“How bad,” asked Kta, “have things in Nephane become?”
“T’Elas,” said the younger son of Uset-in-Nephane, “we are sorry for the misfortunes of Elas. But that was only the beginning of troubles. In some houses-in Nechis, in Ranek- men are dead, ypai-sulim have been drawn. Be careful how you speak to them. Understand the temper of their Guardians.”
The Great Weapons, drawn only for killing and never re-sheathed without it. Kta made a little bow of deference individually to t’Nechis and to t’Ranek, and a gesture with hand to brow that Kurt did not understand. The other men reciprocated. There was silence, and a little easier feeling for that.
“Then,” said Kta finally, “there would seem to be question whether there is a city to save. I have heard a bitter rumor concerning Osanef. Can anyone tell me? Details were sparse.”
“It is bad news, Kta,” said Ian. “Han t’Osanef killed Tlekef tTefur. The house of Osanef was burned by the Tefur partisans, an example to other Sufaki not to remain friendly to us. The vandals struck at night, while the family slept, invaded the house and overthrew the fire to set the house ablaze. The lady la, Han’s honored wife, died in the fire.”
“And Aimu,” Kta broke in. “Bel and my sister?”
“Bel himself was badly beaten, but your lady sister was hurried to safety by the chan of Osanef. Both Bel and Aimu are safe, at last report, sheltered in Isulan with your father’s sister.”
“How did Han die?”
“He chose to die after avenging lady la. His funeral was the cause of much bloodletting. Kta, I am sorry,” he added, for Kta’s face was pale and he looked suddenly weak.
“This is not all,” said Toj t’Isulan. “The whole city is full
of such funerals. Han and his lady were not the first or the last to lose their lives to t’Tefur’s men.”
“He is a madman,” t’Nechis said. “He threatened to burn the fleet-to burn the fleet!-rather than let it sail with Indras captains. They talk of burning Nephane itself and drawing back to their ancestral hills of Chteftikan.”
“Aye,” said young t’Irain, “and I for my part would gladly have the city in Indresul’s hands rather than t’Tefur’s.”
And that sentiment was approved by a sullen muttering among many of the others. T’Nechis scowled, but even he did not seem to be in total disagreement.
“Sirs,” said Kurt, startling everyone. “Sirs, what has Djan-methi done in the situation? Has she… can she do anything to restore peace in the city?”
“She has the power,” said t’Ranek. “She refuses to control tTefur. This war is of her creation. She knew we would never turn on Indresul, so she puts power in the hands of those who would, those who support her ambition. And that does not respect her office, but neither does she.”
“I do not know,” said the youngest t’Nechis, “why we answer questions from the Methi’s leman.”
Kta moved, and if the elder t’Nechis had not imposed his own discipline on his cousin with a sharp gesture, there would have been trouble.
“My apologies,” said t’Nechis, words that seemed like gall in his mouth.
“I understand,” said Kurt, “that humans have won no love in Nephane or elsewhere. But bear with me. I have a thing to say.”
“Say it,” laid t’Nechis. “We will not deny you that.”
“You would do well,” he said, “to approach her with a clear request for action and concessions for the Sufaki who are not with tTefur.”
“You seem to favor her,” said t’Ranek, “and to have a great deal of confidence in her. I think we were wrong to sympathize with you for the death of Mim h’Elas.”
Kurt threw out a hand to stop Kta, and himself stared at t’Ranek with such coldness that all the nemet grew silent. “My wife,” he said, “was as much a victim of you as of Djan-methi, though I swear I tried to feel loyalty to the Families since I was part of Elas. I am- human. I was not welcome and you made me know it as you made Djan-methi know it, and the Sufaki before her. If that were not the nature of Nephane, my wife would not be dead.”