Quest for the Moon Orb: Orbs of Rathira

by Laura Jo Phillips

  “We will have to take the risk of doing this without closing our bond,” Zakiel said reluctantly. “We have no choice.”

  “In that case, perhaps you will not object to some assistance from me,” Cadusar Zabeth said, appearing above the table, her white hair drifting around her.

  “Greetings, Cadusar Zabeth,” Karma said in surprise. “That is a most thoughtful offer, but I must ask Zakiel.”

  Zabeth bowed her head regally in acquiescence.

  “Let me guess,” Zakiel said with a grin. “Cadusar Zabeth has offered to perform the marriage for us.”

  “Yes,” Karma replied. “Do you think it would be binding?”

  “If you use the Ti-Ank so that everyone can both see and hear her, it will not only be binding, but in many ways, appropriate,” Zakiel said with a sly grin. “If anyone objects, don’t forget, I am the Prince. I can order them to accept it.”

  Karma laughed as she turned back to Zabeth.

  “We are most honored by your offer, Cadusar Zabeth,” she said. “Should we do it now, or could you rejoin us this evening?”

  “This evening will be fine,” Zabeth replied, smiling as she faded away.

  “She will return this evening,” Karma said. “This is happening very fast.”

  “It cannot be fast enough for me,” Zakiel said. “I know it will not be fancy, but don’t forget, my father will certainly wish us to have a more formal ceremony when we return to Ka-Teru.”

  Karma smiled. “I do not need fancy, Zakiel, I need only you.”

  “Excuse me,” Kapia said with barely restrained excitement, “but did you two just find a way to get married tonight?”

  “Yes,” Karma replied, turning to face the people around them that she had forgotten in her happiness. “Cadusar Zabeth of the Chya will appear to conduct the ceremony for us this evening. I will use the Ti-Ank so that all can see and hear her.”

  Kapia squealed with happiness, causing all eyes to turn to her, which made her blush.

  “Sorry,” she said, lowering her voice. “I am so happy for you and Zakiel, and I must admit, myself as well. I cannot wait to have you as my sister.”

  “As I will love having you as my sister,” Karma replied warmly.

  “We invite the Sirelina to join us this evening to help us celebrate our wedding,” Zakiel said to Worrow.

  “On behalf of all the Sirelina, we accept,” Worrow said with a happy smile. “We would be most honored if you will allow us to prepare a wedding feast in your honor.”

  “That is most generous,” Zakiel replied. “Thank you.”

  “Come, Sister,” Karma said, taking Kapia’s hand. “I need your help to plan a wedding that will take place in a few hours using only what we have with us.”

  “This will be fun,” Kapia said. “We must first inform Lashi and Caral. Without them, we have no hope of success.”

  “Agreed,” Karma said. She paused and turned back to look at Zakiel, who was watching her with a grin. She blew him a kiss, then turned and hurried out of the house and toward camp with Kapia on one side, and Nikura on the other.

  While neither Lashi nor Caral dared to squeal aloud as Kapia had, their delight at the news was obvious. Within moments, all four women were busily planning a wedding.

  ***

  Just before sunset, Karma stood in the tent she shared with Kapia and looked down at herself, hardly able to credit that such a beautiful outfit was not only on her body, but that it was hers. When she had expressed happiness that Lashi had been able to wash some clothing just a day earlier, so there should at least be something clean for her to wear, Lashi had looked almost insulted. It turned out that, since Lady Techu was a most important personage, Lashi had naturally brought along a formal outfit for her. After all, one never knew when a formal event might come up.

  Lashi and Caral spent the afternoon making alterations to the outfit, their tiny silver needles flying so fast they were hard to see. Karma wanted to help, but she’d never sewn a stitch in her life and knew that she would only slow them down.

  The sleeveless vest had been converted into a veil, and embroidered with signs and symbols for happiness, fertility, harmony and love, as required for proper wedding attire. The skirt and top were decorated at waist, hem and neck with tiny pearlescent beads sewn into a delicate, star pattern that Karma loved, reminding her of a garment a friend had once made for her. Once the stars were finished, Lashi had wanted to add a larger, more elaborate pattern of stars to the front of the skirt, insisting that exaggerated decoration was traditional. Karma put her foot down on that idea. She didn’t need or want further embellishment. It suited her taste perfectly just as it was. Lashi gave in with a tiny smile of approval that Karma pretended not to see.

