Shadow woke up to see the blur of a face with silver hair looking down at her. She sat herself up, leaning against the tree's trunk. Her eyes took a moment to focus, but when she did, she was aware that Skywise was the one who had had prodded her awake.
"Oh High One, I was hoping for the pleasure of you joining me while I go out for a stroll." He grabbed her hand and helped her stand up. The daystar was just setting and the Wolfriders were just beginning to wake up.
"Why of course, Master Stargazer." She joked, and he laughed. The two walked for awhile and Skywise led her to a curious tree. It had a branch that started near the bottom of the tree and swirled around the tree, creating a wide bench of sorts. Skywise and Shadow both sat down near the top, where the sky was in clear view because of the lack of leaves during this time of year. Shadow pulled her knees against her chest and Skywise let his legs dangle off the sides. The Holt They sat in silence for awhile, just staring out at the stars.
"Skywise, what do you think about the stars?" Shadow blurted out, and Skywise smiled.
"Well, I think they're incredible. They're constantly drawing my gaze. I'd love to go see each and every one of them up close." Skywise held the Lodestone in his hand. "This is the Lodestone. It's been with me from our escape from this forest to Sorrow's End the first time. It's a part of a star." Shadow's eyes lit up when she saw the Lodestone.
"Ah yes, the Lodestone. Last night, Cutter told me how it helped you all throughout each of your quests." After looking at it for awhile she sat back down. After a few moments, Shadow spoke. "You said you wanted to go to the stars." She paused and tilted her head up to get a full view of the sky. "Why?"
Skywise looked appalled that she'd even had to ask. "Why? Why because they're the stars! Surely as Keeper of the Palace you must love the stars. You must have visited so many places and seen so much!" Shadow laughed.
"Well, if you know that I'm Keeper of the Palace you must have listened to the rest of my life story." The shook her head and sighed. "I was very young when we left our planet, especially by our standards. I would have loved to have gotten to know it better. Keeper of the Palace is a fairly simple job. In time, I may turn it over to you. You are immortal, after all." Skywise's eyes lit up at this. "But, I just sat there and wasn't allowed to leave the Palace until we found the place where we were going to settle. They only let me out of the wrapstuff the Preservers make when they thought the Palace was having trouble. To put it simply, I was maintenance. But, I've never been drawn just to the sky. Sure, it is quite impressive, and it connects us to many places, but I also love the sea. My favorite place ever, is where the sky meets the sea and the sea meets the land. It's a connection." Skywise saw her reasoning, but the sky still called to him.
"You lost me when you said you might hand over the Keeper of the Palace title to me." He joked, and Shadow punched his shoulder.
"Very funny, stargazer." They continued to sit and talk for the next hour or so.
Eventually, Skywise suggested that they head back, because Cutter had hinted that he was going to have a Council. The two who were connected to the Palace made their way back to the Holt.
When they reached just outside the Holt, Cutter and few of the elders were sitting together and talking. Leetah was sitting on Cutter's right, Treestump on his left with a little space for Skywise to sit. Clearbrook was to the left of her lifemate, and a few more also sat in the circle. Cutter stood up when he saw Skywise and Shadow.
"Perfect timing. We were just about to call a Council. Treestump, can you get everyone there in a few minutes?" Treestump nodded, and everyone there got up and headed, and Nightfall and Redlance were among them. Nightfall took up Shadow's arm.
"Hey Shadow. I see you spent quite awhile with the Stargazer. Maybe it's time for a change of interests. Care to join Redlance and me?" Shadow nodded and walked off with the two. Skywise was going to follow, but a sending stopped him.
^Fahr, can I talk to you for a minute? ^ It was Cutter, the only person who remained sitting. Leetah had already left.
^Tam, you can always talk to me. ^ Skywise responded. Clearly something had shaken up Cutter. Skywise went and sat down next to his soul brother.
^The elders and I decided that we need to go visit the Wavedancers. It's been awhile since we visited them. Later we're going to decide who is going to go. ^ Cutter looked at Skywise, and Skywise saw something that looked like fear. ^Fahr, promise me you won't go. ^
^Tam, why? What worries you? ^ Skywise sent, and his mind was jumbled.
^I fear that something is going to happen, now that we know how to destroy Winnowill. I believe that Shadow may be hiding something. As powerful as a soul name is, I still think that it would be very difficult to destroy a soul. I want you to be here and safe until we fully understand the circumstances. Do you understand? ^ Skywise slowly nodded. ^The group going to visit the Wavedancers will only be gone a few days. ^
^You aren't going, Tam? ^ Cutter shook his head.
"Leetah is going to lead the group. I just wanted to let you know in advance. Don't d anything foolish though at this Council, alright?" Skywise nodded, and the soul brothers left and headed to the Council.
"So Shadow, you're the Keeper of the Palace. What's that like?" Redlance laughed when he saw her facial reaction to his question. She scrunched up her face.
"Personally, it was great at first. As time went on, I kept an eye on it, but I could never remain there for long. When the Palace shattered, I think my connection with it was strained, and it's never recovered. It went from being a constant companion and pleasure, to being a little cub always nagging for some of my attention. I think I may pass on the title to Skywise. He seems like the perfect person for the job. Not only would it strengthen his connection with the Palace, but also with the stars." Nightfall laughed.
"Ah, do you have a thing for the little stargazer? He's a bit hard to hold onto, from what I've heard." All three laughed.
"I won't say that I'm not attracted to him, but I feel like I should wait before I make any serious commitments. Make sense?" Nightfall and Redlance nodded and looked at each lovingly. "Especially so I don't end up doing that!" The three continued to laugh and talk as they headed back to the Holt.