A Forest of Stars - Kevin J. Anderson [232]
“Peter has already pushed him too far,” Sarein continued, insistent. “Dangerously far. He thinks he’s indispensable.”
“Of course Peter’s indispensable. He’s the King.”
Sarein frowned impatiently at her. “Don’t be a stupid, naïve little girl. You should know better than that by now. The Chairman always maintains several viable options. I’ve just learned the depths of…the danger—” She seemed at a loss for words, then burst out, “Estarra, you have to talk to Peter! Do you have a good relationship with him?”
Estarra nodded, embarrassed. “Yes…yes I do. He’s my husband, and he’s an honorable man.”
Sarein clutched her sister’s hand, alarming Estarra. This was so unlike her. “Then I beg you, Estarra, tell him to cooperate. You could salvage this, before Basil does something he can’t take back. Do your best to help Peter be a better team player. His own future, your future, and the fate of the Hansa rest on this.” Sarein leaned closer. “Estarra, I don’t want to see you hurt. Believe it or not, I do care about you. We’ve both just lost Beneto—”
Estarra suddenly realized why she was feeling so resentful. “And since the day the hydrogues killed Beneto, you haven’t come to see me once. Now, of all times, shouldn’t we be supporting each other as sisters? But I suppose you’ve been too…busy.”
Sarein stiffened. “Beneto was my brother, too. Don’t tell me how to grieve.” She took a step away from Estarra, hesitating, holding the Queen’s gaze. “And I don’t want to have to grieve for more deaths. Be careful. Tell Peter to change his attitude, and we can all get through this.”
Disturbed, Estarra looked at the sunwashed plaza again, the usual crowds of tourists, even a few Klikiss robots standing like sentinels. Zeppelins flew overhead. Groups of visitors were led through a moss-covered maze of gardens on guided tours. She longed to be back home on Theroc with the trees and with the rest of her family, and with her freedom. “Whose side are you on, Sarein?”
Her sister’s eyes flashed with anger. “It’s not a matter of sides, Estarra. We all have jobs to do, and we all have the same enemy. Don’t we?”
Estarra met her gaze, searching. Don’t we?
Unlike the King, Estarra had very few duties, even symbolic ones. Estarra had already done her part by marrying Peter, cementing the alliance with Theroc. Sarein had already rounded up green priest volunteers to join the EDF.
But now that the priests were delivered and the wedding was over, the Hansa didn’t seem to know what to do with the new Queen. Riding in a boat and waving at crowds—was that the most important service she could provide? The extravagant flotilla might have appealed to her little sister, Celli, but was anybody really comforted by Estarra’s public appearances?
At the base level of the WhisperPalace, she made her way to the boathouses and maintenance hangars that held the beautiful ceremonial yacht. As always, guards followed her, coming close while they tried to determine where she was going. A protocol functionary hurriedly offered to escort her, and she nodded. “Of course. I want to look at the parade boat. I’m…so excited about the upcoming event.”
Satisfied with the explanation, the functionary accompanied her, chatting, through the corridors to the lower levels. Narrow capillaries of the RoyalCanal made waterways for the boats to emerge from beneath the sweeping arches of the WhisperPalace.
Within moments, a chatty protocol minister joined them, and the effeminate man quickly began rattling off details about the lovely flotilla, the wines and foods that would be served aboard the lead royal yacht, the ethnic music that would be played at various stations along the canal.
Estarra kept an innocuous smile on her face, nodding at every excited suggestion the protocol minister made. He seemed deliriously happy that the Queen approved of his tastes. They stood at the quays underneath the rippling ceiling of the boathouse domes.
Estarra admired the spacious boat that was designed for pomp instead of speed. With immaculate decorations, the processional