The Portal

I 1.8 Travel companion

Island, 1133

Hannah walked to Raoul's office. She had already said goodbye to everyone on the Island. She knocked on the door and the old master opened it, but he was different. Something about him was strange, but she didn't know...

- Oh, look! This lady must be my traveling companion, isn't she? It's a great pleasure to meet you!

- Hannah, this is Enzo, my brother, as you already know - Raoul announced from the back of his office.

Of course, Raoul's brother. How alike they were! Enzo, however, was more friendly, smiling. Now she noticed that he had a longer beard and looked about ten years older than Raoul. By the gods! How old could he be?

- Nice to meet you - she said simply. She entered the room and walked over to the Qayid who, without taking his eyes off the Island's sea, gave her last instructions.

- Hannah, about your trip: Enzo came to deal with some last details with me. You can go together to Shailaja. Everything is already arranged – With Raoul it was always like this: straight to the point.

Enzo went to his brother and gave him a hug. Hannah looked away. She had never seen Raoul hug anyone. Enzo opened the door.

- After you, rani.

Since Raoul hadn't even given her a single look, she followed Enzo down the corridor without saying goodbye. He was as tall as his brother, walked briskly and wore a long burgundy robe, much like the one Raoul used to wear. They left by the side door of the big house and walked through the soft sand. A small boat was waiting in the harbor. As he approached, he saw that Gaetana was waiting for him. She greeted Enzo.

- Ah, Gaetana. Very nice to visit you, as always. I think we will see each other a lot from now on. I'll go in to put you at your ease - Enzo said cordially.

After he entered, Gaetana took Hannah's hands in her own.

- Mani, because of the disguise, we asked you not to take anything of yours. I see you have accomplished that task - she said, with a smile, holding her index finger. - When I was little, my mother gave me this ring, which I always wear. It's much simpler... - Hannah looked at Gaetana's hand. It was a golden ring, with a small diamond. The master took a bag from her pocket. – I asked Leila to make one for you.

Surprised by the gesture, Hannah smiled and hugged Gaetana. Since she was little, the master had been responsible for her. She had raised her as a daughter, and she was so grateful to have been so warmly welcomed.

- I know you've been through more difficult times than this, Mani. But I also know that it won't be easy to face these people for so many months. Please be patient and remember that you are not alone, okay?

- Okay - Hannah nodded, putting the ring on her middle finger. – Thank you.

The small boat slowly pulled away from the shore, and Hannah gave one last look at the mansion by the sea, which was the only home she had known since the fall of her family. She stared at the white building, except for its blue windows and yellow doors, and the huge pink tree directly in front of the main door. It was even taller than the house itself, which was no more than two stories high, and spilled its colorful flowers on the green grass. It was a beautiful place, but it wasn't for its beauty that the Island had gained her trust. Not for Raoul, who was a great ally of her mother. She didn't know that when she got here. Nor for Gaetana, whom she loved today like her own family. She ran her eyes over the sand, looking for him, but she knew she wouldn't find him. If he were there, Hannah would feel his presence, filling every space, confident and steady, making her feel safe, like a heat wave at the height of summer.

But over the past few months, that heat had built up, making her feel almost suffocated, and at times she'd thought he'd burn her with his proximity. But even before she could reflect on this new feeling, Raoul had pushed him away. And he had been sent away for months. Since she was little, they had never spent so many months apart. And now, here she was, leaving, not even knowing when she would see him again. She had said goodbye to everyone on the Island, except for the one person who had taken her there. Would Luc ever forgive her for choosing this path? Would he forgive her for going to Shailaja?

A violent wave ended her reverie. The sea was calm near the Island, but she knew that the calm tide was the work of an ancient enchantment, for the Island was in the middle of the rough sea, where the waves were high and furious. It took a captain with a lot of experience to sail there.

- It's always an adventure to come here - Enzo commented with a nervous smile.

Hannah smiled back. She didn't know how to respond, so she didn't say anything.

- Although being with you, I'm protected, right?

Apparently, he wants to talk, Hannah thought, and replied assuring him that there was nothing to worry about.

It didn't take them long to reach the shore. A small carriage was waiting for them. It was pulled by two horses and had two drivers. Enzo offered to help with the suitcase, but Hannah promptly declined. Once inside the carriage, the road was long, and Enzo was still determined to have a conversation. How good-natured he was when compared to Raoul!

- It's at least five hours on this road alone and then... - Hannah already knew the path, but she let him describe it. Looking for something to say, she had the idea to ask about him.

- You've been there for many years, haven't you?

- Oh yes, I've been a tutor in Shailaja for 20 years...

- And what's it like there?

- Ah, very different from the Island, for sure... The weather is not so beautiful, I can guarantee that...

Hannah looked out the window. It was no longer possible to see the Island from there.

- I want to thank you for what you're doing.

She was taken by surprise. What did he mean?

- I asked my brother to send you. I know you are his best weapon. It's our best chance to keep him alive.

She considered that for a moment. Was that why he was being so nice?

- Nothing to be thankful for. - She didn't want to sound rude, but that was all she could say. She wasn't doing this to help him, not even on Raoul's orders, but she wouldn't tell Enzo that. Apparently, the brother let him think that a request of his was being granted.

Enzo ran his long black fingers through his white beard. It was mid-afternoon. It was hot and the carriage followed a shadowless road, bouncing at a sickening pace.

- I know it must be difficult for you, but he is a good boy. It's not his fault what happened. You have no idea...

- Man - Hannah interrupted.

- Sorry, what? - asked Enzo, turning to her.

- He's already a man. He's not a boy anymore.

Enzo watched her curiously. He had always wanted to meet her. Faced with a disruption like the one that had happened with the attack ten years ago, it was curious how Raoul had taken in Hannah and he had become Noa's tutor. For years, he had heard rumors about her. It was hard to believe them when one saw such a small creature. But her fame traveled far. She was respected by leaders. Her presence frightened armies. How could she be so small? Enzo knew that this was not her real appearance, but Gaetana had said that the height was true, in addition to other characteristics. The eyes and hair were brown like those of all palatials. Sons of Anandi, thought Enzo. The nose resembled Merab, but he found no other similarities.

- I understand your point. Noa is a man. He'll know everything when it's time.

She did not answer. Enzo understood that the conversation was over. She would protect his boy, that was what mattered.

~*~

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Ps: I am a brazilian author and a dear friend is helping me translate this book. Please feel free to point out any mistakes. Hope you like it!