The Portal

I 1.11 Mavi Hall

Enzo Yezekael saw the mountain where Shailaja stood. Finally, he thought. His wound had completely healed, but he felt tired. He was an old man, riding for hours and it was already dark. After Hannah closed the ugly tear in his leg, another horse appeared. They split up and resumed their journey. At the time, he thought it was great luck to find a horse like that, lost in the forest. Now, he noticed that the horses were very similar. Maybe too much alike. Was he imagining things? Also, the horse was not saddled. Hannah had cut all the moorings from the first one... He had never ridden a horse without saddle. Was it possible that he was succeeding so deftly?

Despite having lived with one of them since childhood, Enzo Yezekael had never fully understood his brother's powers. It was forbidden to talk about it at home. He knew more than most people for sure. He knew that without them there was no chance of protecting his boy. But... Could she cure him? With her blood? Could she create another horse?

- How lucky to find a horse wandering like that, isn't it? – he remarked, casually.

Hannah smiled but didn't respond. She decided to deal with something more important at the moment.

- We need a story.

- Yes... The attack, do you imagine who could have tried to hurt you?

She looked at him in surprise.

- I wasn't the target of this attack. Surely they didn't know I was with you.

- Do you think it was for me?

- There is no doubt.

Enzo had enemies; it was true. Besides, he was the closest person to Noa Rariff and knew about Shailaja's latest security arrangements... No doubt, they tried to catch him before he reached the fortress... That would also explain the arrow in the leg. They could have tried to hit him in some vital organ or even more times, but they held back.

His brother knew. Enzo had just realized it.

- It was because of this... That's why Raoul sent you with me. To protect me.

Hannah had come to that conclusion too. Raoul never did anything for no reason. They needed a story urgently. They were already crossing the beach from Shailaja's fortress - smeared with blood, dirt and relevantly late. In addition, they lost two men and would have to send for the bodies.

- We'll tell everyone the attack was an attempt to kidnap me - Hannah determined.

Enzo thought for a moment and added: - It reinforces the theory that you came to Shailaja to be more protected.

- You came to get me in order to ensure my safety. You got hurt trying to protect me.

- Certainly, that's a story I'll be happier to tell - laughed Enzo, running a hand through his long beard.

It wasn't absurd. Despite his age, Enzo Yezekael was still a strong man and experienced in battle. At the very least, it would be more believable than telling the truth.

***

Dinner was quieter than usual. Everyone was commenting on the presence of Serena and Bryanna, but in whispers.

- Judicaël? Were they not exterminated? - Joshua asked.

- Totally bizarre - added Mateo, as he busied himself with taking a good bite of his lamb.

- Sybilla doesn't seem very interested in talking to her sister - Liam remarked.

Noa was as surprised as everyone else, but at the same time relieved. Hannah Maël had not been introduced. She had not taken the oath. It was just a rumor. His eyes searched for Sybilla. She was sitting at the table with Adaeze, Méline and Zaila. While the girls talked, Sybilla ate in silence.