“Not to mention the lack of privacy,” she agreed with a regretful sigh. Marl grimaced, then made himself look on the bright side.
“The tunnel leads to the palace, right?” She nodded. “There are many comfortable rooms in the palace, beloved. Large rooms with every luxury, including doors that lock, clean, soft beds, and private bathing chambers.”
“Then why are we standing here?”
“Good question, beloved Wife,” he said with a grin. “Let’s go.”
***
The tunnel seemed to go on forever, but not even Zakiel’s Tigren senses could discern what direction he was facing. He knew the tunnel was supposed to take them into the palace, but it continued as it began; straight and even, going neither up nor down. He couldn’t figure out how it could possibly be taking them through or beneath the river, though it had to be if it ended in the palace. The walls bothered him as well. They seemed to be made of some sort of smooth, hard material, but it was neither rock, metal, nor any substance he’d ever seen before.
“It’s magic,” Karma said in a low voice after watching him try to figure it out. “I’ve discovered that when it comes to magic, you have to suspend logic, belief and understanding. Otherwise, you’ll go a little nuts.”
“You’re right,” Zakiel said, nodding. “It matters not what it’s made of or how it works as long as we end in the palace.”
They walked on in silence for nearly an hour before suddenly, without warning, the tunnel ended with another doorway like the one Tiari had opened in the rock. Zakiel stood on the threshold for a moment, looking around a small room with a simple staircase leading upward. Seeing nothing suspicious, he stepped into the room with Karma at his side. The walls were of the same familiar stone that most of the palace was made of, which helped them to relax.
Zakiel went straight to the stairs and began to climb, Karma behind him, then Nikura, Kapia, Bredon, Tiari, Tomas and all the rest. They went up eight flights and Karma’s legs were shaking by the time Zakiel stopped. Directly in front of him was a small wooden door, and nothing else. It was either go through the door or turn around and go back. He reached out, turned the knob, and pulled the door open, then stepped into a very familiar room.
“The King’s bedchamber,” Zakiel said softly as he crossed to the window and looked out. This window overlooked the small city of Ka-Teru, but instead of the low hum and bustle of people going about their business, it was almost completely silent, and nothing moved.
Bredon joined him at the window as the long line of Hunters quietly entered the room. “No one is expecting us, Highness,” he said. “It will be a shock if we suddenly appear from the King’s chambers while the palace is under siege.”
“I’ll send Timon down to break the news of our arrival,” Zakiel replied as he continued to stare out the window. “Then we will decide how to take Ka-Teru back from the demons.”
***
A lifetime of fighting for King and country had sharpened Sir Garundel’s instincts to a razor’s edge, so he knew that someone was approaching the rock formation before he either saw, or heard them. Within seconds, the sounds of two sets of footsteps reached him, though they were very soft and quiet. He tightened his grip on his swords, preparing for demons, though he strongly suspected it was Marl and Ren. A moment later he relaxed when Marl uttered the soft call of the water-flit, a tiny pink bird that flew in large flocks and grazed on river insects. Garundel was so relieved and so excited that he very nearly stepped out of the tunnel.
He sheathed his swords and grinned as they came into sight, then arched a brow at the sight of Marl’s corona stones and braided hair. He ran his eyes over both of them, assuring himself that they were both well, not missing the gold and silver bracers they both wore.
Ren threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly, which brought tears to his eyes. To be greeted with true caring by his daughter was something he hadn’t allowed himself to hope for so soon. He squeezed her gently, then released her to clasp hands with his new son. “I see you have a story to tell,” he said, glancing at the corona stones that matched Ren’s.
“Indeed,” Marl said, grinning happily.
“I look forward to hearing it,” Garundel said. “Once we reach the palace. Shall we go?”
“Yes, please,” Ren said. “I’ve been getting a bad feeling out here in the open for the past mile.”
“As have I,” Marl agreed, flicking a quick look at Garundel. Garundel turned and bent to pick something up from the floor.
“I’ll need to light this lamp, but I’ve a coal here so it won’t take long.”
