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

by Laura Jo Phillips

  “I’ll go to bed soon,” Karma said. “Since this is our last night within solid walls that offer more privacy than a tent, there is something I wish to discuss with the two of you.”

  “This sounds serious,” Zakiel said, glancing at Nikura, then back to Karma.

  “It is,” Karma said without meeting his gaze. “On the night of Tomas and Tiari’s wedding, I overheard the two of you speaking silently to each other. At first I felt guilty for listening, though I couldn’t not listen, but after thinking about it for a day or two, I realized it was deliberate. The two of you wanted me to hear you. So my first question is, why?”

  “Why do you think it was deliberate?” Nikura asked.

  “Because I didn’t hear you before that conversation, and I haven’t heard you since. I want to know why.”

  “Because we felt it was time for us to discuss a subject that you continually avoid,” Zakiel said. “We hoped you would become curious enough about the things we said to bring the subject up yourself.”

  “Which subject?” Karma asked. “Nikura’s mysterious she? Or your plan to fight the Djinn rather then send the pyramid back out with a new Guardian?”

  Nikura and Zakiel shared another glance, then looked at Karma again. “Why have you never asked about the Guardian of the pyramid?” Zakiel asked softly.

  Karma hesitated, then shrugged. “I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe because whoever it is has been there for a thousand years, and we have enough trouble here and now to deal with.”

  “We thought you might be concerned about who would be expected to take the Guardian’s place,” Nikura said.”

  “What does that have to do with your conversation?” Karma asked.

  “Everything, valia,” Zakiel said. He speared a bite of meat with his eating knife and chewed thoughtfully. “You know that only a Techu can speak with a Sphin,” he said. Karma nodded. “Did you know that a Techu can be either male, or female?”

  Karma shook her head. “No, but I never gave it much thought, either.”

  “You know that Nikura was companion to Samyi, the last Lady Techu before you,” Zakiel said. “What you don’t know, what no one but Nikura has known for a thousand years, is that his mate, Ankiru, was companion to Samyi’s twin brother, Quintin, also known as Lord Techu. Lord Techu and Ankiru went into the pyramid together.”

  Karma’s blood went cold. It was true that she’d avoided the subject of the Guardian, and she’d done so precisely because she’d feared something like this. Now that it had been said out loud, it had to be dealt with. “So I’m to take the Guardian’s place, along with Nikura.”

  Zakiel stared at her as though she’d lost her mind. “Absolutely not,” he nearly shouted. He took a calming breath before continuing. “Why would you think, for even a moment, that I would allow such a thing? No, Karma, you will not enter that pyramid for any reason.”

  “If not me, then who?” Karma asked. “Unless there’s someone else you haven’t told me about, I’m the only Techu right now, male or female.”

  “I will go alone.”

  “Then who will act as Guardian?” Karma demanded.

  “I will,” Nikura said. Karma frowned.

  “Ankiru is the Guardian, not Lord Techu. It was her presence that was required in the pyramid while I remained here, on Rathira, not his. No one knew this save myself, Anki, Lord Techu, and Vatra Gariel. No one. Not even Techu Samyi.” Karma arched a brow at Zakiel that Nikura immediately understood and flicked his ears irritably. “Prince Zakiel learned many things from Vatra during his last transformation. Before that, he didn’t know either.”

  “Why did Ankiru have to be in the pyramid?” Karma asked. “And why did it have to be such a big secret?”

  “The pyramid is in between dimensions. As such, natural forces constantly work to push and pull it to one dimension or another. Without something to hold it in place, it would have eventually drifted beyond the reach of the power of the orbs. Anki and I are a mated pair. For the Sphin, that means that we’re connected by a bond that cannot be broken, nor stretched beyond a certain point. That bond literally holds her and, by extension, the pyramid, in place. It needs no magic, no energy or power other than the connection of our hearts and souls to one another to work, nor can it be interfered with by an outside force.”

  “It seems to me that it would have been better to send the pyramid to another dimension without anyone in it,” Karma said.

  “Except that the pyramid will return to Rathira at the end of the thousand years and quite likely destroy the world with the violence of its impact,” Zakiel said.

