Through the Portal

“You can look, now,” William told Katherine, once his arm was covered, again.

She paused, before turning back to him. She wanted to comfort him, but her mind was blank. She didn’t know why he had hesitated to roll up his sleeve, but the action had clearly caused him distress. However, she didn’t think it would do much good to ask about the reason or even comment on the issue. It took a moment for her to think of anything to say. “Impes berries.”

He stared at her in confusion. “What?”

“That’s what’s in the orange drink. It’s impes berry juice, strained over some nimbus leaves. The berries are good for pain and they give you energy. Nimbus leaves are good for just about anything. That’s all that’s in it, really.” She took a breath, having said it, quickly. At the moment, it seemed the best thing to say.

He paused as he processed the information. “Then why did everybody tell me I wouldn’t want to know?”

Katherine smiled. “It’s a joke we like to play on newcomers. They know you’ll drink it, either way, so Galen tries to freak you out a little. He did it to me when I was training, too. It took a while for me to get Galen to tell me what it was.”

William stared at her and couldn’t help smiling a little. “I’m going to kill Jake.”

Meredith ran over and practically tackled William as she hugged him. “Thank goodness you’re alright! I saw that elf attack you and was so scared.” She pulled back, looking close to tears. Her hair was done up and she looked nice in her new dress. It made William wish he had seen her earlier in the night; when she wasn’t so stressed.

“You look lovely.” He knew it probably sounded strange, now, but he felt like saying it, anyway.

She gave a hoarse laugh and smacked his shoulder. “Don’t you ever make me worry like that again, you jerk.”

“I’ll do my best not to be attacked by any more crazed elves,” he promised.

Henry came over, holding Josie’s hand. He smiled down at the child. “See? William’s alright, just like I said.”

Josie rushed into William’s arms and he picked her up to prove he was fine. “Hey, kiddo, were you worried about me?”

“Yes.” She mumbled into his shoulder.

He petted her head. “You’re sweet, Josie, but I’m okay, I promise.” He glanced over at the corpse and quickly decided he didn’t want her to see it. “Let’s head back to the hut. I’m tired.” He didn’t put her down until they were in the village and the unpleasant scene was well out of sight.

Henry waited around the clearing until his brother was done helping Galen with the injured. Fortunately, no one had died, except the elf that had been possessed. Even so, it was distressing. Since they had come to Mirra, they had been in danger, but come out of it without any injuries. Now, there was a corpse and several elves were hurt, besides William’s cut. He sighed, feeling like the attack made the danger seem more real. It made him wish he had taken up fighting instead of sewing.

“Ready to go?” Jake asked as he walked over to his brother. None of the elves had major injuries, so they were fairly easily treated.

Henry nodded and smiled at him. “I’m just waiting on you.” Together they headed back to the hut.

“Will, is the scary elf going to attack you, again?” Josie asked, as he was coaxing her to sleep.

“Nobody is going to attack me,” he assured her with a smile. “If they do, I will get them.” He tickled her stomach, making her giggle.

Josie looked at him for a moment in the dim light. She kissed his cheek and lay down. “Stay with me, forever, okay?”

“I’ll do my best,” he promised. “Now, get some sleep.”

“Okay.” She closed her eyes and quickly drifted off, as only a child can.

William got Josie to go to sleep, but he didn’t feel like resting. He sat up for a while, deep in thought.

“Are you okay?” Meredith asked, sensing his restlessness.

He sighed, not looking at her. “People could have been seriously hurt, tonight. What happened was dangerous and it was our fault. We brought that danger here.”

Meredith frowned, unable to come up with a good argument. “We didn’t know that would happen. We couldn’t have. This world is so unfamiliar to us. We just don’t know the rules.”

“And that’s my fault.” Katherine stood at the door and sighed as she looked at them. “I’m sorry. I brought you here and I was supposed to protect you, but I haven’t done a very good job, thus far.”

“That’s not your fault,” William assured her. “You have saved our lives four times, so far. What happened tonight was unforeseeable and we came out alright, still.”

“Mostly alright.” Her eyes dropped to his arm. “Does it hurt?”

“Not too badly,” he replied. It was sore, but he had a high tolerance for pain.

Katherine walked in and laid a hand on his arm. Her fingertips started to glow and the pain melted into them. She removed her hand and looked at him. “How about now?”

“Much better.” He stared at her. “I guess that was another one of your powers…”

“Yes, but don’t worry. I was drawing that in, not putting energy out. I won’t need to rest for that.”

He nodded, not totally understanding. “Any chance you’d show me another trick?”

She smiled. “It’s not a trick.”

“Seems like a trick,” he replied, teasingly.

“What’s a trick?” Jake asked, as he and his brother entered. They saw Katherine and, as one, gave a dramatic bow, speaking in unison. “Our lady.”

