Quest for the Moon Orb: Orbs of Rathira

by Laura Jo Phillips

  “He’s two feet tall at the shoulders, at least,” Karma said, scooting over to make room for Kapia. Nikura watched in mild surprise, but made no move to stop them.

  “His head nearly reaches my waist, and he’s solid muscle,” Karma continued. “I’ve no idea what he weighs, but I would guess at least a hundred and fifty pounds, maybe more. His paws are twice the size of my hands, and have you seen the size of those knives he keeps hidden between his toes? I’ve seen him take the head off of a harpy with one swipe of them. He’s strong enough to leap nine feet straight up from a sitting position to the back of a diplo without obvious effort, and when he wants to, he can move so fast that your eye can’t follow him. All you see is a blur. He is deadlier than any Hunter, by far.”

  Kapia finished cleaning the blood from one foreleg and began on the other while Karma gently wiped his face and chin. “Yes, Nikura is big, strong and dangerous,” Kapia agreed with a frown. “I won’t argue with you on that. But Karma, what is your point?”

  Karma sat back on her heels. “My point, Kapia, is why would anyone, even a great big muscle-brained macho Hunter, sneak into my chamber in the middle of the night knowing that Nikura would be there?”

  Kapia dropped her towel, she was so taken aback by the obvious truth of what Karma had said. An angry hiss from Nikura had both women turning toward him immediately as they tensed for more danger. Nikura was staring at Karma, his long tail twitching irritably.

  “Nikura is upset because he didn’t think of that himself,” Karma told Kapia after a moment. She turned back to Nikura and looked him over carefully, but saw no more blood. She got to her feet and tossed the towel into the basket for refuse as she passed by. Kapia did the same, and a moment later they were both sipping their tea again.

  “I thank you, Lady Techu, and Princess Kapia, for your assistance,” Nikura said.

  “You’re welcome, Nikura,” Karma replied. “It’s the least I could do, especially knowing how heartily you dislike blood on your fur.”

  “There are times when a little bloody fur is well worth the trouble,” Nikura said. He paused for a long moment, then turned to face Karma. “I apologize for not seeing the obvious.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Nikura,” she said. “I’m just glad you were there.”

  “I’m glad he was there too,” Kapia said. “But your question is a really good one. We should ask Zakiel about that.”

  “We will,” Karma said, reaching for the pot to refill her cup again to hide her reaction to hearing his name. She needed to get over him, and fast. Distraction was usually a good tool. She just had to find something else to think about. Like how hungry she was.

  “Lashi, is there any food left from dinner?” she asked.

  “Certainly, Lady Techu,” Lashi said, hurrying toward them at once. “Neither of you ate, so there is much food. Are you hungry now?”

  “Yes, I am,” Karma replied. Kapia nodded and Lashi happily went about heating up their dinner for them.

  A few minutes later Karma, Kapia and Nikura were eating a very late dinner when they heard footsteps approach. Karma knew it was Zakiel, though she didn’t know how she knew. She pretended not to know and took another bite of her food, reminding herself to act as normally as possible.

  ***

  “Hello,” Zakiel said, just before he entered. He smiled to see that Karma and Kapia were sitting before the iron fire pot, calmly eating and sipping tea as Lashi and Caral packed their belongings for the move to the new tent.

  “Hello, Brother,” Kapia greeted him calmly. “Why don’t you have a seat and a cup of tea with us. We have food, if you’re hungry.”

  Zakiel nodded and sat down. Perhaps a few moments in their company would calm him.

  “I am glad to see you both relaxed, but surprised that you are eating so late,” he said, accepting a cup from Kapia.

  “Neither of us had much appetite earlier,” Karma said. “Now we’re hungry, so we figured we might as well eat the food Caral and Lashi prepared for us while we wait for the other tent.”

  “Good idea,” Zakiel said. “The other tent will be ready soon.”

  He took a sip of his tea, but Karma didn’t miss the expression of worry on his face. “What is it?” she asked.

  “I know that this will appear to be skirting the edge of propriety,” he said, “but I’ve ordered the new tent to be set side by side with my own. I want to be closer to both of you should anyone attempt such an act again.”

