The Quest for the Heart Orb (33 page)

“Because they don’t want us to retrieve the pyramid until they’re ready for it,” Karma replied.  “If we retrieve it, switch out the Guardian, then send it back out before their new scepter is ready, which is exactly what we plan to do, they’ve got another thousand years to wait.”

“So, it’s all about timing,” Zakiel said, nodding.  “They think to force us to march to their beat.”

“Yes,” Karma agreed.  “But we’re not going to do that.  Thanks to the orbs, and the Orb Maidens, we have a way directly into the palace that they know nothing about.”  Karma watched Ren and Marl walk hand in toward the river, and away from the firelight.  “That reminds me.  Ren and Marl have requested that you marry them.”

“I’m happy to,” Zakiel said, smiling.  Then he frowned.  “When?”

“They wanted to do it today,” Karma said, smiling sadly.  “I had to tell Ren she could not consummate her marriage before claiming the Heart Orb and, not too surprisingly, she had no idea what I meant.  When I offered to explain it, she said she’d prefer to ask Marl about it.  She came back a little while later and asked if you could do it before they entered the water.”

Zakiel nodded.  He felt bad that they wouldn’t be able to enjoy at least one wedding night before going into danger as he and Karma had, but there was no help for it.  If they wed sooner, the temptation would likely be too much for them.  “I’m afraid it will be a rushed ceremony.”

“It’s what they want,” Karma said.  Her eyes traveled to where Bredon and Kapia sat together some distance away.  “I wish you could do a ceremony for them, too,” she said softly.  Zakiel followed her gaze, nodding sadly in agreement. 

Although the women were used to sitting in a saddle day after day, trotting was far different from walking.  After the first day they were all tired and sore, and Karma was worried about her pregnancy.  She kept her fears to herself though.  There was no other choice.  By the end of the second day they’d all developed bruises, but not one of them uttered a single complaint.  Not even Caral or Lashi.  Since the women slept together in the only tent they’d brought, Zakiel, Tomas, and Bredon were blissfully unaware of their wives’ conditions, and the women agreed to keep it that way.  Getting to
Ka-Teru
as quickly as possible was far more important than a few days of sore behinds.  They considered their discomfort a small price to pay when they reached the bend in the river outside of Ausar that Ren had told them about by the end of their third day of travel. 

***

The following morning, an hour after sunrise, diminished company stood on the sand beside the river in a loose semicircle with Zakiel facing them.  In their haste, they had done nothing to change the scene from the way Nature had formed it, save only to mark two parallel lines in the sand from just in front of Zakiel to the edge of the semicircle’s center, marking a path wide enough for two people to walk side by side.  In front of Zakiel, at his left hand, wearing his best swords as well as the ceremonial dirk left to him by his father, stood Marl, dressed in riding leathers, as were all the Hunters.  Garundel stood ramrod straight beside Marl, also wearing his best swords, his expression grave and proud.

At a nod from Zakiel, Bredon and Tomas, who stood at the end of the marked aisle, effectively blocking it, now stepped aside, opening the semi-circle.  Kapia, Maiden of the Moon and Tiari, Maiden of the Sun, dressed in their riding clothes, each bearing their chosen weapon, entered the semi-circle.  They walked solemnly but with evident joy up the path and took their places at Garundel’s right hand.  As soon as they were in place Karma entered, carrying the Ti-Ank, the pale gold of the winged ankh glinting in the sunlight.  She stood briefly beside the Orb Maidens to acknowledge their sisterhood, and then took her place as future Queen beside the future King. 

At another nod from Zakiel, Tomas and Bredon resumed their places, blocking the end of the path.  Had the ceremony been conducted inside a temple, the door to the temple would have been locked at this point and ceremonial guards posted inside the door to prevent interruptions.  

Zakiel stepped forward and took a deep breath.  He’d performed the traditional, deeply ancient ceremony of Isiben only once before, but he had heard his father conduct it dozens of times.  He did not fancy himself a skilled public speaker, nor was he adept at ceremony, but he had only to imagine what his father would do in this place, at this time, and his nerves settled. 

What better example could there be?

“Good people, hearken and behold,” he began, his voice clear and strong.  No one who heard it could doubt that it was a voice that had commanded armies with strength and courage, and would now command a kingdom in the same manner.  “Set aside for now the thoughts and cares of this life so that our hearts and minds can attend in this sacred hour to all we say and do here today.”  He paused, as officiates had paused at this point for a thousand years or more.  He then looked around expectantly.  “Is there a man here who seeks to be wed today?”   

