“As you like,” Karma replied with a careless shrug of one shoulder. “In the meantime, move out of our way.”
“Or what?” the woman sneered. “I am the Maiden of the Sun. You dare not touch me.”
Karma sighed. She really didn’t want to have to physically move this woman out of the way, mostly because she didn’t want to have to actually touch her. “Come on, Nikura, help me out here, would you?”
“Normally, I would be offended by such a request,” Nikura replied. “However, in this case, I find that I am quite pleased to assist.”
Suddenly, the woman’s eyes grew round, and her mouth fell open in shock, revealing several unbecoming gaps in her teeth. She stepped backwards and hit the door of the hut. Realizing that she was out of room, she began moving sideways, her eyes never leaving the enormous gray and silver beast that had appeared between Karma and Kapia. Its ears flattened as it crouched down and hissed furiously at her, baring an impressive set of long, sharp, white teeth.
“You’ll not get away with this!” she screeched when she was several yards away from them. “I’ll be back with the entire village!” Then she turned and ran into the woods. Karma watched after her for a moment, then looked back at Zakiel.
“From what we’ve seen and heard, I believe this is a matter best left to you and Kapia,” he said. “The rest of us will keep watch out here.”
Karma nodded, then stepped up to the door. She raised her hand to knock, realizing only then that the door was barred from the outside by a heavy beam. Whoever was in that hut was a prisoner, just as Worrow had said. She lifted the beam from its brackets and tossed it aside before knocking.
“Hello?” she called. “If your name is Tiari Zora, we’d very much like to speak with you. We mean you no harm.” Karma waited, then knocked again while trying to think of a way to get the person behind the door to voluntarily open up and let her in.
“I am Tiari,” a voice said so softly that Karma barely heard it. “Who are you?”
“My name is Karma,” she replied. “I am here with my sister in heart, Kapia. We have come a very long way to speak with you, Hara Tiari.”
“Where’s Una?” she asked.
“If you mean the woman who locked you in here, she’s gone,” Karma said. “For the moment, anyway.”
There was a long silence, then the door opened very slowly, revealing only darkness within. Karma saw a vague outline of a woman standing so that she was half hidden by the door, but that was all. “May we come in?” she asked.
“Yes,” Tiara replied. “I’m afraid I have no light to offer you, though.”
“Then we shall bring our own,” Karma replied. Kapia turned and beckoned to Caral, her personal attendant, who ran forward. “Bring us a small lamp, please,” she said. Caral nodded, then turned and ran back the way she came.
“Why are you locked in this place?” Karma asked while they waited.
“It has always been so,” Tiari replied. “Una says it is for my safety. She says that I am a witch, and that the villagers will kill me if I am not locked away.”
Caral returned with a lamp and gave it to Kapia, who took it and held it up before stepping into the hut. Karma turned and nodded once to Zakiel, then followed Kapia. Once she was inside, Tiari released the door, which swung shut, blocking the small amount of sunlight that had peeked in while it was open. Tiari gestured for her visitors to sit near the fireplace where a small bed of coals glowed faintly.
“Please, sit,” she said. “I have no furniture, and no food to offer you. I do have some water left if you would like tea.”
“That is very kind of you, Hara Tiari,” Karma said as she and Kapia each took a place on either side of the worn grass mat that was obviously Tiari’s. “We are neither hungry nor thirsty right now. We would like to speak with you about a very important matter, if you don’t mind.”
Karma watched the young woman as she stepped fully into the light from the lamp Kapia had set on the floor between them. It took most of her will to maintain a stoic expression when she got her first good look at Tiari.
She was not a large woman, perhaps two inches above Karma’s height, and far too thin. She was also quite young, nineteen or twenty at most. Her hair looked jet black in the dim light, and was pulled back in a loose braid that was doubled in half, yet still reached below her waist, and her skin was very pale, as though it had rarely seen the sun. But the most shocking thing about Tiari Zora was her eyes. They were very pale blue, with a circle of darker blue around the iris, and they did not contain a pupil.
