“Is that not obvious?” Nikura asked in return.
“If it was, I wouldn’t have asked the question,” she replied.
Nikura gazed at her for a long moment, then yawned. “I keep forgetting you are not of Rathira,” he said. Karma knew that was as close to an apology as he was going to give her. “I am sure you remember Techu Samyi telling you that demons had passed into Rathira for some time before the tear was blocked.”
“Of course,” Karma replied.
“Well, didn’t you wonder what happened to those demons that reached Rathira?”
“Not really,” Karma said with a shrug. “I assumed they’d been destroyed.”
“You assumed incorrectly,” Nikura said. “You do that quite often, I’ve noticed.”
Karma stared at him, one brow arched, but said nothing.
“It is true that many of them were destroyed,” Nikura said with what sounded suspiciously like a sigh, “but it is equally true that many of them were not.”
“You’re saying that the harpies are demons,” Karma said.
“Yes,” Nikura replied. “They have the ability to blend in with their surroundings, which makes them very difficult to spot until they are upon you. And they fly, which men do not. Because of this, it was not possible to eradicate them, though the effort was made. They have lived and bred on Rathira for a thousand years now, but they are still demons, and their loyalty is for their own kind.”
“Are there others?” Karma asked, already knowing the answer.
“Of course. Rathira is a large world with a sparse population of humans and other sentient races. I’ve no doubt that there are demons here that we have no idea of.”
“Aside from harpies, which ones inhabit the desert?” Karma asked. She wanted an idea of what to look for. She didn’t want to be caught by surprise like that again.
“Sand worms, blood snakes, fire ghosts,” Nikura said, “to name a few.”
“Do they want to destroy the Ti-Ank, or can they use it somehow?”
Nikura’s ears cocked back the way they did when he was considering something. “I cannot think of a way in which the demons might use it,” he said finally. “However, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t one. Destroying it would be quite devastating enough though.”
“In that case, wouldn’t it be wiser for me to tuck it away in a pocket instead of carrying it around for everyone to see?”
“When you become more skilled with the Ti-Ank, which may take quite a long time if you do not begin practicing with it, you will find that it is more powerful than you imagine. There are some demons which the Ti-Ank will warn you of ahead of time. Others may be harmed only by the Ti-Ank. Further, the mere presence of the Ti-Ank may ward off some demons altogether.”
Karma nodded, but she sensed there was more to it than what he was telling her. She thought about it for a few moments before sending her thoughts to Nikura rather than speaking them aloud.
“If I hide the Ti-Ank, rather than carry it boldly, it will be seen as a sign of weakness.”
Nikura stood up, then rubbed his head against her hip in the first affectionate gesture she’d received from him. Then he leapt nine feet straight up to the cushion on the saddle of his diplo, turned around and lay down.
“You will do,” he said softly. Then he closed his eyes and went to sleep.
Karma turned to look at Kapia, noticing for the first time that several of the warriors had turned to watch as she spoke with Nikura. She felt a little self-conscious, though she wasn’t sure why. Talking with Nikura was the reason she was here in the first place, or at least one of them, so it wasn’t exactly a secret. After a few moments the warriors bowed solemnly to her, then turned to face outward again.
She watched as the one called Sir Bredon spoke to one of their guards, then approached them. He was the one that had been watching Kapia on the boat the day before. She recognized the name, and the short red hair, though close up she saw that he had pale skin with a smattering of freckles, and green eyes that couldn’t seem to stop drifting toward Princess Kapia.
“It is an honor to hold your safety in our hands, Lady Techu,” Sir Bredon said with a brief bow. “And yours as well, Cousin Kapia.”
Karma was beginning to feel a little exasperated by all of the bowing and Lady Techu-ing, but she did her best to hide it as she watched Kapia smile shyly at Sir Bredon. She seemed to want to say something, but apparently she got tongue-tied. After a few moments Karma decided to rescue her.
“Sir Bredon, I would like to talk to Kapia alone for a moment, if you will excuse us.”
