Quest for the Sun Orb (3 page)

“Yes, Highness, I do,” Worrow replied.  “If you wish to tell me, of course.”

“It is not a story I am pleased to tell,” Zakiel said.  “But you should know what happened.”

“Forgive my curiosity, Highness, but may I first ask, did you succeed in collecting the Moon Orb?”

“Yes, Worrow, in that we were successful,” Zakiel said with a tired smile. 

“For myself, and the people of Rathira, I am grateful,” Worrow said.  “But I can see that there is much that weighs upon your spirits.  I would be honored if you would share that burden with me.”

Zakiel began to speak, telling of their long journey across the ocean, and their meeting with the guardian of the atoll, Karaken.  He told of the arrival of Marene, her demon steed, and the
cin-sahib
who had once been a Hunter named Saigar.  He told of Marene’s dark powers that had allowed her to entrap Nikura, and the battle that followed.  When he told of Marene’s death, and her possession of the demon beast she had ridden, Worrow was stunned.  When he told of the possessed demon’s destruction, Worrow was relieved.  But when he told of their belief that Marene was not truly dead, that they were almost certain she had managed to possess Sir Bredon, Worrow was both horrified and saddened.  Now he understood.  More than he wanted to.

“I must tell you that Sir Bredon is no longer here,” he said when Zakiel was finished speaking.  Suddenly all eyes were on him, including Nikura’s. 

“Tell us,” Kapia demanded in a soft voice.  “We must know. 
I
must know.”

“For most of the day Sir Bredon waited on the beach, along with many others, including myself.  I just happened to be looking in his direction when I saw him suddenly stiffen, then turn and run away, back towards camp.  I thought little of it, I confess, assuming he’d suddenly remembered some duty or other.  A short while later Sir Garundel approached me.  He told me that Sir Bredon had left without explanation.  He’d ordered his diplo saddled, packed a few things, and ridden away.  Sir Garundel wanted to know if he’d said anything to me, or if I’d seen anything that might explain Sir Bredon’s departure, but I had nothing to tell him.  He considered sending trackers after him, but decided to wait until your return.”

“He left to keep us safe,” Kapia said. 

“I think you are correct, Sister,” Zakiel said.  “He knew what was happening.  Somehow, he knew.”

“I think Marene’s soul, or spirit, whatever she is now, was exhausted by the time she got to Bredon,” Karma said.  “She was probably too weak and tired to take control of him the way she did the demon.”

They looked to Worrow to see what he thought of their speculations, and he nodded.  “Your reasoning is sound,” he said.  “It makes the most sense given all that you have told me.”

“What will happen to Bredon?” Kapia asked.  “Can we help him?”

“I do not believe that he is
cin-sahib
,” Worrow said.  “If he were, he would have remained here.”

“That’s a relief,” Zakiel said.

“Yes,” Worrow agreed.  “Unfortunately, from what you’ve told me, this Marene is now demon, and a very strong demon at that.  He had control enough to leave here, but, whether he will be able to retain that control once she regains her strength, I cannot say.  I have never seen nor heard of such a thing as this happening before.”

“There must be a way to save him,” Kapia said.  “There must be.”

“Perhaps,” Worrow said gently.  “I would have to see him, examine him myself, before I can form an opinion, and even then it would be a guess.”

“I think you will get your chance at that,” Zakiel said.

“Yes?” Worrow asked curiously.

“I know my cousin and friend well,” he said.  “Bredon’s first instinct was to remove himself, and Marene, from this place in order to protect the rest of us, most especially Kapia.  The next thing he will do will be to attempt to solve the problem.  You, Worrow, are the only person we know in this part of the world who may be able to help.  Bredon will wait for us to leave, then he will come back to see you.  Assuming he is able to, of course.”

“Then we must leave at once,” Kapia said.  “The sooner we are gone, the sooner Bredon can get help.  If
Zamon
Worrow will agree to help him, that is.”

“I will help him if I can,” Worrow said.  “However, I hope you will not be offended when I say that I do not wish to endanger my own people any more than you wish to endanger yours.”

Zakiel nodded in understanding.  “Of course you don’t, Worrow.  I will send two of my best trackers to pick up Bredon’s trail.  After we leave, perhaps you and some of your men can meet Bredon along his route before he reaches the village.”  Zakiel glanced at Kapia, then back to Worrow.  “I know it is a lot to ask of you, Worrow, but Bredon is as a brother to me, and more than that to Kapia.  We would be very grateful for your help.  At the same time, we will understand if you prefer not to take this risk.”

