The Quest for the Heart Orb (The Orbs of Rathira)

by Laura Jo Phillips

“Not even her name. Karma said that she should be here any time in the next day or two, but she knows no more than that.”

  “Do you have any idea where the quest will take us next?”

  “We need the Maiden of the Heart before we can learn the answer to that question,” Kapia said. “That’s one reason why we’re all so anxious to have her join us.”

  “I’m not sure I understand,” Bredon said. “Does she know the location of the Heart Orb?“

  “No, it’s something that she, Tiari, and I will learn from the two orbs we already have,” Kapia explained. “Bredon, we’re nearly to the settlement now. I know that Garundel and the others will want to greet you, and I know they’ve set one of the Argiari houses aside for you. I’ll leave you with them to get settled and bathe, eat dinner, or whatever you want to do.”

  “All right, Kapia,” Bredon agreed. “I’ll come to get you before I go to speak with Zakiel.”

  “You want me to be there?” she asked in surprise.

  “Yes, I do,” Bredon said. “Unless you would rather not.”

  “I’ll be there, Bredon,” she said, smiling. She rose up on her toes to kiss Bredon one last time, then they stepped around the last turn and into sight of the settlement. Sir Garundel was the first to spot them and rushed over to greet Bredon with a shout and a bruising slap on the back. More men gathered, surrounding Bredon just as Kapia had expected. She reluctantly released his hand and stepped back out of the way when a drover was summoned to take Bredon’s diplo.

  Kapia caught Bredon’s eye and waved toward her own dwelling so that he would know where she was. He nodded and she left him with the men, unable to wipe the smile from her face. She guessed it would be a couple of hours before she saw him again, at least. Time enough for her to have a long bath and dinner. She wondered if Caral had finished her new dark red dress.

  Bredon was relieved by the time Garundel showed him to one of the oversized Argiari dwellings that had been set aside specifically for his use. It was wonderful to be back among his own people, but after spending so much time alone, it was a little overwhelming too.

  He was very happy to find that the dwelling contained a giant sized bed made up for him. He looked forward to sleeping off the ground for a change, with a roof over his head and solid walls around him.

  A servant had already taken his pack from the diplo and brought it into the dwelling for him, and another servant brought him dinner. While he wolfed down the hot food, he was pleased to note that all of the belongings he’d left behind when he’d left the village of the Sirelina were also there. After finishing his dinner, he selected some clean clothes, then headed for the bathhouse Garundel had pointed out to him. The water was fed from hot mineral springs beneath the mountain, and relaxed him almost to the point of sleep before he shook himself and climbed out.

  When he stepped outside some time later, dressed and ready for his meeting with Zakiel, the moon was rising in a clear sky, casting its cold light on the Argiari settlement. He went to Kapia’s dwelling first, only to be told by Caral that she had gone ahead. Bredon looked around, having no trouble identifying the dwelling that belonged to Prince Zakiel and Lady Techu by its size and the number of men guarding it.

  “Greetings, Sir Bredon,” Timon said when he approached the tent. “Welcome back.”

  “Thank you, Timon,” Bredon said. “It’s good to be back. I have come to speak with Prince Zakiel.”

  “He waits within,” Timon said before leading him through the front chamber of the tent to the door of the Argiari dwelling on the left. Just before they reached the door Zakiel opened it, stepped through, and hugged Bredon.

  “You’ve been missed, old friend,” he said, releasing him before stepping back.

  “As have you,” Bredon replied, his throat tight with emotion. “I’m happier than I can say to be back. I only wish I’d brought better news with me.”

  “Good or bad, whatever you have to share will be appreciated,” Zakiel said. “Timon, please fetch the brandy.” Timon bowed, then disappeared into one of the chambers of the tent. Zakiel pushed the door of the dwelling shut behind him and lowered his voice. “Kapia says that you want her present while you speak of what happened to you.”

  “Yes, that’s right,” Bredon said. “Do you object?”

