Alora: The Portal (14 page)

“No! You’ve always been against me, Barristae! I’ve heard your snide remarks that Alleraen should be clan leader.”

“Barristae, is this true?” Vinnasae’s jaw tightened as he turned his ire toward his chief judge.

“Someone else made the suggestion, Vinnasae—you know I cannot lie—and I defended Drakeon’s status, stating he was certainly chosen by God. Unless there could be some question of parentage, in which case Alleraen would be the rightful leader.”

“What are you implying, Barristae?”

“Only that the major gifts are typically passed from parent to child. There were some who questioned Drakeon’s legitimacy before he disappeared. But the fact you could sense his lifeblood after his departure has removed all doubt.” Barristae tilted his head as he spoke, his half smile reeking of condescension.

“I’m outraged you would even consider the possibility, Barristae! You are not only my chief judge; I thought you were a true friend.”

“Very few find my honesty bearable enough to call me friend, Vinnasae. I hope I haven’t lost that privilege tonight. The unintended slight is of no consequence now that Drakeon has lost his right to succession.”

“I haven’t disinherited my son, yet. He hasn’t had adequate opportunity to explain his actions.”

“But I’m afraid the decision is not in your hands, Vinnasae. You’ve already spoken the accusation within my hearing. As chief judge, only I can determine whether Drakeon has truly abandoned the rule of Water Clan or simply made a youthful mistake.” Barristae’s toothy smile transformed to a snarl as he met Vindrake’s glare.

With every word Barristae uttered, Vindrake’s rage grew. In a blink he was looming over the diminutive judge, his face so close he could smell his foul breath. “You have no right to judge me. I’ve risked everything for the good of Water Clan, while you cowered here in Portshire during every battle.” He felt his blood pulsing in his temples as he ground the words out. “I’ve gained the gift of strength, which could only come with God’s blessing. With my added gift, I’ll be invincible. Water Clan will be invincible.”

Barristae took two steps back, holding his hands up as if to protect himself from the onslaught of Vindrake’s furious words. “You speak truth, Drakeon. You have acted courageously while I’ve shown cowardice. Your words are all true… except one part. We both know the acquisition of your gift, though indeed extremely valuable to Water Clan, was not sanctioned by God.”

Vindrake’s chest burned with wrath; his very skin felt afire. The rage grew, swelling from his chest, scorching and clogging his head like molten iron. He flew at Barristae, gripping his neck and squeezing, while the man flailed helplessly in his hands. He was vaguely aware of his father’s frantic voice and someone pulling at his arms, but he kept his unrelenting grasp on Barristae’s neck until the man ceased his thrashing and his body crumpled to the floor.

Unbidden, Vindrake recalled the words of allegiance from the Maladorn scroll. A strange clarity entered his mind.

“Vindrake! What have you done?” His father’s words finally penetrated as the thick heat receded from his body.

Vindrake blinked hard, suddenly aware of Barristae’s limp form at his feet. Had he done that? It had seemed like he was watching a dream, not committing the act.

“Father, I didn’t mean to. My new gift… I didn’t realize how strong I was.” His mind raced. “We mustn’t tell anyone. We can tell them he choked on a piece of meat. There’s an uneaten piece on his plate. I can stuff it in his throat.”

“Drakeon, you know we can’t do that. We can’t lie, though I believe it was an accident.”

“But Father—”

“Silence! Let me think.” Vinassae paced, shaking his head as he raked his fingers through his hair. “We must tell the truth, but they will understand, Drakeon. Your new gifting in strength is strong, and you have no training. We have other judges in Water Clan. You can tell the truth, and you’ll be cleared of murder.”

“Will you defend me, Father? Will you explain to the council how my new gift will be beneficial for me as clan leader?”

His father’s eyes filled with tears. “Drakeon, I’m afraid you cannot be clan leader, not after this.”

Vindrake’s chest squeezed tight, cutting off his air. His vision narrowed until all he could see was his father’s face, his downturned lips speaking silent words of disappointment.

“Father, how can you say that after I sacrificed a year of my life to be a better clan leader?”

“Yet there was no need for your actions. You would have been a fine clan leader, just as you were. Who knows… perhaps with your gift of language, Water Clan was meant to expand across the seas. But now…”

“Now I’m even better. I still have my gift of language, and now I have strength as well. Don’t you see?”

Vinnasae bit his lip as tears tracked down his cheeks. “I’m sorry, Drakeon. You must be chained until the judge clears you of wrongdoing. I’ll be certain he comes to you early on the morrow.” Vinnasae reached out, placing a sympathetic hand on Vindrake’s arm.

“You would chain up your own son?” Shaking off his father’s grasp, Vindrake panicked at the thought of confinement. Inside his chest and head, he felt hot, bitter anger expanding. “I’m warning you, Father. Don’t do this.”

