Maeka hurries deep through the forest toward the Yauka Tree which stands at its center and spreads out in smaller versions of itself from the middle. Owls hoot from the treetops in the moonlight, and every now and then a small creature would scurry across your path surprised by the parade of people running through the forest at night. A wakku surprises you and you jump back. The forest is alive, and though you should be weary though you feel wide awake and that shouldn't be a problem. 

The Yauka Tree is even more impressive up close than it looks from the outskirts of the forest. You had seen it many times from along the road to the port. Approaching it now it seems larger than the one you saw in Ky's crystal memory. Its limbs stretch over the forest like a sheltering embrace, moonlight setting its purple leaves ablaze. Dark, still water blankets its enormous roots as it drags up water from the ground in a night time drink. When Alster, the last to arrive, gets to the tree you all take a moment to catch your breath. "I was," he breathes heavily, "at the back and there are animals all over this place," he pants again seeming very relieved to be in the group again. 

Maeka had already caught her breath and was walking around water at the base of the tree. She stops and points. "There, at the base!" A sliver of crystal glitters between the tree's knots. "Another memory shard!"

"Wait here!" She runs, splashing through the water. But her foot slips, and she sinks into the muck. You shout as vines wrap themselves around Maeka's body, sucking her under the black waves. Talik immediately casts a fire spell and illuminates the whole area with a beam of blue blaze like a sunbeam between to mountain peaks. You look but see nothing but ripples. As an earth mage you try raising the soil from where you last saw Meaka but as the earth rises and water runs of the curved and raised ground you see no signs. 

Drue's calls to his griffon thinking that it might be able to fly out to help her, but vines fling upward, snapping in the air as if interpreting the move and anticipating the arrival of the winged beast so he ceases the call. 

The waves subside. Now only ripples disturb the surface, until those disappear too. There's no movement. No sign of Maeka. You and your companions exchange nervous glances. Do you risk the waters yourselves as you magic is not working? If you don't help her, she could drown!

The water's surface crashes open, exploding around Maeka as she soars through the air. The vines give chase, but she's too fast. She lands hard on her hands and knees by the tree, drenched but safe, and the vines fall lifelessly into the water. Up close Maeka could see not just the one crsytal but many now. 

How many are there? Give your answer in Thy Quests.

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