SkekSil sulked in his chambers as he was going through some papers on his desk. He couldn't understand what was so special about that little Gelfling. She looked strange but she was annoying. Always being one step ahead of him. He chuckled as he remembered going into her chamber to check on her by the Emperor's command. He opened the door slightly to see her asleep with a large Silk Spitter nestled at the foot of the bed. His bony hand covers his mouth before he could scream. He backed away quickly. Then, SkekSil had a new idea.

"Foolish Ghost." He laughed. "Her heart so careless. Now all the lords hate her." A thought of all the lords despising her made him smile. Then, he began to remember what SkekOk said about the encounters with the hunter. From what the Scrollkeeper said, SkekMal might have an interest in her. This was a cause of great concern. "What if Hunter sides with her? Rest of the Lords fear Hunter." He got up from his desk. "Must correct problem now."

It didn't take long for him to find the horn that summoned SkekMal. He hadn't heard its bleat since Ghost stumbled across it by accident. This time it would be to call Ghost's demise. "Once I'm rid of her, everything will be back to normal. They all see!" He grabbed the handle with his thin claws and began to crank. The eerie sound vibrated out of the pipes. Loud and angry. It spread out into the Stonewood forest.

-(In Stonewood)-

Ghost collapsed again for the third time. Her vision began to swim. Her limbs barely held her up. Her stomach gnawed at her. Ghost had never gone this long without food. She was always told to make sure she had enough to eat. Ghost usually did. However, being exiled prevented her from having easy access to a hot meal. "Ugh! This...is a lot...harder than it looks." She huffed with each word.

Grumble and Fearless looked at her. They both whimpered out of concern for her. Then, Fearless rolled ahead and vanished. Grumble nestled his head into Ghost's arm. It wasn't long until Fearless returned. In the grey Fizzgig's mouth, she had a small branch that had a few peach berries.

"I'm fine." Ghost said. "I just need to sit down for a few seconds." She was only met by nonstop licking by Grumble. She laughed. It wasn't long until Fearless pounced on her. Her face smacked by the berries. "Ok. Ok. I'll eat." She instantly gobbled up two of them. Her ears perked at a hollow sound that rippled through the air.

She got up from her spot and listened. She could hear it again. Ghost looked in the direction of the castle. "The Hunter's coming!" Ghost gasped as memory of what the stories behind the horn hit her. "I got to move. Now!" She knew she could blend in the snow, but it was already melting by spring's breath. Ghost had been around SkekMal long enough to understand that he's determined and might see her despite her snowy appearance. She found herself running. Her two little companions rolled after her.

-(Further away in the forest, earlier)-

Orchid sat on a branch of a high tree. The little Threader didn't enjoy it when the snow was slippery as it melted away. She gazed at the Castle of the Crystal. Her mind thought back to what happened in the catacombs. She and Shield ran with the rest of the Ascendency. Unable to find Ghost in the madness and finding the opportunity to run for their lives. Once they arrived in a grotto, Orchid and Shield explained that what happened wasn't Ghost's fault. It only ended with an exile from their own kind. Ghost...The Threader said with a whimper. I'm so sorry. Wherever you are…

Shield climbed up the tree with ease. He looked at his small friend. There you are. He said. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to find you in all of this snow. Good thing it's melting though. His eyes softened. If Aranthim could be able to shed tears, Shield would have made a river. I know...I miss her too. She's been our only real friend and we got her in trouble because we got careless. He paused. I just wish we could met her one last time, but by Thra it's not as if answer can flutter down from the sky! On cue a familiar grey bird landed abruptly in front of them, causing Shield to lose his footing for a moment. It was four times as big as Orchid.

Hello. The bird chirped. You friends of Ghost?

Orchid nearly jumped. You speak Aranthim?!

Yes. Where I come from, we learn fast or die fast. The bird tilted his head. Sorry if I rude. What name you go by?

Orchid fiddled with her front legs. I..I'm Orchid. He's Shield. Then, she shook herself. What a minute! I remember now! Ghost mentioned you. You're a Bladewing!

Name's Razzzonie, but call me Razz. So, where Ghost live? Want to give this. Razz lifted up his right leg to show as strange object. It had a few strands of black fur, a fang and a grey feather tied with a thin string. Bad things been up to as of late. Elctor want Ghost have this to protect from enemy.

Shield sighed. She used to live over there. He pointed to the castle. But...Something happened….Her...Lords found out about her friendship with us and tried to kill us all.

