The walls of the corridor were scorched black near the far stairway and burnt husks of what were raiders littered the far end of the hall. Lyra halted and stared at the scorch marks in confusion. Master Malafar disdained any use of offensive magic, but it was obvious that he must have utilized it because none of the students were capable of it. The conversation the raiders had outside swiftly replayed through Lyra’s mind and she frowned at their mention of a woman mage, specifically indicating that it was her mother. But Rhodella knew no magic at all.

Lyra headed toward her father’s main classroom while Syman and Antello continued searching for survivors. The scene of the large classroom was more like a battlefield again with Academy guards and weapons scattered around the room. Once again the walls were scorched black and burnt raiders were piled just inside the door. At the doorway to her father’s private study, which connected with the large classroom, Lyra saw the body of Master Caulder. The bodies of eight raiders lay before him and Lyra belatedly thanked him for doing his best to save her father. Pushing past the bodies, Lyra stretched into her father’s study and halted when she saw the body of her mother, Rhodella. Tears started flowing down Lyra’s cheeks as she started crying. The sound of her bawling brought Syman and Antello running and Syman put his arms around her in an attempt to comfort her.

Lyra pushed Syman away and sank to the floor next to her mother’s body, which was lying in a puddle of blood. Lyra reached out and caressed her mother’s long golden hair and gasped when Rhodella’s head moved.