The Portal Keeper

by S. T. Sanchez

  “So your parents do not care about your happiness?” Leif questioned, scratching his head.

  “Of course they do. My family just believes this is the path I need to take to achieve it.”

  “Your world is confusing.” He sighed. “Nivara, I am on your side. Remember that.”

  She reached forward and gave him a hug.

  “I’m on your side too,” Sky piped up.

  She laughed and hugged him too. “I know. Thank you.” She kissed the hoosula and sighed.

  “Do not worry. Hopefully the seer can help us.” Leif stood and offered her his hand. “Come, let us go see what the stores in this place are stocked with. It is a long journey to get to the mountains.”

  She took his hand and he pulled Niv to her feet.

  The passage was uninhabited. They followed Sky’s nose and he led them to the pantry.

  There were several packs on the counter. Niv assumed Axel had left them out for their use. She took one and placed some dried meats and fruits in it.

  Leif found some cheese and nuts, so she added some to their supplies also.

  The elf filled two skins with water from the pump in the storeroom. They both wondered how far down the pump would have to go before it hit any water.

  The remainder of the day passed quickly. After traveling so much over the past couple of days, Niv was exhausted. She went back to her room and slept most of the day. She was awakened by a soft knock.

  The bed was so comfortable. Niv hugged the pillow. She still felt groggy and wasn’t ready to get up. There was a second knock. She pushed the pillow to the side and slowly made her way to the door.

  She opened the door slowly, surprised to see the Prince.

  “Pr—,” Niv began but stopped herself. She stood up straighter and her hand flew automatically to her hair. “Blake. Sorry, I barely woke up. What can I do—”

  “I just wanted to see how you were doing,” he said, taking her hand in his. “We haven’t really had a chance to just talk or be alone.” He brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I just wanted to make sure you are okay. I know this world is so different from ours.”

  She shifted uncomfortably as he looked deep into her eyes. This was the most affection he had showed her. She thought he was about to kiss her but was saved from finding out when Sky pranced down the hallway. “Dinner is ready.” He smiled at Niv, ignoring Blake.

  She looked at the Prince and gave him a small smile. “I guess we shouldn’t leave everyone waiting.”

  “Ladies first,” he said with a small bow.

  Niv stepped forward and mouthed the words ‘thank you’ to Sky. He winked and jumped up on her shoulder, right as the Prince was reaching for her.

  Blake stopped and stared at the cambriar.

  The table in the dining area was already covered in a surplus of dishes when they arrived. Axel and his family were standing behind their chairs waiting for their guests to arrive. Niv glanced around the room but didn’t see the elf. The Prince pulled out her chair for her and sat beside her. Sky jumped into the seat on her other side.

  Leif entered through the door when everyone was beginning to dish up.

  “Last again,” the Prince noted.

  “My apologies,” Leif said to the group. “I took a tray up to the dragon, so he wouldn’t be the last to eat again.”

  “That was so thoughtful,” Niv smiled.

  Sky stopped loading his plate just long enough to thank Leif for thinking of his brother.

  Niv tried a purple vegetable that tasted similar to a potato, and also took something resembling a bird. It didn’t taste close to chicken. It was quite sour and mushy. She made a mental note to avoid anything that resembled fowl.

  “Blake, how is your arm mending?” Sinda asked as she poured herself something red and bubbly.

  The Prince reached up and touched his arm where the arrow had been. “It is healing better than I could have hoped. Thank you for the ointment. I wish we had medicine that effective back in Rastella. It is just a little tender to the touch, nothing more than a bruise now.”

  The deflater smiled, seeming pleased.

  Axel brought out a small platter of black rocks at the end of the meal. “Niv, you have to try these.”

  She picked one up and knocked it on the table. “Um. It’s a rock.”

  “Trust me,” he winked, offering the tray to the others.

  Flipping it over in her hand, she examined the rock. It was small, so she popped the entire thing in her mouth. The texture changed immediately. It was soft and creamy and tasted exactly like chocolate.

