“I suppose that’s a good thing,” Tiari said.
“Yes, and no,” Karma replied. “I’m no different than you, or Kapia. There are times when I wish very much that I could speak with my mother, and I’ve tried. I suppose that she will come to me if and when she has something to say. If your mother comes to me, I promise you, I will let you know.”
“Thank you, Karma,” Tiari said. “I am sorry though. I did not realize that you had lost your mother as well.”
“Yes, when I was young, though not so young as you were,” Karma replied.
“That seems a strange coincidence,” Tiari said. “That all three of us have lost our mothers.”
“I suppose,” Karma said. “If the Maiden of the Heart is also motherless, then I will wonder about it. For now, there are enough puzzles to keep us busy as it is.”
Chapter Ten
Bredon reined his diplo in and gazed around in confusion. Where was the road he’d been following? Where were the trees? He was sure he’d just entered a grove of trees. He reached for his water skin and opened it while mentally retracing his steps, but he already knew what had happened. He’d let his mind wander while he rode, daydreaming about Kapia, and Marene had taken charge. She’d done it once the previous day, but it had taken him hours to figure it out. He didn’t like it, but there didn’t seem to be anything he could do about it.
He took a long drink from his water skin, then turned his diplo around to face the direction he’d just come from. Nothing but rolling hills and lots of grass, much of it yellowed at this time of year.
“Why did you leave the road?” he asked Marene, sensing her awareness in the back of his mind.
Shortcut, she replied. Just keep going south, Bredon. Sometime tomorrow we’ll come to another road.
Bredon grunted but didn’t reply. He turned his diplo back around and continued south, feeling almost impatient for the day to end, though it wasn’t even midday yet. He hoped that Kapia would be able to connect with him again this night. He tried to warn himself against getting his hopes too high, but he couldn’t help himself. Hearing her voice again, even if it was only in his mind, meant too much to him. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him.
He reached for Marene without even thinking about it, nudging her sharply when he realized she was going back to sleep.
“What?” she asked grumpily.
“Tell me more about this artifact we are to find,” he said.
“There’s nothing to tell that you would understand,” Marene replied. “Leave me be, Bredon.”
“Tell me anyway, Marene,” Bredon said.
“Or what?” Marene asked.
“Or I will stop cooperating with you,” Bredon replied. “I will spend my days riding hard in the opposite direction that you wish to go.”
“What good will that do?” Marene demanded. “Without this artifact, we are stuck together. There is no point in working against me.”
“Yes, there is a very good point to it,” Bredon replied. “It will teach you that I am not your puppet.” Bredon smiled grimly as he sensed Marene’s growing rage and frustration. “What’s it going to be, Marene? Do you tell me, or do I turn around?”
“You don’t know who you’re dealing with, Bredon,” Marene hissed angrily.
“Of course I do,” Bredon replied. “You are demon, more evil than I ever suspected possible, even for you. If you think that frightens me, then you don’t know who you’re dealing with, Marene.”
“What makes you think I am demon?” she asked.
“Worrow told me,” Bredon replied. “Even if he hadn’t, I would have suspected it by now anyway. Make up your mind, Marene. My patience wears thin. And don’t bother lying. I will know it.” He wasn’t sure why he’d said that last bit, but the moment the words were out of his mouth he sensed that they were true, or rather, they could be true if he worked at it.
“Fine,” she snapped. “The artifact is a scepter that once belonged to the demons until it got stuck here, on Rathira. It’s very powerful. If we can find it, I can use it to find another host, one that I can fully control.”
“You mean another demon, don’t you?” Bredon asked.
“Unless you happen to know of a human female who’s willing to turn her body over to me.”
“If I did, I doubt I’d tell you about it,” Bredon said. “Why female?”
“Because I’m female,” Marene retorted. “This experience with you has taught me that I very much prefer having a female body over a male body.”
“How are we to find this scepter?”
“Don’t worry about that,” Marene replied. “I’ll be able to find it once we get there.”
