Through the Portal

You can’t honestly expect us to travel with a dark elf.” Valda’s response to the news was as expected. “They can’t be trusted.”

“They would say the same thing about you,” Katherine reasoned, hoping to keep her calm. “I know it’s not what you want, but it is necessary and we could use all the help we can get to protect the Dunyans.” She knew it wouldn’t help to admit that she was trying not to offend the council.

“I am perfectly capable of helping you to protect them. Even his presence is overkill.” She gestured towards Tristan who blatantly ignored her. “Now, you want us to try and work with a dark elf who may kill us in our sleep.”

“I won’t kill you in your sleep.” A voice as smooth and cold as the diamond tunnel came from the doorway. “If I kill you, you will be alert and facing me with a sword in your hand.” A dark elf stood watching them and the group had to wonder how much he had heard. He was wearing a plain, blue tunic and black pants, along with a cloak that seemed to shift between blue and black, depending on how the light hit it.

“You think you can take me in a fight?” Valda’s hand dropped to the hilt of her blade. “Care to test that theory?”

“Enough.” Tristan walked over, having been silent through the whole argument. “I don’t like this any more than you do, but our lady has made her decision. Would you question her judgment?”

Valda glared at him, but released her weapon. “Fine.” She looked back at the dark elf. “I’ll be watching you, though.”

He seemed uninterested in her threat and looked around the room. “I am Kaelen. I have been asked to help transport the children to the Blue Palace. Shall we head out or do you intend to dawdle all day, bickering?”

“We are ready to go.” Katherine had made sure they were all packed early, not wanting to be delayed.

Kaelen nodded and held out several dark cloaks, like the one he wore. “Gifts of our village. You wear the bright clothes of the wood elves, which will make you too easy to spot in areas like this. We offer these cloaks to help you conceal your presence, better.”

Valda was about ready to tell him where to shove the cloaks when Katherine stepped forward and accepted them. “We are grateful for the kindness of your people.” She handed each person a cloak, practically forcing one into Valda’s hands. Katherine put hers on and nodded to Kaelen. “We can go, now.”

The children followed her example and fixed their cloaks over their shoulders as they headed out. Even Tristan and Valda begrudgingly put theirs on, knowing there was some logic to it. As Kaelen had pointed out, in this type of area, they would be harder to spot while wearing such garments.

The dark elf turned to the group, once they were outside. “Now, I know of three paths which could lead us to the Blue Palace. Are we crossing the Golden Fields, since that would be fastest?”

Katherine frowned, remembering the mermaid’s warning. Slowly, she shook her head. “I was thinking we should go through the Moss Tunnels. We heard the fields might not be safe, for now.” She knew Mona had recommended the Starlight Forest, but she wasn’t sure that was the safest route, especially with children who were unfamiliar with Mirra. The tunnels should provide adequate cover and have few dangers, even if none of them were eager to be underground again.

He nodded, seeming satisfied with the decision. “Very well. Lead the way, my lady.”

Katherine obeyed, moving ahead of the group and leading them in the direction of the tunnels. She hadn’t been there in a while, so she just had to hope she was making the right decision.

They stopped for a break at midday, as usual. They took a seat on the blue grass, near a stream that ran with silver water. Katherine assured them it was safe and they refilled their bottles. There were bushes full of berries for them to eat, so they were all fairly comfortable.

Jake wondered if anyone ever ate meat in Mirra. He hadn’t expected the elves to do so, but they hadn’t touched anything like that on their journey. There didn’t seem to be that many animals around to provide the stuff, anyway. Thinking that was odd, he looked to Katherine. “Are there a lot of animals in Mirra? We haven’t seen many.”

She nodded. “They have become very good at hiding, especially since the shadow master came into power. Animals can sense danger and his presence in this world makes them nervous.” She smiled. “I’m sure you’ll see some, eventually. You just have to keep your eyes open.”

William and Valda were sparring, as usual. He was holding his own better with each passing day. For a moment, it looked like he might even win, but he wound up with her sword at his throat, nonetheless.

Kaelen watched them with interest. He stood and headed towards William, looking him over. “If that is how you are learning to fight, you will soon be defeated by the enemy.”

The boy looked at the dark elf, uncertainly. “I am not as fast as an elf, but I am learning as well as I can.”

“Don’t trouble my student with your nonsense, dark elf,” Valda ordered.

“It is my job to see that your student gets to the palace alive,” Kaelen replied. “If he wishes to stay alive during battle, he will need batter training.”

William understood that Valda was being insulted and felt rather defensive of his teacher. “She is the best swordswoman in the Fire Woods. You should not be so rude.”

