The Portal Keeper

by S. T. Sanchez

  Ajax wanted to go down to the ball. He had never been to one, but he wasn't a fool. After all the Prince did for him, it would be rude to leave without him.

  Nivara might be there too. He had seen her around the palace before, so he hoped she would attend tonight. This would be his last chance to catch up with her. His new post started tomorrow and he would be entirely occupied until spring.

  Finally, the Prince emerged from his quarters. He was dressed in all black, except for a few shining swirls on his lapels that reminded him of starlight. Along his cuffs he had the same design. He wore a black silk cloak, but the underneath shined like starlight as well.

  Ajax was a little jealous. He looked princely. As if the maidens of Rastella needed another reason to fall over him.

  “Shall we head down?” Prince Blake asked, but it wasn't really a question. They headed down the corridor together until the Prince abruptly stopped. “I'll see you inside,” he winked.

  Ajax assumed this was his polite way of saying that he couldn't enter the ball with a commoner such as himself. A page guided Ajax to the main entrance where men and women were flowing into the ballroom.

  Ajax was stunned as he was passed by throngs of people. Everyone was dressed in equally fine attire. He had yearned to stand out a little, but that wasn't the case. Even wearing the Prince’s hand-me-downs, he only blended in. The confidence he had felt in His Royal Highnesses’ quarters quickly faded as he looked akin to everyone else. The women were beautiful. All of their gowns were different, but stunning in their own right.

  “I heard the Crown Prince is announcing his engagement tonight,” Ajax heard two young ladies whispering to each other as they entered.

  The line flowed at a steady pace, stopping for brief moments as each guest was announced.

  “Master Ajax Maxwell,” the doorman announced when it was his turn. No one seemed to glance up or pay any attention as his name was mentioned. Ajax stepped in and skirted beside one of the oversized floral drapes near a side window. He fidgeted with his suit as he searched the crowd, looking for the only face that meant anything to him. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the drape moving beside him. It seemed to reach out towards him.

  He jumped back, knocking into another gentleman about his own age, which won him a dirty look. Then he heard laughing coming from the curtain and Niv stepped out from behind it.

  She was the most beautiful woman in the room. He was amazed at how much she had grown in just two years. Her dress was long and black. It had short sleeves and along the neckline of the dress were designs resembling shooting stars. They even seemed to shimmer.

  She wore her hair wrapped up on top of her head, pinned with a silver clip adorned with stars that shined like diamonds. She had curls falling down behind to her shoulders.

  “Since when did my dear friend Ajax become so skittish?”

  If only Niv knew the week I've been having, he thought to himself.

  “You look amazing,” Ajax said, unable to take his eyes off of her.

  She met his eyes and smiled easily before looking away. She grabbed the lapels of his jacket and shook them lightly. “You clean up pretty good yourself. I am actually surprised to see you. I didn’t imagine balls were your thing. I have never seen you at one.”

  Music was playing and the dance floor was filling up.

  “Niv, would you care to dance?” he enquired nervously.

  She glanced over her shoulder at the crowded floor, then grabbed his hand. “Come with me,” she said as she pulled him behind the curtain.

  There was a door concealed behind the massive floral fabric. Nivara opened it and Ajax could see that it led to a small garden.

  “I need some fresh air,” she explained.

  It reminded Ajax of old times. Nivara leading him to some secret place she had found. He wondered if they were permitted out here.

  The music was softer outside. She took Ajax's hand and slid it around her waist and took his other hand and placed it in hers. It wasn't until they started moving their feet that he realized how much he missed her, how much he missed just spending time together like they used to.

  He twirled her out further into the garden and they danced in the moonlight as they had when they were children.

  “Where did you go?” she questioned.

  He kept dancing. “When, at the library? I felt sick so I went home.”

  “No,” she answered, stopping the dance. “Where did you go two years ago? You were my best friend, my family, and one day you were simply gone.” She stared deep into his eyes, waiting for an answer.

  He glimpsed down. “I was sent away for schooling...training,” he rattled off his rehearsed answer, moving around so that his back faced her. “You know that.”

  “I know that's what your mother told me.”

  She was quiet for a moment, and Ajax turned back around. She had sat down on a bench by a small fountain.

  He walked over and sat down beside her.

  “Ajax Maxwell, you have known me longer than anybody. Do you take me for a fool?” she asked.

  He shook his head. Taking her hand in his, he looked at her intently. “No, of course not, Niv.” When their eyes met, he felt as if nothing else in the world mattered. He wanted nothing more than to be honest with her. But there was a wall between them now. Ajax didn’t know how to get through it; there were too many secrets in the way.

  “Then tell me where you went. You vanished out of thin air. You didn't even say goodbye.” She elbowed him. “I had to find out from your mother.”

  “I couldn't,” he replied, standing up. “I wanted to. Of course I wanted to see you, wanted to say goodbye, wanted to explain. But...” He turned back to her. “I couldn't.”

  “Then tell me now,” she demanded, crossing her arms.

  “Look Niv. I don't want to lie to you, but there are things I can't tell you. I wish I could, but I can't. I didn't have a choice. And that's really all I can say.” He looked away, longing for things to be different, wishing more than anything else that he wasn’t the portal keeper, that this new task wasn’t widening the distance between him and his best friend.

