I will be using SkekSa for a little while since she didn't have a chance to be known as of late. In my last chapter I thought I would do some wholesome irony between SkekLach and Ghost considering how SkekLach first thought of her. Enjoy!

Ghost stared in wonder at the Skeksis before her. Then bowed politely. "My apologies for not addressing you immediately. I just have not seen you before."

SkekSa moved closer and kneeled to have a better look at Ghost. Her golden earring glowing in the light of the moon. A small smile spread across her face. "That's quite alright. You were only a childling the first time we met." She chuckled. "You practically messed with my earring when I held you. But you kept hugging me a lot."

Ghost blushed at that. All the Skeksis, Podlings and Gelflings at the castle would always remark on how much of a hugger she was. When lost in a moment of extreme happiness or wanting to express sympathy, she would hug everyone in the room. "I'm still am. Though I guess it's not appropriate right now." She bowed. "Thank you again for saving us. You and your ship." She looked at the creature. To her surprise, it extended its head to her and gave her a small kiss. Ghost giggled and hugged back.

SkekSa looked on in amazement. "By the seas of Thra...I've never seen Vassa get this close to anyone."

"Really? Why?" Ghost asked.

SkekSa pulled out a strange whistle out of her Mariner coat. "I control her with this. When I blow this, she comes and goes when I call."

Ghost had a moment to think of the word go when it clicked. "Go! Oh goodness! We have to get back to shore! WE still have the other tithings to do!"

SkekLach screamed. "AAAAAHHHHH! You're right! Scrollkeeper will tan us for sure and I would be snuffling worse than ever!" He turned to the Mariner. "SkekSa! Could you hurry please?!"

SkekSa chuckled. "Very well then. Just let me-" Her words were cut off by a loud boom. Everyone flinched and turned around at the sight that was before them. "By Thra…" She breathed. "What is that?" SkekSa pulled out her spyglass. On the horizon was a large castle that was dark purple underneath the light of the moon. A flicker of an orange blaze on one of the towers. Two large shadows were fleeing the castle. A screech followed by thunder erupted from the sky. "Hang on!" SkekSa took a deep breath and blew hard into the whistle. She grabbed Ghost in one swift movement then pulled out the rope in order for SkekLach to hold on.

The Collector felt his body lurch and fell onto the deck. He snatched the rope. His claws holding on for dear life. His lungs scrunched while screaming. He suddenly heard laughter over the roaring winds. He looked up to see Ghost spreading out her arms and wings as she smiled. Her hair flying out like a kite. She looked like a little white bug next to the Mariner. SkekLach could sense the joy from her. He found himself smiling. It's about time that you stopped being gloomy. He thought. Ghost's smile seemed to be almost as good as any food the Gourmand eats.

Before long, the group arrived onto shore. The first brother already brought light on the horizon. Ghost smiled up at SkekSa. "No wonder you and the Sifa clan like living near the ocean. It just has so much thrill to it! I hope we met again soon at the next tithing ceremony!" She hugged the Mariner. "Thank you so much for the ride back, Mariner."

SkekSa chuckled and hugged back. "I do hope so too, Jewel Eyes."

The happy moment was interrupted by Ordon riding on the back of a Landstrider and the carriage where SkekOk poked his head out. "There you are!" He stepped out of the carriage when it came to a complete stop. "Where in Thra have you been?! I heard a loud noise and there was lightning over the horizon. I practically searched the whole night for-" He adjusted his spectacles. He gasped as he realized that Ghost and SkekLach were drenched. "What happened to you two?!"

"Weeeee had a little accident with the water." Ghost said. "It's ok now. SkekSa was kind enough to bring us back to shore."

SkekOk looked at SkekSa. "Thank you so much Mariner. I hope these two weren't too much trouble for you."

SkekSa grinned. "Not at all. I best let you on your way."

Ghost was about to take a step forward when she remembered something. She went over to the carriage to grab her satchel and pulled out her money. She rushed back to SkekSa. "For one of the Sifan boats. Best find the owner before they-"

"My boat!" said a familiar gruff voice. "What in Thra happened to my boat?!"

SkekSa laughed as Ghost blushed. "I'll take care of that mess. You've got tithing ceremonies to attend to." She waved them goodbye as they went into the carriage and began their long journey to the other clans.