“Certainly, Lady Techu,” Sir Bredon replied, speaking to her even though his eyes remained on Kapia. Karma watched him walk away, then glance back at Kapia with a smile before turning his attention to another Hunter.
“Kapia,” Karma said, stepping closer to the Princess. “I was just thinking, those tents we have are awfully big for one person. It’s going to be difficult for five warriors to guard them both.”
Kapia’s eyes lit with understanding. “You suggest we share a tent?”
“Yes,” Karma replied. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s an excellent idea,” Kapia said. “In fact, I would very much enjoy sharing a tent with you.”
“Good,” Karma said with a smile. “I would enjoy your company as well. The tent I used last night had three large sections in it. That’s enough for each of us to have our own sleeping chamber, and we can use the third as a common room. Caral and Lashi can cook our meals together, saving further resources, and, if you have no objection, they can sleep there rather than in the common tents. They are the only females among the servants, and I’d feel more comfortable knowing they were safe with us.”
“I think that’s an excellent plan,” Kapia said. “I should have thought of that myself, and I confess that I’m ashamed that I didn’t.”
“It doesn’t matter which of us thought of it,” Karma insisted. “It matters only that we do it.”
“Let’s do it then,” Kapia said. “I’ll go speak with Caral and Lashi about it right now so that they can inform the tent setters.”
Karma watched Kapia as she politely made her way between two of the Hunters, who immediately followed after her. The remaining warriors tightened their circle around Karma. She gritted her teeth and deliberately thought of the harpies attacking her.
A few moments later Zakiel returned. “Where is Kapia?” he asked, looking around in alarm when he realized she wasn’t with Karma.
“She’s speaking with our attendants,” Karma said. She explained her tent sharing idea, hoping that he wouldn’t be offended by it.
“That is a most thoughtful idea,” he said, surprising her. “You are correct that it will be much easier for the guards to watch over one tent. I will also feel better knowing that the two of you are together.”
Karma saw the worry in his eyes, though he tried to hide it with his usual cool expression and polite smile. She thought she might be beginning to understand this man.
“Was it bad?” she asked in a low voice.
Zakiel’s first impulse was to lie to her. After all, what good could come from such news? But the lie stuck in his throat, refusing to be uttered. For the first time in his life, he wanted to share his true feelings with another person. With a woman. With this woman.
“Yes,” he said, keeping his voice very low so only she could hear him. “We lost two drovers, and two servants, all acting as storm lookouts. They were taken by surprise, as were we all.”
“Storm lookout?” Karma asked.
“Sand storms in the desert can be deadly,” Zakiel replied. “The sooner we are forewarned, the more time we have to prepare shelter. Storm lookouts ride along the tops of the highest dunes so that they can see as far as possible. All four of those lost were youngsters, fifteen and sixteen years of age.”
“I’m sorry,” Karma said softly. “I can see how difficult it is for you.”
“I thank you for that, Lady Techu
,” Zakiel replied, soothed by her honest sincerity.
“You blame yourself for the losses, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do,” Zakiel said. “I am in charge of this quest, and being in charge means being responsible. I should have expected the possibility of attack so soon.”
Karma thought of a lot of things to say, but held her tongue. From the expression on his face, he didn’t want to be placated. “Will we be stopping now or will we continue?”
“We cannot afford to waste half a day’s travel,” Zakiel said. “We must continue.”
“I agree,” Karma said. “I know it must be difficult for those who’ve lost people they care about, but I don’t think we can afford to waste the remainder of this day.”
“Shall I assist you to your saddle?”
“Yes, please,” Karma said. “Although, I do wonder why you don’t have stirrups on these saddles. It would make it a lot easier to get up.”
“What is a stirrup?” Zakiel asked as he walked with her to Dippy’s side.
Karma frowned as she tried to think of how to best describe a stirrup. “Imagine wide straps with a loop at the bottom that hang down from each side of the saddle,” she said after a moment. “You can step into a loop to help you get onto the saddle, and it gives you a place to put her feet once you’re up there.”
