The Portal

II 2.1 Threat?

It was already past the middle of the night and Noa couldn't sleep. Maël was right there in Shailaja. He hadn't seen her in years. She was so different from what he had imagined. He wouldn't recognize her if she walked by him a hundred times. He had to admit, however, that when he had last seen her she was still a child... He concluded that his memory had played a trick on him, but even so, he still thought about how different her features looked. Something else bothered him. She had looked so scared. She should be, shouldn't she? Hannah had just survived an attack. If the rumors were real, she lived on a farm, far from any contact with the nobility. She wouldn't be used to society... The first few days in Shailaja were enough to scare any young woman. But Maël would not only be with all the nobles connected with the Rariff, but she was also an outcast. She didn't know anyone, had no relationships, no land, no heritage. And she was still considered a threat to the Rariffs. She was everyone's enemy.

Yezekael would scold him for that thought. Enzo always said that Noa, like the heir he was, should avoid that kind of reasoning. But he couldn't. As Kaal, he felt so far from everything and everyone, so far from real life. So, he tried to imagine what it would be like to live like someone else. When he was still a child, he chose a servant from the castle and chased him for weeks. Noa learned his wake-up time, watched him as he went about his daily chores. When he went to bed, he wondered what the servant was doing. Once, he sneaked out of his room and hid in the kitchen. He waited while Maria José finished her service and followed her to her house in the village. He slept in the kitchen of her hut by the river, hiding. When he was found the next morning, he was taken by the guards to his night sitter, who was already in tears wondering what death she would have for losing the heir.

Maria José. He remembered the pastry she'd made for Hannah. He would deliver it. His uncle couldn't find out, he'd say it was foolish of him. In addition to a serious error. She was the enemy. Why should she know that she was still remembered by the palatials? It was best if she thought she was forgotten, that she would never have support if she made an attempt to regain her throne. Zezé knew him well, but she had risked her life by suggesting that he take the pastry. Asking Noa for anything was disrespectful to his position. But asking an heir to bring a basket of candy to his enemy... It was crazy. Thinking about it, Noa couldn't help but smile. Zezé's audacity made him strangely satisfied. It was a sign of trust, of intimacy. He loved it when people surprised him with these gestures, which was rare.

He hated the fear he caused in people, the formality with which he was treated, the furtive glances as he passed. He inspired fear. His uncle, great strategist, land conqueror, had slaughtered enemies and expanded the Rariff's domain, mainly by inspiring fear. And Noa was the heir to that domain and, consequently, the heir to fear. Even the nobles who were his allies feared him. He thought about Hannah again. What should she feel about him? The way she had looked at him earlier... He saw the fear in her eyes, he was sure. She was so insecure she could barely speak. But it could also be the effect of the attack. Or all together.

Felling hot, he got out of bed and walked to the huge porch. The sea was churning against the rocks, but the shore was so dark he could barely see the waves. As always at this time of year, the tidal surge was strong in Shailaja. The cold wind brushed his arms and he felt relieved. On the porch, he lay down in a long armchair, feeling the breeze against his skin. The next day was going to be tiring, but there was nothing to do as he couldn't sleep.

A movement to the left caught his eye. There was someone else on the balconies. Each room boasted a balcony. The stone construction, however, was not regular. After his room, the building entered further into the mountain. A little farther on, it curved gently. His gaze followed the curve as he searched for movement. Noa concentrated. Whoever it was was hidden in the shadows. He counted the benches. Four. His room was the first on the right wing. To the left were the rooms of the women's wing. There was no one on the first or second balcony, he could see clearly.

He stared at the third balcony. There was a shadow on that balcony, but it was impossible to tell who it was without any lighting. But Noa was sure he saw a person leaning on the bench. Was he looking at the sea? Suddenly, the figure straightened, realizing it had been noticed. Noa felt the weight of the figure's gaze staring at him until, with quick steps, it entered the room.

~*~

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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!