-(Crystal Desert, a few tithings later)-

Ghost and SkekLach were able to dry off once they were inside the carriage and fell asleep during the trip over to the Drenchen Clan. SkekOk just simply shook his head and read a book. When they did arrive, SkekOk had to wake the two before they started the ceremony. SkekLach and Ghost tried their best to keep awake. Thankfully, SkekLach's pus didn't ooze out this time. It felt like forever until they were able to get back in. That is until Ghost met Gurjin's twin sister Naia. The two talked for a bit. Then, Ghost said: "I've got to go, but it's nice to finally meet you."

"Give regards to my brother." Naia said. She waved as the carriage went away.

Ghost was able to get a nap in while Scrollkeeper and Collector were talking. "You've must have quite an endeavor with her, SkekLach." SkekOk said. "It isn't like you to get on a boat."

SkekLach sighed, then yawned. "I just didn't want to see her so gloomy anymore. Didn't you see how sad she was when we were at Ha'rar? Well...except when she met up with Hunter again."

SkekOk looked thoughtful for a moment. "You know...I noticed that you were quite close to her. Just as much as SkekTek and SkekEkt. Remember the ice incident?"

"How could I forget?! When she was finally back at the castle, I practically had a heart attack. Covered in all that ice...then collapsed. Her fever was so bad, she was like a small fire. I found myself being with her since I had nothing else to do…" SkekLach thought for a moment. "I found myself nervous when Chamberlain started hanging around her chamber…" He shuddered. "Sometimes I don't blame Ghost. He can be a little creepy when he needs to be." He looked down at Ghost who was still asleep. The little Gelfling murmured something about the Hunter.

After a visit with the Spritin clan without any more problems. The group finally arrived at the outskirts of the Crystal Desert. Ghost poked her head out to have a look at glittering sand and crystals that poked out. "Wow. It's just like the picture in the book. Only I've never imagined it being this sparkly." She blinked her eyes. "I guess my eyes are a little sensitive to this lighting."

"We'll wait here for the Dousan to arrive." SkekOk said. He adjusted his spectacles on his long beak.

"Why-oh…" Ghost said as realization hit her. "Right. The sands shift around here. It's easy to get lost so the clan use living flying vessels to get around."

"Sometimes. They do use their totem animal to get from place to place as well."

Ghost pulled herself back into the carriage. She immediately went into her satchel. "Well...I guess while we're waiting. I thought of giving you something, SkekLach. It isn't much compared to the tithings, but I thought your collection might need something different." Ghost soon pulled out a large conch shell out of the satchel. It was purple with the inside being pure pink.

SkekLach looked at it perplexed. He never heard of anyone giving him a seashell before. Though he had to admit it was impressive due to its size.

SkekOk nearly bulged his eyes at it. "Goodness! How in the world were you able to carry it?! No wonder you were struggling with it back at the coast."

"I was going along the beach and decided to look for some items to take back at the castle. I got some for Ornamentalist too. Just in case he wanted some inspiration. I think some of the colors might give him ideas. Don't worry. I checked to make sure no one was home."

SkekLach looked at it. He rotated it carefully. "Uh….Thanks…"

"Give it a good blow."

SkekLach did just as she suggested. He blew as hard as he could. It gave a loud, mournful sound. He smiled. "Saay. Not bad. It actually cleared up my nostrils a little." He ruffled Ghost's white hair. "Thanks a lot, Icicle. I'll keep it in a good spot."

Ghost giggled. The words of Onica started to fade. She hasn't been this happy since first hearing the news that she would be part of the tithing ceremonies. "It's just my way of thanking you two for letting me come along. I've managed to see what the rest of Thra is like outside of the books and what the guards tell me. Granted, I've been to Stone-In-Wood a couple of times. But it was nice to meet the other clans. I wonder-" Her words were cut off when she started to hear flapping of large wings. She poked her head out to see large shadows before them. Then, noticed a familiar shape about to step on the rocky sands. "SkekMal?" She narrowed her eyes.

A sulken form had a black pelt on its back. The bone helmet was bleached in the three suns. It looked toward the direction of the carriage. Then, went another direction.

Ghost's eyes brightened. "SkekMal!" She was about to go when SkekLach stopped her. "Aww! I was going to say 'hello' to him."

