Neric has put on his old green silk robes, complete with the gold seal of the Council across the chest, and he has supplied Ravin with one of the robes he had brought back with him--a blue one. It had taken a little alteration to fit her, as she is more along the size and build of the Erdlings than the Kindar, but they are surprisingly comfortable ( Read more... )

Another evening, another return to their room, this time balancing a tray of food. But this time, he sets it down outside before working the lock and doorknob, and so nothing gets spilled; and into the room he goes, with tea, honey-cakes, and paradoxes.

He is in a good mood, but a subdued one.

There was no sleep, though the night rains were as soothing as ever, though the sounds of the forest were the same as they had been since their people had first come to this planet. Neric stays awake, watching out the window as the fitful light from one or another of the moons filters briefly through the leaves overhead ( Read more... )

The Council had finally been roused out of their despair and into action, such as it was. They had met to discuss the situation, and had agreed to meet every two days to discuss further developments, and... that was all. Meeting, discussing whether there was any news, and then adjourning again ( Read more... )

One of them has the children, the other has the weapon.Neric dreams he is a child again, but it's no comfort to him. In his dream, he is in the room he slept in as a child, in the final house he and his parents had. Its open lattice floor and walls seem to come alive again, growing and twisting into vines as the room shrinks, pinning him against ( Read more... )

Word had come ( Read more... )

Neric's room is very small.  It's not surprising, really--he brought no belongings with him other than what he's wearing, he's got no money to pay for it, and he's got almost no useful skills he can trade for money.  He doesn't even know that he should want money ( Read more... )

On the other side of the door is dim lighting and warm air, the sound of rain on the roof and strange birds in the distance, the scent of a summer night in the forest and, of course, the fruits and nuts that make up the supplies of the youth hall pantry, which is where the door happens to be.  The room is made of living branches--the floor is one ( Read more... )

It was evening, as Neric slowly made his way back up the ladders and along the branches toward the youth hall where he now made his home.  The Senate meeting had been long, and not particularly enjoyable--the people were afraid, both Kindar and Erdling, afraid of change, afraid of what the future might bring.  But still there was hope, and that was ( Read more... )