“Is it?”
“Since we have common interests. A hani is very easy to understand. Look for clan interest. And Rhif Ehrran is out to destroy my clan, with Goldtooth’s help. I told you I’d go through all the others to get her. And that’s exactly what I’ll do.”
Sikkukkut leaned his long chin on his fist, the silver-bordered sleeve fallen back from a thin and muscular arm, the light gleaming on his eyes. “I well tell you, hunter Pyanfar, you will have the chance to make good what you say.” The forefinger lifted. “You will have everything you ask.”
O gods, the thought hit her then. Too easy. Too fast. Too complete.
“You will take Aja Jin and Moon Rising and you will take Meetpoint.”
“Hakkikt-”
“You claim a great deal for yourself. Can you deliver more than words? Or perhaps-will you defect to my enemies?”
“To Ehrran?” Her ears went flat. It took no acting at all. “No.”
“You encourage me.” A second finger lifted beside the first. “So I will give you Keia. On condition.”
“That being, hakkikt?”
“He will go aboard The Pride. In your charge.”
“He’s the best pilot-”
“I know his skill. I know Kesurinan’s, which is considerable. But she has less recklessness. I tell you how I will arrange things and you will accept them for your own good, hunter Pyanfar. Keia would betray your interests, left free to follow those he serves. Instead I give him to you, and you will use him wherever it profits you, but most of all where it profits me. I insist on this point. Do you understand me?”
Her ears twitched again, and it was not acting either. “You’re very clear. And you may be absolutely right. I agree.”
“I may be right. How generous of you. Is that the word-generous?”
“I’m taking your orders. Those who know me would be shocked to hear that. I’m a bastard, hakkikt, and a graynosed old bastard at that, and I’m not in the habit of taking orders, but I’m taking yours.” You don’t back me up, son. You don’t treat me like one of your rag-eared lot. “You impress me and your opinions make absolute sense to me. You give me Jik here, I’ll keep Kesurinan in line. And him. I know what you’re saying, and yes, you’re right. You want me to take Meetpoint, I can’t do that. Even with Jik for a wedge. But if you’re coming in behind me and want the stsho all dithered–” Which is what you plan, isn’t it, you son? “-I can by the gods keep them busy.”
Sikkukkut sipped at his drink. “You’ll have to be more than that, skku of mine. I have a ship to spare. Do you know what a single hunter-ship can do to an inhabited world?”
O my gods.
“No warning would travel faster than that ship. It would strike and go. And hani would be removed from the question. The power I give you would be removed, skku of mine. Always remember I can take it away. I can remove Anuurn from consideration as an inhabited world. Do you understand me?”
“Entirely.” Bastard. Thanks for the warning. Haura, bastard. You know how long Akkht itself would survive a move like that? Let’s talk about life in the Compact. Let’s talk about wiping out species. “When do I go?”
“I have a packet for you. You’ll have it. With the person of my friend Keia. Treat him gently.” Sikkukkut’s nose twitched. “And under no circumstances set him free. I have uses for him myself: he’s a loan, not a gift.” Another lap at the cup. And a wave of Sikkukkut’s hand, at which several kif near him stirred forth from the shadows, passing in front of one of the lights and casting long shadow over the table.
The shadow enveloped her, enveloped Jik as they laid hands on him and gathered him up with soft clickings and chatter among themselves. Jik lolled limp, in a way that said he was not shamming: his arm swung down, his head fell back when they lifted him, and there was no muscle tone in the arm they grasped-kifish fingers bit deep when they swung him up to carry him.