Shae sat back. “What is it you want the No Peak clan to do?”
Ambassador Lonard and Colonel Basso exchanged glances, as if the answer was self-evident and Shae was being obdurate, which she was. She already knew what the foreigners were asking for, but she wanted them to have to say it out loud.
The colonel was the one to be blunt. “Break up the encampment and persuade the protestors to leave.”
“By force, if necessary,” Shae added for them.
“Green Bones are more than capable of force,” Lonard pointed out. “Although I would hope that a strong show of intent would be enough to control the situation.”
Even though the request was exactly what Shae had expected, she was nonetheless deeply offended and filled with a cold anger that she controlled and folded carefully into her answer. “Over the twenty-six years that I’ve been Weather Man of No Peak,” she said, “I’ve seen the relationship between our countries go through many phases. In some ways, we’re friends who’re closer than ever before. But friendship is something that can be abused. When that happens, it can lead to hard feelings and even enmity. Espenia has asked Kekon for jade, soldiers, land, military support, and political concessions. And now, you’re suggesting that Green Bones turn against the people we protect. Most of the protestors encamped on Euman Island are jadeless civilians. You’re asking us to break aisho.”
Colonel Basso glanced down uncomfortably at Shae’s frankness, but Ambassador Lonard did not. “Ms. Kaul, I have a doctorate in East Amaric Studies. I’ve lived in Kekon for years, and I’ve learned enough about the country and its Green Bone clans to say with confidence that aisho is an ideal that’s . . . not always feasible or strictly followed.”
The Espenian inclined her head as she held Shae’s gaze. “Can you honestly claim that Green Bones—including you and your family—have never bent moral principles for your own self-interest? Haven’t you brutally punished anti-clan dissidents, unsanctioned jade wearers, and foreign competitors without any moral compunction?” Lonard spoke, unexpectedly, in accented but fluent Kekonese. “Gold and jade, never together. Has that ever really been true?”
The Weather Man’s silence was enough of an answer for Lonard. Switching back to Espenian, she said, “Your clan and its supporters in the ROE have been trying for a very long time to repeal the ban on civilian possession of bioenergetic jade in Espenia. A decade ago, I would’ve said that was impossible. But admittedly, public perception and attitudes have shifted over the years.”
Growing mainstream acceptance of Kekonese healing practices, the long-standing and consistent marketing strategy of WBH Focus, worldwide pay-per-view broadcasts of jadesports events in Marcucuo, advances in the safety and effectiveness of SN2, and now, Green Bone abilities being displayed in dramatic fashion on movie theater screens to rapt audiences—all those forces together had transformed jade in the eyes of Espenians, a majority of whom now believed it should be regulated instead of outlawed.
Ambassador Lonard tapped her fingers lightly against her knee. “The decriminalization bill will be voted on in the National Assembly next month. If it passes, it still has to be signed into law by Premier Waltor. He could choose to oppose it by exercising an executive veto. On the other hand, if he were to publicly support the bill before the vote happens, its approval would be almost guaranteed.”
The cleverest Espenians were like Fists in their own way, Shae thought—wielding words and money like moon blades and talon knives. Lonard smiled with cool persuasiveness. “If you were to assist us with the problem on Euman Island for the sake of everyone’s safety, I’m confident the premier would ensure the smooth passage of legislation that’s certain to benefit your business interests.”
Shae did not return the smile. A few fortunate bright spots in No Peak’s business—the rebounding real estate market, growth in the city of Toshon, and successes in the film industry—had made up for some of the damage incurred as a result of the clan losing all its prospects in Shotar. But there was no question that the long-term legal security of the clan’s Espenian holdings was needed more than ever. She’d underestimated Lonard’s understanding. The ambassador was not making an ignorant request, but a fully knowledgeable one. Colonel Basso grunted in smug agreement and crossed his arms.
Shae let a pause hang in the air before responding. She’d waited more than a decade for what she was about to say. She wasn’t going to rush. “Since we’re discussing Kekonese interests in Espenia, it’s only fair that I also say a few things about Espenian interests in Kekon.” She leaned forward. “Twenty years ago, an Ygutanian spy plane was shot down over Euman Island, raising fears of Ygutanian aggression. In response, Espenia expanded its naval base despite widespread public opposition, and it also increased its intelligence assets in Kekon. At the height of the Slow War, you had more spies here than our government ever suspected. ROE military intelligence learned of a planned terrorist attack that would kill the leaders of all the Green Bone clans and incite a foreign-backed uprising that would destabilize the nation.”