Drepal had worked for Lyra for three years. She'd made a name for herself. She was worse than the trolls that had taken her prisoner and given her to Lyra. Everyone knew her name, though few had seen her face and lived to tell about it. Nothing had been to heinous for her to do. Until now. Sapphire stood before her. She was supposed to let the trolls have her, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. The girl reminded her too much of who Drepal had used to be and Drepal reminded herself of the brother she'd run away from. So she ran with the girl, despite the magical control brand Lyra had put on her. Their absence was discovered and Lyra and the trolls gave chase. Drepal passed out from the pain caused by the brand. Sapphire's step father, Kith, a dragon, was nearby waiting for her. She refused to leave Drepal and convinced him to take her to a healer in Thager where they lived.