Hilo looked to Anden, who glanced at Lott with a curious expression of muted admiration before taking off his glasses and wiping them on the hem of his shirt as he thought about his reply. “The Koben family is large, but they’re nowhere near as green or cunning as Ayt Mada or the people around this table. They’re outspoken and capable in the moment, but they aren’t clever enough to seek out new opportunities to really gain advantage.” Anden put his glasses back on and said to the table, “I think we should agree to friendship with the Kobens and do our best to keep them in the leadership of the Mountain clan. That way, over time our clan will do better than theirs. If and when the clans do come together, No Peak will be dominant, with the Kaul family and not the Kobens leading the country and all Green Bones.”
Hilo smiled at his cousin’s cold and farsighted assessment. He recalled that when they were young, he used to tease Anden for his careful and polite demeanor, trying to get him to lighten up. Now he could not imagine wanting Anden to be any other way, as it only made the green in his soul more apparent at times like this.
“What do you say, Niko?” Hilo asked his nephew, who had been quiet so far. “You should have a say in this decision as well, since you and Jaya and your Green Bones will be living with it more than us. Could you work with Ayt Ato? Would you trust the Koben family’s pledge of friendship?”
Niko looked up at his uncle. “I wouldn’t trust anyone,” he said. “But I’d still work with them. I don’t have to like or agree with the Koben family, but I’ve met Ayt Ato and watched him over the years, and I think I understand him in some ways. He needs something from us, and I agree with Uncle Anden that it’ll be to our advantage in the long run to give it to him.”
“It’s decided, then. As Pillar, I’ve relied on all of you for so many years and won’t stop now.” Hilo turned to his Weather Man. “You’re right, Shae. The next generation shouldn’t be burdened by our vendettas. Tell the Mountain we agree to meet.” He glanced back at his nephew. “I want you at this meeting, Niko. You’ll come in place of the Horn.”
Lott’s head jerked backward in surprise. “The Horn should be in the room,” he protested. “I’m not saying this in disrespect. Any discussion of an alliance has to include the greener side of the clan.”
Hilo said, “It’s more important that Niko be there. When I retire as Pillar, Niko will be the one to deal with Ayt Ato, so really, this alliance will impact him more than me. He should be involved in whatever agreement we come to. I’ll discuss all the issues on the military side with you beforehand and bring them to the meeting.”
“Kaul-jen,” Lott objected once more, but Hilo’s stern look silenced him.
Hilo spoke again to Niko. “You’ll be sitting at the table.”
Everyone looked surprised at this, even Wen. For four years, Niko had been learning every aspect of the clan’s operations under the tutelage of the Horn and the Weather Man and other leaders on both sides of the clan. By all accounts, he was contributing in useful ways. He’d proposed a new IT system on the military side of the clan that would better optimize deployment of Fingers across multiple regions. He resolved a dispute between two Lantern Men by having one man’s son work for the other as restitution. And he’d done sensitive work for Shae, gathering evidence against the Espenians.
Yet, so far, Hilo had given no indication as to if and when he expected his nephew to start taking on any responsibilities from him directly. After all, Niko was still young, only twenty-seven. And many in the clan wondered if the Pillar harbored anger or doubts over his nephew’s years away from the family.
Now, however, he was saying that Niko would have the authority to speak for the clan in an important meeting with their former enemies. It was the first time he’d made it unequivocal, even around the privacy of the family dinner table, that Niko was his intended heir.
If Niko was surprised, he didn’t show it. “I understand, Uncle,” he said solemnly, but everyone saw the cautious way he glanced at Wen for her reaction.
“You’ll do fine,” Wen said. “Your uncle and aunt will be with you, after all.” She said it more matter-of-factly than kindly, but Hilo was glad she’d voiced some encouragement, even if her smile seemed reserved.
“I’ll be ready,” Niko promised.
“Good.” Hilo turned to Anden. “What’s going on, Andy? You’ve gone quiet and you have that expression on your face that you get when something’s on your mind.”