The Quest for Normania #1: The Door of Andrios

27. Bonds So Loyal

Teresa and Lawrence took up post at the mouth of the cave, just in case wanderers of any sort decided to come investigate.

"I wonder what Eura Ansari is thinking," mused Mithra from where she sat at the foot of the Door of Andrios. "He must be very worried for all of us."

Teresa sighed, though she didn't turn a hair. "I agree, he must be. But more importantly, where's his daughter? She's the most important person at the moment."

Mithra nodded. "A few minutes ago, I would've been sure she would be with Norin. But..." she gulped, "I'm not sure now."

Cecil's head whipped towards her. "So, she's not with him!?" He blinked. "I just assumed she would be!"

Teresa smiled remorsefully. "I think we all did. Don't fret."

"Well," Lawrence spoke up, not taking his eyes off the outside like his guard-partner, "now we need Norin in order to be able to get to her. I believe he can do that?"

Mithra shrugged. "I don't know if kham bonds can be that powerful."

He frowned. "What bonds?"

"Kham – 'life partner' in Ahalan. I think the ancient word is something else—'kham' derives from it. Norin would know. Anyway, it's worth trying—your idea, I mean."

"Yes. Well, he should be here any time soon, shouldn't he?"

She nodded. "Yes, he's entering the Magical Sphere now, even as we speak. I was able to accompany him until there, but I had to pull out –"

Lawrence sighed and turned around. "Again, what do you mean?"

The mage sighed. "Long explanation short, Norin and I have been born to be bonded in soul and spirit. Something like the kham bond, but different. Not sure how. In other words, I'll be able to communicate telepathically and even see through his eyes. It's rather unstable at the moment, which is perhaps why I had to close the bond." She looked forlorn, suddenly weary. "I don't know what he'd do without me by his side. We've always been together and done things together. I can't help feeling that I've left him all alone."

The older man wondered about Mithra's sorrow, but decided against questioning about it. Instead, he gave her a smile, lifting her crushed spirits a little, and turned back to the outside of the cave.

Nothing happened for what seemed like a long, long time. The skies in the horizon began to lighten up and the Sun slowly peeked from the north. Lawrence's eyes were beginning to droop, but Teresa was wide alert. He marvelled at her alacrity.

Then, a wave of something warm washed over him and he couldn't help abandoning his post for just a moment and spinning around. There, between where Mithra and Cecil lay and his and Teresa's own areas, a white light beamed, much like it had back in the Fletchers' cottage on Earth. He gulped, his hopes rising.

'Could it be...?' he began to wonder.

The white light slowly faded away, revealing a door. It opened and a man stepped through.

The door closed on its own and vanished just as suddenly and dramatically as it had come.

When the light completely faded away, Lawrence removed his arms, which had been protecting his eyes, and stared at the spot.

"NORIN!!" exclaimed Mithra and rushed to embrace her Sanguine.

Much to her astonishment, Norin didn't hug back; instead, his feet buckled under him and his entire body fell. But she tightened her hold on him, so he stood swaying unsteadily.