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

by Laura Jo Phillips

  “All right,” Ren replied, returning the pouch to her pocket. Garundel walked her out of the tent, then nodded to Marl.

  “You will see my daughter safely to her tent?” he asked.

  “Yes, Sir Garundel,” Marl replied. “It would be my honor.”

  “Goodnight, Father,” Ren said.

  “Goodnight, Daughter,” Garundel replied. He stood and watched her walk away into the darkness with Marl at her side, and knew that she was safe. Only when he could no longer see them did he go back into his tent, his heart lighter than it had been in over fifteen years.

  ***

  When Bredon and Kapia told Zakiel that they needed to talk, he didn’t ask any questions. The expressions on their faces was all he needed to know that the matter was serious. At Kapia’s request, he called Karma and Nikura in. Before long they were all seated, waiting for Bredon to tell them why they were there.

  “There are things I haven’t yet shared with any of you,” Bredon said. “The first is a confession.”

  “A confession?” Kapia asked, studying the guilty expression on his face. Her eyes narrowed. “You’re going to say you should have killed yourself when you realized Marene had invaded your mind.” Karma smiled at her with pride, warming her heart, but she kept her focus on Bredon.

  “If I had, Worrow and his men would still be alive,” Bredon said. “That accursed scepter would remain hidden in Darkly Fen, and Marene would be dead. I was too much of a coward to do it.”

  “No, Bredon,” Zakiel said. “Killing yourself would have been cowardice. It is a knight’s sworn duty to fight to the last breath. You could not have done otherwise.”

  “Even if you’d done such a…well…that, I doubt very much that it would have stopped Marene,” Kapia said.

  “What do you mean?” Bredon asked.

  “Knowing Marene as I do, and I know her very well, she would have found someone, or something, else to possess,” Kapia said. “Perhaps even me.”

  “You?” Bredon asked, the blood draining from his face so quickly he felt dizzy. “Why would you say that? Did she do something to you?”

  “Nothing I’m aware of, but I wouldn’t put it past her,” Kapia said. “I don’t know what is required for her to possess someone, but I was very much under her power and control my entire childhood. She could have done nearly anything she wanted to me and I would’ve never said a word. I was terrified of making her angry.”

  Zakiel growled softly, surprising Kapia and Bredon with the sudden appearance of the Tigren markings. Karma placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, calming him. “I am sorry, little Sister, for not seeing Marene for what she was. You suffered much because of my ignorance.”

  What’s done, is done,” Kapia said. “There is no need to apologize for not seeing through Marene. She fooled everyone. And don’t forget, we need her right now.”

  “Yes, that much is all too true,” Bredon said.

  “Without your connection to her, Bredon, we’d never know the truth from the lies. That’s critically important when dealing with Marene.”

  “Which brings us back to what I haven’t yet told you.”

  “Which is?” Kapia asked.

  “You know that Marene and I are now connected. What you don’t know is that our lives are intertwined.”

  “Intertwined?” Kapia asked, her brow furrowed. A moment later her eyes widened. “Do you mean that if one of you dies, the other dies as well?”

  “Not exactly,” Bredon said. “Her death will absolutely kill me. But my death will not kill her.”

  “You are certain of this?” Zakiel asked.

  “Positive,” Bredon replied. “She lied about it, which makes the truth quite clear to me. I haven’t figured out why she lied, but I think that, if I die, something will happen to her that she wants to avoid. I just don’t know what it is.”

  “Maybe you made a mistake,” Kapia whispered.

  “Yes, I agree with Kapia,” Zakiel said. “It must be a mistake. I cannot imagine Marene allowing you out of her sight for a moment if your death would affect her.”

  “Yes,” Bredon said. “I thought that as well, for a time.”

  “Something changed your mind,” Kapia said. Bredon nodded.

  “During the battle against the satyr, and later the battle with the gargoyles, I discovered that I cannot be harmed,” he said. “Rather, I can be harmed, but I heal almost instantly from injury. Poison seems to take a bit longer.”