  “No,” Zakiel said, frowning. “Bredon, you should know that Cadusar Zabeth came to Karma and me recently to deliver a message from Worrow. He said that your body, though not your spirit, was responsible for his death. He also told us that you are fudaso, and what that means. If you wish to avoid those subjects while Kapia is present, I will go along with it tonight. However, you should also be aware that I will share the truth with her if you do not.”

  “I’ve already told Kapia those things, Zakiel,” Bredon said. “I apologize to you, as well, for not telling you about Marene. If I’d guessed, for even a moment, the true reasons behind her actions, I would have told you.”

  Zakiel smiled and pulled Bredon in for another hug. “You’re a good and honorable man, Bredon. No matter what was done to you, please know that your honor was never questioned.”

  Bredon was surprised by the strength of his reaction to Zakiel’s words. His eyes stung and a lump in his throat prevented him from speaking. All he could do was nod, but Zakiel seemed to understand.

  “I hope you don’t mind if Karma sits in on our meeting, too,” Zakiel said, after giving Bredon time to compose himself.

  “Not at all,” Bredon replied. “I expected as much anyway, and besides, I’d prefer not to have to tell this story more than absolutely necessary.”

  “That’s understandable,” Zakiel said, opening the door and leading the way inside. Karma rose to give Bredon a hug.

  “Welcome back, Bredon,” she said, smiling up at him. “You’ve been missed.”

  “Thank you, Lady Techu,” Bredon said, pleased by the genuine warmth of her welcome. Kapia had kept him informed as to Karma’s injury and her progress through the Moon Orb, so he wasn’t too surprised to see her looking paler and thinner than he remembered. She had some color in her cheeks though, and her eyes were clear and bright. She was obviously on the mend.

  “Lady Techu?” Karma asked, breaking him out of his silent study. “You stood as my brother at our wedding, Bredon, remember?”

  “Of course I remember, Karma,” Bredon said, smiling down at her.

  “That’s better, now come and sit,” she said.

  Bredon smiled at Kapia and took the cushion beside her in the circle set before the fireplace. “I love that color on you.” Kapia smiled happily, a light blush on her cheeks.

  “The walls of this dwelling are thick, and more secure than those of a tent,” Zakiel said as he took the cushion opposite Bredon, at Karma’s side. “We will not be overheard.”

  Bredon nodded and reached over to take Kapia’s hand in his. “While we’re on the subject of not being overheard, I ask that none of you speak of Marene when I’m not around, and then only after checking with me first. I know it sounds like a strange request, but you will understand before we’re done here tonight.”

  Timon entered with two cups and a large silver flask which he handed to Zakiel. “Of course we’ll comply with your request,” Zakiel said as he poured some of the amber liquid into both cups and handed one to Bredon. “Timon, please be sure that we’re not disturbed.”

  They each took a sip of the strong drink while Timon left them, closing the door behind him.

  “Before we begin, are you well?” Zakiel asked. “Kapia told me that you were having difficulties toward the end.”

  “Yes, I was,” Bredon said. “Marene is fully evil. If I’d had any doubts of that, the results of having her spirit housed within my body were more than enough to convince me. The longer she remained, the weaker and more ill I became. Since she found another form to inhabit, I’ve recovered quickly.”

  “That’s a relief,” Zakiel said. “You’re too thin, but we have no shortage of food so that
can be remedied.”

  “Zakiel,” Bredon said, then paused uncertainly. He sipped the brandy, savoring the burning sensation as it went down his throat. “I hardly know where to begin. There is so much to tell, all of it important.”

  “Begin where you will,” Zakiel said. Suddenly the door opened and Timon entered, followed by Nikura.

  “I would listen, if you do not mind, Highness,” he said to Zakiel.

  “Of course,” Zakiel replied. “I apologize for not calling you, Nikura. I intended to, but I got diverted.”

  “Kapia told me that you can communicate with the Sphin,” Bredon said as he watched Nikura make himself comfortable on the only remaining cushion, set between Karma and Kapia.

  “Yes, though the ability fades by the day,” Zakiel said, gesturing to Timon who went out and closed the door again.

