by Tamie Dearen
“We talked about adopting but never followed through. So when you came along, it was like we were given a gift. The little girl we always wanted dropped right into our hands. In our hearts, we knew it was just a loan, so to speak. But aren’t all children like that? They’re not really ours… they’re just on loan from God for a while.”
Alora felt a huge lump in her throat. “I love you, Uncle Charles. No matter what happens, I’m glad I got dropped with you and Aunt Lena. You were the best mom and dad I could’ve asked for.”
She glanced behind her to be certain Arista was still sleeping. She heard soft snores from the boys behind her uncle. “I’ve been thinking a lot about this mission, and I want you to know I’m not afraid any more.”
“Good.” He nodded, his attempt at a smile looking more like indigestion.
She closed her eyes, concentrating, hoping to gain courage by speaking her thoughts aloud. “I’ve decided if we get caught, I’m not afraid to die. I’m not afraid of death or eternity. Maybe this is my destiny… our destiny, Kaevin and me. Maybe we’re supposed to help close the portal, and our purpose will be fulfilled. Then we won’t have to worry about the soulmate thing or getting rid of it or—”
“No!”
She opened her eyes to find a look of horror on Uncle Charles’ face as he slowly shook his head from side to side.
“No, you will not give up. You stay alive. No matter what.” Tears glistened in his eyes, but his expression was fierce. “You come back and finish what you started. Find a way. I swear to you, Alora, I’m not making this up. I’ve known all along I’d some day lose you to your mother’s world, but I’m absolutely certain you’re destined to accomplish much in this fight. You can’t ever give up and let Vindrake take your life from you. If you do, evil wins. We can’t let that happen. Never. Even in one small part of the universe.”
Alora gave a vigorous nod, biting back a sob. “Okay.”
Uncle Charles sat up, holding out his arms, and she fell against him and let her tears soak into his shirt.
“Promise me you’ll fight to live,” he murmured in her ear.
“I will.” She spoke the words as an oath.
*****
“Meravelle, these are the people I spoke of earlier… the ones from Stone Clan who came to study soulmates. This is Raelene, whom I’ve been working with these past two seven-days. And this is Bardamen, who’s accompanied her here to protect her from danger.”
Bastaeno’s granddaughter rose from the table, with a longing look at the parchment she’d been studying. Her dark brown hair was impossibly curly, surrounding her face like a lion’s mane. She was tiny, the top of her head only reaching Raelene’s shoulder, but her face was strikingly beautiful. She stuck out a hand to Raelene, appraising her with wide intelligent grey eyes, like her grandfather’s.
“Well met, Raelene. How may I be of service?” Meravelle’s greeting didn’t extend to Bardamen.
Bardamen made an irritated huffing sound. “I’m Bardamen. I’m Stone Clan’s chief shaman.”
“Bardamen, I apologize for my introduction. I had no idea of your titled position.” Bastaeno bobbed his head.
“Not to worry, Bastaeno.” Raelene skewered Bardamen with her glare. “Bardamen hasn’t claimed the title yet. He has a few more moons before his father steps down from the chief position.”
Bardamen’s cheeks flamed, and he displayed a rare moment of speechlessness.
Meravelle edged her way back toward the table, but her grandfather stopped her. “Mera, Raelene wishes to know about the man who came to the Craedenza to study soulmates. You helped him when I was ill, remember? Perhaps a moon ago or a bit longer?”
“He was Water Clan. Gifted in wisdom, but not language.” She chewed on her lower lip. “Language is a rather rare gift, in all actuality.”
“Do you remember what he discovered while he was here?” Raelene asked. “I have reason to believe Vindrake sent him to acquire knowledge for ill purpose. Vindrake has learned of our soulmate couple, Alora and Kaevin, and has already attempted to kill them.” Raelene held her breath, waiting for the answer.
