Karma swung the lower end of her staff toward Zakiel’s legs, while at the same time setting her feet to prepare for his block. The second his staff hit hers, she used the momentum to spin herself around as she bent her knees, then snapped the opposite end of her staff at his hip. He followed her around, met her strike and, almost instantaneously, struck with the lower end of his staff.
They were both smiling as they struck, parried, attacked and retreated, moving so quickly back and forth across the sand that it was difficult for those watching to follow. Their staffs moved so fast they were only a blur, the rapid tap-tap-tap-tap-tap the only sound on the beach aside from the soft, soughing of nearby waves.
The spectators were stunned, hardly able to believe what they were seeing, knowing that they would never see such a sight again. How was it possible for two people to move so fast, react to one another so quickly, hit so hard and yet never break a block or give away a single step? Not just once, or even twice, but so many times in such rapid succession that it was impossible to count.
The answer was obvious, of course. They were not ordinary people. They were the Lady Techu, and the Vatra.
The tension that had begun to build in the watching crowd began to dissipate as they remembered who they were watching. They allowed themselves to enjoy the sight before them, and to rejoice that these two people, upon whom so much depended for all of the peoples of Rathira, were even more special than they had imagined.
Several minutes later, as though by unspoken agreement, Karma and Zakiel stopped, set the end of their staffs into the sand and bowed solemnly to each other. It was only then that Karma realized the crowd had fallen silent. She looked up, meeting Zakiel’s worried gaze with her own. They turned together, looking to Kapia and Bredon for some sign.
Every member of the crowd bowed to them in silence, surprising them both greatly. They had no idea why they were being bowed to, but they gravely returned the bow to their audience.
Rosia stepped into the ring and approached them. “If ever there was doubt that you are Techu and Vatra, there can be none now. Never has a sight such as you have given us been seen before. I will make a story for the ages of this fearsome contest, so that it shall never be forgotten.”
She bowed again, then smiled at them. “I had thought to challenge you, Techu, to an exhibition, but perhaps you will allow me to challenge another so that I do not make a fool of myself.”
Karma laughed. “You are generous with your praise, Rosia. I would enjoy watching you spar. Choose whomever you like.”
“Perhaps you would honor me by choosing an opponent for me?” Rosia suggested.
“Of course,” Karma agreed readily. “How about you, Sir Bredon?”
Bredon stepped forward without hesitation and bowed his acceptance of the challenge. A few moments later Karma and Zakiel were on the sidelines, listening to the cheers and the bets as Bredon and Rosia sparred with each other. They were equally matched, as Karma had suspected, and put on a good show for the crowd. For the next couple of hours, the two peoples mingled together, laughing and cheering as couple after couple took their turns in the ring.
Finally, Rosia stepped into the ring and announced that it was time to prepare for the evening’s festivities. The crowd broke up, but this time, there was no silence. Karma was pleased to note that fast friendships had sprung up during the activities and she was very pleased that her plan had worked.
“Techu,” Rosia said, “you are both strong and wise. It is a true honor to have you as our guest.”
“Thank you, Rosia,” Karma said with a smile. “I think we both did well.”
“Yes, we did,” Rosia agreed. “I look forward to spending the evening with you. At sunset then?”
“Yes, at sunset,” Karma agreed. Taking Kapia’s hand, they went to find their tent to prepare for the evening, both of them looking forward to a hot bath.
Chapter 21
After the sparring that afternoon, the feast that the Chya held for their visitors was far more relaxed than it might otherwise have been. There was much talking, laughter and sharing of stories around the bonfire that went on long after the food was eaten.
“You mentioned earlier today that there were dangers in crossing the sea,” Zakiel said to Rosia when the evening began to wind down. He sat in a circle with Karma, Kapia, Sir Bredon, Sir Garundel, Rosia and three of her companions whose names he could not pronounce.
