Free The Air War (Shadows of the Apt 8) by Adrian Tchaikovsky Page B

blame breath. ‘Stenwold, Losel Baldwen sets aside a month on Makerism in her social history class – has done since the
war.’
    Stenwold stared at him, but Jodry met his eyes without flinching. ‘I refer you to my previous comment. If you actually spent a reasonable time in the city you’d know these things,
and have a chance to do something about them. Instead of which, you’re forever off about the Lowlands or to Myna, or at that retreat on the cliffs that you signed over to those
pirates.’
    ‘Sometimes it’s good to get out of the city,’ Stenwold replied, infuriated that he was now on the defensive, but unable to do anything about it.
    ‘Sten, I’m fat, not dead. I know you miss that’ – his voice dipped – ‘Sea-kinden woman. It’s a shame, I fully admit, but there it is. You need to start
living like a citizen of Collegium again.’ Jodry was one of the very few who knew even half of the secret alliance with the Sea-kinden that Stenwold had brokered. In fact he was one of very
few who even knew that Sea-kinden existed.
    ‘So, tell me what a citizen of Collegium does,’ Stenwold snapped.
    ‘Well, for one, he doesn’t march into the office of the Speaker for the Assembly any time he likes, just to vent his spleen.’ As Stenwold rose to that barb, Jodry levered
himself to his feet, abruptly becoming the man who swayed the city’s government, and not just a fat and idle wastrel. ‘Listen to me, Sten, and look at yourself. Your actions have been
instrumental in putting us where we are now. In preparing for the next war, in devoting so much time and money to the aviators and the Merchant Companies, we have committed ourselves to a
particular view of the world – of the Empire most especially. You will see it through. You will not leave me to parrot your words while you mope about like a sea-master’s
widow.’
    The words sparked a few uncomfortable memories of that student decrying ‘Makerist’ policies in the Forum. How earnest that young man had been, how passionate! Did Stenwold not recall
another youth, not so very much older, debating in tavernas and on street corners, haranguing a hostile crowd to try and open their eyes to ideas they did not want to tolerate. Only, in
Stenwold’s time, that idea had been the Empire’s hostility. And I won. I opened their eyes, after near on twenty years. The boy’s not the same. After all, I know the Empire,
and he doesn’t.
    ‘Jodry,’ he said, a little subdued, ‘I’m right , aren’t I?’
    The other man’s first reaction was a shrug, as if to say that it was too late to change things now, but he plainly sensed that would not be well received, so put in hastily, ‘Oh,
without a doubt. Come on, Sten, they were at the gates not so long ago, and if it wasn’t for your Mantis friend doing away with their Emperor, and all the chaos that caused, they’d have
had us, too. And since they pulled themselves together, it’s been swords drawn all along the border, little skirmishes and raids, and a war looking for an excuse to happen. Of course
you’re right, Sten.’
    And Stenwold looked on his – what? Not quite old friend, so political ally, then – and realized that at last he could no longer read Jodry with utter certainty. He shook his head,
giving up and conceding the point. ‘You bring me down to business, then.’
    ‘I thought I ought to add some structure to the debate, that being my job,’ Jodry agreed gravely. ‘So, speaking of skirmishes and borders, do I take it I can’t dissuade
you from this little jaunt?’
    ‘The Mynan border situation is looking serious,’ Stenwold said. ‘It needs attention. The Three-city Alliance needs to know that we’re holding to our treaty, and they know
me. And the Empire knows me, too. Maybe just turning up will get everyone to back off.’
    Jodry looked at him doubtfully. ‘So this isn’t . . . it , then? Only, I’ve seen some of the reports, the sort of numbers massing at