  “I know that Kapia told you those things I told her, so you know some of what happened during my journey to Darkly Fen,” he began. While Zakiel and Karma nodded, he took another sip of his brandy, considering the things he needed to say, and those things he’d decided to keep to himself, at least for now. He gave Kapia’s hand a careful squeeze and set the brandy down. “I’ll begin by telling you that Marene and I have a connection to each other now. It has something to do with her being in my mind for so long. I don’t fully understand it, but there are a few things that I do know.

  “The first is that I can communicate with her, like I communicated with Kapia through the Moon Orb only mind to mind, without the need of an external aid, such as the orb. The second thing is that I not only know when she tells a lie, I also know the truth of whatever she lies about. The third thing is that she cannot do the same to me. She cannot see into my mind, nor can she watch me without my knowledge. She thinks she can because I let her believe I’m unaware of her presence.”

  “Are you saying that she can spy on us whenever she wants?” Kapia asked.

  “No, she can spy on me when she wants, and I can’t stop her, but I always know when she’s there, and she cannot see into my mind,” Bredon said. “I don’t know if her ability to spy on me will allow her to see those in close proximity to me, but it’s best to err on the side of caution, just in case she can. That’s why I ask that you not talk about her. There is no need to anger her unnecessarily.”

  “How do you know she isn’t pretending too?” Zakiel asked. “That she doesn’t know your lies as you know hers?”

  “Because Marene is arrogant, self-centered, vain, has a terrible temper, and, most importantly, she’s a terrible actress,” Bredon said with a smirk. “And because I’ve been in her mind. Trust me on this, Cousin, there’s no possible way she could have ever held her tongue if she heard one fraction of the thoughts I’ve sent her way.”

  “Very well, Bredon,” Zakiel said. “I trust that you know of what you speak.”

  “Thank you,” Bredon said. “Next, I need to tell you about the object we went into Darkly Fen to retrieve.”

  “Yes, we’d very much like to know more about that,” Zakiel said.

  “It’s a scepter made of bone and claw, fang and horn, each part coming from the living body of one of the four kings of the Djinn after they’d imbued it with their power. The Djinn call it Zatroa.”

  Nikura looked at Zakiel, who listened for a moment, then nodded. “Nikura asks if you will share what you know of the Djinn themselves.”

  “Of course, though I don’t know much. The Djinn are divided into four elemental groups that reflect what they are, or are made of. I’m a little unclear on that. The four groups are Fire, Water, Stone, and Sky. They are as different from each other as it’s possible to be, and they despise each other, warring among themselves almost constantly. Marene made a bargain with the king of the Fire Djinn, ShaiTyan, after she possessed me. He betrayed her, and she’s furious with him over it.”

  “How did he betray her?” Karma asked.

  “She agreed to find Zatroa and, using a spell he gave her, send it back to Skiatos. In return, she was promised the body of the most powerful demon on Rathira. ShaiTyan underestimated her, of course. The moment I touched Zatroa, she was able to access enough of its power to learn the ShaiTyan’s true intent, as well as the real purpose of the spell.”

  “Which was?” Kapia asked.

  “It would return the scepter to Skiatos, but it would kill both me and Marene in the process,” Bredon said. “Once the Djinn had the scepter, they’d use it to destroy the Guardian, and summon the pyramid to their world, giving them a doorway to Rathira that was completely out of our reach.”

  “How could the scepter return to Skiatos without a tear to go through?” Karma asked.

  “Unlike a living creature, the scepter doesn’t need a tear to cross dimensions,” Bredon said. “It’s also far more powerful than you can imagine. If directed to return to its home by the spell Marene was supposed to use, there is nothing that could have stopped it.”

  After a long silence, during which they all tried to imagine the devastation that such a powerful object could wreak upon Rathira in the wrong hands, Zakiel asked the one question that, in all of his years of search and study, he’d never found an answer to. “Bredon, do you know why the Djinn want Rathira?”

  “Yes,” Bredon replied, shocking everyone. “Zatroa was created specifically to enable the Djinn to cross dimensions in search of a new home. As we know, it worked, but what we didn’t know was that it was completely random. They tore into uncounted dimensions and universes for centuries before they happened upon exactly what they were searching for. Rathira.

