“You wanted to see me?” Ruqaiya asked, stepping into his temporary office on the ground floor.

Jehan looked up from the report he had been pretending to read and smiled sweetly at her. He had requested a meeting with her a couple of hours ago. She’d said she would see him as soon as she was free. According to her schedule for the day, she’d been free for about an hour now.

Her stance was relaxed, her expression cordial. She made no move to explain what had kept her so long, and he didn’t ask. She’d be more willing to cooperate if she thought she’d already scored a point, won the first battle in their little war.

“Madam Dehran! So glad you could make it! Tea?” he asked, rising from his chair.

Ruqaiya hesitated, but her sense of propriety eventually got the better of her. “I’ll make it,” she said, stepping towards the electric kettle tucked away in one corner of the huge office.

“Don’t stand on ceremony with me, Madam. How long have we known each other again?” He waved her off and headed over to the little makeshift kitchenette near the back.

She sat down on the chair opposite the one Jehan had recently vacated and crossed her legs. “Long enough for you to start calling me by my name, I should think.”

Jehan reached for the kettle, ducking his head to hide the smile tugging at his lips. Slowly but surely, he was breaking down her walls. This might not prove to be as difficult as he had imagined after all.

Handing her one of the exquisite porcelain cups, he returned to his seat and took an appreciative sip. Anuja’s lessons hadn’t gone to waste; he really did make very good tea.

“I’m planning a trip south, to Weritlan and Waimar. Shouldn’t take more than a week, in all. You’ll be able to handle things here in the capital, I’m sure.” It was a statement, not a question.

“I’m sorry, what?” Ruqaiya leaned forward in her chair, a frown marring her handsome face. “You’re going to Weritlan? When? More importantly, why?” She sounded more exasperated than wary or suspicious.

Jehan let out the breath he’d been holding as he waited for her reaction. “Well, isn’t it obvious? To make sure Rinisa doesn’t screw up the Vanya dam negotiations with Ishfana, of course.

“I told her I’d bring the dam under the jurisdiction of the central government if Eraon and Ishfana didn’t figure out a way to play nice and share the water like civilized people.” He sighed, shaking his head. “But we all know that’s easier said than done. It’d entail years of litigation, and a further drain on Qayit’s treasury that we really can’t afford.

“Anyway, I don’t think she’d oppose me outright, but she might try to stall the negotiations or undermine Eraon’s claim to the dam; allow Ishfana to get away with unfair terms in the final agreement. Eraon needs someone to argue impartially on its behalf. And Henna Sameen certainly isn’t going to be any use in that department.”

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Henna Sameen isn’t any use in any department,” Ruqaiya muttered through gritted teeth.

“My thoughts exactly,” Jehan nodded. “And Rinisa, of course, will do everything in her power to ensure that Eraon gets the worst possible deal. The higher she can drive the price of drinking water in that state, the happier she’ll be.”

“And so you want to go there and play mediator?”

“Well, somebody has to. I could set up a committee, but you know as well as I do committees never solve anything. And I could send you, but then they might say you’re supporting Eraon ‘cause you’re Birhani. If Rinisa manages to raise enough of a racket about political bias in the media, the whole thing could prove counterproductive and put us back in square one.

“Besides, I’m hoping my presence would smooth any ruffled political feathers in Weritlan. The government in Ishfana wouldn’t be happy about having to share their precious dam with Eraon. That’d be hard enough to sell to the voters, without us making them look like losers.

“The people of Ishfana need to feel like they’re doing a favor to their neighbors, not like their leaders are being arm-twisted into compliance. I’ll visit Weritlan first, before Waimar. Give a few rousing speeches about interstate solidarity and national unity. Make them feel appreciated, like their sacrifice is being recognized by the central government and their fellow countrymen. That’ll mellow them; give both sides something to feel good about, a line to sell to the electorate. Which will in turn make the negotiations less contentious when they begin.”

Ruqaiya was looking at him with a combination of surprise and skepticism. “I can see where you’re going with this. Of course, a lot will depend on the execution. Rinisa has a support base in both the states, that damnable wretch! And you’re almost completely unknown outside of the capital. Going up against her on her home turf won’t be easy.”

“Who said anything about going against Rinisa? I wouldn’t dream of doing any such thing. I’m on her side; anyone with half a brain can see that. She’s the Deputy CM of Eraon. Surely, she must want only the best for her state. Well, that’s what I’m offering.

“Central backing for a mutually beneficial settlement between Ishfana and Eraon, ensuring that her state will never fall into a water crisis. Exactly what she’s been trying to achieve all these years, if her campaign speeches are to be believed. What more could she possibly want?”

Ruqaiya snorted. “Well, who do you want to take with you on this glorious mission to hoodwink your taxpayers?”

“Doesn’t matter who. What matters is how many. Handpick the best negotiators we have. But the delegation must remain as small as possible. I don’t want to make this visit look like a big deal and draw undue attention from the media.

“If the press takes too much of an interest, the governments of both Eraon and Ishfana will feel the need to prove a point, and become uncooperative and confrontational. Nobody likes to look weak when there’s an audience watching.”

Ruqaiya nodded, looking satisfied, though her eyes still bored into Jehan as if she thought she could read his mind, if only she looked hard enough. “Fine, I’ll do what I can. When do you leave?”

“As soon as possible. I was hoping…in a couple of days, maybe?”

She frowned. “Not undoable. But what’s the rush? You’ve waited this long. Wait two more weeks and I’ll get you the best team of negotiators and arbitrators Naijan has to offer. We have time on our side.”

“Time,” Jehan smiled ruefully. “That’s the only thing that’s never been on my side, isn’t it? And the only thing I’ve ever needed.”

He stood abruptly, walking over to the window without a backward glance at his companion. “Make the arrangements, Ruqaiya. I’ll be leaving in two days.”