Mera shuddered as she sank into her chair at the table. “Such a travesty to use knowledge for vile purposes. I don’t believe the Water Clansman discovered anything to aid in such a cause. We did, however, learn that soulmates cannot take their own lives, thus killing their mates.”
“A shame, truly,” Bardamen muttered, his dark brows furrowed over his eyes.
“Why would that be a shame?” Mera sat back and crossed her arms, her grey eyes flashing as she acknowledged Bardamen for the first time.
“I imagine there could come a time when a man might feel killing his spouse or himself was the best option to escape from his spouse’s presence.”
Raelene gasped, slapping her hand over her mouth.
“I would never consent to marry a man who would push me to such a desperate action,” said Mera.
“But perhaps your spouse might feel so compelled,” Bardamen suggested. “Perhaps he might grow tired of a woman who cannot tear her attention from her work long enough to complete a conversation.”
“Perhaps she felt the conversation was complete already. While you obviously had plenty of free time on your hands, I had work to do. When I finished drinking my mug of tea, I assumed we were done.” Mera rose from her seat, stomping toward Bardamen as she wagged her finger. “Is my conversation too dull for you? Because I have no gift in wisdom, do you believe I cannot carry on an interesting dialog?”
“Precisely.” Bardamen stood his ground, unflinching. “Now if you’ll excuse me…”
“You believe wisdom is a superior gift to shaman? Truly?”
“Your words, not mine. But they are the wisest I’ve heard from your lips.”
Raelene stifled a laugh. “I must assume the two of you have met on a previous occasion.”
“Yes, but I’m afraid the incident had slipped my mind,” said Mera. “The conversation was so insipid I’d forgotten it had even occurred.”
“Forgive me. I purposefully kept my dialogue on a childish level because your diminutive stature led me to believe you had but ten or twelve years.”
“When I had but ten years, I utilized words in conversation that you would find incomprehensible even now.”
“There’s no need for shame simply because you once had a speech impediment.”
Mera jabbed her finger to emphasize each word while her face turned red as a glowing ember. “That wasn’t my intent when I said my words were incomprehensible. I had no speech impertinent… impenitent… Argh!! Impediment… I had no impediment!”
Bardamen threw his head back, laughing. “Ha! You are disconcerted… shall I tell you the definition? I believe I’ve notched one victory in our little contest, though you have the superior gift of wisdom.”
To Raelene’s amazement, a lopsided smile slid onto Mera’s face. “Very well, I’ll concede one victory. But next time, I won’t limit myself to such simple verbiage.”
*****
The impressive broiling tower spewed again, drawing Kaevin’s attention from Arista’s antics. She found it hilarious to lie inside the portal, extending various body parts, which then appeared to float in the air above the ground a short distance away from the steaming pool of water, edged in a rainbow of colors.
“Kaevin,” Jireo pulled him aside, speaking in urgent tones. “I cannot allow you to go.”
“I must go; you know that. The council decided; I’m only following orders.”
“No, you don’t understand. I can’t let you go without me. It’s the defender bond; I’m certain of it. I must go, or you must not.”
“But you’re the only one who can communicate with Laegenshire once Alora enters the portal. You must remain behind.”
Jireo’s head was already shaking before Kaevin finished his sentence. “I can’t do it. Once you enter the portal with Arista, it will close behind you, and I won’t be able to reach you. My head hurts si
mply from considering the possibility.”
Kaevin tried to keep his voice steady. “I suppose this means we’re going to be killed.”
“No, I believe it only means your life is in danger. All defender partners feel the pull during battle, but it doesn’t mean one or the other will be killed.”
Kaevin paced. “Let me think. Let me think. There must be a solution. What if… what if we all enter the portal together? You could wait inside with Charles and Wesley while we go through and seal the opening.”
“Yes! Yes, we wouldn’t lose the portal. I could still reach you if need be. The ache in my head lessens as we speak.” Jireo’s mouth stretched in a relieved smile. “I’m certain Wesley will be willing, and Charles will surely agree.”
