Hoisting a backpack with a somewhat-fair-share of supplies, Alora set out on the fifteen-mile cross-country ski journey with the enthusiasm of ignorance, laughing and chatting with Arista. By the end of the first mile, she could already feel the burn in her quads and the ache in her shoulders. By the tenth mile, Kaevin, who could not only see her grimace but also feel her pain, insisted on removing some weight from her pack, dividing it between the three guys. She would’ve protested more if he hadn’t done the same for Arista. Kaevin was hurting as well by the time they reached Uncle Charles’ targeted camping spot, a secluded clearing removed enough to provide privacy if other park-goers braved the snow to see Imperial Geyser in the winter.
Every muscle in Alora’s body screamed in protest as Kaevin eased the heavy backp
ack from her shoulders. Folks weren’t kidding when they said cross-country skiing gave a great cardiovascular and all-around workout. She’d have no trouble sleeping tonight, even on the hard ground in the freezing cold.
Alora was so tired she could barely stay awake to chew her cheese and jerky. Arista chatted with feigned energy, but Alora saw her head nodding a couple of times before dinner was done. Using a tiny Coleman burner to heat some water, Uncle Charles made tea and cocoa. Huddled under a blanket while waiting for her share, Alora drifted to sleep, awakening inside the tent in a mass of body-filled sleeping bags packed so tightly she could barely move. Warm and cozy inside not one, but two mummy bags, she was reluctant to surrender to the inevitable daylight peaking through the tent window.
“Did I wake you up?” A voice whispered in her ear.
Alora pushed up on her elbows and looked to her left. Uncle Charles, in the sentry position between the guys and the girls, had already unzipped his bag and retrieved his coat from the pile of outerwear.
“I don’t think so.” A weird hissing, splashing sound drew her attention outside the tent. “What’s that noise?”
“That’s Imperial Geyser. You can’t see it from here; it’s on the other side of the trees. I can’t believe Lena and I never took you back here.” He hesitated, swallowing before he continued his hoarse whisper. “I guess we kind of avoided it. Like somehow, if we didn’t go back and see where it all started, we could pretend it hadn’t happened. We could sort of imagine you were really our daughter.”
“You and Aunt Lena didn’t have any kids of your own. I never asked why.”
Uncle Charles flinched, averting his gaze.
“You don’t have to tell me. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No, it’s okay. We tried to have kids.” He blinked his watery eyes. “Your Aunt Lena was pregnant once and lost the baby at six months… a little girl. Then they discovered cancer. Ovarian cancer. So she lost her ovaries. Of course there were a lot of tears. But we were so happy she escaped with her life, we didn’t worry too much about not having babies.
“We talked about adopting but never followed through. So when you came along, it was like we were given a gift. The little girl we always wanted dropped right into our hands. In our hearts, we knew it was just a loan, so to speak. But aren’t all children like that? They’re not really ours… they’re just on loan from God for a while.”
Alora felt a huge lump in her throat. “I love you, Uncle Charles. No matter what happens, I’m glad I got dropped with you and Aunt Lena. You were the best mom and dad I could’ve asked for.”
She glanced behind her to be certain Arista was still sleeping. She heard soft snores from the boys behind her uncle. “I’ve been thinking a lot about this mission, and I want you to know I’m not afraid any more.”
“Good.” He nodded, his attempt at a smile looking more like indigestion.
She closed her eyes, concentrating, hoping to gain courage by speaking her thoughts aloud. “I’ve decided if we get caught, I’m not afraid to die. I’m not afraid of death or eternity. Maybe this is my destiny… our destiny, Kaevin and me. Maybe we’re supposed to help close the portal, and our purpose will be fulfilled. Then we won’t have to worry about the soulmate thing or getting rid of it or—”
“No!”
She opened her eyes to find a look of horror on Uncle Charles’ face as he slowly shook his head from side to side.
“No, you will not give up. You stay alive. No matter what.” Tears glistened in his eyes, but his expression was fierce. “You come back and finish what you started. Find a way. I swear to you, Alora, I’m not making this up. I’ve known all along I’d some day lose you to your mother’s world, but I’m absolutely certain you’re destined to accomplish much in this fight. You can’t ever give up and let Vindrake take your life from you. If you do, evil wins. We can’t let that happen. Never. Even in one small part of the universe.”
Alora gave a vigorous nod, biting back a sob. “Okay.”
Uncle Charles sat up, holding out his arms, and she fell against him and let her tears soak into his shirt.
“Promise me you’ll fight to live,” he murmured in her ear.
“I will.” She spoke the words as an oath.
*****
“Meravelle, these are the people I spoke of earlier… the ones from Stone Clan who came to study soulmates. This is Raelene, whom I’ve been working with these past two seven-days. And this is Bardamen, who’s accompanied her here to protect her from danger.”
Bastaeno’s granddaughter rose from the table, with a longing look at the parchment she’d been studying. Her dark brown hair was impossibly curly, surrounding her face like a lion’s mane. She was tiny, the top of her head only reaching Raelene’s shoulder, but her face was strikingly beautiful. She stuck out a hand to Raelene, appraising her with wide intelligent grey eyes, like her grandfather’s.
“Well met, Raelene. How may I be of service?” Meravelle’s greeting didn’t extend to Bardamen.
Bardamen made an irritated huffing sound. “I’m Bardamen. I’m Stone Clan’s chief shaman.”
“Bardamen, I apologize for my introduction. I had no idea of your titled position.” Bastaeno bobbed his head.