“After all that you are doing to save our very world, I am happy to perform this small task for you,” Worrow said.  “When do you wish to leave?”

“In the morning,” Kapia said.

“You don’t want to rest for a day?” Zakiel asked.

“We can rest after we leave the Sirelina,” Kapia insisted.  “Please, Brother, for Bredon’s sake.”

“She’s right,” Karma said.  “We can travel for half a day in the opposite direction that Bredon went, then make camp and rest if we wish.”

“All right,” Zakiel agreed.  “We first need to know where we are going, though.  We must next find the Maiden of the Sun.”

“Do you know where we might find this woman?” Karma asked Worrow.  He shook his head slowly.

“No, Lady Techu, I’m afraid not.”

“Nikura?” Karma asked the Sphin.

“I am not in the habit of keeping track of human females,”
Nikura said with an irritated twitch of his tail. 
“Or males, for that matter.”

“I didn’t think you knew her location,”
Karma said
.  “I did, however, think that you would have an idea about how we could get the information we need.  I suppose we could flip a coin, or find a bird sitting in a tree and go in whatever direction it flies. ”

“Or you could ask Kapia,”
Nikura said with just a trace of amusement. 
“That pretty rock she’s carrying does contain some power.  It’s also the only means of obtaining the answers you seek.”

“Thank you, Nikura,”
Karma said solemnly, hiding her smile at the smug expression on Nikura’s furry face. 

“Kapia,” she said, “Nikura says that only the Moon Orb can reveal the location of the Maiden of the Sun.”

“Did he say how I’m supposed to go about getting that information from it?” Kapia asked doubtfully as she lifted the wrapped bundle from her lap.

“No, he’s not quite that helpful,” Karma said wryly.  “Worrow?”

“Unwrap it and hold it in your hands,” he suggested.  Kapia set the bundle on the table and unwrapped it, revealing a round diamond twice the size of her fist that glittered and shone brilliantly even in the soft light of the candles on the table.  Worrow stared at the orb, committing each facet to memory, knowing he would never see such a sight again in his lifetime.  Kapia picked the orb up and held it in the palms of her hands, then, feeling a little silly, she closed her eyes.  The orb was so bright that even with her eyes closed she could still see it flashing through her eyelids.  She remained motionless, focusing on the phantom lights for long moments.  When at last she opened her eyes, she smiled.

“Worrow, are you familiar with a place called Cutter’s Hamlet?” she asked.  “It’s either in a forest, or very close to one.”

“It’s in a valley surrounded by forest,” Worrow replied.  “About three days travel on your beasts, twice that on foot.  Did the orb give you the name of the one you seek?”

“No, just Cutter’s Hamlet,” Kapia replied as she wrapped the orb again.

“Our spiritual leader, Zamori, has been to Cutter’s Hamlet.  She has told me stories of a young woman who lives outside the village,” Worrow said.  “I believe she may be the one you seek.”

“Why?” Karma asked.

“For one thing, her name is Tiari Zora,” Worrow said.  “I confess, that has always captured my interest. 
Tiara
is a word meaning
flame of life
. 
Zora
means
light of dawn
.”

“Yes, I see what you mean,” Karma said.  “That would be a significant name for the Maiden of the Sun.  Can you tell us more about her?”

“Her parents have long passed to the beyond,” Worrow said.  “The young lady’s aunt claims that she is a witch, so keeps her locked in a hut in the forest.  If she is the Maiden of the Sun, you will free her, which would please me greatly.”

“From what you’ve said, I think we must free her in any case,” Karma said. 

“You would do that, even if she is not the one you seek?” Worrow asked.

“I know a woman who was held prisoner for over sixty years,” Karma said.  “I will not dishonor Berta, and the sacrifices she once made for a group of women she didn’t even know, by passing by an innocent who is held prisoner without stopping to help if I can.”

“
Valia,
” Zakiel said in a low voice.  “Our quest is to find the orbs, and our time is short.  If she is not the woman we seek, we will not have time to rescue her.”

Karma shrugged one shoulder.  “Then don’t,” she said.  “I will do it on my own and catch up to you later.”

“Karma,” he began, but she held up one hand to stop him.

