by Tamie Dearen
Beth and her mother were the first to arrive.
“Thank you for coming, Janice...Beth. Come in, and make yourselves comfortable. Would you like some coffee or hot chocolate?”
“No, thank you.” Janice spoke through stiff lips. “I’ll be honest with you, Charles. I don’t understand why we had to come all the way over here to listen to your explanation. Why couldn’t you say what you had to say over the phone?”
“There are some things I’m going to tell you that need to be said in person. If you’ll be patient, you’ll understand soon enough.”
Beth made a grimace behind her mother’s back, shrugging her shoulders. Janice perched on the edge of the couch with a straight back.
“Beth, you can sit right here with me. You’re still grounded, so you’re not allowed to go off with Alora.”
Beth stuck out her tongue at Alora and crossed her eyes. Alora stifled a giggle with her hand as Beth joined her mother on the couch.
Charles wished he’d worn double antiperspirant.
Alora ran to answer a knock at the door and led Wesley inside with his parents, Brian and Karen. Brian returned Charles’ firm handshake.
“I brought a bit of cobbler.” Karen wore a warm smile as she handed a huge, heavy dish to Alora. “I figured you could always use some sweets.”
“Thanks, Karen. We haven’t had a good cobbler since Lena passed.” Charles tried to hide his surprise at her amicable attitude. Maybe she wasn’t as upset as Janice. Had Wesley really told his parents the whole story? And did they believe it?
“Wesley!” Karen’s smile vanished. “I told you to stay away from him.”
Wesley shook his head in a silent apology as he turned his back on Kaevin, taking a seat on the hearth beside the fire.
“Nothing personal, Kaevin, dear.” Karen’s scowl transformed into a sweet smile. “I know you don’t have a mother, so you haven’t had the best guidance. But we don’t approve of co-ed camping trips.”
“Mom, I told you we didn’t go camping. Why would I lie to you about that? The truth was worse than a camping trip.” Wesley’s tone revealed the frustration of a repeated conversation.
“Please don’t start this again, Wesley.” Karen crossed her arms.
“Karen, that’s why we’re here, right?” asked Brian. “To find out what really happened?”
Janice stood up. “I’m in total agreement with Karen. I think the kids are trying to cover up what really happened with this cockamamie story about zipping off to some other place where there were other adults.”
“Charles? Can you help us out here?” Brian’s expression held a bit of desperation.
Charles wondered if he’d be upset or relieved to discover the truth. I guess it’s time to find out. “Janice, if you could just sit down for a moment, I’ll try my best to explain. I’m not condoning the kids’ decisions, or the fact they lied to us about their plans. But the first thing you need to know is that the crazy story is really true.” He held up his hand to silence their protests. “Alora, Kaevin, could you come here please?”
Alora’s lips trembled a bit as she stood beside Kaevin, fidgeting with the button on her sweater.
“Okay, don’t go far away. Maybe just to the kitchen and back. Save your energy for fetching the Laegenshire council members.”
“Yes, sir. Now?”
He nodded.
They disappeared.
Karen screamed.
Janice slumped in her seat.
Brian jumped to his feet. “That was fantastic!”
*****
“Your dad seems to be handling this pretty well, Wesley,” Beth commented.
Alora peered around the corner into the den where the parents were still deep in conversation. Brian spoke with animated gestures, but he didn’t appear angry or upset like the mothers.
“Yeah,” Wesley agreed. “He already half-way believed me. I think he wanted it to be true. You know, it’s so cool and all. But he said it didn’t matter, I was still grounded because I lied and made poor choices.”
“Listen, I’m thinking all you have to do to win him over is to transport him somewhere,” said Beth. “He was so excited when Alora and Kaevin popped back into the family room. It was like he was at a circus or a magic act or something.”
“You’re probably right,” said Wesley.
“I think it will help when your mothers meet Raelene,” said Alora.
