Alora: The Portal

by Tamie Dearen

  “I am Daegreth.”

  “Daegreth, do you hale from Sun Clan? How did you come to Vindrake?”

  “My family was traveling when we… when we… met Vindrake’s men.”

  “He could be lying,” said Kaevin. “You can’t trust anything he says. He has the bondmark.”

  “Kaevin, be nice.” Alora regarded him with a scowl before smiling down at Daegreth. “How are you feeling? Are you in pain?”

  His eyes opened wide, and he smiled at her. “The pain is not too bad, thank you. But...” His eyes darted to Kaevin. “He’s correct. I can’t be… you can’t… I freely and gladly serve my master, Vindrake.”

  Brian knelt beside him. “Daegreth, do I look familiar to you? Do I look at all like someone you know? Perhaps like someone in your family?”

  Confusion seemed to twist his brows. “No, I don’t recognize you.” At Brian’s obvious disappointment, he added. “Perhaps I simply don’t remember. We left our home when I had seven years, and my father was killed soon after.”

  “Was your father killed by Vindrake’s men?” Graely peered over Brian’s shoulder.

  Daegreth’s face clouded as his features turned wooden. “I freely and gladly serve my master, Vindrake.”

  “This is a waste of time,” Kaevin complained. “We’ve done more than was required of us. This man is an enemy warrior who tried to kill Jireo and may have killed other Laegenshire citizens. We’ve saved his life and delivered him back to Laegenshire. Let’s be on our way before your uncle becomes more impatient.”

  “May I ask a question?” Daegreth’s pleading expression was earnest, but Kaevin couldn’t shake his skepticism, especially standing so close to the repugnant bondmark.

  “Go ahead,” Brain encouraged, patting his arm. “What do you want to know?”

  “Before this, did I die? Did you bring me back to life?”

  “No son, you were in a hospital in America, and I’d like to take you back with me.”

  “I thought… I thought I was dead. I couldn’t feel… It was as if…”

  Graely interrupted, “It doesn’t matter, Brian, because I can’t let you take him back to Montana. We can’t introduce Vindrake’s influence into the other realm.”

  “But we’d be careful—”

  “We can’t predict what accidents might happen. I’m sorry, Brian. We must return him to Vindrake for the safety of everyone involved.”

  “Everyone except Daegreth,” Brian corrected.

  Graely’s jaw hardened. “Brian, if I could remove the bloodbond or rehabilitate him in any way, I would do so. Don’t you believe I’ve tried in the past?”

  Alora stepped between the two arguing men to confront Graely. “What if Daegreth is different from the others? He has a good soul, so maybe we can save him. Think of all the things you could learn from him. Things that could help you defeat Vindrake. You could ask him all sorts of questions.”

  Kaevin saw his father’s eyebrows arch high on his forehead. He found himself dragged away by his elbow as his father spoke to him in low tones. “We could question him with Chaleah present. If he didn’t realize he was talking to a judge, we could cull a great deal of information from his answers.”

  “But we’d still return him to Vindrake? You’re not considering allowing him to return to Montana with Brian?”

  “No, no. Perhaps Brian will be mollified upon hearing the truth as Chaleah interprets it from the man’s own words. We can ask him what he would do if we released him. Surely Brian will relent when he realizes this man will readily kill his entire family if given the opportunity.”

  “Yes. And Alora could see that he’s truly dangerous and violent. ” He glanced over his shoulder at her frowning visage.

  “The plan is a good one. I will speak to Chaleah and arrange with Laethan to secure him in a private place for questioning. You explain the plan to Alora and Brian, but don’t let the warrior…” He hesitated, cutting his eyes to the bound man lying on the ground. “Don’t let Daegreth overhear. He mustn’t know Chaleah is a judge.” He clapped Kaevin on the shoulder and strode away.

  Kaevin nodded, proud to have his father consult with him and acutely aware of Alora’s condemning stare. The gaze she turned back to Daegreth was full of sympathy. He wondered if he might yet have an opportunity to deliver that kick to the ribs.