  After a few long moments, Ajax heard her stand. He didn't know what else to say or do. The only people he could tell the truth to would be his wife and children. Niv was like his sister, but since they didn’t share blood, he would never be able to be honest with her.

  “I believe you,” Nivara finally said. “I guess we all have our secrets.” She laughed quietly.

  Ajax turned and smiled, glad to hear her laugh.

  “I was sorry to hear about Axel,” she said softly. “It must have been hard for you when he left to become a sailor.”

  He had forgotten that was the story the kingdom had made up for his sudden absence. “It’s been a long time. I miss him.” His face fell. “I never had anyone to talk to after my brother left. I was sent away. After a while I thought you’d probably just have forgotten about me.”

  “Never,” she scoffed. “It was always just you and me against the world.” She laid her hand softly on the side of his arm. “You were always so brave. Anything I wished for, you'd try to make it happen. You'll always be my best friend,” she whispered. “I'm sorry, Ajax. You're right, we don't always get a choice.” She shook her head, stepping further back from him. “I can never see you again. Go home. This is goodbye. At least we get that this time.” Her eyes were full of tears as she ran off into the palace.

  He stood there dumbstruck and glued to the ground for a moment, trying to process what had really happened. For the tiniest moment, he had an emptiness inside of him filled, and now she was gone. By the time he realized what had transpired, Niv was nowhere to be seen.

  He rushed into the palace, fighting his way through the curtain. He scanned the crowds of guests, but there was no sign of her. Ajax strolled around the ballroom several times, tapping on the shoulders of the women in black dresses, but he never found her.

  Eventually, he cam
e to the realization that she had probably left. Disheartened and not wanting to be around anyone, Ajax decided to begin his journey home. He asked a page to find him a lantern so he could make his way quickly. Then the thought occurred to him that perhaps Niv left in such a hurry, she didn't have time to procure a lamp.

  As he was leaving the ballroom he heard the King speaking; he was about to announce his son's engagement.

  Ajax smiled to himself. The rumors were true. The Prince had found his future wife.

  The page arrived with the lamp.

  “Thank you,” Ajax said quickly.

  “Here comes the Prince's betrothed. Don't you want to see? She is beautiful.” The page pointed behind him.

  “I need to go.” Ajax hurried out. He could hear the applause behind him.

  Chapter VI

  Ajax woke disheartened the next morning. He had searched all night, but never found Niv. He had even gone by her house, but it was completely dark. Then when he had finally made his way home and into bed, dreams of his brother haunted him.

  Slowly he got dressed. He was the portal keeper now. There wouldn't be time to find Nivara anymore. The chance was blown. He pulled on his boots and attached his cloak.

  He would have to get his mother to return the Prince's suit. He folded it neatly and set the clothing on his bed, where his mother would easily find it.

  Would the Prince really come and visit me at the portal? he wondered. If he did, Ajax would have to remember to congratulate him on his engagement.

  After eating a late breakfast, he walked back to Nivara's. There was time to make one last attempt to find her. If only he could patch things up with her. Last night had left him full of confusion. She had mentioned everyone had their secrets. But what was hers? He knocked on her door, but no one answered. Ajax sighed and then glanced up at the sky. It would be noon soon. He wished he had time to check a few of the places they had passed time at when they were children.

  The hike to the portal was quiet; it was as if all the birds and animals were giving him space. He would arrive to replace his father a little earlier than he needed to, but since he had lost Niv, he might as well make a good impression at his job. Besides, his father had been the portal keeper for longer than expected; he deserved the break.

  “How was the ball?” his father smiled when he saw his son.

  Ajax put on a fake grin. “It was better than I could have imagined.”

  “Good. I am sure all the maidens of the kingdom lined up to dance with you,” his father beamed.

  Ajax nodded. “Oh yes, I danced until my feet ached,” he lied, not wanting to disappoint his father.

  Edwin unfastened his sword and handed it to his son. “Any last questions?” he asked.

  The sword fastened securely around his waist. “No, I'm fine,” he smiled reassuringly.

  “Ok,” his father said, looking around one last time. “The portal is now yours. Keep it safe.” He placed a firm hand on his son's shoulders then stopped. “If things are beginning to weigh down on you...” Edwin began, “come talk to me. I’ve been where you are. Just give me your word…” He looked away and sighed. “Don’t just leave like…”

  Like Axel, Ajax thought. “I won’t abandon my post. I swear it,” he said, hoping to reassure his father.

  Edwin nodded and then turned and disappeared through the trees towards their home. After a few minutes he was far enough from the tree that Ajax couldn't hear him anymore.

  He surveyed the area. So, this was his life from now on: a few rocks, some felled trees, and one giant oak with a swirling vortex of doom. No wonder Axel bolted.

  Left alone with nothing to entertain him but his thoughts, Ajax kept reliving the night before. What he could have done or said differently?

  After a couple of hours, Ajax approached the portal. When he got closer to the portal he felt the pendant getting warmer. For the next hour, he played around with the medallion. He tested how the temperature of it changed depending on his distance from the portal. By the time the portal closed for the night, Ajax was sure he would die of boredom before he ever got to spring. He wondered how Axel had made it so long.