  “Oh my,” she said after she swallowed the last of it. “That was amazing.”

  Leif offered her the plate again. “Have another.”

  Since there were still plenty on the tray, she took a second. This time she savored it, closing her eyes and letting it melt on her tongue. It was wonderful.

  “What is it?” Niv asked after she finished the delicacy.

  Sinda reached for another one. “It’s—”

  Axel tried getting his wife’s attention, waving at her to stop, but she was oblivious.

  “—the dung from a yerna.”

  “Excuse me,” Niv said, turning green and covering her mouth. She ran quickly out of the room, bolted up the two flights of stairs, and barely made it to the railing before everything started coming up.

  A hand touched her shoulder and a clean rag was set gently into her hand. Niv wiped her mouth and leaned against the railing, sliding slowly into a sitting position.

  Blake knelt in front of her, offering her a skin of water. “Are you alright?”

  Niv took a few sips. “My stomach still feels off. But I’m sure I’ll be fine. I just need a minute before I try to make it back to my room.” She handed him back the water. “I’ll be fine. You can go back in.”

  He shook his head.

  “I must have a weak stomach. I’ve always been this way. My father learned early on that he couldn’t talk about the colts being born, or anything even remotely related to the birthing process if I was in the room.”

  Blake pushed a hair out of her face. “You’re beautiful,” he said, looking at her in awe.

  She looked away, embarrassed. “Sure,” she said sarcastically.

  It was dark outside and the stars were shining. Blake moved over and sat next to her, leaning back against the wall. He merely sat, not speaking, simply being there for her.

  “Nivara,” the Prince began, pausing briefly, “I know I was raised very different from you. I see the way the elf and the blue squirrel look at me,” he sighed. “I don’t mean to be so self-centered. It’s just hard when my whole life I was raised to have everything at my beck and call. Will you help me? Let me know when I am acting…well, like a Prince.”

  “Sure,” Nivara agreed, trying to smile. She took his hand and squeezed it gently.

  They sat together in silence, and when Nivara felt up to it, Blake accompanied her back to her bedroom.

  “We can stay here another day or two. We don’t have to rush off in the morning.”

  Niv forced a smile. “I’ll be fine by then. I need to sleep.”

  He nodded, “Good night.”

  She stepped inside her room and he shut the door behind her. Niv began to crawl into bed when she noticed the door wasn’t closed all the way. As she moved back to secure it, a blue head popped in.

  “Umm, you realize your door was open.” He stepped in and closed it with his back leg. “Were you expecting someone?”

  “No,” she smirked, climbing into the big bed. She yawned. “Sky, I’m tired. Did you need something?”

  He jumped on the bed. “Well, as a matter of fact yes,” he said seriously. “You’ve ruined me.”

  She closed her eyes dismissively. “And how is that?”

  He huffed. “After spending these past days with you…well…now I can’t sleep without your…snoring,” he said.

  Niv sat up. “I do not snore!”


  He laughed. “Yes. You. Do. But it’s a quiet cute snore, not an obnoxious loud one.”

  She threw out her hands and laid back down.

  “So, I guess I will just have to go to bed in here.”

  She turned towards him. “Oh really.”

  “Yes,” he appeared hesitant.

  “Alright. Get some rest, I’m exhausted.”

  Sky grinned and scooted over next to her. She wrapped her arm around him and kissed him goodnight, smiling to herself as she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep, feeling the hoosula purring in her arms.

  “Niv. It is time to get up,” a faint voice called, but she wasn’t completely awake.

  Sky stretched and yawned, shifting his position and jostling Niv from a deep slumber.

  She opened her eyes slowly and nearly fell out of her bed. Leif was standing next to her.

  “What are you doing?” Niv said angrily. “You nearly scared me to death. Try knocking.”

  “I did,” Leif explained. “I knocked three times. You must have been in a deep sleep. Then I opened the door and called to you from there. When that still did not arouse you, I came closer. I would not have bothered you, but we need to depart. The bridge shall be visible soon and it will be quicker to walk than wait for Squeak to transport us all.”

