“Lyra,” RavenWing said, “you mentioned before that you feel for our people and would like to help them. How sincere was that offer? If you were free to leave and your father and uncle were not in danger, would you stay and help the Sakovans? Think before you answer. I do not wish to hear false bravado and your answer will have no bearing on the length of time you can expect to live, because I have already decided that the Sakovan people will not kill you, regardless of your answer.”
Lyra seriously pondered her answer to the question. She had no home to return to and she did feel for the Sakovans, despite the fact that she had felt threatened by them. She understood why they felt the need for their actions and she thought she might react similarly to such a situation. Slowly, she nodded her head. “I do care about the Sakovan people. I do not know what help I could be, but I think that I have to try to do something to right the wrongs that have been done here. I have nothing to return to in Omunga as long as my father is free.”
“Do you have any idea why you feel for a people who have wanted you dead the past few days?” RavenWing asked.
“No,” Lyra answered. “I understand that you are just doing what you feel you must to survive. I may not agree with some of your methods, but I do agree with your grievance with Omunga. Perhaps I feel the way I do because I do not like the thought of a peaceful people being annihilated.”
“Lyra,” RavenWing smiled, “you feel the way you do because you are Sakovan.”
Lyra stared at RavenWing in disbelief, seeing an old man gone mad with age, but RavenWing continued. “Your mother, Rhodella, was Sakovan, Lyra. The ring she gave you is a magical Sakovan ring. It is the reason that your fireball spell failed. While a mage can cast with a magical ring on, she must take the ring into account when casting because the magical auras can interfere with each other. If you removed the ring or accounted for it in your spell, your casting would go fine.”
Lyra was startled with the revelation regarding Rhodella. How could she have been Sakovan and Lyra never know of it? Was it possible?
“I know that you may need time to reflect on what I have said,” soothed RavenWing, “but consider this. Goral came to me last night and told me that you saw the cave opening on your journey into StarCity. The cave opening is protected by magic, which makes it invisible to outlanders. That is why your friend asked where SkyDancer had gone; he could not see the cave. Yet you, wearing the Sakovan Ring, saw it clearly. It is not sufficient to just wear the ring to make it work, Lyra. The person who wears it must be of Sakovan blood for it to work.”
Lyra’s whole life reeled through her mind at an incredible speed. Every interaction with Rhodella played itself back and Lyra fought to find some indication that Rhodella was Sakovan and found nothing. Lyra realized that she had tuned out RavenWing and StarWind and they were looking at her curiously.
“Lyra,” RavenWing said, “let us end this session for now. Go and rest and digest what we have spoken of and we will talk again later. You have no need to fear for your safety or that of your companions. As long as they do not try to leave the city, no harm will come to them. I think we may find a more permanent solution somehow. We have but to take the time to consider it fully. Go rest.”
Lyra nodded and rose to leave. StarWind started to follow, but RavenWing halted her. “Have somebody show Lyra the way to her room. I need to discuss some matter with you.”
StarWind opened the door and hailed Jostin, who was passing by. She instructed the red-haired boy to escort Lyra back to her room, giving him instructions as to which room Lyra was staying in. StarWind then returned to RavenWing’s office.
“I couldn’t have imagined that Lyra was Sakovan,” StarWind declared. “The name Rhodella sits in the back of my mind, but I cannot attach a person to it. Who was she?”
“You may remember her as WinterWind,” sighed RavenWing. “Her loss is a tragedy.”
“WinterWind,” StarWind repeated with awe. “LoneBadger's mother? And we almost killed her daughter. Do you think she will stay with us?”
“I do not know,” RavenWing answered. “I imagine that she has much to think about. I need you to find out about this Master Malafar and contact her Uncle Temiker. Be vague about Lyra being here in the Sakova and how you came into such knowledge of the kidnapping of his brother. And keep tabs on his travels. I want to know where he is at any given time. We may need him to convince Lyra to stay with us.”
“From what MistyTrail said,” StarWind stated, “Lyra’s magic knowledge is far from complete. She reported that while Lyra’s fireball spell was very powerful, she lacked the control of it, even accounting for the interference of the Ring.”
“True,” RavenWing mused, “but WinterWind had instructed her to seek out Temiker’s training. She must have known that Lyra’s training was incomplete. It has been a long time since she left. I will have to read the files on her to be sure I have my thoughts correct.”
“I could use a refresher too,” admitted StarWind, “but I certainly remember LoneBadger. That was a coup I can easily remember and a defeat that stung harshly. I doubt that Lyra knows any of this. I wonder how she will take the truth when we finally tell her.”
“I suggest that we feed her slowly,” cautioned RavenWing. “Too much of a shock and we will lose her. I refuse to let WinterWind’s life pass without benefit for the Sakovans. She gave so much for her people.”
StarWind nodded and changed the subject. “We still have the assassins from Alamar to worry about. There will probably be forty in one group this time and that is not something to be taken lightly. Have you given thought to a mobilization?”
“I have given it thought,” conceded RavenWing as he walked to the wall map. “We don’t have confirmation yet on where they are. I would prefer a small group as we have done previously and HawkShadow agrees. A large group would ensure losses to our people.”
“Perhaps,” argued StarWind, “but these are not mere soldiers to be toyed with. I think HawkShadow got lucky with the first group and we risk losing a small elite group if we are seriously outnumbered.”
“I take it you fear that the group will split up?” quizzed RavenWing.
“Yes,” answered StarWind. “They are not tracking Lyra this time. I think they will spread out to cover a very large area and try to intercept her before she leaves the Sakova. Our own people could get caught between segments of the group and be annihilated.
“Your fears are valid,” agreed the Sakovan leader. “I will talk with HawkShadow again about this, but the ultimate decision is his. I respect his ability to control the boarder areas. If they get past him, I will go with a mobilization.”
StarWind nodded and started to leave.
“One more item,” recalled RavenWing. “Lyra’s account mentioned a man named Klaarg. The name is familiar to me, but I cannot place it. I want you to research your files and see what you come up with. Also send out a contact bulletin. I want your operatives to be on the lookout for him. Nothing overt, but mark it as high priority.”
“I will see to it,” assured StarWind. “I think I should check in on Lyra as soon as I get these other things under way. When do you want to see her next?”
“You seem to have developed her trust well,” smiled RavenWing. “You feed her slowly and whenever you feel the need for me to be involved further, just schedule it. I will always be available for you. I am posting a pair of guards at the tunnel, so you may let the boys have free reign of the city. If they try to escape, we will have a problem, but if they do not, it will ease Lyra’s fears for their safety.”
StarWind nodded and let herself out of RavenWing’s office.
Chapter 15
Alazar
The tall man’s footsteps echoed off the fine marble floor as he strode purposely down the long corridor. His eyes did not deviate from the ornate gilded doors at the end of the corridor. He was not distracted by the marble pedestals, which lined the hallway, nor the exquisite busts of previous Katanas, which sat upon them. The past held no interest for the man as his long crimson robe swayed in rhythm with his long stride. The future, the man smiled, that is what was important in life, only the future mattered.