“Emily,” Skye whispered, letting her name take shape in her mind as more than just a name, a child so beloved by her family they would go to any lengths. Skye felt a momentary twitch in her chest. Curiosity, perhaps, of what such devotion might feel like.
“And you believe my father has access to these…portals? Assuming they truly exist, that is.”
“The stories say?—”
“Morestories?” Her groan sounded skeptical, almost bitter, even to her. “You’ve all risked your lives to come here based on stories?”
“For my sister, I’d risk everything.”
“For my family,” Taran added. “Everything.”
“Everything,” Finn echoed.
The conviction in their voices struck something inside Skye. Each as sure as the others. Such loyalty, such sacrifice, such determination.
Her own father loved her…didn’t he? He provided for her, protected her. Sometimes to the point of drawing her ire, but for her own good he constantly reminded her.
“Dismiss them,” the guard warned. “Your lenience will only anger your father. He’ll refuse to see them.”
Duty to her father warred with the nagging feeling that she’d regret turning these men away. And the child? Emily? Could she live with the outcome of refusing whatever chances might be possible to help her? She knew there were no portals. Stories were just…stories. But perhaps the healers here might have knowledge the healer in their village did not.
She turned to the guard. “Take them to the small solar. Provide them with a meal while I speak with my father.”
“Thank you,” Noah sighed, relief painted on his face.
“But you must surrender your weapons,” she added.
All three men exchanged questioning looks before Taran finally nodded and unbuckled his belt. Noah quickly followed, but Finn’s capitulation came slower. Finally, he too removed his weapons-belt and handed it to the guard.
Without another word, Skye turned and disappeared into the depths of the fortress, her footsteps echoing against stone as she heard the guard usher them inside.
“This way,” he growled. “You may have wheedled your way to full bellies this day, but I warn you, you will leave,if you leave, with naught besides The Keeper’s wrath.”
They followedthe guard through the massive doors into a wide stone corridor where torches lined the walls, casting dancing shadows across the ancient stonework. The air smelled of smoke, herbs, and something old and mysterious Noah couldn’t quite identify.
The stronghold seemed a confusing maze of corridors, chambers and occasional arches opening onto broad terraces. Tapestries depicting strange landscapes and battles hung on the walls. Artifacts Noah couldn’t identify rested in alcoves along with some recognizable items that seemed starkly out of place. The three men exchanged meaningful glances when Taran commented on a modern-looking clock with temperature readings that he said was far too advanced for this world.
The guard ushered them inside a circular chamber with a high, domed ceiling. A massive fireplace and mantle dominated a wide space on the curved wall, flanked by bookshelves with books bound in materials Noah had never seen.
A tray held intricately shaped goblets atop a narrow table situated beneath a window overlooking the same type of desolate, boulder-ridden landscape they’d encountered at the front of the fortress.
“Sit,” the guard instructed, indicating several chairs that formed a semicircle around the fireplace. “Food and drink will be delivered to you. Until then, the door will remain locked.” His eyes hardened. “I suggest you spend the time praying you’ll be granted permission to leave with your lives.”
Noah looked at Taran after the guard left, locking the door behind him. “I believe she’ll help us.”
“Dinnae be so sure,” Taran cautioned. “She denied the existence of the portals outright.”
“She lied,” Finn added. “Or…”
“Or what?” Taran pressed.
“Or…she doesn’t know,” Noah muttered. The possibility took root in his mind as he looked between the two men. “What if The Keeper has kept the truth from his own daughter?”
“Unlikely,” Finn stated, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Unless she’s deaf, dumb, and blind, which she clearly is not, she’d have to know.”
“I’m not so sure,” Noah whispered. “I can’t explain why, but I believe her. Perhaps her father has kept knowledge of the portals from her for some reason. Which makes it even more imperative we obtain a face-to-face audience withhim.”
Finn shook his head. “You’re not the first to be blinded by a pretty face, or a shapely figure, lad, and there’s no denying she has both. But that lass isnoton our side. You saw all those strange objects on display as we came in. Things from times way before mine, and some unexplainable items I would wager came from somewhere in the future. How does she justify those being here, even to herself? Even her clothing is finer than anythingthat could be produced in this time. And look around this room. Tell me all this originated in the here and now.”
