I don't know how Cherryh has kept coming up with new crises for Bren Cameron to deal with. She had definitely set up Cajieri, son of atevi leader Tabini, to be both a fond companion and a thorn in Bren's side. Cajierei may be only eight, with the poor ability to judge consequences of a child, but he also has the slipperiness of an escape artist. This novel sees him making three unfortunate decisions in quick succession. And it's not Bren's first rodeo when it comes to getting the boy to safety, but he anticipates blowback from Tabini and even the Aiji-dowager, Ilisidi, one of his favourite people. (And it saddens me to see this elderly woman having problems. I have a hunch there will be little to no meicheta riding for her anymore).
It never rains but it pours! Politics require that Bren leave his borrowed quarters in the capitol while the apartment that he considers his is occupied by a clan of dubious loyalty. Bren decides to head out to his country estate. There he is initially glad to see his brother Toby, who is now hooked up with Bren's ex, Barb. Barb is a piece of work and manages to scandalize the atevi house staff and the villagers. Additionally, when Cajieri is recovered from his second scrape, Bren takes him personally to thank the neighbouring land holder for locating the boy. They inadvertently discover political machinations that threaten the region and atevi governmental stability.
So Bren must juggle an unpredictable child, family ructions, and deadly political action, with the assassins’ guild in full evidence. If that wasn't enough, he realizes that his time spent on his space mission has deprived his district of much needed leadership and attention. I expect the next book will see more movement in that direction. It's always an interesting ride following Mr. Cameron!
Book number 512 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project
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