“So Master Malafar finally relented to use his magic,” Lyra sighed. “It didn’t do much good though, did it?”

Walak looked up and met Lyra’s eyes. “No, he never did use magic. Rhodella was the one throwing the fireballs. I didn’t even know she knew magic, but she killed a lot of raiders. Master Malafar was furious with her, but it didn’t matter for long. The raiders forced their way into the classroom over the burning bodies of their comrades. There were just too many of them to stop. I knew it was over then. I hid in a closet until I could not hear any of them.”

Lyra sat staring at Walak with her mouth gaping. It wasn’t possible. Rhodella had never known magic. Walak must be mistaken. Yet she had seen the scorch marks and had thought it impossible that Master Malafar would use offensive magic.

“Are you sure?” Lyra questioned Walak. “Are you absolutely sure it was Rhodella and not Master Malafar or one of the students?”

“Positive,” Walak stated. “You didn’t know she used magic either I guess. Well, she knew what she was doing. I have seen magicians throw fireballs before and hers were quite powerful. She must have been a Master in her own right. I only wish that Master Malafar had taught us that spell. The students might have been able to survive the attack. Now they are all…”

Walak threw down his stick and stormed off down the hill towards the horses. Lyra sat staring at the stick as Walak’s story went through her head again and again. How could Rhodella have kept her magic secret from everyone for so long? Why was she willing to use it even when Master Malafar forbade it? Why wouldn’t Master Malafar use it when everyone’s life was in danger? How little did she really know about her own parents? Her mind reeled with questions that would never be answered.

Antello’s touch on her arm brought her out of her stupor. “Syman is on his way back.”