Hidden Empire - Kevin J. Anderson [130]
The older woman nodded politely. "We did not expect such a singular honor from the Prime Designate. We have several treelings and other items to present to the Mage-Imperator."
Jora'h waved her aside. "There'll be enough time for formalities and ceremonies later. My father has a very busy schedule today, so I have been given the wonderful task of showing you the sights of Mijistra."
Nira clasped her hands in delight, wanting to see everything. Otema glanced at her young assistant. "As you wish, Prime Designate."
Accompanied by an ever-shifting group of dignitaries and spokespersons who changed at each stop along the tour, Jora'h took them on his royal hover-platform to show them the capital city, both from above and from street level.
Jora'h said, "This city contains museums full of our history, relics, stories, poems...all to preserve the most glorious days of our culture. We have a grand architectural and artistic tradition. Our golden age has remained undiminished for millennia."
Nira stared at the clear walls, the transparent construction bricks that made every building absorb and reflect light. Since the Ildiran people abhorred darkness, their main construction materials were glasses, crystals, and polymers, some clear and colorless, others jewel-toned. For aesthetics as well as increased structural integrity, columns of opaque reinforcement blocks ran up the sides of primary walls.
The lines of the street flowed in curves rather than hard angles. Pyramids were covered with hanging gardens and fern-clusters. Waterfalls and streams ran through necklaces of pools, bubbling down the sloping sides of buildings through channels and gutters.
"It's all so beautiful," Nira said. Jora'h gave her an appreciative smile.
Otema said, almost apologetically, "My assistant has never been away from Theroc, Prime Designate. She is most impressionable."
Jora'h flashed his smoky eyes at the young woman. "Reynald has told me how beautiful your worldforest is."
At his encouragement, Nira began to describe the towering forests and the fungus-reef cities and the worm hives, then told him about becoming an acolyte and finally taking the green. Ambassador Otema let Nira talk, and Jora'h appeared fascinated with it all.
He said, "We Ildirans revere our scholars as well as our musicians and poets, artists, glassmakers, and our rememberers. A society that does not remember itself is not worth remembering." Around him, the other bureaucrats agreed. "I am so glad you two will be here for a long time. A study of our Saga cannot be finished in a few days. Together, we will have time to visit many of our great museums and exhibits."
Nira's mind and her senses felt full to bursting. Her eyes, already dazzled by the brilliant sunlight, could not absorb more, no matter how quickly she glanced from side to side. Otema leaned closer and said in a quiet voice, "Don't gawk, child. You must not embarrass us."
Flustered, Nira tried to recapture her dignity, but Jora'h said, "Ah, but Ambassador, is that not the best compliment Nira can give—to show how captivated she is by everything she sees?" He reached out to touch Nira's arm, and she felt an electric thrill run through her emerald skin. "One who lives with a childlike sense of wonder should never be ashamed. Don't you agree?"
Otema let her expression melt into a smile. "Yes, I agree, Prime Designate. You have reminded me that one who worries too much about formalities and dignity may well miss important parts of life."
After hours of busy sightseeing during which the stars jockeyed for position in the sky, yet never hinted at approaching twilight, Nira and Otema were finally led to their quarters in the Prism Palace. All of their possessions had been removed from the Voracious Curiosity and meticulously placed in separate rooms, far enough apart to offer privacy yet close enough that Nira and Otema could easily confer with each other. The potted treelings had been divided into two groups, one set in each of their quarters.
Jora'h said, "It is difficult for humans