The Portal Keeper

by S. T. Sanchez

  Even after a thousand years the pain appeared fresh and raw. It was difficult for Ajax to look at the dragon.

  “That’s terrible. I’m so sorry.” He thought of the elf holding the bloody blade over Nivara in the vision. Ajax didn’t know what he would do if something happened to her.

  “This looks to be a good place to rest for the night,” Niko announced, calling the group to a halt. “It is safe. We can remove the leaves now.”

  After a long day of hiking, Ajax gleefully discarded his and put it in the bottom of his pack. There was a lingering odor, but it was nothing close to the stench he had endured the last several hours.

  As the stars began to appear in the sky, the group began to turn in for the night one by one. Ajax stayed up, wondering about his friends and about Axel. He knew he’d pay for the lack of sleep in the morning, but his anxiety for their well-being was stronger than his ability to relax soundly. When he closed his eyes the image of a bloody knife hovering over an unmoving Nivara entered his thoughts.

  The sound of a breaking twig in the distance startled Ajax. He shot up and look around at the others. Everyone was still sleeping. Ajax strained his ears as he heard whispering to the north of their camp. The strangers were too far for him to make anything out.

  Rising soundlessly, he touched his medallion to make sure it hadn’t somehow fallen off. He crept forward, stepping around his slumbering companions, and felt something around his ankle. He turned and saw that Sliver had grabbed it. He held his finger to his lips and then rose silently. Ajax felt more confident having the dragon with him.

  They tread through the forest slowly and quietly in the direction of the voices. A voice up ahead mentioned taking the first watch.

  Ajax took another step forward, not realizing there was a branch under the leaves and it snapped. The voices suddenly stopped, and Ajax and Sliver froze. Ajax held his breath waiting.

  Suddenly an elf sprung through the foliage, an arrow notched and aimed at them, followed by a big blue creature that seemed to be a mix between a ferret and a squirrel, only the size of a horse. At the sight of the elf, Sliver roared furiously and ripped through his human façade into that of the terrifying dragon. He lunged forward at lightning speed, slicing the elf across the chest with his strong, sharp talons. The elf gasped and fell to the ground.

  “It’s a dragon!” the blue creature shouted.

  Suddenly, another dragon rushed out from behind the trees.

  Sliver reared up to attack the elf again when the new dragon flew in front of the elf in a protective stance.

  Ajax contemplated this new creature. There was something off about this new black and red dragon. It didn’t feel right.

  Two humans rushed in behind the other dragon. Ajax recognized them immediately. It was Axel and Nivara. Not only were they both alive and unharmed, but they were together. He had finally found them. He was flooded with emotions, ranging from relief to sheer joy.

  Sliver reared back, ready to cover them in a wave of hot flame.

  “Stop!” Ajax yelled, running forward.

  Sliver paused as the sorcerer ran, scooping Nivara up in his arms. “You’re alive!” he exclaimed.

  He set her down quickly when he saw something move out of the corner of his eye.

  He took a step back from her and bowed quickly as Prince Blake approached. Then he turned and smiled at his brother. He was about to embrace Axel, finally after all this time, when Nivara let out a sharp scream.

  Ajax turned to see Niv running over to Leif. Blood was pouring from his wounds. “Leif! Somebody help.”

  Ajax rushed forward. “He’s an elf. They’re evil. Leave him be.”

  Nivara turned angrily. “He’s my friend. He saved my life. He is not evil.” She peered back down at Leif. He tried to speak but was unable.

  “Can you do something?” the sorcerer asked, turning towards Sliver.

  The dragon spun away. “I will not offer aid to an elf. That is the one I told you about in my vision with Nivara. He kills her.”

  Ajax looked back.

  “That’s impossible,” she cried. “Ajax, cure him. Use some magic! Do anything!”

  He turned, torn. “Nivara, the dragon is a seer. He saw the elf kill you.”

  She walked over and placed a bloody hand on Ajax’s shirt. “Trust me. Please,” Nivara pleaded. “He is wrong. Leif would never do that. Please, I am begging you to help him.”