“No need,” Marl said. He turned in time to see Marl tap his bracers together. Then, suddenly, there was a silver trident in his hands, the emeralds on the tips glowing brightly.
Garundel smiled. “Nice trick.” He put the lamp back down and straightened. “After you, Son,” he said. Marl smiled as he stepped past him into the tunnel with Ren right behind him.
Garundel paused to look out the doorway into the desert, suddenly wishing there was a way to close the tunnel now, or at least close the door in the rock so that it hid the tunnel entrance again. But Lady Techu and Princess Kapia had told him that it would only close when no one remained inside of it, and that it would do so on its own. He thought a moment, then nodded to himself. If the tunnel didn’t close when they left it, then he would know they’d been followed. It would be a simple matter to wait at the other end for whoever, or whatever, might enter behind them. Satisfied, he turned and hurried to catch up with his family.
An hour later Garundel crossed the threshold out of the tunnel and into a small room made of the same familiar stone as the palace. Marl had already begun climbing the staircase with Ren close behind him, but they both paused when they realized that Garundel wasn’t following them. Instead, he stood facing the tunnel, both swords drawn.
“Father?” Ren asked.
“The tunnel didn’t close when we left it,” he said. “Whatever you felt in the desert seems to have followed you. You two go on up. I’ll handle this.”
Ren tapped the tops of her bracers together, surprising Garundel when a silver rod topped with an enormous pearl suddenly appeared in her hand. She gripped it firmly and went back to stand beside Garundel, the Wand in her hand. “I think I’d like to handle this Father, if you don’t mind?”
Garundel arched a brow at her when the pearl began to glow with what looked like white fire. A moment later Marl joined them, the emeralds on the Trident far brighter than before.
“Shall we wait to see what follows us, or see what the Trident and the Wand will do?”
Ren smiled, remembering how brightly the Wand had flared when they were beneath the island. “Careful now, this will be bright,” she warned, squinting her own eyes before aiming the Wand into the tunnel and imagining it as bright as possible.
Strong arms went around her waist and tried to pull her back from the threshold, but she resisted. The sight of the serpin scrabbling toward her in the long tunnel was frightening, but this time she would protect those she loved. She narrowed her eyes and focused, pouring her fear and anger into the Wand. The light on the end of the Wand changed from white to blue-green. An instant later, a beam of blue-green light burst from the Wand, engulfing the serpin which was now only a few yards away. The serpin screamed so loudly that the echoes continued to bounce off the strange walls of the tunnel for several seconds after the serpin ceased to exist.
“I did it,” Ren whispered as she turned to look at her husband and father. “Finally. I protected you. Both of you. I really did it.”
“Yes, beloved, you certainly did,” Marl said, reaching out to wipe the tears from her cheeks with gentle fingers. “And quite well, too.”
“I am proud of you, Daughter,” Garundel said, leaning in to kiss her cheek.
“Thank you,” Ren said, beaming up at him.
“I think that must have been the serpin that ran away the day we left the Hidden Sister,”
Garundel said.
“How could it have followed us through the mountains in that cold?”
“I do not know,” Garundel said. A loud ratcheting sound filled their ears.
“The tunnel is closing,” Ren said. “It must be empty now.”
Garundel nodded, though he continued to watch until the dark doorway vanished. In its place was the same stone that made up the other walls. Ren tapped her bracers together, returning the Wand to its resting place, but Marl decided to hang onto the Trident for a while longer. Just in case.
Chapter Sixteen
Timon knew the royal palace of Ka-Teru as well or better than anyone, so it was a simple matter for him to take the servant’s stairs out of the king’s chambers down to more populated areas. It took about an hour of careful searching and eavesdropping to discover that Sir Lochlin was in command of the palace, as expected. Ten minutes later he entered the entry hall on the ground floor and walked right up to the older man.
“Sir Lochlin,” he said, bowing low.
“Timon?” Lochlin asked in surprise, then looked behind Timon hopefully. “Where did you come from?”
“The Orb Quest has reached the palace through a secret passageway,” Timon explained in a low voice. “Prince Zakiel was hesitant to burst in on everyone without warning, so sent me to inform you of our arrival.”
