can’t risk both of us on something like this.” She huffed, and I continued. “Speaking of risk…just in case, I have something for you.” I took from my vest a small wooden box and put it in front of her.
“What’s this?”
“Every new greensleeve gets one from an elder of their clan. I’m not sure when I’ll see you again, and I didn’t want you to miss out. Open it but don’t touch what’s inside.”
Pen carefully pushed open the hinge and saw the bantil plant seed inside. “Is this…?”
“Yes. Keep it with you always in case you need it to defend the Canopy.” I planted a kiss on her forehead. “I’m proud of you, cousin. I wish I could stay, but I won’t have much rest until Gorin Mogen is defeated. After that I can get you properly trained. Perhaps we can spend some time in the south together.”
“I would like that,” she said.
And I would like it, too, since Nef was from there and I’d have the opportunity to see him more often. We had enjoyed only a single, interrupted outing together, slurping noodles in a swing-by soup cradle, laughing together and almost kissing. We were leaning toward each other, slowly, enjoying the anticipation, when a thornhand found me and said I was needed at the Second Tree for the sway where I was to be named Champion.
“To be continued,” I said. Now he was under my command again, part of my siege crew, and we would have to wait a bit longer. That was fine: everything has its season, and budding promise has as much beauty as full flower.
High up on the slopes of the Godsteeth days later, I was in charge of a small army of the blessed intended to soften up the Hathrim before the Nentians, who were marching from the north, arrived in overwhelming numbers. I had my doubts and insecurities. I heard echoes of the criticisms levied by the Black Jaguars and the Blue Moths that I was too young, too inexperienced, to be given such responsibility. I worried that I would lead our forces into disaster or that the Nentians would arrive too late or prove ineffective and the giants would be firmly rooted here forever. But being named Champion by the First Tree appeared to have given everyone else complete confidence in my abilities.
At sundown, grassglider scouts lower down the mountain reported that a huge fireball had risen from the city, generated by two giants, but they had no idea what it signified.
Patrols of houndsmen passed underneath the scouts, unaware of their presence. For all that we are unused to attacking the Hathrim outside our borders, they are just as unfamiliar with defending against us. They are so used to looking down on everything that it never occurs to them to look up into the trees for silent watchers.
Rig Wel ben Lok asked to lead the first siege crew downhill, and I gave him the go-ahead at midnight. Grassgliders positioned themselves around the Invisible Owls, who all had portable pieces of a light catapult that would launch payloads of choke gourds over the walls, and they moved together in utter silence thanks to their kenning. Pods of thornhands with a grassglider each also streamed downhill to chosen locations.
I nodded with satisfaction as each crew and pod quietly mobilized. This is what the Canopy teaches us: grow while they’re not looking, silent and strong, and then, just as your competitors become aware that you may pose a problem, you grow thorns and choke them out, and they will fall by necessity.
I caught Nef smiling at me for no reason, his eyes keen to drink in the light of mine. I gave him only the tiniest grin in response, conscious of being watched, before sending him down with a few other grassgliders to spread bantil seeds in front of the southern and eastern gates. He makes me laugh, and it is easy to imagine being happy with him. Nef and Nel. Oh, that would be almost impermissibly adorable.
Bah—I have no time to dream of something that cannot bear fruit now. My mind should be employed anticipating what surprises the Hathrim will throw at us. I am certain they will do something horrific.
—
“Tomorrow: the Battle of the Godsteeth!” Fintan said.
This time, at least I got to finish my toast. But my dream of a pleasant morning was crushed as soon as a huge mariner I recognized knocked on my door after breakfast. He was one of