Before long the water became murky, and Ren sensed they’d entered the portion of the river directly in front of Ausar. She cautiously went deeper as they neared the city, rising only when the water cleared again and they were past it.
Ren kept to the middle of the river as they swam toward the island of Ka-Teru two miles upstream from Ausar.
She was amazed by how much life was hidden beneath the surface of the river. They saw fish of all shapes and sizes, frogs, crocodiles, turtles, and two families of water cows which eyed them warily until they were too far away to pose an immediate threat. They also passed a herd of enormous beasts that were completely unfamiliar to her. Since they showed no interest in them, she returned the favor.
Eventually the river began to widen, and the water began to grow murky again, making it increasingly difficult to see. The further they went, the worse visibility became, so Ren slowed down and swam more cautiously. After a while they were able to make out a large black mass in the distance.
“Ka-Teru,” Marl said. Ren slowed even more, approaching warily.
“What is it that you sense?” Marl asked.
“I’m not sure,” she replied, slowing to a stop. They studied the water around them, but saw nothing other than the murky water and an occasional fish. Ren was just about to continue toward the island when she saw movement from the corner of her eye. “Look!” she said, pointing toward a gigantic ball made up of wriggling, silver…somethings.
“Rock eels,” Marl said, moving so that he was slightly in front of her. “They’re mildly poisonous, so long as you don’t get bitten more than once or twice.”
“There’re hundreds of them,” Ren said, watching as the mass of snake-like creatures slowly drifted closer. “Thousands.”
“I’ve never seen so many together at once,” Marl said. “Maybe we should retreat. We can come back later, after they disperse.”
“No, Marl,” Ren said. “To go back is to lose the Heart Orb forever.”
“You should listen to her, Mareon King,” a new, decidedly feminine voice, suggested.
Ren and Marl both tensed as they looked around, searching for the owner of the voice. All they saw was the ball of eels which, oddly, appeared to have stopped advancing.
“I am not a king,” Marl said.
“Are you not?” the voice asked curiously. “Why then do you bear the medallion, and swim with the Mareon Queen?”
Ren stared wide-eyed at Marl and shook her head. “Who speaks to us?” she asked.
There was a long silence, and the eels began to wiggle more energetically though they did not come any closer. “Have I erred?” the voice asked, not answering Ren’s question. “It would not be the first time, though it’s been several thousand years, and that wasn’t my fault. Not completely. But then, you are of a species that does not live long. Perhaps the lore has been lost.”
Ren met Marl’s gaze in silent agreement. They would wait until they had more information before speaking again.
“I’m willing to give you the benefit of doubt since you bear the corona stones of the Mareon Queen. Their power is certain, even if you are not. And you both wear the medallions. Obviously you are who I know you are, you just don’t know who you are yourselves, and you meet the requirements set down by Vatra Gariel, so I shall…no, wait. You are a mated pair, are you not?”
Finally, something they understood. “Yes, we are,” Ren and Marl replied together, then smiled at each other.
“Oh good, that would have been bad,” the voice said without a hint of humor. “Well, what are you waiting for? Face each other and hold hands.”
“Hold hands?” Ren asked.
“Yes, of course. This won’t work unless you are connected physically as well as spiritually.”
“What won’t work?” Ren asked warily.
“The magic.”
“What magic?”
“Well, my magic of course,” the voice said with faint exasperation. “Why do you think Vatra brought me here to begin with?”
Ren decided not to answer that. It seemed prudent to stay on…whoever’s...good side, at least for the moment. “What will the magic do?”
“I am not allowed to speak of that,” the voice said with an audible sigh. “I can tell you what will happen if you don’t, though.”
Ren and Marl glanced at each other and waited, but the voice remained silent. “Well?” Marl asked impatiently.
“Well what?”
“I thought you were going to tell us what will happen if we don’t hold hands.”
“I would have, but you didn’t ask.”
Ren’s head was beginning to hurt.