“When are we supposed to transport the council here?” asked Kaevin.
“They’re probably already waiting for us.” Alora took a deep breath to calm her nerves before she trekked back into the den. She waited until her uncle finished speaking and turned questioning eyes toward her. “Should Kaevin and I go fetch the others now?”
“The others?” asked Janice. “What others?”
“My grandmother and Kaevin’s father and some of the other council members from Laegenshire are coming to talk to you.”
“Go ahead, Alora.” Charles rubbed his temples with his fingers. “I think I’ve explained as much as I can by myself.”
*****
Alora didn’t kiss Kaevin when they returned from Laegenshire with Graely and Raelene. Her uncle’s scowl convinced her they could wait until they had a private moment. She’d discovered kissing wasn’t much fun when they had to do it, anyway.
“I thought more of the council was coming,” said Charles.
“The entire council wishes to be involved in the meeting, but we realized we cannot leave our home unprotected, especially at this time,” said Graely. “Laegenshire is having their winter fair, so there are many travelers in our town. We feel uncomfortable with so many strangers in close proximity. We’re actually hoping to move the meeting to Laegenshire.”
“But first, we want to thank Beth’s mother and Wesley’s parents for the help their children provided during the fight against Vindrake,” said Raelene.
“Yes, without the help of Wesley and his special bows, we might have lost many warriors to the wendts,” said Graely. “And Beth has amazing skills as a healer. I would have suffered greatly without the help of her magick circles.”
“He’s talking about ibuprofen, Mom. They don’t have modern medicine over there.” Beth patted her mother’s arm. Janice seemed more subdued than when she first arrived, but not particularly happy.
“Graely, could you start at the beginning and explain everything? Who you are? Where you’re from? All the way back to Alora’s mother and the war with Vindrake?” asked Charles.
“Very well. I am Graely BarManasae, of Laegenshire in Tenavae Territory, and I’m the leader of Stone Clan.” Graely’s voice was melodic as he told the story, and Alora’s mind wandered. Her head felt heavy, so she rested it against Kaevin’s shoulder.
An elbow in her ribs startled her awake. She straightened, blinking her eyes.
“But you understand why we can’t tell anyone about this?” asked Charles. “I don’t know what would happen if the authorities were involved and discovered our cover-up. I’m not just worried we could have legal troubles for creating a false birth certificate. I’m afraid they might discover Alora has powers and try to experiment on her. They might take her away from me.” His voice cracked. “If Lena were still alive, she could say it so much better.”
“I understand, Charles.” Janice was blinking at tears. “I’ve loved Alora almost like my own daughter. And you were there for me when Jack ... when Jack passed away. And before that, when things were rough between us. I promise I won’t tell anyone about this. I was just a little shocked, that’s all.”
“Really, Charles. We’ll keep your secret,” said Karen.
“Who would we tell, anyway?” Brian chuckled. “Who would ever believe this story?”
“The real danger to Alora lies with her father. His evil is unsurpassed.” Graely glanced toward Alora, and her chest tightened. She couldn’t help feeling somehow responsible for his actions. What if she had gone to him and talked to him when he’d first
invited her? Before she and Kaevin had made contact? Before they became soulmates? Could she have influenced him for good without endangering anyone else? He was definitely evil—his proximity had sickened her. But surely he wasn’t so evil that he would harm his own daughter.
“Yeah, he sounds like a real charmer,” said Brian. “Enjoys torturing people, huh? What a sicko.”
“Yes,” Graely agreed. “And his power is growing and spreading every day. So you see why defeating him is so crucial. And we now believe it’s possible there’s a portal in Vindrake’s kingdom that could allow him access to this realm.”
“Wait, what are you talking about?” Uncle Charles looked like he was ready to grab a gun from his gun safe.
