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Nathaniel stepped through and placed himself squarely in the middle of the
ribbon of carpeting that ran toward the throne block.
Five portalsstudded the immense circular hall of equidistant intervals, and a
similar carpet ran from each toward the circular stepped structure on which
rested the Throne of Light.
In all probability, the throne rotated to face whatever portal the Emperor
wished or protocol demanded.
Empires needEmperors, and the bigger the Empire, the more impressive the
Emperor should be. As a practical matter, reflected the Trade Envoy for the
Coordinate of Accord, Emperors only came in one size human. At least, human
emperors did. His Royal and Imperial HighnessJostanLerannMcDadeN troya, while
white-haired and close to 196 centimeters, was only human.
The Emperor of theTerran Empire, the Hegemony of Light, the Path of Progress,
compensated for his mere humanity by wearing an unadorned and brilliant white
uniform that cloaked him in light, making him the focus of the receiving hall
in which a full-sized Imperial corvette could have beenhangared.
A crowd, gathered around and on the lower steps of the throne pedestal and
large enough to comprise severalsubotta teams, was lost under the
sweepinglightstone buttresses, and the height of the ceiling swallowed the
pulsing beams emanating from the Throne of Light.
Nathaniel waited on the tan carpet, as he d beenbriefed by themajordomo.
Receiving Auditor, whatever she was called.
Several of the group gathered below the throne, a good stone s throw away,
glanced at him and pointedly turned their heads.
The Imperialhangers-on all affected light-colored clothing. Only the Emperor
woreout-and-out white, and no one wore a predominantly dark outfit.
Nathaniel wore Accord s diplomatic blacks. If he had wornthe greens of the
Ecolitan Institute, the effect and impact would have been the same. In the
bright universe of the Imperial court, two colors were absent. Solid green and
solid black the colors of Accord, the colors associated withtheEcologic
Secession.
 The Lord Nathaniel Firstborne Whaler, Trade Envoy from the Coordinate of
Accord. Presenting his official credentials to His Imperial Highness, Provider
of Prosperity and Sovereign of Light.
The announcement stilled the hall for less than an instant.  We await your
arrival. The Emperor s voice filled the hall,overtoned and benevolent.
Nathaniel marched up the tan carpet, which gradually lightened into gold as
it neared the Throne of Light. The throne itself stood higher than he d
realized from the holo projection.
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Stopping before the bottom step, the Ecolitan bowed once.
 Lord Whaler, the Empire is pleased at your presence. Nathaniel climbed four
steps. The Emperor stood and descended.
From the corner of his eye, the Ecolitan could see that the Empress, who had
remained in her seat below and to the left of the Emperor s, was not in the
slightest interested in Accord or in credentials. She continued her
conversation with a blond man dressed in a peacock blue tunic belted in
scarlet.
 Lord Whaler. The Emperor addressed the Envoy.  YourHighness.
A minor murmur circled the crowd on the throne pedestal. Protocol required
the more formal  Sovereign of Light.
But, thought Nathaniel, we provincials can t be expected to know everything
about the delicacies of court etiquette.
Nathaniel handed him the credentials case. My credentials, my writ to the
Empire. May we all live in peace andprosperity. 
 On behalf of the Empire and its peoples, I accept your credentials and your
wishes for peace and prosperity.
The smile the EmperorN troya gave the Ecolitan was genuine enough, and so
were the tiredness and the thin lines radiating from the corners of his dark
eyes.  Was your trip pleasant, Lord Whaler?
 To reaching New Augusta, I looked forward. Seeing your receiving hall,
disappointed I am certainly not.Most impressive and suited to you. The
Sovereign of Light chuckled.  I gather that s a compliment.Lord Whaler, and in
our position as royalty, so shall we take it.
The royal chuckle effectively stilled conversation around the Emperor for
several instants, except for the fragment of small talk which drifted upward.
 & so devilish in that outfit, but what could you expect from Accord 
The speaker, a lady in rust and yellow with aneckline which barely cleared
her ample breasts, broke off in mid-sentence.
 Lord Whaler, continued the Emperor as if he had not heard the interruption,
 your frankness is refreshing. What do you really think of the Empire?
Honestly now?
Nathaniel could sense the indrawn breath from those listening around the
throne.
 Your Highness, large groups of systems organized must be. People accept the
government they deserve, and many systems accept the Empire. Wise is the
Empire to accept and govern wisely those who wish such governing. Wise too is
the Empire which only extends its role to those who wish it. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]