Of Fire and Night - Kevin J. Anderson [193]
"This is in direct violation of the Chairman's orders," he said. After a tense moment he lifted his chin. "However, it is wisest for the King to be included in important matters." The royal guards gave them the privacy they needed.
Once they were alone, Nahton tilted his head down. "Chairman Wenceslas tried to force me to deliver my message to him instead of you, but I do not serve the Chairman. I do not serve the Hansa. I serve the worldforest."
Feeling a thrill of possibilities run through him, Peter said, "We could certainly use the services of a green priest right now."
"What is your news, Nahton?" Estarra said. Sarein looked eager to hear, but also afraid to know.
"I have to tell you what the Ildirans and the hydrogues plan to do. I must explain about the verdani battleships, great trees, some of which will come here to Earth. And what the Roamers are doing, and the wentals."
And so the court green priest recited everything he knew, informing and warning the royal couple. Peter held Estarra's hand, absorbing everything. Sarein listened with surprise, but added no comments.
When Nahton finished, the King said, "And I need you to do something for me. Talk to the green priests and send word to Estarra's parents, so they know we need their help. We need Theroc. Also, I've got to get a message to the Roamers, make them understand that the Chairman's will is not the King's will. The Queen and I are being held prisoner, while Basil issues orders I abhor--in my name. I do not agree with what has been done to the Roamers. We need their ingenuity. We need all factions of humanity."
Nahton nodded. "Green priests have been sent to many orphaned Hansa colonies, and those Hansa colonies interact frequently with Roamer traders. When I get back to my treeling, I will spread the word swiftly through telink."
"Thank you, Nahton," the Queen said. Then she scowled at her sister. "I suppose you're now going to run to the Chairman with your report?"
Sarein looked decidedly uncomfortable as the green priest pulled up his hood and turned to go. "Even if I wanted to, I'm not sure he would want to be bothered with seeing me. Ever since I raised the alarm at the banquet, made Pellidor drink the poisoned coffee, Basil is . . . not certain about me."
"Looks like you ruined things for everybody," Peter said bitterly.
She gave him a haughty glance. "I would do it again if I had to."
"We've all had to do things we never expected to do," Estarra said. "Thank you for bringing him here, Sarein. I know how difficult it must have been for you."
"It'll be more difficult if we're seen." She seemed very anxious to be going. When Nahton had his disguise in place again, the two of them slipped out past the royal guards and into the labyrinth of the Whisper Palace.
Before he closed the door again, Captain McCammon stepped into the royal apartments. He hesitated, as if screwing up his courage and wrestling with his loyalties. He lowered his voice. "King Peter, at least five of my guards have come to me with grave concerns about the way the Chairman has handled the war and how he has treated you. They are not certain his intentions serve the best purposes of the Hansa."
"That's an understatement," Peter said. "And what about you, Captain McCammon?"
"I thought I've made myself perfectly clear. I believe the Chairman has a great deal of blood on his hands--the blood of silver berets, of EDF crewmen, and potentially the whole human race. I believe many people died because you were not given vital and timely information. I won't have that on my conscience again."
"What are the names of these other guards?" Estarra said.
McCammon fidgeted. "They spoke to me in confidence. I feel obligated to protect their privacy."
"I believe Queen Estarra means we would prefer for those particular guards to be assigned to watch over us," Peter said. "There's no telling what enemies we may have to defend against, and I'd rather have someone