The Wolfriders sat around in the center of the Holt, near the Palace. Most where chatting aimlessly, waiting for Cutter to began the Council. Cutter sat on a low branch of the Father Tree. Leetah was on his right yet again, and this time Skywise silently sat on his left. Treestump and Clearbrook stood leaning against a tree to the left of Skywise, and if they were having a sent conversation, they did not make it known. Redlance and Nightfall sat at the foot of a tree to the right of Leetah talking quietly. To their right, Shadow hung upside down on a tree branch a little high up, and her head fell right between Kimo and Dart's, who were sitting upright on a lower branch. Her hair hung down, and they were playing with it, laughing. To Treestump and Clearbrook's left were Strongbow and his lifemate, Moonshade. They were sitting down, leaning against a tree, taking care of their newest cub, Chitter. Newstar and Shenshen sat in between Moonshade and Dart, having a conversation that was both verbal and sent. Cutter stood up, and the tribe silenced. Shadow flipped down and sat between her two new friends.
Cutter began explaining. "As you all know, some of us have wanted to go visit the Wavedancers and Ember's tribe for some time now. I feel that the sooner we go, the more likely those of us who worry will find comfort. Now, some of us have to stay, but if some of us went, it wouldn't be as difficult to hunt for all of us. Now, we have to decide when we will go, and which of us will go. Leetah will be leading the group, and if any of you wish to go, now would be the time to speak up." Everyone was silent for a moment. Then Shadow stood up and took a step forward.
"If it is permitted by you and Leetah, I wish to go. I could guide the Palace to your destination, for I have been to both of the places you speak." She glanced at the ground for a moment, as if ashamed, and then straightened her body, and looked Cutter in the eye. "Plus, I have some," She paused for a moment, looking for the right words. A slight smile appeared on her face. "Unfinished business I should attend to." Cutter looked to Leetah, waiting for approval.
"I would be glad for you to accompany me Shadow." Shadow smiled and sat back down. For another short while, no stood up, but then Kimo and Dart did. Kimo spoke first.
"After being with Shuna and Bee and other humans for quite awhile, I wish to be with elves. I have not met most of them, so I believe that I would enjoy this experience very much."
"I feel the same. If it would be alright with Cutter and Leetah, we would gladly go." Leetah and Cutter both nodded, signaling they would be part of the company. Again, no one stepped forward. After a long pause, Cutter ended the silence.
"I was hoping there would be five going, so if anyone else wishes to…" His voice trailed off. Nightfall looked over at Redlance, who nodded. Nightfall stepped forward.
"If Leetah and Cutter approved it, I would go and be the fifth member." Cutter smiled.
"I would be delighted too have you on board with us." Leetah let loose a smile, as if relieved that one of her closest friends would be coming with.
"Then it is settled. Leetah, Nightfall, Kimo, Dart and Shadow will go and visit my daughter's tribe, and then the Wavedancers to bring us news of what has been going on. Does anyone object?" The Wolfriders were silent. "Alright, then it's settled. You should leave in eight days time. We will work out the details tomorrow. For now though, the Council dismissed." By now, it was dawn, and the sun was coming up. Most of the elves dispersed to their home in the trees after saying good night or the Palace. Shadow however, remained sitting on the tree. Cutter and Skywise waited as well. Once everyone was gone, they approached her.
"Look Shadow, the discovering of another High One is incredible, but," Shadow cut off Cutter.
"First of all, don't call me a High One. High Ones are called High Ones because of their height. I guess you could call me a Halfling*, but that would be weird, so just consider me the first of the Elves of Two Moons." Cutter and Skywise nodded.
"Anyway, it's great that you're here, but we need a few answers." Shadow nodded.
"Alright, let's go into the Palace. This could take awhile." The three headed towards the Palace. Once inside, Savah walked past them and smiled, knowing the reason for their visit and not wanting to interrupt. Shadow led them to small, quiet room. "This is the Room of Questions. I would have preferred the Room of Enlightenment, but I figured this room might be more… suitable. Okay, go ahead and ask your questions." Cutter asked first.
"You claim that knowing the soul name of an elf can destroy their spirit forever. Surely that cannot be all." Shadow looked at the floor and nodded.
