Horizon Storms - Kevin J. Anderson [58]
“The abandoned Klikiss worlds? But they’re dry and empty and—”
“And warm, girl. And full of sunshine. All that land unclaimed. There’s a Hansa ship stopping by Dremen in another week to round up volunteers bound for the nearest transportal hub. We’ll receive subsidies, Hansa-supplied equipment, everything we need. Pioneers! You and I could become rich miners, or forestry tycoons. The possibilities are endless.”
“We’re leaving in a…week?” They didn’t have many belongings to pack up and get ready. She had always guessed it was only a matter of time before her father pulled up stakes again and chased after another rainbow. “You’ve already signed us up, haven’t you, Dad?”
“Yes, indeed.” He tousled her hair. “Our names are right at the top of the list.”
Chapter 29—MAGE-IMPERATOR JORA’H
Udru’h was the closest of his brothers in age, but of all the subjects in the Ildiran Empire, the Dobro Designate was the man Jora’h least wanted to see. He, even more than their father, was responsible for the breeding program. However, as he made preparations to go to Dobro himself, Jora’h had demanded that his brother present him a full report on Nira. At least Udru’h could take her out of the breeding camps and save her.
Formally receiving his brother, Jora’h sat in dazzling colored light that shone through the skysphere dome. Above him, an immense arboretum held plants, flowers, ferns, flitting butterfly-analogs, and buzzing featherhums. Several loyal guard kithmen stood around the chrysalis chair on its dais.
“So tell me. Have you found her?” The Mage-Imperator leaned forward in his chrysalis chair. He had sent away the numerous pilgrims and visitors of all kiths. For this meeting, he and Udru’h needed privacy.
The Dobro Designate’s face looked as if it had been carved out of stone. His shaved head was still immaculately smooth, though some of the other Designates had begun to let their hair grow again in the days since their father’s funeral. His outfit was workmanlike, adorned by few of the gaudy gemstones and shimmering solar-energy strips some courtiers preferred.
Udru’h raised his chin, and the glitter in his star-sapphire eyes reflected the bright light of the chamber. “Liege, I have just received the information you requested from Dobro.”
“So? Tell me about Nira. If you have harmed her—”
The Designate lowered his gaze. “I regret to inform you that the human green priest has been accidentally slain, Liege. It is unfortunate, and certainly not at my command.”
Jora’h lurched forward in the chrysalis chair, grasping the edges with his hands as if he meant to break the heavy material. “What?” Anger and sudden grief hammered through him as his renewed hopes were dashed again. “You killed her!”
“No, Liege. A terrible accident. During the turmoil of our father’s death, many Ildirans panicked at being severed from the thism. They were out of control. The green priest woman attempted to escape, and some of the Dobro guard kithmen…overreacted.”
Nira was gone! “Why did I not sense this? Why did I not know?”
Facing him, Udru’h remained cool and rational. “We were all detached until you ascended to become Mage-Imperator, Liege. I had no control over my own soldiers.”
But Jora’h also knew that his brother must be telling the truth. Once before, his father had lied to him about Nira’s death, but this time it could not be a fabricated story. No Designate had ever been able to hide the truth from his Mage-Imperator. A gaping emptiness like a new black hole formed in the space of his heart.
Udru’h finally had the good grace to bow his head in apparent shame. “I apologize for the sorrow this causes you. I know the green priest was the mother of your daughter Osira’h and several other half-breed children.”
“Your schemes at Dobro have already brought me so much pain.” Again, Jora’h crystallized his determination to find some way to stop the program, and save the Empire from the hydrogues at the same time. “When will you be satisfied that you have done enough?”
“I will be satisfied when