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Phile, Oskar, Rakel, and Farrin strode across the magical practice field, having left Halvor and Bunny working with the newest magical recruits, when a scream split the air. With the ear of a mother, Rakel knew the voice and took off at a run, but Farrin was faster. Grabbing her in his magic, he had them both at the source of the scream within seconds. Rakel pulled away from his grasp and stumbled back, causing Farrin to stop and look at her worriedly, but another scream changed her mind.
Farrin pushed open the door of the tower. Rakel could hear a low growl from the darkened interior.
“Korsa?” Farrin said.
“Papa!" Korsa cried, grabbing his hand.
"Come quick!” Erik called.
Her eyesight adjusted, Rakel stepped two more feet into the foyer of the tower, terror filling her, but whether from childhood angst or worry for her children, she was not sure. She watched as Farrin grabbed at the nape of Koray’s neck and pulled him away, causing the dog to growl and yip more determinedly.
“Rakel, call the dog.”
“C’mere Koray. C’mere.” Rakel called, making kissing noises, but the dog ignored her.
Finally, Farrin lifted the dog and carried him out of the tower and closed the door, causing Koray to yip, howl, and scratch at the wood. Returning to his children, Farrin crouched to peer into the darkened hollow below the staircase.
Rakel funneled her angst into anger, her tone sharp, “What are you two doing in here?”
All three turned from whatever they were examining and looked up at her. Her heart smote her when she saw the fear in her children’s eyes. “It–it might not be safe,” she finished lamely.
At that moment, Phile burst in the door, leaving Oskar to deal with the dog. “What happened?” she asked, tossing her arm around her friend.
Erik pointed to the area under the stairs. “Koray was attacking these little guys.”
Phile nudged Rakel toward the staircase, but she pulled away. “I’ll go check on Oskar and Koray.” She hurried out the door.
In less than a heartbeat, Farrin was beside her. He held a tiny gray ball of scaly armor. “Look. A family has moved into the tower.”
In the fresh air and sunshine, Rakel’s breathing felt freer, and she reached for the ball in his hand. “What is it?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen one before.”
Phile came out holding another of the creatures. This one was standing on her hand, its triangular head and tapering tail sweeping back and forth in tandem. “They’re armadillos. I didn’t know they could live this far north. We have loads of them in Baris.”
“Will it–bite?” Rakel asked.
“Dunno. It hasn’t bitten me yet!” Phile said, laughing.
“Momma, can we keep them?” Korsa asked.
Farrin answered, “No. These are wild things. They deserve to stay in their own home with their mother.”
Oskar puffed as he came up behind them. “That dog is incorrigible–” He stopped short. “What is that?!”
Rakel looked up at him, amused. “Apparently, they’re armadillos who have made themselves at home.”
Farrin handed the creature to Erik. “Go put them back, children.” Korsa took the one that Phile was holding and followed her brother.
When the children were out of earshot, Phile clapped Rakel on the back. “Look at that, Little Wolf, your tower finally has a happy family.” She waggled her eyebrows. “Just like you.”
Rakel felt a smile tug at her lips. She whispered, “Enjoy your new home.”