  Lighting the lamp his father had left for him, he made his way back to the house. Light was pouring from the windows, and Ajax was shocked to see his father and mother dancing and laughing. He could imagine the freedom his father felt— the freedom Ajax felt a few days ago, but didn’t fully appreciate until now. He wondered if his father felt this happy when Axel had taken over, but Ajax had merely been a boy then. He was spending all his time with Nivara back then, only focusing on himself and enjoying his childhood. How hard it must have been for Edwin to be freed after years of service only to have to return to it after a few short months.

  He ate quickly and went straight to his room, telling his parents he was simply tired. Tomorrow he would need to be at the portal before the sun rose, before it opened. He sat on the bed, flipping the pendant around in his hand. As long as he was in possession of it, the pendant stayed quiet. He had come to accept that there was some sort of magic in it. He could feel it. Its temperature varied, sometimes it glowed, and he was certain it had something to do with the dreams he was having about Axel. It was connected to the portal, but Ajax didn’t understand how.

  Every dream was basically the same. He would see his brother, although the location seemed to vary. Each time his brother would tell him to leave and eventually when Axel would get angry enough, Ajax would wake up in his bed.

  He held the medallion up by the chain in one hand, and reached out, just playing around with his other hand, willing his bow to come towards him. Suddenly it flung forward. Ajax dove to the ground as arrows flew in his direction. When he peered up, all of his arrows were sticking out of the wall around where he had been sitting.

  “Ajax, what are you doing?” his father called at the door after hearing the ruckus.

  Ajax hurried to the door, stuffing the pendant in his pocket, and opened it, careful to conceal his bed. “Sorry, I was having trouble falling asleep so I thought I'd clean up my room and I knocked something over.”

  “Well, be a little more cautious,” Edwin advised and turned around.

  After shutting the door cautiously, he ran back over to the bed. The arrows were deep within the wall, he noted as he touched a few. He would never have believed it if someone had told him an arrow could pierce through stone. But the evidence was right in front of him.

  After attempting for several minutes to pull them out of the wall one by one, he realized it was impossible. The only thing he could do was break the shaft where it met the wall. After evening out his wall the best he could, he turned to examine it, hoping his mother wouldn't notice. It didn't look as if any of the arrows would have hit him. Still he had been foolish. He knew nothing about the power he now had access to. Caution needed to be taken.

  The desire to use it grew throughout the night. He was curious to see what all he could do, but patience won out. He would have years standing alone in the middle of an empty woodland. Experiments would be done there, far from other people. Safety needed to be his top concern.

  Ajax arose early and found a satchel his mother had packed with bread, cheese, fruit, dried meat, and nuts. He placed it under his arm and headed out, eager to be undisturbed. He arrived just before the portal opened, and realized he needed to get up earlier.

  After the portal opened, Ajax set his bag beneath the tree and took out his amulet. He searched around for something that didn't look too menacing. A pinecone seemed harmless enough. He set it on a stone before him.

  Holding the amulet in front of him as he had before, and pointing the other hand towards the pinecone, Ajax commanded it to rise. It shot up high into the air. He watched and waited. He wondered if it shot up and landed somewhere far from here, or if somewhere up in the sky there was a floating pinecone.

  He walked around and picked up another one and tried it again. This time he tried to imagine the pine cone just rising
a little bit. The pinecone did exactly what he wanted. At his thrill Ajax lost concentration and the pinecone fell.

  Working with the pinecone was his focus for most of the morning. As long as he kept his concentration on the pinecone, it would do whatever he imagined.

  Just before midday, Ajax sat down to take a break. His mind was weary, and his stomach was rumbling. He pulled out his water skin and some of the dried meat. Just as he was taking his first bite he heard a sound and froze. People were conversing not far from him. There were at least two, but they were still too far off for him to make anything out. He quickly packed up his provisions, and stood in the shadow of the tree, his hand grasping his sword.

  “It's real, I give you my solemn oath,” Ajax heard a voice say. The voice sounded familiar but Ajax couldn't place it. He heard a second voice, female, but it was too quiet to decipher anything.

  Ajax prayed that they would overlook him. How could he kill someone, especially a lady?

  “It's got to be around here somewhere. Ho to the portal keeper!” the voice called. It was then that Ajax placed the voice. It was the Prince. He had come to see the portal, just as he had pledged.

  “Ajax!” Prince Blake called.

  “No, let's go back,” he heard the voice whisper as they got closer. “Please.”

  “There is nothing to be scared of. I will protect you,” the Prince reassured the lady. “Ajax!”

  Ajax stepped out from behind the tree. “Prince Blake!” he called back.

  “See,” he heard the Prince exclaim. “We are here.”

  The Prince pushed through the brush and stepped into the small clearing. He held a branch up and assisted a young lady out of the woods.

  “Ah, Ajax. I am glad we found you.”

  “Your Highness,” Ajax bowed.

  “Allow me to introduce you...” he began.

  Finally, the maiden looked forward.

  “Niv?” Ajax blurted out, surprised.