It seems to me that to restore the Empire, you need an Orb, and an Emperor/Empress. Perhaps the Orb was safer in the paths under the watchful eyes of the gods than it would be circling the head of an infant Zerika, who would be the target of the Empires enemies. Under those circumstances, it would be wise for Sethra to retreat to her mountain, and fend off attackers herself until such time that Zerika would be ready. Pure conjecture, but fun. Greg Schwartz