A Forest of Stars - Kevin J. Anderson [248]
Out in the square, ferns and flowers covered the terrain. Gardeners had made a special effort in Estarra’s honor to keep the foliage and greenery lush. They wanted the young Queen from Theroc to feel at home.
Food and souvenir vendors made their way through the crowds, setting up stands, offering their wares. Palace representatives on hover-platforms tossed out handfuls of commemorative coins that showed Peter and Estarra on the face with the encircled-Earth symbol of the Hansa on the reverse.
With his image projected from screens all around the plaza, the bearded old Archfather of Unison gave yet another blessing upon the royal couple and called for the grand honeymoon festival to start.
Sleek military hydro-craft roared up and down the canal, doing a final security check, although the crowds had already been screened and any conceivable weapon removed and deactivated. These were more than just soldiers, though, because their agile craft performed acrobatic maneuvers, spraying rooster tails of water in delightful plumes.
Sarein pressed closer to Basil. He stared fixedly at the canal, but did not look toward the Palace, where the royal yacht was even now emerging. Its ribbons and pennants fluttered with a sparkling rainbow of hues.
King Peter and Queen Estarra stood at the bow, proudly waving, dressed in their most extravagant outfits. As the royal couple’s boat arrived, the crowd whistled and applauded. Sarein felt a blushing glow of popular acceptance and sincere adoration for her sister and Peter that made her heart tingle. The Hansa’s citizens had drawn together to support their King, hoping for some sort of miracle. Beloved Old Frederick had died in the first blow in this war, and now the people looked to King Peter to save them.
Before setting out that morning, the King had made a show of approaching Basil, accompanied by Estarra. Both of them were immaculately dressed for the day’s festivities, looking eager. Peter had been on perfect behavior lately, so Sarein hoped that her quiet warning to her sister had sunk in. She greeted the young King formally, happy for her sister, though a part of her still wished she could have been chosen as the new Queen.
Smiling, Peter said, “Basil, I’d like to extend you an invitation. Although I am the figurehead King, you are the Chairman of the Terran Hanseatic League. You make the command decisions and run the business of the Spiral Arm. You should be there celebrating with us.”
Basil glanced at him, surprised and suspicious, but the young King seemed sincere as he insisted, “Queen Estarra and I would very much like for you to join us aboard our yacht for the honeymoon festival. Why not ride at the aft of the yacht, while we stand at the bow?”
Basil took a moment to regain his composure. “That would not be wise at this time, King Peter.”
“Why not?” Estarra said sweetly. “We could have you as an honorary best man. This would be a lovely way to demonstrate the bond between the Hansa Chairman and the King.”
Sarein saw an awkward flinch on Basil’s face. “I don’t think so,” he said. “The plans have been set in stone, and you, Peter, have already upset the protocol ministers enough in recent weeks.”
Peter laughed. “Oh, they’ll get over it, Basil. Come on, join us. What have you got to lose?”
“Please, Mr. Chairman?” Estarra said.
Sarein wondered why Basil was being so resistant. This new cooperative attitude was exactly what he claimed he had hoped for in the King. “It’s a perfectly reasonable suggestion, Basil,” she said quietly. “Why won’t you consider it?”
“I said no.” Basil stiffened. “Now go prepare for your departure.”
“Come with me, Estarra. Basil hates it when schedules change.” Looking disappointed—too disappointed, Sarein thought—Peter took his Queen by the arm. They left, and Sarein thought she saw a very odd expression on the Chairman’s face…
Now, wearing a beautiful ambassadorial gown of Theron weaves and rich green dyes, she stood next to Basil, while other Hansa representatives joined them