Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,61

to do with Viran’s disappearance.

Moments later, Coyote trotted into view.

Peascod, Tavyn, then Coyote. What was going on here?

Coyote’s nose was low to the ground. He stopped, then lifted his gaze to Keelie’s. Their eyes locked. He gestured with his head back to the south, back toward a stand of hemlocks. Keelie detected that something wasn’t right in that direction—somebody needed help.

Then Coyote darted after his quarry, Tavyn and Peascod.

“Come on, Sean. We need to go this way.” She started moving in the direction Coyote had signaled.

“No, you need to get back to Sir Davey’s. I’m going to follow them.” Sean’s eyes were glued to the coyote.

Keelie knew just where to go. It was as if there was a homing signal in her brain. “Coyote will follow them, but he signaled that we’re needed over there.” She pointed to the large group of hemlocks and started walking toward them.

Sean kept pace beside her. “I still think we need to call for help. You shouldn’t be out here if the shepherds are in trouble.”

Keelie opened herself to the hemlocks. What is wrong?

A small weak voice answered. Hurry, the shepherd needs you. He tried to help us.

The shepherd! Viran! Keelie broke into a run, leaping over fallen limbs and skidding in the wet soil, Sean at her heels. She saw the body and dropped to her knees. Their search was over.

But when she turned over the still body, she was staring into the unconscious face of Norzan, the Northwoods Shepherd. His skin was the sickly green of chlorophyll poisoning.

“He looks moldy,” Sean said. “Is he sick?”

“No, it’s a spell.We’ve got to get him back to the elven camp.”

Sean lifted Norzan as if he weighed no more than a teacup. Keelie followed, fighting not to look over her shoulder as they hurried out of the forest.

Inside Kalix’s tree house, the unconscious form of Norzan rested on the couch. Grandmother, in her Queen Elizabeth costume, stood in a corner of the room and spoke with Kalix in whispered tones. Keelie sat at the oaken table as Sariela brought them tea. Sean was looking around, taking in every detail.

Keelie was worried about Norzan. The Redwood Forest’s elven healer hadn’t been able to awaken him.

The windows blew open as a cloud rushed into the living room. Sean pushed his chair back, ready to protect Keelie. Somebody’s adrenaline was pumping overtime. Keelie reached out and grabbed him by the wrist. “It’s a tree spirit.”

“A tree?” Then understanding filled Sean’s face. He nodded and sat back down. They watched as Bella Matera materialized in her wraithlike tree form.

“What has happened?” Bella Matera floated over to Kalix and Grandmother.

“We do not know.” Kalix bowed to Bella Matera.

“I will take him with me, and I will have Bloodroot see what he can do to awaken the Northwoods shepherd.”

Fear for Norzan’s well-being and distrust of Bloodroot filled Keelie, but Kalix nodded.

Grandmother stepped forward, her face was as hard as stone as she faced Bella Matera. “He needs to return to his home forest as soon as possible. There, among the trees that know and love him, will he be restored.”

Go Grandmother.

Bella Matera grew until the top of her branchlike “hair” vanished through the ceiling. Her voice deepened into a loud thrum that they could feel in their bones. “Bloodroot will heal him. Norzan goes with me.”

Grandmother lifted her head and glowered, fiery determination flashing in her eyes. “The Northwoods elves and healer are on their way. They will be here in two hours.”

Bella Matera’s eyes darkened. “Who gave you authority? We are the Ancients, and we are the ones who determine what happens and does not happen in our forest.”

“Am I hearing tree speak?” Sean asked Keelie, his voice low and excited.

“No, these trees can actually talk out loud.”

Sean stared at Bella Matera’s ghostly form and a frown slowly settled on his features. He held Keelie’s hand tightly in his.

“I am a tree shepherd, and even the Ancients mind the accords of the Great Sylvus,” Grandmother was saying.

Bella Matera lowered her eyes, away from Grandmother’s blistering gaze. She bowed her airy branches. “Then so be it.”

Relieved that Norzan was going to the Northwoods, Keelie sat back in her chair and picked up her tea, holding it with trembling fingers. It had been so close. She was sure that if Norzan had left with Bella Matera, he would not have returned.

Bella Matera drifted toward the window, but turned suddenly to face Grandmother. “Lady Keliatiel, Norzan’s death will be on your head. The Ancients