Quest for the Moon Orb: Orbs of Rathira

by Laura Jo Phillips

  Zakiel shook his head. This woman continually surprised him. Was there no end to her talents? “Where did you go?” Zakiel wondered.

  “I sold the jewels, bought passage to Earth, and went to school, which was what I’d always wanted to do. The money from the jewels was more than enough for me to live comfortably and pay for my education. Eventually I earned a degree and was able to teach children, which I loved.”

  “Were you happy?” Zakiel asked.

  “Mostly,” Karma said. “Happier than I would have been living in a harem on New Levant.”

  “Yes, I imagine so,” Zakiel said, trying to return her smile. It was difficult for him just to hear about all she had been through.

  “I loved the children,” Karma continued. “I was lonely, of course. It was hard learning to live in a culture so different from what I grew up in. It took me years to begin feeling comfortable, and I was always afraid my father would find me and force me to return. Eventually I got up the nerve to make some careful inquiries and learned that my family had disowned me.” Karma shrugged. “At least I knew they weren’t looking for me, so I no longer had that worry.”

  “I commend you, Lady Techu, for taking your life in your own hands,” Zakiel said. “I cannot imagine the courage it must have taken for a sixteen year old to do what you did.”

  “I am not so sure about the courage,” Karma laughed ruefully. “I was terrified, hurt and angry. I believe those are the emotions that fueled my actions more than any others.”

  Zakiel nodded. He had a warrior’s understanding of courage, and knew that fear, anger and pain were generally the emotions behind acts seen by others as courageous.

  “So how is it that you came to be here, on Rathira?” he asked.

  “That, Prince Zakiel, is a story for another time,” she said with a smile.

  “I hope that you do not regret confiding in me, Lady Techu,” Zakiel said.

  She looked at him in surprise. “Not at all,” she said. “In fact, I thank you for listening to my sad and sordid story. I have never told anyone before, and in a strange way, it felt good to share it after so many years of silence.”

  “I am glad you chose to share it with me,” Zakiel said, gazing into her eyes for a long moment.

  Karma felt held by the warmth in Zakiel’s gaze, and had no desire to break away from it until she heard soft, feminine laughter nearby. She blinked, then turned to watch Kapia and Bredon for a moment. They sat on the opposite side of the fire, their heads together as they talked softly.

  “I believe it is time that Kapia and I said goodnight,” she said. She didn’t really want to break up their conversation, but she had promised to look after Kapia, and it was getting too late for them to remain without it raising eyebrows.

  “Yes, I believe you are correct, as much as I would wish otherwise,” Zakiel said, following Karma’s gaze. He rose to his feet and held a hand out to Karma, who took it. Their movements were noticed by Bredon and Kapia, and Karma was relieved to see them rise as well rather than force her to interrupt them.

  “Thank you for joining us tonight, Lady Techu,” Zakiel said. “I enjoyed our time together greatly.”

  Karma felt her heart speed up, but she wasn’t quite ready to let him see how much his words meant to her. “Just remember,” she said with a grin, “next time, you get to tell me the story of your life.”

  “In that case I shall have to think of ways to make it seem more exciting,” he said, returning her grin. “Otherwise I risk putting you to sleep.”

  Karma laughed, happy that he seemed to understand her need to end the evening on a lighter note. A moment later Kapia and Bredon joined them, and after saying their goodnights, the women returned to their tent.

  “Goodnight, Karma,” Kapia said softly. Karma saw the stars in the girl’s eyes and knew how she felt. She wanted to get into her bed so she could replay the evening herself.

  “Goodnight, Kapia,” she replied. “Sweet dreams.”

  Kapia grinned then stepped into her chamber, leaving Karma to do the same.

  Chapter 14

  The caravan got a late start the next morning, but nobody minded. After hot baths, laundered clothes, and the relief of having all of their water replenished, there was a lightened mood throughout the line. Even the diplos were high spirited after filling themselves with fresh water and grazing on the lush foliage around the pond.