  “I have no objections,” Kapia said, “but my reputation is not at risk. You are my brother.”

  “I have no objections either,” Karma said after a long moment. “My life is more valuable to me than my reputation.”

  “Agreed,” Zakiel said with more than a little relief, missing the sharp look Karma sent his way. He had not wanted to argue with them about it, and he knew that if pushed, he would have simply given the order and ignored their wishes. But he preferred Karma’s agreement and was glad to have it.

  “What of Saigar?” Kapia asked. “Did he say why he tried to steal the Ti-Ank?”

  Zakiel glanced at Karma, who gave her head a tiny shake. She had not said anything to Kapia about what had really happened. He sipped his tea again as he tried to decide whether or not to tell Kapia the truth. When he looked up and met her gaze, he knew he had to be honest with her. She had fulfilled the part of a woman tonight, an exceptionally brave woman. She’d kept her head and done what needed to be done. She had earned the right to be treated as an adult, and he would not deny her that.

  “His intent was not to steal the Ti-Ank, Kapia,” he said. “At least, that was not his only intention. He tried to kill Karma.”

  Kapia’s eyes widened in shock, then narrowed with anger. “Did he tell you why?”

  “No, he did not,” Zakiel replied, proud of Kapia’s reaction, but still hesitant to tell her the rest of it. “Kapia, Saigar is cin-sahib.”

  Kapia’s face paled and he reached out for her, but she shook her head and took a deep breath. “I’m all right, Brother,” she said shakily. “I’m surprised, of course, but I suppose we should have expected something like this eventually.”

  Zakiel smiled, his pride in her great. “Yes, I suppose we should have.”

  “What is cin-sa...whatever you said?” Karma asked.

  “Cin-sahib,” Zakiel replied. “It means demon possessed.”

  Karma’s face paled almost as much as Kapia’s had. “How does something like that happen?” she asked.

  “One must invite the demon in, Karma,” Zakiel said. “It is a choice that one makes, not an accident. Do not worry, it cannot happen to you unless you ask for it.”

  Karma nodded in relief, glad that Zakiel had understood and addressed her biggest fear. “Oh, maybe that explains Nikura.”

  “Yes, I think you’re right,” Kapia agreed.

  “What are you talking about?” Zakiel asked.

  Kapia explained Karma’s question as to why anyone would enter her chamber knowing Nikura was there.

  “I didn’t even think of that,” Zakiel said, angry with himself for missing something so obvious. “That should have indicated to us right away that there was something more going on.”

  “Is he dead now?” Kapia asked.

  “No,” Zakiel replied, surprising both women. He explained Tomas’s request, and the decision by the other Hunters to grant it. “It will be done at first light,” he promised.

  “Did Tomas have anything to do with any of it?” Kapia asked.

  “If he did, I have not been able to discern it,” Zakiel said. “The fact that Saigar is cin-sahib makes it unlikely that Tomas was involved, but I’m not taking any chances. He is being guarded carefully tonight, and will be watched closely from now on. Which brings me to another subject.”

  Karma and Kapia both looked at him expectantly, and he wished he could have chosen a better time for what he had to tell Kapia. But if he did not tell her now, she would learn it from someone else, and
he did not want that.

  “Kapia,” he began, searching for the right words. After a moment he realized there were no right words. He could only say it straight out. “The Return of the Vatra is upon us.”

  Kapia’s eyes widened in shock. “Really?” she asked, then shook her head. “Of course really,” she muttered. “When? How?”

  “Yesterday, after the battle with the Ken-No-Kel,” Zakiel replied. “I decided to keep it secret for a time as I suspected we had an informant in our midst. I am sorry I did not tell you sooner.”

  “You were correct, obviously,” Kapia said. “Is that why you’re telling me now?”

  “Partly,” Zakiel replied. “And partly because when I discovered that Saigar was cin-sahib, the markings of the Vatra appeared on my face and arms for all to see.”