  *****

  Alora stood in the back beside Kaevin and Brian, idly twisting a strand of hair with her fingers. She couldn’t help feeling Daegreth was about to undergo a trial without a lawyer. It seemed unfair not to explain that a judge, who could detect truth or falsehood, would interpret his answers.

  Secured to a bed with chains, Daegreth didn’t protest, though the restraint seemed humiliating to Alora. In fact, he appeared more at ease since the small plastic cable ties had been replaced with heavy iron restraints.

  Chaleah stood close by, watching and listening as Graely questioned him. “Whom do you serve?”

  “I freely and gladly serve the great Master Vindrake.”

  “What position do you hold in Vindrake’s service?”

  “I am in his honor guard.”

  “And if you were unchained from this bed, what would you do?”

  “If I had the strength to do so, I would kill you, and everyone in this room, obeying the will of my master.” Alora was shocked as he delivered his answer without emotion, not even a hint of remorse or regret. Brian flinched, and his stiff shoulders drooped a tiny bit.

  “Would you like to be free of the bloodbond that ties you to Vindrake?”

  At this question, Daegreth began to sputter and strain, his face reddening and his words emerging in strangled bits. “I gladly serve Vindrake, and I have no desire to be free of his control. I love the bondmark as I love my master.”

  Graely motioned with his head, stepping outdoors with Chaleah. Alora, Kaevin and Brian followed behind.

  “Now you see, Alora,” said Kaevin. “Now do you understand what I’ve been trying to tell you?”

  “No.” Chaleah held up her hand. “He was lying.”

  “What do you mean?” asked Graely. “Everything he said was a lie?”

  “No, he told the truth when he said he would kill everyone in the room if you unchained him. However he lied about serving Vindrake freely and gladly. Also, he was lying when he said he had no desire to be free of his control. The boy is in agony bearing his bondmark.”

  Kaevin objected. “But he’s in Vindrake’s honor guard. He must have been malicious to obtain such a position. At the least, he must have been enthusiastic in carrying out Vindrake’s evil wishes.”

  “Yes, he spoke truth concerning his position as honor guard,” Chaleah affirmed.

  “We know so little of how Vindrake operates,” said Graely. “It’s mere speculation what one must do to be an honor guard.”

  “So was I right, then?” asked Alora. “I could see something in his eyes. Something like sorrow or regret, a great sadness.”

  “I don’t think you should be looking so closely at his eyes,” mumbled Kaevin.

  “I only know he wishes he was not under Vindrake’s control. I have no idea whether he would be good or evil without that control,” said Chaleah.

  “Can’t you just ask him?” Alora probed. “Ask him if he’s wicked, and you can tell if he’s lying.”

  “No, the question is too subjective,” said Chaleah.

  “I have an idea,” said Graely with an excited smile. “Come Chaleah, and listen carefully to his responses.”

  Graely returned indoors to his bedside, while Chaleah stood close by, observing.

  “Your name is Daegreth, is it not?”

  “Yes,” his voice held a cautious note.

  “Daegreth, I’ve decided you’re not really a danger to us. I’m going to unlock your chains and let you go back to your master.”

  “Father!” Kaevin stepped up to clasp his shoulder. “This is a mistake!”

  But Graely held up his hand to silence his so
n.

  “The decision has been made. I will brook no interference.”

  Daegreth’s eyes opened wide. “Yes! Unchain me. I will tear you limb from limb.”

  “I don’t think you’ll do that. I don’t think you want to hurt me, deep down inside. Only promise you won’t attack, and I’ll release you right now.”

  Daegreth’s mouth opened and closed. Coughing and choking, his eyes watered. “I… won’t… Yes… let me go. I serve my master, Vindrake. I serve my master. My master wants you dead.” His voice trailed off. “I serve my master, Vindrake. I serve my master…”

  “Daegreth, would you like for me to let you go?”

  “Yes… Let me go… I won’t hurt you.” He turned his face away.

  “Would you prefer I kill you now?”

  “No… please…” He sobbed out the words.

  Alora found her own eyes watering as she followed Graely and the others outside again.

