"What!?" Noah jumped up. "Who was guarding Shana? I ordered her to remain in her chambers until further notice."

"Mother, father, and Rasha were on guard and are also missing,” replied Gregor, catching his breath. “I can’t imagine that something happened since the defense charms are still intact, but…"

“Search the castle and check with the sentries whether she had left the premises. Find Shana and bring her before the Grand Council.”

After giving his orders, Noah gritted his teeth and sat back in the chair. What pranks was the child pulling now? No, calling it a prank was too lenient. She had almost destroyed a crucial part of Ildemar’s defenses, had lied in his face, and was now disobeying his order. It took great effort on his side to remain calm and not lead the search personally, but such action was ill-advised.

His eyes traveled over the people around the table whose faces were grim but compliant. Nobody dared comment on Shana’s misbehavior, lest they suffer a fate similar to Vukan's. Still, the sparkle in the eyes behind the kukuls' red veils didn’t promise an uneventful future, and neither were the thinly pressed lips of Baroness De Vindur and Baron Firmon. Noah clenched his jaw tighter, preventing a bitter laugh from escaping. Being a duke was no different than being a shepherd’s dog amongst wolves in sheepskin. And those wolves were just waiting for a chance to sink their teeth.

As time passed in painful silence, the large doors opened again and a Shadow entered the summit hall. Bowing before the Duke, the man curtly reported:

“My lord, we found Lady Shana-”

“Why isn’t she with you?” Noah snapped.

“W-why?” The Shadow blinked confused.

“My order was clear - find Shana and bring her here.” Noah leaned forward. “I’ll ask you one more time. Where is my daughter and why isn’t she with you?”

“T-that… I…” The Shadow paled and his eyes became huge. “I… don’t know... I told Lady Shana that Your Highness requested her presence… I think… I told her to come… but after that…”

Lifting a hand to his forehead, the man’s face twisted in pain.

“I remember her smiling and talking to me. She told me, she was playing with Rasha. And then… I was on my way here from… Where was I? Don’t know…”

The Shadow’s voice died out to a low, incoherent mumble. He swayed and one of his brethren had to come forth and support him.

“Explain the situation!” Noah suppressed his distress and confusion as he turned to the second Shadow.

“It looks like the backlash after attempting to resist a mind-control hex.” Before the guard could answer, Kash-baba jumped from her seat and trotted over, her previous fatigue nowhere to be seen. She grabbed the wrist of the weakened Shadow and blew a puff of smoke from her pipe right in his face. “Mist for mist. None shall stay. Broken hex, go away.”

The Shadow started coughing and his cheeks regained some pink.

“T-thank you, kush-turgan! I am sorry, my lord. I failed you. I was hexed so easily without even noticing…”

“I want no excuses now.” Noah stood up and approached the man, grabbing his shoulders. “Where is Shana? Is she with the one who hexed you? Is she in danger?”

“The little lady is in Star-gazer Garden, my lord, together with Elder Tikotse, Lady Karusa, and Rasha. She was well and unharmed when I left her.”

“And the hex?”

“Well…”

The man hesitated but was saved again by the old Binshi.

“The thing clouding his mind was powerful but sloppy. It was generous calling it a hex. Most likely, our little Star-gazer is awakening to her powers and twisting people’s minds without even realizing it.”

“Shana? Why would she…?”

“If your parent catches you doing mischief, would you be obediently coming for punishment? The little chichik is stubborn... just like her fathers.”

“She did more than mischief!” hissed Noah through clenched teeth as his hand involuntarily combed his hair. “So be it. The fish won’t swim to the fisherman, so the fisherman will swim to the fish.”

“What are we waiting for then?” The old woman puffed with her pipe and marched past him.

“Kash-baba…” Noah rolled his eyes but after a moment of thought, reconsidered his objection. “You should come, indeed. The whole Grand Council should be present.”

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Turning towards the door, Noah took a few steps before a white figure caught up with him.

“I am coming too, my lord.” Lorelei’s quiet words cut his protest before he even had a chance to open his mouth. “I wish to see everything to its end.”

Noah silently nodded and stormed out, followed by Lorelei, the gloomy Duncan, and a trail of confused dignitaries. Before the summit hall, Saya was leaning against the wall near a window, conversing quietly with Jessup and Milly. Seeing their lord rushing out, the three straightened up, but their grim faces immediately brightened as they spotted Lorelei walking a pace behind the Duke.

With a brisk wave, Noah called his squire, whispering some instructions into his ear before sending the youth away. He then gave a sign to Saya and Milly to join their party and everyone rushed forth towards Star-gazer Garden.

As they crossed the bridge connecting Ildemar to the small island, the strong winds ruffled Noah’s hair and made his sleeves flutter like raven’s wings. The sun, previously bathing the surrounding hills in warm light, was now hiding behind a wall of black menacing clouds. Far over the distant peaks, a quick flash of lightning preceeded a rolling thunder.

