The Quest for the Heart Orb (30 page)

“Your reasoning is sound, Karma,”
Rhobar said. 
“And it’s backed up by the behavior of the demons.  They keep their distance from the palace, but they’ve run off or killed everyone else on the island, and caused much destruction.  They will allow no one else to leave now, nor will they allow anyone to approach the island.”

“I’ll use Vatra,” Zakiel said.  “I know I’m not ready to call on Vatra myself, but with Karma’s help I can do it.  We’ve done it before.  Vatra can fly to
Ka-Teru
very quickly and still have enough power to destroy many demons.  I might even force them from
Ka-Teru
altogether.”

“No, Zakiel, you cannot do that,”
Rhobar said. 
“That’s precisely what the Djinn hope for, and one of the reasons why I’m here.”

“I don’t understand,” Zakiel said.  “Why would they want Vatra to destroy their demons?”

“They want Zakiel to destroy
himself
,” Karma said in sudden horror.  “That’s right, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Karma, that’s exactly right,”
Rhobar said. 
“Your last full transformation into Vatra came closer to killing you than you know.  Normally it wouldn’t be a problem since, as you said, you are not able to summon Vatra on your own anyway.  The danger is in you finding another way to manifest Vatra, as you just suggested.  You’ve already pushed your boundaries too far.  If you force Vatra to fully manifest before you’re ready to do it without aid again, it will take your life.”

“What good is all this power if I cannot use it?” Zakiel asked in frustration.

“It can be used,”
Rhobar said. 
“But it will have to be shared.”

“I don’t understand,” Zakiel said.

“When the time is right, you will,”
Rhobar said
.  “Until then, you must remain patient, Zakiel.  The demons will surely do all that they can to provoke and lure you into using Vatra.  You cannot let them, no matter the reason.  The cost will be too high.”

“Very well, Father,” Zakiel said reluctantly.  “I will do as you ask, on this you have my word.  Is there anything more you can tell us?”

“
Not on that subject, no,”
Rhobar said. 
“Unfortunately, I must now tell you something you will not want to hear, and which I have no desire to tell you.”

“This sounds ominous,” Zakiel said.  Rhobar nodded.

“Kapia cannot be allowed to marry Bredon at this time,”
Rhobar said. 

“Why not, Father?”

“Because Marene will kill her,”
Rhobar said. 
“Do not be fooled into thinking it can be kept secret, either.  It has been seen that should Bredon wed, Marene
will
learn of it.  This is certain.  The moment such news reaches her she will strike out at his bride, whoever she may be.”

“You said,
at this time,”
Karma said.  “Do you know when it will be safe for them to wed?”

“No, I do not, Karma, I’m sorry,”
King Rhobar said, then looked at Zakiel. 
“I will tell her myself so that burden will not fall on you, but under no circumstances can you allow them to go through with the ritual of a wedding.”

“I won’t, Father, I promise,” Zakiel said.  “Do you know why Marene would react so violently on this subject?”

“No, I’m afraid I have no further answers for you,”
Rhobar said. 
“I know only what I’ve told you, and that only because I was told.”

“It’s all right, Father,” Zakiel said.  “We appreciate the help you’ve given us.”

“I want you to know that I’m very proud of you, Zakiel,”
Rhobar said. 
“Proud of the man you’ve become, and the choices you’ve made.  You will make a very fine king, and Karma will make an extraordinary queen.”

If we live long enough
, Zakiel thought, but didn’t say.  Instead, he said, “Thank you, Father.  Karma has made me a man I’m proud of being.”

Karma smiled at her husband, placing one hand lightly on his arm.  “Don’t worry, King Rhobar,” she said.  “I will see to it that your beautiful garden is maintained, and that your grandchildren know it was created in love.”

Overcome with emotion, Rhobar could only bow silently.  Karma averted her eyes to give him a moment of privacy.  “Zakiel, perhaps you should have Kapia brought now.  I sense your father isn’t going to be able to remain much longer.”

