothink otherwise was to be troubled by worse than her husband'sangry shade. If doubts, even uncertainty, were permitted to grow,she risked paralysing her ability to make decisions in the future.That would surely consign the Acoma to eventual obliteration atthe hands of enemies, for the Game of the Council would go on.Regret must be banished, despite her momentary sorrow, andindecision must be forever kept at bay. For the second time in less than two years, Mara performed theritual of mourning. Only now, instead of pain locked deep within,there was sadness. Sezu had taught that death was a part of politics,but now she understood that the forms were simply a rationale tojustify murder. That awakening left her uneasy. Renewal 263 Mara sought comfort in a silent prayer, addressed to the shade ofher husband. Buntokapi, she thought, for whatever rest it will bringyour spirit, at the last you died with dignity. For a moment, nomatter how briefly, you were worthy of the name Lord of theAcoma. For that I honour you. May your journey around the Wheelbring you better reward in your next life. Now Mara rent her clothing, cut her arm, and placed ashesbetween her breasts. Ayaki stirred restlessly at her side, havingtossed away the beads Nacoya had loaned to keep him occupied.Mara tore the baby's wrap and smudged ashes on his tiny chest. Helooked down and made a face. Tough as his father, Ayaki would not cry when Mara pinched him; instead he stuck his lower lip out andscowled belligerently. With the ceremonial dagger Mara prickedthe boy's forearm, earning a wail of protest to complete the ritual.She held Ayaki's arm over the pool: letting his blood mix with herown in the water. Tears came easily then. Alone and free from the scrutiny ofhovering advisers and servants, Mara admitted her inner fear: thatshe was not equal to the next round of the Game of the Council. Thehumiliation and pain she had suffered at Buntokapi's hands, thedoubt and the anguish as she plotted his downfall, and each dangerendured to survive the murder of her father and brother - all thesemight still be as nothing, blown away by the winds of circumstanceand political fortune. The Minwanabi never slept in their hatred ofthe Acoma. Sometimes Mara felt helpless beyond hope.Seeking the stability of the practical, she dressed Ayaki in the tinyceremonial gown left for him. Then she donned her own white robe,silenced her wailing son, and carried him through the gustyafternoon to the grove's entrance. The noise warned her first that visitors had arrived. Armourclanked in the yard, and the excited voice of a servant carried overthe sigh of wind through leaves. Mara tightened her fingers aroundAyaki's solid warmth, earning a wiggle of protest. Tense withapprehension, she stepped around the shielding hedges and almostcollided with Keyoke's weaponed bulk. The old Force Commanderhad positioned himself squarely across the entrance, and by thekeepers left loose on his buckles, Mara realized he had pulled hisceremonial armour on with the greatest haste. The visitors, then,would be significant. 264 Daughter of the Empire 'Anasati?' she queried softly. Keyoke returned a terse nod. 'Papewaio and Nacoya await you,Lady. And Lujan oversees the arming of two companies at thebarracks.' Mara frowned. Keyoke would hardly have mentioned suchprecautions if Tecuma had come with peaceful intentions; her fearswere confirmed as the Force Commander deliberately raised a handand scratched his chin with his thumb. Mara took a deep breath, ducking as Ayaki swung a playful fist.'Lashima reward your foresight, Keyoke,' she murmured. And herpulse quickened as she stepped past the hedge, into view.The yard was jammed with an assemblage of courtiers, warriors,and servants, all dusty from travel by road and wearing armour thatwas serviceable and plain, not the fancy enamelled style worn onstate visits. A loud patch of colour in his house colours and plumesof mourning, the Lord of the Anasati sat patiently upon his litter, hisadviser Chumaka at his right hand. Silence fell as Mara approached,Nacoya and Papewaio falling into step one pace behind.The Anasati soldiers assumed formal poses and formation as theLady of the Acoma bowed, as slightly as possible without givingoffence to one of Tecuma's rank. 'Welcome, father of my husband.' 'Greetings, daughter,' he said bitterly. 'I see the son of my son inyour arms. May I view him?' Mara felt a momentary pang of guilt. The presentation of agrandson should have been an occasion for joy. Instead, in amoment tense with unspoken antagonism, Ayaki was passed intohis grandfather's outstretched arms. Engulfed in scented cloth andthe sharp edges of gemstone decorations, the infant squirmed butdid not cry. Tecuma regarded this stolid little face and said, 'Helooks like Bunto.' Mara nodded in agreement. After a long moment of cuddling the child, Tecuma returned himin cold silence. Mara immediately relinquished him to the custodyof Nacoya, who settled him as she had the boy's mother, after amourning ritual many years before. 'Take my son to his nursery,' said the Lady of the Acoma. As theold nurse departed, Mara regarded the hostile face of her father-in-law. 'I offer the hospitality of the house.' Renewal 265 'No, daughter.' Tecuma qualified the word, all tenderness gonewith Ayaki. 'I will not set foot in the house of my son's murderess.'Mara almost flinched. With great effort she managed an impassivereply. 'Your son took his own life, my Lord, to satisfy thedemands of honour.' Tecuma bowed his head once, swiftly, in salute. 'I know, Mara.But I also knew my son. Despite his ineptness as a ruler, even hewould never have contrived that insult to the Warlord and his ownfather. Only you could have brought such a thing to pass.'Something akin to respect coloured his manner for a brief instant. 'Isalute your brilliance in the Game of the Council, Mara of theAcoma'- then his voice turned flint-hard -'but for this one bloodyvictory you shall pay in kind.' Mara measured Tecuma and realized that grief and anger weremaking him say more than he might under normal circumstances.Inwardly she cautioned herself. 'My Lord, I merely obeyed myhusband and Lord and repeated to you the commands he gave me,before witnesses.' Tecuma waved away the objection. 'Enough. It does not matter.My grandson inherits the mantle of the Acoma, and he shall ensurea loyal tie between my house and his.' At this a man steppedforward from the Anasati retinue, a thin, predatory fellow withshrewd eyes and a belt of enamelled caro hide. The Lord said, 'Thisis Nalgara, who shall act on my behalf until Ayaki is of age.'Mara was not caught off guard. 'My Lord, no.' Tecuma's eyes narrowed. 'I did not hear you say that.'Mara resisted showing weakness by offering justification. 'Youwill take this man with you when you leave.' Armour rattled among the Anasati warriors as hands reached forweapons, and Tecuma's arm trembled, ready to signal an attack.'Woman, you dare?' Hoping that Lujan had had time to arm her own companies,Mara held her ground. 'No, my Lord. I demand.'Tecuma abandoned his pretence of politeness. 'I shall decide howAyaki's legacy is to be managed. I am Lord of the Anasati.''But these are Acoma lands,' Mara interrupted, her voice ringingwith an anger all her own. 'My Lord of the Anasati seems to forgetthat his son was Lord of the Acoma. And the Acoma have neverbeen, are not now, and shall never be vassals to the Anasati. Your 266 Daughter of the Empire I grandson is now heir to the title of Lord. As his mother, I am againRuling Lady of the Acoma until the day he comes of age.'Tecuma's face twisted with suppressed rage. 'Woman, do notseek to anger me!' 'It appears my Lord is already angry, so that what I say couldhave little consequence.' Stalling for time, Mara searched for aglimpse of green between the weaponed ranks of the Anasati guard.But the retinue pressed too closely together to allow any view ofLujan's men. She had no choice but to continue. 'When Buntoassumed Acoma Lordship, he ceased to have any obligations to yousave those he freely chose, as you must have known, Tecuma, foryour son could not swear oath before the Acoma natami until youreleased him from fealty. Show me a document, any document,appointing you as guardian for Ayaki in the event of Bunto's deathand denying me my right to inherit. Then I will step aside. Butwithout lawful evidence, you are not ruler of the Acoma.'The slightest twitch of Tecuma's lips revealed a frustration hedared not express. Mara hastened to drive home her point, before the confrontationturned to violence. 'We are not of the same clan, so you have no callupon the Acoma. You don't even have a political claim on ourloyalty,. Bunto never sought to change our alliances, so the Acomaare still members of the jade Eye Party, not the Imperial. You haveno authority here, Tecuma.' She motioned with her hand then, onfaith, and to her immense relief Lujan and three dozen Acomasoldiers stepped forward, ready to defend their mistress. To the rearof Tecuma's party, another fifty soldiers had gathered in battlearmour, ready for instant action should there be cause. Marafinished with a smile of irony. 'Once again I rule the Acoma, untilAyaki is twenty-five years of age.' The Lord of the Anasati prepared to speak, but his adviser,Chumaka, intervened. 'My Lord, she is correct. Such is the law.'Balked, Tecuma paused a long minute, his eyes distant withcalculation. 'Then what of the boy if you die?'In even tones Mara said, 'Then Ayaki is ruler of the Acoma, as Iwas before the age of twenty-five, ready or not.'Tecuma made a subtle gesture, indicating that Mara was onceagain a woman alone against enemies. 'The boy will surely die.'But the threat failed to move the young Lady, who stood defiantly Renewal 267 straight. 'At the hands of the Lord of the Minwanabi, or some otherseeking to rise over Acoma bodies, perhaps.' Tecuma conceded defeat. 'Very well, daughter. You have made your point. I shall endeavour to keep you alive, at least until Ayakicomes to his majority. But if you make any move that I judge amenace to the Anasati -' 'Do not threaten me in my own house, father of my husband,'Mara warned. 'I could end this here and now.' She pointed to Lujanand the soldiers who waited ready to answer their mistress'scommand. The odds against Tecuma were now overwhelming,with only a score of soldiers to protect him against the possibility ofattack by two companies. Were he to press the issue, he could dievery quickly. Mara regarded the stiff features of her father-in-law. 'I have nowish to be at odds with you, Tecuma. Your differences with myfather were strictly political.' With a sigh more eloquent thanwords, she shook her head. 'We both know that what I have donewas also a matter of politics. 'Should you die here ... jingu of the Minwanabi would bewithout any real rival in the game. No, I do not ask you to be myally. I just wish you not to be my foe.' The fist Tecuma had raised to signal his soldiers relaxed andlowered. He regarded Mara keenly. 'Minwanabi ... yes. Alreadyhe thinks himself powerful enough to move against me.'The Lordof the Anasati sighed, at last acknowledging the quiet strength inMara's stance. 'Perhaps you can make some difference.' He shookhis head. 'I underestimated you. Perhaps jingu will do likewise.'After a silent minute he bowed to take his leave. 'Very well, Mara.You have my word on this, then; so long as Ayaki lives, I will notoppose you when you seek to discomfort the Minwanabi. But Imake no such assurances where Anasati interests are concerned. Westill have many differences. But once my grandson inherits themantle of the Acoma, Lady, you shall find my memory is long.Should any harm befall him before then, from that instant your lifewill be measured in minutes.' Curtly Tecuma signalled his retinue to assemble for the journeyback to Sulan-Qu. Wind tugged at the officers' plumes, andstreamed through Mara's dark hair as she watched the Anasati lordand his followers muster and march from the yard. The first part of 268 Daughter of the Empire her plan had been successful. For a time the second most powerfulof her father's enemies had been neutralized; even more, made areluctant ally. There were not many in the Empire who would temptTecuma's wrath by harming his grandson; only the Lords of theKeda, Xacatecas, and Minwanabi, and perhaps one or two others.Most would refrain, if only to see that the Lord of the Minwanabidid not grow too powerful. As jingu's enemy, Mara had value, ifonly to keep him occupied. And despite the protection she hadgarnered from Tecuma, Mara knew the blood feud would go on.She had only forced her family's greatest foe to move cautiously. Nomore bungled assassinations, of that she was certain. Attack wouldcome, but for the first time since Keyoke had fetched her from thetemple, the Lady of the Acoma felt that she had gained a measure oftime. She must be diligent about how she used it.Turning her mind to the tasks before her, Mara dismissed Lujanand his warriors. With Keyoke and Papewaio at her side, shereturned to the cool and the comfort of her chamber. First upon heragenda the next day was a journey to Sulan-Qu, for if Arakasi'sinformation was correct, a Minwanabi spy resided in the townhouse owned by the Acoma. Buntokapi's concubine, Teani, must bedealt with at the earliest opportunity. ~ill The erstwhile Lord of the Acoma had avoided the fashionablequarter of town for his dwelling. The side street where it lay wastidy and quiet, removed from the noisy thoroughfares of commerce,but still an easy walk to the public wrestling arenas. Mara steppedfrom her litter, sandals crunching gently over ulo leaves, which shedseasonally during the dry months. Accompanied by a retinue thatincluded both Papewaio and Arakasi, she stepped up to the widedoorway whose posts were carved into the decorative forms ofwarriors in battle array. A strange servant opened the screen.He bowed deeply. 'I bid the Lady of the Acoma welcome.' Mara acknowledged the greeting with the barest wave of herhand and stepped across the threshold into shadow tinged scarlet bythe sunlight that filtered through the hangings. An aroma of sweetspices filled the air, mixed with furniture oil and a woman'sperfume. The house staff, numbering four, sank to their knees,awaiting Mara's command as she surveyed the fine rugs, a shell-inlaidweapons rack, and chests enamelled and set with red gems. Renewal 269 Her husband's town house was a cosy enough nest, she decided. Butthe taste and the decor of the place were influenced by a mind other than that of her late husband. Buntokapi would never have setmarble statues of nymphs by the doorway, and the paintings on thescreens were of flowers and graceful birds, not the battle scenes heinvariably chose for himself. Mara waited until Papewaio and Arakasi reached her side. Thesword carried by the former was not for show, and the latter worean officer's plumes, to disguise his true purpose; but in the end Maradid not require the Spy Master's guidance to spot the woman whohad won her husband's heart, all for the motive of spying for theMinwanabi. Though Teani bowed submissively with the otherservants, she could never be mistaken for other than Buntokapi'smistress. Mara studied her profile and understood her husband'sobsession. The concubine was a truly beautiful woman, withunblemished skin and hair touched by sun-gold and red - thoughMara suspected that effect might have come from artifice ratherthan nature. Even though she was kneeling, the light silk of theconcubine's robes draped a ripe, soft figure with breasts that werehigh and well formed despite being large, a small waist, and flaringhips. Mara's own body seemed boyish in comparison, and for nogood reason the fact rankled. For every minute Buntokapi had beengone from the estate, his wife had thanked the gods; yet now thestunning beauty of the woman he had preferred irked Mara. A voiceremembered from the temple warned, 'Beware vanity and falsepride.' Mara almost laughed. Yes, she was feeling wounded vanityand injured pride. And yet fate had been kind in an odd andunexpected way. Jingu of the Minwanabi had sent this woman to further his plot todestroy the Acoma. But instead, Teani only managed to distractBuntokapi, enabling Mara to realize her plans more quickly. Andthe ultimate aim of those plans was the strengthening of HouseAcoma ... and the destruction of the Minwanabi. Mara savouredthe irony in silence. Teani must go back to her master ignorant thather true role had been uncovered. Let jingu think this woman hadbeen banished by a jealous wife. Prudently, Mara motioned for two of her soldiers to stand guardby the door. Then, stepping ahead of her bodyguards, but keeping I 270 Daughter of the Empire carefully beyond reach of a knife thrust, she spoke to the kneelingconcubine. 'What is your name?' 'Teani, mistress.' The woman kept her eyes cast downward.Mara distrusted her subservience. 'Look at me.'Teani raised her head, and Mara heard a slight stir from thewarriors who looked on. The concubine's golden, heart-shapedface framed lovely eyes, almost amber in colour. Her features wereperfect, and sweet as the honey in the hives of the red-bee. Butbeyond beauty, Mara saw something that made her hesitate. Thiswoman was dangerous, as much a threat as any player in the GreatGame. Yet the Lady of the Acoma spoke no hint of her conclusionaloud. 'What are your duties?' Still upon her knees, Teani said, 'I served your husband as a maid,mistress.' The Lady of the Acoma almost laughed at the woman's brazenact. To call herself a maid while sitting upon her heels in a robe morecostly than any Mara owned save for her ceremonial attire was aninsult to human intelligence. Brusquely Mara said, 'I think not.'Teani's eyes narrowed slightly, but she said nothing. Then Maraunderstood: for the briefest instant the concubine had wonderedwhether her role as spy was discovered. To disarm any suspicion,Mara enquired after the other servants. 'What are your duties?'The staff identified themselves as a cook, a gardener, and a maid,facts Mara already knew from the intelligence given her by jican.She ordered the three of them to the estate and told them to ask thehadonra for new duties. They left quickly, glad to be avoiding thecoming confrontation between their late Lord's wife and hismistress. When the room was empty save for Mara, Teani, and thesoldiers, Mara said, 'I think we shall have no need for your servicesat the estate house.' Teani's poise remained admirably unbroken. 'Have I displeasedmy mistress?' Mara stifled an urge to smile. 'No, on the contrary, you spared mea great deal of pain, inconvenience, and irritation over the last fewmonths. Yet I am not as adventuresome in my tastes as some ladiesof great houses; my appetites do not turn towards members of myown sex.'She glanced at the fading bruise that mottled the skin overTeani's collarbone. 'You seem to have shared my husband's taste Renewal 27I for ... rough sport. Your talents would go to waste on my estates unlessyou think you would care to entertain my soldiers?'Teani's head jerked, ever so slightly; she managed not to expelher breath in a hiss of anger, and Mara was forced to admiration of her action. The insult was great; as a courtesan or mistress, Teaniwould have a certain legitimacy in Tsurani society. In ancient timesthere had been little difference between a lord's courtesan and wifein Tsurani culture. Had Mara died before her husband, any realcourtesan of Buntokapi's might have been permanently installed inthe Acoma house. And if Teani survived both wife and master, aRuling Lord's resident mistress had certain legal rights andprivileges of inheritance. A woman of the Reed Life was considereda craftsperson or even an artist in the ways of pleasure. But a campfollower was a woman of the meanest class. Anywhere but in acamp of war, the women who followed the armies of the Empirewere shunned and despised. And they had no honour. Teani hadbeen named a whore, and if the women had been warriors, Marawould now be fighting for her life. The concubine only glared at Mara. Struggling with her selfcontroljust enough to convince, she pressed her forehead to thefloor, red-gold hair almost brushing the toes of her mistress'ssandals. 'My Lady, I think you misjudge me. I am an accomplishedmusician and am skilled in the arts of massage and conversation. Iknow the seven ways to rid the body of aches and pain: by pressure,by stroking, by rubbing, by herbs, by smoke, by pins, and byrealignment of the joints. I can quote passages of the sagas frommemory and I can dance.' No doubt the woman was capable in all the named skills, thoughBuntokapi had probably availed himself of little other than anoccasional massage, or a song before indulging in sex. But Teaniwas also an agent and, likely as not, a trained assassin. -WithBuntokapi dead, she needed only one opportunity to rid herMinwanabi master of both Mara and Ayaki, ending the Acomaforever. Dread of jingu's plots caused Mara to respond sharply. Notallowing Teani the courtesy of rising from her knees, she said,'You'll have little difficulty finding yourself another position. Amaid blessed with such talents as yours should easily catch the fancyof some great Lord, one who would be eager to have you at his side. 272 Daughter of the Empire Within the hour a factor will arrive to close down this house inpreparation for selling it and all the furnishings. Take whatever giftsmy husband left you and depart, for nothing of the Acoma shallremain here.' She paused and regarded Teani's ripe curves withcontempt. 'And of course no trash shall be left behind for the newowner.' Mara spun and walked through the door, as if the concubine shehad dismissed were now beneath her notice. Only the observanteyes of Arakasi saw Teani release the iron control she had exercisedfor the deception of her mistress. An expression of naked hatredsettled upon the young woman's face; her beauty became a cruelthing, black and twisted and murderous to behold. And in thatmoment Arakasi observed that the insults of Mara of the Acomawould be carefully remembered, that each might be separatelyavenged. Borrowing the authority of his officer's plumes, the Spy Masterseized the initiative and assigned two warriors to remain on thepremises to see his Lady's orders carried out. Then, before Teanihad bridled her rage enough to remember his face, he slipped swiftlythrough the door. Outside, as he hurried into place beside his mistress, Mara said,'Is she the one?' Arakasi unhooked the chin strap of his helm so he could speakwithout being overheard. 'Indeed, my Lady. Teani is the spy. Untilshe arrived in the city, she was a favourite with the Lord of theMinwanabi and shared his bed on a regular basis. Why she waschosen to spy upon Lord Buntokapi is not clear, but she must haveconvinced her master she could serve his interests.' They reachedthe litter, dead leaves obscuring the conversation from chanceeavesdroppers. Even on the quietest side street, Arakasi exercisedhis customary caution. As he helped Mara onto her cushions, hewhispered, 'What Teani did before she came to Minwanabi serviceour agent there cannot say.' He directed a meaningful glance at thetown house. 'I will rest easier when my men have had the chance todiscover more about her, for I think you have made an enemy, Lady.Only I saw the expression in her eyes as you left. It was murder.'Mara rested her head back, eyes half-closed. Wisely or not. shedismissed the issue, for the next step in her plans demanded all of Renewal 273 her attention. 'Kill me for duty, kill me for personal reasons, the riskis no more.' Her slender body stiffened against the jostling motion as theslaves lifted the litter. Arakasi fell into step, with Papewaio on theother side. Over the tramp of marching feet he murmured, 'Thereyou are wrong. mistress. Some might falter in their resolve if they are motivated solely by duty. But to avenge a personal slight, manycare nothing if they perish, as long as their foe dies with them.'Mara opened angry eyes. 'You are saying I acted the fool?'Arakasi did not flinch from her regard. 'I suggest that in future myLady weighs her words with more caution.' Mara sighed. 'I shall take your advice to heart. If Keyoke hadbeen with me, he would probably have been frantically scratchinghis chin with his thumb.' 'That's Papewaio's habit,' said-Arakasi, obviously puzzled.His mistress smiled. 'Your observation is very keen. One day Ishall have to explain that warning sign to you. Now let us go home,senior officer, for the heat grows even as we speak, and muchbusiness remains to be attended to.' Arakasi saluted smartly. Playing the part of an Acoma StrikeLeader brazenly, for all present knew of his inept swordplay. heordered the guards to surround the litter bearing the Lady of theAcoma during her return to the estates. As late afternoon painted purple shadows across the paving,another litter set out through the north gate of Sulan-Qu. Once onthe Imperial Highway, the bearers wearing the badge of the Guild ofPorters turned towards the Holy City. They maintained a leisurelypace, as if the client behind the curtains wished their services forsightseeing and a breath of fresh air in the countryside. When, aftertwo hours, she ordered a stop for rest, the bearers gathered by aroadside well a short distance off. They were all freemen, membersof the Commercial Guild of Bearers, hired by those who needed totravel but without a retinue of slaves to carry them. Granted rest anhour ahead of contract, they munched upon the light fare carried intheir hip bags and whispered admiringly of the woman who hadcommissioned them for this journey. Not only was she stunninglybeautiful, but she had paid them fine metal for what so far hadproved an exceedingly easy job. 274 Daughter of the Empire Presently a pot seller stepped out of the general flow of traffic, hiswares dangling from thongs that affixed them to a long polebalanced across his shoulder. He halted beside the litter, apparentlyto catch a breather. His angular face was red from exertion, and his'eyes beady and quick. Attracted by the rattle of his crockery, thewoman behind the curtains motioned him closer. Pretending toexamine a pot, she said, 'I am glad you had not reached Sulan-Quyet. It would have complicated things.' The trader mopped his brow with a fine silk cloth. 'What haspassed?' The woman curled her pretty lip and let the pot fall with a sourclank. 'As I suspected. The Acoma bitch would not allow me intoher household. jingu was a fool to think she might.'The pot seller who was not a merchant exclaimed in annoyanceand examined his piece for chips. When he found none, his mannerappeared to ease. 'The Lord of the Minwanabi listens to his owncounsel first.' The woman traced the fancy enamel ornamenting a slop jar withan exquisitely manicured nail. 'I will return to jingu's side. He willregret this setback in getting an agent into the Acoma house, but hewill have missed me.' Her lips shaped a dreamy smile. 'I know thereare things he misses about me. None of his other girls have my ...skills.' Drily the pot seller said, 'Or perhaps they simply lack yourtolerance for abuse, Teani.' 'Enough.' The concubine tossed tawny hair, and her robe fellopen. A glimpse of what lay beneath made the pot seller smile at thecontradiction between the astonishing beauty and the unexpectedcruelty in this woman. Misreading his expression as male lust, andamused by it, Teani spoke, recovering his attention. 'Buntokapi wasnever of use to jingu. Mara was truly in control, though she wasclever in not letting her Lord discover that until too late. Inform ourtrue master that I shall return to the Minwanabi house once again,and send him whatever information I may.' The merchant nodded, rubbing uncalloused fingers over thewood of his pole. 'That is good. I have carried these damnedceramics since I left our Lord's river barge this morning, and I amglad to end this charade.' Team focused on him, as if enjoying his discomfort. 'Give me the Renewal 275 slop jar,'she murmured. 'The bearers must believe I had a reason tospeak with you.' The man unhooked the item. Enamel flashed gaudily in the sunlight as he handed it to the woman, his attitude one ofundisguised irony. 'One less to carry.' 'Why did you come yourself?' The merchant grimaced, for the pole bore down unmercifully andhe could not reach around it to scratch an itch. 'I dared trust no oneelse with the task. When my Lord's barge left the city last night, wesimply poled upriver a few miles and tied up. He supposed youwould still be at the town house; hence my disguise. None of usguessed the Lady Mara would be so quick to rid herself of Bunto'scity property. She only quit the contemplation glade yesterday.'Teani glanced towards the well where the bearers sat gossiping.She inclined her head in their direction. 'I think you had better orderthem all killed. One might mention this encounter.'The merchant considered the eight men by the well. 'It will bemessy, but worse if we risk discovery. Besides, if you are attacked byrobbers along the highway, how can the Commercial Guild ofBearers fault you? I will make arrangements just before you reachthe Minwanabi estates, so you can rush to the safety of jingu's arms.Now, our master's instructions: despite all that has transpired, theLady Mara is to be left untroubled.' Teani stiffened in surprise. 'After Buntokapi's murder?''Our master commands this. We must not speak longer.'With anunfeigned grimace of distaste, the merchant shifted his clankingwares to his other shoulder. Teani sat silently as he left, her professional detachment lost.Mara of the Acoma inspired a personal rage and hatred deeper thanany she had previously known. The concubine did not trouble toanalyse the cause. Born to a woman of the Reed Life, and cast intothe streets at the age of six, she had survived by wits alone. Herunusual beauty had brought her quickly to the attention of men andshe had barely escaped slavers on several occasions, despite havingcommitted no crime to warrant such a conviction; in the dirtieralleys of the Empire, the niceties of the law might occasionally beput aside for enough money. Teani discovered early that to somemen honour was negotiable. She learned abuse before love, and attwelve sold herself for the first time, to a man who kept her in his I 276 ~ Daugbter of the Empire home for two years. He had been a twisted soul who took pleasureinflicting pain upon beauty. Teani had struggled at first, untilsuffering taught her to ignore her discomfort. In time she had killedher tormentor, but the memory of pain stayed with her, a familiarthing she understood. After that she had used beauty and naturalwit to rise up society's ladder, choosing one benefactor afteranother, each more rich and powerful than the last. For seven yearsshe had served her present employer, though never in bed as withprevious masters. Beneath her soft beauty and cruel passions thisLord saw the stony hatred that motivated Teani; he had set thosequalities to use against his enemy, the Lord of the Minwanabi, neveronce tempted to make the relationship other than professional forhis own use. For this the concubine conceded her loyalty, for thismaster was unique among those she had met along the road of herlife. But only Buntokapi had touched her as a person. Before himTeani had taken little personal interest in the men she slept with ormurdered. Though the Lord of the Acoma had been like a porinaboar in a wallow, even to the point where he stank like one, rushingto take her with the sweat from his wrestling still rank on his body,he had understood her. Buntokapi had given her the pain sheneeded to survive, and the love she had never known in all twenty-eightyears of her life. Teani shivered slightly at the memory of hishands, tearing at her soft flesh at the height of his passion; she haddug her nails into his back, even taught him to enjoy the painhimself. But Mara of the Acoma had ended that.Teani's fingers tightened on the bright enamel of the slop jar,while anger built in her heart. Buntokapi had been tricked to hisdeath, ruined by his natural tendency to count honour over life.Teani understood nothing of honour ... but rivalry, that was athing she knew well. That she-dog of a wife - innocent as a babe,Teani thought in disgust. How easily abuse would crack the coolfaqade of the Lady! What pleasure the concubine would find inhumiliating Mara for hours, days perhaps, before giving her toTur'akamu. Teani licked her lips, sweating lightly in the heat. Thepleasure of dominating the Lady of the Acoma promised more thanshe could imagine from sex with any men she had known. But theignoble way that Mara had evicted her from the town house cut offany immediate avenues of vengeance. Now Teani had no recourse Renewal 277 but to resume her post as spy in jingu's household. The obese Lordof the Minwanabi revolted her, and his fawning would be difficultto endure; but he and the Acoma were sworn enemies. Through him Teani thought to arrange her satisfaction. Mara would die, slowlyand in torment, or shamefully if no other option availed. That theconcubine's true master now wished otherwise affected nothing.Teani had changed employers many times in the past.On that thought she tossed the slop jar violently among thecushions and signalled her bearers to return. As they crossed theroad, the powerful, coarse body of the one in the lead caught hereye. He had fine muscles and a bullying manner to his walk. Excitedby prospects of violence and vengeance, Teani decided to stop in asecluded glade down the road. She would have some sport; the manand his companions were going to die anyway, and not to use themfor pleasure would be a waste of fine meat. Besides, a few extramarks on her face and body would convince jingu that bandits hadindeed molested her, and keep him from becoming suspicious. Sothinking, Teani shivered in anticipation as the bearers lifted herlitter and resumed their journey towards the Holy City. Down the road to Sulan-Qu, the pot seller halted, as if to countwhatever payment the fine lady had given him. From under abroad-brimmed hat he watched the litter depart, while silentlypondering what made the woman dally before calling her bearers.The likely daydreams of a creature like Teani were not pleasant tocontemplate. With a grunt of disgust he shifted the weight of hispots. He had been the one to convince their Lord her talents wentbeyond the bedchamber, and a dozen times in the past her work hadborn out his judgment. But lately she had been showing signs ofindependence, a tendency to interpret directions to her own liking.Alone in the dusty road, amid the noise of passing traffic, the shammerchant debated whether that trait signalled a growing instability.He soothed his uncertainty in his usual economical manner: eitherway, Teani could only bring trouble to the Minwanabi. If sheexchanged loyalties, at best jingu would gain a servant of questionablereliability. Besides, she could be removed if she became aproblem. Irritated by the weight of the pole as it bit into his shoulder,Chumaka, First Adviser to the Lord of the Anasati, turned towards 278 Daughter of the Empire Sulan-Qu. Benefits would come of sending Teani back to theMinwanabi household; though she had surprised them all byturning up in Buntokapi's town house, Chumaka considered thatthings had turned towards a better course. His master woulddisagree, but then his master had just lost a son. Chumaka countedthat for little. He had never much cared for Bunto, and while theAcoma girl was more talented than anticipated, Minwanabi was thereal menace. Things were stirring in the High Council, and the gamegained intensity as the Warlord's campaign on Midkemia continued.The ins and outs of intrigue always quickened Chumaka'sblood. Gods, but I love politics, he thought as he walked down theroad. Feeling almost cheery, he began to whistle over the rattle ofhis crockery. Following her return from Sulan-Qu, Mara called a meeting. Herclosest advisers gathered in her chamber while cool twilight veiledthe fields and thyza paddies of the estate. Nacoya sat to her right, ared scarf tied over her hair in deference to Turakamu, into whosedomain the late master had passed. Baskets of red reeds had beenplaced by every door in the estate house, in recognition ofmourning, that the Red God might avert his eyes from those whogrieved. Mara wore traditional robes of the same colour, but her mannershowed nothing of sorrow. She sat straight and proud as jican,Keyoke, Papewaio, Lujan, and Arakasi made their bows and choseseats upon cushions arranged in a circle upon the floor.When the last of them had settled, the Lady of the Acoma met theeyes of each in turn. 'We know what has occurred. None need everagain speak of it. But before we lay the memory of Buntokapi to restfor all time, I wish to say this. What has passed, what is to come as aresult of what has passed, all responsibility rests upon my head.None who serve the Acoma need fear for one moment that theyhave acted without honour. If others in the Empire whisper ofdishonour in corners, the shame is mine alone to bear.' With that,Mara closed the tally sheet on her dead husband. None would everagain wonder if they had betrayed their lawful Lord.Almost briskly Mara turned to other matters. Though red as acolour flattered her, a frown marred her forehead as she addressedKeyoke. 'We must speed up recruitment of soldiers. The Minwanabi are temporarily thwarted, and we must use what time wehave available to us to consolidate our position.'The Force Commander nodded in his usual spare manner. 'Thatis possible, if we call every available young son, and if all of themrespond. Some will answer the summons of other houses. My Lords of the Minwanabi and Kehotara are still trying to replace the threehundred soldiers they sent against us several months ago. I think wecan add another two hundred safely, within the next two months thoughthey will all be unseasoned boys. The other three you ask formight take as long as another year to recruit.'Mara had to be satisfied with this; Buntokapi had left somesizeable debts, and jican had mentioned that time would be neededto rebuild the estate's capital. By the time the recruiting wascompleted, finances should have recovered enough to underwritethe expense of the new warriors' training. And with the reluctantalliance with the Anasati, few would dare attack, and none openly.As always, Nacoya broke in with a warning. 'Mistress, as theAcoma gain allies and garrison strength, you must be especiallycautious of indirect attacks.' Arakasi agreed. 'Mistress, on the day your official mourningends, you will surely receive invitations carried by marriage brokerson behalf of one suitor or another. When some of those worthy sonsof noble houses come to call, agents of the Minwanabi are mostcertain to be among their retainers.' Mara considered this with a hard expression. 'Then we shall haveto ensure that such agents find nothing noteworthy to report backto their masters.' The meeting went on, with Mara confidently assimilating herformer role as ruler of the Acoma. As darkness deepened and lampswere tended by silent slaves, decisions were made and freshinformation discussed; through the interval between nightfall andmidnight, more business was conducted than during the entiretenure of Buntokapi as Lord of the Acoma. At the end jican arosewith a sigh of evident satisfaction. And whatever private guilt orrelief the others might have felt at Buntokapi's passing was hiddenas they arose to depart. There were too many new problems toconfront. As Nacoya, who was slowest, began stiffly to rise from hercushions, Mara gestured impulsively for her to remain. The others 280 . Daughter of the Empire had nearly reached the door, but they stopped deferentially as sherequested one thing more. A mischievous glint lit the Lady's eyes as she studied theexpectant faces of her senior staff. 'What would you think if Iofficially appointed Nacoya as permanent First Adviser to theAcoma?' The old nurse gasped aloud, and Keyoke broke into a rare grin.'The post has stood empty since jajoran's death,' Mara said. Heramusement deepened as Nacoya, who never lacked for chatter,opened and closed her mouth soundlessly, like a fish.Arakasi was first to respond, offering the aged woman a gallantbow. 'The promotion and the honour go well with your years, oldmother.' Lujan offered a rakish comment, but Papewaio had knownNacoya since he was a small boy, and his memories of her kindnessran deep. In total abandon of decorum, he lifted the old woman offher feet and spun her full circle through the air.'Go and celebrate,' Mara called over her former nurse's startledyelp of delight. 'For never has a servant of the Acoma betterdeserved a promotion.' 