"I would strongly discourage that idea." SkekOk said. "The Hunter isn't a fellow to exchange pleasantries with. Especially if he's hunting or had a REALLY bad day." He shuddered at the thought of what he would do to them. "It'd be best to stay here."

Ghost sighed. She pouted slightly. "Fine...I suppose." She came out to see the Dousan clan gather, but they eyed the Hunter nervously as he neared closer to them like sheep with a wolf nearby. Ghost couldn't help but wonder if this particular clan does business with him just like SkekSa and the Sifa. She got to her usual position for the tithings. Then, she noticed that some of the clan members seem to have a few torn clothing and bandages on them.

SkekOk also noticed this and asked, "What's this? Why do you come with those injuries?"

One Dousan bowed to them. "Forgive the unappeal my lord. We were recently attacked."

The Hunter moved closer now. This time extremely close to Ghost. Her head half way up his hip. Eyes focused on the sky. Ghost noticed this and looked up. A strange gray cloud seemed to be heading in their direction. Then, Ghost remembered that during the ride on Vassa SkekSa mentioned seeing a strange grey flurry that followed with the flying black beast. Along with a flurry of sand. Ghost felt her ear tickled by his breath. "Get ready to take cover." She saw a sparkle in his eyes. Her body sensing the animalistic energy coming off of him. Something about this situation is make her heart turn cold.

"Attacked by what?" SkekLach asked. He soon regretted his question when a loud shriek was heard and everyone was soon surrounded by grey feathers. SkekOk crying out in pain.

A wall of steel gray surrounded Ghost. She yelped as she felt something cut her arm. She could feel the Hunter pull her to her side and a hum of a blade reached her ears. The gray backed away to reveal a bird that Ghost had never seen before. It looked like a Kestrel with orange eyes. Fierce and calculating. In sharp beaks were clumps of the jewels and items that were part of the tithings. Then, Ghost noticed that at least three of them each held SkekOk's spectacles. She looked to see SkekOk covering his face. His hand glistening with blood. Her hands curled into a fist as rage overwhelmed her. Without thinking, she flew after them as they started to move away before SkekMal could grab her. "Hey! Give those back! They aren't yours!"

As she flew near them, She felt something whizz by her. A snap reached her ears. Her neck feeling the crystals that SkekEkt made for her slip away. She saw another one of the grey birds holding her necklace in its beak. Her heart hammered harder as anger propelled her further. She found herself gasping and huffing as her body began to take the toll.

"Ghost!" SkekLach yelled. "Come back!" He frantically waved his arms to bring her over. The other Gelflings joined in the shouting but it was soon drowned out by a fierce howl of wind.

The next thing Ghost knew it, she was suddenly surrounded by a vortex of sand. Thunder rumbled and purple lightning struck the sky. The winds buffered her fragile wings. Her eyes try to focus on the grey figures that were below her. Ghost could note that they were simply gliding in the wind. Following the currents. She could only think of getting those items back. Then, she heard a heavy flapping noise. Ghost looked around. Her left and right show nothing. When she looked up...her jaw dropped. Above her was a creature that matched the description that SkekSa had described earlier when they were making their way to shore.

The figure was pure black. Bat wings spread wide. Four black eyes graced it's head. A bat nose had a sharp tip. Black shell glistening in the lightning. The electricity acts like frightening purple veins as they flow throughout its mighty body. A scorpion tail swung from side to side. It opened its mouth to give a loud roar that might've shaken the entire castle.

Ghost shook herself. She had to focus. If she gave up now, SkekOk would be blind until help would arrive or they returned home. Ghost didn't like that idea. Her wings tested which wind current would take her closer. A fierce gust snagged a tip, causing her to be lurched forward and tumble in a gale. She kicked and thrashed. Her eyes stung from the sand. Her body turned until she found the right wind to righten herself. "Ok." She said to herself. "Managed to find the currents now if I can just…" She narrowed her eyes and found that she was right above the very bird that stole one of SkekOk's specs.

Silently as she could, Ghost arched her body in an angle. With a gale behind her, She plowed into the bird. Ghost fumbled in the sky. Her hands feeling for the spectacles. She grimaced as she felt a sharp sensation. Her leg delivered a solid kick, causing the bird to be startled. "Yes!" She felt the spectacles nestled in her hands. She turned just in time to see a stone structure before her. Panicked, Ghost pulled up with only an inch between her nose and rock.