  “I thought it was the Guardian’s need to be replaced after a thousand years that would cause the pyramid to return,” Karma said.

  “Yes, that was part of the story told to cover the truth,” Nikura said.

  “I see,” Karma said. “I still don’t understand why it had to be such a secret.”

  “If the wrong people learned that the pyramid was held in place by our bond, it’s logical to assume, rightly, that my death would result in our bond being broken,” Nikura said. “My death would mean Anki’s death, and her death would leave the tear unguarded, and adrift. The Djinn could then freely cross through the tear into the pyramid and dismantle it from within, breaking it’s magic. That would cause the tear to immediately rebound to Rathira. The tear has no physical substance, so it would not destroy Rathira as the pyramid would. We wouldn’t even know its location until after the Djinn invaded, and by then it wouldn’t matter.”

  “So, Lord Techu went into the pyramid with Ankiru…why? Because of their connection to one another?” Karma asked. “I cannot imagine us being separated for so long. We can barely manage an hour or two even now.”

  “No, that was not the reason,” Nikura said. “They had a connection of course, but it was nothing near as strong as ours. Vatra Gariel would have altered their connection to make more tolerable for them to endure a separation.”

  “Then I don’t understand,” Karma said. “Are you saying that Lord Techu gave up his life as a ruse?”

  “It was his idea to do so. In fact, he insisted upon it, even though another man had already volunteered. And before you ask, our connection will not be a problem. Once Ankiru is freed, she and Vatra will be able to sever our connection.”

  “To begin with, I don’t want our connection severed, Nikura,” Karma said. “And, even without our connection, I could never let you go alone. If you go, then I’m going with you.”

  “I thank you, Lady Techu…Karma,” Nikura said, leaning over to brush his cheek affectionately against her shoulder. “That you would consider making such a sacrifice on my behalf is the kindest thing any human has ever done, or thought to do, for me. I shall never forget it.”

  “You’re welcome, Nikura,” Karma said. “But I meant it. You’re not going alone into that damn pyramid.”

  “Do you think I would have stood by and watched you wed Prince Zakiel, and risk becoming pregnant, without warning you if I’d expected you to enter the pyramid?”

  Karma gasped in shock. She’d been so horrified by the thought of Nikura spending a thousand years alone in the pyramid that she’d forgotten, just for a moment, that she was pregnant. “No, Nikura, you wouldn’t have done that,” she said sadly, knowing that she couldn’t sacrifice her children’s lives for any reason. “So, you’ve planned from the beginning to enter the pyramid yourself, leaving Ankiru alone here, as you’ve been all these centuries.” The very idea brought tears to her eyes. “Will you ask Zakiel to make you unaware?”

  “Probably not,” Nikura said. “I suppose I will know for certain when the time comes.”

  “I’m not sure I can stand by and watch that,” Karma said. “I don’t know how I can live with it, either.”

  “You won’t have to because neither of you are going into that pyramid,” Zakiel said in a tone that brooked no argument. “One way or another I will see an end to this threat to Rathira. The children of our child
ren will not have this problem to deal with in another thousand years.”

  “How?” Karma asked. “I assume that if Vatra Gariel could have managed that, he would have.”

  “I don’t know how,” Zakiel said. “Yet. But I will find a way Karma because you absolutely will not enter that pyramid. Nor will I allow Nikura and his mate to sacrifice another thousand years for our sakes.”

  Karma looked into Zakiel’s eyes for a long moment. Then she nodded slowly. “All right, Zakiel,” she said. “I have faith in you. If there is a way to finish this once and for all, you will find it.”

  “Thank you, my love,” Zakiel said, relaxing a little with her confidence in him. “It grows late, and tomorrow will be a long day. Why don’t you go to bed now? I’ll finish my dinner and join you in a few minutes.”

  “All right,” Karma said as she started to get up, then paused, frowning at Nikura. “I have one more question.”

  “Which is?”

  “I’ve seen you fight, Nikura, and I know how formidable you are. Even if your mate is just as fast and just as strong you, I still can’t help but wonder how she could guard the tear for so long all alone against countless Djinn and demons.”