***

Bredon watched Kapia carefully as she said her final farewells to her father, needing no special senses to know that she was hanging on by a very fine thread.  He was grieved himself, but he would have time to think about his own feelings later.  Right now his every thought and concern was for Kapia alone.  Brave, strong, loving Kapia, who was even now maintaining a calm, though grieved, outward appearance for the sake of those around her.  She didn’t want King Rhobar’s last memory of her to be one of pain and grief, so she said all the words she knew he needed most to hear, and kept the depth of her own feelings hidden. 

There was a strong strain of Healer in her that seemed to strengthen in tandem with the Tigren in her blood.  She always thought of others before herself, and did whatever she could to lessen their pain or discomfort.  Bredon understood that about her, and he admired it.  To a point.  He knew that, once King Rhobar was gone, she would turn her bravest face on Zakiel and Karma, and downplay her own pain so that they could see to each other rather than concern themselves with her.  After that she would, without doubt, attempt to convince him that she was fine and needed no special attention.  But it would not work.  Not on him.  Not now. 
Especially
not now.  He grieved for the king too but, for once, he would care for Kapia above all other concerns.

He saw Karma and Zakiel bow to the misty form of King Rhobar and quickly copied them, as did Kapia.  When they straightened, the King was gone.  He was close enough to Kapia to see the fine tremors running through her body as she fought to maintain her composure, her eyes already turning toward Karma and Zakiel.  He knew that he couldn’t argue with her.  Not now.  So he forestalled any objections by simply scooping her up into his arms. 

“I thank you, Highness, for including me today,” he said to Zakiel.  “I will now see to Kapia, and leave you and Karma to your grief.”  He bowed slightly, then turned and left through the connecting doorway, entering the women’s tent, swallowing hard against the threat of tears as Kapia buried her face against his throat.  He crossed the front chamber where Marl and Ren sat talking quietly and stepped into Kapia’s private chamber.  He carried Kapia to the cot made up with thick quilts and laid her down.  Then he sat on the edge and quickly removed his sword belt and boots, setting them aside.  Then he removed each of Kapia’s slippers and set them on the floor at the foot of the bed before lying down beside Kapia and pulling her into his arms.

Kapia had not said a single word through all of this.  She was grateful for Bredon’s actions, taking her away so that she could relax the fight against revealing the true depth of her sorrow to her brother and Karma, but as much as she wanted him to stay with her, she had to ask him to leave.  She took a deep breath in preparation for the argument that was sure to come.

“Don’t even think about it,” Bredon whispered, his jaw moving against the top of her head.  “I’m not leaving and I will fight to the death anyone who thinks to make me.”

Kapia tilted her head back and looked up into his eyes.  He met her gaze steadily.  “You are mine to care for, Kapia, as I am yours.  I know that we cannot marry yet, and I’m sorry for it, but that does not change the commitment of my heart.  Does it change yours?”

“No,” she whispered.

“We are engaged now, but in my heart you are my wife.  I will not allow Marene to interfere with that much, at least.  Do you agree?”

“Yes, I agree,” Kapia said, the sorrow in her eyes taking nothing from the ferocity behind her words.

Bredon took a long, shuddering breath, his eyes brightening with unshed tears.  “I needn’t hide from you, Kapia, nor should you hide from me.  We can share our grief with each other now.”

Kapia nodded slowly and opened her mouth to say something, but her breath hitched, preventing the words.  Her shoulders shook and she pressed her face against his chest, finally releasing the flood she’d been holding back.  Bredon sighed with relief, ignoring his own tears as he held the woman he loved in his arms. 

He had no idea how long she cried, soaking his chest with her tears, nor did it matter.  He would stay for as long as she needed him.  After a time her sobs quieted and her breathing relaxed, and he knew she slept.  Only then did he allow himself to think about King Rhobar’s warning.

King Rhobar had said, specifically, that Marene would kill
anyone
he took as a bride.  So, it had nothing to do with Kapia, specifically, which was an enormous relief.  The question, however, remained.  Why would Marene kill his wife, whoever she might be? 

He wished he could simply ask her.  She would most likely lie, which would result in his knowing the truth.  But she’d want to know why he was asking, and he couldn’t think of a reason that wouldn’t draw unwanted attention to Kapia, Karma, or even Zakiel.  He understood Marene well enough now to know that if she suspected he was about to marry Kapia, she might well kill her immediately rather than wait for the deed to be accomplished.  No, he had to figure this out on his own.  Somehow. 

