CHAPTER 107: PORTAL DISCOVERIES

Marcus woke in Valdris with his mind full of doubts. The plan forming in his head seemed utterly crazy when he really thought about it. Enter a dark empire mage's precious facility, steal what they needed, then come back here and defend the city against overwhelming odds.

"Crazy, crazy," he muttered to himself as he prepared for the journey to the Defenders' camp.

Tom was waiting for him outside their family house, looking eager despite the early hour. They set off through the forest paths that had become familiar over the past weeks.

"Marcus, you seem worried," Tom observed as they walked.

Marcus didn't want to worry Tom too much about the impossible nature of their mission. "Yeah, connecting all the plans seems far fetched when I really think about it. But don't worry, we'll figure it out."

The forest around them was peaceful in the morning light, birds calling from the canopy above and small animals rustling through the underbrush. It was hard to believe that war was approaching when everything felt so normal and alive.

When they arrived at the camp, Marcus immediately noticed Palwin's reaction to seeing Tom. She dashed toward him with a bright smile, her whole demeanor transformed from the confused, withdrawn person they'd first met.

Marcus thought they have gotten really close while staying at the camp together. Tom and Palwin just looked at each other without talking for a moment, some kind of silent communication passing between them.

Then Tom reached into his satchel and pulled out something wrapped in cloth. It was one of the garments they'd made at the textile shop, beautifully crafted with the precision of their mechanical sewing methods.

"I brought this for you," Tom said simply, handing it to Palwin.

She accepted the gift with obvious delight, holding the fabric up to examine the quality of the stitching. Her smile was the first genuinely happy expression Marcus had seen from her.

"I think she's finding her pack and has improved a lot socially," Aluro commented, approaching from where she'd been observing the interaction.

"How about her powers?" Marcus asked, getting to the heart of why they were here.

"For someone who never learned the basics of magic, she's improved her unique ability a lot. But we still don't know the edges of her power."

Marcus felt a surge of hope. "Since the siege is getting close, I need her to help me out. Can she open portals to far distances?"

Aluro considered the question carefully. "What we've learned is that she can open portals only where she can see. And if she trusts someone, she can open portals maybe ten yards behind her without looking."

"What do you mean by trust?"

"I think she can open portals anywhere, but she doesn't trust places where she can't see what's on the other side."

Marcus's mind began racing with possibilities. "What if her friends could communicate over long distances and tell her to open a portal beside them?"

"That might work. Are you thinking about Tom?"

"Tom, Sara, Aldric, me, you" Marcus replied. And maybe Celestine, he thought to himself.

"It might work. Let's test it. Tom, why don't you head back behind my office building?"

Marcus added, "And when you get there, try asking Palwin to open a portal beside you."

"She can do that?" Tom asked with amazement.

"I don't know, we'll see. Palwin, can you come near us please?"

Palwin had already changed into the new clothes Tom brought and looked happier than Marcus had ever seen her. The simple gift seemed to have unlocked something in her emotional development.

Tom jogged away toward the back of the camp while Marcus and Aluro watched Palwin carefully.

"Okay, I'm hidden. Trying now," Tom called from his concealed position.

Palwin's eyes focused intensely, and Marcus could see her channeling her magical abilities. Liquid black electricity began pouring in front of her, swirling and crackling as it formed into a human sized portal.

"This is incredible," Marcus breathed, watching the portal stabilize.

A leg appeared through the opening first. "This feels weird. Do you think it's really safe?" Tom's voice came through clearly.

But Palwin reached out her arm through the portal from their side, offering reassurance and connection.

"Okay, Palwin, I'm coming through," Tom announced.

His whole body appeared through the portal in a rush of movement and magical energy. The transition looked smooth and natural, like stepping through a doorway.

"Oh, I'm alive! Congratulations, Palwin, you did it!" Tom exclaimed with obvious relief and excitement.

"Fascinating. Congratulations, Palwin," Aluro added with genuine admiration.

Marcus started thinking furiously about the implications. If Palwin could open portals based on trust and communication, they might not have to travel for miles to reach Malachar's facility. She could potentially open a portal directly there.

But for that to work, they would need someone inside the facility first to guide her. Someone would have to break in and steal something to establish the connection.

"I have an idea," Marcus announced. "But first I need to explain to you how you'll proceed with the city's attack plan. Please call Han as well."

Han appeared shortly after, wiping sweat from combat training with other Defenders. His weathered face showed interest as he joined their planning circle.

Marcus spread out the maps and tactical information he'd brought from the royal planning sessions.

"The King has agreed to coordinate our guerrilla operations with the official military strategy. Commander Cain will engage Malachar's forces in the Sorga Valley with hit and run tactics. While they're occupied there, we'll be attacking their supply lines from behind."

Han nodded approvingly. "That's the kind of coordination we've needed for years. What's our specific role?"

"Food supplies, weapon stores, communication lines. Everything that keeps an army functioning. By the time they reach Drakmoor, we want them weakened and demoralized."

"And then?" Aluro asked.

"General Garop will attack with the full royal army before Malachar can establish siege positions. Rangers on the walls will provide defensive fire while staying out of range of his mind control abilities."

Marcus paused, looking around at the assembled Defenders. These people were volunteering to risk their lives based on his planning and coordination.

"There's something else, though. A separate mission that could determine whether we have any chance against Malachar directly."

As evening approached, Marcus felt the familiar mixture of excitement and terror that came with dangerous missions. But he also felt something else, hope.

Palwin's portal abilities were more powerful than anyone had realized. If they could master using them tactically, they might actually have a chance against threats that had seemed impossible to overcome.

The Academy infiltration would be their first real test. If they succeeded, it would prove that Marcus's crazy plans might actually work.

If they failed, it would be a costly lesson about the dangers of overconfidence.

But sitting in the Defenders' camp, watching Tom and Palwin prepare for their first covert mission together, Marcus felt optimistic for the first time in weeks.

They were no longer just reacting to Malachar's overwhelming advantages. They were developing capabilities of their own.