Natali rushed up the tower with Lyrah on her back. They had heard of an intruder in the castle that had gone after the King, but they were concerned for Rena and the child. It was possible it was a distraction. As they had feared, Grandpa Wally was pulled from his self-appointed post at the base of the tower.
Natali did not even wait to check if the door was locked or fully latched. She slammed through the doorway, shattering some of the wood. Inside, four startled women almost jumped out of their skin at the sudden intrusion. Mylene, in particular, looked upset with her daughter.
"What in the world did you do that for?" Mylene demanded.
"We heard…" Natali struggled to explain while gasping for breath from all the running.