Chapter 34: Hibernaculum

The first thing I did, as I came back to my senses, was spitting river water right at Marina's face. She was not very amused about it, but happy to see me back among the living.

''Vanessa. Thanks, Nocturna. You are alive.''

''Yes, I'm glad about it too,'' I sat up with a groan and looked around. The thunderstorm had ceased by now and warm rays of sunshine warmed my soaking body. ''Where are the others?'' I asked.

''Right here.'' On my right, I saw Shade and Orestes approaching. They looked tired but relieved to see me awake.

''We thought you two were done for when you went down the waterfall,'' said Orestes, ''By some miracle you both survived.''

''Fortunately,'' Marina added.

I nodded in agreement and then looked back at the river. ''What happened to Goth?''

''No idea. We saw how he was swept away by the current. But unlike you and Shade, he never resurfaced.''

''I see. But what about Throbb?''

Marina smiled, ''That guy fled head over heels into the woods after a lightning bolt almost singed his wings off. You should have seen Orestes, Vanessa. He was just amazing how he chased Throbb through the clouds and fought him off.''

''Oh, it wasn't all that special,'' the young owl said with a sheepish smile.

''Nonsense,'' Marina waved off, ''I bet if your father had seen you like that, he would burst with pride.''

Orestes didn't seem so sure about it. ''You think so?''

''I sure do,'' she said, causing him to smile.

Wow. With admiration, I looked at my animal friends. On the whole, they seemed to do all right. Orestes was missing some feathers and had an ugly scratch in the middle of his face plus some bite marks on his leg. Marina, on the other hand, looked a bit better. Apart from some cuts on her ears, face, and arms, her biggest concern was the wound on her shoulder. It didn't seem to be deep, and the bleeding had stopped mostly. But I still noticed that it caused her pain when she moved her arm.

My gaze wandered to Shade. His belly was smeared with blood and I began fearing the worst. But he assured me it looked worse than it was. He had also received several other wounds, such as many bruises and a deep tear in his wing membrane, right next to the healed one he got from a pigeon claw.

I didn't even want to know what I looked like. However, now that I was awake again, my body seemed to think it was a brilliant idea to inform me about all the pain it was in. I used to think a broken leg was bad enough by itself. As if! Thanks to the slippery ride on the ice, my leg felt like Goth had broken it twice. Speaking of Goth. Orestes said that he had not emerged from the floods and probably drifted further downstream. But did that really mean that we had finally gotten rid of him?

''What's wrong Vanessa?'' Concern flashed in Shade's eyes. He didn't miss how I stared at the water, lost in my thoughts.

''I'm fine. I was just wondering if maybe Goth has drowned.''

''Let's hope so'', Marina said with a sigh.

''Yes'', Determined Shade looked down at the current. ''This time we will definitely not see him again.''

''Are you sure? After all, you and Vanessa survived.''

''But only because we were lucky enough to be washed ashore.'' He shook his head. ''No. That Goth survived the fire towers was extraordinary enough. Even he can't be that lucky to survive two life-threatening situations.''

''And what if he did?'' I refused to imagine what Goth would do to us if he ever got his hands on us again after what happened today.

Shade folded his wings across his chest, looking even more determined. ''I'm telling you guys... Goth is dead. He has to. If not then I'll... eat a flower.

''If you say so.'' I shrugged my shoulders and hisses feeling pain in my left shoulder. Like Marina, I too had a nasty scratch there. Although mine was further to the front than hers. My face was also hurting a bit, and I shivered a little. My dress still covered the most important parts of my body but otherwise, it was mostly torn and tattered, especially at the hem.

''We should look for a shelter. The day is still long. Not that the owls spot us.

Marina was not wrong. Even though we finally got rid of the two giant bats, the danger from the owls still existed. It was important that we took hide and care of our wounds before we continued our way to Hibernaculum. Though I wouldn't have minded changing my wet clothes first.

''Oh, Vanessa, that reminds me...''

I gazed up to Marina wondering what she wanted and saw her holding my snow-white cloak. It was a bit torn and dirty, but otherwise still looking in a pleasant condition.

"I found it hanging from a thorn bush. Thought you might want it back.''

''I sure do. Thanks, Marina.'' I took the coat and wrapped it around me.

