Quest for the Sun Orb

by Laura Jo Phillips

  “It came to my attention today that the food being served to you has been deplorable for many days now. I was unaware of this, and it is for that I apologize. I now charge all of you with informing me should the quality of the food, or anything else, drop so alarmingly again.”

  He then turned his attention to the cooks, a group of six men in white aprons standing behind the Hunters opposite Zakiel, all of them with their heads bowed and eyes on the ground. As Zakiel glared at them, the campfire in the center of the circle of men suddenly flared brightly, the flames shooting higher and higher into the sky until it became a column of flame reaching for the stars.

  Zakiel barely heard the excited shouts from the men around him. He realized that the Vatra’s temper was somewhat worse than his own, and that it, too, was furious at the treatment of the Hunters. Having spent years struggling to control the temperamental Tigren, he was familiar with the experience.

  He raised one hand, palm out, and slowly lowered it even as he focused his attention on calming his own temper and, by extension, the Vatra’s. The column of flame thinned, then drew back into itself until it returned to a normal campfire.

  Once it was back to normal, Zakiel looked around, pleased that the Hunters had realized what was happening and returned to their places. The servants and drovers would take a bit longer to calm, but he ignored them and turned his gaze back to the cooks who, wisely, still stood in the same place, though they looked considerably more frightened than they had a few moments earlier.

  “I personally chose each of you from those considered to be the very best in your chosen field,” he said, working to keep his temper in check lest the Vatra slip out again. “You each accepted the honor, and the responsibility, of your own free will. Yet, at the first sign of difficulty, you failed miserably. Not only that, but you made the Hunters, those responsible for keeping all of us safe, suffer while you engaged in your petty squabbles. If we were in Ka-Teru, I would not only turn all of you out of the palace immediately, I would banish you from your profession.”

  Zakiel paused to let that sink in, gratified to see what little color was left in the faces of the cooks up to that moment bleed away. Banishing a man from his chosen profession was akin to condemning him to a life of beggary.

  “As it is, you get a second chance,” Zakiel continued once he was sure they understood the seriousness of their actions. “I assume you have selected a new head cook.” He paused, waiting until each of the cooks nodded without raising their eyes from the ground. “Good. Now, know this: If one of you fails again, you will all be left behind and we will make do without you. The servants and drovers couldn’t possibly serve up anything worse than what you’ve been presenting of late. Understand me clearly. There will be no further chances. Work together, or leave now.”

  Zakiel waited until all six men bowed low in acquiescence, then sat back down between Tomas and Garundel. When the other men began talking among themselves again, he cast a stern eye on both men. “Do not hesitate to inform me the moment anything begins to deteriorate again.”

  “Of course, Highness,” Garundel said at once. Tomas gave his assurance as well, and Zakiel allowed himself to relax a little.

  “It is difficult to believe that Vatra has a worse temper than you, Highness,” Garundel said casually.

  “Do you really think so, Sir Garundel?” Tomas asked, just as casually. “I think they might be equals in that respect.”

  “I suppose it depends on the issue at hand,” Garundel conceded.

  “Yes, I agree,” Tomas said with mock seriousness. “On the subject of food, it appears they are equally fierce.”

  “So long as neither Vatra nor Prince Zakiel decide to actually roast the cooks themselves for dinner, I doubt anyone will mind too much.”

  “Enough you two,” Zakiel said with a sigh. Maybe it would be better if they felt just a little fear of him. He thought of Karma, and how much he wanted to be with her at that moment. Then he thought of what she was doing, and decided he preferred being where he was. He gestured to Timon who was never far away. The Sirelina had gifted them with a few barrels of dark beer and he thought this was as good a night as any to break one open.

  ***

  Karma awoke slowly the next morning, smiling to herself as she snuggled closer to Zakiel’s warmth. She loved waking up in the protection of his arms, her body half over his, her cheek against his chest. She’d been having a strange dream so she lay there for a moment, her eyes closed, trying to remember what it had been. Suddenly she gasped, her eyes flying open.

