Lex leaned against the trunk of a tree, as big as a water tower, and gazed around at the dripping, misty forest. She had been searching for her daughter for hours and now she felt exhausted and mildly hysterical.

"Spyro!" She called "Spryo, where are you?". She ripped her plasma gun from its holster as there was a shrill scream next to her, then relaxed her grip. The small shape that burst from the undergrowth in a flurry of rapid wingbeats was just some local wildlife, taking off in fright.

"Spyro! Spyro! Where are you?" She called again, then stood still, ears straining for an answering call, but the forest gave no answer. Only a diaphanous curtain of mist floated between the trees, smooth and undisturbed, as if to emphasise her total solitude. Insects chirruped and animals called to each other but no voice came back to her.

"Spyro!" She bawled "Where are you!"

Her throat raw, she finally sank down on a twisting tree root, hands knotted into fists. She had not seen the girl since early morning. Panic was beginning to gnaw at the edges of her self-control.

"She is always disappearing," She told herself "Tracking or hunting… trying to imitate her father." She clasped her hands together, knuckles like white bone "What if something's happened to her?"

The punishing heat of midday had settled into the solid swelter of late afternoon, and Selim was tired. Even when they were clear of the Avissa hole, his Father did not stop. The trek back to their shuttle was a long, hard slog; through swampy ground and dense jungle. Selim's legs ached and sweat ran into his eyes but he made himself go on. His Father gave no sign of tiring. Even carrying Isaac had not slowed him down.

In a clearing where a small waterfall gushed into a pool, Scar finally halted. He turned back to peer at his eldest son. "You are fatigued." He said, and Selim could hear the implicit criticism mixed in with the concern.

"No Father," He replied "I can go on."

Scar ignored him "We will stop here." He announced, depositing Isaac on the soft ground, a safe distance from the pool. Pulling his water canteen from his belt, he thrust it at Selim.

"Drink." He told his eldest son "You are dehydrated."

Selim didn't argue but sipped the water, silently grateful for the chance to rest. Meanwhile, his Father inspected the puncture wound on Isaac's leg. He appeared relieved to see that the flesh around it was now a healthier colour.

When Selim had drunk, Scar held his hand out for the canteen. When Selim returned it to him, tipped some water onto his hand and sprinkled it onto Isaac's sleeping face. Immediately his son began to splutter and struggle, lashing out blindly with fists and talons.

"Mei'sika? Mei'sika!" Scar grasped his son's flailing wrists "Isaac! Come back.. to me!"

At the sound of their father's voice, Isaac stopped struggling and then his eyelids peeled back groggily "Father?" He croaked, staring around wild-eyed until his gaze lit on Scar "Father! What happened?"

"You were… stung." Growled Scar in English "I gave you the… anti-venom."

"Where is she?" Isaac gave a little shiver "The Avissa?"

"Dead." Scar said shortly.

Isaac shuddered again and his Father held the water canteen to his lips.

"Drink," He said "You will be... sick for a time. This will… wash the poison away. He made Isaac take slow, small sips until his son had drunk nearly half the canteen "Now you must stand." He said finally.

"Father, no!" Selim started forward "He is still weak!"

"Then he must… learn to be strong."

"But Mei'Savir – "

"Do not dispute with me boy."

"He was stung!"

"Yes, through his own… stupidity." Scar said bluntly "A hunter who makes foolish mistakes must… suffer the consequences. You think deadly creatures wait …for you to recover?"

"It's OK Selim," Isaac said through gritted teeth, forcing himself to his feet.

"Isaac you are not OK!" Selim burst out in exasperation "Father, he must rest!"

"You're wasting your time brother," Isaac said bitterly "Expecting sympathy from him!"

"Sympathy? Hah!" Scar gave a scornful laugh "A pathetic human conceit! You are alive, why are you still whining?"

Isaac's eyes blazed "I never asked you to save me!"

"You wish to be... eaten alive?" His Father rumbled "Continue being careless … and your wish shall be granted."

"You'd like that, would you?" Isaac said in a low voice.

"What I like and what you like is irrelevant." Scar shook his braids in a shrug "Like or like not… but learn. "

As he turned away, Isaac's eyes glowed, his clawed hands balled up into fists. His mane of short plaits rose off the back of his neck with temper and he leapt at Scar from behind. Selim was shocked but Scar was expecting it. As Isaac lunged, he dodged to one side and struck, knocking his son to the ground.

Isaac came upright again and stood facing the towering figure, his young features were twisted by a rage stronger than the poison of the Living Death.

"Think you can take me, boy?" Scar grinned at him and Isaac made a guttural sound; a long, low growl.

Selim looked from one to the other, appalled that his twin seemed to be seriously considering a renewed attack "Brother, no!"

Even before the words were out of his mouth, Isaac charged at S'Kia, unsheathing his dah'kte as he ran. His Father leaned back, easily eluding his first wild swing and his second. Then, somehow Scar was behind Isaac, wrapping his long arms around him in a great bear hug. Isaac struggled but his arms were pinioned at his sides, blades neutralised. Selim leapt instinctively to the aid of his twin, he couldn't help it; he wanted to put a stop to this before either side could get hurt. In his mind's eye, he saw the Avissa's elegant hands scrabbling feebly at his Father's huge arms, her slender fingers powerless against the brute strength in them.

Then, Scar dropped Isaac to the floor, throwing off Selim in the same easy movement. His son lay where he fell, panting for breath.

"Your rage lacks focus." He said, looking down at Isaac "Passion without discipline is hot air. And you," He turned on Selim "All discipline and no fire."

Isaac glowered back at him. "I hate you." He said quietly.

"Hate me if you wish." Scar's eyes narrowed and now he spoke in English, a sign of his mockery and scorn "Just know this boy; if you had done to R'Zuul what you have just done… he would have given you such... a beating that you would not ever… get up."

"You evil bastard!" Isaac hurled after him "No wonder Mom dumped you!"

Scar spun around, so incandescent with rage that both brothers shrank back before his fury "Your Mother did not expel me!" He hissed "I left her!"

"You had no right to take us!" Isaac flung back, too angry and upset to stop himself "No right!"

Scar drew himself up "I had every right." He snarled, shifting into his own language "I have the absolute right. You are my sons! You belong to me."

"It has been half a solar year." Both heads turned to look at Selim.

Scar turned to look at him but said nothing.

"It is too long in exile, Mei'Savir."

"Exile?" Their Father snarled, but Selim detected an edge to his voice, as if he were unsettled by new resistance from his elder son "And from what are you exiled?"

"I want to see our Mother."

"A warrior does not cry for his mother."

"What about your daughter?" Selim said quietly.

For the first time in the conversation Scar seemed at a loss. It was not possible to see his expression beneath his mask, but the muscles in his arms twitched and his talons flexed. It was a few moments before he regained control.

When finally he spoke, reverting to his own language, his voice sounded like leaden doors closing upon a tomb.

"Do not speak of your Mother in my presence again." He said.