The human reaction remained the principal unpredictable element. How would the Commonwealth government on Fluva react to an attempt to minimize forever the influence of the local Deyzara? Would they interfere at all? As the wily Aniolo-jat had already pointed out, Commonwealth money and goods were too important to risk losing. The other variable was the reaction of the clans. How closely would traditional rivals and competitors cooperate in an attempt to get rid of the Deyzara? And for how long?
And exactly who were these new “friends” the cunning Yuiqueru had spoken of?
Too much was at stake to leave to chance. The more she struggled to reconcile Aniolo-jat’s seductive words with what she felt to be right, the harder the veins in her ears throbbed. Could a decision on so weighty a matter be made so soon? Today, even? She wished fervently for wise personal counsel. But her mother was dead. She was the counsel, now. A look cast in Cecolou-tiu’s direction brought no relief. The aged Hata had fallen asleep.
A sudden thought gave her hope. “Before making any decision here, I would wish us to hear from the learned Jemunu-jah.” The reaction from the assembly showed that even those who most strongly supported Aniolo-jat recognized the name. Though Jemunu-jah was not even a Hata-nua, his reputation was known to even visiting chiefs. Even the bellicose Yeruna-hua grunted considerately.
“Ah, Jemunu-jah,” Aniolo-jat murmured in a way Naneci-tok did not like. “The famous, the clever, the hardworking Jemunu-jah. The Jemunu-jah who has been well schooled in Commonwealth ways. I, too, recognize the extent of his knowing. I, too, would desire hear his opinions on this so very important matter.” The Hata-yuiqueru’s ears dipped forward in a gesture of sadness and regret.