Rosia studied Techu and Zakiel for a long moment, then nodded as though making up her mind about something. “Prince Zakiel, we are aware that many people believe us to be responsible for the deaths of all who come here,” she began. “We would have you know that we are not responsible, though we do not speak against the rumors. We have learned that it is best for others to believe we are dangerous as it encourages them to stay away. Will you believe what I say is true?”
“We would not doubt your word, Cadusar,” Zakiel said. “We would like to hear the truth, if you are willing to tell us.”
“There is a creature that has resided in the deepest part of the sea since the beginning of the Chya,” Rosia said after smiling her thanks to Zakiel. “He is Sobek, and he is most fearsome. He rules the deeps of Savu, what we call the Wide. None who cross into his territory survive. We keep to the shallows, where Sobek cannot go, and so live in peace with him.
“When we have visitors, we try to warn them of the dangers in the Wide. Either they do not believe us and venture out to the Wide anyway, only to learn too late that we spoke truth, or, they do believe us, and wish to slay Sobek for their own glory.”
“Cadusar Zabeth indicated to me that Sobek must not be slain,” Karma said. “That he is needed by your people.”
“It is true,” Rosia replied. “Savu is not so large as one would think. It is only fifteen miles across at the Wide, which is its widest point, and narrows to a mile at either end. It is perhaps fifty miles long though, and much of that length is marshland and swamp, which is quite treacherous and should not be crossed on foot.”
“What makes it so treacherous?” Zakiel asked.
“Crocodiles,” Rosia replied. “Savu is a landlocked sea, and the marshes are a perfect breeding ground for the beasts. Sobek alone prevents the crocodiles from overrunning Savu and killing all other fish and animals. There are many of them still, but there are not so many that we are forced to abandon our homes and seek a new place to live.”
“Is Sobek so fierce and large that he kills that many crocodiles?” Zakiel asked doubtfully. Crocodiles were a common hazard along the Ank-Teru, known for taking both people and livestock regularly. They were large, powerful and cunning beasts.
“Sobek is monstrous, Highness,” Rosia replied. “He is, at last sighting, perhaps one hundred feet long, not counting his tail which is half again as long as his body. He feeds entirely upon crocodiles and eats many each day.”
“What does he look like?” Kapia asked, forgetting her shyness.
“He has the head and body of a crocodile himself, though rather than legs and feet, he has flippers and fins as a fish would have. Because of his size and lack of feet, he may not enter the shallows. But he rules the Wide, and it is across the Wide that Cadusar Zabeth has ordered us to take you.”
“Is Sobek a demon?” Karma asked.
“No, he is not demon,” Rosia said. “Sobek is an animal, though we believe him to be the last of his kind. If he were demon, we would beg you to destroy him regardless of our own needs, as demons do not belong on Rathira.”
“I am glad of that,” Karma said. “Killing is not to my taste unless there’s a need for it. If he were demon, I would not hesitate. As he is not demon, I prefer to find a way to subdue him only.”
“How many of your boats will be needed to ferry our party across?” Zakiel asked.
“For your people, two,” Rosia replied. “For your animals, three, perhaps four more.”
“How long does the journey take?” Karma asked. “From shore to shore?”
“That depends,” Rosia replied thoughtfully. “If we have good winds, less than half a day. Otherwise, the boats will need to be rowed. The more rowers on a boat, the less room for your people.”
“Our Hunters will assist with the rowing,” Zakiel said. “The faster we can cross through Sobek’s territory, the better. I’m concerned about your boats returning though. We will not be there to assist with Sobek then.”
“That is not a problem,” Rosia replied. “The boats will go around on the return, avoiding the Wide where Sobek lives.”
“Rosia,” Karma said, “is there a way of attracting Sobek?”
“Why would you wish to do that?” Rosia asked, her expression suddenly wary.
“If we must cross this creature’s territory with a string of boats, the likelihood that he will destroy one or more of them before I am able to subdue him is great.”
“You think to attract and subdue him before we cross,” Zakiel said in a low voice.