“Interesting,” Zakiel said thoughtfully. “I will discuss this with the drovers. Are you ready?”
“Yes,” Karma said, turning to face the diplo with the staff firmly in one hand.
Even though she was expecting it, the feel of Zakiel’s warm hands around her waist still sent a warm shiver through her. She swung her leg over the saddle and settled herself, taking a moment to slip the staff into the loops while she waited for her blush to fade.
“Thank you,” she said, turning her face toward him only when she felt the heat in her cheeks cool.
“You are most welcome, Lady Techu,” he said, for once not fighting the smile he felt on his lips. He only wished the lingering sensation of her soft skin would not fade from his fingertips.
As he stepped away, he decided to give a bit more thought to suggesting stirrups to the drovers. They would surely make it easier for the women to get up and down from the saddle, but it would also prevent him from having a good reason to actually touch Karma...no...Lady Techu.
“Brother,” Kapia said as she stepped through the circle of warriors. “Are we leaving now?”
“Yes, we need to travel a few more hours before we stop,” Zakiel said.
“Was it bad?” she asked softly. It did not escape him that Kapia used the same words and tone that Karma had used. He smiled gently at her.
“Not too bad, no,” he said, telling her the lie that he had not been able to tell Karma. “Come on, let’s get you onto your saddle.”
A moment later Kapia was mounted and Zakiel leapt astride his own diplo and trotted to the front of the line. Kapia guided Goldy closer to Dippy as soon as the caravan began moving again. They watched silently as nearly a dozen Hunters surrounded them, far more than the assigned five. Karma knew there was nothing they could do but accept it. At least they maintained a polite distance so that the women could talk privately if they wanted to.
“It was bad, wasn’t it?” Kapia asked in a low voice when she was certain she would not be overheard.
Karma hesitated. “Kapia,” she said after a few moments, “you are, at sixteen, a young woman. It is easy for me to see you as such because I have only known you as you are now. I see your intelligence, your maturity, and your common sense. Your brother, on the other hand, still sees you as his baby sister. I don’t know when, or if that will change. I know that must be difficult for you, and I am sorry. Even so, I’m afraid that when he says something to me in confidence, even if I believe it is something you are well able to understand, it would be dishonest of me to contradict his wishes behind his back.”
“I understand,” Kapia said, making an effort to look less disappointed than she felt. “I do wish that Zakiel would see me as other than a child. But, at the same time, I’m glad that you would not speak behind my brother’s back, even to me.”
“Thank you for understanding,” Karma said. “In return, I promise that if the opportunity arises I will do what I can to get your brother to see you as you are now, rather than as the child you once were.”
Chapter 12
Prince Zakiel called a halt for the day an hour before sunset, much to everyone’s relief. Their first full day in the saddle had been long and stressful, and everyone was ready to see an end to it. As soon as Karma and Kapia had their feet on the ground, the drovers came to take their diplos away. They had nothing to do then but wait for their tent to be erected, and for Caral and Lashi to set up their beds and prepare dinner.
“Let’s spar now,” Karma said to Kapia.
“Now?” Kapia asked, looking around nervously. “In front of everyone?”
“Yes, now,” Karma replied. “This is the perfect time for it.”
She looked around and spotted an area of what looked like firm, smooth sand nearby and led Kapia over to it. She removed the ankh from the end of her staff and put it into her pocket, then took up a basic stance, her staff held at an angle in front of her.
Kapia stood a few feet away, her staff held loosely in her hands as she glanced back and forth from the camp to Karma and back again.
“Kapia,” Karma said, waiting for the girl to focus on her. “There is not a single Hunter over there who hasn’t had to work very hard to learn to use his weapons. Furthermore, I am sure that they all continue to work at it regularly in order to maintain their skills. I doubt they will think twice about seeing two people spar. If anything, they will respect you for the effort you put into it.”