''Alright,'' she said with a smile, ''Then I suppose we'd better be on our way... Uh, Shade?''

The Silverwing gave no answer. Instead, just stared mesmerized at the waterfall in front of us. Ignoring Marina's calls, he closed his eyes and concentrated. Afterward, he opened his eyes again, frowning a bit. Then he called his echo-map up once more and grinned. ''Guys t-that's it. We made it! We finally made it''

Confused Marina, Orestes, and I looked at each other wondering if Shade might have gone mad. The latter paid no attention to us and kept cheering with joy.

''Shade would you please stop and tell us what this is about?'', Marina demanded to know.

"Easy. This here'', he pointed to the waterfall behind us, ''Is Hibernaculum.''

''What?''

''You sure?''

Shade nodded. "I double-checked it with my echo-map. "There's no doubt about it. This is Hibernaculum.''

"The waterfall...'' Could it really be? After all the trouble we have been through. We'd finally reached our goal.

Marina, however, did not seem convinced. ''Wait a minute Shade'', she said, ''If what you say is true and your colony's winter roost is behind this, then how do we get in? You don't expect us to just throw ourselves into the water, do you?''

Shade's enthusiasm evaporated. He hadn't thought of that.

Orestes walked closer. ''But it stands to reason, that if Hibernaculum lies behind the falls, then there simply has to be a way in.'' Thoughtfully, he looked closely at the running wall of water. Then he gasped and a smile spread on his beak. ''There!'' Without any explanation, he flew up to a boulder, that stuck out of the water in the upper half of the waterfall. Having no other choice, we followed him. Whereby I held on to Marina's feet with one arm while clasping my cloak with the other.

Together we perched on the branch that stuck out from the rock and gasped, seeing the entrance through the falls. ''Oh, wow!'' Shade looked around and then turned to us. ''Okay! I guess we go in through here.''

I grinned with excitement. Finally, we would meet Mercury and all the others again.

''Uh… I think I wait outside!'' Orestes yelled over the roar of the falls, looking uncertain if it would be ok for him to come inside as well. Being an owl and such.

''You sure?'' I asked. He nodded.

''Alright Orestes,'' said Shade, ''You just wait here. I'll come and get you. Let's go.''

With that, he let go of the branch and made his way into Hibernaculum. Marina right behind him with me in tow. Deeper and deeper we fly into the cave. Passing numerous stalagmites and stalactites. And all around there was a welcoming warm air, which felt wonderful compared to the icy winds outside.

''Oh, it's unbelievable!'' Marina sighed, and I had to agree with her. The size of this cave was amazing. I could see a lot of side passages on our way but we just kept flying straight ahead until we entered a gigantic room. There we landed on the stump of a stalagmite and looked around. Right above us were hundreds of bats. All Silverwings. Roosting together on the stalactites and the walls. Most of them were asleep, but a few dozen were lazily fluttering around. At first, no one took notice of us until I heard a familiar voice.

''Vanessa? Shade!'' I spun around and felt a pair of wings wrapping me into a tight embrace, causing me to let go of my cloak, that I still held in my hands. ''Oh boy, I can't believe it. You are alive.'' Only when Chinook released me and Shade did I realize that it was him. And to be honest, it surprised me a little. Not that I wasn't happy to see Chinook. I just never expected him to be the first bat to greet us so joyfully.

A bewildered laugh escaped from Chinook as he circled around us, getting the attention of the rest of the colony. They began chattering excitedly among themselves and showered us with endless questions like: ''Where do you come from?'', and ''Did you fly by day?'', and ''Are you crazy?'', but also, ''Wait, isn't that the boy who got lost in the storm?'', and ''Yes, that's him. And isn't that the human girl called Vanessa?''

Words could not describe how happy I was to finally see all those familiar faces again. Even though I had only lived among them for a short time, I still felt like reuniting with long-lost friends and relatives.

Shade chuckled, looking gleefully as well and raised his voice to every one to hear. ''Yes, it's us. We got lost but we have found our way back.''

''Shade?'' Ariel's voice rose from the noise. ''Shade!''

