^A quest?! Are you mad, Cutter? We've finally settled down, back at THE Holt, and you want us to leave it? ^ Strongbow sent at Cutter, and everyone could sense the anger in his sending. Everyone was still recovering from what Cutter had just said. Moonshade hugged their youngest child, and Clearbrook drew closer to Treestump, who wrapped his arms around her. Nightfall and Redlance looked at each other, as if they had expected it. Newstar's eyes grew wide, and Kimo looked at Dart with concern. Dart returned the look, knowing what could happen. Shadow was taken aback by what Cutter had said.

"Strongbow, we have to do this. And since you and Moonshade both have a cub to look after, you are staying." Shadow stood up and took a step towards Cutter.

"Cutter, I was going to talk to you about this. I don't want anyone to get hurt." She ran her fingers through her hair, and as she started again, her voice grew louder. "Do you not understand? You can heal someone physically, which is why I wanted Leetah to come when we visited the other tribes. There is no way to correctly heal someone emotionally. Why do you think I asked you to stay here and keep Skywise with you?! The Black Snake has done enough to you two." A few people looked shocked and Skywise jumped down from where he was. She took a deep breath. She turned to everyone. "She has done enough to all of you. I would have much rather visited the other tribes on my own." Most of the elves were confused. She saw the confusion in their eyes and gave a weak smirk. "I know my ideas must seem jumbled to you, but they make sense to me. One day, when this is all over, remind me to explain a few things." She made eye contact with Nightfall, who winked as if saying she understood. "This quest is mine. I'm the one who brought it here, so I'm the one who'll lead it. If Cutter will allow me too, I will have three of you come with me. No more than that, and I would be fine if there were less of you. Then, I'll go to the other tribes and tae no more than two from each, if they are willing." She paused and sat down, her speech ended.

Skywise was the first to jump up. "Well, you kept me back from the first attempted visit. You can't keep me back from the second time." Shadow sighed in sarcastic annoyance, but smiled. Skywise sat back up on the branch where he had been before. For another moment, it was silent. Kimo looked over at Dart, who nodded. Kimo then stepped forward.

"I would also like to come." Shadow smiled, and Cutter nodded. The silence lasted a long time. Cutter then stepped forward.

"If no one else wishes to come, it's entirely fine." Everyone was silent. "Alright, Shadow, Skywise and Kimo, you three shall be the first part of quest." Cutter turned to Shadow. "Shadow, you're in charge of planning when you leave. I suggest you leave soon though. This Council is over." Everyone, still somewhat shocked, went to do what they would normally do during the morning, except for Dart, Kimo, Skywise, Cutter, Savah, Timmain, Shadow and Leetah. "So, Shadow, when are you going to leave?"

"I was hoping we could leave about midnight. I have a unique way to travel, and it will take awhile for Kimo and Skywise to get used to. If that is alright with you two, of course. We can always leave tomorrow." Shadow turned to them.

"I agree. We should leave tonight. What do you think, Skywise?"

"Why not? But what do you mean: 'a unique way to travel' ?"

"It's a surprise." Shadow winked at him. "I'm going to go get ready. If you two can be ready and be at the enclosed grove by midnight that would be great." Shadow ran off to the Palace. Savah followed her. Dart and Kimo embraced.

^I wasn't worried when you went with Shuna and Bee and their cub, but now I fear for your life, brother. ^

^Brother, it is alright. I will come back. Don't worry. ^ Even so, both of their eyes began to tear up.

^Promise me something. ^

^Anything for you. ^

^That you'll be back soon! ^ A tear fell from Dart's eye and slid down his cheek. He quickly wiped it away, and the younger pair of soul-brothers said their good-byes. Cutter, Skywise, Leetah and Timmain remained.

"Skywise, don't be gone for long!" Cutter hugged his soul-brother, and Leetah laid her hand on his arm.

"If anything happens to you, Skywise, we'll know. But I do know one thing. You'll come back." Skywise turned to the High One.

"Stargazer, take care of my sister's cub. She can be headstrong and brash at times. When you get back, we'll have to catch up on your studies." ^You'll enjoy her form of travel. ^

^Does it require the Palace? ^

^No, but the Palace supplies them. ^ Timmain winked at Skywise. Kimo and Skywise went and said their good-byes to the rest of the tribe.