  Lashi then expressed her disappointment that the fabric was not bright red, which was the most appropriate color for a wedding. She apologized profusely for that, insisting that she should have been more prepared for any possibility which arose. However, once Karma put the outfit on, even Lashi had to admit that the dark burgundy suited Karma’s coloring very well, and the beading matched the silver stars in her soft gray eyes.

  The veil was attached to the back of her head, covering her hair, which Lashi had brushed to a lustrous shine and left hanging free down her back as a sign of her rank. Kapia had loaned her a set of pearl earrings that matched the beading on her outfit, and Caral, who had a very deft and light hand with cosmetics, had worked her magic to even out Karma’s skin tone, though the glow on her face came from within rather than the powder pot. She carefully lined Karma’s eyes with kohl, emphasizing them even further, and, at Kapia’s orders, offered Karma a wide range of expensive perfumes for her to select from. Karma thanked Kapia, but chose to dab on her own lavender scent instead. A pair of soft, silver sandals completed her outfit.

  Karma was pleased with the way she looked, the people around her, and the modest, but heartfelt preparations for her wedding. She didn’t have bushels of imported exotic flowers, or a three hundred carat diamond tiara, or a twenty foot silk train, or five thousand guests, as her eldest sister had on her wedding day, but she was glad for it. She had disliked the ostentation when it was her sister’s wedding. She would have hated it for herself. Besides, she had one thing that her sister hadn’t had, and that was a man who truly loved her, and who she loved in return. Nothing else mattered.

  “Are you ready?” Kapia asked, her eyes dancing with happiness and excitement.

  “I am very ready,” Karma replied, reaching for the Ti-Ank.

  “Karma, Bredon has asked that you do him the honor of allowing him to escort you into the circle,” Kapia said. “Would you mind? I know he is not close family, but he will be one day.”

  “I would be both grateful and honored,” Karma said. “Will there be someone with Zakiel?”

  “Yes, he has asked Sir Garundel to stand with him,” Kapia said, stepping back as she, Caral and Lashi gave Karma one last critical look.

  “You are perfect,” Kapia announced. “Let’s not keep my brother waiting any longer or he may come to get you.”

  ***

  Zakiel stood outside of a large circle made up of Knights, Hunters and the highest ranking Sirelina, including Worrow, with Garundel beside him, anxiously awaiting his bride. He wore his finest red dress kilt with gold trim, a new black vest, golden sandals and his golden torc and gold bracers. Garundel held a velvet box that Zakiel had carried with him since his mother’s passing. Never had he believed he would want to give the contents to his own bride, but now he could think of nothing he wanted to give Karma more.

  Bredon carried a newly made egora with a golden bead sewn into the center. That was the position which indicated a man was married. Zakiel looked forward to wearing it with more than a little excitement. He’d asked Nikura to check it first, of course. He would not risk dark magic anywhere near their wedding ceremony.

  Finally, there was a commotion at the far side of the circle, and the two Hunters in front of Zak
iel, Corbon and Jenz, stepped aside. Zakiel moved forward into the circle, Garundel just behind him, as Karma entered directly opposite him with Bredon escorting her on one side, Nikura on the other, the Ti-Ank held high in her other hand. But Zakiel had eyes only for Karma. She was so stunningly beautiful in her wedding clothes that he wanted to pinch himself to be sure this was not another dream.

  They walked toward each other, stopping in the center of the circle, facing each other. Bredon released Karma’s hand, bowed to Zakiel and stepped back so that he was just behind Karma, as Garundel was just behind Zakiel. Nikura remained at Karma’s side, his shoulder brushing her skirt lightly.

  Karma smiled at Zakiel, taking his breath away. The Ti-Ank began to glow softly and a moment later, the bent, white haired figure of Zabeth appeared beside them, clear for all to see.

