The Portal Keeper

by S. T. Sanchez

  Leif nearly dropped the platter. “You are in trouble. There were many a night that Sky went to bed hungry. Striker,” a look of disdain crossed the elf’s face as he mentioned the name of his father, “would punish him by withholding food. He might have even starved to death if I had not picked up on it as I got older. Many cambriars have died due to Striker’s mistreatment. The death of one means nothing to him.”

  Niv nodded, remembering how the hoosula had briefly mentioned something about his treatment to her. How stupid she had been. She hadn’t been thinking. What a traumatic thing to go through. “What can I do to make it up to him?” she asked earnestly.

  Leif rubbed his chin. He began opening cupboards in the storeroom. When he opened the final cupboard he exclaimed, “This should work!”

  Niv peered over the elf’s shoulder and saw a bag filled with tiny dried fish.

  “These are his favorites.” Leif handed her the bag over his shoulder and then shut the cupboard.

  “Thanks,” Niv said, kissing the elf on the cheek.

  She hurried to find the hoosula and mend his broken feelings.

  Hearing raised voices in the corridor gave Niv pause to stop.

  “Ajax,” she heard the Prince say in an exasperated tone. “You have to understand, I can’t have them just walking around openly. Everyone shall have to come stay at the castle, at least at the beginning.”

  Niv could tell he was trying to convince Ajax of something. She stepped into the room. Ajax took a step back upon seeing her. He hadn’t realized how close he was to Blake.

  “What are we fighting about now?” Nivara asked, rolling her eyes.

  The Prince turned. “We aren’t fighting. It’s called a discussion. I am trying to make Ajax see reason. Perhaps you could help.” He threw up his hands and huffed.

  Niv waited expectantly, staring at Ajax.

  He brushed his hand through his hair and shook his head. “He wants to lock them all up and throw away the key,” he announced in frustration.

  “Oh, come now,” the Prince said. “Let’s not be melodramatic. That is not what I said.” He glanced back at Nivara. “We are bringing back creatures that no one has ever heard of, let alone seen,” Blake said, waving his hand. “I only mentioned how I think it would be better if everyone stayed at the castle. I can block off a wing and they can have privacy—”

  “Or be hidden away,” Ajax mumbled.

  The Prince continued, pretending to have not heard his comment. “It would only be for a little while, until we can introduce the kingdom to the idea that there are things out there beyond their wildest imaginations.”

  Niv looked between the two. “How long until they could leave the castle?”

  “Well…I’m not sure honestly. It could take some time.”

  “Imagine how lonely and isolated they would feel,” Ajax insisted.

  “You’d be more than welcome to visit,” the Prince added.

  “Oh, how kind of you,” Ajax said sarcastically.

  Blake’s face started turning red. He took a deep breath. “I will remind you, that while I might not have authority here, I do back home. So, you might want to remember that when you speak to me.”

  “Are you serious!” Ajax said, raising his voice.

  Niv placed her hand on his chest and pushed him back. “He’s right. What do you think the King would do if he saw you address the Crown Prince in such a manner? We have become lax here.”

  “I’m not trying to sound all high and mighty, but things shall be different when we return,” Blake said solemnly.

  Ajax sighed. He knew they were right, but somehow with all his newfound power, it made it even harder to cower down in front of someone, especially if he disagreed with them.

  “You’re both right. I apologize, Your Highness,” he bowed. “But I am still against the idea.”

  “I am too,” Niv interjected.

  The Prince shrugged. “Then what are we to do, let the talking rhinoceros simply stroll through the market and do some purchasing? Do you have the space for everyone?” He looked to Ajax and then to Niv asked, “Do you?”

  “I just think we ought to give them an option,” Ajax said, shaking his head.

  They finally consented to both use the night to consider each other’s proposals.

  Niv made her excuses once she had calmed them both down. She had some apologizing of her own to do.

