"What do you mean?" Kinntho whispered.
Kithel led her out of the room and they went to her bedroom. There they both sat down, Kithel looking grim.
"The child is dying," He said flatly.
Kinntho gasped, thinking of the tiny girl lifeless, "We should get Lage, she could heal her like she did you," Kinntho started to get up.
"No, the child is burning from the inside out! If Lage so much as touches her with her healing powers she will go up in smoke," Kithel shouted at her. "You must listen."
She shushed him, "We need to tell them."
"No, Rara is already too far gone with love for her, she will not listen and the child is a trap for Ni, he will not accept this answer either. Neither will believe the child before them is burning." He paused, then added, "This is why its a perfect trap, this child is from the deep Earth." Kithel looked very grave.
"So the Earth Mother really did create Oribella?" Kinntho asked.
Kithel shook his head slowly, "I'm not certain, but what I will say is the child is dangerous to us all unless we can save her. Whoever made her is not necessarily a friend."
They fell into silence.
Kinntho got to her feet and began to pace back and forth.
"If Lage can't heal her then is she destined to die?" Kinntho asked.
"Possibly," Kithel replied, "Unless…" He trailed off.
"Unless what?" Kinntho asked.
"Water is the only element that can heal her without burning her," Kithel closed his eyes.
"You want me to heal her?" Kinntho shook her head.
"Not you specifically, but if we could get her to water and put out the fire burning her alive," Kithel said, "Then we might be able to save her."
"Rara and Ni won't let her out of their sights though, and I doubt they'll agree to this," Kinntho sighed and put her head in her hands.
"We would need to take the child without either knowing," Kithel replied.
Kinntho looked at him incrediously, "My sister would torch us alive."
"If you want to save Oribella and possibly Lage and Ni, then we need to do this," Kithel insisted.
"Lage and Ni would get hurt?" Kinntho thought of her sister dying in horror.
"If they were near Oribella when she burns, then yes."
"Then we must act," Kinntho said, trying to get her voice even.
Kithel looked her in the eye. She paused as he read her face.
"You're not prepared to commit this betrayal," He said, "Even if Lage is in danger you will not go against Rara."
Kinntho stared at him in disbelief.
His face softened, "It is okay Kinntho, remember my promise?"
She nodded.
"I will do the deed," He sounded grave again.
"And if they catch you?" Kinntho felt tears in her eyes.
"There are plenty of fish in the sea," He replied.
Kinntho took his hands and leaned in. Softly she kissed his cheek.
"Please be careful, Kithel," She said, "Make me the promise you'll come back to me."
Kithel nodded but said nothing.
They held onto each other for a few moments. Then Kithel pulled away.
"I must act quickly, I will do it tonight," He said.