  There was a slight rustling around the circle, even though Zakiel had told everyone what to expect. Nevertheless, it was a bit of a shock to see a woman they all knew was dead appear from nothing. That she floated a few feet off the ground didn’t help.

  Zabeth allowed everyone a moment to get used to her presence and settle down. Then she smiled at Karma and Zakiel before spreading her arms wide as though to encompass the couple before her.

  “Hearken!” she began, her voice strong and clear. “Everyone within the sound of my voice, hearken to my words, and the vows that will be spoken here today. Attend faithfully to the deeds you are to witness. You are called upon to hear, see, and remember, so that you may give testimony to the ceremony we shall now commence in this time, in this place, between these two people. Are all of you willing to bear true and faithful witness?”

  Every Hunter and Sirelina who stood in the circle, as well as the servants and drovers who looked on from behind them shouted, “We are!” so loudly that Karma jumped a little.

  “With this assurance, we shall proceed,” Zabeth continued. “From the foundation of our world, men and women have come together to be joined by the love in their hearts, the sharing of their souls, and the communion of their flesh as companions, lovers, and partners in life, for life. We are gathered together to unite this man and this woman in that union which we call marriage.

  “Karma, will you say the words appointed for this moment to the man you have chosen to be your husband, father of your children, and protector of your hearth?”

  Karma raised her right hand, placed her palm over Zakiel’s heart and looked into his pale blue eyes.

  “I, Karma Baraka, also known as Princess Kahlilia, daughter of King Aasil and Queen Kaamia, of New Levant, wish to be joined to you, Zakiel, as your wife.”

  Karma paused for a moment as everyone murmured in surprise at her true name and rank. She hadn’t realized she was going to reveal her real name until she’d done it, but she was glad of it. How could she be truly married if she did not use her true name? After a few moments everyone grew quiet again and she continued, basking in the happiness shining in Zakiel’s eyes as she did.

  “I pledge to you on the sacred tombs of my ancestors, and on the hearths of all my mothers before me, to love you with all the strength of my heart, mind, body and soul; to stand at your side when fortune covers our tables with feasts and when it leaves them bare; to care for you in the vigor of your youth and the frailty of age, to be faithful to you in heart and mind and body for all the days of my life, and to walk with you when we are called into the Beyond. To you I so promise of my own free will, and with joy in my heart.”

  Zabeth turned to Zakiel and spoke once more. “Zakiel, will you accept Karma’s vows, and wear a sign of your union for all to see?”

  “I do accept her vows, and I shall wear a sign of our union with the utmost happiness and pride,” Zakiel answered.

  With hands that shook only a little, Karma accepted the new egora from Bredon and tied it on Zakiel’s bicep. She brushed her fingers over the gold bead in the center of the array of colored beads that told of Zakiel’s many accomplishments, and smiled with tears in her eyes.

  “Zakiel, will you say the words appointed for this moment to the woman you have chosen to be your wife, mother of your children, and keeper of your hearth?

  Zakiel raised his right hand and placed it over Karma’s heart as he gazed into her shining eyes.

  “I, Prince Zakiel of the House of Feenis, son of King Rhobar and Queen Joann of Isiben, Rathira, wish to be joined to you, Karma, as your husband. I pledge to you on the sacred tombs of my ancestors, and on the swords and shields of all my fathers before me, to love you with all the strength of my heart, mind, body and soul; to stand at your side when fortune covers our tables with feasts and when it leaves them bare; to care for you in the vigor of your youth and the frailty of age, to guard and protect you and our family to the end of my strength and to my last drop of blood; to be faithful to you in heart and mind and body for all the days of my life, and to walk with you when we are called into the Beyond. To you I so promise of my own free will, and with joy in my heart.”

  Zabeth turned to Karma. “Karma, will you accept Zakiel’s vows, and wear a sign of your union for all to see?”

  Karma was surprised by this. She’d known about the egora, but what could Zakiel possibly have for her? She collected herself quickly and gave the response Zakiel had used.

  “I do accept his vows, and I shall wear a sign of our union with the utmost happiness and pride.”