“Will you please tell us what will happen if we don’t allow you to use your magic on us?” Marl asked.
“Of course I’ll tell you,” the voice replied brightly. “Why wouldn’t I? It’s not a secret or anything. Well, it’s not information that is generally known, I suppose, but that doesn’t make it a secret, does it?”
Since the voice seemed to be waiting for an answer, Marl gave her one. “No, I don’t believe it does.”
“I agree. It’s very simple, really. If you don’t claim your destinies, then you won’t be able to claim the Heart Orb. And if you don’t claim the Heart Orb…well, I don’t suppose I have to tell you what would happen then!”
“No, you don’t,” Ren said. “So, is that all we have to do? Just face each other and hold hands?”
“Yes, that should do it.” Ren turned to face Marl and they moved closer together. Marl took her hands in his and squeezed gently. “Very good, very good,” the voice said. “Now let me think…yes, that’s right. Here goes!”
Ren and Marl both felt an odd sensation of heat wash through them, followed immediately by a sensation of cold, then heat again. Ren’s hands tightened nervously on Marl’s as it suddenly occurred to her to wonder why they were doing what this disembodied voice told them to do.
“Oh!” the voice said suddenly, startling them both, “close your eyes or the flash might…!”
The voice broke off as a bright silver light lit up the river for a mile in every direction, nearly blinding them both. It took a few moments for their vision to return and when it did, they could only stare at each other. Their scales were no longer blue-green, but gleaming, burnished silver from head to toe…er…tail. Their breastplates were also silver, with intricate chased gold engravings of a multitude of sea creatures. Marl’s hair was now braided like hers, complete with black beads on the ends just as she’d imagined earlier. But, most shocking of all, was the set of corona stones that Marl now wore on his forehead that matched hers exactly. She reached up to touch them, half expecting them to fade away, but they were as solid as her own.
Marl reached up and touched them himself, then smiled. “What do they look like?”
“Just like mine,” she said. “Larger I think, but otherwise the same. Do you mind?”
“No, beloved, not in the least bit.”
“Why would he mind?” the voice asked curiously. “They’re a mark of your station. How else will people know who you are?”
“Speaking of which, will you please tell us who you are?” Marl asked.
“Of course, Highness, now that you both bear the corona stones, it would be my pleasure,” the voice said. Ren and Marl realized that the voice was getting louder and clearer. “My name is Khenzhu, and I’m a Water Dragon. I was brought here by Vatra Gariel from the northern seas to guard the Heart Orb. And to help out a bit with the crowning.”
“Water Dragon?” Ren asked, peering into the distance where an enormous blurry, light colored creature of some sort was swimming toward them.
“Yes, of course, what did you think I was? But don’t worry, I’m not going to eat you. Well, I might have if you’d been other than who you are, but you’re obviously you, both of you, even though you didn’t know that yourselves, which I admit to finding a bit odd, so I won’t.”
Ren frowned and Marl shrugged, then pointe
d. Ren turned, relieved to see that the eels had gone. She’d forgotten all about them which was, she thought, quite remarkable.
“What do you mean, help out with the crowning?” Marl asked.
“I do not understand your question, Mareon King,” Khenzhu said, sounding confused. “You are king, you are crowned…well, in a manner of speaking of course as you Mareons don’t wear crowns which makes sense as how would you keep them from falling off all the time in the water? I suppose you could tie them on somehow, but I don’t think that would look quite right, do you? I agree that corona stones are much more practical, but I still don’t know what else needs to be explained.”
Marl opened his mouth, remembered he had to speak in thoughts, then shook his head and said nothing. He could see now that the creature coming toward them was enormous. He didn’t think it would truly harm them at this point, but it would probably be unwise to provoke it.
“Khenzhu,” Ren said, “we are very grateful for the help you’ve already given us. I wonder though, will you be able to help us find the Heart Orb?”
“You will not need my assistance for that,” Khenzhu said. “Oh wait, I take that back. I must be getting old in my old age. Not that Water Dragons age, of course. How common that would be!”