You say Beakies hurt her! Razz growled. His feathers jutted out slightly and turned into sharp metal spikes.

Beakies? Orchid and Shield asked in unison. They looked at each other. Suddenly, they heard a loud bleating. Their attention turned to the castle. Something about that sound made them turn cold. Orchid was the first to speak. I've only heard that sound once but, I don't know what that means. She backed up as a veil of grey feathers were placed in front of her.

Let's go find out then. Razz smiled. His eyes beamed with eagerness. His feathers softened and looked gentle.

Orchid hesitated. But! They'll have more guards patrolling the castle!

For Aranthim, yes. But not for Bladewings! We great thieves and sneakers. Well...until Ghost sprung Razz and took glasses.

Orchid thought for a moment. Ghost saved her life and cared for her even if she was Aranthim. She only wanted to comfort her after that loss. It was because of the white Gelfling that she learned to hug and write. The only reason why she's in trouble was because Orchid forgot about the cunning SkekSil. She knew he hated Ghost, but never thought he would go to that length of betrayal. If she wanted to help Ghost now, there was no better time. Ok, She said. Let's go. She crawled up the smooth back and braced herself as Razz took off.

Hey! Shield cried out. Wait for meeeee! He slipped on wet bark and fell hard onto the ground.

-(Inside The Castle of The Crystal)-

SkekSil slinked through the throne room. The crystal still hovered over the shaft of fire below. Dark and purple. Empty, he thought. Good. His heart nearly stopped when he saw SkekMal appear across from him. He should've figured that SkekMal would be fast enough to reach him in a matter of minutes.

"Chamberlain," The Hunter rumbled. His voice still held that air of animalistic power. Yet his presence still commanded that as the Lord of the Crystal of Truth.

"Hunter." SkekSil said in a formal tone.

"What is my prey?" The Hunter asked. His green eyes sparked with a sense of eagerness. How he lived for a hunt. A challenge that gives him a rush.

"A white Gelfling. Ghost."

"What?" SkekMal shook his head. Understanding what he just heard.

"Yes. Our previous servant. She traitor. Allied with Aranthim."

SkekMal growled viscously. He stalked over and grabbed SkekSil by the collar. "You dare lie!? She made it very clear of her loyalty to us!"

"She-She lie!" SkekSil gasped. "Even slept with a Silk Spitter! Said so herself. I was there! Emperor too! All lords saw it!" He fell down as SkekMal's grip loosened on his collar. "She wanted power the moment she learned what she could do with it! Don't tell me you're fond her after just meeting her a few times?!"

SkekMal was silent for a moment. Ghost was a bizarre Gelfling. She took on a giant monster. Cut a strand of hair for him. He felt his claws touch her token. The soft strands slipping between the digits. Her eyes always held some form of truth. However, SkekSil was never this foolish enough to lie. If it is true… "I'll hunt her down. Remember, she's my trophy now. DON'T interfere." He held out the token before leaving.

SkekSil bowed. "I knew you'd understand. Happy hunting." With that, he turned with a grin on his face. Looks like Ghost meets death one way or another. Hunter will be her undoing, he thought. He whimpered once more. Unaware that a bird, a threader and a Stonewood Gelfling had heard the entire conversation from above.

-(Back in Stonewood)-

Ghost tried to move as fast as she could. Her stomach aches from not having enough time to digest the peach berries she's eaten. All she could think of is the Hunter. No doubt SkekSil told him what happened. The fierce Skeksis will hunt her now. She's sure of it. No more strange sparkles in his green eyes. No gentleness of his touch. Just the cold teeth of his blades.

Suddenly, Ghost tripped on a root and fell in some mud. It stung. "Ow." She gasped. "No! Wait." She began rolling around in the mud. Her Stonewood clothing turned into a deeper shade of brown. Her snowy skin and hair thickened by the sludge. She didn't like the sensation but if it would keep her scent off, it should work. "No doubt he'll use his nose to find me." Ghost got up and slicked away the muddied hair from her face. She grabbed a nearby branch and raked the mud to hide the tracks.