As Shadow was headed to the Palace, something, no someone tackled her. Shadow laughed when she saw the ginger hair. Nightfall smiled as she sat on top of Shadow. Redlance's head popped up over Shadow's head.

"Listen up, Shadow. When you get back, you have to tree with us, got it?" Shadow nodded. "Don't think that you can go off on some quest and come back and ignore us." They all laughed. Nightfall got off of her, and Shadow sat up, between the lifemates. Redlance was glad that Nightfall felt younger again. He felt that it had something to do with Shadow.

"As much as I would love to tree during the day, we're leaving tonight. I have to go get ready, but I can't wait to come back and see you again." Nightfall pulled them all into a group hug, and Shadow set off yet again, and Savah came up behind her, silently, but Shadow knew she was there.

"Amicia, are you sure that you're ready for this?" By now they were inside the Palace, and Shadow turned to face Savah.

"Please, Savah, call me Shadow. And of course I'm ready. I can do this." She took a deep breath. ^Actually, I'm not sure… ^ She privately sent to Savah. ^But I have to do this. It's the only way. ^ Savah nodded.

^Well, if you need anything, just let me know, Amicia. ^ Shadow left and went to an enclosed room. Around her, were four of her inventions, exactly as she had left them. The fifth, which she had taken with her when she was banished, was at the enclosed grove. They were all folded up, taking up little space. She stretched out each of the devices to test their sturdiness, and when she was satisfied with each, Shadow took a deep breath. The small part of the Palace shot off and landed in the enclosed grove. She quickly took out all four of the pieces and put them in her tree. Then she sent the Palace back to its place.

She stepped out of the closet-like room, and headed for Savah's room. When she was halfway there, she sent to her.

^Savah, there is one thing you could do for me. ^

^Anything, child. ^

^ I need you to contact Rayek, and send him to the Wavedancer's cove. ^ Savah gasped. This was so much to ask, yet she knew that this was exactly what she should have expected. ^Nightfall and Redlance will help if you ask. I must go. Farewell, Mother of Memory. ^

^I will do my best. Farewell, Amicia. ^ Shadow smirked at the use of her real name. She went up to her room and grabbed a small bag. As she walked through the Palace, looking for a few small trinkets whose use was only known to her, she thought of something quite ironic. 'So, there is the Mother of Memory, and there is Timmain, my Aunt, whose job it is to guard memories. They are more similar than I ever imagined.' After finding the three trinkets she was looking for, she plunged her hand into the wall at random. She quickly found what she was looking for: a frozen Fuzzlepatch. She placed the preserver in her bag, and set of at a quick pace to the enclosed grove. She did not look to say good-bye to anyone. After all, she never knew how to say good-bye, since she never got the chance to.

As Shadow was slipping away, Skywise and Kimo were gathering a few possessions. The both met and after saying a few more good-byes, headed towards the enclosed grove. There was an awkward silence hovering over both of them for a little while. Then Kimo broke it.

"Skywise, you have been on multiple quests. Do you have any advice?" Skywise laughed.

"Ah, Kimo, I'm not as experienced as you think. I was basically there for Cutter. It wasn't much more than that." Kimo looked surprised.

"Everyone who I've talked to speaks very highly of you in quests. And, you were the one who was with Cutter from the very beginning. I'd imagine that you've been through quite a lot, and that would be worth some advice." Skywise shrugged.

"I dunno. But if I can think of any advice, I'll let you know." Kimo nodded, and they continued all the way to the enclosed grove in silence, each deeply in thought. When they got there, they searched all around for an entrance and after a few thorough checks they found the slightest opening, which they crawled through. Shadow was setting up for their departure. She had outstretched three of her devices. She had clipped the other two into her travel bag. When Skywise and Kimo saw what their form of travel was, they stopped dead in their tracks.

"Whoa…" They said in unison.

"So, what do you think?" Shadow smiled and Skywise's eyes lit up.

"Do they…?" Shadow nodded. Skywise did a little dance and Kimo went to inspect them.

"What do you call them?" Shadow took a deep breath. She began to explain her

"I call them…"

How do you like my wonderfully dramatic cliff hanger? XD