  Somehow, Nikura’s face appeared more smug than usual, which Karma thought was quite a feat. “I will show you one day, Lady Techu. After Ankiru returns.”

  “Why not now?” she asked.

  “I was not…happy…with Vatra Gariel’s decision to send Anki as the first Guardian. In my anger I swore an oath that will not be fulfilled until my mate’s safe return to Rathira.”

  “Why would he not let you go first, if that’s what you wanted?” Karma asked. “It seems to me you should have been granted that choice.”

  “Yes, that is what I thought as well,” Nikura said with a sigh. “Vatra Gariel said that an unusually strong connection with the future Lady Techu would one day be needed, and that it had to be with me. I was too angry at the time to care, but I will say now that I am glad of his insistence. He was, I believe, correct.”

  Karma could only nod. After a long silence, she decided to lighten the mood a little. “Give me a hint, Nikura. If you could show your true self, what would you look like?”

  His ears twitched with unmistakable amusement. “I will only say that I am somewhat larger than you might expect. And there are some aspects of my appearance that are…different.”

  Karma thought of all the times she’d heard him roar, a sound suitable for a creature many times larger than his current size. “All right then,” she said, getting to her feet without looking at Nikura again. She didn’t think she wanted an answer to her question after all. Not now. Maybe not ever. She had quite enough monsters to deal with as it was.

  Chapter Five

  Ren stared nervously at the diplo Kapia had helped her select the previous afternoon. Somehow, it had seemed smaller when it was on the other side of a wide brush fence, surrounded by other diplos. She looked up at the saddle on the diplo’s back, several feet higher than her head, and decided she really didn’t want to climb up there. It had nothing to do with the height. She’d lived on a mountain all of her life, and had spent untold hours perched on a rock with nothing below her but thin air. But that rock had never moved. Nor did it have teeth.

  She looked at the tusks on the diplo in front of her, than to the carrot Kapia had put in her hand right before leaving her alone. Well, not precisely alone. She had her diplo, and Kapia’s, which was named Goldy of all things, to keep her company.

  The excitement buzzing around her was nearly palpable as men hurried to and fro everywhere she looked. The majority of them were large, muscular men dressed in black leather, just like Marl had worn. Some wore thick cloaks against the cold, but most braved the morning chill in the sleeveless, open vest that displayed too much flesh for Ren’s peace of mind.

  After her unexpected reaction to Sir Marl, it was a relief to discover that, even though all of the warriors had the same overall appearance, she didn’t react to any of them in the same way that she’d reacted to him. In fact, now that she was more accustomed to the sight of this new, unfamiliar breed of men, she wondered if her reaction to Marl would be different when she saw him again.

  Uncomfortable with the direction her thoughts had taken, she wished more than ever that she had something to keep her busy. Hopefully, in time, she would be given responsibilities. She didn’t really care what they were either, so long as they kept her from thinking too much.

  She suddenly noticed that the diplo she’d selected was inching closer to her, its large black eyes fixed on the carrot in her hand. She picked up her foot to step back, but caught herself and put it back down. I am Maiden of the Heart Orb, she reminded herself firmly. Which meant that she already had a responsibility. A very large one, in fact. In order to fulfill that responsibility, she was going to have to spend quite a bit of time on this animal’s back. Therefore, it would probably be a good idea to make friends with it. Starting now.

  She raised the hand holding the carrot out toward the animal and forced herself to step forward. To her surprise, it nodded its long, narrow head, then stretched out its neck and slowly reached for the carrot, as though it was being careful not to startle her. The thought made her smile just as the diplo’s upper lip rose and touched the carrot lightly before it pulled back, eyeing her carefully. She took another step and moved the carrot closer to the diplo’s mouth. This time, it took the treat gently with its surprisingly dexterous lips. Then it froze, still eyeing her as though it half expected her to suddenly leap back in fear. The idea that the diplo was handling her with such care had her laughing out loud. The diplo nodded its head, then began crunching the carrot while she reached up to scratch it between its nubby ears. His eyes closed contentedly as he continued to chew, seemingly pleased that he’d succeeded in soothing her fears.

