Princess Alahara followed the elven warriors down the rope. Distant sounds of shouting entered the great chamber from each of the tunnels leading off of it. Within moments, freed slaves, both elven and human, started pouring into the great chamber.
“Do not panic,” Princess Alahara shouted to the elves and humans alike. “You are being freed by the forces of King Avalar of Elvangar. Gather at the entrance to the mine and get the gates open, but do not leave until you are told to.”
The princess continued to direct the slaves as hundreds of them flowed into the great chamber. The humans looked at the elven princess with confusion, but the elven slaves grinned and bowed slightly as they hurried past. They knew that their day of liberation had finally arrived.
* * *
King Avalar stood back from the edge of the rise watching his men divide into two groups. One group went to the east and the other to the west. Both groups walked silently in single file, and King Avalar decided to join the western group. He stepped into the line of warriors and followed the elf in front of him. The long silent walk eventually ended, and the elven warriors drew arrows from their quivers. Avalar gazed across the hidden canyon. He saw a long line of elves facing him on the opposite rim of the canyon. He had no fear of discovery as his men were far enough back from the edge to avoid detection. He waited patiently until that line of elves stopped moving.
When King Avalar was satisfied that his army was ready to attack, he raised his arm skyward. A thousand elven warriors nocked arrows and watched the king intently. When Avalar suddenly brought his arm down, the elves stepped forward to the edge of the rim and fired.
In the belly of the canyon were two thousand Motangan soldiers, prepositioned by Vand’s disciple. The Motangans shouted with alarm as the elven arrows flew into their ranks, but there was little defense that they could offer. Another round of elven arrows flew into the Motangan army, and the soldiers began to run towards the mouth of the canyon, but none of them were allowed to exit the death trap. In mere minutes, the slaughter was over. Nothing moved on the floor of the canyon. King Avalar issued terse orders, and the line of elves moved into the canyon to make sure that no one had survived. When he was sure that the task was complete, King Avalar directed his army to the next hiding place of the Motangans.
* * *
StarWind and HawkShadow stood outside the great tent in the Sakovan encampment, concern clearly etched into their faces. Healing mages scurried around tending to the wounded outside the tent, but none of them entered the tent itself.
“I am worried about her,” StarWind said softly. “There are no healing mages inside the tent to keep an eye on her. Healing takes a great deal out of the mage. How long can she keep this up?”
“Healing is something that I know little about,” admitted the assassin. “I only know that the worst cases get to be inside the tent. Normally those outside the tent receive little attention from the mages as they must concentrate on the severally wounded.”
“Well that is certainly not the case today,” frowned StarWind. “Do not misinterpret my feelings. I am thrilled with what Lyra is doing, especially with StormSong and SunChaser, but I fear that Lyra will reach the limit of her endurance. That is dangerous for a mage. It is possible for a mage to lose her magical ability by pushing it too far. There have even been cases where death has resulted from over exertion.”
“Lyra will not lose her magical ability,” interjected StormSong as she came up behind the couple.
StarWind whirled to stare at StormSong. Her face beamed with joy, and she smiled at her friend. StormSong looked as fit as she ever had.
“You look wonderful,” smiled StarWind, “but your knowledge of magic is minimal. You are not a mage.”
“No, I am not,” replied StormSong, “but I am a Sakovan.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” asked HawkShadow. “We are all Sakovans. What does that have to do with Lyra burning herself out? She has been inside that tent all day. Even you mentioned how much your healing appeared to take out of the Star.”
“I have no doubt that Lyra’s work today will push her to the limits of her tolerance,” replied StormSong, “and I am concerned for her too, but not in the same way as you are.”
“Explain yourself,” frowned StarWind.
“Lyra is using magic to heal our brothers and sisters,” declared StormSong, “but not only magic. Healing magic is only capable of doing so much. Lyra has far exceeded those limits.”
“Well,” shrugged StarWind, “Lyra is the most powerful mage in the Sakova. I would be surprised if she could not heal better than any of the others.”
“You are not listening,” replied StormSong. “It is more than magic. Lyra is filled with the spirit of Kaltara. He is using her to heal the critically wounded.”
“An interesting theory,” commented HawkShadow.
“It is not a theory, HawkShadow,” frowned StormSong. “I felt it. I cannot explain the feeling to you, but Kaltara was within me. I should have died from my wounds, but something kept me going. When Lyra took my hand, I felt an inner warmth that I have never felt before in my life. When she prayed for me, I felt Kaltara within me. He will protect her.”
“Then what is your concern?” asked StarWind. “If Kaltara is guiding her, you should have no concerns.”
“My concern is that Lyra will continue long after Kaltara has told her to stop,” frowned StormSong. “I know that sounds foolish, but Lyra is driven to heal everyone. I do not think she can accept the fact that not everyone will be healed. When that time comes, then your fears about her burning out will be valid.”
“Well I am not going to let the healers keep me out of that tent any longer,” StarWind said with determination. “I will stay by Lyra’s side as long as is necessary to ensure that she does not hurt herself.”
“I will go with you,” offered HawkShadow. “StormSong?”
“Without question,” nodded the healed warrior. “I owe my life to Lyra.”
The three Sakovans approached the tent, and LifeTender rushed to intercept them.
“You cannot go in there,” declared LifeTender. “Lyra has requested that no one enter.”
“Out of our way, healer,” glared HawkShadow. “We will not interfere, but we are standing at Lyra’s side until she is done.”
“She is done,” said a Sakovan warrior as he exited the tent. “I am the last of the wounded. Lyra needs rest. Go to her.”
LifeTender joined StarWind and the others as they rushed into the tent. Lyra was sitting on the ground in the large empty tent. Her eyes were glazed over as she stared at the tent wall. The four Sakovans raced to her side and knelt next to her.
“Are you alright?” asked LifeTender.
Lyra nodded woodenly and tried to rise. HawkShadow and StarWind each grabbed one of Lyra’s arms and steadied her.
“You need to rest,” advised StarWind. “Do not try to get up. Stretch out and rest here.”
“There are more to be healed,” Lyra protested weakly. “Have the others brought into the tent.”
“There are no wounded outside that the healers cannot take care of,” assured LifeTender. “Those beyond our capabilities were all in here. You are not needed. You must rest.”
“Listen to LifeTender,” pleaded StormSong. “The Sakovans need you alive. Listen to Kaltara. He is guiding you.”
Lyra turned in a daze and stared at StormSong. She smiled weakly and nodded.