The Portal

I 1.12 Rumors of war

The name of Mr. Yezekael brought Noa out of his stupor. What was he doing? Nothing, by the way. He watched the scene unfold before him without any reaction. He didn't introduce himself, didn't offer to help. Whose was all that blood?

Without warning, he took several steps toward them. His abrupt movement made Hannah look directly at him, but she soon lowered her eyes, waiting. He needed to do something.

- Ms. Maël, excuse me. I'm sorry for tonight's attack - he said simply. After a few seconds without an answer, he felt foolish and added: - Is there anything we can do? Shailaja's guard has been notified, I assume. Was Mr. Yezekael with you?

- Yes - she replied. She had a low, thin voice. She didn't dare look at him and blinked often. Did he intimidate her? Was she afraid of him?

- Is he hurt?

- No... He's fine. That blood... It's from one of the knights... - Her low voice trailed off and he could barely hear the last word. She brought her hands to her face.

At that moment, the door opened, and Mr. Yezekael entered. He had a grave face and was accompanied by two guards.

- Kaal, gentlemen, ladies, I imagine that Ms. Maël has already informed you of the events of the night.

He made a quick gesture and, promptly, the guards began to carry the bags to the rooms.

- Ladies, Ms. Maël has had a long day. Could you help her up to her room? You will be staying in the accommodations on the right, after the stairs. Our guards will lead the way.

Silently, the girls withdrew. Noa watched as Hannah climbed the stairs. She was really as short as he had heard, her eyes and hair were brown as he remembered, but she was totally different... Yezekael walked across the room and leaned into an armchair.

- Well, we were attacked and we lost two men - he announced bluntly.

- But why? Who were the men? What were you doing with Ms. Maël? - Noa asked.

Liam and Joshua remained silent. They could never speak to Mr. Yezekael with the intimacy that Noa had. In fact, they could never speak to anyone like Noa. After all, he would be Kral.

- My Kaal, Ms. Maël is in danger. That's why she's here in this dorm with you. This is our safest room. And Shailaja is the safest place right now.

- Who would want to hurt her? She has nothing! She lives on a farm!

- Hurt her I cannot say, but I can imagine the appeal of marrying Palatials's last heiress.

Of course, thought Noa. Despite having no land, wealth or any political power, Hannah Maël had the royal blood running through her veins and the possibility of giving any monarch a rightful heir. But marrying her would be like declaring war on the Rariffs. It was urgent to protect her.

- Was it my uncle who sent her here?

- Yes - admitted Yezekael.

- Why didn't you tell me?

- I didn't actually tell anyone. I didn't want to risk the information leaking and being attacked on the way. Clearly, that plan has failed - he replied.

- Well, but that doesn't make any sense! It was advertised in The Weekly! Everyone knew! - Noa yelled: - Why didn't you take more men with you?

- Well, I believe it was an old fool's daydream. I thought she would be safe with me.

- Oh, if I may... - Joshua interrupted. - She's safe. She's here.

Noa snorted. It was just like Joshua to want to calm things down, but he needed to acknowledge that he was right. Maël was there, safe, thanks to Yezekael. Even so, he was irritated with the old tutor. He had put his life on the line looking for this girl. Why hadn't he delegated this task to someone else? On the other hand, he understood that entrusting the heiress to other people would also be risky. If he were Kral, who would he send?