CHAPTER 39
G aetan trudged around the corner and into the Portal Navigation Center. The scent of pine trees and dampness filtered into his senses. Quentin, the lone warrior in the room, sheathed his sword. His gaze flicked between Gaetan and Anlon, perched in the crook of Gaetan’s arm.
“You starting the training? I didn’t realize Anlon was ready.” Quentin’s shirt had several dark stains, no doubt Gossum blood from the recent battle.
Anlon struggled in Gaetan’s embrace, arms and legs squirming in all directions.
Gaetan leaned down and set the little prince on the floor. Pain shot up his leg, and like a bad case of trailing ivy, it wrapped around his muscles, squeezing the nerves tight. Jaw clenched, he spoke through gritted teeth. “We’re starting early and giving Noeh and Melissa some private time.”
“Ah, I understand now. I’ll leave you alone with Rin and Anlon.” Quentin chuckled and slapped Gaetan on the shoulder on his way out the door. The movement jolted Gaetan, and he held his breath.
“Ya okay? Yer lookin’ kind’a pale there, chief.” Rin wiped his hands on a rag.
Over his shoulder, a slight mist, the final remnants of the portal, swirled on the platform. Information about the last battle, the one on the beach with Kaelyn and Saar, had travelled through the Keep like wildfire.
“I’m fine, thank you.” Gaetan hobbled to Rin’s solitary chair situated near his workbench. He leaned his weary body against the seat, easing some of the pressure from his leg.
The little Jixie wiped a cloth over the sunstones lining the porte stanen, the giant stone that ignited the portal. His fingers, gnarled from arthritis, worked the cloth between each stone, rubbing and polishing with a reverence and love only he could give them. As the Portal Navigator, Rin’s job was to maintain the portal, make sure it was operational at all times. He took his job very seriously.
That was why Gaetan had come here. Maybe, he’d have an extra sunstone that would fit Gaetan’s staff.
Rin peered at him, the red in his goatee a shade darker than the short tufts on his head. He tilted his head. “What can I do for ya?”
Gaetan held up his staff. “My sunstone cracked. Do you have a spare?”
The little Jixie cringed. “Ah, ya know ’tis bad luck to crack one.”
“Yes, I know. Can you help me out?”
Anlon crawled over to Rin and tugged on his leg. The small male smiled and tussled the newbs hair. “Hello, little prince.”
Gaetan’s heart expanded, swelling with pride. Everyone loved Anlon. The prince, as the sole child in the Keep, brought hope to so many within its walls.
Anlon plopped into a sitting position. He raised his hands and one of the stones from Rin’s workbench floated through the air straight for the child, as if carried on an invisible string. Anlon plucked the red stone from its course. A soft giggle, full of wonder and happiness, burst from him.
Rin chuckled. “I’d give ya that one, but I think Anlon jus’ claimed it.”
“Indeed, he did.” Gaetan adjusted himself on the seat and leaned against his cane, letting the rod take his weight.
“Well, let’s look and see what we can do for ya.” Rin approached Gaetan and tossed his rag onto the workbench. The cloth landed on several small gems, hiding them from view. Rin held out his hand. “Let me take a look at yer staff.”
The thought of putting weight back on his leg didn’t sit well with Gaetan, but he adjusted himself, bearing down on his sore leg. He handed his staff to Rin.
The small male studied the stone, turning the rod this way and that. “I’ve got one for ya. It’s over here—”
The central portal stone brightened, deep red bathing the walls in shades of blood. A loud whoosh followed by a stiff breeze blew through the room. Mist swirled over the portal’s platform, more than had been there before.
The skin on Gaetan’s arm tingled, never a good sign. “Anlon?”
A small child-like giggle reverberated off the walls. Gaetan glanced toward the sound.
The young prince crawled toward the portal, his hands and knees trekking across the Keep’s stone floor faster than Gaetan thought possible. The bitter taste of bile filled his mouth. There was no way he’d get there in time.
“No, oh no!” Rin inhaled. Gaetan’s cane slipped from his fingers and bounced against the stone surface. He bolted for the portal.
Anlon crawled up the two stairs leading to the platform. Mist swirled in a ball, growing larger with each of Gaetan’s heartbeats.
Gaetan’s breath stalled, his lungs unable to move, pinched by his tight chest.
The young prince slipped into the mist, disappearing before their eyes. His soft giggle echoed from within the vapor. In an instant, the fog dissipated.
“Anlon!” Rin stumbled over the stairs. His hands landed on the platform, sprawling, searching. The little Jixie turned to face Gaetan, his brow furrowed, his features grim. “The prince. He’s gone.”
Gaetan stood without the aid of his cane. He hobbled to Rin as fast as his deformity would allow. “What were the last coordinates?”
Rin rushed to the porte stanen and studied the stones. Fear etched deep lines around his eyes. “I don’t rightly know. He could be anywhere.”
Dread, cold and hard, drew its fingernails down Gaetan’s spine, finding his knee and digging in deep. He welcomed the pain. This was his fault. Noeh and Melissa had placed Anlon in his care.
Alora, please, dear goddess, watch over the little prince, watch over us all.