Dragon's Honor - Kij Johnson [96]
The Dragon shrugged. “Why not then? The world has gone mad already, and we might as well have at least one happy occasion to celebrate. A marriage between one of your people and mine is a fine idea. I should have thought of it before.” He scratched his chin. “What sort of dowry are you asking for?”
“As a dowry,” Picard said, “we request only a pardon for your Second Son, the misguided-but-honorable Kan-hi.”
“A pardon?” The Dragon was visibly taken aback. He stared, scowling, at his younger son, who remained in shackles with Yao Hu by his side.
“Consider the matter, Excellence,” Picard said quickly. “Kan-hi’s errors in judgment were those of a young man in love. Once pardoned, he would be free to marry the Green Pearl in his brother’s place, thus sealing your alliance with Lu Tung and fulfilling the terms of your treaty with the Federation.” And freeing the Enterprise to protect your Empire, he added silently. “Assuming that is acceptable to you, Lord Lu Tung.”
The dour warrior nodded his assent. “Better a thief than an assassin, I suppose. Although,” he added, looking directly at Kan-hi, “if you disappoint my daughter in any way, know that you will answer to me.”
Kan-hi gulped. “I understand, Lord Lu Tung. I love Yao Hu with all my heart. You won’t regret this.”
“I don’t know,” the Dragon said. “Everything is happening so fast.”
“Please, Exalted One,” the Pearl pleaded, never budging from her lover’s side. “Don’t you see? It’s destiny. Our union is fated.”
“Well …” the Dragon said, overwhelmed and undecided.
Troi took the Emperor by the arm. “Surely,” she said, “a man so wise in the ways of love and romance cannot remained unmoved in the face of the obvious passion between your son and the Green Pearl of Lu Tung?”
“What?” he said. “I mean … no, of course not! Very well, Kan-hi is pardoned. Let the weddings begin!”
“Weddings?” Riker blurted, emphasizing the plural. Meanwhile, Hsiao Har was now holding on to Riker’s arm as if she was afraid he would suddenly flee for the hills. A distinct possibility, Picard thought, if this goes on much further. He whispered in Beverly’s ear.
“Excuse me,” she said a moment later. “Before the joyous nuptials between Lord Riker and Hsiao Har can take place, I must complete a brief medical examination.” She approached the unlikely looking couple.
Riker was blushing bright red by now. “Beverly,” he asked, “what’s this all about?”
“Ssssh,” she murmured while she ran her medical tricorder over him, humming thoughtfully at the results. Then she did the same to Hsiao Har. The girl didn’t even glance in Beverly’s direction, preferring to stare moonily at Riker. “Alas,” Beverly announced. “It is as I feared.”
“What?” said the Dragon, Riker, and Hsiao Har, in various tones of concern, anxiety, and fear.
“This wedding between Lord Riker and the Dragon’s granddaughter is unhappily impossible,” she said.
“Why?” asked the Dragon, Riker, and Hsiao Har, this time blending curiosity, hope, and despair.
“Because Lord Riker and Hsiao Har are incompatible. They can never have children together.” Only Picard saw Beverly wink at Riker, who released a less-than-tactful sigh of relief.
“It is impossible?” the Dragon asked.
“Even the advanced medicine of the Federation could do nothing to make their union fruitful.”
“That’s all right, Grandfather,” Hsiao Har said, practically jumping up and down. “I don’t care. His second wife can give him all the babies he wants. They’re smelly, disgusting things anyway.”
The Dragon shook his head dolefully. “The Imperial bloodline must be continued. There must be heirs.”
“Yao Hu will give you heirs,” Hsiao Har insisted. “Lots of them! I just want Lord Commander Riker.”
Troi couldn’t help glancing at Riker, who looked positively crimson.
“No,” the Dragon decreed. “We cannot allow any branch of our celestial heritage to wither on the vine. Nor can I deprive my granddaughter of the most noble calling any woman can have: that of a mother. This marriage cannot take place.