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

By a woman.  A rather small, very beautiful woman.
    He shook his head and sighed.  Lady Techu was confident, bold, and, he’d learned this day, sharp tongued when angry.  She was also courageous, as shown by her decision to remain on Rathira.  Why had he allowed himself to believe Marene’s insinuations that there was a secret bargain between Lady Techu and his Father?  He knew Marene well enough to know better, so why had he chosen to listen this time?  Probably because he wanted to believe something bad about the off-worlder, he admitted to himself reluctantly.  He wanted a reason to stop thinking about her.
    She was both an off-worlder, and the Lady Techu.  To allow himself to care for her would be an exercise in futility.  Even with his knowledge of space travel and other worlds, he knew that he would never leave Rathira.  Journeying among the stars held no appeal for him.  He was, and always would be, connected to his world, his land, and his people.  But, as much as he loved his world, he could not imagine Rathira holding such a woman as Karma Baraka. 
    No, he admonished himself for the thousandth time that day, he must keep his distance from Lady Techu.  Hide his attraction to her, his admiration for her, his rapidly growing respect for her.  Above all, he must not show her his heart.  If he did, he would be lost forever. 
    He realized that he had been rude to her, and admitted that a part of him was glad of that as it pushed her further from him.  But, it was beneath him to treat such a woman with so little respect.  She deserved the best Rathira could offer her for her sacrifice, not the worst. 
    Unfortunately, he truly had no idea how to behave around her without revealing his growing regard, and that was something he could not do.  Nevertheless, he decided to work on tempering his behavior when in her presence.  He would find a way to maintain his distance without being rude.  That decision made, he sternly ordered himself to focus on his current task.
    As High General in command all of the Hunter packs, as well as his own pack, he knew that what he was about to tell his knights would probably not go down well.  The Orb Quest was more than a legend; it was a life long dream held by even the most hardened and jaded of Hunters.  In recent years competition for the highest positions had become more fierce than ever in anticipation of the coming Orb Quest.  Everyone knew that only the highest ranked, the best of the best, would be included. 
    Never had anyone suspected that there would be room for so few Hunters.  Yesterday he had begun with plans for five hundred men, and had known there would be grave disappointment with such a low number.  Now, it was going to be far worse.  But, he had no choice. 
    He paused before the double doors leading into the War Council Chamber and waited for the guards to open them.  The low murmur of voices quieted as he entered and crossed the room to his seat at the front, but he did not sit down.  Instead he gestured for the twenty knights he had summoned to gather round.  This would be an informal meeting as he wanted these men to speak freely.
    “Greetings, Knights of Rathira,” he began.  He waited for their return greetings to die down, nodding politely as he studied each of them briefly. 
    Sir Bredon, a distant cousin, life-long friend and honored warrior, the highest ranked knight in all of Isiben.  Sir Garundel, a grizzled and wily veteran of many campaigns.  Sir Corbon, young, handsome, a favorite with the ladies with his ready smile and easy manner.  How little those ladies would recognize his cold ferocity on the battlefield.  Sir Harmin, also young, but quiet and serious in stark contrast to Sir Corbon.  Sir Kirken, Sir Stiven, Sir Jenz, and more.  Zakiel had fought alongside each of them, and knew their worth.  These men truly were the best that Isiben had to offer. 
    “I have called you, the twenty Knights of the First Rank,