Chapter 6

I looked out through the metal bars that covered the window in the small cell I had been thrown into. I wouldn't have expected this cell to have a view, but beyond the bars that guarded the window sprawled the valley up to the hilltop. I pushed the surprising light, metal bed over to the window to look out it and watched the grass blow in the wind. It shimmered lighter shades of green and blue like a rolling kaleidoscope.

Even with the amazing view, watching it for hours had become tedious. I crawled down, sitting on the stained grey mattress that felt harder than rocks underneath my backside, and stared at the wooden door that was barring me from leaving.

I picked at my filthy clothes and wished that I had brought a clean set with me. I had intended to bring my backpack with me. Yet, it had seemed frivolous when I wasn't sure exactly what I would find. The one thing I wish I had grabbed the most was my hair tie. My long curly red hair was sticking to me and driving me crazy. I grabbed my hair and lifted it a bit, trying to get the slight breeze to cool off my neck.

This was not exactly how I had expected things to be when I went through the portal. I'll be honest this was not how I expected my reunion with my brother to go. I guess it was naïve of me to think that, if I found him, he would immediately recognize me. Then we would prance happily back home through the portal where I could prove I wasn't crazy.

Yep... naïve.

Dejected, I flopped back on the bed then lost my breath as the hard mattress caused that simple everyday movement to feel like I had been slammed into by a ton of bricks.

"Damn it," I gasped out and coughed. "That was a stupid idea."

I sat up and put my head between my legs, trying to catch my breath. I had almost succeeded when the wooden door swung open with a groan and slammed angrily against the wall.

"Who are you?" demanded her visitor in English.

Slowly, I looked up to find Erik standing in the doorway. He was glaring daggers at me with his large arms crossed over the broad expanse of his chest. His arms, legs, and chest were covered in what looked like odd white leather. All of them were held in place by some black straps that were sewn into them. At least, I assumed it was leather, however now that I took the time to examine it, the material kind of reminded me of snake or alligator skin.

The only thing that was familiar about him was his eyes and the nose he had inherited from our father. As well as the slight red tint to his otherwise dark hair.

Long gone were his slim runner's body, and in place was a thick, muscular body built just for battle. A few scars along his left side showed that he probably had already seen a few battles. Across his cheek and up to his temple were the same golden markings that everyone else was sporting; abstract and floral they were gorgeous. However, it was still not something my brother would have sported back home.

This place was crazy.

"I told you who I am, Erik. I'm your sister, Mara," I reiterated once again.

"That's enough of your lies. That is impossible, and I'm not stupid enough to fall for that. You're a spy. I just want to know exactly what Sólas sent you to collect? Troop count? Battle plans?"

My jaw dropped. "I am not a spy! I told you what I was doing here and how I got here!"

"Lies!" Erik shouted, his voice reverberating off the stone into a harsh chorus on my ears.

"They are not lies!" I shouted back, jumping up to confront him. "I am your sister! I have searched for you for the last ten years! Why would I lie about that?"

"Sólas would do anything to get his hands on this information. He is getting desperate if he thinks he can have someone pretend to be my sister," he snarled. "Although, I have to give him props on the research. I wouldn't have thought he was that intelligent."

"Look, I have no idea who Sólas is! I am not his spy, and I am not here for any information. I am here for you. I have spent the last 10 years trying to find you and get through that damned portal!" I shouted at him.

He stood there staring at me for a moment, the first wisps of doubt floating through his eyes only to flash away quickly.

"I will not hear your lies anymore," he snapped, waving his hand as if he could dispel the words in the room. "But, no matter, once the King gets back with the Sorcerer, he'll get the truth out of you. Until then," he bowed and swept his hand around the room dramatically, "enjoy your stay."

The smile on his face was hair-raising, and I suddenly understood why he would feel that I was not his sister. Looking and listening to the man in front of me, I had the same sensation.

This man towering over me was not my brother.

Dinner arrived that night, and much to my surprise, it was more than just bread and water. The man who brought me down from the hilltop stood at the threshold with a large plate and a pitcher. I gave him a soft smile in greeting and held out my hands for them.

"Thank you," I said slowly.

"Disoshhl'ach," he hissed back.

"Disoshhl'ach," I repeated.

He gave me a broad grin that made him look ten years younger and half as scary… well, I thought to myself eyeing the twin swords on his back. Maybe a third as scary.

He pointed to the food. "Rinissshh"

"Rinissshh" I repeated, pointing to the food.

He nodded enthusiastically, stopping just short of clapping his hands in joy.

I circled my hand around the whole plate and said slowly. "Food. Rinissshh."

He shook his head and pointed at the slab of meat that was on it. "Rinissshh."

I nodded, understanding.

This was one of the things I had taken time to study in college. The hardest thing about learning new languages was the context. One word could mean a million things, and when learning it, it was a good thing to make sure to pay attention to what the word meant.