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“Who are you?” Lydia asked. “What do you mean I’m changing faster than I should?”

“I told you, I’m a friend of Anda’s,” the stranger replied. “And I can see the changes in your essence and I wouldn’t expect it to be in this stage for another few hours. How do your shoulders feel?”

“Worse,” Lydia said. “I feel like I’m being stabbed in the back of my shoulders.”

“Tsk! I wouldn’t be surprised if your wings break out any time.” Gentle fingertips touched her shoulders. “It feels almost like your body doesn’t want to be human and is actively seeking reshaping, but that makes no sense.”

“Huh?” Lydia couldn’t help opening her eyes at that. The room span so violently that she retched and closed her eyes again with only the briefest glimpse of the woman’s silver eyes. “Why is it spinning?”

“Kithra works to different rules, Lydia-ida. Unless you accommodate, your senses won’t be able to see it properly. I wouldn’t recommend it either. It’s not a pleasant–” She broke off as another blast shook the room, followed by a loud cracking noise. “Ah! They are through. Come on.” She scooped Lydia into her arms and started running.
***
Daniel couldn’t help flinching as they charged past the battle that had begun as soon as they had breached the walls. It was already a bloodbath, with multicoloured blood rendering the floor slick and corpses threatening to block their path. Fortunately they swept past the battle swiftly and once inside the walls, they paused to catch their breaths and get their bearings.

Can you sense Andrian, Xantaria or any of the other idri? Alaryia asked.

Only Anda and Xantaria, Takilyan said. He seems to just be avoiding us and she apparently tried to hold her wards past any common sense and is out cold… he hesitated. No, wait, there’s someone else and they have Lydia with them. Who is that?

I don’t know, Darlydan said. They are hiding themselves but letting us sense Lydia. They are heading towards us fast as well. Do you think it’s a trap?

If it is we should go and spring it, Indaturan said.

Yes, let’s, Matthias said.
–
“Here they come,” Lydia’s helper said. “And not a moment too soon, I think. That was easier than I feared. I’ll leave you here, Lydia-ida. There’s some of your allies who would not be happy to see me.” She laid Lydia down on what felt like a sofa. “Good luck” She was gone before Lydia could thank her.

A moment later she heard a large group people run up and felt her mother hug her.

Okay, we got her. Alaryia said. Let’s get out of here.

“Good idea.” Sonia helped her to her feet, As she did the stabbing in Lydia’s shoulders became a ripping, tearing pain and then she felt something burst out of her shoulders.

Damn, move now! That was Indaturan. And let’s hope it’s not too late.

No one replied to that but Matthias pulled Lydia into his arms and then she felt them pass through a gate and the pain and nausea eased enough for her to pass out into blessed unconsciousness.

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