Talila and Tannivee ran for their lives. In Tannivee's arms, Merrit screamed.
"Help!" They screamed as they ran back toward the castle.
Lage and Ni appeared at the doorway.
"Aunty Kinntho come quickly!" Talila screamed.
Lage and Ni ran toward their children. As they ran they heard Merrit's horrible wailing.
"Talila! Tannivee! What has happened!" Ni yelled as they approached the three children.
"Mommy, Daddy, he took them! Ilor took them all!" Tannivee started to cry.
"Please help her," Talila begged, "She got hurt."
Lage took Merrit in her arms and ran toward the castle.
Meanwhile Ni stayed with his two children.
"What were you doing outside!" He demanded, he had wrapped his arms around both.
"Coret ran away," Talila sobbed, "We saw him running so we ran after him."
"We're so sorry Daddy," Tannivee cried into his shirt.
Ni held them both tightly, "It isn't your fault my little ones. Tell me what happened."
They retold the story of the chase finishing with Ilor.
"He said to bring Rara," Talila finished, "And he hurt Merrit."
Ni stiffened in anger. But when he looked down into the scared eyes of the twins he softened.
"Come now," He took their hands, "You two better have a rest."
"What about Merrit?" Talila tightened her grip on his hand, "Is she okay?"
"She'll be fine," Ni assured her.
He put both to bed before heading to the great hall.
Merrit was laid out on the ground while Kithel and Kinntho leaned over her. A bright blue glow emitted from them both, surrounding them like a bubble.
Ni could see Merrit was horribly burned.
"Will she recover?" He asked quietly.
"She will live," Kinntho muttered, "But she will never be the same."
"We cannot fully heal her," Kithel sounded grave.
Lage sat nearby, tears streaming down her face. Ni came over to her and put an arm around her shoulders.
"Who would do this?" She cried, "She's only a child."
"Ilor," Ni growled.
Lage stiffened, "Where is Coret!"
The blue glow faded as Kinntho and Kithel finished.
"Coret, Riva and Nerio were trapped," Ni said quickly, "We must work fast."
Kinntho let out a scream of anger, "How dare he take our children."
"Calm down my love," Kithel whispered to her, "We need to think."
"He had one demand and only one," Ni gritted his teeth.
"What is it?" Kinntho clung to Kithel as she spoke, "We must bring it to him now!"
"Rara."