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.Octagonal in shape, with a high ceiling, the chamber glimmered.Gold carpet, gold walls, gold floor, gold ceiling.Radiance bars curled in graceful designs on the ceiling.A large airbed stood in a far corner, its frame and posts also gold.Abstract holos swirled in the air above it like a gilded, luminous canopy.In the center of the room, an octagonal table stood low to the ground, with gold place settings, gold utensils, and diamond goblets.Four Aristos sat around it, reclining on gilter-velvet loungers flush with the floor.The three women wore clothes tailored from glittering black cloth.The man had on an ESComm uniform similar to Taratus’s, except the crimson braid indicated he was a general rather than an admiral.Four taskmakers were serving the meal.“The bidders,” Taratus explained.Kelric found it hard to believe one of those people would soon own him.Taratus seemed in no hurry.He described each bidder, taking his time.They came from four different Highton lines: Mirella Kayzar, a trade expert and one of the wealthiest Traders alive; Heeza Taratus, a niece of Admiral Taratus; Tarquine Iquar, the Highton Minister of Finance; and Marix Haquail, an ESComm general whose reputation had been notorious even in Kelric’s time.Given the size Taratus had implied he expected for the bids, Kelric knew the Aristos in that room had to be wealthy even for Hightons, which meant they were probably advanced in years.He couldn’t judge their ages.Mirella and Heeza looked in their thirties, Tarquine and Marix in their forties.He doubted any were that young.Tarquine in particular had a maturity to her face that only many decades of life could bring, even if the skin and muscle remained fresh with false youth.Taratus was watching him.“What do you think?”Kelric wondered what the admiral expected him to say.“I’ve never seen so many Aristos up close before.”“No, I imagine not.” Taratus smiled.“Do you have a preference?”“A preference?”“For who you would like to own you.”I don’t believe I’m having this conversation, Kelric thought.“I don’t want anyone to own me.”Taratus tilted his head.“Can’t you Skolians see the price you pay for this ‘freedom’ you so loudly praise?”“No.”“Perhaps that’s the problem.” Taratus rubbed his chin.“You see your own small circle of life and miss the bigger picture.”Don’t ask, Kelric told himself.But his curiosity got the better of him.“What bigger picture?”“The Allieds have a saying, I believe.Something like ‘Adversity builds character.’”Kelric knew what was coming.He didn’t want to react, but anger snapped in his voice.“And now you’re going to tell me that by suffering, providers attain a state of exaltation, right? That when you ‘benevolent’ Aristos torture us, it’s for our own good.You’re doing us a favor.And let’s not forget the honor you bestow by letting us provide you with your glorious transcendence.Which of course you deserve, you being so superior to the rest of us.”Taratus had stopped smiling.“No matter how much sarcasm you apply, it won’t change reality.You Skolians have a sick society.It’s unstable and you know that.Look at your rulers.An Assembly of dithering civilians.All these efforts of theirs for ‘peace’ exploded in your faces with the Radiance War.If they can’t even control the Ruby Dynasty, how can they expect to build a viable civilization?”The blood drained from Kelric’s face.“Leave the Ruby Dynasty out of it.”“I’ve never understood why you all worship such a defective group of people.” Taratus waved his hand in dismissal.“Oh they’re pretty, I’ll grant you that.But that hardly qualifies them to lead themselves, let alone an entire civilization.” He regarded Kelric steadily.“And make no mistake, your Ruby Dynasty wields far more power than your Assembly admits.”The admiral’s insight into the machinations of Skolian politics disquieted Kelric.“The Ruby Dynasty once governed all our people, your ancestors and mine.They’re as fit to rule today as they were five thousand years ago.”“Interesting.” Taratus considered him.“Most Skolians would claim the Assembly holds the power rather than the Ruby Dynasty.”Damn.He had to be more careful.“It varies.”“A dynasty of providers.” Taratus shook his head [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]