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.He said, ‘I am well, mother of my grandson.’ His lips thinned as he cast a glance around the disordered bands of speakers in the hall.‘Would that the Empire were as fit.’‘The Emperor?’ Mara said, hungry for information.‘The Light of Heaven, from all reports, lies at rest in his command tent upon the plain near the rift gate.’ Tecuma’s tone stayed hard.‘When Ichindar recovered from his incapacitation, he made known to his officers that he seeks a return to the Kingdom of the Isles to launch another invasion.Yet our desire to punish these barbarians for their treachery may be frustrated.The Great Ones may manipulate a rift, but they do not control all its aspects.Whether this one to Midkemia can be reestablished is doubtful.’Again the Lord of the Anasati regarded the house rulers who gathered in the great hall, in defiance of the Emperor’s orders.He softened not at all as he concluded, ‘Meanwhile, the business of the game continues.’Taking swift stock of other elders present, Mara said, ‘Who shall speak for the Ionani?’Secure in his power, and holding a name among the oldest in the Empire, Tecuma said, ‘Until Clan Ionani retires to elect a new Warchief, I shall be its spokesman.’ Abruptly he pointed across the room.‘There gathers Clan Hadama, my Lady.I suggest you hurry there and make your presence known.’‘Lord Tecuma -‘The old man interrupted with his hand.‘Mara, I am a grieving man, so forgive my bluntness.’ His manner grew piercingly forced.‘Halesko was one of those trapped upon the alien world — and by all reports he lay dying upon a lance.I have lost a second son this day.I have no time for the woman who took away my first.’Mara felt her throat tighten.She bowed lower in sympathy.‘My apologies, Tecuma.I was tactless not to realize.’The Lord of the Anasati shook his head slightly in what might have been a gesture of suppressed disbelief, or pain.‘Many of us mourn, Mara.Many brothers, sons, and fathers were trapped upon the alien world.The loss is a blow to our honour and to our hearts.Now, if you would excuse me?’ Without waiting for a reply, he turned his back on his former daughter-in-law and resumed the discussion she had interrupted.Left outside his circle, and given a hostile look from the Yellow Flower Party member cut off when she addressed Tecuma, Mara moved on around the dais to the first set of stairs, where the Hadama Clan chiefs stood in caucus.Several bowed with respect as Mara approached, while others gave her a perfunctory nod.One or two, along with a palsied elder seated in a litter chair, offered the Acoma ruler no sign of greeting at all.Mara took stock and said, ‘How many losses have we suffered?’The Lord of the Sutanta, a tall man in dark blue robe with pale blue trim, gave her a perfunctory bow.‘Lord Chekowara and his forty warriors are on their way from the City of the Plains.The Lord of the Cozinchach and two vassals remain with the Emperor.Hadama’s losses were slight, since smaller clans were not placed in the forefront of the lines at the betrayal.Most of our rulers will be returning to Kentosani within the week.’‘Who called this council?’ asked Mara.Lord Sutanta’s leathery features stayed carefully blank.‘Who called you here?’Equally noncommittal, Mara said, ‘I just came.’With a wave of his hand, Lord Sutanta indicated the filling chamber.‘No one here would speak against the will of the Light of Heaven.’ He fixed bird-bright eyes upon Mara.‘Also, no one here would see their firstborn son dead of treachery and sit idly at home.’Mara nodded, and inwardly concluded the things that remained unsaid.The defiance of Ichindar’s play for power was being politely acknowledged.But in the Great Game, courtesy often masked murder.The High Council of Tsuranuanni intended to make itself heard.There would be no formal meeting this day; too many Lords were absent
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