"Yes, there is more. You need to know the elf's soul name, but there are other parts of the puzzle that are essential. A High One, or me, must be present and approve of it. Also, most of the spirits in the Palace must be in favor of it. For, as I would hope you two know, spirits know all the other spirits and what they have done." Shadow paused and took a deep breath. "And there's more. In order for it to succeed, one must find something that was a part of the elf when they were alive. But, the trick is that it's different for every elf. So, it could be anything that Winnowill touched or 'healed' or the likes." The three sat in silence for a few moments. "Oh, and the spirit has to be present. Yeah, that's kind of a necessity."
"Well, that's a lot." Skywise sighed.
"Yeah, well that's kind of the point. At least, that's how we set it up right before we landed. Most of us thought it wasn't necessary, but in order to keep ourselves 'pure' we did it. But, it's never been done before, so it may not even work it's so old. But if any spirit deserves it, it's Winnowill."
"I just have one other question." Cutter straightened his back, as if nervous. "What do you mean: to destroy her spirit? I'm not sure I understand."
"Did I say destroy? I guess I over exaggerated for affect. It doesn't destroy their spirit, it cleanses it. It should wipe every memory from it, and push it towards good intentions, and the like. I wasn't really paying attention when we decided this. But I feel like there's something else that I'm missing." Shadow closed her eyes. "Why can't I remember? Oh well, when I remember I'll tell you two." Shadow shrugged. "Any other questions?" She laughed. "I suppose that's one, but from you two?"
Skywise shifted in his chair. "Is it possible for you and Timmain to Recognize one of us?" Shadow looked at him slyly, and Cutter just smiled.
"Yes, I believe that it would be. After all, we all have the same blood running through us, do we not? And since Recognition belongs to us, we should all be able to have it, no matter the tribe or our age. And before you ask when it happens, I have no idea, other than this theory: When neither of them expects it. Make sense?"
"Yes. Now, I believe now that we have reached an understanding, I believe we should go back to the Holt." Cutter suggested, and he stood up with Skywise. Shadow remained sitting. "Are you coming?" She shook her head.
"I feel I should stay here for awhile. There are other things, I must attend to." She stood up and the three walked out the door. They waved their good-byes and Skywise and Cutter went left and Shadow went right.
Shadow followed the hallway. Savah came out of an adjoining hallway and began walking next to her.
^You remember, do you not? ^ Savah sent. Shadow just nodded. ^Why didn't you just tell them? ^ Shadow stopped, and looked at the floor. Savah took her hand, and helped her forward. She led the elf who seemed young but was much beyond her years into a room. ^Do you know what room this is? ^
^This is the Room of Truth. I suppose you brought me here for a reason. ^ Savah nodded.
^Can you explain to me, please? When Ekuar left with Rayek, I tried to go with them, but Ekuar held me back. Now, I will do anything to help my student. ^ Shadow nodded.
^Alright, I will explain. Recognition is when two soul names recognize each other as their opposite, and it produces a child. Every elf has a soul name. Most think that they don't, but they do. You just have to dig deep into you spirit, and you'll find it. For example, Cutter has a soul name, and Leetah doesn't think that she has one, but when she realizes that she has one, she will discover what it is, and Cutter will know as well. Does that make sense? ^ Savah nodded. ^ Now, you probably heard me explain the terms of cleansing a soul. Cutter explained his quests against Winnowill. The reason I am afraid is because it could be anything, so it could be either Dewshine, or Windkin, or Rayek. For all I know, it could even be the Palace. I'm not sure what happens to the part of the elf's spirit. It could be cleansed as well, or it could just be the necessity of being present. That's why I'm afraid, Savah. ^
^Child, if you weren't afraid, I would be. Come, I will escort you to your old chambers. ^ Shadow nodded. Savah walked her to her room, where she laid down and fell asleep almost immediately. Savah smiled and left Shadow to her dreams.
Skywise and Cutter walked back to the Holt in silence, pondering what they had just heard. They said there good-byes silently and quickly went to their trees. Skywise laid down in his furs, and snoozed off, and his mind began to wander.
