Quest for the Moon Orb: Orbs of Rathira Read Free

closer to the island they noticed that all of the boats on the river kept a good distance away from it as they traveled along the two forks of the river around it. 
    “That island is called Ka-Teru , the Soul of the River,” Captain Singer said, joining them at the railing.  “That’s where the royal city is located.”
    “Is that where we’re going?” Aisling asked.
    “Yes,” Captain Singer replied.  “If we were not on a royal barge, marked with a golden deck, we would never be allowed within fifty yards of the island. 
    “What would happen if one of those boats got too close?” Karma asked.
    “I do not know,” Captain Singer replied.  “Nor do I want to.”
    “That sounds ominous,” Aisling said.  “Are these violent people?”
    “No more violent than most,” Captain Singer replied.  “The people of Isiben use a system of knowledge levels.  Those who live on the island are of the first level, and they are very careful about who they allow to visit.  The punishment for anyone stepping foot on the island, or even attempting to approach it without permission is, I am told, quite severe.”
    “Is there a city for those who do not live on the island?” Aisling asked.
    “Yes,” Captain Singer replied.  “The city of Ausar is situated on the east bank of the river after the forks merge about two miles north of the island.” 
    As they neared the island the boat veered slightly, then slipped into a canal that was largely hidden behind a u-shaped rock outcropping.  As the boat passed into the canal, they saw a tall stele set into the rock at the edge of the water that had writing carved into it.  Karma stared at it, but it was gibberish to her.
    “I can’t figure out what that says,” Aisling said, surprising Karma.  Aisling had a knack for languages that rarely failed her.
    “The writing is Rathirian script,” Captain Singer said.  “They write from right to left, but I cannot tell you what it says.”
    Aisling frowned as she studied the stele again. 
    “It still doesn’t work,” she said. 
    “Try reversing the letters in the words themselves,” Torl suggested. 
    Aisling frowned at Torl.  “Why would someone go to such lengths to make a sign post so difficult to read?”
    “It’s a common practice on worlds that have different levels of knowledge for different classes of people,” Torl explained.  “They tend to take great pains to hide the highest level of writing and knowledge from the masses.  It increases their mystery.”
    Aisling looked back at the stele.  After a few moments, she began to read aloud: 
    “ Ka-Teru, Sacred City of King Rhobar, founded by King Arth-Mar, the Builder, in the ninth year of the Third Dynasty, in whose honor this marker was erected.  This city is protected by the Gods of Ank-Teru, whose wrath shall be avenged by the glorious Knights of Rathira.”
    Karma gasped as they passed the stele and rounded a bend.  The canal opened into a broad marina that was thick with boats, most of them tied to short docks like the one they’d use to board earlier, a few of them drifting casually along the line of docks.  The boats were in a rainbow of colors, some with stripes, some solid, but all of them had stylized figures of some sort depicted along their bows.  Even as colorful and interesting as the boats were, they paled in comparison to the sight of the buildings along the banks.
    From what Karma could see through the heavy foliage, the buildings appeared to be either square or rectangular, with flat roofs and tall columns holding up deep overhangs that shaded the doors and windows.  The buildings seemed huge, even from a distance, much taller than anything she’d seen outside of a modern city.
    About half way into the marina the boat turned toward a dock that was much larger than the rest.  There were several boats tied to it, with one empty spot near the end.  As their boat floated gently toward the empty slip, a procession of people