grant you full rights to our warehouses in Silmani, without restriction, from this day to the day after your crops leave for the south. And equal access to warehouses in all your southern market cities, again without restriction, until you have sold the last of this year's crops, but no longer than until the first day of summer.'
The First Adviser of the Keda sat motionless, no expression on his face, but his weary manner turned avid as he waited to hear the price.
Almost, Mara regretted to disappoint him. 'In exchange, your Lord must grant to me the promise of a vote in the council, to be cast as I require, without reservation or question.'
In violation of protocol, the Keda First Adviser blurted,
'Impossible!'
Mara returned only silence. On cue, Nacoya said, 'First Adviser! You forget yourself!'
Stung to shame, Hantigo flushed and fought to recover poise. 'I beg the Lady's forgiveness.' Coldly he narrowed his eyes. 'Nevertheless, I would be less than faithful to my Lord should I answer this request in any way save no.'
Aware that Lujan was smothering an ill-timed smile, and that Arakasi watched her in appreciation from his vantage at the rear of the hall, Mara managed her part to perfection.
'That is our price.'
The clerks and factors looked miffed, and Hantigo's flush receded to a pallor that left him trembling. 'Lady, you ask too much.'
'You could hire wagons and drive the grain to the southern markets,' whispered a mortified factor. Hantigo glowered and answered through clenched teeth. 'Had that been a feasible option, I should never have left the shade of my master's estates. The margin we had for alternatives has been wasted, and even should our wagons depart this hour, the grain would arrive too late to catch the market at peak.
We would be forced to take whatever price the brokers offered.'
Hantigo faced Mara, his features a bland mask. 'Keda honour has no price.'
But Arakasi had disclosed that this year the Lord of the Keda was overextended. If pride was paramount to him, he could sell the grain at a loss and wait for another year to recoup. Yet Mara sensed that to force him to such a pass would be dangerous, perhaps even earn his enmity. She smiled, and warmth seemed to radiate from her. 'First Adviser Hantigo, you mistake me. I intend no disrespect toward Andero of the Keda. Allow me to pledge before these witnesses that I shall ask your master to support me only in a matter that holds significance to House Acoma. I will promise further that no vote shall be demanded that can adversely reflect upon the honour of House Keda. No demand of mine would call for military aid to the Acoma, or attack upon a third party, or any other act that would require Keda property or wealth to be placed at risk. I merely seek sureties to block any future attempts to disadvantage me in the High Council. Surely you recall the difficulty the imperial call to muster on the border imposed upon my house?'
Hantigo rubbed dampness from his temples, reluctant to concede her point. Minwanabi's plotting had certainly inconvenienced Acoma fortunes for three years; the house's entry into the silk trade had been nearly ruined by that one action alone. But if the First Adviser sympathized, he could not grant Mara's terms without leave from his master; the transfer of a vote in the High Council was not a concession to be granted by an emissary. Regretfully, Hantigo said,
'Even with such assurances, I doubt my master will accept your terms.'
That the man had ceased protesting impossibilities was significant. Confident of victory, and knowing Andero of the Keda for a man of steadfast integrity, Mara concluded the interview. 'Then you had best fly to your master and apprise him of my offer. We shall await his decision with interest. Tell him that we leave for the celebration at Kentosani within a week. Here, or in the Holy City, let him know I will be at his disposal'- she gave a precise smile -'to hear his reply.'
The First Adviser of the Keda rose and bowed, his disappointment masterfully hidden. Attended by his troop of scribes and factors, he departed from the hall with a~gmty.
Mara dispatched Jican to attend the Keda First Adviser's departure. Then she waited a prudent interval and motioned Arakasi to her side. 'Shall we count upon a Keda vote in the council ?'
Her Spy Master turned a look as keen as a killwing's through