TBATE-ALLIANCE

Chapter 37

Arthur Eralith POV

"What?!" The council members all yelled in tandem, concern and shock thick in their tones.

I raised my right arm, pushing aether into my spatium rune, imagining the castle of Zestier. "You heard what I said!" I snapped, my fear for their safety bubbling inside me. "Now hurry up and get the fuck over here! We don't have time."

The council members flinched in surprise at my outburst, and Blaine's brows scrunched up in anger for a split second. However, right now, I don't care how I spoke to them. I needed to get them all to safety.

"So Agrona has finally found us, then," Aldir said calmly before taking a few steps forward so he was now standing in front of the council members. He turned to face them and gestured to me, "If you would all please. It's time to go."

With Aldir's request, the council members quickly composed themselves before beginning to make their way toward me. Aldir waited until everyone walked past him before he nonchalantly followed them with his hands clasped to the small of his back.

I mentally complimented Aldir for his calm demeanor and being able to direct the council members in an orderly manner. Perhaps it was his experience as a leader or the elegance about him, but he seemed to keep order in the chaos.

I twirled my finger, feeling the aether flare to light, and an amethyst light shimmered throughout the room as the portal appeared in front of me. I looked back at the council members, seeing them standing around Alea and me, looking at the portal.

"Where are you sending us?" Blaine asked with curiosity and a sense of hesitancy in his tone.

"Zestier," I said matter of factly. Mother, Father, and Grandpa raised their brows in surprise at my answer. "Rinia and Tess are there waiting for you."

Mother, Father, and Gramps seemed to physically relax at me mentioning Tess and where she was. My gaze flicked to Gramps, seeing him give me a quick nod before stepping forward and turning to face the council to address them.

Gramps gestured to the portal, "Let's go, everyone. No time to linger."

Mother and father were the first to step forward. Father gave me a loving smile and patted my shoulder. Mother looked at me with a small smile and a look of concern behind her eyes. I smiled back at them in return, giving them a nod. We didn't need to exchange words, knowing how we felt for each other. A sense of relief washed over me as I watched them walk through the portal to safety.

I looked back at the other council members, watching them as they approached the portal. Blaine seemed to hesitate momentarily before stepping through the portal, with Pricilla following him.

Gramps looked toward the door, "Guards!" I followed his gaze, seeing the guards who were standing outside the door, now in the doorway, watching us intently, some looking like they wanted to rush toward the portal. "Get through the portal, let's go!"

The guards didn't hesitate to follow Gramps' orders and quickly approached us. I sidestepped out of the guard's way, watching them as they scrambled through the portal.

"You're next, Elder," Alea said, gesturing to the portal.

Gramps looked at the portal when there was suddenly another distant explosion, shaking the castle again. Gramps, Alea, and I stumbled slightly while Aldir managed to remain in an elegant stance.

"Gramps, go!" I yelled urgently.

Gramps looked at me with a frightened, concerned, and protective gaze, "You're not coming with us, are you, Brat?"