“I, Sir Marl of the House of Muran, Knight of Isiben, seek to enter the bond of marriage on this day, at this hour,” Marl said clearly.

“Do you know this man?” Zakiel asked of the circle.

“We do,” all answered in unison.

“Is he of the Age of Manhood, able to understand and fulfill his obligations as a husband and protector of wife and home, of house and family?”

“He is,” they replied.

“Is he sober and clear of mind on this day?”

“He is.”

“By the words of those present who know this man, I declare that Sir Marl is ready to be wed.”  Zakiel shifted his attention to Garundel.  “Who will give the bride in marriage here today?”

“I, Sir Garundel, Second Knight of Isiben, born of the House of Enspri, give the bride, my Daughter, in marriage on this day, at this hour,” answered Garundel, his normally gruff, battlefield voice gentled by the strong emotion of the moment. 

“And is her mother of the same mind?” Zakiel asked, his voice softening.  He’d hesitated over this portion of the ceremony, worried that it would cause unnecessary pain to Garundel.  But Garundel had insisted it be included.  Though Rosea was long gone from the plane of the living, he would not omit her from this ceremony because of his grief.  Now, he watched as Garundel, the most steadfast warrior he’d ever known, struggled to speak his lines.

“Roesa’s spirit has traveled to the Beyond, so no longer lives among us,” Garundel said.  Just as he opened his mouth to finish the ritual phrase, Karma gasped, attracting the attention of all.  Without a word she sent her energy into the Ti-Ank, then to the misty figure before her.

Everyone had seen Karma manifest spirits too many times to be surprised by it now.  But there were a few gasps when they saw that the woman who appeared looked so much like Ren it was uncanny.

“I, Roesa, wife of Garundel and Mother of Renata bless this union between our daughter and Sir Marl, a man whose soul matches Ren’s in every way.”  As she spoke Roesa moved to stand before Garundel, her eyes fixed on his.  Garundel’s cheeks were wet with tears, as were the eyes of everyone present.  After a long moment, Roesa moved to stand beside Garundel, though their eyes never left each other.  Zakiel cleared his throat, wiped his own eyes, and picked up where he’d left off.

“Renata, Daughter of Garundel and Roesa is well given,” he said.  He turned his gaze to the two other Orb Maidens.  “Do you know the bride?”

“We do,” they said with one voice.

“Is she of the Age of Womanhood, able to understand and fulfill her obligations as wife and maker of home and family, and as companion and helper of her husband?

“She is,” they replied

“Then let her be brought before this company.”  Garundel hesitated.  He knew his role, but was loathe to waste even a moment of Roesa’s presence.  “Any time Roesa wishes to speak with you, I shall make it so, Garundel,” Karma promised softly.  Roesa smiled, and the grizzled warrior bowed to Karma in thanks.  Then he strode to the end of the path.  “Doorkeepers,” he said, “open the way so that I may fetch my daughter to be wed.”

Tomas and Bredon bowed, then stepped back, clearing the path.  Garundel stepped beyond the perimeter and took Ren’s arm.  Like everyone else, she wore her riding clothes, but such happiness shone in her eyes that it was clear she was the bride.  She took her father’s arm and entered the circle at his side, then stopped suddenly.

“Mother?” she whispered.

Roesa smiled gently.  “Yes, Ren, it’s me.  I could not pass up the opportunity to see you wed.  We will have a chance to talk later, Lady Techu has promised.  Right now you have a man awaiting you.”

“Thank you, Karma,” Ren said, then looked up at her Father and nodded.  Garundel led her the rest of the way up the aisle until she stood beside Marl.  He kissed her gently on the forehead and resumed his place.

“Do you come before us to be wed to this man?” asked Zakiel.

“Yes, I, Renata, daughter of Garundel and Roesa, do desire to be wed at this time, in this place, before this company.”  Zakiel smiled, then turned to the groom.

“Sir Marl, now is the time for you to state the vows you have fashioned for your future Wife.”

