The Portal Keeper

by S. T. Sanchez

  His father motioned around the tower. The roof and railing around the tower were filled to the brim with elves. The cliffs along both sides of the chasm were saturated with langabeasts and riders. There must be something he could do. He might be able to get off three arrows if he was lucky, but that would do nothing in the long run, except anger the elves more. Squeak was surrounded by six or seven elves, all in dragon-scale armor, pointing spears at the cambriar. He was shaking and mumbling something that Leif couldn’t make out.

  A struggling sound could be heard on the stairwell. A few moments later two elves dragged Nivara up the steps as she struggled against them in vain. The soldiers tossed her down roughly in front of Striker’s feet.

  “We found this one running through a hallway,” the elf on the right said.

  “Leave me alone!” Nivara said defiantly as she pushed herself into a sitting position.

  Striker kicked Nivara in the side. “Where is the sorcerer?” he demanded.

  Niv yelped and clutched her side but said nothing. Leif tried to intervene, but was restrained by another soldier.

  Striker turned to look at his son. “This is your last chance,” his father warned.

  Niv turned and shook her head. “Don’t tell him anything,” she urged.

  Frozen, he stood there, unsure of what course of action to take. What was his father going to do? Would he set fire to the tower, burn it all up rather than let a sorcerer survive? The pit in his stomach began to grow as he saw his father’s twisted smile.

  Striker laughed, “Time’s up.” He grabbed a dagger from his belt and plunged it into Nivara’s side.

  “NO!” Leif shouted.

  Niv fell back. Her hands went automatically to the knife jutting out of her side. The white dress she wore started to turn red at a terrifying rate.

  Leif stomped on the foot of the elf holding him back, elbowed him hard, and pushed away. He ran, sliding on his knees across the stones the last few feet and knelt beside her.

  “Nivara,” he said softly. He removed the dagger from her side and then took off his shirt and pressed it into the wound.

  She lifted her head and whispered, “Tell...Ajax…” she began, and then passed out. Her head fell back and Leif used his free hand to catch her.

  Panic began to overwhelm him. Nivara was going to die. Somewhere hidden in the castle was a dragon with the power to save her, but he knew Sliver would never assist him with all these elves around. Not to mention his father never would permit it. In Leif’s whole life, he had never seen Striker do one thing that would ease another’s suffering.

  He could call to Ajax, and let him hold her for a few last seconds. But then they’d be caught and Striker would have everything he always wanted.

  A vast weight had been lifted off Ajax’s shoulders once Nivara had agreed to go with the seer. Now he just needed to find a place to hide. Sky and Niko were with him. The Prince, Axel, and Spots were searching the floor below.

  Ajax heard footsteps approaching. They were loud and in unison. It briefly reminded him of the King’s guard and when he would watch them march as a child. They hurried into the dining area and pressed themselves flat against the wall. Niko was on one side of the doorway, ax ready, while Ajax and Sky manned the other.

  He unsheathed his sword quietly.

  The door was just beginning to be pushed open. He looked over to the rhinoceros, who nodded in readiness holding the ax above his head.

  “Oops.”

  Ajax knew the voice anywhere. The door shut and the footsteps receded. What was Nivara doing? She should have been properly concealed by now with the others.

  Flinging the door open, Ajax launched himself into the passage. A dozen elves were heading down the corridor. Three stopped and turned to face Ajax.

  Ajax raised his sword menacingly. “Leave now and never return and I will spare you,” he offered.

  “Help!” he heard Nivara scream. “Let go of me!”

  Laughter filled the corridor as one of the elves pulled out his bow and fired it directly at Ajax’s chest. It shot forward and veered to the right, missing him completely.

  Another elf fired a second shot. This time the arrow pulled to the left. After the second shot sailed by the sorcerer without incident the soldiers started to look worried.

  Ajax raised his hands and imagined the elves flinging into the wall, and suddenly they did. They crumpled to the ground and did not stir.

  Niko stepped out into the hallway with Sky.

