The Quest for the Heart Orb (28 page)

“Thank you for that,” Ren said, unable to find the words to truly express how much his words meant to her.  All of those years of being alone and outcast,
she’d been loved
.  She hadn’t known it at the time, but she knew it now, and it soothed something inside of her. 

Garundel finished his tea and put his cup down gently.  “I’m heartened to know Roesa wrote to me, even though I never received it.  I thank you for that knowledge, Ren.”  He sighed heavily.  “I wonder why I never received her message.”

“I ask a favor of you, Father,” Ren said, using the word for the first time in her memory.

“If it is within my power to grant, it is yours.”

“I ask that we begin anew,” Ren said.  “I would like to let go of the past.  It has taken enough from us both as it is.  I should have spoken to you that first day instead of wasting so much time, pretending I didn’t know who you were.  But I did take the opportunity to watch you these past weeks, and I’ve seen that you are a good and honorable man.  I’m proud to call you Father.”

“And I’m proud to call you Daughter,” Garundel said.  “I will try, Ren, to put the past to rest, but I will always regret not finding you.”

“I know, and I understand that,” Ren said.  “But I don’t want to waste any more time.  We’ve lost enough.”

“Agreed,” Garundel said, his heart lighter than it had been in many years.  He smiled at Ren, and she returned it, reminding him more than ever of his beloved Roesa. 

“Well, I better return to my tent now,” Ren said, getting to her feet.  “We’ve an early start, I’m sure.”

“Yes,” Garundel said, standing up as well.  He leaned in and kissed her lightly on the forehead, then hugged her tightly.  When she hugged him back, he didn’t try to stop the tears that wet his cheeks.

After several long moments Ren stepped back and reached beneath her cloak.  “Will you take this now?”

“Tell me what your mother said about it, please,” Garundel said, making no move to accept it.

“She said that I should give it to you,” Ren replied.  “She also said that if anything happened to you, or if you never came for me, that I could open it when I was twenty one.”

Garundel placed his hand over her smaller one.  “Please keep it,” he said.  “The time is not yet right for it.”

“You know what it is,” Ren said in surprise.

“I do,” he replied.  “What’s inside was always meant for you, Ren.  Your mother didn’t mean for me to
have
it; she meant for me to hold it for you until the time was right.  That time is not yet here, but when it is, I will tell you.”  He smiled.  “I suspect it will be soon.” 

“All right,” Ren replied, returning the pouch to her pocket.  Garundel walked her out of the tent, then nodded to Marl.

“You will see my daughter safely to her tent?” he asked.

“Yes, Sir Garundel,” Marl replied.  “It would be my honor.”

“Goodnight, Father,” Ren said.

“Goodnight, Daughter,” Garundel replied.  He stood and watched her walk away into the darkness with Marl at her side, and knew that she was safe.  Only when he could no longer see them did he go back into his tent, his heart lighter than it had been in over fifteen years.

***

When Bredon and Kapia told Zakiel that they needed to talk, he didn’t ask any questions.  The expressions on their faces was all he needed to know that the matter was serious.  At Kapia’s request, he called Karma and Nikura in.  Before long they were all seated, waiting for Bredon to tell them why they were there.

“There are things I haven’t yet shared with any of you,” Bredon said.  “The first is a confession.”

“A confession?” Kapia asked, studying the guilty expression on his face.  Her eyes narrowed.  “You’re going to say you should have killed yourself when you realized Marene had invaded your mind.”  Karma smiled at her with pride, warming her heart, but she kept her focus on Bredon.

“If I had, Worrow and his men would still be alive,” Bredon said.  “That accursed scepter would remain hidden in Darkly Fen, and Marene would be dead.  I was too much of a coward to do it.”

“No, Bredon,” Zakiel said.  “Killing yourself would have been cowardice.  It is a knight’s sworn duty to fight to the last breath.  You could not have done otherwise.”

“Even if you’d done such a…well…
that
, I doubt very much that it would have stopped Marene,” Kapia said. 

“What do you mean?” Bredon asked. 

“Knowing Marene as I do, and I know her
very
well, she would have found someone, or something, else to possess,” Kapia said.  “Perhaps even me.”

“You?” Bredon asked, the blood draining from his face so quickly he felt dizzy.  “Why would you say that?  Did she do something to you?”