As her feet got onto firm ground, Fearless started barking. Grumble merely whimpered in fear. Their faces toward an unseen veil of trees. Ghost picked them up. She shushed Fearless. "Fearless be quiet! The Hunter will find-" Her words were cut short when she heard a blade whizz through the air and hit the ground with a thunk. She looked down to see a large dagger that was almost long as her arm was stuck to the ground. "By Thra…"

Ghost's uneven eyes gazed into the shadows. She could hear light movements. Her heart hammered hard in her chest. She found herself wheezing. Her body shook. She started to run. Her legs moved with whatever energy they had. Hands squeezed into Fizzgig fur. Feet pounded on the ground as Ghost tried to find a path that would lead to a hiding place. She soon came across a tree that had a hollow entrance. Ghost tossed her thin frame into it. She climbed further up. Grumble and Fearless on her back. Her breath fought to stay calm.

With every courage she could muster, Ghost took a peek from a small crack in the bark. She saw SkekMal was a little too close to the tree. His green gaze pierced through the vegetation. His skull vibrated as his nose sniffed. As he turned his head toward her hiding spot, She shifted to avoid being seen. Her hands clamped over Fizzgigs' mouth to prevent sound. Her ears twitched as she heard the more sniffing. As heavy footsteps began to move away from the tree, Ghost slowly moved back to the hole. It looked clear. She slowly moved her hands off of them. "Stay", She whispered. Ghost slithered down the hollow entrance. She slowly poked her head out.

Ghost turned her head to each side. She let out a sigh of relief. Unaware that SkekMal was right behind the tree. Claws clamped on her hair, pulling her toward him. Her gaze was focused on the bony helmet. She could feel fury in his grip and gaze. Her breath went up, wheezing. Her throat tightened. Her heart pounding. "Skek...Mal…"

He looked up and down at her muddied form. "Clever." He growled. He then slammed her into the ground, making her gasp. He pulled out a blade and pressed it against her throat. His other hand pinned her arm. "Most of my prey would never think of hiding their scent from me. Should've figured that living among us, you'd know these sort of things. Especially to give power to the Aranthim!"

"What?" Ghost squeaked.

"Don't lie! The Chamberlain told me of your betrayal! You've sided with the enemy and have been waiting for the right opportunity to strike!"

"I-" Her words were cut off as the blade was pressed against her.

"Enough!" He lifted the blade above his head. "Time to claim my trophy!" He was about to deliver the blow when he felt sharp teeth clamp hard around his wrist. He looked up to see that a grey Fizzgig had her jaws clenched onto his arm. He shook fiercely. The creature wouldn't let go. He took another blade with his secondary arm. SkekMal suddenly felt a piercing sensation and his arm suddenly felt cold. He took a moment to gaze down at an arm covered in a sheet of ice.

Ghost was slightly shocked at this but used it as an opportunity to slip under his grasp and ran. She grabbed Fearless as Grumble hopped onto her back. I got to get in the air, she thought. Her wings flared out. The light catching the glittering silver of her pattern. With every ounce of her strength, she jumped into the air. Ghost fluttered higher and higher. Her body still screamed at her to stop. She turned to the direction of the Caves of Grot. Ghost never asked much about his hunting but figured he doesn't spend too much time there.

She kept huffing. Her heart now occupying her head. Her vision started to spin. She had to keep going. Suddenly, she saw a flash of silver pass by her. Narrowly missing her abdomen. She could now see The Hunter trying to climb up the trees. No doubt ready to throw another dagger at her. Suddenly, she saw a flash of steel grey attacking him. Ghost didn't know where or what it is, but it picked a good time to come. Suddenly, she saw the blade coming back down to the forest. She snatched it, took a moment to aim then threw it back. Hoping that it would only pin down his clothing.

A cry was heard, but there wasn't enough time to check. She continued flying on. Ghost soon realized how high she flew now. The entire forest was below her. Even SkekMal was starting to become too small to see. The castle was now a small figurine made of stone. Further ahead, Ghost could see the Silver Sea, Ha'rar, the marsh, Sami Thicket, the cave entrances of Grot and the Crystal Desert. It was so beautiful. How she wished Rian and the others could see. Suddenly, her heart acted out on her. She grabbed her chest and was soon spiraling down back to the earth. Her back to the ground, she held on to both Grumble and Fearless.

Suddenly, she felt something sticky on her back. It felt a little soft and flexible. Like rope. After a few jarring moments that almost made her throw up, Ghost looked up to a familiar Aranthim gazing at her with concern. "Shield?"

That's it for this chapter. Wanted to be sure to hold on to some of the sickly nature of Ghost. I also wanted Orchid and Shield to have a chance at the limelight. Review please!