Of Fire and Night - Kevin J. Anderson [158]
Estarra eased herself onto the lip of the fountain with a heavy sigh. She didn't seem to mind that cool water splashed her back. "You're our only ally in the Whisper Palace, OX, and we're counting on you."
Peter's brow furrowed. "You have already been a go-between with Deputy Cain."
"There's also my sister Sarein, though I'm not sure she'd believe me," Estarra said.
"If we can trust her," Peter said. "If we can trust Deputy Cain, or Captain McCammon. I've done a lot of soul-searching, but there aren't many people we can rely on."
Estarra's expression hardened. "What other choice do we have?"
When she suddenly stiffened, Peter turned to see Basil Wenceslas striding through the door. Tart sarcasm clogged Peter's throat like phlegm. Is this a social call, Basil? Come to share tea and cookies with us?
"Don't expect any more strategic briefings from Captain McCammon," Basil said baldly. "That error has been corrected."
"I'm sure the captain of the royal guard could not understand why important information was being censored from the King," Peter said.
"Exactly what Deputy Cain said," Basil replied. "He made the point that there's no reason to keep information from you, since you are incapable of doing anything with it."
"And you don't believe him? You think I'll read a daily briefing and somehow figure out how to overthrow your government?"
Instead of answering further, Basil glared at OX. "Why are you here? You should be with Daniel, not wasting time with these two. They no longer need your services."
"Yes, Mr. Chairman." The Teacher compy dutifully departed.
Basil's expression of frustration and displeasure now carried an undercurrent of anger as well. Without speaking, Peter took Estarra's hand and helped her stand up from the fountain's edge. The King knew that silence was the best way to encourage conversation; Basil had taught him that.
Scowling, Basil said, "Today, I have no choice but to let you out in public. Briefly." As if he were being forced to do something he could barely stomach, he explained, "The Adar of the Ildiran Solar Navy just arrived on Earth, unannounced. For some inexplicable reason, he's requested to see the King and Queen. I offered to meet with him, but the Adar has explicit orders to speak directly to you two. He is very inflexible."
Peter smoothed an imaginary wrinkle on his shirt and tugged his cuffs straight. He knew what a momentous event this was. Ildirans rarely came to the Hansa. "Then we're ready to meet him. We shouldn't keep the commander of the Solar Navy waiting."
Despite Peter's quick cooperation, the Chairman couldn't resist a petulant jab. "I have already informed him that he is likely to be dealing with a new King from now on. Perhaps I will introduce him to Prince Daniel. As a professional military leader, the Adar has no choice but to accept our chain of command."
Peter looked the Chairman squarely in the eyes. "You taunt and provoke us, letting us know your plans. That's a hazardous strategy, Basil, according to what you taught me."
The Chairman rolled a condescending look down his nose. "You apparently missed many of my lessons. You've already done irreparable damage. Now you will face the consequences."
The Ildiran warliner landed in front of the Whisper Palace in a flurry of stabilizing jets, unfurled reflective sails, and flamboyant panels and fins. The gigantic battleship inspired awe--exactly as the Ildirans intended, Peter was sure.
Despite Basil's scolding, OX accompanied them as an adviser and recorder. "This is very similar to what happened one hundred eighty-six years ago, when Ildirans first made contact with Earth. I was aboard that warliner, chosen as an independent spokesman from the Peary."
The uniformed Adar stepped out into the sunlight. The encounter