“As our understanding has grown, we’ve determined Tenavae and Montana must exist in separate realms. And considering your story of meeting Wendelle, we realized she must have escaped Vindrake through a portal between our worlds. Especially, knowing he had her warded against transporting. Nordamen has some knowledge of portals, and he’s explained that the portal Wendelle used would remain open for use by anyone gifted in gresses. If Vindrake utilizes the same line of reasoning, he would likely presume the portal’s existence.”
“You’re saying he could come here?” Janice’s face was white.
“Yes, it’s possible. He would need the aid of someone with the gift of gresses, but surely, in all of Water Clan, he could locate someone thus gifted and bend them to do his will. Of course, we’ll do everything in our power to prevent that from occurring.” Graely’s tense expression contradicted the assurance of his words.
Raelene clasped her hands together in a gesture of prayer. “As a mother, I understand how frightening this is to you. But we felt you had a right to know the truth. And we hope you’ll help us determine the next steps in our battle.”
“I don’t think we need to be involved at all,” said Karen. “I understand why you need Alora, and that’s her heritage, anyway. But, Wesley certainly isn’t going back over there—he’s only a boy.”
“He’s sixteen, Karen. Almost my age when I enlisted,” Brian said.
“So you want him to go get himself killed by this evil maniac?”
“No, but I’m saying I understand wanting to fight for something bigger than yourself. I’m not saying I approve, but I get it. And now they’re telling us this battle could come to our own doorstep. I’d much rather defeat him over there than have him threaten us in our homes.”
Alora ventured a glance at Wesley who was biting back a smile. He wasn’t out of the woods yet, but at least his dad was sticking up for him.
Brian stuck out his hand. “Graely, I’d be honored to go to Laegenshire and attend your meeting. If nothing else, I’d like to know more about what kind of threat Vindrake might pose to us if he finds a way to get here.”
Kaevin grinned as he whispered in her ear. “I believe Brian might simply wish to experience transporting.”
“We should go now,” said Charles. “Wesley and Beth can wait here with Karen and Janice.”
Beth pouted her lower lip, but she didn’t protest aloud. Wesley looked as if he might object, but his mother’s expression quelled any complaint. As Kaevin pulled Alora to her feet, she realized her head ached a bit. She wished she’d found a private place to steal a kiss from Kaevin instead of falling asleep. The two trips required to transport the four adults to Laegenshire would put a strain on their bond, but it was too late to worry about it now.
“We’ve been waiting forever.” Jireo greeted them after they moved her uncle and grandmother, and then Graely and Brian, who couldn’t seem to stop smiling. The three stood in the rear as Graely moved to the front and called for attention. “It’s not just the council. Graely invited some of the other citizens, including my parents, to take part in the discussion.” He pointed toward a couple sitting near the back of the room.
“I notice everyone has their weapons,” Kaevin whispered, nodding at Jireo’s scabbard. “Did Morvaen post guards?”
“Four warriors are outside the door. And the entire force is on alert if the bell rings. He’s not taking any chances this time.”
“Why? What happened before?” Alora asked.
“A surprise attack by Water Clan during a council meeting. We lost two council members, including Valor. He was the only Stone Clansman with discernment. That’s why Nordamen is so excited you have the gift.”
Alora nodded, noticing that the movement made her head throb. “Kaevin, does your head hurt?”
“Yes, but I don’t think my father wants us kissing during the council meeting.”
“I can’t really hold your hand, even though the bandages are off.”
He pulled up his sleeve. “Put your hands on my arm.”
She wrapped her hands around his arm. But as the pain eased in her head, she noticed a new pain in her stomach. “Something feels bad here.”
“Something feels wrong to me as well, but my gift is different from yours. I only sense impending danger, and I’m still learning how to interpret my feelings. The gift is common to all clan leaders, but my time has not yet come. Sometimes what I read as a gifted warning is simply anxiety.” He shifted, glancing about the meeting hall. “Do you feel evil? Could Vindrake be coming here?”