'I'll have to survive the experience first,' said a breathless Nacoya.Papewaio set her down, delicately, as if she were made of cho-jacrafted glass; and as Keyoke, Arakasi, jican, and a laughing Lujancrowded around to embrace the new First Adviser, Mara reflectedthat she had not seen such joy in the house since before her father'sdeath. Lashima grant me wisdom to make it last, she prayed; for theMinwanabi threat was not ended, but was only forced back by anunstable alliance. The traditional period of mourning came to an end, and the priestsof Turakamu came to burn the red reeds that had sat in the basketsby the doors for three continuous weeks. Smoke still lingered overthe Acoma fields when the first of the marriage brokers arrived, andwithin a day three ornately calligraphed petitions with wax seals laypiled in the study. Glad to be wearing a colour other than red, Maracalled Nacoya and Arakasi into attendance and reviewed the topparchment. A thoughtful expression crossed her face. 'It seems ourfriend Minwanabi's favourite lapdog has an unmarried son. Whatdo you know of him?' Renewal 28I Seated by her knee, Arakasi took the document she offered. Theparchment had been perfumed, and the scent warred with that ofthe akasi blossoms beyond the screen. 'Bruli of the Kehotara. Hisfather, Mekasi, has tried to marry him off twice, and both courtingshave failed. Now the boy serves as a Patrol Leader in his father's army, though he's not a brilliant tactician, apparently. Hiscompany has drawn only garrison duty since he took command.'The Spy Master tapped the parchment, a faint smile on his face. 'Iwould not, however, count him a fool. We can expect he is a maskfor another Minwanabi agent in his retinue, or an assassin in hisown right.' Mara recovered the parchment from Arakasi, her lip pinchedtightly between her teeth. To refuse to consider the petition of Bruliof the Kehotara would be a public admission of weakness. 'Theyintend to shame me, or kill me,' she said, but the sick feeling of fearin her heart could not be heard in her voice. 'I say we take the baitand turn it sour.' The slightest bit shy in her new role as First Adviser, Nacoyaoffered no comment; but Arakasi sat utterly still. 'That could beperilous, mistress. Bruli's father, Mekasi, is a gambler and not agood one. He lost enough that his estates are heavily mortgaged.His son is a vain boy who insists that everything he wears or uses beonly of the costliest work, and his two older sisters and olderbrother were similarly indulged. Their spending on top of existingdebts has nearly ruined their father. The Minwanabi cleared theaccounts, but not out of charity. What makes Mekasi of theKehotara truly dangerous is that his family tradition is sworn to theancient code of Tan-jin-qu.' Mara's hand tightened on the parchment, for she had not beenaware of this detail. The code of Tan-jin-qu - the name was ancientTsurani for 'lifelong' or 'until death' - meant that Mekasi hadbound the Kehotara to the Minwanabi in an ancient form ofvassalage, almost forgotten except as an historical oddity. By itsterms, any pledge made was impossible to revoke, amend, ormodify. If Mekasi of the Kehotara vowed obedience to the Lord ofthe Minwanabi, he would murder his children without hesitationupon jingu's order. As betrayed alliances were common fare in theGame of the Council, Tan-jin-qu made the Kehotara as dependableas if they were part of the Minwanabi household, even more 282 Daughter of the Empire dependable than families in the same clan. Only when Mekasi diedand his eldest son assumed the mantle of Lord could the familynegotiate a new beginning. Until then the Kehotara could not bethreatened, bullied, bought, or bribed to betray the Minwanabi.'Well then,' said Mara, a determined set to her shoulders, 'wemust make sure this Bruli is entertained in a manner befitting hisstation.' Arakasi looked keenly at his mistress.Trying to seem bland, for Mara's suggestion was no trifle,Nacoya said, 'I assume you intend to grant this petition a hearing?''Of course.' Mara seemed distant. 'We must not be hasty inrebuffing this overture. Do we wish to offer insult to so august apersonage as the Lord of the Kehotara?' 'Then you have a plan.' Arakasi smiled slowly.Mara responded without humour. 'No. But I will have, by thetime this minion of jingu's presents himself - that is, if your agentscan gather me all the information they have on Bruli and his family,before his retinue arrives.' Forced to admire her boldness, Arakasi leaned forward. 'It will becostly. You shall have to cover the expenses of the fastest runners inthe Guild of Porters, and these must be sworn and bonded, so thattheir messages cannot be intercepted or tortured from them.''Of course,' answered Mara, though jican would howl. Menwilling to die for the integrity of the messages they carried could notbe hired for other than cold metal. 'See to this at once, Arakasi.'The Spy Master rose swiftly, his steps buoyed by exultation. Thiswas what his network was intended for! A bold player of the gamewho was unafraid to carve out the advantage; and the bonus wasthat Mara's target was an ally of the Minwanabi. Suddenly the dayseemed perfect. Darkness sprang into light as the screens were thrown open,admitting the petitioner for marriage into the great hall of theAcoma. Bruli of the Kehotara was almost beautiful in his blacktrimmedred armour; and from the dais at the head of the hall,under the weight of her massive ceremonial costume, Mara saw atonce that Arakasi's agents had reported accurately. The man wasvain as a calley bird. He had good reason to be; slender yetmuscular, whereas the majority of men in the three central nationsof the Empire tended towards the stocky, he moved with the grace Renewal 283 of a dancer. His blue eyes were a rare and startling counterpoint tohis almost black hair, and he had a warm smile. That he wouldhappily murder as soon as marry the woman he approached on thedais was not far from Mara's mind as she wistfully considered, forjust a moment, how different Bruli was from Bunto. As if reading her mind, Nacoya leaned close and whispered.'He'd spend more time looking at himself in the mirror than lookingat you, daughter.' Mara resisted a smile. Her pose remained outwardly formal asshe welcomed the second son of the Kehotara to her house.Two unprepossessing Kehotara warriors accompanied Bruli'slitter, while another six were housed with Acoma soldiers. Marawas certain the honour guard had been picked for their homelyappearance, to heighten the contrast to their master's handsomefeatures as they marched into the Lady of the Acoma's presence.One of the soldiers stepped forward, acting as Bruli's FirstAdviser. 'Lady Mara, I have the honour to introduce Bruli of theKehotara to you.' Nacoya returned the ritual reply. 'The Lady Mara welcomes sohonoured a guest as Bruli of the Kehotara into our presence.'At that moment the small form of the runner slave appearedthrough a side door. He carried a baton marked with white ribbons,signalling the arrival of a message. Mara feigned a struggle to hiderelief. 'Bruli,' she said quickly, 'you are welcome in our home.Please ask for whatever you wish from our servants. They will seethat you are comfortable. Now, if you will excuse me, the press ofbusiness cannot be long ignored by the Lady of the Acoma. I will seeyou again, perhaps tomorrow?' She rose, revealing a slenderness hidden until now by theelaborate ceremonial dress. Her bow was peremptory, and shestepped precipitously through a side screen, leaving Bruli of theKehotara with memorized words of poetry unsaid and a befuddledexpression on his face. Nacoya took over smoothly, according to plan. Knowing vanityto be the great weakness of this young noble, she stepped to Bruli'sside, taking his arm and patting it in a motherly manner.Bruli's gaze hardened, still fixed upon the doorway throughwhich Mara had departed. 'Mother of wisdom, the Lady'sbehaviour borders on insult. What matter of business could not 284 Daugbter of the Empire wait for my humble words of praise?' Bruli paused and touched hishair to reassure himself that he had not mussed it when he removedhis helm for his bow. 'Surely something more has caused the LadyMara to rebuff me in so abrupt a manner. Tell me, what is amiss?'Nacoya resisted a smile while steering the pretty man towards aside chamber prepared with tables of wine and fruit. 'Young sir,come take some refreshment. Then I will tell you what I havementioned to no other, for I think you handsome and wellmannered. Lady Mara is a young girl, despite being a widow. Herfather, brother and husband were all warriors, fine warriors, butthey are all she has ever known. She is weary of men in armour. Ifyou wish to court her favour, return at once to Sulan-Qu and seekthe best tailors there. Have them fashion lovely robes of soft weaveand jaunty colours. I think if you appeared tomorrow with the lookof the scholar or poet, not the warrior, that is more likely thananything to change her cold reception to your advances.'Bruli's forehead knitted in thought. To be a warrior was thehighest goal of any Tsurani male, but women had all sorts of oddnotions. His blue eyes came alight. 'Thank you ient mother.accepted the nated this. Of d Mara shall ~ace, with no ~hank you.' ~y furrowed. h any man handed his , you will s from the Your advice is sound.' I4, w&~ that N. -o 'o seemed P. Darkness sprap admitting the pe't"z Acoma. Bruli of the x~ ~n tz 0 0 0 c~. c~ 0 0 0 trimmed red armour; a,,. 0 under the weight of her maD once that Arakasi's agents haz2 x~ ..0 4I vain as a calley bird. He had V, - 0 muscular, whereas the majority of M'-.. of the Empire tended towards the stocky. i ttention.' and his anged his tt. arching he had Nacoya Mara's ger be elpless Renewal 285 desperation, she hurried to meet her mistress. Who but a RulingLady would have seized upon Bruli's vanity and worked thatweakness into a plan? The Lords jingu of the Minwanabi andMekasi of the Kehotara would learn that matters of honour werenot always settled with weapons. Still chuckling, Nacoya entered Mara's quarters, where jican andArakasi were already meeting with the Lady of the Acoma. Maralooked up from a scroll and noticed the hand still pressed tightlyover her First Adviser's mouth. 'You seem amused.'Nacoya sat, slowly, her disarranged hairpins sliding further toone side. 'If a foe can be bested without bloodshed, what harm if alittle entertainment can be derived from the act?'Mara's interest sharpened. 'Then our plan is working, mother ofmy heart?' Nacoya returned a spirited nod. 'I think I can keep Bruli busy fora week or so and spare you the need to insult the Kehotara. The ideawe discussed looks promising.' Mara nodded her approval, resuming her interrupted conversationwith jican. 'Did you say that Hokanu of the Shinzawairequests permission to call upon the Acoma?' The hadonra consulted the parchment in his hand, which was ofquality penmanship but not an ornamented petition for marriage.'The Lord of the Shinzawai sends word that his son will be passingthrough on his way from their town home in jamar to the mainestates in the north. He begs leave to have Hokanu call upon you.' Mara remembered Hokanu from the wedding, a striking, darklyhandsome man about her own age. She did not need Nacoya'sprompting to remind her that he had been one of the choices for herconsort before she had selected Buntokapi. Aware of Arakasi's intent expression, Mara asked the SpyMaster's opinion. 'Hokanu's interest might be a wise thing to foster. The Shinzawaiare among the oldest and most influential families in the HighCouncil; the grandfather was Clan Kanazawai Warchief until heretired, then Kamatsu was. Two Warchiefs in succession from thesame family shows rare deftness in clan politics. And they are notvicious players of the Game of the Council, but have gained positionthrough skill and intelligence, with no blood feuds under way, andno debts. And they are the only major family beside the Xacatecas 286 Daughter of the Empire not in alliance with the Warlord, the Minwanabi, or the Anasati.But they are enmeshed in some plot of the Blue Wheel Party.'So Arakasi, too, thought an alliance through marriage wouldbenefit the Acoma. But Mara's interest was political only. 'Whatplot?' 'I don't know.' Arakasi gestured in frustration, 'My agents arenot well placed for getting inside information on the Blue Wheel. Ideduce a move is afoot to blunt the influence of the Warlord, sinceBlue Wheel sentiment within the council holds that Almechocommands too much power. Still, since Almecho's invasion of thebarbarian world, that movement has all but ceased to exist. Eventhe Shinzawai provide support. Kamatsu's oldest son, Kasumi, is aForce Leader of the Kanazawai forces upon Midkemia' - the SpyMaster frowned as he pronounced the foreign names -'facing thearmies of Crydee in the westernmost province of what thebarbarians call the Kingdom of the Isles.' Mara was always astonished at the amount of informationArakasi could remember, even down to seemingly trivial details. Henever made notes or kept lists; other than coded messages disguisedas normal business documents, he never permitted his agents towrite their reports. And his intuitive guesses were uncanny.'Do you think the Blue Wheel Party has changed alliance?' sheasked. 'No.' Arakasi seemed certain. 'The world of Midkemia holds toomany riches for one man's gain, and Kamatsu is too crafty a playerof the game. I expect the Blue Wheel will withdraw support fromthe Alliance for War at a critical moment, leaving the Warlorddangerously overextended. If so, the aftermath should proveinteresting.' Mara reconsidered the note from the Lord of the Shinzawai in thelight of this information and reluctantly decided to decline. Herplans for Bruli and the snarled state of Acoma financial affairswould prevent her from honouring Hokanu with the hospitality hedeserved. Later, perhaps, she would send him an invitation to makeup for the regret she must send now. 'Jican, instruct the scribes toanswer with a polite letter informing the younger son of the Lord ofthe Shinzawai that we will be unable to offer our hospitality at thistime ... My Lord's death has left much confusion in the affairs ofthe estate, and for this we must humbly beg understanding. I will I Renewal 287 sign the parchment personally, for Hokanu is one I earnestly wish not to offend.' jican made a note on his tally slate. Then his brow furrowed withmore than usual resignation. 'There is the matter of the late LordBunto's gambling debts, Lady.' Tired of sitting, Mara rose and wandered over to the screen thatopened onto the garden. Staring at the flowers, said,'How much didhe lose?' The hadonra answered without hesitation, as if the numbers hadhaunted his sleep for some nights. 'Seven thousand centuries ofmetal, twenty-seven dimis, and sixty-five cintis ... and four tenths.'Mara turned to face him. 'Can we pay it?' 'Certainly, though it will limit capital flow for a season, until thenext crop is sold off.' As if the matter pained him, jican added, 'Weshall have to deal in some credits.' But the cho-ja craftsmen were starting to produce marketablejade; the time of debt would be short. Mara said, 'Pay them now.'jican made another note. 'Then there is the matter of the debt ofthe Lord of the Tuscalora.' 'What debt?' The Tuscalora lands bordered the Acoma holdingsto the south, and to Mara's knowledge there had been no ties ofbusiness with the Ruling Lord for several generations.jican sighed. 'Your husband was a poor gambler, but at wrestlinghe excelled. He defeated the Tuscalora champion on four occasions,and Lord jidu lost heavily each time. He wagered thirty centuries onthe first bout, and paid in gems. The second bout was for fivehundred centuries, and this he noted in a paper contract he sincechose not to honour, for the next two bets were wagered double ornothing. His champion was beaten; it was the talk of Sulan-Qu for aweek. At present the Lord of the Tuscalora owes the Acoma a totalof two thousand centuries.' 'Two thousand! That would ease our finances considerably.'jican shrugged. 'If he has assets to pay - I have sent two politereminders and received no answer at all, probably because the Lordhas extended himself on credit until this season's crops areharvested for market.' 'Send a strongly worded demand, over my personal chop.' Maralooked away a moment, thoughtfully, then added,'Much good willbe lost if anyone thinks he may take advantage because a woman is 288 Daughter of the Empire again ruling House Acoma. Let the Lord of the Tuscalora know Irequire an immediate answer.' jican nodded. Mara allowed him to withdraw and, alone,considered the uneasy feeling that had arisen within her over theTuscalora debt to the House of the Acoma. Her neighbour to thesouth had been of no consequence, neither ally or enemy. But hisarmy was large enough to threaten Acoma safety should the matterof debt turn into contention between the two houses. But not todemand her rightful due was to invite gossip about Acomaweakness in every marketplace within the Empire. Mara sighed.The Lord of the Tuscalora was known for his touchy and belligerenttemperament. He disliked backing down, which was why Buntokapihad led the man so far into debt to begin with. Mara hoped thisone time jidu of the Tuscalora would prove a reasonable neighbour. Mara read the parchment, her throat tightening with anger and nosmall amount of fear. Arakasi, Keyoke, Papewaio, and Nacoya allwaited silently as she finished the return message from the Lord ofthe Tuscalora. She sat silently for a long time, tapping the scrollagainst her fingers. Finally she said, 'We cannot ignore this. Keyoke,what would my father have done with a message like this?'The Force Commander said, 'The men would be arming, evennow.' He studied Sezu's daughter and added, 'I can march at yourword, mistress.' Mara sighed, taking no pains to hide her distress from these, herfour closest advisers. 'I cannot accept this defiance and insult as adeclaration of war, Keyoke. For us to engage in conflict with theTuscalora would mean our destruction.' Keyoke regarded her levelly. 'We can take his measure.'Mara's brown eyes were unflinching as she met her ForceCommander's stare. 'At what cost? The Tuscalora forces are not soinferior that we can march in and not suffer.' She shook her head.'Shall we find ourselves where we were after Father and Lano died?This time our enemies will not be so slow to strike.' Her voicebecame thick with frustration. 'Everything I have built, all that I'veendured, would be as nothing.' Nacoya's old hand cut down in emphasis as she said, 'Then donothing, Lady. The amount is not so large as to warrant putting Renewal 289 yourself and Ayaki at risk. Deal with this insulting little man whenyou are better able.' Mara became very still. 'No, I must do something. For us toignore this rejection of our claim would be to announce to everyhouse in the Empire that we are unable to answer insult to ourhonour.' She dropped the parchment on a side table, as if it were poisonous. 'This must be answered. 'Keyoke, have the entire garrison ready to march at first light. Iwish the men marshalled as close to the border of the Tuscaloraestates as possible without alerting his sentries.'Keyoke inclined his head. 'The terrain there is unfavourable for acharge. We would need twenty minutes to reach the estate houseshould trouble arise.' Mara stared grimly at the flower bed beyond the screen. 'It shallbe as nothing to me if the assault takes five minutes or five hours. Bythe time you arrive, I would already be dead. No. We must carve ouradvantage through other things than strength of arms alone.'There followed a discussion of tactics that extended long pastdusk. Servants brought a repast that went largely untouched; evenArakasi's appetite seemed off. And in the end, when Keyoke andPapewaio had exhausted their knowledge of warcraft, Marasuggested another plan, the one that offered a dangerous hope.Nacoya grew silent and white-faced. Papewaio sat stroking hischin with his thumb, over and over again, while Keyoke simplylooked grim. But only Arakasi truly understood Mara's bitternessas she excused her advisers, saying, 'I will travel tomorrow toconfront Lord jidu. And if the gods are ill disposed to the Acoma,then our ruin will not be due to the plottings of the Anasati or thetreachery of the Minwanabi, but to an honourless man's seeking torenege on a debt.' -L I2 Risks Mara frowned. She concealed her worry behind a fan of stiffened lace and voicedher desire to halt. Papewaio signalled the one other officer and fiftymen in her retinue, and the bearers set her litter down in thedooryard of the Tuscalora estate house. Mara pulled aside the curtains to gain a better view of herunwilling host. jidu of the Tuscalora was a fat man, his face andjowls moon-round, and his eyelids long-lashed as a woman's. Bothplump wrists were covered with jade bracelets, and the bulgingcloth of his robe was sewn with discs of shell. He clinked like atinker when he moved, and perfumes hung around him in a nearlyvisible cloud. From jican, Mara had learned that jidu's profits came only fromchocha-la bushes. The rare variety of chocha beans provided themost costly and desired confection in the Empire, and because of afreak concentration of minerals in his soil, the Tuscalora wereblessed with the most outstanding plantation in the Empire. Hadjidu the wits to operate in an organized fashion, he would have beena wealthy man. Instead, he was merely affluent.But poor estate management was no reason to presume theTuscalora ruler was ineffectual. Lord jidu's argumentative reputationhad more than once led to bloodshed with his neighbours tothe south. Only the Acoma strength, before Sezu's death, hadblunted the man's aggressive nature. Mara came expecting troubleand hoping to avoid conflict. Even as she greeted Lord jidu, herentire garrison, save a few guards along the outer perimeter of herproperty. were moving into place a short distance from theTuscalora border. If the matter came to battle, Tasido and Lujanwould lead a combined assault upon the Tuscalora, while Keyoke Risks 29I held the reserves to protect the home estate house. If Mara'scontingency plan failed - if the battle went against her and theAcoma could retreat in time to minimize their fatalities - enoughstrength remained to keep Ayaki alive until his Anasati grandfathercould rescue him. Mara put aside such thoughts. Under suchcircumstances, she would be dead and all would be in the hands ofthe gods - or Tecuma of the Anasati. Warned of his visitor by a runner from his border guard, Lordjidu bowed without stepping from the shade of his foyer. ThatMara's honour guard came armed for battle did not ruffle him as heleaned casually against his doorpost and said, 'Lady Mara, your arrival is an unexpected pleasure. To what do I owe the honour?'His face became instantly impassive as his visitor ordered herwarriors to stand at ease around her litter. The Lady clearlyintended to stay, despite the fact that the Lord of the Tuscalorapointedly scanted courtesy by not inviting her inside for refreshments.Chilled by the man's calculating eyes, Mara forced herself tobegin. 'Lord jidu, I have a note signed by you promising the sum oftwo thousand centuries in metal to my late husband. My hadonrahas communicated with your hadonra regarding this matter severaltimes in the last few weeks. When another request, personally madeby me, was delivered to you, you took it upon yourself to answerwith insult. I came to speak of this.' 'I'm not certain I take your meaning,' said the Lord of theTuscalora. He made a show of tossing aside a fruit rind and, with acurt motion of his head, sent one of his servants swiftly into thehouse. The next instant the runner flashed out through a sideentrance, sprinting for what surely would be the soldiers' quarters.'I mean this,' said Mara with all the forcefulness she couldmuster. 'When you say you do not feel obliged to respond to mymessage and would be pleased if I would cease "nagging at you,"you insult my honour, Lord jidu.' Pointing an accusatory finger, shelooked more the image of her father than she knew. 'How dare youspeak to me like some fishwife by the riverside! I am the Lady of theAcoma! I will not abide such instruction from any man! I demandthe respect I am due.' The Lord pushed away from the doorpost, his manner no longerlanguid. Speaking as if to a child, he said, 'Lady Mara, betting debtsare not usually settled so directly. Your late husband understood.' 292 A Daughter of the Empire mara snapped her fan shut, certain the man was stalling her. Theinstant his garrison received the call to arms, his mockingly paternalsolicitude would end. She swallowed, bitterly resolved, andanswered with the pride of her ancestors. 'My late husband nolonger rules, but I can assure you, had Lord Buntokapi receivedsuch impolite demands to "cease nagging," he would be challengingyou over the point of his sword. Don't think I will do less if you donot apologize at once and make good the debt.'Lord jidu stroked his plump waistline like a man just rising froma feast. He watched Mara keenly, and his confidence warned herbefore the rattle of armour and weapons that a squad of Tuscalorasoldiers hurried into view. Papewaio went tense by her side. Thesewere not slack household guards but soldiers well seasoned byextended duty on the border. They stationed themselves at eitherside of the doorway, in an advantageous formation: in the event ofattack, the Acoma bowmen would be forced to fire uphill, and intothe glare of the sun. Pulling himself up to the limit of his squat stature, Lord jidustopped stroking his stomach. 'If I avow that your demand forpayment is an affront, what then, Lady Mara To pester me for thesums due you implies I will not pay my debt. I think you may haveinsulted Tuscalora honour.' The accusation caused the soldiers by the door to clap hands totheir sword hilts. Their discipline was faultless; and their readinessto charge, a palpable tension in the air. Papewaio signalled theAcoma retinue, and as smoothly the Lady's green-armoured guardclosed protectively about the litter, shields angled outward.Surrounded by men who sweated with nerves and determination,Mara resisted the need to blot her own damp palms. Had her fatherfelt the same fear as he charged on the barbarian world, knowing hisdeath awaited? Fighting to maintain an outward appearance ofcalm, Mara looked between the shield rims of her bodyguard andlocked stares with the Lord of the Tuscalora. 'Then we agree wehave a cause to settle.' Sweat sparkled on jidu's upper lip, yet his eyes were not cowed.He flicked his fingers, and instantly his line of soldiers crouched inpreparation for a charge. Almost inaudibly Papewaio murmuredfor his own men to hold steady. But his heel scuffed backward in thegravel, and behind the litter Mara heard a faint rustle. The archer Risks 293 crouched there, beyond the view of the estate house, had seen the signal. Surreptitiously he strung his bow, and Mara felt fear like ablade in her heart. Papewaio was preparing to fight, and hisinstincts in matters of war were uncanny. Still, Lord Jidu's reply all but unnerved her. 'You speak boldly,for one who sits deep in the heart of Tuscalora lands.'Mara arose from her litter and stood motionless in the sunlight.'If Acoma honour is not satisfied, blood must answer.'The two rulers measured each other; then Lord jidu flicked aglance over Mara's fifty guards. His own squad was three times thatnumber, and by now his reserves would be armed and awaitingorders from their Strike Leaders, to rush the estate borders wherescouts had earlier reported the presence of soldiers in Acoma green.The Lord of the Tuscalora lowered his brows in a manner thatcaused his servants to duck quickly inside the estate house. 'Theblood spilled will be Acoma, Lady!'And the man's plump hand roseand signalled the charge. Swords scraped from scabbards, and the Tuscalora archerssnapped off a flight of arrows, even as their front ranks rushedforward. Mara heard battle cries from the throats of her ownsoldiers; then Papewaio shoved her down and sideways, out of theline of fire. But his action came too late. Mara felt a thud against herupper arm that turned her half around. She fell back, through gauzecurtains and onto the cushions of her litter, a Tuscalora arrow withits pale blue feathers protruding from her flesh. Her vision swam,but she made no outcry. Dizziness made the sky seem to turn above her as the shields ofher defenders clicked together, barely an instant before the enemyclosed their charge. Weapons clashed and shields rang. Gravel scattered understraining feet. Through the haze of discomfort, Mara concentratedupon the fact that the one Acoma archer who mattered had not yetreleased his round. 'Pape, the signal,' she said through clenchedteeth. Her voice sounded weak in her own ear. Her powerful Strike Leader did not answer. Blinking sweat fromher eyes, Mara squinted through sunlight and whirling blades untilshe found the plumed helm. But Papewaio could not come to her,beset as he was by enemies. Even as Mara watched him dispatch onewith a thrust to the neck, two others in Tuscalora blue leaped over 94 A Daughter of the Empire their dying comrade to engage him. Plainly, jidu's orders had beento cut down the one Acoma officer, in the hope that his death mightthrow Mara's guard into disarray. Through her pain, Mara admired the merit of such tactics. Withthe high number of newcomers among the Acoma guard, and littleor no encounters on the battlefield, many of these men were fightingwith shieldmates who were strange to them. And against therelentless, concentrated attack of jidu's finest warriors, evenPapewaio was hard-pressed. Mara gritted her teeth. Only minutesremained before the enemy overwhelmed her guard, and the planshe had devised to avoid their massacre had yet to be put into effect.She gripped the side of the litter, but even that small movementcaused the arrow in her arm to grate against bone. Agony shotthrough her body; she whimpered through locked teeth andstruggled not to faint. Blades screeched in a bind, seemingly over her head. Then anAcoma guard crashed back and fell, blood spraying through a rentin his armour. He shuddered, his opened eyes reflecting sky. Thenhis lips framed a parting prayer to Chochocan, and his handslackened on his sword. Mara felt tears sting her eyes. Thus herfather had died, and Lano; the thought of little Ayaki spitted on anenemy spear turned her sick with fury. She reached out and caught the sweat-damp grip of the fallensoldier's sword. Using the blade as a prop, she dragged herself to herknees. The sun fell hot on her head, and her eyes swam with pain.Through waves of faintness, she saw that an unlucky arrow hadmanaged to dispatch her precious archer. He lay moaning with hishands clenched over his gut. And the signal arrow that wouldsummon Lujan and Tasido to action sparkled unused at his feet.Mara groaned. Shouts beat against her ears, and the clash ofblade on blade seemed like drum rolls in the temple of Turakamu.Papewaio called an order, and the Acoma still able to fight closedranks, stepping back of necessity over the still-warm bodies of theircomrades. Mara prayed to Lashima for strength and reached outwith unsteady hands for the fallen archer's bow.The horn bow was heavy and awkward, and the arrow slippery inher sweaty hands. Mara notched the shaft with raw determination.Her hand faltered on the string, and the arrow tilted, sliding. She Risks 295 managed to recover it, but the rush of blood to her headmomentarily blackened her vision. She willed herself to continue by touch. Sight cleared in patches;another man crashed against her litter, his blood pattering into streaks across white gauze. Mara braced the bow and strove againstweakness and pain to draw. Her effort failed. Tearing agony laced her shoulder, and her lipsdrew back in a cry she could not stifle. Weeping tears of shame, sheclosed her eyes and tried again. The bow resisted her like iron-root.Tremors shook her body, and faintness stifled her awareness likedark felt. As the cries of the men and the clatter of weapons dimmedin her ears, still she strove to pull a bow that probably would havedefeated her strength when she was in perfect health.Suddenly someone's arms supported her. Sure hands reachedaround her shoulders and closed firmly on the fingers she heldclenched to leather grip and string. And like a miracle, a man'sstrength joined hers, and the bow bent, paused, and released.With a scream audible through the noise of battle, the signalarrow leaped into the sky; and the Ruling Lady of the Acoma passedout into the lap of a man with a leg wound, who, but for the gracelent by her cunning, would have died a condemned criminal in thewilderness. He eased his mistress's slender form onto the stainedcushions of her litter. The strip he should have used to bind his ownhurt he pressed to staunch the blood from the arrow wound inMara's shoulder, while around him the Tuscalora pressed in for thevictory. Lord jidu ignored the chilled fruit at his side as he sat forwardeagerly upon his cushion. He motioned for a slave to fan cool airupon him while he sat watching the finish of the battle in hisdooryard. Perspiration from excitement dripped off his forehead ashe regarded his imminent victory - though it seemed to be longer incoming than he had expected. Many of his best warriors bled uponthe gravel walk, no small few felled by the black-haired Acomaofficer who fought with his hands drenched red to the wrists. Heseemed invincible, his blade rising and falling with fatal regularity.But victory would come to the Tuscalora, despite the officer'saptness at killing. One by one the ranks at his side diminished,overwhelmed by superior numbers. For a moment jidu considered t 296 % Daughter of the Empire ordering him captured, for his worth in the arena would recover thecost of this battle. Then the Lord of the Tuscalora discarded thethought. Best to end this quickly. There was still the matter of theother force of Acoma soldiers on his border, now attacking, nodoubt, upon the release of that signal arrow. At least one Tuscaloraarcher had struck the Lady. Perhaps she bled to death even now.Lord Jidu took a drink from the tray. He drew a long sip, andsighed in anticipation. The question of this debt he had incurredwhile gambling with Lord Buntokapi was coming to a betterconclusion that he could have hoped. Perhaps he might gain theAcoma natami, to bury upside down beside the bones of Tuscaloraancestors. Then the Lord Jidu considered Tecuma of the Anasati,ignorant of this battle. A laugh shook his fat throat. Capture theAcoma brat and force Tecuma to terms! The boy in exchange forwithdrawal of Anasati support from the Alliance for War! jidusmiled at the thought. The Great Game dealt blows to the strong aswell as the weak; and any ally of the Warlord's was to be balked, forwar inevitably bent the monkeys of commerce away from chochaand into the pockets of armourers and weapons masters.But all would depend on this victory, and the Acoma soldierswere showing an alarming reluctance to die. Perhaps, thought jidu,he had ordered too many to attack the force on the border. Alreadyboth sides had been reduced, but now the odds were little betterthan two to one in favour of the Tuscalora. Again the green plumeof the Acoma officer fell back, and the First Strike Leader of theTuscalora shouted to his men to close. Now only a handful ofsoldiers remained, crowded against Mara's litter with their swordsswinging in tired hands. Their end was certain now.Then a breathless messenger raced up to the estate house. Theman prostrated himself at his master's feet. 'Lord, Acoma troopshave penetrated the orchards and fired the chocha-la bushes.'jidu bellowed in fury for his hadonra; but worse news followed.The messenger took a gasping breath and finished his report. 'TwoAcoma Strike Leaders with a force of three hundred warriors havetaken position between the burning crops and the river. None of ourworkers can get through to battle the blaze.' The Lord of the Tuscalora leaped to his feet. Now the situationwas critical; chocha-la bushes matured with extreme slowness, anda new field would not mature to yield sufficient harvest to recover Risks 297 his loss within his lifetime. If the bushes burned, the proceeds fromthis year's crop could not pay off the creditors. Ruin would bevisited upon jidu's house, and Tuscalora wealth would be as ashes. Gesturing for the exhausted messenger to move clear of his path,the Lord of the Tuscalora shouted to his runner. 'Call up theauxiliary squads from the barracks! Send them to clear a way for theworkers!' The boy ran; and suddenly the fact that Mara's escort were nearlydefeated lost its savour. Smoke turned the morning sky black andevil with soot. Plainly, the fires had been expertly set. Lord Jidualmost struck the second messenger, who arrived panting to reportthat shortly the crops would be ablaze beyond hope of salvage unlessthe Acoma force could be neutralized to allow water brigadesaccess to the river. jidu hesitated, then signalled a horn bearer. 'Call withdraw!' heordered bitterly. Mara had set him to select between hard choices:either surrender honour and admit his default as a dishonour, ordestroy her at the price of his own house's destruction.The herald blew a series of notes and the Tuscalora Strike Leaderturned in open astonishment. Final victory was only momentsaway, but his master was signalling him to order withdraw. Tsuraniobedience told, and instantly he had his men backing away from thesurrounded Acoma guards. Of the fifty soldiers who had arrived upon the Tuscalora estates,fewer than twenty stood before their Lady's blood-splattered litter.jidu shouted, 'I seek truce.' 'Offer the Lady of the Acoma your formal apology,' shouted thegreen-plumed officer, who stood with sword at the ready shouldcombat resume. 'Satisfy her honour, Lord jidu, and Acomawarriors will lay down their weapons and aid your men to save thecrops.' 'The Lord of the Tuscalora jiggled from foot to foot, furious torealize he had been duped. The girl in the litter had planned thisstrategy from the start; what a vicious twist it set upon the situation.If Jidu deliberated, if he even took time to dispatch runners tosurvey the extent of the damage to determine whether his force hada hope of breaking through, he might forfeit all. No choiceremained but to capitulate. 'I concede the honour of the Acoma,' shouted Lord jidu, though 298 IL Daughter of the Empire the shame gripped him as though he had eaten unripe grapes. HisFirst Strike Leader called orders for the warriors to lay down theirarms, with reluctance. The Acoma soldiers left living unlocked their shield wall, wearybut proud. Papewaio's eyes flashed victory, but as he turnedtowards the litter to share victory with his Lady, his sweat-streakedfeatures went rigid. He bent hastily, the bloody sword forgotten inhis hand; and for a last, vicious instant, the Lord of the Tuscaloraprayed that fortune favoured him. For if the Lady Mara lay dead,the Tuscalora were ruined. Mara roused, her head aching, her arm aflame. An Acoma soldierwas binding it with a torn shred of litter curtain. 'What . . .' shebegan weakly. Papewaio's face suddenly loomed over her. 'My Lady?''What has passed?' she asked, her voice sounding small.'As you hoped, jidu ordered a withdrawal when his fields werethreatened.' He glanced over his shoulder, where his battered andweary squad stood ready, and said, 'We are still in danger, but Ithink you hold the stronger position for the moment. But you needto speak with jidu, now, before matters turn for the worse.'Mara shook her head and allowed Papewaio and another soldierto lift her from her litter. Her feet seemed to betray her. She wasforced to cling to her Strike Leader's arm as slowly she made her'way over blood-spattered gravel to where her line of remainingsoldiers stood. Mara's vision was blurred. She blinked several timesto clear it, and noticed an acrid smell in the air. Smoke from the firedfields drifted like a pall over the estate house.'Mara!'jidu's shout was frantic. 'I propose a truce. Order yourmen to stand away from my fields and I'll admit I was wrong in notacknowledging my obligation.' Mara regarded the fat, anxious man and coldly moved to turn thesituation to Acoma advantage. 'You attacked me without provocation.Did you think, after admitting you were wrong, I wouldforgive the slaughter of good men for payment of a debt you owe meanyway. 'We can settle our differences later,' cried jidu, his colour turningflorid. 'My fields burn.' Mara nodded. Papewaio motioned with his sword point and a Risks 299 soldier sent another signal arrow overhead. Mara tried to speak,but weakness overcame her. She whispered to Papewaio, whoshouted, 'My mistress says our workers will put out the fires. But our men will maintain position with lit torches. Should anythinghere go amiss, the chocha-la fields will be reduced to ashes.'jidu's eyes went feral as he struggled to think of a way anadvantage might still be gained. A ragged, smoke-stained runnerraced into the dooryard. 'Master, Acoma soldiers repulse our men.The auxiliaries failed to open a way to the river.'The Lord of the Tuscalora lost his resolve. Painfully resigned, hesank to his cushions and rubbed his hands on chubby knees. 