Shade circled around with excitement, looking for his mother. Eventually, he found her, roosting on a wall, and flew over to her as fast his wings could carry him. Moments later he was locked into her loving embrace and snuggled into her soft fire-colored mane.

''Oh, I thought never I'd never see you again!'' Ariel held her son tight into her arms and cried happy tears.

''Vanessa!'' At the sound of my name, I looked up and saw Mercury fluttering down to me, smiling brightly. Another male with indigo fur, darker colored wings, a soft purple muzzle, storm grey eyes, and soft violet hair and mane accompanied him. On his left forearm glittered a silver band. They barely landed when Mercury hurried towards me hugging me tightly.

''Thanks Nocturna, you're alive.''

I chuckled softly and hugged him back. I really missed the Silverwing messenger, who I have to thank for meeting the Silverwings in the first place and who taught me all kinds of things during the time I lived with them.

''I'm so glad to see you again,'' he said and cupped my face in hands. I thought I saw tears sparkling in the corner of his eyes, but he blinked them away and hugged me again. My wounded shoulder protested a bit, but I ignored it. Eventually, Mercury let go off me as the other male walked closer, putting a hand on his shoulder. ''It's ok Mercury. You might crush her,'' he said with a chuckle.

''I would never'', Mercury replied, softly laughing as well.

I watched them both curiously, wondering who the other male was.

''Now, how about you introduce us to each other dear?''

''Oh, right. Vanessa, this here'', Mercury wrapped a wing around the male next to him, ''is my mate Icarus. Icarus, this is Vanessa.''

Icarus smiled. ''It's nice to finally meet you.''

''Nice to meet you too,'' I said while feeling surprised about the fact that Mercury had a mate who was also a male just like him. ''I thought you said scouts can't have a mate?''

''A female mate'', Mercury corrected me, ''Though, it's true that they prefer mostly single males as the messenger for the females over the summer.''

''But why?''

''Being around their loved one could distract them from their job'', Marina interfered, ''I know this from my colony. We picked our male scouts for the summer in the same principle.''

Mercury nodded in agreement. ''Many colonies work it that way.'' He then turned to the Brightwing and blinked. ''Say, who are you by the way?''

''Her name is Marina'', I said, introducing her to Mercury and Icarus. ''She is a Brightwing. Shade and I met her on an island after getting lost in the storm. And if it wasn't for her, we wouldn't be here today.''

''That's right,'' Shade added who flew down to us, followed by his mother Ariel. Marina smiled at the compliment and even blushed a bit too.

''Oh, Vanessa. I'm so glad to see you,'' she said and gave me a hug. Then her eyes went back and forth between her son and me. ''You have to tell us what...'' she gasped, noticing the gash on Shade's stomach and the dry blood on his fur. ''You are hurt!''

''What happened?'' asked Mercury, who furrowed his brows in concern while checking the wound on my shoulder.

''We eh, came across some difficulties during our way to Hibernaculum.''

''We need to take care of this. You three look like you got into a fight.''

''Something like that. But that's not important right now,'' I said with impatience and looked at Shade. "We have urgent news the owls...''

''Good point'', a harsh voice interrupted me. I didn't need to look up to know it was Bathsheba. The only bat I did not wish to see again. ''Ask the lawbreaker and that tiny human why the owls are hunting us.''

''Not just owls'', Shade called up. ''Wolves too!''

The Silverwings gasped.

Marina stepped up next to Shade, ''Brutus thinks Silverwings are killing owls.''

''But the murderers are giant cannibal bats!'' I added, causing an uproar among the bats. ''There were two of them they planned to get here and eat all of you but we got rid of them.''

''Brutus doesn't believe they exist. He and his owls are on their way here,'' said Shade, ''We have to abandon Hibernaculum right now before they get here!''

Bathsheba growled, having enough of all this nonsense. ''First, we lose Tree-Heaven and now we shall abandon our roost? Give them to the owls!'' she screeched, her voice echoing throughout the cave while pointing her claw at me and Shade.

Immediately Ariel and Mercury wrapped their wings protectively around her us. ''No way'', she snapped back up, while Mercury barred his teeth at the chubby elder. Under no circumstances would they allow anyone to take us away. They would even fight if they had to.

''But we are telling the truth!'' Marina protested, though no one seemed to listen to her.