“Nothing I’m aware of, but I wouldn’t put it past her,” Kapia said.  “I don’t know what is required for her to possess someone, but I was very much under her power and control my entire childhood.  She could have done nearly anything she wanted to me and I would’ve never said a word.  I was terrified of making her angry.”

Zakiel growled softly, surprising Kapia and Bredon with the sudden appearance of the Tigren markings.  Karma placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, calming him.  “I am sorry, little Sister, for not seeing Marene for what she was.  You suffered much because of my ignorance.”

What’s done, is done,” Kapia said.  “There is no need to apologize for not seeing through Marene.  She fooled everyone.  And don’t forget, we
need
her right now.”

“Yes, that much is all too true,” Bredon said.

“Without your connection to her, Bredon, we’d never know the truth from the lies.  That’s critically important when dealing with Marene.”

“Which brings us back to what I haven’t yet told you.”

“Which is?” Kapia asked.

“You know that Marene and I are now connected.  What you don’t know is that our lives are intertwined.”

“Intertwined?” Kapia asked, her brow furrowed.  A moment later her eyes widened.  “Do you mean that if one of you dies, the other dies as well?”

“Not exactly,” Bredon said.  “Her death will absolutely kill me.  But my death will
not
kill her.”

“You are certain of this?” Zakiel asked.

“Positive,” Bredon replied.  “She lied about it, which makes the truth quite clear to me.  I haven’t figured out why she lied, but I think that, if I die, something will happen to her that she wants to avoid.  I just don’t know what it is.”

“Maybe you made a mistake,” Kapia whispered.

“Yes, I agree with Kapia,” Zakiel said.  “It must be a mistake.  I cannot imagine Marene allowing you out of her sight for a moment if your death would affect her.”

“Yes,” Bredon said.  “I thought that as well, for a time.”

“Something changed your mind,” Kapia said.  Bredon nodded.

“During the battle against the satyr, and later the battle with the gargoyles, I discovered that I cannot be harmed,” he said.  “Rather, I can be harmed, but I heal almost instantly from injury.  Poison seems to take a bit longer.”

“The cut on your vest,” Zakiel said.

“Yes,” Bredon nodded.  “That was the first time.  I remembered feeling a stinging sensation during the battle but it faded quickly, leaving nothing behind.  I was suspicious, but not certain.  Then, during the gargoyle battle, I was bitten on the forearm.  Twice.  By the time I killed the creature, the bite marks had already healed.  I felt ill and dizzy for a time from the poison, but it soon passed and I was fine.”

“I don’t understand,” Kapia said.  “I, for one, am grateful that the poison didn’t kill you, of course.  But if your death cannot kill Marene, why would she protect your life in this way?”

“I don’t know, and that is what worries me,” Bredon said.  “I can’t figure it out, and when it comes to Marene, that is not a good thing.”

“I thought you knew the truth behind her lies,” Kapia said.

“I do,” Bredon replied.  “But that doesn’t give me the
reason
behind the lie.”

“Why didn’t you tell us any of this before, Bredon?” Karma asked.

“Because when we are finished with the Djinn, Marene
must
die,” Bredon said.  “One way or another, we have to kill her.”

“And you didn’t want us to hesitate over destroying Marene in an effort to save you,” Zakiel guessed.

“Yes,” Bredon replied, his eyes on Kapia. 

“This is why you don’t want to marry me?”

“In part.  I also fear leaving you a widow.”

“Married or not, I would feel the same if I lost you, Bredon.”

“If you were left alone with a child to raise, it would be different,” Bredon pointed out.

“We discussed that.”

“I know,” Bredon said, then took a deep breath.  “You know everything now,
surna
, including the fact that my life will likely end sometime in the next few weeks.”

Kapia shook her head in denial, then inhaled sharply as an idea came to her.  “You just told us that you can’t be killed.”

“Due to Marene’s dark magic,” Bredon said gently.  “When she is dead, her magic will become void.”

“Then we’ll just have to stop Marene without killing her,” Kapia said.  “Somehow.  Break her power, or nullify it in some way.”

