Complete silence fell across the table. The oblivious burble of noise from the rest of the Twice Lucky beyond the sliding doors seemed cacophonous. The other Lantern Men edged back in their seats, the color draining from their faces, as Fuyin slowly stood. “You accuse me of betraying the clan? I was a first-rank Fist when you were still an insolent boy in the Academy. You’re the one, Kaul Hiloshudon, who’s betrayed all of us.”
The bitterness Hilo had sensed in Fuyin’s aura swelled into a storm, and the careful veneer of politeness he’d maintained until now fell away. “My father built a thriving business out of nothing but his sweat and grit and the patronage of the clan. Thank the gods he’s no longer alive to see his company pushed out of the market, all because you’ve opened up our country to foreigners like a whore opening her legs.” Fuyin’s voice thickened and trembled. “My son admired you so much and wanted to be just like you. He was only twenty years old, barely a Finger for six months, when he was killed for nothing, in a clan war that would never have happened under your brother or grandfather. You have the arrogance to expect my allegiance? No, Kaul-jen, you’re a pup of a Pillar, and your sister licks Espenian boots. I owe nothing to you.”
Hilo did not speak for an uncharacteristically long moment. He could Perceive the thudding heartbeats and held breaths all around him, especially Shae’s, but they seemed distant compared to the sensation of building pressure in his hands and head. At last he said, “Fuyinjen, I can see that the hardships you’ve suffered have made you hate me, but you were wrong to let yourself be used by Ayt Mada.” He stood to face the man. “You could’ve come to talk to me at any point if you were so unhappy. Whether it’s business trouble that’s making you feel like giving up on life, or if you can’t forgive me for the death of your son, you could’ve asked to leave honorably, maybe even to form your own small clan in another part of the country. Because of your family’s good standing and past sacrifice, I would’ve allowed that. You shouldn’t have defected to the Mountain, and you shouldn’t have swept others along with you by trying to damage No Peak with this fucking charade.”
Fuyin straightened to his full height. He was taller than the Pillar, in his forties but still in excellent physical shape, known for training with much younger Green Bones. “You suggest I should’ve begged to leave the city I was born in, to live like a worthless outcast? Do you expect me to cut off my ear now to grovel for my own life? Never.” The man’s face hardened with terrible resolve. “Kaul Hiloshudon, Pillar of No Peak, I offer you a clean blade.”
A murmur of stunned apprehension traveled through the room. No one had challenged Kaul Hilo to a duel in years. Fuyin said, “Name the place and wea—”
“I refuse.” Hilo’s words stopped the air in the room. The Pillar’s famous temper came into his face. “You’re a traitor. You don’t deserve a duel. I’m sorry for your son and your misfortune in business, but many of us suffer terrible tragedy in our lives yet we don’t break our brotherly oaths.”
Fuyin was nonplussed for a moment. Even Shae and Woon stared at Hilo in surprise. To anyone’s knowledge, Kaul Hiloshudon had never turned down a personal challenge. Fuyin rocked back on his heels in disbelief. “You’re a coward,” he spat.
“I’m the Pillar of the clan,” Hilo said. “I’d be foolish not to assume you’re still a capable fighter, Fuyinjen. Maybe you have nothing to live for anymore, but I can’t afford to risk any injuries that might make me take time away from my family and responsibilities.” Hilo frowned at his own words, aware that he was explaining his refusal to himself more than Fuyin. “If you want to keep your life, you can give what you own to the clan and accept exile from Kekon. Otherwise, I can grant you a death of consequence, with a blade in your hand. That’s all.”
As Hilo spoke, the door to the room slid open and Juen Nu, the Horn of No Peak, came in with Maik Tar and Iyn Ro. The three Green Bones had been waiting downstairs on Hilo’s orders, prepared to enter if they Perceived any threat from the men at the table. Mr. Tino and Mr. Eho edged away from Fuyin with wide eyes, as if he’d become a ticking explosive. Fuyin’s eyes darted and his hands twitched as he stood alone. Juen, Maik, and Iyn began to walk around the large round table toward him from either side. None of the Lantern Men they passed dared to leave their seats.
Shae began to stand, her aura crackling with alarm. The Weather Man had called together these Lantern Men for what was supposed to be a conciliatory business lunch that was about to turn into an execution. “Hilo,” she hissed, loudly enough to be heard. “It’s not right to do it here like this. Let—”