''I'll prove it!'' Shade pulled away from his mother and lifted my arm into the air, showing everyone the infected bite mark on my wrist. I cringed as I heard them gasping at what they saw.

Mercury looked shocked seeing the wound. ''How did you get this?'' he asked.

''It was Goth'', Shade answered for me and lowered my arm. ''He is one of the giant bats. Today we got locked into a battle with him and his cousin Throbb. He vanished after falling into the river.''

''So, with other words. He is dead now?'' asked Icarus.

I nodded. ''We believe so. But his cousin might still be around.''

Bathsheba scoffed, not feeling impressed at all. ''Cannibals. A likely story'', she said.

Shade frowned up at her. ''It's true. I got another witness,'' he insisted, then flew out of the cave before anyone could ask what he was doing.

Moments later he returned with Orestes and the Silverwings went into panic mode. They began flying around, screaming with fear or tried hiding behind stalactites and cracks in the walls.

Mothers wrapped their wings around their children while their mates bared their teeth at the owl, ready to protect their loved ones. Ariel, Mercury, and Icarus also took cover

''Children, what have you done?!'' Shade's mother exclaimed, placing her hands on her face as she stared fearfully down at the owl.

''Everyone, this is Orestes!'' Shade pointed to him. ''He is Brutus's son and he is our friend! He has seen the giant bats too!''

''You brought Brutus's son to our winter roost?'' A male, looking like an adult version of Chinook demanded to now.

Orestes flinched at his glare and watched the other bats nervously.

Frieda frowned but stood calm like always. ''Mercury, quickly scan outside to see if there are any more owls.''

Mercury nodded and flew off. Intentionally bumping into Oreste's shoulder as he flew by, causing the bird to lose its balance for a moment.

''You don't understand!'' Shade cried out in desperation. ''He saved my life!'' Unfortunately, no one listened to him.

Seconds later Mercury rushed back into the cave, fear on his face. ''Wolves!'' he cried out, stopping in front of Frieda. ''There are two outside!''

''Did they see you?''

Mercury shook his head and Frieda closed her eyes letting out a heavy sigh.

Bathsheba smirked with satisfaction. ''How are you going to save us now, Frieda?'' she taunted the leader and crossed her wings across her chest.

Great. That certainly didn't make things easier. If only they'd start listening to us. I turned to my friends wondering what we should do now, as Orestes rose into the air grabbing Shade and me with each of his talons. With a surprised scream stuck into my throat, I and Shade got carried out of the cave. The shocked and desperate cries of Ariel, Mercury, and the rest of the bats right behind us.

''Orestes, what are you doing?'' asked Shade but the owl gave him no answer. Two wolves were lurking around the riverbank. To our dismay, Orestes flew straight at them and landed on a snow-covered rock.

"I uh found these stragglers," he announced. The wolves looked at each other, raising an eyebrow.

''Aren't you a little small to be out of patrol?" The female wolf asked. Orestes just glare at her not answering her question.

"What's your rank?" her companion asked growling.

"I'm Hercules'', Orestes replied without hesitation. ''Commander of the second squadron. Now move along I have a bat and a tiny human to torture."

I stared at him as if he went crazy or something.

"Tell me where the Silverwings are you filthy vermin!" He demanded, then stabbed me in the back with his beak, making me cry out in pain.

''Vanessa!'' Shade gasped.

The young owl looked guilty for a second and whispered a quick apology to me. Shade and I looked at him puzzled as he winked at us shortly. I realized that Orestes was putting up an act and smirked at Shade, who grinned back, having figured it out as well.

"I said talk!" He ordered. His face changed back into a scowl.

''Okay! Okay, I will tell you!'' said Shade pretending to surrender. He hesitated for a moment, causing Orestes to now poke him in the back. Though this time more gentle. Still, he cried out to make the wolves think he got hurt.

''They're- they're.. roosting near… the-the river!'' Shade stammered, trying to think of a lie.

Orestes grabbed a nearby stick and jabbed Shade with it, making him cry out in pain once more.

''Stop it!'' I cried out. ''He is telling the truth. They roosting near a hollow tree...near a..uh.a boulder.''