'Verywell, Mara. I accept the inevitable. We shall abide by your wishes.'He said to his First Strike Leader, 'Put up your arms.' The Lord of the Tuscalora looked on uneasily while Mara shiftedher weight to ease her wounded arm. The Lady of the Acoma hadrefused jidu's offer to let his healer tend her; instead she had settledfor a field bandage contrived by Papewaio. Acoma soldiers still heldposition amid the chocha-la, and the Tuscalora Force Commanderconfirmed the worst. The Acoma could fire the fields again beforethey could be forced back. jidu sweated and strove desperately to pass the matter off as amisunderstanding. 'It was an agreement between men, my Lady. Ihad many wagers with your late husband. Sometimes he won,sometimes I won. We let the sums accumulate, and when I won abet. the amount was deducted. If later I chanced to gain theadvantage, I let the debt ride in turn. It's ... a gentleman'sagreement.' 'Well, I do not gamble, Lord jidu.' Mara turned dark, angry eyesupon her unwilling host. 'I think we shall simply settle for payment... and indemnity for the damage done my honour. Acoma soldiersdied this day.' 'You ask the impossible!'The Lord of the Tuscalora flung pudgyhands in the air in an un-Tsurani-like display of distress.Mara raised her eyebrows. 'You still choose not to honour thisdebt?' She glanced pointedly towards the Acoma soldiers whoclustered close at hand, an archer in their midst ready to launchanother signal arrow. jidu stared at the shell sequins ornamentinghis sandals. 'Ah, my Lady ... I'm sorry to cause you inconvenience. I 300 4k Daughter of the Empire But threats cannot change the fact that I am unable to honour thedebt at this time. Of course, I will meet my obligation in full theinstant my circumstances permit. On this you have my uncompromisedword.' Mara sat very still. Her voice held a hard and bitter edge. 'I amnot presently inclined towards patience, Lord jidu. How soon may Iexpect payment?' jidu looked abashed as he admitted, 'I have recently sufferedpersonal reversals, Lady Mara. But I can safely promise compensationwhen this year's crop goes to market.' If it goes to market, Mara thought pointedly. She sat back. 'Thechocha-la harvest is not due for another three months, Lord jidu.You expect me to wait until then for two thousand centuries ofmetal - and my indemnity?' 'But you must,' the Lord of the Tuscalora exclaimed miserably.He motioned in distress to the short, thin man who sat at hismaster's side. Sijana, the Tuscalora hadonra, shuffled scrolls in ahasty review of the estate's finances. He whispered furiously in hismaster's ear and paused, expectant. Lord Jidu patted his stomachwith renewed confidence. 'Actually, Lady, two thousand centuriescan be paid now - plus another five hundred to repair the damageyou've suffered. But a single payment of that size would prevent mefrom expanding the planting for next year. Lord Buntokapiunderstood this and promised to allow a favourable repaymentschedule, five hundred centuries a year for the next four years - fiveyears to cover the restitution.' The hadonra's nod of satisfactionturned to dismay; a deep flush rose from jidu's collar as he realizedhis words had contradicted his earlier insistence that his debt was tobe left to wait upon the outcome of future wagers. Since Mara wascertain to seize upon this small but shameful lie, he quickly added,'I'll pay interest, of course.' Heavy silence fell, punctuated by jidu's heavy breathing and anear-imperceptible creak of armour as Papewaio shifted his weightto the balls of his feet. Mara used her good hand to open her fan, hermanner poisonously sweet. 'You argue like a moneylender, whileAcoma soldiers lie dead outside your door? If my late Lord chose tooffer terms on the debt, so be it. Produce the document and we shallabide by the terms.' Risks 30I jidu blinked. 'But our agreement was spoken, Lady Mara, apromise between noblemen.' The fan vibrated in the air as Mara reined back rage. 'You haveno proof? And yet you haggle?' With his fields held hostage, jidu shied from bringing up mattersof honour again. 'You have my word, my Lady.' Mara winced. The Lord of the Tuscalora had created a situationwhere she could only call him forsworn, an insult no ruler couldignore. Etiquette demanded that the Lady of the Acoma accept theagreement, thereby gaining nothing for the next three months, andthen only a fifth of what was due, or resume the useless slaughter.The fan poised motionless in her hand. 'But this debt is overduealready, Lord Jidu,' she said. 'Your hadonra's failure to acknowledgeinquiries in timely fashion brought about this impasse. I willbrook no more delays, or your fields will be put to the torch.''What do you propose?' he asked weakly. Mara rested her pretty fan on her knee. Though her woundobviously taxed her, she judged her moment perfectly, offering acounterbargain before jidu's wits could recover. 'My Lord, youown a small strip of land between my northern and southern needrafields, cut down the middle by the dry stream bed.'jidu nodded. 'I know the land.' He had once offered to sell thatsame acreage to Mara's father; Sezu had declined, because the landwas useless. The banks of the dried stream were rocky and erodedand much too steep to cultivate. A crafty expression crossed thefeatures of the Lord of the Tuscalora. 'Have you a need for thatland, my Lady?' Mara tapped her fan, thoughtful. 'We recently gave the use of ourupper meadow to the cho-ja. Now, jican might find it useful forthose lower fields to be connected, perhaps with a plank bridge sothe needra calves can cross without injuring their legs.' Recallingthe stray note Sezu had left penned in one corner of a very tatteredmap, Mara stifled a smile. As if conceding a favour, she added,'Lord jidu, I am willing to cancel your debt in exchange for the landand all privileges granted along with it. Also, you will vow not tooppose the Acoma for the remainder of your life.'The wizened hadonra stiffened in poorly hidden alarm; hewhispered in his master's ear. The Lord of the Tuscalora heard him,,then smiled unctuously at Mara. 'As long as the Tuscalora areallowed access to the Imperial Highway for our wagons, I'll agree.' 302 IL Daughter of the Empire The Lady of the Acoma returned a gracious wave of her fan. 'Butof course. Your workers may drive your wagons down the gully tothe highway anytime they wish, Lord jidu.' 'Done!'Lord jidu's cheeks bulged into a smile. 'My word upon it!And gladly.'Then in an attempt to reduce tensions, he bowed low. 'Ialso salute your courage and wisdom, Lady, that this unfortunateconfrontation has brought a closer bond between our two families.'Mara gestured to Papewaio, who helped her rise. 'I'll have yourvow, jidu. Bring out your family sword.' For a moment there was tension in the air again, for Mara waspublicly demanding the most sacred oath in place of a simpleassurance. Still, until the Tuscalora fields were dear of Acomawarriors, Lord jidu dared not protest. He sent a servant to fetch theancient sword of his forefathers, one as old as any in the Empire,precious steel wrapped in a simple sheath of cane wood. WhileMara and her officer looked on, the Lord of the Tuscalora grippedthe hilt and pronounced his oath to abide by his promise in the nameof his ancestors. At last satisfied, Mara gestured to her soldiers. They helped herback into her bloodstained litter. Her face seemed pale as she layback in her cushions. Gently her retinue lifted her onto theirshoulders. As they prepared to carry their wounded mistress home,Mara nodded-at the Lord of the Tuscalora. 'The debt is met fairly,jidu. I will gladly tell anyone who asks that the Lord of theTuscalora is a man of honour who meets his obligations withoutflinching.' Then she added, pointedly, 'And abides by his promises.All will know your word is your bond.' The Lord of the Tuscalora stood unflinching under the sting ofher sarcasm. He had underrated her and had lost a great deal ofprestige through the mistake. But at least the breach of honourwould not become public knowledge, and for that small grace hethanked the heavens. When the Acoma retinue was safely away from the Tuscalorahouse, Mara closed her eyes and hid her face in her hands. Alarmed,Papewaio stepped closer to the litter. 'You took a very great risk, myLady. Yet you triumphed.' Mara's reply came muffled through her hands. 'Many brave menwere killed.' Risks 303 Papewaio nodded. 'But they died like warriors, mistress. Thosewho gained honour at your command will sing your praises beforethe gods.' He fell silent then, for the litter seemed to be shaking. 'MyLady?' Papewaio looked to see what ailed his mistress. Behind the shield of her palms, Mara was weeping with anger. Papewaio left her toher own release for a time, then said, 'If the gully is flooded, the Lordof the Tuscalora will have no easy way to take his crops to market.'Mara's hands came down. Despite red eyes and a white face, herexpression showed crafty triumph. 'If jidu is forced to use the longpass around the gorge to reach the Imperial Highway, his chocha-lawill spoil with mould by the time it reaches Sulan-Qu. That willcause hardship for my Lord of the Tuscalora, for I doubt he'll beable to pay the toll I will impose upon use of my needra bridge.'When Papewaio turned curious eyes upon his mistress, she added,'You heard jidu vow never to oppose the Acoma? Well, that is astart. That fat dog will be my first vassal. Within the season, Pape,within the season.' The Acoma Strike Leader marched along, considering what thisyoung woman had accomplished since he had accompanied Keyoketo the temple to bring her home. He nodded once to himself. Yes,jidu of the Tuscalora would bend his knee before Mara or elseforfeit his harvest. Such were the ways of the game, and Mara hadgained the victory. There could be no doubt. The brightly painted litter sitting in the dooryard of the Acomaestate house confirmed that Bruli of the Kehotara awaited the Ladyof the Acoma. Mara reined in her irritation. Returned from the hiveof the cho-ja, whose growing Queen had offered wonderful balmsfor healing Mara's shoulder, the young woman dismissed herbearers and escort. She must at last offer her personal greetingbefore giving Bruli an excuse to quit her presence, or else risk insultto the Kehotara. Which, Mara considered, might just be one of thereasons the Lord of the Minwanabi had dispatched his vassal'shandsome son to the Acoma estate. Misa, the prettier of her personal maids, waited just inside thedoor. She held a comb and brush, and one arm was draped with arichly embroidered overrobe whose colours would set off hermistress's dark eyes. Recognizing the hand of Nacoya in the 304 Daughter of the Empire appointing of the welcoming committee, Mara submitted withoutcomment. With the slightest of frowns marring her brow, she stoodwhile Misa's hands expertly arranged her hair into a knot fastenedwith jewelled pins. The overrobe fastened in front with a row offlimsy ribbons, yet hid the white bandage that dressed the wound onher upper arm. Questioning Nacoya's taste, Mara nodded brisklyfor Misa to retire, then made her way to the great hall whereNacoya was entertaining her guest in her absence.The young son of the Kehotara rose and bowed formally on herentrance. He wore a costly robe buttoned with sapphires, the highcut of the hem and sleeves showing his legs and arms to goodadvantage. 'Bruli, how pleasant to see you again.' Mara sat on the cushionsopposite the young man, bemused by his changed appearance. He wasa good-looking man. Inwardly, she considered that most young ladieswould have been flattered, even anxious, to be the focus of this suitor'sattention. his smile almost glowed and his charm was undeniable. Insome ways it was a pity he was born to a noble house, for he couldeasily have been a master of the Reed Life and retired wealthy from therewards of sharing his charms with powerful clients.'My Lady, I am pleased to see you again.' Bruli seated himself,neatly tucking his sandals beneath his calves. 'I trust the businesswith your neighbour went well?' Mara nodded absently. 'Merely a small debt from jidu to my lateLord Buntokapi that needed settlement. The matter has beenresolved.' A flicker of interest stirred in the eyes of the young man, at oddswith his languid expression. Reminded that Bruli might himself bean agent for the Minwanabi, Mara steered the conversation awayfrom her contention with Lord jidu. 'My outing this morning hasleft me tired and hot. If you will join me, I will have my servant bringwine and cakes to the garden.' To allow her tactic time to haveeffect, she seized upon the simplest excuse. 'I will meet you thereafter I change into a more comfortable robe.' Nacoya nodded almost imperceptibly, telling Mara that herdelay had been opportune. The young suitor bowed. While aservant led him away, the First Adviser to the Acoma hurried to hermistress's side, her usual grouchy manner replaced by solicitude.'Did the cho-ja ease your pain?' Risks 305 'Yes.' Mara fingered the ribbons on the overrobe. 'Now, motherof my heart, will you explain to me what this silly frippery has to dowith our plans for young Bruli?' Nacoya's eyes widened with evil delight. 'Ah, Mara-anni, youhave much to learn of the ways of men!'Taking her charge firmly by the hand, she towed her off to her private quarters. 'This afternoonyou must do your best to be the temptress, my Lady. I have selectedappropriate raiment for you to wear after your bath.'Crossing the threshold, Nacoya displayed a conspirator's excitement.Servants could be heard pouring bath water behind the smallfolding partition, and several items of clothing had been neatly laidout upon the sleeping mat. Mara regarded her adviser's chosenoutfit with a sceptical eye. 'Nacoya, several pieces seem to bemissing.' Nacoya smiled. She gathered up the skimpy lounging robe,commonly worn by ladies in the privacy of their own quarters.Nudity, per se, was not a social difficulty. Adults and children ofboth sexes bathed together and a small loincloth for swimming wasoptional. But like most things involved with courtship, provocationwas a condition of the mind. Worn in the garden in the presence of astranger, this slight gown would prove more alluring than if Marahad invited Bruli to swim naked with her. Nacoya ran old fingers over the gauzy fabric, her mannersuddenly serious. 'For my small plan to work, Bruli must becomemotivated by more than the wish to please his father. If he comes todesire you, he will do things he otherwise would never consider.You must act as flirtatiously as you are able.'Mara almost winced. 'Shall I simper?' She turned sideways,surrendering the lace fan to one of the servants who arrived toremove her travelling robes. 'That might not hurt.' Nacoya stepped over to a chest and fishedout a small vial. Then she hummed softly over the splash of the bathwater; the song was an ancient courting tune she remembered fromher youth. Presently Mara emerged from behind the screen,swathed in soft towels. The old woman waved the servants asideand dabbed an exotic essence upon the girl's shoulders and wrists,and between her breasts. Then she lifted the towels aside; regardingthe nude form of her mistress, she resisted an impulse to cackle.'You've a fine, healthy body on you, Mara-anni. If you could 306 Daughter of the Empire practise a little more grace and elegance in your movement, youcould have all the blood gone from his head in a minute.'Not at all convinced, Mara turned towards the reflecting glass, acostly gift from a clan leader on her wedding day. Against its darkpatina, a dimmer shadow returned her gaze. Childbirth had left aminimum of stretch marks, the result of constant ministration ofspecial oils during her pregnancy. Her breasts were slightly largerthan before Ayaki's conception, but her stomach was as flat as ever.After giving birth to her son she had begun the practice of tan-che,the ancient formal dance that strengthened the body while keepingit limber. But Mara found little attractive in her slender form,particularly after having seen Teani's charms.'I'm going to feel terribly silly,' she confided to her image in theglass. Nevertheless, she allowed the servants to dress her in theskimpy robe, with several pieces of flashing jewellery and a ribbonupon her right ankle. Billowy sleeves concealed the dressing on herupper arm. Humming loudly now, Nacoya stepped behind hermistress and gathered her hair on top of her head. Binding it withivory and jade pins, she fussed and allowed a few wisps to dangleartfully down around Mara's face. 'There; men like the slightlydishevelled look. It puts them in mind of what ladies look like in themorning.' 'Bleary-eyed and puffy-faced?' Mara almost laughed.'Bah!' Nacoya shook her finger, deadly serious. 'You have yet tolearn what most women guess by instinct, Mara-anni. Beauty is asmuch attitude as face and form. If you enter the garden like anEmpress, slowly, moving as if every man who sees you is your slave,Bruli would ignore a dozen pretty dancing girls to take you to hisbed. As much as managing your estates, this skill is necessary for aRuling Lady. Remember this: move slowly. When you sit, or sipyour wine, be as elegant as you can, like a woman of the Reed Lifewhen she struts on her balcony over the streets. Smile and listen toBruli as if everything he says is stunningly brilliant, and should hejest, for the gods' sake laugh, even if the joke is poor. And if yourrobes move and part a little, let him peek a bit before you cover up. Iwish this son of the Kehotara to be snorting after you like a needrabull at breeding time.' 'Your plan had better prove worthwhile,' said Mara withdistaste. She ran her fingers through jingling layers of necklaces. 'I Risks 307 feel like a merchant's manikin. But I will try to act like Bunto's littlewhore, Teani, if you think advantage will come of it.' Then hervoice gained an edge. 'Understand this, though, mother of my heart.I will not take this young calley bird to bed.'Nacoya smiled at her reference to the finely plumed birds kept by many nobles for their beauty. 'A calley bird he is, mistress, and myplan requires that he show us his finest plumage.'Mara looked heavenward, then nodded. She started her usualbrisk walk, but remembered to move out the door with her bestimitation of a woman of the Reed Life. Attempting to be languid inher approach to the young suitor, Mara blushed with embarrassment.She thought her entrance was exaggerated to the point ofsilliness, but Bruli sat up straight upon his cushions. He smiledbroadly and jumped to his feet, bowing deferentially to the Lady ofthe Acoma; all the while his eyes drank in her image.Once Mara was installed upon her cushions, the young manmight even have poured her wine himself, but the servant, who wasactually Arakasi, accomplished the service before him. His mannershowed no trace of distrust, but Mara knew he would never let hismistress accept any cup touched by a vassal of the Minwanabi.Aware, suddenly, that Bruli had ceased talking, Mara flashed him abrilliant smile. Then, almost shyly, she lowered her eyes andpretended intent interest. His conversation seemed trivial, concerningpeople and events of seemingly little consequence. But shelistened to the gossip of the court and cities as if the subjectsfascinated her, and she laughed at Bruli's attempts at wit. Arakasidirected the house slaves, who came and went with trays of winesoakedfruit. As Bruli's breath smelled more and more strongly ofspirits, his tongue loosened, and his laughter boomed across thegarden. Once or twice he rested his fingers lightly on Mara's wrist,and though she was not in the least bit intoxicated, his gentlenesssent;i thrill through her body. Idly she wondered whether Nacoyawas right and there was more to love between man and woman thanBuntokapi's rough handling had shown. But her inner barriers stayed raised. Though to Mara the act waslaughable, so awkward did she feel in the role of seductress, thedetached observer within her noted that Bruli seemed entranced.His gaze never left her. Once, as she waved Arakasi back to pourmore wine, the front of her robe parted slightly. As Nacoya had 9 308 Daugbter of the Empire Risks 309 advised, she hesitated before closing the gap. Bruli's lashes widened,and his pretty eyes seemed nailed to the slight swell of bosomrevealed. How odd, she thought, that a man so handsome should bemoved by such a thing. He must have had many women; whyshould another not bore him? But Nacoya's wisdom was ancient.Mara followed her adviser's lead and a little later allowed her hemto creep upward slightly. Bruli stumbled over his words. Smiling, sipping wine to hide hisclumsiness, he still could not help staring at the slowly increasingexpanse of her thigh. Nacoya had been right; testing further, Mara said, 'Bruli, I mustbeg your leave to retire. But I hope you will have time to return to usin'- she pouted, as if thought were very difficult for her, then smiled- 'say, two days.' She rose with all the grace she could muster,artfully allowing her robe to fall more open than before. Bruli'scolour deepened. To Mara's gratification, he returned an emphaticassurance that he would return upon her pleasure. Then he sighed,as if two days seemed a long period. Mara left the garden, aware that he watched her until shedisappeared into the shadows of the house. Nacoya waited at thefirst door, the glint in her eyes revealing that she had observed theentire hour's conversation. 'Do all men have their brains between their legs?' Mara inquired.Frowning, she compared Bruli's behaviour to what she rememberedof her father's stern manner and her brother's rakish charm.Nacoya hustled her mistress briskly away from the screen. 'Most,thank the gods.' Pausing before the door to Mara's quarters, sheadded, 'Mistress, women have few means to rule their own lives.You have the rare fortune to be a Ruling Lady. The rest of us live atthe whim of our lords or husbands or fathers, and what you havejust practised is the mightiest weapon at our command. Fear theman who doesn't desire a woman, for he will see you only as a toolor a foe.' Almost gloatingly, she patted Mara's shoulder. 'But ouryoung calley bird is smitten, I think, as much as working on hisfather's behalf. Now I will hurry to reach him in the outer courtyardbefore he takes his leave. I have a few suggestions on how he maywin you.' Mara watched the old woman hurry energetically away, hairpinsleaning precariously to the left. Shaking her head at the follies of life, she wondered what Nacoya would advise this silly young suitorfrom the Kehotara. Then she decided she would consider that in ahot tub. This display of womanly charms for the purpose ofinflaming Bruli had left her feeling slightly soiled. I Seduction I3 Seduction The boy's eyes opened wide. Seated on his mat before the outer screen, the runner turnedtowards his mistress with a wondering look upon his face. The boywas new to his post, and Mara guessed his expression portended animpressive arrival in the dooryard. She dismissed the new warriors,both recruited only that morning. They took their bows, and as aservant arrived to show them to their barracks, Mara inquired ofher runner, 'Is it Bruli of the Kehotara?' Young and still easily impressed, the slave boy nodded quickly.Mara stretched briefly and arose from amid stacks of parchmentsand tallies. Then she, too, stared in amazement. Bruli approachedthe great house in an ornate litter, obviously new, with ribbons ofpearl and shell inlay gleaming in the morning sunlight. He haddressed in silk robes, bordered in elaborate embroidery, and hishead covering was set with tiny sapphires, to enhance the colour ofhis eyes. Kehotara vanity did not end there. As if watching a pageantfrom a child's tale, Mara noticed that his litter bearers wereuniformly matched in height and physical perfection; with none ofthe ragged, beaten look of toil, these slaves were like young gods,tall and muscular, with bodies oiled like athletes. A full dozenmusicians accompanied the Kehotara honour guard. They playedwell and loudly upon horns and vielles as Bruli made his entrance.Bemused, Mara waved for a servant to tidy the scrolls, whileMisa helped her refresh her appearance. Nacoya had been up to herown machinations. On his last three visits the Acoma First Adviserhad fended the boy off, warning of her mistress's impatience with asuitor who did not display his wealth as a sign of ardour. TwiceBruli had dined in the garden, Mara again feeling like a piece ofmeat on display at a butcher's stall. But each time she laughed at 3II some stupid joke or feigned surprise at some revelation about one oranother Lord in the High Council, Bruli was genuinely pleased. Heseemed totally infatuated with her. At their last meeting, Mara hadbriefly allowed him to express his passion with a parting kiss, deftlydisentangling herself from his embrace as his hands closed aroundher shoulders. He had called out an entreaty, but she duckedthrough the doorway, leaving him aroused and confused in thedappled moonlight of the garden. Nacoya had seen him to his litter,then returned with the certainty that the young man's frustrationserved to fan his desire. Scented and wearing tiny bells on her wrists, Mara slipped into a shamelessly scanty robe - where was Nacoya finding them, shewondered. Misa patted her mistress's hair into place and fastened itwith pins of emerald and jade. Then, her appearance complete,Mara left with mincing steps to greet her suitor.When at last she appeared, Bruli's eyes widened with glowingadmiration. He stepped somewhat awkwardly from his litter, hisback stiff and his weight centred carefully over his sandals. Marahad to suppress a laugh; his costly robes and headdress wereobviously heavy and uncomfortable. The ties on the sleeves lookedas if they pinched mightily, and the wide belt with its colouredstitching surely was constricting and hot. Yet Bruli bore up withevery appearance of enjoying himself. He smiled brilliantly at Maraand allowed her to lead him into the cool shadow of the estatehouse. Seated in a room overlooking the garden with its fountain, Maracalled for wine with fruit and pastries. As always, Bruli's conversationbored her; but at his usual post by the wine tray Arakasigleaned some useful bits of information. The Spy Master hadconnected several of Bruli's remarks to things already learned by hisagents. Mara never ceased to be astonished at the information herSpy Master was able to divine from seemingly trivial gossip. Inprivate talks that followed Bruli's visits, Arakasi had fashionedsome interesting theories about activities in the High Council. If hisspeculation was correct, very soon the Blue Wheel Party wouldunilaterally withdraw from the war upon the barbarian world. TheWarlord's grandiose campaign would be seriously hampered.Should this occur, the Anasati, the Minwanabi, and Almecho'sother allies would certainly be pressured by demands for more 3I2 Daughter of the Empire support. Mara wondered if jingu would step up his attempts toeliminate her before the Minwanabi were forced to turn theirenergies elsewhere. Bruli's chatter faltered, and belatedly Mara realized she had lostthe thread of his conversation. She filled in with an endearing smile,U aware that the expression made her strikingly pretty. Bruli's eyeswarmed in response. His emotion was entirely genuine, and for amoment Mara wondered how she would feel in his arms, comparedto the unpleasantness she had endured with Buntokapi. ThenArakasi leaned to slap an insect, and his clothing jostled the winetray. The unexpected movement caused Bruli to start, one handflying to the dagger hidden in his sash. In an instant the solicitoussuitor was transformed into a Tsurani warrior, all taut muscle andcold eyes. Mara's moment of sentiment died. This man might bemore civilized in his manner, more charming in his speech, morebeautiful in body and face than the brute she had once married, buthis heart was stern and commanding. Like Buntokapi, he would killor cause pain on the impulse of the instant, without even pausing forthought. That recognition angered Mara, as if for an instant she hadlonged for something from this man; any man. That this longingwas a vain hope roused an irrational instinct to fight back. Feigningdiscomfort from the heat, Mara fanned herself, then pulled herbodice open and exposed most of her breasts to Bruli's view. Theeffect was immediate. The young man's battle instincts relaxed, likethe claws of a sarcat sheathed in softness. Another kind of tensionclaimed him, and he shifted closer to her. Mara smiled, a ruthless gleam in her eyes. The small bells on herwrist sang in perfect sevenths as she brushed the young man's armwith a seemingly casual touch. 'I don't know what is wrong withme. Bruli, but I find the warmth oppressive. Would you care tobathe?' The young man all but tore his finery in his haste to rise to his feet.He extended a hand to Mara, and she allowed him to raise her fromthe cushions without rearranging her clothing. Her robe gapedfurther, and Bruli caught a teasing glimpse of small but nicelyformed breasts and the hint of a taut stomach. Mara smiled as shenoted the focus of his attention. With slow, provocative movements,she rebound her sash, while small beads of perspiration Seduction 3I3 sparkled into being beneath Bruli's headdress. 'You look very hot,'she observed. The young man regarded her with unfeigned adoration. 'I am always aflame with passion for you, my Lady.' This time Mara encouraged his boldness. 'Wait here onemoment,' she said and, smiling in open invitation, stepped out tofind Nacoya. The old woman sat just out of sight behind the screen, a piece ofembroidery in her lap. Mara noticed incongruously that the stitcheswere remarkably incoherent. Grateful to see that her First Adviserrequired no explanation of what had passed in the chamber by thegarden, she relayed swift instructions. 'I think we have our young jigabird cock ready to crow. Order thebath drawn. When I dismiss the attendants, allow us fifteen minutesalone. Then send in my runner with a message coded urgent, andhave Misa ready.' Mara paused, a flash of uncertainty showingthrough. 'You did say she admired the man?' Nacoya returned a regretful shake of her head. 'Ah, daughter, donot worry for Misa. She likes men.' Mara nodded and started to return to her suitor. But Nacoyatouched her wrist, the chime of tiny bells muffled in her wrinkledpalm. 'Lady, be cautious. Your house guards will see to your safety,but you play a dangerous game. You must judge carefully how farto push Bruli. He may become too impassioned to stop, and havingPape kill him for attempted rape would do the Acoma great harm atthis point.' Mara considered her meagre experience with men and choseprudence. 'Send the runner ten minutes after we enter.''Go now.' Nacoya released her mistress with a pat of her hand.The old nurse smiled in the shadow. Thank the gods she had notneeded to lie; Misa was Mara's prettiest maid, and her appetite forhandsome men was a subject of shameless gossip among theservants. She would play her part with unfeigned joy. Attendants emptied the last pitchers of cool water into the tub,bowed, and retired, closing the screen. Mara released Bruli's hand.The bells on her wrists tinkled sweetly as, with dancelike movements,she unfastened her sash and allowed her robe to slide off hershoulders. Beaded ornaments concealed the scar of her wound, and 3I4 Daughter of the Empire the silk sighed over her ivory skin, slipping past her waist and overthe curve of her hips. As it drifted around her ankles to the floor,Mara lifted one bare foot, then the other, at last stepping free of thefolds. She mounted the steps to the top of the wooden tub,remembering to hold her stomach flat and her chin up. At the cornerof her vision she saw Bruli frantically shedding costly clothing; hergame with the robe had brought the young man close to the point oflosing decorum. When he tore off his loincloth, she witnessed theproof of her effect upon him. Mara refrained from laughing by onlya signal act of will. How silly men could look when excited.Bruli stretched. Confident that his body was worthy of admiration,he bounded to the tub, submerging his slender hips with asatisfied sound, as if he simply wished to soak. Mara knew better.Bruli had hoped for this moment, fretting with keenest anticipationfor the better part of the week. He opened his arms, inviting Mara tojoin him. She smiled instead and took up a vial and a cake of scentedsoap. The priceless metal bells on her wrists chimed with hermovements as she poured fragrant oils upon the surface of thewater. Rainbows shimmered into being around Bruli's athleticform. He closed his eyes in contentment, while the bells movedbehind him and small hands began to soap his back.'You feel very nice,' murmured Bruli. Her hands melted away like ghosts. The bells sang a last showerof sound and fell silent, and the water rippled, gently. Bruli openedhis eyes to find Mara in the tub before him, soaping her slender bodywith sensuous abandon. He licked his lips, unaware of thecalculation in her pretty eyes. By the sloppy smile on his face, Maraguessed she was acting the part of the seductress convincingly.The man's breathing became nearly as heavy as Buntokapi's.Unsurprised when Bruli seized another cake of soap and reachedout to help, Mara twisted gracefully away and sank to her neck inthe water. Suds and rainbows of oil veiled her form, and as Brulistretched powerful hands towards her, the Lady forestalled himwith a smile. 'No, let me.' Bath oils lapped the brim of the tub as shecame to his side and playfully pushed his head under. The youngman came up sputtering and laughing, and grabbed. But Mara hadslid behind him. Tantalizingly, she began slowly to wash his hair.Bruli shivered with pleasure as he imagined the feel of her hands onother parts of his body. The hair washing worked downwards, Seduction 3I5 became a gentle massage of his neck and back. Bruli pressedbackwards, feeling the twin points of Mara's breasts against hisshoulders. He reached over his head for her, but her elusive handsslithered forwards, caressing his collarbones and chest. Aware ofthe quiver in his flesh, Mara hoped her runner would appear promptly. She was running out of ploys to delay, and in an odd wayshe had not anticipated, her own loins had begun to tighten. Thesensation frightened her, for Buntokapi's attentions had nevermade her feel this way. The scented soap filled the air with blossomfragrance, and the light of afternoon through the coloured screensmade the bathing room a soft, gentle place for lovers. But Maraknew that it could just as easily be a place for killing, with Papewaiting with his hand on his sword, just out of sight behind thescreen. This man was a vassal of the Minwanabi, an enemy, and shemust not lose control. Tentatively she rubbed her hand down Bruli's stomach. Heshivered and smiled at her, just as the screen swished back to admitthe breathless form of her runner. 'Mistress, I beg forgiveness, but your hadonra reports a messageof the highest importance.' Mara feigned a look of disappointment and raised herself fromthe tub. Servants rushed in with towels, and Bruli, tormented bylust, stared dumbly at the last glistening patches of nude flesh todisappear into the linens. Mara listened to the imaginary messageand turned with open regret. 'Bruli, I am most apologetic, but I mustleave and tend to an unexpected matter.' She bit her lip, ready with an excuse should he ask what hadarisen, but his mind was so preoccupied with disappointment, heonly said, 'Can't it wait?' 'No.' Mara gestured helplessly. 'I'm afraid not.'Water sloshed as Bruli raised himself to object. Mara hastenedsolicitously to his side and pressed him back into the bath. 'Yourpleasure need not be spoiled.' She smiled, every inch the caringhostess, and called to one of her attendants. 'Misa, Bruli has notfinished his bathing. I think you should stay and tend him.'The prettiest of the towel bearers stepped forward and withouthesitation stripped off her robe and undergarment. Her figure wassoft, even stunning, but Bruli ignored her, watching only Mara asshe donned her clean robes and left the room. The door closed 3I6 Daughter of the Empire gently behind her. The son of Lord of the Kehotara drove a fist,splashing, into the bath water. Then, reluctantly, he noticed themaid. His frustration faded away, replaced by a hungry smile.He dived through suds and broken patches of sweet oils andgrabbed her by the shoulders. Hidden beyond the door, Mara didnot wait to see the finale but eased the slight crack in the screensoundlessly closed. Nacoya and Papewaio followed her a short waydown the corridor. 'You were right, Nacoya. I acted the empress,and he hardly noticed Misa until after I left.'A faint splash echoed from the bathing room, punctuated by agirlish squeal. 'He seems to have noticed her now,' Papewaio ventured.Nacoya brushed this away as unimportant. 'Misa will only whethis appetite all the more. He will now burn to have you, daughter. Ithink you have learned more of men than I had judged. Still, it isgood Bruli remained calm in your presence. Had Pape had to killhim . . .' She let the thought go unfinished. 'Well, he didn't.' Irritable and strangely sickened, Mara dismissedthe subject. 'Now I will go and shut myself away in thestudy. Tell me when Bruli has finished with Misa and departed.'Shedismissed her First Strike Leader and First Adviser with a wave.Only the runner remained, his boy's legs stretching in imitation of awarrior's long stride. For once his antics did not amuse. 'Send Jicanto the study,' Mara instructed him curtly. 'I have plans concerningthat land we acquired from the Lord of the Tuscalora.'Mara hurried purposefully forward, but a screech of infantlaughter melted her annoyance. Ayaki had awakened from hismidday nap. Indulgently smiling, Mara changed course for thenursery. Intrigue and the great Game of the Council could wait untilafter she had visited her son. When next he arrived to court Mara, Bruli of the Kehotara wasaccompanied by a dozen dancers, all expert in their art, who spunand jumped with astonishing athletic grace as a full score ofmusicians played. The litter that followed this procession was yetanother new one, bedecked with metal and fringed with beadedgems. Mara squinted against the dazzle of reflected sunlight andjudged her suitor's style was approaching the pomp favoured by theLord of the Anasati. Seduction I 3I7 She whispered to Nacoya,'Why does each entrance become moreof a circus?' The old woman rubbed her hands together. 'I've told your young suitor that you appreciate a man who can proudly display hiswealth to the world, though I wasn't quite that obvious.'Mara returned a sceptical glance. 'How did you know he wouldlisten?' Nacoya waved airily at the the young man who leaned hopefullyout of his litter, that he might catch a glimpse of the Lady he came tocourt. 'Daughter, have you not learned, even now? Love can makefools of even the best men.' Mara nodded, at last understanding why her former nurse hadinsisted she play the wanton. Bruli could never have been coercedinto spending such a fortune simply to carry out his father's wishes.That morning Arakasi had received a report that the boy had comenear to bankrupting the already shaky financial standing of theKehotara. His father, Mekasi, would fare awkwardly if he had toappeal to jingu's good graces to save his honour.'To get between your legs, that boy would spend his fathercentiless.' With a shake of her head Nacoya said, 'He is to be pitied,a little. Serving up Misa in your stead has done what you wished:only heightened his appetite for you. The fool has fallen passionatelyin love.' The First Adviser's comment was nearly lost in a fanfare of horns.Vielle players ripped into a finale of arpeggios as Bruli's partymounted the steps to the estate house and entered the garden. Thedancers simultaneously twirled, dropping in a semicircle of bowsbefore Mara as Bruli made his appearance. Now his black hair wascrimped into ringlets, and his arms bore heavy bracelets of chasedenamel work. As he came over to Mara, his strut faltered. Instead ofthe skimpy robe he had come to expect, she was wearing a formalwhite robe, with long sleeves and a hemline well below her knees.Though he sensed some difficulty, he managed his bow withgrace. 'My Lady?' he said as he waved his retinue aside.Mara motioned for her servants to stand apart. Frowning a little,as if she struggled with disappointment too great to hide, she said, 'Bruli, I have come to understand something.' She lowered her eyes.'I have been alone ... and you are a very handsome man. I ... I haveacted poorly.' She finished the rest in a rush. 'I have let desire rule 3I8 Uaugbter of the Empire Seduction 3I9 my judgment, and now I discover that you think me another sillywoman to add to your list of conquests.' 'But no!' interrupted Bruli, instantly concerned. 'I think you aparagon among women, Mara.' His voice softened almost toreverence. 