“Do not think to order me, Zakiel,” she warned.  “I love you above all things, but I will do what I believe to be right.”

Zakiel opened his mouth, but Kapia jumped in before he had a chance to speak.  “Lets hold off on this argument until we learn whether this is the right woman or not,” she suggested.

Karma nodded, though the look she shot Zakiel warned that she had no intention of changing her mind on the subject.  When she was sure Zakiel fully understood her, she turned back to Worrow.  “Worrow, do you know where we will find the Sun Orb?”

“I’m afraid not, Lady Techu,” he replied.  “The role of the Sirelina in this quest has been fulfilled.  We know no more.  I believe it will be thus with each orb.”

“I suppose it’s a safety measure to ensure that the orbs were well hidden from the demons,” Karma said.  “I only hope that they are not hidden so well that we won’t be able to find them in time.”

“It is a risk,” Worrow agreed.  “However, I have faith in the three of you.  If Rathira can be saved, you will save it.”

“We will do all that we can to make sure your faith in us is not misplaced, Worrow,” Zakiel said. 

“You already have, Prince Zakiel,” Worrow said.  He turned to Karma.  “Lady Techu, have you tried to summon Techu Samyi?”

“No, not yet,” Karma said shaking her head.  “I’ll try it now.”

Karma reached for the Ti-Ank, a long staff with a winged ankh carved from blue stone at the top, and sent a thread of energy into it while sending a polite request to Samyi in her mind.  Though she was able to speak with the dead, she did not have the power to summon them.  She just hoped that Samyi would hear her call and choose to come.  Long moments passed and she was about to give up when a misty figure began to take form beside her.  She sent more power into the Ti-Ank so that everyone could see Samyi.

“Greetings, Techu Samyi,” Zakiel said with a deep nod. 

“Greetings, Prince of Isiben,” Samyi replied.  She turned her misty eyes on Worrow and smiled.  “I would thank you, Worrow,
Zamon
of the Sirelina, for all you have done to assist the Orb Quest.”

Worrow bowed from his chair, his cheeks darkening with pleasure.  “The Sirelina are pleased to do our part, and wish only that we could do more.”

“The tasks of the Sirelina are complete, though you, Worrow, still have one thing yet to do,” Samyi said, turning to look at Kapia with sad eyes.  “You all have roles to play in the days to come.  Some easier than others, but each important.”

“Is Bredon possessed by Marene?” Kapia asked bluntly.

“Her soul, corrupted as it is, has found an opening into his mind and body, yes,” Samyi replied.  “He is not
cin-sahib
, but more than that, I cannot tell you.”

“Samyi, I’m afraid I have little strength for this after today,” Karma said.  “Can you tell us where the Sun Orb is?”

“Once you gather the Maiden of the Sun, she and Kapia must lay their hands upon the Moon Orb together for it to reveal that secret.”

“Thank you, Samyi,” Karma said, realizing that Samyi hadn’t really answered her question, but satisfied with the information anyway.

Samyi smiled as she faded away, along with the last of Karma’s strength.  “I’m sorry, I just can’t hold on to her any longer.”

“It’s all right,
valia
,” Zakiel said.  “We learned what we most needed to know.”

“And I now know that I am meant to follow Sir Bredon and offer my aid to him,” Worrow said.  “For that, I thank you, Lady Techu.  Now, if I may be so bold, you three look as though you’re about to fall over.  I suggest you get some rest as you will have an early day tomorrow.”

***

Kapia sat on her narrow bed and listened as Caral and Lashi climbed into their beds in the front chamber of the tent.  The camp around her was quiet, the only sounds coming from the sentries as they circled the tent every few minutes.  When she heard the last one walk by, she pulled her blanket up over her head and unwrapped the orb.  Even in the darkness it shone brightly, as though lit from within though, oddly, it didn’t hurt her eyes to gaze directly at it.

After the location of the Maiden of the Sun had come to her earlier, she’d wondered if there was a way for her to use it to connect with Bredon.  Or, if not connect, at least check on him, make sure that he was all right. 

She placed her hands around the orb and closed her eyes as she’d done earlier, this time focusing on Bredon.  She forced herself to be patient and wait, but long minutes passed with no result.   

Perhaps she was simply too tired, she thought.  It had been a very long and trying day.  She rewrapped the orb in the thick scarf that Caral had dug out for her so she could return Karma’s vest.