Quest for the Sun Orb

by Laura Jo Phillips

  “I will wait for you in our bed,” Karma said, reading his reluctance as clearly as though he’d voiced it.

  “Enjoy your bath,” he said. Karma’s eyes flared with heat just before she turned and walked away from him. She glanced at him over her shoulder with a flirtatious grin before stepping into the next chamber and out of sight. Zakiel stared after her for a few moments, thinking about the intriguing dent in her lower lip that he never seemed to get enough of, before the sound of Timon entering the tent forced him to gather his wits.

  “Timon, I need the charts, please,” he said.

  “Certainly, Highness,” Timon said. He crossed the long, narrow front chamber of the tent, heading directly for a thick, specially treated leather satchel that he carried on his diplo with him at all times. It took a few moments to untie the series of knots and flaps that, along with the heavy, silk lined leather, rendered the satchel virtually waterproof and dustproof. Once it was open, he handed the satchel to Zakiel without touching the precious documents within.

  Zakiel sat down on a thick cushion and reached into the satchel, removing a pair of thin gloves woven of a soft material that would protect the delicate paper from damaging oils and dirt from his hands. Maps and charts took decades to create, and were always in a state of alteration as new information was gathered. The maps Zakiel had brought along on the quest were all copies of those still in the palace library back in Isiben. Even though they were copies, they were still precious, having been painstakingly reproduced by hand by a host of scholars during the brief days they’d had to prepare for the Orb Quest. Without them, they would have very little idea of where they were going, or the best routes to get there.

  His hands covered, Zakiel reached into the satchel again and removed two scrolls which he carefully unrolled side by side on the mat that Timon laid out on the floor in front of him. He used small gold weights from the satchel to hold the scrolls open, placing them carefully along the edges and at the corners. Then he bent over the scrolls and studied them for a long time.

  Finally he straightened up, sighed, and started to rub his eyes before remembering he still wore the gloves. He put the gold weights back in the satchel, rolled the charts up and returned them to their places, and removed the gloves.

  “Seal this back up, Timon,” he said as he rose to his feet. “We’re going to be heading north through the forest, then into the mountains. I hope we’re outfitted for cold weather.”

  “I believe we have all that we’ll need, Highness,” Timon said. “I will double check, of course.”

  “Thank you,” Zakiel said. “After Lady Techu is finished with her bath, please prepare it for me. I don’t know when I’ll be back, so don’t wait up.”

  Timon bowed, though they both knew that he would never go to bed before the Prince. Zakiel looked over to where Nikura lay, curled up in front of the flap leading to the chamber where Karma was taking her bath, and nodded to himself. Even though Nikura’s eyes were closed, he had no doubt that the Sphin was fully alert and didn’t need to be told to look after Karma in his absence. Zakiel picked up his sword belt and left the tent buckling it on, hoping he’d be able to return before Karma fell asleep, but not counting on it.

  ***

  Karma waited until Lashi was finished brushing her hair out before sending her off to bed. At first, there’d been some confusion about where Lashi would sleep after Karma and Zakiel had gotten married several days earlier. Lashi felt that she should be near her mistress, but it wouldn’t be right for her and Timon to sleep in the same chamber, and it was either that or give her the other chamber. Zakiel would have given the chamber to Lashi had Karma requested it, but she didn’t. She knew that Lashi really preferred to stay in what had become known as the women’s tent. Since the two tents were set up side by side, and Lashi could be called for if necessary with no trouble, it was decided that she would continue to sleep where she’d been sleeping, alongside Caral.

  After Lashi left, Karma went into the chamber she shared with Zakiel and closed the flap behind her. She climbed onto the bed and debated whether or not to blow out the candle. Since it cast very little light, and her shadow was against an inner wall, she decided to leave it lit.

  She held the Ti-Ank across her lap and sent a silent, mental call to Samyi. She was surprised when Samyi appeared immediately.

  “I’d like to ask you a few questions,” she said in a soft whisper.

