for conducting court. A sigh escaped him. 'And our defeat.'
Incomo surveyed his master's flushed features and warily hoped that he would not be asked for advice. After two years of stalemate, Mara's triumph in relieving Lord Xacatecas in Dustari came as a bitter surprise. Until today's report, every communique from Tasaio had indicated the plan was proceeding as designed. For close to a month, Minwanabi Lord and First Adviser had waited in keen anticipation of a final victory over the Acoma. But when the jaws of Tasaio's trap snapped shut, Mara had eluded capture once again. Worse, her brilliant counter-offensive, using tactics never seen within Tsuranuanni, had established the first treaty with the Tsubar desert men who had preyed upon the borders for generations.
Desio pounded a fist into his pillows. 'Breath of Turakamu, how could Tasaio have bungled his job ?'
Waving at the report on the floor, he said, 'Our own factor in Jumar reports that the combined armies of Xacatecas and Acoma were greeted there with fanfares! He even suggests Mara may receive a citation from the Emperor! She has gained her alliance. Instead of two solitary, weakened enemies, we now face powerful families on the verge of joining to oppose us!'
Wincing at Desio's ranting, Incomo tried gently to ease matters. 'While the treaty is a noteworthy accomplishment, master, Chipino of the Xacatecas is not a man to enter into binding commitments - at least not without strong motives, and sureties. Mara accomplished no more than her duty to the Empire when she rescued his army in the desert. Her victory may have impressed the Lord enough to rethink his position once more, but . . .'
'If it didn't impress him, he's a fool!' Desio raked angry fingers across some nameless itch on his neck, then dropped his hand in ~Befuddlement. 'How does the woman do it?
Luck must sleep in her bed.'
Incomo stepped to the table and dressed the scattered pages into a meticulous pile. 'We shall know soon how she...' He was about to say 'defeated us,' but thought better of that, and said, '. . . again managed to avoid ruin.'
Frustrated by a report that still seemed offensively untidy, with bent corners and musty ribbons, as if the writing had been done under adverse circumstances, the First Adviser indulged in a sigh of irritation. 'We will need time to dig out the truth of the matter.'
Desio snapped out of his black musing. 'Mare is coming.'
'But of course.' Incomo laced dry hands at his belt. 'She would hasten to her estate after so long an absence from her son -'
Desio interrupted. 'No. She'll be coming here.'
Eyebrows raised, Incomo said, 'What makes you say this, Lord?'
'Because it's what I would do!' Desio heaved his bulk off his cushions, and the servant with his load of sweaty armour ducked clear as his master stamped across the dais. 'Strike while strongest. Allied to Xacatecas, and safe from attack from the Anasati, Mara is free to savage us. Even if Chipino is tentative in his support, the bitch has won public favour.
She need do nothing more than invoke a Call to Clan!'
Desio glared at Incomo as if expecting agreement, but the First Adviser held up a placating hand. 'In all this, there is some good emerging, my Lord.' With a faint smile, he offered another parchment.
The Lord's expression grew thunderous as he saw the proffered scroll bore the personal crest of Bruli of the Kehotara. Desio refused to look at the document. 'Bruli has been whining for our patronage for years now, but he lost my father's good will, and mine, when he refused to swear as vassal upon his father's death - he wants the benefits of Minwanabi protection without being under our rule.'
Frustrated further by suspicions that Mara might somehow be behind House Kehotara's truculence, Desio flopped back on his cushions. 'Another request for alliance should be refused.' Then Desio sighed. 'But right now we can use all the friends we can manage. What does the weakfish say?'
Dryly Incomo said,'l suggest my Lord read the message.'
The parchment changed hands. Stillness fell' marred by the creak of armour as the slave who bore the Lord's gloves and helm shifted his burden from one tired arm to the other.
Desio laboriously scanned the closing lines, and his eyes widened with pleasure. 'Is Bruli's observation reliable?'
Incomo tapped his cheek with a finger. 'Who can ever be certain? I read into this situation as you might, my Lord, that sundry factions in Mara's clan