Anden’s head came up and he looked around the table at the sudden attention of his family members. He said with a touch of chagrin, “I’m sorry I seem distracted, Hilo-jen. I’ve been meaning to ask you something, but it can wait until some other time.”
Hilo said, “Just say it. There’s no better time, and we’re all family here, except for Lott Jin, but it’s impossible to be Horn of No Peak and not be an honorary Kaul.”
Anden hesitated, then cleared his throat and sat up straight in his chair. “I want to run for political office, to become a member of the Royal Council.” Everyone stared at him, until Anden fidgeted and said, “I know it would mean giving up my jade. But I’ve thought long and hard about it, and I’m prepared to do that. Treating people in the clan one at a time is worthwhile work, but as an elected official I could affect many people at once. I ask for your blessing, Hilo-jen, and for the patronage of the clan.”
No one said anything for a moment. Then Niko said, “Uncle Anden, I’d say you’re too honest to be a politician, but come to think about it, you’ve already been a statesman for the clan for so many years, so there’s no one who’d be better suited to the job.”
Wen smiled knowingly at Anden from across the table. “In this family, you can be honest and still shrewd. Jadeless and still a warrior.”
Anden said, “Most members of the Royal Council who’re affiliated with the major clans have never worn jade themselves, so they don’t always understand how to do things the Green Bone way. The rest are independents, who have no allegiance to the Green Bone way of life at all. As for our influence there, even after Jaya broke the hold that Six Hands Unity has on Lukang, the election is going to be close, and the Mountain might even get a boost from the Kobens ascending to power.
“There are things that need to be done—standing up to the Espenians and demanding the withdrawal of troops, combating harmful superstitions, military reform—that need someone who can speak as a Green Bone without being green. Look at how the widow Koben Tin Bett has risen in government, coming from a Green Bone family and advocating their views in national politics even though she’s never been a Green Bone herself. I think I could do that for us. I could represent the clan but also sit apart from it and think of the greater good.”
Wen said, still smiling, “Did Jirhuya give you this idea?”
Anden’s face reddened a little. “No, but he encouraged me. I don’t think I would’ve hung on to the idea if he hadn’t kept pushing me to take it seriously.” He averted his gaze self-consciously but there was a slight smile on his face. “I used to worry that maybe we couldn’t stay together, because he’s so far outside of the clan, but now I think it’s a good thing that he always gives me a different perspective.”
Hilo spoke and everyone else became quiet. “No member of the Kaul family has ever held political office. We’ve always been jade warriors who’ve never given up our green for anything, not even the right to rule.” The side of the Pillar’s mouth rose in a lopsided grin. “One thing I can say about my little cousin is that he always does things his own way, even if it’s never been done before. Of course you have my blessing, Andy, and the support of the clan.”
Anden rose from his seat and touched his clasped hands to his forehead in deep salute. “Thank you, Hilo-jen. I’ll do my best to win and not let everyone down.”
Hilo stood as well and the cousins embraced. Hilo said, “Let’s all go to bed on this good news. Shae will set up the meeting with the Kobens, and then we’ll talk more. There’s still a lot to do—there always is—but I’m sure you’re all tired.”
_______
After everyone else had departed and the house was quiet, Hilo went upstairs. Wen was already in bed and waiting up for him. When he got under the covers, she set aside the book she was reading and came into his arms. He kissed her brow and stroked her hair. They lay together in silence for a few minutes.
“When will you do it?” Wen asked.
“During the meeting,” Hilo said. “Bringing Niko in gave me the excuse to keep Lott out. Not because I want to exclude him, but so he can be doing other things.”
Wen nodded. “It’ll take a few weeks for the Weather Men to negotiate all the details of the meeting—the location, the penitents, the security and so on. Hopefully by then, Ayt Mada will have faded from everyone’s attention. Most of her small group of loyal guards are older Green Bones, no match for our best Fists.”