“Why?” Bredon asked. “Because you’re a demon?”
“I am not demon,” Marene hissed.
“Then how will you find it?” Bredon pressed.
“Does it matter?” Marene retorted. “I can find it, that’s all that need concern you.”
“Darkly Fen is supposed to be filled with demons,” Bredon said. “What makes you think none of them have found this artifact already?”
“Don’t worry about it,” she said, nearly growling with irritation. “You do your part and I’ll take care of mine. Now shut up and let me get some rest.”
Bredon smiled to himself as he waited for Marene to go back to sleep. He wondered why he’d said that about her lying. It had felt true when he’d said it, but now, on second thought, he doubted. The only way to know for certain was to get her to tell him a lie. He’d have to think on that.
He checked the sun, automatically counting down the hours to sunset. It was still an hour before noon. It was going to be a very long day. He urged the diplo to a faster pace as he considered what Marene had told him. He had some interesting things to tell Kapia tonight. If she was able to connect with him. He felt a moment’s worry, then shrugged it off. Kapia was not one to give up. If she was unable to connect with him tonight, she would do it another night. Kapia had the heart of a warrior, something he’d learned at the very beginning of the Orb Quest.
Bredon watched Kapia spar with Lady Techu, shocked at how well she was doing. He’d been in the practice yard the day of Kapia’s first lesson, and had secretly watched every lesson afterward. In his mind there was no woman more beautiful than Kapia, but even he had to admit that once she had a staff in her hands, she was unbelievably clumsy. He didn’t understand it. He’d known her since the day she was born and had always been struck by how naturally graceful she was. Most of the time. She had her moments, particularly when she was startled, or feeling self-conscious. But there was none of that now.
She flowed back and forth across the sand, responding to Lady Techu’s lead without hesitation. She still had a lot to learn about fighting and handling a staff, but her natural footwork was nearly flawless.
When Lady Techu called a halt, she praised Kapia lavishly. For that alone he immediately vowed eternal loyalty. He’d been withholding his opinion of Lady Techu up to that point, but no longer.
He watched with secret pride as Zakiel moved to praise Kapia, along with several other Hunters. He was further impressed with Lady Techu when she stepped away, allowing all of the adulation to fall on Kapia, claiming none for herself. That was something that Marene would never have done.
Marene. How he wished he had not thought of her, or that horrible, fateful, never to be forgotten, though difficult to remember, night two days past. He wished it erased from time. Wished he’d ignored Marene’s request that he help her back to her room when she’d slipped on the stairs, wished he’d assigned a Hunter to stand guard outside the library that day instead of doing it himself. He wished wished wished.
Bredon noticed that the crowd around Kapia was thinning and forced all thoughts of Marene aside with a determined, mental shove. He moved forward, smiling at Kapia, his heart speeding up at the light of pure joy in her soft brown eyes when she saw him. Was it for him? he wondered, or was she looking at everyone that way in her moment of h
appiness?
“Hello, Sir Bredon,” she said, her smile getting just a bit wider when she spoke to him.
“I am very impressed, Kapia,” he said, returning her smile. “You were beautiful to watch.”
Kapia’s cheeks turned pink. “That is very kind of you to say.”
“It isn’t kindness, Kapia,” he replied, noticing that the other men had drifted away, though he didn’t take his eyes from hers. “It is truth. Lady Techu handles the staff as though she was born with it in her hands. I think you will soon do the same. You have a natural gift and it shows in the way you move.”
“That’s strange though, don’t you think?” Kapia asked, frowning thoughtfully.
“Strange?”
“Yes, very strange,” Kapia said. “Every other time I’ve held a staff I could barely take two steps without tripping. It was like when Marene was teaching me to dance. The harder I tried to do everything she said, the worse I got.”
Bredon wanted to argue with her, but he knew that would be a mistake. What she said was true, and he could not pretend otherwise. Kapia was not one to seek or appreciate false praise.