  “Did you have a good time last night?” Karma asked Kapia once they were back in the saddle and moving again, retracing their steps from the day before.

  “I had a wonderful time,” Kapia said, smiling happily. “Did you?”

  Karma nodded, but kept her smile to herself. Her opinion of Zakiel had changed greatly over the past couple of weeks but she had no intention of discussing that with Kapia.

  “Bredon seemed to enjoy himself as well,” she said, keeping the subject on Kapia rather than herself.

  “Yes, I thought he seemed happy,” Kapia agreed shyly. “I only wish....”

  “What do you wish?” Karma asked.

  “I only wish I were older,” Kapia said in a low voice, dropping her eyes.

  “Do not wish that,” Karma said, laughing. “Why would you wish away a single precious day of your life?”

  Kapia looked at her in surprise.

  “Everything happens in its own time,” Karma said. “Do not waste your days wishing them away, as that is a wish that will not be granted until you step into the Beyond.”

  “Good morning, Princess, Lady Techu,” Sir Bredon said, reining his diplo in beside Kapia.

  “Good morning, Sir Bredon,” Karma replied, noting that Bredon barely glanced at her. He only had eyes for Kapia. Karma smiled to herself and turned her face forward to allow them as much privacy as she could. She knew that he would not stay long, and when she heard him leave only a couple of minutes later, she wasn’t surprised. What did surprise her was the expression on Kapia’s face when she turned to look at her.

  “What’s wrong?” Karma asked quickly. Kapia’s face was flushed, her eyes bright with unshed tears.

  “Nothing is wrong,” Kapia said in a shaky voice. “I’m just surprised, and so very happy.” Kapia blinked rapidly but that didn’t stop the tears from streaming down her face.

  “Kapia, if you don’t tell me what’s going on, I shall call your brother,” Karma said, worried in spite of Kapia’s words.

  “Didn’t you see Bredon’s egora?” Kapia asked, smiling brightly.

  “His what?” Karma asked, relieved to see that Kapia was happy, but completely stumped as to the source of her happiness.

  “His egora,” Kapia replied, reaching up with one hand to touch her upper arm. “His status band, on his arm.”

  “The leather thing that all the men wear, with the beads?” Karma asked. Kapia nodded quickly, swiping the tears from her cheeks as she continued smiling.

  “I noticed they all wear them, but I have no idea what they are, or what they mean,” Karma said. “I didn’t even know they had a meaning.”

  Kapia laughed. “I’m sorry, Karma, of course you don’t know, how could you know? They are called egora, status bands. All men wear one. The beads display important information about the wearer. The order and color of the beads can sometimes be very complicated and intricate, but there are basics that everyone understands. Even the color of the band has meaning.”

  “Such as?” Karma asked, intrigued by this. She had thought the arm bands to be a embellishment or perhaps a stylish affectation. She’d never imagined they had meaning.

  “Hunters wear black leather bands, as you can see,” Kapia explained, waving toward the guards surrounding them. “Priests wear white leather, farmers tan, merchants green, physicians red and so on. You can tell a man’s profession simply by the color of the band he wears.”

  “Interesting,” Karma said. “And the beads?”

  “Different beads indicate different things. Rank, status, experience, age, accomplishments, even whether
a man is married, and how many children he has.”

  “That’s a lot of information to wear on your arm,” Karma said.

  “Such things are important to us,” Kapia said earnestly. “Very important. If two men meet, and one treats the other without the proper respect due his rank, it could cost him his life. Much better to know up front who you are talking to.”

  “Okay that makes sense, but why indicate marriage and children? Surely that can’t have anything to do with rank?”

  “No, but it’s important nonetheless,” Kapia replied. “What if a woman flirts with a man, only to discover too late that he is spoken for? The damage to her reputation for coveting the husband of another woman would be irreparable. No respectable man of any position or rank would ever want such a woman as wife. Much better, and safer, for everyone to know these things before they act.”

