Hidden Empire - Kevin J. Anderson [149]
Seeing them approach with his eldest son, the Mage-Imperator abruptly dismissed two nobles, who bowed and backed away. The handsome Prime Designate strode forward, his fine golden braids standing out around his head like a mane. He beckoned to the women. "Come." Beaming with pleasure, he led Nira and Otema into his father's presence beneath the open skysphere. "Father, my Mage-Imperator, I am pleased to formally present these two visitors from Theroc."
Nira gazed at the pasty, sluggish leader in his womblike throne. She could see no resemblance between him and the virile animal magnetism of Prime Designate Jora'h.
The Mage-Imperator stirred from his reclining position. "All are welcome to make a pilgrimage to Mijistra, even humans. Our two cultures have much to learn from each other."
Jora'h had obviously heard those words before. He reached out to touch Nira's shoulder, and she felt his comforting presence, close and warm. "Father, these are green priests, servants of the Theron worldforest, revered practitioners of telink. They can communicate instantaneously across great distances."
Now the Mage-Imperator sat up, attentive. His eyes glinted in the dazzling light, like drawn weapons. "Yes, I know of such humans. I find their ability intriguing."
Jora'h gestured toward the old woman. "This is Otema, formerly the ambassador of Theroc to the Terran Hanseatic League. Now she has come to Mijistra at my invitation. And this"—he smiled at the young woman—"is her lovely assistant, Nira."
She flushed; Jora'h was being too blatant in his flirtation, but she supposed the Prime Designate needed to have no compunctions at all.
"Months ago, Reynald, the son of their leader, visited us here. He and I worked out an agreement whereby he could send these two representatives. Green priests are curious about Ildiran history and legends. I have granted them permission to study our Saga of Seven Suns."
Still awestruck, Nira held her tongue while Otema stepped closer to the Mage-Imperator's chrysalis chair. Respectfully averting her eyes, the old woman extended her ornately potted treeling so the great leader could see the beautiful, featherlike fronds and the scaly golden bark. "We are pleased to present you with an offshoot of the worldforest, Mage-Imperator. Through these trees we are able to communicate over vast distances. Our thoughts join together with all such trees growing across the Spiral Arm."
The corpulent Mage-Imperator did not bother to lift a hand and made no move to take the potted treeling. He seemed uninterested in the trees. "I formally accept your gifts of the worldtrees. However, as you are experts and it seems you two will abide with us in Mijistra for some time, it is best that you keep possession of them. Tend the treelings as you would on your own world."
Otema bowed, as did Nira. The ambassador straightened and met the gaze of the great Ildiran leader. "We have heard much about your Saga of Seven Suns, and we look forward to beginning our work. I understand that reading the entire epic requires a lifetime of study."
"An Ildiran lifetime," the Mage-Imperator said with a hint of smug amusement. "Humans have a briefer existence on the great stage of the galaxy."
"Nevertheless," Jora'h said, as if debating with his father, "in spite of their shorter lives, humans seem to accomplish much more than even our greatest heroes. Perhaps they have a greater sense of...urgency?"
"An interesting observation," the Mage-Imperator said, almost growling. Abruptly, he clapped his hands with a loud sound that rang across the chamber. "Enough. See that