  Zakiel accepted the velvet box from Garundel and opened it, revealing two slender marriage bracelets. One was silver chased with gold, with diamonds set around it, the other gold, chased with silver, set with rubies. Zakiel took the bracelets from their velvet bed and reached for Karma’s left hand. He slipped the gold bracelet onto her wrist, then kissed the back of her hand before releasing it. He repeated the gesture with her right hand, his touch so gentle and tender that Karma had to swallow hard in an effort to hold back her tears.

  “Friends and companions,” Zabeth said, “you have heard the pledges of love and marriage spoken, as they have been spoken by your fathers and mothers before you going back to before the beginning of memory. Are they in accord with our ways, and do they give true voice to the hearts of this man and this woman? Say you yes, or no.

  “Yes!” everyone shouted, but this time Karma didn’t jump. Instead, she smiled so brightly and with such happiness that Zakiel thought she rivaled the sun itself.

  “Karma and Zakiel, Zakiel and Karma, before these people, and all wise and beneficent spirits, you are from this moment bound together as husband and wife for all of the days of your lives and into Beyond. May all blessings be upon you both, and may your lives together be long, happy, and fruitful. Begin your blessed days together with a kiss before this company, that all shall know you to be, from this day forward, bound together in all ways as one.”

  Zakiel stepped forward, his gaze never leaving Karma’s as he bent his head and brushed his lips across hers once, twice, three times before kissing her deeply. He broke the kiss long before he wanted to for the sake of propriety, but his hands shook with desire rather than nerves when he took his bride’s hands in his own.

  Karma forced herself to focus in spite of the intense sensations racing through her body that she wanted so much to explore. But not yet.

  She turned to Zabeth and bowed, Zakiel following her example without hesitation. “We thank you, Cadusar Zabeth, for the honor you have done us this day,” she said.

  “You are most welcome,” Zabeth replied. “Now, release me, Karma, wife of Zakiel, and celebrate the first night of your marriage with your husband.

  Karma’s breath caught in her throat with joy at being called wife of Zakiel. “Farewell, Zabeth,” she said as she stopped the flow of energy and allowed the glow of the Ti-Ank to fade.

  A heartbeat later the Hunters and Sirelina began to cheer so loudly it was nearly deafening, and they all hurried forward to congratulate the happy couple. The servants hurried away to complete preparations for serving the wedding feast, but Karma caugh
t Lashi’s eye and smiled at the woman’s teary eyed bow before she joined the others.

  Kapia hurried forward, the crowd parting for her easily, and threw her arms around Zakiel, then Karma. “I am so happy for you both, and so excited that you are now my sister,” she said to Karma as she continued to hug her. When she finally stepped back, her cheeks were wet with tears, but they were happy tears. “Oh Karma, your vows were so beautiful,” she said. “Please say that I can use them when I wed?”

  “Of course you may,” Karma said. “Although, when the time comes, you will probably want to use your own, so remember that I will not be offended if that is the case.”

  Kapia shook her head. “I don’t think I could ever come up with such beautiful vows as yours and Zakiel’s,” she said. “They were perfect.”

  “Thank you, Kapia,” Karma said. “Shall we go and eat? I’m getting hungry.”

  “Yes, of course,” Kapia said. “I’ll let Lashi know you’re coming, shall I?”

  “Thank you, Sister,” Karma said. Kapia clapped her hands together and laughed, looking more like a child than a woman at the moment which made Karma laugh too. As she left, the Hunters came forward to wish them well.

  “We did not know that Lady Techu was also a Princess in her own right,” Tomas said with a tight smile. “I can think of one woman who will not only be green with jealousy, but also with envy.”

  Karma couldn’t believe that even Tomas would be so rude as to mention Marene at this time, on this day. Since she couldn’t think of a rational response to his comment, she said nothing.

  Suddenly Tomas flushed red and bowed. “I apologize, Cousin, Lady Techu,” he said. “That was not an appropriate comment to make at such a time. I wish you both joy and happiness.”

  Tomas turned and walked away rather quickly. Karma glanced up at Zakiel and saw the cold expression in his eyes, the anger in the set of his mouth, and understood Tomas’s reaction. She was glad that he had warned Tomas away, but did not want him unhappy. This was their day.