  After searching most of the top levels of the castle, Niv made her way up to the roof. She was relieved to find a red and black dragon asleep with a small furry blue creature curled up beside it. Niv decided an indirect approach might work better. She opened the bag and loudly started counting the dried fish and laying them in a line.

  She noticed out of the corner of her vision that the hoosula was observing her with one eye open.

  “What should I do with all these fish?” she mused loudly. She swept them all into a pile and walked to the edge of the roof. “If I drop them off the edge and listen, maybe I’ll hear them hit the bottom.” She held one out and dangled it over the side.

  “No!” Sky called as he ran over and up to the stone railing.

  She turned and looked at him, slowly pulling her hand back. “Would you care for one?” she asked nonchalantly.

  Sky paused and looked at her strangely. Niv wondered if he was remembering they were in a quarrel.

  “Those are salted sea finkle.” The hoosula’s mouth was drooling slightly.

  Niv shrugged. “I have a whole bag.” She sat down and offered him her lap.

  He looked for a long moment and then pounced into her lap.

  After a few fish, they were laughing and talking as normal and she knew all was forgiven.

  “How did you know about the fish?” Sky asked after they were all devoured. “It was that darn elf, wasn’t it?” he winked.

  “Yes. He wasn’t fond of seeing me so sad. I’m sorry I teased you. I didn’t realize…” Niv apologized.

  “Teasing is fine. Just. Not. About. Food,” he said seriously.

  “Deal,” Niv said, hugging him and kissing his head.

  They found their way back downstairs, and Niv smiled to herself as Sky hopped into bed and curled up in his usual spot.

  Chapter XXIV

  Nightmares filled Nivara’s dreams that night. She tossed and turned, startling Sky a few times as she tried to get into a restful sleep. Visions of falling into an endless chasm filled her thoughts. When morning finally came, she looked in her mirror and found dark circles under both eyes.

  She let Sky slumber while she brushed her hair and changed for the day. Today was the day she would finally get home.

  When everything was neatly tucked in her bag, she gently jostled the hoosula awake.

  “I may have to find new sleeping accommodations if you keep that up,” he yawned tiredly. “What has you worried?” he asked as he hopped off the bed.

  “Not much,” Niv smiled. “Apart from the thought of jumping to my death.”

  Sky walked between her legs purring and rubbing up against them. “Oh, come now, those boys are never going to let anything happen to you.”

  “You’re right.” She reached down and scooped the animal up in her arms. “Now come on, we don’t want to get left behind.”

  “As if,” Sky chuckled.

  Niv found Spots and Neely in the hallway. They were just making their way up to the roof as well.

  “Good morning,” Nivara waved.

  “Perhaps to you,” Spots muttered.

  Niv looked puzzled.

  Neely swatted at the bug. “He is nervous. You are going home, but this will be a new adventure to us, one of which we don’t have any idea of what to expect.”

  “I understand. It shall be different, but look on the bright side. At least you know you are going to a new world, and you will be with friends. When we came through none of us had any idea what to expect and we were all alone.”

  Neely poked the ladybug. “Yes, we ought to be grateful
for that.”

  They climbed the stairs in silence, each lost in his or her own thoughts and worries of what was about to come.

  The others were all outside already. Sliver had taken his dragon form and was flying circles overhead with Squeak.

  The Prince was having a discussion with Axel and his family, while Niko and Ajax were looking over the railing down into the cavern.

  Ajax called up to Sliver. “Alright. I think we are ready. It feels as though everything is set.”

  The dragon nodded, and then plummeted down with Squeak behind him. Everyone crowded around and looked down, waiting for the seer to reappear.

  After several minutes Niv was beginning to look worried. She could see the concern on Ajax’s face. She knew the dragons could both fly, so there shouldn’t be anything for them to be preoccupied with even if the portal wasn’t down there.

  The first to give up the watch were Axel’s children. Edwin and Veda started running around the open space, playing a game of tag.

  “Do you suppose something happened?” Neely finally asked.

  Niv was relieved—she had been wondering the same thing, but didn’t want to be the one to ask. Neely winked at her, and she remembered that Ajax had said she was a mind reader.

