Here it that chap that I promised in the last chapter! I hope you enjoy though I must warn you it will probably not answer that many of your questions, if any at all! Lots of love guys!!!

Once again not Tamora Pierce here people, I don't look anything remotely like her!!!!!!!!

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Leaves rustled, branches creaked, Sha deftly scanned the area from her perch in the huge oak tree. A knot poked into her foot but she diligently ignored it as she gazed towards the ground. There was that movement again! Moving so slightly she trained her drawn bow on it being extremely careful not to make a single sound, again came the movement and the twang of the bow vibrated through the trees. Less then a second later a thunk was heard from below confirming that she had hit her target.

Stashing her bow safely on her back, Sha gracefully dropped out of the trees, her short hair floating up around her face. The red streaks were extremely prominent, highlighting her maroon eyes. Landing on all fours like a cat she straightening slowly walking over to the bushes where her arrow had disappeared. Reaching a hand into the darkness she pulled forth a dead buck rabbit. Turning on her heel she slunk back through the trees towards Marcus, camp and a warm fire.

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Flames danced up into the night air illuminating the travel wearied faces of Sha and Marcus. His light brown hair was totally mussed and had leaves sticking out in every which direction. Both had dark circles under their eyes, speaking of days without sleep and constant traveling.

Feeling eyes on her face, Sha looked up from skinning the rabbit, to meet Marcus's light green eyes staring at her. Raising her eyebrows at him she gestured to the pot near the fire.

With a world weary sigh Marcus unfolded his short stocky body from the ground and walked over to the pot. He easily hosted it up onto his head, balancing it deftly. Quietly like he was trained to do he slunk away through the trees towards the stream they had found earlier.

Sha quickly finished skinning the rabbit, pulling spices and a wrapped up ball of noodles from her pack. Setting them next to the rabbit she went to find the stream to wash her hands free of blood.

Not a word was said as she noticed Marcus slinking from shadow to shadow back to camp. The pot on his head looked considerably heavier now that it was filled with water. But still he still effortlessly moved silently across the stones and dead leaves on the forest floor. She reached the stream with the same amount of silence as Marcus. Kneeling on the moss covered stones by the stream bank; Sha dipped her hands into the freezing, blue water sending ripples out in every direction.

Sha quickly made it back to camp sliding in beside Marcus as he stirred the rabbit stew he had assembled and started to cook. Reaching over to the leather tube they had fought a group of bandits for, two days ago; she leaned back against a rock and pulled at the stopper.

With a loud pop the stopper came free, letting Sha reach one tanned hand in to grab the yellowing parchment inside. Being very careful she withdrew the priceless papers. They held her final instructions of her quest. Ever since she had started this quest four months ago, she had waited for this moment! The moment when she could finally say that she was almost finished and had reached her goal.

Smoothing the rolled paper out onto the smooth ground in front of her, she made sure to keep the paper from cracking. Slowly running her hand across the top of the paper she felt the rough texture catch on the calluses covering her hand. Peering closely down at the paper she barely made out a map, drawn in charcoal the lines were starting to smudge lending the sketch an enchanted look. "Crap," resounded through the clearing as she realized where the map lead.

"What?" quickly followed the explosion from Sha. She sighed resignedly knowing that Marcus wouldn't be able to contain his curiosity for long.

"Just look where it takes us?" Sha exploded, "The nerve of the elders sending me to that town for my ordeal. I won't allow it!!!"

"Ummm, Sha?" Marcus grinned, "I don't think the elders care what you want and they didn't set this up either."

"What do you mean they didn't set this up?" Sha said turning to unleash the full power of her maroon stare at Marcus. "Who else would do this?"

"The Chamber sets the path, sending all the clues out by magic, making the path different each time." Marcus explained, "So as you can see the elders never had a say in this matter!"

"Doesn't matter! I don't want to go there, and no chamber is going to make me." Sha spit out defiantly.

Marcus's head jerked up his light green eyes glaring at her. "Now listen her missus, I did not just go trekking through forest upon forest, searching for each of these clues. Getting thrown into tree after tree by you just to have you give up now. Anyway you don't have to stay in the city you just have to go there for the quest and then you can leave again."

Sighing tiredly, Sha wiped the back of her hand across her eyes, "Ok we will do this but I am so not going to enjoy this."

Pulling bowls out of his pack, Marcus spooned hot soup into them. Handing her one he grinned at her. "I don't think you are supposed too!"

Enjoyed!!! I hope so! THough if you didn't I am sorry! SO I know that I didn't answer questions but I'm still laying my frame work so just bear with me ok!!!

Update soon (that's a promise it's not like I don't have time *ponders* actually I don't have any time despite the fact that it's thanksgiving, between family and dance it's all gone but I will find a way to keep writing)

Oh and everyone should go see the nutcracker it is an amazing ballet! And you should make those ballerinas feel good! I mean come on the hours people put into getting into it are way insane I should know!!!!!!!!