“Yes, that seems best,” Karma replied. “Once all of the boats are loaded and prepared to go, I will venture out far enough to call him.”
“And once he appears, what will you do?” Zakiel asked.
“I have an idea about that,” Karma replied. “I don’t know how long it will take to call Sobek and subdue him, so we should get an early start if we want to be sure of reaching the other side of Savu in daylight. I will be using a lot of energy tomorrow, so I best get what sleep I can tonight.”
Zakiel rose and began thanking their hosts, as did the rest of their party. As they made their way back to their tents, Karma turned her idea over in her mind. As soon as they were a short distance from the gathering of people, Nikura trotted out of the darkness and fell into step beside Karma. His presence made the Chya uneasy, so he chose to stay out of sight rather than cause problems.
Karma silently told Nikura her idea. “Will it work, do you think?” she asked.
“I cannot say for certain,” Nikura replied. “Who knows what will work on a fish, and what will not?”
“Do you have a better idea?”
“No,” Nikura replied. “If I did, I would share it.”
“Karma, will you come to my tent for a glass of wine before turning in?” Zakiel asked.
Karma hesitated, but the expression of hope and desire in Zakiel’s eyes was irresistible. “Yes, I’d like that,” she said. She turned toward Kapia who was walking with Bredon a few yards away.
“Kapia,” she called softly. The Princess looked up and hurried toward her.
“Yes?”
“I am going to visit with Zakiel for a little while,” she said, casting a quick glance at Bredon. “I won’t be long.”
“Do not worry, Lady Techu, Cousin Zakiel,” Bredon said with a brief bow. “I will see Kapia to her tent and watch over her in your absence.”
Bredon’s expression, if not his words, told Karma that he was promising to behave himself, and that he would not take advantage of Kapia while she was away. Karma half expected Kapia to be upset at this, feeling as though she were being treated as though she were a child. But Kapia’s expression indicated she was pleased at the prospect of a little time with Bredon out of the way of watching eyes.
“Nikura?” she asked silently.
“Don’t worry, Lady Techu,” he said wryly. “I’ve no wish to join either of you. I think I will go see how the fishing is.”
“Watch out for crocodiles,” she said, worried after what Rosia had told them. Nikura was big, but not that big.
Nikura curled his lip, baring his teeth as his low chuckle sounded in her mind. She had the distinct impression that the prospect of crossing the path of a crocodile was one he would enjoy. She shook her head as she watched him walk off into the darkness toward the beach.
Zakiel touched her arm, instantly gaining her full attention. She slipped her hand into his and smiled up at him as they parted ways with Kapia and Brendon, and entered his tent. He led her into the chamber they had used the night before and she blushed as she sat down on a cushion beside the table. Zakiel left, returning a moment later with two cups and his silver flask.
“You are embarrassed?” he asked, noting the pink in her cheeks as he opened the flask and poured wine into both cups.
“A little,” she admitted, accepting one of the cups from him and raising it to her lips. She took a sip, then another, liking the way the liquid warmed her mouth and throat as she swallowed.
“Why are you embarrassed?” Zakiel asked.
“I was raised with stricter rules between men and women than you were, I think,” she said. “We’ve not only broken them, we’ve destroyed them.”
“Do you regret what we did last night?” he asked.
“Not a moment of it,” she replied at once. “I no longer believe in most of the dictates I was raised with. But everyone will know we are here together right now, and will make their own guesses as to what we do. That’s embarrassing to me.”
Zakiel nodded in understanding. “We see things a bit differently here. Before a couple is engaged, there are many rules that must be obeyed, many lines that cannot be crossed. Once they become engaged, that changes. It is expected that they will want to spend more time together, get to know each other better without being under the watchful eyes of chaperones. There are lines that should not be crossed, but what occurs between them is considered to be their business.”
“Such freedom is not granted in my culture until after the couple is safely married,” Karma said. “An engagement can be broken, after all.”