“You are wondering why,” he said.
“Yes, I am,” she replied. “It doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Bredon thought back to the beginning of the sparring match. He’d noticed Kapia’s reluctance, and Karma’s insistence, because on some level he was always aware of Kapia whenever she was around. He remembered thinking that Karma was starting off too fast, striking her staff against Kapia’s before Kapia had a chance to get focused.
“Lady Techu did it,” he said as understanding came to him. “She started off fast and kept going fast, forcing you to react on instinct without giving you a chance to think. I wondered why she was doing that at first, but now I see it. She wanted you to let your body take over.”
“Yes, I think you’re right,” Kapia said, still frowning.
“It was a good thing to do,” Bredon said, thinking that Kapia was upset at her teacher. “When you are in a real fight you won’t have time to think about what you’re doing. You have to react on instinct.”
“Yes, I can see that,” she said. “I’m very glad she did it, for that reason and others.”
Bredon nodded, realizing that Kapia was thinking of Marene. But he didn’t want to think about Marene, or talk about her. He wasn’t sure he could bear hearing her name come from Kapia’s lips.
“I must see to my men and order the watches,” he said, changing the subject. “May I walk you to your tent?”
“Yes, please,” Kapia said. Was that disappointment on her face? He thought so. His heart leapt with the idea. Maybe she was as interested in him as he was in her. He’d dreamed of this so many times, but had never for a moment believed it possible. Could it really be?
“How do you think we did for our first day out in the desert?” Kapia asked, breaking into his thoughts. He smiled. She was trying to make conversation with him.
“The encounter with the harpies was unfortunate,” he said. “But I do not think there is any way that this day could have ended better. Not for me.”
“Not for me, either,” Kapia said softly just as they reached her tent. “Goodnight, Bredon.”
“Good night, Kapia,” he said, gazing into her eyes once more. “Sleep well.”
Kapia smiled, then turned and disappeared into her tent. Bredon took a deep breath and, grinning from ear to ear, headed toward the central fire where the other men were gathered. He had not failed to notice that they were now calling each other by their given names, something they had not done since Kapia was a child. That was a very good sign.
He was half way to the campfire when he thought of Marene again and stopped in his tracks. How could he have been so stupid? He’d never even liked Marene. What had induced him to do what he’d done? If Kapia ever found out...no, he decided. She would not find out. Not ever. He would not risk his future happiness because of one mistake.
***
Kapia saw Zakiel raise his fist in the air, signaling a stop for lunch and reined Goldy in. She dismounted and stretched her arms and legs absently, her mind still on her memories of the early days of their journey. She knew she spent too much time thinking of Bredon, remembering the moments they’d shared together, but she couldn’t help herself. Her memories were all she had of him right now, and she needed them. Otherwise she’d leave the Orb Quest and set out in search of him on her own. Something she had to convince herself at least five times a day would be foolish in the extreme. She had no idea where he was, or how to reach him. Besides, as skilled as she was with the staff, she would be no match for armed brigands.
“Kapia,” Karma said, stepping up close beside her and speaking in a low voice. “Nikura just told me that we’re being followed.”
“Followed?” Kapia asked in surprise, though she kept her voice low as well. “By whom? Or what?”
“Good question,” Karma said. “Whoever it is, they’re staying downwind. Nikura couldn’t catch the scent. He’s going to circle around through the woods and find out who it is.”
Kapia glanced toward Zakiel and saw that he was speaking quietly with Garundel. She reached up to her saddle and removed her staff. The weight of it in her hands made her feel better.
“Please, stay with Tiari,” Karma said.
Kapia’s face flushed. Did Karma still think her a child? She turned to meet Karma’s gaze, and instantly felt ashamed of herself. Karma smiled knowingly, understanding at once.
“I will guard her well,” Kapia promised.
