Jora’h, though, had been a resident of the Prism Palace for most of his life. He would not be a surrogate leader like the other Designates; he was tied closer to the Mage-Imperator than any of them.

His own eldest noble-born son, Thor’h, now lived on Hyrillka in the mansion of the Designate there, enjoying life, confident that he would not be called to the more difficult duties of leadership for many decades, perhaps even more than a century. After the Mage-Imperator Cyroc’h, Jora’h would become the next ruler; many decades after that, Thor’h would need to concern himself with his eventual fate and responsibility. But no one expected that of him yet. When it came time, the genetically stored knowledge accessible through the thism would teach him all he needed to know. For now, young, spoiled Thor’h seemed to enjoy the company of his uncle, the soft and placid Hyrillka Designate. Jora’h had been happy to indulge him for a few years.

As Jora’h finished going through the colorful images in many catalogs, selecting gifts for each of his children, he thought of his half brothers, to whom he was not very close. The other Designates ruled entire planets, yet had no freedom.

Wistfully, Jora’h recalled a tale from the Saga of Seven Suns about a Mage-Imperator whose first-born had actually been twins. This had led to a terrible dynastic struggle, because each had claimed to be the Prime Designate. Both young men wanted to rule when the Mage-Imperator died, until finally, through a very risky undertaking, both of their minds were fused, joined through the thism into a single consciousness that lived in two separate bodies. Thus, the twins became one ruler with, it was believed, twice the wisdom.

Finishing his duties inside the contemplation chamber, Jora’h glanced at the time marked on the wall and the positions of the orbiting suns in the sky. He was expected to make another appearance, this time to watch a marvelous performance by his son, Zan’nh, who had entered the Ildiran Solar Navy as an officer. Zan’nh was actually Jora’h’s firstborn, the eldest of his many children, but because his mother had belonged to the military kith rather than the noble bloodline, Zan’nh’s younger half brother would be the next Prime Designate.

Zan’nh had proved to be quite talented with spatial maneuvers and orbital tactics, and he also had the charisma and fortitude to command. Since Zan’nh had been born of a high-ranking soldier woman, their kiths had combined to breed a natural military officer, and the young man had the potential to be one of the very best. If today’s aerial display proceeded as expected, Zan’nh was due for a promotion, and Jora’h had promised he would be there.