“That is the difference then,” Zakiel said. “Here, an engagement cannot be broken without serious consequences to both the man and the woman.”
“What’s the point of engagement then?” Karma asked.
“As I said, it is a time for them to get to know each other better, become more comfortable with each other. By the time they are married and find themselves alone in a new home with only each other for company, it is hoped that there will be more excitement and pleasure in the situation than fear and uncertainty.”
“I see,” Karma said, sipping her wine again. “That actually makes a lot of sense.”
“I’m glad you think so,” Zakiel said. “Karma, I promised you that I would do nothing to dishonor you. Did you not believe me?”
“I did not consider our desire to be with each other dishonorable,” Karma replied.
“Then why is it that you are nervous?” Zakiel asked.
Karma took another sip of the wine and put the cup down before forcing herself to meet his gaze straight on. “What does your culture say about virginity?”
“That it should be saved until marriage,” he said. “Although, again, once a couple is engaged, what they do is their business. What does your culture say?”
“That it should be saved until marriage,” Karma replied. She swallowed hard and said what she had to say. “I admit to breaking many of the rules I was taught, Zakiel, but I don’t want to break that one.”
“Nor do I,” Zakiel replied with a smile. “As difficult as I fear it will become, I want us to save that moment for our wedding night.”
Karma smiled with relief. She knew it was hopelessly old-fashioned, even archaic in some cultures, but it was what she wanted to do.
“However,” Zakiel said, placing his palm against her cheek and leaning down, his lips so close they brushed hers when he spoke. “I am more than happy to skirt that particular act as closely as possible.”
Karma laughed and he pressed his lips to hers, finally giving in to his urge to capture that husky sound for himself. She opened her mouth to him and he deepened the kiss instantly, too eager to go slowly. He’d spent the entire day trying not to think about her taste, her scent, her touch. When she responded with equal passion it sent an almost painful thrill of arousal through his body, leaving him harder and hotter than ever.
He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and guided them both down on the cushions, breaking the kiss only when hi
s lungs demanded he stop for air. He gazed into her eyes, the silver stars shining against the soft gray, and his heart skipped a beat at the undisguised love he saw in them. He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her again, slower this time, more tenderly, to tell her he’d seen her feelings and returned them in full measure.
The feel of her hands working at the laces on his pants startled him, and he pulled back to see a smile on her face unlike any he’d seen before. He cocked an eyebrow at her and her smile widened into a grin.
“I told you last night, I’ve been dying to see what’s beneath these pants of yours,” she said. “I’m not leaving here tonight until my curiosity has been satisfied.”
Zakiel returned her grin and reached down to help her with the laces. “I could not bear to disappoint you, valia,” he said. Once he had the laces open he withdrew his hand and waited to see what she would do next.
“No,” she said, “that’s not good enough. I want to see, Zakiel. Please?”
“Really?” he asked. He’d thought she wanted to touch him again, but the idea of a woman actually wanting to see his body was a new one. One glance at her face and he knew she was serious. He had no intention of denying her anything she wanted, even if he didn’t understand it. “Very well.”
He sat up and removed his boots, then stood up to slide his pants off. He looked at her once more to be sure this was what she wanted. The expression of curiosity, desire and anticipation on her face nearly brought him to his knees. He gritted his teeth against the sudden urge to come and held his breath, wondering how she brought him so close so quickly with only a look.
After a few moments, carefully not watching her watch him, he slid his leather pants off and dropped them to the floor. Almost before he knew it, Karma was on her knees before him, her hands on his thighs.
He stared down at her in shock, his mouth too dry to speak, watching as she studied his body for a long moment. Her hands slid up his thighs, then across his hips to his cock, which was so hard that it hung away from his body, the broad mushroom shaped head pointing toward her. She gently wrapped one hand around it as far as she could and stroked him gently the way he’d showed her the night before. He clenched his jaw, but made no move to stop her, unable to take his eyes from her face.
Quest for the Moon Orb: Orbs of Rathira Page 31