“I don’t know. It’s weak, but it doesn’t feel like it’s a long way off. It feels close. It feels like I ate something bad and I need to throw up. What are you sensing?”
“It’s... I don’t know. My heart is racing and my chest feels tight. I’m uncertain of the meaning.”
Raelene’s voice echoed through the meeting hall as she explained how the soulmate bond enhanced Alora’s gift. A debate ensued about the wisdom of attempting to end the bond and lose the augmentation. But Graely and Charles were adamant the couple was too young for the responsibility and danger associated with being soulmates. The discussion moved on to the organization of a future expedition to search for the other soulmate couple and a method to eliminate the bond. Alora’s anger distracted her from the vague nausea.
“Wait,” she spoke out. “You’re talking about our lives and our future. Don’t you think we should have a say in this as well?”
“Alora, we’ll speak later. In private.” Charles stood and raised his voice so she would hear him from across the room. “We’re only trying to protect you—you and Kaevin. You’re too young to realize all the consequences of such a decision.”
“Father!” said Kaevin. “Do you—”
Graely interrupted. “Kaevin, this is not the time for you to speak. As Charles said, we’ll talk at another time.”
“But Father.” Kaevin’s voice was shaking. “There’s something wrong!”
At that moment, the sound of yelling and screaming voices from outside penetrated the room. The wooden door burst open, and someone ran inside.
“Fire! There’s a fire in the healing house!”
Chapter Fourteen
Pandemonium broke out as the meeting hall emptied. When Alora spilled out the door behind Kaevin, she saw smoke billowing from the window of the healing house across the square. Four men emerged from the door, one after the other, carrying patients.
“Oh my God! Are there any more people inside?” Alora ran toward the door, only to be jerked to a stop as Jireo grabbed her coat from behind.
“Don’t do something reckless, Alora. Laethan’s giving the orders, and he’s already evacuated the last of the patients.”
“But I want to help.”
“You really are as impulsive as my sister, aren’t you? If you want to help, go fetch buckets of water from the well and hook the handles on Kaevin’s arms so he can carry them.”
Her headache and nausea forgotten, she threw herself into the arduous work of filling buckets from the well and transferring them to others to throw on the fire. But it soon became apparent the building was a loss, so water was used to wet the nearby houses to prevent the spread of the fire.
Once the fire had consumed the
building and died out, she followed the rest of the tired and sooty group inside the council house, now crowded with the patients and the citizens who’d been fighting the blaze. She and Kaevin leaned against a side wall beside Jireo and Brian. She noticed that Brian’s white Spyder jacket was totally blackened, and wondered if Karen would throw a fit when she saw it. Her headache settled into a steady throb, so she tugged Kaevin’s sleeve up to press her hands against his arm.
Graely clapped his hands, calling for attention, and the room quieted. “I would like to thank the visitors to Laegenshire for their help in fighting the fire. I am Graely BarManasae, Stone Clan leader. Some of you are friends I recognize, but I see some I know must simply be travelers who’ve come for the fair, and yet you’ve worked to help us in our time of need. Your efforts and kindness are especially appreciated. For that reason, as Stone Clan leader, it is only fitting that I pay for your night’s lodging at the inn.”
There was a hearty round of agreement and some clapping at his announcement. Alora gazed at the unfamiliar faces, wondering which ones were visitors and which were citizens.
“As long as the rest of you are assembled here, I’d like to address some of the rumors circulating throughout Stone Clan concerning our new bearer.” He caught Alora’s eyes. “That is, if you have no objection, Alora?”
She felt her face turning red as the crowd gasped and craned their necks to catch a glimpse of her. She nodded at Graely, but tugged her sweater cap downward to cover more of her face.
“First of all, we have not been keeping your bearer hidden from you. We’ve only discovered her existence recently. But she is, indeed, one of our own—the daughter of Wendelle, granddaughter of Raelene. Even having only fifteen years, she was of great service in our recent battle against Vindrake.”