Phantom Hollow oh, who is she?

They both though each other dead. We are even, then, he said, loosing his smile just a little more. No apologies to be made for not looking for the other - though, Melaneus would be lying if he ever said he had not kept his eyes open for her at all. At every turn he had, as he'd kept his eyes open for the rest of them. But he had not found them, and after a while, it was easier to live if you simply never expected to find them at all. But I'm glad you are not.

How much had happened? His childhood blurred together like the endless fog of Shade wood. Had she or Lycabas been the first to leave? Had he found Starflower begore or after? Even the things that followed got muddled in the mess the Crows had made him.

Yes, he mused, we are both alive, and now, we are both here. Indeed, a lot has happened.

There had been something weighty threading his sister's words. He was sure she would feel it in his own.

And what has happened to bring you back? fully expecting she might answer by turning the question back on him.