Noah welcomed the gales beating his skin and the incoming storm. The chaos of nature was resonating with the one in his soul, the thoughts in his head - flying around like torn-away leaves. Shana! His chest felt tight. His ears rang. Why, just... why? 'I never left my room, papa!’ she had said and had even shed some tears at his question. Lies! Her innocent little face, her sobs, her shy smile when he had hugged her… All lies!

The darkness beneath the pine trees engulfed him. Gravel crunched under his boots akin to snapping bones. When the small stone gazebo appeared between the trees, Noah’s jaw clenched to the point his teeth almost broke. The wind rustled in the leaves of the vines, crawling around the marble pillars. Beyond the safety of the worn-out railings, the cliff dropped to a churning cauldron of green-gray waves and white foam. In the gazebo, a girl leaned on the stone railing, flanked on three sides by her Binshi guardians, staring out at the stormy fjord and oblivious to the newcomers' arrival. Long silver hair flowed like wisps of mist around her head, The gale turned her garments into colorful butterfly wings, creating the impression that she was about to take flight.

The sight of Shana, so small and lonely, pierced Noah’s heart. He involuntarily made a step forth, but the bony hand of Kash-baba dug into his wrist.

“Don’t move. Look!”

Following her knotty finger, Noah measured up the three Binshi surrounding his daughter. They stood there motionless, not showing even the smallest reaction towards the crowd of newcomers. Their faces were like masks and their gazes - absent.

“They are in the range of a mind-control hex,” the old shaman whispered. “You never told me that the Moren-gadir has completely awakened!”

“She hasn’t!” Noah couldn't take his eyes off of Shana’s small back. “She never made her prophecy and the Wolf Mountain Elders said that she is only halfway-”

“Controlling one person when half-awakened - that I can believe. But four, one of them being a former turgan - not possible.” Kash-baba sucked at her pipe and blew thick fragrant smoke into Noah’s face, making him cough. “You foolishly didn’t bring Red Dawn to the summit. This will shield you from the hex. Now go and talk to the child. It will be best if she willingly releases the hex, otherwise, someone might get hurt.”

“Maybe,” Noah hesitated, “you should try reason with her.”

“You are her father,” scolded Kash-baba. “She needs you, not some stranger. Go!”

Noah exhaled and walked up the last couple of steps to the gazebo. Alerted by the noise, Shana turned around. Her petite face was calm but pale and her eyes were red.

“Papa, you are here?”

“I am.”

He cleared his throat. Even in his own ears, the words sounded dry and meaningless. There was also the distant pounding of the hex against his temples but it was hardly the reason why Noah’s mind was frozen stiff.

“What brings you here, papa? I thought you were too busy to play with us.”

Shana’s seemingly innocent question made him shudder. He had been busy, indeed. Accusing Lorelei of crimes she hadn’t committed.

“Why didn’t you obey my summons, Shana?”

“What summons?” She blinked innocently at him and the pressure against his temples grew stronger.

“Enough lies, Shana!” Noah raised his voice and his eyes stung. “Why are you trying to put a hex on me?”

“I’m not-”

“I know you destroyed the Star of Norden.” Noah cut her off. “I know you lied about Lorelei. Why? Don’t you know how wrong… how dangerous your actions are?! ”

“I did nothing wrong!” screamed Shana and stomped her foot on the ground. “Why don’t you believe me, papa!?”

Noah just stood there, unable to continue. Seeing Shana’s distorted face, hearing her unending lies, broke his heart piece by piece. His gentle and sensible little girl was nowhere to be seen.

He reached out to her but at the same moment, the child gave out a chilling shrill:

“It’s you! It’s all your fault!”

Noah turned around, following her gaze, only to see Lorelei approaching through a cloud of smoke, accompanied by the grumbling Kash-baba. She stopped beside him, pale but resolute.

“What have I ever done to you, Lady Shana?” Lorelei’s voice was heavy but clear. “Why do you hate me that much?”

“You are evil!” The air around Shana started to vibrate. “You are a witch! You want to harm my friends! To hurt papa! Every time it was the same - as long as you are here, my family dies! You will torture them! You will kill them!”

Everyone stood frozen for a moment. Noah blinked at his daughter like a newborn fawn, his mind slowly processing her words. What she said… The Prophecy! She really had awakened!

Next to him, Lorelei shook her head and swayed, leaning on his shoulder.

“Stay away from papa!” screamed Shana and jumped forward, wedging herself between them.

Before Noah could react, the girl grabbed Lorelei’s arm and tore her away with strength unbefitting a child. Caught by surprise, Lorelei lost her balance and crashed in the railing. Weathered by ice, wind, and rain, the old stone gave out. Time slowed down as Noah reached out, but his fingers grabbed only air.

“Lorelei!”

His desperate cry followed her as she fell towards the cliffs and the foaming gray-green waves.