  “Oh,” Niv jumped out of bed quickly.

  Sky rolled over. “I’ll stay here and keep the deflators company,” he yawned.

  Leif shrugged.

  Niv got ready quickly and grabbed her pack. When she reached the door, she turned and said goodbye to the hoosula.

  Sky jumped up. “Wait, I didn’t think you’d really leave me.” He rushed over and jumped up on the elf, looking at him accusingly.

  “You said you were going to remain here,” the elf said defensively.

  “When have I ever not accompanied you in the past fifteen years?”

  He petted the cambriar. “There is always a first time.”

  They made their way to the roof. The Prince, Axel, and Squeak were already waiting. Niv stepped over to the railing and gazed across the cavern. “I don’t see anything.” She looked all around, searching for the bridge.

  Leif walked over and pointed.

  She squinted. “Nothing.”

  He gently grabbed her chin and adjusted the direction of her gaze. “It is not obvious to behold. If you see a tiny shimmer…the bridge is almost transparent.”

  She searched intently, and finally her eyes caught sight of something. “I believe I see it.”

  “Everyone’s here—let’s go. The bridge won’t last long,” Axel announced.

  That was a lovely thought. Niv imagined what would happen if they were still on the bridge when it dissolved, and then quickly shoved the idea to the side.

  Axel took the lead. He had the most experience on the bridge. He jumped nimbly onto it and took the path on the left.

  Prince Blake pushed in between Nivara and the elf. “Are you ready? Are you certain you are feeling better?” He placed his hand over hers on the railing.

  Niv adjusted her pack. “Yes. You go first.”

  There was about a foot of empty sky between the tower and the bridge.

  Blake hopped over it and stood to the side, waiting.

  Trying to avoid looking down, Niv took a giant step across the chasm. Once firmly planted on the bridge, she let out a sigh of relief. Sky launched himself over from Leif’s shoulders, and then the elf quickly joined them.

  Blake followed in the direction of Axel, who hadn’t felt the need to wait for the group.

  Squeak flew over after they had all made it onto the bridge.

  The bridge was sheer, but visible. Niv made the mistake of looking down as she took her first step and a sudden wave of vertigo washed over her. She wobbled slightly and felt a strong hand steadying her. She wished she had taken a ride with the dragon.

  “Thanks,” she smiled at Leif.

  He urged her forward. “If we were not standing on something that could vanish at any moment I would tell you to go slowly and not worry about the time. But that is not the case. We need to hurry. Keep your eyes forward and I promise I shall not allow you to fall.”

  Niv stepped slowly but began to make her way forward. She could see Blake and Axel had made it across already.

  Sky jumped off of Leif impatiently. “We are never going to make it.” He rushed forward past Niv.

  She couldn’t believe the cambriar was abandoning her. She tried to go faster, but glanced downwards accidentally and the dizziness hit again.

  She felt fur brush up against her. “Quickly. I would rather not die today,” Sky said urgently.

  Niv peered up to see Sky had transformed into his large size.

  “Hurry!” he repeated.

  She climbed on and closed her eyes as he ran across the chasm. She could hear Leif on his tail. As he began to slow down she felt arms wrapping around her and pulling her from Sky’s back.

  “Are you alright?” Blake asked as Nivara opened her eyes.

  The bridge was still there. But as soon as Niv had the thought, it disappeared.

  “That was cutting it too close,” Blake said, checking her to make sure she was alright, as if she’d fallen or had some sort of injury.

  “I’m fine. Really.” She wrapped her arms around Sky. “My hero once again.”

  “This is beginning to feel like a non-stop task,” the hoosula teased.

  “Yes, thank you,” the Prince added.

  Sky gave him a confused look.

  A container of smelly yellow goo was passed to her. Axel instructed her to rub it under her nose.

  Nivara did as the others had done. The stench was atrocious. When everyone had applied a generous amount, they started their march into the Slumbering Forest.