  “This is wonderful news, Brother,” Kapia said, unconcerned that he hadn’t told her sooner. He had his reasons, and she understood and agreed with them. “The Return of the Vatra must mean that we have little chance of failing now.”

  “In time, when I am actually able to transform, I am sure that it will help,” Zakiel said cautiously. “But I don’t think it would be wise to see it as a guarantee of success.”

  Zakiel heard a heavy step at the tent entrance behind him and spun around, dropping his cup with a clatter as he reached for his swords. By the time Harmin took his first step inside the tent, Zakiel was on his feet with both swords ready to flay him where he stood.

  Harmin glanced at the blades with approval and bowed. “Excuse me, Highness, Timon has asked that you be informed the tent is ready for Lady Techu and Princess Kapia.”

  “Thank you, Harmin,” Zakiel said as he sheathed his swords. “Please wait outside for the ladies and escort them to the new tent when they are ready.”

  Harmin bowed again and stepped outside.

  Zakiel looked at Karma for a long moment. She seemed to be fine now, but he still wanted to know what had happened that morning to upset her so much. He needed to get more time alone with her, but tonight was not the right time. Tomorrow then, he promised himself. He would talk to her tomorrow.

  “I need to check on Saigar,” he said, nodding to Karma and Kapia. “Please let one of your guards know if you need anything, or send one of your attendants to my tent.”

  “We will, Zakiel,” Kapia said. “Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.”

  Zakiel nodded and said his goodnights before stepping out of the tent. He paused, tilted his head back, and stared at the night sky as he turned an idea over and over in his mind. Before long he realized he was wasting his time. The decision had already been made. He smiled to himself, wondering if Timon would be able to complete the task by morning, then he turned to go check on Saigar.

  Chapter 18

  Timon roused Zakiel just before dawn, as requested. Zakiel accepted the hot drink Timon handed him, and took a few minutes to organize his thoughts and prepare himself for what he had to do. Then he dressed in ordinary riding leathers, not wanting to give a cin-sahib the honor of formality.

  “Highness,” Timon said, entering the chamber as he buckled his sword belt on. “I have made the changes to your egora that you requested last night.”

  “Thank you, Timon,” Zakiel said, accepting the band of beaded leather from Timon and examining it carefully. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that you would know the bead-sign for the Vatra.” Zakiel suspected that if he were made Grand Admiral of the Palnathian Navy, Timon would know the bead sign for that, as well.

  Timon bowed silently, but Zakiel sensed the man’s pleasure at the compliment. “It’s perfect, of course,” Zakiel said, handing it back to Timon and holding out his arm. Timon tied the egora around his bicep, made a tiny adjustment and stepped back.

  “Thank you, Timon,” Zakiel said, dismissing him.

  Zakiel looked down at the egora, a faint smile on his face, very satisfied with the changes. He reached up with his other hand and ran one finger over the gold bead. An image of Marene flashed through his mind as it had before, only she looked even angrier this time, her beauty nowhere in evidence.

  He frowned, wondering why he kept seeing that image of her in his mind. Was there some part of him that felt guilty about his feelings for Karma? He shook his head. No, he felt no guilt at all.

  He finished his tea and glanced down at the egora once more. Now, if only Karma would explain why she’d been so upset with him the day before, he would be a happy man. Once the morning’s activities were over. He grimaced with distaste, then set his shoulders and left his chamber.

  The moment he stepped out of his tent and saw Garundel heading toward him, his face set in an expression of barely controlled fury, Zakiel knew something had gone wrong.

  “Highness,” Garundel said, stopping before him and bowing. “I regret to tell you that Saigar is gone.”

  “Gone?” Zakiel asked in surprise. He’d expected to be told that Saigar had forced the issue, tried to escape and engaged in a battle with the Hunters guarding the tent. It hadn’t occurred to him that the man could escape.

  “Yes, Highness,” Garundel replied. “When I opened the tent this morning, just before first light, it was empty.”

  “How?” Zakiel asked.

  “I don’t know, Highness,” Garundel said. “The tent was surrounded by ten men, and I personally walked the perimeter all night long. The lacings over the opening were as I tied them when we put him inside, and there are no cuts in the walls, ceiling or floor. I cannot say how he escaped, I know only that he is not in the tent.”

