A Forest of Stars - Kevin J. Anderson [249]
The royal yacht and its accompanying boats drifted down the canal at a sedate pace so that the spectators could wave and cheer, take their images, and perhaps catch the King’s eye. As far as Sarein could tell, everything was going perfectly.
But Basil was still very tense.
From behind, a group of palace guards rushed through the crowds, clearing a way so that the green priest Nahton could reach the observation stand. One of the guards helped him carry his potted treeling. Nahton ran quickly, his expression panic-stricken.
The representatives parted to let him hurry onto the platform. The green priest’s voice was reedy and thin—not because he was out of breath from the effort, but because of the news he carried. “Hydrogues are attacking Theroc! Right now! They are wiping out the worldforest.”
Sarein covered her mouth, unable to believe. Her home! Theroc!
Pushing aside his shock, Basil demanded a detailed explanation. Nahton quickly told how the warglobes had methodically begun to freeze and blast the worldtrees. Several major Theron settlements had already been annihilated.
“The people have gone to the base of the forest, but they have no protection even there. The worldtrees are fighting back, but to no avail. Father Reynald has requested assistance from anyone who can come. Can we dispatch the EDF?”
Basil looked distractedly at the green priest, as if trying to decide what to do, while Sarein grabbed his sleeve in alarm. “Basil, how many ships can you send? Why are you hesitating?”
He frowned at her, annoyed at the distraction when he was deep in thought. “Sarein, if we knew of any effective defense against a hydrogue attack, we would have used it long before this. What is the purpose in scrambling our forces in a frantic but pointless exercise? They can’t do anything.”
A wave of frustration and disgust shot through her. “Pointless? You offered my people protection and a partnership with Earth. Nineteen green priests joined the EDF. My sister married the King.” Then she quickly used the hook that would make him act. “Basil, if the worldforest is destroyed, you’ll have no more telink.”
The Chairman nodded briskly. “Very well, Nahton. Contact all the volunteer green priests aboard EDF warships. Dispatch whichever vessels are closest to Theroc with all possible speed.” He looked at Sarein. “I doubt they’ll arrive in time, though—even if they could be effective against warglobes. You know how little good our weapons and battleships can do.”
Nahton said, “Clydia reports that her ships are within a day of Theroc. Those are the closest.”
Sarein cried, “A day? But that will be too late! You know how quickly the hydrogues decimated Corvus Landing.”
“Send them anyway,” Basil commanded. “Unless you have a better idea, Sarein?”
She remembered how badly she had wanted to leave Theroc, how much scorn she’d held for her provincial parents and their refusal to expand trading opportunities with the Hansa. Now, though, she could only think of the destruction of the magnificent worldforest, the suffering of her family…Had she already lost her parents or grandparents? Her little sister Celli? Her brother Reynald?
“We’ve got to stop the honeymoon festival,” she said. “We must tell King Peter—and especially my sister. Our family is in danger.”
Basil scowled. “No, the parade will continue as planned. We will control the news and release the information as we see fit. Enough time for that later.”
“But Estarra has to know,” Sarein said.
“Let her keep her peace and happiness for the moment. She has her own part to play right now. You can’t interrupt.”
Sarein grabbed his arm again, wrinkling the fine business suit. “Basil, we’ve already lost Beneto on Corvus Landing. Now Reynald is facing the hydrogues. My parents might be obliterated in a few moments. How can I bear to lose any more? Show a little compassion.”
“And you show a little common sense. This is a war. People die.” Basil looked at her. “You’ll just have to endure whatever grief finds you, Sarein. Maybe it’s best if it occurs all at once, so