Seven
The Great Forest. . .and Beyond
Sath and Gin walked in silence along the winding path from the Outpost into the Great Forest, reaching Aynamaede by nightfall. This was not following his timeline, but he found that he didn’t care. The Rajah paused and looked up toward the trees, and Gin nearly bumped into him. “What is it, Sath?”
“This is the first time that I’ve seen the torches lit—well, the first time I haven’t been afraid of them, anyway.” Sath chuckled. “It’s beautiful.” Gin smiled as she snuggled up under his arm. He held her close to him as they both gazed up at the treetop city. “What was it like growing up there?”
“Um, for me? Dangerous. Look how high up even the lowest platform is!” They both laughed, and Gin looked upward, misty-eyed. “It was magical. You know, I’ve been angry for so long at my parents for not telling me who I am, for leaving, for so many things—but I can’t be angry with them for my childhood. I know now that they did all that they did, including keeping our family secret hidden from us, because they wanted to protect us.” Gin sighed, and Sath tightened his arm around her, seeking her out in the bond to make sure he wasn’t frightening her. He never smelled fear on her, not anymore, but he knew that there were deeper wounds—something happened with that wizard that she kept hidden from him in the bond.
“We should keep moving unless you want to make camp here tonight?”
“Oh, no. No, I do not.” Gin shook her head. “If they catch on that the Nature Walker is in residence, we will never get out of here.” She looked up at the twinkling lights again as her face softened. “I would love for you to see where I stay here when I have to come back. You’ve never come with me.”
“Bane of the Forest.”
“I know, but how can they forgive you if you don’t give them a chance?”
“How about this—we sneak up there, and you show me around, and then we leave before we are discovered?” Gin looked up at him, questioning. He felt her uncertainty, along with her pride in her home, and nodded at her. “No one will see us.”
“Sath, they can see through invisibility magic.”
“That’s why we won’t use any.” Sath knew that this idea might end badly, but he couldn’t stop himself. “Hide our things here, under those trees. Then climb on my back, and we will be up there before you know it.” Gin thought for a moment and then pulled off her haversack and staff. She hid the pack in some brambles but then hesitated before putting her staff down. “Take it with you. I can carry you either way.” He put his pack down with hers and then offered her a hand. She took it, and he steadied her as she walked up his leg and climbed onto his back, bringing with her a wave of sunflowers. She settled in, her fingers winding into his fur. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Why do you always smell like sunflowers?” Gin stilled against his back, and he frowned, regretting the question.
“Do I?”
“It isn’t a problem, I love it. My earliest memories of my mother are of the scent of sunflowers—Papa used to say it was part of her magic, that she bewitched him with those flowers.” He could feel Gin’s body vibrate against his back before he heard her giggle.
“So, I remind you of your mother?”
“NO! I mean, no, I was just wondering.” He chuckled as he moved stealthily toward the large tree that held up the highest platform—the one with her residence at the very top. “I could find you in the pitch darkness, Gin. I just have to follow my nose.”
“Well, that’s romantic,” she whispered, giggling. “You aren’t going to climb this one, are you?”
“No, I just need to scope out the nearby trees. If I remember correctly,” Sath said as he settled on a tree and started climbing upward, “this one is close enough that I can reach out and touch the platforms without having to make a dangerous jump.”
“If you remember? When did you—oh.” Sath cursed inwardly as he felt Gin go entirely still on his back. Why had he brought up the Bane of the Forest? He just hoped that she wasn’t going to let go. “Gin, I didn’t mean—hang on, please?”
“Just keep climbing.” They continued in silence until Gin saw her hut coming into view. “Here, this one.” Sath continued climbing until he was a few feet above the platform.
“Hang on.” He pushed off from the tree’s broad trunk and seemed to float through the air across to the platform, landing silently. Gin held a finger up to her lips as she looked around, then slid off his back to the platform. Her boots made only slightly more sound than his feet had when he landed, and she moved quickly toward the door of the hut, gesturing for him to follow her. Once inside, Sath found that he had to sit down on the floor to keep from hitting the ceiling. Gin sat down across from him, keeping some distance between them as she looked up into his teal eyes.
Sath, we have to speak in the bond now. If anyone found you here…
I know, Gin. This was not one of my better ideas. He searched her mind but found barriers where he usually had access. I’m so sorry. I didn't mean to. . .upset you.
You didn’t do it on purpose. It’s all right.
Tell me about this place.
Well, this is where my great, great grandfather Draoch of the Trees lived and where he was kidnapped from at the beginning of the Forest War. My great grandmother, his daughter, was born here and lived here after my people moved back into Aynamaede—once it was safe.
Safe? Oh, from the Mother Dragon
