Shae sat forward at his mention and said, “We have to grow No Peak’s capabilities if we hope to prevail against our enemies. We’ve been upgrading technology systems, expanding Kaul Dushuron Academy to be able to train more Green Bones, and building up our overseas offices and businesses.” The Weather Man’s chief of staff, Woon Papidonwa, immediately handed her a file folder. Shae opened it and began to extract a sheaf of papers. “I can show you the clan’s budget for the coming year and exactly where the tribute income is being—”
Another Lantern Man, the darkly tanned Mr. Eho, waved down the gesture impatiently. “I don’t doubt you’re spending the money. The problem is how you’re spending it. No Peak continues chasing business in Espenia, which will surely harm our country in the long run.” He avoided looking at the Weather Man, who he’d disapproved of on previous occasions. “Young people are too influenced by foreign ways. That’s why you see more crime and social problems these days. What happened last week at the Double Double casino, for example. Disgraceful. And the hooligans responsible weren’t caught.”
Hilo’s eyes narrowed at Eho’s lecturing tone. “If you want to blame someone for crime, think about how many barukan gang members the Mountain clan has brought into the country to pad their ranks. But that’s beside the point. I know the Mountain is undercutting us, offering you lower tribute rates, and suddenly you feel it’s unfair to pay your usual amount when it seems you could do better.” The uncomfortable silence that answered him was ample confirmation. Several of the Lantern Men were studiously avoiding his stare.
Fuyin Kan, however, did not look away.
“Switching allegiance would be a drastic and difficult decision,” Fuyin said. It would not only affect a Lantern Man’s finances, but where he chose to live, which martial school his children could attend, his social connections, and who his friends and enemies would be. “We don’t want to go that far, which is why we’ve come as a group hoping for accommodation.”
The rest of the Lantern Men sat forward in agreement. Fuyin had let others speak first, but it was apparent that he was the leader among them, as Hilo had suspected. This is going to end badly. Hilo felt certain of this, but nevertheless, he said, “We can’t lower tribute right away. I can give you my word as Pillar that as our overseas businesses grow, we’ll share that benefit with the whole clan. The Weather Man’s office will adjust your tribute downward in stages, over the next five years.” He had no idea if that made financial sense, but it sounded reasonable. Since Shae’s aura didn’t begin to surge with ire toward him, he assumed she could get it done.
Fuyin shook his head. “That’s hardly any compromise at all. We’ve all agreed that it would be only fair for No Peak to match the Mountain’s offer. And we believe strongly that there needs to be a change in the direction of the clan. An end to growing business overseas and focusing instead on defending our interests at home.”
Shae’s jade aura rippled with consternation, but she spoke firmly. “If we lower tribute payments while also giving up on our fastest growing source of revenue, the clan would lose money on both ends. We’d be setting ourselves up to be destroyed.”
Some of the Lantern Men muttered at this, but Fuyin spread his hands. “The Mountain is doing fine. Are you saying the No Peak clan can’t do the same? If so, can you blame us if we decide to act together for the sake of our futures?”
It did not sound like a threat, but it was. Fuyin had gathered together half a dozen disaffected Lantern Men and now he was saying that if No Peak refused to meet their collective demands, they would defect en masse to the Mountain clan. Even Shae had no immediate reply to such daring extortion.
An anger weighty with disappointment settled over Hilo. “Fuyinjen,” he said, fixing all his attention on the former Fist and ignoring the other men in the room, “why would you come here to ask me for anything, when you’ve already turned to the Mountain? Is it on Ayt Mada’s orders that you’re trying to drag these other people down with you?”
Fuyin’s expression became a blank wall. “What are you talking about?”
“You’ve been paying tribute to the Mountain clan for months. I can show everyone the proof that Maik Tar dug up—or you can admit it rather than lie to my face.” Hilo’s words were spoken calmly but with unmistakable cold portent. “You’re not just a Lantern Man like these others. You’re a Green Bone who’s betrayed his clan oaths.”