Quest for the Moon Orb: Orbs of Rathira (7 page)

Karma understood Nikura perfectly.  Refusing the title would be a grave insult and since she’d chosen to remain on Rathira, insulting the people around her was probably not a good idea. 

She studied the woman who still stood at the door, her head bowed slightly, waiting patiently.  She appeared to be in her mid thirties, with a strong, stocky figure, rosy complexion, and clear hazel eyes.

“What is your name, please?” Karma asked.

“I am Lashi,” the woman replied without meeting her gaze.  “I have been appointed as your personal attendant, in charge of your quarters and your lower servants, if it pleases you, Lady Techu.”

Karma glanced at Nikura. 
“What do you know of her?”

“As a girl she apprenticed as a common servant for the Queen, so is very well trained.  She also has a reputation for honesty, integrity, and intelligence.  King Rhobar personally selected her for you.” 
Nikura paused
.  “You may dismiss her of course, if you wish.”

“What will happen to her if I refuse her?”
Karma asked curiously.

“Her shame will be such that she will likely throw herself from the palace roof,”
Nikura replied with a yawn. 

Karma turned back to Lashi, dragging out the old lessons on servants and how to judge, select and train them from the dusty recesses of her childhood.  She was pleased that Lashi was neither very young nor old.  A young servant would be inexperienced and not fully trained, whereas an older one might not be able to keep up on the journey she suspected was in her near future.  If she had to have a servant, and apparently she did, she wanted a mature woman with intelligence.  If appearances were any indication, and Nikura was correct about her reputation, she thought Lashi might be perfect for her.

“Thank you, Lashi,” she said.  “Please show Princess Kapia in.”

Lashi bowed lower than necessary, indicating that she understood she’d just been examined, weighed, judged, and found acceptable.  Karma smiled as the woman backed out of the room and closed the door.  She was, indeed, intelligent.

Karma left Nikura on the balcony and entered the room to await her guest.  A few moments later, the door opened again, and Princess Kapia entered the room.  “Greetings, Lady Techu,” she said, pressing her palms together and bowing her head.

Karma faced the young Princess, noting her red rimmed and swollen eyes.  A careful application of make-up had been used in an attempt to hide the bruises she had received when she’d been abducted.  In spite of the red eyes and bruises, the girl was unquestionably beautiful.

“Princess Kapia,” she said, after bowing her own head in return, “please don’t be offended if I don’t bow correctly.  I am not familiar with your customs.”

“I understand,” Kapia said shyly.  “I will keep that in mind in future.”

“Thank you,” Karma replied.  She had only met the sixteen year old once, and briefly, when the Gryphons had returned her to the palace after rescuing her from her kidnappers.  She seemed nice enough, though quiet.

“Would you like to have a seat?” she asked.

“Yes, thank you,” Kapia said.  They walked over to the sitting area and sat down, Karma wondering how long it would take her to get used to sitting on the floor.  On cushions, happily, but still on the floor.  The only chairs she had seen so far in the palace were in King Rhobar’s private rooms.  There had been low benches in the dining area too, she remembered, but that was it for furniture designed for sitting.

Remembering her guest, Karma glanced toward the doorway that led to a private pantry, pleased to see Lashi standing there.  She arched a brow in silent question, and Lashi replied with a tiny nod. 

“Would you like some refreshment?” she offered, pleased that Lashi understood her so easily.   

“That is very kind of you,” Kapia replied.  “But no, Lady Techu, thank you.  It is growing late and I will not keep you long.”

“Again, I apologize if this seems rude, but is there something I can do for you, Princess Kapia?” Karma asked. 

“I wish to offer you my friendship,” Kapia said, her face pink, her eyes on the table between them.  “Your friend, Aisling, was so kind to me.  I would honor her by befriending her friend.”

“That is very thoughtful and generous of you, Princess Kapia,” Karma said, warmed by the girl’s offer.  She had just decided that she would not go without friends again, and now was a perfect time to make good on her decision.  “I’m happy to accept your offer of friendship.”