  “I will answer those I can,” Samyi replied. Karma frowned. She always expected those from beyond to have all the answers, to know what was going to happen, and what she should, or shouldn’t, do next. She’d learned that while they did know some things, they certainly didn’t know everything. Not by a long shot. Yet for some reason, she kept expecting it.

  “Are we on the right track, going to find the Hidden Sister?”

  “Yes, you are,” Samyi replied.

  “And Tiari is the Maiden of the Sun?”

  “Undoubtedly,” Samyi replied.

  “Those are the easy questions,” Karma said. “Now for the hard one. What are the demons attempting to accomplish by attacking us all the time? If they stop us from collecting the orbs, the pyramid will snap back to Rathira and destroy it. They will not have a world to take over.”

  “It is not the orbs that they want,” Samyi said. “It is the Ti-Ank.”

  “But Marene said that she’d made a deal to take the Moon Orb to the demons,” Karma said. “Her reward was that she would be Queen of all Rathira.”

  “Marene is unknowable to me, as are the demons, so I can say nothing of their pact,” Samyi said. “However, I do know that the demons can do nothing with an orb other than destroy it to keep you from using it.”

  “Why would they do that when it would end in the destruction of Rathira?” Karma asked, confused. None of this was making any sense. Whether the demons destroyed the orbs or stole the Ti-Ank didn’t matter. Either way, Rathira would be doomed. Unless...

  Karma scowled with sudden understanding. “I’m a fool.”

  “You are not a fool,” Samyi replied. “You have simply been too busy to stop and consider all that has happened, or how, or why.”

  “Yes, but this is so obvious,” Karma said. “The Ti-Ank is made to be used by anyone who can command its powers, including demons.”

  “Yes,” Samyi said. “They cannot use it’s powers to attack the peoples of Rathira, but that is their only limitation.”

  “Yes, I see that now. The demons have their own way of getting to the pyramid, don’t they?”

  “That appears to be the most logical conclusion,” Samyi said.

  “For some reason, they need the Ti-Ank to accomplish it,” Karma said. “Do you know why?”

  “No, I do not,” Samyi replied. “I can see nothing concerning the demons.”

  Karma nodded and set the problem aside. There was another subject she wanted to discuss before Samyi left.

  “What can you tell me about Bredon?”

  “Bredon is unknowable,” Samyi replied. “He still has his role to play, but he can no longer be seen.”

  “Does that mean that Marene is still inside of him?” Karma asked.

  “Not necessarily,” Samyi replied. “From the moment she shared his body and mind, he became unknowable to me.”

  “Does that mean that you can’t see me, either?” Karma asked, remembering the demon seed that had infected her with a shudder.

  “Yes, it does,” Samyi said. “There is much that cannot be seen or foretold, Karma. There is much that I do not know, and much that is unknowable. Remember, I am only spirit, not Spirit Guide.”

  “Well, we still have one orb, and the Ti-Ank,” Karma said. “Plus two of the orb maidens, and the location of the next orb. With the help you give us, we are not entirely in the dark.”

  “No, you are not,” Samyi said with a smile. “I must leave you now, Lady Techu.”

  “Thank you for your help, Samyi,” Karma said. After Samyi faded away, she laid
down on the bed and slid the Ti-Ank beneath it. She lay awake for a long time, going over the things she knew, and the things she could only guess at, feeling as though some critical piece of the puzzle was missing, but she couldn’t figure out what that was. She decided she needed to discuss it all with Zakiel. She was surprised to feel her body relax once she’d made that decision, telling her that it was the right decision to make. After that, staying awake became impossible.

  Chapter Seven

  “I didn’t notice how big its fangs were yesterday,” Tiari said as the drover led a diplo toward her. She thought it was the same animal she’d ridden the day before, but she wasn’t positive.

  “They aren’t fangs,” Kapia said. “They’re tusks.”

  “What’s the difference?” Tiari asked.

  “They’re used to help them pull up grass and other vegetation, and to strip bark and leaves from trees, which is what they eat,” Kapia explained. “Come on, you should meet your diplo up close.”