  “That was fantastic. I knew I stuck with you for a reason,” the hoosula said, astounded.

  “Let’s go. That was Niv,” Ajax said, jumping over the fallen elves as the rhinoceros and Sky hurried behind him.

  Ajax took the steps two at a time. He saw Niv at the top of the stairwell getting dragged out onto the roof.

  “Let her go,” he demanded.

  Six more of the evil soldiers filed down the stairs. Niko jumped forward and struck down two elves with his ax. Another of the vile creatures swung his sword down at the rhino’s neck. Sky jumped on the elf and bit down hard on his hand. The soldier screamed, dropped his sword, and flung the hoosula against the wall. Sky lay limp on the floor, a pile of blue fur.

  Ajax sliced into the next one, his only thought of Niv. He heard her scream again. He waved his hand at the elves and flung them to the top of the stairwell; they soared up and then dropped two flights of stairs and landed in twisted, unnatural positions.

  He hurried up the last few steps, bursting into the open air. He gasped, horrified as the vision of the seer unfolded before his eyes. Only he saw Leif pull out the knife. That is why Sliver’s vision saw the elf hovering over the body with a bloody dagger. He had never stabbed her; the dragon’s prejudice had made him see the only outcome that made sense to him.

  The roof was filled with elves. Ajax tried to dive towards her and was immediately surrounded by about fifty of the evil creatures. Niko scooted closer to sorcerer.

  “You’re not the human I had imprisoned,” Striker said, confused. “You must be the second portal jumper.” He smiled his approval at his minions. “Well done.”

  “Let them all go!” Ajax demanded.

  “Open the portal and I’ll contemplate it.”

  Everywhere he gazed were elves and what he could only assume were langabeasts—huge winged stallions, slightly larger than he was used to. Their eyes were red, and they had teeth like an alligator.

  “Leave now. I shall give you no other warning. I am more powerful than you could even imagine,” Ajax bluffed.

  A horrifying, wicked laugh came from the leader of the elves. “I do not believe you would have let me progress this far had you that much power,” Striker smirked.

  Ajax tried to think quickly. How could he get them all out of this predicament? The medallion enhanced his powers, and his blood made it more powerful. The dragon had said a few drops was sufficient but would more blood add to his power?

  He pulled out his dagger and sliced a long gash through his hand. He ripped the medallion from his neck, letting his blood cover and saturate it. Wisps of light began to cover and spring forth from the amulet as it absorbed the massive amount of blood. Ajax could feel the surge in power.

  “She’s dying!” Leif called.

  Ajax felt a horror like nothing he had ever experienced. He remembered how Spots had told him to use his emotions. They had helped him block Neely prying into his thoughts. He thought about his parents and how much agony they must be going through, believing both their sons were lost, and the horrors the elves had committed against the dragons, cambriars, and other species. And as he looked at Niv, lying in Leif’s arms, unmoving, covered in blood, a rage built up inside of him. Ajax took the amulet and slammed it into the ground, pushing with every ounce of strength he had and holding on to the one desire to rid this place of all the evil, vile creatures.

  The next thing Ajax knew, he was waking up in a room. He blinked a few times. Everything was blurry at first,
but slowly began to come back into focus. A shooting pain coursed through his head. He winced and closed his eyes. His memories flashed back and Ajax tried to jolt up in bed, wondering what had become of his companions, but was hit with a wave of nausea.

  A soft hand touched his chest and pushed him back down. “Relax. You have been through a lot. Your body needs time to recover.”

  Ajax turned and saw Niv sitting in a chair beside his bed. She was no longer lifeless on the floor. She was clean and fresh, and was wearing a black blouse and black pants.

  “How? What happened? I thought you were dead!” The relief of seeing her next to him wrapped around him like a cozy blanket and he breathed much easier.

  Niv stood up and leaned forward. She placed her hand on his forehead, testing him for fever.

  “We can talk about it in a minute. How are you?”

  “I’m fine.”

