“That’s it. The defender bond,” Alora confirmed. A glance at Kaevin found his face in his hands.
“Tell me she’s mistaken.” Graely spoke between tight lips. “Tell me the two of you weren’t foolish enough to perform the ceremony.”
“It’s not a big deal, sir.” Alora could feel the tension between Kaevin and his father; it was even worse than the vibes she was getting from Uncle Charles. “Kaevin told me about it, but it’s not a real ceremony, you know. That’s an old wives’ tale. Kids do that all the time here in the States, but nothing really happens. It’s not like sharing your blood makes any actual difference.”
Graely squeezed his eyes shut, his hands balling into tight fists. “Tenavae is not Montana. Blood binds in Tenavae.” He opened his eyes to plead with Kaevin. “You didn’t say the ceremonial words, did you, Kaevin? Tell me the truth.”
“We did, but it may not have been binding.” Kaevin pushed his fingers through his hair. “We only had six years at the time.”
“Six years? How came you to have knowledge of the ceremony with only six years?” Graely’s jaw hardened.
“You may remember, Father. Two actors performed the ceremony during a play when you took us to the fair in Glaenshire. We only did it as a lark.” Kaevin picked at a piece of lint on his pants.
“Then the fault is mine, if you two are bound.” Graely looked to the ceiling as if the answer to his problems might be written on the acoustic tiles.
“What does the ceremony do?” Alora asked.
“The binding of blood is a life-long commitment. To defend. To serve. To follow. To lead. To guard. Until death.” At Graely’s serious expression, Alora’s stomach clenched.
“That almost sounds like a marriage,” Uncle Charles remarked. “Surely, two little kids can’t make that kind of commitment.”
“Yes… yes, that must be correct.” Graely’s tight features relaxed as the words left his lips. “Two children having only six years could never accomplish the defender ceremony.”
“So it’s not like being soulmates?” Alora breathed a little easier.
“No, it’s different. The defender bond is a voluntary ceremony, quite common among adults. Defender partners agree to guard one another until death,” Graely explained. “When one’s life is at risk, the other is compelled to defend him or her. Many times, warriors will take the oath together… especially married couples.”
“But why bother? A married couple’s already committed for life, right?” Charles asked.
“Those who take the oath receive a gift; one always knows when the other’s life is in danger, despite separation. During a battle, of course, this would simply be a constant awareness. At other times, the gift serves as a warning. Defenders would never want to live far apart, since the compulsion is so strong in the face of a threat.”
“So it’s something Kaevin and Jireo might’ve chosen to do at some point in the future?” So the soulmate bond will interfere with Kaevin and Jireo’s close friendship… just one more thing Kaevin will resent me for.
“Denalae and I were defender partners.” Graely’s voice dropped almost to a whisper. “When she died giving birth… I knew it was happening, but there was nothing I could do.”
Alora sensed Kaevin’s guilt over his mother’s death and reached out to grasp his hand. Kaevin bowed his head as he spoke. “Father, I apologize for my actions. I certainly never intended to show disrespect.”
Graely nodded, reaching out to grip Kaevin’s arm. “I believe you, Son.”
The fierce expression on Uncles Charles’ face had softened during the discussion. “I think the main concern your father and I have is that you might change the plan in midstream on this portal expedition without consulting us. I can’t help being worried when you make decisions based on your feelings. Although this time I can’t deny you arrived in the nick of time.” He reached out to touch Alora’s chin with gentle fingers. “Just be really careful. Okay, Alora?”
“I will. I promise.”
*****
Kaevin’s mind wandered as Dr. Sanders gave his report to the group. Even before the healer explained he expected Jireo to fully recover, Kaevin knew his best friend would survive. More and more, he suspected their childish attempt at the defender bond ceremony had been truly effective. He needed to speak to Jireo as soon as possible.
Arista had appeared terrified at the prospect of losing her brother. In Kaevin’s mind, it was a good sign she had the ability to recognize the real possibility of death. Her glib attitude toward danger brought him no comfort, knowing the peril they would face on their quest to close the portal. Perhaps she was normal after all and merely put up a brave front to keep her fears under control.
“With only slight damage visible on the scoping procedure and a high oxygen saturation, I’m going to release him to go home,” Dr. Sanders said. “But I have a list of warning signs, so he’ll have to be observed closely. If his condition worsens
, you need to get him back here immediately.”
Dr. Sanders removed his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose between bloodshot eyes. “This has been a very long day, and I’m ready to collapse.” He looked behind his back, obviously checking for interested eavesdroppers. One eyebrow lifted into a point as he spoke in a quiet voice. “I’ve learned all I care to learn about Tenavae for now. Please spare me any more details until I’ve had a chance to get some sleep. For heaven’s sake, could you be a bit more careful? It’s like you’re all trying to get yourselves killed.”
Dr. Sanders chucked Charles on the shoulder before departing, pushing a large silver button on the wall, at which the double doors slowly swung back against the walls like a yawning giant.
“I must return to Laegenshire. I worry about the damage from the fire, and I can only pray no one lost their lives.” Graely turned to Charles. “The expedition should begin as soon as possible, but I leave the decision in your hands. I’ll be belted in iron so Alora may speak to me, and we will have Darielle to communicate with Jireo after Alora enters the portal.”