“Believe me, Kapia, I don’t want to die.  I want the life I’ve always dreamed of having with you.  If there is any way to keep Rathira safe from Marene without killing her, or sparing me from sharing her fate, I will take it.  But you
must
accept that if it comes down to a choice between my life, or the lives of all who live on Rathira, including yours, I will do what I must.  I will not sacrifice my honor, Kapia, not even for you.”

“Nor would I ask you to, Bredon,” Kapia said through her tears.  “It hurts so badly to think of a world without you in it, but at the same time, I know that you will do what you must, as will I.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Maybe this is why I’ve had to learn to be something of a warrior on this quest; so that I can see more clearly into your warrior’s heart, and my own.”

“You are a warrior because you were born to be one,” Bredon said.  “I saw that the first time I saw you in battle, against the gargoyles.  I’ve never been more proud in my life than I was of you that day.  You were stunning to watch, Kapia.  It taught me how strong you really are, in every way.”

“I am strong, Bredon,” Kapia said.  “Strong enough to do what must be done for the people of our world.  But I am not strong enough to lose you again without having memories of us together to cherish.  Please, please don’t let us waste this precious time we’ve been given.”

“You’re certain?” Bredon asked.

“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”

Bredon searched her eyes for a long moment, and found everything he hoped to see in their warm depths.  He released Kapia’s hands and stood up, then turned to face Zakiel.  “Prince Zakiel, as the elder brother of Princess Kapia, and the future King of Isiben, I formally ask that you do me the great honor of granting me Kapia’s hand in marriage.”

Chapter Eleven

Timon refilled Karma’s teacup with Lashi’s ginger tea blend, her second of the morning.  The worst of her morning sickness had passed, but she found she liked its sharp flavor, and it helped to perk her up in the mornings. 

She smiled her thanks to Timon, sipped her tea, picked up her fork, and then frowned at her husband.  “Are you going to brood all day long?”

“I’m not brooding,” Zakiel said.  “I’m considering.”  Karma sighed and began eating her breakfast. 

After telling Bredon and Kapia that he needed time to consider their request to marry, he’d sent them away, and then refused to discuss the matter further for the remainder of the evening.  It was time to try again, she decided.  She finished chewing, swallowed, and opened her mouth, but Zakiel spoke first.

“What do you think?” he asked, not bothering to specify the subject. 

“I think they’re adults and it’s up to them,” Karma said.  “If they want to marry, who are we to stop them?”

“We will one day be the King and Queen of Isiben,” Zakiel said stiffly.  “If Bredon, or any other male, marries into the royal family, he’s automatically added to the line of possible future kings.”

“I hardly see that as an obstacle, Zakiel,” she said, pointing at her stomach.

“What if I die, or our son dies?  I know it’s an unpleasant subject,
valia
, but it must be considered since the man Kapia weds would be the next king.”

“What about Tomas?” Karma asked, putting her fork down and reaching for her tea again.

“Yes, you’re right, he’d be next,” he conceded.  “The question remains the same, however.”

“All right then,” Karma said, deciding to go along with what was obviously not the real issue.  “Supposing you died, our son died, Tomas died, and Bredon became king.  Would you object to Bredon in the role?”

“Of course not,” Zakiel retorted angrily, as though she’d insulted his best friend.  “Bredon is a good man, and he would be a very good king.”

“I’m sure he would be, Zakiel,” Karma said, struggling not to roll her eyes.  “But don’t forget
why
they want to get married
now
.”

“What if Kapia has a child?”

“Is there a stigma attached to a woman who is widowed in your culture?” she asked.  “Or one who has a child after her husband’s death?”

“The child would not be a problem, especially given Bredon’s reputation as an honorable man and skilled warrior,” Zakiel replied.  “He is First Knight of Isiben after all, and that is no small thing.  But, Kapia may be seen as unlucky if he dies so soon after they’re wed, and that might be enough to keep suitors from lining up outside her door.  At least, not any who want Kapia for herself rather than her wealth or position.”

“Kapia will never be required to marry for security, so she can afford to wait for an honorable man to come along.”

“I know,” Zakiel admitted, then looked at her sadly.  “Karma, I know that she and Bredon love each other.  I know they belong together.  I would love and welcome no other man as a brother as much as I would Bredon.  But I do not want to see my sister spend the remainder of her days alone if he dies.  I watched my father do that after Mother died.  She’s too young to condemn herself to a lifetime of regret.”