While Sarein fumed at the verbal slap, Basil nodded appraisingly at Peter, relieved. "The King is correct, of course, Sarein. Until the situation changes, Theroc will have to take care of itself. Unless, perhaps, Theroc would like to join the Hansa... ?"

Sarein's face flushed, and she gave a barely perceptible shake of her head.

General Lanyan drew his glance like a scythe across the envoys. "Mr. Chairman, our only choice is to take certain extreme measures. The longer we wait, the more extreme those measures will have to be."

Basil sighed, as if he had known this choice would fall upon him. "You have the Hansa's permission to do what is necessary, General." He skewered Peter with his gaze. "And you will do it all in the King's name, of course."

3

ESTARRA

"Ihave seen many fascinating worlds," Estarra's oldest brother said as their flitter-raft traveled across the densely wooded continent. "I've been to the Whisper Palace on Earth, and stood under the seven suns of Ildira." Reynald's tanned face lit with a smile. "But Theroc is myhome, and I'd rather be here than any other place."

Estarra grinned, looking around her at the new, but always familiar, landscape of whispering worldtrees. "I've never seen the Looking Glass Lakes, Reynald. I'm glad you brought me along."

As a girl, she had slipped out before dawn, running through the forests to investigate whatever caught her curiosity. Fortunately, a wide variety of subjects piqued her interest: nature, science, culture, history. She had even studied records from the original generation shipCaillie, the story of Theron settlement and the origin of the green priests. Not because she had to, but because she was interested.

"Who else would I bring?" Reynald playfully rubbed his knuckles on his sister's tangle of hair twists. He was broad-shouldered, his arms muscular, his long hair done up in thick braids. Though a sheen of sweat covered his skin, he didn't seem uncomfortable in the forest warmth. "Sarein is an ambassador on Earth. Beneto is a green priest on Corvus Landing, and Celli is... well-"

"She's still too much of a baby, even at sixteen," Estarra said.

Years before, as part of his preparation for becoming the next Father of Theroc, Reynald had traveled around the Spiral Arm to learn different cultures. It was the first time any Theron leader had diligently investigated other societies. Now, with travel restricted, stardrive fuel strictly rationed, and interplanetary tensions high, Reynald had decided to visit the main cities on his own world. His parents had made no secret that they intended to step down and turn over the throne to him within the year. He had to be ready.

Now their flitter-raft flew above the treetops, passing from one settlement to another. Laughing followers, pretending to be part of a procession, swooped around them on gliderbikes, small craft composed of rebuilt engines and fluttering wings scavenged from native condorflies. Rambunctious young men circled above and behind them, showing off aerial maneuvers. Some flirted with Estarra, who had reached marriageable age...