  “Excuse me, Hara Ren,” a low voice spoke, startling her and the diplo, who snorted and eyed the newcomer reproachfully. Ren was surprised to see Marl standing on the other side of the diplo’s head. A hot shiver ran through her and her heart began to pound. She had her answer as to whether it was him, specifically, she’d responded to. Luckily, the diplo’s head between them blocked much of her view.

  “Good morning, Sir Marl,” she said. Her voice was a bit higher than normal, but at least she wasn’t tripping over her tongue. “I thank you again for what you did yesterday.”

  “Thanks are not needed, Hara Ren,” Marl said stiffly. He winced inwardly at the coolness of his tone, then immediately told himself it was to the good. The less she liked him, the easier it would be for him to keep his distance. Unfortunately, his place in the rotation for his first day back on full duty was here, guarding the women along with four other Hunters. “If you will allow it, I will assist you into the saddle.”

  Ren’s face fell as she looked up at the diplo’s back again. She’d been so worried about being up there that it hadn’t occurred to her to wonder how she’d get there. She swallowed hard and looked back at Marl. “How will you do that?”

  “I will lift you high enough that you can swing your leg over,” he said.

  Ren tried to imagine this man placing his hands upon her. No man had ever laid hands on her. Not once in all of her life. She couldn’t see Marl’s hands, but she was certain they’d be large and strong. And they would feel warm. She was sure of it.

  “I would appreciate your assistance, Sir Marl, in getting on top of this diplo,” she said nervously. “I should warn you that, until yesterday, I’d never seen one of these animals, let alone sat on top of one. Please do not be surprised if you lift me up one side only to see me tumble immediately down the other side.”

  Marl’s lips twitched slightly, and she realized she’d nearly made him smile. She wondered what he would look like smiling, then blushed at the images her mind conjured up. Thankfully, Marl had walked around the diplo and stopped just behind her, so he couldn’t see her face.

  “I see that the drover has ad
ded one of the stirrup straps to your saddle that the other women use,” he said. “I’m afraid I don’t know their use well enough to instruct you.”

  “If you lift me up this time, I will discuss the strap with the other women while we ride,” Ren suggested.

  “A sound idea,” Marl said. “When I lift you, swing your right leg over the saddle. Ready?”

  “Yes,” she replied a little breathlessly since his hands, just as strong, and warm as she’d imagined, and so large that they nearly spanned her waist, now gripped her firmly. Unable to help herself, she glanced down. The sight of his hands on her body, even through the thick layers of winter clothing between them, made her mouth go dry, though she had no idea why. Before she had time to think about it, or to adjust to the shock of his touch, he was lifting her up. She barely remembered to swing her leg over the saddle as he’d told her to do, then his hands were gone, and she wondered at the sense of loss she felt. She took a deep, slow breath and looked down at him with all the calm that long years of practice had taught her to portray in the face of any and all emotional turmoil. “Thank you, Sir Marl.”

  “You are welcome, Hara Ren,” he said, reaching for the reins that laid over the diplo’s neck and placing them in her hands. He gave her a quick tutorial on how to guide the animal left or right, and most importantly to her, how to stop him, and she forced herself to pay attention. “This diplo is well trained,” he finished. “If his rider gives him no direction, he will walk along with the others and stop when they do, so you don’t need to worry about controlling him. I just thought you should know how, in case it becomes necessary.”

  “I’m grateful,” she said, meaning it. She was far more relaxed than she’d expected to be, and she knew it was because of Marl’s help.

  “Marl,” Garundel said, appearing suddenly in front of her diplo, startling both of them.

  “Yes, Sir Garundel?” Marl asked, taking a step back from the diplo and turning to face his commanding officer.

  “When we spoke yesterday I was unaware that we’d be leaving today. Rather than joining the regular rotation, I would appreciate it if you would agree to act as primary guard to Hara Ren for the time being. She is unused to diplos, riding, and travelling, and will require some extra assistance for a time.”