Ren and Marl watched as the Water Dragon finally came close enough for them to see clearly. It was pearl white, with a long snake-like body, four clawed feet, a wedge shaped head crowned with sharply curved pearlescent horns, and glittering green eyes twice the size of their heads. The Water Dragon swam behind Ren, then turned to go behind Marl in a wide circle. It was at least a hundred feet long, but for whatever reason, Ren wasn’t in the slightest bit afraid of it.
“Ah, yes, here they are,” Khenzhu muttered as she swam behind Ren again, her long, sinuous body now wound around them twice. Ren blinked when a pair of gold and silver bracers suddenly replaced the black ones on her forearms, both decorated with an engraving of a silver rod with a ball on top of it, just like the pearl topped rod on her medallion. She looked up to see Marl studying the bracers on his own forearms that matched hers, except that they were decorated with an engraving of a silver trident.
“The Trident and the Wand,” Khenzhu said. “You’d have a bit of trouble using your magic without those, wouldn’t you? Well then, I think that’s everything. Or did I miss something? If I have, now is the time to tell me.”
“What magic?” Ren asked.
“The magic of the Trident and the Wand, of course,” Khenzhu said. She circled them again, and sighed. “You know nothing of this, do you?” They shook their heads. “Cross your wrists and tap your bracers together so that the engravings on the tops of them touch each other.”
Ren did as Khenzhu instructed and was surprised when a moment later she found herself holding a silver rod with a fist sized pearl on the end. The engraved design on her bracers was now absent. She looked at Marl who shrugged and tapped his bracers together as she’d done. Suddenly he was holding a silver trident with emeralds on the tips of all three tines.
When you want to return them to the bracers, tap them again,” Khenzhu said. “Only the true King and Queen of the Mareon can wield the Wand and the Trident, and their magic.”
“These are magic?” Marl asked.
“Yes, of course, what would be the point otherwise?”
“Marl, the trident is no long on your medallion!” Ren exclaimed, reaching up to check her own medallion. It was blank too, just as Marl’s was. Her heart skipped a beat in fear.
“Well, of course not,” Khenzhu said. “It’s in his hand. Just as the Wand is now in your hand.”
“Will the medallion still transform Marl when he enters the water with me?”
“No no no, the medallions are no longer needed, nor will he need them to be as he is when he needs to be.”
“I don’t understand,” Marl said, rubbing his temple with his free hand. “Does this mean that I’m Mareon now?”
“Of course you’re Mareon!” Khenzhu replied in surprise. “You’re the Mareon King, are you not? What a question!”
“We’re sorry, Khenzhu,” Ren said, attempting to soothe the Water Dragon’s exasperation. “We just don’t know anything about any of this.”
“Yes, I know, I’d forgotten that before but now I remember so don’t worry, you’ll figure it out in time. And if you have questions, you can come back and ask me whenever you like.”
“Thank you,” Marl said. “I’m sure we’ll be doing that. But right now our friends are waiting for us, so we should continue on.”
“Yes yes, of course,” Khenzhu said. “I must say, it’s been a very nice visit. I’m sure I’ll look forward to seeing you again one day.”
“As will we,” Ren replied. “Thank you again for your help, Khenzhu.”
“You’re very welcome…oh my...company,” Khenzhu said, her head swinging around to look downstream. “What fun!”
“Company?” Ren asked.
“A few demons coming to see what you’re up to,” Khenzhu said. “Probably attracted by the flash of the crowning ceremony. It certainly took them long enough, didn’t it? My my my, demons simply are not what they used to be, but there are several of them, so perhaps they’ll provide some small challenge.” Khenzhu turned her glittering eyes back to Ren and Marl. “Go and get the orb, King and Queen of the Mareon, and leave the water demons to me. It’s only fair. I’ve fulfilled my promises to Vatra so I deserve a little reward, yes?”