“Surely,” Kaevin repeated, pouring skepticism into the word. “I believe you should be the one to explain it to him.”
*****
Alora climbed inside the portal to explore. “I can’t see anything in here.” She probed in the darkness a few steps at a time with her hands extended like antennas.
“That’s because you expected it to be dark,” Arista answered. “There’s plenty of light.”
“There is?” No sooner had the words left her mouth than the portal interior lit with a warm glow, revealing a tunnel with smooth polished walls, large enough for their Suburban to drive through.
“How far to the other end?” Alora took a few steps away from the entrance
“I expect it’s just around the corner, as should you, unless you prefer a long journey.”
“Oh, right. I gotcha. Just around the corner, it is, then. Can I also expect the walls to be made of chocolate?” Alora walked over to examine the shiny silver wall. “Awww man… it didn’t work.”
“Ha! Nice try,” said Wesley, joining her next to the very-not-chocolate wall. “Evidently there are limitations to getting what you expect in a portal.”
With a loud ker-thunk, a pack-full of supplies heaved through the opening and dropped to the floor. Wesley hurried back to heft it aside, making room for the next pack, and the next, and the next, until all of the packs were inside. Jireo climbed in, followed by Kaevin and Uncle Charles.
“You’re certain we won’t get stuck in here, Arista?” Charles looked like his middle name was Dubious.
“One can always exit a portal. This is the reason we must close the portal in Portshire from the outside.”
“It is warmer inside,” Charles admitted. “I’m still a little nervous about being in here, since Alora’s mother was so badly injured just from traveling through this thing. Vindrake must have it booby-trapped somehow.”
“You know it wasn’t the portal that killed my mother, right?” asked Alora.
“I know; Graely and Nordamen explained about the killing wards Vindrake had on her. But I don’t know how those things work. I thought it might be like setting a land mine somewhere.” Uncle Charles looked at his feet, as if suddenly afraid to take a step.
Wesley piled the cross country skis in a neat stack. “It’s clean and dry in here. And as long as we store our gear inside, no one will stumble onto our illegal campground and report us to the park rangers.”
Hefting a heavy pack on his shoulder, Uncle Charles hardened his expression to one of resolution. “Let’s get this thing done and over with. Hopefully we’ll all be heading back home in a few minutes.”
“Jireo, don’t forget you’ll have to step outside to communicate with Darielle; she’ll let you know when we transport to Laegenshire.” Kaevin combed his hair with his fingers, tying it back with a leather cord.
“How far to the other end?” asked Wesley.
“Just around the corner,” Alora replied, earning a smile from Arista.
“Then we might as well go with you that far,” Wesley suggested. “We’ll leave our gear at this end.
“Let’s go over everything one more time for good measure.” Charles pulled a ballpoint pen and a three-by-five-inch spiral notebook from his pocket.
“Uncle Charles, you’re so old fashioned.”
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The battery never goes dead on this notepad. Okay. First… weapons. I still kind of wish you were taking a gun with you, but I know your dad doesn’t want Vindrake to have any chance of getting his hands on something like that. You’ve got your knives with you?”
“I have blades every place they can be stashed.” Kaevin patted his pants and stomped his feet. “I’ve got metal blades and ceramic as well, so I won’t be weaponless if Alora transports me.”
“The same for me.” Arista drew a blade from her pocket, flipping the knife, catching it by the handle, and sliding it back into her pocket. “I’d rather use a bow, but I’m fair with a blade.”
“More than fair,” Wesley protested. “I saw you practicing. You’re amazing!”
She shrugged her slim shoulders. “I’m gifted in weapons, so I’m accurate with any of them. I can wield a sword as well, but the bow and arrow is still my preference when I’m fighting against other gifted warriors.”
“I wish I had a gift like that.” From the longing expression on his face, Alora thought Wesley might be willing to move to Tenavae if he could acquire such a gift.
“What about you, Alora? Do you have your blades?” Uncle Charles’s held his pen poised over his notepad.