  “We’ve always believed that they intended to simply kill everyone and claim Rathira for themselves, but the truth is not so merciful. The Djinn drink what they call life energy. Every living creature has it to a greater or lesser degree, and while they don’t need it to survive, it does make them stronger and more powerful. It’s like a drug to them. They actually crave it. They drink it like we drink water, and their desire is never fully slaked. They go from world to world, universe to universe, leaving nothing behind but empty husks. They’ve gone through every universe in their own dimension, and Rathira is their entry point to ours.” Kapia squeezed his hand so hard it actually hurt, and Karma looked as though she was about to be ill. Bredon understood. He’d been ill himself.

  “Why have they never been stopped?” Zakiel asked.

  “I don’t know,” Bredon replied with a tired sigh. “The Djinn are different from us in every way. They have no curiosity. They do not create, or build. They don’t read, or write, or care about their own history. They don’t have cities. They don’t have medicine, or science, or technology, or interest in anything other than warring against each other, and obtaining more life energy to consume. They are as old as time itself, and yet they exist now as they did on the first day of their creation.”

  “Do they have any weaknesses at all?” Zakiel asked.

  Bredon shrugged. “They do not die unless they’re killed, but they do weaken if deprived of victims to provide them with life energy. Right now they are weaker than at any time in their memory. They’ve exhausted every resource available to them, and have done nothing for a thousand years but wait for this chance to invade Rathira.”

  “If they fail, will they weaken enough to become permanently trapped on Skiatos?”

  “Maybe,” Bredon replied. “But it would take another few thousand years which, to the Djinn, is not so long. To us, it’s long enough that it might as well be never.”

  “Then we won’t count on that,” Zakiel said. He sipped his brandy, holding the burning liquid on his tongue in an effort to conquer the bad taste left by Bredon’s words. He set the cup down and changed the subject. “What of Marene? We don’t even know what she is any more.”

  “The Djinn word for her is Myrkur,” Bredon said. “To them she is an aberration that they thought to use for their own purposes. Now that she has Zatroa, that’s changed a bit.”

  “What is her appearance?”
<
br />   “It’s almost funny,” Bredon said, looking anything but amused. “Marene has always been vain of her beauty, as we all know. Now that she’s a creature of nightmares, her vanity has increased a hundred fold. She hides her real appearance from me, or so she thinks, not because it’s horrific, but because she doesn’t want me to see her true power. I almost wish that I couldn’t see beyond the human form she reveals to me.”

  “Will you describe her to us?” Karma asked.

  “When she displays a human form she looks as she always did,” Bredon said. He shrugged. “Mostly. She slips up now and then. Her true form is…monstrous. I just don’t have another word for it. She used the power of Zatroa to take what she wanted from the demons populating the black woods of Darkly Fen, and combined them into a creature of her own design. She appears to be part snake, part dragon, and part gigantic dog, or was the last time I saw her. She changes according to either whim or ability, I don’t know which.” Bredon shuddered with disgust. “Worst of all is the grotesque version of her own head that she retains no matter how many changes she makes to the rest of her body. That, and a set of human arms and hands. The last time I spoke with her I noticed that she now has bat-like wings, so I assume she’s learned to fly.”

  “Do you know what she plans to do with her newfound power?” Zakiel asked.

  “At the moment she wants a truce between you, and her,” Bredon replied.

  “A truce?” Zakiel asked in surprise.

  “She wants to work with us against the Djinn, to prevent them from invading Rathira,” Bredon said. “She wants it for herself, of course, which will need to be dealt with after the Djinn are no longer a threat.”

  “Do you trust her?” Zakiel asked.

  “No, not for a moment,” Bredon said emphatically. “But I know she’s telling the truth on this matter, and I believe we will need her against the Djinn.”

  “According to the message we got from Worrow, he believes the same thing,” Karma said.

  “What message?” Bredon asked. “Aside from my part in his death, I mean.”