“I don’t want to. Truly, I don’t. But I have an obligation to Water Clan and its laws. Try to understand…” Vinnasae seemed to shrink as he pleaded.

Though his father’s words rang true, Vindrake’s rage grew until it threatened to burst from his skull. “You have an obligation to me, too. You should protect your son.”

“Drakeon, I have no choice.”

“I bet you’re happy now. I always knew Alleraen was your favorite son.” Vindrake’s entire body vibrated as he seethed within.

“Vindrake, that’s not true. I don’t have a favorite son. I love both of you equally.”

The lie plunged through Vindrake’s heart like a sword. Barristae had cursed Vindrake, for in his death the Water Clan judge passed to Vindrake the gift that now confirmed his greatest fear… his father truly loved his brother more.

Vindrake lunged for him in a blinded frenzy. Grappling. Wrestling. As his rage grew, feeding his furious struggle, his hands reached his father’s neck and squeezed his throat.

Vindrake cried out as a sharp stab pierced his arm. Dropping his hands, he screamed with pain and fury over the blade imbedded in his flesh. He grasped the handle and pulled it free, staring in shock at the blood pouring from the gash.

“Vindrake, please stop now.” Vinnasae touched his fingers to the reddened skin on his neck. “All that matters to me is you’ve returned. I have my son back. I don’t care whether you are clan leader. Please… I will not leave you long in chains. And I will remain by your side as much as possible.”

With a cry of wrath, Vindrake sprang at his father, knocking him to the floor. When his father ceased his struggling, he stared at Vindrake with wide eyes. Blood seeped from his lips as his hands clutched at the hilt of a blade that protruded from his abdomen.

“Father! Father, I’m sorry!” His own injury forgotten, Vindrake knelt and leaned over his father, searching frantically for something to staunch the flow of blood from his wound. “I didn’t mean to, Father. I love you. I simply wanted you to love me. I wanted to make you proud.”

Vinnasae’s lips moved, and Vindrake bent his ear close to hear his words. “I…do… love… you,” he rasped.

Vindrake’s tears splashed down, blending with the tears flowing from father’s eyes. “Yes, Father, but you loved Alleraen more. I know you lied when you said you loved us equally.”

Vinnasae choked, lifting his hand to touch Vindrake’s cheek. “Truth…” His words gurgled out with blood. “I… loved… you… more…” His hand fell, and his eyes closed with his last breath.

Graely sipped the steaming
coffee
from his mug as he sat beside Brian on the soft, cloth-covered
couch
in Brian’s home. He was beginning to develop a taste for the bitter black brew the Montana men preferred over tea. Though he’d traveled to Montana to question Daegreth eight occasions in the past moon, he still marveled at the wonders of the new realm.

“I wish we had this magick in Laegenshire. I see no fire in your hearth, yet your home remains warm within despite snow on the ground outside.”

“It’s really not magic. We have a fire in the basement; it’s called a furnace. The hot air gets blown all through the house and comes out these vents.” Brian pointed to a small metal gate in the floor.

Graely shook his head. “You may have a fire, yet magick is still required to blow the warmth throughout your home.”

“It’s not a magic trick. There’s a scientific explanation; it’s an electric blower.” Brian blew into his mug, before he sipped.

“There’s no trickery in real magick. Only the charlatans at the fairs perform deception. Our shamans would be insulted if you compared their work to that of such imposters.”

“Please don’t tell Nordamen or Bardamen I think they’re doing magic tricks. I don’t want them to curse me.” Brian grinned.

Graely stiffened at his words. “Do you dare suggest Nordamen and Bardamen would perform such dark magick? In all of Tenavae, only Vindrake and his shamans have embraced these practices.”

“Hold on, Graely. I’m just kidding. I know they wouldn’t ever do anything like that.” Brian held up his hand, concern creasing his brow. “I promise, it was just a joke.”

Graely groaned, embarrassed by his outburst. “I beg your pardon, Brian. I’m unusually tense today. As clan leader, I’m gifted with foreboding, and I’ve been unable to relax since I arrived. I feel some catastrophe lurks, waiting to strike, though I can’t say if it will happen here or in Laegenshire.”

“Maybe you drank too much coffee. That caffeine can do a number on you if you’re not used to it.”

“I must admit I remain uneasy about Daegreth living with you, moving about freely.” Graely lowered his voice, intending the words only for Brian’s ears. He had to take advantage of this opportunity to speak to Brian alone. “Chaleah assures us he poses no threat while in this realm, yet I somehow feel disaster is looming.”

“You think we should tie him up?”

Yes, I do.
Graely kept the thought to himself, lifting and dropping his shoulders.

“I can’t stand the thought of keeping him bound all the time,” Brian protested. “And how would I explain it to our friends and neighbors if my houseguest wore shackles on his wrists? Anyway, he’s been here a month already, and he’s never shown any signs of being a threat.”