'More than that, I love you, Mara. I would neverconsider conquest concerning a woman I wish to wed.'His sincerity swayed Mara for only a second. Despite his beauty,Bruli was but another vain young warrior, with little gift forthought or wisdom. Mara stepped back as he reached for her. 'I wish to believe you,Bruli, but your own actions deny your pretty words. just two nightsago you found my maid an easy substitute for. . .'How easily thelie came, she thought. 'I was ready to give myself to you, sweet Bruli.But I find you are simply another adventurer of the heart, and I apoor, plain widow.' Bruli dropped immediately to one knee, a servant's gesture, andshocking for its sincerity. He began earnestly to profess his love, butMara turned sharply away. 'I cannot hear this. It breaks my heart.'Feigning injury too great to support, she fled the garden.As the tap of her sandals faded into the house, Bruli slowly rosefrom his knees. Finding Nacoya by his elbow, he gestured,inembarrassed confusion. 'Ancient mother, if she will not listen to me,how may I prove my love?' Nacoya clucked understandingly and patted the young man'sarm, steering him deftly through musicians and dancers to hisdazzlingly appointed litter. 'Girls have little strength, Bruli. Youmust be gentle and patient. I think some small gift or another, sentwith a letter, or, better, a poem, might sway her heart. Perhaps one aday until she calls you back.' Touching the fringes with admiringhands, Nacoya said,'You had her won, you know. Had you shownrestraint enough to leave that maid alone, she surely would havebecome your wife.' Frustration became too much for Bruli. 'But I thought she wishedme to take the girl!' His rings rattled as he folded his arms in pique.'The maid was certainly bold enough in the tub and ... it is not thefirst time I have been given a servant for sport by my host.'Nacoya played the role of grandmother to the limit of her ability.'Ah, you poor boy. You know so little about the heart of a female. Iwager no woman you paid court to ever sent her maids to warm your bed.' She wagged her finger under his nose. 'It was anotherman who did so, eh?' Bruli stared at the fine gravel of the path, forced to admit she wascorrect. Nacoya nodded briskly. 'See, it was, in a manner ofspeaking, a test.' As his eyes began to narrow, she said, 'Not bydesign, I assure you; simply put, had you dressed and left at once,my mistress would have been yours for the asking. Now. .Bruli flung back crimped locks and groaned. 'What am I to do?''As I said, gifts.' Nacoya's tone turned chiding. 'And I think you should prove your passion may be answered only by true love. Sendaway those girls you keep at your hostelry in the city.'Bruli stiffened in immediate suspicion. 'You have spies! How elsecould you know I have two women of the Reed Life at my quartersin the city?' Though Arakasi's operatives had indeed provided that fact,Nacoya only nodded in ancient wisdom. 'See, I guessed right! And ifan old, simple woman such as myself can guess, then so must myLady.' Short and wizened beside the proud warrior, she usheredhim to the dooryard where his litter waited. 'You must go, youngmaster Bruli. If your heart is to win its reward, you must not be seentalking overlong with me I My Lady might suspect me of advisingyou, and that would never please her. Go quickly, and be unstintingin the proof of your devotion.' The son of Mekasi reluctantly settled onto his cushions. Hisslaves shouldered the poles of his gaudy litter, and like clockworktoys, the musicians began to play the appointed recessional.Dancers whirled in joyful gyrations, until a carping shout from theirmaster ended their display. The vielles scraped and fell silent, and alast, tardy horn player set the needra bulls bellowing in the pastures.How fitting that his send-off came from the beasts, Nacoya thoughtas, in a sombre band, his cortege departed for Sulan-Qu. The hotsun of midday wilted the flower garlands on the heads of thedancers and slaves, and almost the Acoma First Adviser felt sorryfor the young man. Almost. The gifts began to arrive the next day. A rare bird that sang ahaunting song came first, with a note in fairly bad poetry. Nacoyaread it after Mara had laid it aside, and commented, 'The 320 Daughter of the Empire calligraphy is well practised. He must have spent a few dimis hiringa poet to write this.' 'Then he wasted his wealth. It's awful.' Mara waved for a servantto clear away the colourful paper wrappings that had covered thebird's cage. The bird itself hopped from perch to reed perch, singingits tiny heart out. just then Arakasi bowed at the entrance of the study. 'My Lady. Ihave discovered the identity of the Kehotara agent.'As an afterthought, Mara directed the slaves to carry the bird toanother chamber. As its warble diminished down the corridor, shesaid, 'Who?' Arakasi accepted her invitation to enter. 'One of Bruli's servantshurried to send a message, warning his father of his excesses, Ithink. But the odd thing is another slave, a porter, also left hismaster's town house to meet with a vegetable seller. Theirdiscussion did not concern produce, and it seems likely he was aMinwanabi agent.' Mara twined a bit of ribbon between her fingers. 'Has anythingbeen done?' Arakasi understood her perfectly. 'The first man had an unfortunateaccident. His message fell into the hands of anothervegetable seller who, it so chances, hates jingu.'The Spy Master withdrewa document from his robe, which he gravely offered to Mara.'You still smell like seshi tubers,' the Lady of the Acoma accusedgently, then went on to read the note. 'Yes, this proves yoursuppositions. It also suggests that Bruli had no idea he had a secondagent in his party.' Arakasi frowned, as he always did when he read things upsidedown. 'If that figure is accurate, Bruli is close to placing his father infinancial peril.' The Spy Master paused to stroke his chin. 'Withjican's guidance, I convinced many of the craftsmen and merchantsto delay their bills until we wish them sent. Here the Acoma benefitfrom your practice of prompt payment.' Mara nodded in acknowledgment. 'How much grace does thatleave the Kehotara?' 'Little. How long could any merchant afford to finance Bruli'scourtship? Soon they will send to the Lord of the Kehotara'shadonra for payment. I would love to be an insect upon the wallwatching when he receives that packet of bills.' Seduction 32I Mara regarded her Spy Master keenly. 'You have more to say.'Arakasi raised his brows in surprise. 'You have come to know mevery well.' But his tone implied a question. Silently Mara pointed to the foot he tapped gently on the carpet.'When you're finished, you always stop.' The Spy Master came close to a grin. 'Sorceress,' he saidadmiringly; then his voice sobered. 'The Blue Wheel Party has justordered all their Force Commanders back from Midkemia, as wehad suspected they might.' Mara's eyes narrowed. 'Then we have little time left to deal withthis vain and foolish boy. Within a few days his father will send forhim, even if he hasn't discovered the perilous state of his finances.'She tapped absently with the scroll while she considered her nextmove. 'Arakasi, watch for any attempts to send a messenger to Brulibefore Nacoya convinces him to make me a gift of that litter. And,old mother, the moment he does, call him to visit.' Mara's gazelingered long upon her two advisers. 'And hope we can deal withhim before his father orders him to kill me.' Bruli sent a new gift each of the next four days. The servants piledthem in one corner of Mara's study, until Nacoya commentedsourly that the room resembled a market stall. The accumulationwas impressive - costly robes of the finest silk; exotic wines andfruits, imported to the central Empire at great cost; gems and evenmetal jewellery. At the last, on the fifth day following the afternoonshe had sent the young man away, the fabulous litter had arrived.Then Mara ordered Arakasi to send Bruli the second message, oneintercepted scarcely the day before. The Lord of the Kehotara had atlast received word of his son's excesses and sternly ordered the boyhome at once. In his instructions the angry old patriarch haddetailed exactly what he thought of his son's irresponsiblebehaviour. Mara would have been amused, if not for Arakasi's agitationover how word of the incident had got through to the Kehotaralord without his agent's knowledge. The Spy Master had touchypride, and he regarded any failure, however slight, as a personalbetrayal of his duty. Also, his discovery of the Minwanabi agent inBruli's train had him concerned. If two agents, why not three?But events progressed too swiftly to investigate the matter. Bruli 322 Daughter of the Empire of the Kehotara returned to the Acoma estate house, and Maraagain attired herself in lounging robes and makeup to furtherconfuse her importunate suitor as he bowed and entered herpresence. The musicians were conspicuously absent, as were the fineclothes, the jewellery, and the crimped hair. Red-faced and ill atease, the young man rushed through the formalities of greeting.With no apology for his rudeness, Bruli blurted, 'Lady Mara, Ithank the gods you granted me an audience.' Mara forestalled him, seemingly unaware that his ardour was nolonger entirely motivated by pas. -on. 'I think I may have misjudgedyou, dear one.' She stared shyly at the floor. 'Perhaps you weresincere. . .' Then, glowing with appeal, she added, 'If you wouldstay to supper we might speak again.' Bruli responded with an expression of transparent relief. Adifficult conversation lay ahead of him, and the affair would beeasier if Mara's sympathies were restored to him. Also, if he couldcome away with a promise of engagement, his father's rage wouldbe less. The Acoma wealth was well established, and a few debtssurely could be paid off with a minimum of fuss. Confident allwould end well, Bruli waited while Mara instructed jican to assignquarters for Bruli's retinue. When the son of the Lord of theKehotara had been led away, Mara returned to her study, whereArakasi waited, once more in the guise of a vegetable seller.When she was certain of privacy, Mara said, 'When were youplanning to leave?' Arakasi halted his pacing, a shadow against shadow in the cornermade dim by the piles of Bruli's gifts. The songbird sang incongruouslypretty notes through his words. 'Tonight, mistress.'Mara threw a cloth over the cage, reducing the melody to a seriesof sleepy chirps. 'Can you wait another day or two?'He shook his head. 'No longer than first light tomorrow. If I donot appear at a certain inn in Sulan-Qu by noon, and several otherplaces over the next week, my replacement will become active. Itwould prove awkward if you ended up with two Spy Masters.' Hesmiled. 'And I would lose the services of a man very difficult toreplace. If the matter is that vital, I can find other tasks for him andremain.' Mara sighed. 'No. We should see an end to this nonsense with theKehotara boy by then. I want you to identify the Minwanabi agent in his retinue to Keyoke. And tell him I will sleep in Nacoya'squarters tonight.' The songbird stopped its peeping as she finished. 'What would you think if I have Pape and Lujan keep watch in myquarters tonight?' Arakasi paused. 'You think young Bruli plans to pay a late visit toyour bed?' 'More likely an assassin from his retinue might try.' Marashrugged. 'I have Bruli where I want him, but a little morediscomfort on his part would serve us well. If someone roams thecorridors tonight, I think we shall make it easy for him to reach myquarters.' 'As always, you amaze me, mistress.' Arakasi bowed with ironyand admiration. 'I will see your instructions reach Keyoke.'In one smooth movement the Spy Master melted into theshadows. His departure made no sound; he passed from thecorridor unseen even by the maid who came to tell Mara that herrobes and her bath awaited, should she care to refresh herself beforedinner. But one more item remained. Mara sent her runner forNacoya and informed the old woman that Bruli should now receivehis father's overdue messages. In the gathering gloom of twilight sheadded, 'Be sure to tell him they have just arrived.'An evil gleam lit Nacoya's eyes. 'May I carry them myself,mistress? I want to see his face when he reads them.'Mara laughed. 'You old terror! Give him the messages, with allmy blessing. And don't lie too extravagantly. The letters weredelayed from town, which is more or less the truth.' She paused,hiding a moment of fear behind humour. 'Do you think this willspare me his simpering during dinner?' But Nacoya had already departed on her errand, and the onlyanswer Mara received was a sleepy twitter from the songbird. Sheshivered, suddenly, needing a hot tub between herself and thoughtsof the play she was about to complete against the Lord of theKehotara. The oil lamps burned softly, shedding golden light over the tablesettings. Carefully prepared dishes steamed around a centrepiece offlowers, and chilled fish glistened against beds of fresh fruit andgreenery. Clearly, the Acoma kitchen staff had laboured to preparea romantic dinner for lovers, yet Bruli sat ill at ease on his cushions. 324 Daughter of the Empire He pushed the exquisite food here and there on his plate, histhoughts obviously elsewhere. Even the deep neckline of Mara'srobe failed to brighten his spirits. At last, pretending confusion, the Lady of the Acoma laid asideher napkin. 'Why, Bruli, you seem all astir. Is something amiss?''My Lady?' The young man looked up, his blue eyes shadowedwith distress. 'I hesitate to ... trouble you with my own difficulties,but. . .' He coloured and looked down in embarrassment. 'Quitefrankly, in my passion to win you, I have placed too large a debtupon my house.' A painful pause followed. 'You will doubtlessthink less of me and I risk losing stature in your eyes, but duty to myfather requires that I beg a favour of you.' Suddenly finding little to relish in Bruli's discomfort, Mararesponded more curtly than she intended. 'What favour?' Shesoftened the effect by setting down her fork and trying to seemconcerned. 'Of course I will help if I can.' Bruli sighed, his unhappiness far from alleviated. 'If you could find itwithin your heart to be so gracious, I need some of those gifts ... theones I sent ... could you possibly return them?' His voice dropped,and he swallowed. 'Not all, but perhaps the more expensive ones.'Mara's eyes were pools of sympathy as she said, 'I think I mightfind it in my heart to help a friend, Bruli. But the night is young, andthe cooks worked hard to please us. Why don't we forget thesebothersome troubles and enjoy our banquet? At the first mealtomorrow we can resolve your difficulties.' Though he had hoped for another answer, Bruli gathered histattered pride and weathered the rest of the dinner. His conversationwas unenthusiastic, and his humour conspicuously absent,but Mara pretended not to notice. She called in a poet to read whileservants brought sweet dishes and brandies; and in the end thedrink helped, for the unfortunate son of the Kehotara eventuallytook his leave for bed. Plainly he left without romantic advances sohe could pass the night painlessly in sleep. Mist rolled over the needra meadows, clinging in the hollows likesilken scarves in the moonlight. Night birds called, counterpointedby the tread of an occasional sentry; but in the Lady's chamber inthe estate house another sound intruded. Papewaio pushed one footagainst Lujan's ribs. Seduction 325 'What?' came the sleepy reply. 'Our Lady doesn't snore,' Papewaio whispered. Yawning, and scowling with offended dignity, Lujan said, 'I don't snore.' 'Then you do a wonderful imitation.' The First Strike Leaderleaned on his spear, a silhouette against the moonlit screen. He hidhis amusement, for he had come to like the former grey warrior. Heappreciated Lujan for being a fine officer, far better than could havebeen hoped for, and because Lujan's nature was so different fromPapewaio's own taciturnity. Suddenly Papewaio stiffened, alerted by a soft scuff in thecorridor. Lujan heard it also, for he left the rest of his protestunspoken. The two Acoma officers exchanged silent hand signalsand immediately came to an agreement. Someone who did not wishhis movements to be overheard was approaching from the hallwayoutside. The stranger walked now not six paces from the screen;earlier Papewaio had placed a new mat at each intersection of thecorridor beyond Mara's chamber; anyone who approached herdoor would cause a rustle as he trod across the weave.That sound became their cue. Without speaking, Lujan drew hissword and took up position by the door. Papewaio leaned his spearagainst the garden lintel and unsheathed both a sword and dagger.Moonlight flashed upon lacquer as he lay down upon Mara's mat,his weapons held close beneath the sheets. Long minutes went by. Then the screen to the hall by the gardenslid soundlessly open. The intruder showed no hesitation but leapedthrough the gap with his dagger drawn to stab. He bent swiftly overwhat he thought was the sleeping form of the Lady of the Acoma.Papewaio rolled to his right, coming up in a fighter's crouch, hissword and dagger lifted to parry. Blade sang on blade, while Lujanclosed in behind the assassin, his intent to prevent him from bolting.Faint moonlight gave him away, as his shadow darted ahead ofhim across the floor. The assassin's blade cut into pillows, andjigabird feathers sailed upon the air like seed down. He rolled awayand spun to his feet to discover himself trapped. Though he worethe garb of a porter, he responded with professional quickness andthrew his dagger at Papewaio. The Strike Leader dodged aside.Without sound, the intruder launched himself past, twisting toavoid the sword that sliced at his back. He crashed through thepaper screen and hit the pathway beyond at a full run. 326 Daughter of the Empire Hard on his heels, Lujan shouted, 'He's in the garden!'Instantly Acoma guards hurried through the corridors. Screensscreeched open on all sides, and Keyoke strode into the turmoil,calling orders that were instantly obeyed. The warriors fanned out,beating the shrubs with their spears. Papewaio regained his feet and moved to join the search, butKeyoke lightly touched his shoulder. 'He got away?'The First Strike Leader muttered a curse and answered what heknew from long experience would be the Force Leader's nextquestion. 'He's hiding somewhere on the grounds, but you must askLujan to describe him. The moonlight was in his favour, where Isaw nothing but a shadow.' He paused while Keyoke sent for theformer bandit; and after a moment Papewaio added thoughtfully,'He's of average size, and left-handed. And his breath smelledstrongly of jomach pickles.' Lujan concluded the description. 'He wears the tunic and ropebelt of a porter, but his sandals are soled with soft leather, nothardened needra hide.' Keyoke motioned to the two nearest soldiers and gave curtorders. 'Search the quarters given to the Kehotara porters. Find outwhich one is missing. He's our man.' A minute later, two other warriors arrived with a body slunglimply between them. Both Papewaio and Lujan identified theassassin, and both regretted that he had found time to sink hissecond, smaller dagger into his vitals. Keyoke spat on the corpse. 'A pity he died in honour by the blade.No doubt he received permission from his master before undertakingthis mission.'The Force Commander sent a man to call in thesearchers, then added, 'At least the Minwanabi dog admitted thepossibility of failure.' Mara must receive word of this event without more delay.Brusquely Keyoke waved at the corpse. 'Dispose of this carrion, butsave a piece by which he may be identified.' He ended with a nod tohis Strike Leaders. 'Well done. Take the rest of the night for sleep.'Both men exchanged glances as the supreme commander of theAcoma forces stepped away into the night. Keyoke was seldom freewith his praise. Then Lujan grinned, and Papewaio nodded. Incomplete and silent understanding the two men turned in the Seduction 327 direction of the soldiers' commons to share a drink before wellearnedrest. Bruli of the Kehotara arrived at breakfast looking wretchedly out ofsorts. His handsome face was puffy, and his eyes red, as if his sleephad been ridden with nightmares. Yet almost certainly he had been agonizing over his predicament with the gifts rather than knowledgeof the assassin his retinue had admitted to the Acomahousehold; after his loss of self-control at dinner, Mara doubted hehad skill enough to pretend that no attempt had been made uponher life. She smiled, half in pity. 'My friend, you seem ill disposed. Didn'tyou care for your accommodations last night?' Bruli dredged up his most engaging smile. 'No, my Lady. Thequarters you gave me were most satisfactory, but. . .' He sighed,and his smile wilted. 'I am simply under stress. Regarding thatmatter I mentioned last night, could I ask your indulgence andforebearance ... if you could see your way clear. . .'Mara's air of cordiality vanished. 'I don't think that would beprudent, Bruli.' The air smelled, incongruously, of fresh thyza bread. Numblyconscious that breakfast foods cooled on the table, Bruli locked eyeswith his hostess. His cheeks coloured in a most unTsurani fashion.'My Lady,' he began, 'you seem unaware of the distress you causeme by denying this petition.' Mara said nothing but signalled to someone waiting behind thescreen to her left. Armour creaked in response, and Keyoke steppedinto view bearing the bloody head of the assassin. He laid the trophywithout ceremony on the platter before the young suitor.'You know this man, Bruli.' The words were no question.Shocked by a tone of voice he had never heard from the Lady ofthe Acoma, but not by the barbarity upon his plate, Bruli paled. 'Hewas one of my porters, Lady. What has occurred?'The shadow of the officer fell across him, and the sunny chambersuddenly seemed cold. Mara's words were metal-hard. 'Assassin,not porter, Bruli.' The young man blinked, for an instant blank-faced. Then heslumped, a lock of black hair veiling his eyes. The admission came 328 Daugbter of the Empire grudgingly. 'My father's master,' he said, naming jingu of theMinwanabi. Mara granted him a moment of respite, while she bade her ForceCommander to sit at her side. When Bruli summoned presenceenough to meet her gaze, she nodded. 'The man was without adoubt a Minwanabi agent. As you were for your father.'Bruli managed not to protest what he knew to be futile. His eyeslost their desperate look and he said, 'I ask a warrior's death, Mara.'Mara set her two hardened fists upon the tablecloth. 'A warrior'sdeath, Bruli?' she laughed with bitter anger. 'My father and brotherwere warriors, Bruli. Keyoke is a warrior. I have faced death and ammore of a warrior than you.' Sensing something he had never known in a woman, the youngman pushed gracelessly to his feet. Cups rocked on the table. WithMinwanabi involvement, the grisly remnant of the porter becamedoubly significant. Bruli pulled a dagger from his tunic. 'You'll nottake me to hang like a criminal, Lady.' Keyoke's hand shot to hissword to defend his Lady, but as Bruli reversed the dagger, pointingit at his own breast, the Force Commander understood that theKehotara son intended no attack. Mara shot upright, her voice a whip of command. 'Put away thatdagger, Bruli.'He hesitated, but she said,'No one is going to hang you.You're a fool, not a murderer. You will be sent home to explain toyour father how his alliance with jingu led his house into jeopardy.'Shamed, silent, the handsome suitor stepped back before theimpact of her statement. Slowly he worked through its implications,until he reached the inevitable conclusion: he had been used,ruthlessly, even to his innermost feelings. Deadly serious, with nohint of his former affection, he bowed. 'I salute you, Lady. You havecaused me to betray my father.' If his impulsive nature were permitted to run its course, he wouldprobably restore his damaged honour by falling on his sword themoment he crossed the border of Acoma land. Mara thoughtquickly; she must forestall him, for his suicide would only inflamethe Kehotara to more strident support of the Minwanabi lord'swish to obliterate all things Acoma. She had plotted, but not for thisboy's death. 'Bruli?' 'My Lady?'He delayed his departure more from resignation thanfrom hope. Seduction 329 Mara motioned for him to sit and he did so, albeit stiffly. Thesmell of food faintly sickened him, and shame lay like a weight uponhis shoulders. Mara could not sweeten the bitter taste of defeat; Buntokapi hadtaught her not to gloat when the game brought her victory. Gentlyshe said, 'Bruli, I have no regret for doing what is needed to protectwhat is mine to guard. But I have no wish to cause you unduedifficulty. That your father serves my most hated enemy is but anaccident of birth for both of us. Let us not be contentious. I willreturn most of your exotic gifts in exchange for two promises.'In his difficulty, Bruli seemed to find himself. 'I will not betrayKehotara honour.' 'I will not ask that of you.' Mara leaned earnestly forward.'Should you succeed your father and brother as Lord of theKehotara, I ask that you not embrace the tradition of Tan-jin-qu.Will you agree to keep your house free of Minwanabi vassalage?'Bruli gestured depreciatingly. 'The chances of that happening areslim, Lady Mara.'His elder brother was heir, and his father enjoyedrobust health. Mara indicated herself, as if that answered his observation; who,among mortals, could know what fate would bring?Ashamed of the hope that quickened his breath, Bruli asked, 'Andthe second condition?' 'That if you do come to rule, you will owe me a favour.' Maraelaborated with the care of a diplomat. 'Should I die, or should I nolonger wear the mantle as Ruling Lady, your promise shall not passto my successor. Yet if I live and you sit as Lord of the Kehotara,then once, and only once, you must do as I bid. I may ask you tosupport some action of mine, in commerce or in matters of arms, orin the Game of the Council. Grant this, and you shall be free offuture obligations.' Bruli stared blankly at the tablecloth, but the tension in his posebetrayed the fact that he was weighing his options. Mara waited,motionless in the glow of sunlight through the screen. She hadadded the second condition on impulse, to distract the young man'sthoughts from suicide; but as he sat thinking the matter through,her own mind raced ahead; and she saw that she had opened yetanother avenue of possibilities for gain in the Game of the Council.Given the choice of death and financial shame for his family, or 330 Daughter of the Empire respite from his folly and the possibility of a promise he might neverbe required to keep, Bruli chose swiftly. 'Lady, I spoke impulsively.Your bargain is a hard one, yet I will choose life. If the gods bring methe mantle of Kehotara lordship, I shall do as you require.' He stoodslowly, his manner changed to scorn. 'But as the possibility of myinheriting in place of my brother is remote, you have acted the fool.'Hating the moment for its cruelty, Mara silently motioned to theservant who waited by the screen. He bowed and set a paper with atorn seal in her hand. 'This has come to us, Bruli. It was meant foryou. but since your father saw fit to send assassins in your retinue,out of need for my personal safety my hadonra chose to read it.'The paper was bound with ribbons of red, the colour ofTurakamu. Cold, suddenly, as he had never thought to be in life,Bruli raised an unwilling hand. The paper seemed too light to carrythe news he read penned in the script of his father's chief scribe. Cutto the heart by new grief, Bruli crumpled the parchment betweenshaking fists. Somehow he retained his self-control. 'Woman, youare poison, as deadly and small as that of the keti scorpion thathides under the petals of flowers.' She had known when shebargained that Mekasi's eldest son had been killed upon thebarbarian world, victim of the Warlord's campaign. She had shapedher snare for Bruli, aware he had already inherited the title of heir.Now honour forbade him to take back his sworn word.Shivering now from anger, Bruli regarded the woman he hadonce been fool enough to love. 'My father is a robust man withmany years before him, Acoma bitch! I gave you my promise, butyou shall never live long enough to see the keeping of it.'Keyoke stiffened, prepared to reach for his sword, but Mararesponded only with soul-weary regret. 'Never doubt I shall surviveto exact my price. Think on that as you take back the gifts you sent.Only leave me the songbird, for it will remind me of a young manwho loved me too well to be wise.' Her sincerity roused memories now soured and painful. Cheeksburning from the intensity of his warring emotions, Bruli said, 'Itake my leave of you. The next time we meet, the Red God grantthat I view your dead body.' He spun on his heel, aware that every Acoma soldier withinearshot stood ready to answer this insult. But Mara placed arestraining hand on Keyoke's arm, silent while the young man Seduction 33I departed. In time the tramp of the Kehotara retinue faded from thedooryard. Nacoya came in looking rumpled, her mouth a flat line ofannoyance. 'What an importunate young man,' she muttered and, seeing Mara's stillness, changed tack in the same breath. 'Anotherlesson, child: men are easily injured over matters of the heart. Moreoften than not, those wounds are long in healing. You may havewon this round of the game, but you have also gained a deadlyenemy. None are more dangerous than those in whom love haschanged to hate.' Mara gestured pointedly at the head of the dead porter. 'Someonemust pay the price of Minwanabi's plotting. Whether or not Brulifinds other passions to occupy his mind, we have gained. Bruli hassquandered enough of his father's wealth to place the Kehotara in avulnerable position. jingu will be prevailed upon to offer financialassistance, and anything which discomforts that jaguna is a benefit.''Daughter of my heart, fate seldom works with such simplicity.'Nacoya stepped closer, and for the first time Mara looked up andsaw the scroll clutched between her old hands. The ribbons and sealwere orange and black, colours she never thought to see under herroof in her lifetime. 'This just arrived,' said her First Adviser. Withan air of stiff-backed reluctance, she passed the parchment into thehands of her mistress. Mara snapped the ribbons and seal with hands that trembledbeyond control. The scroll unrolled with a crackle against thesilence that gripped the chamber. Mara read, her face expressionlessas an image in wax. Nacoya held her breath; Keyoke found what comfort he could inhis statue-still military bearing; and at last Mara raised her eyes.She rose, suddenly seeming fragile in the glare of the sun. 'As youguessed,' she said to the two oldest retainers in her service, 'the Lordof the Minwanabi requests my attendance at a formal celebration ofthe birthday of our august Warlord.' The colour drained slowly from Nacoya's withered skin. 'Youmust refuse,' she said at once. No Acoma in uncounted generationshad set foot onto the territory of the Minwanabi, unless accompaniedby soldiers armed for war. For Mara to enter jingu's veryhouse and mingle socially with his allies was a sure invitation to die.Nacoya finished lamely, 'Your ancestors would forgive the shame.''No!'the Lady of the Acoma bit her lip, hard enough that the flesh 332 Daughter of the Empire turned white. 'I risk grave insult to Almecho if I refuse, and after thisbetrayal by the Blue Wheel Party, his acclaimed temper will beshort.' Her voice trailed off, but whether from regret that she mustconfront jingu before she was ready or out of fear for her own safetywas unclear. Stress made her face an unreadable mask. 'The Acomamust not bow to threats. I shall go into the stronghold of the enemywho most wishes me dead.' Nacoya made a small sound of protest, then desperately turnedher back. Torn by the sight of her adviser's bowed shoulders, Maratried against hope to offer comfort. 'Mother of my heart, takecourage. Remember that if Turakamu reaches out for my spirit, theLord of the Minwanabi cannot triumph unless he also murdersAyaki. Do you think he would challenge the combined might of theAcoma and the Anasati to take the life of my son?'For this Nacoya had no answer; at last she shook her head. Buther heart told her that jingu would dare even this to see his ancientenemies destroyed. Worse had been done, and for far less reasonthan blood feud, in the history of the Game of the Council. I4 A c c,,o. -,Lhtance The runner left. Mara pressed clenched hands on the edge of her writing desk anddesperately wished him back. Too easily, the dispatch he carried tothe Guild of Porters might bring her death and the final ruin of theAcoma. But the alternative was to live without honour, shame herancestors, and defile the ancient code of her house. Mara allowedherself a momentary stretch to ease her tense back, then summonedNacoya, to tell the old woman that she had sent formal acceptanceto Minwanabi's invitation. Nacoya entered with grim deliberation, sure sign she had seen therunner leave the estates. Age had not blunted her shrewdness; shealready guessed that the sealed wooden cylinder he carried did nothold instructions for the factors signed by jican.'You have many preparations to make, Ruling Lady.' Theerstwhile nurse's demeanour was all that a First Adviser's shouldbe; but long years of intimacy could not be shed with a change ofoffice. Mara read acerbity in the ancient woman's tone and knewthat fear lay behind it: fear for her mistress, and for all on theAcoma estates whose lives were sworn to her natami. To enter thehousehold of the Minwanabi lord was to challenge the monsterwhile stepping between the teeth of its jaws. Only the mostpowerful might survive, and Acoma stock in the council hadrecovered very little since the deaths of Lord Sezu and his heir.Yet Mara gave no opportunity for her chief adviser to embark on such recriminations. No longer the untried girl who had leftLashima's temple, she was determined not to seem overwhelmed byMinwanabi threats. Panic would only hand jingu a victory; and hisimpulsive nature might make it possible to wrest some unseenadvantage for her house. 'See to the necessities of travel, Nacoya, 334 Daughter of the Empire and have maids assemble my wardrobe. Papewaio must be told tochoose warriors for my honour guard, ones who are trustworthyand proven in service, but whom Keyoke will not need in keypositions to safeguard the estates in my absence.' Pacing thepolished floor before a shelf of scrolls, Mara paused a moment totally days. 'Has Arakasi returned?' A week had passed since Bruli and Arakasi had both departed theAcoma estates, one to deal with a father's anger, the other to keephis mistress's network of agents running smoothly. Nacoya pusheda drooping hairpin straight. 'He returned less than an hour ago,mistress.' Mara turned with a frown of intense concentration. 'I will speakwith him after he has bathed and refreshed himself. In themeantime, send for jican. Much business remains to be discussedbefore we leave for the Warlord's birthday celebration.'Nacoya bowed with evident reluctance. 'Your will, Lady.' Sherose silently and left; and in a room emptied of all but the waitingpresence of a few servants, Mara stared at the afternoon sunlightthat embellished the screens of the study. The artist had painted hishunting scenes with masterful vigour, the trained grace of a killwingimpaling swift game birds. Mara shivered. Feeling little strongerthan a bird herself, she wondered whether she would ever have thechance to commission such art again. Then Jican arrived, his arms burdened with parchments and tallyslates, and a long list of decisions to be made before her departure.Mara put aside her disquiet and made herself concentrate onmatters of commerce. Particularly troublesome was a note in jican'sneat script objecting to her wish to purchase Midkemian slaves toclear new meadows for the needra displaced by the cho-ja hive.Mara sighed and rubbed the frown creases from her forehead.Under too much stress to insist on her decision, she put off thepurchase until after the Warlord's birthday. If she survived thegathering at the Minwanabi estates, she would have ample time todeal with jican's reluctance. But if jingu of the Minwanabi realizedhis ambitions, the entire question would become academic. Ayakiwould gain an Anasati regent or be killed, and the Acoma would beabsorbed or obliterated. Restless and irritable, Mara reached forthe next list. This one occasion, she would be relieved when jicanfinished and departed. Acceptance I 335 The afternoon had fled by the time jican bid his mistress good-bye. Limp in the evening shadows, Mara called for chilled fruit anddrink. Then she sent her runner for Arakasi, and a servant to fetchhis updated report detailing the Minwanabi household from thenumbers of his kitchen scullions to the names and backgrounds ofhis concubines. Arakasi entered, and Mara said, 'Is all in order?''Mistress, your agents are well. I have little of importance to addto that report, however, as I amended it before I bathed.' He cockedhis head slightly, awaiting his mistress's pleasure. Noticing that therigours of travel had left him gaunt and fatigued, Mara motioned tothe cushions before the fruit tray. As Arakasi seated himself, she informed him of the Warlord'sbirthday celebration at the Minwanabi estates. 'We will have nochance for missteps,' she observed as the Spy Master chose a bunchof si berries. Quieter than usual, and free of all airs, Arakasi twisted the fruitone by one from their stems. Then he sighed. 'Appoint me a placeamong your honour guard, my Lady.' Mara caught her breath.'That's dangerous.' She watched the SpyMaster keenly, aware that the man's hunger for vengeance matchedher own. If prudence did not desert him, he would be seeking to turnthe tables on this trap and gain a victory. 'There will indeed be danger, Lady. And there will be death.'Arakasi pinched a berry between his fingers, and juice ran red overhis palm. 'Nonetheless, let me go.' Slowly, carefully, Mara banished uncertainty from her heart. Sheinclined her head in acquiescence, though unspoken between themremained the fact that Arakasi was as likely to get himself killed asprotect the life of his mistress. Though he could wear a warrior'strappings well enough, the Spy Master had poor skill with weapons.That he had asked to accompany her at all bespoke the extremecunning and treachery she could expect from the Minwanabi Lord.It did not escape her that if she failed, Arakasi might wish to wrestone last chance to fulfil his desire while jingu was within his reach.For the cho-Ja, and for all he had added to the security of the Acomadefences, she owed him that much. 'I had planned to take Lujan ... but he could be needed here.'Keyoke had come to admit grudgingly that, beneath his roguish 336 . Daughter of the Empire manner, Lujan was a gifted officer. And if Keyoke was forced todefend Ayaki ... Mara turned her thoughts away from that courseand said, 'Go to Pape. If he trusts you with the loan of an officer'splume, you can help him select my retinue.' Mara managed a briefsmile before fear returned to chill her. Arakasi bowed. The instanthe left, Mara clapped sharply for servants, that the tray with themangled berry be removed at once from her presence.In failing light, Mara regarded the screen one final time. Thewaiting was at last over, and the killwing stooped to its prey.Though Minwanabi was proud, and confident, and strong, shemust now seek a way to defeat him on his own territory. The late summer roads were dry, choked with dust thrown up bythe caravans, and unpleasant for travel. After the short marchoverland to Sulan-Qu, Mara and her retinue of fifty honour guardscontinued their journey to the Minwanabi estates by barge. Thebustle of the town and the dockside did not overwhelm Mara; thenakedness of the slaves barely turned her head, caught up as she wasin the meshes of enemy intrigue. As she settled with Nacoya on thecushions beneath the canopy, she reflected that she no longer feltstrange to be ruling the house of her father. The years sinceLashima's temple had brought many changes and much growth;and with them came determination enough to hide her dread.Keyoke arrayed his soldiers on board with a reflection of that samepride. Then the barge master began his chant, and the slaves cast offand leaned into their poles. The Acoma craft threw ripples from itspainted bow and drew away from familiar shores.The journey upriver took six days. Mara spent most of these incontemplation, as slaves poled the barge past acres of mud flats andthe sour-smelling expanses of drained thyza paddies. Nacoya sleptin the afternoons; evenings she left the shelter of the gauze curtainsand dispersed motherly advice among the soldiers, while theyslapped at the stinging insects that arose in clouds from the shores.Mara listened, nibbling at the fruit bought from a barge vendor; sheknew the old woman did not expect to return home alive. Andindeed each sunset seemed precious, as clouds streamed reflectionslike gilt over the calm surface of the river and the sky darkenedswiftly into night. The Minwanabi estates lay off a small tributary of the main river. Acceptance 337 Beaded with sweat in the early morning heat, the slaves poledthrough the muddle of slower-moving merchant craft. Under thebarge master's skilful guidance, they manoeuvred between a squalid village of stilt houses, inhabited by families of shellfishrakers; the river narrowed beyond, shallows and shoals giving wayto deeper waters. Mara looked out over low hills, and banks linedwith formally manicured trees. Then the barge of her family enteredwaters none but the most ancient Acoma ancestors might havetravelled, for the origins of the blood feud with jingu's line lay so farin the past that none remembered its beginning. Here the currentpicked up speed as the passage narrowed. The slaves had to workfuriously to maintain headway, and the barge slowed almost to astandstill. Mara strove to maintain a faqade of calm as her craftcontinued towards an imposingly painted prayer gate that spannedthe breadth of the river. This marked the boundary of Minwanabilands. A soldier bowed beside Mara's cushions and pointed a sunbrownedhand at the tiered structure that crowned the prayer gate."'Did you notice? Beneath the paint and decorations this monumentis a bridge.' Mara started slightly, for the voice was familiar. She regarded theman closely and half smiled at the cleverness of her own Spy Master.Arakasi had blended so perfectly among the ranks of her honourguard, she had all but forgotten he was aboard.Restoring her attention to the prayer gate, Arakasi continued, 'Intimes of strife, they say that Minwanabi stations archers with ragsand oil to fire any craft making its way upriver. A fine defence.''As slowly as we are moving, I would think no one could enterMinwanabi's lake this way and live.' Mara glanced astern at thefoaming current. 