Kapia took a deep breath and nodded, then set her feet and held her staff properly. Karma didn’t want to give her any more time to think about the people around them, so she immediately stepped forward and swung her staff toward Kapia. She kept her movements slow, but not too slow, wanting Kapia to react rather than think. She was pleased to note that between her concern over being watched, and the effort required to block Karma’s attacks, Kapia was forgetting whatever nonsense she’d been taught that had been interfering with her progress. Instead of the stiff, wooden motions she’d been using, her natural sense of balance took over and, as Karma had suspected, she soon flowed easily back and forth over the sand.
When they were finished, Karma and Kapia were both surprised to hear a chorus of approvals from the Hunters who had gathered around to watch them. Kapia flushed red, but she was smiling happily.
“I did better, didn’t I?” she asked Karma, barely containing her surprise and excitement.
“You did wonderfully,” Karma said. “I think you have a natural talent for the staff.”
Kapia blinked several times, then stepped forward and threw her arms around Karma in a quick hug. “Thank you, Karma,” she whispered.
Karma returned the hug, then released Kapia so she could go to her brother who was waiting nearby with some well deserved praise. Karma watched the happy scene for a moment, then headed for their tent.
As much as she wished for a bath, she was happy for the damp cloth Lashi gave her to wash her face and hands with. Using even that minute amount of water for washing was a luxury that she was fairly sure few of her fellow travelers would be offered. As much as Karma didn’t want to take advantage if her position, she couldn’t bring herself to decline the opportunity to wash her face.
After she changed her clothes and brushed out her hair in her chamber, she went into the front chamber of the tent and sat down on one of the cushions laid out for her and Kapia. She accepted a cup of hot tea from Lashi while she waited for Kapia to join her for dinner.
“Sorry I’m late,” Kapia said as she hurried from her own chamber and took the cushion opposite Karma. “I was talking with Zakiel.”
Karma waved her hand. “Don’t worry about it,” she said. �
��I’m in no rush.”
Kapia smiled as Caral and Lashi served them, and both women dug into their dinners hungrily. When they were finished, Caral refilled their tea cups before she and Lashi settled down to eat their own dinners, and Kapia and Karma relaxed.
“I’m so glad you thought of us sharing a tent,” Kapia said. “This is much nicer than being alone all the time.”
“I agree,” Karma replied. “I’m glad I thought of it too.”
Kapia smiled, but Karma saw that she had something more serious on her mind. She sipped her tea, waiting patiently.
“Karma, I’m sure you noticed that I forgot to use some of the things I was taught about balance and movement today while we were sparring,” she began, her eyes on her cup. “In fact, now that I think about it, I see that you were hoping for that.”
She glanced up, but Karma said nothing. She wanted the girl to figure it out for herself.
“Obviously Marene sabotaged my efforts to learn to dance,” Kapia said, her voice going cold, reminding Karma of Zakiel. But the coldness did not last long. “What I don’t understand is, why?” she asked plaintively. “Why would she do such a thing?”
“I’m afraid I don’t have an answer for that,” Karma said. “But, before we condemn her completely, why don’t you tell me some of the things she taught you. Maybe you implemented them incorrectly, or had a difficult time doing things the way she tried to teach you.”
Kapia’s head came up and she nodded slowly. “All right, that’s fair,” she agreed. “One of the first things she taught me, and she said this over and over so many times that I know I didn’t misunderstand her, was that I should always keep the center of my balance in my heels.”
“In your heels?” Karma asked with disbelief. “You’re sure of that?”
“Positive,” Kapia said. “I always felt it should be the balls of my feet, but she was very...strident...about it.”
“That explains a lot,” Karma said, feeling bad for Kapia. It was easy to see that, at the tender age of twelve, Kapia must have looked up to Marene. How could she not have? Marene was the only woman in her life, and she was beautiful, graceful and self-confident. All things that any young girl would want to look up to and emulate. Growing up enough to realize that Marene was not a nice person didn’t change the fact that this had to hurt.
Quest for the Moon Orb: Orbs of Rathira Page 16