Quest for the Sun Orb

by Laura Jo Phillips

  “Can you describe it to me?” Tomas asked. “I cannot see how it would work.”

  “I’m not positive, but I think it was much like a scabbard with straps that her arms went through,” Karma said, wishing she’d paid more attention to the back harness Summer Katre often wore.

  “Yes, I see now,” Tomas said, his face lighting up. “There is a skilled leatherworker among the drovers. I will speak with him about this.”

  “Are you sure he won’t mind?” Tiari asked. “I don’t want to add to anyone’s work load. If necessary, I can just carry it around with me.”

  “That’s not very practical,” Karma said. “Carrying the Ti-Ank around all the time is a pain, though now that I’m using the retractable staff it is easier.” She gestured to the foot long black rod hanging from a loop on her belt, the headpiece acting as a stop to keep it from falling through.

  “Don’t worry,” Tomas said. “Merke, the leatherworker, will be thrilled to have something to occupy his time. That it’s something that has not been tried before will appeal to him as well.”

  Tiari’s smile returned as she gave the sword and belt back to Tomas. He returned everything to the bag, then escorted Tiari and Karma back to the women’s tent. As soon as they were safely inside, he went in search of the leatherworker.

  “Karma, Tiari, I’ve been waiting for you two,” Kapia said with an edge of excitement in her voice as soon as they entered the tent.

  “Is something wrong?” Karma asked.

  “No, not at all,” Kapia said. “Come and have some tea with me.”

  Karma and Tiari took their usual cushions and waited impatiently for Caral to pour their tea. Kapia’s excitement was communicating itself to them and they were growing more curious by the moment to know the reason for it.

  As soon as Caral returned to the far end of the chamber, Kapia leaned forward. “The other day when I sparred with Zakiel, I became frustrated because he was able to move more freely than me simply because he wore pants and I wore this skirt. The fabric kept getting in my way when I turned too quickly.”

  “I know exactly what you mean,” Karma said with a grimace. “Before coming here I don’t think I’d worn a skirt in ten years. Sometimes it’s very annoying. It’s the custom though, which is why I left my clothing in Ka-Teru.”

  “Yes, it is, but I don’t much like the idea of risking my life due to custom,” Kapia said.

  “Are you saying you think we should begin wearing pants?” Karma asked, not disturbed by the idea at all for herself, but uncertain how the Rathirian men would take it.

  “Yes, and no,” Kapia replied. “I am my father’s daughter, so I’ve learned a thing or two about people over the years. A change such as this must be made gradually if there is to be any chance of its success.”

  “Very good, Kapia,” Karma said with a smile. “What do you have in mind?”

  Kapia reached for a bundle of cloth behind her and shook it out before lying it on the floor in the center of their circle. She’d pinned a purple skirt to the waist of a pair of men’s black leather riding pants, and slit the front of the skirt from hem to waist.

  “This is wonderful,” Karma said with an approving smile. “I assume that the skirt will be attached in a way that will make it easy to remove.”

  “Yes, though I’m not sure how that can be done,” Kapia said. “I suppose we could use small ties.”

  Karma thought about that for a moment. “What if the ties get knotted? If we’re being attacked we’re not going to have time to fuss.”

  “That’s true,” Kapia said, frowning at the skirt and pant combination. “There must be a way to do it.”

  “Why attach them to each other at all?” Tiari asked, speaking for the first time. She’d been shocked speechless when she realized that Kapia was suggesting they wear men’s clothing. Such a thing would be indecent! But when Karma said she’d always worn pants, she’d realized that it was a difference of custom, not morals.

  “What do you mean?” Kapia asked.

  “Why not simply wear the skirt over the top of the pants?” Tiari suggested. “I see no reason they must be attached to one another. Or am I missing something?”

  “No, you aren’t missing anything at all,” Karma said with a grin. “That’s an excellent suggestion.”

  “Yes, it is, Tiari,” Kapia said happily. “I think also that the skirt should close in front rather than the back. It will be an easy matter to unhook it and let it fall to the ground.”