Karma watched as Tiari lowered herself gracefully to the mat, wondering how to begin. “Can you see?” she asked, knowing it was an abrupt question, but feeling that it was the most obvious question to ask first.
“Yes, I can,” Tiari replied. “But only by the light of the sun.”
“This is why they call you a witch?” Kapia asked.
“Yes,” Tiari replied. “That’s what Una tells me.”
Kapia and Karma shared a knowing look. Whether Tiari turned out to be the woman they sought or not, both agreed that they would not be leaving her behind.
“Hara Tiari, what do you know of the Maiden of the Sun?” Karma asked.
Tiari’s strange eyes widened in surprise. “I have not heard those words since I was a very small child,” she said. “It was a story my mother used to tell me.”
“Where is your mother?” Kapia asked.
“She died many years ago, when I was five,” Tiari replied sadly. “Her elder sister, Una, has cared for me since.”
“Your father?” Karma asked.
“He died when I was but a baby,” Tiari replied. “I have no memory of him.”
“Forgive me for saying so, Hara Tiari,” Kapia said, “but your aunt has not done a good job of caring for you.”
Tiari nodded, but said nothing. She knew what Una was, but the fact remained that without her, she would have died long ago.
“What story did your mother tell you of the Maiden of the Sun?” Karma asked.
“I don’t remember it very well,” Tiari replied. “As I said, I was only five when she died. I remember that there were three women in the story. The Maiden of the Moon, the Maiden of the Sun, and one more that I cannot remember. They helped to save the world from evil. Afterward, they were told to keep watch, and warn their children to keep watch, because one day the evil would return.” Tiari paused a moment, thinking. “I’m sorry, but that’s about all I remember.”
“Hara Tiari, Una said that she was bringing the villagers to run us off,” Karma said. “How long do you think we have before she returns?”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know,” Tiari replied. “I have not been there since I was a little girl.”
“We have a long and complicated story to tell you, Hara Tiari, and not a lot of time to tell it. I’d like to tell you the highlights, and save the details for later when we have more time. Will you listen?”
“Yes,” Tiari replied calmly, though both Karma and Kapia noted that her hands were fisted in her lap. “May I ask you a question first?”
“Of course,” Karma replied. “What would you like to know?”
“Why do you call me Hara Tiari?”
“It is a politeness,” Kapia said. “You have never heard the term before?”
“No, I haven’t,” Tiari replied. “But I haven’t spoken to anyone other than Una since my mother’s death.”
“We are from a land called Isiben,” Kapia said, her voice revealing none of the disgust and horror she felt at the knowledge of what Tiari’s life must have been like. “In Isiben it is considered impolite to use another person’s name without also using their title or, if they don’t have a title, an honorific such as Hara or Hiru, unless we have their permission.”
“I do not mind if you call me by name,” Tiari said. “I hope I did not offend either of you though. If I did, I apologize.”
“You did not offend,” Karma assured her. “You may call m
e by name if you like.”
“You may call me by name, as well,” Kapia said.
“I thank you,” Tiari said, blushing with pleasure. “You are both very kind.”
“Shall we begin our story now?” Karma asked.
“Yes, please,” Tiari replied, her face turning toward Karma attentively.
“Once, a very long time ago, as your mother told you, Rathira was threatened by a horde of demons,” Karma began. “A tear in the fabric of this world allowed them to come through, just a few at first, then more and more as time went on. The demons were wholly evil. They planned to destroy all of the people of Rathira so that they could take this world for themselves. No one knew how to stop them, or how to heal the tear. Then, a woman with a unique gift was given the answer, and called together all of the peoples of Rathira to help.
“The people worked together to build a pyramid, enclosing the tear. While they did that, people of magic, called shamans, used their power, and the power of three very special women, to create three orbs. The Moon Orb, the Sun Orb, and the Heart Orb. A keystone was also created. The keystone was the lock, and the orbs were the keys to the lock.