The curtain sand pulled away. Revealing a small nest of items that seem to have been stolen from the Dousan clan. In a few nests were chicks that looked healthy and frail. A few bones clicked against the stone. The birds flocked over their nests and dropped their trinkets.

Ghost slowed herself and skidded along a rock before she could stop. She rocked back a bit to see everything below her. She took a few ragged breaths to retain control over her heart. Her body feeling numb. Her dress dusted with sand. "Woah...How long has this been going on?" She wobbled as she felt something large colliding with the stone tower she was perched on. Slowly, she turned around to see the large black beast glaring at her. "This...is not good."

The pointed nose of the creature twitched as it took in the smell of her. Black eyes burning with fury. Upclose, scars zig-zagged along its body. Fangs dripping with drool. The black carapace of the creature glistened in the light. Free of sand all together. It even had black fur on its underside. "What gives you the right to attack, small one?"

It can talk?! Ghost thought. Her mind went into shock. Then, fury settled into her heart. "Me?!" She shouted. "What gave you and your bird friends the right to attack and steal things that aren't yours?!"

"WE take what we can to survive!" The giant beast replied, baring fangs. "Hardly a spoiled dainty thing like you would understand that."

"I may have grown up in the castle but I'm far from spoiled. Why else would I be so willing to chase after birds that might cut me to ribbons?!" She held up her hand to emphasize her point. "Those people down there are using those items to show gratitude to the Lords of the Crystal. The ones who helped make Thra the wonderful world you see before you." She held up the glasses. "This belonged to someone who took me in when my grandparents rejected me for being a hybrid. It really matters to him and helps him see. If you want it, you'll have to go through me!" She fumbled as the creature roared out a laughed followed by shrill cackles.

"Brave speech, White One." Said one of the gray birds that lands next to her. "No stand chance against Spirit of Lightning Elctor. His strength protects us Bladewings." His beak held blood which showed that it was the same bird that Ghost snatched the spectacles from. He gave her a nasty look, a yearning to claw at her eyes.

Ghost squared her shoulders and stared into the large beast. "Alright then. I challenge you to a race then." She smiled as the creature stopped laughing and stared at her in what seemed to be shock. "You heard me. A race. Unless you're too scared!"

Elctor growled at that. "Very well then…" He arched his body and pointed a wing toward a formation. That was twenty meters away from where she was. "From that formation and back. If you win, I will return the things that we had taken this morning. If I win, you leave with nothing but the clothes on your back."

"Will I have your word?" Ghost asked. "No use of whatever power you possess or help from the...Bladewings?" She had only met this creature and like SkekOk warned her, she must be careful with her emotions. Especially when it came to her trust.

"I may not seem like it, but I care for others and honor more than anyone."

"Deal!" Ghost tucked the spectacles in her hair in order to avoid breaking them. She readied herself. Facing the horizon that leads to that structure. Wings flared out. Her body crouched in a readied position. At her side, Elctor removed himself from the structure and set his body against the sand. Wings also flared. A screech was heard and she instinctively took off.

Elctor flew fast in front. His enormous wings bringing up in the air after a few flaps. His scorpion tail swinging from side to side. Black eyes focused on the horizon. The gust of air under his wings caused problems for Ghost.

The white Gelfling found herself tumbling slightly from the gust of wind. She rightened herself. Ghost took a deep breath. Her body began to tremble. A dangerous sign that her heart was starting to get weak. Only a few feet from the stone pillar and already she was starting to fail. She felt the shift of the glasses in her hair, reminding her what she needed to do. She tightened it as Ghost pulled on some speed. The wind roared around her but every part of her being refusing to give up.

Little by little, the distance between the two was covered. Ghost felt she hadn't before. A wild sense of joy. Beside her, She could've sworn that Elctor was smiling as well. As they rounded a corner, they tipped their wings almost in a synchronized fashion. It looked as if their souls had become one. The two were nearing the finish line. Neck in neck. Neither gave up their spot in the race.