  “The cut on your vest,” Zakiel said.

  “Yes,” Bredon nodded. “That was the first time. I remembered feeling a stinging sensation during the battle but it faded quickly, leaving nothing behind. I was suspicious, but not certain. Then, during the gargoyle battle, I was bitten on the forearm. Twice. By the time I killed the creature, the bite marks had already healed. I felt ill and dizzy for a time from the poison, but it soon passed and I was fine.”

  “I don’t understand,” Kapia said. “I, for one, am grateful that the poison didn’t kill you, of course. But if your death cannot kill Marene, why would she protect your life in this way?”

  “I don’t know, and that is what worries me,” Bredon said. “I can’t figure it out, and when it comes to Marene, that is not a good thing.”

  “I thought you knew the truth behind her lies,” Kapia said.

  “I do,” Bredon replied. “But that doesn’t give me the reason behind the lie.”

  “Why didn’t you tell us any of this before, Bredon?” Karma asked.

  “Because when we are finished with the Djinn, Marene must die,” Bredon said. “One way or another, we have to kill her.”

  “And you didn’t want us to hesitate over destroying Marene in an effort to save you,” Zakiel guessed.

  “Yes,” Bredon replied, his eyes on Kapia.

  “This is why you don’t want to marry me?”

  “In part. I also fear leaving you a widow.”

  “Married or not, I would feel the same if I lost you, Bredon.”

  “If you were left alone with a child to raise, it would be different,” Bredon pointed out.

  “We discussed that.”

  “I know,” Bredon said, then took a deep breath. “You know everything now, surna, including the fact that my life will likely end sometime in the next few weeks.”

  Kapia shook her head in denial, then inhaled sharply as an idea came to her. “You just told us that you can’t be killed.”

  “Due to Marene’s dark magic,” Bredon said gently. “When she is dead, her magic will become void.”

  “Then we’ll just have to stop Marene without killing her,” Kapia said. “Somehow. Break her power, or nullify it in some way.”

  “Believe me, Kapia, I don’t want to die. I want the life I’ve always dreamed of having with you. If there is any way to keep Rathira safe from Marene without killing her, or sparing me from sharing her fate, I will take it. But you must accept that if it comes down to a choice between my life, or the lives of all who live on Rathira, including yours, I will do what I must. I will not sacrifice my honor, Kapia, not even for you.”

  “Nor would I ask you to, Bredon,” Kapia said through her tears. “It hurts so badly to think of a world without you in it, but at the same time, I know that you will do what you must, as will I. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Maybe this is why I’ve had to learn to be something of a warrior on this quest; so that I can see more clearly into your warrior’s heart, and my own.”

  “You are a warrior because you were born to be one,” Bredon said. “I saw that the first time I saw you in battle, against the gargoyles. I’ve never been more proud in my life than I was of you that day. You were stunning to watch, Kapia. It taught me how strong you really are, in every way.”

  “I am strong, Bredon,” Kapia said. “Strong enough to do what must be done for the people of our world. But I am not strong enough to lose you again without having memories of us together to cherish. Please, please don’t let us waste this precious time we
’ve been given.”

  “You’re certain?” Bredon asked.

  “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”

  Bredon searched her eyes for a long moment, and found everything he hoped to see in their warm depths. He released Kapia’s hands and stood up, then turned to face Zakiel. “Prince Zakiel, as the elder brother of Princess Kapia, and the future King of Isiben, I formally ask that you do me the great honor of granting me Kapia’s hand in marriage.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Timon refilled Karma’s teacup with Lashi’s ginger tea blend, her second of the morning. The worst of her morning sickness had passed, but she found she liked its sharp flavor, and it helped to perk her up in the mornings.

  She smiled her thanks to Timon, sipped her tea, picked up her fork, and then frowned at her husband. “Are you going to brood all day long?”

  “I’m not brooding,” Zakiel said. “I’m considering.” Karma sighed and began eating her breakfast.

