Read Alien Chronicles 1 - The Golden One for Free Online Page B

failed to make a verbal response as she was supposed to, but the Kaa did not bother to correct her omission.
    Catching this most subtle of insults, Telvrahd’s grin became more forced. His rill pinkened and extended itself slightly above the support of his collar. “There are matters between us, sire, that need discussion. My petition supporting the restoration of the jump gates between—”
    Israi tugged at the Kaa’s hand. Welcoming the interruption, no matter how rude, the Kaa lifted his long fingers to silence Telvrahd and bent down so that Israi might whisper in his ear canal.
    “Father,” she said impatiently, “I want to look at the hatchlings.”
    He hesitated, not understanding. “What?”
    A courtier in attendance intervened with a languid gesture toward a shop across the plaza. “No, Imperial Father. No Viis have been hatched here. The sri-Kaa refers to young abiru, specially selected for presentation this day.”
    The Kaa’s frown deepened, and from the corner of his eye he saw Telvrahd’s impatient expression. For that reason alone, the Kaa extended the interruption. “Young abiru?” he repeated. “What sort?”
    Fazhmind the courtier blinked at the question as though he had not expected it. Garbed in a heavy silk coat that clearly made him swelter, Fazhmind fanned himself with a delicate creation of lace-cut ivory, jingling the tiny silver bells that dangled from his rill spines, and consulted a lower attendant for an answer.
    “All kinds,” Fazhmind finally replied, still fanning. He was a fastidious, pompous toady, too well-connected to be dismissed from court, but pushy and never popular with the Kaa.
    “Yes, sire,” he continued, the tiny bells tinkling beneath his words. “I understand there is quite a pleasing selection of pet-quality animals. Kelth, Aaroun, Myal, even a Toth or two for those who find it fashionable to own the unfashionable—”
    “Toths?” the Kaa said in alarm. “Certainly not. The Imperial Daughter may not go near such animals. They are too dirty. They carry disease.”
    “Father—,” Israi whined.
    “No,” the Kaa replied brusquely.
    He turned his back on both his daughter and the courtier, facing Telvrahd once more. “Forgive the interruption. Young chunen do not always remember their court manners.”
    Telvrahd put on an indulgent expression. “It is Festival. Informality is expected. Now, about my proposal regarding the jump gates—”
    “This is not the time or the place to discuss the matter.”
    “The Imperial Father has put me off for months.”
    The Kaa curled his tongue within his mouth, struggling to hold his temper. Flies buzzed around a segment of gristly bone that an Aaroun child was gnawing. A horrified courtier dispatched someone to shoo the cub from sight. The Kaa wished he might swat Telvrahd away as well.
    “We have our reasons for the delay, Lord Telvrahd,” the Kaa said. “We are not unaware of the problems involved, problems which your proposal addresses. We are not unsympathetic—”
    “Sire!” Telvrahd dared interrupt. “Sympathy is not what is required. The jump gates are decaying, falling into disrepair—”
    “Nonsense,” the Kaa said sharply, conscious of too many spectators watching and listening. “Such reports are false, the work of alarmists. Our jump gates are functional across the empire, and they will remain so.”
    “Not without attention. When they stop working, nothing is done. Nothing!” Telvrahd said, leaning closer. He lowered his voice, his dark red eyes locked on the Kaa’s. “This shrinks our empire’s boundaries more. We cannot afford—”
    “We are assured that maintenance is done according to the correct schedule. While we appreciate your interest, surely there are other matters more appropriate for your attention.”
    Telvrahd extended his rill fully, and it turned a dark crimson. The Kaa’s personal guards stepped closer. “I have just returned from a visit to my estates in the colony