Peacemaker by C. J. Cherryh Page B

the moment, and he wishes not to disturb your peace of mind, daja-ma, by arriving here with his guests—not to mention the parid’ja.”
    â€œThat
creature.
”
    â€œIndeed, daja-ma. The parid’ja is with him. And, right or wrong in his judgment, he has wished to regroup and set himself to rights. He wishes to present himself and his guests rested, and in the most felicitous way, and he wishes not to disturb this household with the commotion of young guests.”
    He had averted wars. Damiri’s displeasure was a harder argument. The scowl persisted for a moment, boring into him. Then:
    â€œTell me
this,
paidhi-aiji.
Was
my uncle
or
the dowager involved in my father’s assassination?”
    A reasonable question. He was ever so glad to report the negative.
    â€œIn no way or degree were they involved, daja-ma. They were aware of Lord Komaji’s movement toward Lord Tatiseigi’s estate—but they had given no order at all to prevent him. They were both quite shocked by the unfortunate event. I was present at deliberations and there is no question in my mind they were uncertain about his intentions. They even wondered whether your father, not knowing that the aiji-dowager or your son was present at Tirnamardi, was on his way to take refuge with Lord Tatiseigi, pending
his
return home, because of an imminent threat inside Ajuri—which the aiji-dowager believes existed. I believe
she
thinks he was indeed coming to appeal to Lord Tatiseigi. Lord Komaji and Lord Tatiseigi were not on good terms, but Lord Tatiseigi is moderate even to his enemies. We rather wonder also whether there was some particular intelligence your father meant to give Lord Tatiseigi, information that
someone
did not wish given.”
    â€œSpecifically?”
    God, of course she would ask that question. And he had to lie. Or at least evade. “I am not that far into the dowager’s confidence, daja-ma.” And back to the edge of the truth. “But one believes elements among the Kadagidi, among others, may have had a reason to fear your father’s making common cause with Lord Tatiseigi against them.” He glanced away, back to Tabini, an appeal for rescue.
    â€œMy grandmother will not withhold
that
information from us,” Tabini said, “one is quite certain. Well-done, paidhi. Go. Rest. Have that injury treated—and deal with our guests. Keep us informed. We shall wish to see our son when he is rested.”
    â€œAiji-ma.” Another bow. A short bow to the aiji-consort.
    And an escape, before the domestic discussion could start.
    Â â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢Â 
    They reached their own door, he and Tano and Algini. And within, safely in the hands of Narani, there was finally the chance to shed the ruined coat. Bren did that, not hoping to see it again.
    â€œThe aiji has the essentials of what happened on the Kadagidi estate, and in the south,” Bren told Tano and Algini before they parted company in the foyer—the two of them, in Tabini’s apartment, had been standing watch with the aiji’s guard, and
not
inside the office. “The aiji-consort arrived late. She asked questions regarding Lord Komaji’s assassination—she is understandably angry and she wonders whether she has been told all the truth. I mentioned the Kadagidi in the context of that assassination. I did not quite lie to her, nadiin-ji, but it was a misdirection; and it was certainly an untruth, when I said I was not that deep in the dowager’s affairs. The aiji clearly knows to the contrary, and probably the consort suspects it was a politic evasion and a half-answer. It was clumsy of me. I desperately need sleep, nadiin-ji.”
    â€œSleep as you can,” Algini advised him.
    â€œBanichi?” he asked.
    â€œHe
will rest,” Tano said. “Jago will see to it.”
    With a dose of sedative, one suspected. The dowager’s physician had given him several bottles