  After telling Bredon and Kapia that he needed time to consider their request to marry, he’d sent them away, and then refused to discuss the matter further for the remainder of the evening. It was time to try again, she decided. She finished chewing, swallowed, and opened her mouth, but Zakiel spoke first.

  “What do you think?” he asked, not bothering to specify the subject.

  “I think they’re adults and it’s up to them,” Karma said. “If they want to marry, who are we to stop them?”

  “We will one day be the King and Queen of Isiben,” Zakiel said stiffly. “If Bredon, or any other male, marries into the royal family, he’s automatically added to the line of possible future kings.”

  “I hardly see that as an obstacle, Zakiel,” she said, pointing at her stomach.

  “What if I die, or our son dies? I know it’s an unpleasant subject, valia, but it must be considered since the man Kapia weds would be the next king.”

  “What about Tomas?” Karma asked, putting her fork down and reaching for her tea again.

  “Yes, you’re right, he’d be next,” he conceded. “The question remains the same, however.”

  “All right then,” Karma said, deciding to go along with what was obviously not the real issue. “Supposing you died, our son died, Tomas died, and Bredon became king. Would you object to Bredon in the role?”

  “Of course not,” Zakiel retorted angrily, as though she’d insulted his best friend. “Bredon is a good man, and he would be a very good king.”

  “I’m sure he would be, Zakiel,” Karma said, struggling not to roll her eyes. “But don’t forget why they want to get married now.”

  “What if Kapia has a child?”

  “Is there a stigma attached to a woman who is widowed in your culture?” she asked. “Or one who has a child after her husband’s death?”

  “The child would not be a problem, especially given Bredon’s reputation as an honorable man and skilled warrior,” Zakiel replied. “He is First Knight of Isiben after all, and that is no small thing. But, Kapia may be seen as unlucky if he dies so soon after they’re wed, and that might be enough to keep suitors from lining up outside her door. At least, not any who want Kapia for herself rather than her wealth or position.”

  “Kapia will never be required to marry for security, so she can afford to wait for an honorable man to come along.”

  “I know,” Zakiel admitted, then looked at her sadly. “Karma, I know that she and Bredon love each other. I know they belong together. I would love and welcome no other man as a brother as much as I would Bredon. But I do not want to see my sister spend the remainder of her days alone if he dies. I watched my father do that after Mother died. She’s too young to condemn herself to a lifetime of regret.”

  Karma nodded to herself. Finally, the true problem. “Zakiel, she will mourn Bredon whether they marry or not,” she said gently. “Nothing you or I or anyone else could ever do will change that.”

  “I know,” Zakiel said with another heavy sigh. “My greatest fear is that if Kapia bears Bredon’s child and loses Bredon, she will be reminded of him every minute of every day, and spend the remainder of her life waiting to die.”

  Karma thought of the story Nikura had told her of Lord Techu after the death of his wife, and of King Rhobar’s ongoing grief for his wife after seventeen years. She knew that if she died, Zakiel would grieve for her in the same way. The family of the House of Feenis loved deeply, completely, and forever.

  “Kapia will not need to be married, or have a child, to mourn Bredon if he dies,” Karma said. “You cannot prevent the future by denying them the right to marry.”

  “If I believe that it’s in her best interest, yes, Karma, I can,” Zakiel replied. “I failed her throughout her childhood with Marene. I cannot fail her again.”

  “This is not about you, Zakiel,” Karma said softly. “This is their lives, and their choice, and I do not believe that you think denying her request to be with the man she loves is in her best interest.”

  “Do you think that Kapia understands, I mean really and truly understands, all of the ramifications of this choice?”

  “Of course she does,” Karma said. “Kapia is young, yes, but the Orb Quest has matured her beyond her years, and not in a bad way. She knows what she’s doing, she knows the possible consequences of her choices, and she’s willing to accept them.” Karma reached out to take his hand. “She is no longer a child, Zakiel. You must allow her to live her life as she chooses.”

  “I know,” Zakiel said with a sigh. “Very well. I will grant them permission and perform the ceremony myself. Father will not object. He loves Bredon, and will be happy to call him Son.”

