The Portal Soldiers

Chapter XIII

XIII

Bad News

———

Amy patted Airie's head with her right hand.

"Stay alert, honey," Amy said to Airie. Amy thought of what she should do now that Sheloin is gone. The Portland Goldens may suffer the loss of the Wizard. She had a loathsome feeling in her stomach that commands her to panic. In no time, she panicked while breathing heavily.

Amy held her right hand high and her left hand supported it, forming the positioning of hands in making the Communal Portal. She recalled the ambience of the Generals' Base then lights came out of her hand. But it disappeared even though Amy has her hand widely opened. She tried to make another Communal Portal but she failed again. Airie whinnied with a sharp jump.

"Calm down, Airie." Amy whispered to herself, "you too, Amy."

"Hyah!" Amy yelled and Airie ran real fast. Amy turned Airie's head to the wide street of the towns. I need to get to my team, she thought and she commanded Airie to run by yelling again.

"Hyah!"

---

"Everyone, I've got a bad news," Amy said, trying to keep calm in spite of the loss. She went down Airie's back.

"What is it?" General Phillip while making himself ready of the news.

"Wizard Sheloin is not there in his house," Amy said. "I have seen strange things right after I have entered his house."

The rest kept as silent as a tunnel. Their ears and minds are willing to listen.

"I've entered his house without knocking because his door is swinging open," Amy continued and took the hat of Sheloin from Airie's saddlebag. "I've seen his hat on the floor. I am not yet sure if he's really captured or what but he wouldn't just leave his door and hat like that."

"No way," Lance mumbled.

"We should find him," Amy said. Amy's friends agreed. Some of the armor parts of her teammates, such as wristbands and headpieces were already off but they managed to rapidly put them on. Amy, on the other hand, did not notice that her headpiece is off so one of her teammates reminded her.

"Amy, your headpiece," Lance said when he was looking at the head of Amy. Amy returned the hat of Sheloin in the saddlebag then quickly grasped her headpiece. She briskly wore the headpiece.

"We're through," Amy said to General Phillip. She looked at him but General Phillip's attention was on the other Generals' conversation. She walked to General Phillip but the conversation is already done. She walked back to her team and waited for their General to come.

"The news about the loss of Wizard Sheloin was spread like wildfire," General Phillip said. "It is a good thing that everyone knows it. They should be alert nowadays. And it is confirmed that Wizard Sheloin is taken by the Kininvas who were commanded to do so."

"We're ready to find him, General," Lance responded.

"No, we'll get two other teams. You stay here," General Phillip walked away.

"We'll come!" Elise tried to call.

"No," General Phillip just continued in walking slowly.

"Please. We'll report it to you if we need help," Amy said. "We are even better than what you know. We can do it."

"Fine, but I'll let your families know, okay?" General Phillip convinced them back. "Be safe. Those were just Kininvas. They have signals, you have minds. That is everything you need."