Hidden Empire - Kevin J. Anderson [34]
"Thank you, Yarrod. I am pleased to serve the worldforest in any capacity. Such recognition encourages me to work harder for the next level."
Yarrod continued to smile. "I am not finished yet, Nira. That was merely an introduction." Nira's heart thumped again in her chest.
"The priests have discussed the current acolytes and studied their dedication and drive." He looked at her with bright eyes. Nira held her breath, but he could see right through her thoughts. "We have decided that you have earned more than just another tattoo of learning. Your acolyte service to the worldforest has been exemplary. It could only improve if you were to become a full-fledged green priest."
Nira felt the trees singing around her, laughing or congratulating her, she couldn't tell which—but soon she would. She gripped the electronic book-plaque in her hand so hard she was afraid it might slip from between her sweaty fingertips and tumble to the distant forest floor. She dared not let that happen.
Nira raised her chin and blinked back the tears in her eyes, looking proudly at Yarrod. Her only regret was that she had been unable to finish reading the tale of King Arthur and his knights. That would probably be for another acolyte to do.
16 RLINDA KETT
Rlinda Kett was delighted to be back aboard the Voracious Curiosity. Her merchant ship was fully repaired, cleaned, and even upgraded after having been used as bait against Rand Sorengaard's corsairs. Now she relaxed in her custom-widened captain's chair as the ship approached Theroc.
She came at the surprising invitation of Sarein Theron herself, the third child of Father Idriss and Mother Alexa. The daughter had more business sense than anyone in the family, as far as Rlinda was concerned. Sarein was only twenty-one, a beautiful and savvy woman who had already made connections with the Hansa, extending her network of favors.
Rlinda couldn't help but respect Sarein. Certainly, it would have been politically unwise to turn down the offer to come to Theroc to discuss "matters of interest to people such as ourselves." From her time spent studying on Earth, Sarein had a less provincial mind-set than either of her parents or any of her siblings.
The Therons were insular in their trade practices, keeping a tight hold on the green priests and not inclined to develop new customers for their myriad forest products. As a trader, Rlinda had often looked with interest at Theroc, but considered the cultural restrictions too severe for much of a trade relationship.
Sarein, though, seemed to be changing all that with her overt offer.
The Theron colony was self-sufficient and aloof from the Hanseatic League. The EDF and the Hansa had never pressed the issue, keeping the forest inhabitants happy because they were the only source of green priests, but the Therons refused to be exploited.
Rlinda Kett did not have exploitation in mind at all, though, only mutual benefit. She always dealt fairly with her customers and her suppliers. That was how interstellar trade should work. Still, she kept an eye open for new trade opportunities. She would certainly listen to Sarein's offer.
Despite her five marriages, Rlinda had no children. Instead, she operated four merchant ships, including the Voracious Curiosity, which was her baby. More than just the owner of her own shipping company, Rlinda was one of the best captains as well.
Each of her other captains went out to secure cargoes independently, taking risks and reaping rewards. She hadn't yet decided if she would try to find a replacement for the Great Expectations and Captain Gabriel Mesta. Though they had to buy into her franchise and pay a large fee, the captains were allowed to keep 75 percent of the profits they brought in. If a captain suffered three losses in a row, however, Rlinda's shipping company ousted him and opened the position for a new captain willing to sign on. She'd needed to do that only once, and the man hadn't even been married to her...