Princess Kapia looked up and smiled, an expression that brightened her already beautiful face. 

“I wonder, do you know who I could ask to teach me the correct protocols?” Karma asked.  “I don’t want to go around offending people because I don’t know how to bow correctly.  My mouth gets me in enough trouble without that kind of help.”

Kapia laughed, a sweet, carefree sound that seemed at odds with her hesitant manner.  “I would be most happy to assist you, Lady Techu.”

“I’m sure you have more important things to do with your time,” Karma said.  Kapia’s face fell, her disappointment obvious.  Pretending not to notice, Karma went on as though she hadn’t finished speaking.  “But, if you really want to help me, I would appreciate it.”

“I have little to occupy my time,” Kapia said, brightening again.  “I would be most pleased to assist you in any way that I can.” 

“I’m not sure about this
Lady Techu
stuff,” Karma said, wrinkling her nose.  “Do you think you could just call me Karma?”

The smile fell from Kapia’s face as she gave that request serious thought.  “In Isiben we have very specific customs about many things, including names.”  Kapia paused, waiting to see if Karma wanted to hear what she meant to say.

“Go on,” Karma urged.

“Our people are quite formal in many respects,” she said.  “For us, it is not polite to use one’s personal name without express permission.  The higher one’s rank, the larger the offense.  You may grant that right to whomever you choose, whenever you choose, of course.  Customarily, one grants the right only to one’s family, and very close acquaintances.  Even then, much thought is given before doing it.  It is not a privilege that is easily rescinded once granted.”

“I see,” Karma said.  “In the world I grew up in, we had a similar custom.  However, among my people, it was considered to be a great honor to reveal one’s true name to another, and it was very rarely done.”

“Is Karma not your true name then?”  Kapia blushed, her golden skin turning pink.  “I apologize,” she said quickly.  “That was unforgivably rude.”

“It was neither unforgivable, nor rude,” Karma said with a laugh.  “Do not worry so much.  Please do not be insulted though when, in answer to your question, I say only that
Karma
is the name I have used for so long, that I know no other.”

“I am not insulted,” Kapia said with relief.  Her initial reason for offering friendship to Karma was to honor Aisling, the woman who had rescued her from a fate far worse than death.  But, now that she was here, she felt that Karma could be a true friend to her.  In her secret heart she had longed for a woman she could talk to and learn from, one whom she could look up to and trust completely.  Though she’d had only a few minutes with her, she sensed that Karma could be all of that, and more. 

“Good,” Karma said.  “I thank you for the information on allowing liberties with one’s name, and I will be careful.  Nonetheless, I still ask that you call me Karma, if you will.”

“I would be most honored to do so,” Kapia replied happily.  “But only if you will call me Kapia.”

“Deal,” Karma said with a grin.  “Now that we are friends, and you have agreed to teach me the proper protocols, tell me, is there anything I can do for you in return?”

Kapia’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected offer.  She was about to decline it, when a thought occurred to her.  She hesitated.  It was a lot to ask.  She looked into Karma’s warm gray eyes and decided to risk it.  The worst Karma would do was say no.  She was not the type of woman who would ridicule her, she was sure of it.

 “Your friend, Aisling, was very skilled with weapons,” Kapia said.  “I wonder if you are as well, and if you would mind teaching me?”

Karma considered the request carefully.  From what she’d seen of Ka-Teru, and the palace, the royal family was quite wealthy.  Kapia’s clothing was simple and unadorned save for a bit of embroidery, though made of high quality materials.  She wore only a thin chain around her neck, small rings in her ears, and a ring in the shape of a snake with tiny emerald eyes on her right hand.  Though modest, her jewelry was all gold and of excellent craftsmanship.  Even her sandals were of high quality, though the design was simple.  Kapia was a wealthy Princess, of that there could be no doubt.  She also appeared to be kind, unspoiled, warm hearted and, surprisingly, uncertain of herself and quite shy.  So why didn’t her father, the king, hire experts to teach her whatever she wanted to learn?