  “The only problem I see is where are we going to get the pants?” Karma asked.

  “That’s easy,” Kapia replied with a grin. “I did a little checking today and discovered that there is a stockpile of riding leathers in the supply baskets, and enough leather to outfit the entire company twice over if necessary. I see no reason why we cannot make use of some of it for ourselves.”

  “Anything already made up is going to be far too large for us,” Karma said. “Besides, I think we need the design to be a bit different than the men’s.”

  “Why?” Kapia asked.

  “Because our anatomy is different,” Karma said, arching a brow. Kapia and Tiari both blushed, giving Karma a good laugh.

  “What’s funny?” Zakiel asked, stepping through the connecting doorway.

  Kapia and Tiari stiffened, and looked guiltily at each other, but Karma smiled warmly at her husband. “Come and sit with us, and I will explain,” she said.

  Caral hurried to place a cushion beside Karma for the Prince, which he took with an expression of wary curiosity. He’d noted the guilty expression on his sister’s face, and the strange combination of pants and skirt lying in the center of the circle.

  A few minutes later, after Karma’s brief, matter of fact explanation, he fully understood Kapia’s guilty look. “Karma, this is not...acceptable,” he said. “It is the custom here, on Rathira, that women wear skirts, or divided skirts when riding. Men wear kilts, or pants for riding or in battle. It would be considered indecent for a woman to wear men’s clothing.”

  “Did you think I was indecent the first time you saw me?” Karma asked.

  “No, of course not,” Zakiel replied. “But you were not Rathirian.”

  Karma realized that was not an argument that would work. She changed tactics. “Zakiel,” she said. “Imagine that I am battling with someone...oh, let’s say Marene for example, as I did on the atoll when we went to claim the Moon Orb.”

  “All right,” he said slowly, unable to see where this was going. Knowing his wife, he thought, it could be anywhere.

  “And imagine that during our battle, my skirt got wrapped around my legs and caused me to fall to the ground,” she said. “Further imagine that, since the fabric was wrapped around me, I could not get back up before Marene was standing over me, about to strike a killing blow when, luckily, Kapia hit her in the head with her staff.”

  “I wondered how it was that Marene got the best of you,” Kapia said softly. “I looked away for only a moment, and when I turned back, you were down.”

  “Actually, I went down twice,” Karma admitted. “The first time was my own fault. I underestimated her strength and we ended on the ground, struggling for the Ti-Ank. I won that battle, but as soon as I was back on my feet again, the skirt took me down.”

  Kapia’s eyes hardened much the same as Zakiel’s did when he’d made up his mind about something. Zakiel, however, didn’t notice. He was staring at Karma with an expression of horror on his face.

  “That is what happened?” he asked.

  Karma nodded. “This is not a frivolous desire to dress like men, Zakiel,” she said. “Nor is it an attempt to make some sort of statement. It will, quite simply, help save our lives.”

  Zakiel’s eyes hardened, matching Kapia’s. “Anyone who objects will have me to deal with,” he said. “Timon will see to it that Caral and Lashi receive whatever materials necessary from the stores. How long will it take them to make these outfits up for each of you?”


  Chapter Fifteen

  As the days passed Tiari became accustomed to the daily exercise, fresh air, and regular meals, and blossomed. She put on a little weight, and her skin lost it’s pallor. Each day Tomas was sure that she could not get any more beautiful, and each day she proved him wrong. They spent a lot of time talking in the evenings now, though Tomas was careful to be sure that at least Lashi or Caral was always present.

  Kapia joined them most evenings, except for those nights she retired early so that she could connect with Bredon. She did get better at holding the connection, but she was always exhausted afterward. Karma’s suspicion that her lack of natural ability would make it more difficult for her was proving to be true.

  They were attacked repeatedly by forest harpies, which were more numerous and larger than the desert version, as well as being a sickly green color. After seeing them for the first time, Tiari had revealed that their wings were their greatest weakness. Even a minor injury to a wing would force them to the ground, where they were forced to rely on legs that were weak and nearly useless. From that point on the Hunters changed their tactics when harpies attacked. The archers aimed for their wings, a much larger, and less well protected, target than the demon’s vital organs. As soon as they hit the ground, the swordsmen and spearmen finished them off.