“True… Daegreth’s been quite cooperative during this moon. Yet Nordamen predicts Vindrake could eventually reach this realm. If that were to occur…”

Daegreth’s voice sounded from behind them. “Graely is correct, Brian. I’m too dangerous to take chances with the lives of your family.”

“Yikes, Daegreth! You scared the living daylights out of me. I spilled my coffee.” Brian used his shirttail to wipe the arm of the couch. “Anyway, we didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

“My feelings are irrelevant. The safety of your family is of utmost importance. Though I don’t feel Vindrake’s bloodbond at the moment, were it to return, I could easily kill all of you.”

“Are you certain?” Graely questioned. “Would Vindrake compel you to kill people of whom he had no prior knowledge? Perhaps being from this realm—”

“No, Graely. That might have been true if I were not aware of Brian and Wesley’s part in the battle against Water Clan, but now I know too much about them. I’d be compelled to destroy any enemies of Water Clan. I live in constant fear that Vindrake’s presence will return inside my mind.”

“What do you think we should do? Should I chain you to the bed in the room?” Brian’s laugh faded when the other two didn’t join him.

“Yes, perhaps that would work.” Daegreth mused, rubbing the back of his head. “But only if the bed is made of iron. Securing the chains to wood might not provide enough resistance against my strength.”

“I was kidding.” Brian’s brows furrowed. “I’m not going to chain you to the bed like an animal.”

“But I
am
an animal. I’m a murderer.”

“Daegreth, how many men did you kill in the battle at Laegenshire?” Graely already knew the answer from his earlier questioning with Chaleah.

“I was fortunate enough to have been bested by the young archer, Jireo, at the beginning of the conflict. Yet I would have killed him, and many more, if not for his good fortune.”

“The truth is you’ve never actually killed anyone from Stone Clan, so you’re not a murderer by our laws.”

“I have killed.” Daegreth turned his face away. “I killed many during my trials.”

Graely put a hand on Daegreth’s shoulder, giving a squeeze. “I, too, have killed, Daegreth. Like you, it was only by necessity, though I understand it doesn’t make you feel better about yourself. It’s somewhat easier for the archers, but we who battle by the sword know the pain of watching a human’s life leave their eyes. I’ll defend Laegenshire with fervor, yet I don’t hate my enemies or rejoice in their deaths. With the possible exception of Vindrake himself.”

“Then surely you understand, Graely.” Daegreth shrugged out of his grasp. “I couldn’t live with myself if I killed any of these people.”

“Just a minute, I’ve got an idea.” Brian moved to a cabinet across the room, returning with a strange metal instrument, a thick curved cylinder, not much larger than a knife. “Daegreth, what if I show you I can defend myself against you. This is a gun, and I could kill you with it if I needed to. I’ll keep it with me all the time. I’m licensed to carry a concealed weapon. I don’t think I’ll ever need to use it, but I wouldn’t hesitate if I needed to defend my family.”

“I don’t think that small weapon would be a match against my gift of strength.” Daegreth’s expression mirrored Graely’s doubt.

“Let me show you how it works. You’ll see.”

Brian beckoned with his hand, and Graely and Daegreth followed him outside. “Wait here. I’ll just be a minute.” He tromped through the ankle-high snow, disappearing inside a building.

Daegreth shifted from one foot to the other, rubbing his arms.

“Are you cold?” asked Graely, shivering a bit though the wind was still.

“No. I simply feel unsettled.”

Graely nodded and an awkward silence fell. “Do you understand this word, ‘minute’?”

“As Wesley’s explained it to me, it’s a measure of time, but a very small one. Where we would stack our hands and estimate the number of fingers before sunset, the people of Montana utilize a device, which breaks down each day into small units of time that seem to be quite precise. Wesley says one ‘finger’ equals about fifteen of their ‘minutes.’ They’ve another word, ‘hour,’ that they use in place of ‘hand’ or ‘fist’.”

“Ah, I see.” Graely shuffled his feet to warm them.

Daegreth spoke in a low voice. “I must tell you how grateful I am to be free of Vindrake’s bond; and you have all been very kind. But the bond could return at any time. I mean no insult to you or Kaevin, but even together you’d be no match for me. Though I’m loath to suggest it, perhaps you should return me to Laegenshire where I can be properly restrained, if Brian will not listen to reason. You’ve already gleaned all the information I can give you. It serves no further purpose to keep me here.”

With an appraising glance at the muscles stretching the confines of Daegreth’s shirt, Graely nodded. “You speak truth, Daegreth. I’m considering how we might protect ourselves, short of taking you back to Laegenshire.”

Brian emerged from a doorway carrying a round metal disk, approximately an arm-length in width. Instead of bringing the disk back, he propped it against a nearby tree.