She chuckled at them. “You must be tired.” She looked around the room. “You should all lie down and get some rest. We leave early, tomorrow.”

William nodded, knowing it was best they leave as soon as possible, but not sure he’d be able to sleep very well. Nonetheless, he lay down on his bed and closed his eyes, the others following his lead.

Katherine stood in the doorway awhile longer and started to hum. Before any of them knew it, they were fast asleep. She smiled and slipped out of their hut.

“They’re not able to defend themselves,” Tristan commented, as soon as he saw her. He’d been waiting outside the hut, thinking someone should talk to the guardian. “They’re going to get you killed, along with themselves.”

Katherine gave him a smile. “Have faith, dear Tristan. In these dark times, faith and hope are our most valuable commodities.”

He sighed. “I will always have faith in you, but you can’t expect me to have faith in those human children.”

“I was a human child, once,” she reminded him. “I survived and so shall they.” She wished she could be as confident as she sounded. “I will protect them and get them to the Blue Palace. It is our best chance to win the war and you know we need to do something if we wish to even survive it. Tonight was proof of that.”

He was silent for a moment, never able to argue with her for long. “I still don’t like this plan. If anything were to happen to you…”

“Would you be sad?” She looked at him and gave a soft smile. “Would you miss me?”

He frowned. “Mirra would fall. You know that. I would not be likely to survive long enough to miss you, my lady.”

She watched his expression, but it was hard to read in the darkness. “No, I suppose you wouldn’t.” She sighed. “I will do my best to survive, so, please, try not to worry so much.” She smiled, again. “As touching as your concern is, we both know I am stronger than I look.”

“I only hope you are as strong as you believe yourself to be,” he told her as he looked to the sky. “You should get some rest if you intend to leave so early in the morning.”

“Very well.” She started walking away, but paused. “Good night, Tristan.”

“Good night, my lady.” His response was as formal as ever.

Katherine held back a sigh as she walked away from him.

Tristan watched her go and headed back to his own hut for the night.

The next morning, the children sadly got up and prepared to leave. They wondered if they would have a chance to say goodbye to everybody, but most of the village seemed to be asleep. That day, the boys were given their regular red tunics and dark pants, but the girls received short dresses with leggings and boots, which would be better for travelling than the long dresses and sandals. They were immensely grateful and wished they had someone around to thank.

Katherine was waiting for them, outside their hut. She had a new satchel slung over her shoulder and was wearing an outfit identical to the other girls, except that hers included a sheathed sword at her hip. “Are you ready to go?”

“As ready as we’ll ever be,” William replied, sullenly.

She was undaunted by his obvious sadness. “Well, follow me, then.”

She led the way and they obeyed, looking around at the village for the last time. She stopped in a clearing and they stared ahead, shocked. Aelfric, Alesia, Ezra, Theron, Valda, Pene, Galen and even Tristan stood, waiting to see them off. Some of them held gifts in their hands.

Katherine turned to the group and smiled. “You didn’t really expect to leave without saying goodbye, did you?”

Aelfric also smiled at their stunned expressions. “We all wanted to say our farewells.” He looked to the rest of the elves.

Alesia and Ezra stepped forward, first. They handed each of the children satchels of considerably better material than their old backpacks. Alesia smiled at them. “There are fresh clothes, blankets, some fruit and new water bottles in each bag. I hope they will serve you well on your journey.”

Ezra also handed them each a blue ring. “These will make communications easier as you travel.” The children wasted no time in slipping them on as the pair stepped back to re-join the other elves.

After them, Theron came forward. He went to Meredith and handed her a bow, along with a quiver of arrows. “There would be little point in having you spend all that time practicing if you aren’t even going to arm yourself.”

She smiled and hugged him, too overjoyed to hold back. “Thank you.” She stepped away, allowing him to return to the group. She admired her new bow, eager to put it to use as soon as she could until she remembered that would mean she’d likely have to battle someone.

Pene was next. She went to Henry and gave him a golden box. “Sewing equipment. It may not be as glamorous as a bow, but I trust you will put it to good use if your clothes start to wear.”

He smiled and nodded as he accepted the gift. “I will. Thank you.”

She stepped back and Galen came forward with a bag, which he held out to Jake. “There is a small mortar and pestle in there, along with a few herbs. I trust you will know how to use all of them.” His eyes glinted.

“I hope so.” Jake smiled at him. “Thank you…for everything.”

Valda was the last to step forward and she handed William a sheathed sword, attached to a belt. “You’re going to need to practice with this, a lot.”

He nodded his understanding. “I will. I promise.”

“I know you will,” she replied. “I’m coming with you to make sure of it.”

He stared at her, blankly. “What?”