'But we certainly could flee quickly enough.'Arakasi shook his head. 'Look downward, mistress.'Mara leaned over the edge of the barge and saw a giant braidedcable strung between the pillars of the gate, inches below theshallow keel of the barge. Should trouble arise, a mechanism withinthe gate towers could raise the cable, forming a barrier against anybarge seeking exit. Arakasi said, 'This defence is as lethal to fleeingcraft as to any attacking fleet.' 'And I would be wise to bear that in mind?' Mara untwisteddamp fingers from the fringe of her robe. Trying to keep her 338 Daughter of the Empire uneasiness within balance, she made a polite gesture of dismissal.'Your warning is well taken, Arakasi. But do not say anything toNacoya, or she'll squawk so loudly she'll disrupt the peace of thegods!' The Spy Master rose with a grunt that concealed laughter. 'I needsay nothing at all. The old mother sees knives under her sleepingmat at night.' He lowered his voice. 'I've watched her flip herpillows and blankets six times, even after Papewaio inspects herbedding.' Mara waved him off, unable to share his humour. Nacoya wasnot the only one who had nightmares. As the barge pressed on, andthe shadow of the 'prayer gate' fell across her, a chill roughened herflesh like the breath of Turakamu. The sounds of their passage echoed off stone foundations. Thensunlight sliced down, blinding and intense after darkness. Maralooked out of the gauze-curtained canopy to a sight entirelyunexpected. The vista beyond was breathtaking in its beauty. Located in theneck of a broad valley, at the head of a wide lake, the estate houseacross the water looked a magic place from a child's tale, eachbuilding perfect in design and colour. The centremost structure wasstone, an impossibly ancient palace built high up on a hil overlooking the lake. Low walls wound down the hillside amidterraced gardens and lesser buildings, many two and three storiestall. The estate of the Minwanabi was in truth a village in its ownright, a community of servants and soldiers, all loyal to jingu. what a magnificent town, Mara thought. And she knew a brief stabof envy that so bitter an enemy should live in such splendourBreezes off the lake would cool the house through even the hottestmonths, and a fleet of small orange and black punts trawled for fishso that the Lord of the Minwanabi might dine upon fresh-caughtkoafish. As the slaves exchanged poles for oars to convey the barge(across the lake, a more sober thought occurred to Mara: the valleywas a bottleneck, easily defended, and easier to seal. Like thepoisoned flask plant that devoured insects by luring them withsweet scents, the layout of this valley foreclosed any chance of swiftunnoticed escape. Papewaio perceived this also, for he called his warriors to presentarms as another craft approached. Quickly heaving into view, th Acceptance 339 large barge contained a dozen Minwanabi archers, a Patrol Leaderat their head. He saluted and motioned for them to dress oars. 'Whocomes to Minwanabi lands?' he called out as the barges dosed.Papewaio called an answer. 'The Lady of the Acoma.' The officer of the Minwanabi saluted. 'Pass, Lady of the Acoma.'He signalled his own contingent of rowers, and the Minwanabibarge resumed its patrol. Arakasi pointed to three other such barges. 'They havecompanies of archers all over the lake.' Clearly no escape was possible from the Minwanabi lord's home.There remained only victory or death. Feeling her palms growdamp, Mara resisted the impulse to blot them on her robe. 'Let usmake best speed to the house, Pape.' Papewaio signalled the barge captain, and the slaves resumedtheir stroke. The barge headed dockside, and the Minwanabi estate proved asbeautiful upon close inspection as it had looked across the water.Each building was delicately painted, pastel colours dominatingover the usual white. Gaily coloured streamers and brightly shadedlanterns hung from roof beams, twisting in the breeze. The softsound of wind chimes filled the air. Even the gravel paths betweenbuildings had been lined with tended shrubs and flowering plants.Mara expected that the courtyard gardens within the estate mightprove more sumptuous that any she had seen. The Acoma rowers shipped oars, and one threw a line to a workerupon the docks, where a welcoming party of notables waited.Foremost of these was Desio, the elder Minwanabi son, crownedwith the orange and black headdress denoting his rank as heir of thehouse. Liveried attendants caught other lines as the barge bumped gentlyagainst the pilings. Minwanabi house guards stood at attention,and Desio strode forward to meet Mara's litter as slaves conveyedher ashore. The Minwanabi heir nodded stiffly, a pretence of a bow thatbordered on insult. 'In the name of my father, I welcome you to ourcelebration in honour of the Warlord, Lady of the Acoma.'Mara did not trouble to raise the gauze curtains of her litter.Studying the fat, pouched features of Desio, and finding littleintelligence in his slate-coloured eyes, she returned a nod of precisely the same proportion. For the longest moment nothing was said, then Desio was forced to acknowledge Mara's superior social rank. 'Are you well, Lady Mara?' Mara nodded slightly. 'I am well, Desio. The Acoma are pleased to honour Lord Almecho. Tell your father that I acknowledge this welcome.' Desio raised his chin, nettled to admit his inferior rank. Too proud to accept rejoinder from a girl who seemed, through the gauze, to be barely more than a child, he said, 'The reception for the banquet of greeting will begin in the hour past noon. Servants will show you to your quarters.' 'Servants keep the honour of the Minwanabi?' Mara smiled sweetly. 'That's a fact I shall remember, when I greet the Lord your father.' Desio reddened. To arrest the awkwardness that developed, a Minwanabi Patrol Leader stepped forward. 'My Lady, if you will permit, I will convey your soldiers to the place set aside for them.''I will not permit!' Mara said to Desio. 'By tradition I am allowed fifty soldiers to provide protection for my person. If your father wishes otherwise, I shall depart at once, and he can explain my absence to the Warlord. Under such circumstances, I expect the Acoma will not be the only great house to return home.' Too many families come to honour Almecho.' Desio paused to quell a smile of malice. 'If we quartered every Lord and Lady's honour guard in the house barracks, the estate would be jammed like a war camp, you must understand. Almecho likes tranquillity. To do him homage, all soldiers will stay at the head of the valley, where our main garrison is quartered.' Here Desio gave an effete shrug. 'No one is exempted. All will be treated alike.' Without hesitation, Nacoya said, 'Then your father offers his honour as surety?' Desio inclined his head. 'Obviously.' To gain such a concession from guests in this situation, the host was expected to offer his personal honour to guarantee the safety of his guests. Should violence come to any visitor under such an arrangement, Lord jingu of the Minwanabi could not expiate his shame with anything less than his own life. The heir to the Minwanabi mantle said to a servant, 'Show the Lady, her First Adviser, a pair of maids, and her bodyguard to the suite of rooms prepared for the Acoma.' He snapped his fingers to the orange-plumed presence of anofficer. 'Strike Leader Shimizu and a welcoming party of warriorswill see that your soldiers are comfortably housed at the maingarrison barracks.' Shocked, angered, but not entirely surprised that the Minwanabihad seen fit to separate her from her honour guard, Mara shot aglance of reassurance at Arakasi. She would not break the peace ofhospitality by causing a fuss, particularly since many of the houseservants present showed the scars of old campaigns beneath theflowing sleeves of their livery. No, the Acoma could not triumphhere by force, but only by guile, if survival was even possible at all.With a look of acceptance, Mara chose Papewaio for her personalguard. Then she, Nacoya, and the most skilful of her warriorsobediently followed the servant to the suite assigned to the Acoma.The Minwanabi great house was ancient, saved from the burningand the ravages of forgotten raids and half-remembered wars by itssuperior location in the valley.The square with interior courtyardof most Tsurani houses had been altered, built upon, expanded, andsub-divided many times over the years. Descending the hillside asnew additions were constructed,the heart of the Minwanabi estatehad grown over the centuries until it was a warren of corridors,enclosed courtyards, and linked buildings that bore little resemblance to order. As Papewaio helped her from her litter, Mararealized with dismay that she would need servants to conduct her toand from her chambers, as a structure so complex could notpossibly be learned at one pass. The corridors crooked and twisted, and each courtyard seemedthe same as the last. Mara heard the murmur of voices throughhalf-opened screens, some belonging to familiar notables of theEmpire, but more of them strange to her. Then the voices seemed tofall behind, and silence like that before the strike of a junglepredator fell over the elegant hallway. By the time the servant slidwide the screen that led to her suite, Mara knew that jingu intendedmurder. Why else would he place her in an obscure corner of hishouse, where isolation was almost total? The servant bowed, smiled, and mentioned that additional maidsawaited her pleasure if the Lady of the Acoma or her First Adviserrequired assistance with their bath or dress. 'My own servants will suffice.' Mara said tartly. Here of all places, she wished no strangers near her person. The instant thebearers had deposited the last of her baggage, she clicked the screendosed. Papewaio needed no prompting to begin a swift andthorough inspection of her chambers. Nacoya, however, seemed allbut in shock. Then Mara remembered. Except for one brief tripwhen she had presented Mara's petition for betrothal with theAnasati son, the old nurse had probably never left the Acomaestates in all her long life. Memories of Lano lent Mara the insight to manage. The instantPapewaio had determined the rooms were safe, she stationed him toguard the door. Nacoya looked at her mistress, a hint of relief in hereyes. 'With jingu making surety for the safety of his guests, I thinkwe may expect the peace of a state function to apply.'Mara shook her head. 'I think wishing has fogged your sharpeyes, old mother. jingu offers his life as guarantee against violenceby his people, and by other guests, that is all. He makes noguarantees against "accidents".' Then, before fear could get thebest of her, she commanded Nacoya to draw a bath and make herready for the banquet and her first personal confrontation with theLord of the Minwanabi. Unlike the great hall of the Anasati, which was dark and airless andmusty with old wax, the gathering chamber of the Minwanabi wasall space and light. Mara paused in the gallery-style entrance toadmire the view before joining the guests who gathered like so manyplumed birds below. Built in a natural hollow at the very crest of thehill, with entrance and dais at opposite ends, the room itself wasimmense. A high, beamed ceiling was spaced with screens thatopened to the sky, overhanging a deep-sunken main floor. Severalsmall observation galleries dotted the rim of the hall, allowing aview of floor below and, through doors to balconies outside, thesurrounding countryside. Stone pillars supported the centre tree,while a pebbled brook trickled through squares of flowering trees,tile mosaics, and a small reflecting pool beneath the dais. Somewhere,sometime, the Minwanabi had patronized an architect andan artist who had possessed uncommon genius. The gifted artisansmust have served an earlier generation of Minwanabi Lords, for themost garish clothing in the crowd was that worn by the Lord andthe Lady on the dais. Mara winced, less impressed than most Acceptance 343 Tsurani by the gown of green and orange worn by the wife. Maraalmost wept at the thought of all this surrounding beauty wastedupon an enemy like jingu. 'The gods may have blessed this house with extreme wealth,'muttered Nacoya. 'But the divine ones left little room for common sense, I say. Think how many insects those sky ports let in, not tomention dust and dirt and rain.' Mara smiled indulgently on her old nurse. 'Would you try tomother even a nest of serpents? Besides, I'm sure the Minwanabicover their roof well when the weather is bad. jingu's wife wears toomuch makeup to get wet unexpectedly.' Nacoya subsided, with a comment that her eyes were not thatgood, nor had they been since she was youthful. Mara patted heradviser's hand in reassurance. Then, resplendent in a gownembroidered with seed pearls, her coiled hair laced with greenribbons, she began her descent to the main floor. Papewaiofollowed her in dress armour; although he escorted his mistress andher First Adviser to a social occasion, he moved with a vigilancemore common to the battlefield. In most ways, state gatherings ofTsurani were more dangerous. Beneath the manners and the finery,ambitions changed; as alliances shifted within the Game of theCouncil, any Lord present could become the enemy. Few wouldhesitate to damage the Acoma, if his own stock might rise as aresult. And on Minwanabi territory, others not normally at oddswith Mara's house might bend with the prevailing political wind.Simple in her tastes, Mara was neither overwhelmed norimpressed by displays of great wealth. Her restrained clothingreinforced the impression already formed by the Lords and Ladiesin the hall around her. Most believed her a young, inexperiencedgirl who had sheltered her house under the marriage to the morepowerful Anasati. Now, with Buntokapi dead, she was fair gameonce again. Mara was content to allow this misapprehension tocontinue as she passed by; it increased her chances to pick up a scrap ofinformation, a comment, or a remark that could prove useful. As shereached the foot of the stairs and made her way towards the dais togreet the Minwanabi lord, she watched the expressions of her peersand took stock of who stood gossiping with whom. Her temple-taughtpoise served her well. She responded politely to those who greeted her,but was not lulled by sweet smiles and warm words. 44 Daughter of the Empire jingu of the Minwanabi noted her approach with the ravenousinterest of a jaguna. Mara saw him cease conversation with hisadviser as she mounted the steps to accept his welcome. Themoment gave her pause also, as for the first time she looked uponthe face of her family's oldest enemy. The Lord of the Minwanabiwas a corpulent man. He had clearly not worn armour since hisyouth, but cunning and malice still glinted in his eyes. Pearl bandscircled his wrists, and shell ornaments dangled at his collar, shinythe sweat that beaded his neck. His bow of greeting wasslightly less than that due a Lady of ruling rank. 'My Lady of theacoma,' he said, his voice as thick and unctuous as his appearance.we are so pleased you chose to join us in honour of the Warlord.'Aware the eyes of every noble in the room were turned to see howshe handled this slight, Mara responded in kind, her own bowshallow and of short duration. 'We thank the Lord of theMinwanabi for his kind invitation.' Irritated by Mara's poise, jingu beckoned someone to the fore ofthe dais. 'There is one here I believe you know.' Then his lips curledinto a hungry smile of anticipation. The Lady of the Acoma showed no reaction to the woman whocame at his call. The presence of Teani somewhere in theMinwanabi household was something Arakasi had forewarned herof: he had long since informed Mara that the concubine was aMinwanabi agent. But the fact that Buntokapi's former lover hadinsinuated herself in jingu's innermost circle gave Mara pause. Thewoman was perhaps more clever than anyone had guessed. She wasobviously a favourite, swathed as she was in rare silks and jewels, achain of rarest metal encircling her slim neck. But ornaments andbeauty could not entirely hide the ugliness of her character. Hatredfor Mara burned in her pretty eyes, chilling in its intensity.To acknowledge the look of a woman of her station would be anunnecessary courtesy, and too easily interpreted as an admission ofweakness. Mara addressed her words and attention solely to then nci ith I Minwanabi lord who sat at Teani's left hand. 'My adviser and Ihave just arrived after a long and tiresome journey. Would my Lordshow us our places, that we might take some refreshment before thebanquet and the festivities begin?' jingu rearranged the fringe on his costume with the flick of apudgy finger. Then he called for a cool drink; while he waited for Acceptance 345 servants to fill his need, his hand absently stroked Teanl's arm, agesture his wife ignored. When none might mistake the fact that hedeferred the wishes of his Acoma guests until his own pleasureswere satisfied, he nodded sweetly to a servant. 'Escort the LadyMara and her servants to the table third from the end, nearest theentrance to the kitchens, so that her party may more quickly beserved.' His fat girth jiggled as he openly laughed at the ingenuity ofhis insult. A Lady of rank might find such placement degrading; but toTeani this gesture was not enough. Viciously piqued that Mara hadignored her, she interrupted. 'You ought to seat this woman withthe slaves, my Lord. All know the greatness of the Acoma rests uponthe goodwill of the Anasati, and that even Lord Tecuma'sprotection wore thin after the death of his son.'This affront was too great to disregard. Still disdaining to answerTeani directly, Mara pointedly rose to the bait jingu had dangledbefore her. She directed a gaze like flint to his fat, laughing face. 'MyLord of the Minwanabi, all know of your ... generosity, but surelyeven you can find little benefit in keeping another man's leavings inyour service.' jingu rested an arm around Teani's shoulders and drew her slimbody against his own. 'But you confuse circumstance, Lady Mara.This woman was cast off by no man, but was only a mistress whosurvived her late master. I'll remind you but once. Teani is a valuedand worthy member of my household.' 'Of course.' Mara sketched a negligible bow of apology. 'Givenyour widely known tastes, she should serve you well, jingu. Indeed,my late husband had no complaints' - Mara gave Teani the barestglance -'but then again, Bunto's appetites were rather coarse.'Teani's eyes flashed sparks. The fact that Mara made no effort torespond directly to her insult made the courtesan furious. The Lordof the Minwanabi was in no way amused; this small near-virginfrom Lashima's temple had shown no sign of being cowed bytreatment that demeaned her. Indeed, she had held her own throughthis first exchange of words. And since his house servant alreadyhovered by her elbow to escort the Lady and her retinue to theirplaces, jingu had no graceful recourse other than to dismiss her.The festivities passed slowly for Mara. The food, the musicians,and the dancers were all the finest, but the table nearest the kitchen by. The beat and the odours from cooking caused Nacoya to feel ill,and well before the first course of the banquet had been laidPapewaio looked strained. The incessant movement of strangers toand from the kitchen kept him on edge, particularly since everypassing tray contained items that were weapons to a trained hand.He had overheard Mara's remark to Nacoya about accidents'. Andwhile it was unlikely the Lord of the Minwanabi would attempt tostage a murder in this public setting, Teani's venomous gaze neverleft Mara. The Acoma Strike Leader's caution remained on a knifeedge. When the rare ices served for dessert were cleared away,Papewaio gently touched his mistress's shoulder. 'Lady, I suggestyou retire to your chambers before dark. The hallways are strange,,and if you await the Minwanabi's pleasure, the servant he assignsyou might have other instructions.' Mara returned from what seemed a long period of concentratedthought. Her hair was perfectly coiled and her manner alert, butdark circles of fatigue underlined her eyes. 'We must find a way tosend word to the barracks,, that Arakasi will know which suite toleave messages at if the need should arise.' Papewaio answered grimly. 'We can do nothing without riskingdiscovery, Lady. Trust Arakasi. His agents can reach him withoutdanger, and he will find you himself if there is need.'Unable to be heard over the scrape of tables as servants clearedthe hall for an exhibition of tumblers, Mara only nodded. Shepatted Nacoya's arm. then arose to make her excuses to the Lord ofthe Minwanabi. The headache that plagued her was real enough,and since the Warlord would not make his appearance until themorrow, her departure would cause no offence. If anything, shewished to leave the impression that she was young, inexperienced,and lacking in subtlety. An early retirement would reinforce thatimpression with the guests, perhaps granting her a breather toformulate a defence. Minwanabi would have a difficult timecompleting his plots with the eyes of every rival seeking an openingto exploit ahead of him. Mara sent the servant who cleared away the plates to inform theLord of her departure. By the time the news reached the dais, andthe huge, self-satisfied smile creased the jowls of the great Lord'sface, the chairs where the Acoma had dined stood empInfatuatedated 346 Daughter of the Empire was hot, noisy, and beset by the constant bustle of servants passing Acceptance 347 with that small triumph, jingu did not notice that Teani had alsovanished. Weary of badgering her master for the chance to tormentthe Lady of the Acoma before the end, she had left to pursue herown means of realizing her goal, knowing that drink and the indulgences of entertaining would satiate the appetites of her Lord.The blue silk scarf that covered Teani's hair fluttered behind heras she hastened down a back corridor of the Minwanabi estatehouse. She did not trouble to replace it, nor did she pause to retie thefall of tawny hair that tumbled over her shoulders. Strike LeaderShimizu's quarters lay across the next courtyard, and the need forstealth was past; the only person likely to be about at this hour wasthe slave who lit the oil lamps. Teani slipped through the last screenwith a secretive smile. Tonight the slave would be late, preoccupiedas he was with the needs of jingu's guests. The old jaguna could beniggardly when it came to looking after his staff. Politics alwayscame first in the great Lord's mind, a trait his ranking officerssometimes came to resent. Golden in the moonlight that flooded the courtyard, Teanipaused to unhook the collar of her robe. She loosened the fabricenough to reveal a provocative expanse of breast, and her teethflashed white in a smile. Tonight, if she was skilful, the skinny littleAcoma bitch would die. How sweet it would be to hear her screams.Across the courtyard the screen to Shimizu's quarters rested ajar.Lamplight burned beyond, throwing the distorted silhouette of aman hunched on his cushions with a flask. He's drinking again,Teani thought in disgust, and all because she had delayed in thegreat hall, striving with no success to get jingu to reassign theplotting of Mara's execution. The concubine wished that pleasurefor herself. The fact that her Lord did not care to delegate that taskto Teani left her no choice but to outwit him.Tossing her hair over now almost bare shoulders, the concubineresumed her walk towards the open screen. She entered so silentlythat for an instant the dark-haired man within did not notice. Teanistole that moment to study him. Shimizu, First Strike Leader of the Minwanabi, was known to hisfellow soldiers as a man of fierce loyalties, passionate beliefs, andforthright personality. His quick reflexes and near-infalliblejudgment on the battlefield had earned him early promotion; hisface was young for his post, unlined except for the scars acquired 348 Daughter of the Empire through his profession. His only flaw was a thin skin, giving him atemper that could erupt without warning. His eyes were hooded, hismoods difficult to read except when he drank. In the petulant thrustof his lower lip, Teani saw frustration - the sulky, explosive sortgiven to men who are balked by a lover. Teani congratulated herselfon a task well performed. She knew this man for a fool, sick insidewith longing for her body, and the sort of emotional juvenile whomistook longing for love. And by the sweat that shone on hismuscled chest, Teani knew that Shimizu was hers to use at will, atool perfectly tempered to do her bidding; as so many others hadbeen, male and female. Except Mara. The Lady of the Acoma had escaped her. For that,Teani assembled her most inviting smile and, from behind, raised ahand to touch the sweating flesh of Shimizu's shoulder.He started violently, and his hand grasped and drew the sword hekept always by his knee. The blade sang from beneath the sheath,turning to kill even as he recognized his lover. The edge caught insoft silk and stopped, barely short of bloodshed.'Woman!' Shimizu's face paled, then flushed with anger, both atthe lateness of Teani's arrival and the stealth of her entry. As herecovered his poise, he noticed a queer brilliance in her eyes. Herlips were slightly parted, as if the sword had been a lover toembrace. Her nipples hardened as she breathed deeply, excited bythe brush of the razor-sharp edge against her flesh. Recognition ofher twisted passions soured his welcome slightly; he sheathed hisweapon with a show of disgust. 'You're mad, woman, sick in themind. I might have run you through.' But the anger, the disgust, never lasted. When Teani tipped herface upward, her breasts pressing firmly through his tunic, Shimizulowered his head like one starving and savoured the kiss made hotfor him by a slight brush with death. She had solved him like apuzzle. Every touch seemed to melt him to the marrow of his bones.Unable to suppress his surge of joyous welcome, Shimizu caught hisfingers in the ties that closed her gown. 'You can stay, my love? Tellme that jingu is preoccupied with his guests, and that you will nothave to return to his bed this night.' Teani brushed his ear with her tongue and answered, her breathhot against his neck. 'Jingu does not expect me back to hischambers,' she lied. Then, waiting for his fingers to grip more Acceptance 349 insistently at her clothing, she fended him off. 'But tonight I may notstay.' Shimizu frowned, his eyes suddenly hard in the light of the single oil lamp. 'Why not? Do you share your affections elsewhere?'Teani laughed, letting him dangle a moment before she slippedher robe from her shoulders and bared her lovely breasts. Shimizutried to remain stern, but his attention was clearly engaged. 'I loveno other, my fine warrior.' She shaded her tone with just enoughhint of sarcasm to leave him a bit in doubt. 'It is state business thattakes me from your side this night. Now, will you waste what timewe have, or will you.. .' And she moaned, biting softly as hestopped her words with his lips. Yet this time, deliberately, she held back enough that he did notlose his train of thought. His hands roughened on the bare silk of her skin, and his tone.grew demanding. 'Why, then, did you delay so long in coming tome?' Teani whipped back her honey-streaked hair in a show of pique.'How distrustful you are. Do you fear that your sword is not enoughto please a woman?' She moved away, both to tease and to allowhim a better view of her half-nude body. Shimizu frowned, and his hands caught her shoulders. But nowTeani softened like butter against him. Her fingers slid skilfullythrough the slit in his robe. He tensed in delicious apprehension asshe scratched her nails along the inside of his thigh.'And such a mighty sword,' she murmured, eyelids drooping asher mouth formed a pouting smile. 'My Lord of the Minwanabidetained me with tiresome instructions. It seems he wants theAcoma bitch dead, and I'm the one chosen for the filthy chore.'But even as her hands found their mark and stroked in themanner he most preferred, Shimizu pulled back. Instantly Teaniknew she had pushed too fast; or perhaps erred in her manner ofpresentation. She bent instantly, her hair trailing across his thighs,and teased his flesh with her tongue. Shimizu took a moment to respond; then his hands tightenedagainst her back, and his voice, dreamily, resumed above her.'That's most strange, my love, that my Lord gave such instructions.'Teani's interest sharpened. She straightened and set her hands to 350 I Daughter of the EMPire untie the laces of his sandals. 'Gods, do you always have to wearyour studded soles in the house? Shimizu shifted impatiently, but the concubine continued withhis laces. The hardened tip of her breast brushed the inside of hisknee as she worked, driving him wild to the point where heanswered her next lazy query without thinking.,Why? Oh, my Lord told me yesterday that the Acoma girl was todie, but he intends to break her spirit first Terrify her, he said, bykilling off her servants and retainers so that when he strikes, she willbe utterly alone.' Here Shimizu stopped and flushed, aware that his tongue had become loose. He tangled one fist in red-gold hair,drawing Teani away from the sandal as yet left fastened. 'I thinkwoman. You do not go to kill Mara, but to couple with YOU - another this night.' ;t-. Teani's eyes flashed, partly in excitement for violence arousedher; and also because men were so laughably predictable. She did not deny the accusation,but provoked further by saying, 'Whatmakes you think that I lie?' Shimizu caught her wrists, jerking her body against him,. 'I sayyou lie because my orders for tomorrow night are to stage a falseraid by a thief and see that Papewaio, Strike Leader of the Acoma,lies dead on Mara's doorstep. Why then, without cancelling suchorders, should my Lord of the Minwanabi tell you to give the girl toTurakamu tonight. Heated by his handling, and loosened by the ridiculous eawhich she had goaded his ego and caused him to spill his confidenceto her, Teani raised her chin in challenge. 'How should I know the ways of great men?' She met his eyes to assure herself that hishunger was still kindled. 'My love, you are jealous beyond rationalthought. Shall we strike a bargain to salve your feelings? I will liehere with you tonight, and tell Minwanabi that I tried and failed toreach Mara of the Acoma with my knife. But in exchange, you mustrestore my honour by killing the girl along with Papewaiotomorrow.' Shimizu did not speak but gathered Teani close. His fingersmoved impatiently, working the robe free of her body. She wore no clothing beneath, and by the feverish way he pulled off his own robeand tunic, the concubine knew she had him. His preoccupation wasanswer enough. He would do her will on the morrow, to ensure she Acceptance 35I was his, and his alone, for the duration of the night. Shimizumistook her shiver of delight for passion. As he claimed her, histhoughts were solely of love; but the beautiful courtesan he coupled with responded with cold-blooded skill, her purpose to ensure thatMara, Lady of the Acoma, would lie dead with a blade in her heart. Mara wakened unrefreshed after a long and restless night. Hermaids sensed her tense mood. They fetched her robes and braidedsilk ribbons into her hair without speaking, while Nacoya grumbled as she always did in the early hours of the morning. Too restless to wait for the meal offered by the Minwanabi house staff, Marahurried Papewaio through his daily ritual of sword sharpening,then suggested a stroll by the lakeside. This provoked her First Adviser to sour silence. e But until Mara knew the extent of her peril, she preferred to avoid any set pattern. Before she had a chance to mingle with the guests, and observe which alliances were strong and which had grownweak, she could not hope to assess how powerful the Lord of theMinwanabi had become. Mara breathed deeply, trying to enjoy the fresh air and flash of the sun on the water. The breeze chased ripples over the shallows,and the fishing boats bobbed on moorings, awaiting hands to mantheir oars. Still, the calm of the lake lent no comfort. Aware thatNacoya's steps were not so spry as they might be, Mara at last suggested they return to the estate house. 'That is wise, mistress,' Nacoya said in a tone that suggested theLady should not have gone walking where sand and dew mightspoil the silk ties of her sandals. But the old woman's rebuke lackedspirit. Her eyes were sad, and her heart felt empty so far from theAcoma estates. As she turned back to the palatial home of the Lord of the Minwanabi, with its gardens, and its banners, and its deadlygathering of guests, Papewaio took her arm and steadied herwithout asking leave. The reception to welcome the Wari . ord, Almecho, began atmidmorning, though the dignitary it was intended to honour wouldprobably not arrive until afternoon. When Mara arrived at the festivities, most of the nobles of the Empire had gathered, plumed and jewelled and hungry with ambition. The Game of the Councilpermeated all aspects of Tsurani life, yet none more so than 352 , Daughter of the Empire extravagant affairs of state. The guests might stroll beneath fringedcanopies, eating exquisitely prepared foods, and exchanging gossipand tales of ancestral valour, or occasionally making wagers ortrade bargains. But every Lord present watched his peers with sharpeyes, seeing who curried favour with whom and, notably, who wasretiring, silent, or, more telling, absent altogether. Mara studied thefaces and the house colours along with the rest, aware she wasobserved in turn. The Lord of the Techtalt and his son gave herbarely a nod in greeting, which indicated that already many woulddelay being seen with her until the standing of the Acoma hadstabilized. Mara adroitly made the issue seem trivial by leading Nacoya to atable and sending a servant for refreshments. She took care to askonly for dishes she had seen on the plates of other guests, and whenthe food arrived, she and her First Adviser were observed to eatwell, as if nerves did not trouble their appetites. Papewaio saw, andwould have smiled if the protocol expected of an honour guard didnot constrain him. Mara handled even the subtleties with fineness,for only by missing her breakfast could the fussy Nacoya be inducedto take refreshment under this much stress. The effect was not loston those guests who watched. A few nodded in covert admiration,and others whispered in corners. Still others were oblivious to theaffairs of the Acoma, being embroiled in plots of their own.Mara heard the Lord of the Xacatecas laugh low in his throat; hesaid something that caused the third son of the Ling Family to winceand turn pale. The offspring and cousins of the Xosai seemedeverywhere one turned, and the northern-born wife of theKaschatecas flirted shamelessly with the First Adviser of theChilapaningo. That dignitary looked as stiff as cured needra hide;quite probably he was mortified by her attentions, but she spoke toofast and gripped his sleeve too tightly for him to excuse himself.Mara scanned the crowd, noting the wide variety of fashions andhouse colours. She counted the guests in two categories: those whowere allies or not strong enough to challenge her, and those whowere threats or wished some vengeance upon her. Since theMinwanabi were numbered among the Five Great Families ofTsuranuanni, every powerful house in the Empire had sent somerepresentative. Mara noted the Keda, the Tonmargu, and theOaxatucan, each with their circle of flatterers. Lesser Lords kept Acceptance I I 353 their distance, or sought to wheedle favour. The Ekamchi lord'spurple headdress bent close to his First Adviser, while the red robesof the Inrodaka clashed with the garb of two servants whose liveryMara did not recognize. Having studied those guests who werepresent. she felt a sudden chill. Nowhere did she see a tunic ofscarlet and yellow. As if sensing her uneasiness, Nacoya pushed aside thejigabirddbones that remained of her repast. 'I do not see the Lord of theAnasati,' she said pointedly. 'Unless the gods have delayed him, mydaughter, you and your young son are in the gravest danger.'Nacoya did not elaborate upon the obvious: that the absence of aprominent family was of political significance, the least aspect ofwhich was that Tecuma's vow to protect the Acoma for the sake ofAyaki would give no shelter unless he or his eldest son was inattendance. Without Anasati protection, Mara had only fiftywarriors. who were quartered in barracks beyond her reach. Nowthe coldness of the Techtalt's greeting gained a new significance; forit seemed possible that Buntokapi's slight against the Warlord haddamaged the Anasati name more than Mara had anticipated. Herdanger grew in proportion. The Lord of the Minwanabi might thinkhimself strong enough to obliterate the Acoma, then win the warthat would result when Tecuma sent armies to defend Ayaki's title.'You should not have accepted this invitation,' Nacoyawhispered. Mara gestured sharp denial. Not even the fact that two housesnow stood in peril could change her resolve. She would survive, turndefeat into triumph if chance lent her the appropriate weapons. Butthe absence of an ally she had depended upon worried her enoughthat she failed to notice that Teani came late to the reception, asecretive, self-satisfied look on her face whenever she glanced atMara. Neither did the Lady of the Acoma rise from the table fastenough to avoid the Lord of the Ekamchi, who appeared, leering, ather elbow. 'Good day, Lady of the Acoma. What a surprise to see you did notbring any of your new cho-j a warriors to watch out for your health.'Mara bowed stiffly, reading an uncharacteristic boldness in thepudgy man's manner. 'My health is in sunlight, Lord of theEkamchi. And I do not lack protection with Papewaio at my side.'The Lord of the Ekamchi grimaced, having good cause to 354 Daughter of the Empire remember the courage and prowess of the Acoma First StrikeLeader. Still, some purpose kept him persistent, revealing to Marathat he knew of some shifting alliances before she did. Unwittinglyemulating her father, she chose the bold course and provoked theissue before it could be broached under less favourable circumstances. 'You have perhaps spoken with Tecuma of the Anasatilately?' 'Ah!' The Lord of the Ekamchi was taken aback. Still, his eyesflashed briefly in triumph as he recovered his poise. 'I regret to tellyou that our host, the Lord of the Minwanabi, did not inviteTecuma of the Anasati to this festival. He wished not to remind theWarlord of the late unpleasantness, indeed, the slight visited uponthat worthy man by the son who married the Acoma.''Buntokapi died with honour,' Mara said acidly. 