  They were also attacked a few times by kadjet. With Tiari’s ability to locate their hearts, they made short work of what would otherwise have been dangerous, if not deadly, situations.

  The Hunters were a little surprised to see the women in their new pants and skirts, but Zakiel settled any possible grumbling with the story of how closely Karma had come to being killed because of her skirt. The Hunters quickly understood the problem, and applauded the change. Lady Techu, the Maiden of the Moon, and the Maiden of the Sun, were too important to the future of Rathira for them to object to something so obviously necessary. It helped that they continued to wear skirts every day, though slightly modified. Until they were attacked, and then no one cared what the women wore, so long as they were safe.

  “Karma,” Tiara said one morning, feeling unaccountably nervous as she set her cup down on the small saucer in front of her. She’d come to know Karma and Kapia fairly well, and she knew that Karma would never become angry with her for asking questions. Which was good as she’d asked a lot of them, though as time went on she asked fewer and fewer. But this time the question was on a personal matter, unlike others she’d asked.

  “Yes, Tiari?” Karma asked.

  “I would like to ask you about...men.”

  “Men?” Karma repeated, handing her empty cup to Caral. They were just getting ready to begin packing for the day’s travel and she’d come to have tea with Kapia and Tiari since Zakiel was meeting with his Hunters. “I’m not sure I understand, Tiari.”

  “I remember seeing men, vaguely, from when I was a little girl and my mother would sometimes take me to the village with her,” Tiari said. “After she died, I never saw anyone but my aunt again. Una never spoke of men other than to tell me that should they see me, they would wish to kill me. I know nothing of them, and would like to learn.”

  “I wish I could explain men to you,” Karma said with a smile, “but I think that men are, for the most part, mysteries to women everywhere. Perhaps if you tell me what it is you would like to know, I could be of more help.”

  “Yesterday eve, when we were waiting for the tents, I saw you and Prince Zakiel touch mouths,” Tiari said, feeling her face heat as she remembered the strange feelings the sight had caused within her. “It was like a kiss, but different. I wondered what that was, and why did you do it?”

  Karma’s eyes widened as understanding finally sunk in. “Tiari, you know nothing of relationships between men and women, do you?”

  “No, I do not,” Tiari replied. “That is what I wish to know.”

  Karma glanced at Kapia, whose cheeks were pink, though her eyes looked eager. Too eager. Karma hesitated. She needed to be careful here. On Earth information such as Tiari asked for was common knowledge, and freely available to anyone who wanted to learn about it. But this was not Earth. This was Rathira, and things were done differently here.

  “Tiari,” she said after a moment, “I will tell you what you wish to know, of course. You are a woman, not a child, and should know these things. But I ask that you be patient for now. We will be called to begin the day’s journey soon and this is a discussion that will take some time, and require privacy.”

  “Thank you, Karma,” Tiari replied, not at all put off by the delay. She was simply happy that she would get some answers. Every time she thought of that mouth on mouth moment, she imagined herself and Tomas doing the same thing, and it sent waves of heat and zinging thrills through her body that she did not understand. She needed to know.

  Karma left a few moments later to prepare for the day’s journey in the tent she shared with Zakiel. Tiari waited until Karma was gone before turning to Kapia. She’d caught the eager look on Kapia’s face and wanted to ask about it.

  “Before you ask, I know almost as little as you do,” Kapia said with a wry grin before Tiari had a chance to ask. “I can tell you that the mouth on mouth thing is called a kiss, but that’s about it.”

  “I’ve seen them kiss each other before,” Tiari said. “This was different. I think they had their mouths open.”

  “Yes, I know,” Kapia said. “It’s still a kiss. Just a different kind of kiss.”

  Tiari didn’t really understand, but decided to wait for Karma’s explanation before asking more questions. There was something else she was curious about though. “Why do you not know these things, Kapia?” she asked. “You are not a child.”