  What was that? she wondered. She closed her eyes again and reached out tentatively. No! she thought. It can’t be! Not now. She opened her eyes, her thoughts racing.

  “What’s the matter?” Zakiel asked sleepily, one arm pulling her closer against him.

  “Nothing,” she replied too quickly, but Zakiel was still half asleep. Maybe he hadn’t noticed.

  “You seem tense,” he said.

  “Just a dream,” she said, forcing her body to relax against him. She needed to change the subject. “Last night went well,” she said.

  Zakiel laughed softly, a deep rumble beneath her ear. “I certainly have no complaints.”

  Karma felt her face heat as she thought about how Zakiel had greeted her when she’d returned from the women’s tent. “I wasn’t talking about that,” she said primly. “I was talking about my discussion with Kapia and Tiari.”

  “Ah,” Zakiel said. “They took it well?”

  Now it was Karma’s turn to laugh. “They were horrified at first,” she said. “Once they heard the details of the actual procedure, they both looked like they’d bitten into something bitter.”

  “That’s funny?” he asked.

  “No, what’s funny is that I told them both to close their eyes and imagine themselves with a particular man, doing what I’d just described to them. It didn’t take very long for their outlook to undergo a dramatic change.”

  “That’s good,” he said. “I wouldn’t want either of them to fear something that is natural and beautiful. At the same time, I don’t want either of them too anxious to try it, either.”

  Karma shook her head. “Honestly, Zakiel, give them a little credit. How many times in your life were you tempted to give in and have sex?”

  “Many,” Zakiel admitted ruefully. “The only thing that stopped me was my father’s advice. What about you?”

  “You may not believe this, but I was never tempted,” Karma replied. “Not once. I never met any man that interested me in that way until you.”

  “I never met a woman I was interested in either, but I was still tempted,” Zakiel admitted.

  Karma didn’t like thinking of Zakiel with another woman. Especially at that particular moment. She decided to veer the subject back to Tiari and Kapia. “Tiari understands that she must remain a maiden until she claims the Sun Orb. And she now has a better understanding of reputations, and why they are important.”

  “And Kapia?” he asked.

  “She is happy to have answers to her questions,” Karma replied. “She is also relieved to have an understanding of certain feelings she’s been having. But more than anything, she just wants Bredon back.”

  “Did she attempt to speak with him last night?” Zakiel asked.

  “I don’t know,” Karma replied, climbing off the bed and reaching for her robe. “If I have to guess, I would say probably. I can’t imagine having the chance to speak with you over such a long distance and not taking it, regardless of the toll it would take on me.”

  “Nor I,” Zakiel agreed. “On another subject, I must tell you that the Vatra appears to be growing stronger.”

  “Yes?” Karma asked, turning around to face Zakiel after tying the belt on her robe.

  “I was unhappy with the cooks, as you know,” he said. “Apparently, the Vatra was angry with them as well. While I was talking the campfire shot high into the sky and remained that way for several moments. It added drama to the si
tuation that I doubt anyone will forget for a time, which I have no objection to. We cannot have anyone on this quest shirking their duty, be it the servants in charge of gathering firewood, or myself.”

  “Speaking of food,” Karma said, “I’m ready for breakfast. I think I’ll go out and get started, if you don’t mind.”

  “No, I don’t mind,” Zakiel replied, trying to hide his surprise. She usually waited for him. Karma offered him a quick smile, then ducked through the doorway. She was sorry to disappoint him, but she needed a few minutes to herself so she could think.

  “Good morning, Lady Techu,” Timon said as she sat down on her cushion.

  “Good morning, Timon,” she replied, watching absently as he placed a pot of tea on the circular wooden platform that served as a table in the center of the ring of cushions.

  “Will you wait for Prince Zakiel or would you like to begin now?” Timon asked as he filled her cup.

  “I’m hungry, so I’ll start now if the food is ready,” she said.

  Timon nodded and went back to the pot stove, leaving her to her thoughts. By the time Zakiel joined her she was half way through her breakfast, and had made a decision. Her new knowledge would have to stay hers alone for a time. With the Vatra gaining power, Bredon’s situation with Marene, and traveling to a place that didn’t even exist, Zakiel didn’t need anything more to worry about. For now, she felt it was the best choice.