“Prince Zakiel lives?” Lochlin demanded. “He is well?”
“Quite well, Sir Lochlin,” Timon assured him. “He and the others await us in the King’s sitting room.”
Lochlin called his second in command with a gesture, spoke quietly for a moment, then turned his attention back to Timon. “We will take six men with us who can spread the word. Shall we go?”
Timon bowed again, then started to drop back until Lochlin indicated that he should walk with him. Timon glanced quickly at the six men falling into place behind them, then nodded to himself. They were all older men, well known to him, and fully trusted by both King Rhobar and Prince Zakiel.
“I am disturbed that the entire Orb Quest was able to enter the palace and climb all the way up to the King’s chambers without notice,” Lochlin said. He hadn’t asked a direct question, which Timon appreciated, though he wasn’t bound to silence. Besides, it gave him an opening to mention something that was bothering him.
“I cannot claim to understand it fully myself, Sir Lochlin,” Timon said in a voice low enough that only Lochlin could hear him. “Lady Techu and the Orb Maidens used magic to open a tunnel that led us into the King’s chambers. Garundel awaits the Maiden of the Heart, and when they arrive, the tunnel will seal itself again. You need not worry on that account.”
Lochlin was excited by most of what Timon had said, but he set his emotions aside in order to address Timon’s hint. “On what account should I worry, Timon?”
“I used the servant’s stairs to find you,” Timon said. “I eavesdropped until I learned you were in charge, and your current location. Then I walked right up to you without being challenged.”
Lochlin’s eyes widened. “I must be addled,” he said. “It is good Prince Zakiel has returned to take over, else I might soon invite the demons in for tea.”
“Do not blame yourself, Sir Lochlin,” Timon said soothingly. “I am wearing servant’s livery, and no one looks too closely at servants.”
“That will be rectified before the sun sets this day,” Lochlin declared. They’d already climbed two sets of stone stairs and were approaching the third. “Timon, your seeming lack of curiosity regarding King Rhobar is telling.”
Once again Timon bowed inwardly to Lochlin’s tact. He had not asked a question which, considering their respective ranks, Timon would have been required to answer were he not personal attendant to the prince. But again, this was knowledge that Timon wasn’t obliged to keep secret. “We were informed a week past that King Rhobar had traveled to Beyond.”
“I’m surprised the news traveled so quickly,” Lochlin said, the worry back on his face as he wondered how the information had been leaked.
“Lady Techu,” Timon replied simply. Lochlin’s shoulders relaxed a little. Not just because there was no leak, though that was part of the reason. Mostly he just hadn’t been looking forward to breaking that news to Prince Zakiel. “I will warn you, Sir Lochlin, that Prince Zakiel does not know how such a tragedy came to pass.”
“Thank you, Timon.”
A few minutes later Sir Lochlin was happy and immensely relieved to greet his prince, and formally hand over command. He was introduced to the Maiden of the Sun, greeted a much changed Princess Kapia, and marveled at a smiling Sir Tomas. He could hardly wait to hear the tales of their adventures.
Within minutes his men left to spread the word that the Orb Quest had returned, and the entire party moved to the King’s Audience Chamber which was much larger. The Hunters and Knights of the Orb Quest were happy and relieved to be home, and the men who’d been trapped within the palace for the past week were equally relieved to see their Prince, so it was a happy group.
There was so much to tell, so much to learn, and so much to do that Zakiel’s head was all but spinning. But there was one thing he needed to know above all else. To that end he drew Sir Lochlin to one side as soon as he could.
“Please tell me, Sir Lochlin, how did Father die?” Zakiel said.
“Wait, please,” Kapia said, approaching quickly. She had no intention of being left out of this conversation.
“Of course,” Zakiel said, holding one hand out for his sister. Kapia took his hand and turned calm eyes on Sir Lochlin.
“Are you certain that you wish to hear this?” Sir Lochlin asked hesitantly.
“Yes,” Kapia said shortly.
