“Hard to understand with your skills in managing, why your father packed you off to the Academy,” Lyra interrogated. “Does he know magic? Maybe he wanted you to follow in his footsteps?”

“Hardly,” Walak laughed. “My father couldn’t perform even the easiest spell. He has always relied on hiring mages when he needed one. No, I think my father sent me to the Academy because he would then have a free mage at his disposal. I think my brother may have had something to do with it as well. He knows that I am a threat to him and I spot his management mistakes easily. It would be better for him if I were sent away somewhere. I guess he will be disturbed to have me home again, if I ever get there alive that is. Why are you going to Alamar and why are the raiders looking for you?”

“You two will have plenty of time to talk tomorrow,” interrupted Syman. “We need to get an early start and some sleep will be good for all of us. We are not free of the raiders yet and until we are, we must travel long and swiftly.”

Lyra quickly agreed and stretched out as far from the entrance as she could. She pretended to fall asleep quickly, but her mind was troubled for a long time before she finally drifted off.

Chapter 4

Gatong

“Wake up,” Antello whispered and upon seeing Lyra open her eyes, moved off to wake Walak. Syman was already stirring and Lyra rose quietly and gathered her belongings.

“A band of raiders rode by here a few moments ago,” Antello softly explained. “If we were awake, I think we could have taken them. No more than six of them.”

“Antello,” Syman growled, “we don’t want to attack anyone, even if we can take them. What we want to do is quietly disappear. Which direction were they heading?”

“South, like us,” Antello replied sullenly. “They were not moving fast, so maybe we should wait a while before moving out.”