“When the pyramid was complete, a Guardian was set to watch over it, and the keystone and orbs were used to send it to a place between dimensions. The Guardian holds the pyramid in place, preventing demons from crossing into Rathira, thus halting the Eschaton, the end of our world. However, the Guardian warned that his strength would one day fail, and when that happened, the keystone must be used to return the pyramid to Rathira so that the Guardian could be replaced. If that does not happen, and the Guardian’s strength fails, the pyramid will snap back to our dimension in such a way as to destroy our world anyway.
“The time has come for the Guardian to be replaced, Tiari. Before we can do that, we must find and claim the orbs which were deliberately scattered to keep them from the hands of demons, or those who act as servants of the demons. Each orb may be claimed only by the chosen descendent of she who helped to create it. Kapia is the Maiden of the Moon, and she has successfully retrieved the Moon Orb. We believe that you, Tiari, are the Maiden of the Sun. If we are correct, you must claim the Sun Orb, or Rathira will be lost.”
“Are you saying that you want me to come with you?” Tiari asked with barely suppressed excitement. “If I am the woman you seek, you will take me from this place?”
“Whether you are Maiden of the Sun or not, we will take you with us if you wish to come,” Karma replied.
“She is,” Kapia said.
Karma looked at Kapia for a long moment, then nodded. “Apparently the Maiden of the Moon recognizes her sister.”
“That is the perfect way to put it,” Kapia said with a smile. She turned to Tiari. “I am positive that you are the Maiden of the Sun, Tiari. I don’t know how I know this, I know only that it is true.”
“Yes, I know it too,” Tiari replied softly. “How very strange. And wonderful.”
“There is much more to tell you, but that is the core of it,” Karma said. “Will you come with us, Tiari? Will you join the Orb Quest, and help us to save Rathira?”
“Will I be safe?” Tiari asked hesitantly. She would not choose to remain behind regardless of the answer to that question. She just wanted to know what to expect.
“We will do all that we can to keep you safe,” Karma said. “But I will not lie to you, Tiari. There are demons who will do whatever they can to stop us, and take the orbs for themselves. We cannot promise your safety from them any more than we can promise our own safety.”
“I understand,” Tiari said. “I meant will I be safe with you, with the other...people...in your group. I mean no insult, but Una has made it clear to me that anyone who sees me will think me a witch, and want to harm me. Especially men.”
“We have no desire to harm you, Tiari, nor will the others of our group,” Kapia said. “In fact, as Maiden of the Sun, the Hunters will give their lives to protect you.”
Tiari had no idea how to respond to that amazing statement. She must have heard Kapia wrong, she decided. She could not possibly have heard what she thought she’d heard. It made no sense whatsoever.
“Tiari, I know this is a lot to ask of you on short notice, but we do not have a lot of time,” Karma said. “Our Hunters can make very short work of the villagers should they attack, but we would prefer not to harm anyone if we can help it.”
“You are not bothered by the claim that I’m a witch?”
“Not in the least,” Karma said. “Are you?”
“Not really,” Tiari replied. “I don’t truly understand what it means.”
“Good,” Karma said. “We’ve seen a real witch, and you are nothing like her at all. So, will you join us in our effort to save Rathira?”
“Yes, of course,” Tiari replied. She rose to her feet and went to one of only two cupboards in the room. She knelt on the floor and opened it, then began pulling out a motley assortment of kitchen items; a sauce pan without a handle, a dented soup pot, two chipped plates, a glazed cup with a crack down the side. When the cupboard was empty she reached far back into it and withdrew a small package wrapped in cloth which she slipped into the pocket of her shift. She got to her feet, crossed the room, and lifted a black, hooded cloak from a peg on the wall. The only other garment was a shift hanging beside the cloak that looked in worse shape than the one Tiari was wearing. She left it where it was and put the cloak on, pulling the deep hood up to cover her head.
“I am ready,” she said.
“That’s all you want to take with you?” Karma asked as she and Kapia got up.
“It is all I have worth taking, yes,” Tiari replied.
