46 Welcome back

Lord Mano looked out the window of the aircraft. This year's clan convention was troubling, many issues across the land were bought to light. Besides the fight for the throne, honey trees are not thriving. Many clans had to lower their honey stock because of this.

The stress of traveling and the meetings drained him. If Lyra wasn't with him, he probably wouldn't have made it thru the five days.

Grabbing Lady Lyra's hand, Mano gave it a squeeze.

"Did you do what you set out to do?" With him busy with the other clan heads, he didn't know what Lyra actually did for those during those times.

"Mmm..some what." she smiled.

"Good. Let's go, looks like everyone here to welcome us back."

Picking up the last of her bags. Lyra followed Mano out the craft's doors once the aircraft landed.

"Lord Mano..."

"Father..."

"Welcome back.."

The whole family waited outside the front gates of the Amara household, welcoming Lord Mano home.

Lady Lyra searched the crowd looking for Mika, but not only could she not find Mika she couldn't see anyone from there courtyards.

Keeping the smile on her face, Lyra didn't let her concern show. Helping the rest of the family bring in the luggage. They entered the house and walked to the clan meeting hall.

Once seated Mano inquired about the past couple of days. Asking each of the children presented on their work, the warm atmosphere gave a sense of a happy home. Regrettably, Lady Lyra didn't feel any of this, as she still has yet to see Mika. Mano noticing Lyra distracted behavior, he also realized Mika was not presented.

Looking at Lady Jaelah's way, "Has any happen?... Why don't I see Mika?"

The hall went silent, sensing that something actually happens to her daughter. Lady Lyra stood up and was about to run to her daughter's courtyard when Lady Jaelah's words stopped her.

"Mika has been found guilty of stealing from the clan. And has been in the clan's jailhouse for two days now under the elders' orders."

"What!" Lady Lyra forgot herself when she heard Mika has been put in the clan's jailhouse.

Lord Mano shocked by the news didn't abolish Lyra for her outburst. Instead, standing up himself he heading for the clan's jailhouse. Followed by the whole family.

Reaching the jailhouse Lyra skipped head of Mano to reach the door first. If it was not for Lord Mano pulling her back in time, she would have made a very rude gesture towards him.

"Calm yourself...Lyra." Mano whispered into her ear before the rest of the family could catch up.

"..sorry..."

Mano walked into the jailhouse seeing the captain of the guards, "Open the door...."

The captain knew Lord Mano would be back today, he made sure he would here to report.

"Yes, sir." Leading the way, he bought Lord Mano and Lady Lyra to Mika's prison.

Opening the door, Mano first only saw darkness until his eyes adjusted to the dimness of the room; only then did he see the little back of his youngest daughter. Taking a few steps inside, Mano stopped when he heard the captain's voice.

"Lady Lyra, you can not go in. Only the elders and Lord Mano have the permission to enter the prison." The captain stood in front of Lyra as she tried to run to her daughter's side.

"I just want to see my daughter!...MOVE!"

"Lyra!..." Lord Mano understood Lyra feeling but she must obey the rules.

Seeing no room for arguments, Lyra yield.

Taking steps one at a time, Mano found something strange about Mika's body.

'Why isn't she moving? They've already made a lot of noise.'

"...Mika...Mika...Father is back...Mika?..." Mano walked to Mika, he bent down and rolling Mika onto her back, he gasped in horror.

"What wrong?..." Lady Lyra heard Mano's gasp. Feeling her head tingling, Lyra's heart was pounding waiting for news.

Mano had no words, the light in the room showed the gruesome sight Mika's body was in.

With trembling hands, Mano held two fingers at Mika's neck. Waiting for a minute, he a faint thump.

Breathing out his thankful breath, he picked Mika's fragile body off the ground and carried her out of the prison doors.

When Mano came out carrying Mika body, all Lyra saw was blood. Her face was covered in blood. All the color in Mika's face was gone, with her bloodstained clothes and messy hair she looked dead.

"Lyra!...Lyra!...she's alive." Mano bought Lyra out of her grief.

Lyra and Mano carried their daughter to her courtyard, just as the rest of the family made it to Mika's prison. Seeing her dreadful sight cause all of them to stop in their tracks.

Even the captain was surprised by Mika's state.

"How?... Why is she like this?..."

"That's what I like to ask you!...." Mano roared in the captain's face as he passed him by.

avataravatar
Next chapter