Page 96 of Alora: The Portal (Alora 2)

As the distracted guard stepped back inside the opening, Graely risked another glance at Morvaen, this time remaining motionless for safety’s sake.

“What now?” Morvaen mouthed.

All eyes turned to Graely. His mind raced. They’d hoped most of the guards would join a bucket brigade, leaving the entrance vulnerable. Once inside, the cover of smoke, combined with Naegle’s gift of direction, gave them decent odds of success. Had they been able to make use of Nordamen’s skills, the invasion would’ve been simple, but they knew Vindrake’s lair was heavily warded.

If the smoke doesn’t draw them inside, we must drive them out.

*****

Markaeus bobbed in the water as a nasty cackle reverberated off the surrounding walls. On the shore stood the bushy-bearded guard, an eerie figure in the backlight of the flickering lanterns. “Nowhere to run, boys…” He stepped into the water, swinging his sword in a mesmerizing arch above his head. “Which of you wants to die? I’ve only enough rope to tie one of you.”

Struggling to pull a blade from the folds of his cloak, Markaeus’ head dipped under the water. “Get back, Haegen,” he choked.

“No.” Haegen struggled in front of him. “I won’t let him kill you.”

Bushy Beard waded toward them, pushing waves of water ahead of him.

“Move. I’ve got a knife.” Markaeus rasped, shoving at his brother’s back.

Haegen paddled sideways.

Just over a sword’s-reach away, Bushy Beard laughed again. “I may slice both your heads off for making me wade in after you.”

Markaeus flung the knife, his arm splashing into the water. He heard the blade bouncing off the stone on the shore.

“Dive, Haegen!”

Not waiting to see if his brother obeyed, Markaeus plunged under the water, paddling ineffectually in the tangles of his cloak. Something grabbed his hair, pulling him up by the roots. He screamed out even before his face broke the surface, thrashing and scratching at the hand in his hair. But the grip was unrelenting, and Markaeus was dragged into the shallows. With frantic fumbling, he found another knife. He slashed at the arm above him.

“Yah!” Bushy Beard let go of his hair. “You dog! You’ll pay for slicing me! I may gut you and let you die slowly.”

“Markaeus! Look out!”

Markaeus scrambled backwards into the deeper water as Bushy Beard loomed above him, raising his sword. The blade came down. Markaeus closed his eyes and screamed. A heavy weight forced him down to the floor of the pool. Pushing off from the bottom, Markaeus propelled to the surface, gasping for air. Bushy Beard floated on the water, the hilt of a sword protruding from his chest.

“Markaeus!” His brother called from the side.

“Haegen!” Markaeus swam and splashed to his brother, throwing his arms around his neck. “I thought I was dead. I thought I was dead. You saved me.”

“No,” Haegen sputtered, gesturing with his arm. “He did!”

Markaeus paddled, turning until he followed his brother’s arm. “Who’re you?”

A tall youth with wet hair waded in the water, pushing Bushy Beard’s floating body into the shallows. He put his foot on the dead man’s chest to wrench his sword free and turned to face the boys.

“My name is Jireo, and it seems I arrived at a fortunate time. Tell me, why was this man trying to kill you?”

“Don’t you bear Vindrake’s bondmark? You must have more than twelve years…” Markaeus back-paddled, deciding to keep his distance until he learned the strange boy’s identity.

“I have nineteen years, but I’m from Stone Clan. I’ve no bloodbond with Vindrake, and I never will.” He motioned with his hand. “Come out, I mean you no harm.”

A shadow moved behind Jireo’s shoulder.

“Look out! Behind you!” Markaeus screamed.

Jireo turned, raising his sword. Too late. Skinny Guard stood beyond reach with his bow drawn, arrow pointed at Jireo’s heart.

“No!” Markaeus shouted.