  “All right, Garundel,” Zakiel said. “Let’s go look together.”

  Garundel nodded. “I would appreciate another point of view, Highness.”

  Zakiel turned to a Hunter standing guard nearby. “Corbon, double the guards on the women’s tent again.”

  “I have already given the order, Highness,” Corbon replied.

  Zakiel nodded in approval and left with Garundel. After examining the tent quite thoroughly, they still could not determine how Saigar had made his escape.

  “Was Tomas watched all night?” Zakiel asked Garundel.

  “Yes, Highness,” Garundel replied. “I had four men surround his tent throughout the night. He did not leave it, nor did anyone enter.”

  “Tomas knew Saigar best,” Zakiel said. “Tell him what happened and ask him if he can think of an explanation for his disappearance.”

  “Excellent idea, Highness,” Garundel said. “With your leave, I will go and tend to that at once.”

  “Of course,” Zakiel said. “In the meantime, I will ask Nikura to come and check the tent. Perhaps he will be able to scent something that we cannot see.”

  Garundel bowed, and Zakiel watched him for a moment as he headed for Tomas’s tent before turning back toward his own. He wondered if the women would be up yet, and decided to take the chance. He really only needed Nikura, but he wanted to see Karma, and this was a good excuse.

  A few minutes later he stood outside their tent, nervously hoping that Karma would be dressed. He’d seen enough of her dressed only in her night shift to fuel his fantasies for months, if not years. Taking a deep breath, he announced himself, then pushed back the tent flap and stepped inside.

  ***

  Karma awoke early after sleeping poorly for the remainder of the night. It wasn’t the attack that had kept her awake though. It was Zakiel. As many times as she’d told herself to forget about him, that such a deceitful man was not worth her time and energy, she could not prevent the memory of his arrival in her chamber from replaying in her mind. His expression of fear, worry and concern for her had been too intense for her to deny its sincerity. She wanted to believe that he didn’t truly care for her. That would make everything so much easier.

  She climbed out of bed and used the damp towel Lashi had left out for her to wash her face. She got dressed, noting that Nikura’s large sleep cushion in the corner of her chamber was empty. He’d been doing that more often lately, as it go
t easier and easier for them to be out of each other’s sight for longer periods of time.

  She ran a brush through her hair with little enthusiasm, not caring all that much about her appearance. She put the brush down after only a few strokes, then left her chamber in search of a hot cup of tea. She was surprised to see Kapia already up and waiting for her. She was always up before Kapia.

  She sat down on her cushion across from Kapia and accepted a cup of tea from Lashi with a tired smile. “Good morning, Kapia,” she said before taking her first sip.

  “Good morning, Karma,” Kapia said. “You look tired this morning. Are you well?”

  “I am tired this morning,” Karma admitted since there was no point in denying it. “I didn’t sleep well last night, but otherwise I’m fine.”

  Both women fell silent as Caral and Lashi served them breakfast. When their attendants left to begin packing up their sleeping chambers, Kapia decided to take advantage of their privacy.

  “Karma,” she began, “won’t you please tell me what’s going on? I promise I won’t repeat a word to anyone, no matter what.”

  Karma gave her a tiny smile. “There is nothing....”

  “Please,” Kapia said, interrupting her, “don’t tell me nothing is wrong. I know that’s not true. If you do not want to confide in me, I will accept that, but please do not tell me an untruth.”

  Karma sighed and set her cup down. “Kapia, can you honestly promise me that you would not repeat whatever I say to you, even if it involves your brother? No matter what it is?”

  “Yes,” Kapia replied at once. “I love my brother, Karma, but I love you as well. I wish to be a true friend to you, as you have been to me. I would not betray your trust and risk our friendship for any reason.”

  Karma considered Kapia’s request carefully. She had spent years alone, with no one to talk to or share with. She realized that she desperately wanted to share her current troubles with someone, which surprised her. She refilled her cup from the pot between them and made her decision.