A special shareholder meeting of the Kekon Jade Alliance was convened six days later.  After much political outrage and tense military posturing on all sides, the diplomatic crisis between Espenia and Ygutan had not escalated into all-out war, but in Janloon and other cities across Kekon, there had been panicked runs on groceries and basic supplies at a time that would normally be a period of rest and celebration.  The Green Bone clans had been out in force preventing crime and looting in their own districts, but that was a short-term concern.  The Kekonese people were contemplating the possibility of foreign invasion for the first time since the Many Nations War.  Even clan leaders that hated each other knew they needed to meet.

Shae went over to the main house early that morning and found the children watching cartoons while Kyanla cleaned up after breakfast.  "Auntie Shae, we're watching Beast Taming Warriors," Ru informed her, pulling her toward the sofa.  An animated show about Green Bone royal guards of a fictitious pseudo Three Crowns-era dynasty, who not only had fantastically overpowered jade abilities but who could summon and ride enormous magical beasts into battle.  A number of action figures of the show's characters were scattered on the carpet in front of the television.

Shae sat down on the sofa to appease her nephew.  "Where's your da?"

Ru shrugged, but Niko said, with sudden worry, "Do you think he'll divorce Ma?"
Shae was taken aback by the six-year-old's question, coming seemingly out of nowhere, but before she could think of how to respond, Ru jumped on his brother and began hitting him in the shoulders and stomach.  "Stop saying that!  They're not getting divorced, you stupid dogface!"  Jaya toddled over, giggling curiously.
Niko shoved his little brother aside impatiently without hitting back, and Shae separated the boys to opposite sides of the sofa.  "Ru, you shouldn't use words like dogface," she told him.  Hilo came down the stairs, glanced briefly at the sullen scene, and said, "Turn off the TV, you should be getting dressed for school."  He strode for the door.  Shae followed him.

A trusted driver took them downtown in the Duchesse.  Hilo lit a cigarette and rolled down the back seat window.

Shae forced herself to break the thick silence that now seemed to descend every time she was alone with her brother.  "The boys are worried about you and Wen."
Hilo said, "Niko worries too much.  Who's ever met a kid like that?"

"It's because he pays attention," Shae said.  The boy often seemed inattentive, lost in his own thoughts, but then he would say something that made it clear he overheard a great deal of what the adults discussed.  "He knows you treat Wen differently now."

"I treat her just fine," Hilo snapped.  "I've always taken care of her."