Quest for the Moon Orb: Orbs of Rathira by Laura Jo Phillips Page A

“I do not need to be at your side all of the time, but if I am forced to remain any distance from you, it would likely kill you, and cause me great harm.  In time, as our connection to one another grows, so too will the distance we can be apart grow.”
    “How far can we be apart from each other now?” Karma asked, not liking the sound of this at all.
    “I do not know,” Nikura said.  “ We should test it.”
    “Good idea,” Karma replied, determined to do that as soon as possible.
    The door at the far side of the room opened without warning and a woman with very short red hair, dressed in the dark gray livery of the palace servants entered, and bowed low.
    “Your pardon, Lady Techu, Princess Kapia requests a moment of your time, if it is convenient for you.”
    “Is everyone going to be calling me Lady Techu ?” Karma asked Nikura silently.
    “Yes, that is who you are to the people of Rathira,” he replied.  “It is a title of utmost respect.”
    Karma understood Nikura perfectly.  Refusing the title would be a grave insult and since she’d chosen to remain on Rathira, insulting the people around her was probably not a good idea. 
    She studied the woman who still stood at the door, her head bowed slightly, waiting patiently.  She appeared to be in her mid thirties, with a strong, stocky figure, rosy complexion, and clear hazel eyes.
    “What is your name, please?” Karma asked.
    “I am Lashi,” the woman replied without meeting her gaze.  “I have been appointed as your personal attendant, in charge of your quarters and your lower servants, if it pleases you, Lady Techu.”
    Karma glanced at Nikura.  “What do you know of her?”
    “As a girl she apprenticed as a common servant for the Queen, so is very well trained.  She also has a reputation for honesty, integrity, and intelligence.  King Rhobar personally selected her for you.”  Nikura paused .  “You may dismiss her of course, if you wish.”
    “What will happen to her if I refuse her?” Karma asked curiously.
    “Her shame will be such that she will likely throw herself from the palace roof,” Nikura replied with a yawn. 
    Karma turned back to Lashi, dragging out the old lessons on servants and how to judge, select and train them from the dusty recesses of her childhood.  She was pleased that Lashi was neither very young nor old.  A young servant would be inexperienced and not fully trained, whereas an older one might not be able to keep up on the journey she suspected was in her near future.  If she had to have a servant, and apparently she did, she wanted a mature woman with intelligence.  If appearances were any indication, and Nikura was correct about her reputation, she thought Lashi might be perfect for her.
    “Thank you, Lashi,” she said.  “Please show Princess Kapia in.”
    Lashi bowed lower than necessary, indicating that she understood she’d just been examined, weighed, judged, and found acceptable.  Karma smiled as the woman backed out of the room and closed the door.  She was, indeed, intelligent.
    Karma left Nikura on the balcony and entered the room to await her guest.  A few moments later, the door opened again, and Princess Kapia entered the room.  “Greetings, Lady Techu,” she said, pressing her palms together and bowing her head.
    Karma faced the young Princess, noting her red rimmed and swollen eyes.  A careful application of make-up had been used in an attempt to hide the bruises she had received when she’d been abducted.  In spite of the red eyes and bruises, the girl was unquestionably beautiful.
    “Princess Kapia,” she said, after bowing her own head in return, “please don’t be offended if I don’t bow correctly.  I am not familiar with your customs.”
    “I understand,” Kapia said shyly.  “I will keep that in mind in future.”
    “Thank you,” Karma replied.  She had only met the sixteen year old once, and briefly, when the Gryphons had returned her to the palace