  Tiari hesitated, then reminded herself of her determination to face this new world head on. She wanted to be like Karma and Kapia, brave and confident. Not some frightened little mouse. She straightened her shoulders and followed Kapia the few steps toward the head of the brown skinned beast that the drover had left outside their tent along with Kapia’s diplo. It was unbelievably tall, with a long, narrow head and dark eyes framed with long, thick lashes. The tusks that curved downward from its mouth were a little frightening, but she decided to take Kapia at her word that the diplo was gentle.

  Kapia reached out without hesitation and began scratching the diplo’s chin, her hand alarmingly close to the curved tusks. When the diplo began rumbling softly in response, Tiari smiled. She’d never been around a live animal before, so she didn’t know the difference between a purr and a growl. But, going from the way the diplo arched its neck and raised its chin, and the way its big brown eyes closed half way, it seemed obvious to her that it was greatly enjoying the attention. She reached out and petted its long, velvety nose, surprised at how soft it felt.

  “They like having their ears rubbed too,” Kapia said. “These diplo are all trained by Hunters, and they don’t give them names. But, Karma and I named ours at the beginning of this journey. The men think it’s strange, and when Karma suggested it to me, I thought so too. Now I’m glad that I did it. Goldy isn’t just one of the herd any more. He’s special, with his own personality, his own likes and dislikes, and I see him as a living, breathing being with his own feelings and needs.”

  “Would it be all right for me to name this one?” Tiari asked.

  “Of course,” Kapia replied. “You can name him whatever you want. If you like him, we’ll let the head drover know that he is to be yours from now on. If you don’t like him, you can select another one from the herd.”

  “No, I think I like this one,” Tiari said. “I’d never seen a diplo before yesterday, and I was scared, but he didn’t take off running or try to bite me. I think that’s a good sign.”

  “So do I,” Kapia said approvingly. “My diplo is Goldy, and Karma’s is Dippy.”

  “Is this one female or male?” Tiari asked, smiling as the diplo lowered his head further so that she could scratch its ears.

  “They’re all male,” Kapia replied. “Females are not as large, or as strong as males. There are also very few females. Only one in a hundred domesticated diplo is born female. They are closely guarded and pampered, and would never be risked on a dangerous journey like this.”

  “One in a hundred?” Tiari asked, surprised. “That must be hard for the males.”

  “Not really,” Kapia replied. “Only one in a hundred males is what we call a breeder. They’re always born with pure white skin. The rest, like this guy here, are infertile.”

  “Good morning, Cousin Kapia, Hara Tiari,” Tomas said, pausing several feet away and bowing politely. “Please forgive me if I’m interrupting.”

  “Good morning, Cousin Tomas,” Kapia said. She wasn’t sure what it was about him that had changed, but she didn’t feel the tension she generally felt in his presence. “How are you this morning?”

  Tomas’s eyes widened in surprise at the question, causing Kapia to wince inwardly. It suddenly occurred to her that, perhaps, some of Tomas’s past behavior was a result of the way she’d treated him. Not that she’d ever treated him badly, but she had been cool and distrustful of him.

  “I’m well, thank you,” he replied. “I came to ask Hara Tiari if she would like assistance mounting her diplo.”

  “Yes, I would,” Tiari replied. “Princess Kapia was helping me to get acquainted with the diplo.”

  Tomas wasn’t sure what to say to that, so he said nothing which, in itself, was unusual for him. He’d always felt it necessary to say something, anything, to be noticed. Being noticed had lost its appeal in recent weeks.

  “Tomas, have you heard where we are going next?” Kapia asked, surprising Tomas once again.

  “No, I haven’t,” he replied. “I didn’t know our next destination had been determined.”

  “Yes, last night,” Kapia replied. “Yamun Sennet.”

  “The Hidden Sister?” Tomas asked in surprise. “We are to travel to a place that no longer exists?”

  “Yes, impossible though it sounds,” Kapia said. “I have no idea how Zakiel will manage this one.”

  “And yet, I have every confidence that he will manage it,” Tomas said. “One way or another, he will make it happen. Zakiel never fails.”