Karma reached out and lightly touched the ring Kapia wore.  “Aisling told me that you managed to deal with your abductor quite satisfactorily,” she said.

“Yes, I used the Sting of the Naja,” Kapia admitted in a low voice as she stared down at the poison ring on her finger.  “A weapon requiring little effort and no skill, which I was able to use only because Aisling unbound my hands.  If I had been able to defend myself, as she does, I would not have been in that position to start with.”

“Kapia,” Karma said, and waited for the girl to look up and meet her gaze.  “If Aisling were attacked by fifteen armed mercenaries as you were, even with her weapons and skills she would have been overwhelmed.  She might have killed a few first, but the end result would not have been much different from what happened to you.  From the battle signs on your face, you gave an accounting of yourself, skills or no skills.”

Kapia’s eyes widened when Karma referred to her bruises as
battle signs
.  Suddenly, the shame she’d felt since seeing the bruises in the mirror faded, replaced by a wholly unfamiliar sense of pride. 

“Thank you for your kind words, Lady Techu,” she said.  “But I would still like to learn to defend myself.”

“I know exactly how you feel,” Karma said.  “Please understand, Kapia, that Aisling’s skills are exceptional.  I’m afraid I do not share that gift with her.”

Once again Kapia’s face fell in utter disappointment.

“I do have some skill with one weapon,” Karma continued.  “I’d be happy to teach you that, if you like.”

“Really?” Kapia asked eagerly.

“Don’t get too excited,’ Karma cautioned with a smile.  “It’s only a staff.”

“Anything at all would be most appreciated,” Kapia said.  “I will be forever in your debt, Lady Techu.” 

“Karma,” Karma corrected.

“Karma,” Kapia repeated.

“As for debt, I ask only one thing of you,” Karma said.  Kapia nodded quickly, fully prepared to agree to anything Karma wanted.  “You must promise me that you will practice every day.  If you decide you no longer wish to learn the staff, you must tell me.  I have no desire to spend my time teaching an unwilling pupil.”

“I promise,” Kapia said at once.  “I will work hard, Karma, really I will.”

Karma smiled, satisfied that Kapia meant what she said.  “Will we need to keep these lessons secret?” Karma asked.  Kapia’s smile slipped, but Karma had to ask the question.  If the king hadn’t hired teachers because he forbade her to learn weapons, she needed to know ahead of time.

“I do not think that my father would mind,” Kapia said, her eyes back on the table.  “My brother may object, though.”

“Why would he?”

“He does not believe I am old enough, or competent enough to handle a weapon,” Kapia said, her voice so soft it was nearly a whisper.

Not old enough? Karma wondered.  The girl was sixteen, not six.  More than old enough to learn to protect herself.  “Are you required to obey your brother?”

Kapia looked up and tilted her head slightly as she thought about that.  “Out of respect for him, as both my elder brother and the future King, I obey him.  But if I defy him there is little he can do about it without my father’s consent.”

“Good,” Karma said.  “Then we will not hide.”

Kapia swallowed nervously, but as Karma watched she saw the girl lift her head and straighten her shoulders, determination gleaming in her light brown eyes.  “Very well,” she agreed. 

“We will need to find a staff for you, and a practice area,” Karma said.

“That is easy enough,” Kapia replied.  “Thank you so much, Karma.  You have been most kind to me, but I should leave you now.  It grows late.” 

“All right,” Karma said, rising along with Kapia.  “Since I don’t know my way around, can you meet me here in the morning?  We can have our first lesson before breakfast.”

“I will be here,” Kapia promised happily.

After the Princess left, Karma wandered back to the balcony where Nikura lay sleeping on the wall where she’d left him. 

“Excuse me, Lady Techu, your bath is ready at your convenience,” Lashi said from yet another doorway.

“Thank you, Lashi,” Karma said.  She hesitated a moment, then decided she didn’t need to question Nikura any more tonight.  A hot bath and bed sounded too good to resist.