“Wha…at?” Lyra stuttered. “You can’t be serious, Antello. How can they think a young girl killed all those people?”

“And how did they get a picture of you?” questioned Syman. “Think about it for a moment. The raiders are searching high and low for you, Lyra. By making up some story about the young female wizard who blew everyone away with her magic, they now have the Imperial Guard hunting for you.”

“Precisely,” Antello continued. “That was why I signaled you to get away from the city. After I warned you, I spent the night trying to find out more information. I thought at first that Walak would set them straight and they would take down the poster. Instead, it appears as if Walak told them everything he knew about your plans. The docks were swarming with Imperial Guards asking if you or anyone who looked like Syman or me had inquired about passage. I started keeping to the shadows after that. Thankfully, Walak’s description of us would fit a lot of people. I hung around a tavern next to the south gate for most of the night and tried to listen to any talk from the Imperial Guards. I didn’t learn much more except that a runner was sent out with the poster to every town between here and Alamar.”

“So they even know where I am headed,” stated Lyra. “Walak has certainly been a big help to the raiders. There is no way we can get to Alamar through the raiders and the Imperial Guard. I might as well give myself up and explain what really happened.”

“No,” shouted Syman. “That is pure foolishness. Don’t you see it yet? The Imperial Guard cannot protect you from the raiders. Do not underestimate their reach. They would not have arranged for the Imperial Guard to hunt you if they did not already have a way to get you from the Imperial Guard. They have thought this through very cleverly. The Imperial Guard would have to transport you to the capital and the raiders would think nothing of ambushing the Imperial Guard to get you in their hands. They want you very badly and they will stop at nothing to get you. Turning yourself in would be the same as slitting your own throat.”