Ghost's ears twitched. She could smell desert wind. Her mind briefly switched back to her brief time with SkekSa. The Mariner taught her one trick to use to detect oncoming wind currents. "If you hear a distant howl and have a random smell," SkekSa said. "That means there's a wind coming in a certain direction. Just pinpoint it as best as you can." Ghost flinched her wings until she found the current coming from behind her and below.

Wings outstretched farther then she normally would, her whole body launched forward and zipped past the lightning spirit. She could hear shocked screeches among the crowd. Her destination moved too fast for her. She didn't care. Then, her hair came undone, the glasses slipping out. Just as they were falling out, Ghost frantically grabbed them as she somersaulted back onto the stony platform she was earlier.

Silence hung in the air. The Bladewings gathered around Ghost. Her breathing ragged. Her hair a white mess. Hands gripped firmly, but gently around the spectacles that almost had gotten destroyed. Her dress now free of sand. Elctor clung to the tower and loomed over her. His black eyes held pure joy. One joy he hadn't felt in a long time. "Well done...Wind Racer."

"Wind...Racer?" Ghost asked. Air finally returned to her lungs. She got up from her spot to look at him.

"You have the capability of reading the wind and using it to your advantage. For a sickly thing, you seem to know how to overcome your weakness."

"Thanks...I guess."

"What name do you go by?"

"Ghost." Ghost answered.

"Dear Ghost," Elctor said with a smile. "You've shown me you hold great honor and strength today. As promised I will help you return these items back to those Gelfling and the Lords of the Crystal, but first a special token from all of us."

Ghost was a little puzzled by this. Then, she noticed grey feathers raining down from the sky like strange snow. She stared in amazement. She reached out for one. It felt dainty and brittle like her, but Ghost could sense the hidden sharpness and strength of their power. Ghost smiled as she saw some of the Bladewings bring back her necklace and SkekOk's spectacles. "Thank you, but may I ask what these feathers will be for?"

"Use as armor." Elector said. "It should protect you from oncoming enemies."

"Thank you, Elctor. I hope to see you again soon." The white Gelfling gathered the feathers in a pouch that Elctor gave her. It was made of strange leather. Ghost got up when a realization hit on her. "Goodness! How do I get back to the others?"

Elctor laughed. "I'll fix that. Though your pretty hair might get a little messed up." Purple veins appeared on his body, giving him an eerie look. With an undistinguished tongue, he let out a bolt of lightning that blinded Ghost.

Ghost was dizzy for a moment. Her feet stumbled all over the place. She could feel rock under her, but she felt like she was tossed into the air only a second ago. Her shoulders were touched by claws and lifted up. She blinked as her vision began to clear. In front of Ghost were the Dousan clan. Each member showed a state of shock at what they had seen. Her hands felt a soft pelt and thought it was some sort of animal. She looked up to see it was SkekMal the hunter holding her. She blushed. "Skek-Hunter!" She said. "How long was I gone?"

"Only for a few minutes…" SkekOk answered. A handkerchief was pressed against his beak, blood already soaking it. "We were about to send out a search for you." He looked at her hands. "By Thra! What happened to you?!"

Ghost handed the Scrollkeeper his glasses. "I'll explain later. I think we should finish up the tithing ceremony before anything else."

********************(Somewhere in Thra)********************************************************

SkekEkt was enjoying his relaxing ride home. He had a nice time with his recent engagement. He looked into the small mirror admiring himself. "Ah...Lovely as ever." Then, the Ornamentalist was thinking back to little Ghost. "A shame I didn't say goodbye to her before leaving. She's having her first tithing ceremony. I wonder what reactions those Gelflings have on those faces." He smiled. "After all, she learned from the best!"

Suddenly, his carriage lurched to a stop. Everything in his possession scattered all over the floor. He snarled. Then, he heard screams that came out of nowhere. "What's the meaning of this?!" He marched out of the carriage. The Skeksis was only a few feet away until the smell of blood reached his nose. SkekEkt froze and looked around. The guards that were escorting him back were gone. Was it Aranthim? He thought. He shook himself. No...They wouldn't do something this stupid or take out my guards… Suddenly, a large shadow loomed over him. He stiffened. He turned around slowly and stared up in horror of what he was seeing before him.

That's it for this chapter, folks! Be ready for the next one because it will give you a lot of feels! Sorry if things are getting weird. I'm experiencing some difficulties right now.