'You demeanyourself by speaking ill of the dead.'Her words were a warning, anda challenge to Ekamchi honour if the subject was not dropped.The Lord who had insulted her withdrew with a barb of his own.'Still, I know that Tecuma could not have come, if circumstancespermitted. He is otherwise occupied, I have heard, since an attackon his richest trade caravan left its defenders dead to a man. He losthis goods, and two hundred warriors as well, to a most vicious bandof thieves.'The Ekamchi Lord smiled, for he knew, as would Mara,that such a slaughter had not been achieved by lawless men. Somegreat house moved boldly against the Anasati; and of them all, onlyone had sworn blood feud against the Acoma, who had contrivedTecuma's unwilling alliance. 'Pray to the gods for the health of your son,' sneered the Lord ofthe Ekamchi. He walked off, and Mara missed the chance for a rejoinder. Thefact that so small a Lord would dare to insult her came as a shock,and also served to remind her that in the eyes of the pettiest enemiesher death was considered certain. I5 Arrival The Warlord appeared. He entered to a fanfare of flutes, his robe of gold-trimmed whitedazzling in the sunlight. Stark in contrast, two black-clad figureswalked at his side. Seeing them, the guests fell instantly silent. Eventhe Lord of the Minwanabi hesitated before greeting the man whowas second in power to the Emperor. When jingu did step forwardto bow, his manner was subdued and deferential rather thanboisterous. The presence of the black-robed Great Ones often hadthat effect on people. The minds of magicians were unknowable,and their ways beyond question. They existed outside the law, their only task to serve the Empire. That Almecho had brought two ofthem to his birthday celebration affected every guest present; noplot could be certain, and no alliance completely dependable, withthe presence of magic like a wild thing in their midst. Somewhispered that Almecho had won several of the Black Robes to hiscause; others said much of this Warlord's policy was being decidedin the City of Magicians. Mara watched the proceedings of formal greeting from anunobtrusive place in one corner. She was somewhat relieved to seethe Great Ones at Almecho's side, for the attention of the guestswould now be diverted by something besides her plight ... at leastfor a while. She was tired of dealing with the biting observations ofthe other guests, and sick of having the Lord of the Ekamchirepeatedly point out Tecuma's absence. The Great Ones would castlong shadows across the interplay of intrigue; they could bringmagic arts to play, render judgment swiftly and without appeal theirwords were as law. They could obliterate jingu in his ownhouse if they felt he threatened the Empire, and Desio would onlybow and intone the ritual phrase 'Your will, Great One.' 356 Daughter of the Empire Yet traditionally the Great Ones remained aloof from the Gameof the Council; some other gambit brought the two magicians.Mara smiled to herself. Whatever the reason for their arrival, theresult was two-edged: her enemies had other concerns, but thenMinwanabi gained a freer hand to work her demise as the guests'concerns focused elsewhere. Yet even as Mara weighed the implications, the guests began toassemble, each family according to rank, to pay their respects to theWarlord. Mara and Nacoya would soon be required to leave theobscurity of their corner, for the Acoma were one of the mostancient names of the Empire, first among those that followed theoriginal Five Great Families. Still the Lady delayed, while the Kedaand Tonmargu gathered ahead of her. Then, as the Lord of theXacatecas strode forward in turn, she threaded her way through thecrowd. 'Go slowly,' she instructed Nacoya. Where other families movedin groups of sons, daughters, in-laws, and cousins, each relative ofthe blood being permitted an honour guard, her own contingentconsisted only of a First Adviser and Papewaio. Other Lords and-/.their advisers often did not notice her presence until she had passedthem by, since greatness and power seldom moved without fanfare.Quite often Mara could overhear enough of their conversations tocatch the drift of their concerns before the speakers were aware ofher proximity. More than one group of whisperers identified theGreat Ones as the same two who had engineered support in theAssembly of Magicians for Almecho's campaign on the barbarianworld. Several other magicians had come to be seen regularly withthe Warlord, earning them the sobriquet 'Warlord's pets'. Thehoods shaded the faces, making it difficult to recognize which twowizards attended. But if these were Ergoran and his brotherElgahar, more than one Lord's plots might suffer a setback.As the Xacatecas began their opening bows, Mara responded toNacoya's motherly prompting and made her way towards the dais.Kamatsu of the Shinzawai and his son fell in behind her as sheascended the stairs; and then the Xacatecas took their leave and shefound herself confronting Almecho and her host, jingu of theMinwanabi. The Great Ones remained to one side, their unique social ranksetting them apart from any formal role in the greeting ceremony. Arrival But as she took her bow, Mara caught a clear look at one of themand recognized the hooked nose and thin lips of Ergoran beneaththe black hood. The Warlord took her hand as she rose, a slighttwist of sarcasm marring his smile as he returned the ritual greeting.He had evidently not forgotten their last meeting, when she haddutifully repeated the words of Buntokapi concerning needra pens.Etiquette prevented his raising the topic, since ritual suicide had absolved the stain on Acoma honour. But nothing prevented theWarlord from initiating an exchange that caused Mara some socialdiscomfort. 'Lady Mara, what an unexpected delight. I'm pleased to see youbear as much personal courage as your father - to walk into thisnest of relli.' Still holding her hand, and stroking it in a patronizingdisplay of attention, he turned to jingu of the Minwanabi. His hoststood biting back his anger, as distressed by the last remark as wasMara. 'Jingu, you're not planning to spoil my birthday celebrationwith bloodshed, are you?' The Lord of the Minwanabi's flush deepened as he spluttered adenial, but Almecho cut him off. To Mara he added,'just have yourbodyguard sleep lightly at your door, Lady. jingu knows if hedoesn't observe the proper form in killing you, he'll make me veryangry.' He glanced at his host. 'Not to mention that he's givensureties to his guests and it wouldn't be profitable to eliminate you ifhe had to take his own life as well, would it?'The Warlord laughed. In that instant Mara knew that the GreatGame was, truly, only a game to this man. If jingu could murder theLady of the Acoma in such a way that he could disavowresponsibility publicly, the Warlord would not only take noumbrage, but would silently applaud jingu for his cleverness. Evenif Jingu failed, to Almecho the whole situation would become adiverting amusement. Sweat dampened Mara's back. She trembleddespite her effort at self-control, and almost at her elbow the secondson of the Shinzawai whispered something to his father. Almecho'seyes narrowed; Mara's colour must have gone ashen, for theWarlord squeezed her hand. 'Don't be upset, little bird; jingu might surprise us all and behavehimself.'With a wide grin, Almecho added, 'The betting odds rightnow are that you might have a slight chance of leaving alive at theend of the celebration.' 358 % Daugbter of the Empire He still showed no sign of releasing her, but before he couldderive further pleasure at her expense, a polite voice intruded.'My Lord Almecho . . .' Kamatsu of the Shinzawai insertedhimself into the conversation. Experienced through a lifetime spentin court intrigue, the former Warchief of the Kanazawai Clanchanged the subject with a charm few present could have equalled.'Only a few minutes ago the Lady Mara pointed out that I had noopportunity to introduce my younger son to you at her wedding.'Almecho's attention was diverted enough for Mara to disengagehis fingers. She half stepped to the left, and without breakingrhythm, Kamatsu moved likewise. Almecho had no gracefulalternative but to acknowledge the Shinzawai lord standing directlybefore him. A handsome young man accompanied his father.Kamatsu smiled and said, 'May I present to you my second son,Hokanu?' The Warlord frowned, momentarily off balance. He inclined hishead towards Hokanu, but before his famous temper could invent adisparaging remark, Kamatsu continued. 'His elder brother,Kasumi, you've met. I'm sure you remember, Almecho - he is theForce Leader of the second army of the Kanazawai Clan in yourcampaign.' Again the smooth remarks denied the Warlord more than a politemumble. Both Shinzawai moved onto the dais, causing othersbehind them to move towards the Warlord. As Almecho cast onelast glance at Mara, Kamatsu said, 'We will take up no more of yourtime, Lord, for you have many others waiting to greet you. May thegods smile down upon this celebration of your birthday.'The Warlord had no choice but to face the next of his guests. Bythen Mara had regained some of her composure. She silentlythanked the gods for the return of her wits and inclined her head ingrateful appreciation to the Lord of the Shinzawai. Kamatsu wasmoving away from the receiving line, but he returned a slight nod.His manner reflected something she had not seen since she hadentered the boundaries of the Minwanabi estates: sympathy. TheShinzawai lord might not be an ally, but he had showed himself noenemy either. He had risked much by interrupting Almecho's sport,yet the act had been boldly accomplished. While the fatherdeparted, Mara saw that the son lingered, his dark eyes followingher. She gave the young man a subtle smile but dared not voice her At I rival 359 thanks, lest the Lord of the Minwanabi come to believe the Acomaand the Shinzawai held pact against him. Nacoya urgently tuggedher sleeve, hastening her steps towards the relative obscurity of acorner. 'You must leave this place, Mara-anni,' the First Adviser urged as soon as they had a moment to themselves. While Papewaiopositioned himself between his mistress and the assembly of guests,she qualified. 'You have no allies here, with the Warlord makingsport of the Acoma. If you stay, you will lose your life, and Keyokewill face a war to protect Ayaki. Better the shame of flight than torisk the loss of the natami.' Mara sat on an embroidered cushion and fought the wearinessthat dragged at her shoulders and back. 'We cannot leave now.''Girl, we must!' Closer than she had ever come to a publicexpression of fear, the old woman sank down by her mistress'sknee. 'The continuance of the Acoma is at stake.'Mara gently patted her First Adviser's hand. 'Mother of myheart, we cannot run from this confrontation. Not only would ourstock in the game fall far enough that we would deserve to becomethe butt of Almecho's humour, but I doubt we would escape alive. Ifwe somehow could flee over the borders of the Minwanabi estates,we would find ourselves vulnerable to open attack by "bandits"with no risk to jingu. Here, with his surety, we have a chance ofpreserving our lives.' 'Don't count on this, mistress,' Nacoya said sourly. 'Jingu of theMinwanabi would never have brought the daughter of Sezu here ifhe thought to let her escape. For you this place is like a nest ofpoisoned thorns, filled with a hundred deadly traps. With even thegods' favour, you could not avoid them all.' Mara straightened, stung by a spark of anger. 'You think me agirl still, old mother. That is a mistake. jingu's threats and even theWarlord's ridicule will not make me shame my ancestors. Somehow,by cunning or by politics, we will escape this trap andtriumph.' Though as frightened inside as Nacoya, Mara managed thewords with conviction. The elderly woman heard, and wascomforted, while across the room Hokanu of the Shinzawaiobserved the proud bearing of Mara of the Acoma. She hadadmirable courage for one so young. If Minwanabi wished her 360 9 Daughter of the Empire dead, his plot would need to be deviously woven, for this girl was atrue daughter of her father. The afternoon progressed tediously after that. jingu of theMinwanabi had arranged for musicians, tumblers, and a one-actfarce in the Segumi style. Yet even with the Warlord's Great Ones inattendance, the Tsurani love of the arts could not completely eclipsethe lure of politics. Several Lords had hoped to exploit the fact thatAlmecho had overextended his position in the wars on thebarbarian world. Now, with the two magicians who controlled allpassage between Kelewan and Midkemia seated like the shadows ofmidnight in their midst, even the boldest Lords dared not seeksupport for their plots. Mara overheard many expressions ofannoyance that Almecho should flaunt his ties with the Great Onesat what should have been a celebration in his honour.As the curtains fell following the actors' final bows, Desio of theMinwanabi stepped onto the wooden platform erected for theperformance. His tread echoed hollowly on the boards as he strodeto centre stage, his arms raised for silence. Heads turned, and whispered conversations stilled. Desiolowered his hands with a ruffle of feathered cuffs and made hisannouncement. 'Minwanabi scouts have brought word of anoutbreak of trouble on the river. A band of water pirates has sweptdown from the north, and two barges have been robbed and burnednear the borders of this estate.' A murmur swept the hall, thenstilled as the heir of the Minwanabi added more. 'Lord jingu hasheard the Warlord's request that his birthday celebrations not bespoiled by bloodshed. To this end, he has ordered the chain beneaththe prayer gate raised, cutting off the inlet from the lake. Any bargeattempting passage from the river will be burned on sight, and anyguests wishing to leave this celebration early should inform us oftheir intention, that the warriors on duty can let them out.' Desiofinished with a deferential bow, and a pointed smile at the Lady ofthe Acoma. Then tumblers replaced him on the stage, and the partyfor the Warlord resumed. Mara managed not to show resentment at this latest plot ofMinwanabi's. Not only had he managed to make any attempt atdeparture a public admission of cowardice, but he had neatly givenhimself an excuse if a guest chanced to be slaughtered on the riverbeyond his gates. Not even a messenger could be sent to the Acoma Arrival 36I estates without jingu's knowledge. Mara glanced at Papewaio andknew by his tired eyes that he understood; even Keyoke could not bewarned. The stakes were now higher than any of her advisers had anticipated. If she died, very likely an attack on Ayaki would occurbefore word of her demise reached the Acoma estates.An old friend of her father's, Pataki of the Sida, passed near hertable, and bowed politely. In a voice that only Mara and Nacoyacould hear, he said, 'You would be wise to send your bodyguardaway to rest.' 'Your advice is sound, my Lord.' She smiled and tried to look lesstired. 'But I suggested the same thing earlier, and Papewaio said hedid not care to sleep.' The aged Lord nodded, aware as they all were that the warrior'sdedication was not misplaced. 'Be wary, daughter of Sezu,' Patakisaid. 'Almecho has little love for jingu. He would enjoy seeingMinwanabi ambition blunted, but he needs their support in his littlewar on the barbarian world. So should jingu manage to kill youwithout shame, Almecho would do nothing against him.' For amoment the Lord of the Sida regarded the dais where the guest ofhonour sat dining. Almost reflectively he added, 'Still, should jingube caught breaking his oath of surety for guests, Almecho wouldhappily observe the ritual suicide.' As if they had been speakingpleasantries, Pataki smiled. 'Many here have a stake in what befallsthe Acoma, my Lady. But none will act against you save theMinwanabi. At least you know your enemy.' With sudden warmth, Mara returned a nod of respect. 'I think Ialso know my friend as well, Lord Pataki.' The old man laughed, feigning reaction to a witty remark. 'TheSida and the Acoma have dealt honourably with each other formany generations.' He glanced to his own table where twograndsons sat waiting. 'Your father and I had even spoken of apossible alliance from time to time.' His old eyes turned shrewd. 'Iwould like to think you and I may someday speak of such things.Now I must return to my family. May the gods protect you, myLady.' 'And may the gods protect the Sida,' Mara returned.Nacoya leaned closer to Mara and whispered, 'At least one here isa man like your father.' Mara nodded. 'Yet even he will not lend a hand when jingu acts.' I 362 Daughter of the Empire The weak had been known to die in public with no outcry fromobservers, so long as the forms were observed. Minwanabi wouldstrike. The only question was when. Beyond the opened screens, dusk shadowed the shoreline, and thelake gleamed like a sheet of hammered silver in the afterglow. Starspricked the zenith one by one, while slaves with wicks and oil jarsmade their rounds to light the lamps. Soon full darkness would fall,and then the danger would increase. Mara followed the other gueststo the banquet hall, doing her best to match their mood of gaietyand enjoyment. But with all her heart she wished for a warrior'srole, to fight with armour and sword until death found herself or herenemies; to walk in fear through a crowd who smiled and laughedwas to be undone one strand at a time, until dignity became a maskto conceal madness. The repast served by jingu of the Minwanabi to honour theWarlord was prepared by some of the finest cooks in the Empire; yetMara ate without tasting what she took from dishes ornamentedwith rare metal rims. She strove throughout the meal to easeNacoya's strained nerves, all the while aware that Papewaiostruggled not to fall asleep in his tracks. Without asking, she knewthat he had stood guard the past night without rest, and though hewas a strong man, keen of mind and determined of will, he couldnot be expected to maintain his faqade of vigilance much longer.Mara excused her party from the festivities at the earliest opportunity. Black shadows thrown by deep hoods made the expressions ofthe Great Ones unreadable, but their eyes followed Mara as sherose. To their right, Almecho smiled broadly, his elbow digging theLord of the Minwanabi in the ribs. And from every part of the halleyes watched with contempt as the Lady of the Acoma helped heraged First Adviser to her feet. 'I wish you pleasant dreams,' murmured Desio of the Minwanabias the small party moved off towards the hallway.Mara was too weary to respond. A moment later, when the Lordof the Ekamchi detained her in the doorway for one last jab at herexpense, Papewaio saw her shoulders stiffen. The idea that hismistress should suffer even one more slight from this fat little manignited the tall warrior's temper. Before Mara could speak, andbefore the other guests could become aware of the situation, Arrival 363 Papewaio grasped the Lord of the Ekamchi by the shoulders and moved him forcibly through the doorway, out of view of the diners.The Lord of the Ekamchi gasped in astonishment. Then hisplump cheeks quivered with outrage. 'Wrath of the gods!' he sworeas the tall warrior towered over him. 'You ignorant oaf, do youthink you can handle me without penalty?' Behind him, his own bodyguards rattled weapons, but they couldnot strike past their master's fat bulk to reach Papewaio.To all this bluster the Strike Leader of the Acoma returned abland indifference. 'If you trouble my Lady any more, I will do morethan handle you,' he warned. 'I will handle you with violence!'Ekamchi spluttered. His guards half drew their swords, restrainedonly by the fact that Papewaio could harm their masterlong before they could move. 'Step aside,' said Mara clearly to the Lord who blocked thepassage. 'Even you would not dare to mar the Warlord's birthdaycelebration with bloodshed, Techachi of the Ekamchi.'The fat Lord reddened further. 'For a servant to lay hands on aman of my rank carries a death sentence,' he carped.'I see,' said Mara, nodding sagely. Papewaio raised his helmet, revealing the black rag of shamealready tied to his brow. He smiled. The Lord of the Ekamchi paled and stepped aside, mumbling ahasty excuse. He could not demand the execution of a man alreadycondemned; and if he ordered his guards to attack, he only grantedthe wretch an honourable death by the blade. Caught in hisquandary, and hating Mara the more for it, he stalked back into thebanquet. 'Hurry along, old mother,' Mara whispered to Nacoya. 'Thecorridors are not safe for us.' 'Do you think our suite is any less of a trap?' the old womanreturned, but she hastened her steps according to her mistress'swishes. Yet as Mara had guessed, privacy and quiet did much to restoreNacoya's wits. Changed into more comfortable lounging robes,and seated upon cushions, the old woman began dryly to instructher mistress in the ways of survival in a hostile court.'You must set lamps outside, opposite each of the screens,' sheinsisted. 'This way, an assassin trying to enter will throw a shadow 364 Daughter of the Empire against the paper, and you will see him coming. Also, lights insideshould be placed between you and the windows, so that your ownform will not show up as a silhouette to anyone lurking outside.'Mara nodded, wisely allowing Nacoya to ramble on. The trickswith the lamps she had learned from Lano, and upon entering hersuite, she had detailed one of her maids to arrange thingsaccordingly. Soon she and the old woman sat bathed in light, thestolid bulk of Papewaio on guard at the entrance.With nothing else to distract her, own concerns. Mara felt the pressure of her She confided those worries to her First Adviser.'Nacoya, what of the fifty warriors stationed at the barracks? TheMinwanabi oath of surety does not include our retinue and I feartheir lives may be threatened.' 'I think not.' The old woman's confidence was unexpected afterher daylong siege of insecurity. Mara restrained the urge to be angry. 'But to kill them would beso easy to arrange. A false claim that a plague of summer fever hadbroken out in the barracks - on even a suspicion of disease, thebodies would be burned. No man could prove how our soldiers haddied . . .' Nacoya touched Mara's wrists. 'You fret for the wrong causes,Mara-anni. Minwanabi will not trouble himself with the lives ofyour warriors. Mistress, all he has to do is strike you and Ayakidown, and every man who wears Acoma green will become a greywarrior. masterless and cursed by the gods. That fate would suitjingu's tastes better, I am thinking.' Here the First Adviser paused. She sought her mistress's eyes butfound them closed. 'Mara, listen to me. Other dangers await, likerelli coiled in the darkness. You must be aware of Teani.' Nacoyasat straighter, as yet showing no inclination to retire. 'I observed herall day, and she watched you tirelessly while your back was turned.'But Mara was too weary to remain alert. Propped on one elbowin the cushions, she let her mind drift without discipline. Nacoyaregarded her with ancient eyes and knew the girl had reached thelimits of her endurance. She must not be permitted to sleep, for if anassassin struck, she must be ready to snuff out the lamp and retirequickly to the corner Papewaio had designated for emergencies, sothat he would not inadvertently strike the wrong mark with hissword. Arrival 365 'Did you heed?' Nacoya asked sharply. 'Yes, mother of my heart.' But with the Warlord himself finding amusement in the Acoma predicament, Teani was the least of Mara's worries. Or so she thought, as the light threw shadows likedeath over the carry boxes that held her gowns and jewellery. Howwould Lano or her father, Lord Sezu, have handled the Acomahonour in this situation? Mara frowned, trying to guess how thosewho had died at the hand of Minwanabi treachery might haveadvised her to act. But no voices answered. In the end she had onlyher wits. That conclusion haunted her into a fitful sleep. Though instinctwarned against rest, she looked too much like a thin, tired child.Nacoya, who had raised her from infancy, could no longer bear tobadger her. Instead, she arose from the cushions and delved into theclothing in the carry boxes. Mara was deeply asleep by the time the old woman returned, herhands draped with a gauzy collection of silk scarves. These shearranged near the lamp by the sleeping mats, one last-ditchpreparation before she herself succumbed to exhaustion. Whatwould be would be. Two women, two maids, and one overburdenedwarrior were no match for the entire household of theMinwanabi. Nacoya hoped only the attack would come soon, thatPapewaio might retain awareness enough to fight back.But the night wore on without incident. The old nurse noddedand slept while the warrior on guard beyond the screen struggledagainst a numbing haze of exhaustion. Overtired nerves caused himto see movement in the garden, odd shapes suggesting lurkingdangers. He blinked, and over and over again the shapes resolvedinto a bush or tree, or simply a shadow moving as the copper face ofthe moon dimmed and brightened behind a cloud. SometimesPapewaio dozed, only to snap erect at the slightest suggestion of asound. Yet the attack, when it came, caught him napping.Mara jerked awake, sweating, confused, and uncertain of hersurroundings. 'Cala?' she murmured, naming the maid whonormally attended her at home. Then a terrible tearing of paper and the sound of snapping woodjabbed her fully alert. Bodies struck the tiles not far from hercushions, followed by a man's grunt of pain. Mara rolled out of her cushions, banging against Nacoya in the 366 I Daughter of the Empire process. The old woman woke with a shrill scream of terror, andwhile Mara fumbled in the darkness to seek the safe cornerPapewaio had prepared, Nacoya delayed. Her hands raked up thescarves and tossed them in panic over the lamp. Fire bloomed like aflower, blazing and banishing the dark. Mara blundered to a halt,her shins bruised against an unfamiliar side table. Horrible, coarsegasps sounded in the darkness beyond the torn screen.Crying now, and praying for Lashima's guidance, Mara squintedthrough the conflagration around the lamp. She saw Nacoya lift acushion and sweep the whole into the damaged screen, igniting thetom paper. Flames leaped up, shedding golden light over the twisted featuresof a stranger, flung full length across the threshold with his armslocked in struggle with Papewaio. The Acoma First Strike Leadersat astride the man, hands clutching his throat. The combatantsseemed a match in size and strength, but few could equalPapewaio's fury in battle. Each man sought to choke the other.Papewaio's face was a red mask of agony, matching his opponent's.Then Mara gasped. Horrified, she noticed the dagger stuck throughthe armhole of Papewaio's armour. But even though he was wounded. Papewaio's strength wasgreat. the fingers gripping his throat weakened and slipped. With afinal jerk he brought the assassin's head up, then pulled with bothhands, snapping bones with an audible crack. Limp arms fell fromPapewaio's throat and the body convulsed. Papewaio released hisgrip, and the corpse fell to the floor, the neck twisted at a terribleangle. Dim shadows moved in the courtyard beyond. Nacoya didnot wait to identify them but raised her voice in the loudest screamshe could muster. 'Fire! Awake! Awake! There is fire in the house!'Mara caught her idea and repeated the cry. In the droughts ofsummer, a Tsurani estate house might burn to the ground as a resultof a mishandled lamp. And the flames Nacoya had started alreadychewed hungrily at the framing that supported the roof tiles.Minwanabi, his servants, and his guests must all respect the threatof fire. They would come, but all too likely too late to matter.As the light brightened, Mara saw Papewaio cast around for hissword. He glanced over his shoulder and moved out of sight.reaching for something. Sounds followed that froze Mara to the Arrival 367 heart: the smack of a blade cutting flesh and a grunt of pain. She rushed forward, calling for Papewaio. Guided by a glint of greenarmour, she saw her honour guard twist and fall heavily. Beyondhim the plumes of a Minwanabi officer flared orange in the glow.Strike Leader Shimizu straightened with a bloodied sword, and inhis eyes Mara read murder. Yet she did not flee. Beyond, lights bloomed in the windows.screens slid back, and robed figures ran forth, wakened byNacoya's cry of fire. Saved by the presence of witnesses, Mara confronted Papewaio's'Would you murder me before the eyes of all the guests andcondemn your lawful Lord to death?' Shimizu glanced quickly to either side and saw the runningfigures who converged across the courtyard. Flames ripped rapidlyup the roof line, and Nacoya's cries were joined by a chorus ofothers. The alarm was spreading rapidly through the estate house,and soon every able man would appear upon the scene withbuckets. The chance to kill Mara was lost. Shimizu might love Teani, but a,warrior's code would never value a courtesan above honour. He,,,,bowed and sheathed his fouled blade. 'Lady, I just aided yourhonour guard in dispatching a thief. That he died at his duty is thewill of the gods. Now you must flee the fire!''Thief?' Mara all but choked on the word; at her feet, Papewaiosprawled with a black-handled dagger in his shoulder. Thatthrust could never have killed him, but the gaping wound throughhis heart surely had. The first, shouting guests reached the scene of the fire, and takingno further notice of Mara, the Minwanabi Strike Leader called"orders to clear the halls. Already the flames reached the cornersupports, and fumes boiled white from the varnish, filling the airwith an acrid odour. the guests pushed Nacoya, clutching a few belongingsas the two whimpering maids hauled the biggest carry box out ofThrough harm's way. 'Come, child.' Nacoya caught her mistress's sleeve,,trying to pull her down the hall to safety. tears and smoke stung Mara's eyes. She resisted Nacoya'sefforts, motioning for the Minwanabi servants who arrived toassist. Nacoya indulged in a rare blasphemy, but her mistressI 368 % Daughter of the Empire refused to move. Two servants took the carry box from thestruggling maids. Others raced to gather the rest of Mara's propertyfrom the rapidly spreading flames. Two burly workers took Nacoyaby the arm and led her out of danger. Shimizu caught at Mara's robe. 'You must come, Lady. The wallswill soon fall.' Already the heat of the blaze was becomingunbearable. The bucket bearers began their job. Water hissed onto flamingtimbers, but on the opposite side of the room from the place wherethe dead thief lay. His clothing had begun to blaze, eradicating anyevidence of treachery he might have provided. Dully Mararesponded to necessity. 'I will not leave until the body of my StrikeLeader has been carried from the field.' Shimizu nodded. Without emotion he bent and shouldered thecorpse of the warrior he had just run through with a sword.Mara followed through halls choking with smoke as a murdererbore brave Papewaio's body to the coolness of the night. Shestumbled past servants who struggled with slopping buckets tobattle the blaze, lest their master's estate house become totallyengulfed. Mara implored the gods to let it burn, let it all burn, sothat jingu might know a tenth part of the loss she felt at Pape'sdeath. She might have wept then for the loss of a loyal friend; but amid acluster of sleep-rumpled guests jingu of the Minwanabi awaited, hiseyes bright with the joy of victory. Shimizu deposited Papewaio's body on the cool grass and said,'Master, a thief - one of your servants - sought to use the confusionof new guests in the house to cover his escape. I found him dead atthe hands of the Lady of the Acoma's honour guard, but that bravewarrior was also slain in turn. I found this on the dead man.'Shimizu gave over a necklace of no particular beauty but fashionedfrom costly metal. jingu nodded. 'This belongs to my wife. The culprit must be ahouse servant who pilfered our quarters while we dined.' With anevil grin, he turned to face Mara. 'It is a pity that such a worthywarrior had to give his life to protect a trinket.'No evidence or witness existed to refute such obvious lies. Mara'swits returned like a cold rush of wind. Before jingu of theMinwanabi she bowed with icy poise. 'My Lord, it is true that my Arrival 369 'strike Leader Papewaio died bravely, defending the wealth of yourfrom a thief. Taking her agreement for capitulation, and a salute to his in the game, the Lord of the Minwanabi expansivelycommiseration. 'Lady, your Strike Leader's valour in behalfof my house shall not be unremarked. Let all present know that heconducted himself with highest honour.' Mara returned a level stare. 'Then honour Papewaio's spirit as heGrant his memory due ceremony and provide him a funeral in proportion to his sacrifice.' The shouts of the bucket brigade filled an interval as Jinguconsidered refusing Mara's request. But then he noticed theWarlord grinning at him through an opened screen across thecourtyard. Almecho was aware that Papewaio's death had been murder; butcontrived excuses did not upset protocol, such nuances amusedhim hugely, and since Mara had not cried for mercy, or otherwiseflinched from the brutalities inherent in the Great Game, she wasdue this recompense from her enemy. Almecho called out to jingu in,,,.a show of camaraderie, 'My Lord host, your wife's metal jewelleryis worth many times the cost of such a rite. Give the Acoma man hisfuneral, for the gods' sake, jingu. His death leaves you a debt ofhonour. And since he lost his life at my birthday celebration, twentyof my own Imperial Whites shall stand in salute around the pyre.'jingu returned a deferential nod to Almecho, but his eyes showedcold annoyance in the light of the flames that still burned throughone of his finer suites. 'Hail to Papewaio,' he conceded to Mara.tomorrow I shall honour his shade with a funeral.'Mara bowed and retired to Nacoya's side. Supported by hermaids, she watched Shimizu retrieve the limp form of Papewaio andtoss him indifferently to the strangers who would prepare him forhis funeral. Tears threatened her composure. Survival did not seempossible without Pape. The hands dragging lifelessly across thedamp grass had guarded her cradle when she was first born; theyhad steadied some of her first steps and defended her from murderin the sacred grove. The fact that the Lord of the Minwanabi wasnow obliged to pay for an extravagant ceremony to honour thewarrior of an enemy house seemed a hollow victory, and meaningless. No more would the flamboyant red shirt with its tassels and 370 Daugbter of the Empire embroidery bother anyone's eyes on festival days; and right nowthat loss seemed more important than any power gained in theGame of the Council. i I I6 Punerai The drums boomed. The guests of jingu of the Minwanabi gathered in the main foyerof the estate house for Papewaio's funeral. Foremost among them,and veiled in red in deference to the God of Death, Mara of theAcoma led her temporary honour guard, one of the Warlord'sImperial Whites. The drumbeat deepened, the sign for the processionto begin. Mara held a frond of ke reed in her hands, theraising of which would signal the marchers forward. Now was thetime. Yet she closed her eyes, hesitant. Weariness and grief left an ache inside that no ceremony wouldassuage. The Acoma were warriors, and Papewaio had given his lifeto serve his mistress, earning him an honourable death, but Marastill ached for him. The drums boomed again, insistent. Mara lifted the scarlet reed.Feeling more alone that ever before in her life, she led the processionthrough the wide doorway to honour the shade of Papewaio, FirstStrike Leader of the Acoma. jingu of the Minwanabi and theWarlord came after her, followed by the most powerful families ofthe Empire. They moved without speaking into a daylight turnedgloomy with clouds. Mara's steps were heavy, her feet reluctant tocontinue, yet each time the drum beat, she managed another stride.She had slept safely the night before in the Warlord's suite; but herrest had been the drugged sleep of total fatigue, and she had notawakened refreshed. A rare storm had blown in from the north, bringing misting rain.Low-hanging tendrils of fog curled across the surface of the lake,stone-grey in the subdued light. The damp made the air chill afterweeks of and heat, and Mara shivered. The earth under her sandalsseemed dank as death itself. She thanked the Goddess of Wisdom 372 Daughter of the Empire that Nacoya had not insisted upon attending the funeral ceremony.By agreement with her mistress, the old woman had pleaded illnessfrom the smoke and the sorrow of the last night's events; for themoment she lay safe on her mat in the suite of the Warlord,Almecho. Mara led the procession down the gentle slope to the lakeside,grateful that only her own safety should concern her; for the guestswho walked in pairs behind her were edgy, unpredictable as cagedbeasts. Not one of them believed the fiction that a servant had stolenthe jewels of the Lady of the Minwanabi. No one had been impoliteenough to point out that Shimizu had the alleged booty in hispossession while the thief's body was consumed by fire beforeanyone could reach him. The possibility that jingu had violated hispledged oath of guest safety could not be questioned without proof.Hereafter Mara and her retinue might not be the only targets forsuch plotting; no Lord present dared relax for the remainder of thegathering, for a few among them might react to the uncertainty inthe atmosphere and strike at enemies of their own.Only the Warlord seemed amused. Since he was the Emperor'svoice within the Empire, the conspiracies and the setbacks of therival factions beneath him offered as much enjoyment as thefestivities honouring his birthday - which Papewaio's funeral haddeferred until tomorrow. While his host, the Lord of the Minwanabi,fixed his attentions on Mara of the Acoma, Almecho knew jinguwas not plotting to wear the white and gold - at least not this week.Though most guests marched in proper silence, Almechowhispered pleasantries in the car of jingu. This landed the Lord ofthe Minwanabi in a prickly mesh of protocol: whether he shouldremain serious, as was proper for a Lord who attended the funeralof one who had died defending his property; or whether he shoulddefer to the mood of his guest of honour, and smile at the jokes,which in all likelihood were presented to provoke precisely thissame dilemma. But Mara drew no satisfaction from jingu's discomfort. Ahead,on a finger of land past the piers, rose the ceremonial pyre of theAcoma First Strike Leader. He lay in his plumes and ceremonialarmour, his sword upon his breast; and across the blade, his crossedwrists were bound with scarlet cord, signifying death's dominanceover the flesh. Beyond him, at attention, stood the fifty warriors of Funeral I 373 the Acoma retinue. They were permitted at the gathering to honour their departed officer; and from their number Mara must choosePapewaio's successor, one soldier to stand as her honour guardthroughout the remainder of the celebration for the Warlord.Almost, her step faltered on the path. To think of another in Pape'splace brought pain past bearing; yet the more practical side of hermind kept functioning. Her next stride was firm, and her choicealready made. Arakasi must wear the honour guard's mantle, forshe would need any information he might have gathered to counterthe Minwanabi threat. Mara stepped up to the bier. She lowered the scarlet reed, and theguests fanned out, forming a circle around Papewaio's body,leaving small openings at the east and west. The neat lines of Acomawarriors waited behind Papewaio's head, each holding his swordpoint down in the earth to symbolize a warrior fallen.The drums boomed and fell silent. Mara raised her voice to openthe ceremonies. 'We are gathered to commemorate the life deeds ofPapewaio, son of Papendaio, grandson of Kelsai. Let all presentknow that he achieved the rank of First Strike Leader of the Acoma,and that the honours that earned him this position were many.'Mara paused and faced east; and the small gap left in the circlewas now filled by a white-robed priest of Chochocan, who worearmlets woven of thyza reed, and whose presence symbolized life.The Lady of the Acoma bowed in deference to the god, then beganto recite the memorable deeds of Papewaio's service, from the firstday of his oath to the Acoma natami. As she spoke, the priest shedhis mantle. Naked but for his symbols of office, he danced incelebration of the strong, brave warrior who lay in state upon thebier. The list of Papewaio's honours was a lengthy one. Well before therecitation ended, Mara had to struggle to keep her composure. Yetas her account faltered, the guests did not fidget or show boredom.Life and death, and the winning of glory according to the code ofhonour, were a subject central to the Tsurani civilization; the deedsof this particular servant of the Acoma were impressive. Rivalry,hatred. even blood feud did not extend past the borders of death,and so long as the priest danced in remembrance of Papewaio, theLord of the Minwanabi and every distinguished guest acknowledgedthe renown of the deceased. 