  The elf started convulsing.

  “Hurry!” she urged.

  Sky walked over. “He is like no elf I have ever seen. He is kind and loving. I was a slave and he saved me.”

  “The elf saved my life as well,” Ajax’s brother added. “I would have died many years ago had it not been for Leif.”

  Ajax rushed over to the elf. He looked up at the blue creature and then at Nivara. “I don’t know if I can do anything, but I shall try.” He grasped his medallion and thought about the elf’s wounds healing themselves and muttered the word ‘heal’. He felt power pulsing through him, but nothing happened.

  The elf’s complexion changed to a paler shade and his breathing began to slow.

  “I can’t. I’m not strong enough,” Ajax said sullenly.

  Axel walked over and placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Try again. This elf is different. He does not deserve to die like this.”

  Ajax tried again, but nothing occurred.

  He stood up and walked to Sliver. “I know what happened to the dragons was horrible. But it wasn’t this elf’s fault. Please Sliver, if there is anything you can do, help me. We are bonded, you say. Honor that bond by assisting me.”

  The dragon turned around. “In order to aid you I would have to share secrets with these strangers that no dragon has ever disclosed, let alone shown to another living soul.”

  “Please. If Nivara says we can trust them, we can.”

  The dragon sighed. “Very well. I shall do it for your sake. But if they divulge what they see, no place on either side of the portal shall be safe for them.”

  “Thank you,” Nivara cried.

  Sliver walked over to the elf. Ajax couldn’t tell if Leif was still breathing. He lifted his front claw and ripped into it with his teeth, letting the blood drip onto the elf. Then he covered Leif in fire.

  “NO!” Nivara screamed, running forward. Ajax restrained her, pulling her back. “Trust him, as you asked me to do for your companions,” he urged.

  Nivara stopped struggling, and after a moment the fire died down.

  She ran to the elf’s side. He wasn’t burnt to a crisp and his gashes had healed themselves. There would have been no evidence they had ever existed had it not been for his torn and bloody shirt.

  “Leif. Leif. Are you alright?” Nivara said, shaking him gently.

  Slowly the elf opened his eyes, and saw the huge dragon hovering over him. He sat up and scrambled half-way into Nivara’s lap.

  “It’s okay. He’s…nice now.”

  The elf patted himself down and found no injuries. “How?” he asked, confused.

  Nivara hugged him. “Who cares, as long as you are alright.” She kissed him on the top of his head and laughed and cried.

  The blue creature was now smaller than he had been and had climbed up onto Leif’s lap, Ajax noted. Turning, he found Axel lingering a few feet away, staring at him expectantly.

  “Axel. I have been waiting a long time for this.” He walked over and hugged his brother. “You’re okay! We thought you had abandoned your post, and us.”

  “No. I would never do that without at least telling you first. I’m so glad to see you!” He stepped back and examined his brother, eyeing him up and down. “You’ve grown into a fine young man.” He patted Ajax on the back.

  “Look, this is my brother. Axel Maxwell. Can you sense him now?” Ajax asked, pulling his brother towards the dragon.

  Sliver shook his head. “Ajax, I told you already. He is not of the Maxwell bloodline.”

  Axel turned to A
jax. “What is this about?”

  “This is Nogard, the seer everyone knows about. He says you’re not of the Maxwell bloodline, but I keep telling him he’s wrong.”

  His brother took a deep breath. “He’s not wrong,” Axel said, shaking his head.

  “What? Of course, you are!” Ajax insisted.

  “No, I’m not. Father and Mother told me before I left for portal training. Mother was married before. She was pregnant with me when a sickness came through the village. Her husband passed.” He looked hesitantly towards his brother. “Mother met Father a few months after I was born, and they were married shortly after. They thought I deserved the truth.”

  “And I didn’t?” he asked, stepping away from Axel.

  “Of course you did,” Axel agreed. “I just never found the right time to tell you. You’re my brother. I was afraid that you would look at me differently after you found out.” He stepped forward. “I regret not telling you sooner.”

