Hidden Empire - Kevin J. Anderson [62]
The skymine eased away from the rubble, moving toward the clouds of Erphano. Berndt glanced back at the scarred construction facility behind them, then turned forward, looking at the eye of the gas giant. The resource-rich clouds beckoned him, and he decided that he would not look back ever again, only forward.
28 RLINDA KETT
Rlinda Kett awoke satisfied from a comfortable night's sleep beneath the whispering worldtrees. After devouring an extravagant breakfast of fruits and nuts accompanied by clee—a steamy, potent beverage made from ground worldtree seeds—she felt ready to tackle any decision.
"If I stay here on Theroc much longer, I'll gain a dozen kilos," Rlinda said to Sarein. "That would both endanger my health and decrease the mass cargo I can carry on the Voracious Curiosity."
Sarein had added metal combs to her hair and wore a traditional Theron gown, looped with court finery, beautiful scarves and shawls made from ephemeral cocoon fibers. Rlinda wanted her own wardrobe of the cloth—to demonstrate its beauty to new customers, but also so she could preen in front of the mirror. Although she had no intention of attracting yet another husband, she saw no harm in looking pretty.
"My parents would like to speak with you," Sarein said with a confident smile. "We must make a good impression."
"Leave it to me, Sarein. I can make a good case." Rlinda brushed herself off and stood, looking longingly at the various dishes she had not yet found time to sample.
Inside the largest chamber of the fungus-reef city, Father Idriss and Mother Alexa held court. Airy gaps to the outside were covered with prismatic condorfly wings that served as stained-glass windows. The two leaders sat side by side, statuesque and handsome, dark-haired and bronze-tanned.
Rlinda stepped forward, her steps surprisingly delicate and careful for a woman of her size. She bowed deeply, with all the grace she could manage. "I am most pleased for the opportunity to speak to you, Father Idriss and Mother Alexa."
Idriss leaned forward on his large chair. He had a squared-off black beard and wore a headdress of feathers and beetle carapaces that gave him an imposing and magisterial presence. "Our daughter Sarein speaks well of you. I think she considers you a friend. How could we not meet with you, when our eldest daughter requests it?"
Beside him, Mother Alexa wore a dazzling gown with impressive shoulder apparatus that stood tall like the plumage of a peacock. Part of the queen's costume had been assembled from the whole wings of condorflies, color-coordinated with the clothes she wore. Her glossy raven hair fell to her waist.
Rlinda straightened. "I hope Sarein hasn't exaggerated my importance. I am not a particularly prominent person in the Hanseatic League, and this is a great honor for me." Sarein stood off to one side, attentive, but the merchant woman kept her focus on the two rulers. "The forests of Theroc appear to be rich with possibilities. Sarein showed me many of your native products, and I believe there are countless trade opportunities we could explore. Frankly, I'm surprised that armies of merchants haven't already attempted to forge alliances with you."
"Few people see beyond our green priests," said Alexa. "That is all the Hansa seems to want."
Idriss added, "And we aren't overly eager to complicate our lives. We speak for the green priests, but the worldforest helps them to make all their decisions. In truth, we have little to do with their choices. Here, the Therons have everything we need. We are content, with no large-scale causes of human conflict."
Sarein touched Rlinda's broad shoulder in a companionly gesture. "Some even claim that the benevolent presence of the worldforest suppresses the natural human penchant for violence and conflict."
"Then I applaud your efforts to spread treelings to other planets." Rlinda smiled wryly. "I can name plenty of places that would benefit from it."
"Our priests are doing all they can." Mother