CHAPTER 15: Rats in the Celestial Radiance

Wen visits the Celestial Radiance, a women-only bathhouse now under Mountain jurisdiction, comfortable that it is neutral ground. Reflecting on her public role as Pillar’s wife and her commitment not to be a weakness, she treats the visit as cover for clandestine meetings that strengthen No Peak.

Wen meets Akul Min Mila, a secretary in the Mountain Weather Man’s office, who nervously passes a photocopied monthly meeting schedule for newly appointed Weather Man Iwe Kalundo. Wen pays and cautions Mila to move carefully to avoid suspicion. She conceals these efforts from Hilo, believing he would forbid the risk and that secrecy protects both his authority and Shae’s methods.

Next, Wen meets Mrs. Lonto, a High Ground hairdresser whose information pipeline runs through elite Mountain families. Wen had previously secured leniency for the woman’s son, ensuring her loyalty. After pleasantries, Wen asks for history on the Koben family.

Over two weeks, Wen corroborates details through additional informers, family gossip, and public records, feeding findings to Shae. The picture emerges: Ayt Eodo’s widow renounced the Ayt name and raised their son as Koben Atosho, now nine and entering Wie Lon, with the Koben clan hoping Ayt will acknowledge him as heir. Counterweights include the wealthy, influential Ven family led by shipper Ven Sandolan, and Iwe Kalundo, Ayt’s trusted new Weather Man, though the Iwe line is shadowed by shine addiction rumors.

At a family strategy session, Shae explains Ayt’s incentive to delay naming an heir, weighing Koben numbers and ties against Ven influence and Iwe loyalty. Doru’s earlier advice to ally with the Kobens is considered as a defensive peace gambit. Wen cautions against recreating Doru’s secret unification schemes. Hilo concludes by directing Shae to arrange a meeting with Ven Sandolan.