Alora: The Maladorn Scroll (Alora 3)

Arista bounded down the portal passage to the Montana entrance.

“Wait, Arista! Where’re you going?”

“To fetch your healer, if he’ll come.”

**************

The battle raged in front of the massive stone building with iridescent minerals sparkling in the light of the setting sun. The dead and injured littered the gleaming stone at its base.

Kaevin ran in the opposite direction, with Jireo at his side and Brian and Wesley behind them. Had Raelene not seen them emerge from the portal and warned them away, they would’ve unwittingly joined the oath-bound on the Craedenza foundation.

He had no idea how Markaeus had succeeded in creating a portal to Raelene in Glaenshire, and there was no time to contemplate the event, in light of Vindrake’s attack on the defenseless town.

I wish my father were here in my stead. I’ve no desire to be responsible for so many lives without proper time to consider each decision. Yet, I can’t shirk my responsibility.

Rushing toward the town square, where shouts and clashing swords announced another battle, he and Jireo moved in perfect tandem. Having his defender brother at his side gave him an extra measure of courage when he desperately needed it.

According to Raelene, there were no gifted warriors in Glaenshire, other than the four who had accompanied Bardamen and her on the journey from Laegenshire. Though the Stone Clan warriors had been chosen for their gifting and skills, Vindrake possessed a huge advantage in numbers. Glaenshire had little chance of surviving unless Alora brought more fighters to help.

He narrowly missed colliding with his soulmate when she transported in front of him.

“Yikes! Sorry, Kaevin,” she said.

“Come on.” Shifting his blade to his left hand he started running again, falling in stride behind Jireo, Wesley and Brian. He was pleased to see her keep pace without appearing winded.

Perhaps all her training and preparation has been a good thing after all.

“Where’s your uncle?”

“He said he would catch up with us. He didn’t want to transport and lose his weapons.”

“Good. We need warriors from Stone Clan. As many as possible. And quickly. Tell them, on my authority as clan leader.”

“Where are we, anyway?” Alora asked, squinting at the shadowy buildings while they trotted down the cobblestone street in the twilight. “Arista said you needed me to fetch more warriors, but she didn’t say where the portal came out.”

“We’re in Glaenshire.”

“Glaenshire? Marakeaus actually made a portal to Raelene? I thought the portal had to extend to another gressor.”

“I don’t know how he did it.” How can I be an effective leader when I don’t have enough information?

“Why is Water Clan attacking Glaenshire? I thought Glaenshire was the Switzerland of Tenavae.”

“I have not heard of Switch Land, but it is truly an evil thing to attack the home of the Craedenza.”

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, knowing my father.” Her voice sounded small, like a child. “You want me to go to Laegenshire and transport warriors here? By myself, without you?”

“Yes.” He nodded, despite the protective instinct in his head screaming to keep her close by. “You have your gifts and I have mine. You don’t need my help unless they question your authority. I trust you’ll be careful not to draw from the soulmate bond when you transport.”

He must have said the right thing because he could hear more confidence in her tone when she replied, “What should I say?”

“Tell them, ‘As Stone Clan leader, I call for warriors to defend Glaenshire against Vindrake’s attack.’”

“Okay.”

“Thankfully, we have a large cache of swords and knives here already.”

“Yeah. Good thing Thalaena sent them ahead with Grandmother and Bardamen. I sure hope this doesn’t mess up our trip to Serenshire.”