  Kapia was stunned. She’d never heard such quiet, assured praise for Zakiel, or anyone, come from Tomas’s lips before. Yes, he had definitely changed. For the better.

  “I agree,” Kapia said. “If anyone can lead us to where we need to go, it’s Zakiel. If you two will excuse me, I think I’ll go greet Goldy now.”

  Tomas nodded, then watched as Kapia left. He noticed that almost everyone was ready to leave, so he stepped forward and held his hand out to Tiari. She took it, smiling shyly as she placed her small, warm hand in his.

  “You are very kind and thoughtful to come and help me this morning, Sir Tomas,” she said. “I’m sure you must have more important things to do.”

  “In that, I’m afraid, you are mistaken, Hara Tiari,” he said.

  “Please, call me Tiari,” she said. “I understand that it is a politeness, but whenever anyone calls me Hara I barely know who they’re speaking to.”

  “I am honored, Tiari, but you must call me Tomas in return,” Tomas said with a smile. “And may I say, Tiari, that you look very beautiful this morning.”

  Tiari’s cheeks heated with a mix of embarrassment and pleasure. “Thank you, Tomas,” she said. “I’m sure it’s this outfit that Kapia was kind enough to give me. I’ve never worn anything half so beautiful.”

  Tomas glanced down at the light blue top, vest, and divided skirt that Tiari was wearing. Though Lashi and Caral had altered it so that it fit her reasonably well, it was still slightly too large for her thin frame.

  “The outfit is pretty, and the color looks very nice on you. It matches your eyes perfectly. But it is you who are beautiful, not the clothes,” Tomas said. Then, fearing he had said too much, he turned and placed his hands at her tiny waist. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes,” she whispered so softly that only he could hear.

  He lifted her up and held her easily as she swung her leg over the diplo’s neck. “Comfortable?” he asked, releasing her.

  “Yes, thank you,” she said, wishing she could think of something better than that to say.

  “Would you mind, Tiari, if I rode up to visit with you later today?” he asked.

  “I would like that very much, Tomas,” she said, blushing again.

  “I will look forward to it then,” Tomas said with a smile before he turned and walked away. She watched after him for a moment until she realized she was in danger of falling out of her saddle. She laughed softly at herself, drawing her diplo’s attention. He turned his head,
arching his neck so that he could look at her with one of his big dark eyes.

  “Nosy thing, aren’t you?” she asked. “I think that’s a good name for you. I will call you Nosy.”

  Nosy rumbled softly and twitched his ears before turning his head forward as Karma and Kapia rode up to take their places on either side of her.

  “Good morning, Tiari,” Karma said brightly. “Are you ready to begin your first adventure?”

  “Actually, I thought I already had begun,” she replied. “Everything is so new to me that I wonder how I will ever learn enough to fit in.”

  “Don’t worry about that,” Karma said. “I was a complete stranger to Isiben, their customs, everyone and everything here just a few short weeks ago. Trust me, Tiari, you’ll catch up before you know it.”

  “Truly?” Tiari asked in surprise.

  “Yes, truly,” Karma said. “I understand how difficult it is for you, but these are good, kind, honorable people. They will help you along as much as you let them.”

  “Thank you, Karma,” Tiari said, feeling something inside of her relax a little for the first time since she’d opened the door to Karma and Kapia the day before. She took a deep breath and looked around herself, smiling. These were good people, she could see that from their auras. They would not scream at her, or strike her, or belittle her. She had nothing to fear. Not here.

  Karma smiled as she watched Tiari accept what she’d said, then looked up in time to see Zakiel raise his arm from the head of the rough column that had formed in the clearing. The diplos began walking, their pace easy, but still much faster than a man could walk. She turned to her right, but didn’t see Nikura and his diplo in their accustomed place, and started to turn around to look for him.

  “I’m coming, I’m coming,” Nikura said. “Don’t panic.”

  “Panic?” Karma asked. “Honestly Nikura, if your head gets any bigger your ears are going to fall off.”

  “Whatwasthat?” Nikura demanded, his head whipping around to face her as his diplo took its place beside Dippy. “What is this about my ears falling off? Explain at once, please.”