“What are you thinking of so hard?” Kapia asked, startling him out of his thoughts an hour later.

“Feeling any better?” he asked, looking at her red and swollen eyes with concern.

“Yes, I think so,” she said.  “You?”

“I’m all right,
surna
,” he said, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead.  “So long as I have you.”

“Have you figured it out yet?”

He smiled.  “No, I haven’t.  Any ideas?”

“You’ve already realized it’s not against me, personally.”  He nodded.  “It must have something to do with the ceremony itself.”

“I’ve been thinking of that, but I can’t see anything that would make her react that violently.”

“Me neither,” Kapia said.  “I’ll talk to Karma about it tomorrow.  She’s good at understanding things.”

“I’m sorry, Kapia,” he said.  “So very sorry for this.”

“Please don’t apologize for Marene,” she whispered.  Then, before he could say anything else she asked, “Will we marry after Marene is no longer a threat?”

“Of course,” Bredon said at once, tightening his arms around her shoulders.  “Sleep now, my love.  It’s late, and we will have a long day tomorrow.”

“You will stay?”

“Do you object?”

“No, not at all,” she said. 

“Then I’m not going anywhere unless you tell me to,” he promised.  “When you wake up, I will be here.”

“Thank you.”

***

The announcement of King Rhobar’s passing the next morning was a blow to everyone.  Rhobar had been a good king, and a good man.  Most of the Hunters had known him since childhood, their own fathers having been close friends of the king. 

Zakiel led them all in the Song of Passing, the traditional mourning song for one of high station.  He didn’t miss the curious looks he received from Tomas, Bredon, Garundel, and a few others for his choice and he understood them.  He should have sung the Song of Two Kings, the formal song of one king’s passing and a new king’s acceptance of the position, powers, and responsibilities that went with the title.  But he could not bring himself to do it.  Not yet.  There would be time enough for that when he returned to Ka-Teru.  After the Djinn and Marene were vanquished and their world was safe. 

Zakiel gave everyone a few minutes after the completion of the song to prepare for the day’s travel, then signaled that it was time to leave.  For the first time since beginning the Orb Quest, Zakiel was glad to ride ahead of everyone else.  That way, no one could see the tears on his cheeks.

Chapter Twelve

It was early in the afternoon on the day they reached Coris, the landing on the banks of Ank-Teru, the River of Life, where it met the mountains, lightening everyone’s spirits for the first time in days.  Karma was almost surprised to see the same valley they’d camped in on the first night of the Orb Quest, even though she’d known it was their destination.

“It’s nice to breathe the scent of my homeland once again,” Zakiel said as they stood beside the river waiting for the tents to be set up. 

Once they’d reached the river, it had taken less time than expected to climb out of the mountains since everyone was so eager to leave the cold behind.  Even the diplo had walked more quickly than usual, as though anxious to reach the desert they’d been bred for. 

“It’s too bad we can’t float upstream as quickly as we came downstream,” Karma said.

“I know,
valia
,” Zakiel said, “but we are nearly there.”  Karma started to turn in his arms, then stopped as they both watched Bredon approach, the expression on his face warning them that he brought news.

As soon as their tent was ready Karma, Kapia, and Nikura sat in a circle with Zakiel and Bredon.  Timon stood outside with orders to keep everyone away until further notice.

“All right Bredon, we’re ready,” Zakiel said.

“All four of the Djinn kings have agreed to create a new scepter.”

Zakiel took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he endured the sudden rush of adrenaline that flooded his body at the news.  “How long will it take them to make it?”

“Marene suspects it will take about a week, but there’s no way to be sure.  She is now certain, however, that she can unmake the tear in the pyramid.”

“
Unmake
?” Kapia asked.

“That’s the word she used,” Bredon said with a shrug.

“We’ll have to make sure she does it before the Djinn complete the new scepter,” Zakiel said. 

Karma grimaced.  “I don’t like having to rely on Marene for something so important.  Isn’t there some way we can close the tear ourselves?”  She turned to Nikura.  “What about the Ti-Ank?  Can it be used to close the tear?”