“Of course you will,” Karma said. “I have absolute faith in you.” She turned and headed toward Zakiel, noticing that Garundel was quietly speaking to several other Hunters. No one was eating lunch. The servants and drovers were gathering together in the center of the clearing Zakiel had chosen, a few of the Hunters positioning themselves around them. Tomas was approaching Zakiel from the other direction and they both reached him at the same moment.
“Tomas,” Karma said before he had a chance to speak. “I have asked Kapia to guard Tiari, but I think it wise that you aid her in that task. Aside from our personal feelings for both women, we must also remember that they are Orb Maidens. Rathira cannot afford to lose either of them. If you agree, of course, Zakiel.”
“I do,” Zakiel said. “Their safety is of the utmost importance.”
Tomas bowed, one hand on the sword at his hip, his bow already strung and hanging over his shoulder within easy reach. “No harm shall come to either of them so long as I am alive.”
“You, too, are important, Cousin,” Zakiel said quietly. “Guard yourself, as well.”
“I will not needlessly risk my own life,” Tomas said. “But my life is as nothing compared to theirs.”
“Without you, Tomas, I am not altogether certain Tiari would long remain with us,” Karma said.
Tomas’s eyes widened in surprise. The expressions of hope, fear, and joy flashed across his face so quickly they were hard to follow. Then his eyes narrowed with determination and his knuckles whitened around the hilt of his sword. He bowed to Karma, holding it for a heartbeat longer than necessary. When he straightened he nodded to Zakiel, then turned and strode off toward Kapia and Tiari.
“He cares for her,” Zakiel said softly as he watched Tomas.
“More than that, Husband,” Karma said. “He loves her.”
Zakiel’s gaze met hers for a long moment. “Tiari has been with us for barely three days.”
“How long did it take before you felt love for me?”
“About two minutes,” Zakiel said. “I didn’t admit it to myself of course, but it was there.” He watched Tomas as he spoke with Kapia. “Is this a good thing?”
“Yes, Zakiel,” Karma replied. “It is a very good thing, for both of them. I’ve met few people in my life more in need of love than those two. Providing neither of them is killed.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Tell me, Zakiel, how
would you feel if I were killed?” Karma asked.
Zakiel’s blue eyes became chips of ice. “It would destroy me, valia,” he said. “But only after I destroyed those responsible for your death.”
“Exactly,” Karma said. “Should Tiari be lost to us, the Orb Quest is over. Should Tomas be lost to us, it would break Tiari’s soul. Again, the Orb Quest would be over. They do not realize it yet themselves. Not fully. But they will.”
“Then we must be sure that nothing happens to Tomas, either,” Zakiel said. “Though how I’m going to do that without offending his warrior sensibilities may be a problem.”
Karma didn’t want to touch that one. “Come, Husband, let’s join the Hunters and see what the Sphin drags in.”
“Drags in?” Zakiel asked in confusion. “I thought that Nikura was attempting to identify our follower, not attack him. Or it.”
“He is,” she said with a laugh. “It’s just an old expression concerning cats.”
“Cats,” Zakiel repeated thoughtfully as they began walking across the clearing side by side. “That is the beast you once mistook Nikura for, is it not?”
“Yes, it is,” Karma said.
“What is a cat, anyway?” he asked.
“A cat is a domesticated animal that is small enough to be easily carried or held on one’s lap,” Karma said. “There are some that look exactly like Nikura, though they do come in different colors and fur lengths, and some are smaller or larger than others.”
“Are they all as intelligent as the Sphin?” Zakiel asked.
“They’re probably no more intelligent than a diplo,” Karma said. “They’re commonly kept as house pets, and are generally quite efficient at hunting rodents. Household pests.”
Zakiel grinned. “No wonder you have yet to explain to Nikura what a cat is.”
“Exactly,” Karma said. “From what I can tell, Sphin have no sense of humor at all.”
“Agreed,” Zakiel said. “I like the sound of these cats though. I suspect they would be useful around the palace. Perhaps we should try to attain a few the next time the Welfare ship visits Ka-Teru.”
Quest for the Sun Orb Page 14