She tucked her lip to keep from pouting. “Well, I knew we needed a gressor and you needed your defender brother. I was trying to save time.”
Wesley’s mother ran off into the kitchen, ostensibly under a sudden compulsion to make tea for the newcomers. But Alora suspected Karen was overwhelmed—she always looked wide-eyed and panicky when she witnessed a transport. Beth took it upon herself to bring the siblings up to date on the events of the evening.
“Why didn’t you return the scroll to Laegenshire?” Aris
ta asked, efficiently plaiting her hair into a braid—messy, but out of the way. “Was that not the plan?”
Returning with a spare t-shirt, Wesley fielded her question. “That was before Alora lost her cookies. The scroll made her throw up—in spectacular fashion, I might add—and that means the scroll is bad news.”
“Have you attempted to transport Markaeus back here?” Jireo inquired as he accepted the shirt from Wesley and pulled it over his head.
Alora winked at Beth when she caught her ogling Jireo. Beth stuck out her tongue as her cheeks turned pink.
Hmmm... she said she liked Daegreth, but perhaps she hasn’t eliminated Jireo as a possibility after all.
Alora fielded Jireo’s question. “I tried to transport Markaeus, but nothing happened. I’m afraid that means he’s back with his grandfather.”
“I believe it means he’s absconded with one of my chains. He must have taken it from the foot of my bed on his way into the portal.” Daegreth appeared, clearly distressed. “I supposed I can be secured with one less chain, but you must be alert at all times. It wouldn’t do to come close to me if even one limb remains free.”
“That little brat! He must’ve tied that chain around his waist so I couldn’t stop him.” Alora fumed. “Didn’t he learn anything at all last time he did this?”
“He’s only been gone for maybe ten minutes,” said Uncle Charles. “Let’s just hurry and go after him.”
Kaevin spoke again, his authority firming in a way that made Alora proud. “Since the portal didn’t go to Arista, that only leaves Markaeus’ grandfather in Portshire. We’ll go at once, but we can’t follow him unarmed. We’re fortunate to have Arista here so we’re able to travel through the portal.”
Alora mumbled under her breath, “Oh yes, and thank you, Alora, for your quick thinking, bringing a gressor here to open the portal for us. You’re welcome, Kaevin. Glad to be of help. No need to shower me with praise, though of course I deserve it.”
“I volunteer to help,” said Brian. “It seems that scroll is our best chance of freeing Daegreth from Vindrake, permanently. Let me get our bows and arrows. Wesley, you know where we keep the knives.”
Brian dashed down the hallway, while Wesley disappeared inside the utility room.
“I left my stuff in the back seat of the pickup,” said Uncle Charles, his cowboy boots thudding on the floor as he clomped toward the front door. “Don’t leave without me.”
With a heavy sigh, Doc eased onto the couch and picked up the television remote. “Might as well make ourselves comfortable, Janice. No use going home when I’ll probably have to patch these people up after this is all over.”
Janice said, “Don’t get any ideas, Beth. You’re staying here.”
Beth heaved out a long-suffering sigh in response.
“Jireo, do you have your transportable knives?” Kaevin patted his own loaded belt, checking to be sure the leather ties were secure before pivoting toward Daegreth’s room.
“I’d already taken my scabbard off, as you might have guessed from my state of dishabille, ” Jireo replied, his eyes resting on Alora just long enough to let her know he’d appreciate a warning next time she transported him. Turning, he strode behind Kaevin.
“Hold on!” Beth trotted after Kaevin and grabbed a handful of his shirt, jerking him to a stop. “Shouldn’t you consult with somebody before you go dashing through that portal? Like the council? The way I figure it, if Markaeus could come back, he would’ve already done it. So he must be in trouble.”
“We can’t wait for the council’s input. By the time the council met and discussed it, and Morvaen decided which warriors to send, Markaeus would probably be dead,” Kaevin answered, shaking free of her grasp and continuing on his way. “And, as Stone Clan leader in my father’s absence, I have authority to make the decision.”
“Even if you’re not in Laegenshire?”
Beth followed so closely she collided with Kaevin when he stopped in midstride.
“My father has set up a temporary line of succession to keep order in Laegenshire, but I remain leader unless I hand over my authority, as my father did before he left,” he replied in a terse voice.
Beth held up her palms to his face. “Don’t get in a huff. I’m trying to make sure you don’t get in trouble, that’s all. You and Alora have been known to make a few hasty decisions in the past.” Bobbing her head with a pseudo bow, she twisted her mouth in a crooked grin. “Oh great leader of Stone Clan.”
When Kaevin bristled at Beth’s mocking tone, Alora stepped between them.
“He can’t help it, Beth. His leader gift makes him a little arrogant when it kicks in.”