Aelfric nodded. “I am sending my two best warriors, my daughter, Valda, and, the captain of my guard, Tristan, to escort you to the palace. After last night, we agreed that it would be for the best if you were better protected.”

William’s eyes shifted to Tristan, who glared at him. He wondered if the shadow beasts would really be more likely to kill him than the elf was.

Katherine looked back at her group. “We discussed it this morning. He can’t afford to spare many elves with the current threat looming, but these two should be more than enough, I think. I can vouch for their skills with swords and bows.” It was then that the children realized they were armed with both and each had a satchel.

“Besides, William is far from done with his training,” Valda added. “How can I let my student go off so unprepared?” The way she said it made him nervous.

Katherine nodded, as though she agreed. “With them at our side, we will be able to face any danger in our path, I’m sure.”

“Are you sure they’re necessary?” William asked, hoping he didn’t sound rude.

“Do you think I would leave our lady’s life in your hands?” Tristan demanded.

“Come now, Tristan, there is no need for anger.” Aelfric smiled at him. “It’s understandable that the boy would be nervous since you tried to kill him the first time you met.” He looked between the two. “Maybe, you should shake hands to show that you are friends, now.”

“I am no friend to him.” Tristan crossed his arms, defiantly.

William bit back a laugh. He had gathered that Tristan was a few hundred years old, yet, here he was, acting like an impudent child.

Aelfric sighed. “You are being foolish. Shake hands with William or you will not be allowed to go.” That statement didn’t help remove the image of the stubborn child from William’s mind and it took all his strength to maintain a straight face.

Tristan glared at him, but walked over and held out his hand. William took it, hesitantly. The elf held his hand for a moment and looked into his eyes. “To be clear, this doesn’t mean we are friends. It just means we are calling a truce.”

“Understood.” Things didn’t seem so funny to William when the sword-and-bow-wielding elf was standing right in front of him.

Tristan dropped his hand and walked over to Katherine. “Are you ready to go, my lady?”

She nodded and looked to the group. “Ready?”

Meredith shouldered her bow and quiver. The twins put their things in their satchels and William hooked his belt with the sword around his waist. They all adjusted their bags on their shoulders and nodded.

“Let’s get going,” Valda commanded. “We can’t keep the king waiting.”

As they made their way through the forest, William was careful to keep a safe distance between Tristan and himself, since it was still quite clear the elf had no love for him. He didn’t know what the issue was, but his curiosity was outweighed by his concern that he might be harmed if he asked.

After a few hours, they found a clearing in the forest and decided to rest. Meredith was relieved, since weaving through trees and vines to follow a path that only three people in the group were familiar with was rather exhausting.

Josie plopped down on the ground, more tired than the rest of them, but unwilling to complain if nobody else did.

Meredith opened her bag and pulled out a piece of fruit. She looked inside the satchel, for the first time, and was surprised to discover the water bottles they’d been provided with seemed to be made of glass with stoppers made of the golden wood. She looked at Katherine, holding it up. “Won’t these be too fragile for our journey?” She was amazed it hadn’t cracked, already.

Katherine gave her a confused look. “What would make you say that?”

Meredith wondered if she was going crazy. “It’s made of glass.”

Katherine paused, trying to understand. Finally, she smiled and shook her head. “Not glass, diamond. It is plenty durable.”

The whole group looked at her in shock. They stared at the bottle Meredith still held, knowing that much diamond would probably set them up for life back home and they each had one.

“Right.” Meredith wondered if diamond was so common here that nobody thought of it as valuable. She pulled out the cork and drank the water it had been filled with, which was golden and tasted of berries. She couldn’t decide whether the drink was stranger than the container.

William sat down and was starting to unpack a bit of fruit when Valda stopped him, pulling out her sword. “No dinner for you, yet. You need to get accustom to the weight of your sword. Rise and draw it.”

He frowned, but obeyed, knowing better than to argue with his teacher. He held the sword out and took a stance, but he didn’t last long when she came towards him, partially because the weight of the blade was so unfamiliar. She easily knocked it out of his hand and held her sword to his throat.

“Again,” she commanded, allowing him to pick up his blade.

“We don’t have too much time for training,” Katherine warned, “We’re going to need to be moving again, soon.”

“Just once more, then,” Valda promised, taking a stance. Again, it was a short duel, but it was slightly better than the first.

Josie stared at the elf with wide eyes. “You’re really good at that.”

Valda shrugged, modestly. “Years of practice.” She took a seat and pulled out a piece of fruit. “We’ll practice more, later.”

William nodded and took a seat, feeling his cheeks flush as he realized that Katherine and Tristan had both watched the display. He didn’t want to look foolish in front of either of them and resisted the urge to check their expressions. Suddenly, it seemed like the trip was going to be a very long one.