“I meant no offense.” Kaelen’s voice was cold and distant. He turned his steely gaze on William. “I simply wish to keep you and your friends alive, as I promised I would. That doesn’t seem possible with such a poor teacher to you.”

The boy drew his sword, setting his feet and facing the elf. “Show me what you think I am lacking, then.” His logical mind told him he couldn’t beat the dark elf, but his emotions said he had to defend the honor of his teacher.

“Don’t be an idiot,” Valda told him. “Just let it go. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

Katherine watched them, uncertainly, wondering if she should intervene.

Kaelen drew his sword and took a stance which was rather different than what William had learned. “I will be glad to show you the holes in your training.”

William lunged at him, but the elf parried. He attempted to fake right and jab at the center, but Kaelen saw it coming and blocked. The elf swiveled around and managed to get his sword point on the back of William’s neck.

“The main problem,” Kaelen told him, “is that you spar with the same person who uses the same fighting style every day. When you are in battle, there will be many types of fighting and you must prepare for them all.” He dropped his blade and gave William a considering look. “You have potential as a swordsman. Don’t let it go to waste.”

William frowned, not sure how to respond. It seemed like a compliment for him, which would require thanks. However, it was also an insult to his teacher, which called for a comeback.

Kaelen didn’t wait for him to reply. He returned to his seat on the ground and ate a few more berries, seeming to have lost interest in the whole affair.

Valda frowned at the dark elf, knowing there was logic in his words, but refusing to admit it. She was William’s teacher and would not allow that position to be usurped by anyone, especially a dark elf. “Get your lunch. We’ll work more, later.” She grabbed some berries and took a seat by herself.

William watched her for a moment, trying to guess her thoughts. Giving up, he followed her example and ate his own lunch in silence.

They packed up and headed out again, quickly, but still hadn’t reached the tunnels before nightfall. Katherine sighed as she looked at the darkening sky, knowing they would have to stop for the night. She knew that if they had crossed the Golden Fields, they would be there, by now, and well on their way to the palace. This detour was going to set them back a day or two, at least. She looked up at the golden stars overhead, wishing for something to speed them along their way.

Kaelen didn’t fall asleep as quickly as the others. Instead, he stayed up, awhile, staring into the dark.

Katherine took a seat beside the elf and offered him a smile. “I suppose it is difficult for you, sleeping at night.”

“I will do what is required of me, my lady,” he replied. “I realize that I am unwanted among your group, but I will not fail you.”

She frowned, feeling a little guilty. “I’m sorry if we haven’t been very welcoming. Tensions are high and it is difficult to have a dark elf travelling with the wood elves.” She looked at him. “I want you to know that it isn’t simply that you are not wanted. It’s just a difficult mixture.”

“It was probably foolish of the council to send me,” he admitted. “A matter of pride, they, told me, but pride is a foolish thing in my mind.”

“Then why did you agree?”

He paused to think it over. “I am serving our lady. It is an honor that cannot be taken lightly. Besides, my mother insisted.”

She nodded her understanding. “Going against a parent can be very difficult.” She offered him another smile. “I’m sure things will get easier as everyone gets used to your presence.”

“I had heard you were an optimist. It would appear that is true.”

Katherine stifled a laugh. “At any rate, you should get to sleep. We have a long day of walking ahead of us, tomorrow.”

The next morning, they awoke to a group of people coming towards them. They were wearing blue clothes that were not quite as dark as Kaelen’s and shimmered in the light. On their heads, they wore silver helmets. Their cloaks were silver, as were the hilts of their swords.

Katherine smiled as she saw them and stood, fixing her hair, a bit, which none of the group had ever seen her do. Her travelling companions stood, as well, the children feeling uncertain. William looked over at Tristan, who looked more displeased than usual.

The soldiers stopped and placed fists over their hearts in a kind of salute. Katherine imitated them and gave a brief nod. “Would I be correct in guessing that Nicholas is among your number?”

One of the soldiers stepped forward and removed his helmet, revealing himself to be barely older than William. He had bright blue eyes and black hair. He smiled at Katherine. “Good morning, my lady. I trust we did not startle you.”

“You could never startle me, my lord.” She returned the smile and hugged him. “It’s good to see you.”

He wrapped an arm around the girl before examining the group. “Quite an interesting collaboration you have here. How did you ever convince wood elves and dark elves to join forces?”

Katherine shook her head. “It is nothing so clever as you think, meretricious, really.” She turned to the group. “For those that don’t know, this is Nicholas, the king of Mirra.”

The children wondered if they should bow or something, but no one else did, so they remained standing. Nicholas seemed rather young to be a king, but they figured that was far from the strangest thing they had seen in Mirra. As William watched Katherine greeting him, he wondered what kind of relationship they had and couldn’t figure out why he cared. He decided it was just plain old curiosity and didn’t search deeper.