Marl turned to face Ren and reached for her hands.  Holding them gently, he looked into her eyes and spoke, “I, Marl, declare to you, Renata, my eternal love and devotion.  I hereby swear to be your husband and protector, your lover and your companion, your friend and your champion, keeping faithful to you in mind and body, for as long as we walk the lands and swim the waters of Rathira and into Beyond.  I further swear that my devotion shall not wane in the face of any of the hardships of this world and that you will find me forever at your side.”

“Do you, Renata, hear and accept the vows Marl has made to you before all witnesses?” Zakiel asked.

“I do hear and accept his vows, before all witnesses,” Ren said in a clear voice. 

“Renata, now is the time for you to state the vows you have fashioned for your future Husband.”

“I, Renata, declare to you Marl, my eternal love and devotion.  I swear to be your wife and helpmate, your lover and companion, your friend and your confidante, keeping faithful to you in mind and body, for as long as we walk the lands and swim the waters of Rathira and into Beyond.  I further swear that my devotion shall not wane in the face of any of the hardships of this world and that you will find me forever at your side.”

“Do the parents of the bride, the friends of the bride and groom, and all those assembled here today find these vows sufficient under our ancient laws and customs?”

“We do!” they thundered.

“In accordance with the ancient laws and customs of Isiben, and of Rathira, and with the natural laws that draw men and women together to form lasting unions from which they draw mutual strength and eternal love, I, Prince Zakiel of the House of Feenis, declare before these assembled witnesses that you are now and forevermore, Husband and Wife.”

Chapter Fourteen

After the ceremony Karma stood as far as she could from Roesa while still able to send enough energy to her to make her visible.  Ren and Garundel spoke with her for a few minutes, then Ren left so that her parents could speak in private.  Spirit had to expend their own energy to appear on the plane of the living, so Roesa was only able to remain for a few more minutes, but there were no complaints.  Garundel and Ren were too happy with the gift to harbor regrets. 

“I cannot begin to thank you, Lady Techu,” Garundel said.  “There are no words.”

“No words are needed, Sir Garundel,” Karma said.  “I am glad that I was able to help make this day more special for Ren and Marl, and you as well.  But I did not summon Roesa.  Her appearance was her own doing.”

Garundel smiled at that, and they spoke for a few moments more until Ren and Marl joined them.  Karma excused herself to let the small family have a few moments together before they all had to leave.  It seemed strange not to have a big celebration after the wedding ceremony, but no one said anything about it. 

“Take care of her for me, Marl,” Garundel said, clapping the younger man on the back.

“You have my word, Sir Garundel,” Marl replied, his eyes on Ren.  His wife.  A thrill ran through him at the thought.  “I’d die to keep her from the smallest harm.”

“I know you would,” Garundel said.  He placed one hand on Marl’s shoulder and waited for the younger man’s eyes to meet his own.  “I want you both returned to me safely.  Roesa and Ren were all the family I had, and I spent fifteen years believing them both dead.  I never expected to have a family again, but now I do, and I will
not
lose either of you.”

“No, Garundel,” Marl promised solemnly.  “You will not.”

“Good,” Garundel said with a firm nod, his eyes bright.  “I will wait for you at the entrance to the tunnel.”

“We will come as quickly as we can.”

Garundel released Marl’s shoulder as Ren approached for one last hug.  After a few more goodbyes, Ren and Marl stood alone, watching as Zakiel led everyone into the desert on foot.  The drovers had already turned back with the diplo to rejoin those they’d left behind.  There they would all wait to be summoned to Ka-Teru
,
their duty to the Orb Quest complete.

Ren and Marl waited until they were completely alone before turning toward the river.  They stopped at the water’s edge, and Ren reached up to touch the medallion resting just below her throat.

“Are you nervous?” Ren asked.

“Yes,” she whispered.  “Are you?”

“Yes,” he replied.  Her eyes widened in surprise.  “I’m nervous about seeing you without your clothes, Ren.”

“Then it’s lucky for you that we don’t have to take them off,” she said, trying to ignore the hurt that washed through her.

“We don’t?” he asked, confused when Ren dropped her eyes and turned her face away from him.  He placed a finger beneath her chin and coaxed her to look up at him.  “You misunderstand me, Wife.  I’m nervous because I want you more than I ever imagined possible.  I will not risk your honor, or mine, nor will I risk the fate of Rathira.  It’s just that, once I see you, I’m afraid it will be nearly impossible for me to think of anything else.  I’m having a difficult enough time knowing that you, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, are now mine forever.  If this is a dream, please do not wake me up.”