“I’ve got both the knives you made me take, Uncle Charles, but you know I’d probably cut myself if I tried to use them.” Alora’s heart raced and perspiration dampened her underarms, though she attempted to look calm for her uncles’ sake.
“You were improving when we practiced together.” Although Kaevin’s words were positive, Alora knew he was simply attempting to encourage her.
I’m awful, and I know it. But if we get out of this alive, I’m going to learn how to use some kind of weapon. I don’t like feeling helpless. “Honestly, if our success depends on me defending myself with a knife, we’re all in big trouble.”
A crease of concern flickered across her uncle’s forehead before he erased the emotion from his face. “Next… the plan. Let’s go over it one more time to be sure.”
Arista inhaled and let fire with rapid succession, all in one breath. “Be quiet. Open the door. Check for guards. Close the door. Make a plan. Open the door. Step out. Practice a short transport. Close and seal the portal. Transport to Graely in Laegenshire.”
“Correct.” Charles made another checkmark. “And if Alora can’t perform a transport?”
“We’re supposed to climb back inside and make a new plan.” Alora hoped it wouldn’t be necessary. It was taking all the courage she had to make herself climb out once. She wasn’t sure she could do it twice.
“Okay. I guess we’re ready to go.” Charles tucked his notepad away.
Jireo grabbed Kaevin’s arm. “Wait. If Arista seals the portal…”
“You can still come through from the inside out.” Kaevin finished his sentence.
“You’re absolutely certain?” He posed the question to Arista.
“According to Nordamen, who’s never been wrong about anything.” Arista struggled to braid her tangled blond masses as she spoke.
“That’s not quite true,” said Alora. “Nordamen was wrong when he said Kaevin and I couldn’t be soulmates.”
“If one of us went out through the opening after Arista closed it, would it be unsealed?” Jireo’s earnest expression made Alora wonder if he was planning to do just that.
“Yes, of course.” Arista’s frowned up at her brother. “That’s the only method by which the portal can be reopened. So don’t pass through the portal after I’ve closed it.”
“I’d never undo your hard work, Arista.” Jireo exchanged a strange look with Kaevin. “Unless I was forced to.”
“Charles and I sure won’t force you to open it, Jireo. And no one else is in here, so I think we can safely say the portal will remain sealed.” Wesley scratched his head, lifting his brows in question.
“Very well.”
Jireo held Kaevin’s steady gaze. “As long as we understand one another.”
“We do,” Kaevin returned.
It was Alora’s turn to roll her eyes. “And they say girls are dramatic!”
*****
Arista pulled the door open a crack, peeked outside, and closed it again. “There’s no one about, but the portal opens above a pool of water.”
“That makes sense,” Charles remarked. “Alora was wrapped in a sopping wet blanket when we got her.”
Wesley pulled out his cell phone and snapped a picture of the portal door.
“What are you doing, Wesley?” Alora eyed the cell phone with suspicion. “You can’t get a signal, can you?”
“I was just checking to see if the camera on my cell phone works in here, and it does.” Wesley dropped the phone in his shirt pocket.
Alora gave her uncle one last hug, refusing to look in his eyes.
“Don’t forget your promise.” His voice whispered in her ear.
“I won’t. I mean, I will. I mean, I’ll remember.”
With one last squeeze, he released her, turning gruffly to rifle through one of the backpacks.
Kaevin motioned her over to the side where he stood.
“Hey Kaevin. What’s up?”
“I wanted a chance to speak to you alone before we go through the portal.” He lowered his voice to a volume for her ears alone.
“Okay.”
“I may never have another opportunity to speak to you of my love.”
“Wait, Kaevin. You know I get awkward when we talk about our feelings.”
“Alora, I really need to tell you something while I have the chance.” He took her hands in his and lifted them to his lips. “Everything I understand of myself loves all of you I’ve come to know. And exactly what you need from me is everything I want to be.”