Graely spoke from the corner of his mouth as Brian returned. “I have little faith in Brian’s weapon, but we must humor him for now.”

“Now, watch this.” Brian stretched out his arms with the weapon clenched in his hands, pointing at the metal disk.

Graely jumped at a loud bang emitted by the small weapon. Two more deafening cracks split the air.

“What was that?” Daegreth’s hands covered his ears.

“That was me firing this gun. Now Daegreth… would you run and fetch that lid over there? The one that was leaning against the tree?”

As Daegreth trotted toward the disk, Brian explained the weapon to Graely. “This gun is a revolver. It holds six cartridges, so I can shoot six times without having to reload.”

The door to the house opened, and Karen stomped into the snow, followed by Charles, Wesley, Alora, and Kaevin. Karen glared at her husband with her hands on her hips. “Brian, you scared me to death. Why didn’t you warn me you were going out here to fire a gun?”

Daegreth trotted back with the disk, skidding to a stop before handing the metal object to Brian. “Did the weapon cause this hole?” Daegreth’s face was animated with excitement until he glanced at something behind Graely. His entire demeanor changed as he averted his eyes, mumbling something unintelligible.

Graely looked over his shoulder to find Kaevin glowering in Daegreth’s direction.
So the animosity between them continues, despite
Daegreth’s cooperative testimony under Chaleah’s interrogation.

“Yes. Even at a distance, this gun can shoot a bullet through a piece of metal. Believe me, it will be a perfectly effective form of defense should you pose a threat at any time.” Brian clapped Daegreth on the shoulder.

“Are you talking about shooting Daegreth?” Karen’s visage was painted in horror.

“No, Sweetheart. I’m just trying to reassure him he’s not a danger to us. That I could protect us if something happened and he lost control.”

“Brian isn’t going to shoot you, Daegreth. But I might shoot
you
, Brian, for ruining the trashcan lid.”

As Daegreth’s eyes went wide, Karen gave his arm a gentle pat. “I’m just teasing, Daegreth. I don’t shoot anything but targets—nothing living. I don’t hunt at all. Now seriously, I’m not worried about you. I can tell you’d never hurt us; you’re so much like our Steven. When he gets here tomorrow, I think you’ll feel a lot better about everything.”

Graely interrupted before Daegreth could object. “Karen, I don’t believe you fully grasp the danger involved. No one questions whether we can trust Daegreth. We all trust
him
…”

“Not
all
of us,” Kaevin muttered.

“Be quiet, Kaevin.” Wesley jabbed an elbow in his ribs.

Graely scowled until Kaevin dropped his gaze, his lips moving in an inaudible protest.
Why does Kaevin show such animosity toward Daegreth?

“As I was saying…” Graely looked at the others. “We trust Daegreth, but we can’t trust Vindrake. He’s more dangerous than you can imagine. If he were to exert his control over Daegreth again, you’d be in grave danger.”

“But Vindrake can’t reach Daegreth here in Montana.” Alora took a step forward, shaking off Kaevin’s restraining arm. “He should be perfectly safe as long as he stays in this world. Right?”

“We can’t be certain of Daegreth’s safety,” Graely explained. “We know both you and Jireo were able to use your gifts across the realm gap. According to Nordamen, you were able to accomplish this feat because of the soulmate enhancement of your gift. But, he can’t explain why Jireo’s gift manifested with such strength. And Vindrake is extremely powerful, so he could surely learn to bridge the gap at any time.”

“No offense intended, but I’d certainly feel more comfortable if Daegreth were restrained somehow. At least whenever Alora’s in the vicinity.” Charles darted an apologetic look toward Karen and Brian.

“We have another reason for concern,” said Graely. “As we’ve mentioned previously, we’ve discerned a portal must exist between our two realms, a portal that is surely located in Water Clan where Wendelle was imprisoned. We can only assume Vindrake will come to the same conclusion. Perhaps he’s already begun the search.”

Graely’s warning seemed effective on most of his listeners. Even Brian’s face betrayed his concern.

“What can we do?” asked Brian.

“Our best move might be to follow Daegreth’s suggestion to be transported back to Laegenshire.”

“Only because he knows you will set him free to return to Water Clan.” Kaevin’s tone was as sour as his expression.

“You speak of what you know not!” Daegreth held his clenched fists tight to his sides as he glared at Kaevin. “I would rot in chains in Laegenshire until I draw my last breath rather than spend one more moment as Vindrake’s puppet. You can never understand how it feels to be possessed by such a vile man.

“You!” Daegreth spat on the ground. “You’ve had the blessing to be sired and raised by a benevolent, God-fearing father, and yet you openly spurn his authority. Would that I had even a tenth of your good fortune and opportunity! How can you appreciate the warmth of the sun if you’ve never felt the bitter sting of ice in your soul?”