374 I Daugbter of the Empire But no warrior's prowess could accomplish immortality. EventuallyMara reached the night when the blade of a thief had ended abrilliant career. The dancer bowed to the earth before the bier, andthe Lady of the Acoma turned west, where a red-robed priest stoodin the small gap in the circle. She bowed in respect to therepresentative of the Red God; and the priest in the service to theDeath God threw off his mantle. He was masked with a red skull, for no mortal might know theface of death until his turn came to greet the Red God, Turakamu.The priest's skin was dyed scarlet, and his armlets were woven ofserpent skins. Again Mara raised her voice. She managed the lastwith flawless poise, for her life now balanced upon her ability toplay the Great Game. In ringing tones she described the death of awarrior. And with true Tsurani appreciation of theatre andceremony, she made her account an accolade to the honour ofPapewaio. The priest of Turakamu danced a warrior's death, with bravery,glory, and honour that live on in memory. When he finished, hedrew a black knife and slashed the scarlet cords that boundPapewaio's wrists. The time for flesh was ended, and the spirit mustbe freed from its bondage to death. Mara swallowed, her eyes dry and hard. From the priest ofTurakamu she accepted the flaming torch that burned at the foot ofthe bier. This she raised skyward, with a silent prayer to Lashima.Now she must name Papewaio's successor, the man who wouldassume his former duties so that his spirit would be free of mortalobligation. Saddened, Mara strode to the head of the bier. Withtrembling fingers she fixed the red reed to the warrior's helm. Thenshe plucked away the officer's plume, and turned to face the stillranks of the Acoma soldiers who closed the north end of the circle.'Arakasi,' she said; and though her summons was barely above awhisper, the Spy Master heard. He stepped forward and bowed. 'I pray to the gods I have chosen wisely,' Mara murmured as shegave the torch and the plume into his hands. Arakasi straightened and regarded her with dark, enigmatic eyes.Then, without comment, he turned and cried out for his companionat arms, Papewaio. The priest of Chochocan re-entered the circlewith a reed cage that contained a white-plumed tirik bird, symbol of Funeral 375 the spirit of rebirth. As the flames touched the kindling stack beneath Papewaio's muscled corpse, the priest slashed the reedconstraints with a knife. And Mara watched, her eyes misted, as thewhite bird shot skyward and vanished into the rain.Fire hissed and cracked, smoky in the dampness. The guestswaited a respectful interval before they filed slowly back to theestate house. Mara remained, along with her fifty warriors and hernewly chosen honour guard, waiting for the fire to burn out and thepriests of Chochocan and Turakamu to gather Papewaio's ashes.These would be enclosed within an urn and buried beneath the wallof the Acoma contemplation glade, to honour the fact thatPapewaio had died in loyal service to the family. For a time, Marawas alone with Arakasi, away from the scrutiny of the guests.'You did not bring Nacoya with you,' Arakasi murmured, hiswords barely audible over the snap of the pyre. 'Mistress, that wasclever.' His choice of words pierced the lethargy left by grief. Maraturned her head slightly, studying the Spy Master to analyse thereason for the edge of sarcasm she had detected in his tone. 'Nacoyais in the estate house, ill.' Mara paused, waiting for a reply. Whennone came, she added, 'We shall be joining her within the hour. Doyou think you can keep us alive until evening?'The remainder of theday had been set aside for contemplation and remembrance ofPapewaio. But she referred to the fact that, once away from the bier,the guests would reassume the ongoing machinations of the game;and Arakasi, though competent, was not her most proficientswordsman. The Spy Master accepted the implication with the barestindication of a smile. 'Very wise, indeed, my Lady.'And by his tone of relief, Mara understood. He had thought sheintended to flee the Minwanabi, now, while she was reunited withher warriors. Nacoya would have agreed to remain behind towardsthis end, an intentional sacrifice to blind Minwanabi to hermistress's intention to break and run for home. Mara swallowed,pained again by grief. How readily the old woman might haveembraced such a ruse, her abandonment in an enemy house agambit to ensure Acoma continuance. 'Papewaio was sacrifice enough,' Mara said, sharply enough forArakasi to know that flight was the last of her intentions. 376 . I Daughter of the Empire The Spy Master nodded fractionally. 'Good. You would not havesurvived, in any event. Minwanabi has ringed his estates with hisarmies, with the appearances of safeguarding the presence of hisguests. But over their drink and their dice, his soldiers admit thatmany others without colours wait outside the estate borders, posingas pirates or roving bands of outlaws, to trap the Lady of theAcoma.' Mara's eyes widened. 'And how did you know this? By borrowingan orange tunic and mingling with the enemy?' Arakasi chuckled, very low in his throat. 'Hardly that, my Lady. Ihave informants.' He regarded his mistress, studying a face that waspale but for the faint flush lent by the heat of the fire. Her slightframe was straight, and her eyes afraid but determined. 'Since westay and confront the Lord of the Minwanabi, there are things youshould know.' Now Mara showed the slightest indication of triumph. 'LoyalArakasi. I chose you because I trusted you to hate the Lord of theMinwanabi as I do. We understand each other very well. Now tellme all you know that will help me to humble this man whomurdered my family and a warrior who was most dear to my heart.''He has a weak link in his household,' Arakasi said withoutpreamble. 'A relli in his nest that he does not know about. I havediscovered that Teani is an Anasati spy.' Mara drew a startled breath. 'Teani?' She assessed this andsuddenly felt more than the chill of the rain. All along, Nacoya hadinsisted that the concubine had been more dangerous than Maracredited; and Mara had not listened, a mistake that might have costher everything she had struggled to gain, for here was a Minwanabiservant who had no concern should Mara's death cost jingu his lifeand honour. In fact, to arrange such a pass would no doubt pleaseTecuma, as it would avenge Buntokapi's death and remove the manmost likely to cause little Ayaki harm. Mara wasted no time onrecriminations but at once began to calculate how this informationmight be used to her advantage. 'What else do you know of Teani?''The news is very recent. Word just reached me last night.'Arakasi lifted the plume and, by tilting his head to affix it to hishelm, managed to speak directly into Mara's ear. 'I know theconcubine shares her favours with one of the higher-rankingofficers, which the Lord suspects but has not proven. jingu has Funeral 377 many women he calls upon, but she is his favourite. He does not care to do without her ... talents long.' Mara considered this, gazing into the flames of Papewaio's pyre;and a memory returned, of fire and dark, when Pape had lain stillwarm in the courtyard at her feet. Teani had accompanied the Lordthe Minwanabi. While jingu had made a show of surprise, Teani,,..,,,,.seemed genuinely startled by Mara's presence. jingu had spokenbriefly to Shimizu, who had surely been Pape's executioner, while:~'4~',~,Teani's eyes had followed the Minwanabi Strike Leader with contempt of a startling intensity. Mara had been preoccupied withPapewaio at the time, and the concubine's twisted hatred had notseemed significant. Now, though, the memory gained importance,particularly since Teani's reaction had caused Shimizu discomfort.'What is the name of Teani's lover?' Mara inquired.Arakasi shook his head. 'I don't know, mistress. But when wereach the estate house, I can send my agent there to find out.'Mara turned her head away as the flames consumed Papewaio'sbody. Watching was too painful, and the gesture gave her a betterchance to speak to Arakasi over the loud crackle of the flames. 'I willwager a full year's harvest it's Shimizu.' Arakasi nodded, his expression set with sympathy as if his Ladyexpressed some thought on the valour of the departed. 'No bet,mistress; he's the most likely candidate.' The oil-soaked wood beneath Papewaio finally caught, and flameerupted skyward, hot enough to consume even bone and hardenedhide armour. Only ashes would remain when the pyre cooled.'Pape,' murmured Mara. 'You will be avenged along with myfather and brother.' And now, while the sky wept cold drizzle, thefires consumed all that was mortal of the staunchest warrior Marahad known. She waited, no longer cold, her mind preoccupied withthe beginning of a plan. Mara returned to the Warlord's suite following Papewaio's funeral.Soaked to the skin, and accompanied by an honour guard who alsodripped wet on the waxed wooden floor, she found Nacoya up fromher sleeping mat. In a waspish frame of mind, the old womanordered Mara's two maids to stop fussing over the carry boxes forthe move to new quarters and attend their mistress at once.The Lady of the Acoma fended off the attentions of the maids, i 378 Daughter of the Empire sending them back to their packing. Though aware that Nacoya was overwrought, she saw little sense in rushing the process ofchanging and refreshing herself after the funeral. For now sheneeded the security of the Warlord's suite. Mara paused long enough to shake her dripping hair loose fromits coil. Then she nodded to Arakasi, who placed the urn containingPapewaio's remains by the carry boxes and stepped forward.'Go and seek Desio,' Mara instructed the man who now playedthe role of warrior. 'Tell him we will need servants to conduct us and our belongings to the new suite the Lord of the Minwanabi hasseen fit to assign the Acoma.' Arakasi bowed, showing no sign that his orders would be takenany way but literally. He left in silence, knowing Mara wouldunderstand that he would find Desio, but not by the most directroute. The Spy Master would seek his contacts and, with luck,return with the information Mara needed on Teani. The weather cleared by sunset, and with the passing of the rain theguests of the Lord of the Minwanabi grew restless with theinactivity of contemplation. A few of them gathered in the larger I Funeral courtyards, to play mo-jo-go, a gambling card game, while othersstaged bouts of mock combat between the more skilled warriors oftheir honour guards, with heavy betting. With Papewaio's recentdeath, Mara understandably did not participate; but the casualmingling of Minwanabi's household staff and the informality of theLords present offered an ideal chance for Arakasi to gatherintelligence. Watching him through the slightly parted screen doorof her new chambers, Mara could not guess whether the Spy Masterhad contacts in every major Lord's retinue, or whether the man'sacting ability enabled him to lure even loyal men into casualconversation. However he garnered his news, by sundown whenArakasi returned with the second of his reports, his informationabout Teani was astonishingly detailed. 'You were right, Lady. Shimizu is certainly Teani's lover,'Arakasi accepted thyza bread and delicately smoked meats from atray offered by Nacoya. Mara had chosen to eat supper in herrooms and had invited the Spy Master to share her meal.The Lady of the Acoma watched with unreadable eyes while Arakasi arranged strips of needra on thyza pastry. His clever fingers 379 rolled the result into a twist, which he ate with the manners of aborn noble. 'More than that,' he resumed, knowing Mara wouldtake his meaning. 'Teani has the Minwanabi Strike Leader nettedlike a fish. He follows along as she pulls, though his better instinctsmight be inclined otherwise.' Here the Spy Master paused in his repast. 'Last night the twolovers quarrelled.' He grinned. 'The servant lighting lamps over;,..,.,,',,heard and stayed around cleaning wicks - he found the converfascinating.The man was reluctant to speak to my agent, asi~"the name of their Lord had been mentioned, but whatever the final~.,,~,,,,,disposition, Teani has been snappish as a bitch ever since. Shimizucan be expected to do anything to regain her favour.''Anything?' Bored with eating, Mara waved to Nacoya, whobrought damp cloths to wipe her face and hands. 'That does offerpossibilities, does it not?' While Arakasi ate freely, Mara considered:Shimizu had slain Papewaio by treachery; Teani might beforced into manipulating him to admit his Lord had ordered thedeath of the Acoma officer. As an Anasati spy, Teani had no true",.loyalty to jingu. She would be the only servant in his house,,~,,,.~,,unwillin to die for Minwanabi honour. Mara made up her mind. 'I9 ,.,~,,~',wish you to have a message delivered to Teani,' she said to Arakasi.'Can this be done in secrecy?' Now it was the Spy Master's turn to lose his appetite. 'If I couldPresume to guess what plan you have in mind, it is risky, no,:,,,dangerous in the extreme. By my assessment, the concubine cannotbe depended upon to protect her true master, the Lord of theAnasati. She has betrayed a master before, perhaps more than one, ..;,:,,~,~and I suspect she may have murdered another.'Mara, too, had studied Teani's background, that of an abusedstreet prostitute who had grown to love her profession, and onething more: twisted ambition. In the past the woman had sold outlovers and friends and even done murder upon men who had visited~,,,~pher bed. At first these acts had been ones of survival; but later she..had continued out of greed, and a hunger for power. That Mara,shared Arakasi's opinion of the concubine's reliability matteredlittle at this point. 'Arakasi, if you have a better plan, I will embrace it.'The Spy Master gestured in the negative; and deep in his eyesMara read approval as she said, 'Very well. Fetch me parchmentand pen, and have my message sent to this woman by nightfall.' I 380 . Daughter of the Empire Arakasi bowed and did as he was bid. Inwardly he admired theboldness of Mara's intentions; yet his sharp eyes did not miss theslight tremble of her hand as she penned the note that would beginher attempt to redress the power-hungry rapacity of the Minwanabilord. The lamp flame flickered in the draught as Teani paced to the screenand spun around, the mantle fanning an agitated breeze across thecheek of Strike Leader Shimizu. 'You should not have summonedme at this hour,' he said, disappointed with himself because alreadyhis annoyance was fading. 'You know that I cannot shirk my dutyto attend you, and I am due on watch in an hour.'Poised in lamplight with her gold-streaked hair laced withribbon, Teani took his breath away. The curve of her breastsbeneath her thin robe made duty seem unreal. 'Go on to your watch,then, soldier,' the concubine said. Shimizu lowered his eyes, perspiration glistening on his forehead.If he left now, his mind would not be on his post, and the Lord of theMinwanabi might as well have no guard on his door at all. Trappedbetween honour and the burning need of his love, the Strike Leadersaid, 'You may as well tell me why you asked that I come.'Teani sat as if strength and confidence had suddenly deserted her.She turned the frightened eyes of a girl to her lover; but the robesshifted as she leaned forward, showing a calculated amount of flesh.'Shimizu, I did not know who else to ask. Mara of the Acoma wishesto have me assassinated.' She seemed vulnerable enough to wrench the heart. Shimizu'shand gripped his sword by instinct. As always, her beautyoverwhelmed the honest instinct that warned her words mightdeceive. 'How do you know this, my love?' Teani lowered her lashes as if fighting despair.Shimizu removed his helm, abandoned it hastily on a side table,then bent at her side. Enclosing her shoulders in his embrace, hespoke into her scented hair. 'Tell me.' Teani shivered. She buried her face in his strength and allowed hishands to stroke her, coaxing away the fear that prevented speech.'Mara sent me a note,' the concubine managed at last. 'She claimsthat her late husband left me some jewels as an inheritance. Toavoid calling my indiscretion to the attention of my Lord, she i Funeral 38I demands that I go to her chambers tonight when all are asleep to claim them. Only I know that Buntokapi left me no gifts. That nighthe left me in Sulan-Qu he knew he was going back to the estate todie, and he arranged for my comforts before he departed.'Shimizu shook her gently, as if to disrupt a childish fit of sulks.'You're in no danger, precious. No demand of the Lady of theAcoma can force you to complete such an errandTeani raised her head, her breasts pressed against the StrikeLeader's side. 'You don't know her,' she whispered, afraid still, andappealing to the edge of pain. 'Mara is clever, and cold-heartedenough to arrange the death of her own son's father. If I refuse thisinvitation, -how long do I have before an assassin visits my sleepingmat and plunges a knife through my heart? Shimizu, I shall live eachday in terror. Only in your arms do I feel safe from this woman'swicked plots.' Shimizu felt that the smallest breath of cold touched his flesh. Hedrew taut, as if the woman in his arms had touched a nerve. 'Whatdo you wish of me?' Her insecurity prompted a warrior's desire toprotect; yet he could not strike Mara without breaking theMinwanabi surety that the safety of all guests was secure under hisroof. In warning Shimizu added, 'Even for your sake, I cannotbetray my Lord.' Not in the least distressed, Teani reached under Shimizu's tunicand traced the muscles of his thigh with her fingers. 'I would neverask you to dirty yourself with an assassin's work, love. But as myman, would you permit your woman to enter the lair of a dangerousbeast without protection? If I answer the appointment after yourguard duty ends, would you go as my escort? If Mara intends meharm, and you defend me, then our Lord will have nothing butpraise. You'll have slain the enemy of his heart and done so withoutrisk of shame. If you are right' - she shrugged, as if the possibilitywas faint -'and there is some truth to the woman's message, whatharm is done by my bringing an escort?' Shimizurelaxed utterly, and her caress flushed his skin like finewine. That a member of the Minwanabi household should bring anhonour guard to her appointment with a guest was entirely proper,even expected; and as such, he could lawfully defend the safety ofhis charge if her life were threatened. Loosened by relief, he kissedher. And in the fervency of his response Teani sensed that the 382 Daughter of the Empire warrior she manipulated wavered in his resolves like a reed in a gale.If she had asked for Mara's death, Shimizu would have been deeplyunsure which would claim his first loyalty: his obligations to hisLord or his devotion to the woman in his arms.Teani pushed Shimizu away with all the caution she would haveused while sheathing a deadly weapon. No trace of satisfactionshowed in her eyes, but only resignation and bravery as she liftedthe plumed helmet from the side table and set it in Shimizu's hands.'Honour our Lord, my love. Then meet me here when your guardduty is over, and we shall go to meet Mara of the Acoma.'Shimizu placed the helm of his head. With the strap still swingingloose, he bent and kissed her fiercely. 'If Mara dares try to harmyou, she shall die,' he whispered. Then he broke away and strodeswiftly through the screen. As Shimizu vanished into the twilight, Teani rubbed the redmarks his armour had pressed into her flesh. A wild joy shone in hereyes; and she blew out the lamp, that no observer should share thismoment of triumph. All she had to do was provoke an attack fromMara, or fake one if the bitch did not rise to insults. Then, by thewarrior's code, Shimizu must strike a blow in Teani's defence; andif in the greater game Mara's death came to be judged a shamefulact, what did damage to the Minwanabi matter to a concubinewhose loyalty belonged to Tecuma of the Anasati? Buntokapi'smurderess would be meat for jagunas, and to Teani that triumphwas beyond any other consideration. Beyond the balcony rail, moonlight spilled gold across the windruffledwaters of the lake. But Mara did not step up to the screens toadmire the view. Arakasi had cautioned against this when she firstentered the new suite. The guardrails of the balcony, as well as thesupports and some of the planks near the edge, were old, almostancient wood, but the pegs used to fasten them were new, lackingthe dullness chican wood gained when weathered. Someone hadprepared the way for an 'accident'. A walkway of glazed stone tileslined the garden three floors below this window. No one fallingfrom the balcony could possibly survive. Few questions would beasked if her body were found lying broken there in the morning,with the old railing above having obviously collapsed as she leanedupon it. Funeral I 383 Night darkened the corridors and suites of the Minwanabi estatehouse, few guests remained awake. Missing Papewaio, and achingfor sleep and the security of her own estate, Mara settled restlessly on the cushions beside Nacoya. Dressed in simple robes, and enamelled shell bracelets crafted bythe cho-ja, the Lady of the Acoma rested her head on her palms.'The concubine cannot be much longer in coming.'Nacoya said nothing; but from his post beyond the entry screen,Arakasi returned a dubious shrug. His gesture indicated that hethought Teani unpredictable in the extreme; yet her note had statedshe would come after the midnight change of the guard. Mara feltcold, though the night was warm. She wished for Papewaio, whoseskill in battle was legendary. Arakasi might wear the armour of anhonour guard, but his talent with weapons was nothing to boastabout. Still, without the Spy Master's network she would have noplan at all. Steadying her nerves with temple discipline, Marawaited and at last heard footsteps in the corridor.She turned a self-satisfied smile to Arakasi; then abruptlybanished the expression from her face. The footsteps drew nearer,and above the expected jingle of expensive jewellery, Mara heardthe squeak of armour and weaponry; Teani had brought a warriorfor company. Nacoya blinked sleepily, hard of hearing enough that she did notdetect the party approaching down the corridor. But she straightenedas Mara glanced through the doorway, warned by Arakasi'sbow. He could always be counted upon to affect the mannersappropriate to his station; analysing the extent of his deference,Nacoya muttered, 'The concubine has brought an honour guard, asis her right.' She fell silent. The hour was too late to caution Marathat any act which might be interpreted as aggressive behaviourtowards Teani might be constituted an attack upon a member of theMinwanabi household. The honour guard would then be justifiedin defending jingu's concubine, even duty-bound to do so.Though Mara assumed her most regal posture and her sternestself-control, she could not repress a small start of fear as the warriorattending Teani stepped around the screen into view. He wore theorange plumes of a Minwanabi Strike Leader, and his features werethose of the officer Mara had seen sheathe his bloody blade over thebody of Papewaio. 384 % Daughter of the Empire The concubine walked behind, draped in dark silk. Costly metalornaments pinned her tawny hair, and bracelets sparkled on herwrists. As she stepped up to the screen, Arakasi positioned himselfsmoothly before her escort. 'We both wait here ... against anyneed.' That no armed warrior might approach his Lady save by herleave was protocol. He waved Teani over the threshold, and thelamps flickered, winnowed by a draught off the lake.Mara watched with stony eyes as Teani made her bow. Thoughendowed with a well-curved figure, dose up Teani was not soft. Shemoved with a predator's grace, and her eyes reflected cunning andconfidence. Mara searched the woman's form with practised eyes,,but cleverly placed folds of silk revealed nothing but seductivetriangles of bare skin. Any weapons Teani might carry were wellhidden. Aware. suddenly, that the concubine was assessing her in return,Mara nodded a stiff greeting. 'There are matters between us todiscuss.' She waved at the cushions opposite. Teani accepted the invitation and sat. 'We do have much todiscuss.' She scraped a fleck of dust from her cuff with a sharpedgedfingernail. then added, 'But nothing to do with gifts fromyour late husband, Lady. I know the real reason you asked me tocome here.' 'Do you?' A short silence developed, which Mara extended bysending Nacoya to heat a pot of aub petal tea. Controlled enoughnot to break first, Teani added nothing more. Mara met the hatredin her eyes with calm. 'I doubt you know all that I have to say.'While Nacoya bustled back with the pot, the officer who hadaccompanied Teani watched their every move; since Arakasi hadconfirmed Mara's suspicion that Shimizu was the concubine'slover, she was able to interpret his fanatical expression. He waitedlike a relli coiled to strike. Nacoya set cups and strips of spice bark before the cushions. Asshe began to pour the tea, Teani spoke again. 'You surely do notexpect me to drink in your chambers, Lady of the Acoma.'Mara smiled, as if the accusation that she might poison a guestwere no insult at all. 'You accepted Acoma hospitality readilyenough before.' And as Teani bridled, she sipped neatly from herown cup and began her opening move. 'I observe that you have I Funeral 385 brought Strike Leader Shimizu as your honour guard. That is good, for what I have to say concerns him.' Teani said nothing, but in the doorway Shimizu shifted his weightonto his toes. Arakasi rested his hand lightly on his sword, thoughhe was no match for a true warrior. Mara concentrated solely upon the beautiful courtesan beforeher. In a voice low enough that the soldiers by the door could nothear, she said, 'My honour guard Papewaio was murdered last,i night ' but not by a thief. I say to you that your honour guard,Shimizu, ran a sword through his heart, thereby forfeiting the suretyof the Minwanabi.' A breeze off the lake dimmed the lamp. Teani smiled in theshadow and abruptly waved Nacoya over to pour her tea. 'You areno threat to the Minwanabi, Lady Mara.' Contemptuously, as if herpresence were warmly welcome, she crumbled spice bark into thecup, raised it to her lips, and drank. 'Papewaio cannot return to lifeto testify.' Teani had not troubled to lower her voice, and nowShimizu's eyes were fixed upon the Lady of the Acoma.Sweat sprang along Mara's spine. For her father, for her brother,and for Pape, she made herself continue. 'That is true. But I say thatyour master is guilty, and your warrior companion was hisinstrument. You both will swear to the fact ... or else jingu willwatch his pretty lover die by the rope.' Teani stiffened. Without spilling her tea, she set down her cup.'That's a threat to frighten children. Why should my master orderme a shameful death, when I do nothing but please him?'Now Mara let her reply ring across the breadth of the room.'Because I know that you are a spy for Tecuma of the Anasati.'For a moment surprise, shock, and naked calculation warred onthe concubine's face. Before Teani could recover her poise, Maracompleted her gambit and hoped the gods of chance would supporther lie. 'I have documents that prove you are Tecuma's swornservant, and unless you do as I wish, I will have them sent to theLord of the Minwanabi.' Arakasi watched Shimizu with the single-minded intensity of akillwing. At first the tall officer seemed stunned by betrayal. Then,as Teani visibly struggled for words to deny the accusation, Shimizustirred in the doorway and slowly drew his sword.'Me concubine strove to patch the tear in their relations. 386 Daughter of the Empire 'Shimizu! Mara lies. She speaks falsely of me to make you betrayour master.' Shimizu hesitated. Reflections from the lamp trembled along therazor edge of his lacquered blade as, tortured with self-doubt, hedebated. 'Attack her,' Teani goaded. 'Kill Mara for me. Kill her now!'But her voice rang too shrill. Shimizu straightened his shoulders.Fear, and regret, and painful resolve all mingled on his features as heslowly shook his head. 'I must inform my Lord jingu. He shalljudge.' 'No!' Teani sprang to her feet. 'He'll hang us both, you fool!'But the protest served only to seal her guilt in the eyes of thewarrior who had loved her. He spun away from the doorframe.Arakasi moved to overtake him, and sounds of a struggle arosefrom the corridor. Plainly the Acoma Spy Master attempted toblock Shimizu's way, to grant Mara time to obtain proof ofMinwanabi treachery against Papewaio. Teani whirled, her eyes narrowed with fury. 'You'll never getwhat you want from me, you sexless bitch.' She drew a knife fromthe waistband of her robe and sprang from the cushions to murder.Mara had seen the shift of the concubine's weight. Alreadyrolling as Teani piled into her, she dropped her shoulder under thethrust. The knife struck harmlessly into cushions.As the concubine twisted the weapon free, Mara recovered herbreath. 'Shimizu! Help! For your master's honour!' She rolledagain, the flash of the blade a hairsbreadth from her groin.Teani uttered a furious curse and slashed at her enemy's throat.Mara blocked with a wrestler's move, but only for a moment.The concubine was larger than she, and anger lent her strength.Sliding, twisting, struggling for her life upon the floor, Maramanaged a desperate cry to Nacoya. 'Get help. If I die in front ofwitnesses, jingu is ruined and Ayaki will survive!'The old nurse fled. Teani shrieked wordlessly in frustration.Possessed utterly by hatred, she rammed Mara backwards againstthe tiles. The knife dipped. Mara's grip began to give, and the bladetrembled lower, nearer and nearer to her exposed throat.Suddenly a shadow loomed overhead. Armour flashed in themoonlight, and hands seized Teani from behind. Mara's hold broke Funeral 387 with a jerk as the concubine was yanked backward, the knife still inher hand. Shimizu hauled his lover up by the hair, like a hunter's kill. 'Youmust be an Anasati spy,' he said bitterly. 'Why else would you harm this woman, and see my master shamed beyond redemption?'Teani met her lover's accusation with a glare of sultry defiance.Then she twisted like a serpent and rammed the knife towards hisheart. Shimizu spun and took the blade against the wristband on hisarm. The edge glanced off, opening a slight wound. Wild with rage,he flung away the concubine who had betrayed him. She staggeredgracelessly backwards and caught a heel on the track that securedthe screens. The balcony lay beyond, the railing a silhouette againstthe moonlit surface of the lake. Teani flailed, off balance, andstumbled against supports already weakened for murder. Therailing cracked and gave way with the softest whisper of sound. Theconcubine twisted, horror robbing her of grace, as she clawed toregain the balcony. Mara's breath caught in her throat, even as theweakened boards splintered from under Teani's feet. The soundwas a death knell. Teani knew, as she tottered, that the glazed tilesof the courtyard awaited below; the body found broken in themorning would be hers, and not that of her enemy.'No!' Her shout echoed over the lake as the last boardcollapsed beneath her. She did not scream. As she plunged throughthe darkness, she cried, 'I curse you -' and then her body struck thetiles. Mara closed her eyes. Still clenching a drawn sword, Shimizustood stunned and tormented. The woman he had cherished laydead below. The moonlight shone uninterrupted across a vacant expanse ofbalcony, framed by broken supports. Mara shivered and stirred,then raised stunned eyes to the warrior, who seemed locked like astatue in grief. 'What happened to my honour guard?' she asked.Shimizu seemed not to hear. He turned half-dazed from thebalcony and bent unfriendly eyes upon Mara. 'You will provideevidence that Teani was an Anasati spy, my Lady.'Mara pushed damp hair from her face, too shaken and toopreoccupied to react to the threat in his tone. Her goal, vengeancefor her father, her brother, and even Papewaio, lay very close athand. If only she could wring an admission from Shimizu - the 388 I I Daughter of the Empire Strike Leader could not hope to hide the fact that he had been forcedto kill Teani to defend the oath of guest safety. Since the concubinehad initiated the attack, jingu could be accused of betrayal; forupon Mara's arrival half the guests present had overheard hisannouncement that Teani was a privileged member of his household. Shimizu took a threatening step forward. 'Where is your proof?'Mara looked up, relief at her own survival making her careless inher reply. 'But I have no proof. Teani was an Anasati spy, but myclaim of written evidence was only a gambler's bluff.'Shimizu glanced quickly to either side, and with a jolt of reneweddread, Mara remembered. Nacoya had left to find help. Noobservers remained to witness whatever happened in the room.'Where is Arakasi?' she repeated, unable to hide the fear in her voice. Shimizu stepped forward. His manner changed from stunnedhorror to resolve, and his fingers tightened on his weapon. 'Youhave no further need of an honour guard, Lady of the Acoma.'Mara retreated, her feet tangling in cushions. 'Warrior, after allthat has passed this night, would you dare compromise the honourof your master beyond doubt?' Shimizu's expression remained stony as he lifted his sword. 'Whois to know> If I say that you killed Teani, and I was honour-boundto defend her, there are no other witnesses to challenge me.'Mara kicked clear of the cushions. Shimizu advanced anotherstep, backing her helplessly against the carry boxes. Terrified by hispassionless logic, and chilled by realization that his mad, clever planmight create enough confusion to spare jingu's honour, she tried tostall him with words. 'Then you killed Arakasi?'Shimizu leaped across the massed expanse of cushions. 'Lady, hesought to keep me from my duty.' His blade rose, glittering in the moonlight. Out of resources, andcornered without hope, Mara drew the small knife she kept hiddenin her sleeve. She raised her hand to throw, and Shimizu sprang. He struck withthe flat of his sword; smashed from her grasp, the knife rattledacross the floor and lay beyond reach by the balcony doors.The sword rose again. Mara threw herself to the floor. Darkenedby the shadow of her attacker, she screamed, 'Nacoya!' while Funeral 389 silently beseeching Lashima's protection for Ayaki, and thecontinuance of the Acoma line. But the old nurse did not answer. Shimizu's sword whistleddownward. Mara twisted, bruising herself against the carry boxesas the blade sliced into the sleeping mat. Mara struggled, pinnedhelplessly against unyielding boxes of goods. The next cut fromShimizu's sword would end her life. But suddenly another sword rose over Shimizu's head. Thisweapon was familiar, and ineptly handled as it carved a shining arcin the moonlight and crashed upon the neck of her attacker.Shimizu's hands loosened. His sword wavered, then fell from hisfingers, to slash point first through the leather side of a carry box.Mara screamed as the huge warrior toppled, his plumes rakingher side as he crashed upon the floor. One pace behind, andstaggering to a stop, Arakasi employed the sword he had lately usedas a club for a prop to steady himself. He managed a drunk-lookingbow. 'My Lady.' Blood flowed from a scalp wound, down the side of his face andalong his jaw, the result of a blow that must have knocked himunconscious in the corridor. Mara caught her breath with a soft cry,half-relief, half-terror. 'You look a fright.'The Spy Master wiped at his face and his hand came away red. Hemanaged the ghost of a grin. 'I dare say I do.'Mara struggled with partial success to regain her poise. Reactionleft her giddy. 'You have to be the first man to wear the plumes of anAcoma officer who does not know the edge from the flat of theblade. I am afraid Shimizu will sport a bruise as handsome as any hegave you, come morning.' Arakasi shrugged, his expression caught between triumph anddeep personal grief. 'Had he lived, Papewaio intended to improvemy technique. His shade will have to be satisfied with the ruin of theMinwanabi instead.' Then, as if he had admitted a grief he mightrather have kept to himself, the Spy Master silently helped hismistress to her feet. Voices sounded in the corridor. Indignant and shrill, the words ofjingu and his son Desio carried clearly over the confused tones ofthe guests. Mara straightened her disarranged robes. She bent,dislodged Shimizu's sword from the carry box, and met the crowdof nobles and servants as a true daughter of the Acoma. 390 Daughter of the Empire I I jingu stamped explosively through the opened screen. 'What hashappened here?' He stopped, open-mouthed at the sight of hisprone Strike Leader, then glared wrathfully at the Lady of theAcoma. 'You have brought treachery to my house.'Onlookers crowded around, their clothing disarrayed from theirhasty rush from their sleeping mats. Mara ignored them. She bowedwith formal grace and placed Shimizu's sword at the feet of the Lordof the Minwanabi. 'I swear by my life and the name of my ancestorsthat the treachery done is not mine. Your concubine Teani tried tokill me, and for love of her, your Strike Leader Shimizu lost his wits.My honour guard, Arakasi, was forced to intervene. He barelysaved my life. Is this the way the Minwanabi answer for the safety oftheir guests?' A murmur arose from the onlookers, the voice of the Lord of theEkamchi loudest among them. 'The warrior is not dead! When herouses, he might say the Acoma tell lies under oath.'jingu gestured irritably for silence. He glared at Mara with pale,cold eyes. 'As my servant Teani lies dead on the tiles below, I wouldhear what my officer Shimizu has to say upon this matter.'Mara gave no sign that, by implying that she had lied under oath,jingu had offered gravest insult. No honour could be gained byreacting to the words of a condemned man; and all presentunderstood that if Mara's charge were proved, the Lord of theMinwanabi would have no standing among them. His honourwould be as dust, and his influence in the Game of the Council cometo nothing. 'My First Adviser, Nacoya, witnessed the attack by theconcubine.' Mara summoned every scrap of poise she had learnedfrom the sisters at the temple. 'Your own Strike Leader had todefend me to protect your honour. Had Teani not fallen to herdeath below, I would have had to kill her with my own hands tosave myself.' Someone by the door murmured a comment in her favour.Outraged, Desio pushed forward, only to be shoved aside by thehand of his father. jingu dared a smile, like a dog who has stolenmeat and escaped receiving the blame. 'Lady Mara, if you have noother witness, you have no accusation to make. For if Shimizu saysthat you attacked Teani, and he came to her defence, and you saythat Teani attacked you, and Arakasi came to yours, the case rests Funeral 39I upon the word of your First Adviser against that of my Strike Leader. They are of equal rank, and by law their word carries equalweight. Who among us can determine which of them is lying?'Mara had no answer. Frustrated, aching, and furious to discoverherself unable to prove the truth, she regarded the enemy who hadruined her father and brother, and whose ancestors had caused herancestors generation after generation of grief. Her face showed noexpression as she said, 'You balance the honour of the Minwanabiupon a slender thread, Lord jingu. One day soon it will snap.'jingu laughed, a full-throated sound that eclipsed a smallerdisturbance by the entrance. Mara saw beyond him and felt amoment of triumph so fierce it felt like the pain of a swordwithdrawn. Through the screen, parting a way through the packedbodies of the onlookers, came Nacoya. Behind her walked Almechowith two black-robed figures at his side. The Warlord glanced about the room, observing the mayhemthat had visited the guest suite given to Mara. 'By the gods,' heexclaimed with a laugh, 'what has occurred? storm in the house from the look of things.' jingu returned a bitter smile. 'An attack, my Lord, but thereseems little agreement on just who assaulted whom first.' He addeda theatrical shrug. 'I'm afraid we'll never get to the heart of this, asLady Mara's First Adviser - out of admirable if misplaced loyalty willlie to support her Lady's tale. It will be her word againstShimizu's. I expect we'll have to let the entire matter pass.'Almecho's eyebrows rose in malicious reproof. 'Oh, really? Idon't think we need let any slight of honour pass, jingu. just sothere is no cloud on your good name - not to mention any shame tospoil my birthday celebration - I'll ask my companions to lend a"hand.' He turned to the two black-robed figures at his side and~",~,spoke to the first. 