  ***

  It was just after lunch, and everyone was mounted and ready to continue their journey when the alarm horn sounded. Three short bursts, indicating an attack, and one long, indicating that the threat came from the sky.

  “What is it Nikura? Do you know?” Karma asked the Sphin.

  “Harpies,” Nikura replied, his lip curling up disdainfully.

  “I hate those things,” Karma said, grimacing at the thought of the demons with the revoltingly feminine breasts. “They’re loud, filthy, and smelly.” She slid her staff from the loops that held it to her saddle and extended it, her eyes on the small patch of clear sky above them. She would be glad when they were out of the forest and had a better view of the surrounding sky.

  “Perhaps it would be best to let the Hunters handle this,” Nikura said a little too casually. “There is no reason for you to risk harm.”

  Karma tore her eyes from the sky and met Nikura’s gaze steadily. “I don’t know how you know, Nikura, but do not go there,” she warned, speaking to him silently so no one else would hear. “This is not your business.”

  “As you like,” Nikura replied, turning his own gaze back to the sky. “I’ve noticed that these forest harpies are more vicious than the desert version, and perhaps a bit smarter. They’re learning to guard their wings more carefully.”

  Karma began feeding energy into the Ti-Ank. “Kapia, Tiari, we are being attacked by harpies. You should both get beneath your diplos.”

  “You should dismount, Karma,” Kapia said as she slid from her saddle, staff in hand, then turned to see if Tiari needed any help. “You’re giving them too much of a target sitting up there.”

  Karma nodded in agreement and swung one leg over Dippy’s neck as she continued watching the sky. When she was sure no harpies had yet shown themselves she reached for the stirrup with one foot before sliding down. Just as her feet touched the ground she heard Nikura’s mental shout.

  “Down!” he yelled in her mind.

  Karma threw herself to the ground without thinking and felt the sharp claws of a harpy catch in her hair for one moment before yanking free, taking a nice chunk of hair with it. She leapt to her feet and aimed a thin beam of energy at the grotesque green figure, turning it to ash in a flash of bright light. She spun around at the sound of flapping wings and aimed again, this time catching only the right wing and arm of one of the smelly things. It screamed in pain as it crashed to the ground, minus one wing and an arm. Karma saw two Hunters race toward it and turned her attention back to the sky in time to see a kadjet make an appearance.

  “Tiari, there’s a kadjet here,” she called. She sent another beam toward a third harpy, but it was far enough away to dodge the deadly light. Karma followed it until it dipped down among the trees. There were several groups of Hunters chasing down fallen harpies around the small clearing, but there were plenty more still in the sky overhead. They’d attacked in more force than the desert harpies ever had.

  “First section,” Tiari called, her voice loud enough for Karma to hear, but calm in spite of the chaos around them.

  Karma turned her attention back to the kadjet and focused the Ti-Ank on it. She aimed, then released a broader beam of light, engulfing the entire first section of the demon in a flash. The remaining three sections of the thing fell into the forest, but Karma didn’t watch. She had her eyes on the sky again, which seemed to be empty of threat at the moment. She heard shouts from the far side of the clearing and risked a look.

  She gasped in horror at the sight of three harpies attacking Zakiel at once. He was the only one still in the saddle, so he presented the tallest target. She saw several blades reaching up toward the harpies, and Zakiel’s Tigren was fighting back with claws and sword, but there were three of them and they were having no trouble avoiding the blades of the Hunters on the ground.

  “Tomas!” she yelled, feeding more energy into the Ti-Ank as she ran toward Zakiel. She heard a low oath, then running footsteps. A moment later Tomas passed her, his bow in one hand as he reached for an arrow from the quiver on his back with the other. Karma stopped running and aimed the Ti-Ank, taking out the harpy that was highest of the three. It was the only one she could destroy without risk of hitting Zakiel. The thing’s horrific scream cut off with satisfying suddenness and she began running again, her eyes on Zakiel and the two remaining harpies.

