Of Fire and Night - Kevin J. Anderson [243]
"They are Hansa colonies!" Basil insisted.
"Former Hansa colonies, Mr. Chairman. Representatives from fifteen Roamer clans have also signed on. We are confident the Speaker will agree that such a confederation is in the best interests of humanity. While the Roamers still refuse to trade with the Hansa, to show their good faith they have announced that they will supply ekti to any orphaned colony that joins the new government."
General Lanyan could make no comprehensible sounds. Only Deputy Cain seemed unruffled.
The Chairman glared into Nahton's implacable green face. "Go get your treeling right now and send a message to King Peter. Tell him that I command him to return to Earth without delay!"
"I'm sorry, sir. Our telink communications services are no longer available to the Chairman or any Hansa representative."
"You can't do that." Basil's mind was ready to burst. His skin felt as if it were on fire. "Send the message! You're supposed to be neutral. You're a green priest. You're--"
"I follow the instructions of King Peter and Queen Estarra, as do all green priests. We cannot be commanded. Neither you, nor any member of the Earth Defense Forces, nor any person from the Hansa government, will be able to send a message via telink until further notice."
For a moment Basil thought about torturing the priest, even executing him if he didn't follow instructions. Sarein sat stunned, shaking her head. "He's right, Basil. No one can force a green priest to send a telink message."
Lanyan fumed. "But by the time we can send our own ships to enforce the Charter, this will be all sewn up!"
"That has already occurred." Nahton smiled coolly. "When Chairman Wenceslas resigns and the remnants of the Terran Hanseatic League are dissolved, the people of Earth will also be welcome to join us. All members of the new confederation must be loyal to the King."
Basil wanted to spit the name. "The King? Peter was never a real King!"
Sitting motionless, Sarein blinked and looked at the seething and helpless Chairman. "Maybe he was, Basil. More than you knew."
144
DESIGNATE DARO'H
The last of the scorched buildings in the Dobro colony had been knocked down, the charred debris cleared away. The wildfires that ravaged the rolling landscape had burned out, leaving the surrounding hills blackened. Soon, the rains would come, and a fresh carpet of green would spring forth, a sign of rejuvenation just like the new buildings being erected in the Ildiran settlement.
The terrible revolt had not done fatal injury to Dobro. All wounds heal, even if some of them leave scars, Daro'h thought. He walked down the street, still smelling soot and blood in the air. The sour, scratchy odors would not go away for a long time.
As he'd promised, Daro'h offered the humans what they needed to rebuild their camp, but after many discussions, the survivors had decided to move elsewhere, perhaps down to the fertile southern continent. Benn Stoner and his followers wanted to set up their homesteads far from their former Ildiran captors. Later--maybe after a few years or a few generations--they might find sufficient forgiveness in their hearts to come back and join the others in the way the original Burton colonists had meant to live among the Ildirans.
For himself, Daro'h would soon go back to the Prism Palace. He was excited to take up his new duties as Prime Designate. Another person would serve in his role here. Unlike some of his brothers, Daro'h had no noble-born sons yet. Given the circumstances, Udru'h might even take back his former position, though Daro'h doubted the humans would ever allow it.
During his walk, he stopped in front of the former Designate's residence. Two guards were stationed outside the door, technically holding the man prisoner. That evening, the humans and Ildirans were scheduled to meet. Daro'h didn't