Scattered Suns - Kevin J. Anderson [94]
“While he was in sub-thism sleep, Rusa’h had many revelations.” Thor’h’s voice turned strange and mysterious, and Udru’h’s skin began to crawl. “He knows the secret you are keeping, Uncle. A certain green priest...a woman, my father’s lover. The false Mage-Imperator believes she is dead, and he has already mourned her—but you know she is still alive. You are hiding her.”
A lance of ice shot down Udru’h’s spine. “How does he know this?”
“The same way he received all of his revelations. Do not doubt him.”
Udru’h scrambled to gain more time. “Thor’h, you are asking me to betray all the trust and loyalties I have developed during my life. If Rusa’h truly wishes me to join him voluntarily and not under duress, then you must give me time to consider what you have shown me, so that I may make my decision.”
“The answer is clear. Why do you hesitate?”
Udru’h stepped up to the command nucleus rail, standing immediately in front of Thor’h. “Maybe it’s clear to you, but as you have reminded me several times, the rest of us no longer see the truth as clearly.” His voice became biting. “You ask me to join you willingly, and yet you come here with a fully armed warliner to make your case. Since you yourself do not seem confident in the strength of your 'proof,' then I grow suspicious of your argument.”
Thor’h sniffed, obviously impatient that Udru’h had not buckled. “I bring this warliner because it encourages you to listen with an open mind.”
Udru’h remembered when the Prime Designate had been a spoiled boy who loved his golden life on Hyrillka. “My nephew does not need to issue threats before I will listen to him. And so I have listened. Now let me think about what you said.”
“Time is short.” Thor’h leaned to within a handsbreadth of his face, as if he could intimidate the Designate. “Why should I not just seize you as a hostage? I could forcibly take over this minor splinter colony.”
Inwardly growing more and more irritated, Udru’h gestured vaguely toward the warliner’s controls. “You could easily attack and destroy Dobro. Using brute force, Rusa’h could subdue the population, break them to his will. But unlike most splinter colonies, my settlement is full of half-breeds and human captives. Rusa’h could never control that population with shiing or with his new thism. You need me for that.”
Thor’h fidgeted, impatient and uncertain, but he could not argue with Udru’h. “So what do you propose? I have been ordered to convince you in any way possible. I will not disappoint the Imperator.”
Udru’h strung his young nephew along, making silent calculations in his mind. He drove a hard bargain. “Then this is how you will accomplish it. Let me consider what you offer and the consequences if I refuse. Within ten days I will present myself to Hyrillka willingly and deliver my answer.”
“Ten days is impossible.”
Udru’h barked, “I will not be treated like an attender kithman to be herded to his task! Do you want my cooperation or not? Once I have had time to consider, I will speak directly with Rusa’h—but only at the appointed time.”
Thor’h scowled. “You will never come. It is a trick.”
“I give you my word, Prime Designate. I am a son of a Mage-Imperator! Surely you could sense if I am lying?” Udru’h stood tall, his face stony. “Or are you unable, since you are no longer in touch with the same thism? A pity.”
Not knowing the extent of Thor’h’s strange new mental network, Udru’h focused his thoughts, brought forth all the mental discipline techniques he had developed. Over the past year, he had learned how to mask his feelings and his memories whenever he stood before Jora’h, and he had managed to hide certain secrets, especially about Nira.
“Five days,” Thor’h insisted. “You can have five days—and then you must be at Hyrillka, or else I will come back to destroy Dobro.”
The Prime Designate stared at him for a drawn-out moment, and Udru’h remained still, his expression firm. Finally Thor’h turned his sharp gaze away. “Yes, I can sense you are telling the truth. If I must make a minor concession in order to gain Dobro as a willing