Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,18

this is Kalix. We met his son Tavyn a while ago.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Kalix smiled at her. “We’re honored to meet you, Keliel Tree Talker, Daughter of the Forest.” Tavyn bowed to them.

Keelie was dazzled.

“Would you like to see our village?”

“I’d love to.”

Kalix motioned with his hand toward the back door, and the group headed out of the cabin. They walked along a small path, and then crossed under an arbor. Keelie felt a tingle flash over her skin as she walked through a veil of magic.

As they stepped off the path to follow Kalix, he motioned toward the ancient woods. Keelie gasped. A scene out of a science fiction movie spread out before them. The lengthening shadows of the day cast the illuminated houses in the treetops into sharp relief. Keelie couldn’t believe that people really lived hundreds of feet in the air, but the trees glittered with lamplight from dozens of homes. It was enchanting, and unreal. Her imagination flew up to the treetops, giddy with the thought of spending the next few weeks up there. Her stomach must have been human, though, because she was suddenly queasy.

“How do we get up there? I don’t see any elevators.”

Kalix walked on. “Follow me. It’s easy.”

Famous last words, Keelie thought, but she followed eagerly.

They walked through ferns and past tangles of rhododendron until they reached one of the redwood giants. Keelie touched its bark reverently. Even while she was blocking the trees, she could feel her heart lurch as it tried to beat in time with the slow rhythm of centuries.

The platform of the building was hundreds of feet above them.

“Really, how do we get up there?” Keelie asked again.

“We travel the tree sap,” Kalix answered.

Keelie had no idea what he meant. Normally she wasn’t afraid of heights, but the tree houses were way up there. Her feet were getting clammy at the thought of being that high. Maybe he meant that they had an elevator in the trunk of the tree. That would be cool.

Kalix gestured toward the tree. “Everyone, come closer.”

They huddled by the trunk. Knot meowed in a tone that told Keelie he didn’t like the idea of going up to the top. She reached down and he climbed onto her shoulder, then sat up, holding onto her head with his paws.

Gold light flowed from the tree and surrounded them.

Keelie felt her internal organs jerk up, and then suddenly they were on a small platform in the high branches.

“Oh my,” Grandmother exclaimed.

“How wonderful!” Norzan held on to a nearby limb. “I’ve heard of sap travel, but have never experienced it.” He leaned over the platform and looked down. Just watching him made Keelie nauseous. The deck they stood on was connected to walkways and bridges that spanned the upper canopy. Around each tree the walkways widened, with covered porches and lamplight that shone through windows. The houses were built around the trees.

Maybe if she imagined that the bridges were on water instead of high in the air, she could make it work. Unfortunately, while she knew how to swim, it was harder to imagine surviving a fall from one of the decks.

“Do you always let your cat ride on your head?” Tavyn asked.

Keelie shrugged. “It’s hard to discourage him.” Knot dug his claws into her shoulder. “Don’t worry, furball, I’m not going to let you fall.” She stepped carefully off the platform and onto a wide plank staircase that led up to the redwood’s trunk.

They entered the tree house, and Kalix motioned to a woman in loosely woven brown pants and a flowy, long-sleeved top in muted colors that showed it was made with natural dyes.

“My lady wife, Sariela.” She had long brown hair that curled in waves. She hugged Tavyn and Kalix as they entered, a homey gesture that made Keelie miss Dad and really long for Mom. She thought of the Hancock Park house, but quickly pushed the feelings and images to the back of her mind.

Instead, she studied the interior of the tree house. It was lit by beeswax candles whose sweet honey scent filled the air, mixing with the yummy smell of soup cooking. A tin-punched star hung from the ceiling, casting little pinpoints of light on a huge wooden table. Fresh bread was set out, along with jars of honey and soup bowls. Keelie’s stomach rumbled. She hadn’t eaten since the SunChips at the Gas-A-Minute, and she was starving.

Kalix put his arm around the woman’s waist. “Sariela and I welcome you. My

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