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

for an important reason.  I will speak plainly.  Lady Techu has been found, as has the Ti-Ank.  The Orb Quest must now begin.”
    Zakiel paused to allow his announcement time to sink in.  The shock, wonder and eagerness on the faces of the men gathered before him made him smile.  The Orb Quest might be a dream, but it would also be dangerous and risky.  No Hunter was fool enough to believe otherwise.  These were not knights of the First Rank—the highest rank of the seven in the Order of Knights—for nothing, he reminded himself.
    When all eyes were on him, this time with expectation, he broke the news they would most dislike hearing.
    “Unfortunately, we are already short on time, and have not yet begun.  We must travel to the Sirelina as quickly as possible, and we must take the Path of the Duat Wells.  The fewer people, the more quickly we can move.”
    “The fewer people, the less likely you will die of thirst,” Sir Garundel added. 
    “How many people do you suggest we take?” Zakiel asked Garundel. 
    “The Duat Wells will water seventy-five men, and ninety diplos, provided they have a thirty day span to refill,” Sir Garundel replied without hesitation. 
    “I had hoped for more than that,” Prince Zakiel said. 
    “How many more?” Sir Garundel asked.
    “A hundred men and one hundred twenty diplos,” Zakiel replied.
    “No, Highness,” Sir Garundel said, shaking his head.  “If you start the journey with a hundred men, you will reach the far side of the desert with no more than seventy-five.  The others will decorate the sands with their bones.  I have led troops across the Duat four times, and each time came to the end of the journey with men and beasts alive and ready to fight only by sticking to those numbers.”
    “There is no better teacher than experience,” Prince Zakiel said.  “I will heed your wisdom, Sir Garundel, and lower the numbers even more.  We will take the full ninety diplos.  In addition, we will take fifteen drovers and fifteen common servants.  The servants can help with the diplos, and the drovers can help with camp duties.  That leaves room for thirty-five Hunters and two knights.
    The knights will be Sir Bredon, and Sir Garundel, as they are the highest ranked.  If either of you choose not to join us, the next highest ranked knight will take your place.”
    “I am honored,” Sir Bredon said.  “To be a part of the Orb Quest is beyond any dream.  Nothing this side of the Beyond could keep me from it.”
    “I cannot match Sir Bredon’s pretty words,” Sir Garundel said.  “But his sentiment is my own.  This is an honor that exceeds all others.  I would not miss it for any reason.”
    Prince Zakiel nodded, pleased that both men would join him.  All of these men were good men, but in his estimation, they were the best.  “The two of you will select thirty-five Hunters.  However, before you make your selections, I offer the rest of you the choice to accompany us on the Orb Quest.  If you accept, you will act as a Hunter, and obey the orders of those placed over you, for the duration of the quest.  You will retain your current rank and station, of course.”
    At once, every knight in the room spoke up, volunteering to go on the quest, as Zakiel had expected.  He held up one hand for silence.
    “There is room for all of you,” he said.  “However, keep in mind that you are the twenty best knights we have, and there may be trouble here while we are gone.  Demons and, perhaps other enemies as well, will attempt to stop us, but they may also cause problems for our people here in our absence.  We do not want to leave our homes, not to mention our wives, mothers, sisters, and children, unguarded behind us.  After all, Rathira is full of threats and dangers—which is why we have Knights and Hunters in the first place.”
    The troubled expressions on his knight’s faces told him they understood the problem, and would consider it in spite of