Blood of the Cosmos (41 page)

The man just looked at her stonily, not admitting, not responding.

Rlinda waved a beefy hand. “We're very eager to get help for the Prince, and I've come here to request that you share your information, your tests, anything that might help—as a humanitarian gesture. The Confederation would be very grateful.”

The man on screen remained silent for a long moment. “How did you learn about Pergamus? The privacy and security of this installation is paramount.”

“And Prince Reyn's health is paramount to
me
, so let's not do this dance. If it's a monetary matter, we can certainly discuss. I'm sure we can work out a deal. The Confederation is willing to pay handsomely for all your records and any progress you might have made.” She paused, then added, “Please?”

“Confederation money means nothing to us, but our security does.” His voice became icy, his face even harder than before as he guessed. “Dr. Paolus gave you inaccurate information. This is a private installation. We have nothing for you.”

She felt exasperated. “But if you're doing medical research, why won't you share your cures? Or sell them? Doesn't make any sense.”

“That is the decision of Zoe Alakis—and on Pergamus, her decisions stand. I'm afraid I can't help you.”

Rlinda was growing annoyed with this roadblock. “Then, please tell Ms. Alakis that we would appreciate her making an exception in this case.”

“She will not. Now please depart.”

“If I go back empty-handed, I assure you the Confederation will be even more curious. I can see your facility down there—disease research? Possible biological weapons? Such safety concerns would warrant increased scrutiny, whether or not you're part of the Confederation.”

“Zoe will not change her mind.”

Rlinda met his gaze, measured him, and she found a cold depth that she had never seen in another human being. He looked like a tough nut to crack, and Zoe Alakis might be even worse. Frustrated, she crossed her arms over her chest. “At least tell me your name, so I know who I'm dealing with?”

“I am Tom Rom. I represent Ms. Alakis.”

A sudden chill went down her spine. She knew the name, but needed a moment before she could place it. Tom Rom—this was the man who had mercilessly hunted down poor Orli Covitz when she was infected with the Onthos plague. He had stalked her, attacked her, stolen vials of her infected blood—to be taken back to Pergamus? Orli thought he was dead, but obviously he was not. And Rlinda knew what this man was capable of.

Suddenly, she felt very vulnerable. Even though she carried the mantle of the Confederation, would that stop them? Tom Rom had to know this encounter would only raise suspicions. Did he expect the King and Queen to just ignore countless deadly diseases stored on Pergamus? Including, quite possibly, the Onthos plague?

Rlinda felt very eager to leave, and then she experienced a greater chill as she realized that it
might
be Tom Rom's best option to destroy the
Declan's Glory
and cover up any sign that she had ever been here. That would at least buy a little more time for Pergamus.

Her throat went dry. She had to deliver her report back to the Confederation, if nothing else. The weapons ports of the mercenary ships seemed to glow brighter than before.

Rlinda said quickly, “All right, I can tell where I'm not wanted. I was obligated to deliver my message—and Prince Reynald is very dear to me, personally. Please consider what I said? Thank you.”

Tom Rom did not respond.

She didn't know how fast
Declan's Glory
could fly, but she intended to find out. She adjusted course and retreated out of the Pergamus system, trying not to appear terrified. To her great relief, the security forces did not pursue.

 

CHAPTER

66

OSIRA'H

She and Rod'h returned to Ildira from Wulfton, disturbed by their interactions with the faeros and convinced that they no longer had any hold on the fiery elementals.

When they entered the Prism Palace, side by side, Gale'nh came to meet them, having sensed their arrival. Osira'h shook her head. “The faeros are skittish and unpredictable. They will not help us.”

“They are afraid,” Rod'h said with an edge of bitterness. “They have been hurt by the Shana Rei, and too few of them remain, so they will let the rest of us be wiped out.”

Osira'h lowered her gaze. “We didn't have the strength to make them listen.”

Gale'nh gave a grim nod. “Now I fear the mad Designate will insist that he can do it. Rusa'h is convinced he knows them better than anyone. He argues with the Mage-Imperator even now.”

