to flesh ;r out those garrisons of least strategic importance, and then ', leave the heart of her estates under the care of an officer only recently promoted. Or she must assign Keyoke to protect her family natami, and expose herself to risk. Tasaio elaborated.
'Isolated in Dustari, far from help from her clan or allies, there would be no miracles for Mara. She would be alone on a field of our choosing, and forced to rely on the guidance of an inexperienced officer.' Tasaio paused, licked his lips, and smiled. 'At best, Mara's lack of preparation will do our work for us. She may be killed, or captured by desert raiders, or, at the least, blunder in the assignment and earn the Xacatecas'
wrath, while losing the heart of her army.'
'Interesting,' said Incomo. 'But the weak link is evident.
The assignment left to Keyoke will almost certainly not be bungled.'
Tasaio slapped his empty glove against his palm, and his smile widened. 'That is why Keyoke must be removed. A raid that will deliver him to Turakamu must be carefully planned. Let us say the Lady will receive summons from the High Council on the day of her Force Commander's death.'
Tasaio folded his hands, the model of a Tsurani warrior in repose. 'With Keyoke dead, Mara must leave Acoma welfare in the hands of lesser servants, a Strike Leader named Lujan, most likely, a flutterbug of a hadonra, and an old nurse who calls herself First Adviser. Among these may be one we can subvert.'
'Brilliant!' mustered Desio.
Tasaio summed up. 'As I read the situation, without experienced officers, Mara could never gain from assignment to Dustari. Whichever Strike Leader she promotes to oversee the attempt at relieving Xacatecas will quickly learn the difference between commanding a strike force and planning a battle.' ~
'Brilliant,' Desio said, loudly and with shining enthusiasm.
Incomo considered more practical ramifications. 'Lord Desio would need to call favours from a great number of allies in the council - even become indebted - to contrive for Mara to be assigned to a post in Dustari. Getting Xacatecas there was quite costly, and keeping him on the frontier another two years will be difficult. The nobles who supported us will demand even more concessions to be bought a second time, particularly since the setback of Jingu's death.
We are not as strong or as influential as we once were, I regret to remind you, and the debt incurred will be great.'
'What price the death of Mara of the Acoma?' Tasaio said softly. 'Desio swore blood oath to the Red God. The alternative is for us to slaughter every woman and child wearing Minwanabi black and orange, then march to Turakamu's temple and fall upon our swords.'
Incomo nodded and turned shrewd eyes on his Lord.
Hot as Desio was to see Mara compromised, he still recognized the gravity of his decision. He did not commit himself or the resources of his house thoughtlessly, but pondered with knitted brows. 'I think my cousin advises me well,' he said at last. 'But can we be sure of the desert men?'
Tasaio looked out of the window, as if something in the distance shaped his answer. 'It's immaterial. For among those "allies" attacking will be a field commander ready to take the necessary steps to ensure Mara's failure. I will supervise the battle personally.'
The suggestion filled Desio with delight. 'Wonderful, cousin. Your reputation credits you too little. You are more crafty than I had been told.' He nodded enthusiastically.
'Let preparation for these plans begin. We shall haste in favour of completeness.'
Tasaio nodded. 'I have much to arrange, my Lord.
plan must proceed with perfection,, or we risk enmity *our' two great houses rising in power. The army we gather two years hence must be smuggled in small numbers by boat 11ama, then westward along the coast trail to Banganok~b.
One must suspect the movement of troops. And when Xacatecas is hard-pressed, we must be ready to kill Key - '
the first moment he's vulnerable.' He blinked, as if recalling his focus to Desio. 'Yes, I have much to see to. I ask my Lord's permission to depart.'
Desio waved him on his way. Though matters of protocol were furthest from his mind, Tasaio arose and made his bow, correct to the last. Incomo watched and wondered again if undue ambition lay behind such perfect poise. As the Minwanabi cousin departed from the study, he leaned close to his Lord and murmured a soft-spoken question.
Desio stiffened in surprise. 'Tasaio? Turn traitor to