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The ringing in Phae’s ears was subsiding She climbed over the lip of the cellar door and hurried down the ladder, surefooted The strong s her ofthe far wall It was a small, cozy space, smaller than Wineether, feeling small and defenseless She had three protectors it seemed, but she still felt vulnerable

Tyrus ca fros on the frame The floor was dirt but packed hard Each scuff of her boot awakened a little plu the cellar door down behind him as he descended

Phae walked hesitantly into the cellar, absorbing the heavy aro it sink into her bones She saw another ladder at the far side and a trapdoor leading up to the inside of the cabin Sht More than one way to escape

She looked at her father "You are alive"

Tyrus seated himself in the center of the floor and set the lantern down in the ed toward the ladder they had descended and reaze Then he settled on the floor as well

"I am," he answered "Sit There is much we must say to each other"

The Kishion stared at Tyrus, his face impassive "Where are we?" he asked in a whisper-like voice

"Alkire," Tyrus replied "But just for the night It drains the rod when I bring others with ain its power We will be h That should give us some time to rest And to talk"

Phae rubbed her arlanced back at the man she knew to be her father Her heart was ju emotions That he was even alive was a shock and a thrill But she was also wary and concerned about his motives He had abandoned her as a baby and now had come to make her part of soelands, she wanted nothing to do with it What was the proper way to greet such a stranger?

"Sit, child," Tyrus bid,to the space on the other side of the lantern "I’m sure you have ard look on his face Yet he seeentle, as if he ta inside of hihten her She nodded and obeyed

"What is your naently

"Phae," she replied

The name seemed to startle him "Really?"

She nodded "That surprises you? Was I to be nahed, half-chuckled in a Yet there are no coincidences I will have to ask him about it sometime"

Phae stared at him hard "Why does it surprise you what he named me?"

He s caused hihed, staring down at the lantern In a ain His eyes were like flint "What would you know of hter?"

He nodded

"Why did you abandon ood intentions by speaking freely in front of you With this knowledge, you will have power to stop ive it to you freely, because I believe you were meant to join in our quest You took the blast hter For that, I thank you You’ve earned ht is done that I have earned yours"

"I left the ring back in Stonehollow," the Kishion answered "I think the ic was destroyed, but to be sure, I left it behind That way the Arch-Rike will not hear you through my ears I believe the connection between us is severed The ring is what allowed it Trust for trust But I will hear what you have to say before lanced at the Kishion, saw the claw ht She shuddered, knowing he was still very capable of killing her

Tyrus turned his attention back to her "I will answer you as honestly as I can You may not like to hear what I have to say It ain, brow furroith consternation "There is even a great possibility that my plans will result in your death But know this, child I will lay down my own life before I allow that to happen to you So will Prince Aran And so will that gentleers you face, then I do not knohat else I can do"