  Niv glared at him.

  He laughed. “My head hurts a little and I feel very tired.”

  She nodded. “Sliver said that sleep would help your body heal faster.” Ajax started to sit up, but Niv pushed him back onto the pillow. “Rest,” she insisted. “Everyone is safe, anything else can wait.”

  Ajax relaxed a little and closed his eyes. “So how long was I out for, a couple of hours?” he guessed, yawning, still feeling weary.

  “You’ve been unconscious for a week. I was beginning to worry that you’d never wake up.”

  Ajax opened his eyes. “Seven days? What exactly transpired up there? Where are all the elves?”

  “Sleep and we’ll talk soon. I should go tell the others you woke up. Everyone has been so worried. We’ve all been taking shifts, hoping you’d wake up, even Blake. I’m just glad it happened on mine.” She kissed him on the forehead and exited the room.

  He couldn’t fathom that he had been out an entire week. He closed his eyes and immediately fell asleep.

  Chapter XXII

  The second time he woke to an empty room. He assumed since he had already awakened once, they knew the danger had passed and were no longer watching him in shifts.

  After pouring some water into a basin and washing his face, his strength seemed all but gone. It took resting on the bed for several minutes before he could find the energy to put on fresh clothes. Finally he collapsed in a chair. Having not eaten in a week, Ajax didn’t imagine he could even make it to the door, let alone to the dining hall.

  He waved his hand at the door and it swung open.

  “Ahh!”

  He heard a cry, and Sky peered into the bedroom.

  “If you want my attention, call my name,” the hoosula scolded him. “You nearly scared the fur off me.”

  “My apologies, Sky,” he managed to barely say without smiling. “It seems all my energy has left me. Do you think—”

  “Of course, you need food.” He turned quickly. “I shall return shortly with sustenance.”

  Ajax watched him disappear, glad Sky seemed to be okay. The last time he had seen him, the hoosula had been lying lifeless in the stairwell. He closed his eyes. It felt so odd to be so tired.

  A gentle nudging prodded him. Ajax opened his eyes, surprised he had fallen asleep again.

  Leif stood before him with a bowl of steaming soup. “I thought something light may go down easier.”

  Ajax nodded at the wisdom. “Thank you.”

  He took the bowl cautiously and slowly began to eat, blowing steam off each spoonful.

  “Leif, what happened? I don’t remember anything. Niv wouldn’t answer my questions.” He wondered where she was. He was surprised she had not come back to visit, knowing he was awake. Perhaps she didn’t know, but Ajax doubted that Sky wouldn’t have told her.

  “I do not really know,” he began. “One minute you were threatening my father, and the next…” he stopped, unsure of how to explain it. “It was as if something burst out of you…a big storm...but no one could see it. All the elves were suddenly thrown off the tower. But not only the elves on the roof or the ones perched on the railing. All of them. The ones that lined the cliffs and the ones that were still in the air, too.” He made a sweeping motion with his hand. “It was as if suddenly they were all knocked off.”

  Ajax swallowed loudly. “You mean, I killed them all?” he asked hesitantly.

  “No,” Leif shook his head. “There were many that did fall deep into the chasm. Some were flung far away. I could not see what occurred. But many were able to regain control of their langabeasts, although they retreated. No one dared to come against the tower again. Perhaps if they had seen you were unconscious the elves would have gathered their numbers and come back, but Niko and Sky stood over you.” He paused. “Truthfully, it was utter chaos. Most elves were just happy they were alive and turned tail and ran home.”

  “What about your father?” Ajax asked.

  Leif sighed. “I did not see what happened to him. But I am curious—every elf within the vicinity of the castle was affected. Why was I not thrown into oblivion?”

  “I only wanted the evil elves gone,” he winked.

  A smile pulled at the elf’s lips and he nodded.

  The last bite of soup left Ajax longing for more, but he thought it better to sit and let his stomach settle. He set the bowl beside his chair. “Now tell me what occurred after that.”