  “I grew up in a culture that was fairly strict about such things, so I understand it to a point,” Karma said. “But I am beginning to see that your culture is much stricter about some things than mine was.”

  “Yes, very strict,” Kapia agreed solemnly. “It’s important to be careful of what you do or say until you know one’s status. That is why men wear the egora.”

  “What about women?” Karma asked. “Do they also wear such things?”

  “No, women are more subtle than men,” Kapia said with a grin. “A married woman always wears her marriage bracelets whenever she is outside of her own home, or has guests in her home. That way, there is never any mistake about her marital status. Her mode of dress, the quality of her clothing and jewels serve to tell other women what they need to know about her. Her rank is easily indicated by her hair length, for example.”

  Karma nodded her understanding. “All right, now that you have explained the egora, will you tell me why you are so excited?”

  Kapia’s face instantly flushed pink. “Bredon is wearing a gold bead in his egora to indicate that he is in love, and spoken for.”

  Remembering the conversation she’d had just the day before with Zakiel, Karma wasn’t quite sure whether she should be happy or not. “Spoken for? Does that mean that you are engaged?”

  “Oh no,” Kapia replied anxiously. “That would not be at all appropriate! As much as I wish otherwise, I am not old enough to be engaged. Also, he would first need my father’s consent, and as Zakiel will be King, we will need his approval as well.”

  “Then what does it mean that he is spoken for?” Karma asked, relieved that Kapia wasn’t talking about marriage. At least, not yet.

  “It means that he has found a woman whom he loves, and who he hopes to make his wife one day,” Kapia explained.

  Karma smiled, happy for Kapia now that she understood. “Do you wear some sort of sign as well?”

  “No, women do not do such things,” Kapia replied, shocked at the idea.

  “Why not?”

  “Well,” Kapia said slowly, trying to think of a way to explain. She didn’t want Karma to think that they were foolish or backward people. “Until a woman is actually engaged, she is not spoken for. A man, on the other hand, declares himself spoken for in an attempt to let other men know his intentions toward a woman, in hopes that they will not compete with him for that woman. At the same time, he knows that should he wait too long, the woman is always free to choose another since she has made no commitment to him. This way a man cannot keep a woman waiting on him forever. He must make a decision, or risk losing her. If a woman actually declared herself to be in love, as a man does, it would be extremely difficult for her to change her mind later if the man keeps her waiting too long. No man wants an inconstant woman.”

  “If a man declares himself spoken for, and then changes his mind, doesn’t that make him appear inconstant as well?” Karma asked archly.

  “I suppose,” Kapia said slowly. “But men and women are different. When a man changes his mind at that point, it is assumed that the couple have decided they are not as compatible as they hoped, and that is the appropriate time to back away and try again. Even if the woman is the one who breaks it off, the man does her the courtesy of taking the responsibility for it to protect her reputation. On the other hand, if they are engaged and a man backs out, he may find it difficult to find another woman willing to engage with him. A man’s reputation is not as delicate as a woman’s, but it is important.”

  Karma wasn’t sure she fully understood the reasoning, but she was satisfied that there was reasoning. The one question that kept rising to the forefront of her thoughts was whether or not Zakiel had a gold bead on his egora. She thought she’d seen one, but she couldn’t be certain.

  If he did have one, then she had to assume that Marene’s hints regarding a relationship between herself and Zakiel were true after all. If that was the case, she had committed a serious breach of etiquette the night before, and since Marene had warned her, she didn’t even have the excuse of ignorance to fall back on.

  “Karma? Are you all right?” Kapia asked.

  “Yes, of course,” Karma replied. “Just thinking.”

  “I suppose you must think our customs rather backward and strange,” Kapia said. “

  “Not at all,” Karma replied. “Why do you say that?”

  “When Captain Singer, of the Welfare ship, visits us, she is always in the company of men, though she is not married,” Kapia said. “She told me that in her culture, and most others, women can be in the company of men whenever they choose, and it does not mean anything.”

