Kaevin recognized the truth of his father’s words, sensing only a feeble connection to his soulmate.
Alleraen whipped to his left. “Here! In this alcove. To open it—”
“I’ll open it!”
Kaevin rejoiced to discover Arista was alive.
“Graely! Have you got any more firecrackers?” Charles pulled up beside Graely, Jireo and the other warriors who were preparing to make a stand.
How did all these people get here? Has it been three days already?
“I’ve no more of the noisemakers, Charles. Have you any of your own?”
“No, but I’ve got one last trick I didn’t lose when Alora transported me.” He pulled out a large pouch from the pack on his back and flung the contents, bouncing and clattering, toward the oncoming Water Clansmen. The contents of a second sack followed quickly behind the first. A blanket of small balls rolled down the corridor. The foremost sentry stepped on some of the objects and his feet flew out from beneath him, sending him toppling to the ground. Another and then another tumbled this way and that, arms flailing to land with heavy thuds on the stony cavern floor.
“What was that?” asked Graely.
“Marbles,” Charles answered.
Kaevin saw another Water Clan guard slip and fall before his vision narrowed and darkened. Aware of Alora’s strength ebbing away, he struggled to shift her limp body on top of him until her head fell back on his shoulder. He craned his neck up to press his lips to her cheek and whisper in her ear. “We’re together now, Alora. With you, I’m not afraid to die.”
Alleraen watched with admiration as Arista used her gift on the hidden alcove door without needing to know which stones would cause the lock to pop open. She hopped from the bench, intent on joining the others in the fight, but Charles, Graely and Jireo were already running back.
“Go! Go!” Charles called out. “The marbles knocked most of them down.”
Alleraen tensed as four sentries had made it past the rolling balls, but were quickly cut down by Morvaen, Naegle and Worster. The other Water Clan warriors were struggling to their feet, only to slip and fall again. Then Alleraen’s eyes locked with those of a tall man with straight black hair, standing in the rear behind the bobbling guards.
“Drakeon.” He spat the word under his breath, like a curse.
As if he’d heard his name, Drakeon pulled his lips back in a haughty smile, lifting his sword and pointing it in invitation.
Yes, I’ll fight you, Drakeon. This time I’ll kill you with the first swing of my blade.
“Alleraen? Are you not coming?” Arista stood on the bench, poised to enter the hidden passageway, staring with accusing eyes.
Alleraen glanced at the burdens in his arms. Alora appeared so fragile, with her pale face and bluish lips. Kaevin lay beneath her, once again unconscious. Yet Alleraen already knew what his decision would be. There’s more than one way to defeat you, Brother… and more than one way for you to defeat me. I almost lost everything earlier today, and I won’t throw away my opportunity for redemption.
He stepped onto the stone bench with one last look at Drakeon. Another time, Brother. As he moved inside, Arista closed the door behind them with a clank that resounded up the long stairwell to the surface.
*****
“We mustn’t stop.” The compulsion struck Jireo once again, frantic and building. Dread pounded inside his head like a deep drum. He could hardly hear his own words as they left his lips. Surely this time, I’ll die with Kaevin. I can’t possibly bear to watch it happen again.
“I’m only following Graely’s orders, Jireo.” Alleraen stood, waiting patiently for someone to help him lay his burdens on the ground. “We’ve traveled far, and everyone is exhausted. Even I must admit my arms are fatigued and cramping.”
“No, you don’t understand. Kaevin’s dying; they’re both dying. My defender bond is compelling me to do something.”
“You’re certain there’s no mistake this time?”
“There was no mistake the last time. I promise you, Kaevin and Alora were truly dead.”
“He speaks truth, though you don’t believe it, Alleraen. I knew when my son’s lifeblood no longer flowed.” Graely moved to help relieve Alleraen of his human burdens. Alleraen dropped to one knee as Graely lifted Alora’s limp form and eased her to the ground, placing a rucksack under her head. As Alleraen laid Kaevin beside her, Arista slipped in, like a shadow, to put their hands together.
“You’ve put them th
e wrong way; this is Alora’s burnt hand,” Arista fussed.
“It doesn’t matter. Neither of them can feel pain at the moment.” Jireo spoke in a gruff tenor. Yet when Arista surged against him, crying, he blinked back tears of his own. “Graely. I’m sorry to say this, but I feel the press of the defender bond again.”