  “Why are you crying?” Kaevin’s voice was as surly as his expression. “He doesn’t deserve your sympathy.”

  “If you’d been born in a different place, it could’ve been you instead of him.” Alora retorted.

  “Not me. I’d never even consider swearing fealty to Vindrake… no matter what he did to me.”

  “You can’t know that, Kaevin. You just need to stop being so judgmental.”

  Before he could reply, she turned her back to him.

  “What did you determine, Chaleah?” Graely bounced on his toes, sporting a broad smile.

  “Daegreth would rather you kill him than let him go to do you harm. It’s fascinating!”

  “I don’t believe this!” Kaevin ran his fingers through his hair. “He’s Water Clan. He’s got the bondmark.”

  “Nonetheless, Daegreth is willing to sacrifice his own life to save ours,” said Chaleah.

  “Glare it!” said Kaevin.

  “Kaevin! No cursing!” Graely scolded.

  Kaevin crossed his arms, jutting out his chin.

  What’s gotten into him? Why doesn’t he want to give this poor guy a chance? Alora shot him a dirty look.

  “It doesn’t matter what Daegreth is willing to do,” Kaevin grumbled. “He is what he is. Even if he doesn’t want to serve Vindrake, he does. We can’t change that, so why are we wasting our time?”

  “We can learn from him,” said Graely, his voice rising with enthusiasm. “Daegreth was an honor guard; surely he knows a great deal more than the average warrior. With Chaleah helping, we may learn enough to counter Vindrake’s moves.”

  “But there’s no reason for Alora to be involved,” Kaevin said, taking Alora’s hand in a firm grasp and tugging her away. “We should go back to Montana.”

  “Right,” Graely nodded. “You and Alora can take Brian back now. We won’t be returning Daegreth to Vindrake, at least not yet.”

  “Wait!” Brian grabbed Graely’s shoulders. “Daegreth was trying to tell me something about being in Montana. He said it felt different.”

  “That’s right.” Alora jerked her arm back, dancing with excitement. “And now I remember, I didn’t notice his bondmark at the hospital before we came here. Maybe the bloodbond doesn’t work in the other realm.”

  “But he attacked a man in the hospital. He must have been under Vindrake’s control.” Kaevin’s blood vessels pulsed on the side of his heated face.

  “Oh, that’s right—I forgot he did that. I guess he still had the bloodbond after all.” Alora tried to reason it out in her mind, chewing on the inside of her cheek.

  Graely lifted an eyebrow. “Did he kill someone?”

  “No,” Alora answered. “Dr. Sanders told me he ran in the room and found Daegreth holding some man with his legs. It was some poor lab guy who just wanted to get a blood sample.”

  “This is wonderful news.” Graely clapped his hands. “Daegreth couldn’t possibly have been under Vindrake’s control at the time. The man would be dead now.”

  “But his arms were bound,” Kaevin objected.

  Graely put a hand on Kaevin’s shoulder. “You know as well as I that a trained warrior could easily kill a weaponless man without the use of his hands. And he wouldn’t have obeyed another man’s order if the bloodbond had been in effect.”

  “We can’t be certain.” Kaevin persisted. “Perhaps because of his injury he was too weak to kill the man. I still don’t trust him.”

  “Does this mean I can take him back to Montana with me?” Brian asked.

  “Why not simply question him here?” Kaevin suggested. “You can discover everything you need with Chaleah’s aid.”

  “Let me add this thought, Graely,” Chaleah interrupted. “I believe his bond of fealty will prevent him from answering most of our questions, unless we are clever in our wording. But if Vindrake’s control is truly absent in the other realm, he could be immensely helpful. Of course, unless I’m present, we still wouldn’t be certain of his truthfulness.”

  “But if the bloodbond doesn’t work in Montana, he won’t lie,” Alora reasoned.

  “Even those who aren’t controlled by someone evil will often speak falsehoods,” said Graely. “That’s why a judge is an essential part of our council.”

  “I wish our judges had that skill,” said Brian. “We’d always know who was guilty and who was innocent.”

  “Maybe not,” Alora said. “Even guilty people can plead the fifth.”