  Leif took a seat on the edge of the bed. “After all the dust had settled, Niko carried you downstairs and laid you on a bed along with Sky.” He scratched the side of his nose and then continued, “Then he started to search the castle to let the others know that the elves were gone. He did not have to go far. Sliver had already begun ascending the stairs. He felt you use an enormous amount of power and had a brief vision of the army retreating.”

  “He saw Nivara lying on the ground,” Leif shuddered. “For a moment, I thought we might have a repeat of the jungle. But the dragon paused long enough to tell I was attempting to help. He quickly asked where you were and if you were safe. After I had answered, he healed her. It was amazing. I did not really remember my healing. Too close to the brink of death, I suppose.” He laughed uncomfortably. “I was surprised that I did not have to beg for his aid. But I suppose he knows what she means to you,” he winked. “By the time we came down to check on you, Sky was awake. He was sore for a few days but luckily he’s one tough cambriar.”

  Ajax nodded, taking in all that he had heard. “I still don’t understand how Niv got caught up in all this to begin with. Why wasn’t she with Sliver and the others?”

  The elf opened his mouth to speak, but stopped as Nivara entered. “I guess I will let you explain it to him.” He picked up the bowl and exited the room, but not before she whispered something to him.

  Ajax raised an eyebrow. “Never you mind,” was all Niv said. She fussed over him for a few minutes, making him move from the chair back to the bed.

  “You need to start slow. Relax a few days, eat, regain your strength,” she ordered.

  He knew it was fruitless to argue, so he merely smiled. “Yes ma’am.”

  Niv smiled, and then sat down in the chair beside him.

  “So, did you hear the question I was asking Leif as you entered?”

  “Yes,” she frowned at him. “Some time your curiosity may get you into trouble,” she warned him.

  “Niv?” he asked impatiently.

  “I was planning on staying put, just as you and Prince Blake wanted.”

  Ajax eyed her skeptically.

  “I was!” she protested loudly. “I know it is shocking, but I was. Not because you asked me to, but because Sinda has two young children and I thought if something happened I should be there to help.”

  “So then what changed?” Ajax asked as he started to sit up.

  Niv glared at him.

  “I’m simply trying to adjust my pillow. I’ve been lying down long enough. It would probably do me some good to sit.” He held up his hands. “I am not getting out of bed,” he vowed.

  Niv helped him get comfort
able and then continued with her story. “After we left you, Sinda showed us to the children’s bedrooms, but they were vacant. We started checking every room. We searched and searched but didn’t find them. Soon we heard the elves coming. I knew better than to say anything about what I was planning,” she cocked an eyebrow up and smiled mischievously at Ajax, “but they needed more time to find Edwin and Veda. So, I led the elves in the opposite direction. I was the decoy.”

  He would have preferred it if Niv hadn’t put herself in danger, but it’s what he would have done. He loved her for protecting his niece and nephew.

  The bed became uncomfortable after a day or two. Niv had confined him to it so that he could regain his strength. In the last two days he ate more than he could ever remember eating. She even tricked him into eating yerna dung. He had flipped the tables on her though because it had tasted amazing, and had not bothered him at all.

  Leif drew a sketch of a yerna for him. It was akin to a snail, only it was the size of a rabbit.

  Most of the time Niv was his companion, though she would occasionally slip out. He took advantage of her last leaving, and got dressed and walked to the door. Now that he had recovered some of his strength he knew his muscles needed to be exercised.

  He opened the door and slowly made his way up the staircase at the end of the passage. By the time he reached the top he was out of breath, leaning against the wall, panting.

  Raised voices caught his attention. He slowly made his way toward the dining hall.

  “Nivara, we need to get home,” Prince Blake was saying.

  “He needs more time to recover,” he heard Niv insisting. “He almost died. He has suffered a lot.”

  “The elves won’t stay away forever. We need to take advantage of their departure,” Blake argued. “I don’t understand why we can’t just ask Ajax and let him tell us how he feels.”