The mecheiti aren't crashing through Uncle Tatisegi's hedges; instead, everyone else in the Padi Valley and the west seem to be crashing Tatisegi's in a show of support for Tabini. Bren worries, and there are priceless tea sets set out and many tea cakes devoured over fractious political discussions. And Cajeiri's in the middle of everything, Tabini's and canny Ilsidi's hope for peace on the continent. And Bren makes a definitive political statement.