Even as excited as she was about the adventures ahead of her, Audrey couldn't help but remember the last time she passed these sights.  She and her family had been returning from Jack's initial visit to the academy, and her father had surprised them all with a new purchase.  The automobile was sleek and black, and its canvas top kept all of them out of the sun as they headed home.<br/><br/>The fields to her right dropped off to the low river below.  The bluff rippled around the side of the road, sometimes disappearing behind the trees, sometimes being just feet from the edge of the path.  Then she sees the setting of so many of her recent dreams.  The tree is still there, it's wounds still looking fresh against the surrounding bark.  The brush has grown back some in the past months, but the snapped trunks of the saplings are still visible.<br/><br/>The cab speeds by, but for the remainder of the trip Aubrey is stuck at that damaged tree.  Finally she's awoken from her daze by the carriage slowing, then coming to a halt at the stable.  She takes advantage of the stop and the given invitation for food and drink.  On stiff legs, she steps down from the cab and heads into the inn.