He was floating among the stars. He laughed and looked towards where he was headed. He was floating towards a small star, and as he got closer, it never grew in size. When he was close enough to touch it, he reached out, but a trail of black curled arm his arm. It slithered up his arm and it grew larger, wrapping itself around to his entire body. The black trail which was not strangling him formed a snake's head at one of the trail.
^Stargazer, you will never be rid of me! ^ The Black Snake was about to bite Skywise's neck, but then it just disappeared and he quickly recovered. He turned his body to find the star, but saw it was out of his reach yet again. He continued to float towards it, and this time when he reached it he held out his hand and the star exploded into a shower of little stars at his touch. A familiar voice sang at the back of his mind.
Up and down
Left and Right
Oh, the stars
They shine so bright
Yet, the Snake
Blacker than Night
Thinks that she
Can douse the Light
The stargazer sat upright. 'What just happened? High Ones! What on Two Moons was that about?' His mind raced for a few minutes, and slowly, he lied back down and fell asleep yet again. Skywise was not the only one who had a Black Snake dream that night.
Cutter fell asleep, Leetah in his arms. Cutter's mind drifted off to the past, and he saw Madcoil, the beast he had killed, strike down his Father. He ran to his Father, but instead of his Bearclaw, it was now Winnowill. Slowly, she pulled herself to her feet, and Madcoil came behind her.
^Just imagine, Chief, the greatness you and I could have accomplished. ^ And slowly, Winnowill transformed into Leetah. ^Imagine, my love. ^ It might have been Leetah's appearance, but it was still Winnowill's sending. Cutter turned and ran, only to find his children, the same height they had been when he first left Sorrow's End. ^Imagine, Father. You could have had so much. ^ It was Winnowill's sending yet again. He ran the other direction, only to find his parents, Bearclaw and Joyleaf. ^Son, why do you run away? There is so much for you, if you just learn to accept. ^ It was Winnowill's sending, and Cutter fell to the ground. He blinked, and when he woke up, he found himself curled up under the furs and Leetah attempting to find out what was wrong.
^Tam, are you alright? ^ Leetah looked horrified.
^I would say yes, but I would be lying. It is the Black Snake. She is not entirely restricted in Rayek's body, sadly. ^ Leetah nodded and stroked her lifemate's chest.
^She visited me in my dream too. ^ Cutter and Leetah lie together in silence until dusk approached.
Rayek pulled the donkey along, and his friend, Ekuar rode it.
"How's the old Snake doing today?" Rayek's long dark hair covered most of his face. His eyes turned around and stared at his elderly companion. "Ah, I see. And how are you, Brownskin?" Rayek turned from the old elf. "Not so well? That's too bad."
^I can get rid of that annoying little bald one for you, just give me control for a moment. ^ Rayek could barely contain himself. He had no idea how long he had kept his lovemate's soul inside of him, but everyday felt like an eternity. He had to stay strong however. Ekuar's constant babbling might have been enjoyed earlier on, but nowadays it never made keeping his lovemate trapped any easier.
The entire tribe was assembled at the center of the Holt. Timmain and Savah all emerged from the Palace and walked to where the elves were. They sat down, and the entire tribe was silent. The Wolfriders appeared very frightened. Timmain and Savah showing up also revealed the severity of the situation.
^Where is Shadow? ^ Cutter privately sent to Savah and Timmain. Shadow as if waiting, came running from the Palace. When she caught up and sat next to Savah, she smiled and nodded to both of them. Cutter raised an eyebrow, but then began the Council.
"I was hoping that we could just rest in peace, but clearly I was wrong. The Black Snake has plans, and I wish Rayek could hold up forever, but you can never tell. So, we have to get rid of the Black Snake permanently." Strongbow stood up, and confronted Cutter about the one question everyone had.
^We all want that, but we can't do anything. She's a spirit. There's no way to destroy a spirit. ^ Cutter acknowledged Strongbow's reasoning.
"Yes, Winnowill is a spirit, but there is a way to destroy her spirit." A few elves gasped. Most looked shocked at even the possibility. "Thanks to Shadow, we know a way. After considering it for a very long time, I decided that we are going to cancel the visit to the other tribes. We are still going to visit them, but we're going to form a company to destroy the Black Snake. And, in order to accomplish it, we are going to have to go one a quest."
*Haha, I just couldn't resist the reference!