Page 16 of Alora: The Portal (Alora 2)

“I’ve got it!” Kaevin grabbed her arm. “You could send me to Father—isn’t that true?”

“Yes, but I can’t guarantee any better landing than the one that sent you to the kitchen sink. Do you want to go to your father without me?”

“No. I want you to send that wendt to Vindrake.”

As the idea sunk in, her visage bloomed in a smile. “That’s a great idea. I’ve just got to be close enough to see one clearly so I can transport it. Wesley? Do you see them?”

As more screams emanated from beyond their vision, Wesley pointed out over a row of stone structures. “I can’t see either one now, but I think they’re on the other side of those buildings. What should we do?”

Morvaen felt five sets of eyes on him, waiting for direction. He spit out orders as was his custom, albeit with a confidence he didn’t feel. “First priority is to position Alora close to the wendts. Jireo, you’ll be the scout. I know you just recovered your blades, but give them to Wesley for safekeeping. He can carry them to you on foot. Alora, send Jireo as far as you can. Jireo, you locate the wendts and whistle to call for Kaevin and Alora from a protected location.”

“We could just go with Jireo,” Alora suggested.

“No, I don’t want you two wandering around where one of Vindrake’s men could find you.”

“We sure could use a cell phone or two,” Wesley remarked, eliciting a chuckle from Alora and Kaevin.

“Raemeon and I will retrieve our weapons and follow as quickly as possible, along with Wesley,” said Morvaen.

“Ready Jireo?” asked Alora. “I apologize ahead of time for your landing.”

“Why are you apologizing?” asked Jireo as he handed his weapons to Wesley.

“I haven’t really perfected this part of my gift. And the farther I send you, the rougher the landing will probably be.”

Jireo seemed to be reconsidering. “Perhaps I might simply run fast.”

“We’ve no time to waste, Alora,” said Morvaen. “Send him now.”

She nodded and, a breath later, Jireo appeared on the ground beside a distant water trough.

“That wasn’t too bad, Alora,” said Kaevin.

“He landed on his back, and he’s not moving.” Alora wrung her hands together.

Morvaen’s throat tightened. Perhaps he’d made a poor decision, asking Alora to transport Jireo closer to the area where the wendts were wreaking havoc. It wouldn’t save time if he had a broken leg or back.

“Do you think you knocked him out?” asked Wesley. “Wait, he’s moving. Look he’s getting up. I think you just stunned him for a minute.”

Jireo struggled to his feet and stood, bending over, rubbing his back, before limping off to disappear behind the stone building.

“We should start down now,” Morvaen said, urging Wesley and Raemeon ahead of him toward the trellis.

“Morvaen, do you want me to send you back where I found you, so you don’t have to climb?” Alora offered.

His mouth went dry as he scrambled for an excuse. “Thank you, child. I’ll simply climb down on my own, so you can concentrate on listening for Jireo’s whistle.”

He let out the breath he was holding when she accepted his answer with a nod and a smile.

The other two reached the ground before Morvaen started down the trellis. The rails bent beneath his feet, so he attempted to step near the cross pieces where the wood had the best chance of supporting his considerable mass. Two arms spans before he reached the bottom, a crack announced a splitting rung beneath his boot. As he jerked his weight to the other foot, another rail broke, and the entire trellis collapsed. Falling to the ground in an ungraceful heap, he lay without moving for a moment. He opened his eyes to the worried stares of Wesley and Raemeon.

“Are you okay?” asked Wesley, just before a faint whistle sounded in the distance.

“I’m fine. Only knocked the breath from me.” He groaned as Wesley and Raemeon helped him to his feet.

“Perhaps you should have taken Alora up on her offer,” said Wesley with a wry grin.

“I think I made the best choice.” Morvaen loosed a rumbling laugh. “After watching her transport Jireo, I can’t imagine those wendts will survive the landing if she sends them far away.”