Sophie screamed in terror. Oralie had just cut her whole right side. The shamkniv fell to the floor with a metallic noise that echoed as one in the room.

The councilwoman brought her good hand to the wound from which blood was pouring out.

Her breath became ragged and she wavered.

Sophie barely caught her. Her legs had simply given out on her. Oralie was conscious but was beginning to wander between wakefulness and sleep.

- Call Elwin! Bronte ordered.

- Counsellor Oralie, I beg you to stay with us! Sophie whispered, and the young woman pulled a panacea flower petal from a pouch. She gave it to her mother.

- He...he's gone? Oralie sighed with difficulty.

- Yes, I think so," replied Sophie.

Councillor Velia knelt down beside the two elves.

- We've called Elwin, he's on his way. Hold on, Oralie. She gently took her friend's good hand.

King Dimitar picked up his shamkniv and approached Sophie.

- I'll send you the bacteria remedy right away.

- It's a monster... whispered Zarina who was standing behind Velia.

- I'll make him pay! cried Sophie.

- It won't do any good, Sophie, whispered the empath.

- I... I'm sure there's a way to defeat him once and for all.

- I am here! cried a voice. Elwin had just arrived in the room with his satchel, he knelt down in Velia's place.

He checked the empath's louse and made her swallow some elixirs. He gave him a sleeping pill to avoid unbearable pain. The doctor put a makeshift bandage on Oralie to stop the bleeding.

- I can't treat her any more here. We have to get her to the health centre without delay... Before it's too late. I'd better take Keefe too.

- Do the right thing, Elwin," Emery told him.

- I'll go with you," said Sophie. Two goblins offered to accompany the doctor. 

At the treatment centre, the flasher chose to sedate Keefe, as it was safer. He called in Livvy to help him treat the counsellor. Sophie stood by and watched her mother being treated through the glass of the observation room. The young woman felt bad for her.

After an hour of intensive care, the doctors left the room.

- Is she going to be all right? Sophie asked as soon as they came out.

- It will all depend on her. The flasher said softly to her.

- How bad is it? I mean her injuries?

- We're not going to lie to you, yes, they're quite serious... Livvy replied.

- The wound that she inflicted on her right side is deep, the bacteria of the shamkniv could be neutralized thanks to the remedy of king Dimitar, alas she was touched at the level of the lung, she will certainly have after-effects. Concerning her hand, well. She has many broken bones, her hand is in the same state as yours when Shadow attacked you.

Sophie looked at her hand and shuddered at the memory.

- We prefer to keep her and Keefe sedated, it's safer," Livvy added.

- And it's better that way. Sophie murmured, "At least the Red Ghost won't be able to hurt them. I'm going back to Havenfield. It's getting late.

- Sophie, do you want a s...

- No! No thanks, no sedatives.

So Sophie jumped home with a troubled mind.