Quest for the Moon Orb: Orbs of Rathira

by Laura Jo Phillips

  Karma got up and wandered toward the front of the boat where she leaned against the railing. A short distance ahead of them the width of the river doubled, then tripled before splitting around a large island. It was set exactly in the center of the river, an oasis of lush, green foliage with buildings peeking out from among the trees and bushes.

  “Look at that, Aisling,” Karma said, pointing toward the island. Aisling joined her at the railing and smiled.

  As they drew closer to the island they noticed that all of the boats on the river kept a good distance away from it as they traveled along the two forks of the river around it.

  “That island is called Ka-Teru, the Soul of the River,” Captain Singer said, joining them at the railing. “That’s where the royal city is located.”

  “Is that where we’re going?” Aisling asked.

  “Yes,” Captain Singer replied. “If we were not on a royal barge, marked with a golden deck, we would never be allowed within fifty yards of the island.

  “What would happen if one of those boats got too close?” Karma asked.

  “I do not know,” Captain Singer replied. “Nor do I want to.”

  “That sounds ominous,” Aisling said. “Are these violent people?”

  “No more violent than most,” Captain Singer replied. “The people of Isiben use a system of knowledge levels. Those who live on the island are of the first level, and they are very careful about who they allow to visit. The punishment for anyone stepping foot on the island, or even attempting to approach it without permission is, I am told, quite severe.”

  “Is there a city for those who do not live on the island?” Aisling asked.

  “Yes,” Captain Singer replied. “The city of Ausar is situated on the east bank of the river after the forks merge about two miles north of the island.”

  As they neared the island the boat veered slightly, then slipped into a canal that was largely hidden behind a u-shaped rock outcropping. As the boat passed into the canal, they saw a tall stele set into the rock at the edge of the water that had writing carved into it. Karma stared at it, but it was gibberish to her.

  “I can’t figure out what that says,” Aisling said, surprising Karma. Aisling had a knack for languages that rarely failed her.

  “The writing is Rathirian script,” Captain Singer said. “They write from right to left, but I cannot tell you what it says.”

  Aisling frowned as she studied the stele again.

  “It still doesn’t work,” she said.

  “Try reversing the letters in the words themselves,” Torl suggested.

  Aisling frowned at Torl. “Why would someone go to such lengths to make a sign post so difficult to read?”

  “It’s a common practice on worlds that have different levels of knowledge for different classes of people,” Torl explained. “They tend to take great pains to hide the highest level of writing and knowledge from the masses. It increases their mystery.”

  Aisling looked back at the stele. After a few moments, she began to read aloud:

  “Ka-Teru, Sacred City of King Rhobar, founded by King Arth-Mar, the Builder, in the ninth year of the Third Dynasty, in whose honor this marker was erected. This city is protected by the Gods of Ank-Teru, whose wrath shall be avenged by the glorious Knights of Rathira.”

  Karma gasped as they passed the stele and rounded a bend. The canal opened into a broad marina that was thick with boats, most of them tied to short docks like the one they’d use to board earlier, a few of them drifting casually along the line of docks. The boats were in a rainbow of colors, some with stripes, some solid, but all of them had stylized figures of some sort depicted along their bows. Even as colorful and interesting as the boats were, they paled in comparison to the sight of the buildings along the banks.

  From what Karma could see through the heavy foliage, the buildings appeared to be either square or rectangular, with flat roofs and tall columns holding up deep overhangs that shaded the doors and windows. The buildings seemed huge, even from a distance, much taller than anything she’d seen outside of a modern city.

  About half way into the marina the boat turned toward a dock that was much larger than the rest. There were several boats tied to it, with one empty spot near the end. As their boat floated gently toward the empty slip, a procession of people came rushing between two buildings. A large man with a gray beard wearing a red cloak trimmed in gold led the party onto the dock.

  “That’s King Rhobar,” Captain Singer said in surprise. The Gryphons nudged Karma and Aisling back from the railing, and they all waited respectfully as they watched the group hurry toward them.

