The Quest for the Heart Orb (29 page)

Karma nodded to herself.  Finally, the true problem.  “Zakiel, she will mourn Bredon whether they marry or not,” she said gently.  “Nothing you or I or anyone else could ever do will change that.”

“I know,” Zakiel said with another heavy sigh.  “My greatest fear is that if Kapia bears Bredon’s child and loses Bredon, she will be reminded of him every minute of every day, and spend the remainder of her life waiting to die.”

Karma thought of the story Nikura had told her of Lord Techu after the death of his wife, and of King Rhobar’s ongoing grief for his wife after seventeen years.  She knew that if she died, Zakiel would grieve for her in the same way.  The family of the House of Feenis loved deeply, completely, and forever.

“Kapia will not need to be married, or have a child, to mourn Bredon if he dies,” Karma said.  “You cannot prevent the future by denying them the right to marry.”

“If I believe that it’s in her best interest, yes, Karma, I can,” Zakiel replied.  “I failed her throughout her childhood with Marene.  I cannot fail her again.”

“This is not about you, Zakiel,” Karma said softly.  “This is their lives, and their choice, and I do not believe that you think denying her request to be with the man she loves is in her best interest.”

“Do you think that Kapia understands, I mean really and truly understands, all of the ramifications of this choice?”

“Of course she does,” Karma said.  “Kapia is young, yes, but the Orb Quest has matured her beyond her years, and not in a bad way.  She knows what she’s doing, she knows the possible consequences of her choices, and she’s willing to accept them.”  Karma reached out to take his hand.  “She is no longer a child, Zakiel.  You must allow her to live her life as she chooses.”

“I know,” Zakiel said with a sigh.  “Very well.  I will grant them permission and perform the ceremony myself.  Father will not object.  He loves Bredon, and will be happy to call him Son.”

“It’s the right thing to do.”

“I know,” Zakiel said.  “I just don’t like it.”

***

Ren felt good when she woke up, as though a wound she’d nursed all of her life had begun to heal.  She lay nestled in her warm bed, watching the light brighten through the walls of the tent, thinking about that.  She’d never actually acknowledged it to herself before, but now she could admit the truth to herself.  The stares and taunts and rejections she’d been subjected to throughout her childhood and beyond had made her unhappy and lonely, but they’d never hurt her as deeply as she sometimes thought they should have.  Only now could she admit to herself that it was because the hurt and rejection she’d felt when her father hadn’t come for her was so big and so deep, that all other hurts were less consequential in comparison.  She smiled to herself, wondering what
Brai
Adaya would have to say to that, then conceded that the First of the
Braii
probably already knew. 

When she joined Kapia for breakfast a little while later, she wondered if her happiness was somehow contagious.  Kapia, who’d been quiet and withdrawn the past few days, seemed happier than she’d ever seen her.  She also seemed excited and nervous. 

“You seem cheerful this morning,” Kapia said.  “Care to share?”

“I will if you will,” Ren said with a grin.  They stared at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing. 

“Yes, I will share,” Kapia agreed after their laughter died down.  “But I asked you first.”

“I spoke with my father last night,” Ren said.  “He never got the message my mother sent him, and was told that we died when brigands attacked our caravan.”

Kapia nodded soberly.  “Yes, I know,” she said.  “I’ve heard the story of Garundel’s sadness.  It’s why he’s always alone, and always takes the most dangerous assignments.”

“You knew?” Ren asked, stunned.

“I’ve known Garundel my entire life, Ren.  I told you that.  But it was not my place to tell you that story, even if you’d asked, which you didn’t.” 

“You’re right,” Ren said.  “I needed to ask him, and I’m glad that I did.  I will thank Sir Bredon once again for his words to me last night.  They helped me do what I knew I needed to do, but was afraid of.”

“I’m so happy for you, Ren,” Kapia said.  “Did he finally agree to take that package?”

“No, he didn’t,” Ren replied.  “He said that the time was not right for it, but that it was coming.  I’ve no idea what he meant, but I don’t care.”

“Ah, he knows what’s in it,” Kapia said.  Ren nodded.

“Your turn,” she said.

“Bredon asked Zakiel for permission to marry me as soon as possible,” Kapia said, her face lit with joy. 