The three entered the skysphere audience chamber, where Jora'h and Nira were in a heated discussion with Rusa'h. Prime Designate Daro'h was beside them, looking overwhelmed by the constant danger, but he brightened when he saw Rod'h. Behind the chrysalis chair, Yazra'h and Muree'n stood in full armor, ready to take on any threats—even the mad Designate, should he forget himself.

After the recent mob massacre, Ildirans had begun to look at one another with suspicion, trying to spot any hint of shadow behind their eyes, any glimmer that otherwise normal people might go berserk. Osira'h could sense the thrumming edginess through the
thism
, and she realized that the fear and uncertainty were causing as much damage to the Ildiran psyche as the shadows themselves were.

When the three entered the audience chamber, the tense conversation paused. Seeing Rod'h and Osira'h back safe, the Mage-Imperator brightened, but Rusa'h skewered them with a gaze. He stepped forward imperiously. “So? Did you find the faeros? Were the two of you sufficient to force their attention? Have you made an alliance and brought them to us?”

Holding her katana, Yazra'h snapped at him. “The Mage-Imperator will speak. Your presence here is a courtesy, nothing more.”

With forced contrition, the fallen Designate bowed toward the chrysalis chair. “My apologies, Liege.”

Drawing on her strength and confidence, Osira'h stepped up to present her news. “Rod'h and I were able to contact the faeros, but they were reluctant. They tried to flee.”

“We did make them listen,” Rod'h broke in, “but it did little good. The faeros are frightened.”

“Then we must convince them, coerce them into an alliance.” Rusa'h spun to face the chrysalis chair. “These two may have communicated with the faeros, Liege, but neither of them can do what is necessary—and it is not their responsibility.
You
remember the old legends.” He balled his fists. “
You
know how Mage-Imperator Xiba'h forged an alliance with the faeros the last time the Shana Rei appeared in the Spiral Arm. Osira'h and Rod'h can beseech them all they like, but their sacrifice isn't meaningful enough. The faeros need to feel
your
fire before they will accept the alliance.”

“Alliance?” Jora'h's expression grew stormy. “I do not believe we need to forge a dangerous alliance with the faeros, and I certainly will not immolate myself just to attract their attention.”

Adar Zan'nh marched into the skysphere audience chamber, keeping his eyes fixed on the chrysalis chair, as if the others weren't there. “Liege, you requested an update on our expedition to the Onthos home system. The preparations are complete for our septa to depart. I have been in contact with General Keah, and she says the
Kutuzov
is ready to join the expedition. We can head out to the rendezvous within days.”

“Will a septa be sufficient?” Jora'h asked.

“The Shana Rei extinguished the Onthos system millennia ago. I do not expect to encounter a battle there now.”

Rod'h took a half step forward, glancing at Gale'nh. “I have just returned, but I am ready to join the expedition. We vow to find the answers.”

“Answers aren't always ready to be found,” Tal Gale'nh said.

Osira'h looked at her brothers. “I am willing to go along as well, if the expedition needs me.”

Nira flashed a warm smile at her daughter. “I think you have something else to do. We have a bit of good news to share.” She glanced at Jora'h.

The Mage-Imperator continued, “Tamo'l sent a message for you from Kuivahr. She and her team have been investigating the medicinal properties of kelp strains in hopes of helping the misbreeds, but she thinks she may have discovered a possible treatment for Prince Reynald of Theroc. Perhaps you would like to contact the Prince and tell him yourself?”

Osira'h smiled broadly. “Yes, yes I would. Thank you!”

“We can arrange for you to go to Theroc,” her mother said.

When Osira'h looked around, the audience chamber seemed brighter than normal. “In that case, I am ready to leave on a mission of my own.”

 

CHAPTER

67

ARITA

The Wild had called to her for some time with the need to know all those uncatalogued species, the insects, the plants, the fungi. She might not be a green priest, but she was still fascinated with the worldforest from a scientific perspective.

