The Ashes of Worlds - Kevin J. Anderson [126]
Even as Mijistra exploded all around him, he had reeled with shock at the revelation gleaned from the children who were shielding young Ridek’h: Jora’h was being held prisoner among the humans! Now he knew why the Mage-Imperator had not come to face him when the faeros took control of Ildira, why he had left the Adar and the Prime Designate to fight in his stead.
The Terran Hanseatic League had captured the mighty Mage-Imperator! Another sign of Jora’h’s weakness and corrupt rule.
Now, though, he also understood what Adar Zan’nh meant to do. The destruction of Mijistra had been meant both to kill him and to let the warliners escape the faeros. He would not let that go unchallenged. The nine Solar Navy ships had already left Ildira. He could pursue them, even though they thought they had gotten away.
And at last, he could confront Mage-Imperator Jora’h.
Rusa’h raised his glowing hands and summoned the flaming ellipsoids overhead. He called one down, its outer skin rippling with sharp tongues of fire. The fireball enfolded him like a hot embrace.
Thanks to the soulfires they had absorbed over the past several months, the faeros had vastly increased their numbers. Rusa’h would take the fireballs with him as reinforcements — all of them — and by doing so he would also ensure that they did not capriciously exterminate more Ildirans here.
Rusa’h was the one who would save the Ildiran people.
Mage-Imperator Jora’h was the one who must suffer.
Like a meteor shower, Rusa’h and his tremendous armada streamed away from Ildira toward the Earth system.
* * *
88
Rlinda Kett
Dealing with bugs was never much of a problem aboard a spaceship, you understand,” Rlinda said to Margaret Colicos.
The older woman walked ahead, unfazed by the squealing, whistling, and clattering of the armored insects. “I don’t like them either, Captain Kett, but I have survived among them for many years.”
Rlinda was amazed the bugs hadn’t hurt her as they led her away from her damaged ship, a sad and lonely hulk crashed on the ground. “I hope they plan on fixing the Curiosity. It’s their fault the ship is wrecked.”
Margaret paused. “They believe you shouldn’t have come here at all.” Then she allowed a faint, mysterious smile. “But if Davlin agrees, I suppose the Klikiss could be convinced to make repairs.”
“Well, what’s happened to Davlin?”
“We are going to the hall of the breedex. You’ll have your answers there.”
Rlinda frowned back at the sprawling hive city. By now she was hopelessly lost. “I suppose I should tell you that I came here to save him.”
“I’m afraid you’re too late.” The older woman sounded deeply saddened. “Davlin is beyond saving . . . or perhaps he’ll save us all. I can’t be sure.”
Rlinda let out a long, frustrated sigh. “I still don’t know what you’re talking about. Is Davlin alive, or is he dead?”
“Yes,” Margaret said. “It’s something you have to see for yourself.”
The insects continued to lead the two women toward an enormous, domelike structure. When Margaret voluntarily entered a noisome black tunnel, Rlinda wasn’t overly enthusiastic about sharing the dark and crowded passages with so many armored monsters. But the old xeno-archaeologist pressed onward, looking for all the world like a woman simply going about her business.
Rlinda kept up with her rapid pace, taking sudden turns, following a path that only Margaret could see. Being out of breath kept her from asking too many questions. She’d never been particularly claustrophobic, but Rlinda felt as if she were suffocating inside the slick tunnels.
The large central chamber was even worse.
Margaret stopped and began talking to what appeared to be a churning mass of small grubs, black bits of smashed insects, broken debris, like a garbage heap that was somehow alive and crawling with maggots. “You remember