Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,42
Insight filled Keelie—Grandmother’s magic was so powerful that if she unleashed it on an unsuspecting person, they would fall immediately in love with her. It was sort of like a charm. Then the aloofness Grandmother wore like armor was back.
“Norzan needs us.”
Keelie nodded. They headed out.
In the Redwood Forest, with their minds bonded, Grandmother and Keelie cast their thoughts to the trees. Ancients, we seek your help in finding the Northwoods Tree Shepherd.
“Should we ask about the Redwood Tree Shepherd?” Keelie whispered.
“I already asked them earlier,” Grandmother replied.
An unfathomable, soaring voice answered. We cannot find either of the tree shepherds.
This was the true voice of a redwood. But the green that Keelie associated with tree speak was tempered with dark flashes. She wanted to return by day to see what she could find there. She’d bring Knot with her—the fairy would be able to see things that she could not. She felt Grandmother’s approval.
A misty cloud spiralled down from above. It was Bella Matera, her eyes pinpoints of silver light.
Terror surged from a nearby stand of hemlocks. Keelie and Grandmother turned their attention to the trees, but a wall of magic blocked them. Sharp pain pierced Keelie’s mind. She couldn’t break through. But then the pain disappeared just as quickly as it came.
Bella’s essence swathed Keelie’s mind. You are frightening the trees. I am only protecting them from their fear. I am deeply worried that we cannot find the two shepherds. I vow to continue to search for them.
Thank you, Grandmother replied. Your trees need not fear us. We are tree shepherds.
The tree spirit drifted into the sky, and as she vanished, the wall of magic dissolved.
Keelie turned to the hemlocks. You can trust me.
We trust no one.
Grandmother looked at Keelie, frustrated. “We must continue to search.”
Although Keelie wanted to go to bed, she knew that her grandmother was right, and wondered what had happened to the little trees to frighten them. “Let’s go.”
Risa and Laurie were already in the bed by the time Keelie collapsed on the skinny strip of space the bed hogs had left for her. Thank goodness she was able to travel the sap by herself. She was so exhausted that she didn’t think she could have waited for someone to come down and help her. She would have drifted off right there between Wena’s roots. She was not going to have any problem going to sleep tonight.
She moved her feet and her toes curled up against something large, lumpy, and furry. Knot swatted at her foot, snagging a claw in her skin.
Keelie jerked her foot away, kicking Laurie in the back. Laurie, in turn, rolled over and her arms landed on Risa. Risa fell out of the bed with a large thunk.
“Ow!” Risa rose up on her knees and slammed her fists on the bed. “Somebody isn’t going to live until morning.”
Knot dug himself out of the covers, growling as he jumped down onto the floor.
Risa turned, watching him leave. “Don’t go,” she pleaded. “I’ll go and you can sleep on the bed.”
He stopped in the doorway, the light from the bathroom casting a golden glow on his orange fur. He meowed and walked away.
“Why can’t I sit up front?” Risa’s whine was like a dentist’s drill. She was dressed in a Juliet City Shakespeare Festival T-shirt and a pair of Laurie’s jeans.
It had taken forever to get organized, so it was evening before they were finally ready to drive to Los Angeles. Keelie proposed they drive all night, taking turns behind the wheel of Laurie’s car. That left the whole next day free for L.A., then they would turn around and drive straight back.
Obviously, Risa would do no driving, and Keelie wished she would shut up.
She glanced into the back seat and saw that Laurie was rolling her window down, probably preparing to throw the elf girl out. Keelie was in the front passenger seat, and Sean was driving. It had been like a desperate game of musical chairs as they’d jockeyed for spots. After Laurie had decided to let Sean drive, Keelie knocked Risa aside as she quickly jumped into the front seat next to him. Knot hopped in next to her, further infuriating the elf girl, who ended up stuck in the back with Laurie. At one point, Knot was in the driver’s seat. That was so not going to happen.
“I’m totally happy back here,” Laurie called out as they bumped down the road.