“We should have breakfast, together,” Nicholas suggested, “We have some bread, which we would be happy to share. I know it is a difficult thing to get on the road. Besides, I would like to catch up with you.”

“We would be happy to join you for breakfast,” Katherine decided for the group. Soon, they were all seated in the grass, sharing bread and berries.

William thought the bread was the best he’d ever had, but he reasoned that may be because they’d been living off fruit and mushrooms for a couple of weeks.

“So, what brings you out to these parts?” Katherine asked when everyone was settled in, “Surely, you didn’t come all this way just to see us.”

Nicholas shook his head. “We heard there was trouble brewing in the Misty Fields. We have reason to believe some creatures are being transformed into shadow beasts and I thought it would be best if we stopped it before things got too far. You know how bad that can get if not dealt with, quickly.”

Katherine nodded. “It is good you are heading that way, then. Tell me: did you cross the Golden Fields to get here?”

He nodded. “That is part of why we are glad to have found you. There were several shadow warriors waiting there. They barely glanced at us and we didn’t dare engage them with so few men.” He indicated the five soldiers with him. “You know how strong they get and I know that they are single-minded and only take on one task at a time. Since they didn’t attack us, they obviously weren’t after me, so we figured they might be after you. I thought to warn you of the danger, but, based on your route, I’m guessing you already heard.”

William remembered how strong the possessed elf had been and how much damage he’d caused. It made the boy glad that they had not crossed the fields and met a group of soldiers like him.

“A mermaid warned us,” Katherine explained. “We intend to pass through the tunnels. That should take us around the fields and close to the palace. Hopefully, we’ll be there by the end of the week.”

“I wish we could accompany you, my lady,” Nicholas told her.

Katherine shook her head. “We both know how serious the issue in the Misty Fields will get if not addressed, quickly. Your duty is to Mirra and not just to me.”

He nodded his agreement. “Will you, at least, allow us to accompany you to the entrance of the tunnels? That is along our path. Besides, we will be able to catch up more if we walk together, for a while.”

“I would like that.” She smiled at him. As soon as everyone had eaten and repacked, they resumed their journey, this time with soldiers for extra protection. Katherine walked beside Nicholas, catching up with the young king and appearing quite comfortable as they spoke.

William kept pace with Tristan, since he seemed to be the only one as annoyed by the king as he was. The other children were in awe of being in the presence of royalty and the other elves seemed indifferent about the whole matter.

“Is it just me or does he come off as being kind of pompous?” He kept his voice low so no one else could hear. He couldn’t place his finger on what Nicholas had done to give him that opinion, but he decided the king just had a general pompous air about him.

He could have sworn that the elf almost smiled at the remark. “He is the king.”

“He’s not my king,” William countered. “Also, what’s the deal with him and Katherine? They seem awfully close.”

“That would probably be because they are engaged.” Tristan’s voice grew colder on the last word.

William stared at him, blankly. “But…isn’t she a little young for that? I don’t know how things work here, but, surely, girls have to be a bit more than teenagers before they get married.”

Tristan looked at him. “Just how old do you think our lady is?”

William paused, suddenly uncertain. “Fifteen or sixteen?” He realized he probably sounded foolish. He had known something didn’t ring true in that calculation when he spoke to her.

“Well, she was sixteen when she became the guardian,” the elf admitted. “However, that was nearly a hundred years ago. I would say she is old enough to be married, by anyone’s standards.”

William nodded, dumbly. He remembered that she had mentioned being immortal, but it hadn’t occurred to him what that could mean. “And how old is the king?”

“He’s only seventeen, but he has been in love with her since he was a child,” Tristan replied, talking more than he usually did. “He has known her since he was born. He was chosen to become the next guardian a few years ago. However, the ceremony can only be performed once every hundred years, so he still has some time before they get married.”

“Wait…who decided he would be the next guardian?” William asked, “Also, is that the only reason she’s marrying him? The guardians don’t have to be married, right?”

Tristan sighed. “You ask a lot of questions. For the first one: our lady and our lord, the other guardian, decided together. This decision is a large part of the reason she is marrying him because it will make their bond stronger and their power greater, which will be needed in the coming war. Marriage is not a requirement, but it is greatly preferred.” He fell silent as he watched them, seeming rather annoyed, although William didn’t know why. He decided it was probably just Tristan’s usual, difficult nature.

“Right.” William looked at the pair, as well. They seemed quite happy as they walked together and he decided he wasn’t going to be able to get along with the king, very well. He wasn’t really sure why, but something about Nicholas just seemed to rub him the wrong way. He was silent for a few minutes before muttering, “I still think he seems pompous.”