  “Lo, Captain Singer, I ask for your aid,” King Rhobar shouted before he reached them.

  “Certainly, Highness,” Captain Singer agreed at once. “How can I be of assistance?”

  “My daughter was out fishing this morning and her retinue was attacked,” King Rhobar said, stopping beside their boat. He was close enough now that they could easily see the man’s real distress. “One maid survived long enough to tell us that Princess Kapia was taken. We do not know by whom, but we know from the tracks they left behind that they were riding on machines that go very fast. Hunters track them, but they cannot hope to catch up to them before they leave Isiben. I ask that you use your machines to help us rescue my daughter.”

  Karma glanced at Aisling, then the Gryphons. They were all thinking the same thing. Those who had taken the Princess were surely led by the man they were after.

  Olaf bowed to King Rhobar. “Forgive me, Highness, for interrupting,” he said. “I am Olaf Gryphon. My brothers and I would offer our assistance in this matter.”

  King Rhobar looked at Olaf with hope in his faded brown eyes. “Do you have devices such as Captain Singer?”

  “Highness,” Captain Singer said, “I am willing to offer all the help I can, but I believe that the Gryphons would be of far more immediate use to Your Majesty. They are shifters, and can fly like the birds in the sky.”

  “I will take whatever assistance I can get if it will bring my daughter back to me,” King Rhobar said.

  “Can you tell us where she was last seen?” Olaf asked.

  King Rhobar waved another man forward who immediately gave Olaf the information he asked for.

  “What does your daughter look like, please?” Rand Gryphon asked King Rhobar while Olaf listened to the other man.

  “Kapia is sixteen years old,” King Rhobar said, his voice breaking. He swallowed hard and squared his shoulders. “She has long black hair, to her waist, and was wearing a brown and silver day dress.”

  Olaf finished talking to King Rhobar’s man and turned to face his brothers, Rand and Rudy. Before he had a chance to say anything Aisling stepped forward.

  “I’m coming with you,” she said. “This girl is going to be terrified of you three.”

  Karma turned her head to hide her smile at the Gryphon’s expressions. Aisling was the first friend she had allowed herself to make in many years, and she knew her well. If the Gryphons thought to treat her like a delicate flower, they were in for a surprise because Aisling would not stand for it. She was generous, kind, and the best of friends, but she was also tougher than kevlex, very independent, and more than capable of taking care of herself.

  “Very well,” Olaf agreed after only a brief hesitation. Karma was impressed. He’d given in quickly and with good grace.

  “Karma,” Olaf said, “if you, Captain Singer and Torl would be so good as to move to one end of the boat, I believe we have enough room to shift here.”

  The three immediately did as Olaf asked, moving to the corner where the cat still sat, watching the activities with an air of boredom. Olaf walked to the center of the boat deck leapt upward, transforming from a man into a huge half eagle, half lion beast with wings that looked just a bit short for it’s size. There was a gasp of surprise from the people on the dock, but Karma barely noticed as she watched her friend walk to the middle of the deck. Aisling to
ok a few moments longer to transform, but she was new at it, and Karma was proud of her. After Aisling flew skyward, Rand, and finally Rudy transformed and joined Olaf and Aisling as they circled low over the harbor.

  Karma watched King Rhobar as he watched the gryphons circle overhead, then speed off to the north. When they were out of sight there was a collective sigh from the men on the dock. King Rhobar looked over at Captain Singer, who offered him a reassuring smile.

  “Do not worry, Highness, the Gryphons are honorable warriors. They will find and return your daughter.”

  “I thank you, Captain Singer,” King Rhobar said as he eyed the remaining people on the boat. “Are you also able to transform yourselves into beasts such as those?”

  “No, we are not,” Captain Singer replied. “We three are human. The Gryphons are Clan Jasani, all of whom are shifters.”