And, based on his mysterious note to her, she knew she had to give Collin a chance to find her in private. What did he need to tell her that he could never communicate through the intermediary of telink? No matter what news he had, Arita was glad that he wanted to share it with her. She hoped Sarein had managed to pass along her response to him.

Arita flew her aircraft alone, without any entourage of ministers and security forces. Part of the draw of the Wild was that she could be by herself in the incredible wilderness, almost as if she were a green priest after all. And maybe with such solitude she would have a chance to listen to that other mysterious, musical voice that was so distant, yet also deep inside her mind.…

Arita was capable of taking care of herself, as she had demonstrated on similar expeditions, but she was never entirely alone in the worldforest. The quiet imposing trees were aware of their surroundings, and green priests were attuned to them. They could all watch over her—as she knew they would.

For the first two days after arriving in the Wild, she camped in the empty jungle, re-centering herself, touching the trees, listening to the loud silence of nature. She knew that Kennebar and the rest of the isolationist green priests recognized her presence, but they left her alone—for now. As she lay awake at camp, she hoped that Collin, at least, would find an excuse to drop out of the trees and visit her. He had to know she was here.

Around her, some of the undergrowth was phosphorescent, adding a cool and eerie glow to the forest darkness. She lay back against a broad tree, just listening.

She was startled to hear a rustle in the fronds overhead, then saw a pale-skinned figure crawl across the branches. The figure was joined by another, both gliding with swift spidery movements. Predators in the worldforest were rare, but after the recent wyvern attacks at Shorehaven Village, she remained tense.

Then she recognized the alien forms. Three more Gardeners scurried across the trees, gathering above her camp, and peering down at her. Arita stood up and waved at them.

More large-eyed Onthos faces appeared, as if they were intrigued to find her here. “We know you,” said one of them.

“How do you know me?” They certainly couldn't find her through telink, or touch her mind.

At least twenty Gardeners crowded among the fronds overhead, gazing at her as if she were some kind of odd specimen. Now that the Onthos refugees had settled in the Wild, were they territorial? Did they resent her as an intruder? But if the Gardeners' attitude had changed, why hadn't Kennebar's green priests reported it? Was that what Collin had warned her about in his note?

“We know you,” they said again. The crowd of Onthos fell silent for a tense, eerie moment. Then with a rustle of fronds, they scattered and disappeared into the night.…

*   *   *

Even though she couldn't decide whether or not the strange encounter had been threatening, Arita remained unsettled by it. She set off the next day to find her aunt, who lived in self-imposed exile. Maybe Sarein knew more about what was happening in the wilderness, an isolated objective observer.

When Arita reached the large nest dwelling in the trees, hauling specimen packs and collection supplies, Sarein gave her a look that held more resignation than welcome. “I don't recall leaving you an open invitation to come back any time you like.”

Arita saw right through her coolness. “You also didn't tell me to stay away. Did you send my letter to Collin?”

“Am I your delivery service?”

“He's my friend, and you were in a position to help. It's what people do for each other.”

“Then I suppose I did.” A hard smile appeared on Sarein's lips. “After all, it's what people do for each other.”

As Arita moved her belongings inside, Sarein gestured to the same section of the paper-walled structure where Arita had slept before. “How long do you intend to stay?”

“I'm not sure. I have work to do.” Knowing her aunt's gruff exterior by now, Arita wasn't put off. In fact, she saw a twinkle of relief in Sarein's dark eyes. “Don't worry, I'll be good company.”

Sarein busied herself making an unnecessarily complex meal for her guest. “The Wild used to be a private place, then all those green priests came, and you keep visiting. Then there's the Gardeners … they seem to be everywhere.”

“There are only a hundred of them on the whole continent. You were there when they landed in the first place,” Arita said.

Sarein kept her back turned, but Arita saw her shoulders tense. “I don't know about that. There seem to be more of them now.”

*   *   *

As the natural night fell and the stars appeared through gaps in the high canopy, they sat in companionable silence on the nest's open balcony. Arita had many questions about her aunt's life and past experiences, but she knew Sarein respected her more for not asking them.