'Elgahar, can you sort this matter out?'A dispassionate voice answered, 'Of course, my Lord.' As jingu'sface drained of colour, the magician continued, 'We can provedoubt who is lying and who is speaking truth.'Almecho's eyes travelled from Lady Mara's face to jingu's withpoisonous amusement. 'Good,' he said softly. 'Let us separate theguilty from the innocent.' A I7 Revenge Elgahar demanded silence. Conversations fell to a murmur, then subsided to total stillness asthe guests of the Lord of the Minwanabi crowded themselves intothe room where Teani had fallen to her death. Shimizu had regainedconsciousness. Seated now at the feet of his Lord, he regarded theGreat One with impassive eyes. Mara sat opposite, Nacoya and Arakasi at her side. Her honourguard had cleaned the blood from his face, but he had made noother effort to refresh himself. A few of the guests had sent slaves tobring robes to cover their sleeping attire, but most had not troubledwith appearances. Piqued by curiosity, all waited with keenanticipation for the demonstration of the Great One's magic.The moon shone brightly over the broken rail of the gallery.Bathed in its coppery light, the Great One lowered his arms. 'I willrequire clear space around all areas where the action occurred, andno people standing in the doorway.' Sandals shuffled on waxed wood as the guests did Elgahar'sbidding. The Warlord placed himself behind the Lord of theMinwanabi, and Mara saw him lean down and whisper. jingureturned what was meant as an offhand smile, but the result wasforced and stiff. No Lord in the Empire truly understood the powersof those in the Assembly of Magicians; the ability of this Great Oneto cast a spell for truth seemed to bring little comfort to the Lord ofthe Minwanabi. The magic might easily catch Mara in a lie, andthen the Acoma would be ruined, but other possibilities occurred tojingu. Teani's unpredictable nature had been part of her appeal tohim; and her hatred of Mara was no secret. The Great One positioned himself by the door. His robes blendedlike ink into shadow, leaving his face and hands visible as a pale I Revenge 393 blur. When he spoke, his words rang like a voice beyond the boundsof human understanding. The innocent, the guilty, and onlookersalike shrank from the sound. 'We stand upon the site of violentacts,' Elgahar said to those gathered to witness his magic. 'Resonanceof intense passion creates echoes in the otherworld, that stateof energy which parallels reality. My spell shall call forth theseechoes in visible form, and all eyes will see what occurred betweenthe servants of the Minwanabi and his guest, Mara of the Acoma.'He fell silent. The hood eclipsed his features as he stood for a moment in total stillness, then tipped his head towards the ceiling.He gestured in the air with one hand and began an incantation solow that even those standing closest could not decipher the words.Mara sat like a temple statue, barely aware of the vague rise and fallof the magician's voice. The spell he shaped affected her strangely,as if a force touched her inner self and separated a piece of her spirit.At her side, Arakasi stirred sharply, as if he, too, felt the pull of themagic. A soft glow arose in the centre of the room, over the torn expanseof the cushions. Mara watched with wondering eyes as a vague,transparent image of herself appeared, seated as she had been in thehour of Teani's arrival. An ice-pale spectre attended her, and allrecognized the wizened form of Nacoya. The guests murmured in amazement. Nacoya, seeing herself,'turned her face away and gestured a sign against evil. The GreatOne gave no notice. His incantation ended abruptly, and he liftedhis hands; framed in the spill of the moonlight, the glowing figuresbegan to move. The scene unfolded in ghostly clarity, soundless, and fragile aslight reflected in water. Mara saw herself speak, and a flicker ofmovement appeared within the doorway. The Great One stoodmotionless, even as the outline of Teani entered, passing cleanthrough his body as if he had been made of air.The nearest guests gave way in alarm, and more than oneexclaimed aloud. But the spectre of the concubine remainedoblivious. Ghostly in her beauty, she retraced her steps of the hourbefore and advanced to the cushions before Mara. The images ofboth women sat and spoke; Mara regarded her own form, amazedto realize how calm she had seemed before Teani. Even now, the recreationof the scene caused her heart to beat quickly, and her palms 394 A Daughter of the Empire to sweat. The recollection of her terrible doubt nearly overwhelmedher still. But none of this had showed to Teani's eyes; and the guestswho observed the fruits of the Great One's magic themselves gainedthe impression of a supremely confident young woman confrontingone of inferior rank. To Mara it was now easy to understand whythe concubine had fallen for the bluff and believed evidence existedthat proved she was a spy to the Anasati. Next all in the room saw Teani call out to Shimizu beyond thedoor. Though her image made no sound, the lips could easily beread, and a moment later the Strike Leader appeared. The words ofthe exchange could not be guessed, but Teani's expression shifted,becoming so animal and basic that several guests gasped in surprise.Shimizu abruptly left the frame of the spell, and all in the room sawTeani draw a knife from her sleeve. With no visible provocation, shelaunched herself from the cushions, striking out at the figure ofMara. Whatever claim jingu might offer in defence, now no doubtremained that a servant of the Minwanabi had attacked the Lady ofthe Acoma. The Lord of the Minwanabi's surety of safety wasbroken. For the first time any Lord of the Empire could recall, jingushowed pallor in public. Perspiration appeared upon his upper lip,while before him the drama of the hour before continued to unfold.The Strike Leader Shimizu re-entered the room, and after a briefand bitter struggle received a wound from her knife. All stared infascination as he hurled the concubine through the doorway.Wooden railing shattered in soundless impact; and Teani fell to herdeath, leaving only a spectral impression of a face contorted withhatred, horror, and desperate fear imprinted in the memories of theguests. For an instant the crowded room seemed suspended andmotionless. Then, assuming the drama was concluded, a few guestsmurmured appalled remarks. Mara stole the moment to glance atthe Lord of the Minwanabi. His expression showed calculation, and his small eyes, faint hope. IfTeani had acted the renegade, then Shimizu had preserved his honourin killing her; should the image stop here, he was safe. But the face ofthe Great One showed neither sternness nor sympathy beneath thedark shadow of his hood. His spell continued to unreel, and in themidst of the chamber the Minwanabi Strike Leader spun into a battlecrouch and advanced upon the Lady of the Acoma. I Revenge i 395 jingu stiffened as if touched by an executioner's sword point.Shimizu's broad back prevented any in the room from seeing whatLady Mara might have said, but after a short exchange of words,the warrior's blade rose and swiftly fell. Mara could be seen rollingin the corner. And cautiously, surreptitiously, those guests besidetheir host began to edge away, as if his shame were a contaminantthat might spread on contact. Arakasi's courageous interventionbecame aftermath, as around the room guest after guest turned eyesof judgment and contempt upon the Lord of the Minwanabi.Clearly the image had said enough. Into a strangling stillnessElgahar mumbled a few phrases, and the alien blue-white light wasextinguished. Mara let air back into cramped lungs, shaking stillwith suspense. Her danger was not over yet. Beside the Lord of the Minwanabi stood Almecho, an evil delightin his expression. Costly embroidery flashed as he raised hisshoulders in an elaborate shrug. 'Well, jingu. That seems a clearenough assault upon your guests. First the girl, then the warrior.You have enthusiastic servants, don't you?' jingu showed no sign of turmoil. Racked by emotions only hecould know, he glared first at Mara, then at the muscled andbleeding form of his Strike Leader. Those closest heard himwhisper, 'Why? Shimizu, you were my most trusted warrior. Whatdrove you to this act?' Shimizu's lips curled in agony. Whatever excuse he gave regardingthe machinations of Teani, his actions had already condemnedhis master to die to expiate the shame to his honour. 'The witchbetrayed us,' he said simply, and whether he referred to Mara orTeani was unclear. 'You madman!' screamed jingu, and his vehemence rocked all inthe room. 'Stupid get of a diseased bitch, you've killed me!'Withoutthought, he drew a dagger from beneath his robe and lungedforward. Before any could react to his rage, he slashed backhandedacross Shimizu's exposed neck. Severed arteries shot a fountain ofblood, spattering fine robes and bringing a scream from a weaknervedLady. Shimizu tottered in uncomprehending confusion. Hishands fumbled futilely as the life spurted between his fingers, andhis great shoulders sagged as he realized his own death was uponhim. Matters of betrayal and lies, twisted desires and misplacedlove, all now became meaningless. He sank back. Almost peaceful I 396 Daughter of the Empire as he welcomed the hand of Turakamu, he whispered last words tohis master. 'I thank my Lord for granting me death by the blade.'Shimizu nodded finally to Mara, a silent salute for her victory.Then his eyes went vacant, and the hands that had sought her lifefell slack. Sprawled in death at the feet of the elaborately clothedguests, he seemed a fitting symbol of jingu's defeat. In the Game ofthe Council, the Lord of the Minwanabi was ruined.Almecho broke the silence. 'That was impulsive, jingu. Thewarrior might have had something more to say. A pity.'The Lord of the Minwanabi whirled. For an instant he seemedcapable of striking out at the Warlord, but his fury left him and helet the dagger fall. Almecho sighed. The cowled figures of the GreatOnes returned to stand at his side as he focused his regard on Desio,son and heir of the Minwanabi. 'As sunrise is considered the besttime for such matters, I expect you'll busy yourself for the next fewhours with preparation for your father's ritual expiation of his guilt.I'm returning to my bed. When I arise, I trust you'll somehowrestore the gaiety to this shambles of a celebration. . . Lord Desio.'Desio nodded.Unable to speak, he began to lead his father away.jingu seemed in a trance. Deflated, his bold, brash voice utterlystilled, he turned his mind inward to the task before him. Never abrave man, he must still act the part of a Tsurani Lord. Fate haddecreed his death, and somehow he must find the strength toaccomplish what was expected. But as his father crossed thethreshold, Desio cast a last glance backward at the Lady Mara. Hislook offered clear warning. Others might applaud her playing of theGame of the Council, but she had not won; she had simply passedthe blood feud along to another generation. Mara read his hatredand hid a shudder of dread. She needed no reminder of the fact thatshe was still deep within the heart of Minwanabi strength.She thought swiftly, and before the Minwanabi heir could escapepublic regard, called after him. 'My Lord Desio. Violence has beenvisited upon me by Minwanabi servants. I require an escort of yoursoldiers when I depart for home tomorrow. It would be a shame toblot the cleansing of your family name if the wronged guest wasattacked by those in your service . . water pirates upon the river.' Thrust painfully into the responsibilities of rulership, Desiolacked the wits to excuse the request with grace. Aware only of the . or by nameless bandits or Revenge 397 anguish of his father, and hatred of the Lady who had caused it, hestill observed the forms he had been raised to follow. Feud wouldcontinue between the Minwanabi and the Acoma, but in public theinsult to Mara and the blight on his family name required at least agesture of reparation. Desio nodded curt agreement and departed,to attend upon the sorrows of jingu's ritual suicide.Movement returned slowly to those who remained in thechamber. Guests stirred and exchanged comments, while a batteredArakasi helped the Lady Mara to her feet. Almecho and otherslooked upon the Lady of the Acoma with respect. No guest presentbelieved the Lord of the Minwanabi would have sent servants tomurder the Lady of the Acoma out of hand. None doubted that theGreat One's magic had revealed the last act of some complex plot ofMara's, the Great Game of the Council at its subtle and deadlyfinest. The Lady of the Acoma had surmounted all but impossibleodds to avenge a blow that had come close to ruining her house.Now all silently congratulated her for her skill in defeating herenemy in his own home. Yet Mara had learned nothing if not to guard herself doublyagainst treachery where the Minwanabi were concerned. After amurmured conference with Arakasi, she stepped forward. Offeringa deferential bow to the Warlord, she smiled in a manner that trulymade her beautiful. 'My Lord, I am sorry that my inadvertent partin these bloody acts has cast a shadow over your birthdaycelebration.' More amused than irritated, Almecho regarded her keenly. 'Iplace no responsibility on your shoulders, Lady Mara. jingu isabout to erase any debt that remains. Still, I suspect the affair is notended. Even though our young Lord will provide escort for yourreturn home - I salute that touch, by the way - you yet may facedifficulties.' Mara made light of her own danger. With all the charm at herdisposal, she instead offered sympathy to the one who was theEmperor's voice within Tsuranuanni. 'My Lord, too much sorrowhas passed here for your celebration to continue with grace. Asmuch as Desio might wish otherwise, grief will leave him little heartto resume the festivities in your honour. While there are otherestates closer, mine lie in the fastest direct route by river. Inreparation, let me offer my home as a humble substitute for the final I i 398 A Daugbter of the Empire celebration of your birthday. Should you accept my hospitality, mystaff and my artisans shall do their utmost to entertain you.' Filledwith secretive plans, Mara thought of the gifted but unrecognizedperformers she had observed at her wedding. In return for her pastcourtesy they would be willing to perform on short notice, and asone who had discovered new talents for the Warlord's pleasure, hersocial stock would grow. And many a worthy musician and artistmight gain needed patronage, putting them even deeper in her debt.Almecho laughed. 'You're a sharp-witted one, aren't you, littlebird?' His eyes narrowed. 'I had best keep an eye on you myself. Nowoman has ever worn the white and gold, but you . . .' He lost hisserious expression. 'No, I like your bold offer.' He raised his voiceto the guests who had lingered to watch the final turn of events. 'Wedepart at sunrise, to journey to the lands of the Acoma.'He bowed slightly and, flanked by the dark forms of hismagicians, stepped briskly through the doorway. The moment hehad disappeared, Mara found herself the centre of a storm ofattention. In the very chamber in which she had escaped murder bynarrow margins, she suddenly had ceased to be a social outcast, agirl marked for death at a moment's notice. From the greatestfamilies in the Empire she received congratulations, honour, andthe accolades of a victor who could play the Game of the Council. Mara's retinue of warriors was recalled from the Minwanabibarracks well ahead of daybreak; they rejoined their mistress onboard the Acoma barge. While land and water still lay in darkness,the craft poled away from the docks. Too excited by the events ofthe night to attempt to rest, Mara stood by the rail with her FirstAdviser and her Spy Master. Feeling the absence of Papewaio withkeen sorrow, they watched the lighted windows in the Minwanabiestate house fall astern. The aftermath of terror and unexpectedtriumph had left Mara both shaky and exhilarated. Yet herthoughts, as always, ranged ahead. The usual preparations wouldbe lacking, since the Warlord and all the guests would arrive at theAcoma estates unannounced. In spite of herself, Mara smiled. jicanwas surely going to tear his hair when he discovered his staff had theresponsibility of conducting Almecho's birthday celebration.The barge rocked gently as the slaves switched their poles for oarsand began a steady stroke. Here and there soldiers spoke in Revenge 399 whispers to each other; then all conversations stilled as the skybrightened over the lake. Astern, a colourful flotilla of guests'barges departed the hospitality of the Minwanabi. With thewatercourses jammed with noble witnesses, Mara need not fearattack by enemy warriors disguised as bandits; and Desio in anyevent could hardly mastermind an attempt around the grief and theceremony attendant upon his father's ritual suicide.When the golden disc of the sun lifted above the valley, Mara andevery other noble passenger abroad in their barges noted the smallknot of soldiers upon the hillock near the Minwanabi contemplationglade. These men stood honour to Lord jingu as hemustered the courage to fall upon his own sword. When at lengthmen in orange armour formed up into ranks and marched in formalstep to the mansion, Mara breathed a prayer of thanks to the gods.The enemy who had arranged her father and brother's murder, andnearly her own, at last was dead. With jingu's passing, the Minwanabi ceased their role as supremepower after the Warlord, for Desio was a young man of poor socialgifts. Few considered him a worthy successor to his father; thosetravelling south to the Acoma lands commonly judged that the oldLord's successor would be hard pressed to preserve the alliances hisfather had forged, let alone increase Minwanabi power. Now Desiocould expect to be closely watched. As he shepherded his family'sdecline, all who were once fearful of Minwanabi power would nowadd strength to his enemies. Unless one of Desio's more giftedcousins came to power, the Minwanabi fate was sealed. The stockof a great house had fallen far in the Game of the Council.Mara considered this throughout the voyage by river, andbeyond, as her litter wove through the crowded streets of Sulan-Quand into the quieter countryside surrounding Acoma lands. Withthe Minwanabi dominance ended in the High Council, Almechostood unchallenged, save for the alliance of those in the Blue WheelParty and the Alliance for Progress. Mara regarded the decoratedlitters of the nobles who trailed after her retinue, her mind absorbedby the likely readjustments of politics. With the beginnings of asmile, she realized the wisdom of having Nacoya place Hokanu ofthe Shinzawai near her at least once during the feasting. Then sheinwardly laughed. just as she must once again consider marriage,the Empire would begin another round of multi-player bickering as 400 Daughter of the Empire the game entered a new phase; but it would always be the Game ofthe Council. Mara turned to mention her thought to Nacoya and found theold woman napping. At last, with their return to familiar roads, theFirst Adviser had begun to relax the tension that had driven herthroughout their stay in the Minwanabi house. just then Arakasi said, 'Mistress, something odd ahead.'Nacoya roused, but her complaints died unuttered as she saw hermistress staring raptly forward. At the crest of the next hill, at theboundary of the Acoma lands, stood two warriors, one on each sideof the road. To the left, upon Acoma soil, waited a soldier in thefamiliar green of her own garrison. On the right, on lands belongingto the Empire, the second soldier wore the red and yellow armour ofthe Anasati. As Mara's retinue and litter came fully into view, bothmen spun around and shouted almost in unison, 'Acoma! Acoma!'Startled as her litter swerved to the left, Mara glanced back andsaw her bearers pull aside to make room for the Warlord's litter todraw even with hers. Almecho shouted over the noise of trampingfeet. 'Lady, you've arranged an exceedingly odd welcome.'Caught at a loss, Mara said, 'My Lord, I do not know what thismeans.' The Warlord gestured to his Imperial Whites, and side by side thetwo retinues crested the hill. Another pair of warriors waitedbeyond, some distance along, and an even more distant pair fartheryet. On the crest of the last hill before the prayer gate a fourth paircould be seen. And from the waving back and forth, the cry 'Acoma'had been clearly carried ahead of the returning litters.Mara bowed her head to Almecho. 'With my Lord's permission ... ?' At Almecho's brusque nod, the Lady of the Acoma instructed herbearers to quicken pace. She grabbed at the beaded handrail as,running, her slaves forged ahead. Her guard of warriors jogged withher, past the familiar, outlying fields, the needra pastures with theirtawny cows and calves. Mara felt tension tighten her chest. As far asthe eye could see, the fields were empty of field hands or herders,porters or cart drivers. Even the slaves were absent. Where Acomaworkers should have been hard at their labours, crops and livestockstood abandoned in the sun. Wishing she had Keyoke's staunch presence at her side, Mara I Revenge 40I shouted to the first Acoma soldier they passed, 'What's going on? Have we been raided?' The warrior fell in beside the trotting slaves and reported on therun. 'Anasati soldiers came yesterday, mistress. They made campbeyond the prayer gate. Force Commander Keyoke has orderedevery soldier to stand ready. The lookouts he posted on the roadwere to call out when you returned, or report the appearance ofMinwanabi soldiers.' 'You must be cautious, daughter.' jounced breathless by themovement of the litter, Nacoya made as if to elaborate; but Maraneeded no warning to spark her concern. She waved Keyoke'ssentinel back to join her honour company, and called out to theAnasati warrior who had stood opposite her own man, and whonow kept pace with her litter on the opposite side of the road.Any reply would be a courtesy, since no Anasati warrior wasanswerable to the Lady of the Acoma. This one must have beeninstructed to keep his own counsel, for he ran on in silence, his faceturned resolutely forward. When the litter crested the last hill, thevalley beyond lay carpeted in coloured armour. Mara's breathcaught in her throat. Over a thousand Anasati warriors stood before her gate, inbattle-ready formation. Confronting them, from the other side ofthe low boundary wall, Keyoke commanded a like number ofAcoma soldiers. Here and there the green ranks were divided bywedges of gleaming black, cho-ja warriors ready to honour thetreaty with their Queen, that called-for alliance should any threatenthe peace of Acoma lands. Shouts echoed down the valley the instant the litter came intoview. The sight caused the Acoma forces to erupt with anuninhibited cheer; to Mara's astonishment, the Anasati war hostanswered them. Then a thing happened that even old Nacoya hadnever heard of, not in tales, or ballads, or any of the rememberedhistorical events in the great Game of the Council: the two armiesbroke ranks. Throwing down weapons and unbuckling their helms,they approached her litter in a single joyous crowd.Mara stared in wonderment. Dust blew in the grip of a fresheningbreeze, hazing the plain like smoke as two thousand shoutingsoldiers surrounded her litter and honour guard. With difficulty,Keyoke pushed a path through his Acoma soldiers. A clear space 402 I A Daughter of the Empire widened in the Anasati side, and a confounded Mara found herselfeye to eye with Tecuma. The Lord of the Anasati wore the armourof his ancestors, bright red with yellow trim, and at his side marchedthe plumed presence of his Force Commander. The multitude of warriors stilled, even as the litter bearers joltedto a stop. The hoarse gasps of their breathing sounded loud in thesilence as Keyoke bowed to his mistress. 'My Lady.'Tecuma stepped forward with the first polite bow observed by aRuling Acoma in many generations. 'My Lord,' acknowledged Mara, a bit stiffly from her seat in thelitter. With a frown of genuine confusion, she commanded herForce Commander to report. Keyoke drew himself up and spoke loudly that all might hear.'Sentries warned of the approach of an army at dawn yesterday, myLady. I mustered the garrison and went myself to challenge thetrespassers -' Tecuma interrupted. 'We have not yet entered Acoma lands,Force Commander.' Keyoke conceded this point with a stony glance. 'True, my Lord.'He again faced Mara and resumed. 'I was approached by my Lordof the Anasati, who demanded to see his grandson. In your absence,I declined to allow him his "honour guard".' Mara regarded Ayaki's grandfather with no expression visible onher face. 'Lord Tecuma, you brought half your garrison as an"honour guard"?' 'A third, Lady Mara.' Tecuma returned a humourless sigh.'Halesko and jiro are in command of the other two thirds.'Here theold man seemed to falter, though he filled the moment with his usualfinesse by unstrapping and removing his helm. 'Sources of mineindicated you would not survive the Warlord's celebration and'- hesighed as if he hated to make this admission -'I feared it would beso. To prevent harm to my grandson, I decided to come visit, in casejingu sought to end the Acoma-Minwanabi blood feud for goodand all.' Mara raised her brows in comprehension. 'Then when my ForceCommander declined your attentions to my grandson, you decidedto stay and see who arrived first, myself or jingu's army.''True.' Tecuma's hands tightened on his helm. 'Had Minwanabi Revenge 403 soldiers come over that hill, I would have marched in to protect mygrandson.' In even tones, Keyoke said, 'And I would have stopped him.'Mara shared a pointed stare between her Force Commander andher father-in-law. 'Then you'd have done Jingu's work for him.' Sheshook her head in irritation. 'This is my fault. I should haveconsidered an Anasati grandfather's concern might turn to war.Well then, there's nothing to worry about, Tecuma. Your grandsonis safe.' Here the Lady of the Acoma paused, as she relived the miracle ofrelief all over again. 'Jingu is dead, by his own hand.'Taken aback, Tecuma jammed his helm over iron-grey hair.'But -' Mara interrupted. 'I know, you received no word. Regretfully forthe Anasati, your "source" is dead also.' At this news, Tecuma'seyes narrowed. Plainly he ached to know how Mara had found outabout Teani, but he said nothing. Very still, he waited as Mara toldhim her last item of news. 'We've moved the Warlord's birthdaycelebration here, Tecuma. Since you were the only Lord who wasabsent, perhaps you'd care to amend that slight and join us for thenext two days? But please understand: I must insist that you restrictyour honour guard to fifty men, as everyone else has.'The old Lord nodded, at last giving way to relief and amusement.As Mara briskly ordered her own honour guard to resume theirmarch to the estate, he stared at her slight form with something akinto admiration. 'It is well we did not see Minwanabi soldiersbreasting that hill, Mara.' He considered the resolute warrior atMara's side and added. 'Your Force Commander would have beenforced to yield quickly, while most of my forces held jingu's army atbay. I would not have wished that.' Keyoke said nothing, only turning and signalling to where Lujanstood, at the rear of the first line of Acoma soldiers. He in turnwaved to another soldier further away. When Mara looked atKeyoke with a curious expression, he said, 'I indicated that the onehundred cho-ja warriors waiting in ambush should feel free toreturn to their hive, mistress. Now, if you feel it appropriate, I'llorder the men to stand down.' Mara smiled, though she would not laugh at Tecuma's obviousshock at hearing of a hundred cho-ja warriors that would have met 404 Daughter of the Empire his advance guard should they have won their way past Acomalines. 'Maintain an honour guard to meet our guests, Keyoke.' TheForce Commander saluted and turned to do as he was bid. ToTecuma, Mara said, 'Grandfather of my son, when you have dealtwith the disposition of your forces, please come and be my guest.'So saying, she ordered her bearers to carry her to her house.Tecuma watched her depart. Even his smouldering hatred overBunto's death was replaced by wonder for the moment. He lookeddown the road at the advancing column of guests, and was glad thatthe problems of food, housing, and entertainment were not his ownto bear. The little hadonra - was it jican? - was surely going to fallapart. But jican did not fall apart. He had heard about Mara's returnbefore the soldiers on lookout, since the gossip had been brought bya guild runner with rush dispatches from a merchant. The manpassed on rumours of vast quantities of noble barges all tied up inSulan-Qu, the Warlord's white and gold prominent among them. Inhis subsequent panic, the hadonra forgot to pass the informationalong to Keyoke and the warriors. Instead he had requisitionedevery freeman, slave, and all the craftsmen who were alreadygathered at the estate house to defend Ayaki if the Anasati war hostbroke through; these had been reassigned to work freshening linensand peeling fruits in the kitchens, and into this furious hive ofactivity came Mara and her honour retinue. 'So that's where all my fields hands are,' exclaimed the Lady ofthe Acoma, even as her bearers set her litter down in the dooryard.By now she could not contain her amusement, for her little hadonrahad delivered his breathless report while still wearing cast-off bits ofarmour from the store sheds, his helm a pot borrowed from thecooks. The servants who bustled from the slaughtering pens to thekitchens were similarly equipped, and everywhere the hoes, rakes,and scythes they would have employed as weapons were leaningagainst the furniture. Mara's laughter was cut short by a carpingcomplaint from Nacoya, who was weary of litters and barges andwished for a real hot bath. 'You may have whatever you wish, mother of my heart. We'rehome.' And like a weight of stone lifted from her shoulders, the Lady of Revenge 405 the Acoma knew this was so, for the first time since she had left forthe Holy City of Kentosani. Still tying strings from changing back to his house livery, jican ran furiously from the estate house to the lawns, where huge pavilionswere erected to house several hundred Lords, Ladies, noblechildren, First Advisers, honour guards, and their innumerableservants. There would hardly be room to move in the main house,jammed as the guest rooms would be with Almecho's immediaterelations and Imperial Whites. Selected servants would be housed inthe barracks with the soldiers, with the overflow assigned to theslave buildings. The slaves, and the unlucky freemen to draw theshort lots, would sleep under the stars for three days. Mara felt herheart warm at the loyalty of her servants and soldiers; for throughthe chaos and upheaval of her return, no one complained. Even thehouse servants had stood ready to defend Ayaki, though their farmimplements and kitchen knives would have proved no match for theweapons of trained soldiers. Yet their bravery was none the less forthat fact; and their loyalty was beyond the bounds of duty.Touched by their devotion, and having hastily changed into freshrobes, Mara returned to the dooryard as the Warlord's cortegeheaved into sight in full splendour. The Imperial Whites were amachine of precision as they escorted their master from his litter.Trumpets blew and drums beat and Almecho, second only to theEmperor Ichindar in power, made his formal arrival before theLady of the Acoma. Mara bowed gracefully. 'My Lord, I welcome you to our house.May your visit here bring rest, and peace, and refreshment.'The Warlord of all Tsuranuanni bowed slightly. 'Thank you.Now, would you keep things somewhat less formal than ... ourprevious host did? Daylong celebration can be tiresome, and Iwould like an opportunity to speak with you in private.'Mara nodded politely and looked to her First Adviser to welcomethe two black-robed magicians and show them to their quarters.Pride had straightened the old woman's shoulders, and in herindomitable mothering manner she took the two envoys of theAssembly of Magicians under her wing as if she had dealt with theirkind all her life. Mara shook her head, marvelling at Nacoya'sresilience. Then she let the Warlord take her arm, and the two of I 406 Daugbter of the Empire them walked alone into the peaceful stillness of the garden shepreferred for meditation. Four warriors stood guard at the entrance, two wearing greenand two the white of the Imperial Guard. Pausing by the rim of thefountain, the Warlord removed his helm. He sprinkled water overdamp greying hair, then faced the Lady of the Acoma. Beyond thehearing of guests and servants he said, 'I must salute you, girl. Youhave proven your mettle in the game over the last two years.'Mara blinked, not at all certain she grasped his intent. 'Lord, I didonly what was necessary to avenge my father and brother andpreserve the existence of my house.' Almecho laughed, and his bitter humour sent small birds wingingfrom the treetops. 'Lady, what do you think the game is, if not toremain while you dispose of enemies? While others have beenflitting around the High Council nattering at one another over thisalliance and that, you have neutralized your second most powerfulrival - turning him into a reluctant ally, almost - and destroyedyour most powerful enemy. If that isn't a masterful victory in thegame, I've never seen anyone play.' He hesitated a moment. 'Thatdog jingu was growing a little too ambitious. I believe he plotted todispose of three opponents: you, the Lord of the Anasati, and thenMe. Tecuma and I are somewhat in your debt, I think, though youcertainly didn't act on our behalf.' He trailed his fingers thoughtfullythrough the water; small currents rose up and roiled thesurface, just as the currents of intrigue ran always beneath theaffairs of the Empire. The Warlord regarded her keenly. 'Before Ileave you, I want you to know this: I would have let jingu kill you, ifthat was your fate. But now I am pleased you lived and not he. Still,my favour is scant. just because no woman has ever worn the whiteand gold before, don't think I count your ambition any lessdangerous, Mara of the Acoma.' Somewhat overwhelmed by this endorsement of her prowess,Mara said, 'You flatter me too much, Lord. I have no ambitionbeyond the desire to see my son grow in peace.'Almecho placed his helm upon his head and motioned for hisguards to return. 'I don't know, then,' he reflected, half to himself.'Who is to be more feared, one who acts from ambition or one whoacts for the needs of survival? I like to think we can be friendly, Ladyof the Acoma, but my instincts warn me you are dangerous. So let usjust say that for now we have no reason to be at odds.' Revenge 407 Mara bowed. 'For that I am very grateful, my Lord.'Almecho returned the bow, then departed to call servants to attend his bath. As Mara followed him from the garden, Keyokesaw his Lady and came at once to her side. 'Pape . . . 'he said.Mara nodded in shared sympathy. 'He died a warrior, Keyoke.'The Force Commander's face showed nothing. 'No man can askfor more.' Certain that Nacoya was acting in all her glory with the guests,Mara said. 'Walk with me to the glade of my ancestors, Keyoke.'The Force Leader of the Acoma shortened stride to match that ofhis slight mistress and silently opened a side door. As they left themain house, and birdsong replaced the talk of guests and servants,Mara sighed. 'We shall need a new First Strike Leader.'Keyoke said, 'Your will, mistress.' But Mara kept her opinion to herself. 'Who is the best for theposition?' Keyoke seemed unusually expressive as he said, 'It galls me to sayit, but despite his less than seemly attitude at times, no man is betterable than Lujan. Tasido has been with us longer and is a betterswordsman ... but Lujan is among the best I've seen in tactics,strategy, and leading men since' - he hesitated - 'well, since yourfather.' Mara raised her eyebrows. 'That good?' Keyoke smiled, and his humour was so unexpected that arstopped in her tracks. She listened as her Force Commanderqualified. 'Yes, that good. He's a natural leader. That's the reasonPapewaio came to like the rascal so quickly. And if your First StrikeLeader had survived he'd be telling you the same. Had the Lord ofthe Kotai lived, Lujan would probably already be a ForceCommander now.'By the hint of pain beneath Keyoke's tone, Maraunderstood how much like a son Papewaio had been to this oldcampaigner. Then his Tsurani self-discipline fell back into place andthe old warrior was as she had always known him.Glad of his choice, Mara said, 'Then name Lujan First StrikeLeader, and promote a Patrol Leader to take his place.'They passedbeneath the trees, where once Papewaio had knelt and begged totake his life with his sword. With a pang of sorrow for his passing.Mara considered what might have happened had she not reinterpretedtradition concerning the black scarf of the condemned. 408 A Daughter of the Empire A shiver touched her spine. How delicate was the thread ofprogression that had preserved her life. Strangely abrupt, Keyoke stopped. Ahead lay the guardinghedges at the entrance to the glade, and the Force Commandertraditionally might accompany her that far. Then Mara saw that alone figure awaited her, before the contemplation glade of herancestors. The red and yellow helm in his hands was familiar,gleaming in the copper light of latest afternoon; and the scabbard athis side held no weapon. Mara gently dismissed her Force Commander and steppedforward to meet the Lord of the Anasati. Tecuma had brought no honour guard. The scarlet and yellowarmour of his family creaked in the stillness as he offered greeting.'My Lady.' 'My Lord.' Mara returned his slight bow, aware that the birds inthe trees had fallen silent at the coming of sundown.'I hoped to find you here. Since the last time we exchanged wordsin this place, I thought it appropriate to make a new beginning onthe same soil.' He glanced to the chattering throng of guestscrowding the dooryard, and the bustle of the servants who attendedthem. 'I expected the next time I trod this grass, I'd see orange-cladwarriors swarming over it, not revellers come to honour you.''They come to honour the Warlord,' corrected Mara.Tecuma studied the face of his daughter-in-law, as if truly seeingher for the first time. 'No, Lady. They celebrate Almecho's birthday,but they truly honour you. There will never be love between us,Mara, but we have Ayaki in common. And I dare to think we share arespect for one another.' Mara bowed, lower than ever before. In all sincerity she said,'Wehave that, Tecuma. I have no regrets, save that good men have beenmade to suffer...' Her mind turned to her father, brother,Papewaio, and even Buntokapi, and she added, 'and to die. What Ihave done was for the Acoma, and all that shall be Ayaki'ssomeday. I hope you understand.' 'I do.' Tecuma gathered himself to leave, then shook his greyhead, unwilling humour showing through his poise. 'I truly do.Perhaps when Ayaki comes to his majority and rules, I may find it in I Revenge my heart to forgive what you have done.' Mara wondered at the strange way that events could turn in the 409 Game of the Council. 'I am glad at least that for now we have noreason to be at odds,' she said. 'For now.' Tecuma sighed with something very close to regret.'Had you been my daughter, and Bunto Lord Sezu's son ... whoknows what could have been possible?' Then, as if the matter wereforever put aside, he placed his helm on his head. The hair stuck outat odd angles over his ears, and the ornamented strap swung againsthis neck, but he did not look the least bit foolish. Rather he looked aruler' with years of life behind and more yet to come, with age andwisdom, experience and knowledge, a master of his office. 'You area true daughter of the Empire, Mara of the Acoma.'Left no precedent upon which to model a response, Mara couldonly bow deeply and accept the accolade. Overwhelmed byemotion, she watched Tecuma walk back to rejoin his retinue. Allalone, she entered the contemplation glade of her ancestors.The path to the natami seemed changeless as time. Sinking downon the cool earth where many an ancestor had knelt ahead of her,Mara ran her fingers over the shatra bird carved into the stone.Quietly, but in a voice that trembled with joy, she said, 'Rest youwell, my father, and you, my brother. He who took your lives is nowbut ashes, and your blood is avenged. The honour of the Acoma isintact, and your line preserved.' Then tears came unbidden. Years of fear and pain lifted fromMara's spirit. Overhead, the fluting call of a shatra bird called the flock to takewing in celebration of sundown. Mara wept without restraint, untillantern light glowed through the hedges and the distant sounds offestivities filled the glade. All her struggles had borne fruit. Sheknew peace for the first time since Keyoke had fetched her from thetemple; and somewhere upon the Great Wheel the shades of herfather and brother rested peacefully, their pride and honourrestored.
