Just the barrier. Just the barrier...

"We should find cover," Evereldette suggested. "this place, now that the shadows wiped it clean gives me a bad feeling."

Ginkgo turned to him, the Shepherdess on her back. "You know this place well, don't you? Are there any caves?" She asked.

Evereldette nodded. "Follow me."

Alikus picked up Serendipity and the birds took flight, following the fast falcon.

They alighted in front of a cave.

"There's a spring here, too." Evereldette mumbled, walking in.

Ginkgo put the Shepherdess down in the corner.

"I still think we should have left her." Alikus grumbled.

"We've been over this." Ginkgo sighed. "I don't think... It seemed like..."

The Shepherdess opened her eyes.

She stood up wearily.

"Tundling?" She blinked, shaking her head. "Oh, hello, you five."

"Why did you do that?" Alikus shrieked, fluttering over.

"I apologize for my actions. I had to do it for Tundling. For my pet." The Shepherdess answered flatly.

"Oh, please. Your pet? Those shadows?" Alikus hissed.

"It wasn't always like that. I don't come from here. I come from far across the sea. From the Ruins. There were these life forms-"

"Do we really have to listen to a story right now?" Alikus cawed, fluffing up her feathers.

"Just listen to her, Alikus." Qulow told her, placing their wing on her head.

"There were these life forms. They were just small shadows. At first, they were just tiny and consumed fish." The Shepherdess continued. "Then they consumed wood. Then stone. And then, they all came together. And the only thing that kept them in control was a crook at the bottom of the sea. And then, I became the Shepherdess. I managed to stop the destruction of my fellow birds. But they hungered more and more, and then Tundling called me to here, and I had no choice."

"I told you." Ginkgo muttered under her breath.

"What's your name?" Evereldette asked.

"Flasena the Second." She replied. She turned to Serendipity. "This baby crow is damaged."

"In what way?" Alikus asked.

"So are you." She replied.

"What? What are you talking about?" Alikus asked, backing away slightly.

"The tiny one has lost the ability to speak. His voice is lost. And you... You have magic, but why isn't it there?" She answered.

"I don't have magic." Alikus replied.

"That's right. There's something preventing it. Let me see." Flasena II moved over.

"Let you see? What are you saying?" Alikus stared at her.

"I can see the past of others. That's mine." She answered. "It was that goose. I know him. Dulatai. He was with Tundling when I first met her. Isn't he in the Kingdom?"

"Someone... Stole my magic?"