  “You think so little of me?” Ajax asked.

  His brother sighed. “I was young. I was scared. Please accept my apologies.”

  Ajax walked forward. “I know I should be angry. Make you suffer slightly. But I’m so glad to see you.” He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his brother.

  Sliver, still in dragon form, stalked over. “I will go wake the others. We may as well head for the tower, now that we know your companions have a home there.”

  Ajax nodded. He walked over to where Nivara, Blake, Leif, and the two creatures were. “I sincerely want to apologize for everything that transpired back there.” He extended his hand to the elf.

  Leif took it awkwardly.

  “I don’t know what I can do to make up for my companion almost killing you, but I vow to try,” Ajax promised.

  Leif nodded. “It still seems as if I am dreaming. Thank you, Ajax. Niv told me it was you who convinced the dragon to save me.”

  He shook his head. “It was all Nivara. I had heard all the stories about how terrible elves were, and my prejudice clouded my judgment for a moment. My apologies.”

  The small blue creature jumped onto Ajax’s shoulder, startling him. “We forgive you. Your actions were noble, and Niv sings your praises.”

  “Thank you. That is most gracious.” Ajax reached under the creature’s chin and rubbed it.

  The hoosula purred and turned to Leif and Nivara. “I like him.”

  The Prince rolled his eyes.

  “I knew you would, Sky,” Nivara smiled.

  Ajax heard Niko grumbling long before he saw him. As his traveling companions walked into the small clearing, Niko froze.

  “I know you said there was an elf, but I didn’t really believe it,” the rhino mumbled to himself.

  Neely and Spots both stared at Leif.

  “Alright,” Ajax said as both groups stared at each other awkwardly. “Let’s get going.”

  As they walked, Ajax hung to the back of the processional. The Prince remained close to Nivara, leaving him no time to speak with her. He walked instead by Sliver. The young sorcerer left his mind open, wanting to know why the other dragon seemed different, felt wrong.

  “He’s a cambriar,” the dragon answered in a low voice. “He can shift into any creature, but only once, until he finds the body that feels like home.” He pointed to the blue creature Niv had called Sky. “He is also one.”

  Ajax contemplated the two different creatures before him and found it hard to accept that they were the same species. “But I don’t get the same feeling when I look at Sky.”

  “No,” the dragon acknowledged, “but he has found his true shape. That is why nothing is off. I am not sure if he has realized it yet.”

  Ajax looked at Sky again. He was happily perched on Niv now. “Shouldn’t you tell him?”

  The dragon shook his head. “He needs to figure that out for himself.”

  It was midday by the time the group had reached the chasm. The bridge was already gone for the day.

  Axel looked to Sliver. “So, I guess we can take turns riding the dragons across.”

  The seer coughed. “I beg your pardon? Ride me?” He shook his head. “I have never been ridden and never shall.”

  Ajax had a hard time picturing any of them flying on the two-thousand-year-old creature.

  Squeak stepped forward. “It will take longer, but I can manage it.”

  The Prince insisted Nivara go first. Apparently, there had been an incident in her previous crossing. The hoosula rode with her.

  The big black and red wings glided across the chasm. Ajax had never seen a dragon fly. He stood in awe at the beauty and the grace with which it soared towards the tower.

  Squeak returned and took Axel second.

  Sliver stood to the side, observing the others, and snorted. “Alright. Since I have to fly across anyway I shall ferry Ajax and Neely with me.”

  “Can you transport us both?” Ajax asked, looking at the never-ending chasm before them.

  “I am a much bigger dragon and can easily carry the two of you.”

  Neely climbed on first.

  Sliver shifted his wings, getting used to the extra weight. He nodded to Ajax and he climbed on behind her.

  The great green dragon took to the skies; his wings were much bigger than Ajax had imagined. They had always been folded and to the side.

  He landed on the roof, and Neely and Ajax slid off him.

  “Thank you,” Neely replied.