  Just as Ajax was opening his mouth to respond, they heard the flapping of wings.

  Sliver perched himself on a giant stone. “Squeak went through the portal—it all looks good. It is further down than anyone could imagine. It would be far too dangerous to try jumping from here. I will have to carry you all down. It shall be a long day.”

  Ajax nodded.

  “The Prince should go first. There could be a new keeper and there may need to be explanations, and I ought to go last,” he stated.

  “Blake and Niko, I will transport you first.”

  The rhino glanced up and grunted.

  The Prince and Niko looked like quite the odd couple flying down together on the back of a dragon.

  Since this time, they knew the journey would take a while, Neely and Niv headed inside to bring up fruit and cheese. No one had eaten and snacking seemed to be a good thing to do to pass the time.

  About a half hour passed and Sliver appeared again.

  “Do you need a repose?” Ajax said, unsure of how long a dragon could fly.

  “Maybe after this next trip. How about Axel and Sinda?”

  Sinda shook her head.

  “How about Edwin and me?” Axel suggested. “We are sure everything shall be fine, but we’d rather not leave the kids alone.”

  “Wisdom must run in the family,” the dragon smiled.

  When the seer came back the third time, he rested an hour and ate and drank.

  “Sinda, are you and Veda ready?” he asked.

  The deflator nodded as they climbed on and then disappeared over the edge.

  The day was passing quickly. Sliver took Neely and Spots on his fourth trip, and Leif, Niv, and the hoosula on the fifth. Finally, he came up for his last trip.

  “Is the sorcerer ready?” the dragon asked.

  “Take me home, Sliver. Take me home,” Ajax smiled.

  He jumped on the back of the dragon and they dove. He glanced back up and surveyed the cliffs. He thought maybe he saw movement on the northern side of the cavern, but dismissed it as his eyes playing tricks on him when he glanced back up and found nothing.

  Ajax watched in awe as they flew further and further down. The towers on their right, the cliffs on their left, and he still had yet to find the bottom.

  “How far down is the bottom? Ajax called as wind whipped around him.

  The dragon laughed. “I never reached it. I don’t know if there is one. I only went as far as the portal. It simply hovers in midair.”

  They had been flying for fifteen minutes and they still couldn’t see the end, and the dragon had never seen it. It seemed unfathomable that anything could go on and on forever. Perhaps air was without an end, but the tower had to start from somewhere. He couldn’t wrap his head around it.

  Finally, Ajax could make out the black swirling vortex. It looked the same on either side of the portal. This time instead of pausing and having Ajax jump into the dark waves as the others had done, the dragon flew straight through.

  To say what Sliver and the sorcerer found upon their entry was unexpected would be a gross understatement.

  The dragon flew out and up from the tree, narrowly dodging a dozen spears aimed at the entrance.

  They circled the big tree and saw hundreds of soldiers camped out. Snow covered the ground and clung to the branches of the trees. More time had passed since he had crossed through the portal than Ajax had imagined.

  He searched for his companions. There were several wagons towards the back of the camp, each transporting a large cage. Neely was in one, shivering and looking frightened, Niko stood in another, and Leif was in a third.

  “I command you to land by order of the King,” a soldier yelled loudly.

  Ajax looked around frantically. Under a tree he noticed another cage that had not yet been loaded. Sinda was locked inside along with his niece and nephew. They were huddled together in a corner with a thin blanket.

  He still had yet to find Niv, his brother, or the Prince.

  Spears began to be hurled upward.

  “Fly higher!” Ajax called.

  “Don’t worry, these are no threat to my scales,” Sliver reassured him.

  “Where is Nivara?” Ajax called down. “Niv! Axel!”

  Ajax felt his rage growing; seeing some of his friends in cages and not being able to find the others just added to it.

  He pointed to an area scarcely past the army that had a few small trees. “Let’s land there. I’ll make quick work of the trees.”