  “Yes, that’s true on many worlds, in many cultures,” Karma replied. “But not all. The world I grew up on had customs more strict than those you have.”

  “Really?” Kapia asked in surprise. “But you seem so comfortable with men.” She blushed. “I apologize, Karma, that did not come out right.”

  “Don’t worry,” Karma said with a laugh. “I understand what you meant. To be honest, it took me many years of living on a world such as Captain Singer spoke of to become used to their more relaxed view of things.”

  “What were the customs like on your world?” Kapia asked.

  “Well, let me think,” Karma said, trying to come up with the most revealing example. “This should give you an idea. Where I was raised, it is not allowed for a woman to kiss a man she is not wed to under any circumstances,” Karma said. “A woman who does such a thing would be cast out, disowned, denied food, water and shelter for disgracing the good name of her family.”

  “That is worse even than my culture sees such things,” Kapia said. She blushed again, realizing what she’d said. “I’m sorry Karma, that was rude of me.”

  “Do not be sorry,” Karma said with a smile. “I see things differently now than I once did. I suppose the more relaxed customs rubbed off on me a little. I still live by the morals and beliefs I was raised with concerning relations with the opposite sex, but I no longer worry about speaking to men, or interacting with them. If I choose to kiss a man that I care for, I no longer view it as the sin I was raised to believe it to be. Besides, who is there to cast me out? I’ve made my own way since I was your age, and have no one to answer to but myself.”

  Kapia smiled, glad that she had not offended Karma, but hiding her surprise at her last remark. She couldn’t imagine what it must have been like to be on her own at such a young age. She wanted to ask about it, but felt that she had pried quite enough for one day.

  “So, is it acceptable to offer my congratulations to you and Sir Bredon?” Karma asked, changing the subject.

  “Yes, and thank you, Karma,” Kapia said, her eyes shining once again as she thought of Bredon. “I cannot tell you how happy I am. I surely never expected him to take such a step until I turned seventeen at the least, and I was in no way sure of that.”

  “Sir Bredon seems a very nice man,” Karma said. “I hope everything works out between you the way you would wish.”

  Kapia opened her mouth to say something, but Karma never learned what it was. At that moment, there was a loud
screech, followed by a chorus of shouts and roars from the Hunters up and down the line. Karma turned in her saddle and saw harpies flying overhead, too high for the archers to reach with their arrows. She glanced at Kapia, relieved to see that Sir Bredon had already pulled her from the saddle and was leaping to the ground with her in his arms.

  “Get under there and do not come out,” he ordered firmly, pushing her beneath Goldy just as Prince Zakiel reined his mount to a skidding halt beside Dippy and began shouting for Karma to do the same.

  “Ignore the harpies,” Nikura said as he leapt from his platform onto Dippy’s back, just behind Karma’s saddle. “The real danger is ahead. Hurry!!”

  Karma didn’t pause to question Nikura. She urged Dippy to a run, ignoring Zakiel’s shouts as she slipped between the distracted guards and raced toward the front of the line and beyond.

  “What’s going on?” she asked Nikura, bending low over Dippy’s neck in an effort to provide less of a target for the harpies in case they came in from behind her.

  “The harpies are a diversion,” Nikura said, sounding tense for the first time since she’d known him. “The real threat is a far more dangerous beast. It followed our trail from yesterday.”

  “If it’s so dangerous, why are we racing toward it instead of away from it?” Karma asked just as Zakiel caught up with her.

  “What are you doing?” he shouted as they ran.

  Karma gestured toward Nikura, but didn’t answer as she listened to Nikura’s response.

  “Because if it is not stopped before it reaches the caravan, many lives will be lost,” Nikura said. “And you, Lady Techu, have the best chance of killing it.”

  “And how am I supposed to do that?” Karma asked, her heart suddenly pounding so hard she feared it would burst from her chest. Speaking to the dead and listening to a Sphin were one thing, but fighting dangerous beasts? She didn’t remember that being in the job description.

  “With the Ti-Ank, of course,” Nikura replied.