  Chapter XIX

  The enchantment worked a little too well. The potent stench was overwhelming. Ajax wondered how much longer he could endure it. At first, he believed he would eventually get used to it, that the smell would begin to fade, but as the hours passed, the odor was as pungent as ever.

  Ajax was thankful for all the fruit trees that were abundant in the forest. Cactus had been starting to get little tough to get down. A modification in his diet was happily welcomed. He reached up and picked a fruit that he had tried before. It was similar to an orange without having to do the work of peeling off a thick rind first. He pulled off a piece and enjoyed the burst of refreshing juice as it squirted in his mouth.

  A tiny intrusion pushed on Ajax’s brain. He glanced towards Nogard, shutting him out, and the dark-haired man smiled back in approval.

  “Will you teach me how to do that? To read minds?” the young sorcerer asked.

  The dragon didn’t answer for a moment, and Ajax decided the answer was no.

  “What is the purpose of your desire to learn this skill?” he finally asked.

  Ajax shrugged. “I don’t know. It might come in handy some time. If evil elves want to seize control of my world, it might be beneficial to see inside their minds, maybe get an inkling of their plan.”

  “Or to see into Nivara’s thoughts? Or Prince Blake’s?” he probed questioningly. “It would be easier to hate the man taking your friend away if you knew his deepest, darkest secrets.”

  Ajax shook his head, stunned. “I would never do that.” He eyed Nogard solemnly. “I know how it feels to have my privacy encroached upon. I would never do that.” He emphasized the word ‘never’. “If it meant saving lives yes, but not for anything less than that.”

  “Alright,” he consented. “We can give it a try. It has been several hundred years since I tried this with someone. Let me see if I can remember how to make myself vulnerable.”

  Nogard stopped for a moment and closed his eyes. After a minute, he opened them. “Neely?” he asked.

  “Oh, should we—”

  “Not yet.” He waved away her comment. “Permit the sorcerer to have a go first.” He continued walking.

  “So, what do
I do?” Ajax asked, frustrated.

  He shrugged. “Push forward. I haven’t ever thought about how I do it, it just comes naturally to me.”

  Ajax looked to Neely. “I can’t help. I don’t do anything. I just hear things; I can’t make them stop,” Neely said.

  He grumbled something unintelligible under his breath. They marched through the woodland, pausing occasionally for a quick respite or drink from the water skins. All the while Ajax tried to penetrate the seer’s mind.

  “Sliver,” Ajax said, suddenly excited. “That’s really your name.”

  “Very good.”

  This small success motivated the young sorcerer. He thought back to Spot’s earlier advice and pushed forward with all his mental capabilities. He saw a flash of Sliver watching as a female dragon was slaughtered by several elves. The dragon appeared to care for her very much—Ajax could see the anguish on Sliver’s face.

  Suddenly he felt a force whip through his mind with such strength that he stumbled, falling to his knees. Ajax knew he had been shut out.

  “That’s private.” Sliver spun around furiously. Although he still appeared in the shape of man, the growl that ripped through the air was anything but human.

  The whole forest seemed to go silent. Everyone froze, eyeing the dragon and sorcerer cautiously, keeping their distance.

  Ajax stepped back slowly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

  Sliver sighed. “No, it’s not your fault. I didn’t realize how powerful you were. I’m the one who let my guard down. I was unprepared to share that very personal, painful time in my life.”

  The others began hiking again as the tension dissipated.

  “I understand. My apologies,” Ajax repeated.

  An awkward silence hung in the air as they continued their trek. He knew the lessons were now over, he didn’t need to ask.

  After an hour or so, Ajax spoke up hesitantly. “Who was she?” he probed, prepared to jump back out of the line of fire if needed.

  The man ran a hand through his hair. “It has been over a thousand years since I have talked about her.” He waited a long time before answering. “She was Sophronia, my little sister,” he added quietly. “I tried to trade places with her. She should have been one of the ten spared. I think because I begged for her life, the elves took more pleasure in killing her.” He looked away.