A Forest of Stars - Kevin J. Anderson [56]
Jora’h forced himself not to groan. As Prime Designate, he was confident enough that he rarely needed to consult with lens kithmen, the philosopher priests who helped to guide troubled Ildirans.
The Mage-Imperator continued. “In recompense, however, you yourself will hold all of the thism. You will understand everything that I now know. You will comprehend the motivations and fine workings that I have put in place to keep the Ildiran Empire whole.”
Jora’h hung his head. But I don’t want it yet! He knew his father would scold him for his immaturity. No one had planned for this. No one wanted change—yet it was his responsibility. All his life, Jora’h had known that he would become the next Mage-Imperator. He couldn’t pretend otherwise.
“I promise you I will be ready, Father.” It was the bravest thing he could say, and he hoped it was a promise he could keep. He felt the suffocating weight of the giant PrismPalace ready to crash down upon him. Though the light around him had not changed, he thought he saw many more shadows than he had noticed before.
“You will never be ready, Jora’h. No one is ready. After my father’s death, when it was my time to ascend, I, too, was unprepared. Every Mage-Imperator feels the same way.”
Jora’h tried to control his increasing alarm, his hammering questions. “But the hydrogue war! It is a terrible time to change the leadership of our Empire. There is such danger ahead, countless chances for catastrophe. Father, I am so sorry—”
When the Mage-Imperator heaved himself into a sitting position, Jora’h noticed with alarm how grayish and weak the bulky man looked. How could I not have noticed before? Was I so oblivious, surrounded by my own pleasures?
“There is no time for that. We must prepare you. You have much to learn and understand, or the Empire will crumble into dust.”
Jora’h tried to think of himself as a leader. He lifted his chin. “Then we must use the remaining time to prepare me as much as possible.”
The Mage-Imperator smiled faintly, nestled in his cushioned chair. “An excellent attitude.” His face became harder. “I have watched you, Jora’h. I know what you are made of. You have been a passable Prime Designate, performing up to expectations. You have always been earnest and kindhearted, willing to do your best and loving your people.”
The praise strengthened Jora’h, but his father continued with an edge in his voice. “However, you are too soft and too naïve. I had hoped to continue training you for many decades, to toughen you to the necessities of leadership. Now I have no choice.”
“I have always done what I thought best, Father. If I have made errors—”
“You cannot know what is best until you have all the information on which to base a decision. Even as Prime Designate, there are still many secrets you cannot guess. Only through full control of the thism can you understand the complete tapestry of our Empire. You must harden your heart and clarify your mind.”
Jora’h swallowed. Indeed, this would be a year of many changes.
“Your days will now be different. We must focus entirely on completing your instruction. I only hope we can do it in time.”
Dizzy and overwhelmed, Jora’h began to contemplate the shift. “What shall we do first, Father?”
The Mage-Imperator’s eyes narrowed into fleshy folds. “You must strengthen ties with your brothers, the Designates. Go to Hyrillka. No one can know my health is failing—not yet—but it is imperative that you bring back Thor’h. Once you ascend, your son will become Prime Designate and should start to learn his responsibilities.”
Jora’h agreed. “Yes, he has been pampered long enough with the Hyrillka Designate.”
The Mage-Imperator leaned back in the chrysalis chair, exhausted. “After that…we must all begin to plan.”
28
NIRA
As dusk thickened like clotting blood in the skies of Dobro, Nira stared out at the breeder camp. Long ago, it had been an abortive new colony