  If Karma hadn’t been watching for it, she would have missed the tiny sigh of relief from King Rhobar. She didn’t really blame him. It wasn’t every day you saw four perfectly human looking people turn into impossibly huge half lion, half eagle beasts and fly away before your eyes.

  “Come,” King Rhobar said after one last glance into the northern sky, “let us return to the palace and await the Gryphons’ return with Princess Kapia.”

  Karma watched as two tall men with deeply tanned skin, wearing nothing more than a thin white cloth wrapped around their waists, quickly tied the boat to the dock. As soon as they were finished, the Sphin leapt easily off the boat, followed by Captain Singer. Karma went next, then Torl.

  As soon as they were all on the dock, King Rhobar gestured to the dozen or so guards standing politely behind him. They immediately surrounded the small party.

  “As your friends seek to rescue my daughter, so shall I see to your safety and care,” King Rhobar said. Then he turned around and led them off the dock, up a wide stone ramp and onto a street paved with large blocks of stone cut so precisely that there was no gap between them. There were wood and stone buildings lining both sides of the street, most of them shops from what Karma could tell as they hurried by. She thought it might be interesting to explore the city, but now was obviously not the time for it. There were quite a few people out and about, but the overall feeling was subdued and quiet.

  They were walking so quickly, and she was surrounded by so many of King Rhobar’s guards, that she couldn’t really see much more of the city than those first vague impressions. Until they rounded a corner and she looked up to see what had to be the royal palace. The building was immense, with massive pillars of stone along its front. The walk leading toward the main entrance was at least thirty feet wide, and paved with polished red stone. On either side of the walk way, spaced about fifteen feet apart, were dozens of statues leading from the main road all the way to the palace. Each one was at least 25 feet tall and depicted a different being or creature. Some appeared human, some partly human, and some so alien that Karma couldn’t begin to guess what they were.

  “This place reminds me so much of Ancient Egypt it’s uncanny,” Karma said to Captain Singer.

  “Yes, that was my thought the first time I came here as well,” Captain Singer replied.

  “What is Ancient Egypt?” King Rhobar asked, surprising Karma. She didn’t think he would be listening to anything she had to say, though he was only a couple of paces ahead of them.

  “It was a civilization on Earth in ancient times,” Karma replied. “The country was much like this, desert with a river running through it. They made extensive use of stone to build their cities, much like you do. The pyramids they built from huge blocks of stone still stand today, as do giant statues, tombs, and buildings. On Earth they are still regarded as wonders of the world.”

  “Interesting,” King Rhobar said as they reached the end of the long walkway and began climbing a broad set of stone steps leading up to a long narrow plaza. By the time they finally reached the entrance to the palace, Karma was ready to sit down and take a rest.

  King Rhobar led them through a wide, arched doorway and into the palace itself. It took a few moments for Karma’s eyes to adjust after the bright sunlight but when she was able to see clearly, she gasped softly at her surroundings. The hall King Rhobar was leading them down was very wide and very high, but it was the walls that caused her to gasp. They were made of stone, and intricately carved with beautiful scenes from floor to ceiling. There were people, animals, birds, trees, plants, and fish. Too much to fully grasp as they hurried along. She promised herself that, if she were given the opportunity, she would come back here and spend time studying it.

  “The carvings in the Hall of People are not bad,” Nikura said. “Those in King Rhobar’s Audience Chamber are much nicer.”

  Karma glanced down at the Sphin who was walking beside her. “Let me guess, Nikura,” she said, “there are Sphin on the walls there, right?”

  “Of course,” Nikura replied.

  Karma’s laugh died in her throat as King Rhobar stopped and spun around, an expression of shock on his face as he stared at Karma, then the Sphin, then back to Karma. He opened his mouth to say something, looked at the crowd of people surrounding them and changed his mind. Without a word he turned back and continued to lead them down the hall, picking up the pace a bit.

  A few minutes later Karma, Captain Singer and Torl stood uncertainly in the middle of a large room with a throne at one end and not much else. King Rhobar had closed the doors firmly on the guards, leaving everyone else in the hall, except Nikura who sat beside Karma. Then he began to pace back and forth before the throne, his forehead wrinkled in thought. Karma glanced down at the Sphin, its head nearly at her waist, wondering why it seemed to be sticking close to her.

