Free Inversions by Iain M. Banks Page B

would not have dared to do so under the old regime.’
    ‘Not to mention one for whom the title King would be an insult, indeed a demotion, sir!’ YetAmidous said, appearing at the General’s shoulder.
    UrLeyn clapped the taller man’s back. ‘You see, DeWar, even my good friend General YetAmidous rightly numbers me with those who have benefited from the demise of the old order and reminds me that it was neither my cunning and guile nor exemplary generalship which led me to the exalted position I now hold,’ UrLeyn said, his eyes twinkling.
    ‘General!’ YetAmidous said, his broad, furrowed, rather doughy-looking face taking on a hurt expression. ‘I meant to imply no such thing!’
    The Grand Aedile UrLeyn laughed and clapped his friend on the shoulder again. ‘I know, Yet, don’t worry. But you take the point, DeWar?’ he said, turning to him again, yet raising his voice to make it clear he was addressing all the rest of those present, not just his chief bodyguard. ‘We have been able,’ UrLeyn told them, ‘to take more control of our own affairs because we do not have the threat of Imperial interference hanging over us. The great forts are deserted, the drafts are returned home or have become aimless bands of brigands, the fleets were sunk vying with one another or left rotting, deserted. A few of the ships had commanders who could hold them together with respect rather than fear, and some of those ships are now part of the Sea Companies. The older Companies have found a new power now that the Empire’s ships no longer harry them. With that power they have a new responsibility, a new station in life. They have become the protectors, not the raptors, the guards, not the raiders.’
    UrLeyn looked round all the people in the group, standing blinking on the terrace of black and white tiles under the fierce glare of Xamis and Seigen at their mid.
    BiLeth nodded even more wisely than before. ‘Indeed, sir. I have often’
    ‘The Empire was the parent,’ UrLeyn went on, ‘and the Kingdoms and the Sea Companies, to a lesser degree were the children. We were left to play amongst ourselves for much of the time, unless we made too much noise, or broke something, whereupon the adults would come and punish us. Now the father and the mother are dead, the degenerate relatives dispute the will, but it is too late, and the children have grown to young adulthood, left the nursery and taken over the house. Indeed, we have quit the tree-house to occupy the whole estate, gentlemen, and we must not show too much disrespect to those who used to play with their boats in the pond.’ He smiled. ‘The least we can do is treat their ambassadors as we would wish ours to be treated.’ He clapped BiLeth on the shoulder, making the taller man waver. ‘Don’t you think?’
    ‘Absolutely, sir,’ BiLeth said, with a scornful look at DeWar.
    ‘There you are,’ UrLeyn said. He turned on his heel. ‘Come.’ He paced away.
    DeWar was still at his side, a piece of blackness moving across the tiles. ZeSpiole had to walk fast to catch up. BiLeth took longer strides. ‘Delay the meeting, sir,’ DeWar said. ‘Let it be held in less formal circumstances. Invite the ambassador to meet you . . . in the baths, say, then’
    ‘In the baths, DeWar,’ the General scoffed.
    ‘How ridiculous!’ BiLeth said.
    ZeSpiole just chuckled.
    ‘I have seen this ambassador, sir,’ DeWar told the General as the doors were opened for them and they entered the coolness of the great hall, where half a hundred courtiers, officials and military men were waiting, scattered about its plain stone floor. ‘He does not fill me with confidence, sir,’ DeWar said quietly, quickly looking round. ‘In fact he fills me with suspicion. Especially as he has requested a private meeting.’
    They stopped near the doors. The General nodded to a small alcove set into the thickness of the wall where there was just enough room for two to sit. ‘Excuse us, BiLeth,