  “The woman who should have taught me such things was Marene, but she never did. Maybe Karma will let me sit in when she explains things to you, because frankly, I’m tired of not knowing anything, and no one else will tell me.”

  “Is the relationship between men and women such a secret then?” Tiari asked.

  “Yes, in most ways, it is,” Kapia replied. “I don’t know why.”

  Tiari frowned. This made no sense. She turned to Lashi who was clearing up the last of the dishes. “Lashi, can you explain why such things are kept secret?”

  Lashi smiled and shook her head. “I don’t think I am the right person to tell you. You must ask Lady Techu these questions.”

  “I am confused,” Tiari said. “Is there something...wrong? Or bad...about this subject?”

  Lashi’s smile faded and she stood up, holding the dishes carefully as she turned to face the two young women. “I agree that you are both women, and have a right to the answers that you seek,” she said. “However, I am not the person to give you those answers. I am sorry, Highness, Hara Tiari, but it would be a violation of my oath of service to reveal such matters to you.”

  “You have our apologies, Lashi,” Kapia said. “We shall ask no more questions of you on this matter.”

  Lashi bowed, then turned and went to the far side of the tent to help Caral wash the dishes. Tiari watched after Lashi for a moment, then turned to Kapia. “I admit, my curiosity is now piqued. I hope that Karma provides the answers I seek tonight, otherwise I may die of curiosity.”

  “Believe me, if curiosity could kill, I’d have died several times by now. I’ve long sought answers to these questions but no one seems willing, or able, to provide them. It never occurred to me to ask Karma, though now that I think about it, since she is Zakiel’s wife she is also my eldest female relative. That makes it her duty to tell me those things that no one else will tell me.”

  “Good, then we shall both learn the mysterious secrets of the relationship between men and women together,” Tiari said. “It must be very difficult for you to be in love with a man for so long and not know about such things.”

  “Yes, it is,” Kapia said. “I am glad that you had the nerve to bring the subject up. In return, I promise that if Karma refuses to tell us what we want to know, I will as
k Bredon directly. And then I will tell you.”

  Kapia heard the soft gasps of surprise coming from the far side of the chamber where Caral and Lashi were busily packing things up, but she chose to ignore it. She was tired of all this secrecy. She was a woman now, and it was past time for her to know those things that every woman save herself, and Tiari, seemed to know.

  ***

  Shortly after Zakiel gave the signal to begin the day’s travel, Karma excused herself to Kapia and Tiari and rode forward to speak with her husband.

  “Greetings, Wife,” he said with a smile. “Have you decided to ride with me today?”

  “For a time,” Karma said, returning his smile.

  It took only a moment for Zakiel to see that Karma had something on her mind, and that it was serious. “Is something wrong?”

  “Yes, there is,” she said. “Well, not really wrong,” she said quickly at his worried frown. “I’m not sure how to handle something and I would like your advice.”

  “Of course, valia,” Zakiel replied. “I am always happy to assist you if I can.”

  “You know that Tiari spent all but the first few years of her life in that hut with only Una to care for her.”

  Zakiel nodded, his eyes going cold at the reminder. He had very much regretted that they were outside of Isiben, and therefore outside of his jurisdiction, when he’d met Una.

  “Yesterday, when you and I kissed, Tiari saw us. This morning she asked me to explain to her what that was, and why we did it. She also asked me to tell her about men. I didn’t understand her at first, but what she really wants to know about is sex. Una never taught her anything.”

  Zakiel’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “What did you tell her?”

  “I told her we didn’t have time for the discussion this morning, which was true,” Karma said. “I asked her to be patient, but Zakiel, I have no idea what I should, or should not, tell her. My first inclination is to come straight out and tell her what she wants to know. Ignorance is far more dangerous than knowledge, in my opinion. But, the customs on Rathira are not the same as where I’m from, and Tiari is Rathirian. I must honor Rathirian customs in this matter, regardless of what I think of them.”