  “I’m sticking close to you because I find the fact that you can understand me interesting,” Nikura said, answering her silent question.

  “How did you know that’s what I was thinking?” she asked. “Can you read my mind?”

  Nikura looked up at her, one ear cocked back in expression of disdain. “Of course I can’t read your mind,” he said. “Even if I could, why would I?”

  “Then how did you know what I was thinking?”

  “I did not know what you were thinking,” Nikura replied. “You asked me a question, I answered it.”

  Karma thought about that as she watched the Sphin yawn widely, displaying an impressive number of sharp, white teeth. When she looked up she realized that King Rhobar, Captain Singer, and Torl were all staring at her. She was suddenly very glad that she wasn’t prone to blushing.

  “Excuse me,” she said. “That was probably rude.”

  King Rhobar studied her for a long moment. “May I ask your name, please?”

  “I am Karma Baraka.”

  “May I ask, is talking to animals a usual talent of yours?”

  “No, it’s not,” Karma replied. “This is definitely a first for me.”

  The Sphin’s ears flattened against his head and he growled softly. “I am not an animal.”

  Karma rolled her eyes at him. “Shush,” she said.

  “What did he say?” King Rhobar asked.

  “Please remember, this comes from him, not me,” Karma cautioned. King Rhobar nodded.

  “He insists, emphatically, that he is not an animal.”

  King Rhobar’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “If he is not an animal, then what is he?”

  “I am a Sphin,” Nikura said. “Are all humans so dense? I confess, I have known King Rhobar his entire life, and I have always thought him to be adequately intelligent for a human.”

  Karma cleared her throat in an effort to hide her desire to laugh. “He says that he is a Sphin.”

  “Why is a Sphin not an animal?” King Rhobar asked.

  “Because animals cannot talk to humans,” Nikura said in his snootiest tone yet.

  Karma wasn’t so sure about that. Princess Lariah was able to communicate with animals, but she didn’t think now was the time to bring that up. Instead, sh
e told King Rhobar what Nikura had said, leaving out the Sphin’s tone.

  “We have a legend that speaks of a woman who can speak with the Sphin,” King Rhobar said. “It is said that she had other gifts, special gifts, that were unique to her alone.”

  “What gifts?” Karma asked, sensing that King Rhobar was waiting for the question.

  “They varied,” King Rhobar replied vaguely. “Do you have other unusual abilities?”

  Karma nearly laughed. He refused to be forthcoming with her, but expected her to tell him her own secrets? Not hardly.

  “Good decision,” Nikura said.

  Karma frowned down at the Sphin but decided not to engage in further conversation with him at the moment. She’d had enough of the spotlight. She glanced back up at King Rhobar, the expression on his face reminding her that he had asked her a question.

  “That may depend on what one considers unusual,” she hedged. “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”

  “No, I do not mind,” King Rhobar replied, smiling reluctantly. There was something about this young woman that he liked, in spite of the glimpse of prickles and spines he’d just gotten. Or because of it.

  “What exactly is a Techu?”

  “Where did you hear that word?” King Rhobar asked.

  “Nikura,” Karma replied. “I asked him why I could hear him when no one else could, and he told me that if I were a Techu and had a...something...it would make sense, but as I didn’t, he didn’t know.”

  King Rhobar studied her for so long that she began to get uneasy. “A Techu is one who speaks for the dead,” he said finally. “We have not been graced with such for many generations. Too long, in truth. A Ti-Ank is the mark of a Techu. Literally, it means staff of life.”

  Karma’s heart skipped one beat, then another as her breath froze. She had almost expected that he would say something like that, but hearing the words was far more frightening than thinking them. Karma knew that King Rhobar was going to get suspicious if she didn’t say something soon, but she couldn’t force herself to breathe, let alone speak.