Quest for the Moon Orb: Orbs of Rathira Read Free Page B

Rudy transformed and joined Olaf and Aisling as they circled low over the harbor.  
    Karma watched King Rhobar as he watched the gryphons circle overhead, then speed off to the north.  When they were out of sight there was a collective sigh from the men on the dock.  King Rhobar looked over at Captain Singer, who offered him a reassuring smile.
    “Do not worry, Highness, the Gryphons are honorable warriors.  They will find and return your daughter.”
    “I thank you, Captain Singer,” King Rhobar said as he eyed the remaining people on the boat.  “Are you also able to transform yourselves into beasts such as those?”
    “No, we are not,” Captain Singer replied.  “We three are human.  The Gryphons are Clan Jasani, all of whom are shifters.”
    If Karma hadn’t been watching for it, she would have missed the tiny sigh of relief from King Rhobar.  She didn’t really blame him.  It wasn’t every day you saw four perfectly human looking people turn into impossibly huge half lion, half eagle beasts and fly away before your eyes.
    “Come,” King Rhobar said after one last glance into the northern sky, “let us return to the palace and await the Gryphons’ return with Princess Kapia.”
    Karma watched as two tall men with deeply tanned skin, wearing nothing more than a thin white cloth wrapped around their waists, quickly tied the boat to the dock.  As soon as they were finished, the Sphin leapt easily off the boat, followed by Captain Singer.  Karma went next, then Torl. 
    As soon as they were all on the dock, King Rhobar gestured to the dozen or so guards standing politely behind him.  They immediately surrounded the small party. 
    “As your friends seek to rescue my daughter, so shall I see to your safety and care,” King Rhobar said.  Then he turned around and led them off the dock, up a wide stone ramp and onto a street paved with large blocks of stone cut so precisely that there was no gap between them.  There were wood and stone buildings lining both sides of the street, most of them shops from what Karma could tell as they hurried by.  She thought it might be interesting to explore the city, but now was obviously not the time for it.  There were quite a few people out and about, but the overall feeling was subdued and quiet.
    They were walking so quickly, and she was surrounded by so many of King Rhobar’s guards, that she couldn’t really see much more of the city than those first vague impressions.  Until they rounded a corner and she looked up to see what had to be the royal palace.  The building was immense, with massive pillars of stone along its front.  The walk leading toward the main entrance was at least thirty feet wide, and paved with polished red stone.  On either side of the walk way, spaced about fifteen feet apart, were dozens of statues leading from the main road all the way to the palace.  Each one was at least 25 feet tall and depicted a different being or creature.  Some appeared human, some partly human, and some so alien that Karma couldn’t begin to guess what they were.
    “This place reminds me so much of Ancient Egypt it’s uncanny,” Karma said to Captain Singer. 
    “Yes, that was my thought the first time I came here as well,” Captain Singer replied.
    “What is Ancient Egypt ?” King Rhobar asked, surprising Karma.  She didn’t think he would be listening to anything she had to say, though he was only a couple of paces ahead of them.
    “It was a civilization on Earth in ancient times,” Karma replied.  “The country was much like this, desert with a river running through it.  They made extensive use of stone to build their cities, much like you do.  The pyramids they built from huge blocks of stone still stand today, as do giant statues, tombs, and buildings.  On Earth they are still regarded as wonders of the world.”
    “Interesting,” King Rhobar said as they reached the end of the long walkway and began climbing a broad set of