Surprise trickled through Lara and, even in her state, her shoulders stiffened. The pain in her lips and her body seemed to fade away at the news. A message from Prince Rigel?

Menkar chuckled at seeing her expression. Whatever he saw in her face must have been satisfying, or he was satisfied with the message he had received. He turned his head back to the owl that had tilted its head to stare at Lara. The owl let out a screech and then stretched its wings and flew to perch on the table in front of him.

Menkar ran a gentle finger down its feathered back. "Prince Rigel needs a...