  “No, don’t,” the dragon warned. “I can knock them down with my tail. Let’s not let them know about your abilities unless we have to.”

  Sliver swept down and thrashed the saplings to pieces with his tail and talons.

  He landed and blew fire in the direction of the soldiers, cautious to just blow enough to keep them back without incinerating anyone.

  “Ajax, stop!”

  He turned to the direction of his name and saw the Prince exiting a tent. Nivara and Axel followed behind him and then to his surprise the King himself stepped out. All were dressed in big heavy coats, with the exception of Axel.

  “What is going on, Your Highness? Why am I being attacked?”

  The Prince glared at the soldiers. “I gave you orders to stand down.”

  “He disobeyed orders to land,” one of the captains explained. “We were within our rights.”

  The Prince pushed past the soldiers and made his way to the sorcerer.

  Blake lowered his voice. “Just give me some time. I am trying to explain things to my father. I will get everyone released.”

  “Where is Squeak?” Ajax said, noticing the other dragon’s absence for the first time.

  “Look, we didn’t come through the portal hours apart but days. Squeak has been moved. I shall take care of him too.”

  Ajax noticed the King staring at them during their exchange. “See that you do,” he warned, as he bowed before his Prince. “I will not let my family or friends be imprisoned.”

  Ajax wondered if there was any reason to the timing of the portal. It seemed so random and chaotic. If there was any sense to it, he certainly hadn’t figured it out.

  Blake stepped closer. “Or what, you’ll start a war over them being in a cage for a few days?”

  Niv came up behind them and placed her hand on the Prince’s shoulder. “No more fighting. This isn’t helping.” She wrapped her arm through the Prince’s. “Come, your father wants to speak to both of you.”

  Ajax nodded. He slid down from Sliver and opened his mind.

  Get away and then shift into your human form. My home is a thirty-minute walk due east. Wait for me there if things don’t go well. I’d rather limit the number of prisoners.

  Sliv
er cleared his throat, and Ajax winked at him as he strode past.

  “Your Majesty,” Ajax bowed before the King.

  “Inside,” the King said gruffly, ushering them into a tent.

  Once they had all entered, he turned, looking furiously at them. “What madness is this? Why have you brought these monsters into our land?”

  “Monsters?” Ajax asked, feeling his temper flare. “These monsters saved us. Saved your son,” Ajax added.

  “I don’t know what to believe,” the King muttered, pacing in front of a large chair. “It has been over a year since you disappeared. A week since the first dragon came through the portal.”

  Ajax looked around. More than a year had already passed. What agony his parents must be going through. He noticed he had not seen Sky. Then he realized how tightly, yet carefully, Niv was holding her satchel and guessed the truth.

  “Your Highness, my family has done nothing but serve the kingdom. Would you be so kind as to allow us to go home with our companions, Sire?”

  The King sighed. “I need time to think. Tomorrow the entire Maxwell family shall come to the palace and rehearse all that has transpired this past year until I am satisfied.”

  “Of course, Your Highness,” Axel bowed and Ajax followed suit.

  “The creatures you brought with you will be placed in the dungeon, until a time I deem them not to be a threat.”

  “But my wife and children! Please,” Axel begged.

  “Enough!” The King’s voice was deafening.

  Ajax’s face started to flush as he tried to control his temper. “Are they to freeze to death while you make up your mind? Is this the hospitality of Rastella?” he asked bitterly.

  Niv looked away, embarrassed.

  The King turned, his eyes blazing. He raised his hand as if to backhand Ajax hard across the face. “How dare you speak to me in that fashion,” the King said angrily as he motioned to two of his knights.

  Power swelled from within Ajax. If he just lifted his hand he could put an end to all of this.

  Prince Blake stepped forward, remembering the power of the medallion that Ajax wore. “Wait!” he cried out. “Please, Ajax didn’t mean anything. We have been through a lot. It has been over a year. Things were so very different over there. Ajax has forgotten himself.” Blake glared at the sorcerer.