“Right next to you. On your left.”
With the last of her energy, Alora stretched her arm out blindly across the snow. She felt an arm and followed it down to grasp his limp hand. And then the world was black.
Chapter Three
“How could this happen?” Graely held onto his self-control by a narrow thread. “I thought you had him safely warded.”
“We did,” Nordamen insisted. “I placed the wards myself.”
“Perhaps you’re losing your power,” suggested Laethan. “Perhaps Bardamen—”
“I haven’t lost my power,” growled Nordamen. “He couldn’t have transported with my wards. I warded both him and the room. Did you move him? Or perhaps he was kidnapped?”
Raelene spoke as she entered the healing house. “The fault is mine. It was Alora—her gift is strong. She must have broken your wards with the strength of her red-heart wander-jewel. I simply didn’t realize she would be capable at such a young age. I should’ve predicted we would need extra protection. He should’ve been belted with iron.”
“Of course.” Morvaen flailed his arms as he paced the room. “Our armor has always protected us from unwilling transport. I should have suggested it myself.”
“No, the responsibility lies with me. I could easily have added a metal shield to the wards.” Nordamen lowered his voice. “I beg your pardon, Graely. I hope... is it possible he’s unharmed?”
“His condition had worsened despite every remedy I tried. He was so weak I dare not hope he survived the transport. But barring a miracle, he would never have lived more than a few days once he quit drinking water, as he did yesterday.” Laethan grasped Graely’s elbow. “I am so sorry, Graely. I have failed you.”
He wrenched his arm away and stepped back, slamming his fist into the wall, glad for the sharp pain distracting him from panic. “He’s not dead! I refuse to believe that. I knew the instant Denalae died while I was holding the babe in my arms in the other room. I would know if his spirit was gone. He must be alive. He must be with Alora. But she’s never kept him this long before.” He turned questioning eyes to Raelene as he gingerly touched his bleeding knuckles.
Her forehead creased and she pursed her lips. “If we assume you’re correct and Kaevin survived the transport to Alora, I can think of several possibilities. Upon his arrival in such poor condition, she might have feared to transport him again. But the most probable explanation is she doesn’t know how to send him back to Laegenshire.”
“But she returned him two other times,” Darielle reasoned. “She must know how to do it.”
“It’s difficult to explain.” Raelene twisted her lips to the side. “The first two occasions Alora brought Kaevin to her, it is probable the transports were never completed. For eighty breaths or more after a sending, the transport remains open. Any strong emotional response, such as fright, will cause the transport to reverse. Only after years of training can a bearer control her emotions and prevent accidents.”
Graely asked, “So the transport closed, and she’s unable to send him back?”
“No, she is able,” Raelene said. “But if, as I suspect, she hasn’t been trained, I hope she will not make the attempt. She could send him anywhere.”
“I don’t understand how she can access her gift at all. Didn’t we decide she could only have fifteen years?” asked Nordamen. “She shouldn’t come of age until she has at least sixteen years. Even then, the gifts are usually sporadic until the maturity of eighteen years.”
“I’ve been pondering this question as well. Wendelle’s father died so long ago that most of you didn’t know him. But...” Raelene paused, swallowing hard before she continued, “But he was not from Stone Clan.”
A collective gasp echoed in the room.
“Now you see the reason we hid this fact. The prejudice against other clans is too great!” Raelene’s glare swept around the room as she crossed her arms. Most of the group had the good grace to appear embarrassed by their reaction.
“Her father was not Water Clan; I am not as reckless as that. He was Forest Clan, the lighter color of green in his eyes not distinctive enough for people to suspect.”
“Why reveal your secret now?” asked Graely.
“I believe her mixed parentage contributed to the strength of Wendelle’s power.” She leveled her gaze at Graely. He inclined his head and nodded, accepting the truth of her words.
“Ages ago when the clans were at peace, the clans intermarried freely, and the gifts were much stronger. Since we have separated ourselves, only allowing marriage within clans, the gifts have been diminishing, both in frequency of occurrence and potency.”
“So Alora has blood from three different clans—Stone, Forest and Water. Her gift could be much stronger.” Nordamen’s eyes were bright and he danced up on his toes.
“Yes,” confirmed Raelene, “and perhaps she might come of age earlier. Also, Kaevin said she seemed quite tall for a girl of fifteen years. That could confirm she has matured more quickly than expected.”
“And once again, we come to the consensus we must find her. I think we shouldn’t delay the expedition any longer. We leave to cross the mountains tomorrow,” said Graely.
“Can you help us communicate?” Bardamen asked Darielle, who had observed the proceedings without comment. “We plan to split into three groups once we are through the mountain pass. We will need to know if anyone has located the girl or if we should continue our search.”
“If someone in each group is wearing a sightstone, I will be able to see through their eyes.” Her lips curved into a smile. “You should keep that in mind if you desire privacy. Perhaps it should only be worn part of every day. If any of you were gifted in farsight I could speak into his mind. But as it is, I can only give an impression to continue or to come back. I can practice with three of your choosing before you leave in the morning.”