Duun’s ears went back. “We’ll talk about it later.”
“You’ll never give me my answer. Will you?”
A long silence. Yes and no trembled on a knife’s edge. For the first time Thorn felt Duun was close to answering him and a breath might tip the balance. He held that breath till his sides ached.
“No,” Duun said then. “Not yet.”
“He’s intelligent,” Ellud admitted. Duun clasped his crossed ankles and returned a stolid stare. “Did I say not?” Duun asked. “What else do your young agents say?”
Ellud laid back his ears. “I handed them over to you.”
“Come, Ellud. How many sides do you face at once?”
Ellud shifted uncomfortably on his desk. “I’m fending rocks, Duun; you know that.”
“I know that. I want to know who you’re talking to.”
“The council. The council wants to talk to him.”
“No.”
“You say no. They get no from you and come to my back door. I’m getting supply shortages; I’m getting delivery delays; I’m getting records lost.”
“Not coincidence.”
“Not at this rate,” Ellud said. Duun drew a deep breath and straightened his back; Ellud held up a hand. “I’ll take care of it, Duun. I’d have come to you if I couldn’t.”
“How does Tshon report me?”
Ellud’s mouth dropped. “Duun-”
“I’m not offended. How does she report me?”
“I-told Council you’re quite stable. Her report was an advantage. To both of us.”
Duun smiled. With all the horror that expression had for the beholder; and he was always, with Ellud, aware of it. “I sent council a letter. If they want a hatani sanction individually and singly-let them forget their contract. The government made it. They’ve got it to my dying day.”
“Or his.”
“Are you telling me something, Ellud?”
“I don’t remember telling you anything. I’d have to swear I didn’t.”
Few things disturbed Duun’s centering. This was one. Ellud grew very still, hands loose in his lap, for a long while staring at that stare.
“If there were to be an accident,” Duun said.
“I don’t know how it would come. He’s hatani, you said. He wouldn’t be easy. Duun-you have to understand. It’s not just council; it’s public pressure: the matter at Sheon-got out.”
Duun said nothing and Ellud lifted a modifying hand, sketched diffident explanation. “They called the magistrates, the magistrates called the province head-back when they thought they’d run afoul of the Guild, when they thought they’d hatani troubles up to their armpits-well, the matter got blown up larger: a few offices got onto it, and a few wealthy landholders at some dinner party- Well, a note went out to political interest here. And Rothen’s successor-”
“Shbit.”
“Shbit. Exactly. Wants to play politics. On the issue the whole thing’s gone sour.” Ellud made a helpless motion. “Duun, hard as it is to think anyone could be shortsighted enough-
“I don’t find it hard at all. “I have a very fine appreciation of venality. And stupidity. Tomorrow doesn’t come and a stone cast up doesn’t come down. For a renunciate, I’m a very practical man, Ellud. You should remember that.”
“I remember.” In a small, hoarse voice. “Duun, for the gods’ own sake-they’re trying to get between you and the Guilds. You know that’s how they’ll work. They’re trying to slow my office down with their paper-delays. They want documentation of malfeasance. I’m making duplicates of everything. I’ve got them in a packet in hands that will get them to the Guild-if- anything should happen.”
“Wise.”
“People are frightened, Duun.”
“Go on guarding the back door. I’ll take care of the front. I will.”
“For the gods’ sakes-”
Duun gave him a cold stare. “Calling on Shbit would solve it.”
“You couldn’t get to him.”
“Couldn’t?” Duun pursed his mouth. He drew in air that stank of politics and his blood ran faster. “Watch me.”
“Gods. Don’t. Don’t. Ammunition’s all I want. Listen-Duun. Just let me take it awhile. Let me handle it. What happens to me when the pieces start hitting the ground? You’ve got the Guild. I’ve got no cover. You think I can’t manage it? I managed it while you were rusting in the hills for sixteen years. For the gods’ sake, leave politics to me and get me what I need.