“Absolutely!” Ren replied at once. “In fact, as far as I’m concerned, you may do whatever you like with any demon you find.”
“Oh my, a benevolent queen,” Khenzhu said. “How lovely!” Without another word the dragon sped off, a streaking blur that moved so fast they could barely see her. Within just a few seconds there was no sign that she’d ever been there.
“That was…interesting,” Marl said carefully, not at all sure that Khenzhu wouldn’t hear everything they said.
“Yes, it certainly was,” Ren replied. “So, we are the King and Queen of Mareon.”
“So it seems,” Marl said, examining the trident more closely. “I’m afraid I know nothing of how to be a king, but I suppose Prince Zakiel will help with that.”
“Good idea,” Ren said, smiling with relief. “I’m sure that Karma and Kapia will help me, as well. I think we need to get moving, though.”
“Yes, I agree,” Marl said. “I feel a growing urge to hurry.”
Ren turned and began swimming toward the island again, the water becoming more clouded and dark the closer they got to it. When they reached the dark mass of the island, Ren swam downward.
“I had no idea the river was so deep here,” Marl said when they finally reached the bottom.
Ren nodded, but was distracted when she saw that the land beneath the island went all the way down to the riverbed. From what she’d seen in the orbs, she was supposed to go beneath the island. How could she do that when the island connected to the earth below it? There had to be a way.
She turned and began swimming alongside the island, searching for a way beneath it. She got about half way around before the pearl on the end of the Wand began to glow. She was so startled she almost dropped it.
“What’s that?” Marl asked, gesturing toward the island.
Ren looked up and away from the Wand and smiled. The light shone against the side of the island, revealing a hole or cave. She moved the Wand, not completely surprised to see that the hole appeared to vanish when the light no longer touched it. She moved it back and studied the hole for a moment.
“What do you think, Marl?”
“I think we’re meant to go inside.”
“I agree,” she said, then began swimming toward it. She entered the dark hole, glad that the pearl continued to glow softly since not even Mareon eyes could see in a total absence of light. The darkness was so complete that the Wand light barely penetrated more than a couple of feet. She focused on it, and the light grew a little brighter. She
smiled, then focused on it again. Once more it brightened just a bit. Then she imagined the light was bright enough to see the entire tunnel.
She winced and Marl gasped, both of them squeezing their eyes shut until she was able to turn the light down again. Maybe seeing a few feet in front of herself was enough. “Sorry,” she said to Marl, who chuckled softly in her mind.
Half an hour later they reached the end of the tunnel, surprised to find themselves in an enormous cavern that fully enclosed a stone column that went straight up, and down much further than the riverbed. The column was the tower Ren had seen in the orbs. Only this was the part of the tower beneath the island. The Heart Orb was hidden here.
“We’re looking for two stones in the tower wall that are marked with a symbol,” she said to Marl. “One is a trident and the other is like this wand. A stick with a ball on top.”
“There are thousands of stones here,” Marl said, worried. “It could take forever.”
“No, they’ll be at the level of the tunnel,” Ren said. “Don’t go up or down. You go one way, I’ll go the other.”
“I won’t be able to see,” Marl said. Then he looked at the trident he held and focused on it. He grinned as a soft light emanated from the tips of the three prongs. “I take that back.”
Ren laughed, a pleasant gurgling sound that surprised both of them. She shrugged, and they separated to swim around the tower, looking for the symbols she’d seen in the orb. She found the trident symbol and was getting ready to tell Marl when he spoke first.
“I’ve got the wand symbol,” he said. “What do you want me to do next?”
“Stay there,” Ren replied. “I found the trident, but we need to use the one you found first so I’ll come to you.” Ren wasn’t surprised to find that Marl was almost directly opposite where she’d found the trident. Marl looked relieved to see her and gave her a quick kiss when she joined him.
“Here it is,” he said, brushing his fingers over the stone.
The Quest for the Heart Orb (The Orbs of Rathira) Page 27
