第7章 Chapter (2)
ibal-Kuvasi war zone for centuries. But…” She shook her head. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about the colony for ages, actually, but it kept slipping my mind, and then Mehmer—” She cut herself off. “No matter. My point is, I think the war zone isn’t the sole reason the colony has been keeping their distance. Although the korviu deposits prevent the use of the TNIT and long-rangemunicators, Tai’Lehr still has ess to our virtual clouds, and yet they have neglected to supply us with up-to-date information on the colony for the past few years. Granted, they still manage to send to us the annual "a of korviu crystals on cargo ships, which is no small feat, considering the war in that sector of space. So technically we have no reason toplain, but I’m not pleased by their lack ofmunication. The ambassadors that I have sent on independent trader ships willing to go into the war zone reported that the colony was prospering and nothing was amiss, but I don’t know… I don’t like how separate the colony has be.” She sighed, her frown deepening. “There’s something amiss. It’s just a feeling, and perhaps I’m wrong about it, but I don’t like it.”
Jamil considered it. “Perhaps they want independence? They wouldn’t be the first distant colony to want it.”
“Perhaps,” Queen Janesh said slowly. “Truth be told, I won’t blame them if they do. We’ve been little help to them for centuries, offering very little protection. Not that it is our fault: our military ships can’t cross the war zone without breaking the Thulun Convention, so our hands are tied. I still wouldn’t be surprised if Tai’Lehrians resent that they have to share their profits with us in exchange for nothing.”
“You think there was civil unrest?”
The Queen looked thoughtful. “I do not know. Last time Lord Tai’Lehr was at the court, he assured me that everything was well in the colony, but it’s been years and the situation might have changed. I wish I could travel there myself, but my advisers are very much against it.” She made a face and said with exaggerated disapproval, “A war zone is no place for Her Majesty.”
“It really isn’t,” Jamil said. “I think your concern is premature. Your ambassadors did report that there was nothing amiss, after all. Don’t you trust them?”
The Queen nodded with a crooked smile. “I do.” She sighed. “You’re right. Perhaps I’m getting paranoid in my old age.”
“You’re not old, Mother,” Jamil said with an exasperated huff.
Chuckling, the Queen turned toward the door. “That’s what one’s children always think.”
Jamil was still smiling faintly as the door closed behind the Queen.
But soon, his smile dropped.
He frowned, not knowing what to think.
He had more questions than answers now.
