Horizon Storms - Kevin J. Anderson [151]
“You are all aware of the injuries I received in the last hydrogue attack. My spirit spent a long time wandering apart from my body, and while I remained in sub-thism sleep, I found myself on the plane of the Lightsource. I learned many ways to make myself a stronger person, to anchor and reinforce the loyal population of Hyrillka.” His voice grew soft, conspiratorial. “And I discovered a means by which the Ildiran Empire can become more unified and focused than ever before, bound together by the strongest ties of thism directly from the Lightsource.”
The Designate’s words disturbed Pery’h. He had not talked with his uncle about these strange thoughts and supposed revelations. Thor’h, meanwhile, showed little reaction, his mouth curved in a beatific smile as he rode the continued effects of shiing.
Rusa’h continued: “Today I command all people of Hyrillka to join me in our thriving nialia fields. Although the hydrogues destroyed much, Prime Designate Thor’h has restored our shiing production. We will have more to export than ever before—and Ildirans will sorely need it. Follow me for a day of celebration, a day of change, as we boldly set forth into a new and stronger future for the Ildiran race.”
Fine robes flapping around him, the Designate glided through the throng, and Thor’h accompanied him. Feeling left out, Pery’h hurried after them, surprised that Rusa’h had not told him his intentions, had not, in fact, spoken at all to his own Designate-in-waiting.
The Hyrillka Designate’s voice carried like sharp musical tones above the murmur of his followers. “Shiing is the treasure of Hyrillka. We will all consume it together, so that it may become our liberating force. In that way, we can best celebrate my return from the realm of the Lightsource. Fresh, unprocessed shiing will carry us along the pathways of the soul-threads. The intensity will be a special revelation to all.”
“A fabulous idea, Uncle.” Thor’h beamed, clearly pleased with any excuse to partake of more of the drug.
“To the plantmoth fields!” Rusa’h passed beneath the new arches that bounded the open framework of the citadel palace. He led his followers down the paved path from the high hill toward open fields separated by silvery irrigation canals.
Pery’h frowned. For years Thor’h had spent most of his time here on Hyrillka; Rusa’h had taken the future Prime Designate under his wing, acting as a friend and mentor. Yet he was the Designate-in-waiting, and it seemed as if no one even realized he was there.
Pery’h‘s birth order had preordained his assignment as Hyrillka Designate-in-waiting, just as Thor’h’s birth order had made him Prime Designate. Jora’h respected Pery’h, often listening to his son’s analyses and suggestions, and the young man had promised to apply his full abilities here on Hyrillka as its next Designate. This planet had already suffered much. Though cities had been rebuilt and the nialia fields were regrowing and thriving, the survivors here remained deeply wounded in their psyches.
Shortly after the devastating attack, before Thor’h had returned to manage the reconstruction chores, Pery’h had set up temporary offices in the ruins of the citadel palace; later, so that he wouldn’t get in the way (according to his brother), Pery’h had gone home to draw up plans and send emergency supplies from the Prism Palace, a task that was more in line with his particular skills and interests.
Given the choice, Pery’h would rather have remained in Mijistra, surrounded by politics and diplomacy. Years ago, his father had suggested that the studious young man apply himself to digesting the known history of human laws and governments to better understand them. Pery’h had hoped to spend a decade or two as ambassador to the Hanseatic League, since he had learned so much about their laws and trade agreements. He had even analyzed the famous Hansa Charter and could recite whole passages of it.
Like Adar Kori’nh, Pery’h had developed an interest in memorable