“That’s wonderful news!” Ren said, surprising herself when she leaned over to hug Kapia in her excitement.  “When will the wedding be?  Can I help to prepare for it?  I don’t know what needs to be done for a wedding since I’ve never seen one, but I’m willing to do whatever is needed.”

“Thank you, Ren,” Kapia said.  “But Zakiel hasn’t given his permission yet.”

Ren frowned.  “Why not?”

“My guess is that he’s worried about me,” Kapia said.  “Fortunately, Karma has a level head.  If anyone can get my brother to see reason, she will.”

“I thank you for that totally deserved praise, little sister,” Karma said as she came through the connecting doorway between the two tents.  Ren and Kapia both stared at her for a long moment while her words sank in.  Kapia got it first and leapt to her feet with a squeal of happiness.  She threw herself into Karma’s arms, hugged her tightly, then stepped back, suddenly afraid she’d hurt her.  Seeing that Karma was fine, she hugged her again, a little more gently this time.

“Thank you, Karma,” she said.  “I owe you forever.”  Karma shook her head and laughed, but before she had a chance to say anything, Bredon burst in unannounced.  The women all stared in surprise, which brought him up short.  A moment later his face turned as red as his hair as he realized he’d just entered the women’s tent without an invitation.

“I apologize,” he said, “that was…I didn’t realize…I mean, I know, but I was just so…I’ll go back out.”

“It’s all right, Bredon,” Karma said quickly as Bredon started to turn around.  She smiled at Zakiel who was just a step behind Bredon, blocking his exit.  “There’s no reason to leave, and no harm done.  Under the circumstances, it’s understandable.”

“This time,” Kapia said archly, then burst into giggles as she threw herself into Bredon’s arms.  They kept their hug brief for propriety’s sake, though it wasn’t easy for either of them.  When Bredon released Kapia, she went to hug Zakiel.

“Thank you, Brother,” she said softly.  “You’ve given me my heart’s desire, and I shall be forever grateful to you.”

“I’m sorry…,” Zakiel began, but Kapia placed a finger to his lips.

“I understand how difficult this was for you, Zakiel,” she said.  “And I understand why.  You never have to be sorry for taking care of me.”

“When did you get so grown up?” Zakiel asked with a smile.

“Not long ago,” Kapia said.  “In fact, I was standing right here, under your nose at the time.  Don’t tell me you missed it.”

“No, I didn’t miss it, I just wish I could turn time back a little,” Zakiel said, then hugged her tightly before releasing her. 

Kapia moved back to stand beside Bredon, her face glowing with happiness.  “When shall we have the wedding?”

“I will perform the ceremony, so you may pick whatever day you like,” Zakiel said. 

Kapia looked at Bredon, then Karma, and finally Caral, who smiled and held up two fingers.  “Two days from now,” she said decisively.

“That’s doesn’t leave much time to get ready,” Karma said.

“Caral will need two days to complete my dress,” Kapia said.  “I want that, but nothing else matters to me.  A short, simple ceremony suits me perfectly.  Is that all right with you, Bredon?”

“Absolutely,” Bredon said, beaming with happiness.  “Perfectly all right.”

“Two days it is then,” Zakiel said, then looked around.  “All right everyone, we still have some traveling to do today so let’s get moving.”

***

They spent the day climbing yet another mountain, this one not as high as the last, but Zakiel would have sworn he could feel the temperature drop with every step.  He pushed everyone relentlessly, cutting lunch short and breaking only twice throughout the day in an effort to get over the mountain and back down into warmer temperatures before dark.  They didn’t get all the way down but, thanks only to the speed of the diplos, they got far enough that the danger of freezing was somewhat reduced. 

As soon as he was finished with his dinner, Zakiel pulled his charts out and studied them carefully.  It wasn’t always easy, or possible, to pinpoint their exact location on the charts, so there was a lot of guesswork involved.  That afternoon, while they’d been at the peak of the current mountain, he’d taken time to study his surroundings, noting the shape of the mountains around them, a fast running stream, a broad triangular shaped valley in the distance, and anything else that might serve as a landmark, committing all to memory.

Zakiel double, then triple checked his charts, calculating carefully before allowing himself to smile widely.  “We’re only three days from the river,” he said.  Karma stared at him in surprise. 

“I thought we had another five days.”

“So did I,” Zakiel replied.  “I must have miscalculated.”

“That, or pushing everyone so hard to keep us from freezing to death might have something to do with it,” Karma said wryly.

