“Most excellent! I promise you every courtesy that we can provide.” The Prime Designate wore a patterned vest open at his chest, and Nira could see the muscles of his broad shoulders and firm abdomen. He had the perfect physique of an idealized classical sculpture.

Nira was surprised to note Theron designs on the robe that hung down to his knees. Jora’h must have adopted them after his meeting with Reynald, either because he was enamored of the forest culture, or because he wanted to make a good impression on the two green priest representatives. No doubt if the Prime Designate adopted such garments, many others in the Ildiran court would also dress like him. Rlinda Kett would have no difficulty selling her supplies of cocoon-fiber fabric and worldforest products.

Jora’h gestured the burly bodyguards forward. “These men will assist us in carrying your belongings. I have arranged for quarters inside the Prism Palace, where you will be our welcome guests.”

“Oh, thank you.” The words tumbled out of Nira’s mouth before Otema could say anything.

The older woman nodded politely. “We did not expect such a singular honor from the Prime Designate. We have several treelings and other items to present to the Mage-Imperator.”

Jora’h waved her aside. “There’ll be enough time for formalities and ceremonies later. My father has a very busy schedule today, so I have been given the wonderful task of showing you the sights of Mijistra.”

Nira clasped her hands in delight, wanting to see everything. Otema glanced at her young assistant. “As you wish, Prime Designate.”

Accompanied by an ever-shifting group of dignitaries and spokespersons who changed at each stop along the tour, Jora’h took them on his royal hover-platform to show them the capital city, both from above and from street level.

Jora’h said, “This city contains museums full of our history, relics, stories, poems … all to preserve the most glorious days of our culture. We have a grand architectural and artistic tradition. Our golden age has remained undiminished for millennia.”

Nira stared at the clear walls, the transparent construction bricks that made every building absorb and reflect light. Since the Ildiran people abhorred darkness, their main construction materials were glasses, crystals, and polymers, some clear and colorless, others jewel-toned. For aesthetics as well as increased structural integrity, columns of opaque reinforcement blocks ran up the sides of primary walls.

The lines of the street flowed in curves rather than hard angles. Pyramids were covered with hanging gardens and fern-clusters. Waterfalls and streams ran through necklaces of pools, bubbling down the sloping sides of buildings through channels and gutters.

“It’s all so beautiful,” Nira said. Jora’h gave her an appreciative smile.

Otema said, almost apologetically, “My assistant has never been away from Theroc, Prime Designate. She is most impressionable.”

Jora’h flashed his smoky eyes at the young woman. “Reynald has told me how beautiful your worldforest is.”