I made sure to raise my voice loud enough for the wolves to hear. They were smirking at each other and chuckled as if they were enjoying the little show. Taking a short glance up I noticed Marina, Ariel, Mercury, Icarus, Frieda plus a few others hanging outside of Hibernaculum, watching us too.

To make this whole performance more convincing, Orestes turned his back on the wolves and covered me and Shade with his wings. Then there was a loud crack and I screamed. ''AAAAH! MY LEG!''

Orestes moved his wings away from us again. Revealing the sight on me as I clutched onto my right leg, whimpering in pain.

''Please stop'', begged Shade. ''I'll tell you everything. But please stop hurting my friend!''

''Then talk bat. Otherwise, I might break your little friend's other leg.''

''Okay, okay. T-They are roosting near a large oak tree with trunk rot,'' he said.

Orestes looked pleased. ''You heard him'', he addressed the wolves, ''Get going!''

Growling with pleasure both canines turned tail and disappeared into the forest. As soon as we were sure they were gone, Orestes and Shade pulled out the broken pieces of the stick from under their wings, and together we three started laughing out we returned to Hibernaculum. As it turned out, the Silverwings had witnessed the whole thing and after a short debate with the other elders Frieda allowed Orestes to stay with us.

Bathsheba, however, was not so happy about it.

''Shade, the human, the Brightwing, and the owl staying here? Is nothing sacred?!"

''Extraordinary times create extraordinary circumstances,'' Frieda explained calmly as she hung with the other elders. And Shade, Marina, Orestes, and I smiled hearing this. ''The only question that remains is whether we will abandon Hibernaculum.'' She then raised her voice for everyone to hear. ''The council of elders will now meet to make a decision!''

I noticed Bathsheba smirking with glee as she flew after the female chief elder. ''We have to decide about the traitors quickly, Frieda'', she said.

Frieda stared at the other bat coldly. ''You are no longer welcome on the council.'' Then she and the other elders flew off, leaving a shocked and speechless Bathsheba behind.

''Ha'', I thought with delight, ''Serves you right you witch''

While the elders were discussing what to do next, Ariel insisted that our wounds are taking care of before we started telling them everything about our adventure.

In the meantime, my tattered dress was hanging over one of the stalagmites to dry. To cover my naked body and to keep myself warm, I wrapped my cloak tightly around me while the healers of the colony cared for my wounds. I hissed in pain when one of them examined my ankle.

''I thought, breaking your leg was just an act'', Icarus said, noticing my reaction.

''I was,'' Shade explained. ''But her leg got already broken before. The giant bat called Goth did that to her.''

''Giant bats, Cannibals... I can't believe those really exist,'' Ariel said, looking worried.

Shade sighed. ''I know mom. But they do.''

''Well, if they are so fierce, how did you manage to get rid of them?'' asked Chinook.

Marina smirked at him. ''Easy, Shade used his Echo-projection.''

''Yeah right,'' he laughed, ''Only tiger moths can do that.''

Apparently, Chinook hadn't changed a bit. He was just as arrogant as ever. Perhaps it was time to teach him a lesson. I grinned secretly and glanced at Shade, who rolled his eyes with a sigh. Then he closed his eyes and concentrated. Seconds later a gigantic tiger moth materialized directly behind Chinook, who was still talking.

''Yeah, and even if he could. He wouldn't fool anybody.''

''Oh really'', I said, ''Then why don't you take a look around and tell us what that is?''

''Huh? What do you...?'' Chinook did as I said and screamed seeing the giant moth. In panic he stumbled against Todd and made them both fall to the ground.

Soon the rest of the colony began to freak out as well.

I chuckled softly. ''Okay, I think that's enough Shade.''

The Silverwing reopened his eyes and grinned at the stunned faces of Chinook and Todd.

All around us, the colony started muttering about what just happened. Hundreds of eyes stared down on him Looking amazed and confused. Shade chuckled a bit as well about everyone's reaction. Then he noticed the stern faces of his mother, Frieda, and Orion, the chief elder of the males, who both returned from their meeting with the rest of the elders.

For a moment Shade looked sorry and I worried if they might be angry at him. But then their stern expressions faded and got replaced with admiration.

''Where did you learn to do that, Shade?'' his mother asked him.