“Very well, Highness,” the older man said, his sharp eyes noting the changes in Princess Kapia with quiet approval. Not that it mattered. Zakiel was now King. The ceremony hadn’t taken place yet, but that was a mere formality and everyone knew it. It was not his place to argue with either of them and in truth, it hadn’t even occurred to him to do so. “You know that Ka-Teru was attacked by demons?” Zakiel nodded. “King Rhobar commanded that any citizen who wished to take refuge within the palace be granted the privilege of doing so. Most people left for the mainland as soon as the attacks began, but about fifty families came here.
“King Rhobar went down to the inner courtyard where the people were waiting for the Hall of Visitors to be prepared. You know the kind of man your father was. He often said that he was not King to Isiben, but…,”
“King to the people of Isiben,” Kapia finished softly, her eyes bright.
“Yes, Highness, exactly,” Lochlin said, nodding. “He truly cared about his people. The courtyard was crowded, but he didn’t mind, of course. He plunged right into the midst of the crowd, walking among them, soothing fears, answering questions, and distracting the children. Suddenly one man pulled a sword from beneath his cloak and attacked King Rhobar. The man was cin sahib.”
Lochlin nodded at the anger on Zakiel’s and Kapia’s faces, but they did not look shocked. Nor did they interrupt to ask how such a thing could have happened. That, more than anything he’d seen or heard so far told him what the past months had been like for those of the Orb Quest.
“The sight of a cin-sahib in their midst caused the people to panic. The crowd surged away from the cin-sahib, making it nearly impossible for the royal guards to reach the King. Of course King Rhobar drew his own swords and fought back. The exchange was short, and King Rhobar emerged the victor. Just as everyone was beginning to relax, he stiffened and fell to the floor. Another cin sahib, a woman, had stabbed him in the back with a poisoned dagger. King Rhobar died within three heartbeats.”
“The cin sahib who stabbed him in the back?” Zakiel demanded, tense with fury that his father had been murdered in such a cowardly manner.
Sir Lochlin’s face hardened. “Destroyed according to the letter of the old ritual.”
The cin-sahib’s death had been brutal indeed. Zakiel found
neither regret nor satisfaction in the knowledge, but he was relieved that those who’d murdered his father no longer walked the plane of the living. Zakiel bowed his head and placed his fist over his heart, saluting Lochlin and his decision. Then he turned toward Kapia. Her eyes were bright with tears, and her face was very pale, but she was otherwise composed. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. He was so proud of her.
“Thank you, Sir Lochlin, for telling us this, and for all that you’ve done. Isiben owes you a debt of gratitude, as do Kapia and I, personally.” Lochlin bowed, fist to head and heart. When he rose, he looked uncertain and hesitant. “Please, Sir Lochlin,” Zakiel urged, “feel free to speak as you will.”
“We did not know when you, or the Orb Quest would return, Highness,” Lochlin said. “Nor did we know how long we could hold out against the demons. I did not want them to get their filthy hands on King Rhobar, so I ordered his cremation to take place the day following his death.”
“We are grateful to you, Sir Lochlin, for your forethought,” Zakiel said, keeping his voice low and gentle. He knew how much his father meant to Lochlin. The two of them had known each other since before they could walk. “Kapia and I can only be glad that you were here when we were not. When all of this is over, we will have a proper funeral for Father.”
Lochlin nodded, relieved that Zakiel and Kapia were not offended by his decision, and more than a little surprised by the changes in Zakiel. He’d always been a good man, but a cold one. That had obviously changed. “I am pleased to have been of service, Highness. At the same time, I confess to being relieved beyond anything that you’ve returned. Might I ask, have you any plans for extricating us from our current situation?”
“Yes, Sir Lochlin, we do,” Zakiel said. “There is much to tell once we’ve had a little time to get settled in. However, I am pleased to share with you the news that I have taken Lady Techu as my bride, and that she carries the next Prince and Princess of Isiben.”
Sir Lochlin’s face split in a wide grin. “Congratulations, Highness,” he said, not questioning for a moment that the legendary Lady Techu would know the sex of her children, or even that she knew she carried twins. “That is the best news I’ve heard for many months now. Do you mind if I share this with the men? This will go a long way toward restoring their spirits.”
The Quest for the Heart Orb (The Orbs of Rathira) Page 29