Page 13 of Alora: The Portal (Alora 2)

Kaevin put his hand on Jireo’s shoulder to calm him. “Arista, you know my father has had to make an exception, allowing a few of us to fight with seventeen years.”

“I’ve only one less year than Jireo, and I’ve already fought in two battles.”

“Please excuse the interruption,” said Laethan, his words dripping in sarcasm. “I’m certain you have important matters to discuss, but I have injured warriors pouring in my doors without enough workers to tend them.” He gave Beth a pointed glare.

“We’ll help.” Beth grabbed Arista’s hand and pulled her along. “Unless you’re too badly injured.”

“Of course not,” said Arista, limping behind her. Beth winked back at them as she dragged her away, and Jireo shot her a grateful smile.

“Laethan’s always so grumpy,” said Alora. “He kind of scares me, but Beth really likes him.”

“He’s a good man, but he takes everything quite seriously. He scares me a bit, too,” Kaevin admitted.

“I think if I ever saw him laugh, I’d have a heart attack,” said Alora.

“Come, Wesley,” said Jireo. “We’ll retrieve my bow and arrows. Alora can transport

us up to my rooftop, and you can shoot from there. I can guard your back with my knife and short sword.”

“You know, I guess since the crisis with Jireo is over, I ought to just transport the four of us to Montana. We can probably get back before Uncle Charles even discovers we’ve left.”

“I’m not going back yet.” Kaevin fought to keep his voice level. “I won’t desert my father and Stone Clan during an attack. I’m not a coward.”

“Are you calling me a coward? Because I’m trying to make a mature decision? We all got grounded the last time we came here.”

“The way I figure, I’m already going to be in trouble,” said Wesley. “I might as well accomplish something before I go back.”

“Father’s aware of our presence, and he didn’t send us back to Montana. So he as much as gave us permission to remain here.”

Alora nodded, her expression betraying her doubt. “I guess you’re right. I really do want to help, and I promise I’m not afraid.”

Kaevin pulled her against him. “I wasn’t implying you were a coward, I was merely defending myself against the claim. You’ve never been anything but brave.”

“Okay.” Her voice still held a trace of annoyance.

“There are so many injured warriors.” Alora gazed across the large chamber. “I’m afraid we’re already too late.”

“Let’s be off. It isn’t over yet, or someone would have sounded the horn to retreat.” Kaevin linked arms with Alora and bent to steal a kiss.

“My head doesn’t hurt anymore,” she protested.

“What’s that saying you have—Better safe than sorry?” He whispered the words in her ear, grinning until she returned the smile.

Wesley and Jireo grabbed their hands, and they were off.

*****

Morvaen had thought the influx of warriors from outside Laegenshire would’ve driven the Water Clansmen to retreat, but the warriors had evidently been given a charge to fight to the death. Vindrake was probably safe at Portshire in Water Clan. He usually sent others to carry out his attacks, watching the battles through sightstones at a safe distance.

Wiping his sword on his pants, he lifted it to face the next attacking Water Clan warrior. If he survived the night, he’d be haunted by the deaths he’d witnessed at his own hand. No matter how many battles he fought, no matter how evil his attackers, it was never easy to take a human life.

Tonight it seemed he’d been attacked by an inordinate number of enemy clansmen with slight statures, including more than a few women. As a result, upwards of thirty-five had been dispatched by his blade. Granted, it hadn’t been without challenge when the warriors came two and three at a time. For a while, a Laegenshire archer had aided him from a distance, killing or injuring warriors who assaulted from the side.

Why would these weaker fighters choose to attack a man of his immense size and obvious prowess in battle?

A cloud passed over the full moon, casting the square into temporary darkness. He strained his eyes, searching in the gloom for other enemies. It seemed he was quite alone in the square, but the cries of battle and the clang of slashing swords assured him the fight continued beyond his plane of vision. Laegenshire had not yet succumbed to Vindrake’s superior numbers. Since no more enemies seemed to be coming his way, perhaps he could find a more worthy opponent.

The moonlight flickered as the thin clouds passed across its face, and he used its scant light to pick his way around the bodies strewn before him. A frantic female voice cried from across the square, “Morvaen! Look out!”