Jade War

Ambassador Mendoff and Colonel Deiller regarded her silently for several seconds. At last the colonel said, “Well, I’m a soldier, not a politician, but I will say that Kekon is the strategic linchpin of our military presence in the East Amaric. We’re committed to our alliance and maintaining good relations with the government and people of this country.”

“Be that as it may,” said Ambassador Mendoff, “what you’re hoping for isn’t the sort of thing that can be accomplished quickly or easily. You might be well advised to accept fifteen million thalirs. I can advocate your issues with Premier Galtz and the National Assembly, but…”

“That’s all I ask.” Shae added a calculated touch of humble flattery into her voice. “I know that you’re friends with the premier and have great influence on him, or so I’m told by everyone I speak to. If you’re able to put in a word at the highest level that might improve our joint economic future, I’ll gladly take it in place of anything else you could offer me.”

“You act as if you’re the final authority in this discussion, Miss Kaul-jen.” Ambassador Mendoff looked uneasy. “Where’s the leader of your clan? Why isn’t he here?”

Because, Shae thought, Hilo would rather do anything else but sit in the White Lantern Club cozying up to foreign diplomats. “I have full authority to act as the Pillar’s representative in these matters,” Shae said. “My word in the No Peak clan is final.”

CHAPTER 19 Reunion in Lybon

When Hilo arrived in Lybon, Stepenland, he was surprised by how clean everything was. The inter-terminal airport shuttle was a punctual, silver capsule that announced arrivals and departures in Stepenish, Espenian, and another language that was probably Lurmish. The temperature was mild, almost cool, even in late summer. The people weren’t unfriendly, but they seemed curt, pale, and efficient.

Hilo decided he would like to be able to drive around and see the city, so Tar rented a blue coupe from the airport car rental counter. While his Pillarman studied the map, Hilo got directions from the rental agent by showing her the address they needed to reach and having a conversation using the limited Espenian vocabulary that he possessed. When they eventually got on the road, it turned out to be easy to navigate Lybon. Compared to Janloon, the city was more like a large town, divided into four quadrants and bisected north-south by the Farstgein River. The blue outline of craggy mountains rose in the west, and picturesque tall brick houses with pointy roofs lined the wide streets, flowers spilling from the garden boxes of iron balconies. The sidewalks were narrow but bordered by immaculately trimmed green hedges and leafy trees.

Tar suggested they go to the hotel first, but Hilo shook his head; he’d slept on the plane and whenever possible he preferred to get on with whatever needed to be done.

The address turned out to be a quaint, single-story pastel green house in the northwest quarter of Lybon. Tar parked the car along the street. When they rang the doorbell, it opened almost at once. Eyni must’ve been expecting someone else, perhaps a delivery or a repairman, because she began to say something before she realized who was standing in front of her. Lan’s ex-wife took an involuntary step back, her eyes widening.

Hilo smiled and stepped across the threshold into the house. “Sister Eyni,” he said warmly, “I’m sorry for not calling ahead to let you know we were coming, but I didn’t have any Stepenish coins for the pay phone in the airport. I hope we’re not showing up at a bad time.” Hilo shut the front door behind Tar. “This is Maik Tar, I don’t know if you remember him; he was my Second Fist when I was Horn and now he’s my Pillarman.”

“What are you doing here?” Eyni’s voice came out high. “How did you find out where I live?”

“It’s easy to find those things out.” It was not worth mentioning that he’d tracked her down years ago, but at Lan’s direction, had never acted on the information. Eyni had changed somewhat; her face had not aged, but having a child had added to her hips and she’d cut her hair to chin-length.

Hilo took off his jacket and laid it across the back of a chair. He said, “Going back and forth by mail isn’t the best way to talk about important things. You have to take the time to write it all down, then wait for weeks before you get a reply. By then, you’ve practically forgotten what you said before. And when you can’t see the other person, it’s easy for there to be misunderstandings. For example, I know you didn’t mean to be rude to Wen, even though it came across that way on paper. So I thought: Instead of putting you to the trouble of planning a big trip to Janloon, which I know can be hard when you have a little kid, I’ll come talk to you in person.”

Eyni’s eyes darted from Hilo to the door. “Lors will be home any minute.”