Karma looked around the dim hut, nodding in agreement. She could not imagine how anyone could have lived there for a week, let alone years.
“Let’s go then,” she said.
Tiari took a deep breath, then turned and walked to the door. She reached for the latch and pulled it open, allowing the full light of the sun to fall on her face for the first time in several days. She blinked rapidly as her eyes adjusted and, slowly, images began to take shape. The shapes she saw made little sense to her, though. Rather than the patch of bare earth outside the door of the hut, and the tall trees of the forest nearby that she was used to, there were other...things. She blinked again, then closed her eyes for a moment before opening them. The shapes didn’t change. She took a small step backward and dropped her eyes to the ground, suddenly frightened and wary.
“Those are called diplo,” Karma said from beside her. “They’re animals we ride on, that can walk faster than we do, and they carry things for us too. They’re very gentle with people, and won’t hurt you.”
Tiari swallowed hard and nodded, keeping her eyes on the ground. Inwardly she was terrified, but her determination to escape her dark prison, and at the same time do something useful, was stronger than her fear.
“Sir Garundel,” Karma called. “Will you please ask for a diplo to be saddled for Hara Tiari?”
“At once, Lady Techu,” Garundel replied. He turned in his saddle and gestured to a Hunter nearby, then turned back. “It will be but a few moments.”
“Thank you, Sir Garundel,” Karma replied before turning to watch Zakiel dismount and come forward, stopping before them.
“Tiari, this is my husband, Prince Zakiel,” Karma said. “Zakiel, this is Hara Tiari Zora, Maiden of the Sun.”
“Greetings, Maiden of the Sun,” Zakiel said with a deep nod. “We are honored to meet you.”
“Thank you,” Tiari replied hesitantly, uncertain how to respond to such a grand person. Thank you seemed safe enough.
“Tiari has agreed to join the Orb Quest,” Karma said. “However, as her aunt has gone to raise the villagers against us, it seems prudent to be on our way as quickly as possible.”
“Agreed,” Zakiel said. “If you will direct my man to your belongings, Hara Tiari, he will get them packed and we can be on our way.”
“I am
ready to depart now, Highness,” she said, looking up at his face for the first time. Her eyes widened in surprise, and it wasn’t just because she had no real memory of ever seeing a man before. He was...beautiful. It was the only word she could think of that described the man before her. She blinked, then turned to look at Karma, then Kapia, seeing them for the first time now that they were in sunlight. They were so beautiful she wondered how they could be real.
Realizing that she was staring open mouthed at them she flushed hotly and dropped her eyes to the ground again. She felt Zakiel’s eyes on her and remembered the expression of shock on his face before she’d turned to look at the women. It took only a moment for her to realize that it was her eyes that had shocked him.
She had vague memories of people’s reactions to her eyes when she’d been a little girl, before her mother’s death. She didn’t remember the anger and fear that Una described, but she did remember the surprise and discomfort. She forced herself to remain still, refusing to cringe or step back. Then she felt something soft brush against her side and looked down to see a large animal with round blue eyes looking up at her. When the animal rubbed its head against her hand she automatically responded by rubbing its ears, smiling when it began to rumble softly.
“This is Nikura,” Karma said.
“Is he yours?” Tiari asked. The moment the words were out of her mouth she suspected she’d said the wrong thing. When the animal stiffened beneath her fingers, she was certain of it. But Karma only laughed.
“No, Nikura belongs only to himself,” she said. “He is not a cat, not a pet, and not an animal. He is a Sphin.”
“What is a Sphin?” Tiari asked as she continued to rub Nikura’s ears.
“Good question,” Karma replied. “If I can ever get him to explain that to me, I’ll let you know.”
“He talks?” Tiari asked in surprise.
“Yes, he does,” Karma replied. “Sometimes he talks too much, sometimes he talks too little. The only constant is that I’m the only one that can hear him unless I use the Ti-Ank.”
“Ti-Ank?” Tiari asked, her mind whirling with all the new sights, words and ideas of just the past few minutes.
Quest for the Sun Orb Page 4