  Being reminded of his manners, Ajax turned back. “Yes, thank you.”

  Ajax noticed Sliver revert into his human form out of the corner of his eye as he searched for Niv. He wanted to speak to her in private before the Prince arrived.

  As he was about to leave the roof and search below, his name was called behind him. “Ajax.”

  Across the roof stood Axel. Ajax paused and waited as his brother hurried over. He was accompanied by a creature that appeared to be the same species as one he had seen on the docks when he had first arrived.

  Axel pulled at the hem of his shirt, looking nervous. “I want you to meet my wife, Sinda,” he said, gesturing to the being beside him.

  “Wow. You’re married!” Ajax said in disbelief. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She was beautiful, he couldn’t deny that, but it seemed a little peculiar; she had a tail after all.

  “Your brother has told me all about you and your family. It is a magnificent honor to finally meet a Maxwell,” she smiled. “Our children are napping now, but you can meet them at dinner.”

  Ajax stepped back. “Children?” He shook his head. “You have more than one?” He was an uncle. His brother hadn’t wasted any time.

  Axel wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Yes, a son named Edwin and a daughter named Veda.”

  Sinda nudged her husband in the ribs gently with an elbow. “Show him to a room. I am sure he is exhausted after traveling so far. To get here from the Mountains of Rafa could not have been an easy task.”

  Ajax nodded. “Yes, thank you. It was lovely to meet you. I look forward to meeting my niece and nephew later.” He gave a slight bow and then followed his brother below.

  “This one is unoccupied.” Axel said, showing him to a room on the third floor. “The Prince is in the room to your right, and I will put the dragon and rhino across the hall. Do you suppose Neely shall be more comfortable in a room on the second floor next to Nivara? We count from the top since no one knows how many floors the towers actually have because they seem to continue forever.”

  Niv’s on the second floor, he made a mental note to himself. “Sure, that would be fine.” Ajax pretended to yawn. “I may rest for a while if that’s alright with you.”

  “Of course.” Axel hugged his brother again. “We’ll catch up later.”

  Ajax stepped inside and shut the door. He waited a few minutes after the footsteps had faded away and then crept out of his room.

  Chapter XX

  It was as if he were playing with Axel again l
ike when they were children sneaking out for a midnight treat. Now the goal was to get to Nivara’s room without getting seen as opposed to reaching the cookies. He hoped time had made him better at this game.

  He glanced up the stairwell and was relieved to find it uninhabited. He tread carefully on each step, hoping to avoid a loud creak. The passage was unoccupied and he walked quickly to the first room and tapped on the door.

  After lingering a moment and not receiving an answer, he tried the second door. Footsteps sounded from within the room, and he waited anxiously. So much had ensued since they had seen each other at the portal. It had only been a handful of days but it seemed as if years had passed.

  The door opened, and Ajax could tell she hadn’t been expecting him. Not wait for an invitation, he entered quickly and pushed the door closed.

  “You know, your brother was more concerned with my reputation than you are, apparently.”

  Ajax raised an eyebrow, curious as to why his brother had paid Niv a visit in her private chambers, but he had more pressing matters on his mind.

  “I just needed a moment.” He stepped forward and placed his hand gently on her shoulder. “How are you really? If you’ve had even a piece of what I’ve experienced…well I simply wanted to see how you are holding up.”

  She shrugged. “Talking animals, fire-breathing dragons.” She shook her head. “Ajax, is there a way home?”

  He grasped her hands in his. “Niv, I swear to you, I shall find us a way home. Sliver…” he paused, “he says I’m the key to fixing it. I simply need some time.”

  “Ajax—” she began, but was interrupted by another knock on the door.

  Ajax flattened himself against the wall behind the door as Niv opened it slowly.

  “Prince Blake,” she said loudly. “So glad you made it back.”

  “I only wanted to let you know that the seer says we will be able to get home. It may just take some time.”

  She smiled. “That’s wonderful.” She hoped her enthusiasm seemed genuine since this was her second time hearing it.