''An old bat named Zephyr taught me.''

Frieda and Orion exchanged a short amused look. Both knowing exactly who Shade was talking about. I turned to my friends exchanging a smile with them too.

Eventually, Frieda raised her voice to the colony. ''The council has decided. We must leave Hibernaculum immediately.''

The colony once again erupted into turmoil:

"But we've only just arrived.''

"We can't just leave.''

"Where shall we go?''

Shade ignored the voices around us and fluttered over to Frieda.

''We have to find Ursa'', he said, ''the white Kermode bear. She will help us.''

A Silverwing male, who I learned to be the identical twin brother of Chinook's dad Plato approached him with an amused smile. ''Taught by Zephyr, befriend by bears?'' He placed a hand over Shade's shoulder, ''your father will be proud of you.''

''Wait. What?''

Shade shook his head, looking more than confused. ''Huh?! I thought my father was...dead?'' He turned to his mother with questioning eyes. Ariel looked down and let out a deep sigh. ''I always intended to tell...''

''Tell me what? That's my father was actually alive this whole time? Why did you lie to me?''

''Because I wasn't sure about it,'' Ariel retorted. Tears sparkling in her eyes. "Ever since you learned to fly you've been bubbling over with reckless ideas. If I had told you that your father had just disappeared and not died. Then maybe you would have tried to go looking for him.'' She shook her head. "I couldn't let that happen. I didn't want to lose you too.''

Shade was still shocked. ''But...''

''Shade,'' Marina said, flying over to him. ''Your mother only meant well. I'm sure she didn't mean to hurt you.''

He sighed. ''I know.''

''But where did he go?'' asked Orestes while looking curious at the bats.

I noticed Icarus fidgeting beside me. He looked like he was gonna say something, but held himself back.

''Something wrong?'' I asked him.

''Uh, what? No. I...''

''Icarus'', Mercury looked his mate directly into the eyes and wrapped a wing around his shoulder. ''I think its time to tell us what happened to Cassiel.''

''But Mercury...''

Shade approached. ''You know my dad?'' he asked Icarus, who nodded at him. ''I'm actually one of his close friends. I was with him on the night where he ... disappeared.''

''Where did he go?'' Shade got very excited and bombarded the other Silverwing with questions. ''What happened to him? Why didn't he return?''

''I...I'm sorry kid. I promised your dad I would tell anyone.''

He tried to retreat but Shade wouldn't back off. "Please tell me," he begged. "I am his son. I have the right to know what happened to him.''

"Icarus,'' Frieda spoke up. ''The boy is right. If you know where Cassiel flew off to, then tell us.''

Icarus still seemed uncertain, but when Orion also asked him to speak, he finally gave in.

''There was a human building,'' he began reluctantly. "Hanael saw it from afar last spring. He said there were strange metal poles on the roof. But when he flew there again to take a second look, he never came back. Cassiel went next. I... I had to promise him that I wouldn't tell anyone, it was too dangerous.''

"He's there," breathed Shade, "He has to.'' He turned to me. "Vanessa, do you have any idea what kind of building this might be?''

"Sorry, Shade. So spontaneously I can't say it. Maybe I'll know it when I see it.''

"Which you probably never will. Unless you go there of course," Orestes said.

"I will.''

Ariel looked at her son in shock. ''But Shade...''

''I'm sorry mom. But if my dad is truly out there, then I have to go looking for him. Just like you said.''

Ariel let out a sigh and then nodded. ''I know. And that's why I'll be coming with you.''

''Really?''

''Me too,'' said Frieda, ''I may be old, but this is a journey I'm willing to make before I die.''

''You sure about this?'' Orion asked her, looking unsure about this. ''What about the owls?''

''I know it will be a risk, but I have the feeling, that by searching for Cassiel we might as well find a way to stop this war.''

''I will go with her father'', said Hector.

''Me too'', added his brother.

''I'm coming too'', declared Icarus. Mercury didn't look happy about it. ''But..''

''I have to'', he insisted, ''I'm the only one who knows the way to that building.''

''I'm coming too,'' said another voice. "'Me too,'' cried another. Soon the whole cave was filled with excited voices, male and female, young and old.

Shade was speechless, he never expected such a reaction.

