“She’s alive!” exclaimed Lyra. “Get me something for a bandage. Hurry!”

Antello leaped out of the room while Syman lowered himself to the floor on the opposite side of Rhodella. He helped Lyra gently turn Rhodella over and winced when he saw the nasty gash across her abdomen. He shook his head sadly as he looked into Lyra’s eyes and Lyra bit her lower lip as the muscles of her neck bulged. She knew that there was nothing she could do to help her mother with the type of wound she had and Rhodella would soon die.

“You are safe,” smiled Rhodella. “I thank the heavens for such mercy.”

Lyra smiled tautly and moved the dagger away from her mother’s hand. She never knew her mother owned a weapon therefore was amazed to find the dagger in her possession. Rhodella noticed the confusion on Lyra’s face as she coughed and winced with pain.

“Your father was the nonviolent one,” smiled Rhodella. “I fought alongside my brothers when I was young. Listen carefully. I know that I do not have much time left and I do not feel like I can say this twice. You must get away from here quickly. They have your father and they want him do to something evil.”

Rhodella smiled and held her finger to Lyra’s mouth when the young girl tried to ask something. “Let me finish quickly,” gasped Rhodella. “Your father will not cooperate freely. They will need some leverage to make him perform. I was supposed to be that leverage; now they will seek you. You must go to Uncle Temiker’s place in Alamar. Tell him what happened and get him to teach you properly. It will be up to you to free your father and you must learn everything you can. Tell Temiker to contact RavenWing.”

Rhodella convulsed into a coughing fit as she removed a ring from her finger and placed it in Lyra’s hand. “Who were they, Mother?” asked Lyra as she cast the healing spell that she had used on the boys earlier. “What are they going to try to make father do? Where will I find him?”