Kerri, at times, will go a little ahead of the group. It's almost as if he knows some of the paths.

The packrats dont mind

He doesn't seem excited, exactly, but he seems anxious, as if waiting for something.

She stays silent the entire time, thinking of Ash and Puck and things she should have done and said.

The tunnel fell away, and suddenly they stood on a stone bridge across a vast precipice, jagged rocks spearing up from the bottom. Around them, on the walls and ceiling, hanging precariously close to the bridge, massive iron gears turned and creaked, making the ground vibrate. The closest gears were easily three times their height; some were even larger. It was like being inside a giant clock, and the noise was deafening.


There was a tug on Claire's arm, the lead pack rat point across the bridge, his jabbering lost in the grinding noise of the room. They had taken them as far as they could go. Now the last part of the trek would be on their own.

She thanks him with a rare flower, handing it to him with a small smile.

He growls again, then heads in one direction. Lin follows him- he seems to at least have an idea of where he's going.

The packrat grabbed her hand. Holding her wrist, he beckoned to his pack rats, chattering at them. Two waddled forward, reaching back for some item on their humps.
The first pack rat drew out a long sheath with a familiar hilt, gleaming blue-black in the darkness.
He handed it over solemnly.

They chattered at her and still didnt move, and the leader pointed at the second, smaller pack rat whod approached. He blinked and reached back, drawing forward a slightly battered bow and


The pack rat held up the Witchwood arrow, slimy and covered with oil, but otherwise intact. They could have given it to their king, but they hadnt, saving it for them all this time. The arrow pulsed in her hands, still alive and deadly.

She stares at it in shock. Then she smiles and lightly hugs the packrat.

She smiles brightly, bending down and taking them with a thankful glint in her eye. She sheaths her sword and hangs her bow and arrows across her back. She takes the Witchwood arrow and puts it with the rest. Suddenly a whole handful of rare flowers are laid before them, sparkling a strange light. She nods with a sad smile and stands, she turns on her heel, the weapons all with her as she follows Kerri.