  “True, but maybe we’d have a different justice system if our judges were like Chaleah.” Brian screwed his lips sideways. “What if your judge is lying? No offense, Chaleah. It just occurred to me everything depends on your judgment and your truthfulness. Who judges the judge?

  “My gift doesn’t allow me to speak untruth.” Chaleah’s expression remained impassive.

  “Really? That’s so great,” Alora said.

  “It does make relationships more difficult,” said Chaleah. “I often attempt to withhold my opinions if they would be hurtful, but then I am judged by my silence. It is difficult not to offend people on a regular basis.”

  “Ah… so sometimes you have to speak around the truth.” Brian laughed. “We have people like that in America—they’re called attorneys. They go to a special school to learn that skill.”

  Alora chuckled with him, more amused by the confusion on their friends’ faces. She thought to explain the joke, but decided against the attempt. “Seriously, Chaleah, I can see how your gift might not make you very popular, because you’d also know if somebody embellished a story or paid you a false compliment.”

  “Yes, but I work well with young children because they tend to speak truth and expect it in return.”

  “So back to the subject at hand, what are we going to do with him?” Alora nodded toward the door.

  Graely’s face split into a broad smile. “Brian, we’ll take him to Montana and question him with Chaleah present. It’s possible you may get your wish after all. Daegreth may be a great gift in our battle against Vindrake.”

  “I knew I was right about him.” Alora reached to the side to take Kaevin’s hand. But where he’d been standing, her hand grasped empty air.

  ~ 7 ~

  “Now tell me, Markaeus… Are you certain no one from Laegenshire realized you came from Water Clan?” Vindrake tried to keep his tone light, hoping to encourage the boy to share his story.

  “You promised if I did what you asked, you’d let me and my brother and grandfather go.” Markaeus’ accusing eyes narrowed, and Vindrake noticed the color was something between blue and green. His blond hair was shaggy and unkempt, matching his attire.

  “Indeed I did, and I’m a man of my word.” Not for the first time, Vindrake rejoiced his stolen gift of judging didn’t carry the burden of truthfulness thrust upon those born with the gift. Markaeus’ brother had almost twelve years and would soon be forced to take the oath of fealty. And the boys’ grandfather, feeble though he was, had already received the bloodbond. But the promise of his family’s freedom had proven to be great
incentive for the talented boy who’d already demonstrated a number of minor gifts, including horsemanship, though he had but nine years. Vindrake was irked he was forced to cajole Markaeus into cooperation rather than force him, but the bloodbond would not work on a child having fewer than twelve years.

  “Laegenshire was a nice place. My family might prefer to live there.” Markaeus crossed his arms, and his lower lip protruded. Vindrake couldn’t help admiring the boy’s spirit, despite being irritated with his recalcitrant nature. When his major talent developed, he would be a prize Water Clansman. After the bloodbond was applied, of course.

  “You can live anywhere you like if your information proves useful to me.” Like a silken sash, the lie slid from Vindrake’s lips. “But you will find Water Clan a much more hospitable place to reside. Even now my men are preparing a home where you may live and have all your needs provided.”

  Markaeus’ brows furrowed as if he might withhold his report.

  “And if I’m truly pleased, I may give you a horse.”

  “A horse? What color? A mare or a stallion?” The boy danced at the news.

  “No, no… first you must tell me what you’ve learned.” He pasted what he hoped was a pleasant smile on his face as the boy spilled forth his story, now eager to comply.

  “Well… I was there for a while, and the iron forger let me work with him and gave me a place to stay. I said I ran away from Water Clan warriors, just like you told me. He didn’t ask many questions.”

  “That’s fine, but what did you learn?”

  “I listened carefully, but no one mentioned Kaevin or Alora around me.”

  “So you don’t know if he’s alive or dead?” Vindrake controlled his frustration with great effort.

  “I didn’t say that. I only said no one spoke of them. But the day before I left, I saw him. I saw Kaevin, and he talked to me.”

  “You saw Kaevin BarGraely? Are you certain? Perhaps it only looked like him.”