  One swooped in behind Zakiel, it’s filthy claws extended toward his back while the other one attacked him from the front at the same time. Karma screamed a warning, knowing there was nothing she could do. If she tried to hit either of the things with a beam from the Ti-Ank, she could easily hit Zakiel as well. They were all too close together.

  Suddenly, the wide open mouth of the harpy attacking from behind Zakiel sprouted an arrow. A second later another arrow was sticking out of the thing’s left eye. It fell to the ground with a thud just as Zakiel’s sword parted the final demon’s head from its neck.

  Karma kept running, shoving her way through the Hunters gathered around Zakiel’s diplo in a near panic to reach him. When he saw her coming he leapt to the ground just in time to catch her as she threw herself into his arms. She dropped the Ti-Ank to the ground and wrapped her arms around his neck, squeezing tightly as she tried to calm her racing heart.

  It was long moments before she realized that Zakiel was murmuring soothing words in her ear as he rubbed her back lightly. She wasn’t sure why he was doing that at first. Then she realized that the sobs she’d been hearing as though from a distance were coming from her. She concentrated on stopping them, forcing herself to take deep breaths. She had just managed to quiet herself when she closed her eyes and saw the image of Zakiel sitting atop his diplo, orange and black stripes across his face, sharp white fangs bared, roaring his fury as three harpies attacked him at once. Her entire body jerked with horror.

  “It’s all right, valia,” Zakiel said. “I’m fine, you’re fine, everyone is fine. We’re all safe now.”

  Karma nodded, but she wasn’t yet ready to release him. She buried her face in his neck and took a deep, shuddering breath. That had been the second most horrifying sight she’d ever witnessed, the first being his dead body after the battle with the Ken-No-Kel. It had brought home to her how very quickly Zakiel could be taken from her. As big and strong as he was, even though he was both Tigren and Vatra, he was no more immune to death than anyone else.

  What if he had died not knowing her secret? She shuddered again and Zakiel’s arms tightened around her. She raised her head, looked into his worried blue eyes, and made a new decisio
n.

  “Today is all we have,” she said, her voice hoarse from her tears. “I know that. Everyone knows that. But I know it more right now than I did an hour ago.”

  Zakiel nodded slowly, though his eyes looked confused. Well, she didn’t blame him. She was acting oddly, after all.

  “Tomorrow is not promised to any of us,” she continued. “So rather than wait another day I will tell you now that we are going to have a child.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Child?” Zakiel asked blankly.

  “Yes, a child,” Karma said.

  “How is that possible?” he asked. “We’ve not been married a full month.

  “How long do you think it takes?” Karma asked, her eyes beginning to narrow.

  “Well...I never thought about that,” he replied, realizing that he was not reacting the way Karma expected. He scrambled through the shocked haze in his mind for the appropriate response to news of this sort.

  “How do you know?” he asked. Karma withdrew her arms and stepped back. He probably shouldn’t have used quite that tone of voice, he decided.

  “I don’t know how I know,” she said, her voice cool. “I just know.” With that she spun on her heel, bent to retrieve the Ti-Ank from where she’d dropped it, and began walking back to her diplo, her feet hitting the ground with just a bit more force than necessary.

  Zakiel watched for a moment before realizing that if he let her get too far, she might never forgive him. He raced after her, calling her name, but she ignored him and kept walking. That wasn’t good, he thought. Nope, not good at all. He ran up behind her and scooped her into his arms.

  “I am sorry, valia,” he said. “I am only shocked. Give me a moment, please.”

  Karma lay stiffly in his arms. “To have a child with you, my valia, will be the most beautiful of events. I cannot think of anything I want more for us.”

  Karma’s gaze softened. “But I cannot lie to you, nor do I want to.” Her eyes narrowed again. “It frightens me,” he admitted. “I would have you safe in the palace, looked after by the best physicians, where there is every comfort and no danger. Knowing that you, the most precious person in my world, are in danger all of the time is difficult enough. Now it is not only you, but our child who I will fear for each and every minute of each and every day. Please understand that.”