Of Fire and Night - Kevin J. Anderson [76]
She stiffened, automatically on guard and full of bravado. "We could still defeat them, Liege."
"I do not wish to fight them at all!"
"Then what are we to do with the humans you keep here? Blindfold them and lock them up? Kill them?"
"No!"
Her eyes were golden and intense, her face strong with determination. "Or tell them the truth?"
He lowered his voice, though no one else was near them. "If my experts do not find a way to fight the hydrogues, I may have no choice but to betray the humans, Yazra'h. Do I explain that to them and still hope they understand?"
Her brow furrowed. "Father, if you let the humans help you, they may improve our chances of winning against the hydrogues."
He had not considered that. She continued in a rush. "For instance, the human rememberer Anton Colicos came here as a scholar. He is only interested in the Saga of Seven Suns. I have never seen a man so oblivious to politics. Yet even he suspects something bad is going to happen here. He has asked me troubling questions."
Jora'h's expression softened. He had seen his fearless daughter's unexpected flicker of affection for the bookish human. "And what would you ask me to do, daughter?"
"Give him something else to see. On your orders, Rememberer Vao'sh faces the enormous task of studying the apocryphal archives for clues. Why not let the human scholar assist him on Hyrillka? Send Anton Colicos with him far from here, where he will not observe what you wish to keep hidden!"
"Yes, that is a very good idea." Jora'h sighed with genuine relief. This was a decision he could make without losing more honor. "I made plans and promises when I departed Hyrillka in the aftermath of Rusa'h's rebellion. Tal O'nh is leading the rescue and rebuilding mission, and young Designate Ridek'h needs to be about his duties at last."
Yazra'h stood at attention. "Ridek'h is still only a boy, but even a boy Designate is better than none at all. The people of Hyrillka are guilt-ridden and wounded. They need him there."
Knowing it was not logical, but certain this was what he wished to do, Jora'h said, "And Ridek'h needs you, Yazra'h. As my daughter, you will never be a Designate, but you have the knowledge and strength of character. Go with the boy as adviser, protector, and mentor--and also watch this human rememberer to keep him out of trouble."
"But my place is at the Mage-Imperator's side, to protect you!"
"You cannot protect me against the dangers I face."
She looked extremely uncomfortable. "Cannot Tal O'nh be Ridek'h's teacher and guide?"
He shook his head. "The tal is a military commander and can offer his strength, but a Designate needs more than that. Ridek'h is the son of Pery'h. He has enough potential."
Yazra'h left, troubled but not quite successful in hiding her smile. The Mage-Imperator remained on the rooftop, deep in thought, knowing the hydrogues would come back before long to deliver their commands. He could only hope that before then, Adar Zan'nh and Ildira's best minds could solve the much greater challenge.
45
ADAR ZAN'NH
The Ildiran technical teams did not lack for manpower or resources. Every possible laboratory facility was made available to them, and they conducted experiments, refined calculations, and improved their traditional weapons. Unfortunately, after ten thousand years of malaise and stagnation, the scientist and engineer kithmen were no longer capable of true innovation.
"We have increased our destructive power by nearly five percent, Adar." Klie'f and Shir'of seemed pleased with the result.
Zan'nh scowled. "Five percent? The Mage-Imperator demanded breakthroughs, not more of the same thing we have used for centuries. You need new thoughts, not better versions of old ones."
Klie'f raised his hands helplessly. "We do not understand, Adar."
"It is clear you do not. Five percent, against an extermination force of diamond warglobes? The hydrogues will not even notice the difference."
As a young tal, Zan'nh had been promoted by Adar Kori'nh because he solved crises in ways that other Ildirans