Zakiel laughed and gave her a quick kiss before jumping to his feet.  “I’m going to go share the news.  I won’t be long.”

Karma smiled, glad to see a little bounce in Zakiel’s step for a change.  Lashi busied herself with the dishes, humming softly under her breath as she worked.  Karma started to ask Lashi the name of the tune she was humming when the faint, transparent outline of a visitor began to take shape in front of her.  She held her breath, waiting patiently as she wondered whether it would be Samyi or Zabeth.  Perhaps even Worrow.  It took only a few moments for the figure to fully show itself and when it did, Karma gasped, her eyes instantly filling with tears, her throat tightening to the point of pain.

“Lady Techu, is everything all right?” Lashi asked worriedly.

Karma shifted her gaze to Lashi.  “Get Zakiel, Lashi,” she whispered hoarsely.  “Tell him to hurry, please.”

Lashi wasted no time asking questions.  She spun around and raced out of the tent as fast as she could without even bothering to grab her cloak.

“Please, Karma, do not be sad,”
King Rhobar said
.  “I am happy to be with my beloved Joann once more.”
 

“She’s with you?” Karma asked, looking around quickly.

“Not at this moment, no,”
King Rhobar said
.  “I will go to her when I am finished with my task here.”

“You have something important to tell us,” Karma guessed. 

“I’m afraid I do,”
Rhobar said solemnly.  Then he smiled. 
“I was most pleased to learn that you and Zakiel are wed, Karma.  My only real regret is that I will miss being a grandfather to your children.”

“How did you know?”

“I didn’t know until after…well, after.”
 

Karma hesitated, unsure whether or not she should ask how he’d died, or when.  She was saved the need when Nikura ran into the tent.  He stopped in his tracks at the sight of King Rhobar, then bowed his head deeply before taking a seat close beside Karma.  A few moments later Zakiel arrived, nearly frantic with fear. 

“Karma, what is it?” he demanded, looking around the tent for danger.  

“I’m sorry,” Karma said, reaching for the Ti-Ank.  She held it up and channeled energy into it, then sent the energy from the Ti-Ank to King Rhobar so that Zakiel could see him.

Zakiel stared in shock at the sight of his father standing before Karma, his face crumpling in grief for a moment before he stiffened and struggled for control.  “Father,” he said.  Then he bowed, saluting with his fist to his head and heart.  When he straightened his face was composed, but there was no hiding the tears on his cheeks.

Karma stood and went to him, wrapping one arm around his waist.  “Come, let’s sit and talk,” she said, urging him forward.

“Yes, that is a good idea, Karma,”
Rhobar said, lowering himself gracefully to the floor while Karma and Zakiel took their usual cushions.

“What happened, Father?” Zakiel asked, his voice strained.

“It was time for me to leave the realm of the living and rejoin my love,”
Rhobar said. 
“Please know that I did not suffer, and my heart and soul are once again complete.  Do not grieve for me, my son.  I’m very grateful to have this last chance to see and speak with you.”

It didn’t escape Zakiel that his father had not answered his question.  He glanced at Karma, who gave him a tiny shake of her head.  She didn’t know either.

“I could not be happier with your choice of bride, Son,”
Rhobar continued, changing the subject. 
“She is worthy of your mother’s marriage bracelets.”

Even through his grief Zakiel felt pride and happiness at his father’s words.  “Thank you, Father,” he said.  “I always thought that Mother would love Karma if she knew her.”  He hesitated, then asked, “Shall I summon Kapia?”

“Not just yet,”
Rhobar said. 
“I’m here because I’ve been given important messages for you, and Techu Samyi has been called to a new purpose.”

“Is that why she hasn’t responded to my calls?” Rhobar nodded and Karma smiled.  “I am happy for her.” 

“What messages do you have for us?” Zakiel asked.

“Demons have overrun Ka-Teru,”
King Rhobar replied. 
“The palace is held fast, and those within have provisions enough to last many weeks.  But you must take great care when approaching the island.”

“Why are they in
Ka-Teru
?” Karma murmured.  “That makes no sense.”

“That’s where the Heart Orb is,” Zakiel said.

“But the demons cannot retrieve it, and the Djinn know it,” Karma said.  “Nor can they use the orbs to recall the pyramid themselves.  They have to let us do it because it’s the only way to get the pyramid and the tear back on Rathira.  Their new scepter will do them no good without that.”