"Eh, if there' s any chance of finding a way to get my father to stop all this war talk, then I'd love to go with you as well,'' said Orestes, ''But only if you don't mind.''

Shade laughed. "Of course you can come. We wouldn't dream of having an adventure without you, Orestes. " The young owl smiled at him thankfully and Shade turned to me. "What about you? I can understand if you'd rather stay here after all you've been through.''

"Are you kidding? Of course, I'm coming with you.'' It was completely out of the question for me. ''We might even find a way to get me back to my original size.''

"I'm sure we will.'' At last, Shade turned to Marina. She had moved a little away from us and looked a somewhat melancholy. It was only now that I realized she hadn't said anything for a long time. Worried, Shade and I looked over at her.

"Is everything all right, Marina?''

"Sure.'' She cleared her throat. "Congratulations to both of you. After all this time, you've finally managed to get home.''

I didn't quite like the way she said it, and neither did Shade.

"You... you're not planning to leave us, do you?''

"I could seek out Penelope and the other banded bats. I can't go back to my own colony. You know why. " She raised her banded arm as if to add emphasis to her words.

"But... do you want to?" I asked.

She sounded a little angry. "Well, I guess I have to go somewhere, don't I?''

"No, you don't," cried Shade. "You can stay here with me! With us! Can't she, Frieda?''

''Of course, she can,'' said the elder.

''Really?'' Marina asked, ''You don't mind having a Brightwing among you?''

"Silverwings," cried Frieda. "Do we have a home for one of the Brightwings who has distinguished herself by such boldness, loyalty, and bravery?''

''Yes,'' said Ariel eagerly, ''please stay!'' And her invitation was picked up first by dozens, then by hundreds of bats, until the cave echoed with the sound of the wings applauding in the air.

"This is your new colony," Shade told her, "as long as you want it, that is.''

She smiled. ''Then I'm coming, too. To find your father and get to the bottom of all sorts of secrets we still need to reveal.'' Shade and I smiled. Feeling happy about her decision.

The young Silverwing would have preferred to fly off immediately, but Frieda persuaded him to wait until all our wounds had mostly healed and we had recovered our strength. And to tell the truth, I didn't mind. I was still sick and with an inflamed arm and a broken leg it would not be a good idea to start a journey into the unknown.

Therefore, we stayed at Hibernaculum for the upcoming nights, told them about our adventures, and waited for our injuries to heal. In addition, Ariel announced that Shade had grown. And as I looked at him, I had to agree with her. He was now the same size as Marina, maybe even a little bigger. However, he was by far not as big as Chinook, but that didn't seem to bother him much anymore.

On an early winter morning, I was lying on a leaf-cushioned rock slab close to a wall, and listened to the sound of the waterfall flowing past the cave entrance, hiding and protecting all of us in here. At least until the owls would come here. Frieda had decided that only a small squad should go in search of Cassiel, while the rest of the colony went to Ursa and enlisted her help in finding a new winter roost. In addition, some messengers were to select to find and alert other bat colonies. Hopefully, this went okay.

As the Silverwings and my friends slept peacefully around me, I listened to the sound of softly dripping stalactites and the steady breaths of Icarus and Mercury near me.

I tried to find some sleep myself, but my own thoughts kept me from doing so. I just couldn't stop thinking about everything that had happened to me these past weeks. I got shrunk to the size of a mouse, met bats, drifted out to sea in a storm, traveled to the highest heights, and deepest depths despite my fear of heights. I flew through thunder and lightning, fought giant cannibal bats, and most importantly: I made the three best friends you could ever imagine. And in a few nights, the four of us would set off on even greater adventures. And to be honest...

I couldn't wait for it.

AN: And That's it. You reading right folks, this here is the final chapter of Promise of the Night. Honestly, I would never have guessed I would actually finished it. I've been working on it years. ^^;

Now, I know you might think: What? How can this be the end?

But don't worry. I'm will start working on the first chapter of the sequel as soon as I can. In fact, I can't even wait to start writing it. :D ^^

The reason I gave this story a more open ending is because I wanted to the events of Sunwing following right after it. Though, writting it all in one story would have been too much. Therefore I'm splitting them into two.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading my story and look forward to see how it continues. :)