No one could sleep easy since Merrit and Rara had gone. Lage was inconsolable with grief for her child and longing for her eldest sister. Kinntho tried to comfort her but found it was no use.
Kithel, Ni and the eldest son of Lage began a search for Rara.
"He will not be easy to find unless he makes himself so," Ni told the group.
Behind them came another person.
"Take me too," Riva begged.
Tannivee frowned remembering what Ilor had done.
"I would prefer you to stay and keep your mother company," Kithel said.
"I want to come," Riva stomped her feet in frustration.
"If you insist on coming my daughter," Kithel said softly.
"This man is a monster," She spat.
Kithel wrapped an arm around her as they began to walk off into the distance.
No matter how far they tread they found no evidence of Ilor or Rara.
It was almost nightfall when Riva stopped them.
"There's something underneath us," She whispered. She put an ear to the ground and listened.
Kithel paused too but he could not hear it.
"I hear someone!" She said.
Kithel and Ni looked at each other.
That's when a soft glow began to surround the young girl. Before their eyes, she changed. Her hair flowed a light shimmering blue and from her head sprouted long and thin points.
Ever so slowly she lifted from the ground on delicate wings.
She'd changed into a dragonfly spirit.
She smiled as she spun around.
"Look at me Father," She called down.
She did a few more spins before touching back down. Her face got serious.
"I saw something when I was in the sky," She said, "An opening into the ground."
Riva took off toward it but Kithel called after her, "Wait."
She stopped and turned back to him.
"We should get the others before investigating this strangeness," Kithel pleaded.
Riva nodded and she landed gracefully by his side.
By the time they reached the castle, it had long since gone dark. Kinntho had fallen asleep with Nerio in her arms.
"My love," Kithel whispered.
She stirred and groaned loudly.
"Mother!" Riva said, "Look at me!"
Kinntho opened her eyes suddenly alert.
"Did you find her?" She asked.
"We did," Riva said, she lifted off the ground on her wings.
"My child," Kinntho sounded shocked, "You've changed."
"I've grown," Riva replied.
Nerio stirred, when he sat up and saw his sister he whined, "Why does she always get cool stuff."
They shushed him.
"We think Rara is underground, Riva could hear something," Kithel explained.
Kinntho hugged her daughter tightly, "Thank you."