  “It’s the right thing to do.”

  “I know,” Zakiel said. “I just don’t like it.”

  ***

  Ren felt good when she woke up, as though a wound she’d nursed all of her life had begun to heal. She lay nestled in her warm bed, watching the light brighten through the walls of the tent, thinking about that. She’d never actually acknowledged it to herself before, but now she could admit the truth to herself. The stares and taunts and rejections she’d been subjected to throughout her childhood and beyond had made her unhappy and lonely, but they’d never hurt her as deeply as she sometimes thought they should have. Only now could she admit to herself that it was because the hurt and rejection she’d felt when her father hadn’t come for her was so big and so deep, that all other hurts were less consequential in comparison. She smiled to herself, wondering what Brai Adaya would have to say to that, then conceded that the First of the Braii probably already knew.

  When she joined Kapia for breakfast a little while later, she wondered if her happiness was somehow contagious. Kapia, who’d been quiet and withdrawn the past few days, seemed happier than she’d ever seen her. She also seemed excited and nervous.

  “You seem cheerful this morning,” Kapia said. “Care to share?”

  “I will if you will,” Ren said with a grin. They stared at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing.

  “Yes, I will share,” Kapia agreed after their laughter died down. “But I asked you first.”

  “I spoke with my father last night,” Ren said. “He never got the message my mother sent him, and was told that we died when brigands attacked our caravan.”

  Kapia nodded soberly. “Yes, I know,” she said. “I’ve heard the story of Garundel’s sadness. It’s why he’s always alone, and always takes the most dangerous assignments.”

  “You knew?” Ren asked, stunned.

  “I’ve known Garundel my entire life, Ren. I told you that. But it was not my place to tell you that story, even if you’d asked, which you didn’t.”

  “You’re right,” Ren said. “I needed to ask him, and I’m glad that I did. I will thank Sir Bredon once again for his words to me last night. They helped me do what I knew I needed to do, but was afraid of.”

  “I’m so happy for you, Ren,” Kapia said. “Did he finally agree to tak
e that package?”

  “No, he didn’t,” Ren replied. “He said that the time was not right for it, but that it was coming. I’ve no idea what he meant, but I don’t care.”

  “Ah, he knows what’s in it,” Kapia said. Ren nodded.

  “Your turn,” she said.

  “Bredon asked Zakiel for permission to marry me as soon as possible,” Kapia said, her face lit with joy.

  “That’s wonderful news!” Ren said, surprising herself when she leaned over to hug Kapia in her excitement. “When will the wedding be? Can I help to prepare for it? I don’t know what needs to be done for a wedding since I’ve never seen one, but I’m willing to do whatever is needed.”

  “Thank you, Ren,” Kapia said. “But Zakiel hasn’t given his permission yet.”

  Ren frowned. “Why not?”

  “My guess is that he’s worried about me,” Kapia said. “Fortunately, Karma has a level head. If anyone can get my brother to see reason, she will.”

  “I thank you for that totally deserved praise, little sister,” Karma said as she came through the connecting doorway between the two tents. Ren and Kapia both stared at her for a long moment while her words sank in. Kapia got it first and leapt to her feet with a squeal of happiness. She threw herself into Karma’s arms, hugged her tightly, then stepped back, suddenly afraid she’d hurt her. Seeing that Karma was fine, she hugged her again, a little more gently this time.

  “Thank you, Karma,” she said. “I owe you forever.” Karma shook her head and laughed, but before she had a chance to say anything, Bredon burst in unannounced. The women all stared in surprise, which brought him up short. A moment later his face turned as red as his hair as he realized he’d just entered the women’s tent without an invitation.

  “I apologize,” he said, “that was…I didn’t realize…I mean, I know, but I was just so…I’ll go back out.”

  “It’s all right, Bredon,” Karma said quickly as Bredon started to turn around. She smiled at Zakiel who was just a step behind Bredon, blocking his exit. “There’s no reason to leave, and no harm done. Under the circumstances, it’s understandable.”